Perfect People??

Have you ever thought to yourself....... Man, he/she seem to have the PERFECT life?!?  They always have a perfect smile, they wear perfect clothes, have the perfect kids, live in a perfect home, come from a perfect family so they must really have it all together.

Let it be known there is NO perfect person.  You have no idea the battles people face, the struggles they endure, the life changing events that have shook them to their core, the broken heart they carry daily, the poor decisions they've made, the pain they've suffered or the mind blowing secrets they hide.  Have you ever thought the man that sits at the bar day in and day out and the person that sits next to you in church deal with some of the very same issues?  Both can be equally scarred by life.  Neither wanting to be judged.  One may hide it better than the other but everyone has issues.  We all face struggles and hardships.  No two people are the same but I assure you we share in the same feelings of despair.      

Let's get real folks......  Every heart seeks acceptance.  Every heart wants to feel whole.  Each heart wants to feel LOVE!  Nobody wants to feel lonely.  Nobody wants to be judged by their past.  PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES!  Thank God for that.  If it were not from trying and failing you would not grow.   The heart of the matter is don't strive to be perfect.  STRIVE TO BE A BETTER YOU!!!!  Don't base what others have on what you should have.  It's pointless.  Don't try to be someone or something you're not ~ BE YOU!  Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. 

I'll speak truthfully ~ I've accepted I am nobody other than ME!  I don't try to be either.  I am unique.  I am outspoken.  I'm NOT perfect!!  I've made mistakes.  I've taken the easy way out.  I know what it feels like to be completely broken.  I've felt hopelessness.  I've lived empty and wanted more out of life than depression.  I've lived in fear.  I've hurt people, sometimes on purpose.  I've hid my true feelings.  I've hated myself.  I'm often told I am strong but truth is those instances didn't necessarily make me strong.  They taught me life has so much more to offer.  You can fall and still pick up the pieces.  Lessons are to be learned.  True relationships are to be cherished.  Prayers are answered.  Dreams do come true.  Everything in life I have faced made me who I am today.  It was by divine design and not in my timing.  Once you can accept it's NOT you that's in control it might make your paths more understandable.  Try being thankful for your issues.  Sounds strange, trust me I know.  Be willing to open your heart and your eyes to God's plan.  REAL TALK~ draw your strengths from Him.  Accept change.  LET GO & LET GOD! 
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

Change is about the only constant I have noticed in life.  What God has allowed me to see is he has a plan for me!  That excites me and my hopes are it excites you as well!  I look forward to what's to come.  I'm thankful for the seasons throughout my life.  I appreciate the person I have become and will continue to strive for better.  I yearn to be a more accepting, deeper loving and giving wife/mother/friend.  I refuse to be consumed by the opinions or half-truths people think of me.  You shouldn't either.  They are simply irrelevant, unreliant and by no means will I allow it to define me.  Have you ever realized that when people say you've changed, it's usually because you stopped living YOUR life THEIR way????  Change is not a bad thing folks.  It's simply a decision to desire more.  Not in a materialistic way, but more like a soul searching journey way.  Seek Him and seek better in your life.

MY PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:
Lord, I come to you asking that if strife or grief come into my life or the lives of those close to me that you turn it into something positive.  Continue working in me, making me more confident in the person I am today no matter what I face.  Give me strength to help others and be the accepting and supportive friend they need.  Let me be a positive influence to those who may not believe, those who have lost their way or those who seek direction. 
I ask this in Your name, AMEN.     

Red River, NM

Well ~ well ~ well..... we went skiing for the first time and let me just say what an experience it was!!!  We drove to Red River, New Mexico and stayed at Caribel Condos.  I would recommend you stay there if you ever go to Red River.  We decided to take lessons together on day one and we had decided prior to heading out of town that we all wanted to try out snowboarding. 

YES, I strapped on a board and hit my knees multiple times.  Just walking in the boots left bruses on my shins but I didn't realize that until a day or two later and I honestly didn't care.  I wanted to give it a whirl and I DID IT!!!  Cameron even got irritated that his "old" Momma was catching on before him.  Inside I was giddy, but still cheering him on and ended up getting him private lessons.  I thought he'd get more from it (totally without us) with an instructor since the guy did have to spend a lot of time of us big kids.  In the end Mike decided he would try skiing next year.  Cameron is a natural pro and I was just happy to have made it all the way down once or twice without falling on my face.  THAT WAS EXCITING TO ME!  Mike & I defeated our fear of getting on the ski lift.  Wished I had tried it from day one! 

