Suffering for the Good

My thoughts lately, have fallen to those truly struggling during this time. We are so blessed and should be so grateful for all that we have. We all know of others suffering and in need of great healing and blessing this season. With all the reminders I've received this year about what this season is about and were our mindset should be and how to prepare, I still catch myself focusing on myself.

I have to remember that our world (in the small sense, here) works like a ripple effect. What we choose to do doesn't just have an impact us or those closest to us. It can spread like wildfire, in both a good and a bad way. Here's an example:

About this time last year, a friend of mine found out her nephew was diagnoised with cancer. He was 3. It was horrible for her and her family. She spread the word to our bible study and we were all praying. She kept us up throughout the year on his well being and also how it was affecting their lives. She shared how her personal prayer time had increase and how she was reaping blessing in the midst of his suffering. He is now in remission, thanks God!

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not glad that this boy or those we know are suffering. But I will say that through this suffering, we can bennifit and grow, and passing it along effects others. My friends words effected not only me, but many others, to be inspired to pray more, not look inward so much, and to rejoice in what we do have.

I have a similar situation with this going on right now in my family. When I catch myself looking inward and being selfish (especially at 4 a.m. up with my 7 month old), I have been trying to pray for Maria and put myself in her place. All of the sudden, what is going on with me or my lack of sleep is pretty sad to whine about in the midst of her and her families struggles.

We need to remember the effect we have on others and how we can use that for good and bad. Let's make an effort to use it for good, so that as we prepare for Christ's coming, we can each do our own little part to be Christ for others!

Let it SNOW!!

I have to let you know that today is one of those days that are really enjoyable in living out my vocation. I'm still in my P.J's and it is, well, I can't quite admit, but let's just say it's WAY afternoon. The kitchen is not very clean. The phone has finally stopped ringing off the hook. No chores have been done. But the kids got breakfast and lunch, and I got the youngest dressed before noon, (unlike myself!)

So what's so different today from other days? It's a SNOW DAY! Here in the Great Lakes, we were covered with 9 inches of snow last night. I went to bed looking at a forecast predicting 3-6. We awoke to beautiful white, and it has been falling off and on all day. So I have all 4 kiddos home. What have I been doing? Answering the phone, calling their friends, talking to mine, pulling out boots, snow pants, mittens, hats, scarves, etc. Putting on boots, snow pants, scarves, mittens, hats, etc. You know what? I love it! I love when my kids get along, play outside together (for more then and hour!), come back in for lunch and want to go out for more! To be sure, nothing is really getting done today except for thanking God for the gift of life He's given me and seeing them enjoy the first snow of the season.

Sometimes we have to let the big things go and enjoy those things that won't last. I know that some day snow days will mean that my kiddos will sleep till 1 p.m. and it won't be the same. So I'm choosing to enjoy today!

For Every Season

This post has been long in the making. Mostly because my brain has been on overload. With Thanksgiving just past and Christmas looming ahead, it is easy to miss the focus of not only the true meaning, but this time to celebrate Advent. I must admit that in the past, I've felt really good about myself and prided myself on being "on top" of prep and being able to enjoy the Advent season.

Then this past Sunday came and I was overwhelmed beyond belief. I don't know if that is because of child #4 being 6 months, or just having 4 kids or, I don't know, any other excuse I can come up with? I was frustrated with myself for being overwhelmed when I knew where my focus should be. Sad to say that I haven't fully solved the problem. I have excepted that all might not get done and that my home might not be like the movies.

I went to an "Advent By Candlelight" were I listened to a meditation about being the jug of water that Jesus changed into wine. The people didn't know where it came from, and neither do I need to know where or how the change happened. Yet, my heart needs to be open to being changed. The other question that was asked was "what does God want to give me for Christmas", and "what do I need to do to receive that?". This went hand in hand with what our Pastor has been talking about the last few weeks about this being New Year's for the Church. How are we going to be different a year from now then we are now?

So my motivations now is to take these thoughts to heart. Maybe if I focus on where the meaning should be, I"ll get the practicals back on track and be able to enjoy this time of year that I love so much.

