Monthly Archives: December 2007

Perfectionism

I’ve never really thought of myself as a perfectionist, but recently learned that it’s true.  I guess I alway thought it was a good thing, and a perfectionist was organized and put together in all aspect of life.  And some are, just not me.  See, I suffer from perfectionism.  It’s not a good thing.  I can take one small task, and blow it up to Titanic size, then stress over it while making it worse.  One example would be this organizing frenzy I’ve been on.  I got started with Flylady, and absolutely loved it.  She helped me to get my kitchen cleaned out and semi organized, (I say that because I just last weekend went back through the panty, cleaned and labeled shelves.)and has given me some great tips.  That’s also where I’ve self diagnosed myself as a perfectionist.  It’s very hard for me to start a task, because the pre planning is overwhelming.  I need to map it out on paper or in my head until completion, because when I start to work on it, I won’t stop until it’s finished.  No wonder I get overwhelmed!  So I’ve been trying to stick with her program, and develop routines, and only do  a task for 10 to 15 minutes, and for the most part it has worked.  I have slowed down because of all the Christmas things that need done, and also because my to do list just keeps growing, but basically have a routine.  I just think I need to change it a little from what she says.  Flylady has a Monday Home Blessing hour, where she vacuums and does her housework.  You can only do the task for 10 minutes, and then you have to go on to the next.  Well, I can’t vacuum in 10 minutes, nor can I change bed linens on 4 beds in that amount of time.  She also has zone work, which is great.  I’m going to tweak the plan somewhat and develop days specifically for kids rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, LR/FR, and the such, and do those every week.  I’m spending too much time looking for emails from Fly to tell me what to do.  I still want to do her challenges and Zone work, and she’s taught me a bunch.  So, Thanks Fly lady!  I’ll let you know how it goes, but the thought of it is overwhelming right now.  I need to make a list, and rework it, then put it into Excel, and change it 3 or 8 times, then print and laminate and place in my binder.  Perfectionist?  HA!

The Crash

Monday morning started out like any other.  I had 2 kids off to school, and the Schwan’s man was here.  I was standing in the living room waiting for him to bring the food in when I heard a noise and looked out the window to see a car airborne and coming over the hill in front of our house.  In the next instant, I heard a crash, and the Schwan’s man was coming up my sidewalk.  I grabbed the phone and called 911, and saw that some of the construction guys from across the street were running to the car, which ended up in the creek at the edge of our property.  Let me first say the woman was OK, so I can draw the story out for you.  The 911 operator asked me two very strange questions.  Was anyone in the car, and what kind of car is it.  UMMM, I think the car was driving itself….and does it really matter what the make of the vehicle is?  It’s currently in the creek, and all I can tell you is I see a sunroof!!!!   Come on!  I got rid of her and ran to the scene.   I guess the nurse remains, even when you decide to stay at home to be a mommy!  She was actually getting ready to call someone on her cell phone, and only complaining of some soreness from the seat belt and air bag deployment.  The car was precariously perched on the bank of the creek, like she almost jumped it Dukes of Hazzard Style.  If she had done that, she would have ended up in the neighbors house.  Not good.  Anyway, the front bumper and tires were pretty much buried in the mud at the edge of their yard and the creek, then the back of the car just fell down into the creek.  We had police, EMT’s, and 3 Fire Trucks closing off the road to get her out.  They did a wonderful job, in the slick mud, and cut her door off to get her out.  Like I said, she was talking and OK.  Thank GOD!  This woman was so blessed by God, and I hope she knows that.  1- This road is so crazy busy all the time, and for there to be no other cars at the time she crossed the center line and lost control, is a miracle.  2-  She left the road on the north side, and came back up to the pavement, couldn’t get control and came to the south side over our hill.  If she had been 3 more feet over, she would have hit the huge Maple tree.  And it would not have given like the wet mud of the creek did.  3-  If she had jumped the creek, she’d have hit the neighbors stone house.  She had a passenger that day, and it was our heavenly Father.  I pray she realized that.  I know I thanked Him for His hand in it. 

I have pictures of the car after she went to the hospital, and the tracks in the yard, but I’m having trouble getting them into thumbnails again.  So I’m techie challenged…what can I say? 

I’ll work on it.

“Moore” Monday #3

Yes, I know it’s Thursday.  Apparently time has passed me by this week, so I’m playing catch up.  Bear with me.  I’ll explain later, but want to get this done first. 

THE PEACE OF GOD SHOULD NOT BE AN INFREQUENT

SURPRISE BUT THE ONGOING RULE OF OUR LIVES.

Father, since I have been justified through faith, I have peace with You through my Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). 

How I praise You, my God, that in Christ and through faith in Him I may approach You with freedom and confidence!  (Eph. 3:12).  Help me to understand that the amount of faith I possess will greatly affect the freedom and confidence with which I approach You.

Father, You have written Your Word to those of us who believe in the name of the Son of God so that I may know I have eternal

 life (1 John 5:13).

Help me to know and stop doubting. 

That is from Beth Moores Praying God’s Word Day by Day.

 

Sunday Scripture 5

sunday-scripture3.jpgMy thanks to Amy for starting this.  Each week it has been great, and I really enjoy reading everyone else’s scripture. 

Today I really wanted to do Luke 2, but figure I’ll wait on that one until a little closer to Christmas.  My verse that I chose is John 8:12.

When Jesus spoke to again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

We’ve been trying to turn off the lights when we do our advent readings, to help show to the kids that Jesus is the light.  We read by the light of the candle, and it just brings a peace to the room.  Even when the kids are arguing over who gets to blow out the candle, or turn on the lights, there is a peace like no other.  Let Jesus be your light, and bask in the glow of His love.  Peace be with you!

