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trust. it will.

BTE - Bus Throwing Excersize

Another day, another list but today's list is more about the bigger things, not the little daily things that need to be done.  Today is also a "BTE - Bus Throwing Exercise." (which means I am going to be truthful about myself )

I have alot on my mind, in my heart, on my desk, in the shead, on the kitchen counter..PILES.  Piles and piles (not like on Hoarders!) of things I am working on, Things I have started and not finished and things I have not even started and need to do.  TRUTH- instead of doing all of the above, I make more piles in other places.

Sound familiar?

Now, today, after have being sick for way to long, not working out and laying pretty low for the past two weeks, the "pile" gremlins have invaded my personal space and I am I was starting to malfunction...fast.

Sound familiar?

Because I am pretty certain that I am not alone (and the fact that I just threw myself under the bus) for the sake of those who are not ready to type it on a blog to admit it, I made another list for US to jot things down on because when we do these things together, it just makes it easier to handle. (see verse below)

Notice that on this list that there are no numbers.  That is because first I am just going to write it all out.  Once I get it out of my head and down onto paper, then I can take a look at it and number things in order of importance!

Your welcome!

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 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. ... ¹² Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 & 12

Choices

This isn't about choices in which medium to create in, whether or not to make dinner or go out or when I should clean the bathrooms, but all about the relationship choices I make that make a difference for me and for those around me, personally and in business.  I am human, therefore I am going to stumble. This I know, which means, I should know better and be better prepared for those dang forks in the road.

When I stumble it is because I jump too fast, speak quickly or not slow down enough to get the facts.  I do not take the time to stop, think it out or pray about it. When things like this happen and bad decisions and choices are made, accidents and injuries are likely to occur (EXACTLY like when I crashed on the mountain bike a few weeks ago!)

Yesterday in the second bible study session of Love & War, I wrote down this: NOTE TO SELF:

I need to frame it. 

I need to tattoo it.

I need 100 post its with it printed on it because not 4 hours later after I had written it, I made a bad choice, well actually almost made a bad decision, BUT (and there is always a dang big but) my words and thoughts set things in motion..on its way to destruction.  I made a bad choice because I was anxious, worried, jumping the gun and unorganized.  As a result, I upset someone and in her response, learned a lesson...which means, maybe...I may not have made the wrong choice.  NOTE- The choice I "almost" made doesn't matter, although you are probably wondering "hmmm..I wonder what happened"

During that same bible study session, I also wrote this down: because that is the way God works, regardless of what we do.  Now, don't get me wrong, we can not make bad decisions and choices and just wake up the next day and think, "Yay, all is forgiven, move ahead"

No, it does not work like that. You have to admit, ask and then move ahead.

Once I realized what my poor choice had started, I had to admit, correct and ask for forgiveness.  I also had to take into consideration the comments made from my actions and that is where something shifted.

THROWING MYSELF UNDER THE BUS - Instead of taking the criticism to heart and letting it affect me negatively, I took it, prayed about it, asked God to take away the anxiety I was starting to feel from it, and actually felt, I mean, really felt forgiveness. Both from the person I hurt, from God and..from myself.

This was also from yesterday's session:

Starting today, a fresh start with better choices = better business, better relationships, better me.

Note To Self

One of the easiest ways I have heard it explained.

YES

A little word with LOTS of meaning and while we must start saying no to some things, we MUST say yes to others.

YES..

i CAN do...

i WILL do...

i KNOW that i can..

i BELIEVE that...

Whom Much Is Given.

We are all loved.

I am, you are, she is.

We all are.

NO MATTER WHAT. And while we may know that, they don't.  They are the girls, women and children, that are being trafficked.

I am trying to educate myself on the whole issue of human trafficking by reading articles, reading books and talking with friends that have been in the trenches but am having a hard time getting my mind wrapped around the entire thing.  I am at the point where maybe I do not need to understand it all, I just need to show up and be there, that I need to TRUST God in the things I don't understand and remember this verse:

"Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater" Luke 12:48

You and I, we are "those whom much is given" and it is our responsibility to help.  Locally and globally and we can not think, "well, who am I ? " or " I am only one person" or " I can't make a difference" because we are the "whom much is given" and we can.

Maybe we can't get ourselves onto a talk-show to talk about it, stand in front of congress and fight for it or raise millions of dollars to go towards it, but we can do something.

"Each one should use whatever gift he's received to serve others."  Peter 4:10

This is the last week of the She's Worth It Fundraising Campaign and I invite you to go take a look at all of the amazing things the money raised will go towards, including the Dahlia House.

We are all better together and together we will teach her that she is loved and she is worth it, and so are YOU!

Do Something

Up until this past Monday morning, I had built a beautiful wall in front of me. HGTV and DIY is my "white noise" so I know how to build one strong and mighty, very decorative and one that can disguise or hide unsightly flaws..

Then Monday came and Monday morning I had a powow with Deena and Monday afternoon I made some decisions.

I am in at stage right now that is more like being out on a sand bar at the river, just standing there, watching everything else go by, or like being in front of a road block or on one side of the road separated by a center divider..

or behind a big beautiful,decorative, flaw hiding, protective wall. 

You know, a place that might make you feel stuck, or something that slows you almost to a stop and makes you have to decide which way you are going to go, or maybe... something that hides you from what you believe to be risks, a protective barrier from possible failure.

Sound familiar?

If you have read my blog for the past 7 years...or just 7 months, you might think that this is a pattern with me. It is.  I am growing. We all are and maybe I should have been a masonry contractor because even when I was young, I built walls. Earliest I can remember is when I was trying to learn math...uggghhhhh.   I can vividly remember sitting in the dining room at Mrs. Larzo's house and she was so gentle and nurturing about teaching me math...and I just sat there, behind my wall...and pretty much sat there and until a huge bright light turned on..and then I was good.

