For Journey's Sake

Dressing Up an Old Swing Set

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Buying used items has been our practice for as long as I can remember and my hubby is the best at finding things for free or very inexpensive. With a little bit of TLC we are able to get things that sometimes we might not would have been able to get otherwise. Hubby found a great deal on a swing set and brought it home to two happy little girls and some over zealous big kids! With just a little repair, the girls were swinging in no time. A few weeks later, hubby comes home with another swing set that was in a little worse shape than the first one. He was able to salvage a good part of it and put it with the other one to make a pretty stinkin' awesome "playground" for our kiddos. Thanks, Daddy!

One day I was watching our six year old turning flips on these. Some are in the shape of a circle while others are shaped like a triangle. I got to looking and ours were just horrible looking. They were probably originally cream colored, but now they were dingy with black gunk on them. How boring! What fun it would be to brighten things up and make it "girly"! The wheels began to turn in my mind. What could I use that I already had? Hmmmm...

Duck tape! My oldest daughter does all kinds of cool things with duct tape and hates the colors pink and purple. I raided her stash because our two little girls love pink and purple.

I made the mistake of asking said six year old how she wanted mommy to wrap the "flip handles" (does anyone know what these are really called?) She requested stripes! Quite a bit more challenging, but I gave it a try...on one of them! The other one I wrapped in...solid pink!

Here is the finished product on these, but I couldn't stop there. This was just too much fun and the little girls were loving the bright colors! I went on to cover more handles...and other things! I stopped when I ran out of tape and just after said six year old suggested covering the slide!

It didn't take much time and little effort to add some color to this used playground/swing set. And I might add, everyone is happy. Oldest daughter doesn't have to mess with pink and purple duct tape and little girls are thrilled to turn flips on brightly colored handles now. Boys could care less either way on this one!

That being done we just had to do some more. After all, we had pink and purple duck tape left over! So here is what we did:

Before

After

The rest of the pictures didn't quite turn out, but we covered the "rungs" for all of the ways to climb on this playground. We love the finished project and it didn't cost us a dime!

Blessings as you find creative, frugal ways to brighten someone's day!

A Valentine Poem Inspired by Dr. Seuss

2012-02-13T16:13:00.002-06:00

This is a poem for my wife

A poem for my wife is this

For my wife a poem I write

A poem I write for my wife

This is my life I love my wife

My wife is the love of my life

I love my wife the love of my life

The love of my life is my wife

This is a poem for my wife

My wife is the love of my life

I love my wife the love of my life

A poem for my wife is this

For my wife a poem I write

The love of my life is my wife

A poem I write for my wife

This is my life I LOVE MY WIFE

by Steve French

February 14, 2003

I was having trouble locating a picture of us from 2003 so I got as close as I could! This is a poem that Steve wrote for me nine years ago, in fact, it is the only poem he has ever written for me. So I kept it and treasured it, of course. My man is not much for writing things down and I think I have every piece of paper or card he has ever written to me. They are priceless to me; not because I don't value his spoken words which he is more gifted than written words, but because they is so rare. When something is rare and valued, it is treasured beyond that which is less rare.

Enough of the serious stuff? This will get you. This poem was written because we were told that whoever wrote the winning poem got their meal free at the Valentine banquet! Now you can laugh! We all had a good laugh, but it did not make this any less special!

Do you have a special Valentine keepsake that you treasure from the man of your dreams?

Today we are linked up with Growing Home: Teach Me Tuesdays. There are some wonderful Valentine reads and ideas there. I hope you will take the tie to check them out!

My Outcry Against Toddlers and Tiaras

2012-02-09T13:57:00.001-06:00

During my time in bed because of having to endure lousy flu symptoms, I wasted some time on the computer (because there isn't much more you can do when you have slept so long you cannot sleep any more, but are too weak to do anything else). I remembered hearing of a program called

"Toddlers and Tiaras"

that aired a few years ago. I'm sure a lot of you have heard about this program as it is very controversial reality show that follows the world of child beauty pageants. I watched one episode and was saddened by what those parents put those children through on a daily basis.

One mom gives her six year old Mt. Dew and Red Bull mix to give her daughter extra energy on those long days of competing. Her reply, "Well, at least I am not giving her alcohol!" The moms take their daughters to get spray tans and a mile long list of other "fake" things so the judges can judge the toddler's "beauty"! I am shocked that this show is in its 5th season.

This is what TLC says directly on their website: On any given weekend, on stages across America, little girls and boys parade around wearing makeup, false eyelashes, spray tans, and fake hair to be judged on their beauty, personality and costumes. Toddlers and Tiaras follows families on their quest for sparkly crowns, big titles and lots of cash. I began to wonder if these pageants were really about the children after all. It makes the mom look good if her daughter wins and makes her look bad if she doesn't. I was appalled when I saw one mother ranting that the judges "cut her daughter's time" because they didn't like her.

She began to scream, "They hate her, they hate her". What I heard in the background broke my heart.

"Did I do good, Mommy? Did I do good? Was I pretty?"

all the while the male figure (I have no idea if he was the dad or not) was trying to console the raging mother. Who was this pageant really about? And what effect is it having on the toddlers?

Some of the comments I heard the girls make about wanting to be pretty made me think of what these pageants are really teaching these girls. And more times than not I wanted to cringe at the comments the moms were making to the children. One mom told her daughter, "You have a receding hair line just like an old grandpa! We have got to do something about this!" What does this do to her self image? What do all of the fake things to make you pretty teach those little girls (and boys)?

Especially this?! This is what one mom said gave her daughter a leading edge over the other competitors. Fake breasts and bottom?! I am ashamed of these mothers for what they are ultimately teaching their daughters and wish the fathers would take a stand and not allow it to happen. One father admitted to being uncomfortable with all of the make-up and skimpy costumes, but said,

"My wife says it is mandatory, so I don't say anything."

