• Book: “Am I Messing Up My Kids?” by Lysa TerKeurst

    I recently finished reading the book Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst.  This is one of the books that I picked up a couple years ago at the eWomen’s conference in Greenville when I met Lysa TerKeurst in person and got the book autographed.  The book has traveled many miles with me and got a little messed up when the van got totaled but thankfully was still readable as there were several topics Lysa discussed that my heart needed to hear.

    The book discussed many of the feelings we as Mom experience.  Lysa talked about focusing your heart on Christ and not on everything else, including our spouse or children.  When your child makes a mistake it doesn’t mean your a horrible parent.  She talked about how we often compare ourselves to the “super moms” that we see around us.  At the end of each chapter there is a section called “Refresh My Soul” with scripture references to read regarding the topic that was being discussed and questions to help you dig deeper in the issues of our hearts.

    Some of the topics discussed in the book:

    • Being a Mom is Tough
    • This is All I have to Give
    • I Trust You to Fill In the Gaps
    • This Child is Yours First
    • Thank You for the Privilege of Being a Mom
    Here are a couple quotes that I enjoyed:
    When you aren’t depending on your husband to fill you up, then he can make mistakes and you are still okay…..He can be your partner and your friend, because he does not have to be your Savior. 
    When you are living in the fullness of  Christ, your children are being sloshed with His grace and tenderness.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    The girls were wrapping up their last full week of school so we had a lot of extra activities now we just need to get through the next few days and it will be summer break!  It was hard to get everything done last week with all the year end activities therefore I am hoping to catch up this week.   We have a lot of really great activities planned for this summer.  It will be fun to travel a little and catch up with some family and friends too.

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Prep for Summer Break – I got their summer reading wall put up now need to finalize all the other little details
    3. Read at least one book to the girls every day – didn’t get a chance on Monday night it was packed full with KOH, 1 John Ministry – Homeless Dinner, Girls 1st Grade Program and Swimming Lessons
    4. Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day – we missed Monday night but otherwise did well
    5. Attend the Girls First Grade Program
    6. Spend some extra time catching up with family and friends
    7. Swimming Lessons for the Kids
    8. Confirm the Schedule / Flights for upcoming Family Reunion – schedules confirmed just need to get flights arranged

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – getting closer
    2. Update my goals – didn’t get to it this past week
    3. Finish reading  Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst – I keep leaving the book in random places so getting behind
    4. Finish The Hunger Games by Susan Collins (recommended by several friends) – while the book captivated my attention I have a lot of mixed feelings about the book…..

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up & cleaning the house – had a couple days I let it go with all the activities going on this past week

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk – I ended the week with a stack of papers that need my attention

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Email the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community Group
    3. Feed & Serve Homeless – 1 John Ministry

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – so close but went over by $1.76
    2. Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – getting closer
    3. Put aside cash for upcoming trips – on hold momentarily
    4. Save money for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – working on it

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Final Prep for Summer Break
    3. Read at least one book to the girls every day
    4. Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
    5. Spend some extra time catching up with family and friends
    6. Confirm the Schedule / Flights for upcoming Family Reunion

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Update my goals
    3. Finish reading  Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up & cleaning the house

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Email the updated schedule to our Community Group

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
    3. Save money for upcoming trips
    4. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes

    I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.  I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true.  When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals.  Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick).  Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.

    Why Share My Goals?

    • To keep me accountable
    • To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
    • To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
    • Create healthy habits in my life
    • To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn

    How did you do this week on your goals?  Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.

    The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    We finished having our family yard sale this past weekend, it was nice getting rid of some extra items that the girls have outgrown or things we no longer use.  Now I am gearing up for a busy week with work, events, and an upcoming family adventure over Memorial Day weekend (the kids are super excited)!  I am looking forward to sharing with you the fun details of our adventure soon!

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Schedule a Date Night with Jake – got a date night on the calendar!
    3. Prep for upcoming Family Trip – need to finish up the final details this week
    4. Schedule a Family Game & Fun Night
    5. Read at least one book to the girls every day
    6. Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
    7. Family Yard Sale – did this on Saturday!

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – not doing so well with this one
    2. Review my upcoming goals
    3. Finish reading  How We Love Our Kids by Milan & Kay Yerkovich – still have not found this book (I think it got lost on my India or Charleston trip) so I switched and started focusing on another one this week

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Work on Spring / Deep Cleaning the House – got some of it done, hope to get more next week now that the yard sale is done
    3. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
    4. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    5. Prepare for our upcoming Yard Sale

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
    4. Work on upcoming speaking engagement

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week
    3. Email the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community Group – this one slipped through the cracks this week

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – soooo excited to have this one done!
    3. Put money aside for upcoming trips – starting setting aside a little bit
    4. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – started adding to the college fund

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Schedule a Date Night with Jake
    3. Prep for our upcoming Family Trip
    4. Read at least one book to the girls every day
    5. Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
    6. Plan & go on at least one family Adventure
    7. Spend some extra time catching up with family and friends

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Review my upcoming goals
    3. Finish reading  Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst
    4. Finish reading No One to Call Me Home by Rev James J. Close

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Work on Spring / Deep Cleaning the House
    3. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
    4. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
    4. Work on upcoming speaking engagement

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week
    3. Email the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community Group

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses (we finished saving up for a 3 month emergency fund so now we are working hard on getting our 6 month emergency fund established, the yard sale this past weekend was a good boost for us)
    3. Save money for upcoming trips
    4. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
    5. Save money for upcoming home projects

    I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.  I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true.  When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals.  Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick).  Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.

