The big question....How did I come to my faith....

I have always claimed to be a Christian. I always believed I was a Christian, but I was always missing something. Something just did not seem right. Something was off. My husband and I were living  a slippery slope of bad choices. We followed the path of typical college student and even the typical adult these days. Then some things happened that rocked our world....people got sick that we love, people died, the things we thought were certain in our lives were being turned upside down and some personal struggles were apparent. We came to see that the way we were living was not right. We felt as if we were reaching for something...trying to stay afloat but constantly missing the bar. 

My husband and I realized, we were not real authentic Christians. We were Christians by birth. It was something we were born into, not something we choose on our own. We decided to do the research through our own study of the bible, this was our salvation and we needed to make sure we were on the right path. What we found was eye opening to us, we were NOT Christians. We found being a Christian is way more then going to Church regularly/or sometimes, telling others we are Christians or just coasting through life claiming to be Christians. Without a personal relationship with God, we were not Christians.  We knew we needed a change and needed it quick. After some time both us broke down, cried, admitted we were sinners/always would be, accepted Jesus as our savior,  and asked him to be part of our lives. Our relationship began with God that day. We did not have one before that day. 

Since that day several years ago our lives have became huge change. Its been very hard to break old bad habits. The main key to breaking old bad habits is staying away from them, talking about them and accepting you will always be prone to doing them. I must say its been very hard, but our family has been never been so strong, my husband and I have never had such a great relationship and our kids are learning by our example.  Once we accepted that we needed to change, we really began to see God's hand in our lives. His plan for life just makes sense.  We seemed to make things so difficult before, once we had a clear picture of what God wants from marriage/life it was easier. Weights were lifted off both of our shoulders. 

Our change has brought some to hate us, others to disapprove and others closer to us. The thing is God never said it would be easy to follow him. In fact, it is the oppisite. Many times he says the world will hate you when you choose to follow Jesus. The thing is, we are prone to sin. That is why we have such a hard time accepting when people we love choose to live a life devoted to following Christ. I don't blame any one who has had this feeling about me. I have felt the same way about others that figured it out before me. I know the feeling.

One thing I have noticed since we have become authentic Christians. We are held to a higher standard. Everyone is watching us. To the people who think we are perfect..or that we will not make mistakes. You are wrong. We sin every day! The difference is we know the sin, acknowledge it, confront it, ask God for forgiveness and try to change. Its a ever changing battle that we work on each and every day. Its part of being human. Some days we do better then others.

Some things that have really changed since we accepted Jesus as our savior:
1. We pray at meal times
2. We pray at bedtimes with our children
3. We read the bible with our children
4. We have a personal time daily for God and our own bible reading
5. We pray jointly/individually
6. We have stopped putting ourselves in positions to sin when we can
7. We have stopped listening to those who do not support our faith
8. We have realized that the worlds way is not the best way...God's way is the best plan for us all
9. Our marriage is stronger
10. Our family is stronger
11. We have a strong foundation for our marriage and our family (a cord of three is not easily broken Ecc 4:12)
12. We have deep, intimate, caring relationships with those we love
13. We have served/helped other more
14. We are committed to helping others
15. We WANT to help/serve and do not feel obligated to..we feel lead to
16. Life is clearer, We prayerfully commit or consider decisions
17. We discipline our children more efficiently
18. We talk more openly to each other, the kids and people we love
19. It is easier to ask for help...emotionally, supportive or for needs
20. We have a church family..its an amazing thing
21. We prayerfully commit or consider decisions

This was hard for me to write. I am really putting myself out there,  but I feel its necessary to explain our faith going forward with this blog. My
hope is to be real with you through this journey. I would not be real with you if I did not share about the most important thing in my life...my God and my faith. 

No means No

A friend of mine posted this post of Facebook recently. It got me thinking. I have always been a person that is a people pleaser. It is why I have had a hard time saying no to others over a multitude of things. This past year I took on so much and left me with little energy for family time, friend time or just me time.

