Category Archives: Prayers

Election hangover

“We” as a general population and electoral college have re-elected President Obama as our nation’s leader.  I couldn’t stay up for the results;  reading the twitter feeds and following along with the votes as they were being tallied was giving me major anxiety, so I went to bed.  This morning I awoke to the news.  News I can do nothing about.  News I am not happy about.  News I will live with and respect because, as a democracy, this is our country’s desire.

The President’s re-election wasn’t the only disappointing (to me and 48% of the country) result, but also some amendments to the constitution and a local referendum, HOWEVER……the people have voted and like it or not, today is Wednesday and life goes on.  I voted my conscience and my faith;  my prayer and hope for our country is that in regards to the  adage, “It’s going to get worse before it gets better” —is that we will have already hit the “worse” and perhaps we are  at a turnaround in our economy.  The “Change” hasn’t been for the better yet, but perhaps these next 4 years will turn it around….we can only hit our knees and pray and remember that God IS in control and Jesus is still King!

Galations 6:9  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Now.  It’s time for a second cup of coffee!

God Bless America!

Election Day…finally an end to the campaigning!!

If you live in the US you’ve been swamped with campaign mail, telephone solicitation, Facebook opinions, mudslinging, debates, tweets and so on and so on and can I get a HUGE “AMEN” that this glorious day brings an end to it all (because if you voted early you continue to receive all of the above stated).

My eyes are burning and I’m ready for bed, however…..my “practice” ballot is ready and come lunch time, my cheat sheet and I will whip through those little booths with sticker readily displayed.  Hopefully by tomorrow at this time we will have a clear answer as to who the winners are, until then… a prayer my precious former neighbor emailed to me and I will now share with you.

Dear Beloved God in Heaven
Please give us a president that loves this country and everything it
stands for.
Please give us a president who respects you as the one true God.
Please give us a president who will, with your help, restore this
nation to its former glory, the way you created her.
Please help us to respect what you have given to us and not take
anything for granted ever again.
Please God weaken the evil and strengthen the good both without and within.
May our eyes be opened.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
God Bless America

What doesn’t kill us….

Do you ever seem as though you can get so easily caught in a vortex of despair?  (Currently, I am fine…but lately there are many around me suffering and each challenge seems to bring forth a new and fresh hell for someone else).  There is so much suffering around ALL of us.  Each of us with our own drama and issues to deal with and then to meld together as we swim our way through.  Thus is life.  Fluid and changing.

John 16:33 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

One of my favorite lyrics (and all-time sayings) in Kelly Clarkson’s song…..”What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is so true; it’s not the trials we face….because we ALL have crosses to bear throughout our lives…it is how we deal with those trials and when we rise above…we are stronger.

Last night I read my friend Lea’s blog and she put up this great poem and even better pictures to remind me that we are not only made stronger by life’s trials but more beautiful.  Looking at the pictures of these beautiful ladies and friends and looking back on the years….it’s true.  

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat,

known suffering,

known struggle,

known loss,

and have found their way out of the depths.

These persons have an appreciation,

a sensitivity,

and an understanding of life

that fills them with compassion,

gentleness,

and a deep loving concern.

Beautiful people do not just happen.”

 

                       Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (1926-2004); psychiatrist, author

Teacher duty day…1/4 of the school year: DONE!

And this Friday finds our lovely children home with Hubby (as he actually tries to work with them around…good luck with that, babe!) as their teachers put together report cards wrapping up the first 9 week period of the school year.  And you’ll find me…..at work.  Whatever.  At least I’m not waking/dragging kids out of bed, to the breakfast table and then herding them through general hygiene and dress to the car.  A little break, if you will.  I’ll take it.  You’ll also find me “groupie-style” with Jennifer Fulwiler and peeps throwing down some Quick takes…7 to be exact.

