Blooming Orchid

WOW!

2008-08-01T14:59:00.001-07:00

It's been a little bit since I last posted....

We had an unexpected loss in our family, and through it my faith yet again grew stronger, and I was inspired by yet another great Christian woman.

Tim's grandma went in for a routine knee surgery, and passed away a few days later on July13th. We were able to see her and say goodbye. Even though she was in a medically induced coma she could hear us, and we were able to tell her how much we loved her and how much she meant to us. Tims Aunt Gail was reading to her from the Bible. It was comforting to know that in the last few months she had come to know Christ has her savoir and she was going to heaven. There are no coincidences, and that Sunday at a church out in Bullhead, the service was about Heaven. The Lord provided peace.

The following weekend on July 19th was the memorial. Gail and my father in law Van spoke. Then Gail told us of Retha's last conersation with her. She told Gail, "You know people think they are going to heaven,but they aren't because unless you have accepted Jesus into your life, and accept His forgiveness you can't go to heaven. People need to know this, THEY NEED TO KNOW" WOW. This woman facing death could only think of the salvation of those she knew. So Gail at the service honored Retha's wishes, and told this croweded room all about Retha's Savoir, our Savoir. She told everyone about the grace of God, and the Sacrifice on the cross, and how by Jesus's blood we are forgiven, and we are loved unconditionally. She closed by praying, and asking anyone who wanted to know the Lord to ask for his forgiveness and accept Him into their lives. She closed with the song Amazing Grace playing in the background. All I could think was WOW, how VERY proud I am of this strong bold woman to do as the Lord commands and share His message, and grace. I again am inspired.

This past Sunday was my first back at our church in 2 weeks. What was the service about?? What happens when we die... Heaven. Again the Lord provides peace. Then when I go to teach my group of kids, what is the message?? Jonah. Johah was supposed to tell Nineva about God's Love, he didn't think they deserved it, he went against God and found himself in the belly of a whale. (gross) When he repented, the Lord had the whale release him, and Jonah went STRAIGHT to Nineva and told them about the Lord, which they received with open hearts and changed their ways.

What have I learned these last few weeks????
Live EVERY day for the Lord. You NEVER know what will happen, share with as MANY people as you can, the Lord puts people in our lives so we can share with them. Sometimes all we need is our actions, sometimes kindness to strangers. We can't get to heaven just by believing, we need to be shinning examples of God's love in EVERYTHING we do. (again with being intentional)
I've learned that in trusting in the Lord, and relying on Him for strength (trust me I was praying hard for this) you will receive the opportunity to be strong, and He will also provide peace.
Mother Theresa said it best: "The Lord will NEVER give me more then I can handle with HIS help"

What is a Domestic Goddess Exactly????

2008-07-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

A Domestic Goddess is a SAHM, a homemaker, a housewife, but instead of saying "Yeah I'm a stay at home mom..." She should say "I'm a Domestic Goddess"

She cleans
She cooks
She wipes noses, teary eyes, tushies, and anything else that needs it
She gives the kisses to boo boos
She gets the kids ready for school
She's a taxi
She's a dictionary
She's a Storyteller
She's a conscience
She's a fashion director
She does the never ending laundry
She does the bills
She does the dishes
She goes to all the dr's appointments, teacher meetings
She takes care of her husband (which is the BIGGEST job of all)

BUT the part that makes her a goddess is..............

She isn't perfect, but her hubby treats her like she is
She's proud of what she does
She makes herself IRRESISTABLE to her hubby
She EMBRACES her life and lives it to the fullest
She has a bit wild side
She RESPECTS her husband
She is intentional
She always tries looks good... key word TRIES
She isn't some humdrum Susie Homemaker and doesn't want to be... she wants to be a rockin' version of Martha Stewart
She LOVES her life
most importantly
a Domestic Goddess knows that all things big and small come from the Lord.

"Inside EVERY woman is a goddess.." LET YOURS OUT!

It's NEVER too late

2008-07-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

It's never too late

to apologize

to be grateful

to show love

to give affection

to be in love

to be happy

to find faith in life

to belive the best is yet to come

to live a life thankful instead of regretting

to get what you want out of life

to enjoy life

So I've written about my grandparents. What great people they are....

Another great person in my life is my mom. It's been one heck of a rocky road. I was no walk in the park let me tell you. At while we have alot in common it wasn't until the last 12 years or so that I really feel we have gotten to know each other. Of course I know my mom and I've known her all my life, but I didn't know her as a person untill then.

