A New Stage In Life!

God sure does work in wondrous and mysterious ways. The issue with Snickers was resolved! My husband on Friday said it was time to give her up. He thought about it awhile and was worried that she would attack our son. It may have been accidental but we didn't want to take the risk. My motto to help me get through this was: Pets are always replaceable...Our children are not. Our children's safety always comes first! I'm so glad that God impressed it upon my husband's heart to make the right decision. Yes. It was very difficult, sad, heart-breaking, and relieving to take her to our local shelter. I'm still getting teary eyed when I think about her and when I look at her pictures (which are still all around the house). But deep down inside my husband's heart and mine...we know we did the right thing. She will find a better home where she can get the full attention that she needs. 


Over the weekend, our friends from Tehachapi came down. I was so pleased to have them here. They brought their two dogs (which helped keep Dudley distracted). It was wonderful to have their support and love. We don't get to see them often, so it's always a blessing when they are down. It also helped us keep our minds off losing Snickers. And now Dudley can live a happier life. He can have toys without worrying of being attacked. He also can get more love and attention. Plus, we're going to be saving money, energy, time, and cleaning that was for the dogs. I bought several toys for Dudley at the dollar store so I don't feel guilty if he shreds them up. He grabbed each one and put them into his bed. It's so cute to watch him with them. 


Lord, thank You for answering my prayers! You Do work all for the good and in Your perfect timing. Thank You for changing my husband's heart and for giving him the understanding he needed to make the decision. May You continue to do Your work in our everyday lives. Guide us in Your ways. Thank You for helping us through our 'thorns' of life. Thank You for also blessing us with wonderful friends to be there no matter what may come our way. You truly are amazing!                                     Amen

Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I've blogged. Been busy with family issues. My dogs can't seem to behave no matter what and my female, Snickers, gets aggressive possessive. The other night she was pacing around the house so I called her over to me and made her sit...my male, Dudley, came out to see what was going on and then Snickers attacked him! She's attacked him several times before but it's usually outside. This time it was in the house and my husband was holding my son. My son got so scarred and started crying. 


I'm just so worried that as my son gets older...he's going to tease the dogs with toys and food and they will get into a fight near him. I don't want him getting hurt. I'm worried for his safety. This issue has been going on since I got pregnant with our son. My husband and I have talked about it several times but nothing seems to get resolved. I just wish it would soon. There's debate either to give up Snickers, Dudley, both, or re-train them. I've tried re-training her and it helps for a little bit and then she forgets. I think she has ADD. She's so hyper and needs constant stimulation but I don't always have the time to stimulate her. This situation is causing stress on my marriage and I hope that God will guide us and resolve this soon.  


I read in my devotional yesterday and the passage was perfect for me and my situation. 


  "I'm devastated. All my careful planning gone down the drain. What was the point?" I'm sure you can relate. I certainly can. But I have one word for you-and it's not a popular one: submission. There are going to be times when you're not happy with God's will for your life...frustrating times when you'll find yourself in circumstances you just don't understand. All your careful planning seems to make no difference at all. But when you surrender and submit to God's will, you are respecting His authority (James 4:7-8). You are welcoming His guidance and involvement in your life. There are no two ways about it: Life is often a mystery. But it's one God knows all about. So walk in Him!  


Lord, you passages for me were perfect. You do have perfect timing. I need to lift all my issues up to You. You said You would take care of everything. I'm sorry for ever doubting you. I know at times I feel like you are putting sadness, pain, and even rejection in my plans and I recoil. Please help me to seek You through the dark times and the good. You know my future, so I'm putting my faith and issues (whatever they may be) in You. Help to steadily walk ahead in You and follow Your glorious light. Thank You for all You've done in my life and my families. Thank You for any 'thorns' You've put before us and for letting them bring us closer to You. I also pray You help guide my family into You and that we will reflect Your glory everyday.     Amen

An Adventure

Sometimes I wallow because my life is so routine and there's no real adventure in it. (well...raising my son is) And there goes God again speaking to me...He will guide my life. We have an Adventure with Him in our lives. HE guides are every steps, thoughts, and breaths. I need to focus on Him. Don't worry about tomorrow for it will worry about itself.


Lord, help me relax and not worry about the future. You have a divine journey for me. Keep me focused on the adventure of serving You. Help me to become the woman you want me to be. Please help me to be patient and diligent in all I do in my life.


