tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44123778920035851052024-02-19T18:36:38.460-05:00Grace For MamaEncouragement for moms in their ministry of marriage and motherhood.Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-70560500388929623662023-03-27T11:19:00.002-04:002023-03-27T11:28:10.455-04:00A Change in Perspective<div style="text-align: left;">I have been dreading the month of April… for MONTHS. It kind
of feels like January through March has been this huge build up of
unsustainable activities… and it all culminates in ONE month. In April alone –
we have 1 school field, 1 youth group field trip, 2 birthdays, an anniversary,
a cheer competition showcase, sports tryouts, doctor's appointments, sports practices, and a national cheer competition
out of state… and of course tax bills are rolling in. It’s all just too much…
and as I penciled each of these things into our calendar over the past several
months, anxiety just grew and grew. So coming out of March, staring April
straight in the face… I’m in full blown panic mode. Our jobs are already both
overwhelming, stretched to the max and running over with responsibilities, overdue
deadlines, not enough hours in the day to get it all done, insanity! And
through all of the busyness we have tackled since January 1<sup>st</sup>, I’ve
still had it in the back of my mind and voiced more times than I’d like to
count… “April is going to be awful. I don’t know how we are going to make all
of this work. I can’t wait for all of this to be over…” and, well, you get the
point. So here we are, 4 days out from D-Day… and I am FREAKING OUT. Nevermind the
fact that we will be celebrating our daughter’s cheer season, our 18<sup>th</sup>
wedding anniversary, my 40<sup>th</sup> birthday and my dad’s 65<sup>th</sup>
birthday (which is a miracle in and of itself)… all I can focus on is the
negative.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">And isn’t that where the enemy wants us… so caught up in the
STUFF, the busyness, the stress, that we miss out on the biggest blessings right
in front of us. Like 18 years of hard fought seasons of marriage… 18 years of
joy, hardship, overcoming, grace, patience and faithfulness. Like 40 years of a
life I have been granted the privilege every morning of living, that’s so full
of the blessings of God that I can’t even keep count. Like 65 years of a father’s
life of wisdom, jokes, heart to heart talks and overcoming obstacles. Shouldn’t
those 3 things alone take the stage from the chaos and uncertainty that may or
may not even happen. Why is it so easy to focus on the struggle, on the
uncertainty, on the trying seasons, and so hard to take hold of the blessings,
the infinite reasons of speaking gratitude, that happen in our lives every
single day. Why do I let my mind go to the dark places of fear and depression
when the sun is shining, there’s a roof over our head, and 4 heartbeats still
inside our home. Why do I focus so much on what COULD go wrong rather than the
hard TRUTH that God is sufficient to supply all of our needs, He’s faithful and
WILL NOT FORSAKE US… that He’s already working this thing out to our good. He’s
God, He’s not a liar and His Word tells me these things – WHY is it so hard for
me to live that out and so easy to cling to the lie that “we can’t do this…
this going to be too hard, etc.”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Why… because peace lives in the truth and chaos lives in the
lie, and the enemy is the father of chaos and if he can convince us to live
there long enough, joy, peace, a sound mind… all the GOOD, all the TRUTH, will
eventually be sacrificed at the altar of “But, God??” instead of “But, GOD!”. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKnRgyaNKuBMXbuA3dhC7OxME_qlRAHIRjsl4nIZddWDfkGGQyOqBtp90AQG0ges_uZ2yVm0lI3ZzjOlvE5Hb185A815GNhxvXs16Z57HttaDO_6A1_XMPPogWZ3CDOPWawaDvDCJ12I5JVBSRHQ4rbBbyCGJ2jRJt2VRE5okIu0d7q7IHSkrlKr-pQ/s940/post%20photo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKnRgyaNKuBMXbuA3dhC7OxME_qlRAHIRjsl4nIZddWDfkGGQyOqBtp90AQG0ges_uZ2yVm0lI3ZzjOlvE5Hb185A815GNhxvXs16Z57HttaDO_6A1_XMPPogWZ3CDOPWawaDvDCJ12I5JVBSRHQ4rbBbyCGJ2jRJt2VRE5okIu0d7q7IHSkrlKr-pQ/s320/post%20photo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">So today, in the midst of my worry, and anxiety of what
COULD be… I will rest in the promise of what IS. God is good. God is faithful.
God sees the next several weeks and He’s already worked things out for our
good. God is sufficient. He’s Jehovah-Jireh, my provider, my strength, my joy,
my rock, my salvation. And no lie from the pit of hell can stand against the
Truth of God. So today, 4 days out from D-day, I’ll look at this upcoming month
with gratitude for all of the blessings and opportunities that have come our
way. And I don’t know how (because I don’t NEED to know how) – but God WILL
work it out. He will make a way. I will not be a victim and let the enemy take
the joy out of all I have to be grateful for. I will get up each morning, thank
God for another day, lay it at His feet, open my heart, mind and ears and
follow His lead. The month of April is going to be AMAZING. </p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w345/m_collins83/Signature_zpscd17ecda.jpg" /></div>Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-15764683927233147172023-01-27T15:12:00.002-05:002023-01-27T15:24:52.439-05:00I Know He Will...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wVx3KTTONuuNhQ9_uzLrJXDlHqR6aA1nPDHilw6Krlq0Jqly85aHoDf0TqRx-85U7V09UrAkq0NYTUCMBxVRARsCsbtx0mBlf3m3R4sxIkE8N8ELtEP2eTfqSDqRVJ2fk_bdvzQBFrbaEjsQygk72dKmtOUv2QF4fLh0R3DQSVrRsYQVUeHQITfOjA/s1080/I%20Know%20You%20Will.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wVx3KTTONuuNhQ9_uzLrJXDlHqR6aA1nPDHilw6Krlq0Jqly85aHoDf0TqRx-85U7V09UrAkq0NYTUCMBxVRARsCsbtx0mBlf3m3R4sxIkE8N8ELtEP2eTfqSDqRVJ2fk_bdvzQBFrbaEjsQygk72dKmtOUv2QF4fLh0R3DQSVrRsYQVUeHQITfOjA/s320/I%20Know%20You%20Will.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>Hard – that’s really the most comprehensive word I can find
to describe this season of life I am finding myself in. Everything is just hard…
I told someone recently that we were in the monsoon season of ‘when it rains it
pours’… I laughed, the kind of laugh you use to keep from bursting out in
tears. Truth be told – I’ve cried so many tears over the past 6 months… I’m not
sure there are any tears left to cry.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>I lived in complete oblivious bliss in the years leading up
to this point in time. Even living on the verge of vanity, pride, greed… and a
lot of other adjectives I would have never imagined using to describe myself
but that’s where a life of complacency, ignorance and even sin had brought me
too. I’ve often heard that trials, the ‘fires’ of life, are meant to refine us,
to draw out the impurities and make us in right standing with our creator. Boy
am I embarrassed to admit the ‘impurities’ I have purged since mid-September.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>I realize now – that I had become a shell of a person,
someone I didn’t recognize and wasn’t particularly proud of. I had abandoned
everything that made me whole, that brought me joy… and traded it for a
superficial façade that appeared happy and put together on the outside but was
soul sick on the inside. I wasn’t just falling short of being the mom and wife
I wanted to be, I was falling short as a friend, as a boss, as a daughter, as a
person… so it didn’t take long for the storms of life to hit, and completely derail
me spiritually, mentally and physically. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>Early September brought a family crisis with one of our
daughters that completely blindsided us… in reality, discernment was telling me
something was wrong, but, as I had become accustomed to, I ignored the
promptings of the Holy Spirit and moved on with life – while my child suffered
in silence for nearly 4 months. I had failed as her protector, as someone she
could trust… as a spiritual leader for her. Three short weeks after that, an ER
visit led my dad to a 2-month long stay in the CVTICU in Chapel Hill, NC – and nearly
40 days on a ventilator. It has been an uphill battle against hospital
policies, rehab facilities, insurance companies, set-backs, etc., ever since.
