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“Painting Pictures”

Painting a picture to someone can mean so many things.

To one person it might be a master piece but to another it might be a disaster.

When pairing a picture be careful how you portray it because no matter what the story is about it may be different for someone else

Don’t tell a story that is miss leading there is no need to compete with others it’s not worth it.

Be thankful for what you have because God gave it to you and if you can’t be thankful for what he gave you then how can he trust you with more.

Think about it.

You may paint a master piece like a vango but when the truth comes out it looks like you gave the blank canvas and paint to a two year old and well that is an easy answer.

 

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FEAR NOT

“God has not given us a spirit of fear.” 2 Timothy 1:7. This is so very true. When afraid–that things won’t work out, that the newest problem will be too big, that something will go wrong soon–we have to stop and remember that God has not brought us fear. He doesn’t want us to be afraid. He is with us and for us. When fears try to creep in and rattle you stop and remember that God doesn’t want you fearful. He is with us, no matter the difficulty! Don’t let fear hold your life hostage because it is a cruel taskmaster. So thankful for God’s kind help when I feel afraid.

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“Life”

When the days are full and we have reached old age it is our children who will gather around us with love and care. No one at the end of life wishes they had spent more time at work! The demands of life are like gravity always pulling on us. Spend the days you have now reminded that faith and family are the two most important things. Everything else is secondary!

“Cast all of your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 The beauty of this verse is that the very reason you can cast your cares on Him is because He cares for you. That’s His motivation–deep care and concern. I love those words, “He care for you.” simple but profound. Let those words soak into your heart and remember “cast” is an action word–let go of those cares and worries–cast them on Him! Be encouraged today!

The pressures of culture must never erode our standards. In fact, when culture disagrees or presses for change our standards are then most powerful and most effective. A candle is most useful when its environment grows dark!

 

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My son I pray for her daily for you….

If my child marries yours…

I just want you to know that I’m praying for you.

When I’m awake at night – feeding babies, burping babies, giving tylenol to a feverish toddler, covering up chilly toes, tucking green monkeys under little arms – I think of you. Because chances are, you’re awake too, doing the same sorts of things. Taking care of tiny children that I already love because they will someday hold the hearts that are beating against my chest tonight.

I’m praying that you’ll stand firm against the pressures to overcommit and hyper-schedule, that you’ll shut out the voices that tell you you’re not doing enough, that your kids aren’t doing enough.

I’m praying you’ll have the wisdom to know when to pick that crying baby up out of her crib and when to just sit outside her door, your fingertips pressed to the wood, willing her to feel your love and comfort and just finally fall asleep.

I’m praying that you will take those children to church…that the mothers and fathers of our future grandchildren will grow up knowing what it means to worship, even when that means missing out-of-town basketball tournaments and marathon sleepovers.

I’m praying that your love for and commitment to your spouse will swell with each year you’re together, that you will grow to love the legacy you are creating just as much as you adore the person you’re creating it with.

I’m praying that you take lots of pictures so that I can see where our grandchildren got their sticky-out ears and their mischievous grins.

I’m praying that Jesus will give you just enough strength each day to keep you from losing it but not so much that you forget Who that strength comes from.

I’m praying that we will be friends.

Will you pray those things for me too?

I don’t really pray for your child. Maybe I should. My husband does that, and I think it’s wonderful. But chances are, your child is just fine. And chances are, a lot of the time, you aren’t. Chances are, if you’re anything like me, you’re very tired. And some days, you get so discouraged. Sometimes, your temper erupts, your selfishness wins, and your smile is fake. Sometimes you forget to change the baby’s diaper, to spend time being silly with your toddler, to really see your spouse. So it’s you I am praying for right now, in the still darkness, with this baby fist pressed up under my chin and this sweet, sleepy breath on my ear. May you feel these prayers when you need them the most.

We are in this together, you and I. We are building something beautiful with each onesie folded, each invisible owie kissed, each story read.

You don’t know how much it means to me that you give your children everything you have every single day…even on days when it’s not much at all. Because your child will fall asleep next to mine for fifty-some years. Your child will be the one holding my child’s hand when our first grandchild is born. And when they face the darkest days of their lives, it will be your child and mine, facing into the struggle together.

