Life Happens, So Go with the Flow

First, let me apologize for how sporadic my posts have been in the past two months. I realize that good blogging etiquette means preparing posts ahead of time when you know you'll be on the road or absent for a while, but sometimes one becomes so busy they don't have time to set that up. And so, we go with the flow of life.

I'm not trying to make excuses for myself. I want to give you the courage to say, "Hey. Life happened. So I took some time off from one priority to focus on another that needed my attention."

Since I appreciate you, my reader, I would love to share what's been taking up my time these past two months:

The kids and I drove from New Mexico sunrises to...

Stop in Tennessee, where I signed my author/agent contract with 

Jonathan Clements of Wheelhouse Literary.

Then we headed for "home" and Upstate New York sunsets.

And family hikes...

We celebrated Ezra's 14th birthday.

I took the cousins to a Secret Keeper Girl : Crazy Hair Tour event.

And mid-September, we finally moved into our rental home.

I've been unpacking these for the past two weeks.

And these...

And these...

The best thing about our yard so far is the apple tree,

where she likes to come to eat.

The kids have started school at the local Christian academy.

We've celebrated my niece's Sweet 16.

And she and I both reacted this way when we found out she gets to go to Comic Con in October.

And we've celebrated Gooby's 9th birthday.

And finally, this week, the leaves have been turning amazing colors -

something I've been looking forward to seeing since we moved a little over a month ago.

And there you have it! It's been a busy month and a half, to say the least. I am pleased to have my office unpacked and be able to return to work, and my posts should become regular again soon. Thank you for your patience in the meantime. And remember, don't stress if life happens and some things cannot get done for a season. If they're important, they'll still be there when life settles down again. Give yourself and others some grace. It goes a long way...

Friday {in focus} ~ Be Strong & Courageous

I'm not very fond of heights like these. My son is, however.

It's likely you'll find him on top of rocks, in the tops of trees, or on top of a mountain.

This world is full of scary things these days.

Wars. Rumors of wars. Famine. Sex trafficking. Drug cartels.

Pornography. Murder. Politicians. Shootings. Wild fires. Hurricanes.

Death. Destruction.

And for Christians, it seems, attacks.

Everyone else can scream about their rights. Their liberties. Their faiths.

But they want to shut us up.

I pray that my son is not only a tree climber and a mountain hopper.

I pray that he grows into a man of God who is not afraid.

Not afraid to stand up for His faith.

Not afraid to stand up for the Truth.

 Not afraid to defend women and children, widowers and orphans.

Not afraid to stand up to corruption and evil.

I pray that we can all be strong and courageous. Him, me, and you.

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

~ Joshua 1:7

Friday {in focus} - Cross Over

This isn't the prettiest picture. The light's a little to bright. The lines aren't even. It's not straight.

Just like obstacles in our lives. We're presented with ugly circumstances. We're blinded by distractions. The path is too crooked.

But we all have a promised land. We all have a call on our lives. We were all created for a God-specific purpose.

If only we would cross over. If only we would allow God to divide the sea, bring that wall down, or destroy the Goliath standing in our way. What stands in your way?

Jesus overcame all of it when He died on the cross. He conquered death. He provided abundant life.

And we, through the name of Jesus, have been given that same power. The power to speak to the mountain and have it move. The power to cross the Jordan. The power to slay Goliath.

It's time to cross over and enter into the life that God has called you to.

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:

 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.

~ Joshua 1:1-2

Finding Faith in the Desert Places

It takes more than a mustard seed of faith to move to the desert. Especially when one runs into disappointments along the way.

Picture this:

God has called you out of your comfort zone. What you've known all your life. Whether it's working as Pharaoh's slave or living on the lush East Coast. It's all you've ever known.

He's asking you to travel a road you've never crossed before, let alone driven along. Or walked. You're not sure what's on the other side. You're a little nervous, maybe anxious. Maybe you doubt. You ask yourself (and possibly God) if this is really the right path.

But He asks you to trust Him. To have faith. Even if it's only a mustard seed's worth.

