Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

Goodbye 2012-

Hello 2013!

Imagine that-

a new blank page.

Ahhhhh,

whatever happened in 2012 is gone.

Still remembered, 

but gone.

I love the thought of a new year.

Yes, I usually do this every year :

and I've done it already with 2013 in mind, 

but this year will be different.

How?

Well, I think goals are important,

however,

I believe what is MORE important

is the process and journey that we are in and on to achieve our goals.

I believe that giving God the glory for each and every goal set and achieved 

is 

what's important.

I believe that as we strive to deepen our relationship with God,

we change,

we become stronger,

more able,

through 

HIS strength

and

HIS power.

By our surrender to HIS strength and power,

we are allowed access to it.

My #1 goal for 2013 is to grow in a much deeper, 

closer, 

more intimate relationship with God.

When I do that first,

then I truly believe that my goals will 

be achieved with much more 

JOY 

this year.

My list of goals:

#1: Growing in a deeper relationship with God

through daily prayer/meditation,

memorizing a verse each week

# 2 : Continue to prioritize my relationships w/my spouse

and children through quality time w/each member, each week. 

#3 : Write daily

500+ words a day

(gotta start somewhere)

#4 : 2 or more 1/2 Marathons,

beating my own times.

#5 : Maintain my fitness routine

through 5 days @week workouts

#6 : Count my blessings each and every day!

What are your goals and priorities for 2013?

Don't have any?

Still thinking about them?

Want to join me and my friend, Mary DeMuth and 

work on a 

new heart 

for

 2013?

How can I pray for you?

Prayers Please!

You know what they say?

"Be careful what you wish for,

because 

you might actually get it!"

I have always dreamed of being a 

REAL Speaker,

you know, someone who actually gets paid for it?

Well, this week I have a few speaking dates,

and I'm a little scared.

I could really use your prayers!

On Wednesday,

I'm speaking for one of my favorite Mom's Groups,

Mission Hills' Mom2Mom Group.

On Saturday I have my first

"REAL" Speaking opportunity at a Boutique in Orange.

Then, on Monday,

I have another "REAL" talk that another speaker referred me to since she couldn't make it.

I will be sharing 3 different talks,

within 

1 week.

Please say a few prayers for this girl! 

(two thumbs pointing at myself)

I am praying this:

But I'm not so scared that I'm not preparing or doing what I need to do.

Our God is faithful.

HE always shows up.

HE always provides.

HE never leaves me,

ever.

So, I don't have to be afraid.

That doesn't mean that some of the ladies won't like me.

:-(

That doesn't mean that I will bring all the lost to the Lord.

That doesn't mean that my fear is completely gone.

It is still there....a little...

but HE calls me to be brave,

faithful,

courageous.

So, 

I'm stepping!

Please say a prayer for me and for the hearts of these women that I will be speaking to

1) on Marriage (Wed)

2) on The Gift of CHRISTmas (Sat)

3) on The Power of a Praying Mother (Mon)

Thank you SO, SO MUCH!

And may I pray for you?

Lord, 

Please bless my friend reading this.

I pray that this week, he/she would see you, that you would make yourself 

supernaturally real for this friend.

I also pray that this friend would be blessed, protected and be swooned by you and your love!

Lastly,

I pray that they too, would step out in fear,

and that they too, would be brave,

courageous 

somewhere in their life this week!

Thank you, Father, for hearing every word, every prayer, every heart!

I love you,

in Jesus' name I ask these things,

AMEN!

Love Powered Parenting

I'm super excited that we started this bible study last night!

1 video,

4 couples,

8 books,

11 children,

&

15 individuals

to be blessed!

We watched our first video lesson tonight with Tom and Chaundel.

So insightful

and

very practical!

Week 1: The Power of Priorities

Key Verse: "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ"

Galatians 6:2

Focus: The need for accountability in order to live out our priorities.

There are kinds of accountability we all need:

To God,

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

2Corinthians 5:10

to others 

"Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2

&

to ourselves.

"Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Ephesians 5:15-16

Maybe there's a reason for some accountability!

Do you have a friend that you can share happiness and tears with regarding your children?

If not, can I be someone who can pray for you?

Remember,

God created us to be in community!

You are NOT in this alone!

Do you have a friend that you can share happiness and tears with regarding your children?

If not, can I be someone who can pray for you?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Spice Up Your Marriage!

I want to thank the Mom's Club of RSM (north?) for allowing me into your group for an evening of fun and fellowship.

I was invited to speak on "Spicing Up Your Marriage" and was there to encourage and give some practical ways to add a little chili pepper to some areas of your marriage.

There are so many ways that we can uplift our marriage and make our husband feel like he is needed, important, respected and desired in our lives.

This is a very condensed version of what was shared that night- Thanks again for having me!

One way is to be his Cheerleader!

Encourage one another as long as it is today... Hebrews 3:13

Be on his side! Let him know he is the Star Quarterback of your team and don't treat him like the water-boy! (yes, I'm guilty!!!!) When he shares about his day, listen! You may not even understand what he is talking about, but listen anyways. When he tells you some good news, be excited for him! TELL him how proud of him you are! Remember that you are team-mates and not opponents! And behind every great man is a great woman....and that's YOU!

Be his Prayer Warrior!

Be joyful always; pray continually..........1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Do you pray for him regularly? Remember that he walks out of your home unprotected from all the spiritual and emotional arrows that are being thrown at him. Be his warrior as well as a prayer warrior for your family! If you don't do it, who will? I pray that my husband's eyes, ears, mind and heart will be protected from all the worldly stimulus that is coming at him 24-7. I also regularly ask God to help ME to be a good wife, mother and friend to him. I'm not good at any of those and am usually more concerned about my own well being vs. his. I pray for guidance in the choices I have to make for our family, patience with our children as well as with him and for a servant's heart that God will bless.

Be his Love Partner!

Love is not rude............1 Corinthians 13:5

Ok- foreplay starts when he gets home with a big WELCOME! When your husband walks through the door do you look up at him and say, "Hey," with a nod, or do you drop whatever you are doing and go to him and greet him with a BIG HUG and kiss? Every man would love to come home to a hug and kiss- this also keeps him from looking for the physical touch outside of the marriage- being appreciated. You want to be a big golden retriever, happy to see him and showing him you are happy to see him!

If you're not happy in the bedroom, you have GOT to do something about it. Express gently, what you want and what makes you feel good, so that you can make him feel good! It's a WIN-WIN situation!!

Here were some fun suggestions that I shared and some that the ladies shared!

1. Sticky notes- put sticky notes all over the inside of his car while he is at work, with things like, "you rock! I love you! You're the best! Best DAD, Best Husband, You are loved" or scribbles from the kids- make sure to hide some in other places so that even after he has cleaned up all the notes, he will find them even after the event and feel loved.

2. Loading his toothbrush- (from friend at church) putting toothpaste on his toothbrush when you are putting it on yours

3. Warming up his towel or bathrobe in the dryer so when he comes out of the shower it is nice an warm for him. (harder if you have a two-story and the dryer is downstairs)

4.Praying over your husband before he leaves for work (thanks Shannon!)

5.Getting into bed before him naked........

6.Taking a hot bath together

7.Getting a cheap hotel for lunchtime......remember that song, "Afternoon Delight"?

8.Suprising him with a night at home w/out kids---arrange for babysitting!

9. Putting your cute panties in his laptop! This is a good one- and you will immediately get a call from him at work! Memorable, too!

10. Text him or call him at work and let him know you are thinking about him in that way!

Be creative! Sometimes the spontaneous times are the most memorable!!!

And remember that any good relationship takes work- God created your spouse to grow you and sharpen you!!!!

Please do not hesitate to post other suggestions! We are all a work in progress~ blessings!

Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7