Day thirty-one

Day 31: pros and cons to 30 days of blogging

Pro’s
there was a good discipline in blogging everyday
having different topics to write about
by using the blogtober picture there was no stress about the time it takes to take pics, edit them and add them to posts
being inspired and challenge to improve and create
helped me to dig deeper into my thoughts, ideas and opinions
having the topic picked for each day, less pressure to come up with my own

Con’s
it was a bit stressful having to blog everyday
missed opportunities to share our lives as they happened
didn’t get to use a picture for each post
always having ideas running through my head
found it to be extremely challenging to write creatively everyday
having the topic picked for each day

Even though the number is similar for each, I think the pros out way the cons… this has been good! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Blessings

Day thirty

Day 30: react to this term: letting go

This term scares me… I like to be in control of my life, my decisions, where I go, what I do, in fact I like total control.

I think we try to control things because of what we think might happen if we don’t. Most of us, worry, fuss, and fret far more than we need to, but the thing is I am paralyzed by the what if’s…

I think letting go ~ means giving up control.  

Having control over our lives isn’t always a bad thing. But here’s the thing ~ we need to understand that the control we want to have over our lives can only go so far. Things happen in our lives that we have no control over and we have to be able to deal with that. Trying for too much control of our lives and we could end up missing some awesome God-moments.

God knows the end from the beginning and He has good plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, “plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” No matter what you are encountering today, no matter if you are facing disappointment or heartache, rest assured that God holds you in the palm of His hand. He will not let you go. He has so many good things in store for you.

God is always by our side waiting to interact with us, intervene and create moments of opportunity for His kingdom to come in our daily lives. It’s exciting, isn’t it? Even for a control freak like me! It's not about the plans that I have for my life, but His plans.

How easy is it for those God-moments to take place in your life?

Blessings

Day twenty-nine

Day 29: five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. {be sure to include a video from YouTube in the post}

Let me Be the One ~ Kevin Costner & Modern West

 

While my guitar gently weeps ~ George Harrison

Waitin' on a Woman ~ Brad Paisley

 

Won't back down ~ Johnny Cash

 

Done ~ The Band Perry

 

Blessings

Day twenty-eight

 Day 28: progression of journals

As I started to gather my journals, I couldn't believe that I had so many.  Notice the variety of covers. I seem to like pink!

But then I realized that I've been journalling for over 25 years, 12 journals really isn't all that many.  Although we do need to take into account that I've been journalling blogging for 7 of those years and I haven't been overtly faithful writing in my journals. 

 

Before I put the journals away, I spent some time reading though them.  It's alot of fun to re-read my journals and even blogposts.  Seeing areas where I've grown, things I struggled with and how I managed through those difficult times.  Reading through the adventures we shared with our kids brought a warmth to my heart.   I think it's important to keep a record of our lives, whether we only write the day to day stuff or we write deeply from the heart, it's a great way to hold those memories.

Blessings

Day twenty-seven

Day 27: a letter to your readers

Dear Friends and Family who read my blog:

First off let me say thank you!  You have no idea how much I love and respect you for the support you constantly give me.

I started blogging a little more than seven years ago after I was encouraged by a dear friend to share my thoughts, ideas and opinions in an open forum. I have loved writing for most of my life and I now use blogging as an outlet to share my voice with the world.

For some reason, my thoughts from brain to paper {or computer} emerge more easily and eloquently than they do from brain to mouth. And happily I can edit myself on paper.

Over the course of the years, my blog has changed. I’ve recorded a lot about my family and the adventures we have when we’re all together. I’ve written about different things I struggle with. I‘ve shared more ideas, thoughts and opinions than I can count, and it has helped to shape me into the person I am. I gotten a deeper understanding into who God has made me, who I am and who I hope to become. And I have changed as a person in the process.

While there is no particular topic or theme I stick too, I appreciate you’re continued dedication to read as I write about my life, what I love, where I am struggling and everything else that comes to my mind. This has been my year to be authentic and I have been really trying to write from my heart.

