There she blows.....

If you know me then you know my number one favorite television show is "The Deadliest Catch" shown on the Discovery Channel.  I know not a typical choice of someone in my demographic (or at least I don't think so), but I LOVE it!  It gets my blood pumping.  If you are not familiar with the show, let me enlighten you.  It is a show about Crab fisherman.  The show surrounds 5 - 6 boats that fish the baring sea.  There is always huge weather, crusty and grungy men with mouths like...well sailors and accident's looming around every corner.  But this isn't what draws me to the show.  It is the PASSION that these men have for what they do.  The shear love and (excuse me for lack of better term) balls against the wall determination to get the job done.  There is also a sense of family with in the ships interiors even if it is dysfunctional at best.  No matter the obstacle, they are going to find their way around it....to the end game.  To fill the ship with King Crab or Opillio Crab (depending on the season).       Watching last nights season premiere got me thinking about my passions. I think one is obvious.  Chick-fil-A.  That is an easy one for me.  I love the company.  Not just because it is my lively hood but also because I believe in what we are investing in.  It is not just about selling chicken, it is about getting to be a part of someone Else's life and making it better.  If even for just one moment.  Supplying them with a hot, great tasting meal, by a smiling person whom is truly happy to help.  We all deserve that.  Those moments are the ones that last.  The one's that can change a day around.  The one's that help to supply the respect and candor that everyone deserves.
    Another passion for me is singing.  Another easy one to pick out if you know me.  I am never more at peace than when I get to sing.  I am never closer to my Savior than when I get to worship.  This is how I lay my burdens at His feet.  I get to leave them there and move on knowing He has it under control.

So wheredo your passions lye?  What gets your blood pumping?  Whats makes you wake up in the morning and drives you to master each day?

A few of my favorite things

Hi!  I know it has been forever since I last posted!  Sorry guys!  I thought I would try something different today!  It has been very quiet in my house today since the children went back to school!  I have had alot of time to get lost in my thoughts.And here is where my thoughts resided.
      I have had a "Be still and know that I am Lord" kinda day!  I have felt His prescence closely today.  So I have decided to share a list of places I find my Lord so that you will start to look for your places of peace and comfort.  Here are a few...

-in my children's laughter
-in a cool breeze
-upon walking into my home
-my husbands hug
-holding hands with my children
-while singing ANYTHING
-having a door held open for me by a stranger
-in a friends voice
-while reading his scripture
-in a clean house (this isnt as often as I would like!  LOL)
-my community group
-at my CHURCH
-walking on the beach
-walking on the treadmill
-listening to a thunderstorm
-reading a good book
-In my daughters sigh
-In my Sons mischevious grin
-In my daughtes determination to do it correctly

These are only a few but these are a few of the blessings the Lord "Hugs" me with daily! Where do you find your peace?  When you feel lost how do you find these moments?  How do you share with others, so they can experince the same peace?

You've got a friend....

We are fortunate in our lives if we are blessed with one, two or even three people whom really know us.  These people do not lie in judgement of the choices we make.  They are simply there because they love us for who we are...warts and all.  They will listen but are not scared to call us on our junk.  They are there to help us when our train derails and they are usually the ones whom are cheering the loudest when we have something to celebrate.  They have stood by our side through the thick and thin, ins and outs, and even the good and the bad.  They are most def our three am phone call when everything is falling apart or they are the first one we call when our child is born.  I believe this type of Friendship, real frienship is a true gift of God.  It is a way for God to be there in person, when we need a physical touch.  He has provided a way for us to have a safe place to fall.  I love that analogy...a safe place to fall...(Thanks H.I, I use that saying more than I can count!)  We have all had that moment where we have needed a safe place to regroup....and there it is...a place To snuggle deep into His side and just breathe.

So who is your safe place to fall?  Who do you have in your life to serve as your safe harbor?  Who is that friend that it doesnt matter how long it has been since you have seen one another...you just pick right back up just like it was yestereday!  I would like to challenge you to give them a call or hug and let them know just how much they mean to you!

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD

One of the most repeated phrase in my house lately has been, "but MOM (insert Whiney voice) I can't".  To where I repeat.."Yes you can".  These words grind on me more than any other phrase.  Especially when partnered with "the whine".  There is nothing like it.  It will get under my skin faster than a pebble stuck in my shoe.  Shear annoyance.  While I know this too will pass I can't help but become frustrated.  I look into the angelic eyes of my children and want to rip that phrase from their lives. 
     There are usually three antagonists to the dreaded "I can't"....  laziness, not enough instruction, or fear.  We have all dealt with it and still probably do on some levels.  But how do we transition out of it with out a steady, nuturing hand to guide us.  For some of us, myself included, we can get stuck.  Can not get past the I can't stage.  We flounder around and stay there because to try means getting out of our comfort zone.  Our perfect little bubble of safety where we do not expect greatness from our selves.  Recently while at a seminar that Steven Furtick (author of Son stand still) was speaking he challenged us by saying "If the size of your vision isn't intimidating than it is insulting to God".  I was speechless.  I had been trained to only think within the box.  To take the safest route possible.  Don't get me wrong.  There is a lot of sense and safety in smart God centered decisions.  But I would be lying if there were things I thought myself incapable of mastering.   Or that there were not  moments when I felt lead by the Holy Spirit and I told God, I cant.    Have I been limiting what God could do through me if only I gave it to Him and tried?
     So thought provoking question.  What are you scared to to do?  Are you more worried about the how or are you willing to focus on the Who?  Who to draw courage from?    I mean what if the greats of our History had been too scared to try.....they would have never known....

