Dustin has been receiving devotions from a friend he grew up with in FL and I felt this one was too good not to share...Enjoy!
"All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast."Proverbs 15:15
First things first, "Happiness" is a choice. It is a choice that we make everyday, to be happy or to be angry, sad or depressed. As Christians, believers in God and His word, we should never fear or revere anything that this world brings against us. There have been times in my life where I have lost site of this and chose to be sad, chose to be "the victim" or whatever. But there has been times when I have stood tall and secure in what God has planned for me, His blessings and the comfort that only He can give. And what a difference it made in my life! How different we feel when we take on circumstances with a smile, trust God and be a light to those who sit in the dark.We are supposed to be different, right? Has anyone every come up to you said, "Wow, how did you do that?" or "How did you handle that? Why didn't you get upset? You had all the right to yell and scream and be angry or upset!" Set yourself apart, God is your provider!1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to be thankful for everything, because what we encounter is all part of God's will. It goes beyond being happy or content in what you are doing or where you are at, but being thankful! My challenge to you is to make the decision to be thankful in everything. Your job, your relationships, your financial situation, every aspect of your life, just thank God today for it all. If you are grateful for what you have you cannot concentrate on the lacking that Satan tries to plant in our emotions.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Perspective
We all have sadness in our lives. We all have tragedy in our lives, but when something awful and tragic happens to someone close to you it puts it in perspective.
Yesterday I saw a casket that was way too small. They shouldn't make them that small...they shouldn't have to. I saw two loving parents that were distraught and broken to the core. I saw hundreds of people trying to take some of their pain away and share in their sorrow.
Makes you think...makes you see a new perspective on things. Most fights aren't that important. Most grudges aren't worth holding. Most gossip isn't worth sharing. Is it really that important that someone said something not really nice about you? Is it really that important to be mad at someone when you find out the truth about them? Is it really that important to hold a grudge that you don't even remember what started it? Is it really that important to be right? Is it really that important that your child is a picky eater is doesn't talk as well as others his own age? Is it really that important that bedtime has become a battle?
Not really.
Please continue to pray for our friends, Mark and Leanne Denny. They have a struggle ahead of them that I don't know I would be strong enough to face.
Yesterday I saw a casket that was way too small. They shouldn't make them that small...they shouldn't have to. I saw two loving parents that were distraught and broken to the core. I saw hundreds of people trying to take some of their pain away and share in their sorrow.
Makes you think...makes you see a new perspective on things. Most fights aren't that important. Most grudges aren't worth holding. Most gossip isn't worth sharing. Is it really that important that someone said something not really nice about you? Is it really that important to be mad at someone when you find out the truth about them? Is it really that important to hold a grudge that you don't even remember what started it? Is it really that important to be right? Is it really that important that your child is a picky eater is doesn't talk as well as others his own age? Is it really that important that bedtime has become a battle?
Not really.
Please continue to pray for our friends, Mark and Leanne Denny. They have a struggle ahead of them that I don't know I would be strong enough to face.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Prayer Request
This softball season Dustin and some friends have started a prison ministry team. Two guys from his old team are running this out reach opportunity and doing a wonderful job. I am so proud of these guys for using their talent and spiritual walk to share the word with others.
One of the leaders of the team, Mark Denny and his wife, Leanne need to be lifted up in prayer right now. They are expecting their first little girl and Leanne is having some complications. Leanne is 20 weeks along. Last weekend she was in a car accident and came away from it unharmed. The next day she started bleeding and was passing dime sized clots. Her husband brought her to the hospital where they did surgery to remove a polyp from her cervix. At this time the found out she was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. The doctors were hopeful that removing the polyp would stop the bleeding and she would be able to carry the baby normally. Today Leanne went back to the hospital because she started bleeding again and was transferred to UT for more observation. Now they have concluded that the placenta is detached.
Please lift these three up in prayer with me...
One of the leaders of the team, Mark Denny and his wife, Leanne need to be lifted up in prayer right now. They are expecting their first little girl and Leanne is having some complications. Leanne is 20 weeks along. Last weekend she was in a car accident and came away from it unharmed. The next day she started bleeding and was passing dime sized clots. Her husband brought her to the hospital where they did surgery to remove a polyp from her cervix. At this time the found out she was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. The doctors were hopeful that removing the polyp would stop the bleeding and she would be able to carry the baby normally. Today Leanne went back to the hospital because she started bleeding again and was transferred to UT for more observation. Now they have concluded that the placenta is detached.
Please lift these three up in prayer with me...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Advice?
So I am at my frustration breaking point...
Taylor REALLY needs a haircut. He's had haircuts before, but the second time he seemed a little better and then the third haircut he got, the guy snipped the top of both of Taylor's ears. He didn't mean to...it's hard to cut a moving target. I took him today to get his haircut. We talked about it on the way, he said he would sit still if I gave him a sucker. He walked in fine. He was a little shy at first, but when he saw I had brought suckers he sat in the chair with no problem. We had a DVD player with Diego playing, so he seemed to be content. The nice lady was SUPER patient with him and talked to him a lot. I let out a sigh of relief till she tried to put a cape on him. He wasn't having that. Then we talked about the fish ON the cap...he liked that. She tried again...not having it. Screaming now...off off off off off off. Then I climb in the chair with him...calmed down a little. I started to mess with his hair so he wouldn't know she was. It seemed to work, till she came at him with scissors. More screaming.