The thing is that I do not have to explain myself if I answer no to anything. I don't know why I feel the need to explain why my answer is no. I do not have to have a reason why I can not do something. The reason could be simply be I want to stay home, spend time with my family or just that I don't want to do it. Trying to justify it, just give a person reason to argue with you or give  you reasons why you can.

This also applies to my children. I often find myself explaining my decisions, I do not have to do such a thing. Yes, it is healthy to teach our children why the answers is no, but the truth is they will get a lot of "no's" in life without explaination. In fact, I think it is healthy to have your child obey then afterward explain if you feel a explanation is needed for growth.

This being said, it does not give me a get out of jail free card. I still think we are called to serve. There are many bible verses that convey that. One is Galatians 5:13 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." I believe that service should feel guilt free. Its a very fine line, because we all get in our comfortable zones, doing things that are comfortable to serve...but God does call us to step out of our comfort zone's many times in life.

I think one way we can make sure we are serving and not being guilted into doing something is by not committing right away. I use to commit to things quickly. Now I prayerfully commit.  I decided to make sure I pray about my service and then commit to it if I feel lead to it. I also do this with personal invations. I check my calendar, and make sure we are not over scheduled. When I start to feel over committed in our personal life, I step back and stop making plans and pray for more balance.

There is such a fine line in a balanced life. Sometimes we just need to step back and evaluate where we are....let some commitments go if your family is suffering from it. A phrase one very wise friend has taught me that works well with push-y people that do not take no for a answer is this, "That does not work for my family".  Isn't that sentence just so freeing?

We also need to evaluate how we take other's "no's". Some questions you could ask yourself..
1. Do I demand a reason why a person can not do something?
2. Am I being supportive?
3. Why does it matter so much to me that this person said no?
4. Did I over step that person's boundaries?
Sometimes I feel we can be so entangled in our own wants, needs and ideas we forget that others have lives, families, and commitments that are outside our needs. We just need to take a step back for a moment. Pray to God that we are being understanding, kind and gentle to others in our lives.

Anyway, for me I am working on being stronger in my "nos",  serve prayerfully and accept other's nos as well.

Recipe review

Its been a few weeks since my last post. Lots of changes are happening in my household, I will tell you about at a later date ;).  Anyway,  I began to follow a blog called Whisking Mama. It was recommended to me by a friend. I have made two recipes from her blog and they were both delicious and easy to follow.

Last night I made her Crispy Chicken Costoletta with Lemon Sauce. It was delicious! My husband (and neighbor) loved it. My kids were not too found of the sauce and thought the potatoes were spicy (they are not). But I would say its a winner.  I love the subtle sauce that brings the meal together. Also added lemon zest to the breading was a nice way to use all the lemon parts and bring extra flavor. You can get the recipe at 

http://www.whiskingmama.com/crispy-chicken-costoletta-lemon-sauce-2/#sthash.N7Pzw4oD.dpbs 

You can also find her Gouda Smashed potato recipe on her site as well. I loved it. The interesting ingredient was horseradish. 

In the past two years I have been invited to so many pampered chef parties. I am not a consultant of pampered chef, never would be and have never even hosted a party for them. I am not big on hosting such parties for many reason. BUT.....A few parties back I bought this three tray with grasping tool for breading meat or other such type of prep work and I LOVE IT. I was using 3 plates. It took up way too much space and it was a mess. I would highly recommend them at the next pampered chef party you get invited to. I think it was about 23 dollars. I do not use the grasping tool much but I love the trays. I used this for the breading of this meal.  Here is a picture of mine during this making this meal.

here is the link for the trays: http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=16629

I also made her Sausage Rigatoni with Cream Sauce. I actually made this in a pinch. I had all the ingredients and I was looking for something to eat on my pinerest that was easy yet yummy. I would highly recommend this..my whole family gobbled it up quickly. It was a sophisticated taste and simple enough that the kids enjoyed it. You can get the recipe here

http://www.whiskingmama.com/sausage-rigatoni-with-cream-sauce/#sthash.qfH4tYfH.dpbs

Anyway, I hope you try out her recipes. 

