Prioritize & determine....

... that your time is best spent on your destiny,

not on keeping track of what 

everyone else is doing.

notes....

no distractions

  children running, laughing 

and jumping off the dock

hamburgers on the grill

fellowship with friends

singing a hymn together before dinner

in the shade of the willow tree

men being chivalrous

strangers becoming friends

 sharing stories

it was one of those gatherings

where love was tangible

God's love cannot be measured or explained

but it can be experienced

a true

balanced 

sense of worth

can only be found in the one who made you

your peace is never missing

you just search for it in the wrong place

live your life rooted in & built on faith

hope & love

God is growing you

even if it seems slow

prioritize your life and the things that are

important to you or you'll get off

focus and invest your energy in trivial matters

there's some stuff you just leave alone

develop the art of handling minor issues

appropriately

cherish the ones you love 

more than ever before

presence is truly a priceless gift

be marked by love

peace and compassion

rather than hatred,

anger and selfishness

live purposely 

think rightly

serve generously

forgive quickly

trust there is enough

be generous and kind

be with what is and enjoy the ride

assume there is a perfect plan for you

(with God)

be compassionate

be calm

breathe

if your goal is to be happy

walk close to God

and use that as a filter eliminating 

words, habits, behaviors, and beliefs

that oppose it

you are the one who determines your thoughts

and the issues that are worthy of your time

stop allowing minor thoughts 

to occupy your mind

you can meet life with openness 

awareness and inner stability

even if a unity of faith is not possible

a unity of love is

your walk with God is yours

to have

'we're all different

we're all spiritual beings

we're all connected

and we need each other'

something beautiful can happen when you take 

the time to know somebody that's different from you

you might just learn something about yourself

truly see each other

spread love the way God intended

Love always has the final word

be well...

xoxo

💖

"The ultimate test of love is a test of forgiveness,

and no one so tested will ever ask again,

"What is love?"

"Peace is not found when everything becomes perfect.

Peace is found then everything quits disturbing your inner world."

~Michael S

"Mastering others is strength;

mastering yourself is true power."

~Lao Tzu

"Take delight in the Lord,

and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Start from scratch....

...with God every day

and then be careful what you add 

after that.

notes...

it's too pretty to finish up and go home,

so hubby's moving some hay and

 I'm going to chill out in my little nook in the tack room.

 A nice breeze is blowing through the open doors,

  the sound of the Johnson grass swaying back and forth is so soothing.

It's so peaceful. I love being out on the farm

 simply enjoying

nature for a while.

an open heart comes from providing

the kindness, care, support, and attention

that only you were designed to give yourself

own who you really are

feel the breeze against your skin

noticing life's beauty

and just be inspired by life

this is the time to come alive

fierce determination can bring many

wonderful things into your life

you have the power to be the change 

you want to see

there's a difference in what you can't do

& what you won't do

align your behavior with your values

energy and time 

are limited and precious

use them wisely

narrow down your focus 

on what's truly matters most to you

it does you no good to focus on your

deficiencies

it's wasted contemplation

you'll know your trusting God

when you walk around thankful 

for everything

if you're still alive

God has a plan for you

and His plans blow yours away

accepting yourself and your

idiosyncrasies gets you further 

than picking on yourself

trying to be perfect

sometimes flaws and imperfections

determine your uniqueness

the way it does in art

let your life become a great work of art

create a life that is truly yours

from the inside out

be well...

xoxo

💖

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace;

making the complicated simple,

awesomely simple,

that's creativity."

"Sometimes you've go to let everything go-

purge yourself.

If you are unhappy with anything...

whatever is bringing you down,

get rid of it.

Because you'll find that when you're free,

your true creativity,

your true self comes out."

~Tina Turner

"Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity,

because if you're passionate about something,

then you're more willing to take risks."

~Yo-Yo Ma

"Negativity is the enemy of creativity."

You can be close...

....to God &

dysfunctional at the same time.

You can be real.

notes...

'Discouragement is quite debilitating,

you can give up trying, hoping, caring,

and believing.

You need to change your thoughts,

your focus,

your mind.

Never forget how much God Loves you.

If the voice is negative, it's not God.

The #1 purpose of your life, is to let God Love you.

You don't have to prove your worth.

There is nothing  more discouraging than being

something your not.

Be authentic, genuine, real.

Be yourself.

God didn't make you to be someone else.

We start out as originals and end up carbon copies.

You can't fake it.

You've got to be who you're going to be.

Don't try to pretend you have it all together.

Remember it's not all about you.

Life is bigger than you.

God has a unique life message for you.

Your life message is not about you,

it's about Him.

God is always more interested in why you do what you do,

than what you do.

Relax in your limitations.

God often puts His greatest gifts

in the weakest people.

He only used flawed instruments.

Humility is not denying your strengths,

it's being honest about your weaknesses.

You are a bundle of both.

You can handle an enormous amount of pain

if you see a purpose in it.

Pain without purpose is unbearable.

You can't please everybody.

Even God can't do that.

Take time for renewal.

You can't stop the aging process,

but you can remain fresh inside.

Take time for renewal.

Recharge.

Refresh yourself.

When you get tired

you lose your perspective.

Know what renews you emotionally,

and physically.

We're all a little cracked.

Never forget you are Loved.'

be well...

xoxo

💖

 

There is power...

....in experiencing the simplicity

of faith.

notes...

First words in my journal this morning

"I'm in severe need of a mind renewal"

Woman's conference this morning.

Yay.

Then...

 stomach ache, didn't register,

couldn't find my wedding ring...

pause. pray. breathe. 

determined to go

even if....

Have a heart overflowing with gratitude

cultivate a thankful mindset

He will open up the way for you

one step at a time

wait in expectation

waiting and trusting are ever so closely connected

don't be overly focused on getting the answers you seek

watch and wait

He is trying to take you to a place you 

can't go alone

surrender to His plan

and exercise your gifts

when your faith is stretched to the limit

& your dreams are shattered,

everything in you may be telling you to give up

don't

believe 

despite everything around you

when you experience a situation for 

which answers are lacking & there seems

to be no hope

your facing a test of faith

conference notes...

'once you've tasted the Lord

you can't go back'

~Sarah

'Do you want to ask me?

Or do you want to tell me you can't'

#prayer

~Sarah

"Pour out what you have...

pour out your light

& God pours into you."

~Sarah

"There's always miles you didn't see coming

Nobody can run the miles for you."

#triathalon

~Sarah

'We love even if it is never reciprocated.'

~Cassie

'Come and see a Man who meets you

right where you are

who wants to make your heart whole.'

~Sherice

'Healing and transformation began

after the woman stopped hiding.'

~Daphne

'Walls keep people out

keeps healing out

keeps God out.

~Daphne

"You can't heal what you won't reveal."

~Daphne

"Jesus knows the whole story

and He stays."

~Daphne

"He will cancel out all the

voices of your past."

~Donna

....and I was severely blessed

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Holding space for another person requires active

listening through presence and respect.

When people share their stories, 

they are inviting you in with a bid for connection.

Giving them the time and space to express

themselves is an offering and deep connections

are formed with each interaction.

We tend to get wrapped up in our own story

when we need to listen.

Try to really hear what they are saying and offer 

the empathy and love they are seeking.

Open your ears when others choose you

to open their hearts to."