What I am trying to say is that I appreciate you being my friends; following, reading and commenting when I write a blogpost. Your support means the world to me…

Sincerly,
Anita

Blessings

Day twenty-six

Day 26: something you read online.

There’s an on-line devotional I follow every day written by Max Lucado who has written hundreds of books. 
 
One of my favourite books is You Are Special. It is a beautiful story that reminds us that we are precious to God just the way we are. It is through spending daily time with him that we begin to see ourselves through his eyes. This is an important truth that children and parents need to know: God loves us even though we make mistakes and have flaws!

Today he wrote this:
You sleep alone in a double bed. You walk the hallways of a silent house. You catch yourself calling out his name or reaching for her hand. Good-bye is the challenge of your life! To get through this is to get through this raging loneliness, this strength-draining grief. Just the separation has exhausted your spirit. You feel quarantined, isolated.

May I give you some hope? If heaven’s throne room has a calendar, one day is circled in red and highlighted in yellow. The Bible says that the The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He will come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then the rest of us who are still alive will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. {I Thessalonians 4:15-17}.

Oh, what a day that will be! We’ll be walking on air! And there will be one huge family reunion. I leave you with this reminder: You will get through this!

Some times life can feel overwhelming. We wonder how we will make it through the week, let alone the day. I find it truly amazing how God intervenes in our day to day lives. Each day I check in, it’s exactly what I needed to read. Some people would mark it as coincidence, or fate, but if we have our eyes open we can notice that those incidents/accidents are really God at work.

Blessings

Day tweny-five

Day 25: something someone told you that you’ll never forget {good or bad}

After being diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder, I really struggled.  And these words Give yourself Grace… spoken by a dear friend gave me the fresh perspective I needed.

It was difficult to keep everything in balance. Not realizing that the more I pushed myself the further behind I kept getting.

I soon became discouraged.

I needed to give myself permission to stop… and to remind myself that it’s ok, if the dishes pile up by the sink, that laundry will wait… that if there is not fresh baked goodies the world, despite what some might think, will not end. Leaving the lawn for another day or two or even three until it gets mowed is alright. And while the flowerbeds do look nice when regularly maintained that that too, will wait. In fact, when you’re having a bad day, everything will wait and to realize that it is ok.

I tried desperately to ignore the inner voice, the one that whispers and points out my shortcomings and failures. I needed to stop listening to the lie that everyone else can do it and of course do it better.

Sometimes, we’re too hard on ourselves.

Sometimes, we need to give ourselves grace.

We need to stop judging ourselves by the way others can finish a job without getting stressed, frustrated or even tired. It’s not a bad reminder to Give yourself Grace… and take the time to take care of yourself.

God shows us grace everyday, and we too are willing to extend it our family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, and everyone else that crosses our path, so it’s about time we give ourselves some grace too!

The challenge though, is to continue to strive for the best, accept the worst and live in the moment of the everyday and to give myself the same grace I give to others.

Blessings

Day twenty-four

Day 24: your top 3 worst traits

Opinionated
Someone who isn't afraid to give their personal opinion.
Strong willed
Never giving up and never wanting to, less someone prove you wrong.
Perfectionist
Someone who finds it hard to be happy with their work unless it is of a very high standard.

Blessings

Day twenty-three

Day 23: ten things you’ve learned that school didn’t teach you

Be kind. You never know what battle someone may be fighting.
Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Bad things can happen to good people. Find the lessons buried within the suffering.
Life is not fair.
There is a God and you’re not Him.
Don't sweat the small stuff', it’s all small stuff.
Enjoy each moment … the past is over. the future doesn’t exist yet.
There is life after: highschool, a break-up, a failed friendship, the loss of the BIG game, finals, and so on…
Slow down. Take your time. Life is more enjoyable at a leisurely pace.
Honesty really is the best policy!

Be who you are and say what you feel,

because those who mind don't matter,

and those who matter don’t mind.

~ Dr. Seuss

 

Blessings

Day twenty-two

Day 22: rant about something. get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. {a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbour or boss does that really ticks you off}

A short rant about Pinterest.