And I'm the kind of person that likes instant gratification and results. I think that's why I get so easily distracted on certain projects. For example; I'm working on a quilt and having difficulty with it, so I started my curtains for my bedroom window. My curtains only take a few days to make and my quilt has been taking several months because I think of something else to modify it or I keep running out of fabric and have to compromise. But regardless...I need patience. My pets are another things that make me lose my patience. My dogs love barking, digging holes, and destroying my yard. My cat loves eating my house plants and digging the roots up. Silly pets. I know they don't know better and I just have to take my time in really being diligent in my training them. This weekend I'm going to fill all the huge holes with balloons hoping to help stop the digging. Someone told me this trick and I hope it works and that my dogs don't think of it as a new game. Well see what happens.

Keeping Focused

I don't know about you...but at times I have a hard time staying focused on one thing. My life is so full of activity that I start something and realize something else has to be done...and then I start that. It's kinda like having ADD. I don't, I just have so much to do in a day that I try to get everything accomplished and when I don't, I feel like I let down everyone. I guess I want to be like a "super-mom and super-wife!" Then I read my devotional this morning...it stated that no matter what schedule or situations going on in your life, you have to stay focused on God! God will direct our lives. He wants us to be faithful and obedient to Him first and everything else in our lives will follow suit. If we keep our eyes on the prize (God) we'll be able to accomplish anything! It's an amazing feeling that no matter what...He's there to listen to our prayers, love us, and help us through anything. 


Lord, each day is filled with activities and little time to finish them. Please help me to stay focused on what's important first. My relationship with You. I know that if You keep me focused everything else will fall into place. I want to be able to finish every challenge and activity with Your love, joy, and peace. Also please help me to say strong and calm in every storm and in everything I do. Thank you for this beautiful day and for listening to my every need.            Amen

Lack of Trust

I've been realizing that I don't put as much trust in God as I should. I have to keep remembering the scripture Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. It is hard to see the good during the bad times. I need to trust in the Lord no matter the trials in my life. 


Lord, it's hard to be thankful for trails. You do use them for the good and bring positive changes into my life. Help me to put my trust and faith in You. Help me see the next trail through eyes of faith. Also help me to realize that trials are Your way for new opportunities.              Amen


There has been positive things in my life from negative experiences. I grew up in an abuse household...and now I can help other young women and give them encouragement through their tough situation. Even just telling them I truly understand and I will be here to listen to them...that's a reward in itself...helping other in times of need. When we help others we seem to forget our troubles and our troubles don't seem as challenging anymore. 


On a great happy note...my son had his first play-date! It was so adorable. The little girl is only 2 weeks older then him. It was so cute watching them play on the floor together and watching their little brains try to process everything. At first my son was shy, then after a good poop and snack later, he was raring to go! Once I put him on the floor he was rolling around and showing off. It was so cute. The gal and I are going to try and have play-dates every week to help the kids learn to play and share together. It also helps us moms get together and compare stories of our little ones. God's amazing for bringing wonderful new friendships in random places.  

Tired and Worn-Out

Have you ever had those days when you just feel so tired, worn-out, unappreciated, and overwhelmed with life? Well...I'm having one of those days. I was going great this morning...made pureed pears, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, dishes (one load so far), laundry, got ready...and then all of a sudden I got those feelings. Not sure why...probably just a hormonal mood swing...damn those hormones! I don't know what comes over me at times. Well...it's most likely Satan trying to control my life and bring me down. I'm not depressed or anything just worn-out. Sometimes I feel like I don't accomplish anything meaningful. And deep down inside I know that I am meaningful and do do great thing sin my day. I just have to pray for God's protection over me mentally, physically, and spiritually. I HAVE to stay positive. It's what God would want in our lives. Because if we can stay positive other will see that and want what we have...a great relationship with the Lord right? Right! 

I had to take a minute and re-read my devotional...now I understand what it was saying for me. NO matter what...God does have a purpose for our lives and things WILL happen if we give it all to him.  And the scripture Isaiah 40:31 keeps coming up.  "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." God IS in control. I have to rest in Him.


Lord, thank You for giving me the promise of Your strength. Guide me in Your way each and everyday. Protect myself and those around me mentally, physically, and spiritually. Help us to stay focus and positive in You. For You Are our rock and strong tower.            Amen

Discouraging Voices

My devotional was perfect for me today! (and usually always) It talked about how discouraging voices are loud and persuasive. And how most people... especially myself...are willing to give up at the slightest hint of confrontation or storm. But regardless of what happens, what other may say, we have to 'sail on'. 

Sail on! Those are the two words you need to enter into the log of our spiritual journey. As we focus on truly becoming a woman who honors God, He will guide our steps and empower our service to Him. 

