Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Trusting in Faith

If you've just recently started reading my blog or have been reading it since the beginning (thank you, by the way), you'll notice I do talk about God and my faith from time to time.  I grew up going to church and Sunday school, I went through the whole confirmation process and I continue to attend church regularly as an adult.  It's just part of who I am...or should I say God is part of who I am.  He's the one constant in my life no matter what happens and I give thanks every night and every day.

I've actually never read the bible from cover to cover before so that's one of my goals this year.  Something I read last night struck a cord as I think we all struggle with our faith throughout our lives if we are spiritual in any way.  I know some of you may be more spiritual than religious and whatever you believe and however you go about practicing your beliefs, I think we can all agree God is good, He's love, He's peace and only wants those things for us.  Here's what made me sit and think awhile about my own faith...
"The real issue in life is not the search for God's will; it is the search for God.  The issue in faith is not knowing what God is doing.  The issue of faith is seeking God's presence, not God's plan for my life, because there is no plan outside of my knowing him." (Mike Yaconelli)

We've all heard "For we live by faith, not by sight" or some iteration of that bible verse before.  And that's why faith is hard because we can't see what God is doing "behind the scenes" for us.  We don't know what pieces are falling into place in our favor.  We just have to trust and believe that they are and that God knows what is best for us.  We have to trust in God.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  I've said that verse over and over and over again to myself so many times.  I believe it but like anything else some days it's just harder to understand.  But, that's just it...we're not supposed to understand at that moment.  We're just suppose to trust in the Lord...and have FAITH!

I think in some ways our faith is always being tested...somehow.  But, I think that's just part of our journeys.  We grow in our faith as we grow as people.  It has to be nourished to grow and flourish as we continue to move throughout our journey of life.  So, wherever you are in your faith journey I hope you continue to work at it.  It's worth it!  God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.

Blessings of faith and trust in the Lord the rest of this week!!

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Ohhh Resolutions....

Are you sick and tired of your new year's resolutions already?!  Have you fallen off whatever wagon you were hoping to be on in the new year?  Has your hope for actually reaching one of those goals gone by the wayside?  Yes, it's about that time of the year after our new year's resolutions were highly anticipated, were made, were painfully worked on for a few days or weeks and then...when our new year's resolutions go out the window!

Are you there yet?  And, it's not even the end of January yet!  Oh yes, what's the point?  I tend not to make new year's resolutions each year because really after the holidays it's always the same...lose the 5 lbs I just gained over the holidays!  So, with that in mind I've failed miserably so far this year!  Anyone else?  I had some stomach thing the first two weeks of the year so that didn't help and then the last two weeks I guess my mental strength hasn't been so strong.  So, as of last Friday I'm back to January 1st...off to a new start!  I'm sure it won't be the last "January 1st" of this year for me!  And, I'm definitely struggling a bit today because I'm tired and when I'm tired I just don't care.  And, there's an awards show on tonight.  If you read one of my last posts about wanting to eat a pint of ice cream everytime the Oscars or Golden Globes are on, well, it's usually not a strong urge for music award shows.  I'm not sure why.  But, tonight might be another story.  Wish me luck!

Plus, the Super Bowl is next Sunday...oh great, the super bowl of game day foods!  And then only a couple weeks after that it's my birthday!  Oh geez!  But, my goal for now is to go clean and healthy until my birthday, so I've got a couple weeks to go.  Sigh.  Distractions.  Distractions.  I need distractions!  How do you stay on task or working towards your goal when you're tempted to do something else in conflict with your goal?

Well, wherever you are with you new year's resolutions I hope your either keeping up the positive momentum, your motivated by resetting them or you're completely done and enjoying life again!  Blessings to you as January comes to a end this week!!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Do You Practice Self-Care?

Growing up, most of us have heard the phrase "If you don't take care of yourself you're not good to anyone else."  So, take time for yourself.  But, what does that mean?  Most of us think that means treating ourselves to something we don't get to do often like going to the spa or indulging in a decadent dessert or simply just taking a bubble bath.  Whatever self-care means to you I don't think women really understand the meaning or they still tend to put everyone else's needs in front of their own because that's how we're wired.

So what is self-care?  I heard this definition today and thought it totally hit the nail on the head.  "True self-care is not about salt baths and chocolate cake, it is making the choice to build a life you don't need to regularly escape from." (from Brianna Wiest, Thought Catalog).  Now that true peace...peace of mind, peace of living...mindfulness.  I think it's definitely an exercise of awareness.  Knowing how to slow down or pick up the pace when needed, knowing what truly brings you joy or what weighs you down, what sucks all your energy during a day or what energizes you for the week.  

