On a Mission

Amidst a sink full of dishes, a table covered in schoolwork, an unmade bed, a couch half-full of laundry...I am a missionary. As I write that, I see now how it sounds like a beautiful excuse for my messy house. A noble explanation to make myself feel better. But, it's true. Is your life like this too?

I am on a mission to raise up children who know they are loved by their parents, and more importantly that they are loved by God. I am on a mission to seek the Truth that sets me free. I am on a mission to resist complaining and arguing so the light in me (only by God's grace!) can shine out into a dark world who may not know yet that they need Him.

Fixing my eyes on Jesus, not on what's undone.

Praying for those who need Him, not focusing on myself.

Giving thanks in all things, because there is no other way to real living.

(What?!? You wanted pictures of this mess? No way!!! :) ) 

Blessings Unlimited

Happy New Year to you! I hope that these past two weeks have already started your year off well. If not, it's okay - God's mercies are new every morning. I am glad about that!

I am so excited about the two giant boxes sitting in my living room right now. They are filled with beautiful things from a company called Blessings Unlimited. This company was founded in 2006 by DaySpring c Inc., the world's leading producer of Christian greeting cards and gift. I've just become a consultant for Blessings and can't wait to get started! I was really looking forward to kicking off this home-party business, and I was looking forward to seeing some of the products the company has to offer. I knew they'd be nice, but when I opened the "starter" boxes, it was more than I had expected. Such wonderful things!

This is how it all began: My sister went to a Beth Moore conference a few months ago and entered a drawing at the Blessings Unlimited display. Out of the thousands there, she won! Her prize was a beautifully large lazy susan. After being introduced to the company, she decided to become a consultant. After looking at the catalog and seeing all the beautiful things, I decided to become one too!

The thing that really clenched it for me was when I spotted a section of the Blessings catalog that features Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts, as well as a One Thousand Gifts Journal and the One Thousand Gifts Gratitude Journal. This is meaningful to me because I am almost finished reading this book and it has literally changed my outlook on life. What a bonus that it can be purchased through Blessings Unlimited! I also love Ann Voskamp's website, A Holy Experience also. While perusing the site one day, I recognized some of the Blessings items in her pictures. And actually, the lazy susan my sister won is pictured in on of her posts (as well as below). (See picture here.) That was fun to see!

Just before I spotted the lazy susan on her site, I had already caught a glimpse of her One Thousand Gifts Gratitude Journal on her blog. (This is a gratitude journal for the whole family to use.) It captured my heart to see little hands holding this book with childrens' handwriting marking out what each is thankful for. (See this picture) Because of this, I was thrilled when I opened my Blessings "starter" boxes, and included was this very journal! With sentiments like: "Is there a greater way to love the Giver than to wildly delight in His gifts?" and "All beauty is reflection. Do I have eyes to see His face in all things?", it's impossible not to be drawn to such beauty. So - Ann Voskamp, a true inspiration to me, coupled with pieces to adorn your home with beauty and scripture - how could I resist Blessings Unlimited?

If you'd like to shop this catalog or host a Gathering in your home in Central Texas, or in Del Rio, TX, will you let me know? There are great incentives (including half price and free items) for being a hostess, and on top of that, what a fun way to get together with friends and acquaintances (who could become friends), and have a fun afternoon or evening!

Please e-mail me at BlessingsHere@hotmail.com to schedule a Gathering or to look at the wonderful things we offer!

PRAISE

Heaviness in my heart will never be chased away by anything but praise.

There's not a demon in hell that will follow you into the presence of God. ~ Pastor Barry Camp

The one who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world.

I John 4:4

LOVE

If I read my Bible to get my day going, but get irritated when my children keep interrupting me, I am a resounding gong and a clanging cymbal.

If I go outside before I even have a chance to get dressed because my children want to blow bubbles, but keep snapping at them in impatience, I am nothing.

If I teach my children that throwing a fit isn't how we react to things, but practically throw one myself, I gain nothing.

LOVE.

The things I do don't matter if they are not done in love.

Love is patient,
Love is kind
It does not envy,
It does not boast,
It is not proud.
It does not dishonor others,
It is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13

LIFE

Blogging...my thoughts are too deep to get them all out. But this is what is filling my head these days: Podcasts from Mosaic. A church in Los Angeles led by Erwin Raphael McManus. http://mosaic.org/podcast/

Mosaic: Broken pieces put back together to make something beautiful.

We're all broken in some way, aren't we? Do you know the One who puts all these pieces back together in a beautiful way?

Jesus said, "I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Cuteness

It's a Boy!

Our little guy turned 1 today!!! It's a been a very long, but short year! :) It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway - He is a such a blessing to us!!! His little ways are so cute. I thank God that He always gives us what is best for us.

Here are a few pics:

Having It All

I think I can finally relay why I believe I have it all.

First of all, it has nothing to do with me.

Secondly, I feel I must say what having it all is not. It is not the house that I live in. We rent, and this place it is no show house. It is not how much money is in our bank account. My husband is a teacher, we haven't received a secret inheritance, and I am a stay-at-home mom. You can do the math! ;) It is not about all my family members having glowing health. We are facing a chronic health issue right now, right here in my own home. It's not about me being such a talented wife and mother. That you can be sure of!!!

To be honest, there are days when I forget that I truly do have it all. This usually happens when I look at what others have, or really, what I think they have, and begin to wish it for myself.

The true test that proves my conviction that I have it all is this: There is not one person on this earth, not one other family on this earth, that I would want to trade lives with. Sure, there are some parts I'd like to switch out every now and then, but when it comes down to it, this is the life for me. Running the race that was set before me. And knowing I have the Power to do it. Thank you, Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3