The nights at dinner were entertaining to say the very least.  Never a dull moment!!!  Did I mention we went on Mardi Gras weekend?  Got silly pics of our masks and beads.  Great food & great memories!!!  I loved it when it started to snow one of the nights we were eating dinner.  HUGE flakes coming down and it was breathtaking!!!  I also spent a lot of time reflecting, praying and taking pics of the scenery.  I LOVE TAKING PICTURES!!!  Following me you know this by now.  Hope I don't bore you too badly with them.
Here are some pics from the trip ~ ENJOY!!!

 

Being able to see God all around me was AWESOME!

Day 1 of lessons ~ Cameron & Tom

Mike & Tom

Me & Tom ~ He kicked butt as our instructor!

Didn't take long for him to be a natural

That's Mike in a WIPEOUT!!!

At least I am not flat on my face!

ROCK ON MIKE!

Just the two of us.....

Would you expect anything less from him?

Cameron & John Michael

~Here are some pictures taken by some cool photographers at Red River Ski Lodge~

A big THANK YOU to each of you!!!



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(Allison Romine & Myself)

A special thank you to the Romine Family for inviting us along.

We enjoyed spending time with you and your family! 

~ THANK YOU ~

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Catching Up & New Prayers Coming

I need to do some catching up.....
I am no longer going to post daily prayers from my new favorite little book. Like I did most of January. I have been unable to get in touch with anyone that will give me permission to post the prayers and I don't want to violate any copyright laws, etc. I would feel better if I had permission.
So, with that being said I will start writing my own. Thinking maybe every Sunday (starting 02.12.12) I will give you subjects and prayers for the week. More than likely it will be what I am dealing with personally at the moment and possibly around a sermon I've received at church that morning. Who knows where I will draw inspiration and strength from but we will share in it together. My goal is growing deeper in my faith while hopefully helping others.

Allow Him In

There has been a tremendous change in my life over the last 3 years.  Many ups and downs along the way.  Not all of it is positive.  For the most part the current situation is disheartening and not something I would wish on an enemy.  Now please do not think just because I believe in God, go to church or read my bible that I thought I was above pain, hurt, suffering or struggles.  When you deal with negative hardships that are focused around you or your family it is not always easy.  My heart is hurting and one would think my faith would be shipwrecked.  Not true.  With all my heart my faith is believing in HIS will, HIS strength & HIS power. I know EVERYTHING is in HIS timing!!!! With my faith I can recognize that my sufferings can be turned to HIS glory. Just because I don't understand at the time the "why" doesn't mean I don't have something to learn, something that needs to be changed or a focus that needs shifting.  I believe with every ounce of my being that the changes I made in my life to better myself and get closer to God was a much needed change.  One that has allowed me a deeper appreciation for where I have been, where I am now and where I have yet to go.  I can say without my changes, without my faith, without my husband I would be a VERY lost soul.  A very hurt person.  A very lonely person.  I'm not judging but I have been around people like this and I wanted more out of this life.  NO MORE CHAINS HOLDING ME!!!! 

If you choose to let HIM into EVERY aspect of your life HE can & will exchange our past pain for present comfort!!!!  If you feel lonely, allow HIM in.  If you feel week, allow HIM in.  Don't know how to forgive?  Have addictions?  Have trust issues?  Feeling worthless?  Falling into depression?  ALLOW HIM IN!  ALLOW HIM IN!  ALLOW HIM IN!  ALLOW HIM IN!!!

WHEN LIFE GETS TOO HARD TO STAND.....KNEEL!

If you know me you know I am a mother that wants her family to be whole.  A mother that wants her family to be safe, healed and filled with grace.  My family is hurting and dealing with heartache.  I do not feel it necessary to share every single detail to the world.  Those who care for the right reasons and are genuine in their hopes of us seeing brighter days I ask that you pray for my family.  I choose NOT to let this destroy my family.  I choose to find blessings in the struggles and continue loving.  I know this is where God steps in and takes over.  He can transform my family!  

Job 22:28-30

²⁸ What you decide on will be done,
and light will shine on your ways.
²⁹ When people are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’
then he will save the downcast.
³⁰ He will deliver even one who is not innocent,
who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”

My dad shared with me a bible verse this week.  His words to me were, "think about this."
He's pretty good at knowing what to say.  Thanks Dad!  Love you!!

Hebrews 6:10

¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

12th Birthday Bash

I have to share some really cute pics from Cameron's 12th Birthday Bash.  This is something we did for both of our boys once they were in 6th grade and turning 12.  Most throw a huge party when kids turn 16.  We just chose to do ours "early".  I appreciate those who took time out to help us.  I especially appreciate the DJ.  He was over the top friendly and made sure the kids enjoyed the music & games.  I think it was a success and what matters most is my kid wore a HUGE smile on his face the entire event.  WE LOVE YOU CAMERON MICHAEL.  You deserve much happiness kiddo!

~THANK YOU TO ALL THE FAMILY THAT MADE IT~