Saturday, February 3, 2024

Overwhelmed

 


Ever felt that feeling? Overwhelmed? Like there just isn’t enough time in the day to get everything you want to do done? I feel that sometimes, well, actually a lot if I am honest with myself. That overwhelmed feeling is from Satan trying to keep us so distracted that we can’t focus on our quiet time, keeping us on edge so we will be anxious and maybe even loose our temper! 

I have been this way ever since I have come back from my Mexico mission. I have felt like there has been so much to do and concentrating on all that work has kept me so busy and so tired.  Trying to get caught up at work has caused me to neglect myself.  I don’t want to go to the gym (and everyone knows that I need the gym!). I am just so “peopled out” that I don’t want to talk to anyone when I get home. So tired.. This old gal has gone to bed at 8:30!!! (I may not be old but my body feels it!) 

But what this busyness does is it also takes away from you the time you spend with your family. That is the whole point of Satan doing this….to separate you from family, from things that you enjoy, but most of all his ultimate goal is to separate you from God! 

He gets in your thoughts and mind and uses those negative thoughts against you. 

It’s kinda like the tree in the picture. You feel like the life has been sucked out of you but then God….he does something amazing! He sprouts something new in you out of those seemingly dead branches.

Take time to slow down. When you feel like you are not being productive, it’s probably because Satan has you so busy, you can’t think about anything else! I doing just that…s..l…o..w.. down. Start a new page. Sometimes we have to hit that reset button, and I think I hit that button at least once a day! But that is ok. You do what you need to do to get back on that path that God has for you. He will never leave you, and he holds our hand and sometimes carries you! 

Take the time for yourself, but also have that quiet time with Jesus. He will reset you and get you ready for whatever is thrown your way! 

John 15:5-11

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 

Love to all, 

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Sow generously

 


Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly; and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.                        2 Corinthians 9:6

Those who give much will receive much  this includes giving of our time, money, abilities, knowledge.  But is also is the giving of grace, love, compassion…..helping hands to those in need. 

The picture is of my dirty shoes. Not only is it dirty and sandy, but it is from the work I have given on the construction site at the mission. Giving of my energy and time to help the Aloe family build Ruth’s store and help her graduate from the program is a wonderful feeling to be a part of her success. This dirt is a reminder that even though it is hard, the dirt is love. 

How will you do this and make a difference in someone’s life? You do not have to travel far or go on a mission trip to do this. It can be a neighbor, coworker, someone in the grocery store or gas station, or maybe someone in your family. 

When you step into someone’s life, never underestimate that moment.  You may not be able to change the world, but you can be a part of the change in someone’s life. 

Be the change you want to see. It starts with you!

Love to all, 





Who are you?

 


Who are you? This is a question we all ask ourselves at least once in our life. I know what the Bible says about who I am. I am a child of God! But I am also chosen, adopted, conqueror, blessed and many more. 

I’m on mission right now and our team leader/pastor said this to us. Are you a scouring pad or a sponge? Do you leave abrasions or scars with those you come in contact with or are you a sponge? Taking in teachings and experiences and being positive and then squeezing it out to others in your path. 

I have met some pretty amazing people this week so far. They are working on learning and bettering themselves through entrepreneurship and building a business. Some are businesses like we would think, nail salon, hair salon, but others have done other things. One lady makes scrunchies to provide for herself. She is handicapped and is doing pretty well! Another lady gives facials. I will be finding out how good she is tomorrow! And yet another lady I met makes candles. And they smell SO GOOD!! 

We have no excuses to not be successful. No success looks differently for each of us, but we need to push ourselves to always be better, be the most we can be. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Philippians 4:13

I have learned that I can do construction! I don’t like it but I have worked at the construction site her in missions for two days in a row. It’s hard work! Harder than I have ever worked and I found out today that I can do drywall! 

So push yourself to always be the best-self. And always find good in others. Never judge someone by their look because they may just surprise you! 

1 chronicles 16:11

Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!

Love to all, 

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Motivation

I haven't had much motivation to do anything since I finished my MSN degree.

YES!!! You read that right. I AM FINISHED! I AM OFFICIALLY A MSN NURSE! It has just only taken me 30 years to get from point A to point Z. 

I also realized that it has been 4 months since I have posted. I can say that I have been working hard on getting my last 2 classes done so I could be done with it all. Now I have time to do whatever I want and I don't know where to start. I get home from work and think, "what am I going to do?"I am so use to doing school work that now I have a void. 

Oh don't get me wrong, I have a lot of things I could be doing, but I just don't want to! I don't want to be that person that just goes through the day without any intention or purpose. I came across these questions, I am not sure where I found them, but just wrote them down for a journal prompt. Maybe these can help you when you are not feeling motivated. Serving and giving helps your mind to be in a positive state. This positivity will be contagious to others and you will be helping others and not even know it!

  • Who made your job easier this week or who did you help to make their job easier? 
  • Who motivated you this week or who did you motivate?
  • Who made you happy this week or who did you help to make happy?
  • How did you impact those around you?
These actions apply to everyday life, whether it is at home, at work, at the grocery store. It is where ever you are with other people. And this can be on the phone, in person, via email, via text. 
Your words and actions can make or break someone. 

I have a lot of work to do to get that motivation back. But putting this advice into action, I know that my outlook on my everyday actions will make a difference in how I see life....and how I live life.

Speak life,,,spread the love...Forgive much.

Do not confess that negative thoughts in your mind, rather speak life to every situation around you (Proverbs 30:32).
James 1:19: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."

Love to all,

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Happiness

 


Where do I start? I don't know. Have you ever felt like you don't know....how to feel....what to do....confused....but ok all at the same time?

I try to hold it together and do a pretty good job. I think God is holding me together. I am happy today. Why? Well let me tell you! It's like this picture of Mt. St Helens. It is so far but so majestic and big. Our problems and day to day life can seem so big, but God is better and we focus on him, we will see the majestic creation and beautiful life around us.

I am relaxing. I am currently in this little amazing coffee shop. Evidently in Portland you don't go to Starbucks, but to the local shops. Some not so good, but this one is really good. It isn't loud, but busy and so friendly. I will be heading to church soon this morning for the second service with baby girl. She is singing today!! BUT....I am out of KY. Not working!! and I am spending some awesome time with my baby girl! It is hard to be so far away from your kids. But they have to grow up and move on. That is what parents do. But again, that is so hard to let our little birds fly. 

Did I say that Baby girl is singing a solo at church today, on Mother's Day! This made my day. I come to visit her and get to hear her sing! This brings joy to my heart. It has been a while to hear her sing. I just have my recordings that I listen to. I call it "E---- Radio"!

So today and this week, I am good. And I know my God will carry me when this week is over, And help be get through the gazillion emails when I get back to work!! But I am not going to think about that. God has placed a wonderful smile on my face, and a song in my heart.

Nehemiah 8:10  “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Love to all,