Christmas Love Quotes

I found some great Christmas quotes I thought I would share. I wanted to feel a bit more Christmasy and found them touching. I hope they do the same for you. The photo to the left is of my little Christmas tree.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.-- Hamilton Wright Mabi

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart.-- George Mathhew Adams

From Home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other. -- Emily Matthews

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." -- W. T. Ellis

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." -- Agnes M. Pharo

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small. -- Eva K. Logue

"Love came down at Christmas; Love all lovely, love divine; Love was born at Christmas, Stars and angels gave the sign." -- Christina Rossetti

Fruit: Joy

Song in my head: Oh holy night

Verse: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.. Phil 4:13

Things to be Thankful for

1. Raindrops on Roses... whiskers on kittens
2. Beautiful Blue Sunshine days
3. The love of friends and family
4. Bear hugs where they don't let go right away
5. A warm cup of peppermint tea with a candle burning
6. Christmas songs sung by a real fire
7. The beautiful colors of every season on earth
8. Ten tiny wiggly toes of a newborn baby
9. Peace in the midst of a storm
10. Knowing there is a God who loves you just as you are

Fruit: Peace
Song in my head: Chestnuts roasting by an open fire..
Verse: Philip 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..

Wanna be a Pumpkin?

What do we do with pumpkins? We cut open a hole in them and take all the gutz and gooey stuff out. We remove those seeds and then we carve a face on it and put a light inside. I was listening to the radio station K-love yesteday and they suggesed thats what Jesus does for us.

He opens us up and takes out all those seeds of sin and yuckie stuff inside cleaning us out. Then He carves us a new face and puts His holy spirit light inside so we can shine bright. I like pumpkins and I wanna be one now! :)

Fruit: JOY

Song in my head: Dance to the freedom we know song.. (name?)

Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Working it out!

Dressed in my humble old T-shirt and loose hem shorts only fit for working out in I walked into the into the ritzy gym where most people wear those "work out" outfits.

I came by my newly upgraded membership through a 10 dollar upgrade special that makes my total gym cost 13.95 per month. I have been a member since 1990 of the third lowest price locations so that is why my upgrade cost was so little.

I upgraded because this location of the chain of my gyms is located near my new job. Walking into this place today I kinda felt like a poor gal in a rich persons gym. I looked around and then a bit at my shoes. I decided to brave it up and walked up to my favorite torture device machine and smiled and thought "but, hey we are all just people."

I got on and someone dressed to kill jumped on next to me. I smiled and said "hello" wondering if she would talk to me. I found out that I can work out next to that CEO gal I met and actually have a great conversation.

Partly I can smile, nod my head and pretend I understand what the state of the business climate is like in the current economic state. I can let her vent and then talk about what I really know. I know people. Down at the heart we are all the same. We need a savior. Some people just go to the gym looking for it.

On a rainy day your subject to going to the gym unless you brave the drops. I am becoming such a Californian afraid of a few sprinkles. Working out can feels so good after a day at work sitting. It's a way to get out that stress and work it out physically.

Yet... There is nothing, absolutely nothing that beats the sweet love of a Savior.
His grace covers us. His eyes watch over us. He loves us even if we skip the gym.

Hearing about the stress of a life without Jesus today I felt so blessed that I have more than a temporary fix of the gym to work it out. I have a forever Jesus who just loves us. He loves us.. oh how He loves us. It's good to go to the gym but there is nothing like a God who can work all things out.



Fruit: Joy
Song in my head: All I Need -Bethany Dillon
Verse: Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Odd combinations that make great healthy snacks

I as so excited today when I found yet another new odd combination that makes a great healthy snack. I am always looking for a great snack for my diet that's low on the calorie side and high in the healthyness side.

It's very simple but quite yummie. You have to try it before you can say you think it's nuts or think you know what it will taste like.

What I did was in my morning rush I put some Baby Carrots in the same baggie as a handful of raisins. I found out when I ate them together it made an great combination.

The raisins made the Baby carrots taste sweeter and fresher while the carrots evened out the overwhelming sweetness taste of the raisins. I also tend to love the crunchy verses soft texture together aswell. It's a bit odd but quite wonderful if you try it.

Some other combinations I have discovered along my weight loss journey in the past two years have been quite by accident but yummie (in my opinion) aswell.

Here are my top seven... 1. Carrots and Raisins together 2. Cooked carrots and warm Ketchup 3. Sugar-free Jelly bellys and Almonds 4. Green Beans and warm Ketchup 5. Frozen Blueberries, Low/nonfat vanilla soy milk with spenda 6. Sunflower seeds and cottage cheese 7. Onion cream cheese and basil salad or sandwhich

Sometimes great things come from odd combinations. It just goes to show you can never really know you will like something different or that you consider odd unless you try it. I tend to need some variety in eating right at times or I just get bored. Spice it up with some cinnamon or give it a untraditional condiment.