Questions? Thoughts? What are your stumbling blocks during this season and how do you resolve them? This should be a faith filled and enjoyable time of year, not a time that we wish we can just make it through. Let's make an effort to enjoy the meaning the way it is intended.

Giving Thanks

Thank you to the few of you who have commented about being thankful and staying focused! I appreciate the interaction and feedback!

Today, I am THANKFUL to say that I am back on the work out track. I've worked out the past 2 days and have seen progress! That's always good. I've also had a few conversations with others, even my sister-in-law, about being consistent in working out. It is nice to encourage others, hear that positive talk from yourself, and therefor be encouraged as well. I'm thankful for my workout buddy who encourages and supports me, my husband who never stops encouraging me, and my family who loves me. Like Carlus commented, it is important to be held accountable so that we can stay on track, help ourselves, and help others!

Let's remember to be thankful, especially this month!!

Motivation Problem?

Yes, I have a motivation problem, or so I assume! Thus why I created this blog. #1 is for helping myself, keeping myself accountable. I tend to get very excited about things and then have a problem sticking with it. Don't people call that something like, 'stick-to-it-tivness'? Maybe that is what I'm lacking.

I was out of town a week and a half ago and came back last Monday evening. This past week has consisted of trying to readjust to what I call, 'real life'. All of this is normal, yes, except that those things I've been working on have kinda flown out of the window. This is were I get nervous about the motivation thing. I am motivated tonight to start this week off right, getting back to working out and eating better. I was proud of myself that I actually worked out in Florida about 3 times, but I haven't worked out since I got home last Monday! FOCUS, FOCUS!

So I guess this is were the stick-to-it-tivness or what ever that is comes in. I need to learn a way to be able to keep up those things that I want in my life even when the regular schedule doesn't go so smooth. Yes, there are bumps in the road and things are always "normal", (when are they ever?), but that is when I need to be even more focused to follow things through. This applies to not just working out, but prayer, house cleaning/picked up, friendships, blog posts:), etc.

The question I place before you is how? How do we stay focused and motivated when things aren't always as normal or smooth as we wish them to be. Thoughts??

Just Breath!

Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I was out of town, Florida of all places! Yes, it was great. I got to see my new nephew and my brother and sister-in-law, as well. It was great to hang out and catch up. We also celebrated my oldest daughter's birthday, while there. I can't believe how much she is growing up! She is turning into a great young lady, and is such a help to me, especially with the baby. I also got to work out there, it was wonderful to do that, especially in the warmth of the sun! Haven't had much of that lately. Though I did have one adventure of getting lost while out running. I thought I was going in a circle, ended up doing a figure 8, imagine that. Let's just say, I had a long cool down since I over shot by about a 1/2 mile or so and had to walk back! I also got to swim outside, how great is that?!

Having had this great oppritunity, especially with it Thanksgiving growing near, made me reflect on how grateful I am. Grateful for family and friends. Grateful to travel, which is something I really love. Grateful to be able to exercise in beautiful area in awesome weather, when it is almost winter where I live. Grateful for the beautiful planet our God has given us, especially the ocean and surf! Grateful for faith to pass onto our children.

So lets be focused on gratfulness and thankfulness this month. Let us remember to tell others at least 1 thing a day through Thanksgiving for things that we are grateful for. Hopefully this will form a pattern that will continue in our lives and families. So I will start. In the spirit of Vetern's Day today, I am thankful for those who have and are serving our country, risking our lives to keep us safe. Thankyou!

Craizies!

Is that even a word? We'll that's how I feel this morning as I sit here trying to get a post off, since it's been almost a week. My kiddos are fighting, trying to finish their chores, my 5 month old is squirming on my lap as I type, and I'm hacking with a cough I can't seem to beat. Ah....life.

Anyone else ever get like this?

I have to admit that start of days like these (especially Saturday's) can tend to make me frustrated and down. We have some decisions to make today, plus I have a trip I'm leaving for in the next few days, and I need to get ready for that. Also, I haven't worked out in 3 days due to this cold. All in all, this usually makes me quite overwhelmed. Do you ever feel this way?

