It works...

Bo and I began this journey about three weeks ago, and I have to update what we have encountered. I like list so I will make a top ten list because that is how I roll.


10. Remove salt from your life. Remove it. I know that it allows taste and it does make things taste better, but it is also a retainer of water and you will feel fatter and more bloated.


9. Read labels. It is vital to read what you are putting in your body. A few years ago in a Lent challenge I gave up preservatives. From that point on I have tried to make a conscience effort as to what I was feeding my body. Take a note as to what the ingredients are. If you can't read them, then don't eat them. Make sure that the sodium levels are low.


8. Having a trainer three days a week is no joke. Lucas pushes me and obviously knows that he is doing. This is what his degree is in and he is very knowledgeable. I don't always like him but I am always grateful.


7. Losing body fat doesn't always mean the scale will move. Losing body fat and building muscle are two different things. So as you build muscle and burn fat you wont always see a difference on the scale.


6. Not having salt in your life always you to feel what I call "deflated". It is a nice feeling when you don't feel bloated.


5. Work together. Support whomever your partner is. You need to keep them around for your remaining years together.


4. Take pictures of your journey.


3. Give it time. A habit doesn't become that unless you have done it for 21 days. It didn't take you overnight to get where you are, so therefore you wont reach your goal overnight.


2. Eat something that isn't on your new plan. Yes I said it! Eat it, feel how it makes you feel like crap and then you will remember that feeling next time.


1. Be proud! Bo and I have both lost a combination of 12 lbs and 5% body fat all in about 3 weeks.
Share your joys with social media. Share your joys with your friends, that is what they are there for. Find joy.

Get Going...

So I have realized that I have been away for 2 years.  A time to get back to it. A time to journal again. Journaling is good for two things. It is something that will allow others into your daily life and then it will allow you to see your life progress. I know that I need to get going, get going on changing myself internally.


 I want to see it as a metamorphosis of sorts:
Metamorphosis is a biological process by which an animal physically develops after birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's body structure through cell growth and differentiation.






Being able to peel away the layers of what I have heard about myself and the negativity of it all is my goal in this new journey. I know that in a natural metamorphosis it takes time. A caterpillar will make metamorphosis into a butterfly in about 32 days. Now I know that this metamorphosis will take longer than 32 days. I am trying to break down feelings and misunderstandings of myself over the past 35 YEARS. But as Bo and I begin to change our habits and lives in 12 weeks I pray that it will evolve into new thoughts.




Life is about choices.

Lent in a Legalistic Society...

Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, during which Christians purify themselves by praying, fasting, repenting of their sins, and making changes and sacrifices in their lives. The final week of Lent is called Holy Week; during this period, observant Christians reflect specifically on the last days of Jesus Christ's life. So according to a definition this is a time that we are using to make sacrifices and changes in our lives. I have heard people since Wednesday say, “Oh you have to do it now? Our church doesn’t do it now. “or “ Aren’t you being legalistic about this?”, or “I’m not sure what I would sacrifice.” We live in a world where there are so many rules that we feel we have to follow. Rules that tell us what to do when, how to do it, how much to do, how less to do it, what to eat, what not to eat, where to go, what is healthy, what isn't healthy... Get my drift? This has really put me to thinking about what and why I am giving up what I gave up this year. The key word in my mind is a sacrifice. Does that always mean that we have to give up food? Not necessarily, but most do because in today’s society we see food as our addiction. Look at your life. What do you depend on that you think you can’t live without? Last year my sacrifice was Facebook. I removed myself from social media, removed the app from my phone to use my time to spend with PEOPLE, not their faces on a phone or a computer screen. This year it is processed foods and preservatives. Yes it is food. But I find myself this year trying to allow my body to become healthier. If I lose weight in the process great, but I have to start looking at what goes in my body. I only have one. In using this 40 days to sacrifice processed foods, I have to say I have had to rely on strength from prayer. You say, “That is crazy. You prayed to not eat a preservative, or something processed?” Yes I have, and I will continue to do so for the next thirty some odd days. I feel that if we become judgmental of those who are sacrificing either by what they are doing, or HOW they are doing it, then in turn we have to look at our own lives. Sacrifice what you can, do the best you can do. It isn’t about what you give up, it the preparation of your heart and reflect on what Christ has done for us. Yes He never made mistakes, so when he chose to fast with the 40 days and 40 nights in the desert he made no mistakes. That is why He is the only perfect person that was/is. Here is my challenge to you today. Don’t let the legalistic society that we live in today bog you down in your choices. Will you backslide? Of course we all do. But maybe there is something that you could do without for the next 32 days that could lead to a life change for the future years.

