tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12574817006330509672024-03-05T02:42:50.063-08:00God MirrorA God Mirror is something to use to help us put things into perspective. It will help us see things as God does...which is rarely the same way we see things. In this blog, I will share how God continues to remind me to revisit my God Mirror...and to be a God Mirror to others.MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-15616185708155522952017-10-10T18:47:00.000-07:002017-10-10T18:57:34.545-07:00So, THAT's what a mirror does?<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It reflects yourself back to you.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Who’da thunk it?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXraDG0k7Md99t5l9P29P4Zaa8VCuX0_IoRjGCuw3PdkT1mSXrBLk3cLJtOveVF4jEWnnrS4ZkTGpPDV_EL8FMQOJecaIZBt1on0LhE3GlqVWV1zivbhqmAQJi23JuzQqns7VmqgigH2g/s1600/mirror-on-face.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="376" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXraDG0k7Md99t5l9P29P4Zaa8VCuX0_IoRjGCuw3PdkT1mSXrBLk3cLJtOveVF4jEWnnrS4ZkTGpPDV_EL8FMQOJecaIZBt1on0LhE3GlqVWV1zivbhqmAQJi23JuzQqns7VmqgigH2g/s320/mirror-on-face.png" width="179" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Duh, right?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I mean, I’ve
only been chewing on this God Mirror idea for almost 10 years now.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Why hurry into doing anything with it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, what did the mirror show me?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, It’s amazing what a mirror will show
you when you let others serve a your God Mirror.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve been in a gloomy place in my life lately.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Probably my depression rearing its ugly
head.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Poor health, poor attitude, poor
sleep (which is ironic, because I do love my sleep).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In short, my give-a-damn was just flat
broke.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, starting a couple of years ago, I did a sleep
study.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let me tell you, I was HAWTT (say
it in Paris Hilton’s voice) with all that goop in my hair and wires connected
to multiple places on my body.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>News
Flash!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Sleep Apnea.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(My husband and kids could have you that
without me having to spend a night in a strange bed looking like a lab rat –
but I’m sure they appreciated told the break)<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Enter: CPAP machine.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was a
gift from above. Let. Me. Tell. You.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Actually,
my husband would tell you first.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I mean,
sure, I look like Bane from the Batman Returns movies, but I was sleeping so
much better!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I mean, I still wanted naps,
but not nearly at the frequency as I had before.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was less of a need and more for enjoyment.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Hey, you have your hobbies, I have mine)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After working with my amazing nurse practitioner, we’ve
finally gotten some of my health levels under control. I’m even losing a few
pounds!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>*woot*woot* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">*yawn, Amy, get on with it*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Give-a-damn, still busted.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, at the urging of my husband and NP, I went to see a
counselor.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Someone I’d found through a
friend.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He’s someone I’d gotten to know
a bit before I started seeing him as a counselor.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One of the first things he told me was that
he thought I was very intelligent. *inert sarcastic comment because I don’t
know how to take a compliment*.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“No,
seriously, you’re very smart. Do you believe that?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Uhhh….sure”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Further in the conversation, he asked if people tended to come
to me and share about their lives…How did he know!?!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Yeah, that DOES happen.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Have you ever considered being a counselor?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Apparently, my face lit up.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Long story short, I’m applying to graduate school for Marriage
and Family counseling.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Nothing I’d ever
considered before, but with the support and urging of my husband, children, parents,
friends, and counselor, it looks like I’m going to change my career at 43.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, that brings you up to today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stay tuned.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I’m sure
