Happy

I am so happy about the things that were accomplished this weekend. I got my entire and I mean entire room organized. Head to toe...(-: What a good feeling. My desk is organized and my filing cabinet is up to date and ready for needed current information and the old is gone in the trash. My cloths are color coordinated and all in the closet. No more bags of cloths that don't fit under the bed (-: In fact. other than one roll cart for photography storage the underneath of my bed is clean to. My check book is staying balanced and I actually ended the month with money in the bank. What an amazing feeling!!!!!!!!! I got my friend Stacy's bridal shower invitations made and put in the mail this morning. I finished Amy and Kody's pics and mailed them, finished Stacy's pics and mailed them, and am about half way done on finishing Faith's pics. I did a quick photo shoot for my coworker and friend Erin and already delivered them (how amazing is that!!!) I have two more photo projects that have to be done and then I can catch up on all the ones that I wanted to do more with, but didn't have the time. I got a chord for my stereo so I can now listen to my ipod while I work at my now clean organized desk instead of making my back hurt sitting at the couch each night. All that's really left to do in my room is paint the walls and put up the decorating. I need one black and white pic for one wall. Not sure what the pic is yet, but I am sure I will find it when the time is right. I also want a little table to put in front of my mirror on the wall so that when my sister comes to stay for a while I have a place to put hair and makeup stuff. I am going to paint my headboard black and my dresser and yep. I think all the pieces will be in place. So, anyway... this is probably a really boring post if anyone actually reads it, but I am sooooo excited about what the Lord is doing and the progress that is being made. Thank you Lord for your goodness and care for me. Goodnight all!! Do something this week that has been put on the back shelf and see how good it feels.

Weekend Projects

Today is going to be a good day I believe. I have my list of projects that need done and they are numbered in order of ergency. I am trying to get the habits in my life organized. I am so much happier when I have a system in place and I stick to it. There are some things that I often just want to close the door on and think if I don't see it it wont bother me, but o it does. So...away they go. One by one the weight of things needing to be done is gone and I can relax more and more into a comfortable daily routine. So....Here is for the weekend and what will be accomplished. What are you working on this weekend?

Bed Early

I know, Some of you are thinking 10PM is not that early, but it is early for me. I usually am up until midnight working or thinking, but tonight...I am off to bed. Just wanted to post that. Today was a good day, but long and sadly no snow. )-: I had my singing lesson with Mr McMurrey and that was a lot of fun. Making progress, though honestly I don't really know where my voice is at or even if it sounds good. He likes parts of it, but I don't know if that means he likes my voice in whole or just points out the good things about it. Anyway, I am trying and working at improving. I will be performing March 10th at a retirement center here in GP so that will be a challenge. Mr McMurrey says that it is performing that will help give me confidence so we shall see if he is right..At the very least...I love music. Thank you Lord for that. Goodnight all.

Another Day Another Time

Well, I had a couple ideas of what I wanted to write about and now.... Don't know where to start....Okay.... Here goes...One of the things that is the most important to me is honesty and COMMUNICATION!! In today's society it seems people are too afraid of how the other person is going to react or they are afraid of hurting someone elses feelings and so they never say what they are truly thinking. We are a society of empty promises and flattery without a lick of truth. Man o man what would I give is someone told me my hair was messed or I had a spot on my jeans. My friend Emma is a blessing! She tells me (-: Don't you feel rather silly getting home and looking in a mirror to discover it yourselves. In fact, It can be speaking the truth in love to tell someone because you wont be thinking about yourself, but the need of another and isn't that what love really is. Caring about the needs of others more than our own? How about communicating with someone if a plan is changing or you have decided not to do something and you've known days in advance. For those of you out there like me, I like to have things planned out. Mind you, I do like to be random and spontaneous at times, but....after the work is done and then I can relax. I plan out my weeks and what I am going to do. Then, when you get to a day that is a group event and everyone tells you they haven't prepared and they don't want to go it affects everyone else connected. I tend to feel less and less like doing something when others don't seem to care and don't even care to communicate and let you know. It seems like a waist of time. I do understand that things come up, but when something becomes a habit...well, it gets you to thinking doesn't it? Do you know what I mean? We so often think that something only affects us and we aren't even conscious of thinking about other people. We aren't even trained to think about the other people. I sometimes wonder....When do we think about others and when is it if ever okay to think about ourselves. What do you think? I think we are on this earth to serve and be used by the Lord God Almighty and to let His love work through us which means "Love your neighbor as yourself". When? Not when you feel like it, not when it is convenient, not when you can pencil it in, but ALL the TIME. It seems so simple, but obviously our culture is not that way at all. It is very "Look at Me" oriented. I struggle with this selfishness just like anyone else. I pray the Lord will continue to change my heart to care more for the needs of others than myself and die to myself and selfish desires to truly love my God more than the ways of this earth...One last thought to make sure my point is as clear as I can make it at almost midnight. I did say and Scripture does say NEEDS. Big difference between wants, desires, or wishes and needs. We must ask God for discernment to know the Need and meet it with His grace....With that...Goodnight

