Are You Barely Hangin' On?

Is your head hurting? Are you so tired that you can barely keep your eyes open some days? Is the silence deafening? Or, is it just too loud and you can't turn it off? Faced with fear, do you go inside yourself? When you put out one fire do you then smell the smoke of yet another? Maybe life is requiring too much work and you’re slipping backward. Do you wish someone would just stop the ride so you can get off? Is the confidence you receive from your wordly support just not strong enough? Is there someone or something in your life that is sucking the life out of you? Well, let me tell you, I have been where you are. Maybe you’ve been hurt and you’re holding on to a grudge. Maybe you’re mad at God because you feel He has failed you in some way. Maybe you are pouting. Maybe you have a rebellious heart. Maybe you’re just plain stubborn. Maybe you rely on tangible or concrete evidence before you “buy”.

I know I’ve always hated being told what to do. I always want to do things MY way! Then I get fighting mad when it doesn’t work out and I look at the path of destruction that I’ve left behind me.

Friends, let me tell you, God answers prayers! Maybe you’ve heard all of this before but you haven’t heard it from me. I have watched Him do some amazing things in my life in 2011 and more specifically in the last two weeks. I know that the transformations that are happening all around me are only because I surrendered to Him and sought His direction. If you’re not quite comfortable yet, with turning it ALL over to Him, then let me pray for you. I know that there are times that I never could have faced the day without my dear friends and others lifting me up.

Maybe it’s been a long time or maybe you’ve never actually spoken to God. That's ok. As your friend, I want to see you prosper in the New Year. I want for you the clouds to be lifted so that you can see the Light and have clarity about the future that He has planned for you. How can I pray for you today?

Send me a personal message and let me know specifically how I can pray for you. This is my gift to you in the New Year.
dmoersfelder@yahoo.com

I’m not afraid of what some people will say. There are doubters and that’s ok. I'm not writing this blog to change their minds. But there are also those who need help and who are too afraid to ask or don’t know how to take the first step. Maybe you just need for God to soften your heart so you can feel His presence and hear His voice.

Here is a start if you want to pray on your own…

Meet me here today, Lord. Here in this moment. Heal me, Lord, from the inside out. My spirit is sick from worry and stress. Show me the way back. Wounds ignored for too long need Your healing touch. Mend my brokenness and remove my self doubt. Help me to release my worries to You as they take hold of me. These anxieties keep me from embracing the life that You have planned for me. Sometimes it is difficult for me to ask for help and to admit my weakness. I am empty now. You see the places of my heart and my life that I hold back from the world. My soul is weary, and I want to give my burdens over to You. You have plans for me to prosper and not to be harmed. Reveal to me my direction. I have run far from heaven's reach. I have pushed the boundaries and shoved away Your love. Lord, give me guidance and wisdom and help me to persevere even though there will still be dark days ahead. Give me confidence and security to replace my weaknesses. Help me to be quiet and listen for Your voice. Shine Your light on the way that I am to go. I am ready for a change. Transform me and teach me Your way. Examine my new paths so that they may be pleasing to You. When I lose sight of my goal, show me Your perspective and lead me to examine my heart at every turn. Free me from my past, Lord, and draw my attention back to the life in front of me. Show me how to be patient, willing and open. Help me to remember to return to You rather than wordly things for You are my ONLY refuge. I will watch for evidence of Your power in my life. I know that You love me. You are faithful and Your spirit soothes me. You are the King of kings and I put my faith and trust in You.

               Amen

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart

have multiplied; free me from my anguish.

Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.

~ Psalm 25:16-18

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven;

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot...

a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Do you React or Respond?

I love this article that was forwarded to me by a friend after our MOPS meeting last week. I'm hoping to see this speaker in person at the Hearts At Home conference in November.

Do you React or Respond?

Hearts at Home helps you...

...Make proactive parenting decisions, rather than "knee-jerk" reactions.

...Decrease financial stress by learning how to maximize your family budget.

...Increase your confidence as a mom when you move from feeling overwhelmed to being an intentional leader of your children.

Raising Adults - From Orange Parenting

A must read...


http://www.orangeparents.org/raising-adults/

"Orange" Parenting

Remember the idea of "Orange Parenting" that I've touched on before in other blogs? This is the idea that by combining the light of the church and faith community (yellow) with the heart and leadership of parents and a caring family (red), we will make a greater impact on our children than either influence alone.

With the change of seasons in the air, what better time than to create some rhythms with your children? Let's face it, time is moving fast and it's limited.

