Music Monday! Hold Fast

This music video is dedicated to all those individuals who might feel helpless, hopeless, desperate, and broken hearted. If you're feeling empty, alone or confused, be encouraged today that there is One who knows your feelings, He loves you, and He can help you. The Lord hears your cries. His promises to you are faithful. His timing may be different than yours and His method may not look like you thought it should, but He is still the God who hears and answers prayer. Above all remember, “He is for you.” I've been in the deep valley of brokenness and can tell you, don't give up, you are not alone. HOLD FAST...

Hold Fast by Mercy Me

Do you want to know more about how you can
have a relationship with the One who can help?

Click Here for more information...

or call 1-888-NEED-HIM

Prayer: Lord, in these desperate times we're in right now, I pray for each person reading this post~ that what ever trial or challenge they are going through, that your love, comfort and peace is revealed in their life and that they will have renewed hope and strength. Lord, help us all not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, we each present our requests to you, and that as we do that, Your peace which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus. I know that each person reading this post is here by your divine intervention; there is no such thing as coincidences. My prayer is that you to do a work in our hearts to draw us closer to you; help us each seek you everyday, putting our faith and trust in You alone. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

This week's MEMORY VERSE Hebrews 12:11

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest

of righteousness and peace for those

who have been trained by it.

(Hebrews 12:11 NIV)

Week 12~ A verse I need in my heart for many aspects of my life! (discipline of having regular prayer time with God, discipline of wholehearted Bible study, discipline of eating healthy, discipline of exercising regularly, discipline of better time management, etc...) I wonder if the phrase "NO PAIN, NO GAIN" might have been inspired by this Bible verse? I don't know about anyone else, but for me, the pain of some discipline is worth it when it "produces a harvest of righteousness and peace".

Too Much of a Good Thing...

We've all heard the saying, "Too Much of a Good Thing, Isn't a Good Thing".

Yesterday I was reminded of this truth when I took my kids outside to fly some kites in our back yard for the "fun of it". Well, if you can believe this, it was too windy to fly the kites! Each attempt, each childs' kite would get a certain distance in the sky, then the wind would drive the kite straight into the ground. Attempt after attempt we continued to be defeated as we tried to stay out of the way as not to get hit by the each kite spearing down into the ground. The kids were frustrated, and Kirk and I were frustrated (as we untangled string out of palm trees and off fences). Perhaps the problem was we didn't know what we were doing; but I truly believe the problem was excessive wind. A "little" wind would have been much better than "a lot" of wind.

I began to think about the things in my life that are good things when I experience them in "little" amounts, but are not so good when there's "a lot".

Here's my personal list of

"Too Much of a Good Thing,

Isn't a Good Thing":

2 cups of morning coffee to start my day, "a good thing"...
...4-5 cups of morning coffee, "isn't a good thing"

(makes me jittery and nauseous)

On a regular day, I watch minimal TV, "a good thing"...
...the days I watch hours and hours of TV, "isn't a good thing"

(I feel lazy, defeated and discontent)

One glass of wine with a pasta dinner, "a good thing"...
...drinking the whole bottle of wine, ~could be a good thing~ but for me, "isn't a good thing"

I enjoy time on the Internet (Blogspot, Facebook, Myspace, YouTube, etc), "a good thing"...
...when I spend too much time on the Internet, "isn't a good thing" (I am robbed of precious time; none of my regular jobs get done like giving attention to children and husband, working on laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc.)

Buying scrapbook supplies, fabric and craft supplies for upcoming projects, "a good thing"...

