Loving Others

For the past four-five years at work, we have participated in the KUDL V-day cards project to Children's Mercy Hospital.  This year I received an email from Salvation Army and they were needing 10,000 cards for the VA hospital.  While searching the American Stroke Foundation website, I seen that they were collecting 10,000 cards for meals-on-wheels.  For a crafter like myself, these projects are paradise.  All you have to do is make homemade Valentine's Day cards for those specific organizations.  Anyone can do it from the young children to the young at heart. 

The Women's bible study group that I am involved in at church has started this year to plan more social activities to get the women together.  Of course, this idea made me so excited.  Making friends is kind of hard when you get above the double digit age, I think.  When you become older, you can make friends at work, church, or from other friends.  Or at school.  I have met some really great people while going back to school to get my master's.  Where I work, it's hard to make friends because we all work at different sites across the city and really only engage during trainings and meetings.  Then at church, I haven't really meshed with the group my age and there really isn't that many that participate at functions.  So in the women's bible study, I'm practically old enough to be everyone's daughter or granddaughter.  This hasn't stopped me from going.  This is where God wants me.  I have always clicked with people older than me.  I think it's my old soul.

Long story short, I help organize the activities and one of my activities was to make cards.  I was so surprised when the other ladies that are apart of the planning committee were excited about this project which of course made me excited.  I told my mom about the project and she was excited and had great input.  We talked about typing up scriptures ahead of time and she mentioned typing up the church's information on labels and putting them on cards.  I thought what a great idea.  I mentioned that to the leader of our group and she mentioned that our church had new cards they were passing out and she gave me one and said we could use these.  Thank you Lord for working it out.

Yesterday after church, 8 ladies went over to the leaders house to make homemade Valentine's Day cards for the meals-on-wheels organization.  There was light refreshments which was provided by a couple of the ladies. Um, I should have taken a picture because we had so much good food that I think I ate most of the time and got so sleepy from eating good food. 

This is some of our products neatly organized.

We had 3 tables set up with fun items to get our creative juices flowing.

Some of our finished products.

It was so funny because we had two tables full of ladies.  One table used glitter galore and the other (which was my table) were very simple but cute with our cards.  We determined by this project that your surrounding makes a difference, that saying that you become like your environment is true.  Those who sat at the same table, their cards came out very similar.  It was pretty funny.

In three hours with 8 ladies, we made approx. 80 cards.  All of our cards were made with love from our creative minds.  We put little ministering handouts on each card.  We were just as blessed making these cards as those who are going to receive our cards.

It's not too late if you want to participate.  Clink on the underline links above to get more information about these projects. 

Thank you Lord for the coming together of your daughters.  Thank you for the idea of making Valentine's Day cards for others who need a word of encouragement.  Thank you for the ladies who heard about the project and wanted to participate.  I pray that as we continue to do things together as women that you will draw other women near to us and let us be a light to christians and non-christians.  Continue to supply activities that are needed for our group.  We praise you for the God you are and the good fellowship we had.  You name Jesus, Amen.

Happy Birthday Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Today is my mom's birthday!  She will be here in 3 days and count down is on!  We have hopes to travel to Omaha for a few days so she can spend her time with both me and my sister.  According to the weather people, it's suppose to snow, ice, and all the wintery fun stuff.  Now any other day I would say bring it on BUT my mom is coming and I would really like to see her and spend time with her sooo, it's going to need to hold off until she has come and gone.

Snow, this is my serious face!  Back away until after my momma leaves! 

You know, I cherish those moments more now with my mother than anything.  It really urks me to see people misuse or take for granted their relationships with their moms.  My mom lives 12 hours away and if it was up to me or my sister, she would live next door.  I hear my co-works complain how their tired of their children always coming over to eat but they never want to cook for them or how they always drop the kids off.  I always say, you should be thankful that your kids come over because I wish I had my mom close enough to where I could go over her house for Sunday dinner (and Mon, Tue, Wed...).  Be thankful that you have grandchildren and can spend quality time with them.  I only wish I had kids that I could bless my mom with.  Then another co-worker can't get her only child (whose 45 yrs old) to come and visit, return her calls, or to even check on the house.  She told me, I even told them that when I die, they get the house, so at least come and check on it.  Nothing.  Wow!  I'm just in awe.  Now I am no saint myself.  I think about my mom daily but don't really call her but maybe twice a month.  My hopes is to be better than that and call at least once a week.  My sister calls her five times a day.  I could roll off excuses but there's not any worthy to not call my mom.