My Body is Connected How...

Many of you know that today was my first session with an acupuncturist. Was I nervous? Yes, indeed I was, but I have to find a resolution to this pain in my heel. So far I haven't found a doctor who could help me with the bursitis in my heel yet. I finally caved and decided that I would at least give acupuncture a shot. I am desperate my friends. So here is an account of how it all went down today. I went into the office and filled out paperwork about my lifestyle and basic information that any doctor would ask. Anything from my sleep habits to my digestive habits. Katie, owner and acupuncturist, at The Center of Bliss was who worked on me. She was wonderful to answer any questions that I had along the way. I laid on a table much like that of a massage table, with music in the background and dim lighting like that environment of a massage and she talked me through the entire thing. She showed me the needles and in each place she would tell me when she was inserting the needles. Many times she would ask me to breathe in and breathe out and then she would put the needle in. Now here is the crazy part. Each needle had a different sensation at each point. The ones that hit nerves connected to my stomach had a dull ache to them. The ones for my heel I couldn't even feel. Just a strange sensation. Once all needles were inserted, all 17 of them, she left me in the room alone to rest. Now rest my friends it was. It was the most relaxing experience I have ever had. It was almost like an out of body experience. I know you are rolling your eyes now, but truthfully was. I then began feeling my legs twitch and then pain in my heel was pretty prominent for about 30 seconds. All normal. She says it was intense blood flow to the areas that were needed. As I lay there I really couldn't sleep as she told me but I was then beginning to understand how our bodies are all connected. Nerves and muscles in your thigh are connected to your heel. So when the needle is inserted in your thigh it does make a difference in your heel. I had more in my left foot where the bursitis is, so that was understandable, but the ones in my hands, and even the one in my forehead still baffles me. I know that it is all connected together and that the majority of the time when you have injuries, if you take better oxegynated blood to the area there is a quicker healing time. Now do I believe it all yet? Not really. I can't tell a difference yet. I was told to soak my feet today, walk tomm,and then try running Saturday. She told me it was going to be an on/off fix. It was a gradual pain decrease. So I am scheduled to see her next Thursday again. I have been told to give it 3 times to see a difference, and I will. As all I want is to be able to be pain free all over my entire body. I want to have no stomach issues, less stress and anxiety, and also to be able to run enjoyably. So that is a recap of how it all went down. Was it worth it? Heck yes, if anything the rest and relaxation was amazing. I just wish now we had a community based clinic like they do in Asheville, NC. With that it is more community based and it is much much less expensive.

Woe is me... NOT!

I sit at home tonight and look around. Candle burning, glass of wine in hand, all decorations are packed up and I realize how fortunate I really am. We all complain about this and that, I wish I had this, I wish I had gotten that for Christmas, if we could just have that much money to have that remodeled. But in all reality is that the important part of what life is about. Yes a smooth life makes living much easier, but dont you think that the speed bumps make us more of who God wants us to be? He never said that he would take away the pain of the speed bumps, He never even said that there wouldn't be speed bumps. Look at who you have become because of those ups and down. We complain about the little things, and yes there are some things that are HUGE issues that we encounter. The little aches, the little pains, the disgruntled people in our lives, the more expensive bill that we have to pay, but look at it this way: Because you have those hiccups in life, you are alive. *Think of those who this Christmas didn't even have the energy or will power to put the decorations up. *Think of families in CT who this year changed their lives entirely. *Think of families tonight as the bitter cold and wind blows are trying to block the cold with coats and cardboard. *Think of those who this year who are having to explain to their children that Santa some how must have accidently missed their house. *Think of maybe your neighbors who just need a quiet smile, or a gentle hello and the joy it could bring to their heart. So I look at how fortunate I am and the life that Bo has provided for both of us. We are blessed. We are overly blessed. If you are reading this now, I ask that you make a promise to yourself this year. Try to do something for someone daily, weekly, monthly to make them smile. Just as a friend posted on Facebook: Give today, as it is better to give than to receive anything.