According to their website ~ Pinterest is where you go to discover new things and collect stuff you love. If you find something online you want to build, cook, buy or do, just Pin It to your board ... It’s the third largest social network, behind Facebook and Twitter and in January 2012, the site reported there were 11.7 million unique users, making it the fastest site in history to break through the 10 million unique visitor mark. Most of the site's users are female.

Chances are you've heard someone, probably your girlfriend, mother, sister, daughter or the lady at the grocery store, breathlessly praising the glories of Pinterest.

I don’t use Pinterest.

I’m sorry, but I just don’t get it… scrolling through the never-ending pages of Pinterest, can likely make one start to feel inadequate. Maybe my lack of craftiness is at the root of my Pinterest loathing.  As it makes everything look so easy! 

I know that some people find value and meaning in making beautifully crafted projects with {or for} their children. But I also see many women who are so critical of their work that it takes away from the enjoyment of the project, and the celebration.

That's right: I hate you, Pinterest. 

Before you came along, I was in awe of my friends' decorations and recipes that they created. Now they just say, “You can do it, too ~ Pinterest!” But I can’t.  One thing I am not is crafty ~ at all.   No matter how hard I tried.

In case you haven't figured this part out yet, Pinterest is for makers. Makers of crafts, food, clothes, and all those DIY projects around the house. In short, Pinterest has raised the bar too high. For our homes, for our wardrobes, for everyday recipes that have turned us into wanting every part of our lives to be Pinterest-perfect.

Blessings

Day twenty-one

Day 21: a list of links to your favourite posts in your archives

This was hard... and very time consuming, but it was fun too. Does that even make sense? As I searched through each post going month by month throughout the past seven years, I really enjoyed re-reading many of the entries.  Throughout the years, I noticed my writing got better, more personal, I wrote more honestly and deeply as the years progressed.  

I ended up choosing one post from each year. 

Enjoy!

Stones

Life goes on

My Kids

Greatest Gift

Misfit

A common... what?

Riddle me this

Blessings

Day twenty

Day 20: get real. share something you’re struggling with right now.

I’m struggling with such an intense desire to have a deep, meaningful friendship with a person who is not related. Finding that one bosom~friend, who according to Anne of Green Gables is: “A bosom friend ~ an intimate friend, you know ~ a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul.”

I’ve written about my struggles here, here, and here.

We all want to be picked.
 
This is natural ~ the desire to be chosen, to fit in with society’s standards, to be liked by the “cool kids”. I hated being the girl that was left out. Still do. Sadly, though many of us are still waiting to be picked. We keep waiting for someone to notice us. And when we find ourselves in these seasons of waiting we start to think we’re not wanted or we’re undesirable, unaccepted or even unworthy.

But friends that is a lie.

True friendship is hard to find, it takes time to nurture a lasting friendship and it’s worth every ounce of effort.  So I guess rather just sitting around and waiting,  I'll take the advice of Ralph Waldo Emerson ~ “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”  and extend the invitation myself.

Blessings

Day nineteen

Day 19: six of your favourite blogs and what you love about them

krystle's kitchen
This is my daughter's blog.  It's a great way to stay connected with everyday of her life.  She shares words of wisdom, super scrumptious recipes, and helpful weight-loss hints.  I love reading about and following her many adventures.

(in) courage
Here is a collection of women who write and share their many experiences about life, love and God.

Sandra Regier Photography
Is a blog of the many weddings, familys, engagment and baby photos she's taken.  Her talent to capture not only an amzing photo but for us to feel the emotions in the picture is outstanding!!!  I am proud to say she is also my cousin.

Unveiled Wife
After my daughter shared this one with me, I was hooked.   The writer shares deeply from her heart; giving helpful advice to women.

Sugar Shack
My friend Deb writes here and I love reading about her updates, renovations and collections of crafts that she does.  She is naturally crafty and is uninhibited to trying new things.

Mennonite Girls Can Can Cook
If you're looking for an amazing collection of recipes, shared from the kitchen of several different women, this is the one you must check out.  Using regular grocery store items and food already in your pantry, you too can make these simple to follow recipes. 

