Blessings from Above

Julie and Julia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:00:00 +0000

The aroma of Beef Bourguignon danced through the air from the kitchen to the living room, tickling my nose. Hhhmmmm...what a delicious scent. It made my mouth water.

I was almost certain that I truly got a whiff of the famous dish that Julia Child made as it was recreated on the movie Julie and Julia. I felt like I was really with Julia in the streets of France as she ducked in and out of markets mingling with the delightful French people and inspecting just the right cheese that would be at its tastiest when she was ready to serve it.

After watching the movie I decided to delve into the book Julie and Julia. I just had to know more about this woman who had become an American icon. What did I find out? You really can be whatever you want to be in life.

The journey of these two women, Julie and Julia, was amazing. Julia Child moved to France with her husband, Paul, because of his job. Julia wasn't sure what she'd do with herself and she tried everything from hat making and learning French before deciding she'd go to Le Cordon Bleu, an infamous institution. It was there that she found her true passion, cooking. She practiced recipes fifteen to twenty times and dove into hours of researching the best products to use and proper cooking and baking procedures. When co-author, Simon Beck, proposed a recipe that what up to snuff for Julia, she brought a chemist from Nestle into her home to give her lessons on chocolate and the proper way to melt it for a recipe.

As many of you probably know, Julia not only wrote numerous cookbooks such as Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volumes I and II, The French Chef, Julia's Kitchen Wisdom, and more, she became famous on television. Her show, The French Show, aired in 1963, ran for 10 years and won Peabody and Emmy Awards. Her personal kitchen is now on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Another notable woman, Julie Powell, was working for the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation in 2002 when she felt the need to create a challenging project for herself which resulted in the birth of The Julie/Julia project. Julie challenged herself to create 524 of Julia Child's recipes in 365 days in her tiny New York apartment. All the while, she kept a blog about her successes and failures. Eventually she wrote the book Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously. Her latest book, Cleaving: a Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession, was released in November 2009.

We can draw some inspiration from both these woman, both who were unclear about what they wanted to do with their lives and both turned into two very successful people who made their mark in history. If you are persistent, you can be anything you want to be. It may be challenging at times, but don't get discouraged. There are times in our journey where we are going to fail, but we must get back up and try again. To quote Julie Powell's husband in the movie, Julie and Julia, when Julie failed at one of the recipes he said "Julia Child wasn't always Julia Child," meaning she wasn't always well known for her cooking. But thanks to her never ending hard work and determination she created mouthwatering recipes that will be passed down from generation to generation.

The next time you get discouraged about which direction your life is taking, just thinking of these two successful gals and cook up some Beef Bourguignon in their honor. "Bon Appetit!"

Check out videos of Julia Child teaching how to cook at: Julia Child: Lessons with Master Chefs. Need a giggle? Watch Dan Aykroyd's imitation of Julia on Saturday Live on The French Chef, a personal favorite of Julia's!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Don't Despise Your Small Beginnings - Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:24:00 +0000

Last week I welcomed Marlo Wallace Boux, Co-Host of The GodTalk Radio Show on CJOB for Part I of Don't Despise Your Small Beginnings. Read on to hear how Marlo's obedience to the Lord started to sow fruit.

Don't Despise Your Small Beginnings - Part II

In summer 2006 we sold our condo for DOUBLE what we paid for it. We came back to our home city with the profit and purchased a home. Because our mortgage payment was so low I was able to continue being home with our children. By this time our third child was born.

I kept pressing in with the business learning and growth but yet, nothing was manifesting the way I thought it should. I began doubting the Spirit was truly leading me. I shook off the doubt and always kept in mind that sometimes God has us do things for a variety of reasons. “His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not ours” as the scripture reads.

I began taking a Christian Ministry class and continued learning about marketing, social networking, audio editing, podcasting etc. But I have to tell you that aside from a ‘feeling’ that this was what I was supposed to be doing I didn’t have a CLUE as to WHY I was doing all this.

Then, in early 2009 I made some interesting online connections that ultimately changed my entire life. I met a Winnipeg pastor who also happened to co-host a radio show called ‘GodTalk’ on a local talk radio station. We built rapport via Facebook, Twitter and email for a number of months.

One day he sent me a message asking me to do a guest spot on the radio show. He was to take over hosting duties. I was petrified at the thought. Remember, this is the girl with major social anxiety issues in her past. Despite my fear, I agreed to do the spot.

Then I was invited to do another appearance on the live call-in show.

And another.

And another.

Before you knew it, I was invited to be the new permanent co-host of The GodTalk Radio Show.

Here is where things get really interesting. I had asked the host why on earth he thought I could do radio with NO formal training or education in media or communications.

Do you know what he told me?

He had found all of my past work online - the coaching, the business sites, the blogging, and the podcasting. All of that past work that I thought had ultimately been a waste of time ended up acting like a virtual portfolio of my skills and abilities!

God had been training me, stretching me, guiding me, and leading me the entire time!

He was preparing me my entire life – using things the enemy meant for harm and redeeming those hurts for a greater good. All of the online business work I had done had a purpose that I could not begin to fathom.

Do not despise your small beginnings. I am proof that God works in wondrous and mysterious ways. Because of HIS mindfulness of me I now co-host a radio show that reaches the unreached. He has positioned our radio program on the TOP talk radio station in Canada.

I pray this message has encouraged you. God IS mindful. He IS working in your life – even when you don’t see it or understand all that is happening. Continue to be obedient and faithful to His purposes for you and watch Him accomplish amazing things.

