The Decision Has Been Made!

Well, I have finally made the decision that I have been praying about for quite some time. As a matter of fact, I have been thinking about, praying about and contemplating it ever since last August when I finished writing Gratitude Greens. I have officially chosen the topic of my next book!  Actually, I didn't choose it at all. God did. I just had to wait it out until He revealed it to me.

As I sat down last week, mulling over my many (quite varied) ideas of book subjects, I narrowed it down to just 7.  Seven? Yes. I had 7 different ideas about what I might write about next, and boy! were they all over the board. I like all of them for different reasons, but now I realize how much information I really need in order to be able to write an entire, full-length book on a single subject.

I worked on Gratitude Greens for almost 3 years, and after all was said and done, it ended up being just 104 pages.  Now, for my first book, I guess that's not too bad, but I wanted it to be longer, more substantial feeling.

So, I go into this next book with much more information and realistic aspirations than I had with the first one.  I know how written pages (yes, I hand-write everything first-it's the only way my creativity can flow freely) translate into much fewer typed pages. Then, after editing, formatting and putting it into book form, it ends up seeming much shorter than I first anticipated. So, of these 7 different ideas, none of them just jumped out at me as something I could write an entire book on.  At least, not yet. So, I waited....

And then, on Thursday, I grabbed one of my journals (I have several sitting around), and in it I found a note I had written quite a while back-I don't even remember when. It listed 2 more ideas for books that I had completely forgotten about.  One of them stuck out to me right away, and I felt myself get that excited feeling I have been waiting to get again, "I think I found my next subject!"  I prayed over it and slept on it and then prayed some more.  Then, just to be certain, I sat down and started writing an introduction.  And it just flowed. One idea led to another which led to another.  Yay! I had found my topic.

Obviously, God wanted me to find it in His timing, like He does with everything else. But, I am so excited and so optimistic about writing my next book, and I can't wait to see what He has in store for it. I have just a broad, basic idea of what it will include and what impact I hope it will have on my readers, but I know God has plans for it that I can't even imagine right now.

I am not going to divulge the exact topic of my book, because for some reason it takes something away from my writing experience when I talk about it before I write about it.  I always feel very protective of the work that I feel the most passionate about.  I will say that it will be another God-centered, inspirational and encouraging book.  I plan to include my own experiences as well as the experiences of people I admire and respect, and I can't wait to see who God directs me to include in this exciting new endeavor.  Maybe it'll be you!

Nerium International

I wouldn't normally use my blog as a platform to share a product with you, but I am going to tell you a story about how Jim and I came to the place we are now.

My sister, Angi, has been talking about this skin care company called Nerium International for a while now. She and her daughter have been using the night cream for a couple months, and Angi swears that it has cleared up her rosacea and her daughter's acne. Now, the company doesn't claim that their products clear up either one of these skin problems, but the results have been amazing. Nerium International is actually a company that markets anti-aging products, so I had my doubts.

Eventually, my daughter's acne got to the point where we were willing to give Nerium a try, and the fact that Angi gave us a free 5 day trial period helped us along.  After just a few days, my daughter's face was already beginning to noticeably clear up. Even more amazing was the fact that her acne scars were fading rapidly as well!

Ok, I was hooked. I would bite and buy my daughter the monthly night cream. (Any parent of a child with acne knows that we would do just about anything to help them clear it up).

Well, Angi began talking to me and Jim about becoming Brand Partners for the company so that we could earn free product and make some extra income along the way. We weren't convinced at all. I mean, Nerium isn't even being marketed for acne and rosacea (I know 2 people who've had their rosacea cleared up within days with Nerium, however)  So, Jim and I didn't really buy the whole "Amazing Results" shown in the before and after pictures on Nerium's website. It looked a little far fetched to us. But, what the heck! We decided to both do the 5 day free trial and see what happened.

Oh, my goodness!  After the first night's use, our skin felt smoother and much less dry and rough. After our 5 day trial, we thought we definitely noticed less crows feet (Jim's term when he was talking about me....hmmm..)  and less bags under Jim's eyes.  I looked like I already had foundation on before I had even applied any makeup. My skin tone was evening out, and my chronically dry face was completely supple.

But.....were we just imagining it? Luckily, Angi had encouraged us to take very close-up (yuck!) pictures of our faces and chests (mine) where we felt like we were showing signs of age.  We took these before we used the Nerium for the first time. We got our pictures out on the fourth night and WOW! we really had undergone some changes already, and it wasn't just our imagination!  That was crazy, and we were hooked!
Now that our 5 day trial is over and we had to give our sample bottle back, we are very anxiously awaiting our own shipment of the Nerium so we can get back to using it.