Shortly after that I started to experience my own health issues and depression
and anxiety attacked my spirit like never before. I, the strong one, the one
that never doubted God before… found herself standing in the shower, screaming
out to God in anger, “WHERE ARE YOU?! WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?!!” My marriage
took a hit, and so did every other relationship in my life. My mental state
spread like a disease in our household, ultimately infecting everyone else… and
our home had suddenly turned in to a house where misery lived. Other demons we
were facing as a family made certain, there would be no joy and peace in the
Collins house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>It didn’t take long before all of these life distractions,
and various other issues hit our business – bringing on a whole new level of
panic, worry and stress that I have never felt before. I was being crushed by
the burdens of this world… and I couldn’t even bring myself to do the very
thing that COULD bring me peace. Instead of laying my burdens at the feet of
Jesus, I picked them up – strapped them on my back and was determined to
destroy myself attempting to carry them on my own. It’s been a very lonely
place to live. I’ve had more than my fair share of mental breakdowns… I’ve
worried my family. I’ve had days where I couldn’t pull myself out of the bed. I’ve
had days where I cried from the moment I woke up to the moment I finally
exhausted myself just enough to sleep for 2 hours, and then woke up and did it
again, the next day. I lost nearly 30 pounds as anxiety and worry stole my
appetite and my peace. I spent 10+ hours a day searching for answers online, in
FB groups, though Instagram hashtags… desperate to find someone that was
struggling like me, and found a way to make it through. I exhausted myself
looking for answers, attempting to take control of an uncontrollable situation…
all the while ignoring the ONE thing I knew I needed to do, to find peace… but
a part of me was so scared that God really had abandoned me, that He really
wasn’t going to answer my prayers, wasn’t going to throw me a life line… that I
had become the 1 in 99 that He decided just wasn’t worth pursuing…that I didn’t
call on Him because I couldn’t bear the thought of being abandoned by Him too. My
faith was gone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>Everything came to a head and hit an all-time high of BAD in
early January. Two weeks later I found myself in the urgent care and
subsequently the ER, dehydrated, malnourished, and in excruciating pain as the
stress had completely overtaken me. I felt like I was going to die… for the
first time in my life, I WANTED to die. It would at least put me out of my
misery and my family out of the job of having to share that misery with me. That
was the turning point… I knew I could not go on like that for another day. My
entire life had been completely interrupted by the no good, very bad days
anxiety and worry were bringing me. This month I saw the darkest hours of my
life. Those darkest hours are also the catalyst for my rebirth. When I was at
my lowest… when the darkness was so thick I couldn’t see my hand in front of my
face… God started shining a light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>I started pouring out my heart on social media. Probably not
the best avenue, but I was desperate for prayer, even when I couldn’t find it in
me to pray for myself. A friend commented on one of those posts and said the
Lord was telling her ‘my pen was being restored’… it was confirmation to me
that God was rewriting this story of heartache and despair. It was the sign I
needed to finally believe that even though I couldn’t see evidence of it right
now… God was moving on my behalf… He was taking what the enemy meant for evil
and He was going to somehow, someway, use it for good. I had no choice but to
believe that… I had to hold onto the hope that better days were coming, that a victory
was on the horizon, because I could no longer live with the anguish of thinking
anything else. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>I slowly started leaning in to the things that I know make
my soul happy… my daily quiet time with Jesus, serving my family, slowing down
and not letting the busyness of our life dictate every detail of my day. It’s
helping. For the first time since September 2<sup>nd</sup> – I felt true peace
last week. I woke up one day, and the worry and anxiety was gone. I try to
savor each morning I wake up with that peace in place of panic. I know my struggle
and this journey isn’t over. Honestly, nothing about our situation or
circumstances has changed to make me ‘feel better’ about it… but GOD… I wish I could
say I have fully surrendered – I haven’t. I’m trying. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>Hard! Yes, life is hard. Being a Christian does not
magically make the ‘bad’ of this world disappear. In fact – as a Christian, our
walk is often harder than that of the non-believer. We wake up each day
fighting an adversary that is determined to kill, steal from and destroy us.
But as I’m learning… we also get the choice each day to fight that battle alone…
or to allow the creator of this universe, the ultimate victor, fight this
battle with us. I know there are still hard, dark days ahead. But I’m not going
to keep trying to walk this road and navigate these storms, alone. And you
shouldn’t either. Thank God His mercies are new every morning. I’m praying for
you today, friend. Whatever season you find yourself in… don’t weather it
alone. Strip off those burdens, lay them at the feet of Jesus, and trust that
His ways are higher than our ways. In the words of the praise and worship song
that has been on repeat and carried me through many stormy nights… I don’t know
how He’ll make a way… but I know He will… for you and for me. </span></p></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w345/m_collins83/Signature_zpscd17ecda.jpg" /></div>Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-88444528111970923712020-01-13T21:44:00.002-05:002020-01-13T23:24:34.991-05:00There’ll Be Another in the Fire...<div style="text-align: left;">
The fire...I guess you could say I have been consumed by the fire for the past 2 years. And for a while...I was dead-set on fighting that fire, working diligently to put it out, by myself. I prayed, I read my Bible, I professed my beliefs, I warmed a pew...I checked all of the 'good Christian girl' boxes - and yet I was bound. Bound by fear and bound by pride. I wrestled with the Lord day after day, month after month and eventually year after year.</div>
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The breaking point came about 3 months ago. I had prayed, over and over, for a way out of one miserable situation after another. I was soul sick with worry and anxiety and frustration over this all-powerful, all-knowing God that had seemingly turned a deaf ear to my pleas. I stood in the shower, tears streaming down my face and screamed at the top of my lungs "Where are You!!? Why aren't you doing anything?! You said you would never forsake me...well where are You then?"</div>
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And as clear as day, God spoke to my spirit "This fire isn't for your destruction, it's for your refinement." All of a sudden it became very clear that these situations I was trying to pray my way out of, although painful and difficult, were for a purpose. They were meant to drive me back to the feet of Jesus, to strengthen my faith and heal my spirit.</div>
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I spent so much time trying to get out of the fire, that I failed to see that there was another in the fire with me.</div>
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For years - I have known that God has placed a calling on my life. I've spent time pursuing that calling and time denying that calling. I've made every excuse in the world for not acting on it. I've prioritized other things over it - even though everything within me longs to live it out. I've convinced myself I'm unworthy, undeserving and unqualified to take my place on that platform, and I've believed that. 2019 was a year of soul wrestling, spirit killing rebellion for me. I've found we can create our own desperate set of circumstances when we insist on living out our will instead of God's will. I've watched all year as each work of my hand resulted in one disaster after another, simply because I insisted on being the god of my own life. What I was professing with my lips - was not what I was living out in my life. I'd like to say I wasn't living in sin - but let's be real - not heeding God's calling, choosing my own will over His will is rebellion...it's sin, and it was destroying me from the inside out.</div>
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The past several months I found myself back in church consistently. And week after week, the praise team was singing one of the same songs over and over again. I nearly come undone every time it starts because I know - God is speaking to me. He's reminding me...there's another in fire. (Click the link below to listen. Seriously...stop what you're doing and listen.)</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmNc0L7Ac5c" target="_blank">Another in the Fire - Hillsong United</a></div>
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Week after week I've been reminded...there's another in the fire. And week after week, prayer after prayer, tear after tear, God has been rebuilding and restoring what I worked so hard to undo over the years.</div>
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I started reading Priscilla Shirer's 'The Resolution for Women' last week...the chapter I read last night nearly brought me to my knees. After weeks of searching for answers, of seeking God's guidance, I found it in three verses, three verses that defeated each fear, attacked each lie of the enemy and answered each request I made.</div>
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<b><i>"Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God." - </i>2 Corinthians 3:5 AMP</b></div>
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No...me, Michelle Collins, in my own power am not qualified...but by God's grace I am. He has called me - insufficient me (and insufficient you) for a purpose that only I (and only you) can fulfill. He has equipped us with everything we need to achieve that purpose and we have the responsibility to not let that gift go wasted. Someone out there, somewhere, needs to hear the words that I bring. They need to hear the words that only you can speak.</div>
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<b><i>"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations" - </i>Jeremiah 1:5 AMP</b></div>
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Before I made my grand appearance on April 6, 1983 - He knew me. He knew my purpose before I took my first breath. He appointed Me, He consecrated Me, He CHOSE ME!! When those fears or whispers of doubt creep in, I can hold onto the truth that He has called me for a purpose. When I start to question 'who am I to do this...' I can answer - He appointed me! And you, yes YOU - you too have been approved, chosen and appointed. Stop letting the voice of treason, the lies of the enemy, convince you otherwise.</div>
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<b><i>"For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above - spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]."</i> - Ephesians 2:10 AMP </b></div>
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No matter what kind of mess I've made of myself in the past, His grace and mercy are sufficient and I am His. No mess-up, no mistake can change that. God Himself created me as a work of art, to be used for good works. I am destined for a specific purpose and it's time I start living like it. It's time I actually started to believe it.</div>
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It's easy to convince ourselves otherwise - it's easy to relegate myself as worthless, hopeless, lost and messed up. But thankfully I am who HE says I am. And YOU are who HE says you are. You are chosen, not forsaken, You are a child of the King. </div>
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In 2020 I'm purposing to live out my calling. I'm stepping out in faith and giving God my gifts and talents to be used for His glory. And I hope you'll join me, here in my little corner of the internet and walk this journey with me.</div>
