Modge Podge: God, Gift Box Craft, Update On Life

Update: 

Hey y'all!  Things are rolling on around here.  Kept busy with a camping trip, a visit to family out of town, and now back home getting ready for Christmas and a Christmas party at which I am going to be a vendor.  Yep, that's right, something you didn't know about me, I sew!  I love it.  My passion and side business.  I'll share more on that later. 

Oregano and Bugsy are doing fantastic!  They miss their Daddy oh so much, but are continuing to adjust well.  Random side note, if you EVER have a loved one going away definitely invest into those record-able books. I scooped a couple up last year on Christmas clearance and Oregano's face LIT up when she heard her Daddy's voice reading the book to her.  Worth every penny, even if I had paid full price.  

Gift Box Craft (Craft idea, as promised.): 

Okay, I'm a waste not want not kinda gal.  We all get these little boxes from time to time and they are SO cute and I hate throwing them away, but they have a logo on them and what am I going to do with them?  So, they get thrown away....until now, I dug into the crafty section of my brain and found this idea!

Those boxes previously held a coffee cup and Birchbox items (http://birch.ly/1bixOhc ).  Nice sturdy boxes.  I had in my stash, modge podge and glitter.  I covered the top a little at a time with the glue then dusted it with glitter before the glue dried.  After it set I sprayed the tops with a clear coat of spray paint to lessen the shedding glitter.  It does help, but beware they still shed.  I'm sure that there is a way to stop all shedding, but I don't know what that is at the moment.  Anywho, voila!  There you have it, with a little work  you now have free gift boxes.  You could also cover the tops with fabric, paper, paint, use your imagination!


God:

The thing that is most on my heart right now is this: God has given each one of us an appetite, an insatiable desire for HIM and HIM alone.  We can choose to fill His spot with other things such as money, food, lust, materialistic things and also placing unrealistic demands on people in our life expecting them to fill voids they cannot and were not meant to fill.  That is a spot, a place only for God.  I believe that is a reason why Jesus said in Matthew 6:35 "He who comes to me will never hunger and he who believes in me will never thirst."  Let God fill all of those hungers and thirsts in your life.  He made you that way and is SO very ready to be a bigger part of your life.  


Merry CHRISTmas y'all!

It's The Beginning: Deployment

Deployment update:

I've been busy, no lie.  This season in my life will just be this way, I'm okay with it, I accept it, I'll not fight it.  Sometimes intentionally busy, to keep the time moving forward.

We are no longer in the pre-deployment stage.  The mister has now been dispatched, all visits have been made, all plans have been put in place.  I'm now a "single" mom and the mister is now without his family.  It's a big pill to swallow.  However, God is bigger than this situation. 

The girls are responding well to Mr. Hagge being gone.  It was tough in the very beginning, but they've settled down.  There is still the "I miss Daddy" everyday, but it's with less tears. 


God:

Is amazing, sustaining, faithful, constant, challenging.....

Speaking of challenging, I've been thinking a lot about where I want to be in 5 years.  No lie, 10 years ago, I wanted to be a little further than where I am in my knowledge of God and the Bible, okay, okay, a lot further.  You know what, the blame lies with no one, but myself.  If all those hours spent watching TV alone went to studying the word, wow, I just don't even know.  So, I find myself talking to God, hearing Him ask me to devote myself more to Him.  Devotion, now ain't (my southern side speaking) that a strong word... love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for God, His activity, His cause.  Now that's something to ponder.  What am I really devoted too?  TV?  Business?  Sleep? Food?  I can't say that I have been entirely devoted to God.  When this world takes away our Bibles, our churches, our music...will it be planted in your mind and heart because of your devotion to Him?  Will it be planted in my heart and mind?  Whew!  I need to get to work.  It's a wake up call.  I'm awake. 

