My dear sweet hubby, Ron, and I have been married for 20+ years. We began dating during my freshman year at Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville. He is my college sweetheart. We have ministered together in various ministries during our lives together. We pastored for 10 years in Florida. We moved to TN in 2000 to Co-Pastor with some friends of ours. The Lord has given me a fabulous provider whom I love more than any words I write could ever express. He is now the CEO at our denomination's publishing company, Randall House Publications. I am honored to support him.
Our oldest child is named Michael. He is now officially a teenager, although I don't think I'm old enough to have a teenager. He is a very sweet and considerate young man. He is my thinker and my reader. He absorbs every piece of new information that he comes across. He loves playing soccer, riding his bike, skateboarding, reading, watching the History Channel, the Military Channel, ESPN and any documentary on TV. I am privileged to be his Mother.
Lauren is our youngest child. She is just 15 months behind her brother in age. She is wise beyond her years. She has a sharp-witted tongue (which sometimes has to be tamed), a quick sense of humor and a heart for people and animals. She loves organizing anything and everything. She loves being with her friends, singing, talking on her cell phone and playing soccer. I am blessed to be her Mother.
Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier.
- Kathleen Norris
Ok - is it just me or do the days seem extra long and take forever to end? This week has seemed like the longest week of my life. I have no idea why. Maybe I dont' do enough "stuff". I guess 57 trips to/from school and the soccer field just isn't enough to fill up my days. I have started volunteering at school as well. So now I have another set of trips to/from school in the day. Just sometimes I look up and the clock just doesn't seem to have moved any from the last time I looked at it. Not sure what's up.
Lauren's school soccer season is almost over. They have won only one game. We can't figure out how that is the case when they practice two hours after school every single day. Their soccer coach has supposedly played professional soccer before. Either that isn't true or he just doesn't know how to teach soccer. Some of the girls look like today is the first day they have ever been on a soccer field. NO IDEA what's up with that. At any rate Lauren has stayed committed to the team. She said other girls have wanted to quit because they are so bad. But Lauren hasn't mentioned that. we wouldn't allow that anyway. I am actually considering looking into a personal soccer trainer for both of them. Michael is looking forward to playing on the school team in the Spring - although we have heard that they aren't really any better. Gotta be the coach - he's the common denominator here.
Ron is traveling again. He has been gone most of this week and will be gone most of next week. I HATE that - HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT. I know where he is this week - Atlanta & Michigan. No idea where he is going next week. SIGH!!!! I dont' know how single moms do it- I just don't have any idea. Did I mention that I hate it?
I've been feeling pretty good lately. I keep meaning to get out and walk because the weather is so beautiful. But haven't made it out yet. Pretty soon I'll be saying I don't want to walk because it's too cold. ONe excuse after the other. Ron and I had said that we were going to walk every day together. But we are spending so much time on the road or on the soccer field that by the time we get home we are both tired from the day or it's pitch black outside.
Lauren has been seeing a boy from school for a month now. He is such a sweet boy. He is from a solidly Christian home. IN case I haven't shared a picture of them here - here is one:
I just saw a terrific idea while checking out some stuff on Facebook. I thought it was so great that I am actually going to write an entry telling you about it. You know it's gotta be good if it actually makes me come and blog these days. (I know I need to update more often - I really do know this - rest assured)
anyway, the idea is to keep track of everything that makes you happy for a set amount of time. At the end of each day you write each individual thing on a piece of paper and you make a Happy Chain out of it. Remember those construction paper chains you used to make in elementary school to decorate your classroom with? Isn't that a terrific idea?
It will certainly make you more aware of all the times you've actually been happy in a day to have to focus on them enough to write them down. For someone who battles depression like me I'm thinking that having a visual proof that I HAVE been happy BEFORE will be a good thing.
So, I challenge you to make a Happy Chain - challenge your kids to make a Happy Chain - set an amount of time - gather your colorful paper and markers and get ready to be happy!!!!!
I came across this article today and thought it would be helpful to share. These are all things that I have done in the past and found that they all help me. I hope they help you or someone you know who you might need to share this with.
10 Spiritual Tools for Coping with Chronic Pain
By Maureen Pratt
Chronic pain can make us feel isolated and helpless, especially if its cause is an illness or physical condition for which there's no cure or effective medical treatment. At times of deepest despair, finding ways to nurture our spirits can help us not only cope with the pain, but also discover nuggets of grace, comfort, and productivity that can move us through and beyond the helplessness and hopelessness we feel. Here are ten spiritual tools that can help you get started toward peace in spite of and in the midst of pain.