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God really uses the strangest situations to speak right to
us. The girls and I were on our way back from picking up lunch after church
today, when Nevaeh straight up preached right to my heart with one comment. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p>I am not a fan of interstate. I like back roads. Those who
know me well, know I would rather take a scenic backroad to get somewhere over
the monotony of interstate any day. So as we are driving one of those back
roads home – here’s the conversation that went down:<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nevaeh: “Mama, do you take this road to work in the morning?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Me: “Yes, most days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Nevaeh: “You like back roads don’t ya mama? They’re a lot
prettier than interstate.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Me: “Yeah. I like the scenery.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Nevaeh: “Yeah. You get to see a lot more. I like it to. It’s
almost like the pretty things are hidden. But you don’t get to see those things
at all on interstate.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Oh my! What a word!! When on the journey to the destination
God has ordained for us – we often want to take the interstate route. The shortcut,
straight through, easiest, fastest route there. But taking that route causes us
to miss out on the beauty found on the back road, the hard path. The path with
twists and turns and uncertainty. The path with hidden beauty, where it may
take a little effort on our part to find the good stuff hidden. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The past 2 years of our life have been a drive down the back
road. There have been hills we didn’t have the strength to climb. There have
been more twists and turns than we would like to admit. There were times when I
asked God “Are we there yet?” but oh the beauty we discovered along the way. We
have joy in these trials because they have indeed produced perseverance. I am
thankful for the strength our marriage has gained by taking these twists and
turns together. I am thankful for the strengthened faith built by trusting the
Lord when we couldn’t see where we were going. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Chris and I were just having a conversation the other day,
about what a difference one year makes. Last year at this time – we were at one
of our lowest points. But we were holding on to God with faith that He would
stay true to His promises to us and see us through that storm and boy, did He
ever. I could have never imagined we would be where we are today. What God has
done for us over the past 2 years is nothing short of a miracle (that is a blog
post for a different day.) But the wisdom we have gained, the blessings we have seen may not have been visible on the easy path.<br />
<br />
So today I encourage you – if God has you on a
tough road, have faith and look for the blessings all around you. They’re
there!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-90467473405744881842017-03-24T09:40:00.000-04:002017-03-24T09:40:00.239-04:00When Heartache Hits...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFnpJpsK1UTrW_5-ol8-t50RwCvQtYkYgYziLqt7RwKaG_2zt1PF2LXOmBdt4mz1s-tz91eXLc9NaagCnFFXO8an_wlBx8uSF1CZ_s7gBOhvwg_3cC5XYDO6QxfXyEzC-MEL0ysfwr-zv/s1600/When+heartach.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFnpJpsK1UTrW_5-ol8-t50RwCvQtYkYgYziLqt7RwKaG_2zt1PF2LXOmBdt4mz1s-tz91eXLc9NaagCnFFXO8an_wlBx8uSF1CZ_s7gBOhvwg_3cC5XYDO6QxfXyEzC-MEL0ysfwr-zv/s320/When+heartach.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This week
has been a week of loss. We lost my grandmother, a dear friend lost a family
member and the Christian blogging community lost a sweet, sold out to Jesus
soul – that loss is still gripping me this morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Personally
speaking – in the midst of my cries for peace and comfort have been shouts of “why”
and “help me understand Lord.” Death is never easy…it’s a lighter blow when it
comes at the end of lengthy, uphill health battle…but easier, NO. But when
death comes unexpectedly – to a young mama of 4 kids or a teenager just
starting to make their mark on this world – death becomes deeper. And if we’re
not careful we’ll let that deep hurt seep in and become whispered lies of the enemy
that our God is not faithful, our God is not good…or God is not an ever present
help…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Yeah, the
enemy likes to take times like this and use them to create a divide between us
and the only One with the power to heal that deep hurt, to give peace in those
moments of devastation – to bring about assurance where that doubt has
sparked up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 73:26
tells us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "bella donna"; font-size: 28pt;">“My flesh and my heart may fail,</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "bella donna"; font-size: 28pt;">but God is the strength of my heart and my portion
forever.”</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">No – my ‘self’…my
carnal mind will not understand…grief can be a catalyst for doubt and fear and
worry…and that’s why we desperately need to cry out to the Father during these
times of heartache – because our strength will never be enough and our flesh
will deceive us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Geneva
Study Bible says ‘portion’ means “God is our whole sufficiency, and ONLY
contentment”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God is our
ONLY contentment! When the storms of life arise and bad, unjustifiable things happen
to good people – the world would have us blame God – but the Word shows us God
is the only comforter that will suffice. He is our whole sufficiency – meaning nothing
apart from Him will be enough to fill that void left by loss in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve often
heard that noting in life is certain…but death. It’s a morbid truth that still
doesn’t make the sting of life lost any less painful. And believe me – questioning
God’s motives or lack thereof, having doubt in the goodness of God, allowing
our faith to slip in times of troubling circumstances only further delays the
comfort and peace God longs to give us during these times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But…I can
promise (because I have been there this week) – crying out to God, letting God
take all that pain and turn it into peace, is possible. He hasn’t equipped us
to live this life alone – to carry these burdens by ourselves. He absolutely
will allow us to go through things that we can NOT bear on our own – because it
drives us back to where we belong…at the feet of Jesus, allowing Him to carry
those burdens for us – and to give us strength to face each day that follows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What do we
do when devastating things happen? When heartache hits, when tragedy blindsides
us; go to the Father. God tells us in Isaiah 41:10 He will “strengthen you and
help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And He will…He
has given me comfort and strength this week – He has made grief and the pain of
death more bearable…all I had to do was seek Him…and I found that our God IS
faithful, our God IS good and our God IS a an ever-present help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Now that I'm jumping back onto the blogging bus
- I thought it would be a good idea to spend Wednesday's in the Word. I cannot
stress enough how important it is to be in the Word of God often. It is such a
source of strength and encouragement and is truly a road map of how we should
lead our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Beginning
last week - I started leading a group of ladies in my church through Courtney
Joseph's study of the Proverbs 31 Woman. (You can find all of the resources for
this study on her website at <a href="http://www.womenlivingwell.org/">www.womenlivingwell.org</a>). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
</span><div style="margin-right: 12pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">I
thought this would be the perfect place to start our Wednesday series of being
in the Word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"><b>Trust</b> is the
first virtue we encounter in this chapter. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">“Her
husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” </span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Proverbs
31:11</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">"Does your
husband have full confidence in you? Does he fully trust your spending habits,
your training of the children, your ability to run the home, your words that
you speak about him when he is not in the room, your faithfulness to him in
regards to flirting with other men, your emotions and temper, and the choices
you make?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">The husband of
a VIRTUOUS woman has full, secure confidence in her and trusts her and because
of his security in her – he will have no lack of gain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Isn’t it awesome
that we have the opportunity to be such a treasure to our husbands?
Proverbs 19:14 says that </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Houses and wealth are inherited from parents
but a </i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">prudent wife is from the Lord.”</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">A prudent wife
is a blessing from God. But what is a prudent wife? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prudent</b> means acting with or showing care and thought for the
future, being wise, sensible and understanding. Truthfully – some of those
characteristics just aren’t traits I possess on my own – but are things I must
seek after and ask God to help me with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">·</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 7pt; margin: 0px;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Do you
struggle in any of these areas?</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Reading through
many of the verses in the book of Proverbs – we are reminded over and over
that choosing to walk in wisdom and righteousness, putting our trust in God and
heeding the instructions in his Word will lead to a blessed, joyful life. Why
then do we find walking in this sort of obedience so difficult? Because it is
in our nature to be selfish. It comes naturally for us to think of our husbands –“well he sure
doesn’t do this…or he doesn’t always make the best decision or I don’t see him
heeding the Word and walking in wisdom…” </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj_FmxWJWqGaXy_OmG07tqzAMeAHMNMlzz-kCh8HNTf46zuDUJfaS569B938HvveUr47xnDlZZg66phUFcxAqbn5EpvY7fPsin1gCGm_Oc-0ij23nPAUPDcRmbyJk5wDXxaa6C_w7WZFicQYazuuCWlXIKKPQorkMOyCRK4OfuoJCN2SI-uWty1U4kD-rI=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">At the end of
the day – we are on this journey to become the Proverbs 31 woman – NOT only to
please our husbands, NOT just to be praised and adored by our children, NOT
just to remembered any certain way, NOT even to provoke a change in our husbands – but simply because this is the kind of
woman God has called us to be…and it is our responsibility as a women of God
that desire to please Him to walk in obedience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Are you striving to become that Proverbs 31 woman? How are you intentional in your daily life - to be that virtuous woman?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9a-RNKSmSwj_QScdLbTMlxJ7nsuXCv1naqLcIGWB-f91FzH204SwnP-i7Zdd8FGSCmtEFGtD4n-oIEmDt5byTpvjNiPrVyGymaPZ1KjqyuG7g1cxkc5CM_u3lwtt53yaZMWv-ssg5oZ6d/s1600/1Bruschetta+Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9a-RNKSmSwj_QScdLbTMlxJ7nsuXCv1naqLcIGWB-f91FzH204SwnP-i7Zdd8FGSCmtEFGtD4n-oIEmDt5byTpvjNiPrVyGymaPZ1KjqyuG7g1cxkc5CM_u3lwtt53yaZMWv-ssg5oZ6d/s320/1Bruschetta+Chicken.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;"><i>*This recipe was originally found at </i></span><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/bruschetta-chicken-481501" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;"><i>Bruschetta Chicken www.food.com</i></span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-small;"><i> & tweaked a bit by yours truly</i></span></div>