Blessings

Day eighteen

Day 18: tell a story from your childhood. dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

When I was in Grade three, I had a teacher named Mrs. Storey. At the end of the year, she invited every student to her house for a backyard pool party. What makes this so significant, is that this was a time before the annual year-end parties that kids these days get to go to…. it was a rare treat have a class party, especially one held by the teacher. My memories are ones of feeling quite excited and having a lot of fun. Running around the pool deck, playing with my friends, splashing in the pool, and eating BBQ’d hot dogs. Funny how a simple gesture like this can have such an impact.

Blessings

Day seventeen

Day 17: a favourite photo and why

This is one of my favourite photos because it has my three most favourite people in it....I am a blessed to have them call me mom. 

Blessings

Day sixteen

Day 16: something difficult about your “lot in life” and how you’re working to overcome it

As a child, I had this idea of what life was going to be when we’re 30, 45, 70 and even perhaps just how long we might live. When I was younger I remember thinking that people who are my age and have adult children are super old and that they can’t possibly have any fun in life…. oh how little I really knew!

The thing is, I never really expected to be “here”… married 27 years, 3 +1 amazing kids, farming, and diagnosed with significant health issues… I’ve written about my journey here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Having an auto-immune disorder has been difficult. Since it’s something others simply cannot see, I often find myself having to explain my “lot in life”.  Most people don’t seem to get, so it’s up to me to advocate for myself and sometimes that has been a real struggle. Thankfully my family understands my limitations and are a great support system for me….

In Jesus Calling, author Sarah Young says:
Grow strong in your weakness
Some of My children I’ve gifted with abundant strength and stamina. Others, like you, have received the humble gift of frailty. Your fragility is not a punishment, nor does it indicate lack of faith. On the contrary, weak ones like you must live by faith, developing your ability to trust Me, to lean on Me, rather than on your understanding. Your natural preference is to plan out your day, knowing what will happen when. My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting Me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness.

This is something I will never overcome, it’s one of those things that I have had to accept, deal with and realize that “this” is all part of His plan and I will put my trust in Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 {New International Version {NIV}}

 

Blessings

Day fifteen

Day 15: a day in the life

8:20 am wake up

8:30 am head downstairs start the kettle for a morning cuppa tea

8:32 am turn on bx93

8:35 am sit at computer check e-mails, answer e-mails, check facebook spend the several minutes scrolling through the lives of friends

9:20 am the hubs comes home from driving bus, take the puppy and catch a ride to the end of the side road and walk the 2K home

9:45 am eat some breakfast, usually fruit, greek yogurt and granola, either toss a load of laundry in the washer, or bake something delicious, it just depends on the day

10:12 am back at the computer, now reading through the blogs I follow - with this one as my favourite

11:25 am hang the clean clothes out on the wash line, straighten up the main floor living areas

12:00 pm watch “the big bang theory” on tv

12:30 pm eat some lunch, usually a salad of some kind {caesar, spinach, taco/nacho} or a wrap

12:45 pm read newest book borrowed from the library {if it’s nice I end up sitting outside}

2:12 pm the hubs is ready to head back out for his afternoon bus run, take the puppy and catch a ride - two side roads over and walk the 4k home

2:59 am finish tidying up the house, take down laundry and put away, or put fresh baking in containers, and read until the hubs is home

4.20 pm take the puppy and walk out to meet the bus - catch a ride in the lane, help close windows on the bus

4:25 pm start the kettle for an afternoon cuppa tea and check facebook updates

5:15 pm start supper preparations

5:30 pm watch “the big bang theory” on tv, during commercials continue making supper

6:00 pm watch “the big bang theory” on tv, during commercials continue making supper

6:30 pm eat supper

7:00 pm clean up supper, wash the dishes, put the kitchen back in order

7:35 pm sit at computer check e-mails, answer e-mails, check facebook {again} spend the several minutes scrolling through the lives of friends, write a blog post

8:05 pm read book

9:05 pm head to bed, read a bit more

9:35 pm turn off light and get some sleep - another busy {smirk} day tomorrow

this is repeat of this post, but seriously, my days don't change that much

Blessings

Day fourteen

Day 14: ten things that make you really happy

The thing is though, things do not a happy girl make…..

