Happy New Year!

 

 Happy New year! As we say goodbye to 2008 I thought I’d take a minute to look back at all I experienced in the year that was. You hear the cliche terms may the New Year be better. I actually had a lot of growth in 2008.  For starters this year I was able to pay down more debt than I thought possible. Which in turn cuts down on stress.

 I started moving more and excercising. It’s amazing that I didn’t realize I had become lazy. I thought that because I had two jobs I was ok physically. Then I started  getting achy,tired and sick then of course the worst was when I had to buy bigger clothes. Thats when I realized I had to get moving. My fear is that as I slowly crept closer to a certain weight if I got there I wouldn’t come down. So I got off my butt and started moving.  I also started doing Yoga. I love it. I do need to do it more. Oh and guess what it reduces stress!

(Becoming obsessed with The Biggest Loser has helped too)

 In 2008 my biggest area of growth was making peace with situations that kept me from moving forward. I had conversations and experiences that helped me come to terms with the unresolved situations. After I was able to move on and open my heart and mind to all that life had waiting for me. No more worrying about that “STUFF” led to more reduction in stress.

So as you can see 2008 was the year I lowered my stress level! Let’s pray it stays that way!

 If I had to pick the best moments of 2008 they would have to be any time spent with my very crazy,loud,family and of course the night I met Danny Wood from New Kids on The Block! Woah baby I still relive that night!

(Thanks again Cousin Michael)

So as the year begins I suppose it’s only fitting to share my resolutions for 2009. So here they are!

Drum roll please!

My resolutions for 2009

1.) Remember to trust God always he is in charge. If he brought me to it he’ll get me through it!

2.) Smile more! No matter what! Find a reason to smile!

3.) Keep moving! The more I move the healthier I’ll be!

(Notice I didn’t say lose weight. Re-wording it makes it easier to keep this resolution)

4.) To bloom where God has planted me!

(I need to really see the oppurtunities he sets out in front of me and not ignore them.)

 So there you have it the year that was and the year that will be! What resolutins do you have? Let me know!

 

 

Merry Christmas One and All!

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends! Gabe and I want to send out our love and warm wishes to our family and friends. Thank you for being a very important part of our lives. On this day may you enjoy Peace and God’s abundant love!
Feliz Navidad a todos!

Christmas Eve at The Orchard

www.orchardvalleyonline.com

 It was an AMAZING night at The Orchard!  We kicked off our Christmas Eve Services a day early. The First of the five services was packed! There was so much of The Lord’s PRESENCE in that service that my soul was overflowing with God’s love.

 Where do I begin! There was music, lights, singing, worship, truth, candle light, and even an artist painting as The service went on. So much worship I felt like I didn’t deserve to be there and feel that kind of love. I have to say our creative Arts team at the Orchard is Phenomenal!

 My son enjoyed every second of it. He hung on to every word. That right there is what I live for! I live for him to have that kind of connection to God. A connection he will never be ashamed of.

 When I was younger I knew in my head that Christmas was about Jesus being born. I just didn’t know it in my heart. The connection would come when I reached my 20′s! I am so thankful that Gabe knows in his heart at the tender age of 9! Being a part of The Orchard family he actually learned it at the age of 3!

 I am so grateful I am a part of The Orchard! It’s an amazing place that lives it’s Mission Statement every second of every day.

That Mission Statement is:

“To lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ!”

Thank you Orchard Family for leading the wonderful worship tonight and for leading me on my journey!

Lingering Thoughts

In order to get my head clear for the week ahead I suppose I should clean out my lingering thoughts and emotions. What a week it’s been!  There were several things that had me feel worry,pride,grateful,sad,and happy.

  Friday night I went out Christmas shopping. It was bitterly cold!  I saw two things that were so ironic. First I passed the Homeless shelter and saw people freezing outside. No home to go to. No warm bed to sleep in.  If the shelter was full where would they go? How would they keep warm? I actually felt my heart break at the sight and thoughts I was having.

 A few minutes later I was driving and saw a group of kids out roaming the streets running from the Movies to McDonalds. They had homes and warm beds they could be in but they didn’t want to be home they wanted to out running around. They wanted to be anywhere but home. Saddness filled me as I prayed if those children knew how blessed they were. After their galavanting out in the cold  they had a warm place to go.

 Then I asked myself,  ”Why I was out in the cold?”  I was already sad by what I had seen. Then Gabe called my cell. He asked when I was coming home. I responded with “Right now!”  Then I asked him what snack he wanted to munch on. Next I grabbed us a Nacho Supreme from Taco Bell and went home and watched The Disney Channel with my Angel. Warm and cozy on the couch.

 Now let’s go with pride. I felt very proud of Gabe this week at his last basketball game of the session. He’s come a long way from the beginning of fall. His sportsmanship and athletisism flourished. He stuck to his commitment and finished his session stronger and more confident. As I sat and watched his final game I kept thinking how grown up he is. He’s becoming a little man.

 Not only is he growing  physically and in actions he’s also growing mentally. He doesn’t think like a little boy. He has surprised me with some very grown up discussions. For example our church participated in a toy donation. The toys went to a local Charity for less fortunate families.  The families could buy the new toys for $2.00 each. The  Gift Mart event was held at Bardwell Elementary where my friend Sara teaches.  I had a full day of events and appointments  so I could only participate by donating toys.

  The day of the event I had  woken up early for Kindercare’s Breakfast with Santa. I rushed home grabbed Gabe and whisked him off to the Dentist. On the way we passed Bardwell. There we saw HUNDREDS of people lined up in hopes of getting in. I couldn’t help it I started to tear up. Gabe said “Mom call Sara and ask her what’s going on at her School.”

 Through tears I explained about how our donated toys were in there with lots of other donations and the people were waiting to buy them. Gabe kept his eyes on the people as we passed and he was quiet. I asked him if something was wrong.  He very thoughtfully said “No, I was just praying that there’s enough toys for everyone.”  You guessed it!  I cried some more. I even felt bad that I was taking my wonderful child to the Dentist. (I knew she was going to pull a tooth.)

  Now with all the lingering thoughts and emotions there is some happiness. I was happy to connect with the ladies from work at a friends house. I was also happy to re- connect with a past co worker Helen. I’m happy that Christmas is coming and my son and I have traditions that keep Christ in Christmas. So your sure to see blogs in the coming days on those traditions.

Have a great Monday everyone Enjoy your week!