Emotions of Moving

I'm not sure where to share my feelings about moving. All I can tell you it's very emotional.

As most of you know 4 months ago we moved about 45 minutes away from our city and decided to move to the country. Country being 20 minutes from the nearest grocery and gas station. We're not really far out.

You would think 45 minutes from our old town, friends and activities would be no big deal. Honestly I think moving 4 hours away would have been the same. People you see daily at the gym, school, and activities keep on and you start a new routine too. It's extremely difficult to keep friendships up. That is the hard part. With the best intentions you say let's keep in touch. In most cases it doesn't happen, but for a few the friendships grow into a stronger foundation. It's work and you make it happen.

My children have encountered it too. I encourage new friendships and get them involved with new people. Luckily they have done well and are making fast friends. It breaks my heart when my son looks at his old yearbook each night as he goes to sleep. I know he's trying his hardest to move on. My oldest (9th grade) recently spent the weekend in our old town with some friends. It was a sad and hard good-bye. Lots of tears.

Change is hard, very hard. I don't adapt well to change. My old performance reviews told me so when I was working. It's no surprise.

This is the change I prayed for and yearned for. I don't regret it, it's just hard.

It's easy to throw a pitty party for myself starting over but I can't. I'm taking every chance to meet new people and throw us into our new community.

Our new church has been wonderful. We picked the city based on the church. It is exactly what we wanted and we couldn't be happier. We are meeting new friends very quickly. We finally have an overlap of school, church, and activities within the city.

When you are in a big suburb of cities it's easy to loose your city identity and not overlap friends. We really wanted to be apart of a community, let me tell you this new community is all about city pride and good ole fashioned Texas sports. That is exciting for us.

I felt I needed to write this down. I have friends that might not understand the change I've taken. All I can say is God is transforming my life.... rapidly.

I'm no longer sitting at the computer for hours, waiting in endless traffic, getting dressed up to go to the store, going to the gym daily and never feeling skinny enough. These were areas I really prayed to heal in my personally. I didn't like the person I was becoming. I was fake and easily shallow.

The rug was literally pulled out from under me and change was immediate. It's taken me 4 months to call this place home. In my mind I thought since we haven't sold our old house I could just go back. When I really thought long and hard I don't want to. I want to be where I am today.

Today we visited our old church. Bittersweet it was. I also realized on our way "home" this is where I am now and I need to embrace it and move forward.

Life has brought change and it's what we needed even if it's not what we expected. Our ultimate goal is to get to heaven. Sometimes things need to be shaken up a bit and you need to be reminded of what's really important.

How do charities help?

Just the other day I saw a pregnant women begging on the side of the road.

I pulled over to the parking lot (in good sight very safe). I asked the young women if I could buy her a meal and bring it to her. She said she just ate and wanted money.

I asked her if she's getting help she listed off the charities she was even living at a local adoption agency but here she was in plain daylight begging.

What is wrong with this picture? These organizations we are funding aren't really "helping" these people.

This young women obviously needs some counseling and other help. The adoption agency will sell her baby to a family for tens of thousands and this poor mom is left homeless and helpless.

Many people just pass by and do nothing. It reminded me of the story of the Good Samaritan.

We are called in our Christan faith to help those in need. Really help them. I'm discovering simply giving money to a charity isn't enough. We must donate items and time if we are able.

I'm going to call the adoption agency and speak with them about what I saw. If you were adopting a child would you want the birth mother standing on the side of the road while your child was in their womb? It's sad. This women is choosing life and this is what she is receiving.

Twists and Turns

I think that would be the title of a book on my life. Just when I think I'm heading in one direction my focus shifts and I go down a path I never expected.

One of my faults is I'm not good with change. I grew up in the same town in the same house and never moved until I got married. This is a sharp contrast to my husband. In our 10 years of marriage we've moved 6 times. We're coming up on move 7 and 8.

We put our house up on the market a few months ago. It was sparked because our son's elementary school was going to be closed to new transfers. That meant the little girls would attend a different elementary school one we dislike..... a lot.

So we took the opportunity to not just move around the corner but to move about 45 minutes away. We found a great town with great schools, church and most of all land.

During the decision process I've prayed and asked God for guidance and for his will to be done. Specifically I've prayed for the door to open if were meant to move and to shut it if not... actually slam it.