You did what?????

It has been a while I know since I have blogged. No excuse, just haven't done it lately, but I felt that with this weekend's bucket list check off I should blog about the experience, the emotional journey, and the physical journey. So about 15 months ago a friend mentioned that we should try and do a 5K. Key word try! I had always danced and been active, but never had a drive to run. We started the program in July with Fleet Feet and in October of 2011 I ran my first 5K. I got the bug then. I ran a few other 5K's and then began the training for 10K, with the Cooper River Bridge in mind as a goal race. That training was what I would call a little physical on your body, but it was accomplishable. I was exhilarated to reach the end saying that I had run my first 10K. Then I got this crazy idea, as all runners do, that I would train for a half marathon. I thought at least I can try and then if I am not able, then I will stay with 10K's. So 16 weeks ago training began. We met every Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/ Saturday for our scheduled runs. I did fine and was very excited with each mile that I ran. Towards the end of training though I had what we thought in the beginning to be plantar fascitiis, a runner's nightmare, so I began phsyical therapy and it wasn't getting any better. I had to back off running and began to think that a half wasn't feasible. After more therapy we discovered that it wasn't PF that it was bursitis in my heel. I kept running because I had a goal in mind and I wasn't a quitter. This continued and a few weeks ago I was running a basic 4 miler and at mile 1 my knee just quit. I couldn't run anymore. I couldn't go, I couldn't bend it, I could barely walk... It felt like the walk of shame back down Augusta Rd and back to Fleet Feet! Phsycial therapist said that it didn't look torn or terribly swollen, so I doped up on Advil for weeks and kept icing my knee and foot. We fast forward a few weeks to Saturday 10/27, I had not been having trouble with knee terribly and was excited and scared both. Getting to the start line and being ready to run is the most awful waiting time in the world. I was fortunate to have a pacer named Pete who was the most wonderful man. God sent him to run with me without us even knowing each other's last names. We had a goal of running a 2:30 race. I wasn't sure that I could make that as I had never run that pace before, but I was willing to give it a try to see. I did ok for about the first 5 miles with that pace, and then my body starting acting up. My hands were beginning to swell severely and my steam was dwindling. Pete mentioned that my body wasn't processing electrolytes as they should. He offered me a sodium pill, but I was so queezy that I couldn't at that time. So the emotions kicked in and I had a breakdown. A breakdown that I couldn't do this, that my body wouldn't let me. So I gave into the pill and took it hoping it would help me. Honestly I don't remember looking back at my hands but I do think that it helped my stomach... So onto mile 8, which I hit another wall. I had to walk, which I didn't want to do, but was required to get through. Around mile 10, my blessed Pete had convinced me that I could do this, that I wasn't a quitter and I needed this! He was truly my saving grace. So I round the corner and come up River St and I see Wayne. Wayne has been my coach and cheerleader through this entire journey. As I ran up Main St. to see his BRIGHT yellow shirt and clapping his hands and screaming out for me was amazing. He came to my side placed his hand on my back and said, " we got this girl!". I was tearing up and telling him I was tired. He encouraged me and said, " you got it! ". As I came to the top of the hill and rounded at the ticket booth I saw my husband, dad, and step mom. To see them was enough to help me get through the last 1/2 mile. By this point I think that I was delerious and just wanted to be done. So I came into the stadium and hear my name called and Pete says, "we are almost there girl." So I look ahead and see the clock, which is always my inspiration to blast it. I did and finished in 2:41:48. We didn't want it to hit 2:42. I get to the end and we hugged and cried, and hug and cry... Was it in the time that I had hoped for?, no, but hey I finished, and I finished with a smile on my face. So I sit and write and still am in awe of what not only I accomplished this weekend, but what every runner who ran a race accomplished. Whether you ran a 5K, or the Marine Corps Marathon, we all did something that we didn't think we could! If you have said to me through this journey, "Congrats!," "Proud of you", " I know you can do this", or anything encouraging, then you helped me cross that finish line on Saturday and I am forever grateful!

Some TLC for Your Marriage...

