Look back and ahead to 2013

I was looking through a few of my old posts.  I usually write one the first day or two of the New Year about the upcoming year.  I try to pick a word for the New Year. Sometimes looking back, I get it right.  Other times, not so much.

In 2009, our focus was forgiveness.  My father had been diagnosed with cancer and that year he was getting worse.  He passed away in November of that year.  Before he passed, we were able to talk everyday about the past and present.  We were able to have that time to work through things that were never talked about.  (big elephant in the room growing up which no one talks about kinda thing)  I treasure that time I was given with my Dad before he passed.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away

from you, along with all malice.   Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,

forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."  Ephesians 4:31-32

2010 was a year of struggles.  My husband's health had gotten worse.  Heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure.  That was a stress on all of us.  We also down sized from a house to an apartment.  That was so hard to go through everything when you've lived there 10 years knowing you couldn't take it with you.  Yet, with God's help, I realized that it is just stuff.  Things that God wanted to strip me of to so that I could refocus.  (Looking back gives perspective)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  Every branch in me that does

not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that

it may bear more fruit."  John 15:1-2

In 2011, our word was faith.  I was hoping that our struggles would have been over from the previous year, but I was not through being pruned.  Doctor bills came in from the previous year and surgery.  We had to move yet again.  There was a weekend when the electric was going off in one place and the place we were moving into (and already had utilities turned on) wouldn't let us move because they later asked how many kids we had.  (was not on the application at all)  So, we had one day basically to find and secure a new place to live and get the utilities moved once again.  It was a hard year emotionally for me.  Without faith in God and friends, I wouldn't have made it.

"And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed,

 you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the

 sea,’ and it would obey you."  Luke 17:6

Renewal was our word for 2012.  Through the ups and downs, God constantly renews us.  We lift our eyes to our Creator knowing that His plan is what is best.  We know that His timing is right.  So many times, we don't understand.  We want things now.  Yet, this year, I have been able to look back and see how our lives are intertwined and He has what is best for all of us in mind.  God renews.  He renews my strength in the middle of the storm.  He renews my heart in the peace of today.  I know that another struggle is probably headed my way, but my faith has grown so much.  My favorite verse comes to mind.

"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases

strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall

fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their

strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run

and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:29-31

So, what of 2013?  It really is hard to say.  My little girl will be moving to middle school.  My oldest will be moving to high school.  (neither one really feels right!!)  I would like our new focus to be compassion.  My family and I have been through many things through the years.  Our life experiences plus our faith in God give us a strength to reach out to others.  Volunteering has always been a love of ours.  I want to be the one to reach out and love on others.  To show that some one cares.  I only have a few more years to pass on this trait to my children.  I want to show by example the difference compassion can make to another.  Jesus came and humbled himself as a servant.  I am definitely no better than He.

^"As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets

who spoke in the name of the Lord.  Behold, we consider those blessed

who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job,

and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is

compassionate and merciful."  James 5:10-11

False Friends

I remember growing up there were girls that were mean and ugly.  There always are.  Yet, it is one thing when it happens to me.  And, a totally different thing when it happens to my baby girl.  I know, she is in 5th grade but it doesn't matter how old she gets ~ she will be my baby girl.  :) 

The drama now?  I guess some girls where talking at recess about Christmas.  They where talking about their iPods and stuff.  Faith mentioned that she didn't have one.  Her "friend" looked at her and told her, "Just ask Santa.  I ALWAYS get EVERYTHING on my Christmas list."  Faith with her logical mind knows there isn't a Santa but just kept her mouth shut.  Then, I guess this "friend" was also telling people that Faith said she likes having rich friends so gets stuff.  What a friend right?  Faith actually kind of confronted her (so proud!) and told her she never said that.  Her friend retracted a bit and said she heard it from somewhere.  Then, to top off my daughter's week ~ the same "friend" gave her two mini-erasers for Christmas and told her that she expected a gift too.

