How to Help a Grieving Friend

Repost from 10/15/2018: This post has helped a lot of people on both sides of the coin and has been printed as a handout.

Believe me, it's no time for words when the wounds are fresh and bleeding; no time for homilies when the lightning's shaft has smitten, and the man lies stunned and stricken. Then let the comforter be silent; let him sustain by his presence, not by his preaching; by his sympathetic silence, not by his speech. -George C. Lorimer

October 15 is the national day of remembrance for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. I've lost nine precious babies to stillbirth and miscarriage. Much of what you read here can be applied more broadly to include other types of loss and pain.

Here is a video from Megan Devine, which a friend recently shared, that shares about what works for those grieving and why other things like "cheering them up" do not. It will better equip you to help the hurting in your life.

When I lost one of my miscarried and stillborn babies, one of the things that helped me the most was someone telling me, "This sucks!!" I knew by their succinct words that they understood my pain. You don't need eloquence to show compassion. Your job isn't to move them to where you want them to be; it's to meet them where they are.

One of the most hurtful things ever said to me, for example, was by a Christian in law who claimed to be pro-life who told me less than 24 hours after the loss of my baby that crying was "feeling sorry for myself." Their words created a lot of pain in my heart. They did not care what I was going through, and their words showed it. Their words suggested I was doing something wrong by mourning my baby. I share this with the goal that others won't say such hurtful things in a woman's time of great pain. It is not helpful, but it is very hurtful. 

Crying is a normal, natural response to loss. Jesus cried in grief too. Would you have said, "It's self pity for you to cry since you are going to raise Lazarus anyway?" Or, would you have shown Him understanding and compassion? Think before you speak. Words hurt and can't be taken back, but they can be forgiven. Be gentle and kind with each other even when you do not understand what the other person is going through.

Please don't add your misplaced expectations to someone else's struggle. You will only burden them further. Acknowledge a person's right to feel as they do. 

If you have had a pregnancy loss, I am praying for you today and offer my friendship. My email is in the header. 

A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, 
but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself.
-A.W. Tozer

I had a friend comment:

That person that said that to you COULD NOT be a Christian! They may be a self proclaimed Christian, but if they really had Christ in their heart they could have never said something so cruel and cold! 

My reply: Christians aren't perfect, and we fail each other often. We have to bear with each other in love to keep unity in the church. I have forgiven them completely and have love for them. Grudges lead to bitterness and that's a weed I don't want growing in my life. It's too destructive! I pray for their well being and success of their business daily. Doing that honors Jesus and gives me peace and keeps me growing in Christ. Their words are a good example to show others what not to say to someone because it does not in any way help. It creates another burden on the person. If we claim to be pro-life, but deny a mother the freedom to mourn a pregnancy loss, we really aren't very pro-life. We have to come beside people and meet them where they are in whatever circumstance life throws at them...not drag them along to where we want them to be. I fail people too and am thankful when they forgive me and bear with me in love.

My job today...

I said I would mud it as well.

It's not my favorite job, but I am thankful for the skills that allow me to be a help to others.

How to Help a Grieving Friend

Repost from 10/15/2018: This post has helped a lot of people on both sides of the coin and has been printed as a handout.

Believe me, it's no time for words when the wounds are fresh and bleeding; no time for homilies when the lightning's shaft has smitten, and the man lies stunned and stricken. Then let the comforter be silent; let him sustain by his presence, not by his preaching; by his sympathetic silence, not by his speech. -George C. Lorimer

October 15 is the national day of remembrance for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. I've lost nine precious babies to stillbirth and miscarriage. Much of what you read here can be applied more broadly to include other types of loss and pain.

Here is a video from Megan Devine, which a friend recently shared, that shares about what works for those grieving and why other things like "cheering them up" do not. It will better equip you to help the hurting in your life.

When I lost one of my miscarried and stillborn babies, one of the things that helped me the most was someone telling me, "This sucks!!" I knew by their succinct words that they understood my pain. You don't need eloquence to show compassion. Your job isn't to move them to where you want them to be; it's to meet them where they are.

One of the most hurtful things ever said to me, for example, was by a Christian in law who claimed to be pro-life who told me less than 24 hours after the loss of my baby that crying was "feeling sorry for myself." Their words created a lot of pain in my heart. They did not care what I was going through, and their words showed it. Their words suggested I was doing something wrong by mourning my baby. I share this with the goal that others won't say such hurtful things in a woman's time of great pain. It is not helpful, but it is very hurtful. 