All week I've been following Proverbs 31 Ministries and they have been posting 7 days of marriage tips! I have loved them and couldn't wait to share them. I hope it blesses your marriage. Day 7: keep in mind that time affects all of us and no one remains the same as we were as we were dating. Life's circumstances can make us lose our sense of humor, change us physically, act less romantic ect...Take time to find these two people who fell in love and reconnect. (Trust! They are in there) Day 6: love bears all things, believes in all things, endures all things ( 1 cor. 13) Choose to believe the best in your spouse, even when they aren't communicating well. Sometimes it is hard to find the right words to express yourself. Some folks find it hard to communicate with words at all. Grace, Grace. Day 5: be intentional. Every day, look for a way to bless your spouse either secretly or openly. A thankful heart, a giving heart, will repulse the weeds of blame and discontent. Day 4: greet your spouse with a kiss. It's a mood enhancer. Science says touch releases endorphins, so you begin to associate seeing your spouse with a pleasant feeling. And you can't say anything you'll regret when your lips are otherwise occupied. Voila! Mood enhanced! Day 3: make it a point to give your spouse the best of you:the bet of your smiles, best of your touch, best f your words... Don't always bring them what's left of you after the world as drained you! Day 2: nobody is perfect. Don't let the world at large find out about your spouse's imperfections via your mouth. "the heart of her husband trusts her..." ( proverbs 31:11) Day 1: be the person you'd like to be married to. If you'd like a little more grace for your faults, give a little more grace for theirs.... If you need more love and understanding, give more love and understanding to your spouse. I'm amazed at how reading these can change your marriage... 7 little tips:)

What Drives You?

Stop and ask yourself.. What Drives Me? Why do I do what I do? Is it for the money, is it for the love of the task at hand, is to impress others? I think that there are things in life that you have to stop and ask yourself,"Why am I doing this?" I always seem to default back to running, but it has become a true passion. One of those things that you look for. Look for what makes you smile in the thing that you are doing. I have become to look forward to the end of the day because I know that with the end comes running. I can then run and forget all the world for about an hour or so... It allows me to stop and forget the crazy around me and just focus on me. Focus on what my body can do and what God has blessed me with. You know that you need it. We all do, be honest. You dont take time for yourself and you need to. Whether it is running, biking, treadmilling, walking... whether it is knitting, reading, working on computer, designing... FIND THE PASSION AND STOP FOR YOURSELF. You have to. I have seen that with me and my life that running is that drive. The feeling of a runner's high is nothing that can be described... Meeting a goal of the fastest mile you have ever run... I am honest... Right now in school I am struggling to find the smile. With all of the paperwork, report cards to fill, notes to take, grades to write down in all kinds of places, children to keep calm, parents to talk to, and emotions to swallow. It is hard. I educate children and make them hoefully successful citizens in life. That is my real job. To have them leave my class with more knowledge than they came with... And days like today to see them in their elements: playing outside, running the school race, being with their friends are things that bring tears to my eyes as they are growing up and they are becoming young men and women. But stop and think; in both of my passions I have a love. You have to have a drive in what you do. If you don't, then find a new passion!

Body Art: Art or A reminder...

First I am posting this just to see what reaction and response I get... This is something that I have been thinking about lately and am beginning to ponder the thought of body art. Now some say tattoos, some say body art, what ever you call it, it is what it is. Yes some may take it offensively, so say it is trashy, some may think it is art. Me personally I have nothing against it. I am not the one to say what you put on your body is my choice, it is that: YOUR CHOICE. Therefore I am not criticizing body art, when in fact, I am intrigued each day more and more with it. So here is the million dollar question to those who are tattooed or not tattooed... Do you see your body art just as that, or do you see it as a reminder of something? I have to be honest, the more I am beginning to run I am seeing myself wanting a tattoo. I want someting as a daily reminder to keep going, keep running, keep perservering. Which is why I have thought seriously about a tattoo on my foot of perserverance. That way each day that I put shoes on I will see it. See it as a reminder to perservere in life, whether it be in running, life struggles, or daily routines. I dont want it in a place that I can't see it, because then you don't have the reminder... We are told in the Bible that we are to push through, perservere in our walk with Him. Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Ponder the thought: If you saw something everyday as a reminder does it make you strive to move closer to that goal. Running, Weight loss, a closer walk with Christ... So just a thought for the day...

You Want Me to do What?

