Music Renews/ Spiritual

Music To Bring Life To Your Morning

It is so easy to lose perspective in this life. When I find myself in the desert; parched, thirsty and can’t see through the dust-I turn to music.

I made a new playlist on Spotify this morning for those specific times when I just need to hear truth and gain a hopeful perspective once again.

I call it my ‘Morning Favs’ as morning is the perfect time ( as the verse in the above pic states) to find what is true and real.

I think I should have named it, ‘Drink’ for I plan to come often to this list of songs. It is a well of life-giving water to pull from & thirst no more.

5 Minute Fridays/ Cancer Journey/ HEALTH/ Spiritual

Staying Open When You Want To Grip Closed

Participating in 5 Minute Fridays. 5 minutes to write about one word. Unedited.

This week’s word: OPEN.

………………..

GO:

“Open your heart, open your hands, keep open to me, my Darling.”

My Savior woos.

This temptation to grip tight & close, to go inward–it is especially strong as of late.

My actions would match the pit in my stomach, tight & gripped.

I know He has plans and purpose, even in the struggle…especially in the struggle.

This physical body, this shell I live in…it can be such a complicated thing. Physical, emotional, spiritual. All entwined.

Yesterday I read the report of my physical body. A simple blood test brought rave reviews! High vitamin D levels, perfect blood levels, normal cholesterol. Blood pressure is nice and low. Oh, how I praise You! I get to live!

So here is my prayer. Lord, hear my cry!

Lord? These medications I take to keep this shell of mine free from that which would kill me?

I don’t like them. I’m thankful for them, but I don’t like them.

They make my stomach clench closed.

But here is the deal. I will remain.

I remain in you. You hold me and have me. Your hand is open, holding, cradling, full of the whole world and me.

I will remain in you. I will open to your plan. I will obey & humble & search and find.

I will walk, even stumble forward and will not give in to despair.

I will seek, I will find. You are here as You always have been, and always will be.

I will open.

STOP.

………………..

As you can tell, I’m still struggling to find my center. I feel we are close to finding some answers to make the medications I take a bit more bearable emotionally. In a nutshell, the shot I talk about here and another medication that I take to sweep up every bit of estrogen and progesterone in my body seems to sweep up more than just hormone. It sweeps up my spark, too, and it has been the biggest of challenges.

We are searching and finding some answers, but it all takes time. In the meantime, I covet your prayers.

………………..

Can you relate? Has depression put a lid on you? Has anxiety got your stomach in knots?

There are answers. Search for them. Fight for health. Do what it takes. Do not be afraid to reach out. Find a counselor. Find a trusted psychiatrist. It is worth it, you are worth it.

Some simple things you can do for yourself at home that might help?

~take a detox bath

~meditate on the Truth of God’s Word

~tell a trusted friend

~take vitamins and supplements

~exercise…even if just a short walk

~take melatonin for sleep (ask your doc first)

~wake a bit early for quiet time, especially if it is the only quiet you get in a day

~never lose hope

5 Minute Fridays/ HOME/ Spiritual

Wait – Five Minute Friday

I’m happy to be linking up to Five Minute Friday.

Five minutes to write on the word: Welcome.

Write–don’t edit–just 5 minutes to be in the moment–

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But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 40:31

Go:

Wait.

The month of January, this year of 2015, is a month and year where I have placed & prioritized stillness, quiet, meditation & waiting, into my day.

I realized I am responsible for my own spirit, and that we are to take inventory of how our spirits are doing, for what flows out of our spirit is what flows– into our day, into life.

The time I found to wait & meditate had to be early morning, for it is the only time my home is still enough for me to still.

I have found that waiting in the early dawn when the day is just beginning, is just the beginning.

I’ve learned, as the verse says above, that waiting is often movement…a doing.

I still to trust, I trust then act.

I still to find strength, to run and not grow weary.

I wait so that I may walk and not get stuck or lag behind.

I have yet to feel a consistency of soaring with eagles, as these moments are still too few and far between, yet my spirit longs for this Heaven on earth, this promised Kingdom come.

I hold on to this promise, this hope of His Kingdom come, and rest.

His precious will be done.

Stop.

Spiritual/ Sponsored/ Uncategorized

Come To The Table – IF: Gathering

I’ve been preparing tables for a gathering, and having a blast doing it.

I was asked to decorate for an upcoming gathering called the IF: Gathering. Have you heard of it?