That's what's on my heart today.  I hope I've been worthy of your time. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Deployment: 3 Weeks Down, Many More To Go

I'm heading into week 4.  The 3 H girls are doing really good.  Adjusting to having Mr. H gone has not been the most easy thing.  It's been a true challenge to really rely and trust that when God said we can have a peace that surpasses all understanding that He wasn't joking.  When I have a tough day I repeat that scripture to myself until I rest in that peace. I don't have to be upset everyday, I don't have to be mopey, or pout all the time.  Yes, I feel like I'm missing a limb.  Yes, I wish that everything in the house didn't decide to break all at once while I'm playing husband and daddy too, but I must say I rather enjoyed being able to tackle installing a ceiling fan on my own.  Lemons into lemonade!  (Which reminds me of a sermon/book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson, great read!)  My Bugsy decided to dump water all over the kitchen floor, so, I decided it was a good time to mop.  Haha!  Do I break down here and there? Sure!  But, I'm not staying down.  I'm going to get up.  I'm determined to look back on this time and be proud of how we pulled through this and all we were able to accomplish.  I will control my emotions, they will not control me.

 My point is this, you can be in tough situations and pull through them with dignity, overcoming, winning. 

On another note, I do get to see Mr. H one last time within the next month before we go through the very long stretch of separation.  I am anxious to see him, but also not looking forward to the next separation.  Stretching my ability to rely on God will be a complete understatement in the months to come, but I will give it my very best, I promise.

Coming up!!!!!  I have 2 posts in the works.  One of them is a little crafty post.  Nothing fancy, but practical money saving idea.  Keep checking in!

Until next time

Follow The Leader

Yesterday, Oregano and I were outside at a friends house feeding the ducks.  They were very friendly ducks and would nearly come right up to you, but you had to call them over, with a really bad quacking impersonation.  Well, to my surprise, they would ONLY come to Oregano's "quacking".  I tried repeatedly to get them to come over, but resigned to using Oregano to get them over to me instead.  

This brought a thought to my mind.  We are not meant to follow whoever comes to our door step and not everyone is meant to follow us when we are leaders.  It's not personal.  God knows what each and everyone of us need and we are to be sensitive to his leading. 

John said in John 3: 27 "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven." No one should follow anyone either unless it has been ordained by God.  Your leader, your mentor may be a very unlikely source.  Leaders and mentors are meant to stretch us, guide us, challenge us.  Don't shy away from that.  "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 (I LOVE this scripture)  God USES people to sharpen us and in this day and age we NEED to be sharpened.

My mentor right now is someone I didn't even know 6 months ago and let me tell you she is literally a God send.  We were searching for a home church and I fought tooth and nail NOT to go to this church.  It was too far, I didn't know anyone, I had never heard of it, it was too far, it was too small, it was too far.  Get the point!  God knew what I needed and sent this precious woman of God my way.  Be willing to step outside of your box to reach for what God has for you.  It going to be goooooood stuff, I promise.

On the same note, I have had very unlikely people come into my life that God has asked me to guide in one way or another.  Some I had to even stop, scratch my head and say, "Are you sure God?".  Yep, he's sure.  Don't just toss people aside because it doesn't seem like a perfect fit or you can't relate or it's too much trouble.  God's grace is sufficient and He will give you what you need to guide this person.  A little side note, sometimes it's a long process and sometimes God is just asking for you to provide a little pick me up for that person.  

Be willing, be open.  Don't follow whatever person is quacking at you and don't expect every person to follow you just because you are quacking.  

CH

Hitting Home - Pre-Deployment

Lunch with my mother in law.  Driving to the base to pick up an item.  Grasping his hand, squeezing my eyes shut willing my mind to remember the grooves in his hand, the size, the warmth, how it fits into mine.  Sunglasses on my face to disguise my red eyes and attempting to cover up the tears streaming down, repeating to myself in my mind, just breathe, just breathe, just breathe.  It's hitting home.  It's here.  In 3 days he will be gone for 11 months, with maybe a brief visit in 2.5 months.  Just breathe, saying it as I'm typing this, reminding myself to breathe, it will be okay. 