Thanks for sharing your past with us, Marlo, and giving us all hope for great things for our future.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Don't Despise Your Small Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:17:00 +0000

Good afternoon! Today I'd like to welcome special guest blogger, Marlo Wallace Boux, as she talks about her past and how far she's come. Thanks for sharing, Marlo!

Don’t Despise Your Small Beginnings - Part I by Marlo Wallace Boux

Growing up as a kid, in my teens, and into my early 20s I dealt with some pretty heavy things. I had done a lot of living and had gone through a lot of heartache. Some of my pain was self-inflicted while other experiences were not of my choosing. The result was years of struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, and self-loathing.

I had always been curious about God but frankly thought He must have forgotten about me.

When I was 24 I learned I was expecting my first child and I found myself alone. I ran into an old friend and she began taking me to church with her. This is how I came into a relationship with Jesus months before the birth of my firstborn. I finished my bachelor’s degree, got a job and took on life as a single mother.

Even though I was now a Christian, my personality was still a mess. I didn’t have much in the way of discipleship, guidance or accountability in my life so I bore the label but had no good fruit to show for it.

I ran into an acquaintance from years before. We began dating and attending church together. We eventually moved to a different city and got married. It was the year prior to our marriage that I started to get serious about my walk with God. I desired to live a better life and I was motivated to learn how.

Shortly after our wedding I began working with a mature Christian woman. She was the mentor I had so desperately needed. She modeled walking out the faith and helped me untangle the mess that was my personality.

In 2005, my husband and I had a baby girl. We felt I should stay home with the kids. I had always been entrepreneurial so I started blogging and working on some home business ideas. I poured my heart into learning about coaching women in business using biblical principals. I dove into marketing books, learned how to podcast, use professional audio editing software and more over the years.

The money never poured from my business efforts in the way I thought it should have. I really and truly felt God was giving me the passion to do this so I didn’t understand why after a few years it wasn’t replacing the income I had given up from a full time salaried job. We struggled financially sometimes but we kept pressing ahead.

Our obedience began to see fruit.....

Stop back tomorrow to read more about my small beginnings when I post Don't Despise Your Small Beginnings - Part II.

Co-Host of The GodTalk Radio Show on CJOB
www.godtalkradioshow.com

Opportunities Await You

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Image by disneymike found on flickr.com

Romping around Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, we saw it all during the two days we were there. We enjoyed the Indiana Jones ride, bought Mickey Mouse souvenirs, and even took a picture with Minnie Mouse in her pale blue dress accented with small checkers that even adored her matching bow. Never mind that I was one of the only "big kid" in line fighting for attention. So what if I was 34 years old? I wanted my picture with her!

Tired as a hamster after its 100th lap on it's exercise wheel, Nick and I decided to take a break on a park bench while eating a Mickey Mouse shaped pretzel and discussing what else we would do this week. Did we want to go to San Francisco or San Diego? If went to San Diego we could check out Tijuana, Mexico, since it was only 20 minutes further.

As a watched a bouncing toddler go by wearing Mickey Mouse ears, I realized how much fun I was having and marvelled at how well this trip was turning out considering it was hardly the trip we planned. Only one week prior we had quite a different agenda.

"I don't think you should go on this trip," said my father-in-law as he sat at our kitchen table the Friday night before wringing his hands.

"I think he might be right," I told my husband Nick. "The weather report is getting worse and worse."

We planned our trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, for months and we were ready to go. It was Friday night at 9pm and we were set to fly out the next morning at 6am. My two Burgundy suitcases were stuffed to the brim with floral bikinis, flowing sundresses, and colorful flip flops. I was all set for a relaxing week of lounging on the beach that is until we heard the weather report.

Hurricane Dean's temper was raging and he was about to take his revenge out on Riviera Maya and the Cancun area. With a little bit of investigation, we discovered that the resort we had booked with was closing up shop. Sure we could come if we wanted to but they didn't recommend it because we'd spend our days in a shelter.

Since I am not into community sleeping arrangements, I told Nick it would be best if we went somewhere else. And since there was a weather advisory, the airlines agreed that we wouldn't lose our money as long as we traveled somewhere else within the next seven days.

Seven days? How would we pull that together? We are planoholics. At that point I had a choice. I could stew for days and have a pity party about the trip that could of been. I could have gotten all worked up that I was being pushed to stretch beyond my comfort level to pull something together in only seven days.

Instead, I decided to look at it as a new opportunity. I would get to see a new and different destination despite the fact that it wasn't where I originally planned and I embraced the idea of living in the moment and taking a spur-of-the-moment trip.

California seemed like a natural replacement trip. We always wanted to go there and we knew there would be tons of exciting things to see and do. Plus it wasn't exactly a deserted island so going without hotel reservations and finding places to stay along the way didn't seem like much of an issue.

I am glad we decided to go even though our plans were altered. We enjoyed Disney, San Diego, Tijuana and Los Angeles. And since we loved it so much in California, we booked a second trip two years later to see San Francisco and the surrounding area.

How much would we have missed had we just given up when our plans had changed? I am thankful that we recognized the shift in plans as a new opportunity to go on a different, but wonderful trip.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Cinderella Before the Ball

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:20:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of piratekittybitch on Photobucket.

Scrubbing the range of my oven with an S.O.S. Brillo pad, I sulked to myself feeling like Cinderella just dying to go to the Ball if I could just get this cleaning done. I dreamed of wearing a fancy gown long enough to cascade behind me, with sparkling jewels, and a knock-out hairdo. Instead, I was barefoot wearing baggy shorts and a mismatched t-shirt with holes in it. And my hair? Surving a trip through a wind tunnel would have made me look good compared to the doo I was sporting that day.