"playing school" this summer

This summer I really want to make sure its a summer full of learning and fun. Emily and I have decided to "play" school.  Here is our weekly goals:

Math:

Rocket math worksheets 1 per day (link below)

Count to 120 per day

http://www.dadsworksheets.com/v1/Strategies/rocket_math.html

Reading:

Hooked on phonics-2 lessons

Read 2 books to mom

Read on own 10 minutes

Sight words flash cards/games

Spelling:

Three sentence per day on creative thinking in notebook 

Reflect on stories

History:

1-2x’s per week

Timeline

Science:

1x a week 

Faith:

Daily bible reading

Bible timeline add to 2xs per week

Family Devotions at dinner 

It has been going smoothly so far, my daughter is not loving hooked on phonics yet so I have bribed her with a mommy and me date to get ice cream. Anyway, I feel its really important to use this time at home to learn and grow.

Another thing my daughter and I get through this is one on one time. Which is a huge plus having a toddler brother Emily is often waiting for things, events or time with my husband or I. I really feel this has strengthen our relationship already.

As a past pre-k teacher, I know kids crave routine as well..just having a few scheduled items really puts some structure in their days which children need. Think about it...kids are herded here to there and a lot of time are not given a choice/advanced warning. This give a set thing to do with your child that they can expect.  Plus it takes less then 30 mins a day. 

Halfway point of the year..how have I done on my New Years Resolutions?

In January I posted this entry below about my new years resolutions goals. I am reposting my goals and will address each one and see how I am doing at the half- way point in bold.

I just love the new year! The way we all make new and move on from the past moves me. Don't get me wrong I think every day is a new beginning but the cleansing of winter and the newness just stirs something in me for self improvement and hope. I have many things I am continually working on within myself, so  here's my list for the new year...

1. Immerse myself in God's word.

Although I try to do daily bible reading, a study or read a spiritual book. I still haven't gotten all the way through the bible. I'm getting there but I want to finish the whole bible. It will be my first time reading through it.

6 months in, I have read my bible almost daily. Weekends seem to be the hardest for bible time. Although I find ways most weekend.  I am currently in Isaiah and Ephesians. and on my last sheet of  3 page bible reading through the year guide.  I am on track finish the bible within the year. I am not pressuring myself to get it done, just a whole overview read myself to start a more in depth knowledge really strengthens my abilities to have a stronger relationship with God. 

2. Do less and spend more time at home. Just because I don't have plans or get asked to do something doesn't mean I should commit. I am going to work on not responding right away and answering prayerfully. I want to spend more time with my nuclear family just being at home this year. Kids grow so quickly and I don't want to feel like it pasted me by because of all the commitments I made. It doesn't mean I don't want to be in different ministries or not see people I love. I just means we need scheduled home weekends.. Where that is our plan for the weekend no matter what comes up.

I feel my family has really done a better job at just staying home. Its has come a priority of our family.  I definitely have not responded right away on requests without going home and checking my calender. Which has helped measurably to see what my week is like. I also schedule about 1-2 week days for shopping/deep cleans/just staying out. I schedule them in my calendar so I am committed to that time. 

3. Make time for less foolish people. I want to spend the time we have with people who I love and aren't hurtful. I have wasted too much engery on being tangled up with hurtful/foolish people.  If I let go of the foolish people in my life and pray for change in them, I make more room for my nuclear family/ others that I love and they love me as well. I need to remember I can't change someone only God can. It's not that I don't care... I really do a lot or it wouldn't upset me so much...I just need to pray and realize God changes hearts...not me. Becoming more of an acquaintance might help instead of being so deeply invested.  I read this book a while back. It has made a impact on my life. Its called Foolproofing Your Life  By: Jan Silvious. Here is the link if your interested:

http://www.amazon.com/Foolproofing-Your-Life-Effectively-Impossible/dp/0307458482/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388681072&sr=8-1&keywords=foolproofing+your+life+by+jan+silvious

