[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Making The Most Of Your Resources
I found this Women of Faith devo at Sam's of all places and bought it because it seems to be just what I need this summer. It's all about viewing my time, energy, and $ from God's P.O.V. and learning how to manage it all better. I'm just gonna post some interesting quotes for your viewing pleasure ;P
-When we're children, we have a lot of time and energy but no money. When we're working adults, we have money and some energy but never enough time to spend either. When we're older and in the retirement years, we have time on our hands and (hopefully) money saved up but where's the energy we need to enjoy life?
-God comes into our life and multiplies my joy as I divide my energy. He adds strength to my character as I subtract activities I don't need to be doing.
-Whatever I have, I'm finding when I look at it from God's perspective, it's enough.
-Sometimes the most amazing displays of God's goodness are found in the tiniest aspects of God's creation
-When God gives us great things, we can't help but want to share His goodness with others.
-We need to be able to distinguish the needs that we are uniquely designed to fulfill as well as prioritize the opportunities that God sends our way.
-Choose to embrace generosity as a lifestyle and learn to celebrate all the gifts God has entrusted to you.
-When we're children, we have a lot of time and energy but no money. When we're working adults, we have money and some energy but never enough time to spend either. When we're older and in the retirement years, we have time on our hands and (hopefully) money saved up but where's the energy we need to enjoy life?
-God comes into our life and multiplies my joy as I divide my energy. He adds strength to my character as I subtract activities I don't need to be doing.
-Whatever I have, I'm finding when I look at it from God's perspective, it's enough.
-Sometimes the most amazing displays of God's goodness are found in the tiniest aspects of God's creation
-When God gives us great things, we can't help but want to share His goodness with others.
-We need to be able to distinguish the needs that we are uniquely designed to fulfill as well as prioritize the opportunities that God sends our way.
-Choose to embrace generosity as a lifestyle and learn to celebrate all the gifts God has entrusted to you.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
btw
I got the dream job!
It was an absolute test of faith... To believe my plans are safer in His hands than mine. To believe that He's got it all under control and it is not MY job to fiercely protect my heart from disappointment. To believe that I could RISK clinging to His promises without expecting some consolation prize. It was a real revelation of God's character, that I need not be afraid of uttering my dreams out loud - the whole Abraham and Isaac thing - because He is a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children (and unlike my earthly father whom, I regret to say, I always lived with fearful suspicion). I know He kept me from leaving my previous job for 3 years so He could receive the MOST glory possible by delivering me in just the right moment. All praise to Him for giving me this desire of my heart because He loves me!
How has He shown you He loves you today?
It was an absolute test of faith... To believe my plans are safer in His hands than mine. To believe that He's got it all under control and it is not MY job to fiercely protect my heart from disappointment. To believe that I could RISK clinging to His promises without expecting some consolation prize. It was a real revelation of God's character, that I need not be afraid of uttering my dreams out loud - the whole Abraham and Isaac thing - because He is a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children (and unlike my earthly father whom, I regret to say, I always lived with fearful suspicion). I know He kept me from leaving my previous job for 3 years so He could receive the MOST glory possible by delivering me in just the right moment. All praise to Him for giving me this desire of my heart because He loves me!
How has He shown you He loves you today?
Monday, April 11, 2011
BadMoodBlogger
Nearly three months of silence! Craziness! And why do I always get the urge to blog when I am facing difficulties? I don't want to be a bad mood blogger! As if anyone wants to read me venting about stupid crises in my life. Oh well, it got me this far so lemme write.
The highlights:
-turned 26
-had a fabulous job interview for a new middle school they are building 5 miles from my house
-actually felt respected as a teacher and appreciated for my innovative and unorthodox style
-had a lil party at The Mad Platter with a bunch of great girlfriends to celebrate
-feel in love with great female vocalists (Audrey Assad, Grace Potter, Florence and the Machine, etc)
-visited my parents in NC and saw Caleb attempt putt-putt for the first time ever (see facebook video)
-attended a marriage seminar at church
-watched Brett teach and baptize his friend! ;D
-lost 25 lbs in 3 months thanx to WW online
-began teaching Sunday School to 2 & 3 year olds
-saw Heather and her grown up boys when they came to visit
-did several paintings for different friends birthdays
-cooked fried chicken all by myself!
-dyed Caleb's first Easter eggs
-invested in close friendships with very inspiring women (one of whom said "I've decided we're going to be best friends" ;P)
-taught Caleb to say "bye Nana" on the phone and melt hearts ;)
-got a grant to go to a special week long institute for arts teachers... and realized 2 friends would be coming with me! ;)
-enjoyed shopping for pants 2 sizes smaller
-did not enjoy shopping for bras one size smaller :P
-joined the Harry Potter fanclub and read the first 3 books over spring break
-fasted from tv.... for about 3 days
-fell more and more in love with my amazing husband and partner and our adorable lil boy who's growing up crazyfast!
