She Speaks, She Waits, She Trusts

Last year, I attended the She Speaks Conference with hopes of being "encouraged, equipped and empowered" to pursue my writing dreams. I read all the tips I could find to make the most of the experience. I prepared for months - reading, writing, and praying for God to speak to me about why He called me to attend and what direction to take.

I anticipated God's answer to be detailed and writing based. I expected a revelation of what book I should write or what should be the main topic of magazine articles I would submit. Although the conference exceeded my expectations, the events of the past year clouded the vision God unveiled. At times, I not only questioned the direction but also the plan.

This year, I volunteered at She Speaks as a hostess for women meeting with publishers and agents to pitch their book proposals. I prayed for God to use me. I sought to support and reassure the women in pursuit of their calling.

As I shifted the focus from myself to benefiting others, God blessed me. The women's courage and strength of purpose energized me. It ignited my faith to keep dreaming, believing, trusting and even waiting.

Last year, God called me to attend She Speaks to advance my faith to a new level of trust in Him. This year, He moved me to serve Him at She Speaks to remind me His light is shining even behind the clouds. Now, I patiently wait for further glimpses of God's plan. I no longer need the exact directions to fulfill God's purpose for me. I simply need to continue to seek Him daily and move as He calls.

Trust in Me with all your heart, and I will guide you. Proverbs 3:5-6

Blessings,

Yes to God Study - What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Click on the link above to learn more about Lelia Chealey's study of Micca Campbell's book an untroubled heart - finding a faith that is stronger than all my fears. This week's study covers Chapter 8: What's the Worst That Could Happen?

When our downstairs toilet began leaking from the base, my husband checked the overflow valve in our front yard. When he removed the cap, raw sewage erupted and spewed all over our lawn.

We directed all our attention to solving the problem. As my husband attempted to remove the waste, I thought, "What caused this? It didn't all come from our house." When I called the city to report the situation, they said there must be a blockage to the main source.

What an ironic depiction of life. Difficulties come at us from outside sources. The cr@p builds up until it consumes our focus. We concentrate on the mess, obstructing our connection to the main source, God.

How do we flush out the line and remove the barriers? By shifting our focus from our obtacles to God. "We don't need to despair as long as our hope is in God. Hope helps us see the God of restoration instead of being paralyzed by the mess of destruction."

Yes to God - Can a Dress Teach Us to Trust?

This week's study covers Chapter 6: Learning to Trust. Click on the link above to learn more about Lelia Chealey's study of Micca Campbell's book an untroubled heart - finding a faith that is stronger than all my fears.

Micca wrote, ".....I couldn't see past my fears. Therefore, I couldn't see God, let alone trust Him." Last week, I focused on God and progressed in conquering fears. This week, stressors threatened my peace. Doubts attacked my faith. My vision blurred. Could I refocus on God to battle my anxieties? Would I really trust God?

As I dressed for work yesterday, I thought, "I wish I could get just a couple new spring outfits." With our budget limited to necessities, I saw no way to satisfy this desire. I reminded myself to concentrate on our needs. I thanked God for providing for us during this difficult time.

After arriving at work, a co-worker handed a bag to me. She said, "I went shopping in my closet for you." The restroom became my changing room. As I gazed at my reflection in the beautifully fitting spring dresses, my sight cleared.

God used my co-worker to clothe me in the certainty of His provision. Though I saw no way, God already made a way. If He does this in such a minor circumstance, imagine what He can do in the major struggles. "When you and I are secure in God's provision, there's no situation that can destroy us."

Blessings,

Yes to God Study - Family Matters

This week's study covers Chapter 5: Family Matters. It focuses on building a strong foundation for your home and relationships through reliance on God. Click on the link above to learn more about Lelia Chealey's study of Micca Campbell's book an untroubled heart - finding a faith that is stronger than all my fears.

Extreme changes in weather and colds trigger my daughter's asthma. Fall and winter brought asthma episodes with increased frequency and severity, including multiple trips to the emergency room. The triggers also activated my fears and anxiety. I fight not to pass this on to my daughter because I do not want her to feel controlled by her asthma at anytime. I found myself becoming dominated by my anxiety and fears.

In this chapter, Micca's asks, "Where are you today? Are you restless in your cares or are you resting in His care?" Too often I am restless in my cares. I strive to balance my concerns and contain my fears, just as we strive to balance the medications and manage the asthma.

