A Girls Retreat...growing in her Faith

You are a precious pearl!!!

This past weekend was so special because for the second

year, I got to chaperon the girls retreat here in Branson.
The Branson Young Girls Retreat!!!

What made this year so special

 is that my little girl got to participate.

What an honor

 to watch her grow in her faith

and

her walk with the Lord.
The women that began this wonderful endeavor
 are amazing God filled ladies

 that I not only call friends but Sisters!

These young women had a blast of a weekend...
they sang, they prayed, they listened, they learned,
they shared, they laughed, they swam.
They became closer, they forgave, they healed.
Hopefully they learned to like themselves more and
come away knowing they are not alone.
They are princesses to the King!

What an amazing thing to be a part of helping young girls and women
grow in their faith.
A website is coming soon...
Branson Young Womens Retreat.
I pray this just continues to grow and grow.

Magical moments happened all weekend.

 We talked about how each of us is like a precious pearl, 

the same,

but different as well.

We may shine differently

but

We ALL shine!!

Making new friends, reconnecting with old ones.

Getting to know each other and ourselves better.

connecting to each other

 

We do tend to think that others have it better than us sometimes...
You know that saying, "The grass is always greener".
But you never know what could be going on in someones life.
This weekend our girls learned that while we wear a smile on our face,
sometimes there are tears in our hearts.
Sisters...we need to be lifting each other up and
showing kindness and love to one another.
 It has been said that people are in one of these three stages all the time...
1. Just coming out of a trial
2. In the middle of a trial
3. About to begin suffering a trial

It could be a small thing or a big thing...
Does it really matter?
If this is true, then shouldn't we be compassionate to each other at all times?!
Think about it, Sisters!







Living on a Prayer

I have been away.

Not on a trip or a vacation really...

just away,

searching, thinking, praying.

Hoping about a future for my 3 Wishes.

What I want for them.

The material stuff does not come to mind,

it is the sweet stuff...

kindness, an open heart, an strong mind, a giving spirit.

What I want for them is to feel strong and secure in

the knowing

that God has them...

every growing inch of them.

My boys are teens, my girl, 11.

Not babies anymore by definition...

but...my babies forever.

 

 

My loves, my hopes, my Wishes.

These gifts form God bless me in ways I could have

never imagined being blessed.

They keep me strong...

They keep me soft.

It is something...this role of Motherhood.

Each day is a new beginning, a new adventure and a

 new prayer enters my heart.

One that includes peace of Spirit,

a closeness with God,

and a keeper of Faith.

My prayer...

today starts with Thank you...

Just simply Thank you.

 

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday friends...

What are you living on these days?

 

 



Saying no...

Two little letters,
you wouldn't think one word would be hard to say
 but it is...

Sometimes.

I think especially because Nate and I have teens now, it isn't as

hard as I thought it would be.

I mean sometimes it breaks my heart,
on the other hand
it is our job as parents to set limits,
to keep our children safe...
at times, even from themselves.
I have come to realize that kids will push, they will pull,
they don't know any other way.
Unless
we teach them.
Saying no to things like
 Cameron wearing shorts to school
when it is 20 degrees outside...
a no brainer,
however,
some no's are considerably more difficult.
I want my children to have strong minds,
but I want them to have a soft heart...
for God.
I want them to think about their choices
and how each decison fits with their faith, and
how it shapes the people they are becoming.
Recently Nate and I had to tell Ethan no
about something he wanted to do.
Not because we didn't want him to do it,
in fact,
 I would have loved for him to have done it,
But it was to much.
He was spreading himself to thin.
As much as I want my children to acheive their
goals and dreams,
I want them to understand it is ok to say no when they need to.
They don't have to accomplish everything right
this second.
There is time, time to do all the things they want to do.
I want them to actually enjoy and appreciate the things they are doing
right at this moment.


I






focus on the positive...

Computer troubles make for an unhappy blogger.

But I am not here to complain about my computer today.

I will simply say...

 this is why my posts have been missing in action lately.

So instead of whining...

 

I am going to focus on the positive.

I am here.

I am breathing in and out today this amazing fresh air.

I am a mom of 3 kiddos who bless me every day.

I am the wife of a man who loves his family so much that

he would do anything for us.

I am the daughter of The King,

and a mom and dad who I adore even if they are

not truly my own. (but they are)

I am the sister to 3 amazing gals who I love and miss

so very much.

I am a friend to some of the most lovely ladies that

are such blessings to me.

What are you thankful for right now, Today?

I have been so stressed, I just needed to say

STOP...

you have so much to be grateful for and

if you trust in the Lord,

then you know He has all of this.

So

today I will focus on the positive,

I won't let the stress of the day or a circumstance dictate

my outlook.

After all, Doesn't God determine all of it anyway?

Seems silly than to waste a beautiful day with worry,

much less another minute of

your beautiful life.

Hoping you all have a lovely day,

trusting in the Lord with all your worries and enjoying the many

blessings that surround you today.

Blessings,

Janine

 



We are Christ's letters

2 Corinthians 3:3

You yourselves are letters

written on our hearts, recognized and read by everyone,

since it is plain you are Christ's letter.

 

 

I write because that is what helps me make sense

when things just don't seem to make sense.

It is like praying, in written form.

Opening your heart,

letting light in,

letting love flow out.