Through processing this I'm reminded of loved ones gone, in my life, and in others.  The grief, the despair  the hopelessness of never seeing them again on this earth.  Then flipping over the coin and rejoicing in the promises that Jesus has given.  Thanking God for the glorious place called Heaven.  Trying to daydream about what that day will feel like, what it will look like, will it have seemed to come quickly.  This is where my two thoughts collide.  

God willing, he will return home.  Although his deployment and absence will be painful, I know that God has an extra dose of grace being sent my way.  I know that He is covering my girls and sheltering them from harm in any aspect of their life.  I know that He is providing a peace that will surpass all understanding.  I know that He is doing those things even now.

So, in these next few days, I will cherish every single moment.  Speak every word thoughtfully.  Love with all my heart.  Giving it all away, hoping to fill up his love tank enough to last him until the next time.  I'm thanking God for phones and computers with Skype.  
And even though I can seem a bit dramatic and a little over the top with my emotions, I actually do know that all will be well.  The next 11 months will pass, they will pass slowly or quickly, they will pass with joy or sadness, wonderful experiences or frustrations.  The choice is mine and I choose all things that are good and joyful.  Thank you God for choices.

CH

Receiving An Answered Prayer Require Action?

Judges 13:8-11   "Then Manoah prayed, “O Lord, please let the man from God come back to us again and give us more instructions about the child you are going to give us.”  The Lord answered his prayer, and the Angel of God appeared once again to his wife as she was sitting in the field. But again she was alone—Manoah was not with her—  so she quickly ran and found her husband and told him, “The same man is here again!” Manoah ran back with his wife and asked, “Are you the man who talked to my wife the other day?”

“Yes,” he replied, “I am.”  

When reading this scripture I found it interesting that an angel came all the way from heaven, yet didn't travel a little further to Manoah who prayed the prayer to see him in the first place, the angel went to his wife instead.  Then he "ran" to see the angel himself.  He prayed a prayer, then he moved himself to see the angel.  He moved himself to receive an answered prayer.  

I wonder how many answers to prayers we would have if we asked the question, "Lord, what action do I need to take, what is my part to play in receiving the answer?".  How many prayers of mine have gone unanswered?  Even today?  I'm by no means saying this is a magical solution to every unanswered prayer.  Some prayers will still be answered with a resounding no, because God's timing is perfect.

Can you think of a time when you prayed a prayer that required you to take action to receive the answer?  What was that experience like for you?  

For example, prayers for financial peace?  "Lord Jesus, protect my finances, increase our portion, favor!"  That prayer, for me, required action on my part.  Following a budget, saving, living debt free, considering every purchase. "Be faithful in little, you will be faithful in much." Luke 16:10  That was what the Lord spoke to me then and speaks to me now for so many prayers I make.  

I don't think the action will always be a HUGE gesture, but it may have HUGE results.  It may be something small.  Like being at the right place at the right time because you listened to God's voice. Maybe it's talking to the right person.  

I remember in bible college I needed a place to stay for the summer so I could keep my job.  I had NO options that I felt were within my reach.  I prayed and asked God for help.  His answer was to ask a classmate to live with her family.  I hardly knew Angela, actually, I didn't care for her very much at the time.  Our friend groups were completely different.  So, with much discomfort and nerves, I asked her.  How awkward!  Asking someone I hardly knew to live with them!  That memory is so fresh to this day.  Well, don't you know it, a few days later she came back to me and said yes!  YES!  Craziness!  My prayer required action, a very uncomfortable action, but God knew the outcome.  And you know what?  She is one of my dearest and closest friends to this day.  Her family had a major impact on my life and I consider them my own family.  I would've missed out on so much if I hadn't took action. 

What prayer requires action in your life today?  Don't delay, you never know what's coming around the bend.