I cannot imagine the amount of physical upkeep that goes into keeping these toddlers into pageant shape. When do they get to be little girls and boys? They have their teeth whitened and/or get fake teeth called "flippers" that pop in to make their teeth appear larger and whiter (to be more visual to the judges). French manicures and now spray tanning are a "must"! This says nothing of the beaded a jeweled costumes these toddlers wear, the hours spent on hair and make-up and the endless time spent coaching these children to perform.

One mom admitted to spending $3,000 on one dress for her daughter to wear and hoped her husband never found out.

Since she also admitted that this was in the "normal" price range, it might be a little hard to keep it from him for long.

The last thing that blows me away about this show and the reality of it is the sensual dances these girls,

mere toddlers,

learn to impress the judges. One mom was a dance instructor and felt she had the competitor's edge because she was requiring more moves from her daughter than the others. Once again, I was appalled at what I was seeing from three year olds all in the name of "Beauty".

Those little girls were so crushed when they did not win "Beauty Supreme". One little girl had two huge crowns - both too big for her head, several plaques, two large red sashes along with dozens of flowers, but cried hysterically when she did not win first place.

You could hear the devastation in her voice when tears rolled down her cheeks and she cried, "I'm not pretty." Her mom's reply? Stop crying now, Honey, or you are going to have a mascara run."

What is true beauty and what are we teaching our daughters about it? What did your mom teach you about beauty? I prefer to go on teaching my daughters that

"God looks on the heart", "Beauty is as beauty does", and "Beauty is only skin deep".

Cliche, but so true!

This topic of true beauty is one I could write more about and dive deeper into, but what do you say?

P.S. I was able to watch this episode thanks to YouTube. Would have been a total waste of time except for the questions it provoked in my mind about our daughters. Just felt I needed to clarify this.

Today we are happily linked with Raising Mighty Arrow's Proverbs 31 Thursdays. There are some wonderful ladies sharing some words of wisdom. I hope you will hurry over and get acquainted with some of these wonderful women of God.

Words of Ice

2012-01-31T10:04:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe the warm weather we are having this month. It is hard to believe tomorrow is the first of February!

So for those who wish it were colder with more precipitation, here's a fun little game to help you out! I know time is of the essence so I will give the answers immediately. That way you don't have to work so hard! Here's how to play: There are 9 words that end in "ice" and 3 that end in "ise". See if you can figure out the answer without cheating! :) It might be helpful to hold your hand or a piece of paper over the answers on the right.

1. The "ice of inducement: entice

2. The "ice" most feared by women and girls: mice

3. The "ice" that should satisfy: suffice

4. The "ice" of worship: sacrifice

5. 3he aromatic "ice": spice

6. The "ice" of established value: price

7. The "ice" among grain: rice

8. The "ice" of habit: practice

9. The "ice" of the faithful: service

10. The particular "ice": precise
11. The "ice" of invention: devise
12. Heavenly "ice": paradise

Leave me a comment with how many you guessed without looking at the answer! I have something for the winner that I will announce on Thursday. This is based on your honor. I've played this game with enough women that I have a rough idea of the most ever guessed right. I'm excited to see how many you get right! Thanks for playing and I hope you have enjoyed this mild winter we are having! Personally, I am part of the few who would love to see more snow! I love winter!

Blessings to you,

Today we are linked up with Growing Home, Far Above Rubies and Women Living Well! Lots of good stuff out there!

United We Stand

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

United We Stand

This is a beautiful song and I wanted to share with you. My favorite line is We will honor God forever. No matter what comes our way, no matter what we go through or face, our desire is to bring glory and honor to God. Nothing or no one will divide us, we are united and standing.

For those who are holding fast and troubles have not come between you and your hubby, here is a song to strengthen your resolve. For those who have seen hard times and are discouraged in your relationship, here is a song to encourage you to hold on and never give in. For those of you whose marriages are hanging by a thread, I hope this song will encourage you and let you know your marriage is worth fighting for; don't let go! The enemy is trying to destroy marriages all across the country. We just need to be determined to never give up, no matter how tough it gets! Please listen.

United We Stand
By Bryan Duncan

Don't give me trouble
'Cause I've had my share
Just let me talk with you
I know you've had your hard times, too
Why couldn't we begin with love again?
Try to mend a broken heart or two

United we stand, divided we fall
We will live or die together
The same for one and all
Together defend this love without end
And we will honor God forever, together

I need your assurance
Just like you need mine
Oh, there's just no way to win if we're fighting all the time
Got problem
Well, it's up to you and I to talk it out
Work it out, however long it takes

United we stand, divided we fall
We will live or die together
The same for one and all
Together defend this love without end
And we will honor God forever, together
You and I

Take a look around you
If you think you're alright
Oh, if you're alone there's someone just out of sight
Oh, they can reach out to you
You can reach back to them
You can be alright
Don't put up a fight
Oh, we'll find a way

United we stand
Yeah,
Divided we fall
We will live or die together
The same for one and all
United we stand, oh
Together defend this love without end
Love without end
And we'll honor God
Honor God forever

Proverbs 31 Thursdays Link-Up

2012-01-26T08:40:00.001-06:00

We are linked up with Raising Mighty Arrows today. Proverbs 31 Thursdays Link-Up is where you will find my post. It is an older post I shared with you about an enjoyable experience we had while home schooling. I hope you will be able to enjoy a few other good posts, too, while you are there! Have a blessed day!

Link-Up with A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

2012-01-25T12:05:00.000-06:00

Good afternoon! I hope you are enjoying your day. We are linked up with A Wise Woman Builds Her Home today. She gives some delightful resources for precious daughters. Head on over and take a look. Our post about your Mother-Daughter Score is what is listed in the link-up. See if you can find it and enjoy the many other wonderful blog posts listed there!