I’m pretty sure that our longest days – the ones that are brim-full with hair-pulling moments, impossible messes, and toddler meltdowns – those are the days that we are fashioning hearts. And someday, one of the hearts I’m helping create will crash into one of your love-crafted hearts, and what spills out as a result of that jolt…it’s kind of up to us. I promise to tend to these hearts with utmost care, to plant in them humility and peace and selflessness…especially selflessness. I promise to plant Jesus seeds in these hearts every chance I get. And I promise to keep praying for you.

I’m praying that you will hug your boy tight when he’s sad or lonely or scared. Because someday, my girl – all grown beautiful with babies of her own – will be sad or lonely or scared. And he’ll need to know how to hold her. Teach him.

And let your daughters hear you speak righteous words that bring life and hope. Because someday, my sons will be worn and weary, and the words you’re placing in your daughters’ minds today just might become the balm to my sons’ souls.

I’m doing my best to do the same. And sometimes…much of the time…I fail. Pray for me too.

Someday we will sit on opposite sides of the aisle…all fancy and with gobs of tissues tucked into our fists. We’ll watch our silly, sticky, sweet babies somehow transform into brides and grooms and make the same promises to one another that we ourselves have kept…against all odds and only by His grace. And we will watch these children create families of their own with the ingredients we have given them. The ingredients we are slipping into their souls today.

But until then, I’m sitting here in the dark with babies in my arms.

And I’m praying for you.

 

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The Young Girl We Once Were!

“Sometimes the young girl we once were, the one who wanted to be noticed, the one who sought after a boy’s attention or longed for her parents’ approval, is not completely gone.

Maybe there’s a side of me still wanting acceptance and attention.

This possibility makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want to be an insecure woman.

I want to be a woman who reflects love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). I want to have selfless attributes of a heart that reflects Christ in me, the fruit of His Spirit on display. A lasting grace that isn’t about getting attention, but about serving and loving others more than I love myself.

I want that kind of beauty for me, and for my daughters as well.

But to gain it, I have to give something up. I’m going to have to die first.

Die to the me who is all about me.

Die to my selfie.

Because, when I die to me, another woman can emerge. A woman whose character is found in the love she gives, the joy she lives and the peace when she forgives.

A woman who doesn’t make her life about gaining attention, but giving it.” – Lynn Cowell

Read the rest of Lynn’s devotion for a chance to win a copy of her new book “Magnetic: Becoming the Girl He Wants“ — releasing today! http://proverbs31.org/devotions/?p=2950

 

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“Hi Mommies”

Being a mom your job is so important. Your job is so important it’s rough at times but important.

Their so worth it! Remember God chose you to be their mom for a reason.

Look at your kids. No stop and look at your kids look at them.

The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rocks the word!

If at first you don’t succeed

My life needs to change for me to be happy right???

False!

My life hasn’t changed much at all but I have

True
I may not be smiling all the time but I am smiling more at my beautiful life god have me. Smiling at the little things

I am a failure FALSE I AM NOT PERFECT but I am not a failure.

I am right where god wants me to be and he has given me everything I need to be a mom.

I’m a mess but I am a beautiful mess I am his master piece and that is enough.

I am ENOUGH. I am worthy!

Why be because I AM ENOUGH

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“Ministry”

“Ministry — of the purest kind — isn’t about impressing others with a flawless life. It’s not about polished presentations, perfect families and always-put-together women.

It’s about daring to expose our hidden imperfections and giving others permission to do the same. Becoming a fellow struggler, faith wrestler and hand-holder who delivers zero judgment but instead offers oceans of presence and grace.

Why? Because we have a God who says we’re enough. Just as we are.” – Michele Cushatt, Author

This…so much! So many women try so hard to present as if they are perfect and have the perfect family! Or the perfect life, job, career, income, travel or whatever else. If we were perfect we wouldn’t need Jesus! But none of us are and we need HIM! Why are we so afraid of showing and sharing our struggles? Trials bring growth! We need to show one another the same grace Jesus shows us everyday! Thank you, Jesus for meeting us where we are and guiding us to grow in you and our faith!