So we fell in love with house's #1 and #2 both lost to other buyers. Door shut.

In the meantime we had no interest in our home and we let our daughter try out for the drill team at our current location. Honestly, we wanted to just live and not focus on moving. It's been a dream of hers for years. So we did it and she made it. Yes, I've already gotten criticism for allowing her to try out when we're possibly moving. I've been confronted and punched in the gut (not literally) by other parents of girls who made it asking about our plans.

Seriously, who's business is it anyways?

Just as we think of waiting until next year another twist...... we have very strong interest in our home and we could be moving after all. Door open.

I find out the transfer reason isn't a reason after all.... Door ajar midway?????

I wonder what is this all about in the first place? This situation has made me evaluate many things in my life. It showed me I want a simple life, I want land, a place for the kids to play outside without fear of getting run over. I want to live in a small town where people know you. I don't want it to take 30 minutes to go 10 miles because of traffic. I want to attend a small church where it's about God not how much money you give and which side of the tracks you live on.

For many years I obsessed over moving across town to the fancy part with a huge McMansion and a fancy Lexus SUV.... really I did. Then when the opportunity presents itself it's not what I want now. My heart has changed and did a turn around. I don't want that anymore.

I have to ask myself: Did Jesus live in a fancy house with all the riches in the world. No, he didn't he was a humble servant of the people with a simple life and a simple goal of leading the world to his father.

So it's no surprise I'm being called to a simple life. It just took a big knock on the head to lead me in the right direction. Door open.......

Quiet Reflection

Today is a very somber day. It's a day we stop and remember the passion of our Christ. Can you imagine the way he felt. Betrayed by one of his loyal disciples, stoned, mocked, and humiliated. This is the chosen one who came to Earth to save us. What did he do, continued to love and said "Forgive them they know not what they do".

Today many Catholics Christians start the Divine Mercy Novena. It's especially close to my heart. As a convert, this was all foreign to me and I had many.... many questions about "catholic" devotions.

The main verse repeated is "For the sake of the sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world".

It's just a beautiful prayer. Take a moment look over it and if you don't feel called to say the exact wordings just think upon the passion and ask for mercy. Here is an online explanation.

This prayer is to be said at the 3 o'clock hour. It's the time they estimate that Jesus passed.

Do you worry?

How many of us are constantly looking for that "next" thing. (I raise my hand)

So much of our time is spent wanting and longing for something we are sure will make our life better or fulfilled. How long after we get this we are looking for more? How much time is spent worrying about things?

I'm so guilty, very guilty.

Recently we've been looking at moving to a smaller town. I can't tell you the stress that has entered my life. Anxiety, impatience, worry and just plain ole stress.

In addition to moving I worry about my kids, my weight, my clothes, food.... and the list could go on and on.

What does God tell us about worrying?

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sew or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are no your more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?"

Matthew 6:25-27

Wow, Jesus tells us to not worry that he always provides for us. We might not have our dream home or all our worldly desires fulfilled but he takes care of us. The last line hits hard. Worrying only takes away and wastes time out of our day. Gotta think about that one....

All I can say and repeat in my head is: "Jesus I trust in you".

Nonsense

Note ( I know this topic is highly controversial. It's one very close to my heart. I've stated facts and sources. I'm educated on this topic and want my point to be valid not just one of passion).

This is a photo of a sign that a planned parenthood supporter held in front of the Texas state capital. They were protesting against the Texas sonogram bill requiring that a sonogram be shown to the women before an abortion.

I wonder if this person and planned parenthood took a minute to read and think about the sign they were holding for the protest.

Read it and think.........

So... an abortion is a form of birth control?

The new Texas bill will require women to see the "contents of their uterus" prior to an abortion procedure. Maybe planned parenthood is afraid the truth will be revealed. The "contents" look and appear to be in the shape of a baby. Planned parenthood will do anything to cover up the truth.

A pro-choice organization says they defend a women's right to an abortion even a late term abortion "because she has determined that she can't give birth or give her child up for adoption". So they approve to terminate the pregnancy and end the child's life. Note above they even call it a "child".

Some abortions (14%) are made during the 2nd trimester (13 - 27 weeks). A recent study has shown that twins at 14 weeks gestation deliberately make movements to the other twin. They touch head to head or arm to arm. Research showed by 18 weeks the twin spend up to 30% of their time reaching out and stroking their c0-twin.

