by Melissa Cavazos

It’s still in the beginning of a new year when many people are feeling refreshed with new goals in mind and new energy to spare. Now, I don’t know if it is the weather, my 2^nd trimester pregnancy exhaustion, or if I failed to rest enough during the holidays, but I’m finding myself struggling with refreshment both physically and spiritually. Anyone else out there feeling similarly?

February is American Heart Month, and The American Heart Association has put together a nice list of 10 Tips to Refresh Yourself, and they have certainly been great reminders to me lately. I wanted to pass them along to you, in case you may find them helpful.

1. Get regular physical activity. Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is a good energizer that reduces stress, helps keep blood pressure and cholesterol at heart-healthy levels and helps maintain a healthy weight. Aim for 30 minutes a day on most, if not all, days. You can break it down to 10- or 15-minute sessions. Walking is a great way to get started, even if you only walk around the yard.

2. Eat heart-healthy foods. They give you more energy, keep your brain fed (which helps combat depression) and help prevent other health problems. If you’ve got to “eat on the run,” choose nutritious snacks.

3. Take time every day for an activity that you enjoy such as reading, listening to music, crafts, cooking — whatever makes you happy and relaxes you.

4. Keep humor in your life. Laughter IS good medicine. Find the humor in your situation when possible, watch a silly TV program or pop in a comedy movie. Find things to laugh about with your loved one. They need joy too! Laughing quickens the pulse rate, stimulates the blood circulation, activates muscles, increases oxygen intake and helps you relax. If you’ve forgotten how to laugh, try to be around people who still know how. Laughter’s contagious!

5. Get out once a week and go somewhere enjoyable. Visit the local coffee shop, attend church events, take a class, visit a friend or just wander around the mall or a park. If your loved one needs constant attention, ask for help. You can find someone to give an hour a week to let you get out.

6. Treat depression and stress. Recognize signs and symptoms and do something about it as soon as it starts. If you think you may be depressed, get professional help. Talk it out. Admit your feelings.

7. Take care of your business. Keep your checkbook balanced, work when you need to, spend time with friends and family and don’t stop planning for the future. It’s out there waiting for you. If you live totally “in the moment” of your caregiver responsibilities, you’ll find it more difficult to re-integrate into life later on. Keep living.

8. Keep all your medical and dental appointments. Do all you can to keep from getting sick. If you’re sick, you won’t be able to do what your loved one needs. Ask for help when you need it to get away and take care of your health.

9. Think positive. Take time every day to refresh your mind. Admit your limitations. Let go of guilt. Admit that you’re angry. Pat yourself on the back for the job you’re doing. If you’re feeling guilty or angry, take a break.

10. Stay connected with the outside world, even if it’s just by phone or online. Don’t isolate yourself. Talk to friends about something other than your situation. Stay interested in what would be going on in your life if you weren’t caregiving. It’s still there and you’re still a part of it.

Along with these reminders, don’t forget to allow the Lord to daily refresh your heart spiritually by staying in constant contact with Him. Only He is the true refresher of our lives.

Psalm 23:3 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Hard at work

By Cheryl Johnson

I have a friend at work whose daughter is planning a mission trip to Kenya this summer. Understandably, this makes my friend and her husband pretty nervous. They aren’t the ones who hear God saying, “Here. This is where I want you to serve.” That’s Carly. And she’s a young woman and Kenya is a long way from home. When I heard, my first reaction was excitement for her. I know that this is a trip that will change her life forever. I also remembered when I was pretty sure God wanted me to go out on the mission field. I was a little harder to convince than Carly. I can be like that. I won’t ever forget how I threw up objections, what-ifs, and a nice collection of reasons why I could never go to Peru. God compassionately but firmly overcame them all. And that is on a long list of things that I can give thanks for over and over. My life will be forever different because I took that trip.

On my mission trip, I saw God at work on a different continent and in a place so very different from home, but still in the lives and hearts of people. God’s concern is for people, no matter what continent they’re sitting on. I “knew” that before I left. While I was there, I learned it in a way that I will never forget.

Far-away mission fields aren’t the only place to see God working. I just had a conversation with a friend about times in my life when everything changed. I wasn’t always in a village in the Andes mountains. Sometimes I was in a hospital room or standing in front of mourners at a funeral home or just sitting in the quiet and making a decision that scared me to death. God is working all around, in big dramatic ways and in small quiet corners.

Carly is going on a trip that will teach her so much about who God is. That’s exciting. I am thankful that it doesn’t take a trip to Kenya to learn about God and to see him at work. He is working in the lives of people in Kenya and in Peru, and in houses in Conway and apartments in Benton, and in downtown Little Rock. To see it, we only have to look. I’m praying for Carly and her parents, but I’m thankful for the reminder that God is about people. I need to be about people too.