And we have decided to become Brand Partners! Not only is the product amazing with 10+ years of science to  back it up, but the company is just 3 years young and growing at breakneck speed! It had 3900% growth in one year (no, that's not a typo) and has been featured in several magazines, on The Doctors and The View and just launched into Canada last weekend. But, most people still haven't heard about it, so there is so much more growth to go!  Nerium is planning to launch into a total of 32 countries, so that gives you an idea of how much bigger it will get.

Now is a great time to check out Nerium for yourself! See if you have the amazing results Angi and her daughter and Jim, our daughter and I had. In about a week or so, we will have several bottles to give out as 5 day samples, so let me know if you would like to try it for yourself or someone you know.  The only requirement is that we ask you to take before pictures of your problem areas, as it is hard to see changes in your own face sometimes.

Also, go to the website (link at the top left of my blog) and check out the amazing science behind the products as well as the great business opportunity! I know someone that has been in the company 3 weeks (no joke) and has already promoted 2 levels and has earned several hundred dollars and an iPad already-in 3 weeks, and she knows someone that earned the Lexus bonus after 4 months of being with Nerium!

Let me know if you want any more information, and don't discount Nerium like Jim and I did for so long. Keep in mind too, that 50% of the people using Nerium are men.  Many married couples sell it together, as well as individual men and women.

Just look into it and give it 5 days!  It's free, with no strings attached whatsoever!  You'll either love it or you won't.  http://www.nerium.com/Opportunity.aspx?ID=jimandamy

WWJB

We've all heard the words and seen the bracelets saying WWJD, What Would Jesus Do?  It's a great question to ask, but there is an even better one: WWJB or What Would Jesus Be?  What kind of mom would He be? What kind of son would He be? What kind of employee would He be? What kind of teenager or manager or pastor would He be?

This is a sobering and thought-provoking question. If Jesus were placed right smack in the middle of your life, what would He be? It's thought-provoking, because we don't usually think that God would place Jesus in our life, in our position. It seems below Him, somehow not important enough for the Son of God to be as insignificant as one of us.

However, where God has placed you is not at all insignificant.  He has placed you exactly where He needs you to do His work. He has placed the people in your life that He needs you to touch, and He has put you exactly in the place He needs your light to shine.

A couple weeks ago at church, we met a couple named Thomas and Beatrice Omolo.  God has placed them right smack in the middle of one of the biggest slums in Kibera, Kenya. Their life mission is to reach the children and locals of Nairobi. They started a non-profit organization called the Garden of Eden which provides a stable home for the children of Kibera, and they have recently planted a church there as well.

Kibera, Kenya

The Omolos know God has called them to a significant mission here on earth. He has made it clear to them that their lives matter, they are needed.  Thomas and Beatrice have chosen to follow God's leading and be Jesus in the slums in Kenya.

But, we aren't all called to such clear missions. Most of us won't be drawn to foreign slums to serve God's people and bring His word to those who have never heard it.  But, that doesn't mean that your light doesn't matter just as much as the Omolo's light matters. God has called each and every one of us to be the Light of the World.  Your light might be needed in the school you attend. Maybe it's needed in your family.  Your place of employment might be exactly where God needs His light to shine through you.

Just remember: your light matters, even though you aren't in Kibera. That's where God put Thomas and Beatrice Omolo. Where did He put you?

Be a Stone

      God needs you.  Have you ever thought about that?  You know God has a plan for you.  You read that in Ephesians.  But do you know that God’s big, overall plan doesn't work without you?  God called each and every one of us for a purpose.  Your purpose is not the same as my purpose.  He needs you to play a different role than He needs me to play. 

Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.

1 Peter 2:6

            My husband just finished building a stone retaining wall in our back yard.  Before it was built, we had piles upon piles of stones in our yard.  None of the stones seemed extraordinary or special to me, but now they each have a very important purpose.  If I were to use a pick to pull any one of the stones out of the retaining wall, the wall would become unstable and eventually crumble. 

God’s plan is like that too.  He needs each and every one of us to complete His project here on earth.  So don’t feel insignificant.  You have a very important job to do.  Be available to be a stone in God’s sanctuary here on earth.

(Excerpt taken from Gratitude Greens)

Thoughts of the Seasons

Here is one of the essays I wrote during my recent writing class at Whatcom Community College. Definitely not my normal writing style, but I thought I would share it nonetheless.  Just for fun: 

Spring

            I almost never laugh when I’m alone. I am usually deep in thought, settled within the quietness of my own mind. But today I watched two dogs playing and suddenly felt a spring of laughter bubble up from my center. As they slapped their front paws repeatedly on the floor, raising their tail ends in a sort of dance-like language while simultaneously hopping backward over and over again, goading the other to join the dance. Today I laughed a hearty, joy-filled, playful laugh.

