My morning in a nutshell LOL

They sing Hannah Montana
We ran out of bananas
Got a new job
Don’t look like a slob
Off to school
They look very cool
Gotta brush her hair
Then go feed my mares
Looking forward to the day
It’s gonna be OK
God please show me the way

Ramblings, Things the World Won't Tell You

Things that this world doesn’t tell you.

Words of the day: DESPITE and BECAUSE I will succeed despite the obstacles. I will fulfill my responsibilities despite the fact that I feel like crap. I will move on despite what holds me back. I will be kind despite how badly I've been treated. I will be positive, despite the negative. I will be proud of myself despite the bad things I've done. I will fulfill my purpose in life despite the trials placed before me.
I will succeed because I can. I will fulfill my responsibilities because I should. I will move on because I must. I will be kind because it's healing to others and myself. I will be positive because every day of life is a gift from God. I will be proud of myself because I'm doing things to be proud of. I will fulfill my purpose in life because it will honor God (and will give a big ol' rasberry to all the trials that have been set before me).

Word of the day: Self Esteem

Self Esteem is not something everyone should have. JOY esteem is something everyone should have, in that order. Jesus esteem, Others esteem, Yourself esteem. We are valuable because God loves us all. But we shouldn’t sit here and esteem ourselves above all else. God esteems you enough for the both of you—you should concentrate on loving God and others. Once you’ve done that, you will “feel” self worth. We don’t HAVE to work to gain God’s love, but we will do good BECAUSE we love him, if we are focusing on him and others, not on ourselves. It’s all quite a circular argument, but it WORKS—for our own peace and joy, and for God’s glory.

Happiness:
Happiness is not important or achievable. Contentedness, peace and joy, despite our circumstances is fully achievable. But we must learn it. We must have our soul immersed in God’s Word, and communication with God to move towards it.

Phil 4:4-13 are the most powerful words in the Bible in my life. WOW!!! WOW!!!
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 4:7 The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. 4:9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 4:10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 4:12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

Empty Nest

I just heard a conversation on a radio show about dealing with empty nest syndrome, and how this family would go to football games at their son's previous high school after he had left for college. They just had so much fun doing that, and got so used to it, they didn't want to stop. Of course, the experience just wasn't the same anymore for them. It got me thinking about how right now, at this point in my life, I would be devastated if I had no softball practices and games to take my girls to. Although, I get so busy and sometimes stressed at all the stuff I do for my kids (softball practices, games, work from being on the softball board, dance, birthday parties, volunteering at school, homework, etc etc etc), I would be so sad if I didn't have those things to do. Hearing the parents talking about their empty nest on the radio just made me realize how much I love my life, even if my house isn't always clean, and even if I'm running around all the time trying to get things done. Sometimes we have to realize that even though are schedule is busy, when we look at what we're doing, much of it is wonderful and fun; times that we need to appreciate in the moment.

As far as empty nest syndrome, I hope and pray by the time that reaches us, I will be more ready for it. I think I will to some extent, be ready by then, for another season in my life. Because of course there will always be wonderful experiences with the kids, even when they're out of the house. But for now, I will appreciate going to Aly's softball practice today. And I will try to remember to have this appreciation every day. I want to soak in every moment. Someday, I will be looking back and longing for a piece of those moments.

Gotta run to clean out the car! It's overflowing with bat bags, ball gloves, softball equipment, softball paperwork, and all the other scary stuff that kids leave in there!