Monday Night

Yeah, so maybe I need to come up with more original posts. I'm not sure. Today was a good day. Sunny and beautiful outside. Sadly it is suppose to rain tomorrow )-: But then it is going to snow later in the week and that should be fun as long as it is safe to drive. I am still nervous on icee roads especially after my accident over 2 years ago. My goodness time flys. Tomorrow is going to be a bit of a busy day. We have our office meeting in the morning and then I have to run out to one of our listings that is one the Agent Tour List to make sure everything is prepared. The seller is making home made Sweet Rolls and a Bunt Cake. Yummm... Look, but no taste for me (-:   Then I may have to drive to Ashland again to pick up some information for my boss. That actually might be nice if the rain is not to heavy. Later in the evening I am going to an auction with my Dad. I want to see if I can find anything worth investing in. I am on day three of my 1500 calories and funny enough I seem to just barely make it to 1500 calories. That is good though, as long as I don't go into starvation mode. I am trying to stay off of dairy and am using almond milk and coconut milt instead. It is actually pretty good and I don't mind. I have been trying to be more faithful in exercising. I was doing it every day, but was burning to many calories on the 500 cal diet, and now I still crave exercise, but lately I just feel tired. I do not have any energy tonight and I actually sat here on the couch for about an hour doing nothing of importance trying to muster the concentration to write this blog. Haaaa. now I feel like typing and I am probably getting my brain geared up so that I wont be able to sleep for a while.. lol...vicious circle... I played piano for two hours tonight. It was soooo nice. It really has been a while since I have played and I am really horribly out of practice. That is bad since I am now going to be playing and singing once a month for the Spring Meadows Retirement Center here in GP. I am calling it a Walk Thorough Time and concentrating most of the song selections on oldies, but throwing in a few newerish folk songs. I am having fun playing with the different styles of music and am looking forward to seeing with more performing what style and shape my voice will take. I am hoping to start practising piano at least an hour everyday on top of doing my voice lesson practice 30 minutes a day. Hopefully with that the first session and Spring Meadows will be a breeze other than the nerves. My biggest battles seem to have a lot of fear in them. That is one thing I am trying to overcome in my life. Fear...It is just pure selfishness and I am discovering I am a very selfish person. I really am...Do we ever truly learn to not be so selfish. There seem to be so many forms of it, that it can often escape our notice entirely. Okay, well you now how I said I was going to type forever? I changed my mind. I am about to fall asleep so I will bid anyone who may read this a goodnight, good morning, or good day. May the Lord bless you in a special way today and let you know that you are loved!