Fruit: Joy
Song in my head: This is the day
Verse: “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”- Isaiah 26:4

A Masterpiece

Eye of a Hurricane

Definition: A zone of weak winds exists in the center of the swirling vortex of a hurricane or typhoon known as the eye.

Imagine everything around you is out of focus as a great wind takes control making it so stormy and cold and you can't see your hand in front of your face. The swirling vortex is all you can see and there is no peace. That is when suddenly you see a bit of calm come and suddenly you can see a bit further and a bit more. The wind is still blowing but it's not as hard or as faat and you can catch your breath and breathe again. Your in the eye of a hurricane.

It could happen in the space of a moment. A job could be lost, a love one could die, a marriage falls apart, or you make a mistake that costs you more than you can pay.

There seems to always be something on the herizon of our lives that could happen. When it happens the thing you have to do is to find the eye. The eye is that place where you can find a little peace amidst the storm. It's a place where Jesus is that gives you a gentle rest in the middle of the night when you can't sleep.

Looking out for my eye right now I found a piece of my peace through a book I recently read about giving everyday a chance by Max Lucado. Even those days when the hurricane floods I found it is still the day the Lord has made and I can find a way to rejoice in it.

Sometimes it's harder to find the peace when your world is so windy that your not seeing a way for peace. It's when you stop looking around and start looking up that you can see there is a hope. There is a gentle reminder that in those birds singing outside my window waking me up a little to early still get fed each day. God feeds those birds and takes care of them. So much is true that He will take care of you too.

I think it comes down to a literal choice we have to make each day to rejoice and be glad in it. If the rain falls it's there for a reason. Make a mud puddle and splash around in it. It's like that old saying "If life gives you lemons, Make Lemonade!".

I want to encourage you to find your eye in the middle of your hurricane the next time one comes blowing your way. Find the shelter and reach for the peace that only a loving God can give. It's there while looking up you can finally see some sun in between those clouds.

Fruit: Joy
Song in my head: Let us rejoice
Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Is God a Red Balloon?

5 Minute Sermon.. Anyone anyone?

I smiled as I looked into the eyes of this sweet little gentleman. I used the thongs to scoop some salad onto his plate and he said "thank you". He looked at me like he had some hope in those eyes behind the clothes he wore. He smelled like he had a shower recently unlike several of the others I served in the line.

The line was long and the people seemed to come endlessly. They must have some source to hear about these meals served on Saturdays. I wondered how they knew where to go. Then I realized that word of mouth about a free meal must travel quick among the homeless community.

When I volunteered to serve the homeless Ministry I didn't know I was in for a lesson. I had served soup kitchens before and in a homeless shelter before but no one had ever asked "Will someone give a testimony?".

I was standing in the line up with my thongs in hand ready to serve that salad with gusto when she asked the question "will someone come up and share a bit?". I stood there looking at my salad feeling my heart beat a little faster. I knew I needed to just go for it but

I stumbled looking at the faces of my friends who were doing the same thing I was.

I decided to go for it so I said "I will". With no preparation and just a knowledge that I wanted to encourage these people I walked towards the woman who lead this little ministry. By this time there were about 100 or so homeless people gathered around these tables that have seen better days.

She said hello and introduced me and handed me the microphone. I have no idea where it came from.. but it must have been from some deep place inside that only Jesus can touch.

It's there that I felt the confidence to smile and share a little encouragement. Granted it was a simple one cluttered with micophone screeches here and there but it was good. It was simply my story that they were loved by God and had a hope in Him.

Looking into the eyes of these people as I served them I had to try to see them how God sees them. They were not just homeless people but real people whose live with their story untold.

He can see each heart broken, each dream failed, and He knows each story of how they got to be in this place on this day praying there would be enough of a meal to go around for them. Somehow there was enough food and everyone ate and we had some leftover to donate to the Salvation Army. God always seems to provide.

It felt like the very small gift I could give of serving was not enough as I drove away in my air conditioned little car. It gave me a little perspective to see that it could be worse. It seems like everytime I am about ready to complain to God about what I don't have He opens my eyes to see how very much He has given to me.

Fruit:Peace

Song in my head: No other name

Verse: Romans 8:38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Tips for Losing weight on a dime

I always used to think it costs too much money to lose weight. I thought of all the programs like Weight watchers, Jenny Craig and Nutri System and found they just didn't fit into my budget. Expensive personal trainers with gym memberships just seemed impossible to afford.

How could I afford to eat healthy and exercise without those programs and a personal trainer or gym membership? I decided that not trying to be more healthy was not an option so I had to figure out creative ways to be healthy on a very limited budget.

I decided to start to work with what I had going for me. I started by looking at all my activities I did during a normal day to see where I could find that exercise I needed to be healthy and lose weight without spending money.

I found that my job five days a week of 7 and half hours of sitting at a desk, talking on the phone, using the computer didn’t burn a whole lot of calories. So I thought it through and thought what if I stand while working? I found that I could burn 300 more calories for my weight by doing my same job standing for 6 of those working hours.