Summer

           

            In the early mornings, all is still and peaceful. The children are asleep, and the dogs are still in their crates. They seem to know this is a special time for me, as they don’t whine to be let out but instead wait patiently while I enjoy my time alone. Just one small lamp, a cup of hot coffee and my cozy plaid quilt.

            I sit quietly, looking out the window at the world slowly awakening. I read my Bible and get my heart and mind set right for the day. Over time, the sun rises, and my family seems to sense it’s time to rise. The quietness turns into a bustling and busy home, full of love, joy and expectations for the day to come.

Fall

            This morning at sunrise it dawns on me that the days are beginning to shorten once again. Soon it will be dark when I leave my home in the morning and dark when I return in the early evening.

            What is it about fall that makes me feel content and cared for? It’s the cocoon of our home engulfing and protecting the family within.

            Fall begins to close in on us, bringing us ever closer and ever safer. The harshness of the wind beats against the windows and sways the huge evergreens that tower over the neighborhood. Rain pelts the shingles, an ever present reminder of the heat radiating out from the wood burning stove. We are warm. We are safe. We are together, and we are content.

            I’ve always loved the late fall, how it seems to bring the family into the center and send all else into the periphery.

Winter

            I’m looking at a lone, single set of footprints trailing through the snow, the only disturbance in the otherwise glossy, smooth white blanket over the front yard. Soft white mounds of whipped cream where the bushes once were. Beauty, serenity, a sense of complete peace.

            And then sadness. It won’t stay this way. Soon, children will plow through the beautiful glossy frost. Bright red cheeks and gleeful cries of laughter. Dogs chasing them. Balls of snow and ice clinging to their damp coats. What a mess they will make. Wet and cold and smelling like sweat and dirt.

            Then I smile again. There will be joy and laughter and freedom. Messes can be cleaned, but snow days only come around once in a blue moon.

            Let them play. Let them joyfully cry out. Let them chase and let them run. The sounds of laughter are ringing in my ears. Happy, serene and beautiful.  

Beautiful

This past weekend was Easter.  The church was packed, people sitting elbow to elbow in the seats and standing patiently at the back of the room. The overflow room was being used to its full capacity.
Encouraging..
 Babies and young children were dressed in their Sunday best. The little girls' hair curled and bouncy and the boys in button up plaid shirts and pressed slacks.
Adorable.
People were smiling at each other, saying "Happy Easter" and letting each other pass by ahead of them without scowling.
Friendly.
The sanctuary was decorated with soft lights and a wooden cross symbolizing Christ's Crucifixion.
Touching.
The music was lively and upbeat, singing God's praises and glorifying Him for the freedom and forgiveness He has given us.
Humbling.
The message was of hope, security and reverence.
Inspiring.
But the vision I walked away with this past Easter Sunday, the most impactful part of it all was the alter call at the end of the service. Men and women, teenagers and young children, the crippled and the healthy raising their hands to symbolize their decision of faith. A sea of people walking toward the front of the alter to hear the true Message of Hope and Forgiveness.  Realizing they are nothing without God, but they are Everything with Him. New members of Christ's family, brothers and sisters with me.

                                                   Beautiful.

I'd Do It All Over Again

I'd do it all over again.  Have you ever said these words? Usually they are uttered after a difficult, life-altering event. It usually takes a period of time before we are able to see the benefits of our difficulties and realize that we came out stronger or more fulfilled by enduring them.  We recognize that all the pain and heartache we went through is what made us who we are today.

For example, mothers often say this after giving birth, no matter how difficult the pregnancy and labor happened to be. For some of them, it takes months or even a couple years to realize that they want to do it all over again. For others, the realization comes as early as the first time they hold their newborn baby in their arms.

Other people utter the words, "I'd do it all over again" after healing from a painful, broken relationship. They may have learned lessons and grown in amazing and significant ways through their hardships. Although most of us would never sign up knowingly for pain and suffering, we recognize after the fact that it was needed in order for us to get to where we are today.

One person that did choose to suffer, knowing full well how painful, lonely and humiliating it would be, was Jesus.

                                           HE CHOSE THE CROSS.

He knew the price. He endured the pain of his Heavenly Father turning his back on Him and forsaking Him.  He endured the pain of His own people cursing Him and mocking Him. And He wasn't the only one that suffered pain. Those He loved dearly: His mother, His disciples and His followers were uncertain and afraid. They grieved for Him, and He left the whole world a dark and hopeless place for three days.

But He chose to do it anyway, because He knew the end results would be well worth it. And He would do it all over again if He needed to.

Next time you're in pain, remember that God can bring so much good from it. Remember that He understands. Remember that He has been there too. As a matter of fact:

                          PAIN IS WHERE GOD DOES HIS BEST WORK.