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I really need to work on my photography skills. This pitiful picture absolutely does NOT do this recipe justice. This recipe has become a family favorite - and is perfect for summer tomatoes!!</div>
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<b><u>Ingredients</u></b></div>
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1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast **<i>(I used chicken breast halves)</i></div>
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1 large egg, beaten</div>
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1/2 c. Italian Panko Crumbs</div>
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3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil <i>(to cook the chicken in) **vegetable oil is pictured but EVOO is best</i></div>
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3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil <i>(to be used in the bruschetta)</i></div>
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2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar</div>
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2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil</div>
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1/8 tsp. garlic powder</div>
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1/8 tsp. onion salt</div>
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1-2 tomatoes, chopped </div>
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salt & pepper to taste</div>
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shredded mozzarella cheese <i>(to be used for topping)</i></div>
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<b><u>Directions</u></b></div>
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*Whisk together 3tbsp. of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Stir in the basil, garlic powder, onion salt and tomato. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Allow to sit and marinate for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.</div>
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*Dip each piece of chicken into the egg and then press into the panko crumb mixture to coat.</div>
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*Heat the oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan or skillet. </div>
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*Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pick in the center, and has a golden brown color.</div>
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*Reduce the heat to low, leaving the chicken in the pan. Spoon the bruschetta over the chicken and top with mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan and cook just long enough for the cheese to melt.</div>
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*Serve the chicken with a side of veggies or salad and ENJOY!!</div>
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(again - the pictures just don't do this recipe justice. This was AWESOME! You will not be disappointed.)<br />
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Share some of your favorite go-to chicken recipes in the comment section below.</div>
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my first reaction?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This morning started out as perfect as a morning could start
out. I actually got out of bed early (I only hit ‘snooze’ one time – win for
me!). I made myself a wholesome, healthy breakfast – sat down at the dinner
table and soaked in just a few moments of alone time, enjoying my omelet, the
sunrise and a chance to check my email in peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My first little princess wondered out of her room – curled up
on the couch and was content with her blanket and cartoons. I still had a whole
hour to get ready before I had to get out the door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fast forward 15 minutes – apparently my husband and I
miscommunicated about the plans for the day – and my serene morning quickly
turned into chaos. Now I only had 45 minutes to feed the kids breakfast, pack
their lunches, pack my lunch, get myself ready, drop them off at day care and
get to work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My gentle, kind and quiet spirit quickly turned to stressed,
frantic and loud. Fighting ensued between the girls – discipline was dished out
for bad attitudes and disrespectful behavior, and my demeanor was on a downward
spiral.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I was frustrated and everyone in the house knew it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Have you been there? Has it been your intention to show grace,
have patience and speak softly – but you just keep missing the mark? That’s my
intention every time – but more often than not, I react based on my frustration
rather than reacting with wisdom the way God would have me to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">“…because human anger does not produce the righteousness that
God desires”. James 1:20</span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I know this is an area of my life that needs work – and I’m
willing to bet that some of you struggle with the same thing. (Let’s be honest –
I think some mornings our kids wake up with the intention to drive us insane!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But when we react with grace and patience when they’re
expecting us to fly off the handle – we’re modeling self-control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When we show gentleness and kindness when they expect
punishment and harsh words – maybe, just maybe, they’ll learn to react the same
way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If your morning started out like mine – take heart in knowing,
it’s not too late to start over. Admit your wrong doing, ask for forgiveness
and move on with your day determined to react with wisdom rather than
foolishness. </span></div>
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I started this blog a few years ago - with the hopes that God would use me to encourage weary working mamas like myself.</div>
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I planned and brainstormed to write about topics that I felt were relevant and that, honestly, would draw readers in.</div>
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I kept a notebook full of series ideas. I had grand plans. And then I failed.</div>
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I would write - and plan - and write - and plan...and then I'd stop for a month or so.</div>
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And then the cycle would start over. I wanted people to come to my blog and leave changed. I wanted to make a difference. I, I, I.</div>
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I knew (and still know) that God has called me to this type of ministry. But when I failed on my blogging venture - I felt like my ministry was over. I mean - there isn't much ministering going on if I'm not writing something for people to be ministered by, right?!</div>
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LIE!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreDNP_9q6-N1NM1bg60-ySzCp9DVXD3lDtSWfvmfF7a4RK_HmK-dG5EReZ90sj1mUEo2iZ4jaH1nM8mwxobMpmodnbORylHtNFpHAaNpsGDu00Khwx8JH661ArJ7-zpFIBJ_2z051S-cX/s1600/Ministry+in+the+Mundane.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreDNP_9q6-N1NM1bg60-ySzCp9DVXD3lDtSWfvmfF7a4RK_HmK-dG5EReZ90sj1mUEo2iZ4jaH1nM8mwxobMpmodnbORylHtNFpHAaNpsGDu00Khwx8JH661ArJ7-zpFIBJ_2z051S-cX/s320/Ministry+in+the+Mundane.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was - there <i>is</i> ministry going on. It's happening every morning as I make breakfast for my littles, as I tie shoes, pack backpacks and brush blond ringlets into ponytails.</div>
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Ministry happens when I choose to be gentle instead of yelling - and when I apologize for the times that I do yell. </div>
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It's ministering when I put hot food on the table every evening - even when my body aches from a full day of work - when I greet my husband with a kiss, when we kneel to say bedtime prayers, when I clean up kids who get sick in the middle of the night and didn't quite make it to the bathroom.</div>
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<i>Ministry happens in the mundane. </i></div>
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Motherhood IS ministry. Working to be a Godly wife IS ministry. Being a good friend, offering a helping hand to someone in need - all those little things that we do every day are really making a HUGE impact for the kingdom.</div>
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No - I don't get 100 'likes' when I put a band-aid on a boo-boo. I don't get 'shares' when I offer someone my shopping cart in the grocery store. No one notices when I tuck that little note saying 'Mommy loves you' into the lunch box - but God sees. The heart of the recipient of those small acts of grace knows. </div>
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I know - mama, I know - that these little mundane tasks that we do everyday can be exhausting - are often done in vain - and more often taken for granted.</div>
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Understand that what you do matters - you don't have to be Ann Voskamp or Lysa TerKeurst to have ministry. Don't feel like what you do for the kingdom is insignificant because your name isn't on a book or on the itinerary at a national conference. </div>
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You are raising up arrows. </div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Psalm 127:3-5</b></span></i></div>
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It has been one of those days - the kind where you just want to shut yourself up in a room - cut the lights out and make the world disappear for a little while.</div>
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We were running late (as usual) - the girls were fighting, tattling and just driving me up the wall. I responded with yelling and threatening and complete chaos ensued. I rushed them to the car, I rushed them to put their seat belts on, I rushed them to school, I rushed them out of the car and the I rushed myself to work.</div>
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I unlocked my office door - thankful that I was, at least, the first one there - dropped my stuff beside my desk and started my morning.</div>
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Checked my email</div>
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Checked my to-do list</div>
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Checked my calendar</div>
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Checked my attitude...</div>
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Checked my phone</div>
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And all of these posts regarding Lent filled my Instagram feed. I sat there - feeling like a total failure! </div>
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Here we are 40+ days out from the recognized crucifixion of our Savior and I am drowning in the mundane, every day, '<i>makes no eternal difference</i>' madness.</div>
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<i>I am side tracked, unfocused and missing the mark.</i></div>
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My priorities are totally out of order. For a minute I felt sorry for myself...and then I remembered...</div>
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We have brothers and sisters in Christ giving their lives up for Him - facing persecution every day - and living for Him despite the risk - and here we are...HERE I AM in America -</div>
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comfortable</div>
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safe</div>
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with freedom...</div>
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And we're restless, we're bitter, we're angry, we're rushing...why?</div>