Recently, I struck a better balance by casting my cares to God. During the extreme weather changes over the past ten days, I prayed for my daughter's health. I wanted the weather to calm, but I prayed for a shift in the internal atmosphere of my spirit. I asked God for peace and wisdom, trusting Him to get us through whatever happened.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

I did not feel as anxious. I slept better. More importantly, I traded fear for faith. I trust God to remove our fears as we build a stronger faith.

Blessings,

Yes to God - Fear Factor

Click on the link above to learn more about Lelia Chealey's study of Micca Campbell's book an untroubled heart - finding a faith that is stronger than all my fears. This Bible study prompted me to rejoin the bloggy world. In many ways, I'm starting over. I'm joining the study with Chapter 2 : Fear Factor.

Much of the anxiety I faced through recent challenges stemmed from feeling out of control and consumed with worry.

"We act as if everything depends on us. We wouldn't dare admit that we are in over our heads. We want to appear in control. But God never meant for you and me to be strong in and of ourselves. We were meant to show His strength in our weakness as He provides for our needs."

I admit I am not in control, although I often try to be or wish I were.

"One of the hardest things to do is to give up control and trust someone other than ourselves. Again, we misunderstand the benefit of a surrendered life. It's not about giving up; it's about gaining the power and presence of God living His life through us."

I do not need to be in control. After losing my job this summer, I did not know how we would make it. God knew. During my first week of eligibility for unemployment, I started a new job.

While we were without health insurance, my daughter had a severe asthma episode that required transportation to the emergency room by ambulance. Although employed, I took a significant salary reduction. We struggled to meet everyday expenses. How could we cover medical bills? God made a way for the bills to be covered in full.

In the midst of difficulty, why can it be easier to believe False Evidence Appearing Real than God's truth? Trusting in the sometimes unknown, unseen plan of God can be harder than believing what is visible and seems to be true. In hindsight, God's provision is clear.

While continuing to face uncertainity, I look to the future through the lens of the past, remembering God supplies just what we need, just when we need it. "Faith in God's provision is our anchor that secures a life free from fear."

Safety Saturdays #21 - Going to and from School Safely

This week features more Back to School safety tips from The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC).

Their online publication Know the Rules ... For Going To/From School Safely offers tips to help parents and guardians prepare their children for a safer journey to and from school. You can also download the publication in English or Spanish.

If you missed it, check out last week's Safety Saturdays post for information on NetSmartz® Workshop's back-to-school campaign to raise awareness of the importance of Internet and real-world safety.

Did you learn any new safety tips from this information? Do you have any additional back to school safety tips to share?

Next week, Safety Saturdays will feature a NetSmartz® video, "Beat the Tricks," to help teach kids about tricks adults may use to get them into dangerous situations. If you have any specific questions about this topic, let me know through a comment or email. This will help me provide more information in the post.

I appreciate your feedback. Please feel free to leave a comment anytime, not just Saturdays. If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.

Check out all the Safety Saturdays posts for more safety tips.

Yes to God Tuesdays - Renewal

As we near the end of the study of the book by Lysa TerKeurst, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, I could write more about What Happens When a Woman Does Not Walk in Faith. Anxiety, tension, and anger resulted from my focusing more on our situation than on God over the past several weeks.

As I reawaken my trust in God and revive my blog writing, how appropriate to rejoin this study online in the resurrection stage of faith in the book.

Lysa writes, "He [God] may not resurrect all of the circumstances in your life, but He will resurrect a deeper and more secure trust of Him if you will let Him."

I looked closer at two words from Lysa's sentence - if and will. If implies a condition on which something depends. Will means choose or desire and implies intention.

I applied Lysa's words to my current situation:

Although God has not yet resurrected my family from the struggles of unemployment, He desires to renew a profound and immovable trust in Him whenever I choose to step aside and allow it.

I stand in God's way by attempting to assert my will over His. Ironically, the word will stems from the Greek word for hope.

"So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

This is my prayer for my family and for anyone reading this. May God bless you abundantly.

I invite you to click on the "Yes to God Tuesdays" picture above to visit Lelia's blog to learn about the next book we'll be studying. I hope you will join us, even if you are not a blogger.

Safety Saturdays #20 Back-2-School

After an extended summer break, I am reintroducing Safety Saturdays with back to school safety information and a request for feedback.

NetSmartz® Workshop, an Internet safety program of the The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC), has launched a back-to-school campaign to raise awareness of the importance of Internet and real-world safety.