Crying is a normal, natural response to loss. Jesus cried in grief too. Would you have said, "It's self pity for you to cry since you are going to raise Lazarus anyway?" Or, would you have shown Him understanding and compassion? Think before you speak. Words hurt and can't be taken back, but they can be forgiven. Be gentle and kind with each other even when you do not understand what the other person is going through.

Please don't add your misplaced expectations to someone else's struggle. You will only burden them further. Acknowledge a person's right to feel as they do. 

If you have had a pregnancy loss, I am praying for you today and offer my friendship. My email is in the header. 

A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, 
but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself.
-A.W. Tozer

I had a friend comment:

That person that said that to you COULD NOT be a Christian! They may be a self proclaimed Christian, but if they really had Christ in their heart they could have never said something so cruel and cold! 

My reply: Christians aren't perfect, and we fail each other often. We have to bear with each other in love to keep unity in the church. I have forgiven them completely and have love for them. Grudges lead to bitterness and that's a weed I don't want growing in my life. It's too destructive! I pray for their well being and success of their business daily. Doing that honors Jesus and gives me peace and keeps me growing in Christ. Their words are a good example to show others what not to say to someone because it does not in any way help. It creates another burden on the person. If we claim to be pro-life, but deny a mother the freedom to mourn a pregnancy loss, we really aren't very pro-life. We have to come beside people and meet them where they are in whatever circumstance life throws at them...not drag them along to where we want them to be. I fail people too and am thankful when they forgive me and bear with me in love.

Bethany's Ministry to Her New City

Please cover Bethany in prayer for protection, wisdom, and discernment as she ministers to others in her new city.

A Simple and Effective Way to Pray for Difficult People

This post goes with: Some of the Ways Our Family Prays for Our Enemies

This was included in a series of talks I gave to a group in the last few weeks: 

Enemy comes from the Latin word inimicus which comes from in meaning not and amicus meaning friend. Friend means someone with whom you have a mutual affection. The basic definition of enemy is "not a friend." The opposite of affection is indifference, disinterest, dislike, hatred, animosity, etc. A person who exhibits these qualities or works against your good is not a friend. That means they are an inimicus or enemy. 

God commands us to pray for our enemies which is hard enough. He also commands us to love them. I want to have integrity in my Christian walk and honor God as I try to fulfill this command to love and to pray. When I was a young wife, I did a study on enemies and asked the Lord how could I pray for my enemies with real godly love? As I attempted to reign in the feelings in that flesh vs spirit battle, how could I be certain that I was genuinely praying with love?

The answer was very simple... Whenever I pray for myself or my family, I include them and their family too. I pray for them the very same things I ask God to give me and my family because if I want it for myself/my family, then I know I am asking it out of love for them. It's genuine, easy, and after a while almost effortless. It becomes second nature to include them as I pray my way through my day.

If I ask the Lord to help me get through a difficult day, I pray the same for them. "Father, this day has gone from bad to worse. I am asking for your help in giving me strength and a renewed spirit as I move forward. I ask you to bless XXXXXX with the same on their hard days, because even though we don't get along right now, I don't want them to have to struggle this hard." Any prayer I lift up for myself, I lift up at the same time for them too. When I am doing this for them, I am covering them in prayer, like I would someone close to me, all day long with a right attitude. 

I've been doing this for many years, and it really helps me make that heart change from offended by them to forgiving and caring for them quicker and easier. Granted, at first, I am often praying out of obedience rather than feelings, but as I obey in this, my heart softens and changes. I submit to God's authority over my life with obedience, then He does a work in my heart.

If someone shares news of them, I feel like God is gifting me knowledge of another way I can obey by praying for them. If it is something good, I praise the Lord for it. It it is something sad or bad, I pray for their well-being through the storm. If I know of something they struggle with like a health issue, I add that to my prayer list also. 

Here's an invigorating truth:

If the other person is a sincere, dedicated Christian, they are probably praying for you just as hard as you are praying for them. Maybe they are praying harder! If two Christians are at odds but both are being obedient to pray for and show love to each other on that deeper level, it becomes 

a beautiful work of mutual grace and love 

that leads to restoration and unity. Both hearts are changed, and both lives are blessed by the other person's sincere prayers. It's another example of beauty from ashes.