Words cannot express how much I love you mom.  You have always been there with me on this journey of life.  As independent as I am, I will always need your guidance, you love, your presences, your phone calls, and most importantly your prayers.  I may not show it but I think the world of you and I thank God for you and your life.  Through God's help, you have always been the backbone of our family.  I'm just like you in so many ways.  I would not be the woman I am today if it wasn't for you setting a great example to follow.  I love you always!

This old school song is for you...



Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake

I like to cook, bake and MOSTLY eat!  I follow alot of blogs and most of them are food related or have great recipes.  When I read the recipes and look at the pictures, I do one of the Homer Simpson drools (don't know why I reference his drool so much).  There are some women out there that can cook their booties off.  They are not professional but they have a love for cooking or baking and you can tell. 

My mom loves to bake and does it VERY well.  She really should start a business but I think it would take the passion out of it.  She made wedding & baby shower cakes, cookies out of this world, cupcake cakes, pies, bread/muffins (the pumpkin ones are my favorite), and the list can go on.  She has done all these for other people.  People call her and put in orders.  Oh, forgot to mention it has ALL been FREE.  She loves doing it.

When you find your passion for things, nothing can stop you as you excel.  That's a whole sermon on it's own.  My mom is coming to visit in 4 days and I can't wait to have her help me bake and cook some of the items I've seen on these different blogs but for now...

My cooking endeavors are not even close to those that I have read.  First of all my baking dish consist of tin foil pans.  I know it's bad but I either burn up stuff so good that cleaning it is not worth the hassel or I just don't want to do dishes.  I know, I know, that's pitiful but it's the truth.  I do have a casserole dish that I've bought not too long ago but I'm just a fan of tin foil pans and tubberware.  I'm just a simple girl that doesn't ask for much.

So I'm going to take my simple girl approach because you got to start somewhere and do my recipe thang (yep, thang)!  I go to a monthly woman's bible study and we can sign up to bring food.  I would sign up occassionally to bring food but lately have been signing up every month.  My thought was, I like to cook but don't really have anyone to cook for so why not the ladies in the bible study.  Then the leaders would pray over the food and those who brought food.  They would pray that those who brought food that their food will be plenty at home, not spoil and be blessed.  Well my food in the refridgerator would keep longer and longer.  It was so amazing how food that should have been spoiled or moldy would be fine to eat.  I once had fresh strawberries last for a months in the refridgerator and still be in great shape.  I wouldn't do anything but take them from the bag to the fridge.  This would happen to alot of my food. 

My little secret that I just recently shared, I sign up for food now because it keeps me consistant in showing up.  There is so many times that I would to stay at home and veg out but I know that I signed up for something and they are counting on me.  It's also a blessing to the other women as there are many who can't contribute or secretly can't cook or just don't want too.  Well I want to and thanks for being my guinea pigs or test pilots for better words.

Last sunday I made Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake straight from the back of the stove top box.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake

Prep: 10 mins   Bake: 30 mins

Ingredients:

1 pkg (6 oz) stove top stuffing mix for chicken

1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless checken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 bag (14 oz) frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained

1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups kraft shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package; set aside.

Mix chicken and broccoli in 13 x 9 inch baking dish.  I pre-cooked my chicken first and bought steamed broccoli and cooked that as well.

Stir in soup, milk and cheese.  Top with the prepared stuffing.  Bake 30 min. or until heated through.

The Finished Product

The picture does not give this bake any justice.  I was so nervous the whole time because after 30-45 mins, the chicken bake was still runny.  This picture was taken right after it got out of the oven but when I made it to bible study, the casserole looked good and tasted really good.  I even got compliments.  I was so excited and it made my night.  Thank you Lord for making it come out great.

Okay, so this is my first recipe, I know it's nothing fancy but the simple way to go.  If I can do it or make it, ANYONE can.

It's for ME

I've had this picture hanging up on my office door for the past 8 years and it really is a conversation starter.  What are your thoughts?

I used to look at this picture when talking with clients and think, I don't know.  The toilet paper could be right.  Everyone usually sides with the toilet paper until I remind them that some people clean the toilets with a toothbrush, scrub the tiles on the floor, or use as a foot scrubber (I've heard). 

