Just going to let anyone who is interested know that I have decided to keep my mommy blog over at Life from my Laptop. I missed blogging there and want to focus on spiritual things here on this blog so I will be blogging about everyday life, my kids, etc. over there still. I enjoy it and so I am going to keep at it. Hope you’ll add both of the blogs to your feedreader.
I have been sooo productive today that I’m wondering, “Is it really Monday?” In fact I even was productive over the weekend, which was odd. I have so far since Saturday, written one of my speeches for this Saturday’s upcoming Beauty by Design Event, produced this week’s podcast, created a Sweet Tea Contest for the show, produced this week’s Ezine, which I was shocked is #49, wrote 7 articles for clients, and a few more things. I’m really happy to have gotten it all done and hope that I will be on a roll for this busy week ahead. I have to write at least 7 articles per day today - Thursday in order to meet the deadlines I have for my Writer for Hire clients, and I have to finish up preparing for this weekend’s event.
Luckily, I don’t have many outside activities going on where I’ll be away from the house, other than routine grocery shopping on Thursday, my calendar is empty until I leave on Friday to go to Carthage for Saturday’s event. I can’t wait! Excited about ministering and speaking to the girls and their moms, plus the added bonus that I get a night away all to myself. I’ll be eating dinner with the ladies who coordinated the event and get some much needed “me” time to help prepare myself for the event on Saturday. What a blessing!
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Wow! I’ve never been so happy to see Friday. I have been sick for over 2 weeks now and just when I thought I might be better, no way, it’d come back. But finally yesterday I went to see the Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, got some meds and nose spray and I am on my way to recovery for real this time I hope. I do feel a ton better today. I even worked on my ministry stuff and writing, putting in over 4 hours of work.
I recorded a new podcast that will air on Monday at Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show and created a contest with Cara from Cara’s Cafe. You can read more details on that on Monday.
Greg and I received our federal tax refund today and spent most of it already. Luckily in a smart way, we paid off several debts, registered Baker for school next year, and paid our property taxes. Then, I sent off the registration fee to the She Speaks Conference to Proverbs 31 Ministries. I am sooo excited that I’m going.
Tonight, my Greg and I are going to a dinner party with my girls, The Tomgirls, and their hubbies. We will then play games afterwards all at our church. I’m really looking forward to it, but can’t believe I have to wait until 7pm to eat supper, we eat at 5:30 pm here normally. I’ll be starving. I joked that I would just eat supper twice tonight. The joys of being pregnant, you can eat all you want.
Yes, today the ultrasound confirmed that our family will grow in testosterone in July. I am having boy #2. My son is soooo happy. He had said from the time we told him he was having another baby brother or sister that it was a boy baby because he already had a girl baby. I’m excited that he’s sooo happy. We were going to be happy either way. We’re glad we already have a name picked out, Brady Cade. We will call him Brady.
Today was the 2nd day in a row that I answered the phone to hear a mom on the other end, not just any mom, but the mom of a 12 or 13 year old girl who had read an article I had written in a local Christian magazine and was encouraged. So encouraged in fact that she had to call me and she wanted to know if I was speaking anywhere nearby so that she could bring her daughter to hear me speak.
The sound of hearing her say this to me, first the mom yesterday, and then another mom today conjured up a few feelings in me. First, I was a bit scared, yes, scared I thought can I actually have the words that her daughter needs to hear. You see she began the call by saying that her daughter needed guidance, needed to hear the message I stand for, that I speak out on. I felt inadequate, unsure, thinking “Can I really have those answers?” Then I felt proud, proud that I could say, yes, you can come to so and so and hear me, and she was excited and agreed she’d be there in both cases. I then got to tell her I’d be looking forward to seeing her and ministering to she and her daughter.
That’s two moms in two days calling me, two conversations that left me in awe of God’s power, and God’s amazing hand in my life, using me to reach the next generation. Amazed that what I set out to do is making a difference in the lives of mothers and daughters out there, real moms, with real lives, and teen or tween girls with real struggles. I can touch their lives with truth from God’s Word. WOW! That feels good! To those two moms, in case you’re reading, thanks for calling, thanks for confirming my calling, and for helping me to know that what I do matters.