...buying excessive fabric, stock piling scrapbook and craft supplies because it's a good deal and/or I justify I might be able to use it in the future, "isn't necessarily a good thing" (I have so many unopened scrapbook and craft items as well as piles of fabric I am storing for a "future project", that I get overwhelmed with where to start. I run out of space in my home to store these items as well. Not to mention the projects that burden me I have started that remain unfinished because I keep adding more project supplies to my stash)

Eating portion controlled meals with a couple small low calorie snacks each day, "a good thing"...
...loading my plate up and going back for seconds, mindless snacking through the day to fill my sugar & carb cravings, and eating a large bowl of ice cream every night for dessert right before bed, "isn't a good thing"!!! (I am currently trying to lose 15-20 lbs I gained over the past 8 months because of my mindless over eating. This extra weight- on my small boned body frame- has robbed me of energy and has messed with my self esteem... it's a drag, literally!)

I'm sure I could keep going on, but these are a few that I deal with at this current time in my life. The weight issue was one of those realities that recently crept up on me and caught me off guard. Last year I felt high energy and fed my body with healthy foods. I was faithful in monitoring my calorie and water intake and portion control (through a food journal); I also was very active with balanced exercise. Right around September, I stopped journaling and paying attention to my food consumption. Not a big deal, because I was actually still pretty disciplined~ until the holidays (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb)... too much of a good thing (HIGH CALORIE FOOD)!... I also had stopped exercising (around Sept). I have gone from 128 lbs in July to 148 lbs as of last week. I hadn't weighed myself regularly over the past 8 months, but did realize I was gaining weight as my clothes were fitting snug. I didn't think much of it because I am comfortable in my skin and who I am. It wasn't until I went to a cheer leading banquet for my daughter Kelsie that I realized how I had let myself go. A photo was taken of the two of us, and when I saw the photo, I about died! I looked "thick"... my face was rounder than normal! As I began to think it through, some vanity set in, but mostly it was about the "Awe-Ha moment" of connecting my lack of energy to this weight gain. DAH! (was I in denial that I was actuall putting it on???)

July 2008... 128lbs (had high energy)

March 2009 ... 148 lbs (have low energy)

The realization - with seeing the above photo- is what I needed to kick myself back on track to a healthier eating and exercise life style. Since then, I have gone back to monitoring portion control and food journaling. I also plan to begin a consistent exercise plan with the hopes to get my energy back to normal. The past number of months I don't have energy because I haven't been exercising (gaining extra weight), and I haven't been exercising because I don't have the energy... I vicious cycle it is! I really need to focus on limiting my mindless eating as I enjoy eating high calorie food. REMEMBERING~

"Too Much of a Good Thing, Isn't a Good Thing"!

Prayer: Lord help me honor you as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you. As I commit my healthier eating and exercise to you, please help me to be successful in my efforts through your strength and power. Please help to resist the temptations of over indulging in high calorie foods and in my various poor eating choices as well as the temptation to not be consistent in an exercise plan. I thank you in advance for the victory you will give me in this area of my life. I also lift anyone else up in prayer who is reading this blog post and is wanting to live a healthier lifestyle; you know their needs as they read this post- I ask you, Lord, interceed on their behalf and give them everything they need to experience victory. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Music Monday! We Live

Take time to listen to this song today, thinking of those in your life you love...

We Live by Superchick

..."We live, we love, we forgive and never give up, 'cause the days we are given are gifts from above,
And today we remember to live and to love...

Think About This~ Life is so precious and each passing day so easily taken for granted. Cherish each day as if it could be your last... show those who are important to you your love for them through words and actions.

Make a point to hug a loved one today and tell them, "I love you". Or call a loved one on the phone to tell them how much they mean to you. Surprise someone in your family with a sincere act of service (make a favorite meal, play a game with a child, give a back rub, etc...)

This week's MEMORY VERSE

Last week my verses were Ephesians 6:10-11; this week I'll continue with the VERY important continuation of 10 & 11, and memorize Ephesians 6:12...

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world

and against the spiritual forces of evil

in the heavenly realms.

(Ephesians 6:12 NIV)

Prayer: Thank you Lord that you have given us your armor of strength and protection in our daily struggles... as well as given us victory when we put our trust in You. Help me seek you in all things, Lord, staying strong in your mighty power, remembering to always keep you in the center of my life. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

OLE', Mole'!

