Thank you for the small things

Do you think about those small things? Those things that really make a difference, but we really don't notice them.

I had my family in my house this week.  Both kids. Grown kids. This is something I took for granted in the past. Now when the kids come home, I realize that I miss it. To have those quiet times with all of us just sitting in the living room together. We may not be saying much, but the togetherness was so much more. The family dinners and the conversations we have. I miss all of this. I won't miss the messy house when everyone is here! I see some things don't change. My son is back to his home right now and I can tell he is gone. Summer can't get here fast enough for when he returns!

The small like an encouraging word, hug, or even a smile can give someone that encouragement to someone that may need a lift that day. And you may not even know that you gave it to them! I have been on the receiving ends of this. And I know that when I am down or not feeling good, that smile or someone just telling me I did a good job or even thank you has made the day more bearable. I try to encourage those around me. I try to not dwell on the negative. I think I am doing pretty good and suppressing my negative Nelly in me and seeing more of positive Pete!

Find the good in each day. Write a blessing you have each day and reflect on it. Look for things in the day that cause you to smile. One of the many things that cause me to smile (and sometimes to really wonder why) is my dog Riley. She is so playful and loving. Dogs have a sense to give unconditional love, no matter what. She plays, cuddles and is so annoying at times! but she will have that look sometimes that just causes me to laugh and smile. Find the joy in life, in the small things.

God is working through us all, whether you like it or not. We are all part of his plan and we need to decide which side are we on. Is your heart opened for God?

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today", so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13

Love to all,

what a week

 This has been an week. All I can say is WHEW! as I wipe the sweat from my brow. Do you sometimes feel like things are out of your hands? This week I had to make some really tough decisions. Decisions that I do not like to make, but had to. 

In the midst of this, I feel I was sent little breaks. Things to take my mind off the tough times this week. Two of them, I will share.  I was pumping gas one day and the lady at the pump next to me had 3 baby goats!! OMG, they were so cute!!  And you KNOW I just had to go over and see them. I just couldn't help myself. And they made the cutest sounds of BAAAA.  You would just want to cuddle with them all day. Let me show you.....

See, I told you.. Cuteness 200%. 

I also got to spend some time with the girls from work. We went out to lunch at this amazing restaurant with some amazing food. I already told the hubs that this was going to be a date night place to eat at. Then went to this place called a rage room.  This place is something else. You go and just tear and beat the crap out of stuff.  This was so much fun. I never thought throwing bottles against a wall or taking a sledge hammer to a TV would be so much fun. And just to let you know, a sledge hammer is HEAVY!

Just goes to show me that I had a lot of stress to beat out! I recommend this to anyone. 

What I learned this week:

~Take some time for yourself.

~I cannot take on others mistakes or faults

~I am not responsible for others actions, only to myself

~I am loved

I praise you because I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.  Psalms 139:14

Love to all,  

Hallof Faith

 Hebrews 11:1; Now Faith is confidence of what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see. 

Who is in your hall of faith? No, not hall of fame. Faith. Do you have anyone? Think of someone you can always count on. This person is someone who is always there for you. Someone that if your were to have a date set to meet, you know that they would show up.  Do you have them in your mind yet? 

This is what faith is. Confidence of what you hope and sure of what you do not see.

Sometimes, though, people fail us. We are human. We make mistakes. We must forgive to move forward. They may cancel on your lunch date, or say the wrong thing at the wrong time. But haven't you done the same? I can think of times when family and friends tried to comfort me and said something that would make me think "are you serious?" 

Like: When I had cancer, I would hear things like, There is a reason this happened to you, it could be worse,  and the best one I heard was you have a good head to be bald.  I know I have an awesome and beautiful head but when you lose your hair for all the wrong reasons, this is something you don't want to hear. I know they didn't mean any harm, but....

God is with you and he has a plan. Through everything that you go through or whatever you are  doing to help someone through their tough times. You play a part in that. He doesn't tell you his plan. He doesn't tell you what your part is in this plan. You have to have faith that God knows what he is doing.  You have to hold on to God, sometimes tight, and let him guide you to where you need to be. He wants us in his story and we have to take that step of faith to be included in it. You may not know where you are going, but God does.

It doesn't always have to be hard times. We are part of this in the good times as well. We just don't see it when we are happy, we tend to remember the hard times more. For me, I think one of the parts I play in this plan is with my family. To be the best mom, aunt, wife, daughter that I can be. To be an example and show love. To carry on the traditions and life story of my family. My memories of this is fish fry picnics every year. KFC every Sunday after church at my grandpas house. Aunt Vicki's "fruit salad" at our family picnics. Camping and fishing every summer, (well I didn't fish, I dissected the worms). Reading the birth story of Jesus every Christmas (and fighting with my brother whose turn it is to read it, so that my dad had to start keeping track of it!).

If you want to make a change in the world, start with YOURSELF. Smile MORE. Have MORE fun.  Love MORE. And then you will SEE change. 

Love to all,