As I watch the news regarding the devastation in Japan, my heart is heavy and saddened. My continued prayers go out to all the people of Japan for their losses and the ongoing struggles.
I do have to say that I am proud to be of Japanese ancestry, seeing how honorable these people are. When there have been "disasters" in the U.S. and other countries, one of the first things you see on TV is the looting and violence. Some how people feel they are entitled to raid stores and steal anything, including big screen TVs! It was so embarrassing seeing Americans doing that. And in contrast, with one of the worse disasters in modern history, the Japanese people remain true to their heritage of honor, compassion and integrity.
I pray the Lord will bless them and that maybe as the world watches, they will learn something from the Japanese.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The New Year
Okay, its not exactly January 1st, but it took me this long to be able to sit down and reflect on 2010 and what I want to accomplish in 2011. My mode of operation has always been what I can "accomplish", setting goals, filling up my calendar, doing projects....so will this year be the same?
Reflecting on 2010, which now seems like just a blur, I guess there were milestone moments. I set out to get healthy and lose weight. Well, that came down to the wire but I did manage to accomplish that with a little help! I kicked off my weight loss using a program called Take Shape for Life. Did that for two months with some modifications because I couldn't handle such a low calorie diet. Lost 10 pounds! Then taking what I learned from that, modified my eating, restricting white flour and rice to very occasional "treats". I didn't realize how much white rice I had been eating until I did this. Eat 6 times a day instead of three and ongoing snacking. I managed to lose another 5 pounds. Now I have started back on exercising, which I gave up during the diet phase. You know, before I went on a diet, I was working out like a fiend and not losing any weight. Goes to show the importance of proper eating! The key was really timing of eating and eliminating the starch.
Okay, so one goal accomplished. Then I really had to think about the other goals I had set. Hmmmm....if I can't remember them, they were either not important, or I totally missed the mark! Probably a little bit of both. Okay, I didn't ready the book a month. Nor did I have a monthly craft day. Okay...probably not that important.
Bottom line...I got too "busy" to get them done. So this year, I really thought about what I wanted not just from this year, but from life. Where am I in my life? Oh that was a loaded question! There were moments when I felt I was going crazy. What the heck am I doing at 54 years of age raising a strong-willed 5 year old???? I see friends our age becoming empty-nesters (we were there with the boys)and I've got one that hasn't even started Kindergarten! Oh Lord help me!
I felt sorry for myself and focused on getting things done, on accomplishments. So now what did I want to do? The thoughts that flooded me were not about accomplishing tangible things because they are oh so elusive and endless, and when you get too busy and miss the mark, its depressing. Then I realized what the problem was.
So this year, my main focus is....TO BE CONTENT AND JOYFUL IN THE LIFE I ALREADY HAVE.
I think so many times we are constantly pursuing something. Whether it be accomplishments or stuff, there will always be more to do or have. The thought of it just exhausts me! Why do we do this to ourselves? A friend said that she wanted the train to wait for her. But who's driving? Are we so busy chasing after something, trying to get somewhere that we forget to stop and smell the roses? I know I'm guilty of that. I feel like if I'm not busy pursuing something, making something, getting something accomplished that I am just wasting my day. But lately, God has been putting on my heart that he wants me to "be still". It's hard for a Type A, OCD person to "be still". What a waste of time! But its clear that is what I need most in my life. Not just this year, but every day.
In the quiet moments of my day, I get to spend time with God. I love to read, so I'm reading Christian books, reading devotionals, and especially reading the bible. My husband sometimes makes me feel guilty when I'm "not doing anything" but slowly I am learning that its okay....more than okay...its what I need and what God wants me doing. So each morning I reserve that time for God.
What is it that you need to do to feed your soul? Listen to your heart and as Nike says "Just Do It".
I wish you a very blessed year...one that replenishes your soul.
Reflecting on 2010, which now seems like just a blur, I guess there were milestone moments. I set out to get healthy and lose weight. Well, that came down to the wire but I did manage to accomplish that with a little help! I kicked off my weight loss using a program called Take Shape for Life. Did that for two months with some modifications because I couldn't handle such a low calorie diet. Lost 10 pounds! Then taking what I learned from that, modified my eating, restricting white flour and rice to very occasional "treats". I didn't realize how much white rice I had been eating until I did this. Eat 6 times a day instead of three and ongoing snacking. I managed to lose another 5 pounds. Now I have started back on exercising, which I gave up during the diet phase. You know, before I went on a diet, I was working out like a fiend and not losing any weight. Goes to show the importance of proper eating! The key was really timing of eating and eliminating the starch.