Current crisis:
I heard back from the principal of that dream job I interviewed with.... it looks like her hands are tied at the moment, if not indefinitely. She was very impressed with me but she's currently only able to hire in-district employees looking to transfer due to budget constraints. The restriction MIGHT be lifted at the end of April and I should check back with her then. Miiiiggghhhhttt. : / I was so stinkin excited about this possibility! it was the desire of my heart to get outta this bad experience and back into middle school, especially one so close to home! But now I dunno what to do. The fighter in me wants to go all out to sell myself and prove that I'm the best for the job and they've just gotta have me. But then there's the nagging common sense that tells me to just give up and prepare for the worst. How do I hold onto hope and step out in faith (believing Mark 11:24 "whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours") while still feeling like I need to protect my heart from being broken with disappointment?
It's hard to face the last 6 weeks of school so uncertain of the future. *sigh* Anyway, that's me. How are you? ;P
The highlights:
-turned 26
-had a fabulous job interview for a new middle school they are building 5 miles from my house
-actually felt respected as a teacher and appreciated for my innovative and unorthodox style
-had a lil party at The Mad Platter with a bunch of great girlfriends to celebrate
-feel in love with great female vocalists (Audrey Assad, Grace Potter, Florence and the Machine, etc)
-visited my parents in NC and saw Caleb attempt putt-putt for the first time ever (see facebook video)
-attended a marriage seminar at church
-watched Brett teach and baptize his friend! ;D
-lost 25 lbs in 3 months thanx to WW online
-began teaching Sunday School to 2 & 3 year olds
-saw Heather and her grown up boys when they came to visit
-did several paintings for different friends birthdays
-cooked fried chicken all by myself!
-dyed Caleb's first Easter eggs
-invested in close friendships with very inspiring women (one of whom said "I've decided we're going to be best friends" ;P)
-taught Caleb to say "bye Nana" on the phone and melt hearts ;)
-got a grant to go to a special week long institute for arts teachers... and realized 2 friends would be coming with me! ;)
-enjoyed shopping for pants 2 sizes smaller
-did not enjoy shopping for bras one size smaller :P
-joined the Harry Potter fanclub and read the first 3 books over spring break
-fasted from tv.... for about 3 days
-fell more and more in love with my amazing husband and partner and our adorable lil boy who's growing up crazyfast!
Current crisis:
I heard back from the principal of that dream job I interviewed with.... it looks like her hands are tied at the moment, if not indefinitely. She was very impressed with me but she's currently only able to hire in-district employees looking to transfer due to budget constraints. The restriction MIGHT be lifted at the end of April and I should check back with her then. Miiiiggghhhhttt. : / I was so stinkin excited about this possibility! it was the desire of my heart to get outta this bad experience and back into middle school, especially one so close to home! But now I dunno what to do. The fighter in me wants to go all out to sell myself and prove that I'm the best for the job and they've just gotta have me. But then there's the nagging common sense that tells me to just give up and prepare for the worst. How do I hold onto hope and step out in faith (believing Mark 11:24 "whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours") while still feeling like I need to protect my heart from being broken with disappointment?
It's hard to face the last 6 weeks of school so uncertain of the future. *sigh* Anyway, that's me. How are you? ;P
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Sooo...what to do with all this anger?
When do our frustrated feelings become sin? When we act on them and speak them out loud.
Prov. 21:23- "Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut and you will stay out of trouble."
Words are never really idle. They either contribute to the building up or the tearing down.
When we speak carelessly, not bring in control and consciously deciding what we're putting out into the world, the words appear idle-pointless-harmless-lacking purpose-just "venting".
Prov. 29:11- "Fools VENT their anger but the wise quietly hold it back."
Do I really pay that much attention to what I let fly? Do I EVER really decide what to say?
James 3:2- "Indeed we all make many mistakes. For, if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way."
I want self-control. The seed for it is already planted in me, I just gave to help it grow.
I need to stop YEARNing for it.
Instead I need to LEARN how to be that way.
And God gives me LOTS of opportunities to practice.
It's hard.
It hurts to be confronted with your weaknesses.
But the work is good.
Getting things easily will never make us into the women God is calling us to be.
Prov. 21:23- "Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut and you will stay out of trouble."
Words are never really idle. They either contribute to the building up or the tearing down.
When we speak carelessly, not bring in control and consciously deciding what we're putting out into the world, the words appear idle-pointless-harmless-lacking purpose-just "venting".
Prov. 29:11- "Fools VENT their anger but the wise quietly hold it back."
Do I really pay that much attention to what I let fly? Do I EVER really decide what to say?
James 3:2- "Indeed we all make many mistakes. For, if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way."
I want self-control. The seed for it is already planted in me, I just gave to help it grow.
I need to stop YEARNing for it.
Instead I need to LEARN how to be that way.
And God gives me LOTS of opportunities to practice.
It's hard.
It hurts to be confronted with your weaknesses.
But the work is good.
Getting things easily will never make us into the women God is calling us to be.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Currently 2011
Current Books: I finished all the Series Of Unfortunate Events books over Christmas break and I have a TON of books here I could read right now.... just haven't decided.