What makes me happy is:
10. expressing my thoughts, ideas and opinions through my writing
9. meeting friends for tea/coffee
8. volunteering with our church
7. travelling with the hubs
6. listening to music
5. reading a book
4. enjoying a glass of wine
3. sitting in the hot tub
2. going for walks
1. spending time with family

Blessings 

Day thirteen

Day 13: issue a public apology. this can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.

Dear Coffee counter employee

I am sorry that you have to wait on countless people, taking their orders for coffee, tea and such. Having to make smoothies using that annoying loud blender throughout the day must keep your ears ringing all night.

It must be frustrating having to cater to the whim of every paying customer. I didn’t realize following instructions could be so hard. It’s just that I prefer to have my “sandwich” fixings put in a wrap, it wasn’t my intent to send you into a deep frenzy of frustration.

While I can appreciate a “fun” environment to work at, I think it lacks character when you mock customers or continue to have a conversation that should clearly be private out behind the counter.

I realize too that it might be an off day for you. Perhaps, you just had another fight with your live-in boyfriend over the fact he plays too much Call of Duty, or that you are stuck working the afternoon shift for the next week, because your boss knows you’re too slow to handle the morning coffee rush.

It may be that you’re tired, bored, annoyed, overworked or even fed up.

But seriously, I get it. You’re just filling in time until you can get a better paying job, one where you feel more appreciated and your talents are recognized. Until then, could you please remember that without me, you wouldn’t have a job.

Sincerely,
A coffee drinker

Blessings

Day twelve

Day 12: what do you miss? {a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life…}

There are times, I must admit, that I really miss the time in our lives when all our kids were at home. Maybe I’m looking through rose-coloured glasses, but I have many fond memories of our kids during the high school years. When they would come home from school and we’d sit around the table enjoying each others company, discussing their day in great detail and processing together each situation they would find themselves in.

Being a part of their lives was very import ant to me, so I always made sure to have either fresh baked cookies coming out of the oven as they came through the doors, or some other type of snack on the kitchen table enticing them to stay at chat with me… sure I know we had our times when we squabbled and perhaps didn’t see eye to eye on certain occasions, but we were able to talk it through, giving advice and helping them to discern for themselves.

I’ve tried throughout my life, to embrace the different times in my life, trying not to regret the past, or look to far into the future for new adventures… slowly I am learning to live in the moment and appreciate each stage.

Dr Seuss said it best “Don’t cry because it’s over, SMILE because it happened.”

So I smile.

Blessings

Day eleven

Day 11: sell yourself in 10 words or less

Anita ~ loyal, dedicated, honest, administrative, helpful, discerning, appreciative, capable, organized, gracious

This one was tough ~ as I was thinking this through I found that negative words were far more easy to identify with.

Blessings

Day ten

Day 10: most embarrassing moment(s). spill.

You know that moment when you’re pushing doors that are built to be pulled and vice versa. Never fails… it’s embarrassing because I have a 50/50 chance, and yet I consistently get it wrong.

Blessings

Day nine

Day 9: a moment in your day

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

~ Hilary Cooper



There are many moments I recall….

Walking down the quiet country roads, there is a serenity that envelopes you. In that moment when you are alone with your thoughts… that’s when I can be the me I am meant to be. Without anyone around, I let it all out. The frustration, the hurt, the silliness, the thankfulness, my pain, my joy, you name it, I let it out. It‘s my time and place to process all those thoughts, ideas, opinions, swirling around.

As the leaves are changing colour and gently falling, they remind me that autumn is here and to take a moment and embrace the beauty in every day. My daughter calls and I stop in my busyness and chat with her…. the hubs is home and we take a tea break in the middle of the day. Learning to be thankful for what is already in my life. Wondering what I did to deserve so many blessings….

