Conquer Fear

"Knowledge

is an

antidote

to

fear."

—Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet,

1803-0882

Looking on the Bright Side....

Barn's burnt down...

now I can see the moon.

~Mizuta Masahide

A Light Bulb Moment

So, there was a gathering at my son's school yesterday. Games, food, the works; sounded like a good time. After a day at Middle School, Blake came home. I was expecting to take him, along with my little ones to the event at his school. Being the 13 year-old that he is, he decided he didn't feel like going, but assured me that I could go along with his younger brother and sister. He wasn't sure which friends were going, and wasn't really in the mood anyway.

He kept asking me if I was going, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to or not since he mentioned that the games probably wouldn't be for little kids. Two more times, he asked me if I was going. I said, "Blake, I'll gladly go if you want to." He didn't show much interest. Finally, after the third or fourth time asking me if I was going, a little light bulb went off in my head.

"Ooohhhh.... I get it! It's not that you don't want to go... it's that you want to go, but not with me!!"

Ouch!

I've always celebrated along with my kids when they are able to spread their wings and fly. I get excited for them and for the experiences they will have. But I must say this one hurt. Why was this one different, you ask?

The event was Family Night.

(Don't worry... I am able to laugh about it. He went without me, and escaped any embarrassment a mom and little siblings could possibly cause.)

A Poem by Nixon Waterman

What Have We Done Today?

by Nixon Waterman

We shall do much in the years to come,

But what have we done today?

We shall give our gold in a princely sum,

But what did we give today?

We shall lift the heart and dry the tear,

We shall plant a hope in the place of fear,

We shall speak the words of love and cheer,

But what did we speak today?

We shall be so kind in the after while,

But have we been today?

We shall bring to each lonely life a smile,

But what have we brought today?

We shall give to truth a grander birth,

And to steadfast faith a deeper worth,

We shall feed the hungering souls of earth,

But whom have we fed today?

We shall reap such joys in the by and by,

But what have we sown today?

We shall build us mansions in the sky,

But what have we built today?

'Tis sweet in the idle dreams to bask;

But here and now, do we our task?

Yet, this is the thing our souls must ask,

What have we done today?

God Has a Sense of Humor

April 11?

Snow Day?

You've got to be kidding me!

Just when you think you've got things figured out, God throws a snow storm at you in the middle of April!

Water

As I mentioned a few days ago, I have had a seat in the Dare Chair. My dare? Eat right, exercise, and shed the winter hibernation weight I packed on over the long winter. I do well with dares, especially when I broadcast them for all of you to read! I am happy to say that my first week is going well, and I can already feel the benefits of taking good care of the body God created for me.

One of the most important things I have learned has to do with drinking enough water. I knew it was important, but will admit I was not a water drinker. A pot of coffee? Yes, most definitely. Clear, pure, life-giving water? No.

I bought a cute, pink, trendy water bottle to help support my new healthy habit of drinking enough water. It has worked; I am drinking water like crazy! Evidently, the formula is this... your weight divided by two equals the number of ounces of water you should consume per day. Let me just say that you will be appreciating indoor plumbing!

Here's some more information on the health benefits of water.

Cheers!

Paper Airplanes

Here's a great lesson on thinking outside of the box from SimpleTruths.com.

Enjoy!

Hibernation

I am putting myself in the Dare Chair today. I've been walking around it lately, looking at it, touching it, but not wanting to plant myself in it.

I'm in it, and I don't like it.

Let me tell you what is going on...

Last year, with a lot of determination and hard work, I lost 25 pounds. I felt wonderful, energetic, and youthful.

Along came winter. Evidently I decided to live like a bear, and pack on the weight for a long, cold winter. Ugh. I put it all back on, and I am so angry! I lack energy, my clothes are very uncomfortable, some don't even fit anymore, and I am frustrated! Can you hear my growl?

So, it is time to get serious and take better care of myself. Is there anyone out there who wants to join me?

It's time to wake up, crawl out of the den, and get some exercise!

Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

Whose voice do you listen to? When you decide to try something new, step out of your comfort zone, or reach for courage, whose voice do you hear? Your parents'? The voice of a coach, teacher, or friend? Is it positive or negative? Does the voice you hear lift you up, or tear you down?

Let me tell you a story. A couple of years ago, I decided to ski the Birkie. Over 30 miles of hill, after hill, after hill. I was terrified. My own voice kept telling me that I couldn't do it. I constantly had to push the negative thoughts out of my head.

I came across a song that quickly became my Birkie Theme Song. It was perfect. I said the words over and over again as I trudged my way up the hills. I know that it was the words of this song that kept me going all the way to the finish line. I hope they bring inspiration to you as well.

The Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns

Oh,what I would do to have

the kind of faith it takes

To climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown

Where Jesus is,

And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me time and time again

"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the voice of truth says

"this is for my glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes

To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me time and time again

"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

but the stone was just the right size

to put the giant on the ground

and the waves they don't seem so high

from on top of them looking down

I will soar with the wings of eagles

when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

The voice of truth says do not be afraid

And the voice of truth says this is for my glory

Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)

I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe

I will listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe

'Cause Jesus you are the voice of

Truth

Who are you listening to?

Choose wisely.

Vroom!

My daughter got her license today!!

I am so excited for her, and am also excited that I will now get to hang up my Taxi keys for a while.

Am I nervous? Not really. I know that I need to put her in God's hands. If I fill myself with doubt and worry, that means I am not trusting God. Does that mean nothing bad will never happen? No. But I know this... He gave me everything I need to be her mom, and I have done, and will continue to do my best. My days or nights full of worry will not add a single day to my life, or my daughter's.

I will choose to trust.

I Hope You Dance

I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat

But always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes,

I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances

But they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake

But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart

Leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out

Reconsider

Give the heavens above

More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

(Time is a real and constant motion always)

I hope you dance

(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance

(Tell me who)

I hope you dance

(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)

(Where those years have gone)