I would say, ” We have a God that accepts us just where we are but doesn’t want us to stay just as we are” after all He calls us to be “Holy as He is Holy”

Praying for each of you tonight

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Military Wife’s Story

My name is Fransheska Dlugopolski and my husband is Staff Sergeant Taylor. He joined in 2007 straight out of high school. He wanted to serve and protect his country from those who hurt us the most. He has served 3 tours overseas two in afghanistan 1 in iraq have been 3 years married 2 years. We met in 2012 in Fort campbell Kentucky where my best friend and her husband where station at the time. We got married may of 2013. We have been stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky where my husband was there for 6 years when i had met him and right now we are currently stationed at Fort Wainwright Alaska where we have been the last two years.

My husband loves his job, but just like any other job there are things he does and does not like about the military a few things he does not like is the low grade health care for the soldiers and their families. Also, he doesn’t like that during certain training exercises the units must abid by civilian regulations for high impact ranges, rather then active military personal running the range operations.

As a military spouse the one thing I don’t like about the army is the same as my husband the lack of treatment and medical help we are provided though sometimes you get one great doctor the majority of the time we get doctors that I feel like don’t truly listen to our concerns or worries about our health or the health of our children for example my 16 month old son just had to get his adenoids removed cause they were more than 70% blocked I had been battling the doctors in Alaska since he was about 5 months old to get his adenoids looked at and they didn’t seem to really care as to what i had to say and just blew it off like it was nothing and said his drooling problem was due to his teething when it truly wasn’t. It wasn’t till we came home to visit and had a civilian doctor look and actually take the time and listen to my concerns that we got the problem fixed. Some things he likes are that they provide soldiers with high grade equipment and weapons and the sense of job security and the bond he has created with his brothers and sisters in arms over the years.

I believe that the health care department in the military needs alot of work and they need to truly review the doctors and staff that each hospital hires and make sure that they arent just working for a paycheck that they actually care about our soldiers and their families especially our veterans cause thats where the slacking begins and it shouldn’t they should be the first ones we are taking care of with the upmost respect and diginity

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A Family’s Love

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A Family’s Love.. What is a Family’s Love?

A Family’s Love is life’s greatest gift. A gift given and blessed by God. No family is perfect but a family is a family.
This is a beautiful family, a family that I have known for a while. Their a family who is near and dear to my heart. This is a dedication to a family who stands firm and knows that God has them and is always there, even through the hard times. This is a true example of a family. A bond that is strong and and Bond that is everlasting. They are a dedicated hard working family. They love their sweet daughter. I chose them for my family of the month because they have been through so much over the years. I have seen God work in so many ways in their life and to see the fruits of the labor is a blessing. I am honored to call you all friends. You all are the example of true Fighters in this world.. God Bless each of you and I will be praying for your journey ahead on this new path the Lord is leading you on.

Love Brianne Garrett

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A Mom’s Awareness on Finding a Cure for Childhood Cancer

PLEASE READ TO THE END!! IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ANDREWS MOM!!!

Please read to the very end. I’m sure it will hopefully be worth it. It’s an official call to arms. It’s everything I’m feeling and more. It’s my plea to you. To your heart. And I really hope my friends whose names I used don’t get upset or mad at me.

As the time to Andrews 9 year cancerversary gets closer (9/16) I have been very emotional. The last 6 months or so have been very stressful for our whole family. Michael’s dad’s diagnosis, my own family’s health issues and the loss of our Granny. See, very stressful. But last night was the hardest night yet. We are in a very tight knit community, one where you see kids with cancer every single day. I’m friends with the parents, and not a day goes by that I do not see a picture or a story about one of our special friends. I’ve seen kids beat cancer. I’ve seen kids beat the same type of Brain Tumor that Andrew has. I’ve watched some of these children relapse and fight again. I’ve read stories of children with cancer being singled out by bullies. And worst of all, I have seen children die. When we first entered into this community, we met and I absolutely fell in love with one special boy and his entire family. Many of you will know who I am talking about when I say his name was James. James was the first of many that I grew to love. And not a day goes by that I don’t think of James. And then there was Dillon. I have been able to watch Dillon grow up to be such a great young man. He recently went to Las Angeles without his mom and I remember thinking oh oh my, I can’t be that old. Is he going to be okay. I was genuinely worried for him and constantly checking his mom’s Facebook (trolling if you will or creeping or whatever the kids are calling it) until until I saw he was home. I could go on and on about kids I’ve watched suffer, kids I’ve watched thrive. Kids I brag about to my friends as if they were my own. Kids I have mourned over. And things that really show me that our minds are not equipped to understand the “whys” of it all. But last night’s breakdown was probably the most emotional I have ever been aside from 9/16/2006.

