Checking My Pulse

Photo Copyright 2011 Alycia W. Morales

I spent the weekend at a women's conference in Myrtle Beach, SC. I enjoyed a time of refreshing at the beach, listening to the ocean, and recognizing how vast God is. 

Just when I think I know Him, He shows me another side of His glory. Just when I think I've seen everything there is to see on the beach, something new washes ashore. Just when I think I've got life all figured out, God reveals another facet, and I have to stop to examine myself in His reflection.

My pastor's wife and I were walking down the beach, discussing the conference and the weekend. As we looked at the variety of seashells washed ashore, I offered recommendations as to how the conference could improve. It always brings me a time of refreshing, but this year I found myself wanting more. And getting tired of two hours of worship each session. And wishing they'd put a time frame on the speaker's message. And wishing they'd ask the speakers to join the music ministry so we could actually hear a word during their time of speaking ministry. Instead of worshiping some more.

Do I dislike worship? Absolutely not. I love worship. I understand that I am created to worship. I understand that worship brings me into a place of intimacy with the Lord.

However, I can worship anytime, anyplace. And when I attend a conference, I want to hear the word of God. I want to receive a message just for me. I want a spiritual refreshing. I want to hear a speaker. And I wasn't getting that this time. Last year, yes. This year, not so much. 

I could hear the disappointment in my voice as I proclaimed my ideas on how they could improve their conference. And then it hit me. 

"Am I too critical?" I asked her.

"Yes."

And I quieted my heart, my mind, and my mouth. And we kept walking in silence. Sometimes, a friend will be honest and tell you something about yourself you might not want to hear. I know mine did. And I love her for it. And I've been considering what she said ever since. Because God spoke more to me through her in one short minute than He did through the speakers the entire weekend. 

I've asked Him to reveal if I have a critical spirit, or if I have an innate talent to see what is lacking and can be improved. Do I criticize people? Or am I critical of things? Are my expectations too high? Am I putting my own agenda above His? These are all things I'm considering and will continue to think about until He reveals the answers. And I will try my hardest not to be critical of others, because a critical spirit leaves no room for mercy.

In the meantime, I'll also try not to be too critical of myself. Which is what I am. I recognize my own deficits and continually try to improve, but beat myself up when I don't. Or when I slack off. Or when I know I need to do something, but I just don't feel up to it today... 

Which leads me to you, my readers. I've been analyzing why I write and what I want to accomplish with my writing. My top goal in writing is to minister to the hearts of women. I want to write about life issues we all deal with. I want my readers to walk away with a knowledge that you are not alone; other people are experiencing the same issues, emotions, shortcomings, accomplishments, life... I want to draw you closer to God. I want you to be comfortable with yourself as He created you. I want to encourage you with my words, not drag you down or shun you. So, what are you dealing with today? What would you like to hear about? What do you need? What questions do you have that you'd like answered? Because it isn't all about me. It's about Jesus, and it's about you. That's why I write. Please leave your answers in the comments below. I'd love to hear your hearts! And thank you for following me as I follow hard after Him.

Friday Friends

~ My BFF Mary Denman and Me ~

Some days, I like to take a moment to spotlight others in my life for all of the wonderful gifts God has given them. I like to share the blessings they bring with others. Today is one of those days. Below, I've listed multiple links to various posts, blogs, and videos that have inspired me. Enjoy!

Alicia Bruxvoort - This is a post from a Mom whose children bless her with the things they say and draw her closer to God.

Glynnis Whitwer - Although I don't "know" Glynnis personally, I love reading her blog, Welcome Home. She is full of insight into the Word, and her honest transparency is refreshing. This article is about the importance of spiritual training.

Edie Melson - Edie is one of my close, personal friends. She is my encourager. Although her blog focuses on writing, she includes a weekly devotion. This post is also concerned with spiritual health.

Lynn Huggins Blackburn - One of my favorite things about Lynn is her candid sense of humor. She takes life and tells it as it is, and it's always funny. Here, she talks about being a hypocrite...

Mary Denman - Do you want to sit back and relax and take in some sites? Mary's photography is amazing! I wish she'd put more of her photos up for you to see...

Proverbs 11 - Can You Keep a Secret?

"A talebearer reveals secrets,

 But he who is of a faithful spirit 

 conceals a matter."