For my job it was an easy transition to start standing and so I did and found I was more alert and actually doing my job better. That started me thinking of how else I could burn more calories during my work day.

I had two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch to consider. So I decided to start taking a walk on my breaks and I kept an eye open for other opportunity for exercise during the work day. This was when I discovered there was parking garage right next to my building I could burn some serious calories on.

There are six stories of ramps going up that make a great low impact powerful power walk up. I found that I could do it once on my 15 minute breaks and twice on my lunch half hour and still have 5 minutes or so to use restroom, eat and such.

My secret has been to stay to the right while walking in the parking garage to keep safe because people tend to drive slower on the way up than the way down. It has been a sacrifice give up that time on breaks to exercising but I have found that I feel so much better that it makes it worth it by losing weight.

I found having this exercise plan also benefits me costing less by taking my lunch to work and has me thinking ahead about how many calories I am eating.

Since I love to multitask I also found that I could also make call backs on my cell phone, check quick emails, and pray all while taking my hike up the parking garage. It's amazing what you can do if your determined.

Next I looked at my time outside of work and got online. I looked for opportunity to get exercise in fun ways. There are so many things to do if you just consider your area and look online.

I found Churches with Volleyball, Tennis, Softball and hiking opportunity that could be great place not only to exercise but meet some great new friends. I decided to try my hand out at Tennis and some Hiking to start and its been great.

Another place I found to get some exercise was to walk to the supermarket about a mile from my house instead of driving. Another plus to this is that you really get to see the area you live in differently on foot than driving. It's like seeing your world from another perspective. You might even find a hidden treasure of a little park nearby.

It's all about thinking about little ways to add some exercise in like when parking at a mall or supermarket far away under a shady tree instead of circling the parking lot for that spot up close.

Having found these free opportunies for exercise I looked to my food. I decided to start counting some calories more and really looking at the menu when I have to eat out. I had to have some sweet things to fulfill me but needed it to be with less calories.

I started looking for alternatives to help with cost and calories for my favorite foods. I found that I could find some serious deals for food if I looked at the ads and also at the dollar store.

The dollar store has these wonderful Lemon and Cherry flavored Italian Ice's that are only 80 calories each and you get 4 for just a dollar. I also found some great deals from supermarket ads. I found some plums for about 25 cents each on sale. I also found some great coupons online and on supermarket shelves. I got soymilk for 1.25 with coupon.

There are lots of creative ways you can look at food but it is all about being reasonable and knowing your calorie intake verses what your burning in calories. I found a great website that really helps with those calcuations. http://www.caloriesperhour.com/

My only advice with this website is to not click on the links to the right on this website because they are all ads. Try to stick to the tabs at the top of the web pages and you will figure it out. It takes a bit of time to figure out how to use the site but once you figure it out you have a goldmine of info for losing weight.

I just started this free diet and health plan two weeks ago and have already lost 7 pounds. It really seems to be working so far. I will let you know how it goes from here but it literally is costing me less to live and giving me a healthy lifestyle.

Part of this has been about having a positive attitute and a change in your mind and heart about how you think about exercise and food. I know it is tough to be disciplined but it seems that finding healthy habits are forming.

It feels good to do the right thing. Even if you fail from time to time. You just have to get back up on your feet again. I am hoping by sharing this that you could find some tips from what I have learned to hopefully help you find hope in your health journey aswell. If you have any other ideas please share them with me.

Fruit: JOY

Song in my head: Peace like a river
Verse: Isaiah 54: 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth 10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,

Ways to Save a little Money

In these tough economic times it seems to have become more acceptable to be a thrifty consumer. Ten years ago or so if you were using coupons and pinching pennys the preception in some circles made you out to be cheap. Being frugal was almost a character flaw instead of an asset.

Now it seems everybody is looking for a coupon. I found myself looking for ways to save money and have found some interesting ways looking at ideas from friends and thinking up some on my own.

Having landed a job after being out of one for a month or so I looked at not spending more while being unemployed but have decided to keep my saving ways for if I don't have work. I think the key is not to believe you have it all together in this uncertain economy by spending without a purpose.

Its so easy to spend money on comfort. If your on your way to work and feeling sleepy you might want to grab a 4 dollar latte. If your feeling hot on a 100 degree day you might want to buy yourself a icy treat. If you see a 1-11 and you forgot your sunglasses and your just sure that glare might cause you to have an accident.

The problem is when budgets are tight it's the sacrifice of these little extras that add up to blowing that budget you so carefully planned down to the penny. The trick is to have alternatives to catch yourself from making those unplanned purchases out of convience or not planning ahead.

Some things I do to save money on those little unplanned purchases

Have a snack and drink box in the trunk of your car so you don't have to visit fast food when your hungry or thristy in a pinch. You can usually find ice at a gas station for free. You just need to have refillable water bottle that you can put ice and a drink in. One key to this is to make sure that the snacks are not parishable just in case you have hot car all day. In other words... nothing that melts.