With support from fellow women and with God's guidance we CAN 'sail on'. This was so encouraging to me. I've always battled with my outer appearance, weight, and trying to please my husband. My husband st times can be very discouraging...he tells me that "I'm a big girl and need to lose weight". And than on the other hand other tell me I look fine. The constant battle makes me just give-up or boycott any type of physical activities and if I do do them, they aren't as fun as they should be. So, as of late, I've been telling myself I HAVE to do it for ME and no one else. As I mentioned before...I'm in belly-dance classes and am really digging it. They are so much fun. I'm getting encouraged because there are women there of all shapes, sizes, and age. I am the youngest in my class...At first I was intimidated, but know feel empowered because of it. I am young and should be proud and happy with my youth. Enjoy the moments I have. I'm so happy that I've found an activity that I can loosen up and just have fun! I'm also planning on rewarding myself with a tattoo (I've wanted them for seems like ages). I want to be a healthy, fit, energetic, and sexy mom! 


Well...I'll keep updates of my progress. Right now I'm just enjoying myself and learning to have fun! A woman's gotta have some fun in her life. It can't be all chores and pleasing everyone else around her. 


Lord, thank you for this wonderful day You have blessed us with. May You keep encouraging us each and everyday. Help us to 'sail on'. Each day give me strength to sail in the pursuit of Your destiny for me. I long to reach the final shore and hear those wonderful words..."Well done! You've been a good and faithful servant." I also pray that You help to give my husband more compassion towards me and other around him. Make hi a better servant unto You. Thank You Lord for doing such a glorious work in me.      Amen

Forgiving & Forgetting

I read in my devotional today about forgiving and forgetting. Man-that really hit home. I knew I had a difficult time forgiving and forgetting but I didn't realize what an impact it could have on one's life. The passage read:

The past makes us what we are, but that's no reason to live there. Philippians 3:13-14 is a breakthrough passage of Scripture: "Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me..." (NIV) Poring over the disappointments and failures you experience will make you tired and depressed. And it's definitely a breeding ground for bitterness. Instead, open yourself to God's grace, to the excitement of living today. Reach forward. Press on. Forget about the past. Look to your glorious future with Christ!  

Lord, shine Your light in my darkness and help me to forgive and forget things that have happened in my life. I want to give it ALL to You. Help me to be more like You. Thank You for my 'thorns'...for have made me a stronger person and gave me a closer relationship with You. Thank You for being there and answering my prayers.                      Amen

Soon, I know that if I let things go my life will be more blessed than I ever could imagine.  I know that things will work out for the better and I have to stay positive. 

Seasons!

God has really been talking to me about seasons... wither it be attempting to plant, changes in my life, wanting things that haven't happened yet, questions unanswered, or wishes that haven't come to pass. I haven't been blogging because I'v been taking some time to reflect on several things in my life. And Ecclesiastes 3 keeps coming to mind.

Ecclesiastes 3 (King James Version)

   ¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
   ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
   ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
   ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
   ⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
   ⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
   ⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
   ⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
   ⁹What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
   ¹⁰I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
   ¹¹He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
   ¹²I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
  ¹³And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
  ¹⁴I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
  ¹⁵That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
  ¹⁶And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
  ¹⁷I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
  ¹⁸I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
  ¹⁹For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
  ²⁰All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
  ²¹Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

  ²²Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?  


It is so true...there IS a time for Everything. At times it's hard to understand or wait for things in there due time. We've become an impatient world. We have new technology and services that makes our lives more efficient and faster that we forget that God"s timing is perfect. And for me this is my struggle...I'm having difficulty waiting for my close-friends or us to move closer to one another. I miss my friend dearly and it's so hard at times that she lives 3 hours away. I am thankful that she doesn't live in another state but it's still difficult. We women need our time together to support one another, enjoy our time together, talk about our lives (in person), talk about children, bicker about husbands, and relish in our everyday moments. My mother-in-law said I seemed a little melancholy the other day and now I realize why. Ever since I've been beck from my trip, I've realized how much I enjoy my friend's company and how much I miss her being around. I just can't wait to be closer to her. 


Lord, thank you for this beautiful day that You have given us. May You help me to enjoy every moment I have on this Earth. Help me to deal with missing my friend. May You make us closer in person, spiritually, and emotionally together. May You strengthen our walk with You and help us to realize that there is a Time for Everything. Help give us the patience we need for our blessings from You. I do thank you for the time You do bless us with and letting us communicate everyday. Thank you for blessing me with her friendship and sisterhood. May You bless her and guide her and strengthen her in You as well.                                   Amen