Blessings,

Benefits - Design Your Life (Part 6)

2012-01-24T11:05:00.000-06:00

Today is the last day I will be writing in our Design Your Life series. You can read more in Parts 1-5. There will be a link to those at the bottom of the page.

Setting goals helps us to get beyond yesterday's failures, to see past today's disappointments, and to hope for tomorrow's promises.

Past

To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did. Let's resolve to put our past attempts at setting goals behind us and chalk it up as experience. No matter how many attempts you have made at setting goals in the past, you can now resolve that you will follow through with those goals. You CAN do it!

Once you have achieved some goals and dreams you can look back with assurance. In times of doubt and when things get tough, you can have fond memories to fall back on. You will have a date and time of accomplishment to remind you that you CAN do it!

Present

Setting goals to design your life gives you clear direction and energizes you to give you a positive outlook. Daring to design your life lifts your spirits and empowers you to think outside of the box. It will get you off the couch, the phone, and social networking; it creates activity! Zig Ziglar says that logic will not change an emotion, but action will! Let's get started today!

Future

Dreaming, goal setting, or designing your life helps you visualize your success - a journey into your future. If you let nothing hold you back, what kind of journey would you have getting to where you long to be? Then as you draw nearer to your dream, it gets easier to fathom.

If you have just joined us on this journey of designing your life, you can find out more in preparing to set goals, types of goals to set, how to set goals, common mistakes, and identifying obstacles.

Dare to Dream! Then take action to get you one step closer to that dream! Let me know if this has encouraged you. What steps do you plan to take today to fulfill your dream? If you are living your dream, tell us how you got to where you are today.

Blessings as you design the life you've always dreamed about,

I'm linked up with Growing Home and Faiesr Above Rubies!

Sanctity of Life Sunday

2012-01-20T11:02:00.000-06:00

Tim Tebow with his mom, Pam

He's all in the news. His momma and many others have called him a "miracle" because of her choice. She chose not to end his life. She went against her doctor's advice. It's hard for us sometimes to go against what the doctor's are telling us. They are supposed to know it all - right?! They don't. And sometimes it is better to go with your heart and your conscious.

Here is a story of a mother who once did not chose life. It is 11:54 minutes long, but worth it. God is able to heal and restore above what you could ever imagine. He is a loving Father.

How an Abortion Saved the Lives of Many

You can listen here and here for Lysa Terkeurst's story. She is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her story is incredible; a real ashes to beauty story. God is faithful. He will restore your broken heart.

January 22 is Sanctity of Life Sunday. I wonder just how many lives have been affected by the Roe vs Wade court decision made in 1973? In my research, I found some statistics from prolifeaction.org that I wanted to share with you.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, there were 1.21 million abortions performed in the United States in 2008, the most recent year for which data is available. This amounts to 3,322 abortions per day.

Source: Jones, Rachel K. and Kathryn Kooistra. "Abortion Incidence and Access to Services in the United States, 2008." Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 43, no. 1 (2011, March): 41-50 [PDF]

The following table lists both the percentage of abortions performed during various stages of pregnancy, along with the total yearly abortions at each stage, based on a total of 1.2 million abortions per year (see above).

Gestational Age	Percentage	Yearly Total
Less than 9 weeks	61.8%	749,232
9-10 weeks	17.1%	207,312
11-12 weeks	9.1%	110,324
13-15 weeks	6.6%	80,015
16-20 weeks	3.8%	46,069
21+ weeks	1.5%	18,185

Source: Guttmacher Institute, 2011, August. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States.[PDF]

Statistics are available on the percentage of abortions sought by women in various demographical categories, including age, marital status, race, religion, and prior pregnancies.

Age of Mother	Percentage
Less than 15	0.4%
15-19	17%
20-24	32.6%
25-29	24.1%
30-34	14.2%
35-39	8.9%
40+	3.2%
Marital Status
Married	17%
Separate/Divorced/Widowed	15.6%
Never Married	72%
Race of Mother
White	36%
Black	30%
Hispanic	25%
Other Races	9%
Religion of Mother
Protestant	37%
Catholic	28%
Other	35%
Prior Pregnancies
Previous Abortion and Birth	36%
None	27%
Previous Birth	25%
Previous Abortion	12%

Source: Guttmacher Institute, 2011, August. Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States.[PDF]

These are some pretty sobering stats. I cannot imagine how much it hurts our Father each time someone chooses to end the life of one of His children. 1.2 million babies killed each year?! That's a vast number and these are only the ones we know about! What about all of the illegal abortions? It's pretty easy for me to sit in my cozy living room, read these stats, become frustrated, possibly even a tad bit angry, but what am I doing about it? What can I do to bring hope, share redemption, and spread God's love with His grace to those directly or indirectly affected by abortion? Do I value life as He does? What would He have me do? Should there be more Tebow stories? Stories of how lives were saved before lives were destroyed. A very challenging thought. How do you feel about this?

Blessings to you as you decide how you will celebrate Sanctity of Life,

Identifying Obstacles - Design Your Life (Part 5)

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Design Your Life

We are now on part five of our Design Your Life Series! If you would like to read parts 1-4, there will be a link at the bottom of this post. Today I want to help you identify goal-setting obstacles. There are five main obstacles I want to discuss.

Fear of Failure

You may keep track of your goals in a notebook or you may log them online, but a lot of us tend to keep them on the back burner. We tell ourselves that we want to change or improve, but we never seem to make it happen. Sometimes we don't even try to attain these goals. We are afraid that we can never loose the desired amount of weight or we can never be good enough to get in front of people and say what is on our heart. We might even get criticized if we mess up. The first thing to do is to take action. Fear can immobilize us and keep us from reaching our goals. Dr. Robert Schuller asked, "What would you do if you could not fail?" What could we achieve if we were not afraid of failing? Be brave and act now! If it doesn't work out the way you planned, tweak your plan. Try a different approach until you reach the desire you want! You gotta see this little girl encouraging you to Don't Stop! Don't Give UP!