According to the book Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joyner and Carey Nieuwhof, which incorporates the Orange Factor, "Rhythm in your home actually shapes your family values". This was definitely true in my home growing up.

In the book it states that:

 Rhythm sets certain expectations and eliminates others. It establishes what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. The rhythm in your home determines what gets talked about and what doesn't get talked about. Things that become part of the daily rhythm, whether transactional or truly meaningful,  become things that our families will come to believe are most important. Rhythm silently but significantly communicates value.

Some of us grew up in a home where going to church and God was not part of our rhythm. For some of us, God was part of our Sunday rhythm but like fine china, He never showed up on any other day. These rhythms or lack of, have taught us what is valuable and what is not. As adults, some of us struggle with the inability to cope with the trials of life because of rhythms or lack of healthy rhythms during our childhood. Don't we want to write a better story for our children?

I came across this blog entry from orangeparents.org and it is such a sweet idea for getting into a rhythm at night by starting the tradition of asking about their favorite part of the day.

http://www.orangeparents.org/favorite-things/

And here is another one. If your house is like mine, there are at times, three TVs going with various sports and kid's shows, an Xbox, two computers, and cell phones with every app from Angry Birds to weather updates to baseball scores, to Facebook and Twitter updates. We are ridiculously "plugged-in"....or are we?

http://www.orangeparents.org/how-to-abandon-your-family-without-meaning-to/

Remember that everything doesn't have to be right in you or about you before you can be a positive influence in your children's lives. Your kids already have a front-row seat to your life. The question is, what are they watching? What if you were a parent turning in a brand new way to Christ’s love and you were able to give your son and daughter a front row seat to the grace of God? I bet your kids would never forget the change they see in you. And you could one day tell them how it happened.

 Here is a prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Help prepare our minds and hearts for the requirements of what it takes to "tune-in". Help us to know what is useless, that we may not give unnecessary energy, and to know what is worthwhile, that we may acquire strength through the power of truth.

Amen.

Crafting - Fall Wreath

Recently, I have found myself spending hours daydreaming on a website called http://pinterest.com/. Seriously, don't go there...it's HIGHLY addictive! So, I found this idea for a fall wreath on Pinterest which took me back to a blog spot called http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/. I'm really not sure who originally made this wreath but I would like to give her props because it's just beautiful! Here is the original picture I found on Pinterest.

And here... is my version that I made for about $45. I was pretty cost conscious although I'm sure if I shopped around I could make it for even less.

I saw wreaths at Hobby Lobby that were simply made from fall leaves and berries that were priced anywhere from $40 to $120 and they were not near as unique. You can do this! Seriously, you can!

Dana


And here is another idea:

Banner (their version)

I'm guessing it says, "HAPPY HALLOWEEN".



And here...is mine.

"FALL"

• Burlap
• Twine
• Scrapbook paper
• Spray Adhesive
• Ribbon
• Paint

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity

As the dog days of summer are here and the new school year is approaching, I smile at the warm memories from the last few weeks. What a fabulous summer; full of vacations, pool time, bon fires and staying up late; oh, and potty training my last little one before he starts preschool in a few weeks. He just turned three but I was beginning to think he would still be running around in diapers in Kindergarten!

I’ve been feeling like such a failure with this one. My other two children started daycare at a younger age and it seemed easier as they followed the other little ones in their class like good little ducklings. I really didn’t have to do much here at home when it came to potty training. It was just part of their daily routine. That was just it, routine. Now, here I am at home with this one and failing miserably at potty training. This “Mommy” thing seems a lot harder when you’re the only one being the teacher. I have a whole new respect for daycare workers. There are just those who are gifted in that area. What we have been lacking here at home is routine. I also couldn’t figure out how to incorporate potty training with four hour car trips here and there and all over the state of Iowa and Wisconsin. But frankly, I was truly just not ready to do the work.

Father, give me the help that You have promised to those who ask it, that I may overcome my fears and go bravely forward.

Fill me with courage, that nothing which is my duty to do, may be too hard for me. Let me put my trust in Your power and goodness.

It’s amazing what prayer and some re-focus can do when it comes to completing a task. I admit I needed help! I’m not the most goal oriented person. I admire those who are.

So, with the busy summer I haven’t thought much about the fact that my little one is starting preschool in a few weeks. It brings a tear to my eye while at the same time a feeling of excitement about what’s ahead. I also feel a sense of nervousness that in a few weeks he will be influenced by people that I do not yet know and other children whose parents I do not yet know. Did I mention that I have control issues?