I think we all, men and women, need to exercise more self-care in our lives.  It not only makes us a more vibrant, productive and loving individual but we reflect that and more to those around us.  So, that old phrase is still true because if we truly take care of ourselves then we will be better for those around us.  How can you practice true self-care in your life?

Wishing you active self-care the rest of this week.  We're still in January so all those resolutions and self-improvement goals should still be running strong!  If not, reset and try again!  Good luck!!


Sunday, January 21, 2018

A Sign?

Do you believe in signs?  No, not the kind you drive by on the roadway, but things that happen in life that are a precursor to something coming.  You know, a sign from above.  A sign from a loved one that has passed away.  A sign about what decision to make.  I think some signs are simple and subtle and if we're not listening or looking we may miss them.  And, other times I think signs are a little more obvious that you know it when you see it or hear it and it lights up something inside of you...you just know it's a sign!

I pray (not every day, but often) in the mornings that God will open my eyes to the beauty and simple joys of the day ahead.  A beautiful sunrise, a blooming flower, the rain after a long drought, etc.  There's always something that reminds us of the beauty God has surrounded us with each and every day if we're willing to see it.  Just remember to take time to look for it...appreciate it...and thank God for it!

The other day I got a sign.  It was unexpected, heart-warming and very much needed!  My dad's mom passed away in 2009 and after the funeral all the cousins were given one of the small plants that had been sent by well-wishers.  I was given a small pot with a Christmas cactus.  It bloomed that Christmas because it was full and vibrant, but over the years part of the plant died and it never bloomed since then.  I only have a small little branch left that I've managed to keep alive all these years that I've refused to throw away.  Year after year it's sat there and never bloomed again since that first year...until now!  I noticed a few flower buds actually on the few branches that remain.  One of the buds is a bit bigger than the others so I was pretty sure it would bloom and yesterday it did!  My (Grandma's) Christmas cactus bloomed for the first time in 9 years!!  It's a sign, right?!?!  It's got to be a sign!  Even if it's not I'm saying it is!  I have to believe it's a sign of good things to come...that change is coming, a new day is dawning and a new start is here!  I have to believe!  That's the optimist in me...the one that has hope for a better tomorrow, a brighter future, and opportunities to let my light shine!

So, whether you believe in signs or not I hope you take time to see or hear the simple joys and beauty of today.  Appreciate it and allow it to brighten your day.  May blessings fill your week with wonder and excitement and possibly a sign that will show you the way forward...just keep moving forward....just keep getting up....just keep trying!!!

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Frigid

Many across the country (U.S.) are facing extreme winter weather and that includes frigid temperatures.  It's been 30+ below in Iowa (where I grew up) in the past few weeks and it was 7 degrees here this morning in Texas.  Way too cold for me! But, it's supposed to be close to 70 by Saturday, sooo just hanging on until then.

When it gets this cold way down south I always think of everyone up north and how cold it must be up there.  I don't know how you all do it, but I'm not sure I could.  Some say you get used to it, but they say that about the heat down here, too, in the summers.  I dislike the heat and I don't think I could ever get used to that either.  I need a nice temperate climate around 70-75 degrees year round!

When it's cold I just want to stay in and cook comfort foods.  I'm sure most of you can relate to that.  The bad news is I'm not in my 20's anymore and just looking at comfort foods stick to my hips now.  Darn it!  Plus, the dry weather affects your skin so much, too.  Dry, flaky, dehydrated skin that just feels shriveled up all winter long.  So, although I do like the fall and winter better than summer it's the extreme temperatures fluctuating back and forth (like they tend to do in the south) that is not conducive to good health or glowing skin.

So, wherever you are whether you're in the midst of winter or enjoying summer-like temperatures, I hope you are staying healthy, eating some comfort foods and enjoying the day!  Blessings to you and all those in frigid weather! Stay warm!!


Sunday, January 14, 2018

Save the Date: 2018 DFW Holt Family Picnic

Our annual Holt International Family Picnic for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area will be held on Saturday, June 30th from 12-3 pm at Parr Park in Grapevine, TX.  If you live in the area, please make sure you save the date!  The online registration page isn't updated yet, but once it is I'll let you know.  I love seeing the same families come back year after year along with new families and meeting their kids.  It's a lot of fun and there is a splash pad there so the little ones can stay cool.  I've helped organize it for the past 5 years and it's been a fun experience.

The kids always have a good time meeting other adoptees, but I find the parents enjoy it, too, getting to compare stories and share experiences with one another.  It's a fun family outing, but it's a great way to connect with others in your communities.  So, take advantage of one of the picnics near you!

Blessings to you for a week-filled with great surprises...big or small!  May your prayers be answered and may God's grace continue to show up in your life.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Stay Healthy

Yes, it's the start of a new year and many of us are trying to eat better and exercise more to get healthier, right?!  We're all motivated with the start of a new year and the possibilities of making it a fresh start, but then we get sick...cold, flu, etc.  Our plans are derailed and then what?

