Im gonna go ahead and post this one too, Im sure she has rec'd it. This one is inspired by my friend Shannon who like us all are a New creation in Christ.......
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sweet Card
Ok so this month I had a root canal, yikes! anyways, im a scared baby when it comes to this. The assistant was so awesome, I made sure to get her name and a business card so I could make her a card. I used my cuttlebug which is quickly becoming a favorite tool! and I also used my cricut to make the strawberry. I love how sweet and cute this card is:)
Shine
I made this card maybe two months ago and have been waiting on God to let me know who to send this one to. Well I got my answer recently, I sent it to my friend Joye. She is going through Chemo (second round) and let me tell you, this woman SHINES! She radiates Jesus. Jesus seeps out of her and her love is contagious. It amazes me. Jesus is amazing! Im so happy to know this woman and just being around her is a blessing for sure!
Thinking of you
I made this for a family who is going through alot right now. We miss them and wish them well
Monday, August 15, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Forgiveness
Three Ways to Forgive by Ann Voskamp
1. Be a Screen Door
Like the wind blows through a screen door, let blustry comments, stormy blasts just blow right past. Incidents can only hit hard if you have your front door closed. But having a screen door policy allows some of the pain to blow by, us all hidden in Christ….
2. Only Believe the Best
When you believe that everyone is always just doing their best, that we never war against flesh and blood but against the principalities, that in light of this fallen world and sinful limitations, they truly are doing their best… this changes everything. Love bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things and whatever is good and pure and lovely, think on these things.
3. Tell the Thankful Truth
The truth is, there is always something, a lot, to give thanks for and that is the truth about every single parent. Consider offering a father, a mother, the gift of a jar full of slips of paper with your gratitude and thankful memories jotted down. This kind of grateful truth-telling helps to heal old wounds.
I feel myself wanting to close up, close myself off to everyone outside my house. I find myself getting angry over lost relationships, angry to always be the initator and I dont want to be.
So I get this email from Ann daily and wow, I love her way of being a screen door instead of a closed door. I want to be a screen door but I feel myself closing it. I know Christ wouldnt have me do that. I have to keep being strong and well by golly I dont want to be, so Im left with trying to allow my GOD to be for me. At times I feel the hurt of everyone in the world and it is sooo sad. I want to remove everyones hurt. I want to make everyone well. I find that the more that technology and the get more have more mentality increases, the more people dont have time for each other anymore. No one seems to have time for one on one relationships. I miss the good ole days when people would get together for afternoon tea or whatever and just enjoy fellowship with others. Everyone seems soooo rushed....RELAX and treasure your moments, they are fleeting. Look into your childs heart and love them. Love them for who they are even if you dont like or understand them. God made them unique. Im learning to do this, and with the help of my husbands encouragement we are trying to take in every moment. Ok im done for now.......
1. Be a Screen Door
Like the wind blows through a screen door, let blustry comments, stormy blasts just blow right past. Incidents can only hit hard if you have your front door closed. But having a screen door policy allows some of the pain to blow by, us all hidden in Christ….
2. Only Believe the Best
When you believe that everyone is always just doing their best, that we never war against flesh and blood but against the principalities, that in light of this fallen world and sinful limitations, they truly are doing their best… this changes everything. Love bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things and whatever is good and pure and lovely, think on these things.
3. Tell the Thankful Truth
The truth is, there is always something, a lot, to give thanks for and that is the truth about every single parent. Consider offering a father, a mother, the gift of a jar full of slips of paper with your gratitude and thankful memories jotted down. This kind of grateful truth-telling helps to heal old wounds.
I feel myself wanting to close up, close myself off to everyone outside my house. I find myself getting angry over lost relationships, angry to always be the initator and I dont want to be.
So I get this email from Ann daily and wow, I love her way of being a screen door instead of a closed door. I want to be a screen door but I feel myself closing it. I know Christ wouldnt have me do that. I have to keep being strong and well by golly I dont want to be, so Im left with trying to allow my GOD to be for me. At times I feel the hurt of everyone in the world and it is sooo sad. I want to remove everyones hurt. I want to make everyone well. I find that the more that technology and the get more have more mentality increases, the more people dont have time for each other anymore. No one seems to have time for one on one relationships. I miss the good ole days when people would get together for afternoon tea or whatever and just enjoy fellowship with others. Everyone seems soooo rushed....RELAX and treasure your moments, they are fleeting. Look into your childs heart and love them. Love them for who they are even if you dont like or understand them. God made them unique. Im learning to do this, and with the help of my husbands encouragement we are trying to take in every moment. Ok im done for now.......