Life is full of speed bumps, detours, and obstacles. It's hard to navigate through some situations. We often react with emotion and pride rather than looking at the situation factually with understanding from the other person's viewpoint. We are selfish and want our way even if that isn't what God wants from us. We also have an enemy who is working hard against us in our families and the church. God made us a diverse people and gave us different life experiences and temperaments. When you weigh these factors, it is natural that we will have challenges in relating to one another. 

Sometimes it is simply a dislike of the person that needs to be addressed in our hearts since we are called to love and esteem each other higher than ourselves. When that happens, we can ask God to help us learn things about that person that we can admire, appreciate, and respect. Other times, the situation is created by sinful ways of relating to each other. Sometimes, it is a misunderstanding or misconception. Many times, it is because we call our half hearted attempts at forgiving as successful when they are not. If we can not be polite and welcoming to each other, we have not honored God by truly forgiving in a way that changes us or our heart towards the person. We are also rebellious and make a lot of excuses.

That we have problems getting along with each other comes as no surprise to our all knowing Father. He even uses our disputes and our reconciliations for our good and His glory. He tells us to love the people who are showing us animosity and pray for them. While I believe we should look for other ways as well, we can obey God's commands to love and pray with very sincere prayers. All of His ways are good!

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 
Luke 6:27 

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 
Matthew 5:44-48 

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 
I John 4:7

Community Help: Free Food in Fridges Plugged in at Sidewalks Freedges

 https://freedge.org/

Freedge is a sharing mechanism aiming to reduce food insecurity and food waste, building a stronger community. We promote equal access to healthy food through the installation of community fridges (public refrigerators) that are used to share food and ideas at the neighborhood level.

GIVE

Wanna help a friend in need? Your garden is full of fruits and veggies and you wanna share some? Leaving for the weekend with a full fridge?

TAKE

Feeling Hungry? Planning a grocery run? Check the freedge. Maybe what you need is there waiting for you.

SHARE

Get involved in your community and start a conversation about food insecurity, food waste and the food system. Freedge is a free sharing space used not only for food, but also stories, art and ideas!

Food Insecurity in Virginia

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of Virginians who struggle to consistently acquire enough food to feed themselves and their families. It has been estimated that an additional 446,000 Virginians have become food insecure during the pandemic, in addition to the 850,000 Virginians who were already struggling before the pandemic and economic downturn. 

source

Goal!

Today is a HUGE day for my family! We accomplished another goal! Getting CoVid really slowed us down, but we rallied and made it happen! I am very excited to see who God will allow us to minister to at our next location. I am so loving this season of life!

When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Psalm 128:2

CoVid Illness Gift Ideas

I am so sorry I forgot to answer about the gifts we sent out this year to CoVid patients and others. It slipped my mind! Better late than never!?

These were the two gifts we sent out to most people with cards we mailed separately. The exceptions were for people who had a household allergy to nuts. We heard back from everyone, except one person, and everyone really enjoyed getting them. It worked out so the elderly shut-in recipients received mail on three days (the two gifts and the card) which really made their days. We received handwritten notecards back from the elderly ladies. <3

Dayspring Flip Calendar

Nut Harvest Nut & Chocolate Mix

Amazon is down in many areas, so I changed it from the image and text to just the text only.

Do you know someone who has been hit hard by life?

Call them.

Drop off a basket of goodies on their porch.

Take them to lunch.

Give them a hug.

Text them "I LOVE YOU!"

Tell them three things you love about them.

Send them a letter or card to brighten their day.

Share something from God's Word with them.

Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to pray for them daily.

Send them a gift card to a grocery store.

Hit them hard with the love of Jesus.

We are His hands and feet!

You have an opportunity to mark a moment in their life for Jesus. 

Jesus wants to use YOU in their life. 

Dear Reader, What a blessing it is to know that Jesus allows us to be a part of His ministry to others. We are not doing that if we are focused on ourselves. We have to slow down and take in what is happening to the people He has placed in our lives. Take action where you see a need. Show Jesus' love to someone today.

How to Help Those Who are Mourning

Repost from 10/15/2018: This post has helped a lot of people on both sides of the coin and has been printed as a handout.

Believe me, it's no time for words when the wounds are fresh and bleeding; no time for homilies when the lightning's shaft has smitten, and the man lies stunned and stricken. Then let the comforter be silent; let him sustain by his presence, not by his preaching; by his sympathetic silence, not by his speech. -George C. Lorimer

October 15 is the national day of remembrance for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. I've lost nine precious babies to stillbirth and miscarriage. Much of what you read here can be applied more broadly to include other types of loss and pain.

