Realizing my God-sized Dream may be Smaller than I Thought (and that's okay)

Dreaming, I'm supposed to write and post about dreaming on Tuesdays... but I like to do everything late... even three of my pregnancy delivery dates were off by 10 days, 7 days, and 5 days... those girls needed more primping time.

I'm a procrastinator, I say that I do better at the last moment, but the truth is, I'm sure that I would turn out better work if I started earlier. I just need to give myself earlier deadlines.

Problem is, I have so much brewing around in my head, I can't get it out in 10, 15, or even 30 minute increments here and there. I feel like if I don't have a 3 hour block to sit down and write and dream and blog and plan, that I shouldn't even bother starting. I'm working to change this! ---Ya know, the Do What You Can Plan!

So today I have less than an hour and we are going to see what I can plink out on these keys...


When I started this God-Sized Dreaming, I thought I would be the Lisa Leonard or Gussy Sews of handmade notecards. That I would be so successful, I would need a whole team to make my card designs for me. But honestly, that scares me just a little too much... and I kinda like making my own cards, it's therapeutic for me.

I also thought that maybe I could be a Lisa-Jo Baker and write inspiring posts that would be turned into inspiring videos, or Ann Voskamp and write inspiring blog posts that could be turned into best selling books.  So I went back to school for a Communications/Writing degree... but I don't treat writing like a professional. I don't write every day... I barely even write every week.

And then I thought, well maybe I can be a Kristen Welch and start a life-changing ministry in Africa... except that I'm kind of a homebody and chances are I will never leave this country... unless Canada counts.

And then I remembered (and still need to be reminded every day), God didn't call me to be any of those people... He's got them for that! He called me to be ME. Now if only I could figure out who ME is.

This past week I read this post from World Magazine. I'm not saying that I believe everything it says, but I am saying that THIS is what I needed to hear.

"Today’s millennial generation is being fed the message that if they don’t do something extraordinary in this life they are wasting their gifts and potential."

"No shame, no pressure to be awesome, no expectations of fame but simply following the call to be men and women of virtue and inviting their friends and neighbors to do the same in every area of life."

1 Thessalonians 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

Maybe my "missional" and my "radical" is ... being a better wife and mom, writing as God gives me words to say, and crafting and creating cards, writing notes of encouragement to others.

I am so thankful for the freedom to be who God made ME to be!

I am also super thankful for all the ladies listed above (who have all had an impact on my life, whether they know it or not) and for Holley Gerth, who has been telling me for months through her book, You're Made for a God-Sized Dream that no dream is too big and no dream is too small.


This week was supposed to be about paying it forward, I'm not sure I've done that well. It's hard to do when you are still figuring out your own dream. But I have encouraged one friend to keep dreaming about her desire to be a teacher, and another friend who is feeling lost like me, and I continue to spend time investing in the lives of my kids as the next generation of dreamers...

Community Conversation: Where are you in your dreaming? Do you know what God is calling you to do? How are you encouraging others to follow the dreams God has given them?

Great Reads of August

Sharing the love and some goodness that I've read over the month of August... be sure to check a few of them out... or all of them!!


1.  I found this post through a comment on another post... but I needed it at the beginning of the month and I need it again now! My online time really needs to have more purpose... and to cut out the amount of time on facebook! I need to do that!
"Social media comes with a cost. We spend our time, our mental energy, and our emotions on social media."

2.  As someone who has struggled with the baby blues, and consistent down in the dumps, pessimistic outlook on life, I needed this post on beating the blues... it was a guest post. The 2 I want to work on most are "Lower Your Expectations!" and "Change the way you talk to Yourself!" Lots of other great wisdom, check it out.
"Lower your expectations to a more realistic level, and feel the tension shift. AND  It’s hard to feel good about yourself when your inner voice is talking trash."


3.   14 things to do before the end of summer. You would think I could have done this... but I still have a ways to go on this list! :) I must be more intentional.  "It’s never the wasting of time that hurts so much as the wasting of ourselves."  Be Grateful!