Friday, August 05, 2011
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Kids school books etc
I have updated our list of what the kids are and will be doing this year......
Moms version of 1 cor 13
This is from a devotional bible I have but was originally in a book called "When the handwriting on the wall is in brown crayon" by Susan L. Lenzkes.
Though I lecture and harp at my children and have not love, I will be background noise to rebellious thoughts.
And though I wisely warn them not to use the street as a playground, or they'll be killed; and though I patiently explain why snails live in mobile homes, and I give endless answers to life's other mysteries; and though I have faith that can remove mountains of ignorance - yet never hug my children - I have taught nothing.
And though I slave over a steaming stove with balanced diets and complicated recipes and even burn my fingers - yet never smile as I serve - I have not really fed them.
A truly loving mother suffers through unfinished sentences, clutter, nicks on furniture, sleepless nights and adolescent insults, and is kind enough to think her kids are the greatest. A loving mother tries not to resent her children for being free like she used to be, and she doesn't brag about how she never talked to her mom that way.
Real love considers a childish nightmare more urgent than her need for sleep; is not shattered by the title "Meanest Mom"; doesn't shame a toddler who breaks training or a teen who still spills milk; steadfastly refuses to entertain visions of escape; and does not smirk as her child trips over the toy he refused to put away (but with silent wisdom rejoices in the effective lessons of experience).
Mother love has arms strong from lifting, a heart large with believing, a mind stretched with hoping, shoulders soft with enduring and knees bent with committing.
True mother-love never fails to point her child to the Author of Love.
"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
~
Though I lecture and harp at my children and have not love, I will be background noise to rebellious thoughts.
And though I wisely warn them not to use the street as a playground, or they'll be killed; and though I patiently explain why snails live in mobile homes, and I give endless answers to life's other mysteries; and though I have faith that can remove mountains of ignorance - yet never hug my children - I have taught nothing.
And though I slave over a steaming stove with balanced diets and complicated recipes and even burn my fingers - yet never smile as I serve - I have not really fed them.
A truly loving mother suffers through unfinished sentences, clutter, nicks on furniture, sleepless nights and adolescent insults, and is kind enough to think her kids are the greatest. A loving mother tries not to resent her children for being free like she used to be, and she doesn't brag about how she never talked to her mom that way.
Real love considers a childish nightmare more urgent than her need for sleep; is not shattered by the title "Meanest Mom"; doesn't shame a toddler who breaks training or a teen who still spills milk; steadfastly refuses to entertain visions of escape; and does not smirk as her child trips over the toy he refused to put away (but with silent wisdom rejoices in the effective lessons of experience).
Mother love has arms strong from lifting, a heart large with believing, a mind stretched with hoping, shoulders soft with enduring and knees bent with committing.
True mother-love never fails to point her child to the Author of Love.
~
"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Quilt top
While looking through my blog one I realized I started this quilt may 2010. Lol.....its 2011.....igtg its not normal for me to take this long. I guess life got in my way of getting it done. I will be ironing it next, then basteing and using my embroidery machine to help quilt it and also do some machine quilting also. I will probably hand sew the binding on depending on time. I want to complete before we move. Im so happy that I decided to add another border. I really like my scrappy quilt.
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Friday, July 22, 2011
Action Friends
July 22, 2011
Friends in Action
Marybeth Whalen
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV)
What makes a good friend? Someone who runs errands for you when you're sick? Who takes your kids off your hands when you need a break? Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and listens? Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with you? Someone who challenges you to be a better wife, mother, and follower of God?
In each of these examples, we see friendship taking an active form. As I have studied the Bible, I see three instances of friendship in action. Job 2:11-13 shows us how Job's friends came to help him as he faced hardship. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend — even if it was just to sit silently beside him. They knew that just their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him.
Acts 28:15 gives us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends can encourage us. Paul's friends heard he was coming so they traveled a great distance to greet him. For Paul this was a huge blessing. Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your behalf will put wind in your sails. I love that Paul first thanked God for his friends. I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a gift from God.
Acts 12:12-19 tells us how Peter's friends couldn't be with him because he was imprisoned. But that didn't stop them from doing what they could. They gathered together to pray. The King James Version of Acts 12:5 says that they were literally praying "without ceasing." These friends knew that corporate prayer was an action they could take on behalf of their friend who needed them.
Whether we physically go to our friend's side or spiritually partner with them in prayer, we can look to these examples from the Bible as to how to be friends in action.
