Random thoughts, experiences, and memories have all collectively worked together today to cause defeat in my soul, at least for now. I give in...
A certain little person has curled up on the sofa and fallen asleep. I wish I could do the same. My thoughts are haunting me and other than that, there just really isn't time for a nap. The dismissal bell at school rings at the same time each day, whether I am ready for it or not.
I just finished a book. I am still rather pensive about the story and the thoughts shared.
The quickest way for anyone to reach the sun and the light of day is not to run west, chasing after the setting sun, but to head east, plunging into the darkness until one comes to the sunrise.
Jerry Sittser
Shattered dreams are never random. They are always a piece in a larger puzzle, a chapter in a larger story. The Holy Spirit uses the pain of shattered dreams to help us discover our desire for God, to help us begin dreaming the highest dream. They are ordained OPPORTUNITIES for the Spirit to awaken, then to satisfy our highest dream.
Larry Crabb
We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us;
We are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.
There is nothing we can do with suffering except to suffer it.
C.S. Lewis
I give in today. I will allow the hurt to exist and will resist the urge to run far, far, away. (Pain follows you wherever you go...) Dinner is made. I have done all I can do to make peace with my life. I will give in to whatever comes...and then try to go to bed early. Tomorrow is a new day. Done.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Ready to Fill With Love...
Last week while I was shopping at Target I found some adorable Valentine gift bags. I would normally insert a picture here but my computer is apparently having a difficult start to the day. These bags will be filled with Valentine goodies and delivered to the families staying at the Children's House this year. These families are in need of some love and comfort. I am inviting others to share love with these families this year. I am hoping to fill 22 bags. I am currently accepting donations of items such as:
red/pink Crystal light packs of Pink Lemonade or Fruit Punch
small boxes of those sweet little heart candies or red hot hearts
pink or red gum (big Red or pink bubblegum)
red or pink nail polish
pink colored lip gloss
red pens
word search books
small bottles of lotion
Heart shaped lollipops
chocolate
small bottles of Starbucks coffee or individual cocoa, coffee, tea.
tissues
Valentine themed picture books that a parent and child could read together
you get the idea...
There are no wrong answers here folks, I am open to other wonderful ideas that you may have in mind. Target and Michaels both had a great selection of items in their 1$sections.
The PICU is requesting donations of fleece blankets (particularly those that are colorful and kid themed. There are even kits sold at most craft stores which makes a great project for kids to make)
character themed stickers
infant onesies and clothing
tissues
character themed bandaids
We will also accept monetary donations to purchase these items for the bags and the PICU. All checks can now be made payable to The Rays of Sunshine Foundation!
Hurting hearts will be so touched by these bags filled with love and comfort items on Valentine's Day. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.
Keep in mind...Mother's Day is right around the corner and we will be filling bags at that time as well. I would welcome help to think of ideas for those bags as well.
red/pink Crystal light packs of Pink Lemonade or Fruit Punch
small boxes of those sweet little heart candies or red hot hearts
pink or red gum (big Red or pink bubblegum)
red or pink nail polish
pink colored lip gloss
red pens
word search books
small bottles of lotion
Heart shaped lollipops
chocolate
small bottles of Starbucks coffee or individual cocoa, coffee, tea.
tissues
Valentine themed picture books that a parent and child could read together
you get the idea...
There are no wrong answers here folks, I am open to other wonderful ideas that you may have in mind. Target and Michaels both had a great selection of items in their 1$sections.
The PICU is requesting donations of fleece blankets (particularly those that are colorful and kid themed. There are even kits sold at most craft stores which makes a great project for kids to make)
character themed stickers
infant onesies and clothing
tissues
character themed bandaids
We will also accept monetary donations to purchase these items for the bags and the PICU. All checks can now be made payable to The Rays of Sunshine Foundation!
Hurting hearts will be so touched by these bags filled with love and comfort items on Valentine's Day. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.
Keep in mind...Mother's Day is right around the corner and we will be filling bags at that time as well. I would welcome help to think of ideas for those bags as well.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Snow Days
The week has flown by thanks to the beautiful snow and the school closings as a result. We have been having fun sledding, building Star Wars ships, shoveling snow, playing board games, and the Wii! A few snow ball fights have taken place in between the mountain of laundry that needed to be put away, the purging of a ton of paperwork, and reading a few good books.
I save way too much paperwork...I feel like I am on top of the paper that comes in the mail. It is the paperwork produced by my children. I can't seem to part with it thinking that these moments in the present time are fleeting by and that I may want to preserve and remember this or that. That has now transcended to an enormous amount of paperwork preserved in various places in our home. It is overhwelming to think about tackling it right now. I did go through some of it over the last few days but I have still saved a significant amount. Speak up you fellow moms. What do you save? What do you toss? Where do you put it all and how do you keep it organized?
And one more thing...another friend has decided to join me on the One Little Word Journey, which now brings to total to EIGHT! Yeah! Her word is Mercy. I am excited to see how these words inspire growth in the lives of these fellow friends and in myself too. I have also come to know that there are indeed some quiet readers following along that have selected words too. There is a little button where you can leave comments below. We'd love to know the word that you have chosen and any other information that you would like to share. If not, we'd love to have you follow along from just where you are.