Take a moment
To stop
To listen
To live
To love

The best moments are those that have that rare ability to make my stomach tumble and steal my very breath.

Take a moment
To stop
To listen
To live
To love

These fleeting moments that are forever engraved in my mind seem so simple but yet so profound.

Blessings

Day eight

Day 8: a piece of advice you have for others. anything at all.

Be who you are and say what you feel,

because those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind.

~ Dr. Seuss

This is something that I have struggled with… I have been afraid to share my opinions or thoughts on different matters for fear of someone disapproving. With my people-pleasing tendencies, I am worried that if we disagree you might not like me, and I’d rather keep my opinion to myself than take the risk.

I hesitate to be too opinionated for fear of people not liking me. Too often I am paralyzed by what I think others are thinking of me and let what other people think influence me.

Slowly, I am learning to follow Dr. Seuss’ advice and believe that I am entitled to being accepted and that what I have to say is important. I am beginning to understand what it means to be comfortable in my own skin and appreciate that my opinion does matter.

We are all uniquely made ~ with our own set of gifts, abilities, opinions, strengths and weakness and that nobody is perfect.

This is my year to be authentic.  Authenticity is about being genuine and real, it means being yourself every day, and some days, that isn’t easy. Our authentic voice is that quiet, persistent messenger telling us what is right for us and what we really need.

If we don't speak for ourselves who will?

By the grace of God, I am gathering the confidence I need to live, be, act and speak my mind as authentically as He made me to be.

Blessings

Day seven

Day 7: the thing(s) you’re most afraid of

OK, here’s the thing... I am afraid to write down what I am afraid of, for fear that it will happen... I'm not superstitious or anything... it’s just that once it’s out there... alright no more stalling...

The thing I am most afraid of is... getting LOST.

Everytime we travel to some where we've never been before, I have moments of sheer panic.  Even though, I am armed with a google maps print out, a GPS, cell-phone and we even have CAA road-side assistance, I tend to worry. Unlike my son, who thinks of it like an adventure...  

I know I probably shouldn’t worry quite so much and yet..... I do! 

I mean really, what's the worst that could happen?  So that’s what I do, when I have those moments of panic, whether we’re at the beginning or in the middle of our journey and we miss our turn off, I calm myself by thinking what is the worst thing that can happen, I go through all the different scenarios in my mind, figuring out what I’ll do through each scenario and carry on... until we’ve arrived at our destination. 

Since I’ve never actually been lost, I not sure where this fear has come from and while it might seem irrational to some, for me it resurfaces each and time we travel.

Blessings

Day six

Day 6: if you couldn’t answer with your job, how would you answer the question, ‘what do you do’?

Since I am not employed, I struggle with this question from time to time. Because I can’t answer with a job a lot people get that glazed over the eyes look once I tell them I am not employed. It’s as if somehow now what I do is not important, especially since our kids no longer live at home. I tend to get quite defensive and want to be all in their face that just because we don’t have kids at home and I don’t work out of the house doesn’t make what I do any less important. 

Although, I really don’t DO much of anything. 

I don’t have any hobbies, like painting, card-making or anything artsy. I don’t enjoy running, nor do I volunteer anywhere, yet, {although I do have an idea} I do however like to walk…. I also do a lot of reading and am working my way through this… and accomplished it, so I extended it, but to most people that’s not much. 

With the health issues I have, most days I manage the status quo around the farm.  Through all this God has been teaching me that my worth does not come from what I do or don't do, and by taking one day at a a time,  “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 {New International Version {NIV}}
 

Blessings

Day five

Day 5: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don’t have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member.

Anneliese blogs over at For Everything a Season.  I found her through the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog, that a friend of mine introduced me to.   I have been following Anneliese's blog for about 5 years and even though we have never met in real life, I feel I know her. Her writing is honest and refreshing. She willing writes about her faith, her family and the friends she meets, whether through day to day life or those she meets when she is travelling promoting the Mennonite Girls Can Cook cookbook.  Each and every time she leaves a comment on one of my blog posts, my heart does a little happy dance - her wise words of encouragment are a gentle influence and such a blessing in my life.  So dear blogger friend, while we might not ever meet ~ I am excited to share in a small part or your world.  May you continue to blessed as you serve Him in all that you do.