And then the inevitable happened. I went from cleaning the stove to shining the sink. I pulled out all my storage containers and sorted through them, organizing those I didn't throw away. I sweeped and mopped the pantry and the kitchen floor and wiped the cabinets. I went from one thing to the other. If it was in my line of sight, I cleaned it.

"I hate cleaning" was all I could think. The way I was carrying on you would have swore that I just got up from cleaning the floor with my hair.

Next on the list: running errands with my husband Nick. Getting out of the house, away from the cleaning was a treat even if it meant only going to WalMart. While we were driving my mind was a whirlwind of activity.

"I still have to clean the rabbit's cage, vacuum, do the laundry, scrub the bathroom, and on and on." I really worked myself up into a state of doom and gloom thinking about all of it.

The site of a brick apartment building next to the traffic light we were at brought me back to me senses. It was several stories high, complete with rickety old ladders that I assume were used as a fire escape. Electrical wires leading to each apartment unit cluttered the air. There were just a few very narrow parking spaces circling the complex. The long concrete sidewalk seemed to go no where. And worse of all, there wasn't a blade of grass, a single tree or one of God's furry creatures running around the property.

As one of the tenants came out I wondered how it felt for them to look out their window and see nothing but dingy red bricks. I felt confined as a I realized there were no back doors for them to go out to linger in nature.

Don't get me wrong. Some apartments can be really nice. In fact, some may even be more grand then my comfy little house - think Donald Trump. But this complex was far from it. It really looked like the epitome of doom and gloom.

Here I was complaining about all the wonderful things I have to clean. I have a beautiful house with high ceilings, spacious rooms, a bright kitchen, and full basement to store all the things I have! Our one and three-quarter acre property is carpeted with green grass and we have our own forest of trees that makes the best playground for the wildlife. Squirrels are forever springing across the grass, bunny rabbits lounge under a shaded trees and the ground hog is forever making his trek from his home under an Evergreen tree to the area where I put out treats. He is quite the little snacker!

So what if I have to clean and maintain all this stuff? These things are such blessings. I am so much more fortunate than those in that dingy building they call home. In fact, I am so grateful that I even have a roof over my head. Not everyone is so lucky. I'll try to keep that in mind the next time I pull out my mop as I dance around the kitchen like Cinderella dancing with her Prince Charming.

Blessings.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Women's Size 8: the new plus-size

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:11:00 +0000

(Photo from Glamour magazine, September issue)

"I started doing some modeling recently," said my friend's hairdresser.
"Oh, really? That's great! What are you modeling for?" was my friend's response.
"I am working for a plus-size modeling agency."
"Plus-size? How could that be? You are so thin!
"Yeah, well they were looking for women who wear size 8."

Size 8? Size 8? Since when did the ultimate size that every woman strives for, size 8, become plus size?

It reminds me of an article I just read about a 180 pound women featured in Glamour magazine who was referred to as a "plus-size" model. While the woman is not in tip top shape and has a belly role and some stretch marks, she hardly looks "plus-size" to me. She looks like the rest of us normal ladies who are far from perfect. The question begs to be raised, who is defining what plus size is and who had the nerve to coin that term in the first place! It's an absolute ego buster for anyone!

When I sit and think about, I am just as bad. I am 157 pounds and I constantly obsessing about how "heavy" I am. My friends and I are always discussing it. In fact, just this morning my friend Marla and I were talking about weight and what it will be like to put on so much more weight when we're pregnant someday. Is this what I should be worrying about? I suspect not.

My mother-in-law told me a story that should help put this weight thing in perspective and it's something I try to keep in mind every time I am tempted to ridicule myself for eating that ice cream sandwich.

Her friend has rheumatoid arthritis and for a long period of time was unable to do hardly anything for herself. This highly active busy woman had to drop out of most of her activities and was even confined to a wheel chair. Her doctor treated her for a long time before finding the right medicine that really helped her gain her life back. Now she is back up and running from event after event, helping her community, working and tending to her family.

Although the medicine is working wonderfully, it has one draw back: it made her gain weight. She's not worrying about though. She is really grateful to have her life back and can't imagine why she, or any of us, should waste our valuable time her on Earth fusing over our weight. As long as we are healthy and able to move about and do what we want and need to do during our day, shedding a few pounds should be the last thing on our minds.

Let's focus on the important things in life and stop worrying about looking perfect. Ignore the media and their constant nagging to be thin and don't bother with the magazines that are always telling us how to loose weight. Focus on family, friends, good health, and the unlimited number of other blessings we've been given! God loves us just the way we are and we should love ourselves too.

Go enjoy that cupcake, ice cream cone, or decadent piece of dark chocolate candy! Life is short!

Blessings.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

My Bucket List

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:06:00 +0000

When you are overwhelmed at work, tired of hearing the kids cry, or at odds with the hubby, it can be really hard to focus on the good little blessings in life. But as Joyce Meyer's, Christian author and speaker, says "Your future is not determined by your past or present." Look beyond today and into the future and realize that things can and will improve. There is much to look forward to.

In examining my own future, I've decided to create a "Bucket List," a list of things I would love to do before I kick the bucket. I found the little exercise inspiring because I got the opportunity to see all the wonderful opportunities for enjoyment and personal and professional growth. And it serves as a visual check-list of things I want to do with my life.

If you aren't familiar with a Bucket List, rent the movie "The Bucket List" starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson.

