GOD IS IN CHARGE

I believe that God is in charge of all things.  I know that this is difficult for people to handle when bad things happen.  It is not up to us to question what
God is doing.  Our responsibility is to pray for people and be available for Him
to use in people's lives.  God is our model for really loving people.  We cannot
love without His love flowing through us.
Recently, I have been reminded that my days are ordered by the Lord.

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

Recently I have been reminded about the way people treat one another.
As a child I remember being told that if I had nothing nice to say, don't
say anything.  I think we need to review this thought. "Be ye kind to
one another..."
Women have such a problem with never being good enough.  Where do
those thoughts come from?  I think it is one way for the devil to get us
down.  We never focus on our strengths but rather pinpoint our short
comings.
It is amazing how many women deal with "friends" who can only find
fault in them.  "You are not good enough so I will help you with my
accusations about who you really are."  I am sure that if we look at the
word "friend" it has nothing to with downtrodden, negative people in
our life.  Have you ever thought about the person giving you advice?
How does their life hold up to scrutiny?  Do you want to model your
life after their life?
Because I have lived a long time, I know that people who criticize are
motivated by elevating themselves.  You drink too much coffee means
that she is better than you because she drinks 3 cokes a day!  It is funny
when you think about it.  Why is it that people cannot see their own
flaws but can easily spotlight someone else's? 
My title explains my view of the critique that people give.  The only One
who can change anyone is God.  So, if your "friend" really cares for you
she can spend more time in prayer and less time telling you what to do.
God has a time frame for change and it is individual.  He only expects
to deal with one thing at a time.  He will never give you more than you
can handle.  Everything He does comes from Love.
What can you do?  Let go of those people who are weighing you
down.  Surround yourself with people who realize that we all have our
strong points and our weak points.  Women need friends who pray for
them not people who try to fix them.

Love you girlfriends.

A Few Things I have learned along the way

You are always a mom no matter how old your children are!

Today my son is coming for the weekend.  I was thinking about how
long it has been since we have had time along to talk.  I know that some
sons do not like to talk but mine does!  We will just keep talking until
we sleep.  Ofcourse eating is also a big part of a man's life.  I have a
special restaurant picked out for one night.
My son is married to a wonderful girl and they have an adorable daughter,
Emma.  They live in Portland.  He will enjoy our great Arizona weather.
I know he will enjoy relaxing with no agenda.  That is what mom's home
is like.  Just breathe and relax.  My husband is on a trip so I have Tim
all to myself until Sunday.
Yesterday, Emma called to ask if we could Skype.  My answer is always
YES.  What fun that is.  I think that Skype is a blessing from God.  Now
I don't have to miss seeing the kids grow.  Emma loves ballet and I love
seeing her show me a move and her tutu.  I visit Portland in October and
we do all sorts of Fall Festivities.  I brought a sparkly pumpkin t-shirt and
ruffly little skirt for Emma to wear.  She loves dress up.
You can tell that I am excited.  I will let you know how wonderful it is.

Family is so important.  Love one another.

Women are girlfriends you have not met yet!!

I have been in Kansas City this week.  I am spending time with a young
friend I have known for 14 years.  She is married to a wonderful guy and
she has 3 great kids.  Their home is lovely and it is easy to just relax and
be.

I came to speak to some of the moms and mentors at her church.  Wow!
What a terrific group of women she has in her life.  I would feel very
comfortable coming back and would know several of the girls by simply
spending one week here.  It has been such an encouraging time for me.

It is good to get away from our "home" place.  It is good to expand our
relationships.  It is good to allow other women to appreciate our gifts.
It is good to experience a different Christian community.  I will miss
some of the women that I have met. 

I spoke to the mentor moms about how important their life is to
younger women.  By their life experience and their walk through
difficulties of life, they give younger women hope.  They love these
young moms.  What a blessing to have a vision for training and
teaching young women what life is about.

I spoke to the moms about how important prayer is to their daily
life.  We talked about the peace it brings, the restoration that we
can experience, the attitude adjustment prayer brings and
finally that God wants us to say YES to His plan for us.  What
beautiful babies and toddlers I saw.  This group was so open
and anxious for God's help in their lives.

Tonight I will be teaching them about closet organizing and
wardrobe.  It will be so much fun.  I just love helping women
in this way.  What a joy to be able to use the gift that God has
given me for the benefit of women.

God is good all of the time.