Okay, so one goal accomplished. Then I really had to think about the other goals I had set. Hmmmm....if I can't remember them, they were either not important, or I totally missed the mark! Probably a little bit of both. Okay, I didn't ready the book a month. Nor did I have a monthly craft day. Okay...probably not that important.
Bottom line...I got too "busy" to get them done. So this year, I really thought about what I wanted not just from this year, but from life. Where am I in my life? Oh that was a loaded question! There were moments when I felt I was going crazy. What the heck am I doing at 54 years of age raising a strong-willed 5 year old???? I see friends our age becoming empty-nesters (we were there with the boys)and I've got one that hasn't even started Kindergarten! Oh Lord help me!
I felt sorry for myself and focused on getting things done, on accomplishments. So now what did I want to do? The thoughts that flooded me were not about accomplishing tangible things because they are oh so elusive and endless, and when you get too busy and miss the mark, its depressing. Then I realized what the problem was.
So this year, my main focus is....TO BE CONTENT AND JOYFUL IN THE LIFE I ALREADY HAVE.
I think so many times we are constantly pursuing something. Whether it be accomplishments or stuff, there will always be more to do or have. The thought of it just exhausts me! Why do we do this to ourselves? A friend said that she wanted the train to wait for her. But who's driving? Are we so busy chasing after something, trying to get somewhere that we forget to stop and smell the roses? I know I'm guilty of that. I feel like if I'm not busy pursuing something, making something, getting something accomplished that I am just wasting my day. But lately, God has been putting on my heart that he wants me to "be still". It's hard for a Type A, OCD person to "be still". What a waste of time! But its clear that is what I need most in my life. Not just this year, but every day.
In the quiet moments of my day, I get to spend time with God. I love to read, so I'm reading Christian books, reading devotionals, and especially reading the bible. My husband sometimes makes me feel guilty when I'm "not doing anything" but slowly I am learning that its okay....more than okay...its what I need and what God wants me doing. So each morning I reserve that time for God.
What is it that you need to do to feed your soul? Listen to your heart and as Nike says "Just Do It".
I wish you a very blessed year...one that replenishes your soul.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Reflections
It's hard to believe the last time I posted was over 8 months ago. So much has happened in those 8 months. First and most sadly, was the passing of my mother-in-law Flora. She was a kind and gracious woman; always joyful. Her loss was felt by many, but especially by her husband of over 65 years. My husband's parents spent all their time together, never apart, other than when she would go on her weekly outing with her girlfriend to the hair dresser, lunch and shopping at her favorite store, Nordstrom. This loss changed all our lives.
Since her passing, my father-in-law has been staying with us. We were happy to do it, but I will admit, it required some major adjustments by everyone. For me, it was a true test of my ability to be gracious, and I will admit, there were times when I failed. I was overcome by the burden of caring for another person in an already busy household. My parents already live with us, although they have their own space and do their own thing most of the time, I now found myself cooking and cleaning for seven people. The stress was overwhelming.
What I have learned during this time is I need to let go and give control to God. I have always been a doer...accomplishments were a reflection of who I was...of my value and worth in this world...to God. Through bible study and reading, I am learning that my value to God has nothing to do with how perfect a wife, mom, daughter and person I am. I don't have to do anything to "earn" God's love and acceptance. Jesus took care of that for me when he died on the cross. It's hard to fathom that. Why would he do that for me? What did I do to deserve this? That's the part I wrestle with....because the truth is, NOTHING! I did nothing to deserve it. He did it because he loved me unconditionally. I think we intellectually "get it", but logically, it doesn't add up. On this journey God is trying to teach me that. It isn't logical...it doesn't add up....that's the GIFT. It's a gift given out of love....no strings attached....you just have to accept it.
Since her passing, my father-in-law has been staying with us. We were happy to do it, but I will admit, it required some major adjustments by everyone. For me, it was a true test of my ability to be gracious, and I will admit, there were times when I failed. I was overcome by the burden of caring for another person in an already busy household. My parents already live with us, although they have their own space and do their own thing most of the time, I now found myself cooking and cleaning for seven people. The stress was overwhelming.
What I have learned during this time is I need to let go and give control to God. I have always been a doer...accomplishments were a reflection of who I was...of my value and worth in this world...to God. Through bible study and reading, I am learning that my value to God has nothing to do with how perfect a wife, mom, daughter and person I am. I don't have to do anything to "earn" God's love and acceptance. Jesus took care of that for me when he died on the cross. It's hard to fathom that. Why would he do that for me? What did I do to deserve this? That's the part I wrestle with....because the truth is, NOTHING! I did nothing to deserve it. He did it because he loved me unconditionally. I think we intellectually "get it", but logically, it doesn't add up. On this journey God is trying to teach me that. It isn't logical...it doesn't add up....that's the GIFT. It's a gift given out of love....no strings attached....you just have to accept it.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Changes
It's been a while since I've posted. Time just seems to fly by. The kids are growing and the demands of the family take precedence over things I want to do. There's that word "want". God has been teaching me a lot about "desires", "wants", "can" and "need".
