Dear God.

Sponsoring a child is a huge decision, almost as big as having a new baby or getting married. How will I know if we pick the right one? What if something happens and we can’t continue our sponsorship? What then? This is a giant step and my brain is telling me no but my heart is screaming yes. I know it’s the right thing.

The boys are excited about helping out another child. They’ve been trying grasp what it’s like to not have education or food or water or shoes. All of those things we take for granted. They’ve already asked about sending him (they’re certain You will lead us to sponsor a boy!) toys to play with. And maybe some books.

The big thing is that I want to be able to show him (or her) You and to show Your love. I get stuck because I know I snap at my boys sometimes. I almost feel as though I’m not a good enough role model – not yet. I hope we’re always growing in Your word and showing your love for others. God, I don’t know what You have planned but we are taking this next step. Jumping in feet first and trusting You to keep us above water.

Most importantly, Heavenly Father, please protect the child, whomever he or she may be. Wrap your loving arms around him or her and never let go.

One Word.

2011 has been an interesting year.

We had some devastatingly crazy weather {possibly an understatement}.

I made some major changes to my degree plan and long term goals.

We hit some serious {sometimes painful} growth spurts

Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually.

I am a Compassion Blogger, in theory. I signed up to be one roughly a year ago. I’ve managed to blog an assignment here and there but I haven’t been as committed to it as I should be. That is changing in 2012. This last week I was reading a mass email sent to all Compassion Bloggers. In the email our coordinator suggested rather than making goals or resolutions for the coming year that we seek God as for the one word her would have us focus on. This idea was originally mentioned to her by her boss a few years ago and it stuck.

Pray.

Seek God.

One Word.

What is the one word that encompasses what God wants you to get in 2012?

I did what was suggested and it seems I was given a letter rather than a word.

My focuses for 2012:

Patience

Priorities

Purge

Passion

 

Ten Day Challenge. Day 8.

So, way over on my facebook page a friend challenged me to a 10 day challenge. Normally I won’t do these things but this one piqued my interest. It’s a quite a bit different than your normal “challenges”. At least what’s considered normal for Facebook these day! 

Here’s the rules:

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

Day Two: Nine things about yourself.

Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.

Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

Day Eight: Three turn ons.

Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.

Day Ten: One confession.

 

Here’s my Day 8 -

Three turn ons:

 

Rather – the 3 things I look at first

 

1. Hands. Hands are incredible. They can be used to build and to heal, but they can also be used to destroy. You can tell a lot about a person by their hands.

2. Smile. A smile that makes the eyes twinkle. A real one. Not that fake stuff or that “trying to be cool” smirk.

3. Eyes. Eyes are the window to the soul. That being said – no secrets.

 

 

*This list is NOT all inclusive!

 

Ten Day Challenge. Day 4.

So, way over on my facebook page a friend challenged me to a 10 day challenge. Normally I won’t do these things but this one piqued my interest. It’s a quite a bit different than your normal “challenges”. At least what’s considered normal for Facebook these day! 

Here’s the rules:

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

Day Two: Nine things about yourself.

Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.

Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

Day Eight: Three turn ons.

Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.

Day Ten: One confession.

Here’s my Day  4 -

Seven things that cross my mind:

1. Children. Mine. Other peoples. Orphans. How I can be a better mom and how to instill a love and passion in my own children for the children of the world? For those who don’t have Mommy’s and Daddy’s, Sister’s and Brothers, Aunts and Uncles. Those who don’t have Jesus and don’t have anyone to tell them how much He loves them.

2. Worship music. There is nothing greater than being in complete abandon to the One, our Saviour, who gave His all so we wouldn’t have to. I almost always have worship music playing and if it’s not playing I’m singing.

3. Prayer. I need to be doing more of this – especially in these days. In English and in the Holy Spirit. More for my kids and my family and friends. More for my church and other Christians in the world who are being persecuted. More for the US and our government – especially because I don’t agree with the majority of things happening right now politically. For direction and wisdom. For strength. I also need to keep encouraging my boys in prayer and making sure they know how to pray. I’ve not been great at this lately.

4. Photography. My thoughts run more to how I can improve this exponentially because it is something I so enjoy doing. Even more than that, how can I use this to tell the story of other people’s lives? To bring to attention those who’ve been forgotten, and those who people choose to ignore.

5. Writing. That dream I’ve had for ages and want to do something about. November is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I very much wanted to participate but knowing I couldn’t give it my full attention – not like I would want to anyway – I didn’t write one word. I fully believe that the dreams and desires we have are from God and so it’s hard for me sometimes when I think how God gave me a gift and a desire that I’m not using.

6. Focus. I’m not focused. I’m constantly multi-tasking a million things at once. Things at work. Things at home. Things with the boys. Even now, as I’m typing this I’m also editing pictures and carrying on several conversations. I would love to be able to focus on just one thing at a time so I can make sure it’s done with the quality it deserves. I enjoy getting things done quickly and multi-tasking allows that but there are so many times when I need just a little bit more time to get things done. I’m not a fan of short deadlines.

7. School. This ties into #6 somewhat because the thing I would like to focus most on right now – aside from my boys obviously – is getting back into school and finishing my degree. There are so many factors and variables involved here that at the moment I’m praying for direction and waiting on God’s timing.

Ten Day Challenge. Day 2.

So, way over on my facebook page a friend challenged me to a 10 day challenge. Normally I won’t do these things but this one piqued my interest. It’s a quite a bit different than your normal “challenges”. At least what’s considered normal for Facebook these day! 

Here’s the rules:

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

Day Two: Nine things about yourself.

Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.

Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

Day Eight: Three turn ons.

Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.

Day Ten: One confession.

Here’s my Day 2 -

Nine things about myself:

1. I’m a dreamer and a realist. The dreamer side of me still wants to write children’s books and do photography full-time and be a freelance/travel writer. The realist side of me says I need to take care of my boys. The realist side wins but the dreamer gets visitation.

2. Some of my happiest memories are from years spent doing volunteer work at church. Everything from Acquire the Fire to NBCAA/USCAA basketball tournaments and whatever is in between. I am happiest in God’s presence.

3. I detest drama. With a passion. Even more so when I find that I have inadvertently created it just by saying a few little words in passing. This is what happens when people misconstrue stuff and don’t ask for clarification before spreading the words around.

4. I prefer conversations that aren’t singularly focused. So if we have different variations of the same conversation every time we speak don’t be offended if I look a little bored. You’re not keeping my interest and I’ve already voiced my opinion – probably multiple times. Continuing a previous conversation, however, is completely different.

5. I have systems and/or lists for just about everything. Doing things “fly by night” is very difficult for me because I like to have things planned. No, I’m not OCD, I just like to know what I’m getting into.

6. Contrary to popular belief I don’t like being the center of attention. Every once in a while it’s expected (birthdays and such) but not daily. I have no problem being extroverted but at the end of the day you’ll find me curled up with a book or asleep – not because I’m being rude but because I need to recharge.

7. I’m learning to be more organic and “green” when it comes to life. I fully believe we should be taking care of our Earth but that is also something that starts with the internal. Take care of things at home before trying to conquer the world.

8. I do want to get remarried at some point but I’m leaving it up to God to show me who’s best for me and the boys. No, I’m not dating anyone and am not a fan of blind dates. Yes, there is an interest and no it’s not up for discussion.

9. I absolutely love being a mom. And even though I work a lot now and may go back to school, I would honestly rather be able to stay home with them all the time. There’s so many things to do in a day that just a couple hours after work is not enough time to spend with them.