it’ll be a rocky road, but it’ll be worth it.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Right?!?</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-51483050082322696672016-02-16T19:49:00.004-08:002016-02-16T19:49:35.444-08:00Alternate Mirrors<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-44508061-ed56-36e6-97e8-341ee78d5b4b" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My husband and son have been watching The Flash television series. I have been watching it with them here and there. The current story arc involves The Flash and his cohorts traveling to an alternate Earth. One in which their dopplegangers are almost polar opposites of themselves on Earth 1 as they call it.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So, with random time to think driving home, I started to wonder what my doppleganger would be like in an alternate universe. I know, I know...totally impossible and probably not healthy.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Well, I can tell you that the latter is absolutely true. My doppleganger (in my mind) had some pretty amazing traits...which sounds good, except that she was nothing like me, at least in my mind. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yup, the stinkin’-thinkin’ self deprecation started creeping in. She was skinny. She was successful. She was a great housekeeper…well, I can’t argue with the housekeeping thing. I will say that she was quite an unfunny bore and a pretty cruddy friend (which is totally opposite of who I am, here). But I digress.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Then, I felt this ‘tap’ on my conscience. Is that really how God wants us thinking about ourselves? Should we beat ourselves up? What exactly does that accomplish?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I really need to spend some time at my God Mirror. What started as a ‘what if’ idea, turned into beating myself up. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If I’m not reflecting to myself what God sees in me, am I effective in reflecting to others what God sees in them? </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back to the God Mirror….Maybe I should listen better, this time. Or go back more often. Or, maybe both.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What would your doppleganger be like?</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-1185873426573123112015-06-25T20:13:00.000-07:002015-06-25T20:13:01.349-07:00Broken Mirrors<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello!?!? Is this thing on?!? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I think my God Mirror’s broken! </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ve been praying for guidance...nada.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ve been praying for that one opportunity to prove myself in the workplace...nuthin’..</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">*tap*tap*tap*</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nope. I think it’s broken.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ve been praying for God’s will and have been listening..or at least I think I have been. Or, what if I’ve already received the answer and didn’t hear it? What if I totally just bombed or walked away from the opportunity? </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s becoming harder and harder to smile and give a generic warm fuzzy answer when people ask how I’m doing. Mostly, I'm doing well. I have a wonderful husband who always supports me I have teenagers/tweens...so, there’s that, but I’m not alone there and they’re by and large pretty good kids. But I AM still unemployed and that’s starting to eat away at me. Nobody wants to be ‘that guy’ who brings everybody down with his constant complaining, but people are starting to see through the smile.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the hardest things is learning how to take the sincere encouragement that my friends offer. They really believe in me. So why do I feel so awkward accepting compliments and encouragement? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s an easy question. I’m usually the one GIVING compliments and encouragement. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It seems like I have THAT part of the God Mirror down pat. I’m always one to encourage and boost someone.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m not sure what grand revelation this blog entry is supposed to reveal. But I sure hope I figure it out soon. I hope I figure it all out soon. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I know in my heart that it’s ridiculous, but I swear I’m in my own personal fight club as much as I’ve been beating myself up! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It will happen, and I’ll be exactly where I’m supposed to be. Currently, though...I’m not digging the ride. Frankly, I’ve never been a fan of roller coasters.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If nothing else, I hope this blog entry shows others that they’re not alone.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And that their mirrors aren't broken, either. It just feels like it sometimes. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Until next time...</span>MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-38003974992802130602015-03-05T17:31:00.001-08:002015-03-05T17:31:16.690-08:00Grace-giving Mirrors...<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Hey, that's the one guy who used to.....when we were little"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Didn't she always .....in high school?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I'll never talk to him again, because....all those years ago"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You've said things like this. I've said things like this. We all have. We all have very specific memories from our past. Not all of them are great memories about other people and what they've done and decisions they've made.... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had one such thought about someone who had made a terrible decision in the past. He'd gone through all the ridicule and rumors that swirled around. I may have even been one to share some of those stories that may or may not have been accurate...I was young...I didn't know any better.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know he went through the proper legal channels and has since built a wonderful life and has beautiful children.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I ran into him recently and still thought about what he did back then. Then, I allowed myself to visit with him and learn more about him than I'd ever known back then. Seems like he turned out to be a decent guy. Who'da thunk? We didn't get to talk too long, but maybe he's become a Believer. Who knows.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My point is that changes we've made don't negate choices we've made in the past, but the choices we've made in the past don't define who we are, now. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Is that statement circular enough? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In that situation, and others, I've realized that we are all so much deeper than we appear. Are we being good God Mirrors if we join the rumor mill? Are we being good God Mirrors if we hold those memories against who a person has become today?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm guessing notsomuch.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">God doesn't forget the mistakes we've made in our lives (I don't believe), but he also doesn't hold them against us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We're made clean everyday (every minute). We need to extend that sort of grace to others. Nothing makes us any better than another.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't want to become a doormat, but I want to get better at seeing through others' pasts and into their hearts. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We should all go forth and put our judgey-ness aside. See things through the eyes of God listen with his ears. Otherwise we'll miss out on some pretty amazing people.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Good Night.</span></span><br />
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<br />MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-38712813447962874352014-09-04T20:28:00.002-07:002014-09-04T20:29:14.385-07:00The Mirror-that-Shall-Not-Be-Named<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
Alright, already! I get it, I get it!<br />
<br />
All of my wonderful friends, family, and amazing encouragers have been
telling me to, 'start a blog'.<br />
<br />
Well, I HAVE a blog, but since I've not written anything since February, I
can see why people might think I don't have one!<br />
<br />
So, I'll face you all and be as real as I am one-to one.<br />
<br />
Today, I'm (at least talking about) addressing the mirror that I have been
avoiding for a LONG time...Just over a year (most recently)...<br />
<br />
I'm talking about the mirror that makes me take stock in where I am in my
life. What have I done to get me here? What am I doing to move myself past this
hurdle (or personal pot-hole)? Am I really even trying?<br />
<br />
So, for those of you who I haven't been in contact with lately, I have been
unemployed for just over a year.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I worked seasonally at Costco. I started a perfectly ok job at a
local credit union with WONDERFUL people. I was lured away by the
prospect of another possibility (more money/career possibilities)...which
turned out to be a miserable fit for my personality and skill-set. I'd
like to say I got fired, but I really just left before they had the
chance. It wasn't my smartest move, but I couldn't bear the reality of
another position ending...where it wasn't my fault. So I had to resign/quit/whatever
you want to call it. And here I find myself unemployed, again.<br />
<br />
So, here I sit, a year after being unceremoniously let go from a job that I
really enjoyed (well, enjoyed who I worked with and many things surrounding
it...the job was fine, really) without any prospects for gainful
employment.<br />
<br />
I AM, however, looking at going back to get my Masters degree. (What
else am I going to do with my time, right?). Many options, but little
income (from me), lately. <br />
<br />
This all brings me to my mirrors that I've been avoiding.<br />
<br />
The first question: I believe that I brought myself here by making some poor
choices. Some were well thought-out, but some were knee-jerk. Some
were even made to please other people. I'm not sure how many of them were
made after consulting my God Mirror. Double (triple/quadruple) dummy on
me for that one! My hope is to find a place that will give me a chance to prove
myself ...even letting me start as an admin or something. But, you
know...a 40-year-old woman who has as random a resume as I do over the last 15
years isn't nearly as inviting as many other applicants...<br />
<br />
The second: Well, I haven't been doing much at all, lately. Lots
of wallowing and copious amounts of sleeping in and napping. Neither of these
are helpful to my situation or my health. I am sure that my husband is still
waiting for that 'burst of energy' that comes when you are about to have a
baby. I believe they call it 'nesting' and many people use it to clean
house or organize (and re-organize) the house. It didn't happen with
either boys nor before the girl came home. He's been waiting almost 15
years for that. This time in our lives would be a great time for it to
kick in!<br />
<br />
I've looked at some graduate programs, applied for a butt-ton of jobs (as my
