Fear

Yesterday, I wrote about my struggle to maintain a clean house.  Today's blog is about an even bigger issue with which I struggle:  fear.  I think that I just might be afraid of everything.  I am afraid of dying, afraid of living, afraid of pleasing the wrong people, afraid of displeasing the right people.........I could go on all day.  I am beginning to understand that many of my fears revolve around my desire to control the world in which I live.  I know that God does not want me to be afraid.  II Timothy 1:7 says "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."  I want God to live through me, and, clearly, living in fear is not going to accomplish that.  Today, I will do things that scare me, relying on the power and the spirit of God to shine in my life.  May others see Him.

Cleaning

I struggle with keeping my house clean BIG TIME!!  I never really learned good cleaning/organizing skills, so I am playing catch up!  Here are my favorite cleaning links.

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2010/09/08/speed-cleaning/

http://www.myfrienddebbie.com/article_master.php?id=278

What's that smell?!

Some people take out the trash on a schedule:  "It's 7:30 AM on Monday--time to take out the garbage".  I take out the garbage when it begins to smell.  Even if the trash bin in less than half-full, I will find anything that I can possible throw away to fill it so that I can get it out of the house. 

I need to work on doing this mentally as often as I do it physically.  I have a lot of "junk thoughts" in my head, and I do not like to take the time to do anything about them.  As a result, they continue to recycle in my mind and cause trouble.  Doubts, fears and lies continuously churn until they grow so big that they affect my energy, emotions and choices.  I need to discipline myself to write a minimum of five minutes each day.  As much as I try to ignore or run from my thoughts, they never go away.  They just continue to grow and permeate, like garbage.

Classical Conversations

Our little Shiloh will be four years old in July.  Like many parents with children her age, we're thinking about preschool.

Since we are moving to Houston, Texas at the end of this month (aka:  NINE DAYS FROM NOW!!!!!), I began to research the facts about preschools there.  They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the cost of preschool!  I was a little discouraged, since I know that she needs some sort of class to help improve her social skills.  We had been praying about it for a few weeks when my sister-in-law mentioned a program in which her young girls were involved.  It is called Classical Conversations.  Classical Conversations is a Christian organization that supports families who home school.  We think that it will be a good match for our family, since it is very affordable and is geared toward Shiloh's strengths.  She is gifted in memorization and loves to learn.  She will attend one day each week, which will allow her to take music lessons and play a sport.  We are very thankful for this answer to our prayers!

Review of 52 Little Lessons from "It's a Wonderful Life" by Bob Welch

The book "Life Lessons from 'It's a Wonderful Life'" is a rare gift.  That warm feeling of love and good will that is experienced while watching the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" will be experienced again and again while reading through the book.  There are 52 chapters, so the reader can work through one chapter a week.  However, if you are like me, you will find it hard to keep from reading more chapters.  This book is a reminder of a simpler time, when people cared about the welfare of their neighbors and sacrificed so that everybody could ultimately succeed. 

My favorite part in the book is the chapter that discusses the scene from the film in which George and Mary get married.  After the wedding, they are so excited to spend time together on their honeymoon.  However, as they are getting ready to leave, they learn about the financial issues that have occurred at their bank.  They also learn that Mr. Potter is conspiring to ruin their business.  Instead of going on their honeymoon, they choose to stay and take responsibility for the issue.  They use their wedding money to help the business and their neighbors.  It is inspiring to read about people who make difficult choices for the greater good.

I received a free copy of this book, courtesy of Booksneeze.com.

Review of "The Blessing" by Gary Smalley

All good parents want to do what it best for their children.  When they find out that they are expecting, they do extensive research to find the safest cribs and the highest recommended educational toys.  One of the best things a Christian parent can give a child does not cost any money, but does require much prayer, thought and time.  The Blessing by Gary Smalley invites parents to consider the powerful impact that speaking words of blessing to their children can have.  He does not merely talk about the blessing, he gives detailed instructions and shares many true stories of the power that speaking blessings has to change lives.  The blessing, which was very common in the early years of human history, is a rare gift.  Many parents do not realize the power behind meaningful touch and encouraging words.  Smalley encourages parents of all ages to speak words of blessing to their children.  In the book, he shares that many parents of grown children give them the blessing for the first time in their adult years.  Even then, it encourages them, strengthens the parent and child bond and makes a significant difference in the life of the grown child.  It is never too late to impart the blessing.

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from booksneeze.com

Learning while losing!

What am I losing?  My mind?  Probably.  Also, I've been losing some excess weight--18 lbs. since mid-April.  Here are a few things I've learned in the past 2 1/2 months.

1.  Vegetables are your friends--how else can you get so many vitamins and minerals for such a low calorie price tag?

2.  Drink a lot--Often, what your body thinks is hunger is actually thirst.  If you feel like you "need" to eat something, try having a glass of water first.  If you still feel hungry, you probably are.

3.  Big Lots sells Nutrisystem food at  70-80 % discount.  If you want to try Nutrisystem, buy it there!

4.  Most important:  regular (center cut) bacon is better for you than turkey bacon.  This is VITAL information.  Tell everyone.