4.   Do you ever find yourself feeling like someone of the Bible? This post from Shannon, so resonates with my heart! And I'm thankful that God uses the people of the Bible to show His love for us today!  Go, and "find yourself in the pages of God's Word!"


5.   Here is a practical post that is so useful as we get ready to start another school year! At least two of my kids are old enough to start helping with their lunch prep and this handy sheet will make it so much easier!!

6.  The importance of community... finding a place to belong!!

7.  I hate disagreeing with anyone... I'm more likely to just keep my mouth shut and avoid confrontation, which can be sometimes good, sometimes bad...  Becky's (or actually her husband's) 3 Rules for Disagreeing are great and can be used in any situation!!


8.   Rules without relationship... a DAILY BATTLE for me! I like to see things done right and done right the first time... and sometimes I forget to show the grace and invest in the time it takes to learn how to do things right!!

9.   Just a little reassurance that there is a place out there for my voice, my blog... My ship has not yet sailed... and neither has yours!!

10.   and a prayer for girls... so beautifully written! I am hoping to print this out and to pray this over my girls on a regular basis!!  Starting with my sweet 5YO who will be six next week!!


bonus:  I want to be a better writer. This article was a little kick in the pants that I might need to read every week.. just write NOW



Do you have any good reads to share?

Why I'm Addicted

I find so much good information on the internet... it's funny how God uses my "addiction" to speak to me! Yes, I know that I spend too much time reading blogs and conversing on social media... but when you find nuggets like these, it makes a little more sense!  So today I'm sharing 10 blog posts (in no particular order) that spoke to my heart recently...



1. Starting with this one from Theresa on Allume... all about serving others in blogging, but it can relate to many areas of our lives!  So this post is me sharing the love and being a servant.

2. over at Oh My Handmade Goodness, there is How to stand up to mean girls (the ‘self’ edition) ... she sucked me in in the first paragraph, with her reference to the "coveted waterfall bang," but she kept me with the encouragement to stop putting your self down. This post works for handmade, crafty things and also in the blogging and writing, and my inner mean girl can be loud in both of those areas!!  and I'm not all about self esteem and all, but her points are valid, especially the encouraging others, which is what I'm doing today by sharing all the goodness I've found lately!

3. and then there is Lisa-Jo... She can totally read my mind! I love all of her posts, but this one, When Your Week Crashes Downhill, was just perfect... She talks about hot fudge sundae runs at midnight, and having an ache that you can't explain, and saying words that you want to take back, and pushing in all the chairs and vacuuming...AGAIN! Seriously, go read it, but then come back here! :)

4. and I found permission to enjoy my messy house from Finding Joy. She wrote me a note, dear moms with a messy house, encouraging me in my mess! BUT she keeps it real, you don't have permission to live in a chronic messy house. and she gives some tips for controlling the mess. What I want to do is to work on the ONE THING that keeps the mess in check. For me, it's going to be the kitchen (just don't look at my kitchen right now)  "So work hard. Don't give up. It is good to aim for neat and tidy - just remember this is a season."

5. I enjoyed this post by Mommy on Fire on choosing relationships over discord. It's amazing to me when God uses life circumstances (even animals) to teach us something in our own lives. Go read the whole thing, but know that what I got out of it is this... I hide in the corner when things make me upset, and I have a tendency to come out swinging... even if it's just in my head. But I want to pursue peace and come humbly to situations that make me squirm.

6. On that same note, I'm a people-pleaser and tend to compare myself and my kids with everyone else around me and that can be exhausting because my friends and family are diverse and have different beliefs/standards/opinions which can be unpleasant when you are trying to please them all... after this guest post by Brenda on Joyful Mothering, I am no longer competing in the Mommy Wars.  No more parenting in fear, now it's believing this "Our worth comes from Him and Him alone. No longer do we have to prove it. The Cross proved it for us."

7. As a preacher's kid, who grew up in the church, made a profession of faith at a young age and often struggled with doubts, this fanastic article really spoke to me. Should We Stop Asking Jesus Into Our Hearts? | Christianity Today  It comes down to belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, completely sinless, dying for me... and repentance of my sins... past, present, future... Thank heavens for eternal security!!