It is for me, for God...

For others

who choose to walk with me

on my journey.

It is gratitude...

for everything the Lord has given me.

Crying my faith out loud.

We are like God's love letters

shared.

Each letter is beautiful and lovely

and inspiring in its own way.

Please mail your letter,

don't put it away for another day...

read it out loud!

 

Thanks for reading my letter.



The unknown

source

Remember when you were young and nothing was scary.  Your bravery was in abundance and there was no stopping you?  As we get older, we gain wisdom. We know when to be afraid and when to go for it.  But should we ever be afraid? Today I know that God is bigger than any problem or situation I face....so what's the deal about fear? 

The unknown is like a big puzzle with a missing puzzle piece.  That is kind of what I feel like now.  I am missing a piece to my puzzle.  A missing element to the big picture.  I have been on the job hunt and it is a scary place to be right now.  On the other hand, I can't help but believe that God has something better for me. 

I am a "get it done" kind of girl...I want all my ducks in a row.  So this little bit of my life isn't figured out right now and it stirs my soul.  I am trying to find the calm.  That part is easy when my kiddos are around because when I am with them, I try to just be with them, to breathe in those precious moments and I am not thinking about an uncertain future or the million other things running around in this crowded head of mine.

I am so happy it is summer, I have been enjoying cuddle time with my girl since she sprained her ankle, organizing around our home, cooking for them, long talks with my boys. It is a good time to not have everything figured out.

That part will come. For now...I am going to enjoy the moment, relax with a cup of tea and soak in a summer that will part from me way to quickly. 

I hope you lovelies are enjoying every second of summer so far. Thanks for all the comments and support as of late...It is so appreciated, You all are amazing!!!

When the storm comes

   Many of you know by now that the town I live in, Branson was hit by a tornado late last night. This storm has damaged so much of our little town but I know the hearts of these amazing people and they will rise and come to the aid of others. I am praying for many dear friends that have lost homes, businesses, and pets.
    It has me to thinking of other kinds of storms.  It is inevitable that we all go through stormy weather and experience hard times, but it is in those times of struggle that you make a choice to stand and know God has you, or be defeated.
    I am so Thankful to all of you for the heart felt messages I have received and for all the prayers for our lovely town.
    When the storm comes...Will you be defeated, or will you press on and press through?  I pray that no storms come near you and that the good Lord protect you and keep you.  This evening I hope you hold close the ones you love.

Open The Eyes Of My Heart...

   What a week and it is only half over....  It has been a rough one.  I have had some conversations with others this week and know that I am not alone. That others are struggling also.  Trying to have Hope.   I know God can make the impossible possible...so why do I forget that and why do I become weak?  He strengthens me and gives me courage.
   My family was in the car tonight coming home and I had everyone listen, as this ten year old, blind, autistic, beautiful, and amazing child of God sang his heart out for the Lord.  What an inspiration and a reminder to never take a minute for granted, to never waiver in my trust that God has me, He has my family in His tender loving care.  I hope you enjoy this as much as my family did...My 13 year old cried... he was so moved.  I sobbed. 
     Thank you so much Christopher Duffley...Your Big faith is what I needed on this rainy, December day.  May God Bless you even more then you have blessed so many of us.  http://youtu.be/wPTMA7HIIyk   Please give the video a minute to start...it is soooo worth the wait!!
Have a great day lovelies.  Chin up, God has you!!!

Good Morning Monday

I woke up to lovely sounds and sights today. The sweet sound of my children and husband saying good morning to me and to eachother. The sound of left over rain from the roof  hitting the deck. The peaceful vision of birds fluttering about the feeders in the yard and this lovely girl hanging out back.

                                                                           Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday to kick off your week.  Have faith, breathe and enjoy every minute!!!!

Ace and the power of Prayer

A few blogs back I wrote about my new friend Ace, the duck.  I had been house sitting at my sister's farm and fell in love the little fella.   I also wrote that he had come up missing on my last night there and  I was heartbroken and praying for his safe return.  Well, this morning my prayers were answered because a very muddy Ace is home safe on my sister's farm.  Faith is sometimes difficult when we are praying about loss. I always try to teach my children to pray to let God's will be done.  It gets hard when you want something so badly to go your own way.  In this case, it was God's will and Ace is home where he should be with his family that loves him and I have my buddy to follow me around the farm once again.  I am a happy camper!!!

My 4th Wish

This has been quite a year, full of happiness, gratitude, tears, and Faith.  I am sure you can guess that the 3 Wishes I speak about are my children.   I have basically been a single parent for the last year as my wonderful husband is in California working.  It  has been rather difficult for me but even worse, I fear for my kiddos.  So my prayer each night is that the Lord brings Nate back to us, and brings him soon.  I empathize with all the single Moms out there who go it alone and do their very best to play both roles. I am so blessed to have three sisters who, even though they live far away, are so supportive and Nate's Mom and Dad who I have adopted as my own. I am also blessed to have the support of so many friends that lift me and my kiddos up.  I pray that I don't let my children down, that I follow God's direction in the kind of Mom he wants me to be.  I pray they see the Lord's goodness through me and by doing so they find what it means to do God's will, even when it is the hardest thing to do.  So my 4th wish is Nate himself and to have my guy home with us and have him forever by my side.  I hope and pray that this is God's will also.