Visit their website to download a free NetSmartz® Back-2-School Kit, including animated videos (see below for an example), hands on activities, and lesson plans for intermediate and primary age children. The material is worth the time it takes to download.

NCMEC's online publication Know the Rules...After-School Safety for Children Who Are Home Alone provides tips for parents and guardians to consider when allowing their child to be unsupervised at home. You can also download the publication in English or Spanish.

Would you be interested in Safety Saturdays being more interactive? For example, questions posed to stimulate conversation on a topic or a preview of the next week's topic with the opportunity to ask questions to be addressed in the post?

Check out all the Safety Saturdays posts for more safety tips. I appreciate your comments and feedback on any posts. If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.

Yes to God - God Will Make a Way

Thanks to everyone supporting me through my job loss and beloved pet's death. We took a few days to get away on a mini-vacation to visit my family, returning home last night. I love to see my daughter with her grandparents.

Now onto the study of the book by Lysa TerKeurst, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith. This week, we're discussing Chapter 10, Roadblocks and Reassurances, and Chapter 11, God Will Make a Way. Be sure to click on the button above to visit Lelia's site to read more.

In Chapter 10, I concentrated on these words:

"Take your eyes off the problem and focus on the good and loving God who has great plans for you.....We don't grow by changing the adverse circumstances. We grow by embracing God's plans for the circumstances and allowing Him to have His full way in us.....let Him help you find a perspective beyond your own."

I strive to embrace God's plans surrounding my unemployment. As I begin the process of interviewing for new jobs, I seek Him daily for assistance in looking beyond myself. I do not want to make any decisions based on what I think is best for me. I want to follow God's will to receive His best for my family.

Chapter 11 tells us to choose every day to experience God in spite of our circumstances. Why? Because He makes a way in every circumstances.

As adults, we can be tempted to overcomplicate God's truth. The innocence of childhood sees the straightforwardness of the Word.

Today, I watched a Veggie Tales movie, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, with Pumpkin. At the end of the movie, the King presents medals to the Pirates for heroically saving his children. The Pirates tell the King he made a mistake to call them heroes.

The King explains it could not be a mistake because he choose them and provided everything they needed. Pumpkin said, "God provided what they needed all along." May it be just that simple and direct for us to see. God will make a way.

Blessings,

Change......loss

Seriously, I do not plan on continually disappearing. My transition period remains chaotic. My job ended one week ago. Lack of communication from the company made the situation more stressful than necessary.

I'll spare you all the details. I'm glad to be out of it. I feel at peace as we wait for God to reveal His plans for our family.

At the beginning of this week, my 17-year-old cat, LB, became sick. I took him to the emergency vet in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, he did not return to our home with me.

Though "just a cat," he's been a constant in my life for 16 years - through job and relationship changes, 8 moves (including two across the country), my getting married and our having a child. Our house seems a little empty without him. LB followed me from room to room and always sat facing the door, guarding me.

Here's a few pictures of our little buddy. We'll miss him.

My daughter's reaction to our loss deserves a separate post. I do not have the brain capacity to do it justice tonight.

Yes to God Tuesdays - God Is With You

During this hectic, exhausting time of transition, I considered taking a blogging vacation, but I did not intend to disappear for 10 days between posts. For anyone still reading my blog through my chaotic posting schedule, thank you!

I'm getting back on track. Some posts about change, including When God Moves Your Cheese Part II, are forthcoming.

Now onto this awesome book by Lysa TerKeurst, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, which I know God orchestrated me reading and sharing with others during this famine phase of unemployment. This week, we're discussing Chapter 6, God's Extraordinary Invitation, and Chapter 7, God is With You.

While focused on hearing God's direction for my life, I almost missed His invitation to draw closer to Him through this difficult time. While searching for the physical manifestation of His will, I almost overlooked the spiritual purpose as He calls me to trust and rest in Him on a deeper level.

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you." 1 Peter 5:7

The only way I can function through this trial is by seeking God's direction on what I need to accomplish each day. Otherwise, I am overwhelmed. Lysa put it well, "Don't try to make your whole dream come true at once. Just fulfill the small part of the mission He's asking you to do today."

Not easy for a person who loves to plan ahead while looking at big picture, but possible with God.

"I can live with my limited vision, convinced that there is no way and overcome with uncertainty in my time of famine, or I can take God's hand and confidently proclaim Him to be my way," Lysa says.