Maureen Pratt is a speaker and author who focuses on spirituality, faith and wellness. Her most recent book is "Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness" (Doubleday Religion). Her website is www.maureenpratt.com.
Find Quiet
When we are in great pain, finding true peace and comfort is not easy. But it is possible, if we first try to still our worries and fears, both external and internal. Finding a place where there are no noisy distractions is a great start. Enjoying the outward quiet, we can then calm our inner selves and nurture peace within.
Just Breathe
The act of breathing is not only a physical process, but it can also be a tool to move our pain, negative thoughts, and worry out of our bodies and hearts, replacing these with a better sense of self. In a quiet place, breathe in slowly and deeply, then let the breath out, expelling stress and pain with it. Feel the sharpness of pain subside as relaxation and calm take its place
Listen to Music
A beautiful piece of music can inspire our spirits and soothe our pain like no other sound. It can also help us get in touch with the absolute joy of living, even if we live with severe pain. Put on your favorite piece of music - instrumental or vocal - sit back, and close your eyes. Let the music carry you away from your immediate pain to a place of calm
Lose Yourself in Prayer
So often when we pray, we ask for relief from our pain and leave it at that. Perhaps more effective when pain is oppressive is lifting up our pain and then resting quietly with the comfort that our concerns are being tended to by One greater that ourselves - and we do not have to take them back again.
Reflect in Nature
Pain can isolate us and make us feel very much alone. But in reality, we are part of an amazing world. A walk in the outdoors, a glance outside at a garden, a quiet moment with a beloved pet - each of these things can renew our sense of belonging to the world, help us to feel less alone in our pain, and make us grateful for our lives among such wonder.
Laugh More
Pain itself is no laughing matter, but the act of laughing can be physically and spiritually healing. It helps us breathe deeply, cleanses tense pain from our bodies, gives key muscles beneficial exercise, and lets us travel to an uplifting place of joy. Whether it's a joke, a cartoon, or the antics of a pet, find laughter and enjoy it often!
Reach Out to Others
When we are in pain, it can be easy to feel as if no one cares. But there are many in the world who feel the same thing - and we can make a difference in our lives and in others' lives by reaching out in comfort and care. A phone call to a hurting friend, a visit to someone in need, even an email to an online support group - all of these can help us become less isolated, and help others in the process.
Live in the Light
It's easy for our souls to be flooded with darkness when pain is sharp and overwhelming. We can combat this darkness by bringing on light. The flicker of a candle, the warm glow of one small lamp illuminating a dark room - light can help focus thoughts and bring comfort. Even in the darkness, be conscious of the light all around, and let it guide you to greater calm.
Take Care of Yourself
Often, there is no cure for what causes our pain. This can make us feel as if our lives are out of control. But the better we take care of ourselves, the more we will feel at least a little control over our circumstances - and our attitude toward pain. Taking time to follow a healthful regimen reflects on our spiritual health, too, and gives us a chance to rise above our pain and feel better - inside and out.
Never Lose Hope
Each day, there are new developments in medicine and in therapies to ease pain, inside and out. Hope is not just a feeling that things will be better - it is a tangible tool to motivate and guide us through the frustrations that accompany pain into positive actions that can make our lives better now and in the future. Without hope, our spirits wither. With hope, as with the Creator, all things are possible!
Seeing the kids reading their Bibles on their own
Hearing the ocean
Smelling a cake baking
Remembering our wedding day
Singing in the church choir
Shopping for my family
Feeling good
Reading in the tub
A quiet house
Watching a funny movie with the kids
Seeing my kids playing a game together
Ron's little finger dance
Hearing my kids being excited about church
Watching Ron play with Faith (our dog)
Hearing Ron snoring beside me after he has been gone on a long trip
Chatting with special friends
Feeling hot sand under my feet on a beach somewhere
Game night with Brian & Kim and kids
Spending one on one time with Kim
Double Dating With Brian and Kim
A clean house
Sitting on my front porch in my new rockers
Walking on a cool evening with my family
Things I Want To Do Before I Die
Take voice lessons
Lose 100 pounds
Take a yearly vacation with just my girl friends
Break completely free from the strongholds that have a grip on me
Find a hair style that I'm totally happy with
Become a great grandmother
Live on the beach
Drive a racecar on the race track
Learn to swim confidently
Go sky-diving
Learn to knit
Scrapbook our family's life
Build a house with an inground pool
Own my own laptop
Visit Alaska
See the REAL Eiffel Tower
Take a short term family missions trip
Own a black Jaguar X-Type car
Be a REAL wife/mom who cooks/cleans and everything
Have Lasix Surgery
Bungee Jump