I've always loved Mexican Food. Living in Texas has allowed me to indulge in this wonderful cuisine more than I normally would. I not only enjoy eating Mexican food, I've been learning how to cook it (as authentically as I can).

Last year, my friend Novia, introduced me to Mole'. I'd NEVER heard of it before, but when I tasted it, I was addicted! Mole' has become one of my favorite Mexican dishes of all time.

What is Mole', you might ask? It's a thick, rich, chocolate-tinged sauce that is served with chicken (or turkey) over a bed of rice. Weird, huh? Chocolate sauce with chicken and rice! IT IS SO GOOD! The recipe I am sharing is the recipe my friend Novia introduced me to (and is very easy to make!) using a pre-made sauce base (from a jar).

Mole Poblano

(Chicken with Chocolate Sauce)

• 2-3 lbs. Chicken (I use boneless/skinless)
• 8 cups chicken broth (from cooking the chicken)
• 1 Jar 9oz *GOYA Mole' (see note below)
• 2-3 TB creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 cup flour

Cook Chicken in approximately 9 cups of water. After Chicken is cooked, take chicken out of broth and set aside. Measure out 1 cup of chicken broth in mixing bowl; set aside. Add jar of mole', peanut butter, salt, and sugar to remaining pan of chicken broth. Heat on medium heat, stirring constantly, until everything is dissolved. Add 1/2 cup flour to the reserved 1 cup chicken broth; mix thoroughly until smooth. Add to large mole' mixture, stirring on low-med heat until well mixed and sauce begins to thicken. Add chicken back to Mole' mixture. Serve over rice and with flour tortillas if you wish. Serves 8-10.

*I use Goya Mole' (see picture); found in the Mexican isle of my local grocery store. If your store doesn't carry this brand, any brown color (chocolate base) Mole' sauce would work. If you still can't find the mix and are real interested in this dish, you may make your own mix with this recipe (click link) ... you may have to improvise with the ingredients.

History on this dish:
Legends say this concoction was made so famous in the 16th century, in the colonial mountain city of Puebla, Mexico by some desperate nuns who upon learning that the Archbishop was coming for a visit, went into a panic because they had nothing to serve him. The nuns started praying desperately and an angel came to inspire them. They began chopping and grinding and roasting, mixing different types of chiles together with spices, day-old bread, nuts, a little chocolate and approximately 20 other ingredients...

Today, there are a number of variations of Mole'. Mole is considered a unique feature of Mexico’s culinary heritage served or weddings, festivals and national holidays.

can anyone relate?

I should be doing MANY other things today, but I get sucked in...

Music Monday! All That Matters

All That Matters by Addison Road



Think About This~ Are YOU "Free 2 B U"... or do you fall into the trap of being a "people pleaser"?

As a former "people pleaser", I know the "Love that's set me free" As a result, "I am FREE2Bme" ... I have an audience of One, "changed by grace, saved by Love"..."that's all that matters to me".

This week's MEMORY VERSE

This is week 10 for my challenge to Invest in my Walk with God by memorizing scripture every week...

Finally, be strong in the Lord

and in his mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God

so that you can take your stand

against the devil's schemes.

(Ephesians 6:10-11NIV)

I am also having fun with the Siesta Scripture Challenge on the LPM Blog (we're on week 6).

TEXAS in March

Gotta love south Texas in the winter!

Our pool is officially open as of February 27!

The flowers in the yard provide beauty

and the perfect tropical oasis...

The palm trees look awesome against the

backdrop of a clear or cloudy sky.

The weather temperatures in February-March

are nice and warm (often in the 80's F),

but not too hot yet... humidity is still on the low side.

Not to mention the beach... which will

be packed with "spring breakers" over the

next couple weeks!

The only sad thing about Texas in March is we don't have our families and close friends here to enjoy it with us (they all live elsewhere).

Come for a visit, ya'all!

(My Mom and Dad WILL be here next month from WA state! YEAH... can't wait!)