Something that would seem unimportant to God, like buying a new car, has turned into quite a soul searching process. After 4 years of driving the minivan....something I swore I would never do, I am ready for a change. I said to myself, "I deserve it", "I can afford it", and just plain "I want it". The process began many months ago, and until this week, I went back and forth on what to do and what to get. Seems insane to go through so much for a car.
I learned how a part of my mindset was still stuck in my old life, where cars were a part of your identity. When we felt lead to leave California, we left behind all the trappings of a materialistic lifestyle, selling our cars and getting more practical vehicles. We thought our life in Oregon should be simpler and focused more on the people in our lives than the things we had. What we didn't realize is, although less prevalent, we were still faced with that environment. Little by little I would notice the luxury vehicles and hear about moms who "rank" other moms based on what they drive. So when I decided it was time to trade in my minivan, I immediately started looking at luxury SUVs. Oh believe me, we checked out every one out there! I pondered, put a spreadsheet together comparing all of them, going back and forth between a few of them, but for some reason, couldn't make up my mind.
Then this thought kept coming to me..."are you buying based on what you need, what you can afford, or what you think you should have?" I kept telling myself I "should" have it and justifying that I can afford it so why not! For some reason, I kept coming back to another vehicle that wasn't on "the list". It met much resistance because my husband thinks it looks "dorky". A review on the vehicle said "quirky styling", but for some reason, I really was drawn to it. It wasn't a luxury SUV so I hadn't considered it. That's when I realized I was getting caught up in the "stuff" again and needed to refocus. In my heart I knew what I should be doing. Sometimes the enemy will attack you in ways you think are insignificant, but they are not. The voice had been telling me what I should be driving, what I deserve to be driving! But fortunately, since the decision has been dragging on for so long, I decided to pray about it and let God choose a car for me! Now that may sound crazy....What does God care about what I drive? How could I possibly ask Him to choose a car for me? Why am I bothering Him with something like this! But I've been hearing so many messages about how God wants to be there in every aspect of our lives, big or small.
It really wasn't about the car. It was about my character and the changes I chose to make in my life but was getting swayed by the enemy to stray. The journey of my life has been about discovering my true worth. It's been about finding my value not in this world but in God's eyes. I forget that even the littlest thing can affect that. For so so long, my worth was tied to the worldly success in my career and the things I had to show for it. I tried to fill the voids of my life and the insecurities of feeling "not good enough" with what the world defined as worth. Every day, God graces me with little hugs to remind me of my worth to Him. I am learning to listen more closely, to "be still" so I can hear Him instead of the noise and distractions of this world. When I'm focused on Him, life is calmer. When I get "too busy", life becomes chaotic and stressful. I need to choose each and every day, to stay focused on Him.
I hope you invite God to guide you through even the smallest decisions, because they may have a greater impact than you think.
"Quirky"
Something that would seem unimportant to God, like buying a new car, has turned into quite a soul searching process. After 4 years of driving the minivan....something I swore I would never do, I am ready for a change. I said to myself, "I deserve it", "I can afford it", and just plain "I want it". The process began many months ago, and until this week, I went back and forth on what to do and what to get. Seems insane to go through so much for a car.
I learned how a part of my mindset was still stuck in my old life, where cars were a part of your identity. When we felt lead to leave California, we left behind all the trappings of a materialistic lifestyle, selling our cars and getting more practical vehicles. We thought our life in Oregon should be simpler and focused more on the people in our lives than the things we had. What we didn't realize is, although less prevalent, we were still faced with that environment. Little by little I would notice the luxury vehicles and hear about moms who "rank" other moms based on what they drive. So when I decided it was time to trade in my minivan, I immediately started looking at luxury SUVs. Oh believe me, we checked out every one out there! I pondered, put a spreadsheet together comparing all of them, going back and forth between a few of them, but for some reason, couldn't make up my mind.
