Remembering the Good (2010 Year of Blessing Challenge)

It would be easy to have this year go down in the record books as a “horrible year.” One where, I had to have surgery, mom not only was finishing up treatment for gallbladder cancer but was hospitalized and almost lost her life, my husband had emergency surgery and was out of work for a month. Even my daughter had 2 days in the hospital. That’s just the medical stuff. I’m not even touching the fact we almost lost the house, I didn’t get my “dream job.” Medical bills have us swamped in debt. My checklist of “bad” could go on and on.

So many times we can become consumed with all of the bad things happening around us. war, the economy, the current state of the union. How we lost out on that promotion or missed an opportunity. Consumed with illness or heartbreak. So many many things to discourage us.

I know for many of you as well 2010 has been a year of trials, heartaches and heartbreaks, lost lives, lost loves, lost jobs. So many horrible things to the point you begin to question “where are you Lord?” But it has also been a year of many blessings, and triumphs, new relationships and restored friendships. It’s life. The good happens with the bad.

As I “wrap up” the Year of Blessing Challenge and try to figure out exactly what God’s goals were for me this year, I’ve come to the conclusion the Blessing Challenge for me was just a reminder to focus on the good.

I could allow myself to be consumed by all of those bad things that happened this year. As the Lord shared with me once “you’ll drive towards what you focus on.” So If I focus on all of the heartache I might then forget the wonderful things that happened this year as well. Mom was pronounced “cancer free”, hubby started a job that has him HOME every day (first time in 14 years I’m seeing him more than 2-3 times a month.) My son got 2nd place in math contest. We had two people bless us with financial gifts to be able to pay our mortgage. I am part of a new homeschooling group we love. I was offered a writing position with a popular scrapbooking site. Things too good to get lost in the middle of all of the yuck.

As we wrap up this year, I want to challenge with what you “choose” to remember about the year. Do you want to remember the trials, the heartbreak and the pain, or the blessings that have been given to you? I challenge you to focus on your blessings of this past year. You might be amazed to see that even though you had bad things happen, when you look past the circumstances towards the outcome, that God was there with you all along.

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. Philippians 4:8

The Blessing of Waiting

I always tell people I don't pray for patience. When they ask why I simply tell them "God has a way of putting you in situations that require patience then." It gets a laugh, but I'm serious. It's not that I don't need patience....I know we could all use a wonderful dose of it (especially me.) Patience just normally requires waiting, and I don't like to do that. It seems like you have to WAIT to find so many things in life. Wait to grow up, wait to find the right mate, wait for Christimas, wait for a baby to be born (no I'm not pregnant : ) wait in line, wait for a sale, "wait till your father gets home"(...lol) or the big one for me lately "Wait on the Lord"

I'm in a time of transition for several things in my life at the moment. I've had quite a few doors shut for me this year due to the economy and other reasons and nothing really ready to take it's place. Life though has left me a bit exhausted, in the midst of these close doors, I've had loved ones deal with everything from gallbladder cancer to breast cancer, gallbladder surgery to appendicitis, and even a case of watermelon stomach (yes it's a condition and I know you will google it ;) Being a chief caregiver and encourager while dealing with a family, and schooling, and work really wore me out. I've been so exhausted I haven't really looked for any doors to open or even windows to climb through instead. So I decided (well kinda self forced) to wait till something just seems right.

It's funny, I'm finding fewer deadlines leaves me more time to do the fun stuff, (and the not so fun.) I've been playing catch up on much needed sleep, and chores and all that other stuff that seems to pile up when life goes full speed ahead. Most importantly I am finding waiting is a time of rest.

In Isaiah we are told

But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew (their) strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; (and) they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Something struck me as I read that verse today. It was the word renew. As I told you before "waiting " is normally something I don't do very well. But life has kinda forced me to wait. I'm finding as I wait, I have more time. More time to rest, time to get things done, fewer "deadlines" that have to be done. I'm much more relaxed because of it. After reading that verse today I suddenly looked at waiting on the Lord much differently. Instead of a time of impatience and and doing nothing and for me rushing into whatever is there because of being bored cause "nothing's happening"and feeling the need to "do something....anything!" I looked at it as a time of renewal. I pictured God recharging my batteries. Renewing my strength, to be able to run with the next task he has for me.