Don't take failure personally. It is not a character trait. It is a result or evaluation of a behavior. Look at it as a happening, not a personal attribute. Don't be too hard on yourself. Allow room for mistakes. You don't improve without having some rough spots now and again. Learn from your mistakes and feel encouraged because you know you can do better next time! Don't let fear cripple you, let it empower you!

Trying to be Superwoman

If I could just be like Michelle Duggar...
If I could have it all together like so-and-so...
If my house was as neat as...
If my husband was more thoughtful like...
If I made straight A's like...

If we could take the perfect character traits and blessings of each woman in our life and lump them together, we would have Superwoman! And wouldn't it just be great if were Superwoman?! I know she is only a cartoon in a very make believe world. But she is built like Barbie, and can accomplish everything she has set out to do with out fail. She has no problems and can manage any thing. This is unrealistic, isn't it? Adapt the "can-do" attitude without the "conquer-all-in-a-day-and-still-be-invisible" lifestyle. It goes back to setting attainable goals. Don't get trapped into comparing yourself to others because you will always come up short.

Negative Mindset and Attitude

Having a negative mindset does not allow room for success. You will be doomed to failure if you don't start thinking positively. Choose to see obstacles as opportunities to overcome and get you one step closer to achieving your goal. A failure could also be viewed as life's usual resistance to the action you've taken to design your life. Focus on the progress you are making and push through. If you are unwilling to see failure as an obstacle then you will be pre-conditioned to look for solutions and not excuses. Don't let your life motto be "I can't", but instead, "I will"!

Not Enough Money, Time, Or Other Resources

This can often be a discouraging factor, especially in these hard, economic times. We have a wonderful, free devise called the internet that can help us with this obstacle in setting goals. If one of your goals is going to cost some money, research how much, and begin saving now. Do your homework and be prepared. Figure out how much time you will need to put into it and the resources you will need to obtain to make it happen. Winston Churchill first said, "He who fails to plan is planning to fail".

Lack of Support

It is inevitable you will come across some roadblocks and move at a slower pace. You might even be asking yourself' "What in the world do I do next?" Just as any journey, support is essential. When we begin a road trip, we usually check Google maps first then program our GPS. When a Christian is born, the Bible is their road map. Sometimes there are no directions given for what we want to attain, but there are people who have traveled the road before and are waiting to help you. Find a friend, mentor, or blog such as For Journey's Sake :) to support you in reaching your goals. Don't try it alone.

Lastly, never forget to take it to the Lord in prayer. He is the best friend you could ever have! And He has given us a road map, the Bible, that is filled with answers when we are feeling like we cannot go on. If you are struggling with obstacles in designing your life, I'd love to help! Leave me a comment and we will go from there. Having a friend to support you also means having a friend to celebrate with you when you reach your accomplishments!

Blessings as you overcome obstacles in designing your life,

Preparation - Part 1
Types Of Goals - Part 2
How To Set Goals - Part 3
Common Mistakes - Part 4

Common Mistakes - Design Your Life (Part 4)

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Design Your Life

This is part four in our Design Your Life Series. Did you miss parts one, two, and three? I'd love to have you get in on those!

When setting goals to design your life, there should be a blalance between short term thinking and long range planning. If all of your goals are long range, you will soon become discouraged because you have not seen success or you haven't reached a level of achievement. There are some common mistakes in goal setting that you want to avoid.

Too Many

If your list of improvements and goals is two pieces of paper or more, you have set too many goals. Start off with fewer goals that are attainable and empowers you to reach higher levels of achievement. Beginning this process feeling overwhelmed is going to lead to discouragement immediately and more-than-likely you will not even proceed with changes.

Too Generic

Be specific in what you write down. Your goals should be motivating and measurable. If you write a list that is positive and challenging, but looks something like this:

1. Be happier
2. Loose weight
3. Read Bible

it is too vague and leaves too many loopholes for the weary or faint at heart. It will be easy to just give up. Instead remember to list your goals in a positive manner including a plan of action. This will encourage success in reaching your goals.

Too Big

Trying to become President of the United States is definitely a "too big" goal! But beginning with, "I will become more involved in my government by taking steps to run for State Representative" is a smaller step to begin with. I will be an accomplished author with an invitation to speak on Focus on the Family is too big and unattainable immediately, but beginning with "I will write and publish a Children's book by the end of this year" is a smaller step headed towards a bigger dream.

Not Written Down

Having aspirations in our head is wonderful and I would never discourage anyone from having dreams. I would encourage you to write them down! This is the first and most easy step to accomplishment. Write your goals down to design your life and voila! you have reached one goal already! You can reach your goals! Writing them down enables you to look at them more than once a year and refuels your passion to reach that dream. It keeps things from getting muddled in our brain, helps us remember when every day life challenges seem to crowd our mind, and empowers us to take our dreams seriously. Write your goals on paper and keep them where you can refer to them often, if not daily.

So as not to get too lengthy and boring, I will save Identifying Goal Obstacles for the next post. I hope you are enjoying this series on Designing Your Life. It is a lot to take in, but I am encouraged to make some life changes. I want to take this seriously and not have a half-hearted concern. As we know, New Year's Resolutions can fade into the background before the end of the month. I want some life changes and am ready to take the steps to make this happen! How about you?