This past year, work life has been rough.  People think my job is the easiest job in the world, that it's so much fun and since I'm single without kids that I have the perfect life too, with no kids or bills to hold me back.  My job partners with a for profit company to provide social service.  At my site, there are six people (3 office people and 3 maintenance) from the other company and just me from my organization. Everyday I would hear, Oh your job is so easy, you always do fun things, you wouldn't be able to do our job, it must be nice to get paid to play...The list can go on and on.  I would always rebutal but they can not see past their tunnel vision.  Beside providing assistance during the day for my adult clients, I run a after-school program and a toddler's program (starting next month).  Well alot of people think working with kids is fun but it's funny because I can't get people to help volunteer.  I won't say it's not fun but like with any job you have your ups and downs and when it's just one person providing a after-school program to 15-20 kids ages 4-17 it ca be very challenging when you have outcomes to meet, new programs you are required to create (while keeping the old one going), recruiting volunteers, mentoring kids, disciplining kids, communicating with parents (who don't want to communicate with you) and the list goes on. Working for a non profit, your job is not always guaranteed, I've been told that there may not be funding for my position after June.  I was also homeless for three months living with family as student loans wanted their money now!  I'm saying all this because there is more to someone's "job/life" than meets the eye.

I'm truly learning the meaning of the Joy of the Lord is my strength.  It's more than just happiness or being happy.  It first starts with removing the negativity out of your life.  Yes, it's hard but just try.  

This is going to be my new sign on the door

I've stopped defending my job and trying to convience "them/people" that I work just as hard or that being single is not always glamourous.  So often in life, we all go through the toothbrush/toilet paper scenerio in conversations with people.  What do you do for a living or what's going on in your life?  Oh, I do this...Oh, I do this too...I bet you don't have to do this or they got me doing this...my kids/husband this or that...It can be endless.  With the economy the way it is, it seems like it's more prevalent that we all are working harder for less pay sometimes, experiencing pay raise freeze or being laid off.  So when we vent our frustrations, we get caught up about our situations and what we have to do that sometimes we overlook other people's situation or even give God the praise for the blessings we have. 

During my Good Morning Girls bible study, we are studying the book of Ruth.  As many times as I have read this book or heard it, this was the first time I really pondered over Orpah's life.  We know Ruth's story but kindly dismissed Orpah's decision to go back home as the simple way out.  When in reality, going back home is not always as easy as one thinks.  Again we are quick to compare Ruth's and Orpah's decision to the situation they were going through when they were both called to do two different things. 

We are all called to do different things.  God has given us gifts for our appointed assignment.  What if we brushed our teeth with the toilet paper or used the toothbrush to clean our booty.  What ever we are called to do, we must do it with humility and give it 100%.  Don't worry about getting accolades from others.  God see and knows your true heart. 

You may feel like life is throwing you a bunch of lemons, well throw them up to God, he will turn them into your blessings-not lemonade.  Just know that what God has for you it is for you.  He will bring you out of any situation and you will rise above your situation.  It may seem like you have the worst job/life in the world...don't let the enemy fool you, God is bigger than our situation.

Be encouraged if you are in a situation that is not going your way or you don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Thank you Lord for blessing me with a job where I can make a difference.  Thank you for being my strength when I think I can't go on.  You are my provider, comforter, and peacemaker.  I pray that I will continue to look up to you for guidance in all areas of my life.  Continue to help me to count my blessings and to see those blessings that I miss.  Thank you for loving me for me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Day Seven

Address:
Ruth 2:5-8

Scripture:
Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?" The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi.  She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.'  She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter."  So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me.  Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here.  Stay here with my servant girls.

Observation:
Ruth caught the eye of Boaz and instantly he told her to stop labouring in the fields.  He was ready to take care of her as he said don't go anywhere else, don't go in another field but let my servant girl take care of you.  I can only imagine after her hard work in the field all day what she looked like and even smelled like but she still caught his eye (favor).

Application:
Ruth was focused with the work at hand and that was gleaning (gathering leftovers) over the field and she did it with her whole heart.  I need to stop worrying about other life's circumstances and do what I'm currently doing with my whole heart.  Whether that's my job, finances, relationships, or myself.  The Lord will recognize and bless me because of my dedication of the treasures he has already given me.

Prayer:
Lord I first come to you and ask for forgiveness for not always giving 100% to my work at hand.  I think my excuses of why I don't are valid but they are not.  Lord help me not to be so concerned about the things and people around me but to dedicate my all to the things you have already blessed me with.  Lord I know you see me and my heart.  May it be pleasing to you.  Thank you in advance for seeing ME.  In Jesus name, Amen.

I am not what I ought to be.

I am not what I want to be.

I am not what I hope to be.

But still, I am not

What I used to be.

And by the grace of God,

I am what I am.

--John Newton

We Need Each Other

I thought I needed those maintenance men this morning to help dig me out of my parking spot.  I got my car cleared off really quick this morning but I sure couldn't move my car out of my parking spot.  I got a little frustrated at the maintenance men at my apartment complex this morning.  They drove right past me and they saw me digging myself out of my parking spot with my ice scraper and foot.  They literally went to the next stairway and started re-cleaning it off.  I was getting ready to go ask if I could borrow one of their shovels and then God worked it out.  I know it's not their job to help and the guys at the apartment complex that I work at ALWAYS get in trouble for helping our residents.  I know the liability but... 