She wouldn't just keep cutting because he wouldn't hold still at all.
Help? Anyone?
If you see my child in the near future, know that it is not by choice his hair looks the way it does...
Taylor REALLY needs a haircut. He's had haircuts before, but the second time he seemed a little better and then the third haircut he got, the guy snipped the top of both of Taylor's ears. He didn't mean to...it's hard to cut a moving target. I took him today to get his haircut. We talked about it on the way, he said he would sit still if I gave him a sucker. He walked in fine. He was a little shy at first, but when he saw I had brought suckers he sat in the chair with no problem. We had a DVD player with Diego playing, so he seemed to be content. The nice lady was SUPER patient with him and talked to him a lot. I let out a sigh of relief till she tried to put a cape on him. He wasn't having that. Then we talked about the fish ON the cap...he liked that. She tried again...not having it. Screaming now...off off off off off off. Then I climb in the chair with him...calmed down a little. I started to mess with his hair so he wouldn't know she was. It seemed to work, till she came at him with scissors. More screaming.
She wouldn't just keep cutting because he wouldn't hold still at all.
Help? Anyone?
If you see my child in the near future, know that it is not by choice his hair looks the way it does...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Rewind Button
Lately I have been wanting a rewind button in my life. Taylor is officially 2 1/2 and I am noticing things that could have been done different with him and probably should have been done different. It is very hard not to baby your first born... I have realized that we have done that WAY too much for Taylor. Because of this we are trying to break some habits we have fallen into and have run into a wall of frustration. I know this is all just a phase and it will pass, but right now I am thinking of many things that could have helped us NOT get to this point. I should have let him get his hands dirty more, I should have introduced solids earlier and in more variety, I should have let him feed himself more... All in all I am thankful and blessed for my healthy toddler and thankful God helps us by not letting them remember most of this time :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tips of the Day
1. Remember that you can't "unsay" anything. If you say something about someone, make sure you mean it and know that just owning up to it and saying sorry can make a world of difference.
2. Turn off your car when you are pumping gas. An obvious tip I know... but just this morning I saw it happening. The car next to me was running, had people inside and the gas handle going.
2. Turn off your car when you are pumping gas. An obvious tip I know... but just this morning I saw it happening. The car next to me was running, had people inside and the gas handle going.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Gray Answers...
We grow up taught that honesty is the best policy. While I don't believe any of us should purposely lie, I have grown to realize that many answers in life are not black and white, much is in the gray.
The other day at work my "go to" nurse was off, so I knew I had to start all the IV's on my own. When I get a hard stick or if someone comes in and the first thing out of their mouth is "you get one try" I go and get my wonderful co-worker who amazes me with her IV ability. Sometimes I really think she makes veins in people sometimes. Many of the people who come in our department are already somewhat ill, out of shape and not young...all of which add up to not easy IV's.
The last patient we needed to set up was a tiny little lady who was close to 80. She hadn't had anything to eat or drink since the night before (this was about 10:30 am) and we had worked her in because she was supposed to have surgery that day, but was unable because she didn't get cardiac clearance...so she was in a great mood already. I go through my whole speech on the test she was having, and just how much fun it was going to be and she let me know she was not that excited to be with me today...yeah...fun stuff. Then the fun part...the IV and injection... I roll up her sleeve to see what kind of veins we were working with...I see nothing...absolutely nothing. She then told me that sometimes when she goes to the doctor they have to try 6 or 7 times to get blood...wonderful. Finally I find ONE possibility. At this point I would have NEVER tried to stick her, but today I had no choice. She then asked me the question I hate to hear...
"Are you any good at this?"
In reality...I would say I am pretty okay, working towards good... at starting IV's. I get most, but some people just have nothing to work with, and some people just scare me. I've only been doing this for almost a year, and I was taught how to start IV's on the job....sticking volunteers. Half the battle is having the confidence and having a thick skin to what the patients have to say. Some people are NEVER happy and no one wants you coming at them with a needle, and not a small one at that. So I could have told her the truth and said I'm not really sure...or I could have lied and said oh yeah I'm wonderful but I took the Gray road and said
"I certainly hope so."
I then proceeded to say a small prayer and try to start her IV while she stared at me. First try...no flashback of blood..dang it! Don't panic...pull back a little and try again...thank goodness, GOT IT...please thread please thread please thread...whew...it worked.
I am teaching Taylor that honestly is always the best policy, but as an adult sometimes I live in the gray area...