Have a tote bag with some essentials in your car. You could have some things like.. asprin, bandaids, a change of clothes, shoes, sandles, sunscreen, extra pair of sunglasses, feminine hygene, Brush, nail files, and anything else you could be tempted to buy in a pinch.

Find coupons and use them. Don't just throw away that junk mail you get but actually look at the coupons. You might find something great to save you some money or give you a creative idea for a time with friends or family out.

Get a 14 dollar haircut and better yet use a coupon for it. I have to warn you though that you might have to go to a few shops that offer these to find a good stylist who will not give you a weed wacker hairdo. Once you find one though it can save you a lot of money if your female.

Make a budget for your food while your away from home and stick to it. Try to think ahead to what you will be doing for the day and plan where you will eat so you can use your money wisely. Think where will I be at lunch and can I bring it?

Buy your gas at Costco where it's a lot less expensive. Also Costco offers great food at great prices too.

It's all about thinking instead of just spending it because it's right in front of us. It seems to be those little expenses of eating out and unplanned purchases that used to get me at the end of the month. I found out that knowing where my money is going is freeing and gives you a sense of purpose and power back when you care are enough to care about the small change.

Fruit: Peace

Song in my head: Plan for me - Brandon Heath

Verse: Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, Plans to give you a future and a hope

Top Ten Funky Roommate Quirks

Over the years I have had several opportunities to have roommates. It's really an excellent way to learn about people and how they live. Everyone's family life growing up was different and so not everyone had the same values and ways of doing things in their homelife. It makes life interesting to try out a new way of living by learning another's style to live.

Some roommates are never home. Some stay home all the time. Some are clean and others not so clean. You find out a lot about a person when you live with them. Here are the top ten funky traits I have found in some of my roommates and some I have just heard about.

1. Roommate who has an imaginary friend

2. Roommate who sheds (literally hair everywhere)

3. Roommate who talks constantly about their love of spam

4. Roommate who sneaks up from around the corner to claw your leg (crazy feline)

5. Roommate who tells you they have cancer and they really don't

6. Roommate who was so sheltered they think making microwave popcorn at midnight is an exciting riskay event

7. Roommate who can fart song Jingle bells suprizingly well

8. Roommate who flirts with your blind date before you meet them (happened to me)

9. Roommate who spends hours making homemade dog food for their boyfriends dog

10. Roommate who plucks their nose hair in front of you

Really it's amazing the funny things we all have about us but in reality we are all just people and one persons normal can be totally different from another persons reality.

I think it's good we are all different because if we were all the same it would be a bore. Finding he humor in your roommate challenges is really the best way to get through those things.

Fruit: Peace

Song in my head: Blessed be your name - Tree 63

Verse: Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

I just got a tan...

For those who are wondering… I didn’t fall off the face of the planet I just got a tan.

I’ve just experienced a world of change to my world in just a couple of months. I went from being a wet Washington Expedia travel working gal to being a blazing hot (at times) and crispy golden/reddish girl on the Sunnyvale California Stanford University working trail.

If you can understand that sentence than you deserve a cookie.

I grew up in sunny southern California and had decided to head north for the Evergreen state about 9 years ago. Since then I have been missing the sun and wanting a fresh start, I ventured back into the land of the sun (California) just about a month or so ago. I ventured here knowing only 1 person without a safety net really.

It’s such an amazing thing to be in the place where you are venturing out into the unknown and where you could be totally setting yourself up for big belly flop into the pool.

When I was little girl I remember what the belly flops felt like. It stung at first but when the red went away you just laughed at the silly sound they made.

I think in life there are big belly flops and little ones too. I had one that hurt quite a bit after being here a couple of weeks but I think the key is to learn from them. I am learning that God teaches me in my challenges and trials that I don’t have to be perfect and that He loves me just as I am.

It’s His opinion of me that matters most and I can’t look to any one person to know how awesome He made me to be. I just have to keep running the race and move on not listening to any voice that tells me to stop, give up, or that I am not good enough. I have to know that I am good enough and I am His “best” because He made me “His” when I said “yes” to Jesus.

Even after a road block I decided to jump in the pool and stay here in sunny California. I may have a lot in common with the song on the radio I keep hearing but I am going to keep blazing the trail.

The song goes “Cause I got a couple dents in my fender,, Got a couple rips in my jeans, Try to fit the pieces together But perfection is my enemy, On my own I'm so clumsy, But on Your shoulders I can see, I'm free to be me.”

There are some things I decided I am going to do in my new adventure that I would like to share. I think following your passions and just going for your dreams just has to happen at least once in your life. So I am going to spend some of my time following my dream to write and working on me too.

I have started writing the book that I feel will help women who are divorcing or divorced. It will have some great practical help along with some great stories of other women to encourage them so they know they can make it through the valley. I want women to know they are NOT ALONE and can face a new life again filled with future and a hope.