I started laughing at myself and thinking about what a good workout I was getting.  They say you burn calories cleaning off your car, so I kicked that snow a little harder.

I came across this video during Thanksgiving last year.  My uncle's mother showed it to us.  I first want to say, I don't expect for you to pass this on and I don't care if you are or aren't in the seven percent (don't get mad).  I DO CARE that you got the message out of the video.  Yep, you are right, make sure when you go out on the water to bring people with you and to waterproof your items.  Just Kidding!!

We NEED God and we need each other to really survive in this world.  I grew up in church and I always remember learning about the saints (Christians) before us and how they were prayer warriors and how they prayed for us.  Our ancestorys were praying people.  I always remembering my mom praying over us and our lives.  Those prayers were not just for the present time but for my entire life.  I've started exercising my faith as well and praying for what is yet to come.  Whether that be people, needs and/or wants, it's being prayed about now. 

If you don't already pray, Just Do It!  It's pretty simple.  There is no special stance in order to pray or eloquent words to say nor do you have to get your life right first in order for God to hear you.  You must believe in God because prayer is a way of communicating with Him. 

Ephesian 6:18: And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.  It's written in plain english.  We must ALWAYS pray for each other.

Past--Present--Future...WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER!

This song has encouraged me numerous times.

Pray that God will surround you with positve Godly people.  People who will pray for you, with you and vice-versa.  He will answer our prayers.  Don't forget to Praise Him now for hearing our prayers. 

I need you...Please Pray for Me.

Thank you Lord!

I've Been Waiting

For the SNOWWW! Yay, I'm so excited.  I might be the only person in the midwest hoping that it would snow like nobody's business.  It's so funny how people go in panic mode over the forecast.  People go to the store and stock up on a year's supply of groceries for maybe 1 day of snow, putting trash bags on their windshield wipers so they won't get iced up but the next day having to dig for the plastic bag and peel it off the blade and windshield (it sounds like I'm speaking from expierence huh, maybe *wink), and/or filling their gas tank up as if a half of tank of gas won't get them to and from their destination because it's cold.

Those ladies in the office get so overly and it doesn't do anything but get me more excited.  I think it kind of makes them mad.  What do I say to that, Sorry for ya!  Come out and join me in the fun.  I couldn't wait to go out and play in it.  A little secret, when I got in my car, I did some fish tailing just for the fun of it.  You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of this girl.  Would have tried a donut but since I didn't fill up on gas like the rest of the people, I only have enough to get home.

 This is probably the first time in a while that I was hoping the kids would come over so we could play in the snow.  A few of them came out and I convienced them to go outside and take pictures.

It's okay to eat snow, just not the yellow snow.  It doesn't taste like banana's!

Um, I think there is something growing in your hair!  This little girl got so tickled seeing snow in her hair.

We had alot of fun.  I took a good handful of pictures and even one of the teen girls came out.  Snow just makes people happy if you just really embrace it for what it is.

I'm involved with Good Morning Girls bible study and today is the third day.  It was a very slow start thid morning for me and I didn't want to get out of bed but I was extremely excited about the reading and pressed it. It has put me in the mode of thanking about God as I continue to think more positively.  I had fun with the kids like I used to and they were loving it.  Showing selflessness with the kiddos.

 On my way home, I had so much fun in the car.  I hope the other people were having as much fun as I was.  I know I was probably entertaining to watch as I was taking pictures.

This was the good view on my way home.  As I continued to creep on the highway, my blades froze up and I was unable to see or pull over, my heat was tired of sitting in that traffic and needed a little break (that was my assumption).  Thank you Lord for guiding my vehicle.  A mile from my home, I was able to see alot better.  The Lord was working it out.

While driving, I was going slow enough to actual observe my surrounding and take in the sites.  I saw this sign on the back of a truck and started laughing.  "If seen sitting for more than 1 month, call for reward".  I thought to myself, if I've been seen sitting for a month, don't bother me!  Truthfully, this should be a reminder that we shouldn't be sitting in one place long enough for people to notice and want to do something about it.  That's physically or spiritually.  We should always be moving forward in life.

 Then I saw these two signs.  It was a daily reminder that life may throw us for a loop and we may become off balance but we need to slow down.  Don't run with our emotions or get so engrossed in the everyday routine that we forget to take time to give God thanks or a hey.