So you set out upon this new journey. You're hesitant yet curious. You muster up all of the hope you can, because you believe God knows what He's doing. You wonder what the new place holds. What is God's plan? Will you find blessings you never dreamed of? Will you face trials and temptations? Because you've read the stories. You know Jesus was tempted in that desert wilderness. You know the Israelites spent all those years complaining in the desert place and never saw the Promised Land. Except Joshua and Caleb. Maybe you could be as courageous as them.

Disappointment number one hits. You must leave behind something you truly love. Why would God ask you to give someone or something away? Especially when they'll be 2,000 miles away? Trust Me. He whispers in that still-small voice you've come to know. And sometimes still question if it's Him or your head. He reminds you that everything belongs to Him. If He can take care of the birds of the air, He can take care of the boy and the animal that you love.

So you journey onward. Putting miles between you and your comfortable place. Adding nerves and sharp edges to your soul. You pray you don't lose your patience, your grace, your gentle and kind tongue. Because this trip is hard. It's difficult. And it's full of things not seen.

You arrive at your first stop. It's not where you planned to be. It's miles away. It's scary. It's unclean. You wonder if you and your life's possessions will be safe for the night. You feel the Egyptians gaining on you. But God. He lights a fire in the darkness. He reminds you of His presence at every turn. Even as you pull the blinds tight and secure every lock on the door. His perfect love casts the fear out of you, and you rest. Or try to.

A new day dawns, and you continue onward. This day holds anticipation and disappointment at the same time. There isn't enough time to do everything you wanted to do. Not enough time to meet two friends, only one. Disappointment in one missing handshake. Joy in the other. As your spirit conflicts within you, you take every opportunity for this to be a blessed experience. You celebrate friendship and a rest along the journey. 

The landscape changes. It goes from green and fruitful to brown and barren. Here a shrub. There a cactus. You wonder how life can be sustained in such a dry place. You wonder how one can survive in the furnace-like heat. And God reminds you of three men who refused to bow to the idols of their day. How He met them in that fiery furnace and preserved their lives. And increased their faith.

Suddenly you realize that those vast miles of reddened dirt are not mere plots of desert land. They're cotton fields. And cattle appear amidst the shrubbery. Wind mills harness energy and create power unseen by the naked eye. The land is rich with oil. The Holy Spirit whispers as you take it all in. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. It's the evidence of things not seen. Although the crops are not growing yet, the seeds are planted and harvest time is coming. I will always provide; you will never see My children begging for bread. Just as the windmills gather the unseen wind and produce power for your electronics, My Spirit is at work in you. Producing oil worthy of the Bridegroom's return. Do not fret, My child. I know the thoughts that I have for you. Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Because in the desert places faith increases.

Are You Willing to Follow God's Lead?

If God asked you to leave your hometown and your family to join Him on the road of life, would you be willing to follow His lead?

As many of you know, in 2008, God asked my husband and I to do exactly that. We'd been struggling financially for years. Until one day, Vic made one phone call that changed our lives. Thankfully, we said, "Here we are, Lord. Send us."

Maybe a career isn't the call one would expect to receive from God. Naturally,our first thoughts turn toward ministry, missions, or the like. But what if your career was your ministry?

Over the course of the past year, my husband has had numerous opportunities to speak into the lives of the men (and occasionally the women) he works with. If he hadn't said yes to God in 2008, the opportunity to reach these particular people may not have happened.

How does one walk in faith when the call of God takes you down roads you'd never imagine on your own? Here are a few pointers:

1. Trust God with all of your heart. There will be bumps and potholes along the way. When we put our trust in people or in our vehicles, we will always find someone who could care less if we reach our destination or a gas tank will fall off at the most inopportune time. Trusting God above all else is the only answer. He will provide for our needs as we focus on His will.

2. Don't depend on understanding everything. Sometimes, God is at work when the tunnel is dark and you're not sure where you're going. Or if there will be light again. Sometimes, patience is required while you wait for an answer to arrive. Jesus promised us that if we seek, we will find. If we knock, a door will open. Our own understanding is limited, but with God, all things are possible.

3. Acknowledge the Lord in everything. When that gas tank falls off and someone blesses you with a free or cheaper-than-usual vehicle, bless the Lord. When one church snubs you and another welcomes you in like you're family, praise God. When your tax return is smaller than you expected, and the company offers you an increase in pay, thank Jehovah Jireh, your provider.