Like I said we have had our ups and downs, thankfully it's mostly ups nowdays.

She embraced this topic, about 3 years ago she called me, and she apologized for mistakes she had made as a mother. Now ALL parents know that we make mistakes, parenting is a constant learning process. But she took the time and had the courage to apologize. How many of you wish that your parents would call you and apologize for something they did that still sticks with you to this day? I can say that when my mom did that, not only was I touched to tears, and I had already forgiven her before she called, but I was proud of her courage. I talk to her daily, and I can say that after Tim, she is my closest friend. I can tell her ANYTHING, and she understands me, or at least tries to.... :)

Being an intentional parent, also means realizing when what you are doing isn't working, or if you have said something that hurt your kids, or a promise broken, so many things even the best parents do, but they don't apologize for. I think parents think that they are absolutely forgiven by their children. But we must remember they are little people, with feelings, and a soul just like us. They hurt just like us, but when the parent is the one who hurt the childs feelings it's that much worse because our young children love us unconditionally, and they depend on us to keep them safe from harm, and here we go screwing up.... don't we OWE them an apology. That is intentional in teaching them that ALL people make mistakes, but you can put your pride aside and admit these mistakes, and apologize to your kids, and tell them just how much you really do love and cherish them. It's teaching them to admit their faults, and apologize for them, it teaches them forgiveness, and it also will bring you closer to your kids.

So thank you mom for teaching me that it's good to apologize to my kids when I've done them wrong. For teaching me that in doing that it will bring us closer. I love you mom!!

Intentional

2008-06-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

When you thought I wasn't looking

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I l earned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'
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Makes you think doesn't it??
Makes you wonder what they see? What are you doing that they see that you don't want them to see??
About a month ago at my leadership meeting, a woman was asked what makes her fabulous.. she said "Being intentional is what makes me fabuous, I'm an intentional mom, wife, friend, and Christian." That really stuck with me. What did she mean intentional?
Soo I looked it up and found a great resourse www.intentionalparenting.com WOW!
This poem touches on that VERY nature, and you may think it's accidental, because of the premise of "when you thought I wasn't looking".. well. I had sent this on to the women in my life who shaped me, and my grandma wrote back the most profound one line answer..
I knew you were looking.
She did everything intentional. Everything she did was to set an example. I've always strived to be so much like her. When I was a teenager I knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom when I had kds, because that is what my grandma was when I was younger, she took me to school, picked me up from school, came and got me early when I was sick, took care of me when I was sick (and when I'm sick now I WISH I could go to her house and snuggle up in her bed with my bell)
OK so back to being an intentional person, the world is always watching you. Be intentional with your compassion, be intentional with your time, be intentional with your resources, be intentional with your courtesies. You don't have to be a Christian to be intentional. But do everything for a reason, when you go have fun with your friends, be intentional to show them how much they mean to you, on Date night be intentional to help solidify your bond.
Women are always growing, and unfortunately there are those women who are intentional in hurting others, I say be intentional to turn a deaf ear to their gossip. I say be intentional to lead by example. Why oh why oh why do women set out to tear down other women? It's a disaster! So be intentional in building other women up.
I know I started here with a great poem, and then RAMBLED! but I challenge you all to be intentional people!
There are no accidents

What it means to Bloom

2008-06-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

What blooms?? Flowers bloom, women are often compared to flowers, fragrant and beautiful.

But how do we get that way??

What do flowers need to bloom??

They need water- The Bible which gives us the Light Truth and the Way
They need to have good soil - being Humble, grateful, and praising God they are open to His teachings.
They need sunlight - found in our mentors
They need to be pruned and weeded- which means keeping the good, and getting rid of the negaitve, starting with the negative thoughts we think about ourselves.

I am always striving to be in full bloom.
The orchid is to me the most beautiful, delicate, sensitive, resiliant, and strong flower.
It MUST be taken care of properly, it isn't a flower that can just be watered and left in the sun, it needs to be nurtured, and loved in order to bloom... just like me!

So when I needed a name for my little blog... all I could think of was something to keep me grounded to where I am where I come from, and where I want to be in life.
Hence the name: Blooming Orchid

Give You Glory lyrics - Jeremy Camp lyrics

Give You Glory Video - Jeremy Camp Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure