No Cavities

Today I had a dentist appointment.  It's been a long time since I've seen the dentist...a very long time.  I woke up this morning feeling grouchy  I even commented to Matt that I didn't want to go to the dentist. I may have even stomped my foot a little.  I went to my appointment solely based on my strong, in-grained sense of responsibility.

When the hygienist called my name I recognized her as my hygienist from my previous dental office.  I felt immediately at ease.  I liked this lady.  This lady knew me, she knew my teeth! 

As I reclined in the dental chair and allowed this sweet lady to clean my neglected teeth, I had this thought:  All these years I have gone to the dentist scared and thinking this was something they did TO me but never thought this is something they do FOR me!  Cleaning someone's teeth is not something I would like to do under any circumstance.

Thank God for dentists and for hygienists that do most of the dirty work!

The Mercy House

A few weeks ago my friend wrote a blog called the  Mercy House Kenya about an amazing ministry.  Please take the time to read it!  Along with her blog she was offering a giveaway and I won.  My prize came in today...

It's made of a sturdy canvas-type fabric with pockets inside.  One large pocket closes with velcro.

 

 

Isn't it beautiful??  You know what makes this bag truly beautiful? It's the story it represents and the hope it offers. 

 

There are many ways you can help this organization but here is another item that you may want to purchase. 

 

For prices, shop their store.



"He has shown you, O man, What is good: and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy to walk humbly with your God." ~ Micah 6:8

 

This is the theme verse for The Mercy House and one of my personal favorites!  Please take the time to read more about them.

 



Large Family Woes?? - 2

Lunch time is quite scary in my home at times with five, growing, young people all in search of the perfect meal.  "What's for lunch, mom?", is a question that starts anywhere between 10:30 and 11:00 in the morning.  Around noon, I put them all of out their misery and start offering suggestions: leftovers, sandwiches, etc.  The stampede starts, the fridge is flung open, and voices call out dibs on the best.  As the mob moves to the table the counters are littered with containers and empty packages.  Judging from the noise coming from the table, I am pretty sure that prayers are offered fairly quickly or around a mouth full of food. As stomachs start to fill the jesting and jostling start (I am really surprised that I have not had to perform the Heimlich Maneuver yet), and food is passed from plate to plate due to over indulgence.  The fact that some bellies may never be filled is made known by the shout, "Mom, is there anything else to eat....I'm STARVING!". Thankfully, as they leave the table one by one, the noise level returns to normal, the counters get cleaned up, the dishes are done, and school or play resumes. 

Why??  Why do I allow this??  I really don't know.  Maybe because I like to hear them laughing together or maybe because five, STARVING people against one mama is quite terrifying. :)

Run!

I envy runners. I want to be a runner. I really want to be a runner.  It looks freeing, empowering.  I'm not a runner.  I know it's going to hurt. I'm afraid I will fail. I don't put on my running shoes (yes, I have some).  I don't try, I just avoid it.  If I don't try then I can't fail.  Right? Wrong!

I spent a good portion of 2012 with this same attitude.  I had some great thoughts about things I wanted to accomplish, books I wanted to read, scripture I wanted to study, fitness I didn't want to do but needed to do, goals I wanted to meet.  I was afraid to fail, so I let these thoughts remain thoughts.  Never pursuing, never running with them to see just how far I could go. I was ensnared by fear of failure.

Towards the end of 2012, I felt that God was placing some things on my heart - ideas, goals, changes that needed to take place but I was stuck.  Not trying, not pursuing, not following through had become normal, comfortable for me.

Last Sunday, I was challenged to "refocus my focus" by my pastor. The message was great. God used my pastor and his message to challenge me further.  My questions were answered and my direction  confirmed. All neatly presented and wrapped together like a beautiful gift. What really spoke to me, what is motivating me, is God's amazing, intimate love for me. I am overwhelmed by His personal love for and interest in Me! 

I do not want to just have great thoughts. I want to pursue those great thoughts with action. I'm throwing off that fear of failure. I want to run!

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..."  ~Hebrews 12:1-2a

Procrastination - not a character quality but a choice