 Remember to yield and listen to what God has to say about our situation.  Always take time to "smell the roses" as the saying goes. 

There are many reminds of God that we see everyday but maybe haven't noticed.  I came across a car devotional and if you travel alot or know someone who spends more time in their car or on the road than at home.  I know a great present for them.  It's called Roadside Reminders of God's Word: Signs of Faith at http://www.travelingword.com/.  They reference scripture and end with a prayer from each sign.  The sayings above our my own and I'm sure no one would pay a penny for my thoughts. (smile)

I'm still excited to see that it's snowing.  I would love for you to share what you have been waiting for?  Or what do you need to slow down and smell?  Wait, I may not want you to answer that one.

Fingers crossed for a snow day tomorrow.

Thank you Lord for this day.  Because of you, I had a great day and a humorous ride and drive home.  Thank you for showing your love to me everyday.  Help me to show more love to your people and receive it the same.  You are great, you do mircles so great!  Amen.

What Legacy are YOU leaving?

This song is called Legacy by Nichole Nordeman.  I heard this song for the first time last year and they played it like every 5th song on the radio it seemed like but now I barely hear it.  This song continues to come into my spirit so I thought I would share it with you.  While you listen, ask yourself "What kind of Legacy am I leaving"?

"I want to leave a legacy how will they remember me?  Did I choose to love?  Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things?  I want to leave an offering.  A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologietically.  And leave that kind of legacy..."

Wow, how powerful this song is.  God left the biggest legacy and there is no way for me to fill those shoes but I should be trying.  I did walk on water once but the rain kept coming and my feet would not rise with the water.  As much as I want to leave the legacy that I walked on water, Jesus already did that.  What can I do? 

I work with kids and if you have kids, work with kids, or just around kids, you hear that saying "be careful what you say or do around kids because they pick up on everything".  Well that saying should take on a whole new meaning as Christians.  I walked on water for a little bit until the puddle got bigger but I'm not perfect.  Shhh, our secret.  I should be living a life and saying things that I would want the kids I work with to pick up on or anyone I am around.  I shouldn't be careful but be proud of what comes out of my mouth and the way I conduct my day to day life.   Here are some of my boogers now!  Okay, I should not say that.  I always try to speak positive words over my kids.  And to some people, boogers are good.  Just ask some of my kids.  They really are good kids. 

 These two ladies have really left a mark on my life.  I have learned so much from them.  They come in and give me a hug everyday and when they leave they give me a hug.  They welcome all adults that come to the community center with hugs.  The one always says.  I love you before she leaves.  And I've started saying it back to her.  Today I didn't.  Some of the older girls have noticed our sayings and have made comments.  It's so sad because you have to be SO careful when working with kids what you say or do.  If you have any suggestions on what I can say and not "cross the line", please share.  I wanted to say I love you like God loves you but I can't put God in the mix because of State and Religion.  Uggh!  They have shown me to forgive, the youngest one will always get in trouble but she is so quick to say she is sorry and when some of the older kids are mean to her and even make her cry, I've seen her give them her last cookie, minutes later.  I drop my mouth sometimes when I watch her in action and continue to point out to those kids when she shows true love and forgiveness.

 Now these are a few of my boys.  They are such good boys really.  As much as they think they are so tough, they have such a soft side of them.  They always make me smile with the silliest things they do.  I had to teach them to give Ms. Melissa "dap".

These are just some of the girls in Girl Scouts.  We went to the pumpkin patch/corn maze this past fall and we thought we entered the sour patch.  There were alot of pumpkins that were rotten and you could smell them on the hayride we went on and in the corn maze.  It was so funny because they all turned around at the same time when they smelt the smell and I had my camera just waiting.  I should have video taped what they were saying.

Anyways, there are so many opportunities for me to leave a mark and I pray that I'm leaving one that the Lord is pleased with.  I sometimes think I am but just hope that I'm planting seeds that are positive memories for the kiddos.  One day a few of the older kids said, Ms. Melissa you don't ever get mad.  You are always so happy.  One boy who's a junior this year said, yes, you are too happy.  It's not right for someone to be so happy.  They asked if I ever get mad.  I thought to myself, what life are they living.  Almost everyday, we shut down the center early because they get out of control or we are ALWAYS having heart to heart (that's what I call our important discussions) about their behavior or someone is getting pulled aside or have to write sentence but yet I don't get mad?!  Hmm, I always think I'm being to harsh on them.  I just laughed!  I asked a lady who I partner with and she said it's probably because they are used to their parents/mom's yelling and cussing at them and since I don't do any of that, they don't think I'm mad.  She said when she comes back to the community center and I'm sweating, she knows they have made me mad.  I sweat ALOT!