4. Let God direct your path. We never know where we're going next. Until it's time to go. Like, "Hey, we're sending you to New Mexico in two weeks." Praise God. He knows exactly where He wants us to be at all times. When we trust His guidance, we have no need to worry or be anxious. Instead, we make our requests known to God and trust that His will is better than our own. So far, we've never been disappointed. Even if we don't see why He sent us in a particular direction until after the fact.

A Gift in the Waiting...Time

One thing about waiting that we can be certain of is that waiting takes time. Usually, that time is too long for our anxious hearts. However, God consistently speaks of the "appointed time" in life throughout the Bible.

I've posted about what to do while you're waiting and praying in the midst of the wait. Last night, I found myself tossing in my bed. Sometimes, God wakes me up with a word. This time, it was a reminder.

Time is a gift.

He whispered it real quiet-like. "When you receive a gift, you need to open it. Don't leave it sitting in a box on a shelf in your heart. Open it and use it."

How often do we hate the wait so much that we never do anything with it? How often do we sit and wait for what's next, instead of living in today?

There were ten virgins in Matthew 25. The Word says that five of them were wise and five were foolish. See, they were waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. Five of them had the sense to do something with their waiting time and gathered oil for their lamps. The five who were foolish didn't prepare. They came to the waiting place with no oil in their lamps. So when the time came for the groom to arrive, they weren't ready for Him. They begged the five wise ladies to spare some oil for them, but they knew how much they would need and could spare none. Five ladies met their bridegroom. Five did not. Because they weren't ready.

Time is a gift. We need to use it wisely. Tweet This

Rather than fretting over what's to come, we should be making preparations. We should be seeking the face of God in the now, not waiting to do so when He arrives and says, "It's time."

Why does God give us all of this time in waiting? Let's take a look at a few examples from the Word:

1. Time to Repent: "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent" (Revelation 2:21). He gives us time to repent of our sins, so that we can be prepared for what's to come. I sometimes wonder if things I know my husband and I are called to do haven't come to pass yet, because we still need to get some things right in our own lives. Actually, I'm certain of it. We are in the midst of a season of repentance in preparation for what's to come. What do you need to repent of that could be holding you back from God's plan for you?

2. Time to Store Up: "Let them do good, that they may be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:18-20). The ten virgins needed to store up their oil. They needed to have time to be filled with the Holy Spirit and do what God had called them to do. Five of them were wise and stored up their good foundation in Jesus. They took the time to know their Lord and Savior. Five of them did not. Jesus' response to them was, "I never knew you." God has a plan and purpose for everyone who loves Him. Before we can come into His will, we need to be prepared, so we don't cause another to fall when we fail. There's no worse feeling than seeing another person fail because you weren't prepared. Trust me, I know. By getting ready, we will have success in Jesus Christ in whatever He calls us to do.

3. Time to Redeem the Time: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). God allows us time to "buy up, to ransom, to rescue from loss, to improve opportunity." These are the definitions of "redeeming" in the Strong's Concordance. God wants to allow us time to improve our opportunity in these evil days. He wants us to become men and women of integrity who can share His love and His Word with those who don't know Him. He wants us to rescue time from loss. Be wise in the waiting. Don't fall asleep as the disciples did. Join Jesus in His will. Pray. Seek God's face. Do good works.

4. Time to Understand What the Lord Wills: "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17). The disciples didn't understand why Jesus became so frustrated with them in the Garden of Gethsemane. He told them to watch and pray. After He'd prayed for a time, He returned to find them sleeping. He tells them to watch and pray again, and this time He reveals the purpose of His will for them to do so. "...lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). When we refuse to take the time to pray and watch in the waiting, we open ourselves up to an attack from the enemy. We can say we love Jesus and wish to do His will, but our flesh tends to be weaker than our spirit. We succumb too easily to heavy eyelids and deaf ears and heavy hearts. Understand what God wills for you. Watch. Pray. And quit sleeping every time you go to church or open the Bible. "...the hour is at hand" (Matthew 26:45).

5. Time to Realize Life is Short: I am most guilty of this one. "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that'" (James 4:13-15). Not knowing where we will be sent next always leaves me wondering which city we'll be heading for and how long we'll be there. I spend a couple of hours a week, for about a month or two before the company tells us where we'll be going, looking at Google Maps and searching local schools and crime charts, trying to plan for what's to come--when I don't even know where we're going. Sad, right? I waste so much time, rather than taking care of today's cares. Life is short. We need to live in the here and the now, not the past (redeem that time) or the future (it could vanish tomorrow).

God's gift of time is precious. It's the oil in our lamps. It's the hour to tarry with Him. It's the opportunity to know Jesus and to prepare for God's opportunities in our lives. Don't waste it while you're waiting.

In the Midst of It...Praying Through the Wait

This morning, I struggle with the wait. I'm in the midst of it...the middle of not knowing. The anxiety of unanswered questions. The depression that follows the anxiety, pushing on the door of my heart, wanting to barge in and take control.

It's never easy - the not knowing. We all suffer from it at one time or another. For me, it's not knowing where or when we'll be moving on to the next project, yet knowing it's going to be sometime in the next month or two. And it will probably be a short notice. For some, it's not knowing where the money will come from before your electricity gets shut off or your house goes into foreclosure. For others, it's not knowing if the loved one will ever come out of the coma, be healed of the cancer, or overcome the addiction. For someone else, it's not knowing if the adoption will fall through or come through. At one point or another in our lives, we all face it.

But, how do we deal with not knowing? What do we do with this anxious knot in the pit of our stomach that threatens to push its way out through our eyeballs?

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Be anxious for nothing. Easier said than done, for sure. Especially if you're an emotional woman. This morning, I am certainly anxious. I have to continue to remind my brain {and my heart} that God is in control. This is out of my control. God must be the only one who knows what's to come, because even the managerial staff can't tell my husband (and themselves) what's to come. So, why should I be anxious?

I give it back to God through my prayers and supplications. Today, they sound like this:

Lord, take this anxiety away from me. I do not want depression. I do not want an attack. I want peace, Lord. The peace You give. That peace that passes all of my understanding. The peace that says, "I have it all under control, child. Rest in Me today." Please give me that peace, Lord. I am thankful for my husband's job. In a day where there are so many unemployed, I am extremely grateful for Your abundant provision, Lord. You are marvelous in Your works. Thank You, Jehovah Jireh! Lord, could You please bring closure? Could you please bring a good word to the sick hearts of the men on this job, who are waiting to find out where they are going next and when? Could you please provide answers soon? We know Your timing is perfect; our hearts are waning, Lord. We seek closure. We seek the next move. We seek the next phase of work, Lord. These are our humble requests. And while we wait on Your perfect timing, please guard our hearts and minds. Help us to dwell on those things that are true and of good report. Help us to consider those things we praise You for today - like a job, a healthy family, a roof over our heads, and food on our tables. We honor You, Lord. Amen.

I wrangle my thoughts and bring them to Jesus. He is my Provider in my time of need. He is my Salvation from the thoughts that try to overtake me. He is my Rock on which I stand in the midst of the storms of life. I will choose to worship Him today, despite my circumstances or situation.

Consider your anxiety today. Be anxious for nothing. Give it back to God and let Him handle it. He's got it all under control, friend. Let Him know what you wish for Him to do and then let Him take care of you. Thank Him. And enjoy your day. Tomorrow has its own worries...

Five Weight-Loss Resources for the Fat Girl

Last year, I tried to get back to my pre-pregnancy shape. More of a stick figure. Less of a pear. I went on a 15-day rapid weight-loss plan and had some success. I managed to lose eight pounds and keep them off for a few months. However, the fat girl returned this holiday season. I promised myself I would enjoy the Christmas cookies, chocolate bars, and Gingerbread Lattes with no remorse. By December 31st, I had regained those eight pounds and added five more. Ouch! {Remorse.}

It's January. The new year rang in, and so did the determination to lose the weight and turn my muffin-topped pear into a six-pack. (Well, at least I'd like to fit back into my new jeans again.)

5 Weight-Loss Resources for Fat Girls Like Me

1. The Bible - There are several scriptures that provide hope, confidence, and determination. Here's one of my favorites:

I can do all things (God calls me to do) through Christ who strengthens me. 