Blessings as you plan on reaching your goals and aspirations for life,

Preparation - Part 1
Types Of Goals - Part 2
How To Set Goals - Part 3

How To Set Goals - Design Your Life (Part 3)

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Design Your Life

Part Three in our Design Your Life Series is learning how to set effective goals. (Parts One and Two are here and here in case you 'd like to catch up!) Live by design, not by default. Studies show that there is a correlation between success and writing and sharing your goals. How you write them down affects your chances of success as well. When choosing what to write down, choose positive words. Instead of writing, "I will not get mad at my brother anymore", try writing, "I will choose nicer things to say to my brother when I feel angry."

Write out your goals and post them throughout your home so that you can view them several times a day. The bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, and on your bedroom door are three practical suggestions. You may even want to put them in your car, too. Seeing your goals in writing several times a day keeps them always on your mind.

Set a start date

"I will begin making healthier eating habits by drinking no more caffeinated drinks starting on January 15th." "I will watch less TV and movies starting on January 12th." "I will do ten sit-ups a day beginning this morning." Setting a starting date makes your plan clear and gives yourself motivation and accountability.

Be specific

Being specific leaves no room for "what ifs". "I will loose weight" is a good goal, but is so generic that you could stop trying after loosing only one pound! Instead, try inserting a positive, specific goal: "I will lose five pounds by the end of this month." If you are trying to improve upon your emotional state, you might write, "I will purposefully dwell on praising my Lord for His blessings instead of dwelling on my disappointments by quoting Scripture".

Have a plan of action

A plan of action states how you will fulfill your goals. "I will read my Bible through this year by reading four chapters a day." Stating your plan of action determines how you will follow through with your goals. When you get discouraged and want to fall back into old bad habits, you can read your plans of action and be renewed in your vision to accomplishment.

Be positive

As I stated previously, writing your goals in a positive manner helps you to visualize your success. When you read your goals daily you want to feel uplifted and encouraged, not beat down by being reminded of your short comings.

Be challenging

When setting a goal to design your life start with small steps so you can have a sense of accomplishment when you complete a step. Starting off with one push-up a day for 31 days before moving to the next step is attainable, yes, but unrealistic and not challenging. Deciding to declutter your home for 15 minutes a day is attainable and challenging. Writing one letter a week to a friend is attainable, yet more challenging than setting a goal for you to write one letter a year.

Be complete - set a completion date

Setting a date to achieve a goal allows you to feel good about accomplishing your goal and then move forward to the next level. You are more likely to keep moving forward in your desired direction if you reach a goal in the desired amount of time set on paper. "I will write and publish an eBook by March 2012" is more likely to happen than "I will write an eBook".

Six easy steps in how to set goals: set a starting date, be specific, have a plan of action, be positive, be challenging, and be complete. The next step is to get started! Grab a pen and paper and start making notes. Next, I will talk about common mistakes and obstacles in goal setting. Then we will be nearing the end of our Design Your Life Series!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this and how you are setting goals to design your life!

Blessings,

Preparation - Part 1
Types Of Goals - Part 2

Types of Goals - Design Your Life (Part 2)

2012-01-11T06:00:00.001-06:00

Design Your Life

Photo Courtesy of www.goalsgonesocial.com

This is Part Two in our Design Your Life Series. You may read Part One here or go to the link at the bottom of this post. . There are many types of goals you can set in designing your life. If you are a note taker you might want to grab a pen and some paper to jot down some ideas for beginning to set your own life changing goals. Here is a list of eight different types of goals and some suggestions to think about in each category.

Spiritually

How is my relationship with God? Is it stale and in need of reviving, or nonexistent? Is it running smoothly, but in need of checking the oil? I don't feel like I ever "arrive" at a level of spirituality that satisfies my longing for Him. There have been times when I actively pursued Him more than other times, and there is always room for growth. Each time I read the Bible, I see something I hadn't seen before. Each time I go to the Lord in prayer I am walking hand in hand with my Redeemer and feel closer to Him. Maybe you want to read the Bible through this year or establish a daily routine with God. You might want to add fasting to this list. And remember there are many things you can "fast" other than food! Whatever your spiritual goals might be, set them where you can reach them and gain spiritual growth. Growing in the Lord and letting Him guide you is a perfect design for life.

Physically

I, for one, am not at the desired level of physical aptitude! (Nice way of saying I'm overweight!) Working out is definitely a goal I am setting this year. I want to feel healthy as well as be healthy! You might want to add a fifteen minute workout to your morning routine or add some more time to your already existing plan. A walk in the park a couple of evenings a week or walking around the house a few times a day is a lovely idea. One of my children has decided that running around our house seven times is a start to becoming more healthy. (It's fun and Momma says he can do it as many times a day as he wants!) Choosing to take the stairs each time instead of the elevator or parking farther away from Walmart's door are ways to take small steps toward a bigger goal.

Mentally
What is your thought process? Are you a negative person that tends to dwell on the bad things of life? Maybe you are so positive you are gullible and unrealistic. Does your thought thought life need a makeover? "They" say you are what you think. If you are a "mully-grubber" kind of person, it effects those around you. As a momma, I tend to get bogged down with the negative character traits I see in our family and try so hard to help us work on them that sometimes I come across as a grouchy momma who is never satisfied. Whew! I need to work on this!

Emotionally

Do you carry your feelings on your shoulder or are you weepy? Are you either really high or really low and hardly ever in between? Are you an emotional bump on a log? Wow, this all sounds a bit negative, but remember we are looking for ways to improve those areas we don't like. Try jotting a few ideas down to help you daily improve your emotional state to a more balanced way of thinking.

Socially/Relationally

How do you talk to your friends, siblings, parents? If you are married, how do you relate to your husband? Do you have higher expectations for them than you do yourself. This is an area that will be harder to see results quickly, but with time, your rewards will be great! It's hard to bite your tongue when you feel you have been wronged, but remember Proverbs 15:1? A soft (gentle) answer turns away wrath (anger), but grievous (harsh) words stir up anger. Hmmm, practicing answering softly is something I've been working on for quite some time. Still don't have it mastered. :-/

Financially

How much debt do you have? Paying off your credit cards, buying used and saving the difference, buying used cars instead of new, and couponing are great ways to get out of debt. Have you tried living on a written budget? Extremely hard, but very rewarding. Actually, you experience more freedom when you live on a budget.