It started as a typical Friday. Well, not really typical. It was September 11th, an already emotional day for most. It was also my best friends birthday. But soon my heart was broken as I learned we lost another child. Michael and I had only met Micah in April at the Children’s Cancer fund fashion show. We met his mother then as well. We seen them both again in July when Andrew and Micah left for Camp Esperanza. What really broke my heart about Micah’s passing was how quickly things fell apart. My memory is not what it once was, but if I remember correctly, in July, things were going well for Micah. And now, he’s gone. With the blink of an eye, the worst case scenario happened. In this group, we’re all aware of worst case scenarios, as they are beat into our brains by the doctors upon diagnosis and throughout treatment. But we all hope and pray for best case scenario.

Then later on in the evening I read another story from a mom who lost her daughter to Ependymoma (the same type of tumor Andrew has) a little over a year ago. See part of being a cancer mom and dad is to advocate for our children. To spread awareness so that ultimately we can wipe childhood cancer off the face of the earth so that maybe you don’t have to go through what we have had to endure. So this lady “painted her town gold” by putting up signs and gold ribbon to help spread awareness. Only to be told the signs “didn’t bring a positive message”. Really?!?!?! I’ve begged and pleaded with many people in my community to do things to bring awareness. And I’ve gotten a little accomplished. I think the Quinlan area area is somewhat more aware. But I would never expect people to complain that my advocacy brought a negative message to the community. When I read that, after thinking about the loss of Micah all day, I pretty much “hulked out”. My best advice that I usually give people going through any kind of struggle is “focus on what you can control and don’t obsess over the things you can’t control”. So I had to quickly move onto focusing my attention to packing the boys up to go camping. Today I felt a little better than I did last night but not much. Just thinking about all the kids we lost and how people today just don’t care. Yeah, my family and friends care. My cancer parents family and friends care. People who have witnessed it or gone through it care. But that’s about as far as it has reached. The way I see it, you can read through this until it says …continue reading, or you can scroll right past it. Very few people will go gold in September. The government will not hear from many people that 4% of funding alloted to pediatric cancer research is not enough. And I’m sure people have unfriended or unfollowed me on Facebook because they are tired of hearing about Childhood Cancer. And that’s okay. I might get some prayers, which I absolutely love. I might get some positive feedback. I might get some compliments about how strong we are (which is thoughtful, but we’re not strong). But I never see many people changing their profile picture to gold. I don’t see gold ribbon all throughout my town. Therefore, things will never change. We will never get the funding and unfortunately tomorrow 46 kids will be diagnosed with cancer and 7 will lose their battle. And the next day and the next day. And I pray each day that it’s not another friend whose child will get diagnosed. Because since Andrew was diagnosed, Lisa, Kaitlyn, Nate, Kacey, Braden and Carson have all since been diagnosed with either cancer or a brain tumor and we knew them or their family prior to their diagnoses.

So I’m officially calling the troops. If you have a healthy child in your life think about how your world would be turned upside down if your child was diagnosed. I’m begging each and every one of you to please start spreading the word. Please start telling people about the 46/7 statistic. If you have time write a letter to your senators or congress. Please go gold. I want the world to be educated. I want people to know cancer doesn’t care about age, social status, race, gender. Cancer doesn’t need you to “plant the seed”. Cancer does not need you as the parent or the child to do anything. It just happens. One day your child is the picture of health. The next day, BOOM, they have cancer. We need to wake up. Stop caring more about where the Kardashian’s are or what they are doing. I promise the new fashion trends will not matter to you if you ever hear your child has cancer. Your $200 Michael Kors bag will be puked on. Things in this world will not matter to you anymore. The only thing that will matter to you is why is there not enough research? Why is there not enough funding? Why do people not care. Those are my “whys” now. So please, I beg of you, do something, even if it’s just tying a gold ribbon on your mailbox, but do something that shows you care. And if you feel passionate enough, write a letter. Demand more funding. Tell your friends about these amazing kids. And spread awareness. Thank you for listening. Sorry it was so long. #gogold #childhoodcancerawareness #myheart #mybravelittleman