Curious what's on my Bucket List? Here it is goes. Hang on, it's a long list!
1. Write a book(s)
2. Write my own column
3. Write for newspapers or magazines regularly.
4. Run a successful blog (hopefully this one!) that earns money some of which will be donated to charity.
5. Provide a scholarship for a college student.
6. Go on a hot air balloon ride.
7. Go on a helicopter ride.
8. Become a mother.
9. Teach in some capacity.
10. Learn to cook better and make elaborate meals for others.
11. Be helpful at church.
12. Grow a vegetable garden.
13. Take a Gondola ride in Venice. (I was there and wouldn't you believe we couldn't do it! It was raining and hailing so they weren't in operation! So close!)
14. Be an inspiration to others.
15. Read the Bible from cover-to-cover.
16. Visit all 50 states (I've been to 21 as of 7/09)
17. Visit southern Italy.
18. Be content with myself and my life.
19. Go skydiving.
20. Go hand gliding.
21. Go to the Greek Isles.
22. See the French Riviera.
23. See the Mexican Riviera.
24. See the American Riviera.
25. Visit Yosemite National Park.
26. Visit Lake George.
27. Visit Quebec and Toronto.
28. Visit Cape Cod.
29. Visit Sweden.
30. Visit Denmark.
31. Learn more than one crochet stitch.
32. Own a dog.
33. Be a successful freelance writer.

I've got a lot to do and I plan on doing most of it if not all, God willing!

So what's on your "Bucket List?" Feel free to share it with me.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

How have you been blessed?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:44:00 +0000

Happy 2009! I hope that you had a wonderful and healthy holiday season. We're now beginning the new year. I hope that it is a blessed one for you, your family and your friends.

With the start of the new year, I'd like to post stories of how God has blessed your life. Did God turn that stop light green just as you approached it knowing that you were late for work and would be reprimanded if you were? Did God cure that disease that the doctor's had little hope of healing? From the minute to the biggest of miracles, I want to hear about it!

If you are interested, please leave a comment on this post and let me know how you'd like to communicate. I'll gladly except complete posts that you've already written (length is your choice). If you aren't comfortable with writing but still want to share, please provide a contact email where I can reach you. Then we can set up a time to either do a live chat online, talk via telephone, or simply go back and forth by email.

To see a story of blessings already posted on my site, please visit: Six Plus One = Seven Blessings!

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Blessings in the Kitchen Sink?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:33:00 +0000

Last night I washed out the few pots and utensils that I used to prepare our filet mignon dinner, complete with baked potatoes and the fixins', and apple sauce. It wasn't a difficult meal to make and it didn't really take many utensils to make it. That's why I was so dumbfounded by the fact that the kitchen sink backed up and refused to go down.

I was sure if I called my husband it to fiddle with it a bit it would go down and we could resume our evening plans of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, popcorn sprinklied with Dove chocolate dusting powder, and a Christmas movie by the fire.

You can imagine how annoyed I was when two hours later, my husband determined that the problem was far further than just the sink. He didn't have the proper tools to work on it so we couldn't fix it and our night was pretty much shot.

This morning didn't prove to be any better. When we got up, we discovered that the shower in the master bedroom was clogged as well (obviously related to the kitchen sink) putting it out of commission. We spent the morning before going to work surveying the pipes in the basement and assessing whether or not the other bathroom was a problem. What we thought was an isolated problem was becoming something bigger.

On my way to work, I sulked a bit. I was annoyed that this had to happen now. After all, this simply didn't fit into my agenda. I have grocery shopping to do, gifts to wrap, chocolate chips to bake. I don't want to play with pipes and I don't want my husband to have to either!

Then during lunch time I dropped off gifts for the family I adopted through an agency geared toward those who are victimes of domestic violence. The place I had to drop them off at was at a beautiful restored home in our area filled with people whose lives have been broken. There were moms walking around feeding their infants while they waited for counseling and other help. It saddens me to think that these people are enduring such pain and anguish. And what about the babies? Were they abused too or where they subjected to such hostility while still in there mother's womb?

It hardly makes my "kitchen" sink problem seem significant at all. I am just thankful that we have family and friends who are decent to each other and do not inflict such torture on each other. I am happy to have a warm roof over my head with two bathrooms and a kitchen sink to have to worry about.

Compared to those families that I met today, I already have all the Christmas presents that I could ever need.

If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, visit the following websites:Helpguide.org; Domestic Violence E-Book; and National Domestic Violence Helpline.

Blessings.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Win a laptop sleeve, an iPhone and more!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:10:00 +0000

There's an excellent giveaway going on on the Kirsty - Chicks Who Click blog. Help them promote it and you'll be entered to win a laptop sleeve, an iPhone, and even a two-day ticket to the Chicks Who Click conference for all you bloggers out there.

Check out their blog for more information: Chicks Who Click.

Good luck!
Wishing you Blessings from Above,
Denise

Christmas present ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:41:00 +0000

This isn't exactly the inspiring message I usually like to post on my blog, but hey, it's my blog so I am posting it anyway!

I've written a series of articles for AssociatedContent that suggests gifts to get various types of people in your life. Check them out when you have time. You never know, you must just find a little something on my list.