Personally

These would be areas that you need to work on yourself. You might need to learn how to dress more attractively or tone down your accessories. You might want to learn a new hairstyle. You might need improvement in your housekeeping skills. Also, I feel like a personal goal is one that you are not pressured to change by your peers or parents, but you feel you need improvement in this area without their pressure.

Recreational-ly (Not sure this is a word - ha!)

Learning new games to share in family time is always beneficial. Our family is learning to play Frisbee golf. We try to play a couple of times a week if the weather permits. The exercise is great and the quality family time is an added bonus.

Here are a few ideas to get you started thinking what kinds of goals you would like to set to begin designing your life. Remember, "Rome wasn't built in a day" and change takes time! Set small, attainable goals first and then when you feel like you've reached those, go to the next level!

Until next time...

Blessings as you take steps to Design Your Life,

Part 1 - Preparation

Linked Up With Two Other Blogs

2012-01-10T09:02:00.001-06:00

Today our Design Your Life Series Part 1 is linked up with Growing Home's Teach Me Tuesdays and Far Above Rubies Domestically Divine Tuesday. You will find many wonderful ideas and inspirations to encourage you in homemaking. Go check it out and vote for your favorite post to see who will be featured next week as the author's favorites!

Blessings,

Preparation - Design Your Life (Part 1)

2012-01-09T06:00:00.001-06:00

Designing Your Life

Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives. Viktor Frank

I learned a long time ago that setting goals is my key to success. Through the years I've not lived as if I have learned this concept as much as I'd like. I've let others influence my choices in life and have gotten out of the habit of goal setting. While praying for what God wanted from me in 2012, He directed my heart towards setting goals for myself and family rather than trying to make a New Year's Resolution that may or may not "stick"! We can argue that setting goals in January and having New Year's resolutions are the same thing, and yes, they are quite similar. In truth, New Year's Resolutions have taken on a more negative connotation because people tend to forget them not long after they set them! My goal is to set attainable goals for my family and I and to take it one day at a time.

Growing up, I frequently heard this quote and have come to live by it:

Good, better, best
Let's never rest
Until our good is better
And our better is best.

When we take into consideration that setting goals allows us to make life happen instead of just letting life happen to us, it gives a whole different meaning to "setting goals". The more research I have done on this topic, the more I have decided to extend this topic into more than one post. So here's just enough to wet your appetite and make you come back for more!

Five questions to ask yourself when setting your goals:

1. Will it please God and draw me closer to Him?
2. Will it help me become a better person?
3. Will it affect others positively?
4. Is it attainable, reasonable, and realistic?
5. Is it personal (not pressed upon you by someone else)?

These five questions are mandatory in setting goals in a Christian woman's life. I hope you will consider them when you decide to set some goals in preparation of designing your life.

Blessings and Happy Goal Setting!

God Thinks I'm Worthy

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Just a word of explanation. In my last post I told you that I would be starting a new series this week, but due to technical problems It will have to wait until next week. I apologize for this confusion. To be quite honest, I am having difficulty with learning some of the technological side of blogging. I appreciate your
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For Journey's Sake Goals for 2012

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

Setting goals is a very important step in reaching success. I realize success means many things to different people, but we all want to lead successful lives. That may mean being rich and famous or it might mean that you have no greater joy than to hear that your children walk in truth (III John 1:4).

Whatever your aspirations, I'd like to help give you clear and helpful hints on how to set goals to achieve your desired level of success. I will be starting a series this week on "Goal Setting". I will address questions to ask yourself before you set goals, types of goals to set, how to set goals, common mistakes in setting goals, the benefits of setting goals in your life, and more.

That being said, here are five goals I have set for For Journey's Sake for the year of 2012.

1. Host 5 Giveaways
2. Reach 100 followers here and 250 on Face Book
3. Become an affiliate for 5 to 10 people/companies
4. Have 5 paying advertisers
5. Write consistently 3 to 5 times a week
6. All of the above goals are so that this blog can generate income while remaining focused on encouraging you on your journey of womanhood. I am passionate about encouraging you as you become a more Godly daughter, wife, mommy, and grandma!

Until then...

Blessings,

Living "Joy" in 2012

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

Photo Courtesy~Sara Frankl, Gitzen Girl

Welcome to the new year, 2012, and my new blog name For Journey's Sake and design! However you have happened upon my dear home away from home, I am glad you have visited. While you are here my prayer is that you will be encouraged and challenged on your journey of womanhood. It is quite a journey - isn't it?

You begin this journey looking into the eyes of your dear mommy. You idolize her and want to be just like her. Then you pretend to be a mommy yourself as you feed, clothe and train you dolls all the while becoming more independent.

You enter your teen years with difficulty and the grace of a giraffe. Some days you hold onto being a little girl while sneaking that tea party with your dolls and other days you try to fit in your mom's high heels and begin making choices that resemble that of a grown woman.

By the time you finish high school you feel very grown up and mature. You grab the world by the tail and think you can face anything with the grace of a swan. You find out in a few short years that you didn't know as much as you thought you did, but you realize you are a young woman.

In your twenties, life is grand! You have experienced enough adulthood to make wise decisions, but life has probably not dealt you too man blows just yet.

In your thirties, you begin to realize who you are, where you fit into the world, and you take things a little more seriously. You experience babies, bills, sickness, hurts, and victories like you never have before.

Now in your forties, life is quite different. Your babies have gown to be teenagers themselves and you might even become a grandma. It is another decade of figuring out where you fit into the grand scheme of things.