     ~ Philippians 4:13

2. 100 Pound Loser: How I Ate What I Wanted, Had Four Babies, & Still Took Control of My Weight - And You Can Too! by Jessica Heights

I just found this book through a post on another blog. I immediately downloaded it from amazon. And, I cannot wait to read it, since the author has a really great sense of humor. Her title says it all, doesn't it?

{Click on the book covers to be linked to the storefront attached.}

3. The Birchcreek Secret to Total Health by Ron and Julie Odato

Meet Ron and Julie Odato. Friends of mine who happen to have a book. They also happen to run a successful weight-loss retreat and have seen miracles happen in people's lives as those people have taken control of their dietary habits. It's their 15-day plan I participated in last year that helped me lose the eight pounds.

I recommend their book.

4. Reshaping it All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness by Candace Cameron Bure

Many may recognize Candace as Full House kid, DJ Tanner. What I love about her book is that she not only focuses on the physical, but she understands the importance of the spiritual, as well. I cannot do anything in my own willpower. Eventually, I will fail. In Jesus, I can find success. Her book focuses on that aspect of our health, as well.



5. REFIT Cardio Dance Fitness Videos 
 I LOVE these videos. They're available on YouTube, and I'm subscribed. I can work out any time I want to, in the privacy of my own home. Most of the music the girls use is Christian. The music that isn't is clean. It's upbeat fun! I love that their routines are easy to follow, since they use repetition in their dance moves within each song. I can piecemeal them together, or I can use an entire 8-song routine, depending on my schedule for the day. And trust me when I say that you will be feeling it -- all over. They work more than one area every routine they do. Here's a sample for your viewing pleasure:

PS - Don't forget to shake your booty!

In the Meantime...What to Do While Waiting

Let's face it; none of us likes to wait. In this day of microwaves, high-speed internet, and jumbo jets, we want everything we need, ask for, or desire in an instant. Delayed gratification? What's that? An ancient term to some.

But life remains full of waiting: long lines at WalMart (can't they open another lane?), hours in the doctor's waiting room (why did I need to schedule an appointment, then?), adoption approvals, healing, employment in the midst of unemployment, financial breakthrough, spiritual breakthrough. You name it, someone is probably waiting on it.

Why? Because God has His own timing, and it's perfect. We chew our fingernails and pull out our hair, panicking in our boats of life because Jesus seems to be sleeping on it. Yet, His word says to wait and have faith.

"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

~ Psalm 27:14

So, what does one do while waiting on the Lord? If you're like me, you have a difficult time sitting still. My brain runs at 100 miles-per-minute. Waiting in one place is awkward and uncomfortable. I must have something to do in the meantime.

5 Things to Do While Waiting

Pray. Read. These would seem obvious to some. However, when we get busy with life, we tend to forget the simple things. By praying, we can hear direction from the Lord. We may be waiting for one thing, while God's trying to move us toward another. Reading His Word can also give us that direction.

Study. Be an intern or learn from a mentor. There are things I want in life that I would have no clue in and of myself how to gain them or maintain them. The only way I can ever see these dreams come to pass is if I study how to do so. While I wait for God's perfect timing, I can be reading, learning, and putting myself into a position for the dream to become a reality.

Practice. Violinists don't become prodigies overnight. Writers don't write best-sellers the first time they put a pen to paper. It takes practice to become what God is calling you to be. While you wait to paint the historical masterpiece, pick up the watercolors and the brush. Have some fun and become good at what you do, in the meantime.

Pay attention to the game. Football players don't sit back and relax on the bench during a game. They have to keep their head in it, focusing on what's happening on the field, what their teammates are doing. Why? Because they never know when the coach is going to call them into the game. In order for the team to be successful enough to win it, they have to know what's going on and be ready to jump in, picking up where their teammate left off.

Live in the moment. Don't regret the mistakes of the past. They make us who we are today. Those experiences taught us what works and what doesn't. Don't jump ahead to the future, either. Keep your eye on the horizon and what's to come. But, don't miss what God has in store for you today because you want tomorrow to arrive already. There are things in today that you and I need in order for tomorrow to come as God intended it to. Look for them. Cherish them. In doing so, you'll be living life in abundance.