Christmas Presents for Recreational Vehicle (RV) Lovers
Christmas Gifts for Writers
Christmas Gifts for Stay-at-Home Moms
Christmas Gifts for Animal Lovers

I've also made a few other holiday suggestions on how to wrap Christmas presents:
Unique Ways to Wrap Presents for Your Man
Unique Way to Wrap Presents for Your Woman

And a few other things....
Spruce Up Your Cubicle for the Holidays
Buy Christmas Presents While Helping Charity

Enjoy! Feel free to let me know if you have any helpful Christmas related articles that you'd like to share.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Don't Forget the Reason for the Season

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:51:00 +0000

It's mind boggling how just last week at this time I was making preparations for Thanksgiving dinner (when went very well by the way!) and now I am fully focused on Christmas. My house is decorated top to bottom except for the tree. We're still working on that. I've got a list of the things I need to shop for and am all set for Christmas cookie exchance next week. I even have a full itinerary of Christmas-related events that I will doing with my family - New York City here we come!

I am determined though, as the Christmas season rolls on, to remember what is all about - the birth of Jesus - and to not get caught up in all the hoopla. If the scrap booked Christmas cards don't come out perfect, oh well. If someone doesn't like what I am wearing or what I plan to do on Christmas day, I am not addressing it. That's their problem. And as far as shopping goes, I am going to cut back a bit, order what I can online and only go out shopping as part of a social outing. I pledge not to go crazy over materialism. Maybe it's just my age (I am 34 now!) but I totally get it! This isn't important people!

We have so much as it is I can hardly believe that there are crowds of people at Wal-Mart trampeling perfectly kind employees. It's sick. When is all this going to stop? At times I am ashamed to be a human being. And I almost feel like I can't call those at the Wal-mart humans for doing what they did. My heart really goes out to the man's family.

Let's turn our eyes to the reason why we are doing this is the first place. It's because Jesus was born and we should spend the season being thankful for him and all he has done for us. Remember that when you get yourself into a frenzy at the mall. You know the saying, "What Would Jesus Do?" He wouldn't get caught up in this materialism craze I can tell you that. Let's not either!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Things We Can Be Thankful For

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:58:00 +0000

In my last post, Five Kernels of Corn, I discussed what my pastor had to share with our congregation this past Sunday on giving thanks. He made a great list of areas in the Word of God (the Bible) where we can be thankful. I'd like to share those notes with you:

Areas in the Word of God where we can be thankful:

We can be thankful because God is a good God. Ps 106:1
We can be thankful for God's unfailing love (so true!) Ps 107:8
We can be thankful knowing God is always near (yes, thank God for that!) Ps 145:18
We can be thankful for the Word of God Ps 119:62
We can be thankful for the eternal home God has given us (yeeah!) Heb 12:28
We can be thankful for the gift of God's own son (wow! just think about it) 2 Cor 9:15

God is good. Let's be thankful today. Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Five Kernels of Corn

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:06:00 +0000

This past Sunday at church the subject of the message was, of course, Thanksgiving. Our pastor made some good points that made me leave feeling humbled. He reminded us that as a nation, where we have so much, we should be ever so grateful, but often the opposite is true. Instead of waking up in the morning and recognizing all the things that are good in our lives (a warm bed, a roof over our heads, food for breakfast and every other meal, etc.) we tend to focus on the things we are lacking. We perceive these things as needs, but often they aren't. Do we really need an iPod? Um, no. Our Forefathers lived without them and probably would have said an "i" what?! I think we can probably live without them too and a whole lot more.

The pastor then went on to explain a bit about the Pilgrims and reminded us that Thanksgiving came about as a way to stop and give thanks to God for everything. They had a harsh life, battling hunger and the cold elements in New England. Have we ever truly had to deal with that? Most of us, myself included, can honestly say no. I have no idea what it's like to be starving, but that's what they dealt with.

Once Thanksgiving was established, the Pilgrims would start off their meal with five kernels of corn on their plate. These five golden kernels represented all they had to eat during a 24 hours time frame during tough times. I can't even imagine that sustaining me for one meal let alone an entire day. Can you? Each Pilgrim would stand up in front of their family and would take each kernel of corn and say what they were thankful for.

Let me challenge you and your family to do the same thing tomorrow. If you aren't having corn, pick something else - nuts maybe. Or how about string beans? I don't think it really matters, it's the act of being thankful and sharing with others that matters. Spend some time during your dinner and let that be the topic of conversation instead of Black Friday sales. Do we really need that stuff anyway?

If you'd like to hear more of this message, please listen to my pastor at: Sermons Click on "Dates" and then "Be Thankful." Enjoy!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Thankful to Give Thanks Poem

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:51:00 +0000

In honor of the holiday this week, I am going to focus on the very topic of thanksgiving. Each day I'll feature or write about something different, leading us right into the holiday.

What am I thankful for today? Connie Arnold and her talent! Connie is a friend that I've been following on Twitter and boy does she have the ability to write poems. That is one thing God did not bless me with - poem writing abilities. Fortunately for you as my reader, I will refrain from blinding you with my hideous poem inabilities and will feature Connie instead!

"Thankful to Give Thanks" written by Connie Arnold in 2008

How can I ever thank you, Lord,
for all that you have done,
for giving us the precious gift
of your most blessed Son?
What a special miracle
that you could love us so,
enough that Christ left heaven
to come to earth below!

We can show our gratitude
by offering our praise
in songs of adoration,
our voices gladly raise.
When someone is in need,
we can lend a helping hand,
with our ears we can listen
and show we understand.
Our feet can be used
to go the extra mile
in helping one another
with a cheerful smile.

Our thankfulness we can show
by what we do and say
and by always striving
to do our best each day.
The best way to give thanks
is by loving and giving
as we follow Christ’s example
in the life we are living.

To read more of Connie's work, please visit her site at: Inspirational Poetry of Connie Arnold.