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Because my jeans are snug and I've gain ANOTHER pound. Because the kids pick at their breakfast and at one another and I'm late for work. Because it's 5 degrees outside today and its inconvenient for me...and the list goes on...</div>
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Friends - I confess - my priorities are SO out of order. God often ends up at the bottom of my list - I put everything else, everyone else, first - I get frustrated, and upset and cry and at the <i>end</i> of my day I go crawling to Him, complaining about the mess I'm making of my life - when what I really need to do is start off my day in WORSHIP of the one true King.</div>
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Thanking Him for hanging on that cross and taking on My sin...</div>
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Thanking Him for conquering death...</div>
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Thanking Him for returning on that 3rd day - proving He is the one true Messiah - and offering us redemption for our ridiculous ways.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObMfk_m37L129CIWyhQGRpeKE_oVA0xopjyztsWHXbYBl6jT2JqmEQNW4dojQHBZW8EvNE5Rc-uTfe8iwHpa-8jQoKWW0ttPS1SQfNszB3y9u7E_utbr-sGzQcbeXA7vwV5Ygb-CQXCbq/s1600/how+can+it+be.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObMfk_m37L129CIWyhQGRpeKE_oVA0xopjyztsWHXbYBl6jT2JqmEQNW4dojQHBZW8EvNE5Rc-uTfe8iwHpa-8jQoKWW0ttPS1SQfNszB3y9u7E_utbr-sGzQcbeXA7vwV5Ygb-CQXCbq/s1600/how+can+it+be.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am convicted and shamed with tears running down my face as these fingers desperately hunt for the keys on this keyboard.</div>
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I am feel like a farce - I write blog posts hoping to encourage you as a mom - today I want to encourage you as a child of God.</div>
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I, too, am guilty of putting husband, child, job and ministry first - when Jesus is the ONLY one who should hold first place in my heart.</div>
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So, during this Lenten season - I will spend more time at the foot of the cross. I will spend more time today - and each day hereafter - seeking His face first!</div>
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Will you move your focus to Him with me? Have you become distracted? What changes will you make in your life to seek God first?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj_FmxWJWqGaXy_OmG07tqzAMeAHMNMlzz-kCh8HNTf46zuDUJfaS569B938HvveUr47xnDlZZg66phUFcxAqbn5EpvY7fPsin1gCGm_Oc-0ij23nPAUPDcRmbyJk5wDXxaa6C_w7WZFicQYazuuCWlXIKKPQorkMOyCRK4OfuoJCN2SI-uWty1U4kD-rI=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w345/m_collins83/Signature_zpscd17ecda.jpg" /></a></div>
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This potato soup is so EASY and everyone in my family </div>
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(even my super picky Lillian) loves it!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEGAt2fYIB7gvt2s4c4iH143c6NXGzUYS-AKqcQ41G_GnOUIF4BjoiXdixkdrh93_4g1OUi9kEZhiJoGh2RRUZAXlk1nyuPAWsFThQl_QfVHHscn58-0Wf2GIWzPfhEzsahKZtX7Ju5jK/s1600/Crock+Pot+Potato+Soup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEGAt2fYIB7gvt2s4c4iH143c6NXGzUYS-AKqcQ41G_GnOUIF4BjoiXdixkdrh93_4g1OUi9kEZhiJoGh2RRUZAXlk1nyuPAWsFThQl_QfVHHscn58-0Wf2GIWzPfhEzsahKZtX7Ju5jK/s1600/Crock+Pot+Potato+Soup.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Ingredients:</u></b></div>
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1 30 oz. bag of frozen, diced hash browns</div>
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1 32 oz. box of chicken broth</div>
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1 10 oz. can of cream of chicken soup</div>
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1 8 oz. package of cream cheese (do NOT use fat free)</div>
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Bacon bits</div>
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1 package of dried Ranch dressing mix</div>
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Shredded cheddar cheese</div>
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Salt & pepper to taste</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ7vBgN3ru1PgrfgC3gjdi__5M0Nb8CglxZN0ErNW60452qXq2V5jgbNXdJgIQ64QEUMC3TssjvS_HJQsehlSLnezABZAmWNaUBTk8JvntIBzIBtffd376PQCudzQRaiEBkI_yrJPSUk2/s1600/Soup+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ7vBgN3ru1PgrfgC3gjdi__5M0Nb8CglxZN0ErNW60452qXq2V5jgbNXdJgIQ64QEUMC3TssjvS_HJQsehlSLnezABZAmWNaUBTk8JvntIBzIBtffd376PQCudzQRaiEBkI_yrJPSUk2/s1600/Soup+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Directions:</u></b></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Add frozen hash browns to a crock pot sprayed with non-stick cooking spray</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Add in chicken broth, cream of chicken soup and small handful of bacon bits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtYaQNoSCQPY8WZ2YlNyzbZuf7mkeq9ClaqjHGgwugayXnpN02y_z2gxxDavW1JN_Jsx8ngRhGheXCQ_qpQxy72CAhq7-gzeLI-BecRWd3e9EpVpqklBlNCd9vUnDtWmVn8-wfjmv97k5/s1600/Soup+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtYaQNoSCQPY8WZ2YlNyzbZuf7mkeq9ClaqjHGgwugayXnpN02y_z2gxxDavW1JN_Jsx8ngRhGheXCQ_qpQxy72CAhq7-gzeLI-BecRWd3e9EpVpqklBlNCd9vUnDtWmVn8-wfjmv97k5/s1600/Soup+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Cook on low for 7-8 hours</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">An hour before serving - add in cream cheese (cut into small cubes) and the packet of dry Ranch dressing mix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlnYiWdP_wb9AQ7zD7Vgu4nz4vPyVeMvQOHm_DLsqWr-dE84dsGzMkB3Q04zgWvUpmQqMtG_qDNYAtvcxLnmyjnGX1j0QwhB3QFiL265quiWXPqSUk439kpfqPacXAl1VCM5xu-kdccyv/s1600/Soup+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlnYiWdP_wb9AQ7zD7Vgu4nz4vPyVeMvQOHm_DLsqWr-dE84dsGzMkB3Q04zgWvUpmQqMtG_qDNYAtvcxLnmyjnGX1j0QwhB3QFiL265quiWXPqSUk439kpfqPacXAl1VCM5xu-kdccyv/s1600/Soup+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Mix a few times, while cooking, to get the cream cheese mixed in well</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Top with cheddar cheese and bacon bits (to taste) when ready to serve!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAHXv_yrhQWaevvmfDvlisOPf-bc7s550_UyC2UBwpfqJ2Ap-0tIrf1CLHd7-bwuVMmKKiLZvF3hckZ_O8kokiAs6gDWXvq__ga45dUIDjf5AhchxzBfBubJEPEgJQ72cwgAytUCTRW7L/s1600/Soup+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAHXv_yrhQWaevvmfDvlisOPf-bc7s550_UyC2UBwpfqJ2Ap-0tIrf1CLHd7-bwuVMmKKiLZvF3hckZ_O8kokiAs6gDWXvq__ga45dUIDjf5AhchxzBfBubJEPEgJQ72cwgAytUCTRW7L/s1600/Soup+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I like to serve this soup with salad and Pillsbury honey crescent rolls!</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Enjoy!!</div>
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I apologize for my absence this week!! I've been feeling a bit under the weather for the past for days - and then, over night, an ice storm hit our area.</div>
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We spent today outside playing and sledding - so I have not gotten around to posting yet this week!!</div>
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I will be back this afternoon with our Tasty Tuesday recipe!! Believe me - it is worth the wait :)</div>
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Wednesday - I will post the next entry in the 'Managing Mama' series (that usually goes up on Mondays) and hope to get back into my somewhat normal blogging routine.</div>
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How is the weather in your area? I would love to actually see some snow before spring hits - but if the snow isn't going to come, bring on the warmer weather!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzUGeSI5TKCs_T5peQPjnQHn9PyceyQe79n7f0rSTUJnd_Ex6tKARTgCzY6G0tdanM0y3umdh8lIHtEQAx_ISqWkUIQjEd9a77w8uXvgzamVSFz8CoXjNwEONzx3IkQj98A7vIGTmEEvy/s1600/WMSC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzUGeSI5TKCs_T5peQPjnQHn9PyceyQe79n7f0rSTUJnd_Ex6tKARTgCzY6G0tdanM0y3umdh8lIHtEQAx_ISqWkUIQjEd9a77w8uXvgzamVSFz8CoXjNwEONzx3IkQj98A7vIGTmEEvy/s1600/WMSC.png" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
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We all like to save money!! And I know if you are a savvy mama like me - you are always on the lookout for new ways to save - well look no further!!</div>
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Ya'll - this little app makes me so happy!!</div>
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I don't shop at Wal-Mart <i>that</i> often. In fact - I've only loaded 10 receipts onto this app since September 2014 - but...</div>
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I got back $23.60. In fact - just this week I earned $0.76 on a receipt I uploaded back in December. The Savings Catcher retro-ed back (without me having to do anything) and found even more money to give me!!</div>
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<b>What To Do:</b></div>
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*Go to your phone's app store and find and download the Wal-Mart Savings Catcher app (IT'S FREE!!!)</div>
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*Shop at Wal-Mart :)</div>
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*After your purchase - open the app on your phone and scan in the receipt.</div>
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*After 3-4 days - your prices will be matched. If the app finds ANY advertised price at another store - you get money back!!</div>
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*You can let your amounts accumulate - and when you're ready, just press "get it back" on the 'Your Rewards Dollar' screen.</div>
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*You will be emailed an eGift card that can be used at check-out like a gift card.</div>
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It's that easy!! If you EVER shop at Wal-Mart, this.is.a.must.have!!!</div>
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Do you use this app? What's the most money you've gotten back?</div>
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<img src="http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w345/m_collins83/Signature_zpscd17ecda.jpg" /></div>
Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-38286479150790663782015-02-11T06:00:00.000-05:002015-02-12T10:36:00.235-05:00What Is the Focus of Your Family?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZfRrYLnAt11haMsHOkZe62WBC0HI7BTumg5_SMA0d6xiuo_WJKIIdLpvFbQ5Dmwsk8iCNKUXDdVnOI-Q1uzDnGYby3pJDbPFwAZBsvkF7I6KL91MBFS9zzz1OGSlrOsBMAOBC2WEtpyh/s1600/is+your+family.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZfRrYLnAt11haMsHOkZe62WBC0HI7BTumg5_SMA0d6xiuo_WJKIIdLpvFbQ5Dmwsk8iCNKUXDdVnOI-Q1uzDnGYby3pJDbPFwAZBsvkF7I6KL91MBFS9zzz1OGSlrOsBMAOBC2WEtpyh/s1600/is+your+family.png" height="268" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The modern
family – what exactly does that mean? (I </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px;">wasn't</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> around – but according to my
grandparents) the family unit looked much different 60 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A lot has
changed over the past several decades. </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px;">We've</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> seen the divorce rate climb, more and more children are being raised in blended families, by only one parent or
by parents of the same sex. </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px;">We've</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> seen the power struggle between the father and
the mother. We have fathers who refuse to lead and mothers who refuse to
nurture. But more than anything – we have seen the central focus of the family
move from God, to the child.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I am a “millennial”
– so really, I am ignorant to what a God centered family would look like. My
parents </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> come to know Christ until I was a pre-teen so the central focus
of our home was NOT Jesus. I was the common goal – the only child – their central
focus. (Thankfully I </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> grow up to be a spoiled rotten adult – no really!!