In a society that is more and more driven to social media, texting, and emailing as a way to stay connected, we cannot overlook what taking physical action in real time can mean. We can be active in faith, in love, in joy, in kindness. We choose to act because we understand that we are God's hands and feet to those He puts in our lives. Yes, it takes extra effort, time, and even money to be an active friend. But the blessings outweigh the effort as we live according to the examples God has given us.
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend who takes action. When You lay someone on my heart, help me to feel a sense of urgency to move on their behalf. Help me to follow these Biblical examples and be a friend in action, not just in thought. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Friends in Action
Marybeth Whalen
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (NIV)
What makes a good friend? Someone who runs errands for you when you're sick? Who takes your kids off your hands when you need a break? Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and listens? Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with you? Someone who challenges you to be a better wife, mother, and follower of God?
In each of these examples, we see friendship taking an active form. As I have studied the Bible, I see three instances of friendship in action. Job 2:11-13 shows us how Job's friends came to help him as he faced hardship. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend — even if it was just to sit silently beside him. They knew that just their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him.
Acts 28:15 gives us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends can encourage us. Paul's friends heard he was coming so they traveled a great distance to greet him. For Paul this was a huge blessing. Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your behalf will put wind in your sails. I love that Paul first thanked God for his friends. I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a gift from God.
Acts 12:12-19 tells us how Peter's friends couldn't be with him because he was imprisoned. But that didn't stop them from doing what they could. They gathered together to pray. The King James Version of Acts 12:5 says that they were literally praying "without ceasing." These friends knew that corporate prayer was an action they could take on behalf of their friend who needed them.
Whether we physically go to our friend's side or spiritually partner with them in prayer, we can look to these examples from the Bible as to how to be friends in action.
In a society that is more and more driven to social media, texting, and emailing as a way to stay connected, we cannot overlook what taking physical action in real time can mean. We can be active in faith, in love, in joy, in kindness. We choose to act because we understand that we are God's hands and feet to those He puts in our lives. Yes, it takes extra effort, time, and even money to be an active friend. But the blessings outweigh the effort as we live according to the examples God has given us.
Dear Lord, help me to be a friend who takes action. When You lay someone on my heart, help me to feel a sense of urgency to move on their behalf. Help me to follow these Biblical examples and be a friend in action, not just in thought. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Friend card
Ok so this card was a fun one! She isn't mexican but always mistaken that she is. So I thought it would be funny to make her card in spanish.....then ofcourse it had to be girly since she lives in a house with all boys!
Im so glad you liked it Lorraine!
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Im so glad you liked it Lorraine!
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Thursday, July 14, 2011
Birthday card
This is for one of the girls friends whose birthday party is this weekend.
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Natural or Miracle?
WOW, never thought of it like that. But what comes naturally to some doesnt come naturally to others, so there for you know that its a miracle, supernatural happening and not of yourself.....People think this whole mothering thing and homeschooling thing comes naturally for me and while some things like mothering instinct etc does being the mother GOD calls me to be isnt.....and to hear reassurance from God through Beth is life for me right now.....He is my strength!
Saturday, July 09, 2011
All done
This is what happens when mommas make and decorate cookies
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Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Kimchee BibimGukSu
A new dish I made today. Basically korean noodles with kimchee and seasonings. Served cold.
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Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
Sunday, July 03, 2011
The envelope
I had to take a pic of the envelope I made also. I made the 3d flower also. Love it!
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Friday, July 01, 2011
Thank you
I made this one for our Pastors wife. I really enjoy the way cuttlebug embosses.
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Thursday, June 30, 2011
Kimbap
I don't like leftover kimbap so I fry it and now I like it. Served with cucumber kimchee!
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Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
The Great Duty
Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion
that Sunday School is intended
to ease them of their personal duties.
The first and most natural condition of things
is for Christian parents
to train up their own children
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
that Sunday School is intended
to ease them of their personal duties.
The first and most natural condition of things
is for Christian parents
to train up their own children
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
-Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Napkin Swap
Hello Ladies, Are you already ready for another napkin swap????? I know, I know, I already did one for this year. BUT Guess what I am moving and not taking my fancy machine with me so I wanted to have another one before I move. I dont know if I will do this while away so I want to get more awesome cute napkins going. I had SEVEN people in the swap last time, out biggest turn out yet! I know that one more already wants to join us, Welcome Shanie! So post or email me if you want to join in.....Stephanie I know you missed the last one but already have your napkins ready for this one, right? Ofcourse Im posting this in plenty of time so everyone has time to do their napkins and get fabric on sale ect......
1 yard broadcloth
1 yard flannel
should make you 12 napkins if cut at 9 inches.
Whose in??????
1 yard broadcloth
1 yard flannel
should make you 12 napkins if cut at 9 inches.