Waiting took on a whole new meaning. If waiting means renewed energy, renewed passion, renewed strength, I might just want some of that for the next task the Lord has prepared for me; especially if I want to "run and not grow weary" and "walk and not faint." Waiting allows God to prepare my heart, mind, spirit, and body for what He has in store for me next.

What about you? Are you in a season of "wait." Instead of trying to rush on through the "wait" relax and enjoy it. Allow yourself to rest in this time. God will need you to run soon enough and you want to be ready for it!

The Blessing Challenge

This month our challenge is to focus on the blessing of "waiting" and those wonderful things we learn while needing to be patient. Patient with others, patient with God, patient with ourselves. What have you learned by waiting? Or maybe you are in a season of "wait" what are your hopes during this time? How are spending your time waiting? We would love to see what you come up with for your Blessing Challenge album.

For more on the Blessing Challenge visit Faithfully Yours

Where I've been

Life has been a bit crazy for me!

End of July I went to CHA and the Supershow with some dear friends. We had a blast. To read more about my adventures check out my guest blog post on Scrapbook Update. Cover's all the "things I did for swag." I also got to have some fun with my Fiskateer Friends at the Supershow

You can read about it (Here and Here) I have more pictures I need to get them uploaded some place (but you'll find a few of me mixed in with the groups!) Oh and then Rebecca, Merlene and I did some major world traveling you can read about it Here

Because life is NEVER boring around here I got home from my world travels, CHA and the Supershow and my husband decided he needed attention! (You know how they get, mom's away for a week, hubby feels lonely so when mom comes home...) Hubby got sick. At first we thought it was the flu, but a quick tummy poke on my end diagnosed him correctly. "honey you need your appendix out"...and he let me drag him to quick care. Yup I was right. So the 2nd week of August was spent living out of yet another hospital. I will admit I got spoiled with mom's trips because there is a good coffee bar with smoothies and really good cranberry muffins! The local one...not so much.

Hubby is doing better and has been released to "light duty" (another 4 weeks of) but at least it means some income coming in. While he went back to work I was busy with the Scrapbook Expo in St. Charles you'll see a cause near and dear to my heart sponsoring the baggage check. Operation Christmas Child. I was the coordinator for the event. Oldest daughter and 7 of my pals (and fellow Fiskateers) came to work with me to baby sit the luggage, scrapbook a bit, and do some shopping all while collecting supplies to help fill shoeboxes. We collected 5 huge boxes as well as some cash so the event was a success in my book!

Getting ready to load the van!

In the middle of all that I have been riding my bike. I wrote about the challenges and the effects at Faithfully Yours for the blessing challenge this month.

So that's been the past month in a nutshell. Life has been crazy, but could I ever expect it not to be???

Looking for Kindness

It's amazing to me how the "holiday" sale season starts earlier and earlier each year. In some stores around here Easter decorations, and plastic eggs and even candy have been on display since February 15. It's funny because they have been out for so long I kind of walk by not noticing them they are part of the scenery, until one day I look at the calendar and realize "OH MY Easter is a week and a 1/2 away! How in the world did that happen?!?"

It's funny our blessing theme this month was kindness. I wasn't really sure WHAT I was going to focus on for my page. I was totally stumped. Then a couple of days ago I realized I had been seeing kindness all along, I had just taken it for granted.

This past Christmas there was one thing my daughter wanted and that was a pair of roller skates. NOT rollerblades but skates! I happened to find a pair in her favorite color (with matching knee and elbow pads, plus helmet!) She was so surprised to get them for Christmas. BUT hasn't really had a chance to use them until recently.

The weather the last week or so had been gorgeous. Sunshiny and warm enough to strap on the skates and roll down to the park to practice on the basketball court and sidewalks (the flattest surface in the neighborhood.) One problem though, my budding young skater isn't old enough to go to the park by herself. So her big brother has been taking her every single day AND carrying her skates home for her.

My son is always doing things things for his sister. Helping her with school, giving her the last cookie, taking her to the park. It's so much a part of him, I kind of ignore it. Just like those Easter decorations that have been up since the 15th of February, his actions are the norm, part of the scenery so to speak. My son had been living right in front of me what I was looking for... a blessing of kindness to be thankful for.

