Mission Accomplished

It's so easy for me to start things.  Finishing them is another matter.  However, I have reached my goal in giving up 10 pounds for lent.  Thank you, Lord!

I learned that when I eat, I need to plan what I am going to eat, especially if that meal is not prepared by me.
This past Sunday, we went to the Palm Sunday Brunch at church.  I knew what was on the menu, so I planned exactly what I was going to eat.  And I stuck to that plan.

The midday meal at our son's basketball banquet was catered, so I also had to plan what I was going to eat there.  Because I helped serve, and was one of the last ones to eat, I was able to decide what I wanted before I actually went through the line.

It is difficult to not take seconds or to fill up my plate with more than I need.  I learned a lesson on Sunday, though.  If I eat more than I need at a meal, I have my reward (food) right there, but I don't get one later.  But, if I eat only what I need, I get a reward (food) when I eat, and I also am rewarded (I feel good because I haven't stuffed myself) later because I have not gained, and may have even lost some weight. 

I don't know about you, but I'm all for getting two rewards, instead of one.

Who knew losing something would be a blessing!

I'm way behind on writing down my joy dares.  Here is todays:

April 3
3 gifts surprisingly found
maiden grass when i was looking for zebra grass
friendship
the joy of helping someone complete a project



One Thousand Gifts

Old Time Gospel Music

I am listening to old time gospel music on Pandora.  Right now the song, The Atomic Telephone is on.  So the question is, WHAT is an atomic telephone.  According to the lyrics it is prayer.  No man knows its power, only God alone.

Old time gospel music is simple in its message, its music, and it's sing-ability. 

When I was young, I remember playing records that my parents had.  My favorite was I'll Fly Away, sung by Jim Reeves.  It is such an uplifting song. 

1.

Some glad morning when this life is o'er,

I'll fly away;

To a home on God's celestial shore,

I'll fly away (I'll fly away).

Chorus

I'll fly away, Oh Glory

I'll fly away; (in the morning)

When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,

I'll fly away (I'll fly away).

2.

When the shadows of this life have gone,

I'll fly away;

Like a bird from prison bars has flown,

I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

Chorus

3.

Just a few more weary days and then,

I'll fly away;

To a land where joy shall never end,

I'll fly away (I'll fly away)

Chorus

May your day be blessed by this song, too!

March Joy Dare 5:

three gifts found

streamers

material for gifts

a penny on the ground

March Joy Dare 6:

a gift bent, a gift broken, a gift beautiful

my child's bent toward chivalry

a fingernail

the sunrise

March Joy Dare 7:

three gifts in the kitchen

my breadmaker

running water

ice cubes

March Joy Dare 8:

three gifts loud

Old Time Gospel Music on my phone

children's voices 

the chiming of my washer and dryer when they are finished

One Thousand Gifts

The Days Go By

I'm always amazed and somewhat dismayed how quickly time passes.  I had big plans for January.  Before I knew it, February had passed, too.  Here it is March 4th and I still haven't started what I had planned.  

I have good intentions, but good intentions do not accomplish anything.  I cannot clean the house with good intentions any more than I can build a relationship with good intentions.  I have to be intentional and purposeful and dedicate a set period of time to physically, actively do the work to accomplish my ideas and dreams.

An example of this is my good intentions in finishing my master's degree.  A process I started a little over six years ago.  I had every intention of being finished with it by now, but because I did not follow through and intentionally finish, I am still not done.  A lot of thinking about it did not accomplish it, neither did worry nor anxiety. 

Procrastinating did nothing for me either.  I sort of pride myself on being a procrastinator and doing my best work when the deadline is looming.  How did I convince myself of that???  The pride came...is the fall next?  I am humbling myself and asking God to forgive my pride and come along side me to help me reach my goal.  

Counting my blessings...