Here is a video from Megan Devine, which a friend recently shared, that shares about what works for those grieving and why other things like "cheering them up" do not. It will better equip you to help the hurting in your life.

When I lost one of my miscarried and stillborn babies, one of the things that helped me the most was someone telling me, "This sucks!!" I knew by their succinct words that they understood my pain. You don't need eloquence to show compassion. Your job isn't to move them to where you want them to be; it's to meet them where they are.

One of the most hurtful things ever said to me, for example, was by a Christian in law who claimed to be pro-life who told me less than 24 hours after the loss of my baby that crying was "feeling sorry for myself." Their words created a lot of pain in my heart. They did not care what I was going through, and their words showed it. Their words suggested I was doing something wrong by mourning my baby. I share this with the goal that others won't say such hurtful things in a woman's time of great pain. It is not helpful, but it is very hurtful. 

Crying is a normal, natural response to loss. Jesus cried in grief too. Would you have said, "It's self pity for you to cry since you are going to raise Lazarus anyway?" Or, would you have shown Him understanding and compassion? Think before you speak. Words hurt and can't be taken back, but they can be forgiven. Be gentle and kind with each other even when you do not understand what the other person is going through.

Please don't add your misplaced expectations to someone else's struggle. You will only burden them further. Acknowledge a person's right to feel as they do. 

If you have had a pregnancy loss, I am praying for you today and offer my friendship. My email is in the header. 

A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, 
but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself.
-A.W. Tozer

I had a friend comment:

That person that said that to you COULD NOT be a Christian! They may be a self proclaimed Christian, but if they really had Christ in their heart they could have never said something so cruel and cold! 

My reply: Christians aren't perfect, and we fail each other often. We have to bear with each other in love to keep unity in the church. I have forgiven them completely and have love for them. Grudges lead to bitterness and that's a weed I don't want growing in my life. It's too destructive! I pray for their well being and success of their business daily. Doing that honors Jesus and gives me peace and keeps me growing in Christ. Their words are a good example to show others what not to say to someone because it does not in any way help. It creates another burden on the person. If we claim to be pro-life, but deny a mother the freedom to mourn a pregnancy loss, we really aren't very pro-life. We have to come beside people and meet them where they are in whatever circumstance life throws at them...not drag them along to where we want them to be. I fail people too and am thankful when they forgive me and bear with me in love.

Mylar Bags of Food for the Struggling

a few bags ready to go

I wanted to get a picture and share it before I sent out another batch in case others would like to do the same. I am very tired. I have been measuring, labeling, and sealing food into mylar bags and then putting those into kits for 4.5 hours. I will give leave some of these for the homeless tonight. I know I need to make a post about this now before it slips my mind yet again.

With rising food prices, more and more people are being forced into desperate situations. I believe we, as the Church, if we are able, should help alleviate suffering by tending to people's needs while sharing the gospel. 

Dried beans, rice, powdered milk, salt, pepper, spices, sugar, flour, oatmeal, grits, Pop Tart type toaster pastries, yeast packets, are all very well received by those living in the forests in our surrounding cities and counties. 

I originally packaged, and still will if necessary, dried goods in freezer bags. I started using mylar a few years ago. The mylar helps protect food from the air and moisture better. Moisture is a big problem for those who live in tents or bush-crafted dwellings. Mylar packaged foods give them a backup food source for when times are lean. Buying it in bulk allows me to get a cheaper price, but it has to be divided up to help the people who need it. 

If you own a dehydrator, you can share more dried items. I have dried and shared blueberries, strawberries, marshmallows, chicken breasts, hamburger, sausage, mixed vegetables (use frozen), corn (use frozen), apple slices, orange slices, cabbage, collards, cheese, etc. I always put a moisture absorber in these items. 

There are very tiny bags you can purchase to hold small quantities of vitamins and OTC medications. 

Canned and boxed goods can be added into the bag or box with mylar bags. I have also packaged them in 5 gallon buckets and plastic household storage containers.

A few clothespins included in the box will help close the bags after opening to help keep the contents fresh until used. Some of the mylar bags I use can be sealed with heat and have a zipper closure that can be used once opened.

