One Word… One Thing… One Lesson!

There seems to be a theme running through my mind this weekend and it starts with the word "One".

Yesterday, while chatting with a friend online, I was challenged by something she had mentioned about a challenge she took last year, and again this year, called One Word 365.  Instead of making New Year's Resolutions, this challenge encourages us to seek the one word we can grasp onto for 365 days to bring about change in our lives.  One word.  One focus.  One day at a time.  One step at a time.  One Word from God to draw us closer to His presence.

As I began to ponder the changes this challenge has made in my friend's life, hope began to bubble up in me.  Could I take one word and hand it over to God?   Could I focus on that word and what God wants to do in my life for 365 days?  Do I dare believe that I can gain victory in the area of that one word?  I spent time amidst my errands and quiet moments yesterday and again today thinking about what word I sensed God placing on my heart.  One Word.

This morning, with that one word rolling around in my brain, I listened to the "first message of 2014" at church this morning.  "C", one of our elders, shared about the journey God had taken him on in 2013 and where God wanted to take him (and all of us) in 2014.  It comes down to One Thing, he shared.  One Thing.  One focus.  One heart.  One mind.  One day at a time.  One step at a time.  One heart set on God, knowing Him, following Him, loving Him.  One Thing.

I listened to his words with great hope, great encouragement and great resolve that my One Word would help me in grasping this One Thing.  So today, this 5th day of January, I choose to share my One Word as a way of accountability.  A way of declaring my choice to desire the One Thing and to take the steps of action needed to make 2014 a victorious year.  This One Word I have chosen is something I lacked hugely in 2013 and anyone who knows me (or my blog) would have to agree that this is the one One Word I most need today, especially with a move looming over my head in a few short weeks.  With God's help, supernatural focus and some much needed discipline, 2014 will be the year for this…

I chose this word because my life this past year has been off kilter.  Unbalanced.  I'm not a juggler by nature.  I get one ball up in the air and try to toss one or two others and they all come crashing down.  If I do well in work, home, health and God suffer.  If I do home well, God and work suffer.  If I'm honest,  I rarely do God well (for if I did, the rest wouldn't suffer near as much).  On my own strength, this Type B, lazy bum can't get it together, but with the help of the Holy Spirit… who knows how many balls I will be able to juggle at once and well?!  So balance… finding the time, the energy, the focus and mind to be all that God wants me to be in each area of my life.  That is my One Word for 2014!

New Beginnings… New Blog Name

Happy New Year, fellow Bloggers!

2013 was a crazy year for me… getting my business off the ground, travelling, family weddings, etc… it has really challenged my blogging mojo, hasn't it?  Well I am back in 2014 with a renewed desire to blog and a new name!

New Beginnings is the theme for my new blog and our life beginning in 2014.  I am so grateful to God for allowing me the ability to "make lemonade" of the circumstances of infertility but that all feels miles behind on life's highway.   Not only do I feel like I've turned a page on that chapter of life, Hubby and I are about to embark on turning the page on a new chapter… moving to our second home (finally!).

In November, life was plugging along as usual, nary a thought of moving on the horizon… until a 2 car garage, 3 bedroom, end unit town home in our complex (on the same side of the street as our current home… with no neighbours behind except the police station) came up for sale.  I had always been keeping an eye out for a 2 car garage unit so I was interested in taking a peek when they held an Open House one weekend in early-November.  Hubby and I took a look around the place and were intrigued by the possibility of purchasing this slightly larger unit, without having to take a large mortgage again.  The day after we toured the home, Hubby was off on a business trip to California.  His union was contemplating a strike at the time so house-hunting wasn't maybe the best idea at that time of uncertainty but Hubby and I both felt the prodding to move forward with considering this house.  I decided to visit the Open House the following day, with tape measure in hand, to see if logistically our furniture and things would fit and we could truly make this "home".  On the following Tuesday I visited Ridgeway Kitchens, to speak with my brother-in-law's, nephew-in-law who owns the renovation company to see if reworking the kitchen at the new town home would be a possibility as the current kitchen as is was a deal breaker in moving forward.   Marcus needed to measure to see what options we might have and miraculously (thank you Jesus!) our real estate agent was going to be in my neighbourhood right around that time and was able to get us into the house to measure.

I won't bore you with each detail but that week while Hubby was in California, we prayed about God opening and closing doors.  There were huge hurdles to jump over (like the union strike) and we kept asking God to show us His will for this house by moving such hurdles.  By Thursday, God had answered prayers as the strike was being averted and ratification was scheduled for Sunday.  We had decided with this news that we would go look at the house again at the coming weekend's Open House before putting in an offer.

Sometimes God puts obstacles in our way to test our faith and that Friday we encountered one such obstacle.  I got a call from our agent, Linda, telling me that someone was coming to put an offer on the townhouse that evening at 7pm.  Hubby was literally unreachable as he was in the airplane heading home from California.  We would have to forego putting in an offer too and we would have to let the house go.  It was strange as this was happening though.  Similar to 20 years ago how I felt after my first date with Hubby, I had such a strong sense that this house was "ours" but I trusted God and held it loosely.  Our agent told us that sometimes deals don't go through and that she would contact me the following Friday to update me on the status of the sale.  "Okay God… I will trust in Your will!"

Fast forward to the next Friday.  I was out shopping when I got a call from our agent.  "The buyer's financing fell through.  You can put in an offer if you're still interested".  Hubby again was preparing to board an airplane home from his business trip to Massachusetts so again I had to tell Linda that we were on hold.  Saturday morning, after a myriad of questions, we began the process of moving towards an offer by visiting the bank for a deposit draft and later that evening meeting with our agent to "get the job done!"  After a few pass backs between us and the sellers, at 10pm on Nov 23, 2013, we purchased our second home (conditional on home inspection).

SOLD… TO US!!

Now came the crazy process of preparing our current home and getting it listed for sale.  God miraculously gave me supernatural energy and endurance and I was able to get the house ready within the week.  In that week another townhome in our complex came up for sale… a unit similar to ours with 2 bedrooms and 1-1/2 car garage.  This home was refinished to the max and ended up with a bidding war, making it the highest selling unit in our complex.  Again, I saw God's timing in this because in the time frame between us purchasing Unit #8 and getting our unit on the market, the "value" of our home was able to be increased by $10K due to the sale of that similar unit.