Truth  #1: I am tired, and when I am tired, I forget to trust, and when I forget to trust, I start questioning every direction and when I start questioning every direction, I build a wall and when I build a wall, I don't sit on top and let the sun shine or the rain splash on me..I stand like Judy Moody with my arm crossed and my toe tapping.  It is called Simply Complicated and if you have been a long time reader, you know that phrase.  It all is very simple and yet I create my very own self-road block by complicating things.

Until Monday.

Then Tuesday came and I  received a "to-do" list from two friends yesterday (thank you girls) and as I am now going over my to-do's, I thought maybe I would share it with you because I am pretty POSITIVE that I am not the only sitting behind this big beautiful, decorative wall.

Stop Procrastinating!

by Rick Warren

"There is nothing I cannot master with the help of Christ who gives me strength."  (Philippians 4:13 JB)

The Bible gives us five actions we can take to stop procrastinating:

1. Stop making excuses. "The lazy man is full of excuses" (Proverbs 22:13 LB). What have you been saying you're going to do "one of these days"? What do you make excuses about? The number one excuse I hear is, "When things settle down, then I'm going to ..." Things will never settle down. You must make a choice to prioritize what is important.

2. Start today. Not next month, next week, or tomorrow. "Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then" (Proverbs 27:1 GNT). None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow.

3. Establish a planned schedule. Proverbs 13:16 says, "A wise man plans ahead. A fool doesn't" (LB). If you fail to plan, you're planning to fail. You need to designate some specific time slots each week for the things you need to do. Whatever it is, put it on your calendar. And if it’s a big task, break it down into small pieces. Break it into bite-size pieces.

4. Face your fears. We hate to admit we have fears, because we think they’re a sign of weakness. But fear is a sign of humanity. Only fools are not afraid. You’ve heard it said, “Courage is not the absence of fear; it's moving ahead in spite of our fears.” The Bible says there is nothing you cannot master with the help of Christ who gives you strength.

5. Focus on what you gain, not the pain. There are very few things in life that are easy. You must push through the frustration and look at the gain beyond the pain. Concentrate on how good you're going to feel once you've finished the task.

Galatians 6:9 says, "So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we reap a harvest" (NLT).

Jesus never said life would be easy. There will be sacrifice and commitment. But there is tremendous reward when we do the things he calls us to do.

Talk About It

- Don’t ask, "What do I feel like doing?" Instead ask, "What does God want me to do?"

- I want you to write down three things you know God wants you to do, one item each in these three areas: your family, your personal life, and your career. Choose one of those three, and start today. Even if you can only work on your goal 15 minutes a day, do it — you’ll feel so much better!

 Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors.

This devotional © 2013 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

So there you have it...a to-do list...and a big beautiful wall to sit up on and make a plan...join me, won't you?

 

All Things

4:13...The "address" of one of my life verses:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13

and a number that has come up several times in the past week.

At church yesterday, I learned an awesome way to create a habit of gratitude. Think about the date of your birthday (mine is 4/13) and turn that into a time (4:13)   Now, get out your phone and set the alarm for everyday at that time. (Tip - set it at pm so you do not get an early morning reminder!) Every time that alarm sounds, chimes, beeps, rings or vibrates, stop and say/think or write down something that you are grateful for.

Friday night when I walked into Athlete's Choice to set up for the boutique, Kevin, owner of 1Eighty Apparel was setting up his booth and when he turned around, he was wearing this shirt.. and I was not surprised. It was not a coincidence...God does not talk to me in a great thunderous echo-ish deep voice...HE talks to me in ways like this.

All Things...

I, we, you, can do all things...with the strength HE gives us.  Not with our own strength....and thankful...We must be thankful for all things...not just the good things, but again ALL Things and I was reminded of that as I was reading this book last night... and as I turned the page that I had decided would be my last of the night...

yep..

there it was...

okay..go set your alarms!

p.s. the 4:13 story will continue on Wednesday..that's all I am sayin.

Little House...

on the Prairie was my favorite collection of books to read and my favorite show to watch growing up so of course when I read this quote, from non other than Laura Ingalls Wilder herself, I knew it was the perfect thing to remind myself and others of... and it reminds me of where I just was and that feeling of simple pleasures as I took a picture of a couple of cows (and was so dumb happy about it..as if I had never seen a cow)and really how simple it is.

Life is complicated so today, I am thankful for prayer...

and Little House on the Prarie.

 

The Swing of Things

AimeeB in Oregon.. YOU are the new owner of my doodle!  Please email me at homegrown1(at)att(dot)com.  THANK YOU all for your comments!  ...and thank you to all of you who made a purchase over on the ETSY site!  Orders will ship this weekend and hopefully I will be able to add some more art in the coming week, or so.

Structure is back in full force with school/work starting and it is just what the dr. ordered.

I thought it was just the boys who needed it, but it is me that needs it most!  I am embracing it all with my God given long arms and feel a sense of peace as things get back in the swing of things (although my new schedule does not allow for my summer workout schedule or my early morning creative time)

I am also embracing this VERY SIMPLE but meaningful quote:

and really, it is simple and an awesome reminder, in fact, it helps me to relax a bit. 

Speaking of relaxing...I went to work on my stitching project as an after school treat yesterday and just as with doodles, for me, it is VERY relaxing!  I hope to have the kits listed in the next few days.  All you need to supply is a needle, some thread and a little time..

oh, and stuffing if you want to make a happy basket filler!

Now if the heat would turn down a notch, I could pull out the ol' crock pot and get ready for Fall!

Happy Friday.