There are always opportunities to leave a legacy.  It doesn't have to be starting a foundation to save a 3rd world country but if you have the resources to do that.  Go for it.  I frequent a blog called Beantown Baker, Jen (I'm writing her name like I know her or that she knows I'm following her) has joined a group called Operation Baking GAL and they bake goods for our soliders.  I have thought about joining a team but may have to wait for next round.  Just a thought if yu are looking to get involved.  It could be something as little (big) as going to the local nursing home and adopting a senior citizen; reading to a 3rd grade class or being a mentor to a young person.

Something I always tell the kids...Stop and Think.  I will add on and say...and LEAVE A LEGACY!  Pray and ask God what legacy he wants you to leave and to guide you to make it happen.  Remember to do it with a Cheerful Heart!

Love ya!

GMG: Rising Above, Day One

Yay!  Today is the first day of the GMG bible study.  My group is studing Ruth and Esther these next twelve weeks.  As I opened my bible today, I was so excited to turn to the passage today Ruth 1:1-4.  The bible opens to Ps. 37 and there was a brand new $2 laying between the pages.  I cannot figure out where that came from.  I think the last time I seen a $2 besides getting some from a co-worker to pay for her Girl Scout cookies was  when my sister had some but my bible hasn't been near her.  I will probably rack my brain all day trying to figure out where the bill came from and how it got in my bible.  I know I should just receive my blessing (by blessing, I mean the scripture) and be happy with it but...

Ps. 37: 1-7 in a nutshell basically states to not be jealous of those who do wrong for in due time they will reap what they sow and wither away.  But trust in the Lord, do good so that I may live in the land with his protection.  If I delight myself in the Lord, he will give me the desires of my heart but also be still and wait patiently on the Lord and don't get inpatient when I see others succeed and they are doing wrong. 

Woot Woot!  Thank you Lord.  As a social worker, I see alot and know alot.  I get discouraged alot because I help alot of different people and some of them abuse the help.  There is one particular situation that I'm just frustrated about and I'm helping them once again to pay for their utilities but yet, she's getting her 3yr, 7yr, and 10yr old a cell phone.  They got all these things over the last few months and now I'm suppose to help you with the necessities.  When I struggle to put food on my table, get my rent paid, buy clothes.  BUT Ps. 37 is my scripture of hope.  Everytime I feel this way, I will be reminded of this scripture and just be THANKFUL. I am thankful and will work on being thankful without the "but"!

Okay so back to the real reason I am here, sorry about that.  Now I will not be writing my passages everyday.  It's Martin Luther King, Jr's Monday and I'm off and have time to write.  Thank you Martin for being a willing vessel for the Lord and walking in your assignment.  I wouldn't be where I am today if you hadn't said yes to the Lord and acted.  You did not let fear stop you!

Day One

Passage: Ruth 1:1-4

Scripture:

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.  The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion.  They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah.  And they went to Moab and lived there. 

Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.  They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth.   After they had lived there about ten years,

Observation:

I observed that times were bad in the land, there was famine.  Elimelech wanted better living for his family.  Once in a "better" place, Naomi became a widow and a single mother.  Elimelech passes away.

Application:

I am living in a world that is experiencing hard times and unlike Elimelech, I can't just get up and leave but I can do things to help change/improve the world.

Prayer:

Lord I thank you for today.  I thank you Lord that you are bigger than our current situation and bigger than this world.  I thank you for your word and how it never changes but you reveal to me new applications each time I read it.  Lord I am not living in famine but this world has the same heartache.  Lord we need you more than ever.  I pray that during these next 12 weeks, you will show yourself to me and the other 36 ladies in my GMG: Rising above group.  Lord show us how we can be better women of God.  Show me/us how I/we can be your light to people I/we encounter.  Thank you for showing yourself to me this morning in Ps. 37:1-7.  As I strive to be more positive, I will delight in you.  I thank you for who you are and give you the praise.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 This is my first day and I definitely don't know if I'm doing it right but I pray the Lord will show me what to do.  Now, I'm not perfect by any means (I know shocker, huh) but I wanted this notebook to look perfect but as I started writing, I had to already scratch out stuff.  I was going to just start a new page but if I continue to do that, there would probably only be like 5 pages left in the notebook and it's only my first day.  I wanted to share my chicken scratch.  Look how messy it is.  I guess it's not about the presentation as it is the application of the bible study.

 This is the 12 week outline.  Thanks again Lisa for heading up this group, the outline, and fb page.

Have a great day all and fab's Monday!