God’s Positive Answers

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

We say-It’s impossible

God says-All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

We say-I’m too tired

God says-I will give you rest (Matthew 11:18-20)

We say-Nobody really loves me

God says-I love you (John 3:16)

We say-I can’t go on

God says-My grace is sufficient(2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 91:15)

We say-I can’t figure this out

God says-I will direct your steps(Proverbs 3:5-6)

We say-I can’t do it!

God says-You can do all things (Phillippians 4:13)

We say-I’m not able

God says-I am able (2Corinthians 9:8)

We say-It’s not worth it

God says-It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

We say-I can’t forgive myself

God says-I forgive you (1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1)

We say-I can’t manage

God says-I will supply all your needs (Phillippians 4:19)

We say-I’m afraid

God says-I’ve not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)

We say-I’m always worried and frustrated

God says-Cast all your cares on me (1 Peter 5:7)

We say-I don’t have enough faith

God says-I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

We say-I’m not smart enough

God says-I give you wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)

We say- I feel so alone

God says-I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

I was dreaming?

I saw my hand and a rope.  I was trying to hold onto the rope, but my hand was at the end.  I could see the rope separating and starting to fray.  I was slipping, and the rope was giving away.  Then another hand envelops mine.  A worn and calloused hand.  A tanned and tattered hand.  A nail scarred hand.  It came from nowhere and covered my hand with a mighty strength, so powerful I could feel it.  Feel the flesh on mine.  And I knew it was going to be OK.  When I can no longer hold on, He, Jesus, is here to help me.  He will carry the load, and let me hang freely while He nourishes my soul with His peace and love.  He will carry me until I regain the strength to hold on and fight for myself again.  Because He loves me so much.  Thank You Lord, for answering my prayers.  Thank You for showing me this, and sending me this security.  I will follow You.  I will praise You in the storm, because You are worth it.  Thank You for grabbing my hand, and teaching me. 

Gotta Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

 You know what I am struggling with right now.  It feels so overwhelming and incomprehensible to me, but I know You have a plan.  Your plan will work out for me, and I just need to follow it.  Help me to seek you, and be ever present for Brian.  I pray that he will hear Your call for him, and open his heart.  Thank you for your blessings and forgiveness.  Thank you for your Word. 
In Jesus Name,

Amen

Thursday Thanks Tank

Thanks Tank  This is supposed to be a weekly installment, but I seem to be lagging.  I’m making the effort tonight, and that’s big, not because I don’t have anything to be thankful for, but because I am struggling.  Struggling with my own thoughts and emotions.  So that’s why this is good Pam.  I need to focus on the good things.  Here goes…

Today I am thankful for

1. My baby Boo is feeling better tonight, and she had a good day of rest and relaxation.

2.  My Zach got a haircut last night, and he looks so handsome.  He’s been growing it and opposed to getting it cut, but daddy said he should go.  It was one of those things that I chose not to pick a battle over, because I thought he was hansome either way.  But now I can see his eyes better, and he’s the only one with my green eyes!

3.  My Matthew is my Kissaroo.  He loves to hug, cuddle and smooch me, so I’m trying to relish that for the time being.  Because I know it won’t last long. 

4.  The little bit of snow that we had is still beautiful and glistening white today.  It shimmers on the tree branches. 

5.  Fast Food.  My meal plan for this week included a few casseroles, which apparently most of my family dislikes.  After two days of snarled noses, tonight I went on strike and we had fast food. 

6.  God and his healing words spoken at just the right time.

7.  A very nice talk with my parents last night on the phone.  It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other, but I always feel the love and prayers from them.  Even if I was a terrible teen!

8.  Freshly vacuumed floors, and mopped up muddy doggie paw prints from the kitchen.

9.  Bedtime stories.  In December, our stories are about Jesus, and it feels so good to have Matthew talk to me about Joseph.  He remembers something from sunday school, and shared it with me.  It was so touching.  So sweet.

10.  The Advent wreath and readings have been insightful and inspiring.  We even made it through tonight’s without any disruptions. 

So, I made it through, and could have actually gone on farther.  God Bless You.

The Best Gifts

I came across this and thought it was fitting for this particular time of year. 

The Best Gifts to Give

To your friend-Loyalty

To your enemy-forgiveness

To your boss-service

To a child-a good example

To your parents-gratitude and devotion

To your mate-love and faithfulness

To all men and women-charity

To your God-your life

“Moore” Monday #2

SELF-MADE FORTRESSES NOT ONLY KEEP LOVE FROM GOING OUT, THEY KEEP LOVE FROM COMING IN. 

 WE RISK BECOMING CAPTIVES THERE.

Faithful, loving Lord, according to Your Word, two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  (Eccles. 4:9-10, 12)  Help me to form healthy relationships and find support in those who encourage me to get back on my feet and walk with You when I fall.  Between You, me when I’m willing, and a good friend to hold me accountable, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 
You warn us, “He who separates himself seeks his own desire; He quarrels against all sound wisdom” (Prov. 18:1, NASB).  Help me to be very careful not to isolate myself. 

Another daily devotion from Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word Day by Day.  I can relate to this one in particular because I have someone who tends to shut me out.  I am an emotional person, so I take this personally, when sometimes it isn’t.  That tends to make me shut that person out as well, just so my feelings don’t get hurt.  I then become captive  and isolated, thus separating myself from God and others around me.