I think your fifties are spent with keeping up with the grand kids.

Then sixties hit you and you realize you are not the young woman you were in your twenties. Another decade of fitting into life in a whole different way. Are you really wanted and does your daughter still need you? Your grand children are almost all teenagers and they don't seem to be able to connect like they did yesterday.

Your seventies are spent with your children and grandchildren realizing how wonderful you really are and doting on you!

We are all on the journey of womanhood. Some are just starting out, some in the middle, and some nearing the end. Wherever you are on this journey, there is encouragement for you. I want to challenge you to embrace whatever decade you are in with gusto. Remember that acronym you learned as a child?

J - Jesus
O - Others
Y - You

If you choose to make this your life's motto, I assure you it will be a more fulfilling life. Try it today,try it this year, 2012! Let it be what drives you this year - JOY! I dare you to see what happens!

Come back for more this week to see a list of goals I set For Journey's Sake in the year 2012 and our first giveaway planned for this month! I am so excited!

Blessings to you all as you head into the new year,

Looking Ahead

2011-12-30T17:24:00.002-06:00

What does your new year look like? Is it filled with the same ole hum drum of what you did this year? Maybe it looks like nothing new will happen, God will not change your situation, and life is hopeless.

Or maybe you've just been given a chance to do something different! Maybe you can change the way you look at things and even though you still live in the same house, drive that same car, and have the same friends and family, you could see them how God sees them!

Some highlights of our 2011 are as follows:

January: Found out I was expecting another blessing, made new friends
February: Our blessing went home early
March: Our children competed in Regional Assembly of God Fine Arts (with many invitations to enter nationally)
April: Our first public school assembly, our first revival for adults (we are children's evangelists)
May: Accomplished much in organizing, received gift to help purchase our van, did children's workers seminars, Joplin tornado hit, developed a new friendship
June-August: Traveled almost 10,000 miles, ministered in over 10 churches, gave 1,000s the gospel
August: Our children entered in National Fine Arts competition in Phoenix, AZ. Won several awards including first place puppetry and performing in front of 18,000 people plus live streaming audience.
September: Was the hairdresser for a wedding, started monthly menu planning, spent time with family
September-present: one or more or us have been sick with flu, strep, colds, sinus infections, etc
October: Lost our home church, almost lost our home due to an electrical problem
November: 2cd set of public school assemblies, some new ministry opportunities, spent time with family
December: New blog design, new blogging friends, lost a good friend, spent time with family

We take the good with the bad and thank the Lord for the lessons He has taught us, the blessings He has given us, and the lives He has allowed us to touch. Looking forward to what He will do this coming year!

Blessings,

Put The Phone Down And Be A Friend

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

Today, six friends and I are writing a series called Put the Phone Down! Our hope and prayer is to draw to your attention the importance of one-on-one relationships with those around you, without the distraction of a phone and/or computer. In closing, you will find a list of lovely ladies and their individual "Put the Phone Down" topic.

My topic is to put the phone down and be a friend. There are many different kinds of friends in the world. Some you long for, some you have, and some you wish you'd never met. Go with me for a minute.

Walking into Starbucks with your best friend, you order a white chocolate mocha with extra "pumps" (or whatever it is you call it to make it sweeter and more like the "fake" stuff you occasionally get for yourself at home), and sit sown to wait for them to call you by name. Glancing around nervously you notice you are fidgeting with your purse and hope no one else noticed.   You question whether or not you ordered your drink right and hope you have mustered enough confidence to fool everyone. Finally, your girlfriend comes over to sit with you and you begin to relax as you chatter about the latest cute things your toddlers have done.

The chatter takes a more serious tone as you begin to share some deep things on your heart. Sipping on your drink, you begin to open up and...her phone rings. She looks at you hopelessly and says, "Hang on a minute, please". Laughing to herself she types out her text as quickly as possible and then looks at you as if to say, "Now, you may continue".

The wind knocked out of your sails, you quickly bring your "heart-pouring" to a close and you both chatter the rest of the evening away. Saying "good night" to her as you she pulls out of your driveway, you feel a sense of sadness. It was good to have spent the evening with a friend, but something was amiss.

What happened? It might have had to do with the fact that she was texting with someone else part of the time you were talking. Or it could have been the phone calls she got and just had to answer. Or it could have been that the evening was more about her.

It was clear by her actions which do speak louder than words by the way, spoke to you louder than her actual words. I know the saying is all too familiar and we've used it in many different venues, but it doesn't keep it from remaining true.

Picture this scene instead:

Walking into Starbucks with your best friend, you order a white chocolate mocha with extra "pumps" (or whatever it is you call it to make it sweeter and more like the "fake" stuff you occasionally get for yourself at home), and sit sown to wait for them to call you by name. Glancing around nervously you notice you are fidgeting with your purse and hope no one else noticed.   You question whether or not you ordered your drink right and hope you have mustered enough confidence to fool everyone. Finally, your girlfriend comes over to sit with you and you begin to relax as you chatter about the latest cute things your toddlers have done.

The chatter takes a more serious tone as you begin to share some deep things on your heart. Sipping on your drink, you begin to open up and...she reaches into her purse and hands you a kleenex. She doesn't lose eye contact with you, but nods her head ever so slightly to assure you she is listening. You continue until the end and she asks if it ok to pray with you (even though you are in a public place).

Saying" good night" to her as she pulls out of your driveway, you feel a sense of peace and satisfaction. It was good to have spent the evening with a friend, and you knew the night was more about building your friendship. How might you have come to this conclusion? She turned her cell phone back on as she headed back to her car to go home.