CH

One Of Those Days

I have to be honest, today is one of those days.  One of those days that that I am trying to keep my head above water.  Not because of anything in particular, so, I'm trying to push through whatever the unknown reason is and continue on with my responsibilities.  Knowing and hoping that tomorrow will be a better day.  I know this because I know what God says about me and I'm trying to recall all of those lovely words in the Bible to meditate on and keep me focused on "whatsoever is true, pure and lovely". 

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8

And if I'm going to be REALLY honest, in the middle of trying to meditate on this, I thought, I don't want to think on what is pure and lovely and true and just and and and.  I just want to wallow in my frustration and sadness.  These are the days our children look at us and say, "Leave Mommy alone today, she's in a bad mood."  Hey, I'm calling it like it is and I don't want my children to say that.  I want my girls to look back on these days with fondness.  I want them to see me today and everyday as warm and inviting, trustworthy, not a time bomb.

You know what?  Today I refuse! I'm tired of having days like this.  I'm tired of allowing these days to seep in and take control.  So, here I am, writing this blog when I don't "feel" like it.  I am taking control of my emotions, telling it to line up with the word of God and I'm going to conquer this day with hope and joy in my heart. My daughters will go to bed with smiles on their faces.  Today will be a good day.  I command it!  I demand it!  With worship music on, a wonderful scripture on my mind I will smash down all the negative chatter in my mind.  I win!  Today, I win.

CH  

Love Conquers All

One Wednesday night service, Mrs. Becky, my Pastors wife said something that struck a chord with me.  She said, "Let your first thought be love." Out of that thought blossomed this post. (Thank you for sharing your wisdom Mrs. Becky!)

Love conquers all?  I know 1 Corinthians 13:8 says love never fails, so if it never fails, it must conquer all! 

What is love?  Long suffering, kind, perseveres, rejoices with the truth, protects, trusts (with boundaries), hopes.

What love is not? Envious, boastful, prideful, dishonest, self seeking, easily angered, delights in evil, does not fail.

When I think of the word conquer, I think of someone finally reaching the mountain top.  What is your mountain?  You can have a mountain of ______________, but love can knock it all down.  What would you fill the blank in with?  Rejection? Low self esteem? Jealously? Hate? Bitterness? Un-forgiveness?  Loneliness?

God loved you enough to cover all of your flaws/sin through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Can you stand up and be brave enough to conquer that mountain? 

Do the work!

Eradicate negative chatter.  Take all those negative thoughts and shoot them down!  Do NOT allow yourself to dwell on them.  Replace them with what is true, which is my next point.

Think on what is true.  I know this sounds a bit new agey, but this worked for me.  I literally breathed in and thought of only things God says is true about me, good stuff.  Then, I breathed out all the negative stuff that was trying to jump on me.  I continued this until I knew that those thoughts had left me.  As time goes on, I find it easier and easier to get rid of all those negative thoughts.

Let your first thought be love.  If the negative chatter involves a tense relationship, change those thoughts to thoughts of love.  I KNOW you can find something good about that person to think about.  It may be something very small and silly, "She can cook good." or "She's a good mom.".  Find something!  Anything! 

Pray the hard prayers.  If the negative chatter involves another person, pray for them.  Even if the only words you can get out are, "Jesus, help!" it's a great start.

Finally, do a heart check before you unleash on others.  I wouldn't recommend unleashing on anyone at all, but if you must confront make sure your heart is right. Make sure the reasons are right.  Make sure you do it in LOVE!  There is so much that could be written on this one.

Your mountain, my mountain can be conquered by love!  So, I'll say it again, before you speak, let your first thought be love. 


CH

1st Day of Kindergarten, 1st Day of Homeschooling

The first day of homeschooling wasn't bad at all.  Very short.  I do recognize I am currently only homeschooling one child, but I was nervous none the less.  Although I was prepared, I quickly realized that I needed to adjust the area we are using for class. 