Did you know the medical clinics call the 2nd stage of an abortion an evacuation of the uterus?

It makes me sad to think of all the families battling with infertility and some people get pregnant and abort because it's their form of birth control. (Like the sign states)

Abortion doesn't just kill the babies, it hurts women too. Sadly the abortion industry is a big money maker. Many women are given mis-information and they fail to look past their current circumstances and only look at the short term. I know several women who had abortions and now hurt emotionally and have regret. Watch this video of a hidden camera at a planned parenthood center. You can judge for yourself the information given to women. Here's another one..... and another one.

I pray today for the baby's in danger of abortion. The womb should be the safest place on Earth but sadly for many it's a deadly place. May God give the grace of peace and forgiveness to the women hurting from abortion.

This is all truth, sometimes the truth is hard to hear... especially when it's not what we want to hear.

Please take a moment and say a prayer for an end to abortion and for those in danger of abortion and those hurt by abortion.

Not always safe

My last post now seems more relevant. We Christian moms must stand together to fight off this immorality that is seeping into our children's lives.

I told you I would have some stories when I started this blog. Well here we go.....

Yesterday I got an email from my 8th grade daughters Health teacher who is also a coach. He requested the kids to watch "The Bachelor" on TV. My first reaction was "here we go again". I thought long and hard about my response. I'm trying not to jump on everything as an overprotective mom, but this was a moral issue. I had to stand up.

I sent an email to the teacher and told him that I saw no educational value in this show and it represents everything wrong with what our children see on TV. I want my daughter to be modest and not provocative and promiscuous. Same goes for the boys. I don't want my son going on national TV being a player.

I get a response, usually my correspondence with school staff starts with Mrs. and my last name. Not this time. I get Ma'am, what??? Um no, I'm a parent who should be respected with a Mr or Mrs. Whew, let that one go but it further reinforces my concerns. He next tells me that he wants them to watch the show to show how bad behavior and reality shows can effect their personal health. He also said he has kids and understands why we wouldn't let her watch the show and that he doesn't like the show.

Makes no sense to me. So he wouldn't let his own kids watch it so why should mine?

This brings me to my point. As parents we have to be aware and involved in what goes on in the classroom. Just because they are at school doesn't mean they are getting the same values taught to them. This reinforces my opinion we must be open with our kids so they will talk to us.

Kate made the decision on her own that she wanted to transfer out of the class and into art. This class is where they will discuss sex education. I don't think it was heading in the right direction. Next thing, um let's watch this part of a movie just so you know what "not" to do.

Doesn't work for me!

God's Children

1 Corinthians 1:10

I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.

What a powerful message from Paul in 1 Corinthians. We Christians were all baptized in the name of the father, son and holy spirit and believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins. We are very divided today in different faith traditions and labels.

Over time the churches have broken away to form new faiths taking and changing things that the leaders didn't like.

This is not the way Christ wanted it. Imagine the possibilities if we were all able to unite together as Christians regardless of the name on our church. We all believe in the fundamentals and read the same Bible.

As a Catholic many people ask if I am a Christian, I respond with "yes of course". I believe in the same Jesus and I pray to him just like you do. We differ in our traditions and Sunday services.

None of us here on Earth are given the duty to judge who gets in the gates of heaven and who doesn't. That is a task I'm thankful for. My children have been told they are not going to heaven because they are Catholic. Where does this come from? Parents.

I think twice before I offer judgement on other faiths. There are many things we do not know and understand about each other. Let's love one another.

I don't think heaven has lines that are labeled "Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Non-Denomination". We're all God's children let's work toward changing what we can with our families and children.

Vocation of Motherhood

A friend from my moms group at church forwarded this to me. Finally a good response for those questions "You stay at home..... What do you do all day?"

Click on the article to read.
It's the vocation of motherhood.

Our job as a stay at home mom is just as much a vocation (job) as those who choose to work outside the home.

Some people understand and some people don't.

Be proud of what you do. Raising children is a very important job!

Now back to work, I've got a baby crying who needs a bottle and a 3 year old who needs a snack. Makes me smile!!