On Wednesday, Dec 4 our unit was listed and officially on the market!  I was leaving for a Seminar at Sea aboard the Norwegian Breakaway cruise line out of NYC on Dec 7 (Sat) and Hubby was leaving for Connecticut on the 8th (Sunday) so fortunately we weren't inconvenienced too much with showings and the Open House held on the Saturday.  By mid-week, while we were both away, two offers came into our agent with one offer sticking around.  There I was on the high seas off the coast of NC on Friday, Dec 13 signing a copy of offer to be faxed back to our agent.  Our house was sold conditionally!  Only God can move things this quickly I believe!  By the following Friday the SOLD sign was on our front lawn and we could relax over the Christmas break before starting the massive job of packing up by our January 31st closing date.

Our First House SOLD!

So… we come to the meaning of the new blog theme which comes from our new home.  When I told Hubby's twin sister the unit # of our new place, she mentioned to me the spiritual significance of the number 8… "New Beginnings".  I got chills when she told me because not only is moving into our second home a "new beginning", closing the chapter on this home with it's reminders of broken dreams and hopes that never came to be (and leaving our Noah's Ark "nursery" behind), it is also the year Hubby and I both reach the milestones of turning 50 and celebrating 20 years of marriage.  New Beginnings… absolutely!!  So join me as we pack up the past (with both good and not so good memories) and move up the street to our new place and our New Beginnings!!

Life Lessons Learned from Rhoda Morgenstern

Remember Mary Tyler Moore's neighbour, Rhoda?  The brassy New Yorker with the crazy little Mother and the unseen doorman, Charleton?  Sister Brenda who went on to become Marge Simpson?  (I digress...)

"The Mary Tyler Moore Show"

Rhoda was a strong, independent woman with a lot of sass.  Valerie Harper, the actress who played Rhoda wasn't too far from that herself.  This brassy woman with a fighter's spirit has become the poster girl for inner strength and undeniable joy, despite facing death in the face and giving it a big ole raspberry Pffft. 

Last night Hubby and I watched the NBC special by Meredith Vieira on Valerie's brave struggle with terminal brain cancer.  Diagnosed in January of this year, Valerie was given 3-6 months to live.  Not taking the news lying down (literally or figuratively), Valerie, 74 yrs young and her adorable husband of 26 years, Tony have fought valiantly against the disease and so far have been successful.

What really struck me as I watched this special was the attitude of positivity and sheer JOY that Valerie exudes each day, despite the chemo treatments, feeling run down and looking death in the face.  Even while standing in a cemetery picking her "lakefront real estate" for her gravesite, Valerie found peace and joy.  Her concerns were not for herself but for her beloved husband and daughter who will be left behind.  

I was amazed!  This firecracker of a woman has even taken on the challenge this Fall of joining Dancing with the Stars.  She has chosen to live her life to the full, despite her diagnosis and embrace the days she has left, no matter how many or few they may be.

KELSEY MCNEAL/ABC

I am inspired by her courage.  Her strength.  Her tenacity.  Her JOY.  I don't know if Valerie knows Jesus as her Saviour.  From watching the interview I would doubt it, but I don't know that for sure.  What I do know is that the attributes she has shown through this incredible adversity in her life, is how I would want to embrace life when the storms come and knock me off my feet.  More often than I care to share I find myself allowing emotions and struggles (minor struggles) to blow me over and steal my joy.  But I want my life to be defined by JOY.  I want people to look at me and be inspired.  Not by my own courage.  Oh no!  I want them to see Jesus shining through me.  I want them to know that my joy, my peace, my strength comes from the One who paid it all for me.  The One who is preparing a mansion for me in Heaven.  The One who will one day call me home.  Oh how I long for Him to say, "Well done good and faithful servant!".

My prayer today is that Valerie and her family would know Jesus.  That they would know that the strength, the peace and the joy she has comes from a Higher Power.  It comes from the One who made her and has numbered her days. God bless you Valerie.  I will be cheering you on as you dance and as you kick cancer's butt!  I hope your days are many and your joy becomes complete!

The Years The Locusts Ate Away

I remember reading a verse in Joel (verse 25) years ago that says, "I will repay the years the locusts ate away".  I understood that verse to be a promise from God that He would restore me from the pain and devastation from my past.  Over the years I have watched Him do just that and this weekend in particular that verse resounds most true.

Six and half years ago, a couple years after my Mom had passed away, I met a young woman in our church small group who had just lost her mother.  "C" was single, early 20's and heartbroken by this much-too-early, tragic loss.  As her first Mother's Day without her Mom present, I knew from personal experience how difficult it can be to not have your Mother (and not be a Mother) on this holiday dedicated to Moms.  So, I invited "C" to join me in protesting the day and asked if she wanted to play hookie with me from church for that day.

The two of us did just that.  We met mid-morning and head out for lunch and then to the quaint village of Niagara-on-the-Lake, just down the road from Niagara Falls.  We wandered the little shops and stopped in at the Trish Romance gallery.  Both of us were hugely fond of the talents Trish demonstrated in her homey paintings and we both were delighted to find that Trish was actually in her gallery that day, signing autographs.  For "C" this was extra special as her parents had many of Trish's framed prints and paintings in their home.  It was if God Himself was planning each detail of "C"'s day (which of course He was!).

This little field trip began a bond between the two of us and morphed into a mentoring relationship that saw "C" through the ups and downs of the next few years as she dated and experienced heartbreak.  Then, just as she was preparing to head to Africa as a missionary, God blossomed a friendship she was starting with a certain young man in our church who had befriended my Hubby.

Hubby and I became match-makers extraordinaire as we listened to each of these two young folks as "A" overcame incredible shyness and "C" wrapped her head around God's timing in bringing them together.  For two years they corresponded, Skyped and visited one another half way around the world when they could.  Love eventually blossomed and plans for a future were starting to take shape.

About a year ago I got a call from "C" all the way from Africa.  She and "A" had talked about the fact that marriage was on the horizon and she called to ask if I would consider being her "Mother of the Bride" at her wedding.  I was blown away by the request.  Me?  Mother of the Bride?  Oh how God has restored the years the locusts ate away.  He has taken this barren woman and made her a "Mother". How amazing is He!

I of course told "C" how honoured I was by the request and said "yes!" and here we are... on the eve of her wedding.