From the IF:Gathering website:

We exist to gather, equip and unleash the next generation of women to live out their purpose. This 2-day gathering will bring women together from around the world to wrestle with belief that God is real, the places in our lives where we are struggling with unbelief, how can we overcome unbelief and then what God can do with our belief.” – IF:Gathering

If God is real… then what?

IF:Gathering from If Gathering on Vimeo.

I can hardly wait!

The gathering is February 6-7, and during a 2-day simulcast over the weekend, thousands of locations will stream the women’s conference, and my hometown, Lincoln, NE will be one of them. We will join thousands of other IF:Locals from across the U.S. and internationally, where we will come together and empower and encourage each other to live with purpose.

Won’t you come and gather with us around tables to eat, drink coffee, listen to some of the most amazing speakers, & just show up for something that was an awesome event last year, and promises to be even more-so this year?

IF: Gathering 2015 Theme Verse

This years theme is Faith. Seems like a simple word, but give that word to God, ask Him to help us have it, and He WILL do amazing things.

Not the church type? It’s ok. Come gather. Don’t know anyone going? You will find wonderful women friends, gathered around tables with a spot open for you. Can’t afford the typical conference ticket price of over $150? It’s ok, our If: Gathering is only $20 if you sign up online, so come gather around. Don’t know yet? Have littles at home and can’t give up an entire weekend? Then just come gather on Friday, or just Saturday. Come as you are, when you can. Come one. Come all. Come and gather at the table.

These tables where we will sit and break bread are taking shape and being made beautiful for YOU! Please come.

IF:Lincoln Event Information:

This schedule is subject to small changes. All times are Central Standard.

friday, february 6th

Session 1 – 3:00-6:00
Break – 6:00-7:30 (Dinner provided)
Session 2 – 7:30-10:00

saturday, february 7th

Session 3 – 8:30-12:00 (Breakfast provided)
Break – 12:00-2:00 (Lunch on your own)
Session 4 – 2:00-5:00

Ticket price will cover two meals, printed materials, and venue fees.

Location: The Space @ The Trade Center

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Register Here –>

https://www.picatic.com/iflincoln

Let Us Know You Are Coming at our Facebook Event Page –> https://www.facebook.com/events/610472425747717/

Join us on Facebook–>

https://www.facebook.com/iflincoln

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Don’t live in the Lincoln Area? Don’t despair, for there are gatherings happening all over the world. Click here to learn how to find one happening around your area!

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*How great are these little light-up letters? I found them at Michael’s. They can be backed with any type of paper and painted to match your event. They will be part of our gathering decor.

5 Minute Fridays/ Books/ Uncategorized

To Write The Mind Alive

Five minutes to write on the word: SEND.
Write–don’t edit–just 5 minutes to be in the moment.

…………………

GO.

Send thoughts upward than inward. Zero in.

Simply scribe them.Easier said than done, it takes such honesty.

Even if not meant for anyone else, what if someone stumbles upon them?

It is quite a courageous venture, this one I’m about to go on.

To write the mind alive.

I wonder if these 5 minute Fridays have given me a glimpse of what it might be like. Five minutes goes by like a blink and one has no choice but to just write their immediate thoughts.

Writing the mind alive…what’s the word? Proprioceptive Writing? Yes.

It is a whole new world of real. I have always thought I wrote real, but here before me is another level.

I am eager to send my exact thoughts to paper. Eager to explore and see where it might lead.

It will be different to pen them onto paper, instead of typing and pushing send.

Would you like to come on this adventure with me? Yes? Grab an unlined journal, a candle, a bit of Baroque & a copy of this.

STOP.

………………..

VOTIVO Red currant. My ‘by-far’ favorite candle that my Mommy always gifts to me. You will love it!

Click here to buy.

…………………

Happy to be linking up to 5 Minute Friday.

5 Minute Fridays/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

So Long Last Year, Welcome This Year – Five Minute Friday

Five minutes to write on the word: Welcome.

Write–don’t edit–just 5 minutes to be in the moment–

————————

Go:

These words, these songs of JJ Heller’s, they speak my heart, they lift my head.

Goodbye 2014

I say goodbye to last year, 2014. Good riddance.

It was a year of struggle, of mental tug of war, of hormones switched on and off by monstrous needles jabbing each month, of watching those I love suffer and some of them lose everything.

Still much to be thankful for, I grasped at those thankful moments all the while sinking in despair. At the end of the year I willed myself to list my thankful, sometimes it felt like that list was the only pathway to reality & truth.

2014. You were a hard year.

Welcome 2015

With you comes a fresh start, for His promises never change and He makes all things new.

There is still suffering and sweet friends waiting in anguish on test results and others with stage 4 diagnosis & those damn monthly needles in my stomach whose thought of them makes it churn.

But. As sweet JJ Heller and her handsome husband sing,

I am not focusing on the ‘cracks in the walls or the times that I fall.’

I WILL NOT.

Because:

*It’s all becoming so clear
There is no use living in regret
Let’s fight a good fight
Train our eyes to find the light
That makes this year the best one yet!
Starting right here

I will not live in the dark room. Not when my saving Savior is wooing me to the light room.

The Man That I Love

And for the man that I love:

*This year
I plan on thinking less of “I” and “me”
I resolve to think of “us” and “we”
This year
I can’t wait to see what good will come
To feel alive instead of feeling numb
This year

How? How can I say these things with such certainty and without looking back? How will I run to the safety of the light room?

By welcoming truth.

The truth is, I have someone who will (in the words of another beautiful song by Heller)

*Love me for me
Not for what I have done or what I will become

I open my eyes from looking at all the despair,

I will lift my head & run to the light room and a God that says:

*I will give you the love
The love that you never knew

I come out of the room, fully known, fully loved, whole & true; with a love so familiar, but at times I never knew.

So, to 2015 I say “Hello & Welcome.”

Stop.

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*All words in italics are words from “This Year” & “What Love Really Means” both songs by JJ Heller.

Her music has been a place I run to in the hardest of times. I just adore her and her amazing smile, cute bangs & realness on her Facebook page. What a gift she is & what gifts she has!

Happy to be linking up with 5 Minute Fridays.

FAMILY/ Kids/Family/ Spiritual/ Sponsored

Save A Life With A Quarter

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Vitamin Angels for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is just something about watching a young child play.

The constant motion. They can’t help themselves. Have you noticed? A child rarely just stands still. They are either swinging their arms around or dancing from side to side, walking on their tip toes or running when they should be walking.

I have a niece whose default mode of transportation is twirling. She just twirls and twirls until she gets to her destination! It is a beautiful, uninhibited sight to behold. She is carefree, full of life, &full of joy–just as young kids should be.

Kids are in awe of the world around them and want to experience it to the fullest. They notice things we adults are to distracted and busy to see. They walk around with their chins raised up, curiosity getting the best of them, exploring eyes & hands that are just itching to touch everything–especially the things they are told not to!

Children walk around with a spark in their eye & a face as bright as the sun.

But not all children.

There are children around the world whose spark is literally gone from their eyes. Replaced by dullness. Lethargy. A weakened immune system that causes bugs to get into digestive systems which cause infections that take away precious lives. Lives that can be saved by something so small that it would cost one only a quarter. Yes, Even the smallest gift can change a child’s life

What can a quarter buy?

VITAMIN A.

And Vitamin A Saves Lives. I know this because I know about Vitamin Angels.

Vitamin Angels helps at-risk populations in need–specifically pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five–gain access to lifesaving and life changing vitamins and minerals.

That quarter we use to flip? It can reduce mortality in at-risk children by up to 24% by providing one dose of vitamin A, twice a year. Vitamin A supplements are the least expensive solution to addressing preventable child deaths.

Even the smallest gift can change a child’s life

I don’t know about you, but my head can barely wrap around that! That simple coin that we flip to determine which of my kids has to do the dishes that night — that very coin can save a life! What? Who knew? Awesome!

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Get involved. Donate now.

Want to help? Yes, so do I. So here is an idea.

How about this Christmas, in lieu of giving a gift, you donate to Vitamin Angels in honor of whoever is on your list that you know would get it. Someone who will understand how this would be a gift that lasts beyond the holidays and someone who would even want to continue the legacy of giving.

When you make a donation you will receive a downloadable or sharable card that shows the donation to Vitamin Angels. That. Is. Cool.

Just last night I unpacked our Christmas decorations and found 3 mini stockings with each of my girls initials on them. I now know what I will do with these adorable stockings. I will make a donation for each of my 3 girls, and put the card in the stocking for them to open on Christmas morning. After all, this season is all about giving. It will be the perfect way to get minds onto what really matters on Christmas morning; remembering how precious life is. So precious that the MOST precious life was given, which is the very reason why we celebrate Christmas in our family.

If you want to do the same, Vitamin Angels is having and end of the year giving campaign–which runs now through midnight December 31, 2014.

Visit their website: http://www.vitaminangels.org

Make a donation: www.vitaminangels.org/gift