Don't judge others

Don't judge others


The talk around my house this weekend has been about the officer that died and the kids that killed him.



See my kids and some of my younger friends know the names and reputation of the kids that caused the accident. I got caught up this weekend in the blame and judging game. They did leave a women with no husband, two young children with no father and a community without an officer.

I heard this song today and the message made me realize that we should not judge these youths. We have

Connecting with women

I find it funny that there was a time in my life when I didn't need an appointment book to keep my friendships going. There always seemed to be so much time for everyone but as the kids get older and life gets busier I find that my appointment book is a much regarded tool for keeping friendships old and new.

Sometimes its just to remind me to send them a note or sometimes its so we can coodinate our schedules to spend time together. I am a people person so for me my friendships fuel my life and make me a happier wife and mother. I am blessed to have a bountiful of women in my life. Some I learn from, some I cry with and others are my rocks through life.

I do believe that friends are meant to be a reason, season or lifetime. Over the years even the friends that were just a season and it broke my heart when we parted ways I have now been able to step back and relish in the memories made. I do have two women in my life who help me navigate and keep me on track. The first has been with me for over twenty years she is my heart sister our hearts break together but we also heal together and love life. The other one has been in my life for about seven years and we are way past best friends we weave in and out of each others lives. She is the one that makes life fun and celebrates all the big and little things in my life.

I hope that when my time comes to go to heaven that I have left the mark of friendship and helping women gap the bridge between different seasons and ages.

Sudanese Lost Boy Graduates

When I read this article yesterday it made me think of God and how powerful he really is. Not only did this child survive a horrible childhood he has become a man and graduated from University and will take his education and skills back to the Sudan to help the others that have been left behind.

It's such a powerful story. When you have a chance please read this and then reread it with an open heart and mind.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1009619--sudanese-lost-boy-graduates-university

God Chicks by Holly Wagner

I have read this book twice and every time I read it I fall more in love with the book and its themes about how women should live their lives. I found the website and just had to share it.

GodChicks
We think God had great things in mind when He created woman! She is not a second-class citizen or God’s afterthought – she is the very apple of His eye! We believe in the potential that resides within every woman, within every GodChick.

GodChicks is the women's ministry of Oasis Church located in Los Angeles, California. Founded by Philip and Holly Wagner, GodChicks exists...

•to inspire, encourage & challenge women to understand their value
•to help women begin, grow and deepen their relationship with God
•to empower women to make a difference on the planet, and
•to have fun on this journey called life!
GodChicks is all about gathering women together! Life is not meant to be lived alone. We hold quarterly and annual gatherings to inspire and empower women to live life to the fullest.

http://www.godchicks.com/about/

Gifted To Lead Conference

I was blessed today to have the opportunity to attend the Gifted to Lead conference by Nancy Beach. This one day conference was so amazing, powerful and attainable. All the lessons learned today can be translated into my daily life as a wife, mother and friend.

http://www.willowcreek.com/gifted_to_lead/

We learned that our top three gifts will be things that come naturally to us and that we have a burning desire to do. Once we learn what our gifts are then we have to learn how to put them in place. I learned that my gifts are Hospitality,Long Sufferng and Mercy. As all of you know I have an open door policy in my house and now I can see that is part of my spiritual gifts from the lord.

This has been two years of the lord stretching me and pushing me out of my comfort zone and I am actually looking forward to see what the next step will be. This conference showed me how to use my gifts with the type of personality I have.

Since I'm extroverted and a just go with it kind of women I need to find a way to use my gifts that leaves me open and not put into a small box. I am the person that has great ideas but I don't have the ability to always put these into place.

I will be reviewing my notes and digging into scripture to figure out how to use my gifts but also how to help my family learn their gifts.

Open Door Policy

I have always had an open door policy in my home for my friends,family and my kids friends. To me this was just a natural thing to do. The other day my neighbour asked how I can handle the chaos of never knowing how many people will be in my home. I had never that about it that way.

I have been pondering this question all week and tonight I realized that my open door policy is one of my gifts from God. I am blessed with this gift and the ability to willingly use this gift. I know who my kids friends are which says a lot since the older boys are 19 and 20. I am able to relate to their friends because I do have my own friends who are their age.

With this policy I have had many friends that were just there for a season because they needed help during a rough time but I have also made many lifetime friends from this policy because they know they always have a place to turn to during the good and bad.

I have celebrated, cried, danced, laughed and made more memories this way then most people will ever have the opportunity to. As my girlfriend says I am the keeper of lost souls. I am so glad that the lord gave me this gift and that I have been able to use it to the best of my ability.

When a soul shows up at my door with bags packed because life at home is just unbearable at that moment my heart breaks for them and then swells with comfort that no phone call required they just come. I have had family, friends, my friends children and even some people I barely knew use this policy and each of them says thank you for making me never have to ask to come but just being able to show up.

The other night I met a women for the first time and I had been too tired to clean or even pull together a half decent meal but she said to me that this was the best place she had been in awhile. I had to ask what she meant and her reply filled my heart. She said that instead of worrying about my house or the meal I had worried more about getting to know her and spend time visiting.

We all need to remember to make time for the people in our lives not just the stuff or our to do lists. We never know what that person needs but maybe just sitting and listening is the best gift we can give.