Whose in??????
Friday, June 24, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Gossip
How to recognize Gossip
Gossip is one of the most dangerous sins because it is so subtle and ambiguous -- many are unable to recognize it. Be on alert against gossip whenever you hear of “secret information” being circulated, or if you hear anyone else’s name is used in a conversation. Gossip exists whenever persons “talk about others” in less than a favorable way. The root of gossip is negativeness, judgementalism, slander, etc. Avoid associating with people who gossip “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much” (Prov. 20:19). You probably remember the old saying: “If you can’t say something good about others, don’t say anything at all.” Wise advice if you wish to avoid sin.
Gossip often masquerades as “concern” for others. Rumors or gossip will seem more palatable if they first hide behind a pretentious expression of concern. “I hate to say anything about this to you, but I’m ’concerned’ about so and so.” At other times the gossiper will seek you out as their “confidante” to unload their “heavy heart” about their concerns. “I’m very troubled about so and so and I don’t know who else to talk to about it.” In reality, the gossip is not sincerely concerned about solving the problem, only in talking about it -- stirring it up. “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends” (Prov. 16:28). A gossip thrives on the negative, the controversial, and the sensational. Any person who is genuinely concerned about solving a problem, will go and privately confront the person at the source and express their concern. Or else they should go privately to the pastor so he will do it.
The gossip is like a spider looking for a prey to lure into their trap of gossiping. They may confide to you secrets or their private concerns about other people. Perhaps in consolement, you may express your half-hearted agreement with their concerns, or you may even be enticed to confide your secret concerns to them. Consequently, the gossip will eventually repeat the process with someone else -- but next time, they will add your name as an endorsement of their private “issue,” and will eventually even disclose the secrets you shared to them. And on and on it goes.
There are times when people need to confide their own problems with a friend in the Lord. But avoid revealing anything to a person who gossips -- they can’t be trusted. “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret” (Prov. 11:13).
Taken from here
Monday, June 20, 2011
Science
Today as I was watching a friends boys, Leia and her oldest starting looking up info on birds and butterflies and drew them and put info on them. They were "doing" school without realizing it. What a blessing it is to have them home:)
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Saturday, June 18, 2011
Motherhood, my mission field
Here is a GREAT and Encouraging blog post written about motherhood click here
For a sweet old friend
This card was super tricky and took me awhile to complete. I made the matching envelope too!
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Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
Friday, June 17, 2011
Card for Jennifer
I loved this pattern and thought Jennifer would too!
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Card for Shannon
She loves butterflies and I knew I had to make her this!
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Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Stay
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
"Your son is here," she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.
"Your son is here," she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.
All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
"Who was that man?" he asked.
The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his Son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
"Who was that man?" he asked.
The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his Son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."
I came here tonight to
find a Mr. William Grey.
His Son was killed in Iraq
today, and I was sent to
inform him. What was this
gentleman's name?
The Nurse with tears in
her eyes answered,
Mr. William Grey.............
find a Mr. William Grey.
His Son was killed in Iraq
today, and I was sent to
inform him. What was this
gentleman's name?
The Nurse with tears in
her eyes answered,Mr. William Grey.............
The next time someone needs you ... Just be there. Stay
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Miss you
I made this card using kates abcs cartridge and my cuttlebug. I'm super happy with how sweet it looks.
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Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Card
Im loving making cards. Someday I will be as good at this as all the great ones I see online:)
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Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
Quote from Sally Clarkson
If you are a mother and want encouragment in your high calling I highly suggest Sally Clarksons book Seasons of a Mothers Heart. I was blessed to be able to go to her conference in Dallas this year and it was amazing to meet her in person! Here is a quote from my reading today
"God is pictured numerous times in Scripture expressing emotions. A part of his divine nature is what we call emotion, but it is perfect and without flaw. Since we are made "in his image,"we share that part of God's nature. Emotion- the part of us that experiences happiness, sadness, andger and shame is a natural part of life put there by God. However, like so many other "good" things in our lives that God has created, OUR SIN NATURE MESSES UP OUR EMOTIONS. We are too often tempted to follow our sin distorted feelings, rather than God. To help us, though, God has put the Holy Spirit in our lives to enable us to live by faith rather than by our feelings. Letting God control even our feelings and passions is a sure mark of Christian Maturity. Spirit controlled emotions and passions drive us to love God and serve others, and that's what makes them good." Sally Clarkson
I want God controlling my emotions....
I want God to control how I handle the stresses of Home Educating our children.
I want God to control my reaction to things I can't control.
I want God to control every aspect of my life.
I'm thankful that he has given us his word to help us through this journey....