Blessings!
Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Living in the Moment

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:00:00 +0000

My husband sat at the dinner table with a serious expression on his face as he rattled off, "Happy Thanksgiving," "Merry Christmas," "Happy New Year," "So what are we doing for Superbowl?" As my eyes got wider, he continued. "Happy 2010!" Oh, and "Happy 40th Birthday!"

I resisted the urge to slap him - after all, it wouldn't be very Christian like, but give me a break! I am only 34 years old! The purpose of him going through all that way to say, "Time flies." And he's right. I really will be 40 before I know it. Not something I really like to think about.

I think we all need to keep that in mind as we go about our daily lives going through the motions and promising ourselves that we'll do this or that sometime soon. The thing is, if we don't make it a point to do what we want to do, we'll never do it. We'll just keep going on the merry-go-round of monotony thinking it will end some day and then we'll have time to do what we want.

Newsflash! That isn't going to happen. We have to work our lives, and I mean really living, into our everyday routine.

I have some friends and family that I think are afraid of it. They make excuses that they HAVE to stay at the office until late and that they couldn't possibly come out for a night on the town or even a simple cup of coffee. I think they use work and other things as crutches from truly living. It's sad really. When you really stop and think about it, what's going to happen if you leave the office on time and take a night off for yourself? Nothing. I promise. The world will still rotate, the sun will still rise and set, and nothing is going to explode.

I've challenged this in the past in my Make It Happen post and Don't Let Life Pass You By: Make it Happen and now I am challenging you again. Pick something you've been interested in doing for quite a while, whether it be a few weeks, months or your entire life and get to it! Break the cycle of boredom and monotony and live. Really live! Now don't get me wrong, I am not encouraging you to quite your job or anything drastic like that. Please don't do it! I am just encouraging you to work in a little fun every once in a while. It can be done, now do it!

So what are you going to do? God has blessed many of us in America with some of the finest things. Don't miss out on them. Enjoy them to the fullest. Tell me what you plan on doing and I'll post it up on Blessings from Above to share with other readers. Maybe you'l spark some ideas for them.

I am off to make a pedicure appointment. I've had a gift certificate for over a year now and just haven't taken the time to pamper myself. It's about time.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Praying Blessings Over Family

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:12:00 +0000

Hello all! I'd like to introduce you to a fellow writer and blogger, Deb Burton. She addressed the topic of praying blessings over your family in her post, Inspiring Families - Praying Blessings to the Third Generation. Here's what Deb has to say:

I was on my way to the sanctuary one busy Sunday morning, hoping to secure our usual seats (you know how everybody is about their seats) when I heard my name called out. Carmie Spenn managed to maneuver her way through the crowd, digging a piece of paper out of her Bible. On it was a very short explanation of how her and her husband Ted used to pray over their boys at night. Let me tell you, the story is long on meaning.

In typical humility, Carmie began her note: “I was just going to share with you a little blessing that we would pray over each of our sons all the while they were growing up and were home.”

She continued with their prayer. “’May Jesus bless you and keep you with long life, good health, and a heart that loves and serves the Lord.’ We would lay our hands on them and speak these words out loud every night that they were with us, whether they were asleep or awake.”

Can you see these two parents gently sitting on or standing over their sons’ beds, praying this blessing upon their children? Ted and Carmie didn’t just pray for their children, they prayed over them, night after night, the same prayer, probably for 18-20 years.

Wouldn’t a child get tired of hearing the same thing every night for eighteen or twenty years?“Later when Jacob had moved into his dorm room at college I found those words taped to the head of his bed. To this day they are also on a card in Jon’s Bible.” The sweet sound those words must have been in those boys’ ears. And how much they must have learned as they felt the warmth of their parent’s hand pressed against them.

It gets even more wonderful. Carmie shares, “Jacob is doing the same thing for his children today [Jon is not married].” Passing the legacy down, blessing the third generation of those who love God and keep His commandments. Obedience demonstrated in a nightly moment carried out with diligence, consistency and a godly love. How rich this family is!

To learn more about Deb or to read more of her work, visit her blog, The Greatest Mission Trip You'll Ever Take: Empowering Christian Parents To Be Missionaries In Their Own Home. I am sure it will be a blessing to you!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Bless a Vet Today

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:36:00 +0000

Bless a Vet Today! For all you pet lovers, I am not talking about honoring a vetenarian! Today is Veteran's Day and we should honor the noble Veterans in our great country. We're here and enjoying the life we are because of them and all those who have ever served our great country.

Unfortunately being in the military can take a toll on our Veterans so it's important that we truly, from the bottom of our hearts, let them know how much we appreciate them. While we've gone on enjoying our lives (for some just living) Veterans have had their personal lives put on hold. Marriages and relationships come to a hault; children are born in their absence; family members pass on to be with the Lord, and so much more. Lets not take them for granted. Veterans really do sacrifice for us.

9 Ways to Bless a Vet today:

Send a Bible to our active troops in Afghanistan and other dangerous parts of the world.

Pray for our troops, our Veterans, and their families.

Donate your time or money to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Use your website or blog to raise funds for an organization aimed at helping Veterans by adding a Paypal Donation button. Veterans Families United Foundation; Veterans Help Network, and those organizations listed above are just a few that could use your help.

Request that your Pastor honor Veterans at the next church service. Ideally, those being honored should wear their prospective uniforms.

Simply say thank you to someone currently or previously in any form of military.

Host a Veteran's Day Party for those Veterans in your life.

Send a greeting card or "go green" and send an e-card thanking them for their service.