As a teacher I have been required to read a book called Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew. As I read and catch up on the reading for our meeting I have realized sadly that I may fall under the category of those who sometimes always instill the "cant's" in children. Now don't get me wrong it's not on purpose. I don't have a dream that all children can't do certain things, but I wonder if I just don't have enough confidence in them and their abilities. I have had children with autism in my classroom and have fallen deeply madly in love with them! I love their zealous of life, their inability to see things as cant's, their true unconditional love!

Two children in particular come to mind and they always have a spring in their step. One student was in my classroom and the other spends time during recess with us. I love both of them as they run to me with arms wide open wanting that daily hug..."Hi Mrs. McDonald!" They always say hello with a smile on their faces, and seem to be carefree.

So when we as society place labels on them as oh they won't be able to.... Or I hate that they will never...we need to stop and realize that If we continue to think that about them they will live to those expectations. If you know me you know that I have HIGH expectations for my children in my classroom and I have learned that in 10 years what you expect of them is what they will do! Just minimal expectations will get you minimum work, high expectations will produce high work effort! Turn the can't do's into can do's.

So whether you teach, work for a business, or own a business have high expectations and watch them soar!

Addictions...

Ok first I must apologize for not being a good blogger since the end of December.... Since then though lots has somewhat changed internally...mentally and physically.

Many of you know that in August I began running. I never had run before. I was the type who had danced for 15 years, went back and taught for another 8, but never had I run before. Then my friend Ashley Ruff mentioned that we should try this 5k group was starting at Fleet Feet in Greenville. I was hesitant at first but I thought I would at least give it a shot. We started with the group and I hated running. Yes I said it hated it. I couldn't understand why in the world anyone would ever want to run, get out of breathe, and then go back for more! I stuck with it though because things I start, I finish! When we completed our first race the Spinx 5k I sorta caught the bug. Ashley and I ran three races total all 5ks and then we were told of another opportunity. There was a 10k training group! Sign me up. I will succeed! So now we reach my first addiction. RUNNING! I love it. Just being a beginner I am not supposed to run everyday and it's killing me. I love to break through the wall and get that high of running forever. As of today 7 months later I can run 6.2 miles! Thank you Lord! I find myself wanting to run every race that is around. Next being the Reedy River and Cooper River Bridge.

I am amazed at how running takes you to a place of relaxation, crazy I know, but I just can allow an hour of my time to not focus on my issues, my stresses, and run. Run until I just can't go any more. The accomplishment at the end of a run is something that I can't explain. Which brings me to my next addiction.

Bucket list! I am not sure why but over the last few months I have gotten the urge to make a bucket list of things to accomplish in my life. Leaning to sew, learning to knit, running a half marathon, baking more, going to Vegas, going to Alaska, sky diving,.... The list could go on and on. I'm not sure if it is because I'm getting older.. Realizing that life is short and that I need to take advantage of each day....

I am amazed that God has given me the ability to conquer my first addiction and literally after ech run I thank Him for blessing me with a healthy body to run with and here's to hoping I can accomplish the bucket list which grows daily

Learning from 2000 years ago...

Experiencing a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service this year I think that the word that rings prominent is HOPE! I have to remain strong and continue to understand that I have to please Him and not others around me. That my hope has to be in Him. 2000 years ago there was a sweet baby boy who was brought to earth in a very hopeless situation. There was no place for his family to stay in their emergency situation. The only place provided was a stable. A stable with a feeding trough for a bed. Don't know about you but if I was giving birth I think that I would feel hopeless if I had to go through that process in a barn.

But give thought to it all. God knew exactly what he was doing. He had all the time in the world to choose where and when, and he choose to have the Messiah brought into our world at a very hopeless time to Mary and Joseph. Just as I heard yesterday at a service he brought hope to our world on a day when they felt no hope. We can learn from that. In our times of despair and confusion there is hope for tomorrow. We don't know where our next day will take us. We don't know what situations will arise, but live in the daily remainder that there is Hope.

We all know Jeremiah 29:11, which should bring hope to our lives. "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper your life and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future".

Checking off that list...

"Are you now trying to give God a to do list?".. This is a question that I was asked this morning. I was taken aback because in all actuality that is in fact what I was doing. I was thinking that there were things that I wanted Him to do or things that I thought He should do.

