MY BFF

I'm looking forward to spending the evening with some very special ladies who affectionately call me their friend. I'm hoping this will be a Christmas tradition not only for me but also for my own girls. I think it's extremely important to tell/show the ones you love and play a huge part in your life how much you care about them.

On a side note, I will be very happy when Christmas is over. Not that I'm not thankful for what the true meaning of Christmas is about but all the craziness leading up to it. I'm soooooooooo looking forward to going to see Angie and Mindy. At this time in 2 weeks, that's where we will be and leaving all the insanity behind us...yippppeeeeee!!! :)

Casting Crowns...YIPPEEE!!

Today, the family and I are going to see Casting Crowns in Little Rock, AR. It's the 2nd time I've seen them and I can't wait for the girls reaction. We attended the Skillet concert last Friday night which in my youth, I only attended those types of concerts with a lot of liquer so they always sounded great. The louder the music even better!!! I only knew one song by Skillet, Hero, until the week before when our oldest daughter made sure we listened to their cd to make sure we were prepared. For anyone who doesn't know their music, it's alternative Christian rock. They were absolutely amazing!!!! :) I really don't care what style of Christian music she listens to, just as long as Christian music is what's feeding her now in these teenage years!! :)

Casting Crowns was one of the first groups of Christian music I identified with and I just fell in love with their style.

Now, to the book I'm currently reading, The Battlefield of the Mind. There's a lot to say about the last 2 chapters I read but I'm only going to highlight 2 points that I've been pondering on:

1. "The mind is the eyes to our heart." Just sit and think on that one That statement is extremely powerful. What is going in our mind, our thougths, desires, trash is the eyes to our heart. Protect your mind!! I'm always saying to our teenager, "Garbage in, Garbage Out" and now there's a song called that...:)

2. Wander and Wonder. I'm so guilty of wondering. I will read something and within a couple of pages I've already forgotten what I read. Or be listening intently what the pastor is teaching that morning and can't remember within 5 minutes what he just said. I believe the devil uses any all tactics to wonder and lose focus on the things we need to hear!! I'm so conscience of it now and I do it all the time.

Lastly, I'm hoping very soon to have another blog that tells the story of our family called "Our Gypsy Life". I'm always saying this is the life we live and I love it. Our oldest just asked me why I don't put anything about her on my blog and I explained to her this is my diary, my personal journey. So with the help of Leslie again, I'm hoping very soon that will happen.

With this blog, I'm going to have a post of the "Women of My Life". Those women who have inspired me, help shape me and who love me unconditionally!! I'm looking forward to this!!

Much love!!

He's coming home!!

I know I have said I'm not going to get real personal about my family on the blog but this is worth mentioning. Scott has been in Cuba on a mission trip and is coming home today. He landed in Miami a while ago with a long lay over in Dallas. The reason why I'm talking about this is because for years if he went on a trip I didn't really miss him because of our past struggles. I have come a long way in forgiveness!! I have missed him so much and when he called from Miami, I was in his office working and I saw his name on caller id. I just screamed and was so happy to talk to him. We laughed and shared how much we missed each other. We are finally at a very good place and I'm thrilled. He is the joy of my life and my very best friend. He makes me laugh, he protects me, he's my security, he is extremely compassionate, transparent, he goes way beyond to make sure others are taken care of who are less fortunate and he's all boy.

Marriage is work and most likely we will hurt the other deeply. None of what we have been through I would take back. Through the process I have learned so much about myself. I've learned to choose my battles, I'm much more relaxed, less judgemental, I laugh a lot at myself. I'm thankful to my Heavenly Father that He has helped me weather the storm. For the longest time I would wish for the next year because I thought this would be easier to deal with. It took me learning to forgive so I could have peace and a great marriage.

I love you Scott and can't wait to hear on the wonderful things you experienced!!

I've been busy but I'm back!!

Hello all, did you miss me!! It's been crazy but also a blessing with lots of activities on the weekends. On top of all that, my computer was hit with lots of viruses soooooooooooo!!

First, I want to mention the wonderful weekend Scott and I had several weekend agos. We have been through a lot the last 5 years and we haven't had much time just to spend together. Honestly, I didn't want to spend much time with him. Sounds harsh I know but I'm all about being real. We have been on a super long journey or some would say roller coaster. I have missed just laughing with him and enjoying being in his presense. It was totally refreshing and we laughed all weekend. I believe we are finally at a great place.

