BY FAITH

"Ever find yourself wondering what the next step is in life? Feel like you are just not sure what God wants you to do next?
That is exactly how I have been feeling in this current season of my life.
I poured myself whole-heartedly  into creating Soul Steps then launching it, and hosting 3 seven-week sessions. During this time I was also training to become a Christian Life Coach. I have since received my certification. I have been diligent, devoted, nose-to-the grindstone, busy,  getting it done.
And now.
Now I am finding myself in a strange season of life. Not at all because I have nothing to DO. I doubt I will ever find myself at a time in life when I do not  have a lengthy to-do list waiting to be checked off. I am ever productive and always have a project or ten that I am working on. But there is something different about this little lul I am in.  Which by the way comes in very handy because I have a precious grand-angel about to arrive.  ;)
This morning I went to the Word for some direction and clarification. I figured I would finish where I left off in Hebrews and after I did that I would look for further inspiration. Yea, well it was all right in front of me all along.
You see I have been reading and journaling in my new journaling Bible and as I read Hebrews 11 & 12 and then looked back over some of the notations I have made in the journaling column I found the very answers I was seeking. Isn't that just like God!? Confirmation that God wants us to share, to "stir up one another." The Word reminded me that He does not want us to "throw away our confidence." That "we have need of endurance to do the will of God."
Of course while reading all of this my ever questioning mind of mine was already working overtime.  Questions popping into my head while I was reading verse after verse of inspiration. Then I flipped to the pages that points  out how the "people of old" did the things they did BY FAITH.  Verse after verse tells of those who acted BY FAITH: Abraham, Noah, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joseph. BY FAITH the Egyptians crossed the Red Sea, BY FAITH the walls of Jericho crumbled. (See Hebrews 11)
The questions I have about the details, the things that I cannot figure out are apparently to be dealt with BY FAITH.
Hebrews 11:8 says "BY FAITH Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going...by faith...."
So I may not know where I am going or how to navigate my way there but I do know the One who does. Today I will begin taking the first steps of faith forward into this land unknown. Trusting that He knows and He will show me the way.
Let me encourage you to do the same. Do not continue standing with your feet planted in fear. That dream, that vision, those things you have meant to do...start today. One step at a time. BY FAITH. Believe me you will not be alone if you invite Him as your travel partner.

TIME

Time is the equalizer of all mankind.
No one can obtain more than another in any way. Even the rich cannot purchase more.
 We are all given the same 24 hours a day. 1,440 minutes a day to use to our best ability.
Yet have you ever found yourself feeling as if you do not have enough time? Do you ever find yourself looking at the lives and accomplishments of others and feel as if somehow they must have more time in order to do all that they do?
I suppose some of you are like me, wishing for more time in a day. Wishing for more time to accomplish the things on our lengthy lists.
I have some pretty big goals and aspirations this year so I know I must figure out how to conquer this time machine issue.
How does one fit it all in?
Maybe that is part of the issue right there. Maybe it is not possible and that is part of the problem. I try to fit more in than I should, more than is possible.
Don't we all?
I do want to do it ALL. I want to go everywhere and do everything I can. I want to be at every event, take every opportunity I can. How does one choose which ones are better than another? Which ones are more important than another?
I think part of the answer lies in finding our gauge in which to measure things by. Measuring the importance and value of the decisions of which things matter most.
But how do we do that?
How do we come up with a gauge, a standard, a guide?
I think it lies in the things that we value, what matters most. We make room for the things that are important, the things God wants us to squeeze into the nooks and crannies of our 1,440 minutes of each day.
One of the ways I have practiced for the past few years as a guideline for measuring the ways I should use my time and energies is to choose "a word of the year".
This word is used as a focus, a source of encouragement a rudder and guide in my daily life.
This word is something I keep at the forefront, I make it present in my life so I am reminded of  my intentions.
I spend a lot of time coming up with my word each year. This year I thought I had my word figured out only to discover that this word I had chosen was causing me more frustration than encouragement.
 I had chosen the word DO.
 I had good intentions, pure motives when I chose the word. Yet as time goes by I find that this word causes me to feel the pressure of doing more than is possible. I chose it because I am trying to accomplish some things that have been on my heart for a very long time, things that keep on getting put off because everything else in life has a way of trumping these things I want so desperately to do.
So I am back at the drawing board.
Maybe my word is ACCOMPLISH? I need to focus on accomplishing the dreams God has placed in my heart. I want nothing more than to finally be at a place of accomplishment. I want to achieve my goals! I am ready for God to use me the way I know He wants to.
What about you? Do you have a word of the year? Did you choose one only to find that it caused you more struggle than encouragement? If you did, you can re-think it. It does not matter what month it is. You are not stuck. God has great things in store for you, for your life. Open yourself up to Him.
I would love to hear about your word for the year.
How you came up with it and how it has served you.
I know it will take more than one little word for me to find the time I need to, to keep myself focused, but it is a start. I pray daily that God will lead me and direct me every step of the way, each of those 1,440 seconds of every day.