Good Weekend

This weekend was a good one. It started with a crazy day of work on Friday followed by a going to see  I am Number 4 in theaters with Noah Clipp and Zane Moore. I enjoyed the movie as it was actually pretty clean except for some language issues. Afterwords we were having a good time visiting so we went to Wild River and I got there salad and both Noah and Zane chugged down a medium fry each. Lol.... they are both two guys that would be fun to cook for since a girl likes it when people enjoy her cooking. At least. this girl does. It was the last day of my 500 cal diet and I am excited to say I lost 25.5lbs. This weekend I got to eat 1500 calories, but I don't think I did that today. Just wasn't that to terribly hungry. I got Amy's wedding pics all done Saturday as well as Stacy and Nick's engagement photos and some of Faith's senior pics. I also ordered my dress from David's Bridal for Stacy's wedding. I am so excited about being able to fit into it and look nice. Today I had church at Christ Covenant. Had a yummy potluck lunch and the Kaila did some pics of me and then I went shopping with Karissa for Stacy's bridal shower invitation paper and Cassie's surprise party birthday present. Her party was a lot of fun and I even played Frisbee for a bit. I don't like to play it to often because I tend to get too competitive and I can't keep up as well as the younger kids. It was fun today though. After that I got to listen to the Goldman's sing some of their songs and that was such a delight. Dinner tonight was a Mannatech Bar which unfortunately they discontinued. I made a stop at Walmart for some groceries and then home. I am going to try and stay off dairy so I bought some Almond Milk and some Coconut milk. Not to bad. I think I could get use to it. I am really working on changing my eating habits. Not just because I have to on this diet right now, but because it is healthier. I wonder sometimes what the man I marry will like. Hopefully he likes to eat healthy, but at the same time it would be nice to make spaghetti's or pasta dishes as well as Thai food recipes. I guess that is okay if it is done in moderation. I think one of the biggest things I have been contemplating is God's love and His commandment to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love others as ourselves. Very simple, but it does take thought. I am wanting to learn to hold my tongue better and listen more. The Lord is giving me opportunity to learn. (-: He is always good about things like that. Goodnight world. Sleep well.. I will write more later. I have three pages of notes from the sermon today. Don't worry...I won't post it all at once. I think I will make it a few different posts in a series. God is so good and the Christian walk is really so much more simple than we make it out to be. . Goonight!

Hmmmm...

Today was a long day. Not really the most enjoyable I have ever had, but God is always present and that is a major comfort. I meant to write more this last week, but with baby sitting any ounce of energy or ability to write thoughts down went clear out of my head. I loved the week I spent with the kids and look forward to the day when I can have my own. I know God's timing is perfect and I don't want to settle for anything less than His plan so... wait I shall. Work is going well and keeping me very busy. That is a major blessing since so many are unemployed and looking for the hard to find job. I drove to Ashland today to put a lock box on a new house that my boss listed. It looks like there are also 53 lots that are being sold as one so I may be driving up there again this week. Sometimes I like driving because it gives me a chance to think. I thought a lot today about relationships. It seems so many people see them from different perspectives and relate to people in different ways. Well, da.. right. So we are constantly learning how to relate to each individual and if we really look at it speak to them in their love language. Other than my friend Betsy, I don't have anyone my age that is single any more, and she is all the way in FL. )-: The people I do spend my time with are either married with kids, or way younger than me. It has challenged me to learn how to relate in a mature fashion to each age group. I can't relate to a 15 year old like I would to a 38 year old and visa versa. Learning to maintain my age maturity and still be friends I guess with the younger age group can sometimes be a challenge. I hope they will be patient with me as I figure it out. Anyway, I feel like I am drifting in my thoughts, though I didn't really have a direct train of thought in the first place. lol... This is going to be random. I truly seem to find it easier to write thoughts down than to talk them out. Maybe that is a good thing right now. In a way, I feel like when I write the thoughts down I am also talking to the Lord and He can direct my thoughts to Him. So, Lets see....I guess I am learning more and more not to put expectations on people and maybe not on life. Nothing is really predictable or constant except the Lord. Life is changing and sometimes I change with it and sometimes I seem to sit still. I sometimes picture life in a unrealistic fashion and sometimes I am spot on. Today I think I was both. I think at times I take things to serious. I like to plan things out and have them be as perfect as possible and sometimes I guess I just need to jump and make a decision. Sometimes I stress out to much over the details and just need to trust the Lord. ugggg.... Don't really know what to call that and I don't even know if it makes sense (if anyone is readying this anyway). What to do???????????????? Don't really like that question when I don't know the answer. Okay Lord, Please show me. Well, That's all for tonight folks. My jumbled up, random, thoughts of the day. Ha.. I must be tired. Goodnight