Fireproof

This is a personal post very close to my heart. This is the journey of marriage. My husband and I have been married for 10 years in February.

To say it's been an easy road would be a big fat lie, but every down time was followed by learning, correcting and growing closer together in marriage.

Here we are a few years into our marriage in 2004. Here we are in 2010. A bit older and wiser.
We've had our up years and down years. I've thought I couldn't take anymore then somehow God gave us both strength to take one more day which turned into years.

One particular bad year where we were both at our breaking point. God put something in our path.... the movie "Fireproof".

I watched it and cried. It was exactly what we needed just at the right moment.

It was a new starting point for us. This was 2 years ago. Last year God presented us with another challenge. Bed rest for 10 weeks. I cursed and got really upset but it was a cross God brought to us.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right? Yes, it does. My husband saw each and every duty that I did. He was to carry the heavy load of a new business and a household, plus a wife who needed to go to the Dr or hospital every few days.

He was right there next to me holding my hand when I thought and knew I just couldn't do or give anymore. With him I realized I could get through anything. What a change in perspective from 2 short years ago.

My biggest marriage savers were:

• Don't ever argue in front of the kids, take a breath and talk later. Cooling down helps things. I sometimes go get a glass of wine then discuss.
• When it comes to the children stand together, compromise.
• Say a prayer before you enter the home to see your spouse after a long day. Take a breath too.
• Take a date night away from the children.
• Spend at least 30 minutes each night talking about positive things without the kids. Remember why you fell in love with this person.
• Don't talk badly to your friends about your spouse, you can never take it back. Plus it will cause conflict between you and your friend.
• Go to church together and pray together.

My marriage is in a good place. Struggles and hardships have made us stronger together.

The seal to the family is a strong marriage. When your family stays together your children thrive in a safe and loving environment.

My husband is also my best friend. Josh, I love you!

Baptism

We had a very special occasion, our baby girl Caroline was baptized! Our dear friends Carrie and Jason served as her god parents. We feel very blessed to have them as friends!

As you know I was raised Baptist, the Catholic church differs in that we baptize infants. I won't go into the doctrine but our family felt called to have her baptized.

We were fortunate to have our priest (who we know very well) have the baptism during our regular mass on Sunday. It was very special because we were able to have friends who we attend church with be right there with us.

We made a profession that we will raise Caroline in the church and teach her about Jesus. We as parents are the children's first experience with God. We are the "domestic" church.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them" Matthew 18:30

We teach our children how to love God. We demonstrate it in our daily activities. We pray together as well as praying for others. Our children's eyes are constantly watching us. We must practice what we preach.

It's very important for us parents to take our role seriously of forming our children in our faiths. Regardless of your religions or church affiliations we are called by God to share with them Jesus and his works. Reading the bible and teaching them about sacred Scriptures is what is expected of his believers. On judgement day we will stand in front of God and we will answer for what we did and what we didn't do.

Each day is a new opportunity. The way we teach our children to love is to teach them of God's infinite love.

Life is Short

All this technology and blogging has opened up the world. Recently 2 bloggers who have in real life friends of mine have had my prayers. This pregnant young mother was killed in a car wreck. This young husband with a pregnant wife and kids died of heart problems. A fellow blogger Pennies on a Platter is donating all of her blog proceedes to the King family for January help out and visit this great food blog. Two very tragic stories. This is my 2011 New Years Resolution. It's more about the way I live life. I'm going to turn my glass over from half empty to half full.

It reminds me life is short,
Love God deeply,
Follow his word in your daily life,
Love and don't take a minute for granted with your family,
Don't regret think through your decisions first,
Say your sorry,
Don't waste your time,
Forgive and move on,
Count your blessings,
Smile more,
Laugh and enjoy life,
Learn when to move on.... it might not be in God's plan,
Play with your kids,
Use your nice china and crystal,
Burn the candles you've been saving,
Get rid of jeans that are too small...don't worry about trying to get back into them,
Tell your friends and family how special they are,
Don't let negative people bring you down,
You don't take anything with you.... not even your clothes,
Most of all enjoy each moment as it could be your last.

What you leave behind is your memory. Think about it.... if today was your last what would people remember? What is your legacy?

The next moment it a gift, now live life the way God intended it. Not selfishly but loving.

Blessings and Happy New Year.

Jen