Then this thought kept coming to me..."are you buying based on what you need, what you can afford, or what you think you should have?" I kept telling myself I "should" have it and justifying that I can afford it so why not! For some reason, I kept coming back to another vehicle that wasn't on "the list". It met much resistance because my husband thinks it looks "dorky". A review on the vehicle said "quirky styling", but for some reason, I really was drawn to it. It wasn't a luxury SUV so I hadn't considered it. That's when I realized I was getting caught up in the "stuff" again and needed to refocus. In my heart I knew what I should be doing. Sometimes the enemy will attack you in ways you think are insignificant, but they are not. The voice had been telling me what I should be driving, what I deserve to be driving! But fortunately, since the decision has been dragging on for so long, I decided to pray about it and let God choose a car for me! Now that may sound crazy....What does God care about what I drive? How could I possibly ask Him to choose a car for me? Why am I bothering Him with something like this! But I've been hearing so many messages about how God wants to be there in every aspect of our lives, big or small.
It really wasn't about the car. It was about my character and the changes I chose to make in my life but was getting swayed by the enemy to stray. The journey of my life has been about discovering my true worth. It's been about finding my value not in this world but in God's eyes. I forget that even the littlest thing can affect that. For so so long, my worth was tied to the worldly success in my career and the things I had to show for it. I tried to fill the voids of my life and the insecurities of feeling "not good enough" with what the world defined as worth. Every day, God graces me with little hugs to remind me of my worth to Him. I am learning to listen more closely, to "be still" so I can hear Him instead of the noise and distractions of this world. When I'm focused on Him, life is calmer. When I get "too busy", life becomes chaotic and stressful. I need to choose each and every day, to stay focused on Him.
I hope you invite God to guide you through even the smallest decisions, because they may have a greater impact than you think.
"Quirky"
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
What Exactly is "Labor of Love"?
Okay, I am taking a break from my Christmas project -- a quilt. To be specific, a "charm quilt"...don't know where they came up with that name, but it is neither charming nor a "labor of love". What started as a "great idea" for a special Christmas gift has turned into a "labor of labor". I'm still glad I'm doing it, but honestly, if I knew going into it what I know now, I would have left my crafty, creative efforts to stamping and scrapbooking....not that I'm really that good at that either, but at least its fun.
Now when people say "labor of love", do they mean you love to labor? Do they mean, you love doing it so its not labor? Or do they mean you love the person you're giving it to so its not really labor? Bottom line for me....its still labor.
Enough about that, let's get back to the quilt. Who knew how much "labor" and cost such an endeavor would take. Dang, now I know why people charge so much for quilts!! This one will be priceless, since it will be the first and last one I will probably ever make. If its not obvious by now...I've never really done this before. Okay, sewing a few basic patchwork lap blankets to donate to a nursing home doesn't qualify as a real quilt that I am giving to someone who might possibly critique it. I'm stressed! Thank goodness for The FISH FM and beautiful Christmas music keeping me in the spirit...Ho! Ho! Ho!
At this point, a gift card sounds good.....
Now when people say "labor of love", do they mean you love to labor? Do they mean, you love doing it so its not labor? Or do they mean you love the person you're giving it to so its not really labor? Bottom line for me....its still labor.
Enough about that, let's get back to the quilt. Who knew how much "labor" and cost such an endeavor would take. Dang, now I know why people charge so much for quilts!! This one will be priceless, since it will be the first and last one I will probably ever make. If its not obvious by now...I've never really done this before. Okay, sewing a few basic patchwork lap blankets to donate to a nursing home doesn't qualify as a real quilt that I am giving to someone who might possibly critique it. I'm stressed! Thank goodness for The FISH FM and beautiful Christmas music keeping me in the spirit...Ho! Ho! Ho!
At this point, a gift card sounds good.....
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Count Your Blessings
Today at bible study I was reminded of how blessed we all are. From time to time we may complain about the things we have to do, how busy we are driving around, running errands, how we don't have enough time to exercise as much as we'd like, how we wish we could get a newer car, how tired we are chasing after the kids....
The list goes on and on. But today, I listened to a sister in Christ offering a praise instead of asking for a prayer. She praised God for the "new" bed she got. It was a second hand bed, but it was new to her, so she was thankful. She was thankful for the power wheelchair she got on loan until a new one could be ordered. She needs the chair to get around since she's been diagnosed with MS. This young single mother of three blessed me today with her strength, faith and trust in the Lord.
I am humbled and honored to be participating in this bible study group with her.
The list goes on and on. But today, I listened to a sister in Christ offering a praise instead of asking for a prayer. She praised God for the "new" bed she got. It was a second hand bed, but it was new to her, so she was thankful. She was thankful for the power wheelchair she got on loan until a new one could be ordered. She needs the chair to get around since she's been diagnosed with MS. This young single mother of three blessed me today with her strength, faith and trust in the Lord.
I am humbled and honored to be participating in this bible study group with her.
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