Your attitude

I'll tell you, I've been jacked up since Friday. Who says that only teens have peer pressure?!

I have a lot going on in my life that I wish I could change but I can't (don't we all). I have a lot of things that affect me that are beyond my control, and so far, I've managed to keep all the fruit on my tree (at least on the inside).

One thing I've learned in life is that sometimes the only thing you can change is your attitude. And if you want to make lemons from lemonade, you've got to have the right attitude.

Today my 'fruit' might be lemons, and I like lemonade, so I will be alright!

Gal 5:22-23 (msg) 22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Dude... I'm such a nerd...

At the Arthritis foundation, HOUR Detroit Magazine was there... I'm in there, it's the second page of pics...

http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/November-2009/Arthritis-Foundation-Michigan-Chapter-2009-Fundraiser/index.php?cp=2&si=20

I hate competition

People say I should be in a bake off because I make ‘the best’ cakes or cookies. I know there are better than me. Personally I don’t want to hear the “OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH she beat you” or if it were to happen (saying to the other person) “she’s the best” (meaning me).

In competition, someone always loses. While I don’t agree with that whole sports thing “everyone’s a winner” mentality (either keep score or don’t keep score, but if you do, teach your children to lose with dignity because it probably won’t be the first time they lose).

At our church the boys always wrestle, they call it Atomic Arena. I don’t get it, I think it’s stupid, and someone always gets hurt. I hear them bragging or putting each other down (they even put each other down when the loser isn’t around). I hate that.

I’m not going to sit hear and tell you that I don’t have my own personal ‘atomic arenas’ in my life that I don’t wrestle with, because I do, but God is working in me about them.

I don’t try to be the best at something because I want to be the best, but because I truly believe that excellence is honoring to God. It’s why I go the extra mile to make sure that everyone eats what they like or if someone can’t eat tomato products that when I make spaghetti I don’t just give them plain noodles or that if there is a vegetarian that I have options for them too, or gluten free if needed.

I’m not really the best at anything, but I try to do my best at all I do, that way I never fall short.

Phil 1:15 It's true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they'll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I'm out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them. (msg)

God is funny!! and good!

I write a post that I give up, I was praying that I needed something to get me going again, to be renewed...

I just got a call from Katie, the pictures have arrived!! She hasn't opened them yet, but in an hour, we should have them, they can't be posted on the internet, but the pics will be at the shower!!

THE BABIES ARE COMING!! THE BABIES ARE COMING!! THE BABIES ARE COMING!! THE BABIES ARE COMING!! THE BABIES ARE COMING!! THE BABIES ARE COMING!!

Thank you God for loving me even when I'm a jerk, thank you for seeing the depths of my heart and loving me the same, you are an amazing God!

Psalm 139:1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me

Frustrated

I get to a point when I say “I give up”.

It’s not surrender, it’s frustration.

When I get there, my insides are bruised, and I can’t take it anymore.

That’s where I am. I give up.

FREE!!!

So today... I was being "thrify". I cut up my veggies for the week but there are some parts of the celery that I don't like (the very outside pieces and the leaves) and some of the asparagus that I bought had some wilty pieces so I threw that "garbage" and an onion that was kind of dried out and a head of garlic in a pot and made veggie broth so that I don't have to buy it. I'll throw the parts left over in the compost pile.

I had to stop at Lowe's because I have no hot water to get the parts I might need, since I'm no expert, I asked for help... how about that... ended up instead of costing me about $25 it was FREE because there was a defect and as a customer service deal, they give it to you for... FREE! who would have thought... the whole time I was praying "please God, no new hot water tank or make it cheap" and God just shows up and makes it FREE! Maybe you don't think so, but I totally do!

So soon, it will be hot water! Praise God!

Benefits of no hot water

*Lowers gas bill

*Shivering during/after shower is great exercise

*Saves energy

*Saves water (you're out quick)

*You can run the laundry & the dishwasher while you're showering and you don't run out of hot water!

Zech 10:1 Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.

Jingle Walk

I’m often reminded how one person can make a difference.

After attending the Arthritis Foundation Fundraiser last night, I hopped on their website. They have a walk/run fundraiser called the Jingle Walk. I was thinking about doing, and I checked the date… December 5th.

December 5th is a big day for us in our journey of Arthritis. It was the day that Phyllis was diagnosed, this year, it will be 12 years. That was a crazy day for me. I remember it like it was yesterday.

So I’m thinking about walking in the Jingle Bell Walk/Run. It’s a 5K, I thought Phyllis and I could do it together, we’ll have it done in no time, and it’s for a great cause.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

You can never go back, but you should never forget

I'm sitting at my computer, tired, and thankful.

I had a great time at this shin-dig that I got to go to kind of out of chance. However, I believe that the God of the Universe is not a God of chance but certainly knew what I needed.

Breathe

So I get a dress, the two women who were standing outside the dressing room told me I looked great in the first dress I tried on. Perfect for me, I hate shopping. However, I turned around to thank them again... and they were gone. I don't know, but it was odd.

I get all "gussied" up and am nervous that I might be overdressed. UGH! But I figured better to be over dressed than under-dressed, right? Come to find out, I was perfectly dressed. Even the guys from work I think were a little surprised that I cleaned up so well!

Dinner was good, nothing to drink but water, but I really wanted a glass of red wine, it smelled so good.

They had two little girls come up and speak about JRA (that's what Phyllis had) and one looked just like her. So cute, so small, and some of the same issues Phyllis had. With teared up eyes I listened. And I sat and thanked God for what He did. He didn't have to heal her, she's blessed and highly favored. Oh, what a mighty God we serve. I just thought, what a great night, a great charity, and how awesome it is to know that I don't have to go back to that time, but that I will never forget what He's done for us.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

Thank You Jesus Dinner

I am kind of excited today…

I have the opportunity to go to a dinner (shin-dig) at the Ritz Carleton for The Arthritis Foundation.

Now, I’m not fancy, nothing about me is very fancy, but I’m excited to go to this.

I’ve never been to one before, and someone told me that it will be boring, but I’m excited to go, despite the fact that I need something to wear (most woman love to shop – this girl… this size… not so much).

I’m going because someone else couldn’t. But it’s such a great Foundation. And they helped me so much because as most of you know, Phyllis HAD (that’s right HAD) Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. I could do a cartwheel saying the word HAD. Who would have thought that such a small word could bring such joy. Say it with me… HAD HAD HAD HAD HAD HAD HAD HAD.

Ok.

So I know that no one there will care that she did. I know it’s a fancy dinner to raise money, but really, I feel like I could be a keynote speaker, not about her disease but about her healing.

It’s a true testament to the God that loves me, to the God I serve, that as I laid down my daughter before Him, she was healed. I’m getting all misty. You know that if all God did was save me from the pits of hell, that’s enough, but He’s more than that, and how thankful I am that…

By His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)