"God is pictured numerous times in Scripture expressing emotions. A part of his divine nature is what we call emotion, but it is perfect and without flaw. Since we are made "in his image,"we share that part of God's nature. Emotion- the part of us that experiences happiness, sadness, andger and shame is a natural part of life put there by God. However, like so many other "good" things in our lives that God has created, OUR SIN NATURE MESSES UP OUR EMOTIONS. We are too often tempted to follow our sin distorted feelings, rather than God. To help us, though, God has put the Holy Spirit in our lives to enable us to live by faith rather than by our feelings. Letting God control even our feelings and passions is a sure mark of Christian Maturity. Spirit controlled emotions and passions drive us to love God and serve others, and that's what makes them good." Sally Clarkson
I want God controlling my emotions....
I want God to control how I handle the stresses of Home Educating our children.
I want God to control my reaction to things I can't control.
I want God to control every aspect of my life.
I'm thankful that he has given us his word to help us through this journey....
Monday, June 06, 2011
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Love this......Why we homeschool
This was written by another homeschooling family, it was really well written I think and my favorite part is reason 7. Its soo true.....Read it here
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Friday, May 06, 2011
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Yummy goodness
My sister introduced me to this yummy creation while NC and it will become a staple in this house!
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Napkin Swap
Was a huge success. We have got some creative and talented ladies. So many different prints and personalities. I would like to do this again in oct-nov time frame. This was our biggest swap yet. Thanks ladies!
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All of them
Aren't these napkins adorable? I am so excited to use these.
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Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
Monday, April 11, 2011
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Building Female Friendships
Build Solid Female Friendships
Whitney Von Lake Hopler
Friendships with other women have the potential to either enrich your life greatly or hurt you deeply. But you can navigate the complex dynamics of relationships well if you realize that God wants to use your friendships to help you and your friends grow. Grown-up friendships stretch and encourage both you and your friends to become more mature.
Here’s how you can build grown-up friendships:
Be willing to invest yourself in friendships. Realize that good friendships don’t just happen; they take time and require risks. Invest the time and take the risks necessary to build solid friendships. Don’t settle for just fleeting fun marred by insecurity; pursue relationships that help you connect well with other women and experience deep joy together.
Discover the purpose for each of your friendships. Understand that God has an overarching purpose for all grown-up friendships, which is that they should honor Him by encouraging the people involved to become the people He wants them to be. But ask God to show you the unique purpose for each of your friendships, as well. Ask your friends questions as you explore the potential purpose for your friendships with them, and pray about the information you receive until you discover what God wants to accomplish in each of your lives through your friendship.
Rank your friendships by intimacy level. Recognize that not all of your relationships are meant to be close. Know that, while you’re called to love everyone, you’re not called to share intimately with everyone.
Put your friendships in the proper perspective by ranking them according to whether they’re acquaintances (people you know by name and with whom you usually share facts or clichés, such as a cashier at your favorite grocery store), companions (people you talk with about opinions or concerns, and with whom you share something in common, such as a hobby or children of the same age) or close friends (people you trust enough to share your deep thoughts and feelings together). After taking inventory of your current friendships, ask yourself if you’re experiencing true intimacy in any of your friendships, or if you’re spread too thin by trying to have too many intimate friendships.
Identify those people with whom you sense God is leading you to become close friends, and become intentional about doing so while letting go of unnecessary pressure in your other friendships. Make sure that God is your number one close friend, and rely on the love He gives to love other people.
Open your heart, with God’s help. Don’t close your heart off to people God wants you love. If you’re having trouble acting loving toward a difficult person, ask God – the source of all love – to help you by giving you the love you need for her. Be aware of how people press your fear buttons through their words and actions. Once you identify how they trigger fear in you, talk with them honestly about it, with the goal of sharing a loving conversation that will enlighten you both and draw you closer together. Constantly keep your heart open to receive God’s love so you can love your friends as He intends.
Set and respect healthy boundaries. Pursue healing from any past wounds that are affecting your ability to build current relationships in healthy ways. Reflect on your emotions and what words and actions trigger them so you can understand how to express them at appropriate times and in ways that are most helpful to you and your friends. Make sure that your physical expressions of affection honor God and bless your friends rather than making them uncomfortable. Recognize that God has created you to be unique. Don’t try to become like your friends; embrace your own identity with confidence.