Blessings

Day four

Day 4: favourite quote and why you love it

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

I love this quote! With the health issues I've been diagnosed with, this has become my new motto.  Things are very different from what I had planned for my later years. 

Notice how I say “I”.

God, however, has His plans all laid out for me just like it says in Psalm 139:16 {New Living Translation {NLT}} “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed”, and in Jeremiah 29:11 {New International Version [NIV}} “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” giving me the opportunity to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5 {New International Version {NIV}

ok, ok, technically that’s more than one quote ~ what are you the blog police?

blessings
 

Day three

Day 3: things that make you uncomfortable

It is extremely uncomfortable for me to walk into a large auditorium, full of people that I do not know. I am mildly agoraphobic ~ which is the fear of crowds.  Crowds, whether in the mall, at a sporting event, at the movies or theatre, on the street or at friends or familys home, sometimes can be frightening and quite overwhelming and these are times when I actually feel symptomatic and my heart starts to pound, my hands get all sweaty and I have difficulty breathing.  While I am nervous in large crowds, thankfully, I do let my fear interfere with my day to day living. I mean, I don't avoid going to the movies, or avoid shopping at the mall, I don't stop going to church because I am afraid of being caught in a crowd.  It doesn't cause me to avoid situations, or even to leave the house.  I am just uncomfortable being in places with large amounts of people.  I tend to feel insecure around so many people I do not know.  I prefer to be in smaller groups of people and would rather be one on one.

Blessings

Day two

Day 2: Educate us on something you know a lot about or are good at. Take any approach you like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)

I’ve become an expert at becoming invisible like so many middle aged women.

With my shy personality and my introverted tendencies, most people don't seem to notice me. Usually, I am quite content to stay in the background, and when I volunteer I am the who works behind the scenes, not out in the public eye.

With that there is the potential for a vicious cycle of feeling ignored, then feeling bad and drawing more inward/having less to say and that horrible feeling of never belonging anywhere.

After Krystle got married in June of 2010, Kyle & Darcy both left for college in September that same year, I had a bit of an identity crisis. Add to that, April 2012 and you have someone who according to society has certainly become invisible. Without kids living at home and not working out of the house somehow, you just vanish.

Every day we walk past people, and more often than I care to admit, I truly don’t “see” them, making me just as guilty of making others invisible as I have become invisible to them. We rush through life without giving those we run into another thought. After all, we have places to go, things to do, people to ….. mhmmmm. We are invisible to each other, simply because we refuse to see. We refuse to take the time, to slow life down.

At times, we each may feel as if a certain someone, or that society as a whole, has taken it upon themselves to make us feel invisible. I am not complaining, sometimes it can be advantageous to be unseen. But being ignored by someone whose attention means the world to you is hurtful. The worst feeling is not being alone, it's being forgotten.

It’s a cliché, but men grow in dignity as they get older, while women just disappear.

Blessings

Day one

Day 1: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph… no one will be counting your words… probably)
 
My name is Anita ~ born to Grant & Sharon in October of 1967. I am a second born, first daughter, middle child. I am married twenty-seven years to my husband Wayne. We have been blessed with three children; Krystle, Kyle & Darcy and three years ago we added our son-in-law Gerard to our family. We live on the family farm where we cash-crop, soya beans, corn and wheat. I am a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ and we worship in the house of our Lord with our family & friends at Emmanuel Baptist Church. We’ve been empty nesters for the past few years and I fill my days by caring for the household chores, reading and taking my little dog Sasha for walks down the quiet country roads. I am at-home full-time since I was diagnosed with significant health issues that prevent me from being employed. Each year my husband & I travel to the Caribbean for holidays for his much needed R&R. My life scripture is “For I know the plans have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11 {New International Version {NIV}}

Blessings

ps. {203} if you were counting