 ~ Proverbs 11:13

The girls at school didn't like me. When senior year arrived, one of them confronted me on the sidewalk. "Why don't you ever talk to us? What's your problem?"

I never answered her. I walked away without responding. Inside, however, my thought went something like this: Maybe it's because every time I ever talked to you, you took whatever I said and turned it into a blazing fire of gossip. I don't talk to people I can't trust. 

Girls can be horribly cruel to one another. And for what purpose? So they can get ahead, usually. Gossip is a web of lies and fabrications woven by those who have low self esteem, who have to push others down so they rise up in social status. For some reason, girls think this is cool. 

I don't.

What's even sadder is that it happens in churches today. Women can't keep secrets. I've heard of several accounts where a woman takes something personal to another woman in the church, expecting the Christian response of sworn secrecy. "Promise you won't tell anyone." They bring their deepest issues to counsel, who they hope they can trust to keep it behind closed doors. They don't want their dirty laundry aired for all to see. And yet, women in the church can't keep their mouths shut, and on Sunday morning, half the congregation is staring at Mary Jane, and she's wondering why...

As a ministry leader, I get this Proverb. No one wants to talk to someone who is going to share their secrets with everyone in their group of friends. Many women have come to me because they trust me; they know they can tell me something without it going anywhere else. I make it a point to mention that before they talk, as well. Because I know the pain that comes with revealed secrets. I know the embarrassment and humiliation one feels after being exposed.

I wouldn't want it to happen to me, so I would never do it to another. It's the golden rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

You may find you have a friend for life.

Does this mean you never share someone's struggle with suicidal thoughts with someone else? Say, a Pastor or Psychologist? No. There are some secrets we don't keep. Use wisdom. If someone's in true danger, that's not the secret to keep. But be open and honest with them. Tell them that because you love them, you must get help for them. And walk them through it.


What do you say? Can you keep a secret?

Photo courtesy of Israel Papillon

I Need More Friends

Ezra brought a form home from school last week. He wanted his father and I to approve his attendance in a socialization group at school. The guidance office had put together a group for kids who wanted to develop their friendship skills. And my son wanted to attend.

I found myself thinking proud thoughts of my son. He was taking initiative to overcome a problem spot in his character. He recognized his deficiency in an area and went about pursuing change. I admire his strength and courage.

"Mom, I want more friends. I want everyone in my class to like me." That's where it all began. 

Ezra has struggled with fitting in ever since we started moving with Vic's job. His sense of humor is odd. He's a little awkward when excited about something. He likes to hear himself talk, so he makes noises when he has nothing else to say. He has a compassionate spirit, which attracts bullies. He's sensitive, so everything hurts, and he needs a Band-aid for a scratch. Everything is a big deal to him. Because he cares.

I've tried encouraging him and feeding his need for acceptance, recognition, and companionship. I've pointed out how fearfully and wonderfully made he is, how great it is he cares for other people so much. I've pointed out that other kids may not see how good a friend he'd be. And I've fed him scriptures.

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly." Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

I thought back on my own childhood. The brunt of many jokes, I learned early in my life that friends were few and far between. Not everyone would like me. Not everyone would want to play what I wanted to play. Not everyone would treat me fairly. Not even close...

I tried explaining this to my son, who wants everyone in his class to like him and is taking measures to attempt making that a reality in his life. 

"We only have a few friends in life who stick closer than a brother, Ez. Not everyone will like us all the time. Friends will come. Friends will go. But there will always be a handful of friends who you'll keep in touch with forever. Five years may go by without a word, and then you'll talk for a day, and it'll be like you just spoke yesterday. It's these people who are your true friends. They're like family."

I know he gets it to some degree. He has a friend like that. His name's TJ. He sees him once or twice a year, but they've been best buds since toddler-hood. 

I have friends like that. Francesca, from college. Amanda, from childhood. Jeanne & Michelle, from "home." Mary, my new best friend. Years can go by without a word, but when we talk, it's like we spoke yesterday.

And then, there's Jesus. My best friend in the whole universe. He is there each and every moment of each and every day. His love never changes. I can talk to Him anytime. His friendship is irreplaceable, and He's closer than any brother or sister will ever be.