Music Monday! Go Light Your World

I love music, especially Christian music.

So starting today, I will feature a music video every Monday, that has a great message and is inspirational. Often times when I listen to a certain song, I shut my eyes, internalize the message, and pray the lyrics back to God with heartfelt worship... it really is powerful and uplifting.

This following video helps us to remember to "take your candle and go light your world". MAY YOU BE ENCOURAGED!

Go Light Your World by Chris Rice

...let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV)

THINK ABOUT THIS~ Where will you shine your light this week?

This week's MEMORY VERSE

I'm a little late on posting this for the week... I started planting this verse in my heart several days ago... I hid 2 Corinthians 10:4 in my heart several years ago, and this verse right after it adds so much more power to it for me to pray it and live it. I constantly need to, "take captive EVERY THOUGHT to make it obedient to Christ", since the enemy's battle always starts in the mind.

We demolish arguments and every pretension
that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

OUCH Moments with God

Have you ever had one of those times when you prayed to God for Him to show someone the "error of their ways" and "lead them down the right path"... you pray God will give them a revelation so they would confess their sin, learn from their error, and repent? It's for their own good, after all! It's when God disciplines the sin because he loves us and wants us to learn from our mistakes. I call these times, "OUCH" moments; when we realized we've sinned against God (we then confess, repent, and learn our lesson through God's discipline) and we're better from the OUCH. Here's what recently happened to me regarding some "OUCH" moments.

Last night I could not sleep! I laid in bed an hour pondering my unsettled spirit over a situation where I'd been praying about, for someone "to learn the error of their ways", "to be led on the right path" and to realize they have been sinning before God through pride and wrong motives. To hopefully realize it's been effecting those around them in an ungodly way. This person had frustated me to the point that I struggled to even be in their presence. I would literally pray Scripture in my head just to get through the battle in my mind that was bulilding up. At one point I even thought my memory verse, 2 Timothy 3:16, was God's way of telling me I need to be the person to help "teach, rebuke, correct, and train them in righteousness" using His word to show them the way. The person I'm speaking of is another Christian woman who I felt was in a position to know what she was doing. As I laid in bed, I finally got up and the Lord spoke softly to my spirit to watch some "Wednesday's with Beth" (from the Life Today program) on the computer. I absolutely love these teachings and have watched many of them over the past year, and could watch them endlessly, because they're filled with so much Truth and encouragement straight from God Himself. When I got to the website, I prayed, "which one do you want me to watch, Lord?"... He directed me to a 3 part series I needed to hear! I soaked in all three (it was 2:30 am!)...I was alert and awake... I internalized them. Thank You, God for how you speak Your profound Truth through Beth Moore! and, Thank you, Beth, for being such a servant to the Lord that magnifies God from glory to glory.

As I finished the last of the three part series, I realized it was I that needed to be "shown the error of her ways" and "be led on the right path" .

I had several OUCH moments with God last night.
*FIRST- He showed me that my memory verse for this past week was (and is) for Him to teach, rebuke, correct and train ME in righteousness, not for me to use it on others in self righteousness. I am not her or any one's Holy Spirit.
*SECOND- God also showed me in 1 Peter 5:5 that I am to ...clothe myself with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." OUCH! God, I have been filled with pride these past weeks as much as she has! I'm finally getting it! The verse goes on to say, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7) I knocked MYSELF down by allowing the enemy authority to work through the situation; and only God can lift me up.
*I was casting my anxiety on Him (kept praying Phil 4:6-8), but it was with wrong motives, in the manner of "fix HER, Lord" to be right in my sight, rather than, "FIX ME" to be right in your (God's) sight... a THIRD OUCH! Funny how easy it is to see fault in others and critize what we think their motives are and not as easy to see it in ourselves until we allow God to peal the scales off our eyes.

So here I am, a self righteous, prideful, sinner with messed up motives... OUCH!