daughter would say), and not applied for even more because I let my pea-brain
talk me out of them saying that I don't have the experience. (We all know that
little hamster-wheel of job-hunting -- no experience = no job to get the
experience = still no experience...)<br />
<br />
To answer the third question, I need to really go back to my God Mirror and
do some praying and read some scripture. If any of you have any to
suggest, I'd love to hear it.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure how much of this blog will be helpful to others except to show
that no matter how fun/funny/well-put together someone may seem on social
media...in most cases, it's not that pretty on the insides of their
brains. We all have messes to clean up.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Windex won't do anything to clear up this mirror for
me. Only God can. I am also keenly aware that God uses others as
his hands and feet. I want to be those hands and feet, but I seem to feel
like I need to find my own first.<br />
<br />
Blessings to all and thanks for listening to me ramble.<br />
<br />
Off to pray and attempt to approach my God Mirror...whether I want to hear
what He has to say, or not!<br />
<br />
Thank you all for letting me spout off....and I hope to be more upbeat next
time!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-78150608127164427302014-02-23T18:23:00.001-08:002014-02-23T18:24:30.831-08:00Comparing Mirrors<br />
I've been thinking a lot lately how my problems/struggles are nothing in comparison to those I know who are fighting cancer and other ugly diseases. Cancer has reared its ugly head in so many lives around me. Sometimes, I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop in our lives. I almost feel guilty that we haven't had that to deal with. (Not that I'm inviting cancer to show up at our doorstep)<br />
<br />
Then, I have to wonder if God really wants us to play down our own struggles because they don't compare to others'. I don't believe that's the case.<br />
<br />
Jill Savage, founder of Hearts at Home put it best when she said that we need to stop comparing our insides to others' outsides. I know this is in reference to feeling like others have 'perfect lives', but I've been wondering lately if the opposite is true.<br />
<br />
The struggles we each face are real and have their effects on our lives. Just because we're not hurting as bad as our friends doesn't mean we can just push our hurts aside.<br />
<br />
I need to go to my God Mirror as ME, not as ME-IN-COMPARISON. God deals with us as individuals. He wants us to love and help those who need more than we do, but he doesn't rank us when it comes to prayer.<br />
<br />
If it bothers you, if it weighs on your heart, if you're not quite sure....take it to your God Mirror and God will reflect back to you the magnitude of your issue and how to approach it! <br />
<br />
I'm not sure if this blog entry is making much sense, but I don't want us to say, "Well, I don't have Cancer, so I need to just suck it up." And I don't believe God feels that way, either.<br />
<br />
Take it to Him and He'll help you work through any of your struggles. God has a different journey for each of us and He will be there to guide us through it if we let Him.<br />
<br />
<br />
One of my favorite verses comes to mind tonight:<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<h3>
Jeremiah 29:11</h3>
<div class="txt-sm">
New International Version (NIV)</div>
</div>
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</span><br />
God Bless and have a God-Filled week!MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-89171115743189070612014-02-06T18:41:00.001-08:002014-02-06T18:41:17.755-08:00Funny Mirrors that TalkOkay, so this guy walks into a bar.....<br />
<br />
What do you get when you cross....?<br />
<br />
Did you hear the one about...?<br />
<br />
Those are all relatively harmless lines...UNTIL they come out the mouths of children...in front of your parents/minister/elderly neighbor/other kids. Your mind automatically goes back to the last time YOU said that and how YOU ended it. Rut-ROH! The look of mortification spreads across your face as you worry how they're going to end it.<br />
<br />
We've all done it. We can joke, tease each other, say something off-color, or even 'insult' each other and know that it's all in fun. We can see the humor in it. We only do it around people who KNOW we don't really mean it.<br />
<br />
Yeah, kids don't always pick up on those nuances...So, they don't filter themselves quite as well...<br />
<br />
But when we hear those words back, maybe that's God reflecting back to us how things sound when they come out of our mouths.<br />
<br />
Funny as they may be, maybe we shouldn't be saying them in any company, much less the short people (children) in our world. Are these jokes really glorifying God? Are they really honoring Him? Are WE the Jesus that others need to see? We may encounter someone who needs to see Jesus, and we're busy showing them our backsides so-to-speak. <br />
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If you have to change the words to the joke based on who you're telling it to, maybe you should just keep it to yourself.<br />
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NOW....I'm not preaching from a high horse, here. I'm one of the biggest offenders! Oh MY GOODNESS! And I am continually reminded by my own 'Funny Mirrors that Talk'. And, they're REALLY funny!<br />
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It's RIDICULOUSLY humbling to say, "I don't want to hear that coming out of your mouth" when it just came out of your own mouth. They are ABSOLUTELY hysterical and have quick wits that are not to be matched by anybody! I often joke that we need to teach them the 'whens' to using such a gift/curse. I don't want to get a call from school that one has just been flattened because he joked with the wrong guy.<br />