Current Playlist: The soundtrack from "Can't Hardly Wait".... I know I'm like 13 years late but I seriously love every. single. song.
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: That I read this ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41047777/ns/local_news-indianapolis_in/ ) and googled about and identified with Capricorns. And, because I'm a BSG dork, enjoyed being "from Caprica". :P
Current Colors: bright pink... as in lipstick. I'm ready for spring!
Current Fetish: Brett's lips? ;)
Current Food: anything with low WW points ;P
Current Drink: With all my constantly sick boys, give me orange juice!
Current Favorite Favorite: getting to hold and rock my little boy.... I know these moments will become even more few and far between as he gets older.
Current Wishlist: anything from my Amazon wishlist or GIFTCARDS! I never get giftcards.... my birthdays coming up people ;)
Current Needs: Oh, you know, just a couple thousand bucks to replace our heat/AC unit. But thank you GOD for these amazing space heaters and giant down comforters!!!
Current Triumph: losing 4-6 lbs in a week (depending on the scale)
Current Bane-of-my-Existence: myself every 5 minutes when God shows me the selfish motives of my heart.... I am WAYYYY too concerned about my rights!
Current Celebrity Crush: Emily Browning (of "A Series Of Unfortunate Events" movie and the awesome looking upcoming "SuckerPunch")
Current Indulgence: streaming Grey's Anatomy over Brett's iPad to the tv to watch since we cancelled cable
Current Mood: thankful
Current #1 Blessing: having 3 snow days off from work and two 2 hr. delays!!! :D
Current Slang or Saying: I look at Caleb and say "KristyYamaguchi" real fast and he ka-RACKS up!!! ;P
Current Outfit: sweatpants, FalconRidge Folk Festival tshirt, fuzzy red robe and socks
Current Link: http://1000awesomethings.com/
Current Playlist: The soundtrack from "Can't Hardly Wait".... I know I'm like 13 years late but I seriously love every. single. song.
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: That I read this ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41047777/ns/local_news-indianapolis_in/ ) and googled about and identified with Capricorns. And, because I'm a BSG dork, enjoyed being "from Caprica". :P
Current Colors: bright pink... as in lipstick. I'm ready for spring!
Current Fetish: Brett's lips? ;)
Current Food: anything with low WW points ;P
Current Drink: With all my constantly sick boys, give me orange juice!
Current Favorite Favorite: getting to hold and rock my little boy.... I know these moments will become even more few and far between as he gets older.
Current Wishlist: anything from my Amazon wishlist or GIFTCARDS! I never get giftcards.... my birthdays coming up people ;)
Current Needs: Oh, you know, just a couple thousand bucks to replace our heat/AC unit. But thank you GOD for these amazing space heaters and giant down comforters!!!
Current Triumph: losing 4-6 lbs in a week (depending on the scale)
Current Bane-of-my-Existence: myself every 5 minutes when God shows me the selfish motives of my heart.... I am WAYYYY too concerned about my rights!
Current Celebrity Crush: Emily Browning (of "A Series Of Unfortunate Events" movie and the awesome looking upcoming "SuckerPunch")
Current Indulgence: streaming Grey's Anatomy over Brett's iPad to the tv to watch since we cancelled cable
Current Mood: thankful
Current #1 Blessing: having 3 snow days off from work and two 2 hr. delays!!! :D
Current Slang or Saying: I look at Caleb and say "KristyYamaguchi" real fast and he ka-RACKS up!!! ;P
Current Outfit: sweatpants, FalconRidge Folk Festival tshirt, fuzzy red robe and socks
Current Link: http://1000awesomethings.com/
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Resolving
What I need is...
-to pour myself out
-to become less so He can become more in my life
-to obey Him in THIS moment, not even being concerned with what will happen after that
He's showing me everyday, shoot, every 5 minutes (!) that I do everything with a wicked motive. Every action has a secret purpose.... to justify why Brett (or anybody else) should feel guilty and do what I want and why God should bless the plans I've already made for my life. Every thought has a secret origin.... "how does this effect my rights?"
I'm on my mind all the time.
What I need is...
-to obey just because I love Him, not to get any reward.
-to show respect and self-sacrificing love to my husband, not to make myself look good and get my way but because that's just what love does.
My resolution is to give myself away.
So, tell me, what do YOU need? How can I love you better?
-to pour myself out
-to become less so He can become more in my life
-to obey Him in THIS moment, not even being concerned with what will happen after that
He's showing me everyday, shoot, every 5 minutes (!) that I do everything with a wicked motive. Every action has a secret purpose.... to justify why Brett (or anybody else) should feel guilty and do what I want and why God should bless the plans I've already made for my life. Every thought has a secret origin.... "how does this effect my rights?"
I'm on my mind all the time.
What I need is...
-to obey just because I love Him, not to get any reward.
-to show respect and self-sacrificing love to my husband, not to make myself look good and get my way but because that's just what love does.
My resolution is to give myself away.
So, tell me, what do YOU need? How can I love you better?
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