As I have gone to the Lord for direction over the past number of weeks, He had given me a number of Scriptures, but I was somewhat hard headed to see the message in them for me; I was too focused on HER wrong doings and the message for her. Now that I feel as though He's shown me a fresh revelation of where my heart and attitude have been, I will back track these verses and pray them out loud so that I will be lined up with God's heart and character and no longer be played by the enemy who was devouring me through this situation (1 Peter 5:8).

I asked God, "should I approach this fellow Christian and tell her what's occured?... " I asked, "Lord, do I say something to her about this?" At this time, I believe God said, "No... (the reason)- He has me in the process of taking the planks out of my own eyes at this time, that trying to take the specks out of another person's eye is wrong and hypocritical (Matthew 7:3-5). Even as I write this, I still know I've got some pride issues He's still emptying me of. God will show her through "OUCH" moments of her own in His time, His way. He is in control. At some point He may lead me to speak the truth in love to her; for now, I will wait for His direct lead.

Prayer: Thank You God for Your Truth. Thank You that you discipline those you love- and by Your Holy Spirit in me, I was able to recognize my sins against You through the "OUCH" moments you allowed me last night and today. Thank You that you give grace to the humble and have brought me to this place to grow me up more in Christ. Please forgive me for my sins against you- in my feelings toward a sister in Christ who I truly don't know very well. You know her heart and motives; and though my feelings were real, only You know if they were "Holy". My heart is deceitful and I ask you to create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. I know that my feelings led to sin, and for that I repent. I lift this Christian woman in prayer that you will continue to wrap her in Your love, and that she has overflowing favor from you. Lord Thank You for the wonderful people you've placed in my life, for the privilege of prayer and for Your love and grace that is never ending. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

LAUGHTER...good for the soul

Happy Monday!
I ran across this video and had to share it! Enjoy.

A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day. (Proverbs 15:13 -MSG)



If there is a blank space where a video box should be, click here.

This week's MEMORY VERSE

I've been memorizing Scripture for the past five years with some getting planted in my heart word-for-word and others I've honestly not remembered all too well. This week, I ran across my little "Memory Verse" booklets (little 3"X 5" spiral memo pads) from the past several years and had a fun time refreshing my "memory" on God's Word and what I committed to my memory at those particular times in my life. The neat thing that God spoke to me through finding these booklets, is that even though some of my "memory verses" I couldn't recall word-for-word, the power of these verses have left an imprint on my heart and impacted how I live my life. God's WORD never comes back void! I actually surprised myself that I remembered more than I thought- they'd been "written on my heart"! God wants us to hide His words on our hearts so we might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). I thank God daily for giving us His Word in the BIBLE (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth), the ultimate "how to do life right" guide. I thank God also for Jesus- The Only One who bridges the gap for us to be in God's presence... the Way, the Truth, and the Life... our Perfect example of how to live life right. With that said, here's my memory verse for this week:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

Prayer: Lord help me continue to hide your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you. Help me to have enough brain cells to actually remember what I learn from Your word this year and live it in my everyday. As I refresh my memory on past memory verses, help me remember them as well, that the ones I've forgotten, will get hidden in my heart. I can't do this on my own, Lord, I need you. I know I can do all things through You and You alone give me everything... Thank YOU that you are my EVERYTHING! May all the glory be Yours! In Your Name I pray, Jesus. Amen.

Chore Charts

Since being "Mortified", we have been making changes around our house hold to keep up on cleaning duties! I am happy to report that the chore charts for my four kids have been somewhat effective as a motivator in getting them accountable and responsible for doing their part (except for my 4 year old, Joe, who thinks the goal of his chore charts to put his stickers any old place he chooses)...

There are a variety of categories included and for each task accomplished, the child earns a sticker. By the end of the week, a minimum of 20 stickers for older kids (10 stickers for younger kids) must be achieved in order to earn their allowance ($10.00 for two older kids- 2 top level charts; $5.00 for two younger kids- 2 lower level charts) Good behavior/attitude is also considered in these chore charts for earning stickers. Getting and KEEPING this house cleaned up is an ongoing process; doing it as a team is definitely the way to go!