I pray I keep holding tightly to God's hand, as He is the only way.

Transition

No Safety Saturday post today. I'm considering a new format and plan to seek your input soon.

Although shutting off my brain is difficult these days, organizing my thoughts into insightful posts nears impossible. Bear with me!

I may try to structure myself. Any ideas? What do you do when everyday life interferes with blogging, writing, or any goal?

Blessings,

Yes to God Tuesdays - God Has a Plan

Yes to God Tuesday ended up on Wednesday this week, my apologies.

Chapter 3, God Has a Plan, of Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, builds on the last chapter, and emphasizes "to leave some things behind, we need to learn that God has a plan and to trust His plan."

This chapter correlates to a recent sermon by my pastor, entitled When God Moves Your Cheese. To discuss God making changes in our lives, Pastor played on the words of the title of Spencer Johnson's motivational book about change, Who Moved My Cheese.

I found such comfort in the major points of Pastor's sermon:

• God's purpose supercedes our convenience.
• God moves at a sense of time operating by a different standard. Our timing is based in the past. God's timing is based on the future.
• The change is not a disruption to your journey. It is a continuation in the same direction/destiny in God.
• We may have a greater impact out of our comfort zone than within our comfort zone.
• God moves us to extend His reach and influence and to bring something out of us that will outlast us.
• When God moves, He moves us higher, wider, deeper, and better.
• We can never go wrong with God, even if we feel vulnerable.

Lysa writes giving up our plans for God's plan, the perfect plan, takes us to places we never imagined. My favorite sentence from Lysa's book is "Commit to leave your agenda behind, take God's hand, and hold on tight...the journey has just begun."

I'm holding on Lord. I trust your plan. I can't wait to see where you take me.

If God is moving your cheese, I'd love to hear about it.

Click on the button above to visit Lelia's blog or to participate in this study.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Live for Today

The reality of my impending job loss weighed heavy on me the past couple days. I'm most concerned about health insurance, due to my daughter's asthma and husband's diabetes, especially after learning the monthly COBRA payment is more than our mortgage.

Although I'm feeling "why is it this thing called life has got me goin' crazy," I choose to concentrate on these words

"You told me not to worry about what lies ahead, so I am gonna focus on today instead, making every moment count and counting every single blessing."

God is in control. I will take it day by day, and let Him handle the future.

Visit Signs, Miracles and Wonders to hear more great songs.

Safety Saturdays #19 - What To Do If You See A Lost Child

What Should You Do If You See A Child Who Appears Lost?

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) encourages people to be alert and report suspicious situations regarding missing and exploited children.

NCMEC teaches children to seek out low risk adults if they become separated from their parent or guardian and need assistance. These individuals are identified as a uniformed law-enforcement or security officer, a store salesperson wearing a nametag, an information booth emloyee wearing a nametag, or a mother with children.

But what if you’re a regular citizen? Use the tips noted below if you see a child who appears lost.

• Don’t be afraid to get involved.
• Comfort the child but use restraint in physically touching the child.
• If the child is able to speak, ask if they’re lost or where their mother/father is.
• Refrain from requesting too much personal information, since children are taught not to give out this information to people they don’t know.
• If you have a cellular phone, contact authorities and report the incident.
• Try to find someone nearby in a position of authority who can assist.
• Do not take the child far from the immediate location.
• Do not put the child in your car and drive off seeking help.
• Ask passers-by to assist.
• Wait with the child until help arrives.

The information above is reprinted from NCMEC's website.

If you have any questions or would like a particular topic covered in a future post, please let me know in comments or by email. If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.

Check out all the Safety Saturdays posts for more safety tips.

Yes to God Tuesdays

Chapter 2, A Line in the Sand, of Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, encourages you to "leave the way you've always done life and start doing things differently with God." Click on the button above and visit Lelia's blog to learn more about this study.

Because the office where I work is closing at the end of the month, I am searching for a new job during a recession. In the past, these circumstances would cause stress and sleepless nights for me. With God, I have peace.

This transformation did not come naturally for me. I continue to work at it. When anxiety and fear creep into my spirit, I focus on God.

As Lysa said, "Experiencing life change is not a matter of chance, it's a matter of choice, choosing God's way instead of our own."

My faith is in what God can do."For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See I have already begun!" from Isaiah 43:19. I'm leaving behind fear and doubt. Let's see where God takes me.

