On Self Doubt

I saw this posted on Facebook today, and it feels like someone wrote this just for me. Read it. Accept it. Move forward with more contentment.

Come on Down to Veganville

When I saw this video, I just knew I needed to share it.  I laugh uncontrollably every single time I watch it, and I hope it brings others some laughs, too.

Sadly, all the YouTube videos have been removed by NBC after videos of Justin Timberlake's performance went viral.  It was hilarious, so I am sad that the link will no longer work.  Sorry.  :(

Sunday Morning Funnies

Some people read the comics in the newspaper on a Sunday morning. I have my Mini Me. The following conversation is evidence of the goofiness in my house:

MM: "I tried to wake you up when I woke up today, Dad. I even grabbed your hand, but you didn't move. I thought you were dead."

Me: "So, instead of waking me up and making sure Daddy was actually okay, you came downstairs and watched 'Doctor Who' and ate yogurt?"

MM: Grin.

What is it About Money?

Would this world be so bad if everyone threw out their pieces of paper and metal that signify currency? That's all they are: paper and metal. Where is Kirk or Picard with a replicator when you need one? They wiped out the need for currency in the Star Trek version of Earth, so a girl can hope.

God is my eternal light, constant companion, and source of hope and courage. He has instructed us to not worship idols, and yet our society worships money at all times and in all ways. While I try my best to remove myself from this sort of existence, I cannot seem to escape money and it's ever-growing reach. Just when it seems that my family can start to breathe a little easier, yet another financial hurdle shows up. Satan, keep your love of everything monetary. As for me and my house, we serve the Lord in all things and at all times.

I have never been, nor will I ever claim to be, a perfect person or perfect Christian. I do worry, I do slip up on occasion and say some naughty words, and I do wish I could be doing more to ease our financial strain. These financial woes are meant to be trappings of a person's twenties, not thirties, I thought. Sadly, in today's economy, I fear these financial strains may last longer than most people can imagine. Instead, we should be turning our hearts and thoughts to The Lord and asking His advice on how to handle our finances. He is the great provider, and we are charged to be good stewards of what we are given by Him.

May the good Lord always bless and keep you and make your hearts and homes rich with laughter, love, and peace. May He always provide for your needs and keep your hearts humble enough to set aside your wants in order to see what it is He wants you to see. In His holy name, Amen.

Oh, For Cute

That saying always bothered me when I lived in the Midwest, because it does not make much sense grammatically. It is, however, entirely appropriate at times. For me, one of those moments occurred in the past few weeks.

On January 2nd, I went to see my family practitioner for my annual exam. Now, any woman that has had an annual physical can tell you that it is all about making one uncomfortable. There is talk of weight, menstrual cycles, birth control, and anything else the doctor deems necessary.

Perhaps one of the most uncomfortable moments for me always happens when it is time for the breast exam. The doctor always pushes too hard, and I am not much of a fan of sharing my breasts with anyone other than my husband of nearly twelve years. This is where things got a little concerning, though.

My doctor was concerned about bumps she found in nearly the same location on each breast. My faith in God and knowledge that eating a vegan diet nearly erases one's risk of developing cancer helped to assuage any personal worry. I scheduled a mammogram per her request and awaited the results. Once they arrived, saying that I have no abnormalities, I realized what my doctor was concerned about: my pectoral muscles from all the weight lifting I do.

Oh, for cute.

Resolutions

Okay, resolution time:

1. Continue to praise God every day with my actions and intent. 
2. Continue my journey to great health. 
3. Finally get back to scrapbooking regularly. 
4. Finish more projects. 
5. Learn to say, "No."  
6. Catch up on blogging and my website posts.

Number one seems like it should be easy to accomplish, on the surface, but focusing my thoughts on always being the type of person that pleases God is quite difficult.  You know that moment when you think, "Why is she wearing that?" or "Wow, that is not being a good parent," or "Why do others have so much when I have so little?"  Those moments of thought are the ones that do not follow God's word.  Those thoughts are judgmental and covetous.  See?  It really is difficult.

Number two is definitely happening, because I love the changes I have made and seen in myself over the past twelve months.  I am in much better health than I have been since my late teens, and being strong is so empowering.  Eating strictly vegan dishes, instead of mostly-vegan, cutting down the sweets (again), and not eating after 7:00 pm (again) are my first objects to tackle.  In addition, I have decided to change up my exercise routine a bit in the hopes of kick-starting my weight loss again.

Number three has been bothering me since we moved to Maryland.  In Minnesota, I cropped regularly (at least monthly) with a fantastic group of women at a local scrapbooking store, but I have yet to find such a place in Maryland just yet.  Have I really exerted much effort in the search?  Not so much.  My fault?  Absolutely.  Will I be rectifying this situation in short order?  Definitely.

Number four has been a personal challenge and cause for several years now.  I am horrible collector of ridiculously creative ideas and materials that never get used to their fullest potential.  Chronically.  The bulk of this trait can be referenced back to number three above.  I love resolutions that build on one another.

Number five is, by far, the single most difficult task ahead of me.  I love making people happy and spending time with others, which leads me to over-schedule my life sometimes and over-extend myself quite often.  I need to learn to say no in a kind and considerate, yet firm, way.  Please have patience with me while I endeavor to perfect this necessary balance in my life, friends and family.

Number six is all about procrastination and lack of desire to remain stationary for very long.  Someone should author an application for blogging via voice.  Boy, would I love to multi-task this way by blogging while on the treadmill at the gym.  Oh!  How about a treadmill or stationary bike with a built in tablet?  Now, who is the genius?  This gal.

Tragedy

The hearts and prayers of my family go out to anyone affected by the Connecticut school shooting and scared parents all over the country. We will pray for these beautiful children, their families, their friends, their teachers, their administrators, and their community. We will also pray for an end to the most despicable type of violence: that against children. Please pray for our country and these families and hug your own family a little tighter today.