one of many.....lessons

I'm almost sure that the words self-satisfied and unconcerned were puposely left out of the Book of Virtues--perhaps, because the combination of the two make us complacent.  I've lately been reminded that schedules, routines, and comfortable circumstances cause us to become unaware of possible dangers.   It can be quite a balancing act as I strive not to be too carefree yet not overly anxious when it comes to many aspects in life. What I'm trying to say is that one of the many lessons I've recently been reminded of is COMPLACENCY.  Don't waste a single moment--ahh, time is so precious.  Words-- guard them when not uplifting and speak them when they bring good.  Love-- do this just like Jesus does with open arms at ALL TIMES..

 Prayer--Health--Relationships

I'm guilty of being careless in many aspects.  God has called me to GOOD---everyday without becoming lazy and complacent!  I'm so grateful that I serve a God that gives me his guidelines and holds my hand along the way!

1 Peter 2:21 (The Message)

21-25This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
He never did one thing wrong,
Not once said anything amiss.
They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.


"A man's work is in danger of deteriorating when he thinks he has found the one best formula for doing it. If he thinks that, he is likely to feel that all he needs is merely to go on repeating himself . . . so long as a person is searching for better ways of doing his work, he is fairly safe."
EUGENE O'NEILL

given

Your goodness draws me to your side....Your mercy calls me to be like you.....You favor is my delight...

Everyday I'll awaken my praise and pour out a song from my heart!

I've been thinking for days how to begin this post, how to maintain my composure during this post, and most importantly how to even convey a mere portion of my thoughts and feelings.  The past week and a half has been a whirlwind.  It was 11 days ago that we got the distressful phone call from my mom telling us, "Come home NOW."  My family instantly dropped to our knees and prayed for my dad.  We are still praying and ever thankful for all others that have come along side us.  Not only have family, friends, and community members been supportive, but many have gone above and beyond.  God is good and we have felt his presence and watched his healing hands work miracle after miracle.

It is not a coincidence that my parents had JUST gotten home from the airport after being gone for 10 days..
It is not a coincidence that my dad had came back in the house after putting his truck keys in the ignition to initially leave.
Our friend and relative just walking in the door five minutes prior to mom calling him to come perform CPR is not just a coincidence.
Not a coincidence that the first responders were working just 2 miles from my parents house.
It is not a coincidence that a close family friend heard this on her husband's scanner and instantly began lifting my dad and my mom in prayer.
It's not just a coincidence that my dad acquired NO scrapes, cuts, or broken glasses when he collapsed.
It is not a coincidence that my mom was able to reach all her girls, and each and every immediate family member to get together "in time".
It is not a coincidence that this was spring break week-- we could gather together as a whole family to join in prayer and fellowship while supporting each other along the way.

Psalm 111:6-8 (The Message)

Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got—

Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.

God's works are so great, worth

A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!

Splendor and beauty mark his craft;

His generosity never gives out.

His miracles are his memorial—

It is a miracle that the hypothermic protocol, that the attending nurse had only seen be successful twice, saved my dad's brain along with CPR being started within 2 minutes.

It is a miracle that every step along the way dad has had no setbacks, in fact, his heart has improved.
Even the doctors proclaim this a miracle.  We give God all the glory and his faithfulness is awesome.

The progress my dad has made is impressive and the lessons we've taken from this time are many.  Thank you, thank you for being our supporters during this tramatic but miraculous experience.  We have full hearts and rejoice that every next step is an extraordinary scene!

-Kendra

Matthew 18:20 (The Message)

18-20"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."

Philippians 4:6 (The Message)

6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

actively waiting

So many of us are waiting for something...

• answers
• gifts
• love
• jobs
• healing
• happiness

I'd like to think of myself as a pretty patient person, SO it's not the "waiting" that I have a problem with.  However,  song lyrics have reminded me that no matter what I'm in devout prayer over, no matter what I'm questioning, and no matter what I don't  understand;  I have a duty to continue to worship, serve and peacefully wait for my answer.  Giving in and having a pity party for myself is really not an honorable action! 

reflections

Looking Back...and taking time to reflect--2010

Anxious Minds!

"Mommy, is it Christmas yet?"
"How many more days?"
"I wonder what Santa will leave me?"
The questions stream on and on from my boys.  I try to appease them with my stories, but their anxiousness just seems to multiply by the minute!
I have tried hard to make this season about JESUS and his birthday and I'm trying not to lose my mind when these little men continually ask what I think are such selfish questions!  I know, give them a break; they are three and four.......but come on!
Our Elf on the Shelf is helping I must say....

confessions of uneasiness

Recently a very wise friend introduced me to an exceptional book.  Thank goodness it's a quick read, because it's given me the opportunity to reread it a few times; each time reflecting upon different facets of my life--this book has spoken so boldly to me it's left me feeling uneasy. 

Main Entry: uneasiness

Part of Speech: noun

Definition: self-consciousness

Synonyms: awkwardness, embarrassment, uncomfortableness

The book discusses how we have several "you's" within us.  As I was reading, several people came to my mind as I critiqued and analyzed the connections I made.  Again while reading, I critiqued and analyzed the me that I truly am.  Is the real me differnt than what I project to others?  Is the real me different then who I used to be....uggg yes!  Am I absolutely striving to be the "me" that I want to be?
I've admitted many times that I'm not the mom I thought I would be.  In some ways better and in others worse.  As my boys wrestle from dusk to dawn I grow weary and impatient and wonder why this has to be so dang hard?!? Am I the most uplifting and encouraging wife I want to be? I give my friends advice that I don't even follow myself. Am I always true to my word like I want to be?
 I don't always behave the way I want to...again, so dang hard!

Here is a verse that became an anchor to me back in highschool......still working on this!

Romans 7:19 (The Message)
17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

Alligning my behavior with the "Me I Want To Be" will maximize my potential...I've got to do this!

Cultivating Gratitude

_

"I want that NOW!"

 "I feel like it"

 "Because I wanted to".....

"I wish"

"Hurry up"...

"I deserve that"

Oh what familiar words in this world; whether they be said by me, my boys, students or whomever.  This weekend while my family was waiting in the Starbucks drive through for TEN whole MINUTES, Ryan and I discussed how it was "just coffee" how hard could it be to speed things up!  It's crazy how we feel so entitled to whatever it is we want at the given moment. 

I typically think of myself as a very grateful person, in fact, I loathe the fact that some people rarely say thank you. 

 Going through the motions of our weekend, I caught myself seeming ungrateful at times. We did some sorting, organzing, and purging of many items. Ryan is the expert in organizing and purging asI tend to drag my feet and roll my eyes when he asks if we really need the fondu pot that is still in the box unopened. I have clothes in my closet I've never worn, but still hesitate to get rid of them. Shoes fight for space in the hallway closet, yet I complain I need more. I get aggrevated when Ryan tells me we need to "tighten up" our budget. I was annoyed when I couldn't get all the items I wanted at the Gap.  I become impatient that my house doesn't have the space I would like it to.  The list truly goes on and on.

Thank heavens I came upon this verse below...

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I've been reminded that by nature we are NOT grateful. I have some work to do, it seems.
"Every blessing you pour out I'll turn back in praise....if not, it turns into PRIDE and I then yearn for more."
I am learning to be GRATEFUL in all circumstances for he has given me more than I could ever imagine!