I am a living breathing testimony of Gods rebuilding process but He is still rebuilding me. So I decided to make a goal of being healthy physically as well.

I have a goal that I want to reach by January 1, 2010 in losing weight and becoming more fit. I will not be completely done with my health journey by then but I made a choice to start making short term goals and getting serious about taking care of the body God gave me.

So I am following a dream, working on the physical and getting a tan without a safety net.
My safety net has to be found in the peace of knowing I am in the hands of a loving God who knows me by name.

I know His peace which flows like a river inside of me. It lets me float for awhile when I look up.

I can’t look at my version of reality or worry about the future. I just have to just trust and know that God has my best interest at heart.

Fruit:Joy
Song in my head: Peace like a river

Verse: Hebrews 13: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Cinnamon drip coffee iced

There is something peaceful in a world of caos about a coffee house afternoon. Its time well spent taking a step out of the reality of the world’s issues which wait outside.

You can enter in with a rush of fresh breath of the wonderful aroma that gives you a little joy inside to smell.

There is a peace while sitting in a room with a cushy couch, cozy music in the background and soothe cup of Joe by your side while you surf the internet, people watch, read, or just stare at that pretend fire place in the corner.

There are a few things in life you just can't cut out when there is a budget you are keeping to. One of those is that cup of Joe at a coffee house.

For the job seeker without a office to go to it feels like you are going someplace. You have an appointment with that office of Joe to do your daily hunt for that job you seek.

Maybe the wife can drop off that crazy 4 year old to preschool for four hours of peace. The lonely traveler and business man can find some comfort in the presence of people all around even if there to scared to strike up a conversation.

You can do it pretty inexpensively too. I have a little secret I will share. I like coffee cold sometimes yet it seems that when you order it iced or blended its twice as much as a little drip coffee.

So I order it by saying I would like the drip coffee of the day over ice and then add some cream, cinnamon and Spenda myself from the side bar. Its a little messy mixing in the cinnamon sometimes but half the price and still quite yummie.

I guess there really isn't an point to my observation other than there are few places in this life we can get a little time away to have some peace. Peace comes at small price in the coffee house but maybe it's even less expensive at a place of worship.

Looking for that peace in the places with wireless internet and some coffee can work for a little bit but for that lasting peace you really have to look up. You have to look up to see there is a God who can give you that peace you find in whatever sanctuary you have been going to for a place of rescue.

You can go to the bar, the coffee house, the restaurant, or hide at home but that peace is temporary and you have to wonder out sometime to the real world. God provides a lasting peace for when you walk out of the coffee house you can still feel a bit like you are in still in it.

It's really hard to trust God when the world seems so grey sometimes but there is something beautiful in the sunny days God has provided that can bring you hope of a future He provides.

Even if the sky is grey today I believe in the rainbow because I have seen it before. I know it will come again. I trust in God that the sun will shine again and believe in the God who made it all for me.

I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river
I've got peace like a river in my soul. In my soul.

Fruit: Peace
Song in my head: Peace like a river
Verse: Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God...

Who I want to be like

Amazing Animals God made

Flights to Mars on Expedia

Growing from the crack

One day while walking along a downtown street in a bad part of East Los Angeles California several years ago sad from my worries I saw a sight that made me smile and wonder in awe of it. I saw a beautiful perfect purple flower growing in the smallest of cracks in the asphalt in the middle of this ugly street.

It was a perfect picture to me of how amazing God is. It wasn't by chance that this beautiful flowers seed blew on the breeze for so long far away from any others to land in that crack. How amazing that there was just enough soil and just enough water so it could grow in this wasteland.

Somehow in the midst of its surrounding God made it grow. Somehow cars missed driving over it and somehow it survived beyond it's circumstances.

Sometimes I feel like I am that flower. Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by bad news on the news and negitive people looking sourly at the outlook for life as we know it to the point of losing hope. It's like if you have a piece of good news you don't feel like you can share it when the outlook is so dim for the world and the people in it.

Who wants to hear of your little joys when their sorrows are so big for the world? You can have a inner party for the little blessing you have going on in your life but at some point you want to share it. You want others to see there is a hope in you and something that makes you see that sun and grow in the midst of that crack in the ground. See the sun today and grow even if your stuck with just a little soil trying to sprout in that crack in the ground.

Fruit:Peace

Verse: I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me

Song in my head: As the Deer

Do you have a Ruff?

When I was a little girl the light of my life was my grandmother. She was a precious woman who loved me unconditionally and gave her heart to me. She was an open door with a huge hug waiting for me inside. I could melt into those arms that would unfold for me to fall into when I scarped my knee or just needed some encouragement.

When my grandmother got cancer when I was 11 and passed away it tore me away from the joy I knew in her hugs. She left behind for me though a bit of her comfort. It was in one of the gifts my grandmother gave to me before she died. It was a piece of her to keep and hold in those times when I just needed a hug and someone to cry with. It was this huge stuffed dog that I so creatively name Ruff.

