Girl With The Fro : Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Girl With The Fro : Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

The Table
One, two or many more, it doesn't seem to matter how many there are, love is always around the table
Even through shouting, tears or hushed conversations, problems are solved, dreams are birthed and broken hearts are set onto a path of healing, around the table

Life.......... | Two and Four legged children happy!

Life.......... | Two and Four legged children happy!

BlogPost - The Bloggess and the Christmas Gift Card Miracle of 2010*

BlogPost - The Bloggess and the Christmas Gift Card Miracle of 2010*

hello world. : The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

hello world. : The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

  

Baked Christmas cookies, Pillsbury makes it easy.

http://adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-scripture-word-tree-printable.html

coming clean - Quote of the Day

coming clean - Quote of the Day

Reaching milestones are bittersweet, you know they have to grow up but you still ask yourself... where did the time go?

Gratitude | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

There is a proverb that says, who does not thank for little will not thank for much.
The dried leaves symbolize that ‘the days will pass, the leaves will dry and I have still not given you enough to say thank you’. That’s basically the whole idea behind it! In this image, I am expressing my own gratitude.. I mean, feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. Is it not?
One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind…

Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but you won't get anywhere.

          The message today was on worrying, and how when we worry, we really are not operating from a place of faith. Keeping our eye on the so called problem allows us to forget what God has taken us from and how we are not alone. In Matthew 8:23 Jesus ask the disciples why they were afraid and said they had little faith. How many times have we allowed our troubles and fears to over-shadow us that we can't even see Jesus.

Challenge for the week; take a moment to realize that God is walking along side of us and turn our fear into a prayer opportunity.

7 “Two things I ask of you, O LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me 7 “Two things I ask of you, O LORD; 

do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD ?’
Or I may become poor and steal, 

and so dishonor the name of my God.only my daily bread.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD ?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Detecting God's presence: Faith versus feelings

This was posted on tumblr, it never hurts to have encouragement.

Detecting God's presence: Faith versus feelings

All Lined Up!

While coming home from an errand this morning, I saw a group of daycare center kids walking down the street. They were no older than 3 and all were about the same height. What was interesting was that they were tethered together by a long rope with their wrists attached to the rope. They were walking and talking and singing without a care in the world; they had such confidence in their teachers. While I'm waiting for the light to change I was thinking, how cool would it be to have someone lead me around everywhere I needed to go. Not only be led but attached so I would have no chance of getting lost or separated.

Then it dawned on me.... isn't that what our relationship with God is supposed to be like. We should be so attached to Him, that we no longer worry about where we are going, we just allow ourselves to be led by Him.

49th Birthday Celebrations!

The cake was delicious and just being in the bakery was an experience, crowded and they let only a few people in a a time, the bakery is very small.

Dreams Unfolding

Last night I got the honor of watching my daughter experience a moment in time that she will cherish for ever; her first Broadway musical with Corbin Bleu. When it was over we did the traditional fan thing and hung out by the stage door to get autographs. While waiting we struck up a conversation with a friendly women who was there with two young girls. It was in this moment that I knew we were right where we needed to be. We don't always get such a sense of clarity in our day to day moments, but when they occur you just know you are apart of something bigger than you. It is these moments that remind me that my life is orchestrated by the hands of God. I thank Him that I am loved by a God that is much more faithful to me than I am to him.

"In the Meantime"

What to do while we are waiting for the next thing! In particular if we're waiting for the right man to walk into our lives, do we make lists of deal breakers; no smoking, must like long walks, well dressed, essentially boiling down a relationship to a shopping list? I do think in order to know what you want, you need to know what you don't want. The problem that can develop is we get so caught up in what we don't want, that we miss out on great experiences that will grow and stretch us into better people.Sometimes that meantime is filled with such anxiety and what if's that we can't see straight. Impatience becomes our best friend and bad decisions can be made.  I think there is a balance that needs to be achieved. God gave us common sense and true desires that are a great starting point to lead us to our destination. So "in the meantime," I will make lists, but not be so rigid in my ways. I will continue to grow in the wisdom of God, and allow him to change me so I will want what He wants for me.

Fiat Lux
Originally uploaded by -dubliner-

Fanning the flames rising and swirling all around
invading the deepest crevices of our existence
ripping apart fears and false hope
enveloping us and strengthening our resolve to rise up and shout with a mighty voice........
I will lay me down and let you arise!

Out of the mouths of Babes!

The assignment for the day was to compare and contrast two different versions of Cinderella. They had no clue about England, so we reviewed the continents and talked about England having a queen. When I asked them what the queens name was, one student said "Queen Latifah." Sometimes you don't know whether to be appalled or laugh out loud.

Talk To Me

It is a real learning experience to take time and listen to your child. So much is said in what we might think is endless talking. The last few days I have been overwhelmed with how deep and thoughtful my daughter is. She has definite thoughts and opinions that at times is shared during car rides or just hanging at home. She is just as comfortable sharing her thoughts through her writings. Parenting is not always about telling our children something, but sometimes being quiet and let them tell us a thing or two.

Written for Meredith's birthday

Today Meredith is 16! As parents we think we are giving our children all this knowledge and direction. Boy are we mistaken! While that is part of what we do; I have learned more about who I am as a person while on this parenting journey, than I have given. Through God's grace and mercy we have come this far, and I am proud to be her mom!

Whisperings

Old school wisdom is like that blanket that you just can’t get rid of. It may be a

little tattered and torn, but it is the first thing you reach for in a storm. The warmth

that radiates through your body when you’re all wrapped in its folds, reminds you, of

its safety and that nothing can hurt you!

Shh!!

Love whispers in my ear that I am worthy to hold the stars in my hands

Love whispers in my ear that I am made from the gentle sweet kisses of long ago

Love whispers in my ear that I am standing on the strong shoulders of understanding and trust

Love whispers in my ear that I am held in the caresses of time itself

Love whispers in my ear that I am!

Kaleidoscope

Pieces turning and spinning never fitting in the same place

tiny, colorful ever-changing…. life, my life a reflection of those

tiny changing colorful pieces never fitting the same way twice

hands constantly grasping to capture a fleeting moment, thought,

feeling, never staying past their appointed time

twirling and swirling leaving behind sweet memories bathed in hope

The View From Here!

We all walk around with so many feelings and thoughts rolling around in our heads, but never feel like we can share them with anyone. I am going to make this the place where I can open my heart and lay my thoughts, hopes, dreams,and fears down. Come walk along side me and at any time feel comfortable to leave a little of yourself. It will be nurtured and cherished!