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Well, as you have probably noticed I haven’t blogged in almost a week. Man this sinus stuff is kicking my tail. I am still stopped up and my right ear has been clogged for an entire week now. I’m having a good moment so I thought I’d enter the contest over at one of my favorite blogs, Two Moms in a Blog, who will be moving very soon to Chrysanthemoms.com in celebration they are giving away a Brodie Bracelet and I want to win.
In order to enter I have to describe myself using the letters of the word Chrysanthemoms wow that’s going to be a challenge. So, here goes:
C - Christian
H - Honest
R - Real
Y - Your Friend
S - Spastic at times
A - Ambitious
N - Never Alone
T - True Believer
H - Happy
E - Energetic
M - Mommy
O - Optimistic
M - Madly in love with my hubby
S - Sooo Blessed
There is a favorite country song of mine called “I AM Blessed”. It’s words are something like, “I am so blessed, I feel like I’ve found my way, I thank God for all I’ve been given at the end of every day.” That’s exactly how I feel. Yes, I feel that way everyday, but today I just watched as God poured out His blessings on me. I was in awe of it and thankful. I was excited because after months of hard work, so much is paying off. That is a good feeling, I must say.
I’m reading a really good book. It’s called Beyond Jabez. It is the sequel to The Prayer of Jabez by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson. I have been praying the Jabez prayer and believe that its results are alive and well in my life. One thing after another God begins to put into my path, opportunities for my ministry, for my writing, for myself. God is sooo good.
Finally, routines are returning to my house. My son, after a week and a day out sick went back to school today. I was able to do my morning routine, and actually got my kitchen cleaned and my bed made up before 9 am. I was so proud of myself. I then sat down with my cheese toast to have my quiet time. I even wrote 4 articles before I had to go pick up my son at 10:30. I am one happy momma to be back to my routine.
Now, if I can just get caught up all will be right with the world. I’ll tell you one thing I am loving my financial plan my financial counselor and I put together. I love the fact I know how and when to pay everything. If my darn tax refund would just get here I’d be set.
This Monday night I was in charge of the devotion for my monthly Tomgirls meeting (a Bible Study/Mission Group I am in at church). I thought a while about what I’d talk about. I felt very led to talk about what God is doing in my own life, but at the same time I worried, “Will my friend’s think I’m “all about me?” I didn’ t want to appear that way, but I felt God was speaking to me and I did indeed have some things from Him to share as well. So, I went ahead. I’m glad I did. Everyone else seemed to have something that they didn’t understand about God’s plans or God’s timing just like me. For me I have been thrown a bit by my unexpected pregnancy, another friend of mine is grateful for God’s timing in obtaining a new job, and another friend of mine is questioning starting graduate school. She wrote me an email the next day saying she knew that God was in the fact that I talked about what I did because it was just what she needed to hear. I was relieved to say the least.
God’s planning for me is something I”m always thinking about. I thought I’d share an article that I wrote a while back on this very topic.
God Has a Plan, for Me?
For Christians, finding a career and finding a calling in life go hand in hand. God created us all with a specific purpose and though the world might never mention it your calling and purpose in life and your chosen profession and business go hand in hand.
So, if this is the case for you, be encouraged, God has a definite plan for you. Finding that plan is a process of believing in God and his perfect plan, wanting this plan to be a part of your life, and giving of yourself and your time to study God’s word, spend time with Him and discover the plan He has laid out for you.
Another key is to be patient. God often reveals His plan for us over time and through many experiences and circumstances in our lives. These times lead us to understand what God is saying to us during our times of prayer and Bible study. That is why being tuned in to God on a personal level through prayer is so important. You can easily miss what He is doing if you’re not listening to what He is saying.
It can seem very complicated, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, patience and prayer, you can truly find God’s will for your life, your sweet spot.
Well folks, God is working in amazing ways in my life and I’m giving Him the glory. He’s forcing me to be still. We’re sick! Yep, Baker and I have the crud as I call it. Sore throat, headaches, runny nose, coughing, and he has an ear ache. We’re going to the doctor today. But, it is making me be still before God and spend time in His Word more than I usually would. God know show to get my attention.
I was going to write about what I THINK God is saying or doing in my life, but since I’m still not sure 100% I’ll just say “He’s working” and leave it at that. Send some chicken soup and well wishes my way! Off to take care of my baby and myself.