I couldn’t ever part with Ruff during all the challenges in my life. It’s silly really to think of a grown woman with a stuffed dog she sometimes lets herself cry with. I don’t care though because I know the love behind the stuffed animal is really what is comforting me in those times I need that bit of relief.

Life is messy and full of stresses and everyday little troubles that can leave you feeling like you need a good cry every once and awhile. The key is to let yourself recognize you need to stop and let it happen. Take out that Ruff and cry for a bit and move on.

Another thing my grandma taught me was that there was a God I could pray to and find the peace I needed to move past those good cry times. Ruff is the doll that I hug but he only symbolizes the comfort and peace I seek. Gods love takes me to that place of perfect peace after I lose my worries and let God take them. He can take yours too if you would just let Him.

Fruit: Peace
Song in my head: Jesus loves me
Verse: Psalm 71: 20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. 21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. 22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

Staying strong

Encouragement comes only when you listen for it.. here is a song that gave it to me..

You're in the moment now
A bitter root A wandering eye
and then The ties that bind start wearing thin, thin
You're in the moment now
When all you've been blessed with Is not enough
Here's where the ground gets loose
Here's where the devils call your bluff

Stay strong You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
You've gotta stay strong

You and I run For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way
We've seen the tragic flaws
The tortured souls The saints with feet of clay
Here's where sin becomes cliche'
We've come through wilderness and watched
The cloud by day The burning sky into dawn

Have you forgotten who you are?
Did you forget whose trip you're on?
Stay strong You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
We've gotta stay strong
You and I run For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

Get up, there's further to go
Get up, there's more to be done
Get up, this witness is sure
Get up, this race can be won
This race can be won
We've gotta stay strong
You are not lost

Come on and fix your eyes ahead
Our Father's dawn will light our day, our day
Come on and stay strong
His grip is sure
And His patience still endures
There'll be no letting go today, no way
Come on, and stay strong
You and I run For the prize that lies ahead

We've come too far to lose our way, our way

Fruit: Peace
Song in my head: Stay strong -Newsboys
Verse:Philippians 3:14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Feeding the dog

Which dog are you feeding today? I was thinking about this today and decided to try it out as a thought in the back of my mind while going through my day.

Last night at my small group meeting my friend Mary brought up an old saying that I had forgotten. It has to do with a white dog and a black dog. The black dog represents the bad things you do to yourself and wrong or sins you do. The white dog is the good things you do in your life and represents your relationship with God.

So my question to myself on the way home from group last night made me think of which dog I was feeding. In the end the dog with the most food wins the fight for my peace and growth.

So today I took an intentional approach to see a picture of who I was feeding to see how the day went. It is amazing how evident your trials and little things you need to go through in a day can become when you acknowledge them. It seems like that old saying just keeps being true that when you bring things that you struggle with to the light they die there so you can move quickly to the blessing of growing from those little trials in everyday life.

So here is to feeding the White dog who has your best interest at heart. He is a sweet puppy with boundless energy and health ready to blaze the trail. Feeding him most today really just made my day. I fed him today by spending time with God reading His word eating healthy and going to the gym for my physical self. If only I could do it everyday.

Fruit: Joy

Song in my head: If I were a... (kids song I cant remember the name of)

Verse: Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

On top of the clouds

Looking up at the grey clouds above me on my drive home from work today I couldn’t help but wonder. It felt like the day had brought these dark clouds in that went on forever. The sky so dark had made the day dreary and long. It felt like I was stuck under this big sky of dark clouds that went on forever without a break.

Driving down the road on my way from Tacoma to Olympia Washington I started to see a little part in between the darkness. It started as a little beam of light peeking through so I could see a sweet little taste of the sun on the other side of those dark clouds hiding the light. It slowly opened just a bit wider and yet a bit more to reveal a glimpse of the glory of a beautiful blue sky with light all around.

I could tell that the sun was always shining on the other side of those clouds. But when my eyes could only see those dark clouds on a glance I had stopped looking up believing I wouldn’t see the light all day. Seeing that opening up in the sky made me think of how I would love to fly up there and dance around on top of the clouds for a bit. It would be great to be free to fly up there and feel the sun on my face. Maybe then I could feel the Son.

Have you ever felt like you were on the wrong side of the clouds on a dreary day? Have you ever felt like you were stuck there? I felt like this today. Then as I saw the sun peeking through and theblue sky it made me remember that the sun is always shining on the other side.

God’s love is like the Sun. It’s always there shining bright on the other side that I can’t always see from where I am at. I just have to look past those dark clouds all around and realize it is always there for me. I just have to keep doing that next right thing to see it.

If I do that and open my eyes and yet close them at the same time I can see His love is here and now always there for me shining His light so I can dance free in it. So even when I can’t see it I can believe it is there. CS lewis wrote “I believe in Christianity just as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I can see it but because by it I see everything else”.