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Let's try to keep each other accountable so we don't 'step in it'! Who's with me?<br />
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If you wouldn't tell Jesus...maybe you shouldn't tell anybody...*she said to herself*<br />
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I'll leave you with this:<br />
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<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<h3>
Philippians 4:8</h3>
<div class="txt-sm">
New International Version (NIV)</div>
</div>
<div class="passage version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html ">
<span class="text Phil-4-8" id="en-NIV-29451"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Finally,
brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</span></div>
MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-81095372257240078612014-02-05T18:42:00.001-08:002014-02-06T10:33:23.504-08:00Purple MirrorsIf you're new to my blog, please take a second to read my first few posts...the whole God Mirror may concept may become clearer. (Pun intended)<br />
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Whoa, God.<br />
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I. HEAR. YOU! <br />
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You are in charge and have the perfect plan! And even if it's not our plan, you have wonderful ways of revealing it that can unite an entire community!<br />
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Anybody who is Facebook friends with me knows what I'm talking about...<br />
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God showed me a totally new mirror in 2013. The Crane Family. Sarah Crane is a wonderful 15-year-old girl whose love and faith united people from all over the globe. She was diagnosed with Stage Four colon cancer in July 2013. <br />
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What?!? 15 with Stage 4 colon cancer!?!? Yup. That's what I said. She was one of (if not) the youngest people in America to have this diagnosis.<br />
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Did she let it get her down? Did she let it define her life here on Earth? No way, Jose! Sarah FOUGHT with every ounce of energy she had! And with a SMILE on her face! Not only her, but her family also fought alongside her. Sarah had been known to say that others had it worse than her. I'd say that's wisdom beyond her years...or GODLY wisdom!<br />
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Some may say that Sarah's God Mirror was broken...if it was telling her to keep smiling and fighting and to not let it get her down because others had it worse than she did. I may have been one of those people...*she wrote ashamedly* I'd say cancer really IS a big deal! Ummm...Yeah! It sucks!<br />
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What we have learned is that Sarah's mirror was probably clearer than any of ours! Maybe she couldn't see the entire path ahead of her, but she could see the Pathfinder and had her trust in him!<br />
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Sarah's path was one of unity. It all started out as a way to raise a little money and get shirts for friends who wanted to support the family. It was there that SARAHSTRONG was born. Big sis and a family friend said, "Wouldn't it be great if we could sell like 100!?" Well, 9,000+ shirts (hoodies, long-sleeved- and t-shirts, and other items) later, I'd say it was PHENOMENAL.<br />
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SARAHSTRONG began to grow little-by-little and I said "Hey, let's start a facebook group so you don't have to keep repeating everything. You can update once and everyone can read. This idea that was set out to share with family and friends grew, blossomed, and EXPLODED into a group of more than 11,000. This group includes photos of many celebrities (Tom Cruise, Cee Lo Green, Bon Jovi, etc) holding a SARAHSTRONG shirt. We shared her story and asked for prayer everywhere we went. Sarahstrong is a group that is still active long after she lost (or some might say won) her battle with this hideous disease. (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/sarahstrong">www.facebook.com/groups/sarahstrong</a>)<br />
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Sarah followed her Pathfinder Home on December 7, 2013. She was healed by the Ultimate Physician. The SARAHSTRONG community not only rallied around the family, it continued to grow!<br />
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This wonderful family succeeded in turning an entire community purple (because it was Sarah's favorite color) in just a few short months. It was unity and healing that Elkhart had been missing for quite some time! And the joy of it all is that Elkhart is still SARAHSTRONG, and so is Sarah's family. The SARAHSTRONG foundation will launch in mid 2014 with the purpose of paying-it-forward to other families in need and donating to childhood cancer research. There's even a 5K in March! <a href="http://www.sarahstrong.org/">www.sarahstrong.org</a> if you're interested! You can run it in your own hometown or in Elkhart with an amazing community! <br />
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This young lady who, out of nowhere, learned of this miserable disease did not back down. She looked it right in the eye and vowed to beat it (I believe more than a few of us said 'kick its ass'). I believe she did beat it, just not in the way we had all hoped. She is now healed and well and kickin' it with Jesus. I believe that's an ultimate ending we all hope for.<br />