RE...............

I have finally had time to sit and read and write and think and ponder and pray and look forward to the NEW YEAR with faith and hope and anticipation.

I love this time of the year for this very reason!!!

I am one of those who loves to set aside time to come up with a plan for a new start, a fresh beginning, a RE-grouping of sorts.

I do not believe that New Year's Eve/Day and thereabouts has any magical power....I just believe it is a great reminder to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN...to the world and our life around us. To REflect over the past year, the blunders, the absurdities, the blessings, and everything in-between. To RE-evaluate that which you stand for, the traps you have fallen into and all that you have forgotten to REmember!

It is a fabulous time to RE-focus.

In doing so I literally list the areas of my life that I believe need to be fine tuned (actually I list them all and RE-evaluate each one of them). I try to REmember the things I felt over the year, good and bad, making sense of each one of the feelings and the REsults they had in my life.

I REport to GOD and together we REorganize what needs more attention, what needs to be REleased and how I need to go about all of this!

Some of it does not come without a heavy price.

This year I had to come to a few decisions that will affect me both good and bad, but it was time. One of those was to choose to REduce the amount of time I work so I can REgain my health. It will be a financial sacrifice but it will also hold great REwards in the end I am certain.

So I am sort of REorganizing my life.

It is also time to REnew my commitments, REflecting on what those are and how they need to be REpurposed to serve me better in 2011.

I do not feel as if I am REinventing myself so much as I am simply REcovering that which was already there, which leads to a REnewing of my BODY, MIND and SPIRIT.
It was time I REspect myself enough to REplenish that which has gotten lost in the shuffle of life.

As I look at all the lists, the REsolutions, I have ultimately made...I am feeling REjuvinated to REpurpose my time and my energies...it is a REcipe for the new year.

It is my tendancy to fret and worry and be consumed.....instead I am going to REjoice in the fact that GOD has it ALL under control. (I may need REminded of this from time to time!) he he!!!

So, a little late I know but HAPPY NEW YEAR dear ones!!!
May you find the RE's in your life and come alive and thrive in 2011!!!!!

XO
Love & Blessings!

This Weekend I....

* Went to a Bridal Shower for one of my sweet nephews' fiance's. Congratulations Lacey & Christopher!!!It was sooooo fun to be around family!!!

* Went to dinner with my sweet husband and while we were waiting saw some of the sweet young'ins that grew up with my kiddos....they are no longer "youngins" of course! It was sooo good to see them and to have a quick, sweet chat!

* Did laundry, changed sheets, weeded the flower garden....

(not a big housework weekend! ;)

* Spent too long at Michaels looking for a product that apparently they no longer stock...something I NEED for a project I am making that needs to be done NEXT WEEKEND!

uh oh!!!!

* Went to Home Depot for parts for the sprinker system that was punctured by the jumper/water slide we had for our big party!

* Went grocery shopping.

* Sat out at the pool, under the shade of a palm tree, with a warm breeze blowing, holding a sleeping baby, while watching the other little guy show me tricks he could do in the "CA CUZZI!" ;) ...now that is the life!!!!

* Had a another major fibro attack (or whatever is going on in my body these days!)....could barely walk!!! ugh!!!

* Read and studied two chapters for my Bible Study...Battlefield of the Mind.

* Swam a few laps.