Here's your sign....

I have been thinking alot about the way God communicates with us.  I am a "give me a sign type of girl".  But the more I get to know the Lord the more I am convinced that He rarely uses this method of communication.  Do not get me wrong.  I know He can make things happen or allow things to happen to change our direction.  I mean He is GOD.  I am challenging the fact that before relying on the signs, we rely more on prayer and meditation.  Andy Stanley says that "when prayer and passion line up it is extremely difficult to exercise restraint".  This qoute stoppped me in my tracks.  When X, Y and Z all fall into place that is when we are spose to follow...correct?  That is always the path meant for us.  Why else would they line up if it not be God's will?  I have always asked the Lord to show me what He wants me to do.  Open a window or close a door.  This has always been how I operate.  So now when presented with this deeper and more cautious way of finding God's will I admit I  feel a little lost.  I would LOVE to say I am a look first person, but I tend to weight in heavier on the side of jump in and then assess your surroundings.  My desire to follow what God wants for me is extremely strong.  I am a emotional person, but feel it is time to start exercising discernent rather than being swayedby the emotional climate of the situation. To be the most effective for the Lord we need to be most prepared for when He calls.  We need to have a relationship so close to our Creator that we dont need to question His authority or put parameters on His will.

So thought provoking question of the day.....How do you find Gods will?  Do you jump in before testing the waters or do you excerise caution?  How does He communicate with you?  Where do you see His "writing on the wall"?

Be a warrior

People who like to run intrigue me.  The need to beat the ground and huff and puff, coupled with lean athletisim is a beautiful thing. When I watch runners I am enamored with thier relentless determination.  Most runners are head held high, chest out, rythmac pitter patter and I pod booming.  Running is for some a religous experience, thier way to cope with the world....I wish it was this way for me.  In my head I am elegant and strong.  I have a determined look on my face, while I am jamming out to some PCD.  I am the Nike commercial.   In reality I am a hot MESS.  I would LOVE to love running.  The honest truth is I just dont get it.  I think my body was just not designed for it.  I could let this be the excuse I use.  I could let this stop me in my tracks.  But I definentlay have a desire to concoquer this Goliath, running has become for me.  So to push myself into this world or better yet, to back myself into a cornor, making myself have no other choice...I signed up for a 5K. If you know me I HATE to waste money.  So if I sign up and put my hard earned dollars on the line I will do it! I may kick and scream but I will do it.  This isnt just any 5K....It is the WARRIOR dash. In this 5k you must jump fire, run through mud (better than a spa day), and be warrior like. This makes absolute sense to me because that is what runners are...WARRIORS.  To be a runner, you not only have to have physical strength, you must also posses Mental strength.  If your head isnt right, you will not last long.  NO matter how much your heart may want it.
  So 2011 for me is the year of running.  I also have made goals that will fall in line if I can conquer this, but for now..running is the focus.  So what is the thought provoking question, you ask? Here you go...  What are your goals this year?  Not resolutions, your goals?  What is the secret most desire of your heart and what are you doing to bring them to reality?   the time is now!  Don't procrastinate.  Be a warrior!

To Beiber or not to Beiber

So lets just jump right in with, Tonight I felt like my mother must have felt over my tweeny obsession with the New Kids on the Block.  (With that said, I love her a little more for the patience she showed me during that time.) That's right, I took my girls to see "Never say Never".  While it took us a while to jump or should I say get hit by the Justin Beiber train it def has decided to pull into the station.  As we were waiting for the movie to begin, I surveyed the scene.  We were surrounded by tween and teen girls with homemade Beiber t-shirts.  They were talking and squealing non-stop about the boy wonder and I couldn't help but become a little uncomfortable when upon the beginning of the film the girl next to me starts sobbing and uttering over and over again..."I love you Justin, I LOVE you".  The movie in its own defense, was actually pretty interesting.  Justin seems like a hometown boy who wouldn't let anyone tell him "NEVER say NEVER".  LOL  The message of the movie was also very positive with the push to Never let anyone extinguish your dreams.  But the line that seems to haunt me was a segment they did about the AMA's...or the Oscers..not sure which.  They were discussing the tribute Madonna did about Micheal Jackson.  They highlighted the portion of her speech that surrounded "that his career and success robbed him of his childhood".  Justin then turns to his manager, Scooter (promise I didn't make that up) and says "Don't let that happen to me".    I had to sigh.  Will we see this young man in the future falter to the demands this business takes?  Will he be able to maintain his positive roll model likability over time or will he reinvent himself into something darker and "more Mature" to prove to the fans and labels he can be more edgy?  As a parent , this is a weighty question.  We as parents want to steer our children into the most positive of places...which is not always the most trendy.  Right now the "Beib" is fun for my girls.  Someone to dance too and sing to and yes...daydream about, but will Justin be responsible to maintain his image.  I hope he will.  Its fun to have someone to look up too.  And music is such a good outlet. 
    So here is the thought provoking question...How do you teach your children that most of the hollywood idols are  smoke and mirrors?  How do you protect your children from the heartbreak that comes when that person you look up to fails you?  I know where to ground my children...the question is Do you?