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We saw God in this beautiful young lady with a beautiful heart and soul. I think she was our Purple God Mirror. I pray that we all approach life and struggles with the same strength and resolve as Sarah. Rest in Peace, Sarah. Whether we knew you well, met you, or just heard your story, you've changed us all. I thank God for sharing us with her for 15 short years and I thank her family for letting us all tag along for the journey. I hope you never stop hearing stories of how Sarah has affected people positively.<br />
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Last, but not least, in Sarah's honor and memory, PAY IT FORWARD. It can be big or small, anonymous or not...but give to one another as Sarah always wanted to make others happy.<br />
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I shall bring all of my major challenges to my Purple Mirror from now on!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAp9bz6SZY8LEHMsFml6L1GERB5m3R0z7KjvuR9vNlqTQOHyql_rM-6Fdxxlfof72_0_ENw9GKlp_5cTMua3djqvwTw-r6U9PZ2NoIBixQKID5He1PfpAAo1fuHeb0irUMdUgn26wufOQ/s1600/sarahstrongangelwings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAp9bz6SZY8LEHMsFml6L1GERB5m3R0z7KjvuR9vNlqTQOHyql_rM-6Fdxxlfof72_0_ENw9GKlp_5cTMua3djqvwTw-r6U9PZ2NoIBixQKID5He1PfpAAo1fuHeb0irUMdUgn26wufOQ/s1600/sarahstrongangelwings.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This logo (minus the wings and wording underneath) is what we all wear when we're feeling #SARAHSTRONG!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<br />MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-35638025560283336672011-06-30T20:54:00.000-07:002011-06-30T20:54:33.567-07:00Salt & LightThis last week at church (a great little church called Three Cross Ministries) back home in Elkhart, Pastor Jeff Lewis preached on the idea of being salt and light to the world. It was a great sermon that really spoke to me and my God Mirror theory. <br />
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God needs us to be salt and light to the world. A world that has become bland and dark. We need to speak truth to others. Most of the time, the truth we, as Christians, know, is not what the World wants to hear. It does add flavor and color to our surroundings to not be the popular ones, and not blend in. <br />
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This whole sermon kept drawing me back to the concept that our lives need to show others what God is and what he feels. They need to reflect Him to the world. His word has never told us that this would be easy, but that the rewards are innumerable.<br />
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What are some ways we can reflect God to those around us? Let's think about some of the things that God is.<br />
God is Love. So, how do we love each other? We pay attention to each other. We spend time with each other. We think about each other. We support each other. We build each other up.<br />
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God is also Truth. Truth is clear. Truth is not always pretty. Truth is not always easy to hear. Truth helps us grow. Truth teaches us. <br />
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Everything I can think of about God brings me back to those two things.<br />
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We need to learn the balance of loving and caring for those around us, while not letting go of God's truth. This does not mean we must be boring sticks-in-the-mud. We can still add our flavor to our families and friends, but we must also keep the Light of God shining in our actions and words.<br />
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If there's a magic pill to make these things easy, I've never seen it, but it will always work to His Glory. <br />
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My goal is to make myself available to God and His will. He will take care of the details, sometimes, even down to the point of putting the right words in our mouth when we're not able to do it on our own.<br />
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I hope all of you reading this find a way to let God work through you. It's as much a blessing to the vessel as it is to those we love and encounter!<br />
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God Bless, and thanks for reading!MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-40656885111282771882011-05-11T08:07:00.000-07:002011-05-11T08:07:13.108-07:00Interesting questions and funny sayings...I just finished reading Single Dad Laughing's blog on things you thought you'd never have to say out loud to your children. CRACKED me UP! Now, I'd like to hear from you the most memorable questions from your kids you've ever had to answer...and how you handled it. Let's also toss in the funny things your children have said to you out of the blue. It's a sad day when you realize your kids may actually be funnier than you are! <br />
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Please share! <br />
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I'll start: My boys were probably 4 & 5 and they came up to me and asked...'What are these balls behind my penis?'... Uhhh...Go ask your dad... then, when they asked two days later, all I could come up with was, "They are called testicles, and your body will use them later." The response? "But What do they do?"...Again, "They're called testicles, and your body will use them later!"<br />