Embrace differences between yourself and your friends. Accept the fact that you and your friends have different personalities and approaches to life. Realize that, instead of causing you to grow apart, your differences can actually improve your friendship if you respond to them wisely. Let go of attempts to change your friends and address frustrations and unmet expectations as they occur. View the differences between you as gifts rather than annoyances. Bring out the best in each other by inviting God to use the differences between you to teach you to love in deeper ways. Ask God what He is trying to accomplish by pulling you and your friends together, and keep His purposes in mind as you work through your differences.
Communicate wisely. Avoid behaviors that erode the trust that must be the foundation of a safe friendship, such as: gossip, criticism, competitiveness, blaming, manipulation, an unwillingness to confront about issues, jealousy, too much emotional intensity, jockeying for position within a group of friends, and talking instead of listening. Create safety in your friendships by allowing each other to open up with each other and share your true thoughts and feelings. Honor each other by recognizing each other’s value. Realize when your fear buttons have been pushed, and learn how to manage your emotions so they don’t control you. Be willing to seek forgiveness when you’ve hurt your friends. Speak encouraging words to your friends.
Avoid screaming, yelling, threats, and other unhealthy behaviors during disagreements. Create ground rules for your friendships that make it clear what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Be willing to confront your friends whenever you believe they have wronged you.
Learn how to listen well (be empathetic, summarize what was said to make sure you heard it correctly, ask open-ended questions that lead to deeper sharing, and validate your friend’s feelings even if you don’t agree with them). Rather than harboring negative beliefs about your friends, acknowledge that your perceptions might be wrong and give your friends the benefit of the doubt until you can visit with them to discuss your concerns. Don’t make negative comments about other people in front of your friends when those people aren’t present to defend themselves; know that if you refrain from doing so, your friends will trust you not to speak critically about them when they’re not present.
Take responsibility for what you choose to believe about your friends and how you choose to communicate with them; don’t blame your friends for your own choices.
Forgive and seek forgiveness. Be willing to forgive your friends after they hurt you, and ask them to forgive you after you hurt them. Know that this is not an option; it’s something you must do to maintain healthy friendships. Remember that God has forgiven you and expects you to take His call to forgive seriously. Rely on God’s help to forgive and seek forgiveness, no matter what your feelings, and know that He will help you do so. Pursue reconciliation as well with those friends who are willing to restore their friendships with you.
Overcome destructive friendships. Try to prevent being mistreated in friendships by depending on Jesus (rather than other people) to meet your deepest needs, asking God to help you become wiser and more discerning, being willing to trust others after someone betrays you, and seeking out healthy friends.
Understand that a healthy friend: brings her own identity to the relationship, supports rather than acts as a caretaker, is honest and truthful but not critical, can make decisions for herself but does not need to make decisions for everyone around her, honors your other friendships while having a clear vision of the purpose God had when He brought you two together, does not try to manipulate you but encourages you instead, believes the best about you, forgives but does not accept recurring destructive behavior from someone who does not repent. Decide to give your heart in close friendship only to women you can trust to hold it well.
Know when to let go. If you have lost a friendship because of another person’s choice, accept that you can’t control another person and don’t try to force a relationship when she doesn’t want one. If you’re dealing with a destructive friendship in which your friend is mistreating you and won’t change, realize that the best choice for you to make may be to let go of that relationship.
After a friendship ends, try to learn from the experience by asking yourself: “How could I have done this relationship better?” and “What can I learn from this painful experience and apply to my other relationships?" Allow yourself to go through the grieving process for a friendship you’ve lost. Ask God to use the loss of a friendship to refine your weaknesses and draw you closer to Him.
Reach out in crisis. When you’re going through a crisis in your life (such as divorce, widowhood, a sick child, a death in the family, or your own illness), don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends for support. When your friends are going through a crisis in their lives, reach out to them to offer them some of the hope and help they need.
Pass on what you know. Become a mentor (either formally or informally) to younger women who could benefit from what you’ve learned about building grown-up friendships. Model love in the midst of hurt, offer support in the midst of trials, pray for their friendships, and occasionally include them in fun activities with you and your own friends.
Press on. Persevere through the challenges of struggles in your friendships, knowing that God will use all of your experiences to help you become more and more like Jesus.
Originally posted April July 2007.
Whitney Von Lake Hopler
Friendships with other women have the potential to either enrich your life greatly or hurt you deeply. But you can navigate the complex dynamics of relationships well if you realize that God wants to use your friendships to help you and your friends grow. Grown-up friendships stretch and encourage both you and your friends to become more mature.
Here’s how you can build grown-up friendships:
Be willing to invest yourself in friendships. Realize that good friendships don’t just happen; they take time and require risks. Invest the time and take the risks necessary to build solid friendships. Don’t settle for just fleeting fun marred by insecurity; pursue relationships that help you connect well with other women and experience deep joy together.