Clothe yourself in kindness...Col 3:12

For more information on the 2010 Blessing Challenge visit Faithfully Yours

How to change the world!

My daughter wanted to watch a movie, she chose Evan Almighty. Cute movie. For those that aren't familiar with the story line. Evan Baxter just got elected to congress. He wants to change the world. Evan has an encounter with God who wants him to build an ark (yes a modern day Noah's Ark) type of story. One of the things God told Evan was that changing the world just took 1 Act of Random Kindness (ARK) at a time.

Since this month our blessing theme is kindness my ears perked up. Made me think maybe I could do something to change the world--well at least the world around me. So I am going to challenge you to do the same thing.

The challenge do one act of random kindness per day. Put a quarter in the meter for someone who's time is just about out. Hold the door open for a struggling mom at the mall. Take cookies over to a neighbor.

Something happens when we show kindness. It not only changes the outlook of the person receiving the act, it changes our outlook as well!

Colossians 3:12--clothe yourself in kindness

The layouts are of the fundraiser at the Scrapbook Expo. I was the coordinator for the baggage check fundraiser. People brought us items to help fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. This year our shoeboxes found their way to the Dominican Republic.

The blessing of Kindness

This past month you might have noticed me rather absent from things around here. That's due in fact to my rather non-functioning gallbladder who's time had come to be removed. One thing about surgery, it really gives your friends a chance to shower you with kindness :) I had one friend volunteer to watch my children so my husband could be with me during surgery. Others cooked meals for our family. Some called, some sent cards, and many, many prayed for me. Everyone showing how much they cared in their own way!

This month our theme is "the blessing of kindness." Scripture tells us to "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2) Even more important than "entertaining angels" is the fact when we show kindness to others we are showing kindness to Jesus

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will se

parate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to

visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25: 31-40)

Showing kindness to someone is so awesome because not only do we get to minister to Jesus (according to the parable of the sheep and the goats) BUT we get to share Jesus with those we minister too. Scripture tells us WE are the body of Christ! (1 Cor 12: 27)We get to be His hands when we reach out and touch someone, we get to show His compassion when we listen to a hurting friend, we get to show His care when we feed the hungry.

Kindness is a blessing not only for the receiver (who doesn't like being showered with kindness?) but a blessing for the giver as well. When we show and share kindness it allows us to minister to and for Jesus. What a great privilege to be the hands of the one who came to save a lost world. That is the real blessing!

Points to ponder:

How have you been blessed with the kindness of a friend? the kindness of God?

Has God's kindness ever led you to repentance?

How has your life been changed by showing kindness?

How do you teach your children to be kind?

For more information on the year of blesssings challenge visit Faithfully Yours

Love is...

Forgive the tardiness of this post, I have been recovering from surgery. Everyone said that it would be a "piece" of cake and I would recover quickly...not so sure about that...I'm really not totally myself yet and realized oops I forgot to post the challenge this month ...so here it is...granted a bit late!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, naturally ones thoughts turn to love in February. Hearts, and cupids decorating the walls and boxes of chocolates lined up in rows ready to be gifted with “the perfect” card for your loved ones fill pretty much every store we walk into.

As emotional beings naturally we all enjoy feelings of love and being “in love” We love hearing those little words “I love you” whispered in our ears. It sets our hearts a fluttering and our pulse a racing. Sadly though many are quick to declare “I love you” but when the going gets tough, they get going.

Dear children let us not love with words and tongue but with actions and in truth… 1 John 3:18

Love is an action. Sure it starts with feelings and emotions. Who can forget the moment you first “connected” with your sweetie? Or the first time you held your child?. Our hearts swelled up, overwhelmed, wondering how it could feel so full of joy, of happiness. Feelings though can fade.

You find out your sweetie is really crabby in the morning and even crabbier on the freeway. That sweet bundle of love grows up to color on walls and scream “I hate you” when you take the crayons away. What happens when things get worse… you find your spouse was involved in illegal activities at work, or your teenager gets in trouble with drugs. Will those feelings still be there then? Probably not and this is when love becomes action. At times like these our actions speak much louder than words!