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I'll add more later when others have answered, too...I love my funny kids... Or, as my middle son has said, "We have ONE Messed Up Family!" That, we do... and I wouldn't have it any other way!MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-65204171676422342812011-01-19T19:07:00.000-08:002011-01-19T19:07:41.732-08:00Dream JobSo, what is your dream job? What would you be THRILLED to wake up every day and do? What job would assure that you go to bed with a smile every night. Outside of being a talent scout for the Chippendales/Hooter Girls (depending on what floats your boat)...Tell me about the job that you would LOVE to have.<br />
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For me, it came to me at work today. I have always noticed random things...today I was noticing that all the streets in a particular neighborhood had an Alice in Wonderland theme to them. My own neighborhood has Colorado-based street names. A friend lives in a neighborhood with streets named after NFL teams! How cool would that be to live on COLTS Ct?<br />
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Anyway, I decided that my dream job would be to help come up with street names and themes for the neighborhoods.<br />
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Digital Woods: BRB Blvd - TTYL Trail - WTH Way - LOL Lane - OMG Drive....<br />
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How about Comedian Cove? Tosh Trail - Regan Road - Dat Phan Drive - Ron White Way - Cable Guy Court - Foxworthy Place - Chevy Chase Court - Dan Akroyd Ave....<br />
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Maybe go Pop Culture. - Lady GaGa Lane - Katy Perry Court - Eminem Way - Taylor Swift Trail - The Hannah Montana Clubhouse - Big Time Rush Road.<br />
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Oohhh... POLITICS! Obama Lane (It's a dead end road with lots of turnover - People don't live there very long) - Bush Blvd - Chaney Court - Biden Blvd... -- and for my Indiana friends... Daniels Drive - Bennett Blvd - Coats Court -- Even going vague... Election Lane - Primary Place - Voter Blvd - Polling Place - Recount Court - Senator Street - Representative Road - Fillibuster Blvd - Elephant Way - Donkey Drive (I could go on forever...)<br />
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I can tell you, though, that there are some roads I, personally, wouldn't be caught dead living on. There's a road in my little corner of America that's name resembles something that might happen after a bad order of sushi. It's called Sharsted Ct. Seriously?!? Would YOU move onto a road that sounds like you didn't quite make it to the restroom after you mistakenly trusted a fart? If you've ever driven south through Kentucky, you've probably passed Stinking Creek Road. How romantic to meet the man/woman of your dreams and when they come over to meet your family you actually have to say "turn left on Stinking Creek Road" ... Kind of kills the mood, doesn't it? I'm pretty sure I passed that one on the same trip that I drove past Bucksnort, Tennessee. <br />
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I'll address unfortunate City names and ironic/unfortunate last names in another entry.<br />
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Seriously, though...Where else could I combine my love of writing with my warped affinity for grammar and alliteration and make money?! I mean, my kids don't appreciate my humor, but someone might... Maybe even enough to pay me to do it!?! Anyone? Anyone.... Bueller... <br />
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Share some of your favorite/least favorite road names/and neighborhood themes. MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-64661002797689161352011-01-16T20:10:00.000-08:002011-01-16T20:10:07.546-08:00Friends are pretty fantastic mirrors, too"Have you been writing?"<br />
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"I'm waiting to read...." <br />
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I have many friends out there who are wonderful, but one, in particular, has been my biggest encourager in this venture. Thanks so much for that! You know who you are. For you and because of your encouraging, I've come to a conclusion.<br />
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I have a hunch that in order to continue writing this little blog, I'm going to have to wander away and back to my initial 'theme'....although the title will remain. <br />
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I just feel like right now I'm writing the same entry over and over. So, I'm going to begin letting my mind wander and see what comes out.<br />
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I'm sure many topics will come from my children. Funny little people, they are.. :)<br />
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If you're reading this, thanks for hangin' with me and my randomness in posting. I'll resolve to be better about blogging in 2011! <br />
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If you have a favorite kid story, remind me and I'll try to make it interesting to others, too! :)<br />
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God Bless!MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-80849366960673968902010-10-21T20:14:00.000-07:002010-10-21T20:14:46.687-07:00Different Subjects: Different MirrorI noticed this week (as I'm spending time with just me and the kids) that your God Mirror changes depending on who's looking in it. <br />
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If kids are looking at you, they need to see themselves as God does...as children who need guidance, discipline, and boundaries.<br />
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If a person who's hurting is looking into your God Mirror, they may need to see how God loves them no matter what they're going through.<br />
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If someone is a little too self-righteous, maybe they need to see that from us, too...of course, in the loving way that God would show them. <br />