March's Joy Dare: 2

3 gifts green

material
eyes
growing plants

March's Joy Dare: 3

3 gifts wore
clothes that fit comfortably
butter-soft blue jeans
a warm winter coat

March's Joy Dare: 4
3 gifts hard to give thanks for
another's undisciplined children
an unfinished thesis
weather that spoils plans

A Holy Experience

The Finale

So amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

I absolutely abhor conflict.  I will try to do everything to avoid it.  In the past I have been a peace keeper.  Not a peace maker.  A peace keeper, tries to keep his or her surroundings peaceful regardless of the chaos that is going on internally.  

I am learning to become a peace maker.  I do this by knowing that I must allow God to work in the situation and not to be discouraged by the conflict.  While I am in the midst of conflict, God sends angels to help and comfort me.  Working through the conflict is the only way to make peace. In that I am blessed.


Since I didn't blog yesterday, I will post two Joy Dares today.

February's Joy Dare: 29

A gift dull, a gift shimmering, a gift clean 

the cold that dulled my taste buds so I was not hungry and lost some weight

a thin sheet of ice covering a puddle

laundry

March's Joy Dare: 1

3 gifts at 3 pm.

finishing reading A Holy Experience at 3 pm and then seeing the March 1 Joy Dare :)

beautiful piano music in the background

green and white tea cooled enough to enjoy

A Holy Experience

Verse Three

When you look at others with their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high

I used to think the grass was always greener in someone else's yard.  I thought that as a Christian, wealth was part of the package.  Then I happened across a verse in Proverbs 30:8b, "give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread."

That verse nagged at me every time I read it.  I tried to ignore it, skim over it quickly, but there it was.  Finally I confessed my greediness and can honestly (most of the time) pray this verse to God.  

God has always provided for me.  I've never gone hungry, never gone without clothes, always had a roof over my head.  Sometimes it was someone else's roof, but a roof nonetheless. God has abundantly blessed me with all those and more.  

I am ashamed that I grumble because I don't have everything I want.  I have everything I need!  I pray that I will always thank him for his provision, his love, his grace.  I will count my many blessings and name them one by one.

February's Joy Dare 28:
Three gifts from the past--that help you trust the future
My green and brown leather Bible
Songs and hymns from days gone by such as His Eye Is On The Sparrow
A book of family history dating back hundreds of years, with stories of God's provision through it all

One Thousand Gifts

Verse 2

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?  
Count your many blessings ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

I've been burdened to the point of it affecting my health!  I felt like I couldn't even bear that cross.  After reading helpful books like, "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow and "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp I have learned to be thankful for what comes my way, counting the blessings and knowing those doubts have flown away.  I've been singing more as the days go by, too.  

I challenge you to be thankful in all things, in good times and in bad.  God is God and He has all things under control.  Blessings on your week!

February's Joy Dare: 27

Three ugly-beautiful gifts:

The compost bin my husband bought for me

Over-ripe/rotting fruits and veggies to be put in that compost bin

The finished compost that nourishes the soil of my gardens

The Song's Second Line

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost 
Count your many blessings name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.


It's easy to let yourself become discouraged.  Especially when you don't understand why things happen. I've been discouraged countless times, thinking that all is lost.  


Only when my focus is on God and I am counting my blessings and naming them can I even begin to see what the Lord does for me.   I don't think I can count that high.  I plan on naming my blessings that I count, writing them down in my journal.  


I thought today would be a great day to make bread.  Especially since we are almost out of bread.  The first loaf was pumpernickel rye.  I forgot to put the yeast in so instead we had unleavened bread, which reminded me of Jesus.  A blessing indeed. 


The second loaf was honey wheat.  I remembered the yeast.  However, the loaf stuck to the pan and it got sort of not so nice looking when I finally got it out of the pan. Sigh.  But, we do have a loaf of bread that is still going to nourish our bodies.  Another blessing.  


Count them. Name them. Be surprised!


February's Joy Dare: 25
a gift nearly worn out, a gift new, a gift make-do
food chopper
a bar of dark chocolate
leftovers for dinner
February's Joy Dare: 26
three gifts seen as reflections
baptism
how often I miss the blessing (awareness)
reminiscing about playing Twister while my sons play it

One Thousand Gifts