Do you find yourself being overwhelmed with list during the holidays? You have to be here, you have to be there and your list becomes longer and longer. We make lists that have lists inside of them and then one by one we cross off the things that we complete. We don't always get everything done do we? Somethings take more time than others. I think that is how God works. There are things that He wants to cross off, but he just isn't done. He has more plans for where he wants us to be spiritually. Therefore He isn't ready to cross off that thing yet. He knows the plans for our lives way before we do. He isn't here to harm us, but he doesn't promise that it will be an easy drive either. There are nice Sunday drives, then there are flat out slamming on the brake days.

So I have learned in the Sunday drives that I am to be thankful, but also when the brakes are slamming we have to be thankful. Our Daddy knows what he is doing and he loves us more than we can ever imagine.

So in our pain today friends that we are experiencing we have to be thankful and not have a to-do list for Him. He has his own to-do list and in his timing he will cross off those things, whether it brings pain or happiness. We are all made in a manner that is amazing to Him. He knows us and knows our pain and it breaks his heart also. So try to rest in the pain, if at all possible. Try to look for the smiles, try to find the peace in it.


From a Dear friend today:

"God never said all your experiences would be good. These include the experiences of pain and failure, along with spiritual, religious and victorious experiences. God can and does hit some straight licks with crooked sticks." - Unknown...and awesome.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts

A Love Letter...

Check yes or no!

How many times have we as children sent that love letter to our "love" with anticipation of it returned and a big check in the yes box? We all want to be loved and cherished. This morning I have thought about how we are loved. Where do we look for love? Remember the song, "Lookin for love in all the wrong places..." That has resonated with me. Where do I look for love? Do I look to others for their acceptance of me rather to the one who wants to be pleased?

We are loved regardless of who we are, where we live, what mistakes we make all by our Father. Our Daddy loves us and wants to show us that we are loved. Think about what small thing you enjoy from nature. Feeling a cool breeze on a fall day, summer day, or spring day I feel is God sending me a little love. He knows that is what makes me smile on the inside, therefore it is His intention to allow me to see the beauty and awesomeness of who He is.

But in your times of dispair, inability to think straight, loss of focus, or just when you need to know that you are accepted turn to God's love letter to you. Open the pages of the Bible. You will see where God is sending you a message. You know it's true! You need to hear from Him and you open to the right spot, with the right words, and you know HE IS GOD.

So today grab that love letter, open it up, read a little, and know that God has checked YES and wants you to be his one and only!

"and because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, Abba Father" Galations 4:6

Amazed...

Over the weekend Bo and I traveled to Asheville to experience the leaves changing. This is my all time favorite time of the year. I have always wondered why there are people who can't stand the Fall, as I am more amazed in this season than any other. We decided to go to Seacoast Asheville for church and then take a drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping along the way at the Overlooks. As I stood there and looked over the ravines that were covered with the beauty of colors. Enjoy the pics that share a little bit of our time yesterday!

Shout joyfully to God...How awesome are your works. Psalm 66:1,3

The Little Red Wagon

Just a Thought for Thursday:

Is there a colleague that you especially appreciate — a fellow teacher/coworker that has really come along side of you and lightened your load at some point? Maybe this story reminds you of that person who was able to give you just “the lift” you needed! Have you told that person how thankful you are for them?

The Little Red Wagon

Some days we skip along, pulling our wagons with great confidence–so full of energy that the load seems light.

Some days the load seems heavy and we need someone to help us pull our wagons over the bumps in the road.

Some days we are just tired. We sit in our wagons and let someone else pull us along for a while.
And some days it’s kind of nice to share our little red wagons with a friend.

As you think about yesterday, and make plans for tomorrow, keep in mind that there will be times when you can help pull someone's little red wagon for a while. After all, helping to pull each other's little red wagon is what makes it possible to face the challenges the day brings.

When One Door Closes...

As many of you know Friday was Bo's last day with 98.9. It was a bittersweet day where we were sad and happy in the same time frame. I know God has a plan for our lives and every moment that we question is a moment that He already has figured out and resolved. Leaving the radio station was a decision that we made together and I am thrilled at the time that WE will have together now. I see it as a "see you later", rather than a "goodbye". Bo wants to grow his business and not be held to a time that he can travel with other obligations.