Now, I had the great pleasure of going to the Women of Faith conference with a great friend of mine along with a girlfriend of hers. It was AMAZING!! The speakers were incredible and very transparent which I always identify with. And then there was the singers, Steven Curtis Chapman and Nicole C Mullins. Oh my gosh, with both singers, there was not a dry eye in the house for very different reasons. I so enjoyed spending time with my friends as I got to learn more about them and them sharing their past and their walk with the Lord. During the conference, so many of the ladies who spoke, you could just tell they LOVED the Lord. They were just bright, shining, full of joy, humble and beautiful. I felt very challenged and knew the Lord was speaking directly to me. I want to be that shining star as each of them were to me. I want to inspire others and step up. I love the Lord and He is helped me on this long journey. I love who I am today and I need to show it more.

Now, I'm going to touch on "The Battlefield of the Mind":

Positive Minds Produce positive lives!! Negative Minds Produce negative lives. Positive thoughts are always full of faith and hope. Negative thoughts are always full of fear and doubt.

Ok, just think about that, seems pretty simple now doesn't it. I grew up in a negative environment and it just seemed normal to be negative. Actually, I didn't even notice I was being negative because that's all I was around. Thankfully, I broke from that, praise God!!! Fear is very controlling and I'm still very challenged there. I don't want to pass this onto my girls so they end up in bondage for years like myself.

I realize this is short but now that I'm back in the loop, I will post way more often. And Angie, if you read this, I'm always here for you!!! I love you bunches and any time you need to talk, vent or whatever, don't hesitate to call. Some day I'm going to get a new phone so I won't hang up on you...heehee!! Seriously, we really can't wait to see you in December! Tell Mindy I love her too!!

Life isn't waiting for the storm to pass,

it's learning to dance in the rain.

My sweet, dear, loyal, creative, amazing, smart, beautiful friend found a frame for me while in KC. It says, "Life isn't waiting for the storm to pass, it's learning to dance in the rain." Wow, this is what I strive to live by and the premise behind this blog. Thank you Les!!!

Have you ever been at a place in your life when you had no peace or joy? Nearly 5 years ago my peace was lost and it's taken a long time to regain. When I feel it slipping away, I grab a hold and determine why or what is trying to take it away. Many times I would have to force myself to dance when I didn't really want to. I visited a friend over the weekend whose peace has also been taken away. Her sweet spirit just isn't there anymore and my heart was sad for her. I know most of us reach a point in our lives when our spirit has been or is being challenged. I will go to a quiet place and spend time with the Lord. It's amazing when I seek Him out to restore that peace it's something that almost happens instantly. Just being in His presense!!!

Thanks again Les for the frame. I'm looking at it now and will put it in a place I can look at often. I love you Sister!! :)

The Battlefield of the Mind

I'm realizing this is going to be one of the toughest studies I've ever done. What I mean by that is this is going to require a lot of change in the way I think and my thoughts. I can change my outward appearance much faster than this will. I know there are little games my mind plays with me to put doubt, create fear, etc, etc, etc.

The chapter I just read is called "Don't give up". Gal 6:9 says:

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we don't loosen and relax our courage and faint.

This verse stuck out to me because so many times I have grown weary especially when it comes to my past. I learned from the last small group that I need to rebuke these thoughts that the devil has used against me and do it out loud. It was amazing how much power I felt when I do this in "Jesus' name"!!!

It's easy to quit; it takes faith to go through!!

Our thoughts become our words. Therefore, it is vatally important that we choose life generating thoughts. When we do, right words will follow. I'm always telling my 13 year old, what goes into the mind will come out of the mouth. I tell her when she chooses to listen to certain music that just degrades!!! I believe no matter the age, if we're surrounded by negative people, negative thoughts and words will come out of ours.

So what mountain have you been standing on frozen because your mind has taken control. I've been sitting on that mountain for way too long and it's time come on down. I know I will be in a spiritual warfare because this has been a stronghold in my life where the devil has won a lot!!! Now, I'm going to put one foot forward and pray, pray, pray and pray. He promises to always be there with me, I find peace in knowing that.