Up until this point I have been the one to choose who my little one plays with and where his influences come from. I’m so nervous about how others will influence my little guy. I’m reminded that I must put my whole trust in the One who is writing a bigger story for him. Let’s face it there are just some areas where we as parents are not skilled; whether it’s education, health, or athletics. Enter the Orange Factor. This is covered in a wonderful book for parents called Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by: Reggie Joiner & Carey Nieuwhof.

The color, red, represents the unconditional love of the family. The color, yellow, represents a light that comes from a larger community of faith. According to the book, "When those two influences combine efforts to influence a child, the results are transformational. “When you think Orange, you see that two combined influences make a greater impact than just two influences (mom & dad).”On page 32, it states “We use the color orange to symbolize what it means to parent beyond your capacity. It is just one way to visually remind parents why they need other influences in the lives of their children. If you trust someone else to help teach your daughter math, you are thinking Orange. If you depend on a coach to show your son how to throw a football, you are thinking Orange. You are tapping into another influence besides your own to make a greater impact.”

Well, this puts things in perspective. The idea is one of balance; parents being the permanent influence and others (teachers, coaches, etc.) being temporary influences but still critical to your child’s overall development.

One day last week in getting ready for nap time with my little one he pulls out a book from his shelf and of all ironies it’s a book about a raccoon who is going off to school for the first time, sad to leave his mommy and scared of the unknown. It’s called The Kissing Hand by: Audrey Penn.

It’s such a sweet story about a special way for the little raccoon to carry his mommy’s love with him to school every day. After the story is finished, my little Ayden rolls over on his pillow, puts his little hands together and says, “Thank you God”. How precious that he recognized that it was a tender moment that needed to include God. In that instant I am reminded that I am a permanent influence on him whether good or bad, and here at home with me is where it begins. I am also reminded that I am called to widen my circle of influence on my children and must put my trust in Him to help provide a community that will help me parent beyond my capacity.

Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.

1 Chronicles 28:20

Tucked Away...

Moms,

I came across this blog re-posted by a childhood friend on Facebook this morning and it brought back some sweet memories. It is especially good for mothers of daughters and I wanted to share it too. Thanks Amanda M!

http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/06/where-did-the-time-go.html

When our kids are young and in the season of life where they are so dependent on us, isn’t it hard sometimes to see the future and focus on what the end result will look like for our kids? Some of us are just surviving the day; sometimes, even the hour. I have a daughter who is now 19 and in her first year of college and I ask myself often, “Where did the time go?”

The most recent sermon series at our church this month is about Family-Breaking Bad Habits, Creating Healthy Rhythms and Finding a Place for God. As I sat and listened to our pastor on Sunday talking about creating healthy rhythms, I found so much to be true. Our family was not a church going family when my daughter was young. I was a single mom for many years and was definitely in survival-mode for most of her life. I did have faith though and that was the only thing that I held on to during those years. I tried often to teach my daughter that God is the only answer and to value the person that God created her to be. Sadly, I made faith my last resort more often than my first and I definitely was not connected to friends nor did I have a sense of community. One thing that really struck me to be true from Sunday is, “what you pour into your children WILL come back out one day”.


I watched my daughter go through the hardships of her teenage years and make choices of her own free will and it was hard at times not to throw up my hands and walk away. Some friends, even family members would say that I should have (just walked away). I watched her make choices based on her insecurities and wanted her to value herself more than I valued myself at her age. It is all a part of growing up but it's that balance of the push and pull that is so hard on a mother.

Today, I sit and watch her making grown up decisions about her life and what I see is her turning to her faith to help her make those decisions. Words from me throughout the years, that I thought went unheard were indeed tucked away somewhere in a little pocket of her heart. She brings them out every now and then and it’s a beautiful thing. It makes me think though, wow, I'm going to need some EXTRA help with my two boys. I need the help of not only God, who is forever out front leading the way, but, also the help of other wiser moms who can pour truth into my kids and help give me a different perspective as a mother; one that maybe I haven't thought of before.

I've been so blessed to have found my local mom's group called Café Mom. It is a place for moms (mostly of preschoolers) where the creation of healthy, authentic relationships with other moms happen. It's a place where I feel like I can be more transparent without being judged. I've made connections with some pretty awesome women; moms like you and me, who need a little refuge. It's refreshing to hear someone say, "It's ok, I've been there".

“You’re beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless.” Song of Solomon 4:7b

In the early years it may seem like your kids just aren’t “getting it,” but be not discouraged, moms, these truths are tucked away for safe keeping and will come pouring back out again one day just at the right moment ; all in God’s perfect timing .

To watch videos on the current sermon series (Family) from Prairie Lakes Church click here:

http://www.prairielakeschurch.org/media-center/default.aspx

Easy Crafty Father's Day Gifts You Can Complete By Tomorrow!

Here are some last minute ideas for Father's Day gifts. These will really tug at dad's heart and you don't have to be super crafty to do this.

• Pick up these wooden or cardboard letters at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Take some snapshots of the kids and upload them to Walgreens. You can pick them up in the store within an hour or so. You can also purchase a frame similar to this one at Walgreens, Walmart or Hobby Lobby.

We love these books and dad will too!

• This one is especially sweet for fathers with sons. Copy and paste this poem into a Word document. Print it out on pretty paper. Add a footprint of your little one/ones using a black ink pad and frame it in an 8x10 frame. It doesn't have to be fancy, the words are what mean the most. My husband enjoys his by his desk at work.

Walk a Little Slower Daddy

"Walk a Little slower, Daddy." said a little child so small.

I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.
 

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;

So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up, You're what I want to be.

Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.

I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you.

Um...how cute is this?!?

I Heart...

This Website:

http://pinterest.com/danacarolm/pins/#

No road is long with good company. ~Turkish Proverb

Lately, I've been forced to get focused on my health. I had my gall bladder out in March and at the same time found out that my blood sugar was high and my triglycerides were through the roof. I have a long history of heart disease and diabetes in my family and I'm well aware that I must begin making better choices if I am to live a long, healthy life. My mom gave me a stack of Prevention magazines last year and they've been sitting on a shelf collecting dust. The last few days have been beautiful outside in the 70's and 80's with a cool breeze and I've cherished the moments under the shade tree in my adirondack chair watching my son Ayden play in his sandbox. The timing has been perfect to pick up those magazines and get more educated about my health. I realized after reading several articles that I have 4 out of 6 risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Great! (Enter sarcasm here) There are only a few things I'm actually doing right. #1- I eat breakfast every day. #2 - I get at least 7 hours of sleep every night, usually more like 9 hours. #3 - I go out with and get together with my friends often.

It turns out that consistently throughout articles in Prevention, it is stated that for women, having close friendships with other women is key to a healthy and long life. In Prevention November 2008, in the article Power Up Your Health by Richard Laliberte, it states that relaxing with friends reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease and lowers your risk of diabetes. In that same issue there is an article called Surprising Signs You'll Live Longer by Sandra Gordon. Along with eating purple food, if you are a flourisher (meaning you have a positive outlook on life) and if you spend time with friends, you will live longer. According to Micah Sadigh, PhD, good interpersonal relationships act as a buffer against stress. Knowing you have people who support you keeps you healthy, mentally and physically. You need friends you can talk to without being judged or criticized, Sadigh says.

It's important to surround yourself with positive people who can lift you up and share in your joys and your sorrows. A friend recently invited me to an exercise class twice a week that is challenging to me in so many ways. I had been complacent with exercise but just by gathering up a few more friends and all going together, it has made the challenge a whole lot more fun. We encourage each other, struggle with one another and laugh at one another when it gets too intense.

Don't we all want to live a long, healthy and joy filled life? Along with being filled with the Holy Spirit, you also need to be the friend to others that you would like to have. Get together with them often and fill your cup of longevity.

So what is the recipe for relationships?

According to Micca Monda Campbell, when you mix together love, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom, you can create an intimate friendship that lasts a lifetime. Check out her blog below...


http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/02/a-recipe-for-relationships.html



Friendship Quotes

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked. ~Author Unknown

A friend accepts us as we are yet helps us to be what we should. ~Author Unknown

In my friend, I find a second self. ~Isabel Norton

"BE the friend to others that you would like to have."

Love this blog!

http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/05/lonely.html

A New Beginning

Well, here I am a year after my move from Georgia and I can honestly say the time has flown by (well, maybe not the winter months). But that has all faded now that the BIG blue Iowa sky has opened up to billowy white clouds and streaming rays of sunshine giving way to the constant breeze that reminds me of being on the east coast. This time of year is beautiful here and filled with so many possibilities. I have found so much joy in great abundance here in Iowa. I know I've said this before but there is no doubt that God brought me and my family to this place for a very good reason. I have so much joy that I almost wait for the other shoe to drop, so to speak. Can I really enjoy life this much? The answer is yes. Why? Well, because God has given me a new beginning.

Take this passage from Joel Osteen’s book Your Best Life Begins Each Morning. On page 184, he reminds us about new beginnings in Psalm 16:11

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

His Devotion for this day reads:

“Friends, God is BIGGER than your past, your disappointments, and your problems. You may have made a lot of mistakes, but God can turn those things all around. People may have hurt you and done you wrong, but if you’ll leave it up to God, He’ll pay you back. He’ll make your wrongs right. Start focusing on your possibilities. Let hope fill your heart.

No matter what you’ve been through, God is saying there are great days ahead for you. Say to yourself, “I’m not going to be a prisoner of my past. I’ve had enough. I’m going to stop focusing on my disappointments. I’m moving on with my life, knowing that God has good things in store.” If you’ll develop that kind of attitude, God will give you a new beginning.

Friends, I cannot tell you how true this is. For me, this move has been all about attitude. It doesn’t have to be something as big as a move across 4 states though. It can be any type of change large or small. It’s the attitude of finding joy and keeping the faith. It’s a choice. You have to get involved. There are good things in store for you.

Recently, I was asked by a special group of people that I deeply respect to be a contributor for a Mommy Blog that will keep my mom’s group connected during the summer. Finding my church and renewing my faith has opened so many doors for me to share in "community" and "do" life with others. What an honor and a privilege to be able to speak of my experiences as a mom to help others. I plan to contribute my first blog this week. Here is my rough draft. Moms, enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moms,

As the school year comes to an end there is such a sense of relief! Well, for some us anyway. No more homework, book reports, projects due, late night runs to Walmart for cupcakes for school the next morning. Finally a break from dance lessons, sports and strict schedules. For others of us, there is a sense of “Oh no! No more schedules!” Your school age kids are HOME for the summer (as if your preschoolers weren’t already enough to entertain all day). I’m not sure about you but I have mixed feelings about summer home with ALL the kids. I’m thinking it will be nice not to have to grapple with my 11 year old to take a shower every morning and maybe there will be a little less eye rolling because we won’t be yelling at him to stop stalling and stay focused on his homework at night. But then, I’m thinking about how he loves to push the buttons of his 3 year old little brother just because he can. Even though there are eight years between them, when they are home together at the same time it’s like an instant explosion! They feel like they MUST be physical with one another, rolling around like bear cubs on the floor, pulling off sofa cushions and running through the house like wild Indians. Then there are those Nerf guns, ALL OVER the house with those foam bullets constantly flying past my head sticking to windows and walls. Long gone are the days when my little girl (who is now a big girl at age 19) played sweetly in the corner entertaining herself with her Barbie dolls or wrapping up her little kittens in blankets and pushing them around in her little doll stroller playing “mother” for hours. Sigh… So, it’s time to TAKE IT OUTSIDE boys! Now that spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner, there are so many ways to make the best of your time home with the kids.

Just a few days ago my 3 year old and I sat in patio chairs outside and talked about bugs. He remembered that he had received a little bug jar with a magnifying glass for Easter and quickly ran in to find it. With high intensity, the search was on. We talked about bugs for an hour. Oh the wonder in a little person’s eyes. I can say this now because I worked outside the home with both of my other children. You DO NOT want to miss these sweet little opportunities to experience life through their eyes. Listen up! My daughter graduated from high school last year and is now in college. Sniff! Sniff! Where did the time go?

Try not to hurry past God’s creations today. Simple activities can be spiritual experiences for you and your children. God wants you to approach life like an innocent child with no barriers. Let your guard down, moms. Find joy in these experiences before your little ones grow up and learn to bridle their laughter and stifle their expressions. You might even learn a little something about yourself. Be thankful that God chose you to be their mommy and let peace rule.

Here are some fun things for the little ones and some for the big kids too. Keep in mind, I’m not suggesting that you go out and spend money. Some of these items you already have lying around your house.

• Bird watching (with feeders) - There is a book at the bookstore called Birds of Iowa Field Guide by: Stan Tekiela. The pages are color tab coded according to the color of the bird you see. When you see a Robin, flip to the orange page and learn about what they like to eat, where they build their nests and what their eggs look like).

• Catching bugs in a jar – count their legs, talk about their colors

• Toddler sprinkler – Use a gallon milk jug, poke holes in the bottom and let your kids help you water the flowers and grass. Talk about nature with them.

• Bigger kids - Target Practice! Instead of shooting each other, take those Nerf guns outside. Get 5 or 6 empty plastic soda bottles or water bottles, fill them with just a little water to weigh them down, place a ping pong ball on top and let them go at it with the Nerf gun or with water guns.