I </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">To be honest
– this is a struggle for me – for my family. Society tells us that the child is
what’s MOST important. Every decision made, every action taken must be in the
interest of what’s best for the child…how can we <i>really </i>disagree with that??<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s be
honest here – I want what’s best for my two daughters. I want to give them
every advantage I can in this life – it’s a tough world out there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And what’s
the best thing we can give them? What one, single, solitary gift can we give
them that will provide them with the ONLY advantage they could ever need…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">JESUS!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you are
like me – you have felt the pressure to get your child involved. (after all –
idle hands are the devil’s workshop, right???)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We send them
to the best preschools, we put them into sports, we sign them up for music
lessons, karate lessons, art class and AWANA. We read to them, take them to the
library, do crafts at home, have family game night. We speak life into them, we
encourage and motivate them. We have them do Bible study and memorize Bible
verses. We teach them manners and how to save money. We sacrifice date night
for family fun night – Saturday mornings are full of soccer practice, ballet
practice and basketball games. Travel sports consume our schedule all for what…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">To give them
an advantage?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">To prepare
them for the real world?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">To make them
better? More skilled? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">While all of
these things (even the ones directly pointing them to Christ) may be <i>good</i> – what is the eternal value here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Whose
approval are we seeking? Are we trying to please our children or please our
Heavenly Father? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When we fill
every second, every spare hour of our schedule with <i>activity</i> we leave little room for <i>relationship.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Relationship
between mom and dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Relationship
between parent and child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Relationship
between Savior and self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We are
creating adults who will never know what it means to be STILL - adults who are
pre-programmed to live overwhelmed and overstretched. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What we need
to do is take the focus off of the child and put the focus back on Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We need less
soccer and more songs of worship. Less TV and more family Bible study. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and
rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do
not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Matthew 6:19-21 ESV</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We need more
discipleship and less distraction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We as
parents should be seeking God FIRST! Our children need to see us on our knees,
in our Bibles, giving in offering. (Believe me, I am preaching to myself
here!!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We can cheer
them on, on the sidelines of the soccer field – and still pour into them, Godly
wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We need to
teach them humility, sacrifice and kindness. That’s a hard lesson to learn when
every part of their day is spent being catered to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They do not
NEED every new toy, to play every single sport, to have every second of their day
spent doing something!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If we’re
being honest here – that’s a lesson most of us adults need to learn. We focus
on work, that next promotion, the new home project, our next committee meeting –
but we can’t take 30 minutes every morning to meet with our Savior – we fall
asleep during bed time prayers – the Bible on the shelf collects more dust each
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>We have lost
our focus…</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I encourage
you today – look for areas in your life – where you can make improvement. Make
Bible study and prayer time in your own life a priority. Come alongside your
kids every evening and meet the Father with one another. Sure – teach them free
throws, field goals and front hand springs – and teach them the 10
commandments, what it means to love others, and how to meet Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And just in
case some of you find yourself in this position – seek what God wants for your
child rather than what YOU want for your child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Is your home
child focused or Christ focused? How do you keep your priorities in order? Any
suggestions for the rest of us trying to shift the focus in our homes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-88336410085166579602015-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:002015-02-10T13:36:40.582-05:00Tasty Tuesday: Mama's Meatloaf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobnFLHO3Rrqxrdoh7h5tkJRG_WCnahuzjNT8yPgaGCxVX9e2Ic3PpimfNPiotzqVC67DKyjiv1WTAxMOp7ViOnUB601y0S2I8y5PF-5pJaUjXstbUqi5kFL7tVoxHz24eA3P9STC_ArqO/s1600/Mama's%2BMain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobnFLHO3Rrqxrdoh7h5tkJRG_WCnahuzjNT8yPgaGCxVX9e2Ic3PpimfNPiotzqVC67DKyjiv1WTAxMOp7ViOnUB601y0S2I8y5PF-5pJaUjXstbUqi5kFL7tVoxHz24eA3P9STC_ArqO/s1600/Mama's%2BMain.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>recipe found at <a href="http://www.comfyinthekitchen.com/" target="_blank">www.comfyinthekitchen.com</a></i></b></span></div>
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<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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<b><u>Ingredients</u></b></div>
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<b>Glaze:</b></div>
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3/4 c. ketchup</div>
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1/3 c. brown sugar</div>
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1 Tbsp. lemon juice</div>
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1 tsp. mustard</div>
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<b>Meatloaf:</b></div>
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1.5 lbs. ground beef</div>
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1.5 c. plain bread crumbs</div>
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1/4 c. chopped onion</div>
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1/3 c. prepared glaze</div>
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1 egg</div>
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2 Tbsp. lemon juice</div>
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<b><u>Directions:</u></b></div>
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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees</div>
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2. Combine all of glaze ingredients and set aside<br />
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3. Combine meatloaf ingredients and 1/3 c. of prepared glaze<br />
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4. Shape in a loaf pan (<i>or an 8x8 casserole dish will suffice</i>) & bake for 1 hour</div>
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5. Pouf off fat & cover with remaining glaze and bake for an additional 15 minutes</div>
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I like to serve meatloaf with mashed potatoes and the <a href="http://www.graceformama.org/2015/01/tasty-tuesday-candied-carrots.html" target="_blank">Candied Carrots</a> featured in January 20th's Tasty Tuesday or sweet peas and a roll.</div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-36777355896152752112015-02-03T09:56:00.000-05:002015-02-10T13:13:32.363-05:00Taking Back Today<br />
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So...I have been absent over the past few weeks. A 'small' weekend DIY project extended into a 2.5 week nightmare that had us shuttling back and forth from our house to my parents house everyday. <b>IT.HAS.BEEN.CHAOS!</b></div>
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We have survived off of take out daily and haven't been in our normal routine AT ALL. You can imagine what this does to the kiddos - let's just say, their behavior has been less than stellar.</div>
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And mine...well I am ashamed to admit that my attitude has taken a turn for the worst as well. This mama needs routine! I grocery shopped for the first time in 3 weeks last night (grocery shopping is MY Achilles heel!) and truth be told - I felt liberated. I could have done a cartwheel right down the frozen foods aisle! I will NOT complain about grocery shopping again - nothing feels more routine that grocery shopping - and for once, <b>I WAS LOVING IT.</b></div>
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So finally - FINALLY! - we are back in our home. All of 4 of us Collins folk all under one roof. I am taking back today! Things are still in disaray - but the piles are getting smaller and day by day less tools, paint cans and screwdrivers are taking up my counters. I am hoping that by the end of this upcoming weekend - we will be back to NORMAL! </div>
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(One can dream, right?!)</div>
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It has been a month of trials for us. From injuries, sickness, doctor visits, overnight stays for medical testing, unexpected home repairs, you name it...it has not been easy. I feel foolish for being so disheartened with all that has gone on - because even with our trials - we are far better off than a lot of people. I feel foolish for complaining when in truth, we are all healthy (for the most part), we have a roof over our head every night, food in our tummies everyday, and we have each other. We are rich in blessing and the enemy does all he can to distract us from that truth. </div>
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I understand God has us go through some things to stretch us, teach us, help us build our character. He has certainly been teaching me a lesson in patience and faith these past few weeks - unfortunately, I haven't been the most willing student. I have grumbled, I have cried, I have whined, I have complained - been mad, bitter, inpatient and discontent. But I am reminded that His ways are higher than mine - and His thoughts are too - He knows better than I do.</div>
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<i>My job is to trust Him and hang on to the ride we call life!</i></div>
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How have you been? I have missed blogging!! I hope to back into my normal routine next week! Until then...<br />
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We woke up this morning to a pretty terrible thunderstorm, in the middle of October - <i>are you kidding me!? </i>I am <u style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</u>, nor will I <u style="font-weight: bold;">EVER</u> be a fan of storms - and I guess that fear has kind of rolled over into both of my daughters.</div>
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Nevaeh sat down at the dining room table for breakfast, 5 minutes later I saw her sitting in the living room, eating her waffle so she "wasn't too close to the windows."<br />
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Okay - so this parlayed fear isn't something I am proud of - but I'm working on it.<br />
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A few bolts of lightning hit a little too close to home so we shut off the TV and Nevaeh and Lillian spend the remainder of the morning right on my heels, following me through the house, as if they are actually outrunning the storm...then the milk spilled.</div>
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Nevaeh was carrying her plate around the house - with her cup of milk on top of the plate. I barely got "please be careful with your milk" out of my mouth, and you guessed it, milk everywhere; all down her school clothes and all over my clean tile. And I snapped!! There she was, a chocolate milk mess - with fear in her eyes as another rumble of thunder sounded.<br />
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<i>All she was trying to do was stay close to me to help squander the fear of the storm raging outside our home - when I started raging one inside. </i></div>
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I saw the defeat in her eyes. I felt terrible. She changed clothes, I cleaned the mess, and we went on about our morning.</div>
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We always say our prayers in the car as we're driving to school and daycare - and after prayer this morning, I felt convicted. I stole a little bit of my daughter's joy this morning - all because cleaning up that mess was inconvenient for me. So, I swallowed my pride, looked my 5 year old little big girl in the eyes and said "I'm sorry Nevaeh, I shouldn't have gotten upset with you for spilling the milk. It was an accident and accidents are okay. I'm sorry I yelled at you." And just as any child would, she forgave me and that bright smile reappeared. </div>
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Sometimes I find myself flying through my life - so caught up in the responsibilities of my career and keeping my home in order that I forget how precious my moments are with my two little blessings. Every mistake is a lesson. This morning, over spilled milk, I could have reassured Nevaeh that "It's okay. It's an accident, we can fix this." I could have had some patience and understanding, knowing that she was already a little anxious with the thunder and lightning. But I didn't. I forgot about the importance of the moment and reacted in a terrible way. I wish I could take it back and would have used that moment differently. But all I could do was apologize and try harder next time.</div>
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Kids grow up too fast.<br />
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<i>One minute it's all nursing and lullabies then the next thing you know it's shuttling from one practice or event to another, homework, bath time, and then...graduation.</i> </div>
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I am reserving to slow down a little bit and enjoy this time with my kids. To play, get outside and run around - to show grace. I just want to soak up their childhood, because all too soon it will be gone and I will be left with a lot of "I wish I would've done this instead". Hopefully, I will learn to appreciate the little moments more - even if it includes spilled milk.</div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-68808933380714969712015-01-20T04:00:00.000-05:002015-01-20T04:00:01.029-05:00Tasty Tuesday - Candied Carrots
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***<em>I promise to work on my picture quality :)</em></div>
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<em>Our family loves these carrots. They are super easy and taste SOOO good! They make the perfect side dish. I like to serve these with pot roast, mashed potatoes & green beans. The kiddos love these!!</em></div>
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<strong>Ingredients:</strong></div>
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1 pound baby cut carrots</div>