Good Morning Wednesday

Well, This morning I was woken up by not one, but two very awake kids. (-: ...LOL... I think they conspired against me, because they decided to wake me up extra early so they could play with me before getting ready for school. (-:...They are clever kids (-:   
     I wanted to write down some of my thoughts from Sunday's sermon before I completely lost my train of thought. The sermon was from Eph 4:3-6.
        "³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." and       
       Col. 3:12 "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
      2 Corinthians 5: 14-21 "14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin^a for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

     We are to seek peace with the world and unity in the Spirit. Keep in mind I am not talking about World Peace because it is obvious from Scripture that is not happening. Rather that you and I as an individual seek peace rather than enmity. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. We make the "Christian" life way to difficult. Now, look at the last sentence. What is the biggest issue in it? "We"  when we try and do it we will fall flat on our face. So, what is the secret to living the way Christ would have us? We must be Spirit led in the knowledge of His Word and what HE can do through us in unfathomable. We must rather seek God, His Word, and DO what He tells us to do. If we ask for His will only to decide if we want to do if after, do you think He will tell you. NO, God's not stupid. First we must decide that whatever He tells us to do we will do, and then guess what...He will tell you. Simple. We must do it, even if it is uncomfortable, strange different, whatever. All those things are us thinking about ourselves not God and we must focus on God and Love Him. So now that we have covered doing what God tells us to lets look at the verses above. Col. 3:12 "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." That's a tall order right there and only accomplished when we are focused on God. A lot of unsaved people are pushed away from Christianity because they feel judged. Hmmm... that certainly doesn't sound like the verse we just read. By God's grace we must look past a person's issues and have compassion. Do we know how they were raised? Do we know what they are struggling with in their lives? No. We know that for someone to act in a negative manor they must have pain in their life and instead of getting mad at them for it we should show compassion and when we are compassionate all of a sudden we can be kind to them even if they aren't to us. Prov. 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. " Wow, it's like defusing a bomb. Kindness is remarkable. Humility - Do you think anyone is going to respond if you have a I am better than you attitude or I am going to make you better? Far from it, They will run as far away from you as they can get. Remember, It is only by realizing we are nothing without Christ and focusing on Him that we can do anything good or rather that He can do it through us. Christ is the only thing that makes us different that anyone else. Left on our own we are just as dark and sinful. Gentleness - I think that can tie in to compassion and kindness. Don't be ruff with them, don't react to them, just love them. And last but not least the dreaded word - Patience - Yes, things take time - we must be longsuffering and stick to what we are called to do. The where and when is up to God. Every day we must continue in these attributes. Being faithful every day in the little things bring you to the bigger picture.

     Well, my time is up for now. Hope you enjoy this post. It sure has given me a lot to think about. Blessings, Anne