1 Corinthians 12:5-7 (NIV)

My Wilsons

By Merry Boehi

Recently my pastor spoke on the importance of deep, intimate friends. The type of friend that you can call at midnight when you get a call that something bad has happened.  We all crave friends that we know love us because of who we are or/and in spite of who we are.  He used the illustration from the movie “Castaway,” in which Tom Hanks is stranded on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  To give himself someone to talk to, he made an intimate friend out of a washed-up volleyball. He gave the volleyball the name Wilson.

How about you? Do you have a real-life Wilson or two in your life?  Someone who is always there for you?  I am very blessed to have several Wilsons in my life. Some of them are women I serve with in Marketplace Connection. They have been there with me through some of the painful times of trying to start and lead a ministry.

And I have several friends who have been there in my personal life. Two of my friends were there to help me pull off beautiful weddings for both of my daughters. More recently our dog of 11 years died when we were out of town, and we called some friends to take him to be cremated because it was too painful for our daughter to do it. 

So how do you get a Wilson friend? First, you must be willing to be vulnerable. You can’t wear a mask. 

Second, you must be a Wilson. Are you carving out time in your schedule to spend time with your friends?  Do you have enough margin in your life both on the calendar and in your emotional tank to be there when they need you?  And are you willing to do more listening than talking when it’s necessary?

So how is that going to work with my busy life of work and family?  Be creative.

Take time during the lunch hour to have lunch together. Maybe add a walk around the office building while you talk.

Share prayer requests and life news through Facebook or email.

Take a weekend off from your family to go on a girlfriend trip. Maybe do “retail therapy” together.

In the end, the rewards of investing in that friend will come back in ways you will never imagine.

by Sheryl Lackey

I’ve been pondering the question, what is it about hope that speaks so deeply to us? We hear stories of people triumphing good over bad. It deposits hope in our heart. We root for the underdog because we know if he or she can do it, we can too! Hope rises within us. When life seems to keep dealing you blows; you lose your job, your teenager gets in trouble at school…again, your mom’s been diagnosed with a life threatening illness; if someone gives you just one word of hope, doesn’t it somehow help you hang on? Sure, you may not see how it’s all going to work out but you just have this sense that life will get better.

Best-selling Author and Speaker Liz Curtis Higgs is a woman who represents hope to me. Have you read any of her books? She is best known for her “Bad Girls of the Bible” series. Reading just a few pages, it doesn’t take long to see this woman is for real. She writes about “bad girls” because she was one. I was too. Anyone else? Your story may not be like Liz’s but let’s face it, we all have issues. Thankfully God’s not looking for perfect.

In a world filled with discouraging news all around us, wouldn’t you like to be encouraged?  Liz Curtis Higgs comes to Little Rock February 10-11 at Fellowship Bible Church. She’ll be speaking on one of my favorite books of the Bible, Ruth! This is a conference for every woman who shares the same deep longings, however unspoken:  to know she is free from harm, not alone, and that her future is secure.  Wow! That’s hope! Real women joining together to hear from another real woman who’s been there, done that and can lead us to real hope!

So if you’re ready for real life change, write this down, put it in your smart phone-Liz Curtis Higgs, February 10-11 at Fellowship Bible Church. Bring a friend, your daughter, your mother and make plans to join women from all over Arkansas and surrounding states as Liz explores two women of the Bible, Naomi and Ruth. In their struggles we’ll see our own challenges. In their discoveries, we’ll find our own needs met.

Bring on the hope! I can’t wait! How about you?

(For ticket information go to http://www.fellowshiponline.com/ministries/women/)

by Sheryl Lackey

I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed my Christmas tree as much as I have this year. In fact, don’t tell anyone but it’s January 14^th and it’s still up. I don’t want to be one of those people they make fun of in the South but I really do love looking at my tree. It’s the old-fashioned kind. I finally broke down and bought a fake or I guess the politically correct term would be artificial, tree last year. I don’t really have a theme or big ribbons and ornaments that seem so popular but when I look at my tree, every ornament tells a story.

As a woman still single, memory lane was a little harder last year. This year I’m a step closer to appreciating every experience of life, good or bad. For instance, there’s the big red glittering bow and big bright Texas yellow ornament. I bought them with a special someone. Last year, it represented a broken heart. This year it’s been restored and there’s new found hope.