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Keeping our eyes and hearts focused on God, he'll make sure we know what each person we meet needs reflected back to them. Looking toward Him will lead us all along the right path, and keep our own God Mirrors in check. Don't forget, we need to check ours constantly, too.<br />
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Although it seems like a lot of stuff to keep track of, all we need to do is keep track of our relationship with God, and he'll guide us the rest of the way.<br />
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Here's to hoping that your God Mirror is clean and shiny every day!<br />
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God Bless!MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-27466031989677302572010-08-15T07:45:00.000-07:002010-08-15T07:45:28.110-07:00The Clearer MirrorsYou know, some of the clearest God Mirrors out there are kids. They really see so much more than we do as adults. And they're usually right (but don't tell them that!)<br />
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Maybe one day, when you feel like you woke up on the wrong side of the dirt, it takes your sweet kids to reflect to you how God sees you. "Mommy, you're the best mommy ever!" "There are no mommies prettier than you!" It can totally make your day. <br />
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On the flip side, kids can be your God Mirror showing you things that maybe aren't so hot about yourself...maybe something you should change...<br />
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"Mommy, when you get done with facebook, can we cuddle?" or "Mommy, don't yell, but I wanted to ask..."<br />
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So many times, especially when we've just been fired up about the Love of God, we fail to see that His Love doesn't always look pretty to us. Maybe He needs us to see things that we need to change. (Didn't want to read that part, didja?)<br />
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I can be thankful that, in my life, God uses cute, short people to reveal His truth to me! Sometimes that can soften the blow when he tells us things we don't want to (and usually pretend not to) hear. <br />
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Thankfully, for us, He sees the big picture, and he'll reveal it to us as we can handle it, and as we need to see it.<br />
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Sometimes it's relaxing to think that I'm not in charge of my life. I'll just buckle up, enjoy the ride, and share the story of the Driver with everyone I can!MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257481700633050967.post-23642745305522263462010-06-15T12:41:00.000-07:002010-06-15T12:41:47.661-07:00First Blog...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been threatening to do it for awhile, and here I am... Blogging. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is one I wrote last year for the Hearts @ Home blog. I thought I'd start with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(The particular issue addressed is not causing concern anymore, but to take it out would be to take away from the blog)</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">******************************</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I find it entertaining that I am writing about a God Mirror when this is something I really need to consult in my own life right now. </span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recent problems with our boys and their behaviors (one struggles with his speech – stuttering – and the other has tics) have made me wonder what God wants me to do! More and more concerns seem to keep heaping themselves upon my spirit! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Which doctor is best for my kids? Will my insurance cover the treatment? What’s the best method of treatment? Do we medicate or not medicate? These questions are overwhelming to consider for children who were perfectly healthy (at least I thought so) until early 2008.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How can I cope? I need to bring it to my God Mirror. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What’s a God Mirror, you ask? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Your God Mirror reflects your world back to you the way God sees it, not the way you see it. You see, God has divine perspective on all aspect of our lives. When things seem so overwhelming that we continue to focus on them, it makes them even heavier on our hearts. Then, we begin to feel that we can never dig ourselves out from under such a pile of junk. Been there? I am right now! Bring it to your God Mirror and He’ll show you how things really are. A little Divine perspective never hurt anyone. Maybe it is a big deal. Maybe it’s not. We’ll never know until we ask the only one whose answer is always right.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the same vein, we can be a God Mirror to others. We don’t always see in ourselves what God sees. We see all the warts and scars, while God sees all the goodness and kindness. Remember, God took the ugliness of our sins away from us as far as the East is from the West. That is what others should see in themselves when they meet us as Christians. Then, we’d have no reason to wallow in our own self pity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Try to be someone else’s God Mirror today, and take your heart to your own God Mirror. You may be surprised at what you see.</span>MomOfTwoXYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00530079949074260199noreply@blogger.com0