Create a scrapbook with photographs of your Veteran while in the military and present it to them on Veteran's Day.

Wishing "Blessings from Above" to our Veteran's. Happy Veterans Day!

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Happy Birthday Billy Graham!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:12:00 +0000

Happy Birthday Billy Graham! Today is Billy Graham's 90th birthday! We should thankful for such a wonderful man and all the blessings that he has given our great Country and the World as a whole.

Most of Graham's life has been dedicated to Jesus and helping others get to know him. He's impacted millions of lives through his various Ministries which are aimed at all walks of life includng teenagers, troops, people in physical crisis, those less fortunate in America and other countries, and so many others.

Billy Graham and his ministry produce a magazine, Decision, to help inform you of the positive things they are up to and to educate you on why it's important to accept Jesus. They also have a telephone and television ministry. All which have helped many people around the globe.

Check out the Billy Graham website for more information on how you can help or get help yourself if you need it. Visit: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Drop me a line and let me know how you've been blessed by Billy Graham in honor of his 90th Birthday!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Nothing to do but pray!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:54:00 +0000

This week has been a tough week with the Presidential Election. I am still trying to catch my breath over what took place. As you know from my last post, Obama wasn't exactly my top pick. I am concerned about what he stands for and he even more concerned about what he doesn't. I really hope that the America flags still stays in place and that that wonderful little marketing logo created for Obama doesn't take its place. That would be a disgrace in my opinion.

I think going over and over the reasons I dislike Obama, at this point, is quite useless, so I plan on moving on and encourage all Christian and non-Obama supporters to do the same. I really believe that there is a God (can't see how many think there isn't) and I am confident that he permitted Obama to be in the White House even if it doesn't agree with my opinion. Hmm...God's not working his plans around mine, imagine that. Ha!

God has a plan in place for our Nation and we have stand on that belief and wait on him. As long as God is on our side how could we go wrong?! Just pray, pray, pray!

God bless!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Entitled to my vote and my opinion

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:46:00 +0000

Well all, it's down to the last few hours before we find out who will be leading this great country of ours come January '09. Up until now, I've have been quite reluctant to speak my mind about politics.

Most people don't give you the chance to hear you out on why you are voting for a particular person. Often if it doesn't agree with their opinion, you are stamped wrong and pretty much tuned out.

I realized though, that just like everyone else in America, I am entitled to my vote and my opinion even if it doesn't agree with popular opinion.

So to be upfront, here it is: I voted for John McCain. It's not because he is white or a Republican. Those things don't matter to me. And for those that think I am a Christian and therefore I vote Republican by default, you are wrong. I vote for the person that supports biblical principles such as the right to life for starters. I just can't bear to vote for someone that would allow post-birth abortions, allowing doctors to kill perfect human beings and then let them die on a table, alone. Nor can I stand by someone who makes a mockery of marriage by allowing same sex couples to be recognized as a married union. You won't find that in the Bible anywhere, in fact it's seen as a sin. I don't care what our liberal society says about it. God doesn't like it, therefore I don't like it. Don't get me wrong. I am not perfect. If I was I wouldn't be human. I am just trying to be the best person I can be and voting for a candidate other than McCain would be unChristian in my mind.

There are plenty of other reasons why I can't support Obama but I believe 'nuff has been said. Just keep in mind as you go to the polls, that as a country founded on Christian principles, we really should try and uphold those Christian values. Our forefathers would appreciate it and our future as a nation depends on it.

If you want to hear more about voting for biblical principles, listen to this well preached sermon by Pastor Kurt Kinney. Visit Thy Kingdom Come, preached on
November 2nd, 2008.

Thanks for keeping an open mind about my vote.

Blessings!
Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

What's Good in My Life?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:03:00 +0000

Every once in a while I have to take a step back and think about what good things God has placed in my life. After all, this website is supposed to be about blessings right? So as the author, what I am blessed with? Well, plenty that's for sure.

A few weeks ago, I was feeling in the dumps about the topic of friends. I've had a lot of friends come and go in my life and for reasons I couldn't control. Some were jealous. Some felt inadequate and didn't think they were living a moral enough life to be friends with a Christian (yep, I really did lose a friend for that reason). Others just moved and our friendship just drifted off into the sunset. Thinking about this left me quite down. I really miss some of those people that helped shape my life.

Then I went to my job at a local university here in Jersey and God reminded me that what's in the past is in the past. When I came into work a good friend of mine who I became friendly with almost as soon as I started there 3 1/2 years ago, gave me a beautiful bracelet that she made. She is a very crafty person and started beading recently. I admired the bracelet she made for herself and asked her to make me one so I could buy it. Within a day she had whipped up a new one and flat out gave it to me. Now that bracelet is probably worth at least $40! Wasn't that nice of her? And let me tell ya, it's gorgeous. Now that is a friend.

That same day I met a husband and wife for lunch at our university restaurant. They are quite a kind couple that I hadn't seen in a while. My husband had him as a professor many years ago when he attended the school as a student. Years later, I met him and his wife on a tour to Europe that we all went on. We had a great time with them and have kept in touch over the years. When we went to lunch we talked about everything under the sun and when it was time to leave, they treated me to lunch. Yet another way that God reminded me that I truly do have some good friends in my life.

It's important to pay attention to these little things and try to realize why they are happening. They don't just happen by coincidence. God is truly behind these things. He wants to make us happy and he really did that day as he reminded me that not only is he my friend, but that I have many Earthly friends as well.