    Why Share My Goals?

    • To keep me accountable
    • To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
    • To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
    • Create healthy habits in my life
    • To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn

    How did you do this week on your goals?  Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.

    The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results

  • Book: “Made to Crave” by Lysa Terkeurst

    I recently attended a Ladies Bible Study at our church and we went through Lysa Terkeurst’s book and study guide “Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food”  It was great reading a book that redirected our focus off food or other objects that we turn to when we want comfort or for celebration and turning our focus onto God.  The book isn’t a diet or healthy eating plan.  It is more of a guide to help you get your priorities in place.  If you are looking to eat healthier it gives you steps on how to set up a plan, find an accountability partner, and scripture to encourage you.  It was a refreshing yet challenging book to read.  I enjoyed going through the book and study with friends as well.  It was neat hearing their thoughts about the lessons and their own journeys as well.

    While I was going through the Bible Study I had the opportunity to attend the Extraordinary Women’s Conference at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC.  I was able to hear Lysa speak during that weekend and meet her in person.  It was really neat to meet the author of the book I was currently reading, I even got her to sign my two books that I had of hers!  The other amazing blessing about that weekend is I was able to spend some extra time with some girlfriends while my husband took care of the girls.  Having some time learning and celebrating with friends was a real treasure.  Thankful for a man who gave me the opportunity to go!

  • Heart Reflections: Extraordinary Women Conference

    I had the opportunity to attend the Extraordinary Women Conference this past weekend with a group of girlfriends.  It was great getting a chance to get away for awhile.  I am thankful for Jake being willing to watch the girls so I could go with friends.  The neat part is I have heard several songs from the musicians but had the privilege to see them in person and meet them.  I was familiar with most of the speakers because I had either read some of their books or seen them on TV.  The theme of the conference was “HOPE”!  Each speaker and musician centered their message around the theme.

    Here are some of the pictures from our weekend adventures:

    Michael O'Brien leading worship!

    Michael O’Brien lead the worship and singing several times throughout the weekend.  He used to be the lead singer for Newsong and now has a band of his own.  He has written several songs and did a wonderful job leading the group in worship.

     

    Conference Host - Julie Clinton

    Julie Clinton is EWomen’s president and host.  She did a great job coordinating the speakers, musicians, and attendees.  Her daughter was able to attend the conference this weekend with her.

     

    Thelma Wells (AKA Momma T) was our Friday evening speaker.

    Thelma is turning 70 this week and Michael had everyone sing her “Happy Birthday” when she first got up on stage.  This is a picture of her right after the song.

     

    Casting Crowns in Concert!

    We got to hear Casting Crowns in concert at the conference.  I was fascinated by the group, they are all youth pastors or workers during the week at their local churches.  Several of their songs were created from life experiences they had through ministry at church and with their families.

     

    Speaker - Jennifer Rothschild

    Jennifer’s testimony was amazing.  She became legally blind at the age of 15 yet she continues to make an impact on the lives of people around her.  Jennifer shared some of the struggles and adjustments she had to make with the blindness.  She encouraged the group that we do have hope in Christ and he never gives you more than you can bare.  Great testimony!

     

    Speaker & Arthur - Lysa Terkeurst

    It was wonderful hearing Lysa speak after reading a couple of her books.  She was genuine and it was neat to hear what God brought her through before getting her attention and using her gift of writing to make an impact on many people.    “The Messiah can take my mess and turn it into a message of hope to share with others”  Notice Messiah, Mess, and Message all have the letters “Mess” in them.

     

    Speaker - Candace Cameron Blure (AKA "DJ" from the TV SHow "Full House")!

    We were able to hear Candace give her testimony at the conference.  It was very neat hearing how she developed her relationship with Christ and was able to see her husband get saved as well.  Glad to hear that Christians have a voice in TV industry.  She gave a very clear salvation message at the conference.

     

    Our picture with Lysa Terkeurst!

    Lysa was the only arthur and speaker that was allowing “posed” photo’s.  Thrilled that a group of us were able to get our pictures taken with her.  I was able to get my books signed by her too!  Over the weekend I was able to meet all the speakers and musicians as well as  get all the books / cds I already had signed.

     

    Comedian - Chonda Pierce

    Chonda was a hoot!  Loved listening to her sing and speak!  She was the very last speaker at the conference but the time flew by while listening to her.  It was great to laugh!

    I was able to soak in some amazing information and was encouraged by the testimonies of so many people in attendance.  The biggest phrase that stuck in my mind throughout the whole weekend was said by Lysa Terkeurst – “The Messiah can take my mess and turn it into a message of hope to share with others”  My life isn’t perfect and I make mistakes daily, however, God uses me despite all the those failures.  He can make an impact on many lives through me. All the speakers and musicians had so many wonderful messages to share.  I am thankful for the privilege to attend the conference.

    The weekend was busy but it was a great experience and refreshing time of fellowship!  I thoroughly enjoyed the conference!  Although I was ready to come home and spend some time with my family by the end of the day on Saturday.  So very thankful for the opportunity to go and hear the musicians and speakers testimonies.  Awesome weekend away with friends!