Discover the purpose for each of your friendships. Understand that God has an overarching purpose for all grown-up friendships, which is that they should honor Him by encouraging the people involved to become the people He wants them to be. But ask God to show you the unique purpose for each of your friendships, as well. Ask your friends questions as you explore the potential purpose for your friendships with them, and pray about the information you receive until you discover what God wants to accomplish in each of your lives through your friendship.
Rank your friendships by intimacy level. Recognize that not all of your relationships are meant to be close. Know that, while you’re called to love everyone, you’re not called to share intimately with everyone.
Put your friendships in the proper perspective by ranking them according to whether they’re acquaintances (people you know by name and with whom you usually share facts or clichés, such as a cashier at your favorite grocery store), companions (people you talk with about opinions or concerns, and with whom you share something in common, such as a hobby or children of the same age) or close friends (people you trust enough to share your deep thoughts and feelings together). After taking inventory of your current friendships, ask yourself if you’re experiencing true intimacy in any of your friendships, or if you’re spread too thin by trying to have too many intimate friendships.
Identify those people with whom you sense God is leading you to become close friends, and become intentional about doing so while letting go of unnecessary pressure in your other friendships. Make sure that God is your number one close friend, and rely on the love He gives to love other people.
Open your heart, with God’s help. Don’t close your heart off to people God wants you love. If you’re having trouble acting loving toward a difficult person, ask God – the source of all love – to help you by giving you the love you need for her. Be aware of how people press your fear buttons through their words and actions. Once you identify how they trigger fear in you, talk with them honestly about it, with the goal of sharing a loving conversation that will enlighten you both and draw you closer together. Constantly keep your heart open to receive God’s love so you can love your friends as He intends.
Set and respect healthy boundaries. Pursue healing from any past wounds that are affecting your ability to build current relationships in healthy ways. Reflect on your emotions and what words and actions trigger them so you can understand how to express them at appropriate times and in ways that are most helpful to you and your friends. Make sure that your physical expressions of affection honor God and bless your friends rather than making them uncomfortable. Recognize that God has created you to be unique. Don’t try to become like your friends; embrace your own identity with confidence.
Embrace differences between yourself and your friends. Accept the fact that you and your friends have different personalities and approaches to life. Realize that, instead of causing you to grow apart, your differences can actually improve your friendship if you respond to them wisely. Let go of attempts to change your friends and address frustrations and unmet expectations as they occur. View the differences between you as gifts rather than annoyances. Bring out the best in each other by inviting God to use the differences between you to teach you to love in deeper ways. Ask God what He is trying to accomplish by pulling you and your friends together, and keep His purposes in mind as you work through your differences.
Communicate wisely. Avoid behaviors that erode the trust that must be the foundation of a safe friendship, such as: gossip, criticism, competitiveness, blaming, manipulation, an unwillingness to confront about issues, jealousy, too much emotional intensity, jockeying for position within a group of friends, and talking instead of listening. Create safety in your friendships by allowing each other to open up with each other and share your true thoughts and feelings. Honor each other by recognizing each other’s value. Realize when your fear buttons have been pushed, and learn how to manage your emotions so they don’t control you. Be willing to seek forgiveness when you’ve hurt your friends. Speak encouraging words to your friends.
Avoid screaming, yelling, threats, and other unhealthy behaviors during disagreements. Create ground rules for your friendships that make it clear what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Be willing to confront your friends whenever you believe they have wronged you.
Learn how to listen well (be empathetic, summarize what was said to make sure you heard it correctly, ask open-ended questions that lead to deeper sharing, and validate your friend’s feelings even if you don’t agree with them). Rather than harboring negative beliefs about your friends, acknowledge that your perceptions might be wrong and give your friends the benefit of the doubt until you can visit with them to discuss your concerns. Don’t make negative comments about other people in front of your friends when those people aren’t present to defend themselves; know that if you refrain from doing so, your friends will trust you not to speak critically about them when they’re not present.
Take responsibility for what you choose to believe about your friends and how you choose to communicate with them; don’t blame your friends for your own choices.
Forgive and seek forgiveness. Be willing to forgive your friends after they hurt you, and ask them to forgive you after you hurt them. Know that this is not an option; it’s something you must do to maintain healthy friendships. Remember that God has forgiven you and expects you to take His call to forgive seriously. Rely on God’s help to forgive and seek forgiveness, no matter what your feelings, and know that He will help you do so. Pursue reconciliation as well with those friends who are willing to restore their friendships with you.