I am also excited in that we can get into a healthy eating routine, spending time together, and the most exciting part that I am looking forward to is joining Bo sometimes in the Food For Life minstry where we learn more in our faith from those who are less fornuate than ourselves. Homeless men and women can provide us with insight into life in a way that I don't think that I see it. I take for granted small things that are daily habits and daily routines.

I am amazed at how God uses our lives to teach us lessons that He already has planned. It is like He has opened the next door in our lives and the little beam of light is showing through.

So for today Live, Love, and Learn from Jeremiah 29:11.

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!

How Busy Are You?

I was sent this this morning and as I read it I realize that God sent it to me for a reason. I think that I stay busy some days, but have NOTHING to show for the busyness.
Today Lord, help me see the priorities that you have for my days, my weeks, my months ahead!

“We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.” 2 Thessalonians 3:11 (NIV)



I love empty calories. I confess. Chocolate brownies are my favorite.
Although I try to tell myself the eggs inside make them healthy, the truth is there is little in that fudgy goodness that brings value to my body. Besides the moment of pleasure in my mouth, brownies only fill my need for calories but offer little nutrition.

Being busy can have the same effect. We can fill our days with busy-work, then flop on the couch after dinner, exhausted and empty. And yet we look around our homes and wonder why a week’s worth of mail is stacked on the desk, dirty clothes drape over the hamper and the kitchen floor is a sticky slip and slide…but we were so busy!

Much like the woman who spends $100 at the grocery store and has nothing for dinner, if we aren’t wise about our busyness, we will find ourselves frustrated at how little gets done. Like the brownies and their empty calories, there is activity that keeps us “busy,” but produces little benefit.

One area of temptation to empty busyness is my computer. The nature of my work requires that I spend a lot of my workday at the computer. If I sit down without a plan, two hours can pass and nothing is accomplished – except for watching videos of really cute puppies. However, when I’ve taken the time to set goals for my day, it’s easier to stay focused.

The same is true for my housework. When I take a few minutes to identify my priorities for that day, the tasks that need to be accomplished usually get done. Otherwise, it’s 7 p.m. and I’m wondering what’s for dinner.

Today’s key verse caught my attention recently. I realized we’re no different from those early believers addressed in it. Only our idleness looks different—it looks like busyness. In fact, we often convince ourselves that it was necessary to get caught up on the news, visit a friend’s blog or research next year’s vacation. Important? Yes. A priority for today? Maybe not.

There is a time for brownies, getting caught up with friends and online research. There is a time for rest. After all, God ordained the Sabbath. There is a time for play. Even Jesus enjoyed a wedding reception with His friends. The key for productive busyness is to know what time it is.

Instead of trying to figure it out ourselves, a wise woman seeks God’s direction for her work and rest. What has helped me avoid empty busyness is taking the time to pray about God’s will for me each day. My quiet time always includes a to-do list. In addition to spending time just enjoying the Lord’s presence, I also seek His guidance for my day.

I sit at my kitchen table, cup of coffee in one hand and pen in the other, and ask God to show me His priorities. He is always faithful to help me create a list of what needs to be done that day—not the next day or next week, but that day.

My challenge is to be a good steward of my time—both at work, play and rest. I’ve spent too much time on empty pursuits. Busy isn’t always bad, only when it’s empty. And brownies aren’t bad either, at the right time.

Dear Lord, You are the Creator of time, and so often I neglect to seek Your will for my days. You have called me to a place of stewardship with my time and I need Your help. Please show me when and how to be productively busy—and when to set it all aside and rest or play. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Fall is finally here..

I love fall and those who know me know that I think that this is the most wonderful time of the year. Over the past week Bo had to go out of town. I am not a fan of business trips, but I know that they are a must in the business of marketing. While Bo was gone he bought a few prizes that made my heart happy. Not only do I love fall, but the color of burnt orange is the most beautiful color of leaves, CU tigers, bracelets, and even scarves..

Thank you honey for the surprise gift!

Rain, Rain... Stay Today..

Have you ever had those days that were just gloomy and you were totally at peace? Today is one of those days. I have worked here in school all day today with the rain pouring down on our school, and the sound of the pounding rain is the calmest sound of all. I think that on days like this God knows how I love to be loved and this is His sweet love letter to me.