Long Day

Wow, Long day............ And believe it or not, I am going to bed as soon as this post is done. I had an awesome day and got a lot accomplished. I had a welcome back lunch with my Boss and our Team today and was able to eat romaine lettuce, chicken, and vinegar... Not to bad, but man o man I am sooooooooo looking forward to having a break from the 500 cal diet. I am happy I lost 20lbs, but was really wishing for more as I have another 40 left to go. I will just have to do this diet all over again as soon as my 6 weeks maintenance is done. I got off work at 4:15, ran (okay drove) to get Shangbie from school and then got Molly from the YMCA. Then I ran to my parents to pick up some frozen steak to cook for myself and got some cloths, came back to the kids house, made dinner (shh... I didn't put glitter in the eggs instead of salt....okay okay... I lied...yes I did. LOL... I reached for where the salt is at our house, but didn't pay attention and before you know if the eggs were sparkly blue (-:) The kids actually wanted scrambled eggs and toast. I made them hash browns as an extra treat...Sigh, but they didn't like those, so thank goodness I only did two small potatoes. After dinner, I made their lunches and dinner for tomorrow since I have singing class in Medford, my lunch and dinner, cleaned the dishes, helped Molly with her school work, gave them both baths, and then tucked them into bed. Then, I failed at picking a good song for singing class so I am going to wing it.. Don't like to do that normally, but not much I can do about that now. I love being prepared and having things scheduled out, but I sometimes have to take a big breath and go with the flow. Now I am writing my blog and then going to slip into a big sleep so I will actually be more awake when Molly wakes me up in the morning. Lets see, hmmmm....What have I learned today that is worth mentioning....oh, actually not just today, and I am still in process of learning, it is patience. I want to be my target wait now and I am learning major and I mean MAJOR self control by not cheating and quiting early. I am determined to do the best I can and if it takes me another 2 rounds or more of this diet then I will do it. My goal is to be 125lbs and in shape. I don't even know what that will look like, but it is exciting. So here is for patience and self control. I have 10 more days on the HCG and then 6 weeks of maintenance and then I will do it another 2 weeks with 2 weeks of maintenance, and then I have a wedding...then I just looked at the calender and I can do it another 3 weeks with 3 weeks of maintenance before the family reunion. So, that is the goal. 3 more times between now and the end of June. Wow, that seems forever, but I will look forward to this summer (-: Okay, I have talked my thoughts out and actually just planned the 3rd HCG round, but I feel good about that decision. Good night all and hope you are having a blessed week!

Happy Tuesday Morning

Well, morning one is done with the kids to school on time (O JOY) and me to work. Have a full day at work and then back to pick the kids up, make dinner, help with school work, visit, and then... Hmmm... I think more work is on the list. LOL...It will be good though. This morning, at exactly 6:45 I got woken up by Molly. (-: She crawled in to bed and we visited for about 15 minutes talking about all kinds of random things. She took a great liking to my nice soft fuzzy blanket my Aunt and Uncle got for me so she was walking around wrapped up in it until leaving for school. (-: Okay, want to keep writting, but work calls. Hope you have a great day and I will post more tonight when the kids are in bed. Blessings to you all!

Late Thoughts

Well, I have lots to say and little brain power to do it. It's interesting how that works. I had an amazing weekend and got a lot done and over came some pretty big road blocks in my life. I am continuing to get revelations and insights from the Lord that are reshaping how I look at life and consequently change who I am. Rather exciting I must say. All these things will have to wait as I am super tired and have a friend waiting for the computer. I am now, for a whole week, baby sitting two of the cutest kids you would ever want to meet. Being that I have a full time job and they have school I have to be up at 6:45 to get them up, ready for school, to school, and then me to work by 8. I am looking forward to this week and what the Lord will do in it. Fun times. Keep you updated when I have more brain power. (-: Good Night

Saturday

Today, I am working on relaxing. LOL... Now with the schedule of getting up early, cleaning the house, packing for the weekend, working for a coworker to organize his desk, driving to Eagle Point and hanging with the Goldman's you might not think that is relaxing. Well, for some people it probably isn't, but I think it is possible to have a full schedule and still relax. However, keeping in mind. that you don't go all the time and you still need those stay at home and do nothing relaxing days, but I am talking about a different kind of relaxing. Here is what I mean. A day where you can be laid back, give yourself plenty of time between projects, have it planned out, but be flexible, and just enjoy where you are at. If we could learn to do that more in our every day lives we would cut out so much stress and anxiety. Don't you agree? A planned out day with the freedom to be open to necessary change can be so rewarding. It is already 1:30ish and I feel like I have already accomplished a lot, and (-: I still have time to write this blog...I think also on top of the planned out, but flexible day is the need to think about our priorities. Mine today: 1. Get my home chores done (Check) 2. Work for my coworker to make some extra money (Check) 3. Decorate my boss’s office for his return to work on Monday (Check) 4. Spend quality time with friends I haven't seen for a while (I have the rest of the day) First things done first, and now I can do what I want the rest of the day. Spending time with my friends was going to look like ice skating and going to a birthday party, but that all got canceled. No big deal, my plan for the day wasn't to go ice skating and to go to a birthday party, but to spend time with friends. So, instead of stressing over the change I can still accomplish my plan and really don't care too much about what we do if anything other than just getting to be with them. (-: That sounds like a fun and exciting day to me. So, hehehee. Like I said earlier... Hope this doesn't have to be written a special way because these are the thoughts running in my head and it is so exciting to put them down in writing so I can truly acknowledge what God is doing and what He is showing me every day. Hope you have a wonderful relaxing day today even if your to do list is full. And remember there are times where it really is okay to stop, breath, smell the roses, and then keep on keeping on. Blessings, Anne

