Falling Up

This was meant to be posted yesterday, but in trying to stick to my somewhat rigid bedtime schedule, I opted to hit the pillow instead of the keyboard.  So, two posts for today. 

Amazing what a little focus can do.  It seems to bring clarity and purpose.

I have now started writing my "to do" list, and it brings satisfaction just knowing that things are written down so I can look at that list and not have to rely on my [sometimes shoddy] memory.

So often we go through our lives doing the daily things and feeling like nothing is getting finished because we are in a whirlwind of busy-ness.  I hope to stop long enough each evening to give a moment of purposeful thought to the things that will come on the morrow, collect my thoughts and make my plan.

Things I am currently focused on:

• Scripture Memory
• The Life of David
• Praying for Many Friends and Loved Ones
• Teaching my Children
• Growing my Business

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1

What a Day!

Having taken the topic for Wednesdays to heart, I am ashamed to admit that once again I have procrastinated on something that really needs to get done.  I even procrastinated the writing of the procrastination!

On to other things!

Today is Thankful Thursday, and what a day it has been!  I woke up in time to see the sun coming over the eastern hills and the day only grew better from there.  My time in the Word this morning was first rate, and God brought to mind many dear friends to pray for.  I also received word that someone I met recently has made a decision to have a personal relationship with Christ.  I am so thankful today for Salvation.  Not just mine, but that of those whose hearts are being softened even now.

I am thankful for Debbi Bryson http://www.biblebusstop.com/ speaking at today's Mosaic Group.  I had been praying for her last week, that her words would be straight from God.  That prayer was answered.  Also at the meeting this morning I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting again, a young woman who the kids and I met at a bus stop many months ago.  I saw her Bible and asked where she attended church.  It just so happened that it was the same one that I had been procrastinating about visiting.  So, the next week we went to her church, http://www.thestreet.org.nz/ and it is now our church too!  Amazing to see her again.

So many other things to be thankful for, but life is calling and I must close for now.

Tuesday Post Script

I have just learned that March is National Nutrition Month.  This is wonderful news as I am hoping to detail  my journey to health and wellness on Tenacious Tuesdays, but could not think of a word beginning with the letter "T" to title the day.  (If anyone has a suggestion, I would be glad to give it consideration.)

Here is a link to the American Dietetic Association http://www.eatright.org/ and I think this is a wonderful place to get started, especially for the daily recommended allowances for each age group, but do not totally agree with the promotion or need for animal products in the diet.  This, I believe is tied to promoting the dairy and meat industries and is a can of worms to be kept closed until further notice.

Please note that this is a personal preference.  I have noticed improvement in the health of myself and my children when we keep animal products to a minimum in our diets, and this is what works best for us.  We do have the occasional meal that includes meat for the protein - as opposed to legumes, nuts, whole grains or seeds, and cheese and yogurt are still heavily used - although I have switched to cheese made with vegetable rennet, with no complaints.  Rice milk is our drink of choice other than water, and I have found that it works well in cooking and baking.

So...all this to introduce National Nutrition Month.  By March 31st, may we all be closer to our goals!

Today's Title is a Study in Contrast

Perhaps "Tenacious Tuesdays" is not the correct title for this day.  I am hoping for this blog to be something of an encouragement, but tenacious means "holding fast; stubborn; obstinate".  These things, at the moment seem more negative to me, as in "I am holding tenaciously to old habits." ...yes, they are without a doubt, very deeply ingrained.

However, if I were to say that "I choose to be tenacious in my pursuit of building new habits." I would be speaking proactively and sharing my goal of improvement.  So, what will it be?  Proactive gets my vote, and in so doing, chips away at the corner of the tenacious habit of clinging to the negative.  I feel like Joan of Arc in her armor, sword held high, ready to reclaim the home land.  Oh dear, I feel a soap box moment coming on...

Let me close today with this quote from Joel A. Barker (as attributed on brainyquote.com):  

"Vision without action is merely a dream.  Action without vision just passes the time.  Vision with action can change the world."

Celebrating Creativity, Curiosity and Learning

First a poem, written January 2, 2010 - as a personal challenge to see if I could write a poem in the time it took for the bus to get to our stop.

We wait for the bus

To come and get us

To take us to places that we need to go.

We get on the bus

To find us a seat

To give us a rest and get off of our feet.

We ride on the bus

And perhaps make a friend

We chat, say "good bye" and hope to see them again.

We get off the bus

After thanking the driver

To head to the places that we need to go.

If not for the bus

Oh where would be us?

In need of a ride, with a stitch in our side.

OH! JOY! HERE COMES THE BUS!

A Restful Day

Many thanks to The Artistic Pixel Man for allowing me a day of rest.  Today I did not have to cook, and I did not have to do dishes.  What a nice break.  I even got to take a long nap!  This was much needed and greatly appreciated after a very rough week.

So, today's focus is simple rest.  This day was not complicated...I think that makes it a success!

This I believe...

I have to report that on this first "Self Talk Saturday" I am oh so guilty of believing a lie, of putting my eyes back on the circumstances and allowing discouragement among other things to crowd my thoughts and speech.  My desire is that I will learn from this day to completely trust in God.  To lean on His Spirit before mine gives out.  To cry out for His grace, and grab it as soon as it is offered.

I believe that things unseen does not mean they are not there. 

I believe that small faith is honored when there is obedience in the daily grind.

I believe that God sends encouragement to keep me strong.

I believe that God certainly has a plan for me! My future is in His capable hands, and I surrender it to Him.

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."