8. Every day is a battle for joy for me... and this reminder (I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy) from Amanda at Impress Your Kids was just what I needed... She mentioned Psalm 63:1-3 and I love those verses and have memorized them, but it's always good to be reminded... and then she said this... "But really, it was a prayer for me: Don’t allow YOURSELF to be stuck with a sad, depressed, angry, moody or difficult personality. PRAY YOURSELF OUT OF IT."  such a great encouragement to me and some days I just want to say "Just Keep Praying, just keep praying!"

9. and then there was another reminder on prayer from Crystal Stine on the Allume blog again. Unlocking my Inner Nehemiah.  I just love when other people say what I'm thinking... plus she's gonna be my roomie at Allume!! and she gave this encouragement..."to remind me that He is doing a good work in my heart, whether I recognize it or not." and He is working and I am so thankful it!

10. and then this beautiful post on friendship from Kristen Strong, posted on the (in)courage blog. Seriously, go read the whole thing... but THIS right here is what I needed "I will forgive you when you make a mistake. While I can’t control how you behave towards me, I can control how I behave towards you. And I’ll do my level best to err on the side of grace and love. Because heaven knows I need to receive it as much as I need to give it"

So that's a lot of good stuff that I found this month... and there was more, but be sure to check out some of these great posts, and let me know what you learn!!



Linked up to Top Ten Tuesday (hence the 10 posts)

 
and Works for Me Wednesday, because great bloggy friends works for me!!

Top 10 favorites of in(RL)

Where do I begin?!?! and can I really only say 10 things about in(RL)?

Because of our family schedule I was not able to join an actual meet-up this weekend, but I made sure to watch every video on my own as I was able... some I watched twice! It was that incredible!! I also think that I might just have to purchase the conference DVD and study booklet ... it was that good!!  But for now I will just share a few notable moments for me!

  Points from "opening night"
1.  Deidre from Jumping Tandem... (not an exact quote here...) "My suitcase next to your suitcase and all our stuff overlapping. You have treasures, I have treasures!" I love this ... I love the idea of all our stuff overlapping!

2. Community is not being alone... Our strengths and weaknesses complement each other.  Words by Holley Gerth ... "I will raise my word-sword for all of you anytime you need it, sisters. "I will defend you with my words."   Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. Neither do good friends. 

3. Something that struck a nerve for me... "I taught her that I had no needs." and I am SO sorry, but I didn't write down who said this ... PHOOEY!!  "to be needy, touchable, broken can be a beautiful thing."

(using Dayspring's Message Blocks to decorate)

Starting out on Saturday morning (all by my lonesome)
4. Lisa-Jo spoke right to me!!  welcoming those who are watching "on the laptop, in your pjs, in your bedroom!"  EXACTLY where I was!! :) ... then she talked about those REAL LIFE friends who bring you Nutella on a bad day... and I HAVE ONE OF THOSE!!! :)

From the Social Media Love {thy neighbor} Stories
5. From The Mercy House video... It amazes me what "social media" can accomplish. I'm at a loss for words about the whole thing... and what God is doing.  ... oh and those lovely girls from Kenya singing worship to our God... simply beautiful!!

6. From When Women Pray ... "Prayer changes things; Prayer changes people" Oh I want to be changed!!  I never knew about this monthly prayer comments on in(courage). I am looking forward to joining in and praying for others and asking for prayer ... "Let's pray for you, this place is for God, this place is for each other."

(me, doing (in)RL ... all by myself)

7. on Doing it all...  "That's not what God created you for. If I'm not doing the thing He created me for, than no one's doing it!"  what do I need to quit doing ... or trying to do?!??!

8. from the (in)courage beginning... am I  the only slow one that didn't catch on that it was all about living IN COURAGE??  I understand that it is all about encouraging women and all, but I never got the whole idea of living in courage.