1)  I’ve lost my way this week.  Eating healthy that is.  It started with my sister and nephews in town for the weekend (I always like to blame my sister….it feels comfortable…), then rolled into a potluck lunch at work and now here it is Friday and I’m wondering where in the HECK did my mojo go???    Fortunately, I’m still moving.  Each day I seem to pull it together a little more, however, it’s KOOKOO (for cocoa puffs) KRAZAY what sugar does to you….it’s like a drug.  Serious.  C’mon, just a taste.  Everyone’s doing it.  Before you know it…it’s Friday and your body is all kinds of confused and begging you to just.  walk.  away.

2)  We let our oldest stay home from school one day.  End of the semester.  The older grades were doing PSAT testing and the 9th graders were stuck in home room all day.  Not to fear though….I left him a list.  *finish driving permit practice test *laundry.  all of it. *dishwasher *vacuum house*mow lawn. front and back.  and neighbors.  front and back. It was sooooo nice to come home to a clean and tidy house.  We should keep him home more often…

3)  I had to make a difficult decision in the best interest of someone else this week.  Sadly this resulted in cutting out a treasured annual trip.  However, in doing so, and receiving affirmation from a friend in my decision, it was an incredibly FAST and certain answer to prayer.  I’m not sure what God has in store for ME that weekend, but I know He’ll be busy and I’m happy to not be an obstacle, but rather an intercessor, and that’s OK.  The most important work ALWAYS happens behind the scenes.

4)  Our girl has her cheer competition this weekend and each practice I’m more amazed at how these girls have put so much effort in over these past few weeks and to see this routine come together.  Tonight, I actually got a lump in my throat as they practiced in front of the older and younger cheer groups.  Pathetic, I know.  What can I say?  I’m a sap.  Her first year cheering and of this I am sure:  Sunday will be quite the experience that is a certainty.  Which also means the season is almost over.  Can I get an AMEN?!??!  **note to self, grab earplugs from MRI tomorrow….

5)  We are one week into the Read the Catechism in a Year for the year of Faith.  I must say, I am truly enjoying it.  So is Hubby!  It’s in small bite size pieces (so far) and it’s a great Faith discussion for us to focus on TOGETHER during this year.

6)  It’s Biketoberfest here.  Thinking about taking my camera this weekend and shooting some frames.  An interesting mix.  Soccer. Football. Romney/Ryan. Cheer comp.  Bikes.  We live in an interesting and eclectic area.  Fo’ sho!

7)  Now that I’ve stayed up too late…it’s time to go to bed….and get a walk in before work.  Because I can.  Happy Friday, all and have a super weekend!!

**in reference to a portion of #6, I will NOT be attending…mainly due to time constraints and kid activities, also I really don’t enjoy getting stuck in traffic, etc.  I’m good, I’ve made up my mind….I completely agree with Calah Alexander on her article about Politics…I’m pretty sure she wrote it for ME…though with many more actual facts…I’m not really a detail person, so thanks, Calah!!

Over the hump….week 3!

If I did not simply suffer from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient; but I look only at the present moment.  I forget the past and I take good care not to forestall the future.  When we yield to discouragement or despair it is usually because we give too much thought to the past and to the future.  St. Therese of Lisieux

We are heading into Week 4 with the Peak 313 5 week challenge and I am pleased to say that Week 3 was a FAR better effort in every manner (for me).  I KILLED it in exercise, mainly cardio however, I did squeeze in serious sets of lunges during a cardio session and hit my abs as well.  The biggest deal (for me) was that I ate amazingly well.  The key was simply…..plan.  Wow.  It worked.  I was ready each day with my snacks and I wasn’t hungry and get this…..I had energy.  Crazy, right?

The scale deal for me is I’m not weighing until the end of the challenge.  The scale is a deal breaker for me.  I can be doing EVERYthing right and if the scale isn’t where I want to be….I’m done.  I will hit Dunkin’ Donut, Starbucks, whatev….because…why? Apparently I like to derail myself.  Therefore, as I get older (and hopefully wiser), I aim more for how I feel, in my clothes and and my skin.

This week, I have my snacks and lunches pretty much stocked and ready to go.  We are changing up a kiddo routine which calls for adjustment in my lunch hour, but that’s life…fluid and ever-changing, if we can’t adjust…..we’re sure to combust!

Stay focused this week!  Here’s this week’s Scripture verse….