As "C" has gone into this week it hasn't been without lots of tears.  No young woman should have to walk down the aisle on her big day without her Mom there at the end of the aisle to greet her with a smile.  For "C" that isn't possible but I wanted to do something this week to help ease her longing heart.  I asked God to show me how I could connect her Mom and me that would have meaning for "C".  I went to Hallmark to see what I could find.  I looked at frames and little books.  Nothing was jumping out at me.  Flustered because I didn't have much time to shop I quickly spun around and there my eyes fell upon a Willow Tree Angel.

 I picked her up and read what she said...

This was it... the perfect gift!  I quickly purchased it and then hurried home to meet up with my niece who was coming for lunch.

Last night after the rehearsal dinner, "C" and I sat down and she opened the gift.  She looked at me with tears in her eyes.  "Did you know I collect Willow Tree Angels?  And I don't have this one!"   I was flabbergasted!  I did not know she collected Willow Tree Angels... but God did!  I KNEW at this moment that God had led me to this gift.

Tomorrow I will walk down the aisle before my "Daughter-in-the-Lord" and represent her Mother as I light her family's candle.  I will be honoured to do so and I will be ever so grateful for the gift of not only a "Daughter" in "C", but in being able to check off another "Mom" moment I would never otherwise had.

God truly has proven to "restore the years the locusts ate away" and I am truly grateful!

Hello Out There... Is This Thing Working??

Don't fall off of your computer chairs or sofas ladies (and men if you're out there reading this too)... I am actually here... writing in this long forgotten blog.  It's not that I've truly forgotten it of course, or you my precious online pals.  Life has just ramped up in speed over the past 9 months and I am coming up for air - finally!  I've missed you and missed visiting all of you!

As I read my last post I was saddened to realize that not one single "resolution" I wrote about back in January came to be.  How sad considering it's only the end of March.  I guess it's true.  I truly stink at resolutions and I am far more undisciplined than I care to admit.  Anyhoo... that's the facts!  There's always next year.

The biggest hurdle I've had to leap over in the last fast-paced three quarters of a year is finding balance in life.  In my heart I know and understand that a godly life is a balanced life.  Unfortunately, I believe I missed that gene called discipline!  When I started my new career as a travel consultant (which I am LOVING btw), I didn't realize how much this little "part-time" job was going to take over my life.  I guess that, in some ways, is to be expected when the learning curve is so steep.  Now that I'm "more seasoned", I seem to be quicker at quoting clients and better able to balance the ebb and flow of this industry.  (Right now I'm in an ebb I think).  This ebb has afforded me the time to actually catch my breath and think a little clearer.  I've come to realize the other areas of my life that have been horrifically out of balance since starting this job.

Cleaning my house well (okay... confession time... AT ALL) has been one of the areas that got tossed aside as I diligently worked at my desk each day and evening.  Who would have thought that sweeping and washing my floors would bring such delight.  This morning I was able to pull out my beloved Norwex products and clean my home in preparation for my in-laws to come for Good Friday Easter dinner... and it felt GOOD! (Tackling my cluttered kitchen is top on the agenda this week... or next!)  I'm super stoked about making time soon to do "Spring Cleaning"too... my windows are in desperate need of a little TLC and the house could really use a little shovelling out!

Mostly though, it is my spiritual life that has been most out of balance.  Do you ever find those times where you are SO busy "living" that you forget about "abiding"?  That's where I've been and my soul can feel it.  My prayer life feels rushed.  I hurry through my daily Bible reading just to check it off the "to do" list.  I hate when I get like this.  I feel cranky, miserable and out of sorts.  Not the most enjoyable person to be around.  (Poor Hubby!)  I am so grateful for our ladies' Bible study at church.  Right now we're working through Jennifer Rothschild's "Missing Pieces" and just being IN the Word regularly is fuelling that longing for more of Him.  

As Easter weekend approaches, I hope to take time to quietly reflect on Jesus' incredible sacrifice.  This week I have been abundantly aware of my sins and each loss of temper and unbridled word from my lips (and mind) has reminded me that it in part it was MY sins that nailed Jesus to that cross.  Oh how amazing is His grace, that saved a wretched sinner like me!

Thank you Jesus that in spite of my selfishness and sins, You still choose to love me.  Thank you that You were willing to pay the punishment for my sins that first Easter weekend!  Help me to be mindful of Your great sacrifice not only at Easter, but each and every day!  Amen

Trusting God in the Details

I'm back from a fun-filled family vacation to one of our favourite places in the Southeast USA... North Myrtle Beach, SC!

Hubby and I, along with one of my 4 sisters & her family, and my younger of 2 brothers & his family rented a beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 bath condo on Crescent Beach along the shores of the warm Atlantic Ocean waters.  More about that in a bit!

The week before our trip was a little hectic as I tried to get things together for Abide's kickoff in September (which I'll be missing) and getting my first client's off on their all-inclusive vacation.  It was a lesson in trusting God that week as little things came up that tested and tried my faith not only in how I thought I'd heard God, but also in my own skills and abilities.  Long story short (without going into details) once again God proved to me that He is a bottom of the 9th inning, bases loaded, 2 outs, up to the plate smacking out a "Grand Slam" kind of God!  At the very last minute before packing up the car and heading out on our vacation, God came through on something very big that had been stressing me out all week.  Thank you Jesus!  Now I was free to go and relax and enjoy time with my family!

And enjoy we did!  Hubby and I got into Raleigh at my sister's place on Thursday night.  My sister and I were leaving early for SC as Beth Moore was speaking in Charleston, a mere 2 hours south of Myrtle Beach!  We drove the 4 hours south during the day Friday and enjoyed a fun, faith-filling evening and Sat morning of worshiping with 9000 women (including a few brave men) and being encouraged and challenged by Beth's message on "Embracing the Facing".  We were filled and ready for our time at the beach!

We had a BLAST in North Myrtle Beach!  Over the weekend there were 12 of us in our condo and we  had so much fun splashing around in the warm waves and sandy beach, playing bocce ball and boogie boarding all day long.

Hanging with "the kids" at the Beach

One of many rousing games of Bocce Ball

Monday night, my sister's kids had to leave and the remaining 8 of us continued the fun with one of my personal favorite moments - playing in the ocean during a rainstorm!  Tuesday, in what seemed like the very outer edge of Tropical Storm Isaac, the waves were big and extremely fun as we all boogie boarded and played in the surf.  As the raindrops fell, slowly the beach became deserted but that didn't stop us!  We remained out in the rain both in the surf and in the lazy river which was now our personal play area.  It was as if we had the entire beach and resort amenities to ourselves!