One of my favorites is Santa with his tennis racket. I’ve had that ornament since I was in my teens. I played tennis in high school. I don’t remember who, but someone in my family bought it for us to hang on our tree. A few years back my sister thought it needed to make its way to my home in Arkansas. The tennis racket came off somewhere on the journey but I still know exactly which ornament it is and hang it on my tree every year. In past years it’s reminded me of my childhood and my family so many miles away. This year seeing my parents age and deal with health issues has brought a much greater love into my heart when I see racketless Santa.

Then there’s the Prague ornaments. I love to travel and collect ornaments from each place I visit. Prague was my first trip to Europe. Oh what memories. My sister and I almost got left in “Podunk” Austria as we ran full speed with luggage to make a train connection. We also came close to getting mugged in Prague. But that’s another story. I am also fond of the White House ornament from Washington D.C. It reminds me to pray for our troops.

Life is full of memories. Some we’d like to forget but what I’m learning is to embrace it all. Every ornament represents an experience; an adventure; a new beginning.

How do you view your past in light of your present? Purpose can be found in every experience. I’ve found if I take even the hardest events in my life and give them to God, He makes something beautiful out of them. It doesn’t take away wrongs done, hearts hurt, or difficult seasons of life but if you lean into God and trust Him, He takes all our experiences and uses them for our good and the good of others.

I’m thankful I’ve enjoyed my Christmas tree so immensely this year. A deep down joy! When do you think I should take it down?

I wonder how my tree will look to me next year.

After 17 years in Broadcast Journalism as a TV Host, Anchor, Writer, and Executive Producer, I am thankful to now take that experience and combine my passion for speaking and writing and work with clients as a Spokesperson, Writer, Producer and Consultant. I have the pleasure to work with clients in all areas of business including the medical, legal and hospitality industry. I have also enjoyed serving as writer and consultant for TV programs on the Christian networks, CBN and NRB. Additionally, I love to speak at women’s events on topics including Fearless Living, Single & Satisfied, and When Joy & Heartbreak Collide, just to name a few. It is a privilege to use my talents to partner with people and organizations in all areas of media, communications and ministries.

by Mary May Larmoyeux

“I’ll do better this year!”

That’s how I feel as I look at the fresh pages of January’s calendar. It’s full of promise, hope, and of course … resolutions.

An ongoing resolution of mine is to de-clutter things. You know, a place for everything … everything in its place. I actually made some great strides last year!  Now, no one will be severely injured by an avalanche of papers pouring out of the roll top desk. (Isn’t it great how you can close the top of a roll top desk—a mother must have designed the first one.)

When I was in high school, one of the Student Council mottos was “Miles to go before I sleep.” You’ve probably guessed it, my motto for this year—until today—has been “Piles to go before I sleep.”

Therein lies the problem.

I want to go through piles and piles each day and organize everything. My to-do-list is always way too long. “Just write down what you can reasonably accomplish,” my wise husband reminds me.

I think I need to make my motto “A pile a day keeps the problems away.” Yes, a pile … one pile. This strategy will work. I’ve got
evidence.

Exhibit A:  the mail. One year during the Christmas holidays I actually used a laundry basket for the mail. But not this year! Why? Because my husband and I vowed to go through a small stack of mail each day and deal with each piece appropriately. And we succeeded—most of the time.

Why, I just feel like Martha Stewart knowing that there was no laundry basket this past December filled with Christmas cards, letters, bills, advertisements, and who knows what. Yes, I’ve come a long way, baby … but I have a long way to go.

Okay, so back to this new, fresh year. I quickly grow overwhelmed and frustrated as I see all that “must be done.” But when I think
of 365 days in a year, I have hope. I’ve got at least 365 opportunities to do some things right.

Although I won’t succeed a lot of the time, I am encouraged that God understands my dilemma.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) reminds us:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

With every sunrise, there is new hope. God’s mercies never come to an end. Guess I need to lighten up a little on myself.

Today is a new day … with one new pile. I will go forth and conquer it.

By Edye Burrell

“New Year—New You.” Sound familiar? Of course it does!  So many of us habitually enter the New Year with this mindset. We have bought into the fallacy that the changing calendar, combined with our New Year’s resolutions, will magically transform us into the person we dream of being.

Don’t deny it! How many years, right before Thanksgiving, have you started compiling a mental—if not written list—of goals for the coming year? How many times have you promised yourself that, come January 1^st, you will start doing one or all of the following?

• Lose “X” number of pounds
• Swear off sugar
• Begin a regular exercise routine
• Stop using credit cards and get out of debt
• Clear the clutter, get the house organized and
  keep it that way
• Stop watching so much TV
• Spend more quality time with family and friends
• Stop being so serious—have more fun and laugh
  more
• Work harder for a promotion
• Start reading the Bible every day
• Slow down and take time for “Me”

Most of us have allowed ourselves to be brainwashed into believing that we must be poised in the starting blocks waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square before we can begin our race toward the “new me.” Seems silly, doesn’t it? But what turns silly into outrageous is that we do this year after year with the same list of resolutions!!