A Good Day

Today was good. Thank you Lord for reminding me that I should care about others more than I care about myself. You know that group event I told you about earlier. I had a blast. So much fun and we even played a Dance game on the Wii and I wasn't afraid. I love moments like that when you do something outside of your normal comfort zone and you can just enjoy it, laugh at yourself, and then enjoy watching others do the same thing. Hmmmm..  I was tempted to stay over at my friend’s house this evening and would have had fun, but the Lord is also reminding me that I need to take care of myself and be responsible or everything else I try and work on will suffer. I am off to bed early to rise early in the AM and get things done at home, then off work for a few hours helping someone organize, and then off to spend some awesome fellowship with a dear family in Eagle Point. I want to accomplish catching up on friends I haven't gotten to see for a while, wonderful time in fellowship at church Sunday, a Sr Photo Shoot for a friend Sunday afternoon, and then home to go through all the many Pampered Chef Boxes that arrived so I can get them out to everyone this coming week, and then off to bed early so I can have a healthy start to my week. Okay, so now that I have posted that...heehehehehe... I have to do it. See, I knew this Blog idea was a good thing...lol...Hope there isn't a special knack for writing because I am just writing what is one my mind. (-: Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to be back on writing more of my thoughts. Again, Thank you Lord for working in me and through me!

Fears

Okay, So here is another thought. Most of you who read this don't know that I was painfully shy and introverted in my younger years and dare I admit it, I often want to fall back into that mode. It was the Lord that helped me get out of my shyness by helping me realize that it was a form of selfishness and that if I could care for others I would find I was not afraid anymore. I realize how selfish I really am because I still have moments of fear and want to lock myself in a closet so I wont get hurt. However, all that said. I just had a picture in my head (yes, that crazy thing that sits on top of my body) of going to a group event and being rejected, unwanted, or just plain not fitting in. Any of you know what I mean? Sigh, I guess I wanted to post this silly little thing to maybe relate to people. Rest assured, the Lord did grab my thoughts back and help me put them back on Him and caring for others, but from time to time these fear moments come over me and I want to just hide. I know some of you must know what I mean. I think many people have moments like that. We all have a sinful nature, do we not. Today, I choose to believe God and learn more of who He says I am in Him. Thank you Lord! Oh, and funny....I feel a little better just writting this down. I think this blog thing might be good even if I am the only one that ever reads it. Lol....Sun is shining!

First Post to start the day

Well, here goes what may end up being a long line of posts. Today I am in awe of God's amazing grace. I chose Daughter of Grace as my blog name because if I didn't have God's grace every day I would not be breathing. I would be so lost and truly alone. I am at a point in my life where all my friends and family with the exception of those much younger than me are married, having kids, and moving on in their lives. I am tempted often to be discouraged, wonder what is wrong with me, and feel so lonely, but then I remember God is always there and He has a greater plan for me and it gives me such hope, joy, and excitement to see what the future holds. I truly wish I could keep those emotions all the time, but I have discovered that if following the Lord Jesus Christ was all easy and joyful we would have major issues. Rather, following Him and finding our contentment and joy in Him is a choice no matter what we feel. A decision made every day when we climb out of bed. "Choose for yourselves THIS DAY whom you will serve" I feel the Lord drawing me closer and closer to Him and to know that I can entrust my life to the most loving and gentle yet strong and firm Being takes my breath away and I can only glimpse His majesty. How exciting is that? Here I hope to write a journey of drawing closer to God and seeing His hand work in my life and the lives of those around me. Thanks for coming on this journey with me. Blessings to you all!!