From the Favorite Posts...
9. Arianne ... My sacrifices aren't your sacrifices.  Sometimes sacrifices are right, necessary. They don't always look like sacrifices others make, but they're yours and they are good. Yes hard.

10. Ann Voskamp sharing about a letter she received ... "I promise I will never speak an unkind word to, or about you. I will never be jealous of you ... I will love you, I will pray for you."

And a Bonus Quote: Amber from The Runamuck "Live Fun and Live Hard" ... I want to do that!!


And another God moment... The smell of fresh cut grass wafted into my house just as Shannon began reading @gitzengirl's post. #inRL Tears... thankful for the reminder to not miss the moment!

and check out other people's recap of inRL here...

and although it's a few more than 10, I'm linking up to Top Ten Tuesday for the first time in a long time!!

Ultimate Blog Party 2012

Time to party like it's 2012!!

I always love blog parties and link ups... it makes me feel loved to get lots of hits to my blog and even some fun comments!  So it's time to enjoy some partying, blog hopping, meet new friends, visiting time... ya know, in between caring for my kids, making meals, writing, crafting, cleaning my house, paying the bills... all the other important things that need to be done!

This is me! I'm a princess, a child of the King!

This is my One Word for 2012... every day I need grace, my kids need grace, you need grace, God gives grace!

I love ... my husband, my kids, my God, my coffee, wide open spaces, being alone, making cards, giving thanks, and most recently, trying my hand at writing.  My blog seems to be morphing every day, but here's a little bit of what you will find here.

Recipes... some of my favorites are ... save the day dinner! ... is there any better combination than Bacon and Feta Cheese?  and I love this secret ingredient soup!

Craft projects, like my rag wreath ... or letting my kids use my card making supplies... or how Pinterest made me even craftier!

my handmade cards... birthday cards, Valentine's, Thanksgiving, Ombre inspired, baby shower...
if you want to see the collection I'm donating to the UBP Prize Pool, check out this post!

my 1000, infinite gifts... always counting, counting!

and writing... some of my favorites
Where I'm From
Some fun Five Minute Friday entries.... Loud, Vivid,  Awake,  Trust
a little poetry, Amazing


Okay, so that is just entirely too many links, but I hope you will take the time to visit a few of them and get to know me just a little bit better!  Thanks for joining the UBP 12!!

The Other Half of the Story

I read this great blog post by Lisa-Jo on Monday... You really should go read it, right now if you want, but please come back!

In my Real post on Friday, I confessed a little bit of what I'm not good at. But I don't want to wallow in the pit, so here are a few (hopefully at least 10) things I am good at!


1. Cooking... when I actually take the time to meal plan. I really enjoy being in the kitchen and following recipes (or even tweaking them a little bit).  I just wish my kids were less picky! Some of my favorites are Taco Soup, Salsa/BlackBean Chicken, Stuffed Pepper Soup, and Pasta Fagioli. I have an obsession with my crockpot... or else those are the only recipes I share! :)

 
2. Creating handmade stationery. Seriously, I LOVE to make hand-stamped cards and I have been trying desperately to turn my hobby into a business, but so far that hasn't happened... any ideas? suggestions?

3. Making cheesecake. It's been too long and I must make one soon, but I don't really have an event to make one for, and we don't need a whole one for our family... maybe Valentine's Day is reason enough!

4. I know how to Hug. and I am getting better at doing it just when they are trying to push me away. I am learning the power of touch with my kids, and how much they NEED it. (I need it, too).  and my friends... I love giving and getting hugs at church!! ... and my hubby, too!!

5. Caring for chickens.  this one surprised me a little bit.  When we moved out to the mountain a year and a half ago, I thought it would be great fun to have chickens and get fresh eggs, but it was something I thought we would do in a few years when the kids were older.  But then someone had to get rid of chickens and we went for it. I do most of the work, but it really isn't hard.  And I never get tired of going out and finding eggs in the laying boxes!!

6. Counting the gifts. Some days is easier than others, but I am looking, noticing, and remembering the graces... Looking for 1000 in 2012!

