Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:2-5 NASU

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Filling up your love tank

What is your love language?  Mine is quality time, and affirmation.  Sit with me, listen while I talk, and let me know I'm loved.    Never fail, I have 40 000 words to get out and I need a very patient ear!  My parents are the best, they listen .... and listen.... and listen.  I always know when I've started to talk too much because after I take a breath between word 29 999 and 30 000 they start to laugh.  But they still keep listening.  I know I'm loved and they are so good at showing it.  When I look at my own children I can share with you what each of their love languages are.  I make sure that I fill that love tank right up atleast once a day.  

Fill up the love tank of a loved one.  Take time to notice how they wish to be loved.  

The following are a list of the 5 love languages.

"The first love language listed is words of affirmation. The language we hear, be it positive affirming words or negative language and feedback, drastically effects our developing personalities and therefore our behaviors.

The second love language listed is gifts: "A gift is a tangible object that says, 'I was thinking about you. I wanted you to have this. I love you.' . . . A gift by its very nature is not payment for services rendered. When a dating partner says, 'I will give you . . if you will . .' the partner is not offering a gift, nor is he expressing love. The person is simply striking a deal."
The third love language the book lists is acts of service. For instance, "I know he loves me because he always checks my car over before I leave on a business trip. He checks the oil, the tires, and makes sure I have windshield washer fluid, etc."
The next love language is quality time. This love language is about the experiences we share with our loved ones. How do you spend your time together? Quality time does not involve you in one room surfing the internet while he is in the other room watching ESPN!
The final love language is physical touch. The book states, "Numerous research projects in the area of child development have come to the same conclusion: Babies who are held, hugged, and touched tenderly develop a healthier emotional life than those who are left for long periods of time without physical contact. . ."Almost instinctively in a time of crisis we hug one another. Why? Because physical touch is a powerful communicator of love."
         A discussion from ...
A discussion of Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages 






Monday, October 8, 2012

Failure to Success

I am now a firm believer that your life journey's are a true test of character, and if you choose to grow during those times then you will also grow in character.  I look back on all that I've been through in life, good and bad and I don't regret any of my experiences.  Some make me sad, others make me smile.  All in all I'm glad I went through each and every experience.  I approached some with grace and others with a less desirable attitude but as I tackle more of life's journey's I have decided to use them to build character and to grow.  I am forever grateful for God's grace and mercy through all I've been through.

What do you want to be when you grow up?  The big question we were asked as kids.  I wanted to be a mommy.  I was told once that being a mommy wasn't a good enough answer, that I needed to aspire to be something great in the world.  I needed to focus on school and a future career.  I will never forget the day that man said that to me.  It stuck with me forever and unfortunately I based my personal success on his statement to me.  I look back on so many "starts and stops", I never followed through on many things I started.  I had no goals.  My self worth was a zero.  I blamed others for my lack of success.  I would actually give a sigh of relief if I was given permission to not complete something I started. I wouldn't take responsibility either, I'd point fingers at others and say that they were the cause of my failure.  When I became a mother I took these habits with me.  I desperately tried in my own will to raise them the best I could.  But at night I was plagued with a day full of failure.  I'd try to fill the void of feeling like a failure with my kids and try to start a job or I'd talk of going back to school.  My poor family and friends that have had to endure years of me telling them of ALL the jobs I would start or of all the different schooling I might do.  Oh my goodness.  I think I've thought of being everything from a Car Salesperson to a Senior's Fitness Instructor in the last 17 years, and many other things in between!  I make myself dizzy just thinking back on it all!  If only I'd just focused on being a mommy!  A wife!  A friend!  A sister!  A daughter!  My goodness my plate would have been more than full!  Those were the things most precious to me and yet most neglected!  Why on earth had I listened to that horrible advice to pursue something more than being a mommy.  That was my dream!  And that was OK!

Right up until 2 years ago I was still feeling like a complete failure.  To top it off my marriage ended.  No career. No marriage.  No success in raising my kids.  THANK GOD FOR GRACE!  I'm sad my marriage ended but I don't regret it.  It was a good decision, for many reasons.  I decided for the first time in my life EVER to work on building relationships.  First with God.  Without God I could not be a success at anything.  Without God I had no identity.  I was absolutely done trying to do things in my own power!  If you've read my blog you will see my journey of letting God have all of me.  I was NAKED before him.  I was FINALLY ready to let God do it.  I just gave it all to Him.  If I'd have it my way I'd have changed things over night.  That would have been easy and would have felt really really good! (in my own humaness).   But of course that's not practical and I would be lacking in a great amount of character.  If you would have asked me 2 years ago where I'd be today I would have answered with a prayer that I'd be sane!  Well I'm happy to say I'm more than that!  I'm a SUCCESS!  Yes I am!  For the first time in my life I am no longer a failure, I'm successfull.  I AM a mom.  I AM a sister.  I AM a daughter.  I AM a friend.  And I have a job!  I will admit I have only recently given God the whole job thing.  When I finally did I was pleasantly surprised He knew me more than I did!  I just laugh at myself!  I have the perfect job as an Education Assistant!  To top it off I have the biggest blessing of all, 3 beautiful boys who are being parented!  With great success!  

I'm going to take a breather!  I promise to write again soon!




Its been awhile!

I seriously have to commit to being more dedicated in posting on my blog!  I definitely have enough to write about!  I just need to take the time!

Love has found its way into my heart!  What a story I have to tell!

For the first time ever I feel like I'm successful!  What an awesome feeling!

I have accepted my past and have no regrets.  Sometimes it just makes me sad.  What an experience of character building,

I gave 200% in raising my kids the last 2 years.  Tears, sweat and exhaustion BUT pure rewards.  What an amazing God I have to give such a miracle.

I have so much to be greatful for.  So many lessons I've learned and to still learn.  

I can't wait to share!

I promise to share alot more frequently!

Barb