Making the most of a rainy day in the lazy river

The next few days were a little overcast as well but again, that didn't stop our crazy family!  Thursday we all packed in 2 vehicles and head down the highway to Myrtle Beach and the Nascar Speedway go-cart park.  For 6 hours we raced around the different tracks and played a game of mini-golf, all to celebrate my nephew's belated 16th birthday party.  We had more fun than imagined and the weather was perfect for this day's activities!

Wannabe Nascar Driver!

Hanging with the Fam at Nascar Speedpark

Getting a little push from the Niblings!

Friday the sun was out again and it was a perfect last full day for us.  Again, we spent the day down in the sand and surf and enjoyed the remaining hours together before it was time to pack up our belongings and head north again.

Hubby and me soaking up our last full beach day

My Bro catching a good wave

Floating in the Atlantic!

My brother's family left Sat morning on their trek back to Canada, but Hubby and I stayed one more night in the South, driving back to Raleigh & my sister's place.  We left early Sunday morning for our 14 hour drive home, sad to be going but looking forward to our next big adventure which is coming up this weekend!  Stay tuned for where our bags are packed next!!

Coming Up For Air

If my blog writing skills and frequency were an Olympic event, I would be disqualified.  I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since my last post.  Geesh!  I so stink at this these days.

Speaking of the Olympics... did you watch?  Did you enjoy?  Who were your favourites?  I caught some of them but I have to admit that I am a nervous Olympics viewer so I didn't watch a ton.  I did enjoy the Opening and Closing Ceremonies though and was particularly interested in the sights around London as Hubby & I will be travelling to the UK on a business trip he has coming up soon!

So what's been keeping me in last place in the Blogging Olympics this summer you may wonder?  Well... I have taken the plunge into the deep waters of a long-held dream.  After years (and more recently months after our last cruise) I decided to become a Cruise and Travel Consultant with Expedia CruiseShipCenters.  I not only am training to be a Certified Cruise Specialist with cruise lines ranging from Contemporary ships to Luxury Liners and Riverboat Cruisers, I'm also learning to sell all-inclusive land vacations and all the trimmings that go with both types of vacations, whether on land or sea.  In my first full 6 weeks on the job I have already sold my first cruise (thanks to a fabulous online friend!!) and yesterday I booked my first all-inclusive package for a friend's son and daughter-in-law here at home.  This seriously is the funnest (and sometimes stressful) job I have ever had.

What I've found really interesting in this process of becoming a "sales consultant" is how the training to become a good salesperson is directly related to spiritual lessons God is teaching me.  As I am reading and learning through books and webinars about the keys to success, God is shining a spotlight on areas of my character that He wants to refine in me as a whole in the process.  Who knew this would happen?  I sure didn't but I'm glad that God has opened this door to this dream job, and also will teach me through it how to be a better woman and Christian.

I'm considering opening a new blog (in addition to this personal one) for my business.  I have a website through my company that you can book and peruse cruises through, but I'd like a more personal spot too where my clients can go and read interesting articles about cruising, the ships, the countries they visit, and give advice, etc.  It will be a work in progress I'm sure.

In the meantime, I've opened up a "page" on Facebook that you can see HERE, as well as my company site HERE.  If you're in the US or Canada and want some cruise or travel info, email me or contact me through my company email shawkes@cruiseshipcenters.com.  I would LOVE to help you make your vacation dreams come true!

Spoiled Rotten and Tuesday's Top 10

It seems I'm not the only wife missing her Hubby on Valentine's Day, as I just read on people.com that Princess Kate is alone this day as well.  What lovely company, don't you think?  Anyhoo... like her Prince, my Prince Charming left me some goodies before he flew out of the nest on the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, my sweet Hubby arrived home with a beautiful bouquet of long stem red roses... AND... a bouquet of my favorite mixed flowers (which included my favorite of all... purple stock with it's sweet cinnamon-ny fragrance).  Before a romantic candle-lit dinner I had planned for my Sweetie, we snuck off to the late afternoon matinee of the new movie, The Vow.  After the movie, we enjoyed a cozy dinner with an appetizer of camembert cheese and Murphy-Goode (by Kendall-Jackson) Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by a delicious main course of chateaubriand, roasted potatoes and mixed bean medley.  To end off our festive feast we enjoyed fresh raspberries and real whipping cream.  Mmm!  Hubby opened his gift from me... a snorkel set for our upcoming trip to the tropics!  (I grabbed a set for me as well).

Before heading to the airport in the morning, Hubby left for me, a bag with various wrapped gifts, one for each day of his absence up to Valentine's Day, with instructions of which to open on what day.  Here's my "stash":

On day 1 (Sat), I opened the blueray of one of my favorite movies, Serendipity.  Day 2's surprise was the book The Vow:  The True Events That Inspired the Movie which I'll take to read on the beach.  Day 3 I opened the latest book in the Hello, Cupcake series, Cupcakes, Cookies & Pie, Oh My!.  Hubby picked this up on his last business trip at the bookstore at Harvard University.  (Does this make me smarter in making these, I wonder?).  This morning I opened the last of the gifts, a pretty pink "Chaps" nightie he picked up at Kohl's on his last trip.  I feel abundantly spoiled and loved!

As I reflect on this lavish gifting by my precious Hubby, I can't help but think of how this is how God loves us... lavishly... freely... willingly.  As I ponder that, the thought hits me, "how do I love back?  Am I lavish in my love for God... for others?".  I realize that I have miles to go before my love is anywhere near that of my God, yet I am challenged daily to make every day "Valentine's" in how I approach my interactions with my Hubby and with other people I encounter.  I know in the weeks to come, God will challenge this more and more as I work through the Beth Moore study of James:  Mercy Triumphs.

So... today, for the Tuesday's Top 10, I was originally thinking of one "Valentine's" day theme, but instead let me ask this:

Top 10 Ways To Show Love Today

Here are my answers:
(In light of being alone most of the day, my answers reflect my activities for the day)

1. Spend time with God (so my heart is right)
2. Be a courteous driver
3. Smile at a stranger
4. Write love emails to my Sweetie
5. Tell family and friends how I feel about them
6. Bring flowers to my sister (who I'll be hanging out with tonight)
7. Bring in my neighbor's recyle box from the end of the driveway
8. Call my Dad & Step-Mom to check in on them
9. Clean the house for Hubby's return
10. Praise God throughout my day

How about you?  What are your Top 10 for today?

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One For The Team

I didn't think I'd be writing a post today because I didn't really know what to write about.  I'm still thinking on my Joy Dare but I haven't got a new post yet on that but will get back to it soon.  Instead, today I want to share an article I read/watched from Good Morning America from today.  Who says God isn't working in the entertainment industry!

In this segment, George Stephanopoulos interviews this adorable young woman who'd won the dream of her life when she became a Victoria's secret model.  With her "star" rising on the modelling scene, shortly after marriage she decided that this job was not for her after all, especially with her Christian beliefs.  If you've got a minute, take a peek at her interview with George.

Here is a section of the article on the ABC News website:

On Dec. 1, one day after the nationally televised Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, in which Bisutti didn’t appear, aired, the model posted to her Twitter page, “For all of you that were looking for me in the Victorias Secret runway show this year, I wasn’t in it. I have decided not to model lingerie Because I personally feel that I am not honoring God or my husband by doing it. My marriage is very important & with divorce rates rising I want to do everything I can to protect my marriage and be respectful to my husband. God graciously gave me this marriage and this life and my desire is to live a Godly faithful life, I don’t however judge others for what they do. Everyone is convicted on different levels.”

Oh how refreshing to see a young woman choosing modesty and honoring God above gobs of money and prestige... and she's only in her early 20's.  Now some might criticize her for accepting the job with VS in the first place, but I won't do that.  We all have made decisions in our life that have veered off God's ideal plan, yet He's able to use them for His glory and good.  I for one wish this beautiful (both inside and out) young woman and her Hubby, a world of God's blessings.  I am fairly sure that she will use this experience for Him in teaching young girls how to honor God with their bodies!

At Home In Heaven and Joy Dare Day 8

Yesterday would have been my Mom's 81st birthday.  I can't believe that Mom was only 73 when she went "Home" to be with Jesus over 8 years ago.  My how time flies!  I thought of my Mom this morning as I had my time with God.  The devotional was talking about music and how our worshipful tunes here on earth are just a rehearsal for when we get into God's presence full-time in Heaven.  At Home there, singing before her King every day.  Lucky her!

The devotional also spoke of how the church is like music - all the different "notes" coming together making beautiful music together.  It said, "Music is a wonderful metaphor for the church because everyone participates by doing what he or she does best.  We all sing or play different notes at different times, but we all perform the same song.  The better we know our parts, and the better we follow the conductor, the more beautiful the music".  Isn't that cool?!

At first I was stumped by today's Joy Dare but then suddenly all became clear as I thought on my interpretations of today's challenge: light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely.  Here's how I "saw" these 3 gifts:

A Light That Caught Me

This little light sits in my kitchen, catching my eye every day as I turn it on, illuminating this corner with warm light.  The message on this lamp catches my heart as I think of the verse in 1 Corinthians 13 that reminds me that the greatest of these is LOVE... and that God's love for me is greatest of all!

A Reflection that Surprised Me

Can you see it?  That tiny little hand print on my tv screen that looks like a face?  That little "gift" left over from our family party Dec 30th, reminds me daily of the gift of children.  Little Baby "E" laid his precious little hand there and I haven't yet wanted to erase it from the room.  What a great gift children are in our world... our families... our homes.  You don't have to be a Mom to understand what Jesus said when He called the children to Himself.  He reminds us daily of the value of these important members of our families!

A Shadow That Fell Lovely

These shadowy figures represent the beauty (and gift) of sisterhood!  Spending time with my Sister's family on our recent cruise was a true gift, especially since they live so far away.  Although many miles separate us logistically, through Jesus, we are bonded close together and for that I am forever grateful!

Has THE Light caught you yet?  Has His reflection been surprisingly present in you and through you?  Has the  warm Shadow of the Almighty fallen lovely over you lately?  May His glory shine upon you and His love shine through you today!

Much Needed Joy... Day 2

The day started off fine.  I was excited to tackle Day 2 of the Joy Dare I'd started yesterday.  I even took a photo, first thing when I came downstairs because I knew what my "outside" gift was today (more on that later).  I busied myself in the kitchen, baking a carrot cake for Abide kickoff tomorrow morning and making pastry for the Turkey Pot Pie I was making for dinner.  Julia Child would have been proud of me!  Yet, somewhere in the middle of the afternoon things went south and all godliness went on a mini-vacation.

I'm so not proud of myself, nor do I long to admit that I am the biggest sinner going, (thanks be to God's great gift of grace and forgiveness!!), but this afternoon... um... I could have made a sailor blush with the pent up frustration that spilled out of me from who know's where as things fell on my head from overhead cupboards, and fell on my feet from the under the sink cupboard.  "Calgon... take me away" was the cry of my heart... (that and JESUS.... HELP ME!!!!!).

So... it is with MUCH NEEDED focus on the gifts of gratitude and the need of Jesus' JOY, I bring you Day 2 of my Joy Dare.  Today's challenge (if you're playing along) was:  a gift outside, inside and on a plate.

For my outside gift today I chose this:

Sunshine!

Waking up to the sunshine in the winter is a warm and wonderful gift from God above.  Doesn't this picture make the sun look like a) a star and b) a snowflake? (Thanks to my dirty windows it looks like icicle particles on the edges of the sunburst).

For my inside gift a few things had popped through my mind - my oven (as I was baking the carrot cake for tomorrow morning), the furnace... but it was while talking to my sister in NC, and I was telling her about Ann Voskamp's book (from which this Joy Dare comes), she gave me this... as my inside gift:

My Cordless Phone and Headset

I love my cordless phone and headset!  There are days when my sister (who lives a 14 hour drive away) and I sit for hours on the phone, talking, laughing, praying... all while cleaning our homes with our handy dandy phones strapped to our waistbands and headsets safely attached on our heads.  "Would you like fries with that?"

Lastly, for my "on a plate" gift, I chose this... our dinner tonight.  

Turkey Pot Pie

In this deep dish pie plate, covered in "love" pastry, holds our dinner tonight, for which I am grateful for the gift of plenty.  Our bellies never go hungry (for long), our cupboards and fridge always contain something in which to prepare a meal (even if it's just a PB&J sandwich).  I'm grateful for the gift my Grandma gave me in teaching to make my own pastry that is light and fluffy (and almost melts in your mouth).  I am grateful for my oven after all, for without it, dinner would not have been served like this tonight!

I am humbled by this exercise in "Joy" as at times today, gratitude and joy were replaced by grumbling and anger.  I am ashamed that victory was not mine, but am SO grateful for the One in whom my victory can be found!  Jesus!  I need more of Jesus!!

Well, better go finish prepping for Abide tonight.  May God grant me all I need as I feel SO inadequate to be leading tonight!  But for the grace of God go I....

Dare to Find Joy ~ Day One

So many of my friends, both online and in my face-to-face world have mentioned the book One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.  Ann is a gifted writer, farmer's wife and busy mother of six (and also a fellow Canadian/Ontario-dweller).  I bought Ann's book on my Kindle probably about a year ago and started to read it, but in true ADD fashion, I moved on to something else before I finished it, allowing it to fully impact me.  I did however, pick it up last week and started rereading it from the beginning.

My longtime, online buddies, Tania and Jennifer often refer to this book, and Linda, one of my Abide team members sent me an email this morning where I saw this challenge:  The Joy Dare

Now, I recognize that I am 10 days into January so I'm already a week and a half behind, but that's not a big deal in the grand scheme of life.  I figure I can either play "catch up" and double up on entries or I can take my time with it and drag the dare into February.  Time will tell which path I take on that!

The other night, a friend who used to attend our church, asked on Facebook where, outside of her children, is her joy.  She then sent the question out to her FB friends.  As I thought about it, I realized that truly my joy comes from knowing I'm walking close to God, and to be honest, lately my joy has been waning.

I mentioned the other day in my post, after taking down the tree decorations, this: "I'm just reminded as I type those words that sometimes that's how my life feels when I lose the warmth of The Light by replacing it with the stark coldness of the things of this world..."  What I felt at that moment, taking down the warm and sparkly lights is how they so represent the warmth and glow of Jesus in my life.  There is something almost "magical" about how Christmas feels with the lights twinkling and the fresh, green (albeit fake) boughs hanging around the furniture.  This is how it feels inside me when I am walking close to God... an almost mystical, unexplainable feeling of joy and well-being.  I'm not sure if I'm able to articulate what I mean.  But, in contrast, like the sparse feel of the house after the last box has been packed after Christmas, my soul feels empty and barren when the warmth of Jesus has been snuffed out by either my selfishness or distraction away from the things of Him.

When I am living in close communion with Him, living life with a grateful heart my joy bubbles up and over and I have confessed to Him recently (and do so now to all of you), that of late, I have lost that "lovin' feeling".  But... I want it back!  I need it back and that there (in His presence) is where taking this Joy Dare will help.  Wanna join me?

So... that all being said... let's start:  Ann suggested we "snap a photo or record 3 gifts a day" in the Joy Dare.

Day One

3 Things About Myself I'm Grateful For:

My Eyes... (and even the crow's feet around them)

 that can see the beauty of God's creation around me...

(and tell of the joy that I've experienced)

  

My feet... that carry me to the 

masterpiece places (like the ocean's sands) 

and mundane places of life

My Hands... that give me opportunities 

to create and connect with life around me

What are 3 things about yourself are you grateful for today?

Back In The Swing Of Things

Last night my living room looked like a bomb went off as Hubby and I worked diligently at taking down the decorations from our memorable Christmas festivities.  I always hate this moment when the warmth of the twinkle lights gets replaced with the starkness of the every day decor.  I'm just reminded as I type those words that sometimes that's how my life feels when I lose the warmth of The Light by replacing it with the stark coldness of the things of this world... (but that's another topic for another day's post).


I had originally wanted to keep the tree and decorations up another week or two as the season is so short and hauling it all out from under the stairwell is too big a chore for a few short week's enjoyment, but in the week ahead life gets back to "normal".  Kids head back to school tomorrow morning and the highways will be jam packed again with all the workers having finished their vacation days.  For me, although I don't necessarily have anywhere pressing to go, tomorrow signifys the day of getting back into the swing of things.

I've spent my quiet Sunday afternoon working on preparations for this week's kickoff of Abide.  Wednesday night I'll be hosting the PM group (as our regular hostess is unavailable this week) and Thursday morning we get back to our regular AM group.  Our topic from our book study this week is Bowing My Times of Waiting.  No one likes waiting, do we?  The author, Linda Dillow, reminds us that we often try to take matters into our own hands, like Sarah, or like Peter, we rebuke God when He doesn't do things on "our" timetable or the way we think He should do things.  But David had it right and is our example of how to bow our waiting to God as worship and learn to trust in His timing and make good use of it.

I'm in the middle of writing the chapter review for this week, but I can't help but remember my huge time of waiting and how I too often was a combination of Sarah and Peter.  Finally, when God brought me to the end of myself, I learned to accept my season of waiting and relinquish it to God.  Even though in the end, I never got what I was waiting for, the lessons learned in the process were invaluable.  I learned that His plans and purposes were good, even if they looked completely different from most everyone else's.  I won't lie though - sometimes Hubby and I still grieve the hope of what could have/might have been, but when those thoughts pop in, we just place them back on the altar.

Praise be to God for never giving up on me in the midst of the waiting!  Praise be to God for His great grace that IS sufficient for even me!

A-MAZING MOVIE!!

Yes, I'm shouting... from the mountain tops (or at least at the top of my blogging "lungs") to tell you to go see the new movie Courageous.  Hubby and I just got back from viewing it with good friends of ours and I cannot say enough good things about this movie.

The story line of this movie had us captivated from the first scene and it only got better.  We were taken on a roller coaster of emotions as we laughed, cried and were inspired.  We rooted for the characters in each and every scene and were challenged in our own lives to be courageous.

I don't want to give anything away but I will leave you with the trailer so you can see for yourself what an excellent movie this is.  Can I challenge you to get out this week and see this life-changing movie?

Take Nothing for Granted

It was a somewhat normal day, despite dropping Hubby off for yet another trip.  I spent the morning playing "hookie" from church as I slept in after an early morning and spending peaceful quiet time with Jesus, working on Abide homework.  Fleeting thoughts of Hubby in the air popped in my head but just as quickly they popped back out as I focused on God and praising Him in the Psalms.

Thanks to a wonderful new app from United Airlines, throughout the day I was able to track Hubby's flights, knowing exactly where he was over the vast mid-western States.  His plane from Chicago to Austin was delayed but that being the norm I didn't think much of it.  Instead, without a care in the world, I spent a quiet beautiful sunshiny Fall day, working on my blog and enjoying an "emergency" walk to the top of the street for Diet Coke.

I just got off the phone a few minutes ago with Hubby and to my shock (and utter terror) his plane made an emergency crash landing at the Austin airport.  Apparently, 30 minutes into their flight the crew informed the passengers that their transportation had no brakes.  Great!  Hubby told me that for a good portion of the flight  the passengers were being trained on crash landing procedures.  Man... I knew it was important to listen to those flight attendants at the start of the flight.  Hubby spent time thinking about life and even though he felt "ready" to meet his Maker, he also had time to think of what's important in life and what he still would like to accomplish in this life.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Hubby was able to pray and comfort the Christian man sitting next to him on the flight.  The man, recently battling prostate problems, wondered why God would spare his life, only to take him down in a plane crash.  Fortunately, that was NOT God's plan!  Together the men praised God for the safe, albeit nail-biting landing that took their plane to the very end of the long runway.

My reaction to hearing all of this was tears of fear and gratefulness:  Fear because I woke this morning with a fleeting thought of Hubby's safety only to find it was indeed threatened plus the fact that Hubby still needs to fly home on a United airplane;  and gratefulness because God didn't take Hubby from me.

This really causes me to think of the importance of taking  nothing for granted.  Each day we're given is a gift from God and I thank Him for sparing my Hubby's life and giving those pilots the wisdom and skill to land safely this afternoon!

Is there something you're taking for granted these days?

Suspicious Minds

I never used to be suspicious.  Really, I didn't.  But events of the past few months (maybe even years) have made me more so.  What made me think of this was a phone call I received today.

The call came in this afternoon and the call display showed "unknown caller".  Now usually I never take these calls because 9 out of 10 times they are just telemarketers.  Hesitantly I answered the call (and now I'm wondering WHY???!!!).  It was a man with a deep East Indian accent.  He asked if I was Mrs. H***** and immediately my guard went up.  "May I ask whose calling?" I inquired before giving any information out.  He proceeded to tell me he was from some "Canadian Security something or other" and mentioned the up rise of crime in my area.  Does he know about what happened recently? I wondered to myself.  I continued to listen while he rambled on asking questions like "do I live in a house or apartment?" and "do I have a security system installed".  I immediately became suspicious.  My thoughts began to run at break-neck speed in my head: "if you're from Canadian security shouldn't you KNOW if I live in an apartment or house?"  "Do I really want you to know if my house has a security system or not?  You could be a burglar or some other criminal type".  I had thought of getting Hubby on the phone, but as the man rambled on I realized he was most likely from a security company that installs home security systems and he just wants my business.  What ever happened to "don't call us, we'll call you?"  I miss those days.

So... why I'm so FREAKED OUT by calls like this (and strange men coming up to me in the grocery store asking if I want my hair trimmed at their local salon), is that this summer a few "incidents" have happened that have made me a little, shall we say, over-cautious of people.

Back in July, while Hubby was busy working in California, I took the BART (subway) into downtown San Francisco.  If you know me, you know how much I love wandering around this city.  Most times I don't even bother with a map anymore.  This particular bright sunny summer day, I got off the subway and with camera in hand, walked to Chinatown, Nob Hill, Embarcadero (at the Ferry Building) and back to Union Square, snapping pictures of the amazing architecture, all before finding the bus that would take me to the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina district.  I hadn't a care in the world at this point but that soon changed when on the bus, a tiny, older Chinese woman informs me that a guy was trying to pick-pocket my knapsack.  Being a savy traveller, I knew that my valuables were safe but it still unnerved me to know that someone so evil was trying to harm me.  From that point on in the day my sense of security was tainted and I was definitely more suspicious of people around me and my surroundings.  As you can see... I made it back to the hotel safely!

Fast forward to two weeks ago.  At 10:45 pm I got a call that came in with "private caller" in the display.  Again, normally I don't bother with these calls but I think because of the time of day I thought it less a telemarketer and more likely someone I knew.  I was correct.  It was my next-door neighbor.  Her voice was shaky and I could tell something was wrong.  "Sue, I'm hearing those 'sex' noises again.".  The "sex-noises" she was referring to were sounds Hubby and I had heard over the past 2-3 years coming from our backyard.  We wouldn't hear it all the time but it usually happened in summer, late at night.  We thought it was the neighbors having a "good time", until we actually had the guts to ask because over time it just seemed odd that we'd hear them that clearly.  They of course, thought it was Hubby and me.   What neither of us ever thought was what it actually was.

During that terrified phone call I told my neighbor I'd go up and investigate out my window.  Hubby and I turned off the bedroom light and slowly opened the window.  I could barely hear from the loud roar of the air-conditioning unit in our backyard, but both Hubby & I could faintly hear what "J" was hearing... the sounds of a couple having a VERY good time, moaning and all.  From somewhere I found the courage to call out, "Hello?  Hello!" and then out of the shadows of my neighbor's backyard came a man in a ball cap and jeans into our backyard.  Long story short, the "sex sounds" stopped when I called out and he appeared and he gave us some story about being a neighbor a couple doors down and heard something too.  He even suggested it was someone across the fence... in the police station parking lot.  (uh... ya fella!  That's where it's coming from!)  I was still on the phone and instructed my neighbor to put her back light on and the guy quickly took off "to investigate down the row of townhouses".

Interestingly enough, when the police came to talk to "J" (and us), they had also gotten a call from another woman at the other end of our units who had seen the guy peering into her window.  He'd had a busy night I'm guessing.  They haven't caught the creeper yet but he sure has freaked us all out and made me feel rather suspicious of people in my neighborhood now, even the police constable who called to come get more information from Hubby and I later that week!

I don't like being suspicious.  It's taken away my feelings of security, innocence (or what was left of that) and has made me feel more cynical and distrusting of people.  I even feel like it's taken a little of my joy.  But I know that the enemy is behind it all and I really don't want him to "win".  He can't take my true security because that comes from the Lord and he can't really take all my peace because Jesus gives me "peace that passes all understanding".  These incidents have made me realize though that we do live in an evil world and it's not going to get a whole lot better in the future without God and His Holy Spirit coming into people's lives, changing them from darkness to light.  Instead of being afraid of everything and everyone, I need to remember daily, minute by minute, to pray for God's protection in my life, but also to pray for His will to be done on this earth and that includes praying for those who "tresspass" against me, even in my own backyard!