• Frogs In the grass - Hide those little sticky frogs or snakes that come in those little packages (I know I have these all over the house including the ceiling) in the grass and have a hunt. The winner gets to choose what the others eat for snack time.

• Kid’s car wash - Set up a small container (plastic bowl) with water and soap (CAUTION – no large buckets of water without close supervision or drowning could occur) Have your kids wash their toys. Big kids can wash bikes or better yet, wash YOUR car! What kid doesn’t like water and bubbles?

A happy heart makes the face cheerful…the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

~PROVERBS 15:13,15

Choose to have a happy heart today.

With love,
Dana Moersfelder

Dear Lord,

It's such a hectic day,

With little time to stop and pray,

For Life's been anything but calm,

Since You called me to be a Mom,

Running errands, matching socks,

Building dreams with matching blocks,

Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes,

And other stuff that children lose,

Fitting lids on bottled bugs,

Wiping tears and giving hugs,

A stack of last week's mail to read,

So where's the quiet time I need?

Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,

Just at the sink or ironing board,

To ask the blessings of Your grace,

I see them, in my small one's face,

That you have blessed me

All the while --

And I stoop to kiss

That precious smile.

~ Author Unknown ~



Bridgette - Age 2



And tell me again how and when we went from this...to this? Sniff! Sniff!



For The Love of You, I'm a Sky On Fire!

Most of you who know me well, know that I care about global issues tremendously. There are so many people suffering in the world. It is important to understand that global suffering affects us very much here at home. Shall we take a moment to think outside of the two square feet we occupy?  Shall we think outside of our own families for a moment? We are all so busy living the American Dream and building our own empires that we forget about those around us who are suffering. Things that are happening locally and globally have a trickle down effect. If you have items that you would normally donate to Goodwill or Salvation Army, why not think about a local organization that involves helping single moms in tough situations trying to provide for their children. Open the phone book. Do some research on the internet. Think outside the box and not just about what is "convenient". Here in my city, we have a home called the House of Hope. This organization needs furniture, household goods, baby clothes, kid's clothes, women's clothes and so much more. I have no doubt there is something similar in your town.

http://houseofhopeccd.org/getinvolved.htm

Right now we are seeing the crisis in Libya affect us greatly in rising oil prices. There is so much suffering from those who just want to be FREE like us. There is also NO doubt the US will be affected economically because of the earthquakes and Tsunami in Japan. Do some research. Learn how we are affected here. It is important. I continue to be amazed at the poise of the Japanese people as a nation. They are so calm while waiting in line for food supplies and other neccesities. We here in the US have such a sense of entitlement that we would be having an all out civil meltdown fighting each other to be the first to receive. What can we learn from a nation like Japan and it's people?

Psalms 41

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Here is an easy way to get involved and give. I love the organization - Samaratian's Purse. For Christmas, I packed a box from each of my children for their program "Operation Christmas Child". It was so much fun shopping for each age group. I called my daughter who was living back in Georgia at the time and she chose a little girl to buy for. She told me all of the specific items to buy.

I sent a picture of my daughter along with our address just in case the person who received it wanted to write back. We found out our boxes went to children in India. How awesome! This organization is now sending aid to the crisis in Libya and those who are recently stricken from the earthquakes in Japan. Here is how to give:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Who_We_Are/About_Us

A Divine Appointment

I just posted a blog two days ago about struggling with forgiveness in my life the last few weeks. How divine that today's message at church was about...of all things...Forgiveness. How divine is He who makes no mistake when placing you right where you need to be, right at the very moment you need it. Here's what I learned. I'm hoping that by writing it down and sharing it with others it will help me hold myself accountable.

Why do we hoard Forgiveness?

• Because we don't believe the gospel - meaning we don't truly believe the sacrifice that God made with his only son who died on the cross for our own forgiveness.
• We don't trust God
• We want power and control
• We are afraid to take the next first step.

Forgiveness is not:

• Forgetting
• Denying
• Waiting for an apology
• Ceasing to feel pain
• A one time event

Forgiveness is:

• A costly sacrifice

How to Forgive:

• Wish them well
• Pray for them
• Help them
• Do not retaliate even if they deserve it.

Forgiveness does not mean that you trust that person again.

Forgiveness doesn not mean accepting that person back into your life.

Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever. Amen.

Mathew 18:21 and 22

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

To watch more on this Message Series called "Hoarders" from Prairie Lakes Church online, please click below:

http://prairielakeschurch.org/media-center/default.aspx