My daughter, who I'll call Oregano, was very excited for school.  Today, school lasted about an hour and that was good because I don't think she would've lasted much longer.  She was very enthusiastic about the reward system.  It's a classic reward system, but one that I think will be my sanity.  Green, Yellow, Red cards.  Green-good, yellow-not so good, Red-not good at all.  If she is on green at the end of the day, she gets a sticker, fill up one row of stickers, she get a prize!  Now, I'm talking her language!  PRIZES!!!!  Land on yellow, you get nothing.  Land on red, you get to have a conversation with Daddy about why.  Sounds good to me!

Excuse the amateur nature of this picture.  I promise to get better.

I am so thankful to my husband and to the Lord that I get the opportunity to be at home with my babies and to teach them.  I know there will be challenges and hard days, but I also know that there will be grace. 

Also, I want to give you a link today to a page that REALLY helped me get organized.  www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com  If you are homeschooling, check out her page! 

How was your first day?  Your child's first day of school or homeschool? 

Happy Monday!

CH

As Iron Sharpens Iron

Disclaimer: I'm terrible at grammar.  I even misspelled grammar, thank God for auto correct.  Have mercy on me and be encouraged by the content, not distracted by the mistakes.  Thanks!


Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

One night, as my daughter, who is 4, was having an EPIC meltdown at a friends house, a new perspective on this scripture came into view.  Unfortunately my husband wasn't there for backup and I had a very trying day with #1 already.  Her meltdown, brought me to tears.  I handled the situation with correction and discipline, had Daddy call #1 and talk to her and I headed out the door trying to look like the picture of grace. Ever been there? Talking slowly and calmly, standing with good posture, collecting items slowly and saying an apologetic goodbye to our friends. The damage was done, I probably didn't look as graceful as I imagined and likely looked more like the frazzled mess I was on the inside.  I forbid #1 to talk on the ride home, I had to pull myself together.  While I was stopped I sent a quick message to our friends apologizing again and it was in that moment that God spoke to me.  Iron gets sharpened by pressing up against one another.  WOW!  How close would you need to be to become sharpened?  How vulnerable?  How exposed? 

That night, our friends didn't gaff at me, they didn't say, "You need to work on your parenting skills." or "Your child is out of control.".  They loved on me, reminded me that all children have meltdowns, this was normal.  There were things I learned that night that I wouldn't have if I hadn't been exposed.  Two points on that....1. Sometimes we can choose to expose ourselves and 2. sometimes we get exposed involuntarily.

Ever since that night I've been open, upon God's leading, to expose myself in situations that I might not have before to allow myself to be sharpened.  Being sharpened is a tough kind of business, but boy do I like being sharp.  Get me sharp Lord!

CH

Sick Day For Mommy?

Yesterday I was sick ALL day, slept pretty bad the night before too.  Thankfully, my husband was off of work and was able to help out with the girls.  However, as I laid down in bed, partaking in some much needed rest, I felt GUILTY!  Why?  Now, I told y'all that God has been speaking deep into my heart lately and I firmly believe had not my ears been listening I wouldn't have had the opportunity to work out what I am about to tell you.

So, why?  When I was little I was sick almost always!  Crazy allergies and bronchial asthma were at the top of the list.  (Note: I love my parents and am not bashing them in anyway.)  I'm not sure if they realized I had allergies or not, but I would visit my Dad (Yes, they were divorced.) who had cats!  Did I mention I am SEVERELY allergic to cats!  I remember him saying to me one visit, "You just get sick because you don't want to be here.".  Now, remember, parents aren't perfect and we all say things we regret. However, I never put two and two together.  Every time I would get sick after that and until now I felt guilty, like I was getting sick intentionally.  Thank you JESUS that He revealed this deep seeded lie in my heart!  I don't ever want to be sick.  I bet you don't either, but when we get sick we should be able to rest up and get better without guilt or thinking we need to be supermom. I do realize there are times when we have to woman-up and take care of things, but if we have the opportunity to rest it should be without guilt.  Here are a few Bible verses that say, hey, it's okay to rest and be healed!

Matthew 11:28  "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Exodus 34:21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

Isaiah 53: 5  "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

Might I even suggest that sometimes we will only receive healing in our bodies when we REST! 