Therapy~Chenille Jackets

Many of the activities I do in life,

are like therapy for me...
sewing is definitely one of them!
When my daughter Jessie was born in 2001,
she recieved a little chenille jacket as a baby gift.
Every where we went, she'd get compliments on how
cute she was and how "adorable" her jacket was.
After much enjoyment from the jacket my daughter received,
I was inspired to make them for other precious little girls.
I've been working simultaneously on several chenille
jackets made of vintage bedspreads I've purchased over time.
Only about 4 jackets can be made from one bedspread,

so no two are exactly alike. I pour my "Heart and Soul"

into them as a "Thank You" to God for Him

being the ultimate Creator and blessing me with a variety of talents (sewing, one of them).
He has blessed me, so I can bless others.

I call my handmade creations,

"Heart and Soul Creations" (Luke 10:27).
So far I've only made these jackets in little girl sizes
"S" (6-12 mo); "M" (18 mo-24 mo); "L" (2T-4T)
and I give them as gifts.

This jacket is a surprise gift for my little niece in Oregon.

I also made this same jacket in a size smaller for a

Bible study friend who is having her 3rd child (first daughter!)

Born into Purple

This past week I caught a segment on the History Channel about ancient Greece and their royalty. TWO THINGS struck me.

1. As an adult, I LOVE HISTORY! I find it fascinating... when I was a child in high school I nearly failed my History classes and was bored out of my mind! What is up with that?
   
2. The other thing that struck me was at one point the commentator was talking about the lineage of the Kings and how they were... "born into purple".

I can't stop thinking about that phrase, "born into purple"... The color purple represents royalty. As a born again Christian, I am "born into purple"! Anyone who accepts and receives Christ as "King" of their life is "born into purple"... it's such a cool thought, and really helps me see myself as God sees me~ His heir and His beloved.

So, next time I'm feeling worthless, I'll be reminded...

I'm not worthless.
I am royalty.

I am a daughter of the King of the universe.

My Father in Creator of all things!

I am BORN INTO PURPLE!

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:17)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Prayer: Thank You my God that Christ died for me... that I am your daughter, born into purple through faith by Your grace alone. Help me bring You glory in all I say and do as Your heir and Your ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

This week's MEMORY VERSE

I've been dedicating time looking at King David's life these past 4 weeks, and with him as my inspiration, many of my memory verses are matters of the "heart". It's been awesome and eye opening to draw closer to God as I get to know King David, a man after God's own heart! My memory verse this week:

Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Birthday Scrapbook Project

I've been inspired to get the dust off my scrapbooking projects and finally work on updating them! Just a little info about my scrapbooking personality... I'm totally into it (when I "get to it"). I pretty much stick with Creative Memories product and style (I like journalizing in my own handwriting so my kids have that also as a memory and personal touch). I'm big into "theme books" (Christmas Albums, School Years, Birthday, Family Memories, Heritage, Wedding, Vacation, etc.); I have over 40 different scrapbooks -ranging in size- either in progress or needed to be started! I'm VERY behind on them right now, having allowed myself to get behind over the past 6 years.
... keeping up with scrapbooks can get overwhelming when a person let's everything pile up like I have over the years! But there's hope... I found a starting place and will take baby steps to get caught up.

I'm committed to "invest" in my children and family to work on the family scrapbooks this year so they know how special they are to me. This week, I'm working on my updating the smallest albums I have- one for each child- 4 total... their "BIRTHDAY ALBUMS" ... size 5 x 8 (sample of my oldest daughter's album below.)

The boys' albums are shades of blue, while the girls have pink and plum colored albums. Each year is reflected in a double page layout.

The kid's absolutely love looking at how they've grown and changed over the years. This album is fun to keep up with, too... The hardest part is going through memory cards and computer files to find the birhtday photos to get printed! UGH!

Never the less, I feel victory working on the 4 albums this week!!!