Living the life I'm supposed to, loving each day God has blessed me with and laughing at myself often

Weekend Review

I started the weekend off with our small group. What a way to get my weekend started with an amazing time with friends and the Lord. We spent 3 1/2 hours around our table discussing personal issues along with praising the Lord. At the end of the group, we called the kids down to read a scripture and ask them what they thought. We, as a group, decided this would be a great time to start having our kids be involved and for them to hear us pray. We also gathered the kids, put them in the middle and laid hands on them just to pray over them. It was amazing and very moving for all of us!!!
Saturday I was off the Apple Butter making days...yippee!! Mainly to spend the day with P and to see Deann who I don't get to see often enough. We ate great food before coming back to Republic to kidnap Wendy and spend some quality time with her!! She has such a sweet spirit!! And she's very real and transparent. The one thing I love about her is that you ALWAYS know exactly what's on her mind. She's never been afraid to show her emotions which I appreciate because that's how I am. Oh, I forgot to say, Leslie called me because she was at Archivers in KC and oh my gosh. I can get giddy just being on the phone with her talking about Archivers. I spent $50.00 and I wasn't even there...thanks Les!!!
Patty and Rich just completed their outside addition onto their deck. Now they have a covered space along with a fire pit. There was so many people on their new deck around that fire pit just laughing and seeing how many people we could fit. We laughed so hard!!! Rich made some great fried turkey, fried potatoes and gravy...Rich is an amazing cook!!! Thanks P for inviting us!!

Now, for some of my own personal thoughts. I've been thinking a lot about what kind of friend I am. I have a few friends that I can laugh, vent, and cry with that just get me. They're right there crying with me being my cheerleader. Then I have some friends that just can't handle those kind of emotions from me. It's like I have to be the "on" Kelly 24/7 and don't ever share with them that I may be having a bad day because they just can't handle it. It's just weird to me but maybe that's what I'm only supposed to be for them, just "on"!
I never really knew how to be a good friend when I was young. It was all about me and that was pretty much it. Not very Godly I know. Now, I try really hard to connect a couple times a week with that core sisterhood I have just to make sure they're ok and know I'm always here if they need me. But at times I think, is that enough, what else can I be doing for them. At one time in my life, I only had friends that had things in common with me. That's so different now. I have so many wonderful friends that are so different than me and I love it. They seem to really challenge me and what I mean by that is they help me step outside my comfort zone. I've learned from them and at times I catch myself not saying anything but just listening to them.
My friends inspire me to just stop and think. We're all supposed to be that light for Christ and that's my mission I guess for my friends also. Maybe that's why some friends can't handle it when I'm having a bad day. I will need to think on that for a while.
As I get closer to the Lord and have relationship with Him, He reveals to me the things I need to work on. There's a lot, but I know He has chosen only a few for me now just because I can handle only so much. Thank you Lord for sifting me and making me into what you want for me. My passion is to be the child of Christ that pleases you. Thank you for never giving up on me when I have given up on myself so many times. Thank you for carrying me when I could no longer do it on my own. I love you.

Live, Love and Laugh!!!!
K

Our small group is reading "The Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers and after reading only 2 chapters, here's what stuck with me:

Romans 8:5 Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts!!!

Our past may explain why we are suffering, but we must not use it as an excuse to stay in bondage. This stuck with me because it was my past that would drive and motivate me in every area of my life. Later I would understand that it was the stronghold of fear that kept me in that bondage.

A Vital Necessity: If our thoughts are going to affect what we become, then it should certainly be a priority that we think right thoughts.

You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind. I try very hard not to be negative but I'm also guilty of getting sucked into negative talk. It makes me feel sick afterwards and I'm sure it's the Holy Spirit stirring in me making me realize this is not the kind of talk I should be a part of.

God-like thinking is a vital necessity to a successful Christian life. Your life will not get straightened out until your mind does. I need to be determined but determined in the Holy Spirit not in the effort of my own flesh.

Proverbs 23:7 For as you think in your heart so are you.

Pretty powerful stuff!! I pray God will develope my character into someone that is positive with God-like thinking.

Living life, loving each day God has given me and laughing at myself often!!!

So if anyone would like to thin their own hair, do the following: put velcro rollers in all the top of your hair, spray hairspray on those, set your blow dryer on the hottest setting and then put the blow dryer directly on each roller. Remove each roller slowly so you can catch all the hair that you have fried!!! Tomorrow I will roll the lower half of my hair so then it will have great symmetry!!! And the smell, well I should have bottled that for the next purfume craze!!!

So I'm slowly working through the "add gadgits, backgrounds, getting pics" etc on my blog. I do admit, something else for me to decorate is exciting. Unlike Facebook, I won't be sharing when I went to the bathroom, what I ate for dinner, letting everyone know that my child is the next Ameican Idol, this site will be used to share my thoughts just as I'm going through the journey of self discovery.

There may be times when someone doesn't care for my personal thoughts and that's ok, just don't come back. I like to keep my life simple, clutter free and just enjoy being me.

I'm working towards living life, loving each day God gives me and learning to laugh at myself often!!

Ist Post

My first blog post!!!!