I talked with Faith about friends last night.  Real Friends don't brag, don't tell lies about you, and don't expect gifts.  There are alot of girls that are nice to you in front of your face, but they are not real friends.  I spoke with her about false friends.  Encouraged her to be nice to her false friend so it doesn't add to the drama.  This is the second time this "friend" has spread rumors about my girl.  Does NOT make a momma' happy! Faith wanted to give her a present so she wouldn't be mad.  I gave in and agreed mainly thinking it would calm the drama down.

Finding real friends are hard no matter what age you are.  I love how the encyclopedia of philosophy puts friendship:  "a personal relationship grounded in concern of the welfare of each other."  It doesn't talk about your backgrounds being the same.  Or you religions must match.  Or your incomes being the same.  All the stuff doesn't matter.  Friendship is about looking at each other without judgement and accepting what you see.  It's about caring and concern.  Friendship is love.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing"

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when
he falls and has not another to lift him up!

The Glory of Christmas

Today, when you take look around there are lights.  Lovely, elaborate lights that twinkle with the tune of Christmas songs.  There is of course shiny garland or that fancy tulle that is all the rage right now.  Shiny ornaments shine in the lights.  Beautiful wrapped presents longing to be opened.

Long ago, the only light was a star guiding the way.  There was not any shiny, sparkling garland.  Not even room in a hotel.  Just a manger where the animals where kept.  Yet, even with the simplest of things:  Glory was found!  A babe was born.   And even wrapped in rags, His glory could not be contained.  Angels spread the news.  Wise men traveled long distances.

 

It is amazing to me how the world today can get it so wrong.  It changes from the celebration of Christ's birth to "Season Greetings."   It has changed from a day of remembrance and thankfulness, to a month of spending lots and lots of money.  Did you know the average people are spending for this Christmas is $854??  I don't know about you, but that's a lot to shovel out in a month.  No wonder so many credit cards are max-ed out.  I believe we should learn what the Grinch has learned.  "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas means a little bit more."

 

Where is the God in your Christmas plans?  God came to us as a babe.  As a servant humbling Himself.  As a Savior to die for us.  Because He loved us and wanted more for us.  The best gift we can be given happened a long time ago.  Once we accept His gift, God's love and glory shines through us.  We are God's pride and joy.  We are God's glory.  Let US SHINE with His love!  At Christmas and throughout the year.



Cleaning Time: Laundry Soap

It really is hard to believe that December is here.  This week, our weather has been in the 70's.  Which, for northern Arkansas ~ it is very weird.  We've been working on our kitchen for months now and it is finally coming together.  (I'll post pictures soon)  I actually ran a dishwasher tonight for the first time since August!! It felt wonderful.  :)  I know, I know.  But, a family of 5 without a dishwasher and only a mud room sink to wash dishes in....VERY thankful for the dishwasher!

I've recently got on Pinterest.  Yes, I know, I am late bloomer, right? I have found it is true what my friends have said.  It is very easy to get hooked on.  When ever you log on, there are always new recipes, crafts, or home ideas.  Pin this or like that.  So cool.  It's like every kind of magazine right there without any ads in the middle! ;D

Of all the things I've found on there, pinned, and actually tried ~ the laundry soap is great.  Just a few ingredients that I found at Harps (local grocery store) and ta-da!  Over 2 gallons of laundry soap!

1 bar of soap (any kind you want)
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of washing soda
a big bucket ( that holds more than 2 gallons)

I grate...okay, well, my daughter grates the bar of soap.  They recommend Ivory but I've been using a Dial for the scent.  Go ahead and place 2 gallons of water in your large bucket.  With a half a gallon of water, I heat the grated soap until it melts.  Then, I add the borax and washing soda.  Cook it for a little longer until the borax and washing soda has dissolved.  Turn off and add the soap mixture to your bucket with the 2 gallons of water.  That's it!  It does thicken overnight.  The original recipe called for just the 2 gallons of water, but I figured out I added about a half of gallon so why not add it in the beginning? :)  I use a half of cup per load of laundry.   Seeing my home made laundry soap makes me happy because (1) it is SOO much cheaper and (2) I know exactly what is going in my laundry soap.  And if you need a (3), it only takes about 15 or 20 minutes to make.

My Jars of Soap bring a smile to my face :)