This one was a big one for me this year, I have definitely distanced myself from hurtful/foolish people. It has helped a lot to get perspective on what is really important and get out of the drama. Somethings that have really helped me:

1. never commit right away

2. talk about them not about yourself or your plans when you happen to be around them

3. just be polite

4. let go and let God

5. realize that sometime you might be the only light of God they see 

5. Forgive, Forgive, Forgive. This does not mean you put yourself in the same situation again. In regards to this I think of the verse "guard your heart" proverbs 4:23. 

6. Remember: Most people aren't thinking in regards of faith, they are thinking of the world and may be unbeliever, they may not realize it. My goal is not to follow the world's ways but God's ways.  

7. Realize: We all make mistakes and we are all sinners. 

4. More dates with lenny. As parents we seem to get entangled with all type of things and we are just exhausted at night...in which I just want my own space and want to veg out. This last week we had a date night and it was so nice to spend time together without anyone else or being a parent.

5. Spend more meaningfully. Money is just money. Do I really need a million shirts?!? Maybe. Lol. In all seriousness God gave me a husband with a amazing job...he blessed us with it... I want to give back in a meaningful way. Making more meals for others, helping when I feel a push to do so and not ignoring that feeling. Does it mean just give away all our money... No! It just means I want to invest in God and others more meaningfully and prayerfully.

This one has been a bit harder. I will say we have come to an agreement that even if we don't go somewhere at least one night per weekend is for us to have a in home "date" night. Which really consists of watching a movie together and talking. But its nice to have the time and that we know to get the kids to get bed and we have us time. 

6. Be more in tune with my kids. Sometimes I seem to get distracted and they get away with more then when I am focusing on them. I want to stop what I'm doing and follow through more.

This one I have battled with for a while. While I love my kids, sometimes I just have a hard time putting blocks on top of each other for more then about 10 minutes. Thank God my children love to read books, we have been spending more time reading which has been nice. Also my daughter has really gotten into Pioneer women, we have spent a ton of time cooking and watching her on TV together. Its nice that now she is almost 6 she is getting into doing things that are fun and is actually helpful when she does them lol. This summer we have "played school" and she is just loving that. Plus she gets to learn and I get to use my teaching background.  What is really hard is the balance with my kids. My son is just 1 and he is in a destructive phase and my daughter is almost 6 and is in a constructive phase. Its hard to balance the two. My son, is a super boy though just throwing/kicking a ball keeps him happy. 

7. Be more healthy. I want to make more healthly meals now that I've decided to commit less I should have more time....and I want to get back into working out ever since Emily started school our live as be more hectic and working out had been put on the back burner. I want to commit to 3 workout sessions a week. I'm aiming low and trying to be realistic. Hoping I can make that more in the future.

definitely have not reached this goal. I keep really working hard and getting side tracked with life. Still needs work. Although we are pretty healthy when it comes to food and have not been eating out much. Mostly because eating out is not really fun with 1 year old. 

8. Stay organized! Lenny and I did a clean sweep of our home this week. My favorite week of the year since we just stay in and basically hibernate as a nuclear family. I want to keep it up. We now have a new rule instead of shoving stuff we put it on the dining room table if we do to know where it goes. So then we have to find a place for it. Wish us luck ;).

We really have improved on this, all my craft supplies are easily found now and easily accessible. I have made DIY chalkboard labels and I am really on my kids to keep this organized. I really do need to reorganize /clean sweep my kitchen. I would give myself a B on this one so far. 

I think that's a good start to be a well rounded person in 2014. I hope you all keep me accountable since I am posting this you all can seem goals :) I hope you have a wonderful New Years.

All and all I think I have grown a lot in 2014 so far, but still have more self improvement to do. Stay tuned to see if I reach all my goals by December :).