Fruit: Peace
Song in my head: Everlasting God – Lincoln Brewster

Verse: Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

Perfect Love casts out all fear

“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”- Proverbs 17:9

The grace of God is like an ocean so vast and deep that it can not be imagined. I can try to think it through but there is absolutely no sense to it. I was thinking about grace today. Most likely this is because, the Lord knows I truely need it

There are so many ways we can fail God and not live up to the expectations we have for ourselves to be the best version of ourselves in a Christian life yet we are clean and forgiven

I think it is sometimes harder for us to have grace for ourselves and to let God give us His grace. It's like we have a need to punish ourselves because we can not fathom a loving forgiving God. It is amazing that He is everywhere seeing all of our failures yet is giving us grace and not loving us less for even one second.

He grace is showing us how to love and not to fear it. His perfect love casts out all fear and doubt. Even when we are not strong enough or think we are not good enough we can trust. He knows we can't do it alone and is by our side. We just have try to do the next right thing everyday.

Fruit:Love

Song in my head: Only grace - Matthew West

Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Fish kisses

Sometimes I feel like Im a fish swimming quickly to the surface for a breath of life to releave the stress of holding my breath when I hit something.

I hit a clear window just before I get to the surface. It doesn't allow me to get to the clear blue sky that I can see through the window just before air above the water. I know if I could just get past it I would breathe again easily and have some relief.

Yet again I have to keep holding my breath sitting there waiting for that window to open. It seems like a cruel joke of God for that window to be clear because it lets me see the world above that could releave me just above the waters I'm swimming in.

It holds me back. It's hard to be so close to see through the water, through the window and have to turn back realizing the window isn't open for me to swim through so I can catch my breath. I just have to keep holding my breath swimming and praying that I have the breath and strength inside me to keep swimming.

As I am at my last swimming and feeling exhausted and weary is when I realize that I have to pray for the breath of God to breathe new life into me. I can't survive on my own as a fish in this sea. Maybe it's all about stopping swimming and just being still looking for that spirit of God to give me some mouth to mouth resitation.

Only a God who loves me would kiss this fish with a breath of life and give it away without any cost. Jesus never ceases to amaze me. He sits calmly by while we are swimming just patiently waiting for us to stop and embrace the peace He has for us.

Fruit: Peace
Song in my head: Savior Please - Josh Wilson

Verse: Luke 24:41 - 40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence.

On the dock with Jesus

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to lay down at the end of a dock to stare at the Stars on a clear night with a real live breathing Jesus laying right next to you admiring them too?

I hadn't even fathomed this thought tell I read it recently in a book I have been reading called "The Shack". I can't give away the plot but I have to say that this thought of a simple time admiring the beauty of a clear night of stars with God in the flesh next to me sounded wonderful.

I love nature and love how it just proves to me how beautiful God must be to have created it. The thought of a live living breathing Jesus to hug and smile right in the flesh next to me sounded like such a treasure. I wonder what it must have been like for the apostles who got to hug Him every day.

The touch of God can be so real sometimes it feels like it is in the flesh but there is something to that warm feel of a hug from a person. I think God must use people to be His arms here on earth but I still think in awe of the thought of what it would have been like to get a human hug from an earthly Jesus right here on earth.

It is like friends that are far away. You can talk on the phone but it is something more when you can look into their eyes so that you can see into their lives and hearts.

I know that Jesus isn't far away even if we can't physically touch Him. Yet I still think it would be nice to be laying down next to Him staring at the stars and asking "so why did you create that one?" or some other silly question that He could smile and answer with "because I am God".

Fruit: JOY
Song in my head: Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay Lyrics - Otis Redding
Verse:Psalm 46: 10 "Be still, and know that I am God;

Looking for something...

Do you ever feel like you need to go to work to find rest from the weekend? I felt like that Sunday night. I had a full weekend where I felt drained from it. Even praying I thought "are they even my words...?"

What happened?... I had to ask myself as I realized I was feeling down at work this Monday morning. Waking up this morning I had full intention to look ahead with my opening prayer for it to be a day I reasoned better in comparison to the weekend.

I had wondered how my decisions from this weekend could have kept me from a blessing. I had tried to let that go knowing a compassionate God could forgive my indecison that led to my choices.

I could name some seemingly silly endless list of things that had gone wrong over the weekend to the sheer embarrassment of my weakness I wouldn't share not wanting to be seen as a complainer which makes me almost never complain.

However... there were several little inconviences and stupid decisions that I made over the weekend that had me feeling like I wished God had made me different. It is hard to be flawed and human.

Sometimes I just wish I could be an angel. I had opened up with a prayer for the day today like I usually do but it just went downhill from there. I had tried to turn it around.

I had gotten a full nights sleep for the first time this weekend. I had fully prepared with a shower Sunday night. I had put my clothes out ready to jump into the morning groove. I thought I had done everything in my power that I could to make my day start out to be one where I was ready to start off the week on a positive note.

