December 11th already...the Christmas season is upon us. Time to try my hand at some home made Christmas presents again this year. I will be making home made lotions for women, and shaving cream for the guys on my list. I'm excited to try these recipes... Coconut Oil Lotion...

Vanilla Body Butter...

and Rosemary Mint Shaving Cream...

I will post how they turn out. Last week the kids were all here to decorate the house. It was so fun to have them all under one roof together for a short time. As they grow and move on, those times are much fewer and far between. The bulletproof way of eating is going well. It's expensive to eat healthy. We are eating as much wild caught, grass fed, pastured proteins as possible. I've sure been learning a lot though. You can eat much less food if it's the right stuff. Both the hubby and I are losing weight too!! Yay! Well, better get going for today. Chat with you later...

Catching up....

It's been a long while since I blogged. A lot has happened in 3 years. I got away from blogging, but I'd really like to get back to it. Early in 2014 I became an Associate Pastor at my local church. This with no college and on the job training. I love what I do, but would still love to "make it legit" with a college education and a license. I had been talking with my Lead Pastor about furthering my education until he recently and very suddenly passed away. He hasn't taken good care of his health for many years, but had just lost a significant amount of weight and was walking when he had a massive cardiac event (mega heart attack). This has really gotten me to thinking about my own mortality. He was only 52 years old. My husband and I have started on a "Bulletproof" journey. I have researched so many diets, ways of life, eating plans, whatever you want to call them. This is eating real (organic and natural) food and it just makes sense to me. I'm hopeful that it will produce good results. In 6 days, I've lost 6 lbs, so yes, I'm hopeful. I'm going to blog my journey....weight has been an issue for me since puberty. I was always the chunky girl. My mom bought me "pretty plus" girls clothes, which I hated!! I could have sworn that when she said pretty plus in the middle of sears that it was on loud speaker. That feeling of embarrassment hasn't totally left my life. I hope I can get to the point that my weight is just a non issue for me. I don't want to thing about being skinny or fat, I want to be just me. I have made large strides in overcoming my weight shyness since I was about 40. God spoke to me at that point to let me know that enough is enough and I can stop thinking about myself now. Negative or positive, self thought is just that, thinking of self. That has freed me to do a lot of things I would not have done before that. God's grace is so amazing...I have literally wasted 40 years (ok, the first 10 were ok) letting my weight define what I could do or not do, what I could say or not say, who I could talk to or not talk to. I have such a passion to let people know that God wants YOU. He wants you no matter what you look like, or act like, or sound like. He can use you right where you are. His GRACE is totally sufficient for all you need. Today has been a difficult day for me. (Just being transparent) I woke up with heart palpitations, and I've felt very tired and lethargic all day. I've rested and slept the majority of the day. I get those days every now and then and I feel like it's part of the fibromyalgia that I struggle with. I've had the heart palpitations for several years and I'm assured that they are not serious. Still, given the past few months, it does make one concerned. Maybe that is one reason today has been difficult. I try to be uplifting to others, so on days that are difficult for me, I stay inside and to myself so that my mind and body can rejuvenate. This week is Thanksgiving, so I will end by saying that I truly have so much to be thankful for! Have a blessed week and I will chat with you later...

Season of Change

Well, fall weather is slowly but surely showing up...yay! This is my favorite time of year! As I posted in the summer, my daughter is off to college. So far I've seen her on some weekends, but I'm sure it will become farther between visits soon. She is enjoying her new found freedom, and making new friendships. I'm so thankful that she is getting to experience all this. She has so many talents, and I can't wait to see where her journey goes. September has always been my favorite month, and not just because it is my birthday month...hehe. I love to watch the beginning of change coming to the crops, and trees. As the winds blow, the leaves change colors almost before your eyes. It ushers in a beautiful time of year. How can one tree have so many different colors? God is so good to us. He gives us so many things that shout of His glory. While enjoying Labor Day with friends, we watched as the evening clouds seemed to turn pink in the sky. What a wonderful sight, and as the fire burned down to embers, I was astonished at the beauty I could see, even though the fire was almost out. It reminds me to look for the beauty in all situations. It's there, but sometimes you have to really hunt for it. This September is a definite season of change for me. My church is going to two Sunday services, because we have outgrown our current building for just one service. I'm also starting a youth group for 4th and 5th graders called "Club 45". I'm going to be a busy beaver!! God's timing is so perfect. A few years ago, I couldn't have taken on these new challenges so easily. Without young children at home, I can now feel free to venture into new territory and take on some new challenges. I'm so excited to be able to show God's love and grace to a new generation of believers. What a privilege! As I conclude this post, I'm going to challenge you (and myself) to really look for the beauty in everything. 1 Thess 5:16-18 says "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." Let's do it!! Chat with you later...

Transitions

It is early June...my daughter has graduated from High School, and the open house was last weekend. Wow, where does time go? So thankful for my sister that flew in to help with all the preparation. I just took her back to the airport today. Now, as I sit in my living room alone, I'm faced with yet another transition. The transition to having another "adult" in the house. In the fall, she will be moving to college and I will have many nights alone.

In these quiet times, I find myself considering where my life has taken me and where it will take me in the future. I don't dread the next phase, as much as I just wonder what to expect.

When kids are born, the thought of them being grown up and living on their own is so far off...and yet, it was only yesterday, it seems. You've heard the saying that "time flies", but just have kids and you realize just how true it is.

During the graduation season, I found myself thinking of times past. It really wasn't that long ago that my baby came home crying with a skinned knee. It was seemingly so recent that I had to pour her a glass of milk, and brush her hair. Now, when I look at her, I see a beautiful young woman that is ready and anxious to start her own life. That's normal, right? That's what I've worked for all these years, right? Wow, it's here!

Did I pour into her all that I could have or should have? Did I teach her everything she needs to know to make it in the world. No, I did not...but I did teach her that she can come to me in any situation for help. She knows that God loves her and that we love her. She knows that she has the support of her family and her church family.

I'm very proud of the choices that she has made so far. I'm sure she won't make all the right decisions, but heaven knows, I haven't either. It's amazing that we humans can actually make decisions, have kids, have responsibilities when there is no instruction manual. What a surreal feeling to know that I'm the mom, I'm the one that is supposed to have answers. In church, I'm one of the "older ladies" that the young girls are supposed to look to for example. Wow, thank God for grace!

In each new situation, I feel like a "newbie". I often wonder how those who've gone before have felt. Does everyone feel like a "newbie" at being the "older lady"? or the mom with children in college? and what will the next stage feel like? When children marry and have families of their own, how will that feel? I'm just so thankful that God understands me. He knows my feelings, and he comforts me with His perfect grace. I don't have to make all the right decisions, because He has it covered.

If you don't serve a God that has your back...maybe you should meet Him! I'm so thankful for God's full and perfect grace. I can relax...I know that whatever my future holds, it will be awesome, because it's in His hands.

Chat with you later...

Changes

I'm working with kids now...at New Hope Community Church in Flora, Indiana. I'm the Children's Ministry Director. I'm trying to decide if I want to take some schooling to actually become a Children's Pastor - not sure. I'm sure I want to minister to kids, just not sure about school. The money is definitely an issue. I've always wanted to get some college, but do I want to spend the money on it at this time in my life? I don't know.

I do love the kids though. It's been great working with them. We've been renovating the part of the church that has been designated for the kids. EXITING!! Now there is lime green, turquoise, purple, royal blue and green in The Dome (that's where kid's church meets). We have a big screen TV and I'm actually doing power point presentations. How cool is that?? We have foozball, and two air hockey tables, board games, twister, and four square. Lots to do to finish up the renovations though. It's coming along though!

I've been finding out just how hard change is for some people. I don't find change hard really. Maybe it's because I've moved so many times, and my life has changed so much from what I had originally planned. I certainly didn't plan my child to have cancer and 18 years later die from congestive heart failure. I certainly didn't plan to get a divorce. I never planned to live in 18 different houses in my life.

Growing up, there were really no changes...the house I grew up in still looks relatively the same even today. We really didn't change our furniture around or move, or do anything "out of the ordinary" every day. Even the daily schedule stayed pretty much the same. So why, in my adulthood, have I dealt with change so well?

I tend to think it's because my foundation has always remained constant. I really don't feel the shifting sand because I know that whatever happens...whether things remain the same or change, I am solid in my foundation. That foundation is my relationship with Jesus Christ. That is THE ONE thing that has never changed for me. I know with all of my being that I'm His child, and that He is there for me.

Maybe, those who don't like change should find a more solid base? Maybe God just gave me a tolerance for change? I don't know, but I do feel sorry for those that resist change to the extreme. My philosophy is, everything changes, either roll with it, or go kicking and screaming, but the end result is still change. I choose to roll with it. Heck, I even embrace it most of the time. I'm always wondering what God will do next in my life.

It's been a rough winter for me. I was literally sick or dealing with a very bad sprained ankle all winter. From October, 2010 until the end of March 2011, I've had strep throat, ear infections, mono, h1n1, and the ankle injury. I'm really ready for a change in my health now! I'm ready for spring! Ready for warm weather, and sunshine.

My daughter will graduate this year...yet another big change. She will be going off to college. I really don't dread it though. I will certainly miss her, but looking forward to watching her spread her wings and fly.

With every change, there are positives to focus on. I would encourage you to focus on those positive things, and reject the negatives. Change really can be a good thing if you let it. My pastor stated it well with this scripture...“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing…” Isaiah 43:18-19b

Chat with you later...

Summer in full swing!

Wow, been a busy summer so far. I've started caregiving for a disabled girl that's my age. That has been very interesting. I've never really considered doing work like that, but I'm really enjoying it. The county fair is over, and so is my husband's vacation. We've had a good summer so far, went to the Dunes for a day of swimming on the beach, been to Columbian Park Zoo, and 2 kids went swimming with dad for the day at Tropicanoe Cove.

I have been doing quite a bit of sewing this summer as well. Started working on my homemade purses,and just found a website with great fabric. They are even having a contest to give away one fat quarter of every piece of Flower Sugar 2 (that's 21 fat quarters in all). It's a beautiful collection of fabric! Go to: http://mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/mariemadeline_studio/2010/07/a-giveaway-for-a-whole-flower-sugar-fat-quarter-bundle.html
Sign up for the give-a-way.

I've also been making jewelry again, I've been having a blast being creative this summer.

I must admit I haven't been exersizing lately though...I know I need to get back to it, but it's been so hot, and I've been so busy. No excuse, I realize...I really need to just do it.

Well, enough for now, I'll chat with you later.

Graduation time...

So it's been a month since I've blogged, and it's now graduation time. I'm now in Minnesota for my nephew's graduation. It's so hard to believe that he's that old already. Time certainly doesn't stand still, it actually moves very quickly. I've been struggling again with an upper respitory infection. It makes me so tired and I haven't been walking like I should. I did work out yesterday for a half hour with my sister though. That was fun, but feeling awful today. How do you make yourself exercise when you are sick? If anyone knows the secret, let me know.

On a different note...I have my 25 year class reunion this month. I haven't been to any of my reunions yet, but I think it would be fun to see everyone that I haven't seen for so long. Can't lie,I'm a little nervous about it. Not sure what to wear and all that, those high school feelings all start sneaking back. I'm gonna make myself have fun though. We are all adults now, so I think it will be fine. I'll report back afterward.