Get Back out on the Field

For the past several years, I have been involved in Bible Study groups.  These groups give me so much more than just a knowledge of the Bible and how to apply it to my life.  I have come to view them as the "half time pep talk" of my life.

They give me an opportunity to connect with other women.  To hear their stories and learn from their mistakes.  To encourage them with things that have worked for me.  To share tears, joys and the moments of life.

But, I believe the most important role of these group meetings is to lift each other up.  To vent about life's struggles and leave them there.  To encourage each other to get back out on the field and play this game called life with confidence that the goal we are focused on is THE goal.  To develop a game plan to get to that goal and to lead our children there.  Especially in those moments when I'm not so sure that I want to be the mom anymore.

Bible study and a Caramel Mocha.  That can help you put just about anything into perspective. ;)

Do you have someone or a group that encourages you?  Who helps you to get back out on the field when you just want to hang it up?

Distance - 5 Minute Friday

This week's prompt from Gypsy Mama is on distance.

Distance.

The space between too points.

Where does the most distance lie in my life?  I would say that distance is between the person I am and the person that I want to be.  I struggle so hard with knowing what is right and doing it.  After a total meltdown with my kids yesterday, I keep wondering when is it going to get better?

When will my selfishness end?  When will I not be a slave to the schedule and circumstances?  When will I truly start living intentionally?

I feel like days, sometimes weeks, go by that I am achieving those goals.  There is focus and control.  But then one little boy gets mad at ME because he can't ride his bike yet.  One little girl is a hoarder in the making. And another little boy is being mischievous at school.  The volcano blows and out spews ugliness that I didn't even know lived in there.

This distance, between my desire and reality, is also distancing me from God and His will for me.  He wants consistent fruit, not occasional fruit with mostly nuts.  How can He bless me where I am when I am so often focused on me and my wants?

Stop.

Things I Learned Today

1. Ankylosaurs are my son's favorite herbivores.


2. An injection in to the hip joint is really as uncomfortable as it sounds.


3. Even in the middle of financial chaos, God provides glimmers of hope.


4. Retro Taco Doritoes are back in the grocery store, same packaging and all.  Pretty cool, but I left them in the store.


5. Working out with stated hip injection isn't as bad as I thought, especially with a fun friend.  


6. Philadelphia Cream Cheese Santa Fe Blend makes PHENOMENAL chicken enchiladas.

5 Minute Friday - If You Met Me

Today I am linking up to Gypsy Mama's blog.  She has given a prompt to write about for just 5 minutes.  Today's prompt is "If you met me..."  Let's see where this takes us.

If you met me....

You would see that I get a bit nervous meeting new people, but once I am comfortable, I will probably tell you a story about my family.  I've got some great quotes and I like to tell people the ages of my kids just to see how many questions they ask. ;)  

You would also see that I slouch too much, I wear the same jewelry all the time and my nails are always a mess no matter how hard I try.  You would probably hear me sigh in frustration at my kids one minute and then laugh with them the next.  They keep me on an emotional roller coaster.  

I would ask you lots of questions because I love to hear everyone else's stories. (We all have one!) And it is much easier for me to get you talking than to come up with something interesting to say.  

You would definitely see that my favorite color is green because I am always wearing it, even if it is just on my toes.  Speaking of toes, you would see how little I like shoes because, odds are, I am wearing flip-flops. :)

Done.

Wow, that was harder than I thought.    

Matthew 4 - Blogging Through the Gospels

One of my favorite blogs that encourages Bible Literacy is Mom's Toolbox.  I have enjoyed reading through the Bible in 90 days with her.  Now, she has a reading plan for studying the Gospels.  I find this very fitting , especially coming into the Easter season.  I love to see the work of Christ from the different angles that are presented in the Gospels.

Todays' reading was Matthew 4.  I am using the SOAP format to investigate the Word.  Here is what stuck out to me:

Scripture:  Matthew 4:11 Then the devil left Him and angels came and attended to Him.


Observation:  The devil is real and a tormentor.  But after Jesus was in the desert for 40 days, alone, fasting and being tempted, His Father sent angels to care for Him.

Application:  I LOVE the picture that this provides of those glorious angels sent from the Father to care for His Son!  I can only imagine how tender and loving they were towards His body that had been weakened by 40 days without food.

Prayer:  Father, God, help me to attend to my family, friends and neighbors the way that the angels attended to Christ, with loving-kindness and tender mercy.  Thank you for the reminder that You care for Your children.

Welcome to the Way

If you are joining me from the Ultimate Blog Party, Welcome!  I am so glad you stopped by!  Here I blog about my family, my faith and fitness.  You can expect to see posts like this:

As I was cleaning up the dinner dishes tonight I asked Jay (7) to wipe off the table for me. To which he replied, "Uhhh, you're not supposed to be talking to me."

Me: "WHAT?  Why?"

Jay: "YOU need to learn the way of Jay.  We only communicate with notes."

Me: (Laughs hysterically) "Make sure you push the chairs in when you are done wiping the table.  And I CAN write it down for you."

My table is nice and clean, with everything back where it belongs.