Safety Saturdays #18 - Safety Rules for Grades K-6

The NetSmartz safety "rap" video below teaches kids (Grades K-6)
how to be safer offline.

View the Know My Rules for Safety video and other safety videos at NetSmartzKids.

When openly discussing safety issues with children, be calm and reassuring. Build the child's confidence. Do not focus on "stranger danger" because a child is more likely to be harmed by someone you or the child knows.

Safety Tips to Review with Children

1. Check first with parents, guardians or other trusted adults before going anywhere, accepting anything, helping someone, getting into a car, or leaving with anyone, including someone you know.
2. Take a friend with you when going places or playing outside.
3. Tell people "NO" if they try to cause you harm or you feel uncomfortable, scared, bad or confused, no matter who it is.
4. Tell a trusted adult if anything happens to you. It is never your fault.

To enhance safety information, practice what-if scenarios with children. For instance, you can reinforce checking first with a trusted adult with the following "what would you do if" situations:

1. A neighbor asks you to help bring in the groceries into their house
2. A man at the park asks you to help find his lost dog
3. A school friend's Dad asks you to get in his car
4. A teenager at the playground wants to give you candy

Visit the NetSmartz website to print a Knowing My Rules for Safety poster. You can also download or order the publication or a bookmark at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's website.

If you have any questions or would like a particular topic covered in a future post, please let me know in comments or by email. If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.

Check out all the Safety Saturdays posts for more safety tips.

Frosty Needs Sun?

Apparently, I should spend some time in the sun this weekend, unless I am in jail or red bumps spread across my body.

Last night, Pumpkin skipped through the house singing, "Frosty the Snowman is as white as my Mommy."

Yesterday, I pulled weeds in the yard until my husband opened the window to warn me, "I sprayed those with weed killer. You better get in here and wash your hands."

After scrubbing my hands and arms, small red bumps appeared on my forearms, as my hands swelled. Fortunately, benadryl spray halted the outbreak in a few hours.

Tuesday afternoon, I exclaimed, "Oh no, I'm in big trouble," upon remembering I had jury duty that morning.

I called the jury information line, entered my jury number and heard this recording, "You are a horrible citizen, who clearly does not care about our justice system. Obviously, you never really worked in law enforcement, and you are a BIG RULE BREAKER. Your failure to appear could land you in jail."

I felt like it said that instead of something about the court already mailing my failure to appear notice with a new service date and failure to appear being punishable by section BLAH BLAH of state law BLAH BLAH."

What a week! I'll use SPF 70 this weekend, since this is me

Have wonderful 4th of July!

Perseverance or Stubborness

After accidentally knocking the paper guard off our printer, my daughter asked me to fix it. When it did not immediately slide into place, Pumpkin suggested, "Let's get Daddy to do it."

Since Daddy was busy, I thought I could do it faster.

As I struggled with the tray, she exclaimed, "Just let Daddy do it!"

Me, "Why do you think Daddy can do it and Mommy can't?"

Pumpkin, "Daddy is better at fixing things."

Oh did those words spur my determination.

After several more attempts, I shoved it in, scraping my finger.

Did I persevere over difficulty, or did I stubbornly adhere to my opinion, I can fix things just as well as Daddy?

Am I this hard-headed with God?

How often do I insist on "fixing" things better left to Him because I think I can do it faster? Probably, more often than I'd like to admit.

How many times could I have been spared a little pain if only I waited for God to work in His time?

As I give up my need to control, I must fix my eyes on God. I apply persistent patience and trust in God's perfect timing.

How about you? Instead of waiting, are you tempted to try to do it yourself? How do you fix your eyes on God?

Safety Saturdays #17 - More Summer Safety Tips

The last Safety Saturdays post featured general summer safety tips from The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Summer frequently involves trips to theme parks and relative's homes. The links below highlight NCMEC publications with details on keeping kids safe at amusement parks and if traveling alone.

Know the Rules...Amusement or Theme Parks
Steps for parents and children to take when in an amusement or theme park

Know the Rules...Flying Unaccompanied
Rules to help make the flying experience for your child (under 18-years-old) safer

Know the Rules...Traveling Unaccompanied Bus/Train
Rules to help make travel by bus or train safer for your child

Check out NCMEC's free publications on safety issues, including the Know the Rules series.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a particular topic that you would like to see covered in a future post.

If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.

Check out all the Safety Saturdays posts for more safety tips.