* Watched American Graffitti with my sweet, car lovin' husband!

* Got my old lap top back, restored by my cousins SWEET husband!!!! Thank you Sam!!!!!

* Started a special project for a special bride-to-be (the one that I always thought was gonna be my daughter-in-law!) he he!!!

I am so thankful for weekends, for time to re-group and do the things I never have time for all week long.

I have been struggling with my health lately so it has been harder than usual. I feel so out of sorts. I also injured myself in a fall about 2 months ago and my toe still has not healed....I guess I need to go get it X-rayed. Life is full of up's and down's....I try my best to stay strong and positive no matter what stage of the game I am in. It is not always easy, nor am I always successful.....but I have learned that the key is to keep on believing. Believe that GOD IS IN CONTROL.....He knows all, sees all.....IS ALL!!!

I pray that if you are feeling overwhelmed, distraught, overcome, frustrated, depressed, that you will seek GOD and HIS help. Immerse yourself in the Word of God. That is the greatest tool we have. It is a sharp, two edged sword, but it does no good in it's sheath. You must use it. Write the Word on your heart, recite it often, the devil HAS to flee when the name of Jesus is uttered!

Some times all that can come out of my mouth is simply "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus"....and that is enough!!!!!

So, here's to a great week. The first week of AUGUST, can you believe that???

I pray you enjoy every precious moment, that you will find time for all the things that matter most to you!

Remember....our lives are the sum of the choices we make!!!!

Family Photo Time.....

This pretty much sums up our family!!!
We have so many WONDERFUL photos to choose from, but this one is so priceless and so "US". I have no idea what my son is saying/doing....but we obviously think it is pretty funny! :)




Last week was
FAMILY*FRIENDS & FUN TIME!

Since our son had just arrived home from Afghanistan we decided we would do a little "staycation", a time where everyone could gather at home, play, swim, hang out, visit, catch up, watch old home movies.....
We also took several day trips ending with a day in Disneyland where we had to say our good-byes. James' little angels were so sad, they did not want to say good-bye to us! Melted my heart!! (I, of course, did not want to say good bye either!) As we were driving off it occurred to me, ahhhhh this time it is NOT for several MONTHS! :)

I am so thankful for my family, for the relationships we all share. We are like all families, we have had our share of troubled times and rough patches along life's highway....but always we are each other's safe place, the ones we can talk to, lean on, depend on. We care deeply for one another and we LOVE having time TOGETHER!!!!

My three kiddos have brought SEVEN little angels into my heart and life. I cannot imagine life without these precious ones! They are amazing...precious and beautiful inside and out.

On our way home last nite (can you even believe that we were stuck in major gridlock at 11pm-2:30 am)!?!?!? Jim and I were talking about our blessings and how we LOVE this grandparenting gig! When our kiddos were little we were busy providing for them, disciplining them, learning about life and figuring things out. But NOW, we are in a whole different season where we KNOW that the time will be short (they will grow up way too fast), that we can ENJOY them (I love telling them that they have to ask the parents! snicker, snicker...). I have also realized that our influence is valuable and unique....no one else has this place of influence that we do....I take that very seriously. I want to show them how loved and treasured they are, and when need be I want to be able to offer advice or HELP to the parents cos I know what a tough job it is to raise children.

Tomorrow is back to work, back to the grind of every day life. But I feel refreshed and restored and I have many precious memories alive in my heart that I share with some of the most amzing people on this planet!!!!

Love & Blessings to you and yours!

What is your PASSION?

I have been commissioned to create a couple of my special journals.
Oh how I love making these!

(I really need to come up with a clever "name" for these...anyone have any good ideas???)

Both of them are for 50th birthdays (which is real close to where i am in life) so it is close to my heart and easy for me to come up with the journaling prompts. I get information about the birthday person and incorporate that info into the questions that I pose within the 50 prompts.

Fun Fun!!!

When I get home from work I go into my studio and "play"...I love it! Maybe some day I can work up to making a living doing this kind of thing....that and writing. Ah, that would be my idea of the GOOD LIFE!!!

What is YOUR passion? Are you finding time to incorporate it into your life?

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive".
~Harold Whitman

Blessings!
Sherry