So what's good in your life? Feel free to share with me and my readers all the blessings in your life. Hopefully this will make you stop and think about what those things are. Trust me! They are plenty of things if you think about it for a second.

To share your story in 600 words or less, simply email me at: dendiv@yahoo.com

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Robin Gunn Book Winner & New Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:34:00 +0000

Congratulations to Julie Maloney, author of the Cool Mom Guide blog! Julie is the winner of Robin Gunn's newest book Sisterchick's Go Brit! Stop by and see her really "cool" blog, Cool Mom Guide.

Sorry to hear you didn't win? That's ok! I still have two more copies! (I am telling ya - Robin and her staff we were really good to me!) This contest will be a little different though. Simply visit my blog, subscribe through email or an RSS feed, then leave me a comment on this post to let me know you did so. It's that easy! Good luck.

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Six + one = seven blessings!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:49:00 +0000

Hi all. From time to time I'd like to share with you some of the blessings that my readers have in their lives. The following is a story of a young couple, Jaime and Alex, who desperately wanted children but were having a difficult time to conceiving. God did eventually bless them with little ones more than they could have ever hoped for. Read on to learn more about their happy, and now very big, family. They've been blessed! Enjoy!

Six + one = seven blessings!

When my husband Alex and I got married we had always planned to adopt at some point. We thought we would have one or two children and then adopt. As it turned out we were not having any luck getting pregnant. I went to a lot of doctors, as did Alex, trying to find out what was causing us not to have children.

In the mean time we signed up for parenting classes, which was the first step in the adoption process through DYFS. By this time, we had been married a little more than 3 years. The whole process took about 6 months to finally be considered an "open home" for adoption.

On December 21, 2005 we got a call asking if we would take a 10 month old baby boy and his 7 year old sister. Apparently we were the last ones to get the call, as no one else was interested in having new children around for the holiday. In under 5 minutes we were making plans to receive our new additions. Only problem was at this point they were not adoptable and we would probably only have them for a few weeks, if that long. A few weeks went by and there was no sign of them leaving.

One day the 7 year old told me that she had a brother and sister that were somewhere in foster care. She didn't know where they were, but she wondered if I would be able to find out and bring them to my house. I told her that I would do what I could to find out about them, but didn't want to promise her anything. Satisfied with that answer, she also told me that her mom was supposed to be giving birth to twins soon. Later that night I was on the phone and found out that she did indeed have a brother and sister in another foster home, and that foster parent wasn't able to keep them due to the fact that her home wasn't large enough. I asked for the other 2 to come here, and after MANY phone calls to MANY people in DYFS, the other 2 were finally brought here.

Christmas 2006 came and went and although the children weren't adoptable yet, they were still with us. After 15 months or so of living with the same foster parent the chances go up that children will be able to be adopted. My husband and I were, of course, praying to be able to keep the children. The twins had been born and the 4 children that were with me didn't really know them very well, but talked about them often. By the summer of 2007, through a series of unfortunate events for the biological parents, they did give up parental rights and we were asked if we would consider adopting the 4 that we had. Of course we wanted to! About a month later we were asked if we would want the twins. We didn't even have to think about it. After a long battle with DYFS... not all of DYFS thought it would be a good idea for a family this large to stay together...we finally got the twins. Thankfully the judge that was presiding over this case was on our side, and ultimately DYFS had to listen to him. On November 17, 2007, we adopted our 6 children. It was National Adoption Day. We never expected to have such a large family, but this was definitely a blessing from the Lord.

It was very hard to not have children when both my husband and I wanted them so badly. God answered our prayer for children in a way we never could have imagined, but with His help, we're a family, and it really is wonderful.

One last thing I need to say. The adoption process was such a roller coaster ride. One day we were maybe adopting, the next maybe they were going to be reunited... I was still trying to conceive. Finally a doctor told me that since our foster children had been with us so long, the odds were great that they were staying, so I should just be happy with them since it looked like I would probably not be able to conceive. My husband and I are now expecting our new baby in the spring of '09.

So, there are actually two reasons for sharing this story. First of all, God really does hear our prayers and He does know the desire of our hearts, but He DOES choose to answer in His timing, and His way. The second reason I want people to know about this is because there are so many children that need to be adopted, and people don't know that you can go through DYFS and it doesn't cost anything to actually adopt. DYFS covers all of it. Not only that, adoption agency's work with DYFS too. Not that it happens every day, but after the agency's quotas are filled, DYFS is called and there are babies available to be adopted through DYFS. Four of my children, when they came to me, were under 3 years old.

What a blessing! God gives us more than we could have ever hoped for.

If you'd like to share your story to be posted here on Blessings from Above, I'd love to hear from you. It would be an inspiration to me and my readers. Email me at: dendiv@yahoo.com I'll review the posts I receive and post them periodically.

Read "Be Careful" for an example of a blessing in my life. There are many! Remember, this will be posted on Blessings from Above for all to see so if it something very personal please don't write about it. Also, this will be a voluntary, unpaid contribution. Sorry but I am unable to pay!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.

Christian author, Robin Gunn, Book Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:08:00 +0000

A few months ago I gave away a copy of Robin Gunn's new book Sisterchick's Go Brit! Well, I have good news for you Robin fans - I have three more copies! Interested? Simply read a post, leave a comment, and I will pick a name at random on Thursday, October 30th!

If you'd like to read the interview that I did with Robin earlier this year, please visit: Robin Gunn interview.

Good luck!

Wishing you "Blessings from Above,"

If you were blessed by this post, please leave me a comment or share it with others by clicking on the "Share" button.