30 Day Photo Fun Challenge and Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Call me crazy, but I LOVE hot, humid weather and let me tell you, from the first moment we stepped out of the  airport yesterday, I have been LOVING the temperature outside "deep in the heart of Texas"! Hubby's back on the road on yet another business trip and this time, I got to come along for the "ride".  The fact that at 7:50pm the temperature is still 93F... I am in hot, hazy, humid heaven.  Do I have to go home at the end of the trip??  (Seriously though, I do realize that all this hot, sunny weather is not good for the Texas farmers, so T... I will pray that God provides the rain y'all need!  I can't be selfish!).

While en route to Texas, I couldn't help but think about the 30 Day Photo Fun challenge I've been doing so here's yesterday and today's pics for your viewing pleasure:

Day 26 ~ Citrus

Now, you're wondering how on earth I could take a picture of citrus while spending the day travelling?  Well... feast your eyes on these melons, I mean oranges:

While heading to our connecting flight in Chicago O'Hare, we passed this healthy fruit stand where as luck would have it, they had CITRUS!!  How fortunate was that, huh?!  I just had to take a quick pic with my iPhone for you!

This morning, as Hubby does whenever he's here in town, we went to a little country church in the "hill country".  Although small in numbers, it was large in God's Truth and I was reminded again of the importance of pursuing holiness in my Christian walk.  God doesn't want us to just label ourselves "Christian", He wants us to be holy, like He is holy.  The spirit of conviction was upon me as I listened to the Sunday School teacher and I have work to do to "separate myself" more from the ways of the world.  I was reminded that my life needs to be more of a reflection of Jesus than it sometimes appears to those around me.  It was a good reminder that everything I do and say should reflect the glory of God.  That's why I'm here after all, isn't it?

After the Sunday School class (of conviction), we head into the small sanctuary for the church service.  I have to ask those of you who live in these Southern "tropical" locations... do you find the indoor air conditioning cold or are you acclimatized to it?  In my little white skort and short-sleeved top I was FREEZING in church.  The cold air blasting from the air conditioning was behind us and I had to snuggle in close to Hubby just to keep from icicles forming on my bare-skinned limbs.  Thankfully I had taken a light sweater but  I was really wishing I'd gone for the capris instead of the skort in my wardrobe choice this morning!  After an hour or so, I finally had to get up and go outside to thaw out.  My feet were so cold that even when I took my shoes off to stand barefoot on the hot pavement, they were still cold.  Call me crazy, but I'd rather be hot than cold like that any day!

Okay... back to the photo fun challenge... 

Day 26 ~ Favorite Color

So... after church (and the great conviction and freeze-out), Hubby and I took a quick jaunt to the outlet mall.  Hubby went to Van Huesen to look for work slacks and I of course popped into Eddie Bauer, Bass Clothing and Van Huesen to check out a few sales there.  (Don't worry Denise... I didn't check out all the stores - we still have LOTS to cover this week!).  Today's picture is some of the new tank tops I found for $7.99 each at Bass in my favorite colors: pink, green and coral/orange.  I also put my new socks in the picture too because they were way too cute... can you see the flip flops on the two outer pairs and the middle pair has a refreshing summer fruity drink on them.  TOO CUTE!!  I also picked up an orange t-shirt and white tank in Eddie Bauer and a white "eyelet" summer dress in Van Huesen (80% off!).  Gotta love outlet mall end of season sales!!

So... as you can see, so far it's been a very "rewarding" trip in more ways than one.  I'm looking forward to reading by the pool and relaxing tomorrow and figuring out what tomorrow's "photo fun" pic will be!

Meditation

But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. (Psalm 1:2 NLT)

This was the verse that started off my morning.  They, from verse one being those "who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers", delight in God's laws (or His Word) and they meditate on it day and night.  Meditate on it.  Meditate... "to engage in thought or contemplation".

As I read this Psalm first thing this morning, a wave of conviction wafted passed my spirit.  How often do I actually meditate on the verses I read each morning.  With shame and honesty I admitted to myself (and now to all of you) that I don't often enough take time to chew on the words I'm reading in my daily quiet time.  The deep desire of my heart would be to do so, but yet in the flurry of the day, I read and run.  Quiet-time quickies seem to be my norm rather than the exception.

I truly can't blame anyone or anything other than my own selfishness and lack of self-discipline, but I'd like to.  I'd like to blame technology for making me an expert "multi-tasker" which I think is honestly more a case of ADD now.  I flit from one thing to another like a bee looking for pollen.  One minute I'm sitting reading God's Word and simultaneously I'm thinking about adding my grocery list to my iPhone app.  Like a squirming baby, I wriggle my way out of God's lap and on to the next activity.

Jesus' brother, James, in the first chapter of his book in the New Testament confronts this very issue I'm struggling with.  In James 1:22-25 he writes:

But don't just listen to God's word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  You see yourself, walk away and forget what you look like.  But if  you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I want to forget what I look like some days, but I don't think that's what James is talking about.  I think he's talking more about the essence of forgetting what we look like... who we are.  I think he's saying that it's important to really take a good long look in the mirror at ourselves sometimes (both literally and figuratively) to see what work needs to be done.  Is my hair brushed?  Is my make-up running down my face?  Am I reflecting the Light of Jesus to those around me?  Am I more like Jesus today than yesterday?


I am challenged today to take my "multi-tasking" self and really spend some time in God's mirror, taking a good hard look at what He's asking of me and then doing it.  How 'bout you?

Part of looking at ourselves is in the physical sense and that coincides with today's "30 Day Photo Fun" photo.

Day 5 ~ Breakfast Today

Mmm ~  Good and Healthy!

As I continue on my 65 "Reshaping It All" challenge, I try and start my day with a healthy breakfast as well as a healthy time with God.  This morning I enjoyed a half of a ruby red grapefruit (which Hubby wanted a slice of ... but I made him wait until AFTER my picture was taken!), 1 serving of Special K Oats & Honey cereal with 1/8 cup of All Bran Buds mixed in, with 25 blueberries for extra zip... with 1/2 cup of 1% Natrel milk poured over the flakes.  Topping it all off was a cup of my favorite tea, Bigelow French Vanilla... no milk or sugar added... just the delicious flavor of the tea!  What did you have for breakfast... physically and spiritually?