But in the theme of trying to turn over a new leaf and stay motivated, I'm trying to think positive. So what are suggestions you have to pick yourself up after a less then best start to a day, or the past few days? How do we stay focused on what we are shooting for when we don't feel the best and things are looming out in front of us? I post these questions to you as someone who doesn't have all the answers. For me, I know a lot has to do with attitude and not sweating the small stuff.

OK, got to run now, baby's freaking out.....thoughts??

Vocation

I had a great prayer time the other day, where God really spoke to me about vocation. I was very encouraged while reading a meditation that I enjoy.

"Do we thank God for the gift of our vocation? Do we realize that we have been called from all eternity to fulfill a divine vocation? We have been given all we need to be and to live out our vocation."


I don't think that I do this well. For me, I believe, that this is a good summary of a way to stay focused on what is true. I can choose to be thankful and know that I have been chosen and given the gifts I need to carry out what God have divinely called me to. If that isn't encouraging, I don't know what is!

So be focused, be motivated, hang on to the truth and know that His grace surrounds you!

Balance

This seems to be a theme of my life: Seeking balance. I don't think I do it very well. Do you? I seem to be one of those people who either swings one way too far, or the other. Either I don't care that things are clean and organized, or I can't relax because they are not. I'm trying to learn how to prioritize better so that things get done, but I'm not hyper about when things aren't always done. Does this make sense?

I find this hard to do when my normal routine gets thrown out of wack. For instance, my kids have been off since Tues. due to illness that has closed our school. Talk about what to do! My husband has been under the weather and home, and I'm fighting something myself. So I'm striving for some balance.

I actually did pretty well today. I got some ironing done, took the kids, with my mom, to the cider mill, and still managed to work in a workout while at the park for the kids soccer practices. When I type it all out like this it looks good. But in my head, I still have yesterday, where I didn't do anything. It was nice to sit around and drink tea and talk to my husband, but the bathrooms didn't get clean, and the laundry didn't get done. So today I was swinging the other way, and now I'm exhausted!

But I guess the key is to keep pushing forward, right? The balance may not come in the same day, but in two, or within the week. I guess I just have to be patient and not give up.

I'm training for a triathlon. Yes, really! I've had many the mixed reaction from those I've shared with, which now are many, since I've noticed that sharing keeps me motivated and focused, but also inspires others as well!

I've really loving it, too. I'm surprised at that part. You see, I'm not a runner, or a biker, or a swimmer, for that matter. I'm athletic and always have been involved with sports growing up. But since I've had kids, exercising has become a chore. But through a friend who has really encouraged me, and challenged me, I'm setting new goals and changing me attitude.

Aside from the "good for you" things about exercise, I'm discovering something the "good" in a different way as well. The bible teaches us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and rightfully so. We are called to glorify God with our bodies. What better way to do this then to exercise and take care of our body in this healthy way? I'm truly experiencing this. I feel better, have more energy, and just seem overall, more happy. Why should I be surprised, isn't that what we always here about what exercise will do for us?

It is not only that. I'm seeing how blessed I am. I can walk, run, bike, swim, enjoy nature and enjoy friendship in a way that I haven't really experienced before. I am thankful and try to take the time when I'm out enjoying the use of my body to let God know that, to glorify Him through the gift He has given me! In doing this, it motivates me more to keep going.

So maybe this is where I get the "Motivated with Meaning" theme. I want to not just doing things in my life, but carry them through with a purpose. Let God be praised!

"I silently resolved to have a humbler, more grateful heart. I am everything God intends for me to be. This place where He put me offers me all the intellectual affirmation I need, I told myself."

I read this quote today in an email that my husband sent me. The email was quite funny; about hardware stores and the differences between men and women. It ended with this quote, more or less. I read it and reread it again, realizing that this really sums up what I need to think like.

I have a tendency to feel inadequate as I go about my life wearing different hats. There is always more to do, something is not finished, I'm not getting enough of something else done. I have a hard time finding the balance between feeling that I can enjoy my life and doing all the "chores" of life that need to be done. Anyone else struggle with this?

Yet, as I read this quote, I realize that as I seek God's will for my life, I am in His plan, living out the vocation that He has intended for me to live. I can always improve and strive for balance, but in the end, I need to humble myself and know that I am everything that God intends for me to be.