A Day in the Life of...Me

"A Day in the Life..." project was seen at Simply Rebekah.  She has challenged her blog readers to participate in this project with her this year.  On Feb. 1st, everyone will link up to her page or add their pictures to her comments.  If you want to join along, check our her page and get started.  I'm going to try and do this once a month, fingers crossed.

So for one day, you are suppose to carry your camera with you and take a picture every hour that depicts what you are doing at that moment.  Carrying the camera is no challenge, I'm a big nerd and ALWAYS carry my camera.  You can't ever miss a picture or video moment, they are everywhere.

I just got a new camera from my mom and sister for Christmas and it just came in on Friday, Jan 14th.  Well, I've been so excited about this project that I decided to start my project yesterday, 1/15/11.  So I haven't had my camera more than 24hrs.  So here we go...

A Day in the Life of...Melissa--January, 15, 2011

9:00a: Eating breakfast.  Breakfast of all champions because it's a good source of fiber.  It says it on the box, so it must be true, right?!

10:00a: After a hearty breakfast, a nap is definitely due.  Snuggling up in my OU snuggie!  What a great Saturday morning.

11:00a: Trying to navigate my way around these dang detours.  On my way to an hair appt and today they had to close off the ramp to the highway.  I was suppose to be there at  10:40aish.  It should be okay, right, I always have to wait to get in the chair even with my appt.

12:00p: I got to my appt. and still have to wait.  I just got a wash & style today.  I'm sitting under my least favorite equipment.  The dreadful dryer.

1:00p: My hair is finished, yay!  Now I have to get those hairy eyebrows done.  I'm heading next door to China King, while she finishes up this little girls hair.  Her whole family is in the salon and they are out of control. 

2:00p: Finished with my eyebrows and eating some good egg rolls.  I got my hair beautician one and I won't tell you how many I had, okay 3.  I know, I know.

3:00p: I headed to the Dollar Tree to pick me up a notebook for my 12 week bible study with Goodmorning Girls: Rising Above.  Everything is a $1.00 found some good inspiration books as well.  They were a icebreaker in line.  The gentleman behind me was asking about them. Thank you Lord! If you look hard enough, you can see my package of 3 musketeers.  

4:00p: Lunch or Dinner, I guess the egg rolls earlier were lunch so this is dinner.  It's pretty early, let's see if this will suffice for the evening.  I was really wanting chicken.

5:00p: Look at that clock on the computer, I think it says 5:01, I'm good!  I was actually on Goodmorning Girls: Rising Above fb page.  Thank you Lord for showing me this bible study.

6:00p:  It's been a long day.  Time for a nap...I believe they are essential.

7:00p: Time for laundry, good think I took a nap prior.  I have ALOT!  Can I say, that I'm really loving my new camera, look how vivid those colors look in the dryer.

8:00p:  I will confess, this was taken a little after the hour.  I was on the phone with my Dad and I did not want to get off the bed to get my camera.  By the way, this is a new phone by just a month.

9:00p: I was going through the bags of items I bought today.  I got this book at Dollar General.  I know I was on a dollar kick today.  I'm going to read this as I go through by bible study.

10:00p: This is my portable DVD player that my mom and sister got me for Christmas.  I was using my computer to watch movies in bed and really needed wanted this. I have a dvd player on my tv but I have to unhook it from this and that and then hook it up to...just crazy.  Goodnight.

Okay, I have a confession.  I didn't go to bed at 10p.  I went to bed at 4a this morning but decided to stop taking pictures for the sake of everyone else.  I can tell you that I was creating this blog, reading blogs, and talking to my sister on fb (she couldn't sleep either).  It must have been that nap.  Why can't I be this wide awake when I get up for work in the mornings.  Hummm.

A good tip was to set your phone alarm for every hour.  It's sad but our cell phones are with us more than anyone or body.  I've seen people almost break their leg to answer their ring or text.  What's kind of funny is that I haven't used the alarm on my phone yet and there were several times, that it would go off and I didn't realize it was my phone and would getting a tid-bit annoyed because I thought someone wouldn't answer their phone.  Oh, it was me!  I would just laugh at myself when I was in the salon and store.

This was a fun project and as mentioned earlier, will try to do this once a month.  I liked it.