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2 tablespoons of diced butter</div>
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1/4 cup packed brown sugar</div>
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1 pinch salt</div>
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1 pinch pepper</div>
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<em>*additional brown sugar and white sugar to season to taste</em></div>
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<strong>Directions:</strong></div>
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1. Place carrots in a pot of salted water and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to a high simmer (I do medium-high, your stove may be better behaved than mine!) Cook 20 - 30 minutes. Do not let the carrots get mushy.</div>
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2. Drain the carrots.</div>
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3. Reduce heat to its lowest setting and return the carrots to the pan. Stir in butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper.</div>
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*<em>We like our carrots sweet - so I also add a few pinches of regular sugar here and a few more pinches of brown sugar.</em></div>
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4. Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes - until sugar is bubbly. Serve!!</div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-44037765816648453432015-01-19T16:42:00.000-05:002015-01-19T16:42:53.028-05:00From Chaos to Cozy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Keeping the house clean and in order is a challenge for many of us ladies!! I am a total perfectionist - and well, perfectionism and children just can't live in the same house with one another. <i>This will be one of those areas where you MUST give yourself grace.</i></div>
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You need a plan if you are going to keep your stuff together - trust me, I have learned this lesson the hard way. If you wing it, it won't happen and you will find yourself flying into a tizzy every time someone comes over.</div>
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Early in my marriage - the <a href="http://www.flylady.net/" target="_blank">Flylady</a> saved my life - or, at least my sanity. Although I don't adhere to all of her practices now - I took what I learned from her and adapted it to work for our family. </div>
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Here's what works for us...</div>
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I do a few things everyday - to keep the chaos under control. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">*Make the bed </span></b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></i></div>
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I do this as soon as I get out of bed in the morning. The girls make their own beds as well.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">*Wash, dry, fold and put away one load of laundry</span></b></div>
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I do at least one load of laundry a day. Lately, I have been getting up early enough in the morning to wash and dry a load before work. That evening when I get home from work - while dinner is on the stove or in the oven, I fold that one load. The kids put away their own clothes after I have folded them.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">*Load and/or unload the dishwasher</span></b></div>
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I try to keep the sink free of dirty dishes. It just instantly makes the kitchen look better if the sink is clean. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">*Empty Trash</span></b></div>
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This may not need to be done everyday. Seems like our family generates enough trash for two families!!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">*15 minute pickup</span><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"> </span></b></div>
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While dinner is cooking or after dinner is over - I like to spend just a few minutes tidying up. I check homework, sign the girls' planners, put away shoes, coats, mail, random lying objects, etc. </div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">*</i><b>Swish & Swipe the bathroom </b><i>(I got this from the Flylady)</i></span></div>
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Every evening before I take my own shower, I wipe our sink down, wipe down our toilet, give it a good swish, and wipe down our shower. I keep Clorox wipes and a Magic Eraser (they <i>really </i>are magical!) under the sink in our bathroom. Trust me - when someone wakes up at 2am with a stomach virus and they spend 2 hours hugging the toilet, they will be glad its clean!!</div>
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<b><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">*Sanitize kitchen counters</span></b></div>
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Because I'm a complete germ-a-phobe and have a love/hate relationship with preparing meat - I sanitize my kitchen counters at least a dozen times a day (it seems)</div>
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As soon as you get into the habit of doing these things, it just becomes a part of your day. These things really don't take that much time - and in my own experience - really cut down on the madness in our home.</div>
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I had read several blogs (<a href="http://www.womenlivingwell.org/" target="_blank">Women Living Well</a> and <a href="http://www.timewarpwife.com/" target="_blank">Time Warp Wife</a>) that suggest breaking down the housework over the course of a week. For example: Monday's you clean bathrooms, Tuesday you sweep and mop, Wednesday you dust...etc.</div>
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That may work great for you - if so, I recommend checking out both of the two blogs listed above and checkout their housekeeping schedules.</div>
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I do a "weekly home blessing" (from the Flylady) on Thursday of each week. Because I keep our home fairly clean through the week - with each of my daily tasks - I can complete my "home blessing" in 1-2 hours. This may take longer or less time depending on the size of your home (and your mess). </div>
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<b><u>Weekly Home Blessing</u></b></div>
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Dust and polish all furniture</div>
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Sweet & Mop all hardwood and tile floors</div>
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Vacuum the carpet in the bedrooms</div>
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Clean the bathroom</div>
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Windex all mirrors</div>
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Swiffer dust the blinds, pictures and artwork on the walls</div>
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Febreeze curtains and closets</div>
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Clean the kitchen counters</div>
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I'd like to add - that my husband and I tend to be neat freaks anyway. We just naturally keeps things tidied up (for the most part) and our girls do a good job (with a little prodding) at keeping their bedroom and playroom tidied up. I know some people don't have this tendency - and this area may be a challenge for you. I encourage you to give it a try. Remember, purpose is greater than perfection!! You will NOT, I repeat, will NOT have a perfectly clean home with children in the house. And you shouldn't spend more time cleaning messes than playing with the kiddos. </div>
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I hope this helps - or at least gives you a good starting point to get your own house under control. Once it becomes a habit, these things run along smoothly.</div>
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And yes - I have weeks when I get in a funk and don't adhere to my routine well - but I regret it every.single.time. Playing catch up is no fun, so I feel the extra effort each day really makes a big difference.</div>
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Be sure to check out the links through this post for other great ideas!!</div>
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How do you keep the chaos away? Are you a planner or a "wing it" kinda gal? Do you do a little each day or one day of cleaning?</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>**Next week we will talk to-do lists and getting the kiddos involved!!</i></span></div>
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<br />Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-4448979124361411122015-01-17T10:11:00.000-05:002015-01-17T10:11:48.995-05:00Give Yourself Grace<br />
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Grace...it's something we talk about. It's something we encourage others to show to one another or even give themselves. We tell sinners that we are saved by God's grace and they can be too. Grace...it can often be something that is easier to give, than receive.</div>
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I know that I am so unworthy of God's grace on my life. Jesus laid down his life and took on my sin - and there is nothing I can do that will ever repay that debt. And that is where grace comes in. No, there isn't ANYTHING I can do to earn it - God freely gives it. </div>
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And as mamas, wives, friends, employees, etc. - it's something we have to learn to give ourselves.</div>
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You will not be the perfect mom, you can't be super woman, you will fail your husband and your children. All of these are inevitable. However, we as women hold ourselves to such a high standard - we strive for absolute perfection! Trust me, I am preaching to the choir, I know. If for no one else, this post is totally for me...about me.</div>
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There will never be enough hours in the day to get it all done. Season after season will pass when you don't do everything you set out to do. And that's ok. Time goes on...</div>
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But instead of giving ourselves the grace we often pour out on others - we feel guilty. We live with regret. That monologue of "could have" "should have" is constantly playing the background.</div>
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<em>Give yourself grace mama. </em></div>
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The whole reason I started this blog was because I have been in that place. My to-do list was a mile long, I went over and beyond to meet the needs of those around me. And honestly, I wasn't doing it all to the glory of God - it was often to the glory of Michelle. I liked that satisfaction of <em>doing it </em>all or at least seeming to be doing it all. I wanted to be super woman - when really...all I was, was a worn out woman.</div>
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And that worn out woman would eventually have enough. My priorities were so skewed. Weariness sets in and gentleness and kindness disappears. We become consumed with the project at hand and forget about the purpose behind it. </div>
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You're right. You can't do it all. Your house will get messy. You and husband will argue. You will yell at the kids. You will lose patience. You will be unkind. You will become distracted. You will be selfish. You will be envious of other mamas that seem to <em>have it all together.</em></div>
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You will put on a few too many pounds. You won't cook every night of the week. You will be unorganized. You will lose stuff. (yes, even your mind!) You too will become worn out. You will lose hope. But don't lose sight of this...</div>
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God's word says... </div>
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<em><span style="color: #741b47;">"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #741b47;">Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:8-9</span></em></div>
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Mama...God's grace is sufficient for you. When you feel overwhelmed, exhausted and are on the verge of giving up...go to grace.</div>
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Yes, God has called us to this wonderful ministry of motherhood. You, friend, are blessed beyond measure. But you can NOT do this on your own. Understand that your parenting, your marriage, your home is your ministry. Do it to the glory of God - and God will sustain you.</div>
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Let yourself off the hook. You are human, you will fail and that's ok.</div>
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This weekend - don't be so consumed with the to-do's that you forget how to be mama. Remember - earlier this week we talked about purpose being greater than perfection. That is true in ALL areas of your life. </div>
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Have some grace for mama today!!</div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-16394018220734914112015-01-16T20:41:00.001-05:002015-01-16T20:41:20.620-05:00Fun Friday???<div style="text-align: left;">
Yeah...so this is what I came home to yesterday...</div>
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You know that old saying..."when it rains, it pours"...well - the flood gates have opened at the Collins house.</div>
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Of course, this is perfect timing (note sarcasm). My husband and I just started Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. What little we had saved is now going into a new bathroom. Did I mention that the bathroom floor literally fell through??? Yes, this is not an intentional remodel. This is a MUST, unless we want to start taking baths in the kitchen sink and using the neighbors' 'facilities'. This is a <em>less than ideal</em> situation.</div>
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I should have known better than to ask God to help me with my patience, to help me with my gentleness and attitude - because ladies, this is on.my.last.nerve.</div>
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So yeah - this is a HUGE lesson in patience, and gentleness and understanding. Whoever said God doesn't answer prayers has not met my God - and it seems He also has a sense of humor :)</div>
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But ya'll, I am blessed with a handsome man that is handy. Where I see this as an inconvenience, he sees this as an adventure. This is one of those times when my weakness are his strengths! Boy did God know what he was doing when he put the two of us together!! And I'm so glad He saw it fit for me to be his wife.</div>
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This is one of those times where complaints and laments come easy - but praise and appreciation is what needs to be proclaimed. </div>
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I get it...I really do. Thanks for the reminder God. Sometimes He has to let us go through a little inconvenience to truly appreciate what He has blessed us with.</div>
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Today I am thankful for the one, tiny little bathroom all of 4 of us share. I am thankful for a husband who works hard for his family. I am thankful for two little girls who haven't even breathed a sign of complaint about this whole mess of a situation...and I'm thankful my parents just live right down the road from us...and have been such a HUGE help during this whole ordeal!!</div>