It may not happen exactly like this, but I am guilty myself. Spending time with a friend, but not having the courtesy to turn my phone off while we are visiting. Good friends are hard to come by these days. I challenge you to evaluate how your time is spent with your friends. Do you text with others instead of talking with the one you are with? Do you face book instead of "face commune"?

Interestingly enough, when I looked up the word "commune" these are the definitions: to be in a state of intimate, heightened sensitivity and receptivity, as with one's surroundings: to form a close personal relationship; to communicate intimately. Whereas, to "communicate" was not as personal or intimate: to convey knowledge of or information about; to make known.

I hope as you read this and what the other lovely ladies have to say on this topic today, you will be challenged to get back to more meaningful relationships. Invite your friend to a special place for the evening and just talk and listen. Don't forget to turn off your phone; it shows you are a good friend!

Please join the following ladies as they share their heart with you!

Put The Phone Down...

And Be A Wife · Raising Mighty Arrows
And Be A Teacher · Little Natural Cottage
And Be A Mother · Growing Home
And Be A Homemaker · Jill's Home Remedies
And Be A Listener · An Original Belle
And Be A Witness . Becoming Lydia

Blessings,

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T00:14:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from our house to yours! I hope that in all of the craziness of the celebrations that you are able to stop on this journey long enough to soak it all in. Enjoy the family, the food, and the memories you are making with those you love! While taking it all in, remember to thank the Savior for coming so long ago. He had you in mind when He came. He had me in mind, too. He loves us so much! If He had it to do all over again, I think He would!

Blessings to you at this wonderful time of year,

P.S. I apologize for all of the blog "weirdness" during this transition. I'm so glad everything got straightened out and I hope you like the new look and catchy name!

A Christmas Version

2011-12-22T09:51:00.000-06:00

I received this in an email and wanted to share it with you. I tried to find the original author to give credit, but found there are many versions of this with several authors. Hope you don't mind and that it will inspire you as it did me.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband or wife. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas!

What Will You Give?

2011-12-20T06:00:00.001-06:00

Teenage girl much too young

Unprepared for what's to come

A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand

All her dreams and all her plans

A baby changes everything

The man she loves she's never touched

How will she keep his trust

A baby changes everything

And she cries

Ooh she cries

Oh ohhh...

She has to leave, go far away

Heaven knows she can't stay

A baby changes everything

She can feel it's coming soon

There's no place there's no room

A baby changes everything

And she cries

Oh she cries

Shepherds all gather 'round

Up above the star shines down

A baby changes everything

Choir of angels sing

Glory to the newborn king

A baby changes everything

Everything, everything, everything

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

My whole life has turned around

I was lost, but now I'm found

A baby changes everything, yeah

A baby changes everything

You know the story. He came as a baby, lived a sinless life, was tortured unmercifully, hung on a cross, and rose again on the third day. He did it acting out God's gracious plan of salvation for you and me.

This baby's birth that we are celebrating in just a few days, changed history forever. He has changed lives for centuries. He changed my life from a life of selfishness and no true joy to one with hope and peace. He can change your life today. What will you give does not imply we can buy or earn our salvation by any means. All He asks for is our belief in Him.

Mary gave her heart, Joseph gave his reputation, God gave His Son, Jesus gave His life, what will you give?

Blessings to you and your family during this miraculous season,

Free Christmas Gifts - Idea 4

2011-12-19T22:30:00.000-06:00

An open bag of chips and half-empty pop cans lay scattered across the floor in the girl's bedroom. The only light was a princess night light shoved to the edge of the nightstand. Clothes piled here and there lie forgotten where an elaborate fashion party had been a few hours ago. The girls sat cross-legged in a circle clutching pillows and stuffed teddy bears sharing secrets and chatting about whatever came to mind. Girlish laughter and sweet little giggles could be heard until the wee hours of the morning.

Do you remember those slumber parties where you laughed so hard your sides ached? Remember the feelings of sheer exhaustion, yet complete satisfaction, you felt as you finally fell asleep just as the sun was beginning to rise?

I'm not trying to take you back to the good ole days of slumber parties, but of the feelings you had after a good laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine. Not just because Proverbs 17:22 says so, but because it is a proven fact. Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, according to a recent study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.

Dr. Lee Berk at the Loma Linda School of Public Health in California found that laughing lowers levels of stress hormones, and strengthens the immune system. Laughter increases levels of a hormone called beta-endorphines (which elevates mood state) by 27% and has been shown to reduce levels of three stress hormones: cortisol, dopac, and epinephrine also known as adrenaline. Berk also found that mirthful laughter raised good cholesterol and lowered inflammation during a test of the effects of laughter on diabetic patients. Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers.

Not to get bogged down with the heavy details, but a hearty laughter is good for you. I hope you will allow yourself to laugh and give the gift of laughter to someone else because guess what?! Laughter is contagious! I know you already know that! The next time you write "LOL" I challenge you to really "laugh out loud"! :)

Blessings,

Love Language: Words of Affirmation

For Journey's Sake

Dressing Up an Old Swing Set

A Valentine Poem Inspired by Dr. Seuss

My Outcry Against Toddlers and Tiaras

Words of Ice

United We Stand

Proverbs 31 Thursdays Link-Up

Link-Up with A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Benefits - Design Your Life (Part 6)

Sanctity of Life Sunday

Identifying Obstacles - Design Your Life (Part 5)

Common Mistakes - Design Your Life (Part 4)

How To Set Goals - Design Your Life (Part 3)

Types of Goals - Design Your Life (Part 2)

Linked Up With Two Other Blogs

Preparation - Design Your Life (Part 1)

Top Ten Posts of 2011

God Thinks I'm Worthy

For Journey's Sake Goals for 2012

Living "Joy" in 2012

Looking Ahead

Put The Phone Down And Be A Friend

Merry Christmas

A Christmas Version

What Will You Give?

Free Christmas Gifts - Idea 4