Thank you Lord for being so great.  Thank you for your love and mercy.  I know Lord that a Day in the Life...could not happen if it wasn't for you.  I am so gratefu that you woke me up this morning and every morning with the ability to walk, talk, and be in my right mind.  I know Lord that I am not pefect as much as I strive to be.  I thank you Lord that I am blessed beyond measures.  Thank you for the day project.  Let this be a reminder of your goodness in my life.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

New Year in Full force

I wrote this on 1/11/11, I'm sure there is a "correct" way of doing this but couldn't figure it out.  It's okay because this is the last one.  All post from here on out will be on this blog. Yay!
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The New Year is here and there is no turning back. This year was so different, I didn't get that fuzzy feeling inside of excitement of the new year. I still don't have that burning desire to jump and make changes or better myself. In my head, I "want" to do things but it hasn't really made it to my heart if that makes since.

This New Year has brought about a new addiction for me. I have come to understand the google RSS feed and I LOVE IT! Everyday after work, I race home to get on the computer and read blogs. I love them all! My goal, wish, and hope is for my blog to be as fabs as all the ones I've come across. I know that will take time and dedication. I know this is bad for me to say but I don't want to post on my own blog because I could be using that time to read and find new blogs. Sad, sad, sad...

So I have come across numerous encouraging sites. As mentioned earlier, I am restructuring my blog because my family is no longer in the same city with me so I can't take pictures and post funny stories. Getting my aunt to take and send pictures is hopeless. One site that I came across is called Women Living Well. This site opened doors to many more great blogs and reading opportunities. Courtney has a blog on the site and she wrote about her 2011 theme word for the year, it has to be one word. While reading this, the Lord dropped in my spirit INCREASE.

• Increase my relationship with Christ (Prayer & bible reading)
• Increase self confidence
• Increase relationship building
• Increase positive thinking
• Increase quality of health
• Increase in blog and scrapbooking *wink, wink

What is your one word theme word for the new year? Or what is your resolution for the New Year?

Good Morning Girls is my new adventure. I have really been slacking in my walk with the Lord. My heart literally hurts for the people of the world daily. More than ever, I'm seeing the end times in action and we as Christians need to be geared up to run this race. GMG has a 12 week bible study challenge. Women all over the world will be studing different books of the bible using the SOAP method.

SOAP Method:

S: Write Out the scripture passage for the day.

O: Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.

A: Write down 1-2 applications from the passage.

P: Pray over what you learned from today's passage.

A deeper discription can be found by clicking on any of the links in this post. The GMG will be studing the book of James but the group I joined Good morning Girls: Rising Above, the leader Lisa has been a great leader and welcomed me with open arms to their group of 30 ladies. You can go to her blog to read more about her and our study of Ruth & Esther in the bible. The plan is written out. If you are looking for a different way to study the bible, jump aboard, we start Monday, Jan 17th! I'm getting excited.

"Lord as I start this new journey of my life. Ignite
the passion the dwells deep within me that you have installed. Lord, I
pray for all the ladies that have dedicated these next 12 weeks to study Ruth
and Esther. Stir in us the same fire so we may do the work that you want
us to do. We love you for who you are and not what you do. Thank
Lord and we praise you in advance."

New Beginnings

I wrote this on 12/29/2010 on my other blog but after much thought, I have decided to start a new blog for this new transition in my life.  The other blog was for a specific time and moment.  I had started blogging as I was staying with family due to having financial struggles with my student loans.  I was unable to really "live" on my own.  My aunt had open her doors and home to me and allowed me to stay with them and save money.  So I decided to keep a blog of the kids and family things so other family members could keep in touch.  They have since moved as you will read below.
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For the last several months, there has been alot of changes. The big change is that my family has moved to Hotlanta, well it's been cold there now. According to my uncle, the cold weather is not ready to release them. This blog was orginally made to keep everyone informed of the kids life but they are gone and no more pictures to take.

I've been thinking hard for the last two months, what I would do with this blog. As I have been blog surfing more and more and discovered the RSS feed button, I have come to the conclusion that I will continue the blog and change the focus of it to more of my life and that way my family in different states can see what I've been up to. This will require me to get up and out more and start mingling. What do I say to that, NOOooo. I love my couch, my books, and my sudoku puzzles. However, if mister right is suppose to find me, he's not going to come to my door looking for me. Then a friend mentioned, if that's the case, it's going to be the FedEX man or the pizza guy. FedEX employee's make good money, wink wink. This big family that I want is not going to just fall out of the air as cool as that would be.

I am going to master this "blog thing" and get going and write about my new adventures for 2011. So this year to help me move forward, I am going to set goals or what people call New Year's Resolutions. For the past couple of years, I have not set any because I felt like it's a big set up and I would just set goals throughout the year. I think sometimes we get overly with our resolutions which ultimately overwhelms us and we do nothing that we set out to do. As I really contemplate 5 important things that I want to accomplish for 2k11, the list only gets bigger. I will narrow my list down and write them down later.