Several years ago, I finally came to my senses. What was I waiting for? Why was I waiting until I added an extra ten pounds over the holidays before I started losing unwanted or unhealthy weight? Why was I adding to my credit card balance buying Christmas gifts before I began digging myself out of debt? Why wait until the calendar changed to start reading my Bible, spending more time with family and friends, eating healthfully, exercising, or pampering myself? Why indeed?

After much reflection I finally figured it out—I was waiting, hoping that the New Year would bring with it some mystical power that would keep me from failing, as in years past. Just think about it—most of us make it about two weeks before something happens to throw us off track and we wind up surrendering to the “I can’t do this” attitude.

Here-in lies the problem: we embark on a journey of “Do’s” without the necessary ingredient for success—a change in our thinking.

Romans 12:2 tell us, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” and Proverbs 23:7 explains that, “As a man thinks, so is he.” If we want the person we desire to be to emerge, we must focus on who we are, not what we do. How we think will ultimately determine our behavior.

So, I challenge you to throw away your list and make new resolutions. Think of yourself differently. Resolve to BE:

• Balanced in every area of your life
• Devoted in your relationships with family and friends
• Diligent at work and loyal
  to your employer
• Self-controlled in the way you care for your body
• Disciplined to use your time wisely
• Faithful to pursue your relationship with your God

Happy New Year and new you in 2012 and beyond!!

By Cheryl Johnson

I’m lucky enough to have vacation time for the week between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. There are certain things I do: take down the Christmas decorations, clear out things that need to be donated, get in a little rest and about a zillion movie rentals, and think about what I want the next year to look like. It’s also a good time to think about the year in review. As my ability to remember anything grows smaller and smaller, it becomes even more important to do this in a timely fashion.

This year has been one filled with big stories. MSNBC lists the results of a poll of editors and news directors on the biggest stories of the year here. The list:

1. The death of Osama Bin Laden

2. Japan’s tsunami and nuclear crisis

3. The Arab Spring uprising of people against dictators

4. The European Union financial crisis

5. US economy

6. Penn State sex scandal

7. Gadhafi’s defeat and death

8. The debt ceiling showdown in Congress

9. Occupy Wall Street

10. The shooting of Gabrielle Giffords

It seems like a lot to cram into a single year if you think about it. What do you think? Are these the biggest stories? I think the thing that amazes me most is how riveted I was by stories but how they recede with time. I remember checking for updates hourly and then daily on Gabrielle Giffords. I can still see in my mind the television shots of the nuclear reactors in Japan. Still, everything is a little fuzzy to me now. There’s another list compiled by Good News Network. These are the Top 10 good news stories. This list includes the recovery of Gabrielle Giffords and Arab Spring, but it adds the end of the war in Iraq, a breakthrough in the treatment for leukemia, and stories that I missed completely.

This year was a mixed bag in my small world too. There were devestating things and there were such blessings. And even now, I have to think to remember them. This is a good time to take stock of the year. What worked, what didn’t, what I might want to do again, what I never want to do again, and where I see God at work. And when I do this, I have to write it down. Did I mention my ever-shrinking ability to remember? I think I did. If you’re like me, you may want to take a minute to write down the important

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 (NIV)

¹¹ Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

¹² Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced

By Cheryl Johnson

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music. Singing is a way to celebrate and to worship even when your talent is closer to the noise part of the joyful noise like mine is. I love to deck the halls and think about how the world changed in one silent night away in a manger. You probably have a favorite. Mine depends on the mood. “Mary, Did You Know?” will bring tears and I sometimes crack myself up doing my rendition of “We Three Kings” in the deepest voice I can. I am also certain that “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” is an evil, evil song that requires an earworm transplant once it starts. I think it should be outlawed.

I always say my favorite is “Do You Hear What I Hear?” because I like to sing the mighty king’s part with gusto. As the youngest and the only girl, I’ve spent a great deal of my life trying to get people to “Listen to what I say!” And that is fun, throwing my arms out wide and singing it loudly. The song was written in the 1962 as a plea for peace during the Cuban missile crisis. I love the last
verse.

Pray for peace, people everywhere!
Listen to what I say

The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

(Click here for the YouTube Third Day version of the song.)

As I celebrate with food and family and fun, I also want to pray for peace, goodness, and light that only Christ can bring.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Isaiah 9:5

⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.