If you own an iron, then you can seal mylar bags. I have sealed hundreds of them with mine with no issues. I have even washed and reused mylar bags that came from the grocery store or came through the mail when I ordered something. You can also re-seal potato chip type mylar bags once you learn the settings on your iron. Tip: Thinner bags need less heat than thicker bags. Start low and add heat until you can get a seal. I wrote the temperature settings on my iron with a permanent marker. 

These food kits can be left where you know the homeless frequent. In my area, there are two groups behind two different grocery stores. The local restaurants, convenience stores, and vegetable department managers of some grocery stores will leave things beside the dumpsters for them. If you see this happening, those can be a good place to leave a food gift.

We also make kits for ourselves for when we go camping, hiking, or on an all-day trip. We have also shared them with the elderly and disabled. They can be stored for hurricanes or other natural disasters too. I'd like to get to where I have nine five-gallon buckets packed with dried foods, water, and toiletries where we can grab and go if we need to evacuate. However, there are 8 of them and one of me. They will rob the buckets if they can't find what they need. I can not think of anywhere I can hide them all either. 

A few different gospel tracts, a thrift store purchased Bible, and some Chrisitan reading material are easy to include in the boxes. 

There are some in the homeless community who are hiding from the law. The keyword there is "some." This is a fact. Those individuals make face-to-face encounters very risky. Others may not be able to cope with human interaction and just want to be left alone. It is best to go with a group or to leave things where they can find them. 

Time is short. Get your soul right before it is too late.

first shared May 2020:

And because iniquity shall abound, 

the love of many shall wax cold. 

Matthew 24:12

If you look in the Greek text for the word love in the verse above you will see this is the word "agape" which is the word for Godly love. 

From childhood on, I was taught many, many times this verse meant the world would grow colder. As a young woman, I did a Bible study that revealed the truth of this verse was far different than what I was being taught.

Think about it. The world doesn't have "godly" love. 

Agape is the love the redeemed is to example.

Jesus is saying the agape love of CHRISTIANS will grow colder.

It is chilling if you stop a second and think about the implications.

Agape is the love that the Holy Spirit gives those who are redeemed. (Romans 5:5-8) It is the love that not only allows, but compels, us as Christians to forgive and overlook the worst and example God's grace to those who have hurt us. It is the love the motivates us to give sacrificially. It is the love that makes us stand out as different from the world and gives testimony to what Jesus has done in our lives. If agape love is gone, we have lost our DIFFERENCE in this world. We no longer stand out to a lost world. That's tragic!

We must remember there is more to this life than what is visible right now and the stakes are very high.  

Dear Reader, One thing I have been praying for is that as I grow older, I will grow stronger in godly love so I can be a beacon that points the way to Jesus. Let us pray for ourselves and each other that instead of growing cold in godly love, that God will have us grow bolder in His love so we can have a stronger testimony for His glory. He has done so very much for us and deserves our total commitment to Him. Let's run the race well!

John 5:1-3 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

I John 4:7-12 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

When you find something good, you want to share it.

This is a kit I have in my suburban. It contains different types of gospel tracts and some sandwich bags. I use the sandwich bags when I am leaving them outdoors. Even if it is not going to rain, they can still get wet from the morning dew. If it is windy, I add a small rock to the bag or place the bag under something heavy that will likely get moved. 

Clint and I have been leaving tracts behind to help others find Jesus since very early in our marriage. We pray over them before we put them out asking God to let them do His work and to prepare the heart of the person who finds it. This is an inexpensive personal ministry and non-confrontational way to share the gospel.

Dear Reader, Time on this earth is looking very short. We need to share the gospel as much as we can everywhere we can while we still have the honor and opportunity. What a blessing it is for us to be able to share the good news of Jesus!

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 

Matthew 9:37-38

Shipping Times and Prices

A little info for you wives and mothers as you look after your loved ones and manage your households:

Clint runs a department and deals directly with US and overseas companies to acquire the materials we (the US) need to keep the containers flowing for many of the food products you purchase on the shelf in the grocery store. 

Yesterday, he had a conversation with one of his suppliers for machine parts. The supplier told him that shipping times used to be 2-4 weeks. A rush order for an extra fee could get some things in 1-2 weeks. 

Now, the average time for everything is 12-16 weeks.

It used to cost this company $2500 to ship a container full of parts from overseas to their warehouse. Now, the cost is $14,000 per shipping container. The man said it is like this throughout the machine parts industry.