So, yesterday, God healed a very small piece of my heart that was buried for so long.  Anytime I began to feel guilty I would remind myself, that Jesus Himself needed rest,  God requires a day of rest from us, and that healing may come only from REST.  I will no longer allow myself to say, "I'm sorry I'm sick, I feel like I'm letting you down". I will no longer allow myself to wallow in negative chatter about being sick either.

Are you sick?  Are you weary?  Rest!  Rest in Jesus, rest on the couch, rest on the bed!  Rest!  Give yourself a few minutes, a few hours, whatever you need to get better.  The dishes can wait.  Rest!

CH

First Time Deployment Brings Perspective

"It's official, I'm getting deployed."  That's the phone call I received in June from my husband Kent.  My heart sank.  We knew the possibility of this happening when he signed up for Army National Guard.  At the same time I had an overwhelming peace.  I knew God was assigning a special load of grace to us during this time.

Now we are in August.  After almost two months of processing, praying, saying to myself "Stay in the zone of proximity.", we get news it will all begin a week earlier.  I'm still calm, God is still in charge, but this brings a perspective that only this situation could bring.  Every single moment is crucial, important, under a magnifying glass.  Every "Daddy would you hold me", every look, every word spoken is thought out, felt deeply.  Get the point?  

Often our time gets cut short.  I think frustration ensues because we took for granted all the time beforehand. We didn't settle in.  We didn't allow ourselves to sit and soak in what God is trying to do.  What He is wanting to do for us!  The creator of this universe is asking you to slow down and soak in His goodness.  To hear His voice.  And let me tell you sister (or brother) it is imperative that you soak in and listen now because your trials are not over.  You will face more and learning how to "rest" in God during these times WILL be your lifeline.

My question to you today.

What trial are you facing?  Are you speeding through it trying to move through it as quickly as possible?  Are you avoiding the inevitable?  Slow down, take a breath.  Allow God's grace to cover you.  Allow His words to speak to you.  Allow this trail to perfect you.  Rest in God!

James 1:2-4  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"

CH

Subway, eat fresh? No, listen!

I once read, when you meet someone new, that you should listen to them for the first few meetings not giving much feedback and no advice so you can earn their trust.  I wish I could remember the book, when I do I'll let you know.

Yesterday I went to a Subway to pick up dinner for me and my mother in love.  I wasn't feeling particularly great and I was greeted by "Linda", we'll call her that because I didn't catch her name.  My instinct was to give a ho-hum reply, but I saluted her instead.  No, I don't go around saluting people, it's just what came out of my body involuntarily.  She smiled as I headed to the counter to order.  The following was our conversation after she asked me a few questions about ordering and realizing I was answering slowly.

Me: Sorry, I'm trying to remember her order, she didn't write it down.
Linda: Well, if you get it wrong, oh well, she should have have written it down.
Me:  She is my MIL and I need to put forth an effort. (I chuckled)
Linda: Well, I had two MIL's and ..... mumble mumble mumble (I didn't catch what she said, but it wasn't good.)
Me:  I very fortunate to have a great relationship with mine.  :)

This introduction lead into a lengthy story of how she had a terrible relationship with her MIL's one in particular.  Her story was laced with violence and profanity, but I could see hurt as well.  I thought, well God, give me an opening so I can talk about You.  Well, the opening never came.  I prayed as she talked, we exchanged goodbyes and off I went.

I felt like I had missed something, that I was supposed to say something that brought glory to God.  But I was reminded that with some people we have to LISTEN many times before our "help" will be heard and considered genuine.  Maybe this is the beginning of a relationship with "Linda", maybe, I don't know.  What I do know what that I was obedient to God when I listened and prayed.  Sometimes we aren't going to have those amazing big BAM, light shining, Holy Ghost goose bumps encounters.  Sometimes, they are quiet, still and filled with prayer.

As you encounter new people ask God for an opening and if there is none, maybe you were called to pray and listen.