The other day at work my "go to" nurse was off, so I knew I had to start all the IV's on my own. When I get a hard stick or if someone comes in and the first thing out of their mouth is "you get one try" I go and get my wonderful co-worker who amazes me with her IV ability. Sometimes I really think she makes veins in people sometimes. Many of the people who come in our department are already somewhat ill, out of shape and not young...all of which add up to not easy IV's.
The last patient we needed to set up was a tiny little lady who was close to 80. She hadn't had anything to eat or drink since the night before (this was about 10:30 am) and we had worked her in because she was supposed to have surgery that day, but was unable because she didn't get cardiac clearance...so she was in a great mood already. I go through my whole speech on the test she was having, and just how much fun it was going to be and she let me know she was not that excited to be with me today...yeah...fun stuff. Then the fun part...the IV and injection... I roll up her sleeve to see what kind of veins we were working with...I see nothing...absolutely nothing. She then told me that sometimes when she goes to the doctor they have to try 6 or 7 times to get blood...wonderful. Finally I find ONE possibility. At this point I would have NEVER tried to stick her, but today I had no choice. She then asked me the question I hate to hear...
"Are you any good at this?"
In reality...I would say I am pretty okay, working towards good... at starting IV's. I get most, but some people just have nothing to work with, and some people just scare me. I've only been doing this for almost a year, and I was taught how to start IV's on the job....sticking volunteers. Half the battle is having the confidence and having a thick skin to what the patients have to say. Some people are NEVER happy and no one wants you coming at them with a needle, and not a small one at that. So I could have told her the truth and said I'm not really sure...or I could have lied and said oh yeah I'm wonderful but I took the Gray road and said
"I certainly hope so."
I then proceeded to say a small prayer and try to start her IV while she stared at me. First try...no flashback of blood..dang it! Don't panic...pull back a little and try again...thank goodness, GOT IT...please thread please thread please thread...whew...it worked.
I am teaching Taylor that honestly is always the best policy, but as an adult sometimes I live in the gray area...
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Life's Little Bumps
Reasons my life is stressing me out lately:
1. The holidays are over...I hate taking my tree down and admitting to myself that the holidays are over. I now have to wait a whole year for Christmas and my birthday to come around again...
2. I wasn't able to get the WONDERFUL embroidery machine that I was wanting. Over the past month or so, I have been in talks with a nice lady about buying her machine. She had told the boss she works for that she was wanting to stop doing her embroidery and in a random series of events, she asked me if I was interested. After much thought and deliberation, I decided I would like to do it, and I'd like to buy her machine. For Christmas I told everyone I wanted money to go towards the machine, so I had a nice chunk of change to throw down towards it. It was MUCH more than my first machine, but everything I could ever want and it was a great deal... Sadly, she backed out. She decided at the last minute she wanted and needed to keep the machine to make some extra money. Can't be mad at her for that, but I can still be disappointed. So I am back at square one with finding an embroidery machine. We can't afford a new machine like hers, so I am going to have to get a lesser machine and realize it wasn't meant to be.
3. We took Taylor for a speech evaluation. Found out he is ahead of his chronological age in comprehension, but behind in articulation. Insurance doesn't pay for speech unless it is for drastic reasons, and he isn't in need of drastic intervention. I understand he is a boy and boys develop speech slower than girls. I understand he is perfectly fine and will get it eventually, but I am way too type A to not try and help. I also know that it is not my fault, but as his mother I still question...
I really believe that everything happens for a reason and has a lesson attached to it, so I am trying to learn. One of my resolutions for the year is to try to calm down and not over analyze everything...maybe I'll start that resolution later :)
1. The holidays are over...I hate taking my tree down and admitting to myself that the holidays are over. I now have to wait a whole year for Christmas and my birthday to come around again...
2. I wasn't able to get the WONDERFUL embroidery machine that I was wanting. Over the past month or so, I have been in talks with a nice lady about buying her machine. She had told the boss she works for that she was wanting to stop doing her embroidery and in a random series of events, she asked me if I was interested. After much thought and deliberation, I decided I would like to do it, and I'd like to buy her machine. For Christmas I told everyone I wanted money to go towards the machine, so I had a nice chunk of change to throw down towards it. It was MUCH more than my first machine, but everything I could ever want and it was a great deal... Sadly, she backed out. She decided at the last minute she wanted and needed to keep the machine to make some extra money. Can't be mad at her for that, but I can still be disappointed. So I am back at square one with finding an embroidery machine. We can't afford a new machine like hers, so I am going to have to get a lesser machine and realize it wasn't meant to be.
3. We took Taylor for a speech evaluation. Found out he is ahead of his chronological age in comprehension, but behind in articulation. Insurance doesn't pay for speech unless it is for drastic reasons, and he isn't in need of drastic intervention. I understand he is a boy and boys develop speech slower than girls. I understand he is perfectly fine and will get it eventually, but I am way too type A to not try and help. I also know that it is not my fault, but as his mother I still question...
I really believe that everything happens for a reason and has a lesson attached to it, so I am trying to learn. One of my resolutions for the year is to try to calm down and not over analyze everything...maybe I'll start that resolution later :)
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