Practicing Gods Plan

I have been reading the most amazing book about being a women and following God's plan for me between this and Pastor Gary's message about listening for the whisper its been an amazing and difficult week to follow these two things.

Tonight I got to practice both. My hubby and I got into a spat about the kids and there was no way either of us was going to win this fight and I love to be stubborn and stand my ground. Tonight I walked away and prayed about what I should do. The lord said just leave well enough alone and see what happens. The book I've been reading says always have an open heart even when mad. A little later my hubby came and apologized which for him is a huge step and instead of me saying go away I opened my heart and heard his apology.

We went from a wasted night to having a great night just hanging out and learning to communicate and listen. It's amazing at what happens when we sit and listen for the whisper and leave our hearts open.

Invitation of encouragement

This came to me as way of an e-mail. I have altered it for this blog but the message is still clear and amazing. The best part of receiving this was the timing. My husband lost his job last week and this morning I was trying to stay positive and leave it in the lords hands but was struggling. The lord will always answer our prayer and be with us if we learn to listen even via e-mail.

Jeremiah 29:11 "for I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the LORD
"Never give the devil a ride, he will want to take over the driving."

Dear Woman of God be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness God is able to do the impossible and is always near, He loves us unconditionally. Together, let’s get 1000's of ladies to praise Him with one voice.

Dear God: this is my friend, whom I love and this is my prayer for her Help her live her life
to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with You, She will always
be safe.

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet.

Many hats one day

Today I learned what it meant to be many things. This is one of those days where life lessons were taught, given and learned. What an amazing day it was.

I was a superhero to my youngest child because I was able to find a swimsuit so we could go swimming.

I was a cool aunt because I went when my girlfriends daughter called. All she wanted was someone to watch her favourite show with her and her mom was sick. I stayed and watched her show with her. I was sure to tell her before I left that I was glad she called and that this is what family and friends do. This was a neat experience for me because I am an Aunt by choice not blood.

I learned that being a heart sister means that no matter who else is in your life they are the ones that will be there at your brightest and darkest hour. I also learned that when I choose not to call in my darkest hour feelings can be hurt but forgivness is also quick to be given.

I got to be a good wife to my hubby tonight when I told our oldest that he would have to find a ride for his girlfriend because my hubby was too sick to go out. My hubby would've gone had I asked but he really appreciated not having to go.

I also learned what it means to be a true cousin. This is the most interesting to me. My cousin Tasha is getting married and is being given some grief over the fact that kids are not invited. I for one totally agree with her. We have a cousin who has said he will not be at the wedding because his youngest will be too little to be left with a sitter. Her wedding is in August. This weekend on FB we find out that he left his little one for the night with a sitter so him and his wife could go out. Tasha was very hurt over this and I totally get where she is coming from. So I told her I have her back sent her a virtual hug and him a virtual kick in the butt (we live too far from each other for them to be real). The interesting part is the cousin I gave the kick in the butt to used to have no faults in my eyes but I am learing that he is not perfect and that Tasha needs all the love and support she can get.

What a crazy but educational day. These are lessons I will keep and pass on. It's amazing what can happen when we open our lives and bodies to the lord.

Jodi King

We had the privlege of hearing Jodi at church this past Sunday (February 13)

I purchased her CD Little Smile. It is such a powerful CD that women of all ages and seasons can realate to.

Below is the link for her video for Breathe In/Breathe Out. Take the time to check out this video it is so powerful.

http://jodiking.com/video.php

This video and website is a great way to make connections with other women.

Living Practical Life for Jesus

I am a very busy women with a very chaotic household and I have always struggled with how do I make time daily for Jesus. So in December as a new year was approaching I prayed and asked the lord for guidance in this area. I knew I didn't lack the desire for a relationship but I also knew I was not going to be able to commit to reading my bible every day. I also realized that for me I need to have a daily and weekly walk with the lord to keep my life in balance.

So as the month of December came to a close I found myself with a rare gift of a quiet day at home. So as I sat there preparing to do chores the lord stopped me and told me to take this time to quiet myself and make a plan for the year ahead. I argued with the lord because I do not like schedules, routine or to do lists. As the morning wore on I found myself with pen in hand and writing out a schedule and a routine.

I was amazed at how much free time I could find in my day if I just stuck to the routine he gave me. The lord also told me repeatedly that a routine is not evil but actually a useful tool.

The one thing I realized is that I love to listen to music especially my Itouch so I decided to use this as a tool for my daily walk. I have now made a playlist of inspirational and christian music. I listen to this on my way to work everyday and it settles my mind and spirt for the day ahead. I have also learned that not only can I pray to the lord daily but also speak to him like he is my best friend. With this realization I have found these first few weeks of the new year to be amazing and so blessed.

I also love my Kobo (an e-reader) and I was amazed that I was able to find so many cheap Christian Women's Books that I could download and have at my fingertips. So I downloaded the book God Chicks and it is such an easy read and so powerful that I have added this to my weekly walk.

The lord for me has gone from just being a teacher/father figure to being a more intimate and personal being. So now when I need to vent or just think out loud I do it to the lord instead of my girlfriends and it has been such a powerful experience.