Well as you know life is just plain and simple busier when everyone is home. I love having my nearest and dearest right here with me all day. Schools are closed again today. Everyone is still asleep which is a rare moment in our house at this time of day. Climbing those hills a million times sledding has just worn them all out I guess.
I am off to savor my delicious cup of Java as the sun wakes up the morning sky and all is still quiet in my house.
Wishing you a warm in your heart kind of day!
I save way too much paperwork...I feel like I am on top of the paper that comes in the mail. It is the paperwork produced by my children. I can't seem to part with it thinking that these moments in the present time are fleeting by and that I may want to preserve and remember this or that. That has now transcended to an enormous amount of paperwork preserved in various places in our home. It is overhwelming to think about tackling it right now. I did go through some of it over the last few days but I have still saved a significant amount. Speak up you fellow moms. What do you save? What do you toss? Where do you put it all and how do you keep it organized?
And one more thing...another friend has decided to join me on the One Little Word Journey, which now brings to total to EIGHT! Yeah! Her word is Mercy. I am excited to see how these words inspire growth in the lives of these fellow friends and in myself too. I have also come to know that there are indeed some quiet readers following along that have selected words too. There is a little button where you can leave comments below. We'd love to know the word that you have chosen and any other information that you would like to share. If not, we'd love to have you follow along from just where you are.
Well as you know life is just plain and simple busier when everyone is home. I love having my nearest and dearest right here with me all day. Schools are closed again today. Everyone is still asleep which is a rare moment in our house at this time of day. Climbing those hills a million times sledding has just worn them all out I guess.
I am off to savor my delicious cup of Java as the sun wakes up the morning sky and all is still quiet in my house.
Wishing you a warm in your heart kind of day!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
One Thousand Gifts
I have been waiting for the arrival of the book One Thousand Gifts for some time now. It was recently gifted to me and I couldn't wait to open the cover and begin reading the beautiful words written by Ann Voscamp.
I encourage you to check out the trailer for the book. It is a book you will want to write in, highlight, fold the corners down on etc. I think it is available in hardcover form for about $10 on both Amazon and Dayspring. Check it out. You WON'T be sorry.
Go here and watch the trailer for the book.
Then, go here to watch a video,follow along with an online book club, and see video discussions each week with the author, Ann Voscamp.
Enjoy your gifts that are in front of you right now...
I encourage you to check out the trailer for the book. It is a book you will want to write in, highlight, fold the corners down on etc. I think it is available in hardcover form for about $10 on both Amazon and Dayspring. Check it out. You WON'T be sorry.
Go here and watch the trailer for the book.
Then, go here to watch a video,follow along with an online book club, and see video discussions each week with the author, Ann Voscamp.
Enjoy your gifts that are in front of you right now...
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Seven So Far
Seven Little Words have been shared with me so far. I can only speak for myself but the journey with One Little Word is an amazing experience and I am excited that six others have chosen to join me. Who knows maybe there are others out there reading who plan to walk the journey with us in their own quiet ways. That is surely okay too.
I will continue to share my experiences and reflections with my word, opportunity this year. Will you share some of your thoughts and experiences with me too? If you haven't chosen a word yet, it really isn't too late. Go here and read all about it.
Here are the words that have been personally shared with me so far:
simplify
create
breathe
dance
acknowledge
serenity
Have you seen this post? It's cool to see the words that so many others have chosen this year. I understand that the larger the word appears, the more often it was chosen. Well C. you have chosen a unique word, acknowledge, and that is really cool too! Remember it is a personal journey, no one else's but yours!
Hoping that your weekending refreshed your soul.
I will continue to share my experiences and reflections with my word, opportunity this year. Will you share some of your thoughts and experiences with me too? If you haven't chosen a word yet, it really isn't too late. Go here and read all about it.
Here are the words that have been personally shared with me so far:
simplify
create
breathe
dance
acknowledge
serenity
Have you seen this post? It's cool to see the words that so many others have chosen this year. I understand that the larger the word appears, the more often it was chosen. Well C. you have chosen a unique word, acknowledge, and that is really cool too! Remember it is a personal journey, no one else's but yours!
Hoping that your weekending refreshed your soul.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Giddy
I am giddy and eager with excitement. Why? This sweet necklace is on it's way to my mailbox. I love wearing my word around my neck and being accountable for what I am trying to accomplish by focusing on the word opportunity this year. Ali Edwards, the person who created this One Little Word journey, encourages people to find ways to incorporate their word into their daily lives. Wearing my word around my neck every day helped me tremendously last year, especially when I needed to make a conscientious effort to make my thoughts and behaviors reflect the mind set of letting go.
Be sure to check out the other goodies offered on this website. I already have a necklace so I just added the charm. A few other friends ordered this necklace instead of the charm that I ordered. I originally planned on getting this one too but my word was too long. I think I will like the open circle just the same. To me the open circle represents so much...mostly the idea of being open to the change that this word will bring to my life this year. I like that it looks like a letter O too!
I hope everyone stays warm this weekend.
Be sure to check out the other goodies offered on this website. I already have a necklace so I just added the charm. A few other friends ordered this necklace instead of the charm that I ordered. I originally planned on getting this one too but my word was too long. I think I will like the open circle just the same. To me the open circle represents so much...mostly the idea of being open to the change that this word will bring to my life this year. I like that it looks like a letter O too!
I hope everyone stays warm this weekend.
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