Who are your friends? Can you count them on one hand, like me and Ezra? Send them an encouraging note today, thanking them for their friendship. I'm sure it'll make their day!

Fabulous Friends on Friday

This week's fabulous friend is a fellow paper lover, like me! Meet Miss Sarah, owner of PaperPeddler, where you can find all of your scrapbook paper needs!

Please tell us about yourself…

Hmm... I am mom to two little girls. Sydney is 5 1/2 and Natalie is 4. They attend a Montessori school which gives me plenty of time to work on my shop. I opened Paper Peddler on February 28, 2008 as a second shop. My first shop, Chickadee Cards, just wasn't moving fast enough for me and I was becoming discouraged. Paper Peddler did well from the very start. I sold 4 items just hours after listing them so, I was all set to go from there! Sales are very motivating. I enjoy the shop so much and have never looked back.

What is your first crafting memory?
Hard to say. I definitely get my arty/craftiness from my dad. He "owned" the basement and had a huge art studio area. I remember sitting with him and watching him draw, paint, airbrush, do stained glass - you name it. I also very specifically remember a really rainy day (like it is here today) where I sat for hours, or so it seemed, and worked with oil pastels/craypas. I always think of rainy days as good art days.

How did your shop get its name?
I like alliteration. So, I thought about what I wanted to sell in my shop and actually went through the "P"'s in the dictionary until I came up with something I liked and that was available for a user name on etsy ( I'm not the only one who likes the double p's for paper). So, I settled on "Paper Peddler" and I'm very happy with it!

What is your favorite medium to use in your crafting, and why?
That's easy - Paper of course! I really do have a paper addiction and luckily, my hubby understands..well, at least he puts up with it, lol. I get so inspired by paper. I love to just sit and look through collections. Sometimes, when in a craft store, I can pick up paper and have 100 ideas of what I would like to do with it rush through my head. Bringing home new paper makes me feel like a kid with new toys. I love the colors, the designs and prints, and textures (don't even get me started on things like glitter, foil and flocking accents).

If you could learn a new craft, what would it be? Why?
There are so many things. I feel like you are never your best at any art or craft form because as you continue to work and create, and time passes, you only get better and better. It's always a learning process and sometimes you discover new forms or techniques that interest you. I have been slowly studying Japanese bookbinding. I love books and would really like to take my love of paper, writing and reading, and create beautiful, hand-bound journals and notebooks.

Tell us about your office. Then, tell us about your dream office.

















My craft room/office is (very luckily) my dream space. Before I opened my shop I did a lot of "kitchen table" crafting which meant that everytime dinner was served, I had to pack up. It was really a pain, not to mention my supply stash was growing and growing. So, I took over what was my youngest daughter's room (that had been a sitting room and before that a dining room). I think I have finally settled on this being a genuine craft room. I even have an area for my girls and we spend a lot of time in there together. I love it and wish I could just live in there. The family can have the rest of the house, lol.

What or who is your biggest inspiration? Do you have an inspiring story you’d like to share?
Hmm..I don't know. Good question, but I think I would have to ponder that for a while.

Who is your biggest fan? How have they encouraged you?
ME! I am my biggest fan (and I'm laughing as I type but is true). O.K - My girls may be my biggest fans. They spend a lot of time with me in the craft room and I have even started to let them have a little input into what I'm doing. I let them pick out paper they like for paper piecings and they help "push buttons" on my cutter. I always make an extra that they can glue together and use in their own artwork. They really do cheer me on and like to watch me work. They are very good at telling me when they think something I made is pretty:)

What is your favorite item to create? Tell us about it.


As simple as they are, I really enjoy making my envelope seal stickers. I like to see how the papers I have chosen look when they have been cut into small circles. It's amazing how one thing (ex.- a large print of a flower) can make so many interesting designs when cut up into circles. I also really enjoy paper peicings and flowers sets. It's so much fun to pick and choose, and combine your favorite papers with other colors pulled from their designs.


What are your business goals for 2009?
GROW! GROW! GROW!

You can find more of Sarah's delightful papers and seals at:
PaperPeddler: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5661870

She is also an admin for the Etsypaper Street Team! Visit us at: http://etsypaper.ning.com/

Follow her blog at: http://paperpeddler.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Sarah! :)