What had I forgotten? Where had I gone wrong? My weekend rebellion from what I could have done to accomplish things as to what I wanted to do as to what I should have done as to what I actually did made me see I need to start trusting my instincts more.

I realized that it is my true instincts that I need to trust and not let those ones that try to creep in creep. My true instincts come from the spirit of God inside me. That other instinct of a sinful nature only creeps in to try and steal or destroy my peace when I let it.

I have to listen to that still small little voice amidst the crowd telling me what is right for me to do. I just need to just DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING and not worry so much about the future and I need to LISTEN to the voice of reason.

I found that next right thing I was searching for once I started looking in the right place. I found my peace when I studied Ephesians reading Pauls prayer like it was a prayer for me.

A Prayer for the Ephesians Eph 3:14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

It's Gods love that takes me back and turns my weakness into strength, my mourning into dancing and my attitude around. It is only when I choose to do the next right thing in His direction that I find fulfullment and joy.

So in those times when I am reaching for something feeling empty needing something but just can't figure out what will bring me peace I have to remember that a gentle love from God is there for me.

I just need to look for it instead of what the world would tell me to. I need to look in that great book God gave us to give us those answers and peace we are searching everywhere in the world for but can find if we simply seek Him first.

Fruit: Gentleness

Song in my head: As the Deer

Verse: Ephesians 3:18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

I've Got The Joy Joy Joy... Where?

Finding Joy in this day and age can be difficult at times so in those rare moments that Joy just reaches up and grabs you it's important to remember to let it.

On the way to work this morning Spirit 105.3 Radio station just really hit home. Every song they played from 6am to 7am on my way to work just blessed my socks off. Of course I wouldn't want my socks off due to that chilly morning air but just loved a wonderful joyful time of worship.

They played...
Josh Wilson - Savior, Please
Tree63 - Blessed Be Your Name
Jars Of Clay - Love Song For A Savior
Matthew West - Something To Say
Laura Story - Mighty To Save
Newsboys - I'm Not Ashamed
David Crowder Band - Wholly Yours
Third Day - Call My Name
Chris Tomlin - Indescribable

It was awesome with some great Kid stories mixed it. I am so blessed by Spirit 105.3 sometimes when it just hits the spot. Worship takes you back and turns you around to see the creator instead of yourself. It's something beautiful that can't be measured.
Fruit: JOY
Song in my head: Something Beautiful - Newsboys - I've got the Joy
Verses: Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 95:1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation Psalm 96:12 let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; Psalm 97:11 Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Psalm 98:4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; Psalm 98:6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn— shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Psalm 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy;

Dancing with God

Turn me around Lord I'm not looking at you, I keep turning in the wrong direction. Teach me how to dance.

Wisk me off my feet. Grab my hand and pull me close. Lead me on the dance floor.

Hold me tight and spin me fast making the world a blur. I will spin so fast that all I can see is you.

Let me see what you want me to see. Help me to be what you want me to be.

Then slow me down so I can rest. Turning slowly I can see. I can see your best right before me.

Fruit: Joy

Song in my Head: Savior King

Verse: Matthew 22:37 Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your mind and with all of your strength

Seeing through her eyes

Have you ever found pen in your possession and wondered how in the world you got it? I get so busy sometimes I forget where I pick things up. I found a pen in my purse while paying at the grocery store and wondered where I got it today. Everyday we have little things that happen to us that we could miss if we don't stop and look around once and awhile.

There are so many little everyday things we do as we go throughout the day that can seem like meaningless parts of our existance. I drove to the store walked around looking for that one thing I came for but ended up finding some other things and got in line. Then I ended up in line remembering what I actually came for and got out of line to go to get it.

On a mission to get that one last thing I bumped into the cart of the elderly woman who was not in the slightest bit of a hurry. Her beautiful weathered face smiled as she saw me rushing when I said "exuse me". I walked on quickly but as I got into my car I thought later of her face as she smiled looking after me. I thought of how she must be remembering her days of being younger and in a hurry.

She must have thought "if they only knew they would slow down and look around". We need to look around to see that woman who is lonely needing someone to just take the time to say hello and invest just a bit of Gods love into her.

Thinking of one of my favorite songs lately by Brandon Heath I hummed a bit... "give me your eyes so I can see... all that I have been missing... give me your love for humanity.."

I was thinking of this elderly woman out there in the supermarket with her eyes reaching out looking for companionship. There are alot of lonely people in the world who don't have a loving God to fill that need inside.

We just have to take the time to stop, slow down and reach out. We have been given so much love from God and have so much to give. There are so many who need it. We need to give it away everyday even in our hurried moments because truely there are no meaningless parts to our exsistance. Each act of the day matters to a God who cares for us as much as we should care for others.

Fruit: Love

Song in my head: All the Loney People - Beatles & Give me your eyes- Brandon Heath

Verse: Psalm 68: 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing;