Momma Day By Day

Saying "No": How It All Begins

2012-05-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

So, remember that new exciting series I was going to start? like last week? Yeah...didn't happen. But I'm OK with that because I am learning how to continually embrace and cultivate a low-stress life. For me to get my series out last week would have required me to stress out and potentially neglect my household duties.

So, I didn't write. I said no.

I'm learning :)

Saying "No" is often where we need to start when our life feels nothing short of a crazy Willy Wonka ride. When you feel yourself trying to keep up with just your daily activities, then maybe you need to start saying "No". This could mean saying no to responsibilities you've committed to, to expectations you have on yourself (ouch!), to piling on more activities, to keeping a house 100% clean, to finishing an unattainable project, etc...

If you are unsure where to start in this whole, "Say No and Release thing", I would suggest you first find out what your main stresses are. What triggers your stress? What causes you to feel an unrest in your home?

As I have mentioned before, anxiety and stress have unfortunately been a constant companion in my life. I know all too well how to live in survival mode without really being able to enjoy my life. I never want to go back to the unhealthy pattern I was in. I had to sit down and think through what is actually making me the most stressed.

I get stressed when I don't plan ahead. This includes meal-planning, socially, keeping the house somewhat clean, and keeping up with the needs of my children. Basically every part of my life. So if I am not planning ahead and ordering my hours in the day, I'm doomed.

I also get stressed when I have a busy schedule to maintain. I am definitely an extrovert so naturally I like to fill my calendar with getting together with people, fun activities with my kids, you name it! but at the ages that my kids are ( 3 1/2 and 2 1/2) this doesn't work very well. It is often me who hauls the kids around, while hauling my own growing pregnant belly. It just doesn't end well. So many of our days are spent at home with simple outings like the park. This summer we will probably become members of an indoor pool and that will be it! It's simple...it's easy...and I like it.

So I invite you all, my dear friends, to start with examining your own life. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, why? What needs to change?

Our Lord tells us to, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). We all can live a life of rest and peace. It's what Jesus meant for us :)

I'm happy to have you along for the ride!

In the upcoming days I will be exploring the topics of:
Simplicity in Meal-Planning
Simplicity in Schedule
Simplicity in Housework
The Rhythm of Rest

An Exciting New Series!

2012-05-11T10:42:00.002-07:00

Hello Friends and Happy Friday!

On Monday I will be starting a week-long series on "Creating Peace and Simplicity In the Home" as it is a journey God has (and is) been taking me on over the course of the past year. I feel very strongly about living lives of peace and anxiety-free. Anxiety and stress have long plagued my life even before I had kids and you know what? I don't ever want to go back there.

I will continue to post this disclosure: I am not by any means an expert on this topic, but have learned some helpful ways that I have eliminated stress in my own life, which has made my family happier as well as myself. I am loving life right now!

In preparation for this series, please share with me what your biggest obstacle is in pursuing your own peaceful and stress-free life. You can go into as much detail as you would like. I also posed this question on Facebook and Twitter so feel free to interact there as well. I'm already getting such great feedback!

Have a peace-filled, stress-free weekend!

Many Blessings,

Thankful Thursday

2012-05-10T18:22:00.003-07:00

It has been a rich couple of weeks, friends... God has been pouring into my life and in the life of my family. There have been many laughs, smiles, and an aura of peace. I can't pinpoint what exactly caused this welcome change only that it comes from God.

I find myself bending low, picking up the gifts that He gives, and holding them close to my heart...savoring them...thanking Him...and just enjoying life.

Here are some recent gifts from above:

1. Free milk from a church family. This helped us get to another pay check a little easier then we normally would.

2. A surprise phone call from another family from church with 4 bags worth of good-quality hand-me-downs for my girls. The clothes are just in the right season of what I didn't have! So thankful...

3. Having the energy to do the Freezer Cooking that helped stretch the grocery dollar even more.

4. A growing baby inside my womb. I've gained about 3 pounds in the last 2 1/2 weeks and am still going!

5. Happy girls who laugh and play side by side. Oh that this would continue forever...

6. A husband having a more freed up schedule after church commitments are done.

7. Finishing projects around the house.

8. Finding a way to keep the house clean without exerting too much energy.

9. Having a clear mind and organized thoughts.

10. Growing friendships with a few friends.

11. A flourishing mom's group at church.

12. The TLC show, "Cake Boss"

13. Nourishing truths from "Jesus Calling" and the Bible itself

14. Glimpses of spring with two days in a row of warm weather

15. An empty schedule bringing a slow, non-hurried pace of life

What are you thankful for today?

Becoming A Mom That I Like

2012-05-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Happy May, friends!

I have several posts brewing but for now I want to encourage you to stop by Sisters In Bloom. I'm writing today about a breaking point I hit with my oldest daughter and how that was a wake-up call for me as a mother. Ever been there? Then let's talk!

Blessings :)

Freezer Cooking!

2012-04-26T17:45:00.001-07:00

I have been on an almost obsessive quest these days to find ways to simplify life. I find that the more simple life is, the more peaceful I feel, the better my days are, etc... so one of the biggest stresses I am trying to simplify is meal planning. With a small grocery budget it is even more stressful because I can't buy whatever I want whenever I want (who can?) So my meal planning usually involves the sale fliers, several recipe books or internet sites, and lots of planning. In the end, it is worth it but not something I look forward to.

My kids have recently transitioned to sleeping in the same room which means there hasn't always been a lot of sleeping going on either during the day or at night. This means my productive time goes down to almost nothing. Meal planning? Ha! That is so last year. So the past week has been me running around, entertaining the kids while pulling a meal out of thin air, oh and did I mention that half the time the kids don't even eat what I cook? Yeah. That. That's the worst.

I knew something needed to change.

The answer? Freezer cooking!

I have done freezer cooking several times before. I documented one such occasion here. I loved the end result of preparing two weeks' worth of dinners, snacks, and lunch items. There was such a feeling of accomplishment at the end as I stared at a freezer full of food. I will say that initially there is an upfront cost but not more then 50-75 dollars on top of a normal grocery budget. I have always saved money as a result so overall it is a win for me!

My main resource is Once A Month Mom because all the work is done for you. I would suggest starting there and looking through the various menus, picking and choosing what you think your family will eat. It's all about using up the food and not having a lot left over, right?

Here's what I will be making throughout the weekend:

Breakfast:
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Chocolate Granola Bars
Vegan Pumpkin Bread (for me)

Lunch:
Whole Wheat Pizza Puffs (may use this as a dinner item too)
Bacon and Egg Uncrustables (I will be substituting ham for the bacon)
Beef Enchiladas (for my husband's lunch)

Dinner:
Sweet potato and black bean burger (mainly I will eat this...more for me!)
Tuna Melt (no recipe link for this one as it comes out of a cookbook)
Baked Chicken Fingers

Looking Up

2012-04-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

The wheels of time keep churning forward. Morning turns to afternoon and afternoon turns to evening and the sun sets. Another day is done.

"What have I done with that day?" I ask myself.

Lately I have become so engrossed in my own challenges and problems that I don't even look up to Him. My head is peering downward, inward, so much so, that my neck muscles tighten with stress.

I have found it lightens the load to look up. Look to Him. Receive the blessings.

And so I pace myself...doing only what I am able to do that day. I do a lot of snuggling, hugging, disciplining, and homemaking. I start to revisit my hobbies...my love of reading, writing, connecting with friends...

slowing down.

For if I don't, my problems become my reality. I can go through a day not even seeing my children or my husband...you know...really seeing them. And those precious friends here? I don't reach out because I am turned in and not out.

And for awhile I do this...but oh it becomes exhausting for it is not the way I am supposed to live.

Living is slow.

Living is being intentional.

Living is looking up.

May you be able to look UP today instead of looking down

Living With A Chronic Disease

2012-04-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends!

I have wanted to write this exact post for some time now but just haven't had enough guts to do it. It's a tough one for me to write but I decided that today is the day. This will explain a little more why I've been on an unannounced blogging break...

Several other times I have written about my battle with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). If you care to catch up you can find it here and here.

In simple terms, IBS is the body's inability to break down food correctly. It is usually brought on by stress and can vary from constipation to severe spazzing/vomiting/diarrhea. Fortunately I can count on two hands the number of times I have experienced the severe spazzing. Let me tell you, it's not fun. The body is also very sensitive so things that don't cause the normal person any trouble at all can give someone with IBS problems. For me, that means no dairy, no chocolate, nothing high in fats, no coffee, and all fruits and vegetables being cooked and pureed.

My food processer has become my new friend :)

There are also a whole other list of things I have to try to stay away from. So yeah there are a lot of limitations and some days it can feel like there is literally nothing to eat. It is a tough journey, one that I hope will end soon. I am thankful that I am able to manage it now through diet, herbal teas, and some over the counter medication. I thought I would share with you some truths I have learned over the course of the year that I have had this disease. I think the things I will mention relate to any chronic disease whether emotional or physical.

1. There will always be good days and bad days. The bad days come with often no warning. There could be stress mounting in my life that I am not even aware of that could cause a bad day. I have learned to quickly shake it off and do what I can to minimize the symptoms and get on with the rest of my day.

2. Don't think about what limitations you have. I could become literally so depressed if I thought about all the food I can't have. What good would that do me? Nothing. And you know what is cool about our bodies? They have a memory and if you deprive it of something long enough, it eventually forgets what that food even tastes like. That is why I could give up coffee and dairy-two things I used to love and will hopefully be able to eat again. Any of you who are thinking of giving up coffee, you can do it!

3. Don't let the disease define you. I have come to realize that I am so much more then the disease. I have gifts and strengths I can offer. I am a mom and a wife. I am not a disease.

4. Don't do it alone. This one is still hard for me but I am trying to have one or two women that I can call on if I am getting discouraged or down about the disease.

5. Don't give up! I can't tell you how many times I gave up as thing after thing failed and didn't help my symptoms. It really was during my last nerve that I finally found the best resource for me. If something doesn't work, take a deep breath, wait until you are ready, and try again. You aren't meant to live in the state you currently are living.

My heart goes out to all of you who have struggles with depression, food allergies, chronic pain, or any kind of persistent problem. I know what it feels like to feel like there is no way out...that no one can help you...that this is your new norm. It's hard!

I very much still live day by day, always striving to treat my body right and put good food in it. I know have my unborn child to think about, which adds a whole other stress, but I am continuing to try to trust that God is taking care of me and my child.

Thanks for reading! Hoping to not be so long in between posts :)

Starting Over...

2012-03-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!

Believe it or not, I will be working on some upcoming posts :) I will write again!

Just wanted to let you all know that I am over at Sisters In Bloom today where I am writing about starting over in my spiritual walk. I would love for you to stop by and engage in the conversations that are already forming. I find that I am going through a time of spiritual dryness and am needing to be consistent in my walk with God. I struggle, friends! and need accountability and prayer in this area.

Let's walk together!

Hope to see you there :)

P.S. Thank you all so much for the many comments on my blog, Facebook, and Twitter surrounding our announcement of our new little miracle of life! You all blessed me so much and remind me why I am privileged to be a part of such a great online community! Thank you.

A Happy Announcement...

2012-03-19T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

Yes, I know it's been over a month since I last wrote. Frankly, this online space almost feels like I am eavesdropping instead of picking up where I left off. But, it feels good to be back :) Thanks for all the kind e-mails, Twitter messages, and Facebook posts asking how I was doing. It meant so much to be cared for by you all! I have missed you! and hope to be writing here more often as the inspiration comes.

There is a reason why I have dropped off the face of the earth these last three months...

I Am Pregnant!!

{Insert squeal}

My husband and I are so extremely grateful to be blessed with a third life to love and nurture. I am currently 12 weeks along and due October 6th. I finally got to hear the baby's heartbeat today and cried with tears of joy. This pregnancy has been a long time coming...and for a time we didn't think it possible that we would ever experience bringing a new life into this world again. There were many months where things just weren't happening. The despair...the deep sadness...all were a part of our life. I watched my kids love on babies and wondered if we were ever going to be able to give them a younger sibling.

The month leading up to me getting pregnant was a good time with the Lord. In my prayer time, He was giving me such peace, regardless of the outcome of our fertility. The morning of the day I was to get my period, God interrupted my prayer saying, "It will not be so, Christina." Meaning, this is the time when I will be blessed with a new life.

And it happened just as He said it would.

I am so blessed.

I am so grateful.

I am loved...

Blessings,

My Nashville Adventure!

2012-02-22T11:51:00.000-08:00

OK so I guess I'm really going to Nashville...or more importantly...Blissdom!

It seems quite surreal since it was only a month ago that I won a ticket to the actual event.

But my bags and packed, and my name tag is on, and I'm really going.

To be honest, I don't feel ready for the whole thing...and 750 people seem like an awful lot of people all of a sudden...

but I know the content will be great, the speakers will rock, and the friends will become kindreds.

I just need to get there :)

So, wish me luck! and pray for me that I would soak everything in. Even a Rascal Flatts concert :)

Learning How to Love God Again

2012-02-13T20:45:00.000-08:00

It seems very appropriate this Valentines Day to not talk about my wonderful husband but to talk about my first love: The Alpha and the Omega...Yeshua...Adonai...my Abba Father.

You see, I didn't always love Him very well. In fact, I even forgot about Him, which is even worse. I put Him away, put His very Word written to me, on a shelf to collect dust. I half-heartedly opened the Word when life was hard but I never knew what words to read. So I stumbled, flipping through the pages, and frustrated, slammed it shut, closed for another 3 months before I tried again.

I just didn't know how to love Him again. I didn't know where to start.

I would hear over and over again from the pulpit, "True freedom comes from praying and reading the Bible" and I would think, "What am I missing? I don't feel that."

Am I the only one who has felt this way? Somehow, I don't think so.

The problem was, I was waiting for this fluffy, lovey-dovey feeling to spur me on to open the Bible with renewed passion.

But God is not a God of feelings but of obedience. When obedience comes, feelings follow.

And to read His word is simply out of obedience. It's just that simple.

So, when December rolled around and some bloggers were going to read through the Bible in 90 Days, I almost threw up in my mouth at so much Bible reading. I mean, that's like 15 chapters a day! But it is exactly what God had in mind for me.

I felt the Holy Spirit impressing on my heart so strongly to take the challenge, to immerse myself in God's Word, once and for all. So I obeyed...albeit it grudgingly, but at least I obeyed.

Exactly 33 days ago today I opened to the book of Genesis and just started reading. The words lept off the page and ministered to my heart in ways I didn't know I needed ministering. It was like coming back to a very near and dear old friend. I devoured every single detail and promise laid out by God to His people. I became amazed at the specific timing of events and the way God stuck with His anointed ones so long.

Genesis became Exodus and quickly Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, etc. and etc. until now where I am in 2 Chronicles. The writer of 2 Chronicles is now recounting what was previously written so that the Israelities who were in exile for so many years wouldn't forget where they had come from.

Oh isn't that me, Lord! I need to not forget where I came from. My roots are in You as my Creator and Lord. You loved me even before I was conceived. You knit me together in my Mother's Womb. My days are numbered by You. In You I find my beginning and my end. You are my all.

And so I will continue to set my alarm for 6:00 a.m. and will (most days) continue to leap out of bed, just so I can have my hour with Him. Some days I do the motions and miss an opportunity with Him... Other days, He meets me in a powerful way. The important thing is that I don't stop reading and learning how to love Him.

I'm so thankful He loves me...

What about you? Have you been struggling with your quiet times? Is it hard for you to even open the Bible? I have been there and even now still have to be disciplined to finish the race I have started. Here are just a few quick things I have found that have helped me:

1. Just start reading. If you don't know where to start, just start in the beginning and read in order. There are many Bible plans out there. Here's an example: Bible Plan.Org or the one I am doing: Bible in 90 Days. I think I waited so long to just start reading the Bible again because I wasn't sure where to start. Don't over complicate it! Just start reading and the love of the Word will come :)

2. Get accountability and support. I knew upon signing up for the challenge that I would be having weekly check-ins with others who are doing the same challenge. Find someone to come alongside you! You can't do it alone, especially if it is not a formed habit yet.

3. Be consistent. Whatever plan or schedule you want to do, just make sure you stick to it! It needs to be doable but also challenging at the same time. God is wanting to stretch you so don't make it too "cushy" :)

4. Remember His love. Through all of this, don't lose sight of how much He loves that you are doing this! I have experienced more grace in just my day to day life, including my parenting since doing this challenge. He is gentle with those He loves!

Blessings to all my lovely readers today! Happy Valentines Day!

Know that you are loved :)

Coming Back...

2012-02-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

I know it's been awhile...

This blog almost seems like a foreign space to write in. I have had very little creative spark or inspiration and am just doing life. You know...kids, husband, church, people...

And staying close to Him...for He is my companion now. My best friend. My all.

And He sustains through the long days and the unanswered prayers.

I am blessed...

Ruthless Trust

2012-02-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I am peeking my head out of the hole of sick children and wiping noses to say... "Hi". I've missed you...missed this place...but I could only be a Mom this week and nothing else :) Thanks for your grace.

Photo credit: Hortongrau

Several days ago I said good-bye to my husband and my two girls as they left for the day so I could do my weekly in-home music teaching. As my husband shut the door, I realized, "I completely trust that man. I know he will take care of my children and bring them back to me at the end of the day with their eyes sparkling and full of fun stories."

I am fully confident in my husband. I trust him.

Do I feel the same way about my God?

I want to trust Him but so often I find myself shaking like a leaf, quivering under life's valleys.

Even when He has proven faithful and trustworthy I still struggle...saying to Him, "Please prove to me one more time that you are there."

The sad truth is: I often trust my human husband over my perfect, most holy God.

I want that Ruthless Trust.

Ruthless...unrelenting, adamant, relentless...

Always standing firm...never shaking...looking at life's trials and laughing at them. Yes, laughing! For they pale in comparison to the "joy set before me"...that of Christ Jesus and his work in my life.

Photo credit: Jynmeyer

Relentless in my pursuit of more faith...more trust...more of Him.

Unrelenting in my hunger of more trust...

Adamant about my trust in Him when life's surprises come my way.

By God's grace I am beginning to strengthen my truth-grip to Christ. He is testing me and I am trying to be like "gold refined in the fire".

But I want more...

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What about you? Where do you find yourself today? Fearful? Feeling far away from God? Wherever you find yourself today, come to the foot of the most gracious man who ever lived: Jesus. He knows how hard it is to trust Him! But know that He doesn't leave you alone during this journey of trust. He will give you the faith and the tools you need to grow in faith. You are loved.
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Psst...Have you seen the wonderful news? Sisters in Bloom is here and as a gift to all who subscribe to the site, there is a free ebook featuring testimonies from all the writers, of which I am one. So go pick up a copy today! You will be blessed :)

Top 10 CCM Songs: The Old School Edition

2012-01-31T05:08:00.000-08:00

Good Morning! It's my first Top 10 Tuesday with Oh Amanda and I figured I would start with something I am really comfortable with...

Music.

I remember at the age of 10 or 11 memorizing every word to Amy Grant's Heart In Motion album. I also remember when I got my first DC Talk tape, you know...back when they did rap :) I also remember the first time I discovered the Christian dance group, Raze. (Has anyone else ever heard of them?) Oh and that Newsboys tape that had "Shine?" Epic. I think I even choreographed a dance routine to that song.

Music has always been a defining part of my life and for as long as I can remember, I have needed to listen to music. It brings me closer to God. It is my heart language. While it was very hard to narrow down to 10, I'm happy with this list. Here goes! (In no particular order...)

10. Audio Adrenaline, "Big House"

9. Rebecca St. James song, "God"

8. Raze "All Around the World"

7. DC Talk "Jesus Freak"

6. Newsboys "Shine" "Breakfast"

5. Vineyard worship music "Father, you're all I need" "There's no one like our God"

4. Misty Edwards, "Simple Devotion"

3. Point of Grace "You are lord of life, love, and other mysteries"

2. Jars of Clay "Flood" "Faith Like a Child" Basically everything on their debut album

1. Steven Curtis Chapman "King of the Jungle"

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What other songs would you add to the list? Happy Tuesday!

The Making of a Princess

2012-01-30T05:37:00.000-08:00

Have you ever found yourself with a little daughter who wants to be "just like Belle"? Or what about Tinkerbell? or Cinderella?

Well I have such a daughter.

She loves everything Princess and I often wonder, How can I train her to love God while allowing the natural fascination with princesses?

Today, I am blessed to be over at the MOD (Mothers of Daughters) Squad writing about such a thing.

I would love to see you there!

Christa Wells Giveaway!!

2012-01-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

Well Hello Friends!

It's Sunday and I decided it's time for a giveaway!

The prize is a beautiful 5 song sampler called Image of God by Christa Wells and Nicole Witt.

This sampler has been on almost on repeat at my house since I received this a month ago. I love it! You will particularly like it if you like Kari Jobe, Norah Jones, Brooke Fraser, etc... or if you just want some new tunes :) The songs featured are the newest recorded by Christa and Nicole.

Christa and Nicole have a great collaboration that is almost effortless. Their voices blend so well and the words...oh the words are so deep you will think they are writing out of your own personal journey with God.

Want to know more? Here's a recent music video Christa made of her song, "Everything Moves But You". This song will not be on the sampler but is a snapshot of her musical style.

OK so now I'm sure you pretty much want to win, right? So, here's the details:

You may get up to three entries by doing the following:

1. Become a Google follower of Momma Day By Day (if you already follow, that counts too!)

2. Share this post on FB or Twitter (click on the "f" icon or the "t" icon below)

3. Like Momma Day By Day's FB page (if you already do then that counts!)

The contest closes at this Friday, February 3rd at 9:00 C.T.

Good Luck!!

God Is In the Details

2012-01-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

I have recently begun reading through the Bible in 90 Days. For the last several days, I have been camped in Leviticus.

Yes, I know...Leviticus. The dreaded book.

But you know what? I'm really enjoying it!

I am amazed at the amount of details that God described so His priests could carry out His procedures for keeping the people of Israel clean before Him. I mean talk about details! God even lays out a description of what happens when you get certain skin diseases.

Isn't this like our God? to be concerned with the small things? I imagine Him being way up in Heaven so many light-years away but still being concerned with how a day is going in a small townhouse, in a town of 7,000, in the small corner of the world,Wisconsin. He is concerned about how my heart is doing. He is overjoyed when I turn to Him and not to my flesh. He is delighted at the faith that my small ones are forming.

He cares about the little things.

Photo Credit: JuliaF

For He has a plan for my life already in motion. In fact, it has been set in motion since the beginning of time.

Details.

He has numbered my days and is present for every one of them.

He knows the challenges ahead and will be there to carry me.

Details.

He even knows whether I am to have a third child and when that child will be brought into this world.

Details.

So I don't know where you are at today, dear reader. Maybe you are just tired with life. Maybe you have unanswered questions for the Lord, questions that make you feel that He is not listening.

May I encourage you today?

He is listening.

He does care.

He knows how many hairs are on your head!

He can see into the depths of your soul, the places where no one else can see, and knows you.

Let us all come before Him today, thanking Him that He is involved in every area of our lives.

Details.

And you know what? We as His people are the most important details to Him

Blessings :)

For When Bloggers Start to Matter Too Much...

2012-01-25T05:25:00.000-08:00

I remember the first day I went on Incourage. I had never seen anything like it! I was in awe of the glossy photos, the womens' hair blowing in the wind, their fancy bios and their words...oh their words! It seemed effortless and cut me deep.

I was hooked.

And so I started to write.

And as I wrote, I made sure I didn't miss a post from my favorite writers at Incourage. I took notes on how they wrote, how they phrased things, and wondered how in the world so many people read their blogs.

I followed when they had babies, when their first books came out, and when they got to go to fun conferences and speak.

I knew more about them then I knew myself.

I even started to sound like them.

And where was God?

A distant afterthought...The Bible was unopened and unneeded...

because I had my "spiritual fix" from these writers

Isn't that so like the enemy? To use a God-honoring site to turn us away from God and towards man?

It happened to me...Is it happening to you?

Here are some warning signs that I still watch out for as I navigate the Christian blogging world:

Do you turn towards your favorite blog before you turn to the Word?
Can you rattle off some fun events or words your favorite bloggers have said but can't share something God is teaching you through His Word and His Spirit?
Do you find yourself trying to write like "they" write, thinking it is the magic spell to spiral yourself into blogging success?
Do you find that it is hard to pull yourself away from the many many wonderful Christian blog posts that are written each day?

Ouch.

Yeah that hurts.

I only say this in love, dear sisters. I feel convicted in this area and want to know My Savior more then I know what cool phrase Emily has said. Yes, Our Lord uses these women in mighty ways. He used them to pull me out of my momma funk last winter as I pored over their life-giving words through Incourage. If you haven't checked out that site, then you really are missing out...

Let's just do it all in moderation with our focus soley on Our King.

And those Incourage writers? Yeah I've met some of them and you know what I found out?

They are just like me.

They experience the same writing insecurities that I do. They wonder if anyone reads their blog, they struggle with feelings of inadequacies and wonder if what they are doing matters.

They are just like me.

They are just like all of us.

So let's be careful not to put the "Big Ones" on a pedestal. Let's not wake up in the morning wondering what "so-in-so" will write today. Let's not overly gush over them. Let's not make their words next to The Bible.

For in the end, they are just like us.

Let's encourage and share their art and pray for them. Yes pray! For they have been given a huge burden...that of writing His words to the masses. They have pressures and stress that we don't even know exists and their life might even be a lonely one.

So today I think of...

Ann

Emily

Lisa-Jo

Brooke

Joy

All the Incourage Writers

and many more...

We are praying for you! and we love the way you are serving us.

From,

Your Online Sisters

photo credit: Mattox

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How about you? Do you need an online check on how important other bloggers are becoming to you? Try this: list off the top 5 bloggers to you. Then, ask yourself, "Do I value their words right now more than what God is saying to me?" You will just know if anything is out of balance. There is much grace! Believe me...Let us turn towards the Lord! I'm so thankful for you...

Fears of Success

2012-01-23T05:24:00.000-08:00

My hands hurt from the stress.

I haven't slept well in two days.

And I'm tired...

Ever since I won the ticket to Blissdom, I have struggled with so many fears...

Fears of success.

Fears of not enough finances.

Fears of doing the right thing.

My joy was there as I read my name on the screen as the winner, but then it vanished as I tried to process how the rest of the details would come together.

And then the doubts came...

Did God really want me to go to Blissdom?

Am I right in spending our money like this? (Even though some of it is my Christmas money)

Is this God's will?

Can I trust that winning a ticket is God?

And I cling to Him. I slept with my Bible next to me last night. I feel as if I need to read His Word not one but two times a day. I pray continually. I feel the battle rage internally.

And I'm tired...

And I read things like,

"Strive to trust me in more and more areas of your life. Anything that tends to make you anxious is a growth opportunity. Instead of running away from these challenges, embrace them, eager to gain all the blessings I have hidden in the difficulties. If you believe that I am sovereign over every aspect of your life, it is possible to trust Me in all situations...

Trust is like a staff you an lean on, as you journey uphill with Me...Lean on, trust, and be confident in Me with all your heart and mind."

~Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

I have experienced a great deal of writing success recently...success that I didn't seek...success that I don't know what to do with it.

I am more comfortable to be writing to my few loyal readers, in my small corner of the online world, encouraging the "bigger fish" and accepting that I am to be a SAHM right now.

Then I was asked to write for Must Love God and then Sisters In Bloom and then Blissdom...

and it all got to be a little too much for me to handle.

Don't get me wrong, I love these opportunities and am eager to see where Our Lord takes them. I couldn't ask for a better group of women to write with.

I am just learning that it is possible to be afraid of success.

I have heard many people tell me, "God is up to something big in your life, Christina!"

and frankly? that scares me.

Because I don't know if I am ready.

I don't want to "mess it up"

I just want to please Him.

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Oh, dear reader...thank you for stopping by today! If you have experienced transitions that were good and found them to be fearful, what helped You?

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

2012-01-20T03:31:00.000-08:00

Well it's Friday and I feel like turning away from my usual God-is-shaping-me-life-is-hard kind of post to something a bit lighter. I have several fun things that just make me giddy when I think about them so I thought I would share them with you! Maybe they will bring you the same kind of joy...or maybe I'm just a nerd :)

1. Downton Abbey. Seriously, this show is amazing! Great story, great cast, and it's an hour long. Incredible! I spent one whole Saturday night watching all the Season 1 episodes on Netflix so now I'm officially caught up on Season 2. You can also watch the show online for free on PBS here

2. Veggie Tales Drummer Boy. My kids got this for Christmas and still love watching it. It's great! It features Junior, which is my kids' favorite character, and clearly shares the true meaning of Christmas. There is a precious moment at the end of the movie where the Drummer Boy sees Jesus in the manger for the first time. It's awesome and I hope it continues to shape my childrens' heart for God!

3. Once A Month Mom. If you didn't catch it, I wrote about this the other day and yes I still can't stop talking about it! It may change your life :)

4. Sisters In Bloom. This is an incredibly awesome site I will be contributing to starting in February. It is a site that seeks to encourage women by providing them a safe place to engage in community with others. Have you joined us yet?

5. Reading the Bible in 90 Days. Yes, I am doing this and it's not that bad. I am currently almost done Exodus and started last week. I love it! I love reading large chunks of Scripture because I think it helps me see the bigger story and not an isolated story. It does take discipline which is why I am not doing it alone. I will be joining my blogger friend Aurie and others February 1st so if you want to join me, let me know!

6. Quinoa Pasta. It's delicious. That's all I have to say about that.

7. Christa Wells' new album Image of God. Incredible. Love this woman's lyrics and song writing abilities! The girls and I dance to this at least once a day. Think a Christian version of Norah Jones :)

8. I'm getting a haircut! This deserves its own mention as it has been at least 7 months since I last got my hair cut. Yeah...so it's time...and I'm excited! I'm sure I will look like a new woman. Stay tuned for some before and after shots :)

OK well that does it for now!

What about you? What are some of your new favorite or exciting things?

Freezer Cooking Extravaganza!

2012-01-19T05:26:00.000-08:00

In wanting to live more frugally and wise in the way we spend our money, I recently embarked on a freezer cooking journey that I would like share. I loved it! I had done this once before with friends and loved it so much that I wanted to make it a regular part of my meal planning.

The site I used is called Once A Month Mom. It's great because it does all the work for you. There are meal plans for each month and are usually seasonal, featuring produce that is in season. A new feature is a Gluten/Dairy Free Menu which I may be trying out soon for myself.

Because this was my second time around, I knew that I needed to be more selective when picking meals that two toddlers would eat. The goal is to eat all the food purchased and not have food leftover! I also picked my favorite meals from the November through January menus.

The concept behind Once A Month Mom is to spend one whole day cooking enough meals for a month including several Breakfast and Lunch items. You then freeze all contents in various containers. When it's time to eat a certain meal, just thaw and enjoy! I also like that not all meals have to be cooked during the full day of cooking. Some are just assembled and then cooked later. This really cuts down on the actual time cooking!

Our grocery budget does not allow me to cook for a month at one time so I picked enough meals to last us about two weeks, including leftovers. This grocery trip totaled about $50. Not bad! Here's the loot:

Here are the recipes I chose:

Breakfast:
Sweet Potato Spice Muffins
Egg and Cheese Muffins
Breakfast Cookies

Lunch:
Chicken Burritos

Dinner:
Teriyaki Honey Chicken
Ranch Chicken Parmesan
Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

Total cooking time was 2 1/2 hours.

And here's the finished product!

Ta Da!

Isn't it beautiful?

If you are totally overwhelmed by the idea of cooking this much food in one day, then DON'T DO IT! This is only for those of you who are like me and dread meal planning, are on a tight budget, and liked to have lots of structure. I love having someone else do all the work for me! It makes my life so much easier and I can tell you I already feel less stressed! I stayed on budget and have a full freezer. Couldn't get any better!

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What about you? What are your frugal cooking tips? I would love to know!

Happy Money Saving, friends!

When God Says Yes and An Exciting Announcement!

2012-01-18T04:02:00.000-08:00

There have been a lot of no's in my life recently.

No to coffee, chocolate, and most comfort foods.

No to a child.

No to a complete release of stomach problems.

By this time in my married life, I envisioned us living in a house that we own, with somewhat cushy lives.

No. No. and another No.

We still are renting and most months struggle to make ends meet.

Not what I thought.

Now of course all of this is for my good and is grace-filled as He allows only that which is the best for me to come to fruition.

But I often feel like a child, pouting and stomping my way around, trying to convince my Father to let me have what I want when I want it.

And then there are those unexpected moments that take us completely by surprise. And those are the best...

When He says Yes.

Such a moment happened to me in the afternoon of a week wreaked with illnesses and injuries of my children. God said yes through an e-mail asking me to come on as a regular contributor of Sisters In Bloom.

This is a company of 33 women whom I respect deeply both as writers and Women of God.

After I pulled myself off the floor, I said yes.

So unexpected...so overwhelming at the prospect of writing with such "giants" in the blogging world. I will be in the company of ebook writers and others whose following is in the triple digits.

Amazing.

I'm still not sure why I'm in the mix...

What is even more amazing is their rich writing that I have come to love. And I know you will too! They write out of a close relationship with Our Lord and want women all around the world to feel loved and accepted by God.

If you still aren't convinced, check this video out. Warning: it might make you cry :)

What did I tell you? Beautiful. It's a community that has got your name on it. So won't you join me?

Come check it out!

You can find us on Facebook here and on Twitter here.

We will start posting on February 1st so that means you have two weeks to spread the Facebook and Twitter love to anyone you know!

Looking forward to seeing you there :)

Grace For the Good Girl Conclusion

2012-01-16T20:49:00.000-08:00

Tonight, as I write this, I am experiencing so many emotions as we end this series on Grace For the Good Girl. I can't believe we are here!

3 months ago when I embarked on this journey, I never imagined how near and dear to my heart this book would become. Emily has written my heart and soul on these pages and while it has been hard at times, the whole process has been worth it. I now know that I am a %100 bonafide good girl who has tendencies of people-pleasing, looking to self to survive, and just working too hard for love.

Out of these tendencies has come my different masks: the mask of control, the mask of unwavering strength, the mask of being OK all the time. I know so many of us can relate to those masks but have you ever tried to figure out how to get rid of them? Emily answers this major question in the final chapter.

She says very simply, "My only option is to trust in the One who holds all things together, even when they fall apart. To trust even when it doesn't feel true. To believe in safety even when I don't feel safe. To set my mind on what is true even when it feels foolish and naive" (212).

I am safe. Forever.

I don't need to strive for anything! Not love, not acceptance, not protection, not validation...

Nothing!

Because it has already been given to me.

And so now I need to allow my brain to catch up with that truth. You see, so often I know what the truths of the Bible say but I still let my emotions take control. But overtime, with all different parts of who I am believing God's truth, victory will come.

It will come!

No more masks.

"Jesus is the radical, absolutely, complete, living answer to all our if-onlys and if-I-could-justs. His unwavering, unchanging, unconditional love and acceptance of us is what we are really looking for" (215).

There is nothing else I need to wait for to attain the complete peace of Christ.

I am already loved with an everlasting love.

I am never alone.

I am His and He is mine.

And so, Emily charges all of us good girls out there to remember that which we have learned...to remember what He tells us in His Word...to simply,

"Remember to remember. Remember you have a choice. Remember to let peace rule. Remember to believe God's truth even when ti doesn't feel true. Remember that your life is hidden with Christ in God, you no longer have to manufacture your own safe places. And when we forget to remember? We don't have to travel over mountains and rough terrain to get back to God. Simply receive and believe that the truth is still true, and purpose to stay safely inside Him" (221).

Amen.

I'm a Recovering Good Girl.

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I want to say a special thank you to all of you who read my weekly processings surrounding this book as well as those writers who linked up week after week. I also want to thank Emily Freeman herself for providing encouragement and support for our little group. Thank you for reading! Who knows! Maybe we'll try this again sometime :)

When Life is a Battle

2012-01-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

I often feel like I am playing Tug of War with God these days...

Flickr

I am on one side and He on the other.

I tie the rope of my plans and desires around my waist and walk my way with all my might.

I am determined to get to what I want whether God is with me or not.

I press forward. Step by step. Each one met with opposition.

I want a child, God!

I don't feel like staying at home with my kids today.

I don't feel like watching what I eat.

I want an easier life...

The ropes begin to tighten and squeeze...

I am stubborn and don't let go of the rope, even through the grace-filled opposition is warning me: Don't do this! Come back to me.

Stop fighting me.

I only have the best for you. I am incapable of offering you anything else. I have made you to walk with me and not against me.

Stop fighting. Stop pushing ahead.

Just. Let. Go.

And so with tears streaming down my face, I drop the rope and run into the arms of the Father. And as a Father carries his young child, so am I carried through the rest of the day.

He decides my steps. He leads the way and His will is always made clear.

I'm too exhausted to fight. And when I stop fighting, I realized how exhausted I've been...trying to manipulate life to go the way I want it to go.

~Could I~

Kim McMechen

Could I just sit here awhile

Know that there's nothing I need to say

Safe in the knowledge that you know my ways

Love me completely; no need to hide a thing

Could I just sit here awhile; letting you melt away all of my fears

I feel Your comfort when you are so near

I'll hide myself in the shelter you've made for me

Could I, could I

Could I just kneel here awhile doing what I was created to do

Bowing in reverence I long to adore You

Willingly giving all that I can surrender

Could I just rest here awhile

Letting you whisper my burdens away

In all of my journeys there's no other place

Where I find refuge for my weary heart

Could I...

May you find rest for your souls with Christ today...

Haunted By Anxiety

2012-01-12T05:20:00.000-08:00

Every Monday night by precisely 8:00, I am anxious.

That's because every Tuesday I have to work from 1-7 teaching music to piano and voice students.

I can even feel my stomach churn as I go over all the little details I still have to get done, the e-mails that need to be sent to parents, the inputing of tuition money, the rescheduling of lessons, it just goes on and on.

You see, I have lovely students who don't even give me a hint of an attitude but for some reason, it just adds so much stress to my life...and it's only one day.

You would think that I could handle some beginner piano students and several good singers. I am a Conservatory of Music graduate for heaven's sake!

Nope.

It gets me every time.

This lack of control...the amount of hats I wear as a mom...the people to please...the students to challenge...the money I need to make...in fact, it is too much.

I'm finally allowing myself to admit that I am doing too much.

There is a reason why being a SAHM is a full-time job because it is just that: a full-time job. It's enough.

For so often I can barely get the meal-planning done, the grocery shopping under budget, and the kids happy and fed, while staying on top of my own gluten-free diet. Oh and then there's spending time with my partner in this thing-called-life: the husband.

Yeah I would say that's enough.

God did not mean for me to be frantic in my busyness.

Yes, this life will always be busy and full. That's good! but frantic? Stressed? Anxiety-filled?

No.

That's not the life I want to lead.

My husband and I hope and pray that I will be able to leave my job in June. We are praying that we can find some more breathing room in our budget so it will be a practical leave and not a rash decision. We want to be wise in this tender phase of life.

In the meantime, I need to tackle this Anxiety beast, for that what it is...a beast, waiting to devour me at the first chance.

He is otherwise known as the devil.

He knows my tendencies that are literally part of my DNA. He knows what buttons to push, what circumstances that will set in motion the spiral of stress and anxiety. He knows better then I do.

Scary thought.

He knows what my One Word is.

He knows that I am striving to be calm and still before the Lord in all things.

He just knows.

So, where do I go from here? How to I beat this beast? Can I even beat it?

You bet.

By taking a deep breath, saying out loud, "You won't win!", and sitting under the protective shade of God's presence and Word.

I don't want to be haunted by anxiety anymore.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, bring your requests to God" (Phil. 4:6)

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes"

(Eph. 6 : 11)

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8: 31)

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What about you, dear reader? If you struggle with anxiety, what has helped you get past it? Is there a specific scripture that comes to mind? A certain routine you do? I would love to hear your thoughts!