We feel miserable for a week or so and then a family member gets sick, and eventually all the kids get sick.  The motivation and positive outlook you had a week ago is stalled, forgotten, or on hold for awhile.  Sound familiar?  It's what a lot of people are going through right now with the extreme flu season we're having right now (in the States).  Plus, most kids just went back to school this week so those "out sick" numbers will probably go up over the next week before they even out a bit.  We're in the thick of it...cold, flu, sick season.  Yippee to the new year!

Our best intentions for a fresh start to the new year are thrown out the window...at least temporarily.  Luckily, I haven't been affected yet, although I've had a couple uneasy stomach days over the past few weeks where I definitely thought I was getting sick.  So, I'm hoping and praying I don't get sick.  I think sore throats are the worst.  I just feel like I want to cough up my tonsils.  So, again I'm hoping those germs stay away and I can get through this cold/flu season unscathed.  I hope you do, too!

So, here's wishing you a healthy start to your new year and you do happen to get sick please bless others by staying home.  Wishing you all healthy blessings over the next few weeks!!

Sunday, January 7, 2018

New Outlook Or Old

Even though it's the start of a new year and many of us make "new" resolutions...are they really "new" or are they old recycled ones that we repeat year after year?  Do we have "new" resolve or are we just kidding ourselves?  Is our outlook "new" or are we just prematurely hopeful things will be different this year?  

Sometimes I think we're just on a repeat cycle at this time of year...every year.  The same old resolutions, wishes, dreams, etc. seem "new" and possible, but if they are the same resolutions every year it must mean we didn't follow through with our high hopes, some challenge or obstacle was too big to overcome, or we really didn't want to commit to that goal THIS year.  Whatever the reason, it definitely feels like Groundhog's Day every January.

How do we truly make "the" change, get a different result, follow-through...finally?  Is it purely mindset?  Is our heart truly in it?  Do we have an environment that is conducive to achieving our goal?  Do we have the support to accomplish it?  What's the secret?  What's the thing that finally flips the switch in our heads and allows us to NOT make the same resolution next year?

I think it's different for each individual and that's part of each our journeys...to figure it out.  And, if it takes year after year to make the same resolution then at least you know it's still a priority in your life and whatever happens after January is your choice.  Will it still be a priority in February...in March...in April.  Yes, it's all a choice...our choice.  And whatever follows is a result of those choices...good or bad.  And yes, that's just life.  Dangit.  No magic pill, no overnight diet that sheds 10 lbs, no knight-and-shining armor that shows up on your doorstep on a white horse, and no lucky lottery ticket.  

Great.  So, what do we do?  Carry our same outlook into the new year or create a new mindset...a paradigm shift...truly take an outside look into your life and what you want to change.  Yes, a fresh view for a semi-fresh start.  Let's be honest, most of us can't be completely objective or uncritical of ourselves and our lives, especially those parts we want to change.  So, small steps, small progress, a little growth here and there and hopefully when you look back at this time next year you'll actually see you've made positive change in your life.  It doesn't have to be gigantic, but enough to make you proud of yourself and in the journey.

Blessings to you as you conquer a new outlook in 2018!!

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Happy 2018!!

Happy New Year!!  I hope 2018 is treating you well so far!  It's been mighty cold throughout the country to start off the new year.  We just got above freezing after 76 straight hours of below or at freezing.  So, I actually got out today to run errands.

As a new year approaches, we always look forward to a fresh start, a perfect new day to start off the year right, right?  Well, the first day of the new year it was literally in the 20's all day so I definitely stayed indoors.  A lovely tension headache filled my day, so it wasn't exactly the perfect first day of the new year.  Then yesterday I found out one of the pipes in my irrigation system had burst and water had been running out for a day or so.  Joy.  Really?!  Strike 2 for 2018.  Then today as I was running errands someone had dropped a jar of what looked like marinara sauce in the parking lot.  So of course I pull into the parking spot that has glass in it and hear all the crackling as I pull through.  Oh great, please don't let me get a flat tire.  So, semi-strike 3.  Happy, happy new year!

So, I hope your first few days have gone better than mine.  The good news...things can only get better right?  Plus, they're not totally tragic events just hiccups in the real scheme of things, right?  So, moving on.....

Tomorrow is another day, the sun will come up again and time continues to march on!  That I know for sure.  Everything else is a toss up!  And, however many times I fall I'll keep getting up and I'll keep trying.  That I also know for sure.  So, however your new year is going so far just keep going, keep getting up and keep moving forward!!  Wishing you many great blessings in this limitless new year!!!