Overcome destructive friendships. Try to prevent being mistreated in friendships by depending on Jesus (rather than other people) to meet your deepest needs, asking God to help you become wiser and more discerning, being willing to trust others after someone betrays you, and seeking out healthy friends.
Understand that a healthy friend: brings her own identity to the relationship, supports rather than acts as a caretaker, is honest and truthful but not critical, can make decisions for herself but does not need to make decisions for everyone around her, honors your other friendships while having a clear vision of the purpose God had when He brought you two together, does not try to manipulate you but encourages you instead, believes the best about you, forgives but does not accept recurring destructive behavior from someone who does not repent. Decide to give your heart in close friendship only to women you can trust to hold it well.
Know when to let go. If you have lost a friendship because of another person’s choice, accept that you can’t control another person and don’t try to force a relationship when she doesn’t want one. If you’re dealing with a destructive friendship in which your friend is mistreating you and won’t change, realize that the best choice for you to make may be to let go of that relationship.
After a friendship ends, try to learn from the experience by asking yourself: “How could I have done this relationship better?” and “What can I learn from this painful experience and apply to my other relationships?" Allow yourself to go through the grieving process for a friendship you’ve lost. Ask God to use the loss of a friendship to refine your weaknesses and draw you closer to Him.
Reach out in crisis. When you’re going through a crisis in your life (such as divorce, widowhood, a sick child, a death in the family, or your own illness), don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends for support. When your friends are going through a crisis in their lives, reach out to them to offer them some of the hope and help they need.
Pass on what you know. Become a mentor (either formally or informally) to younger women who could benefit from what you’ve learned about building grown-up friendships. Model love in the midst of hurt, offer support in the midst of trials, pray for their friendships, and occasionally include them in fun activities with you and your own friends.
Press on. Persevere through the challenges of struggles in your friendships, knowing that God will use all of your experiences to help you become more and more like Jesus.
Originally posted April July 2007.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Acting out the four basic human behaviours
Whose what???? Those that know me, know which one I am.....these are soo funny, I was literally LOL while watching and thinking of myself and closest friends........
Survivor: Redemption Island - My Faith Is Everything
Saving his most precious gift for his wife.....love it!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Napkin Swap
Ok its time ladies, Email me at kberryh @ hotmail dot com.........I will send you the address to mail me the napkins at.....
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Spring card
I made thus card for my friend Shannon. She finally rec'd it so I can post it. Im glad you liked it.
Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
New crafting Adventure......
Monday, March 07, 2011
Excerpt from book....
Book by Francine Rivers, Unspoken its about Bathsheba.
If you havent read about it, its good.....True story from the bible......How their secret sin became known and ruined sooooo many lives.....anyway here is an excerpt from the book that was like a wow moment for me. Its is soo true how quickly sin enters our life and spirals out of control.......
"David pressed her head against his heart, unable to speak. How was it possible for two people to know and love the Law and yet sin so abominably?How and when had sin first crept into their lives and spread like a playgue until it killed their consciences? Had the seeds of sin been planted years ago, when he'd realized she was no longer a child and wished he had asked for her before Eliam gave her to another man? Had the seeds planted then been watered with his own fantasies? "
Hebrews 12:1-2 (New International Version, ©2011)
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If you havent read about it, its good.....True story from the bible......How their secret sin became known and ruined sooooo many lives.....anyway here is an excerpt from the book that was like a wow moment for me. Its is soo true how quickly sin enters our life and spirals out of control.......
"David pressed her head against his heart, unable to speak. How was it possible for two people to know and love the Law and yet sin so abominably?How and when had sin first crept into their lives and spread like a playgue until it killed their consciences? Had the seeds of sin been planted years ago, when he'd realized she was no longer a child and wished he had asked for her before Eliam gave her to another man? Had the seeds planted then been watered with his own fantasies? "
Hebrews 12:1-2 (New International Version, ©2011)
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Sally Clarkson
During her conference she made a comment about first time obedience and I agree with what she says here. Jesus gives us second chances, its about their heart.....anyways read this from her blog, long but worth the read......she has links to what others said about conference and the link to courtneys is who I also met while there.....
http://www.itakejoy.com/first-time-obedience-really/
http://www.itakejoy.com/first-time-obedience-really/
Roll call (napkin swap)
1. Me
2. Jennifer
3. Shannon
4. Gabriella
5. Lorrianne
6. Lorriannes friend
7. Stephanie
8. Gloria
Did I get everyone? Please check in.......:)
2. Jennifer
3. Shannon
4. Gabriella
5. Lorrianne
6. Lorriannes friend
7. Stephanie
8. Gloria
Did I get everyone? Please check in.......:)
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