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I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!! How is God stretching you this week? Have you seen the blessing in the mess?</div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-86522363044636873292015-01-15T13:41:00.002-05:002015-01-15T13:42:55.849-05:00Less of Me - More of Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a tendency to over-complicate things - to over analyze, the smallest, tiniest details. (My husband is screaming "Amen" somewhere, over that comment!). For the past few months I have struggled with my ministry, with my walk with God. Often times questioning the very voice of God - "I'm not worthy", "I don't have enough biblical knowledge", "Why me?"! I have spent more time in prayer and in God's word for the past 6 months, and somehow, still feel extremely disconnected from Him - from my life line.</div>
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It occurred to me today - or may I just actually slowed down enough to really LISTEN to what God was saying - either way, I am missing it. The big picture - I'm paying so much attention to the details, the minute background pieces, I am missing the big picture in its entirety. And I feel it, that faint, then stronger tug on my heart strings. That tugging that says, "Lay it down, be quite, sit still and listen."</div>
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I have spent time checking things off of my To-Do list - feeling that satisfaction that I did get everything done at the end of the day, but never really accomplishing much, at least not in the eternal sense. </div>
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Prayer...check</div>
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Devotion time...check</div>
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Household duties...check</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">And the list goes.on.and.on.</span></b></div>
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But I don't feel full, yes, somewhat content that my list is done - but never really "FULL"...</div>
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I am missing Him.</div>
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I have spent so much time and energy trying to the best wife, mother, friend and ME that I can be - when all I really long for is the best I can be in Him. I pray the words - fast, I read the Word, turn the page, but it never takes root. It stays on the surface for a moment but never plants into my soul. I'm starving - I'm starving for Him. <i><span style="font-size: large;">I have ritual - but no relationship.</span></i></div>
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So...in an effort to uncomplicate my life, to get my fill - I am sitting still. I am praying in the quiet times, listening with my heart. Waiting for His voice. Reading His words, drinking in His spirit, letting it resonate within me.</div>
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Yes - I need less of me, less of this <i>STUFF </i>and more of Him.</div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-41933623861971171502015-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:002015-01-13T06:00:05.731-05:00Tasty Tuesday: Michelle's Meaty Chili<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I adapted
this recipe from another recipe I found online. (Not certain of source). Over
the years I have made my own tweaks – and we love it. The kids love chili
night; and, best of all, it makes fantastic left-overs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*<i>please excuse my poor quality photography</i></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Michelle’s
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<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Ingredients<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">2 lb. ground
beef (I use the 97% fat free)</span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> *I have also used turkey. It tastes great also<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">½ onion,
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1 jar dark
red kidney beans, drained and rinsed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1 jar light
red kidney beans, drained and rinsed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1 jar tomato
sauce<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1 16 oz. jar
of salsa (the salsa pictured came from Aldi – and is the best!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">1 packet
chili seasoning (we use mild, you can go as hot as you like)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Few dashes
of salt and pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><i>*If you feel this is too dry, try adding extra tomato sauce or salsa</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To garnish:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Cheddar
cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Sour cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Tortilla
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Brown meat
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Add in
tomato sauce, salsa, drained and rinsed kidney beans, chili seasoning and a few
dashes of salt and pepper.</span></div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-53702634405534103682015-01-12T11:14:00.000-05:002015-01-12T11:17:06.803-05:00Homemaking: Purpose > Perfection (Managing Mama)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When it comes to homemaking, purpose is greater than perfection.</div>
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Often, wives fall into 1 of 2 categories when it comes to their take on homemaking - either it's a priority or it isn't a priority. Regardless of where you fall in this debate - I hope, today, I can help you find some joy in seeing that YOU can be a blessing to your family by cleaning toilets, washing dishes and folding laundry. And, if you do it with the right attitude - to bring glory to God through serving your family - you too will be blessed.</div>
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I understand those who say that homemaking should not be a priority. I get it - especially if you have little ones at home. It feels nearly impossible to keep the house in order. My children are only 2.5 years apart - so I lived those times, with a newborn and a toddler, then a toddler and preschooler, now 2, grade school girlies. There is never a time when everything is done, and perfect, simultaneously. There's always another dish to load in the dishwasher, more laundry that keeps piling up, dust settles just as soon as its wiped away, smudges come almost instantly onto polished furnished - and the windows...forget about it.</div>
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If you are one of these moms/wives/women...please release the guilt of not being able to get it all done. There are seasons in life when, well, things will be messy. When you are up nursing a newborn every 2 hours - you need to use your downtime (what little there is) to rest and nourish yourself. There will come a time (yes, I promise, it is coming) when there will be more hours in your day to be "productive". </div>
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But I have to stop here and say I absolutely do not agree with the women who say homemaking should not be a priority. I read a blog post recently that was almost admonishing to women who keep a clean home - like we're all sacrificing time with our children to do a few chores around the house. Through the years I have developed my own schedule and have learned to manage time properly enough so I am not sacrificing time with my kids to clean my house. (And I work a full-time job outside of the home.)</div>
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I look at my home like this - God has blessed me with a home to share with my family. I have a responsibility to be a good steward of that blessing. I know that isn't a popular opinion - but it's the truth. The Bible speaks against idleness and sloth - if you have time to watch hours of TV - you have time to clean your home. Homemaking should be a priority - it shouldn't be your top priority - but it is important. </div>
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Sweet friend, you are missing out on an incredible opportunity to serve and be a blessing to your family.</div>
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A few years back - I was feeling the overwhelming burden of keeping our house tidy, cooking meals, etc. while being a full-time mom to our sweet daughters. I found The Flylady - and while I do not currently fully adhere to her principles - she helped me get my act together. There are still a few tips of hers I put to use that help me keep the house out of C.H.A.O.S (<b><u>c</u></b>an't <b><u>h</u></b>ave <b><u>a</u></b>nyone <b><u>o</u></b>ver <b><u>s</u></b>yndrome - the Flylady's term, NOT mine!) </div>
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As your children get older - give them chores of their own to do. This WILL help you tremendously, and they will enjoy it (at a young age they actually LIKE helping out - I'm sure that will fade fast, capitalize on it while you can!!) Obviously these small jobs should be age appropriate. For example - my 5 year old feeds our dog, makes her bed, helps her sister keep the playroom tidy, loads her clothes in the washer and puts them away after I fold them. She doesn't do these things every day - just as needed through the week. My 8 year old does all the same things except she also helps with loading the dishwasher and emptying the trash. The MyChore Chart app is super - the kids love it!! I highly recommend checking it out. It's available for both iPhone and iPad.</div>
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And thankfully - while I carry the biggest brunt of the housekeeping responsibilities - my husband is a big help as well. I don't expect him to help out all that much because I do absolutely NOTHING to help him in the yard, etc. I've never learned how to mow grass, weed or plant flowers, etc. That is his domain (he likes it that way) and the home is mine. </div>
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Monday's - here at Grace for Mama - we will focus on ways to make homemaking an easier task to accomplish in our new "Managing Mama" series. It will take some time for you to develop a good routine that works for your family - and it may take some time to get your attitude about the whole thing in check - but remember, purpose is greater than perfection. No one expects your home to be immaculate - and you shouldn't put that kind of pressure on yourself anyway!! But if you purpose to see housekeeping as a "home blessing" and do it to the glory of God - it may just become something you enjoy!!<br />
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<i>**Next week we will discuss developing a cleaning routine</i><br />
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412377892003585105.post-18446771008717252982015-01-09T09:38:00.002-05:002015-01-09T09:46:15.407-05:00Fun Friday - 5 of My Favorite Things (Right Now!)<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy Friday ladies!! Now that I plan to get back into the habit of blogging on a regular basis - I thought I would reserve Fridays as our "Fun Day". (Not that the other days here at Grace For Mama aren't fun!!) </div>
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Today I want to share with you a few of my favorite things - right now. I love all of these things and think you just may too!!</div>
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Let's start off with vanity, shall we? ;)</div>
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">1. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Foundation & Concealer</span></b></div>
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I can not rave enough, about these products. I haven't worn foundation for years. Since I had children and entered my 30s, my skin has changed dramatically!! This foundation is light, but provides great coverage. It smooths out my skin, covers my red blotches, all without looking caked (is that a word?) on. I love, love, love this!!</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>2. Bath & Body Works Holiday Collection</b></span></div>
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Ahh, yes! These are the PERFECT gift to exchange with friends and co-workers. Who doesn't love Bath & Body Works? I love all 3 of these scents but the Winter Candy Apple is my absolute FAVORITE!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5X00UMiEQStotcruvAIIduAfSa3EpLVkbQlBJ4sxiu0R2qPUax0cFFlJFxGQrRZbsrz_NJLw7J7EL_6Spc2JRYrBfdKc4CnY8puZ3YTW6JEsg0Uj3OMbU1hy3HlwsHg_jL07eR5Z2xyw/s1600/30+Day+PUSH+Challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5X00UMiEQStotcruvAIIduAfSa3EpLVkbQlBJ4sxiu0R2qPUax0cFFlJFxGQrRZbsrz_NJLw7J7EL_6Spc2JRYrBfdKc4CnY8puZ3YTW6JEsg0Uj3OMbU1hy3HlwsHg_jL07eR5Z2xyw/s1600/30+Day+PUSH+Challenge.jpg" height="116" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>3. Chalene Johnson's 30 Day PUSH Challenge</b></span></div>
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Many of you may know Chalene Johnson from fitness programs like Turbo Fire, Chalene Extreme or PiYo. But she is also an awesome!! motivational speaker/personal development expert/life coach and the New York Time's Best Selling Author of 'PUSH'. You can check out her podcast, The Chalene Show or join in on the FREE 30 Day PUSH Challenge <a href="http://www.30daypush.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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The PUSH challenge is essentially a 30 day FREE course to goal mastery. I start out the beginning of every year doing her challenge. She helps you create and maintain a to-do list that you can ACTUALLY manage and she helps you create goals and realize the potential within yourself to reach these crazy cool goals. I love her!! She also is very vocal about putting faith and family first!!</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>4. Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University </b></span></div>
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My husband and I bought Dave's 'Total Money Makeover' a few years back - and never opened it. This year we embarked on the Financial Peace University journey and we are finding it VERY helpful. His concept just makes sense and we love his 'don't hold anything back' attitude. If your church or place of employment is offering this course - TAKE IT!! It will change your life.</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>5. Good Morning Girls Bible Studies</b></span></div>
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Last, but certainly not least, <a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/" target="_blank">Good Morning Girls</a>!! I have been doing Good Morning Girls Bible Studies for a few years now. I love the accountability. Courtney offers great, FREE, resources on her website to accompany the studies. If you are looking for accountability to get into the word of God, look no further. Right now we are reading through the <i>entire</i> Bible, one chapter a day. I highly encourage you check out the website and jump in :)</div>
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Do you have any faves you think we would like? Share below!!</div>
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***<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Disclaimer: I am in NO way receiving compensation or any other benefit from promoting these items, except the hope that they bring you the same joy they bring me!!</i></span></div>
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Michelle Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04929226878813615134noreply@blogger.com0