The majority of machine parts come from one particular country. This country is raising the prices on parts and shipments. We are being squeezed with an end goal of bringing down the US so another can step into its place. If you were paying attention years ago, you are aware we had leaders indirectly (for a reason) tell us this particular country was already within our borders (meaning operatives in official roles) and working against us. It's a different kind of war. There is an internal US war being instigated and driven in a direction, a war on a global scale, and also a raging spiritual war that will, I believe, lead us into the end times. 

Dear Reader: The parts hike and the exorbitant shipping hike tells me food and consumer good prices will continue to go up. I encourage you to think and prepare accordingly not only for yourself, but so you will be in a position to minister to those in need. Before the pandemic, I knew elderly and disabled people struggling to purchase food and medicine. Food is usually the thing they cut corners on which leads to more health problems. It's a sad cycle. My love to all!

TIP: Regarding the elderly and disabled, many will brag about how good they have it so others do not try to take their independence from them. Observe with your eyes. Don't speak about what you suspect. Offer the food in a way that does not take away their dignity or cause them shame. I had one older gentleman tell me he ate filet mignon and lobster every week and ate out once a day through Doordash. I knew right away we were dealing with a dignity or fear issue, because Doordash did not operate in his area. He said his freezer was full of halibut and venison. The freezers were not running and he could not access them from his wheelchair, but he didn't know I noticed those things. His food was stored on his counters so he could reach it from his chair. Ramen Pride and other heavily processed cheap foods were all he had. There was nothing of value in his home. He was selling off items left and right. He is stick thin and all of his clothes are very worn. I told him I had cooked far more than we could eat at one meal (true, done on purpose because mamas like a break too) and gave him a few very large plates of food. Each heaping plate had enough for at least two meals on it. So, it looked like a few to keep his dignity in check, but it was actually more. He was extremely happy to receive it. I noted he also kept my dishes which is fine. I don't give out any dish I want to keep anyway. (Don't forget to return my canning jars though. ;-) Another little tip: Your kind and encouraging words will have an impact a long time after you are gone.

Feed the Right One

I frequently send a text to help build my loved one's faith. This is one of those texts.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. Romans 8:5

Feed the right thoughts. Discipline your thoughts to fall in line with Philippians 4:8: 

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

THIS is one way you grow in Christ. This helps you lead a successful life. This greatly helps you maintain a healthy mind. Throw out anything that does not line up with Philippians 4:8 whether it be books, television programming, music, or your own speech. If we are continually doing this, we are not tripped up as easily by the lies of this world and troubles in our lives are easier to navigate.  If we obey by training our minds consistently, we become stronger mentally and spiritually. 

Feed the godly wolf. Let the worldly one starve. The Parable of the Two Wolves

Mama/Wendy/Aunt Wendy loves all of you!

Baby Gift / New Mother Gift Idea

This is the macrame swing we gave as a new mother gift to our wonderful "niece."

She really likes it and uses it to soothe her baby.

Classes are Done After This Book

  

  

     

   

 

I have just started reading it, so I can't recommend it. 

I shared the contents and a couple of opening thoughts.

I bought the book in 2013 when I started the counseling course.

Look at the price increase since! 

Lord willing, I should finish the course before 2022.

That's not that bad considering all I have on my plate day to day.

Teaching Skills

A female friend of Caleb's asked him if he would change her oil. He told her he would TEACH her how to change her own oil so she can be independent in that area. It will take more of his limited time to teach her than to do it himself, but it's a skill he can give her that she can take into her future. Then she can pass it on by teaching her younger brother when it is his turn to learn. She can also change the oil in her mother's car to help her save money.

Amanda also teaches friends how to work on their cars when she is able. One woman told her, "This is easier than I thought it would be."

There are many young people in our county who know how to do some work on their cars because of Caleb and Amanda teaching them. Quite a few times, the people they help learn grew enough confidence to try other maintenance and repairs on their cars.

My children were taught these skills by their AMAZING DADDY! Clint's time in teaching them is reaping rewards far beyond what we expected!

It's that time of year...

Depression is a problem for some people at this time of year. Look after yourself and those you around you too.

Here are some DIY things to try. Being consistent in self-disciplining my thoughts and taking supplements has always helped bring me out of a depressed state. Sometimes it took days and other times a few weeks. If self-help does not make an improvement, please see a doctor. There is no shame in taking care of your health! 

There are more self-help tips on the internet, but these should give you a place to start.

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