7. Taking pictures. definitely not a professional, but I enjoy capturing memories, and the gifts! Last year I did Project 365 and only missed a few days. This year, I am sticking to Project 52.

8. Tickling my kids. always a good stress reliever. When I find things getting ugly, or when I forget my priorities, sometimes I know that a quick tickle fest can help get everything back on track.

9. Reading... I love reading, I even worked in a library when I was in high school.  These days, I read more blogs than books, but I still love reading. And now that I have a Kindle, it's soo much easier to carry a bunch of books around with me!

10. reading to my kids... which in all honesty is HARD work, but something they really enjoy... okay, who am I kidding? I am not good at it AT ALL, but I'm having a hard time coming up with 10 things!!

linking up with ohAmanda and TopTenTuesday





So, tell me, what are YOU good at?  and if you know me, what would you add to my list??

Book list 2012

Well, isn't that an eye-catching title... doesn't it just make you wanna keep reading?  Well,  maybe when I'm done with this post I will come up with something more exciting!  But stick with me anyway, here is a list of books I want to read this year... some I have started and never finished, some I have read and need to re-read, and some I haven't even picked up. But all are books that I want to read THIS year! and because it is Tuesday, this list will be a "Top Ten"



1. Grace-Based Parenting  I have a hard copy of this book and a kindle edition. I am mostly reading in the kindle edition right now because it's convenient! I really want to live out God's Grace in my life, so that my kids can see and understand God's Grace in their lives!


2. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are I have already read through this book once and am starting it for the second time. I am also counting my 1000 gifts again this year, because really they are INFINITE!!


3. 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse This is my main January book. One chapter a day to pray for my husband. check it out on twitter at #31DBBS



4. Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment  Oh, how I struggle with an anxious heart. I have been so convicted and encouraged by what I have read so far and am looking forward to finishing this book and living calm and contented!



5. Blogger Behave: Make your blog benefit your life, so you can love both!  Bought this ebook on a whim with the hopes of bettering my blog and my life! :)  I got as far as the blog mission statement section and got stuck! I really need to work on the mission statement of my blog!



6. Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life This year my One Word is GRACE. I don't own this book yet, but I really, really, really want it! and I so want to live grace this year!


7. Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living  I want to live organized, I want to live simple... I want to live intentional!  The funny thing is, I THINK I own this book, but I can't find it anywhere...


8. Make It Fast, Cook It Slow  I love my crockpot and I love her blog! It's my go to when I am searching for a crockpot recipe!  I would love to own her book... both of them!! :)


More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: 200 Brand-New, Budget-Friendly, Slow-Cooker Recipes


9. Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus Once again, this year is all about grace for me. I don't own this book either, but I am hoping to own it by the end of the year... maybe after I finish the other books on grace!


10. The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman's Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality I have this book, and I've skimmed it some, but this year I want to really read it and start applying what I read!



So there you have it, my list!  What's on your reading list that I should consider??!?!

ps. I played around with Amazon Affiliates, so this post contains affiliate links. If you wanna help feed and clothe my kids, feel free to purchase these books through these links!

10 Favorite posts in 2011

So, Tuesday seems like a good day for a Top Ten post... a great way to review my blog in 2011.  If you want to see the blogs that got the most hits, just check out my side bar... some good recipes, some cute cards, some fun photos. I want to share 10 of my favorites... the ones that I would like to see get a few more hits! :)



1. My FIRST #fiveminutefriday ... Photo Prompt


2. A Top Ten on Scripture... seriously, reading/reviewing God's Word is always beneficial!

Colossians 3:12-14  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

3. Loved making and giving these cards ... what's more fun than babies, you always need thank yous!


4.Traditions... I love traditions and this one is coming up again soon! Here's last year's Ice Festival

5. another Five Minute Friday... this one on  Waiting!


6. getting crafty... for Spring!

7. What fills you? (another five minute Friday) :)

8. I actually did a semi-tutorial on a set of cards I made... Do you need some birthday cards?

9. When God uses your kids to teach you something! (and it involved chocolate) :)

10. and one of my favorite slow cooker recipes... Taco Soup!