Jesus says “If you love me you will obey my commands.” We show our love for God by doing, doing what he says. We show our love for others in similar ways.

Love is over looking the appearance. Love is speaking the truth. Love is also teaching proper responses. Love is discipline. Love is always hoping, standing by them in support not condoning what they did but encouraging them to change and helping them to accept the consequences of their actions. Love is an action persevering when times get tough!

True love goes beyond feelings. Feelings come and feelings go. But the investment, the commitment, the way you act with and respond to that person is how you really show what love truly is!

The Blessing of Love!

If you haven’t guessed by now our focus this month is “The blessing of love”. There are so many people in our lives to love, a spouse, our children, our friends, our savior. Those special people in our lives that make it worth living. This month as you focus on the many people you love (and that love you in return.) Be sure to thank the Lord he has given them to you.

Questions to ponder:

• Has the love of a person ever changed your life?
• How did you meet the “love of your life”?
• What is a special way someone has shown love to you?
• When do you feel most loved?
• When have you KNOW you were loved (even though you haven’t felt it)
• How do you show love to others?
• How have others shown love to you?

For more information on the 2010 Blessing Challenge visit Faithfully Yours

In an instant

This month our challenge theme was the blessing of time. I realized that we don't know how much "time" we really have and each moment is a blessing and we need to live as such. As I think of everything that happened this month. The most devastating was the earthquake in Haiti. In an instant everything changed for the people there. Imagine one day you are going about life as normal the next you don't know where your loved ones are, or if they are even alive. You don't have food or water. You are at the mercy of the aid other people are providing.

If there is one major lesson from this disaster is that don't take time for granted. Make the most of every opportunity! I'm going to hug my kids a bit longer, make sure to kiss my husband goodbye. Go out with my girlfriends. Say what needs to be said. I'm going to make the most of every opportunity because I don't want to live with any regrets. No one is guaranteed their tomorrow so make the most of your today while you have it! Live a life that you won't look back and say "If only...."

Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

If you want more information on the challenge or to download the cool blinkie check out:

Faithfully Yours

The Blessing of Time

The Blessing of Time.

January's theme will be about "The blessing of time." Maybe you have been granted more time with one you love. Maybe you were unexpectedly given some free time as a blessing. Maybe you have learned how precious time is. Or you have had the time of your life. Maybe you have given your time to serve others or maybe others have given their time to serve you. Whatever it is. We all a given the precious gift of time. How have you been blessed by it?

Time Peace

Like many women I wear probably too many hats. So many in fact my head never stays warm cause I'm constantly changing them : ) I am a mom, wife, homeschooler, children's pastor, work for the YMCA, plus teach scrapbooking and occassionally find time to write for a blog or two *grin.* Being the case my schedule is constantly filled. Filled with appointments, filled with assignments, filled with "to-do" lists, filled with shopping needs.

There are so many things that are clamoring for my attention and my time. Yet are they truly what's important? The bible tells us in Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun. (3:1) Right now I am in a season of growing up a family. Because of this I have had to make peace with my time and peace with my schedule.

Peace in understanding my kids won't always be young. My time might need to be filled with things for them because I am blessed with this time with them as their mom.

Peace in knowing the joy of a hard days work. Sometimes I do need to be away. It can't be helped. Our family needs the extra income. I am blessed to have a job that understands my schedule and allows me to work around it.

Peace in accepting my "todo" list might not get done. It's easy to be list driven. Especially when overwhelmed. You know what needs to be done and you will get it done no matter what. Yet if I focus on the list, I might "miss the good stuff" ( Sadly I learned this the hard way! I am the mom that missed my oldest learning to ride his bike because I was doing the dishes ) Yes there are things that need to get done. But if I pay attention to what's going on around me I may be blessed with an opportunity I won't want to miss!

Peace in believing that my times are in Gods' hand and each day ordained for me was written in His book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139) He will guide my steps if I ask. I am blessed with a God that knows my days and blessed that if I ask Him he will help me fill them

Peace in sharing. My time is not always my own. I have been put on this earth for a reason. I have many hats and people need me. I am blessed to be a part of their lives!

Peace in keeping. I am the keeper of my time. What I do with my schedule thankfully is my choice. I decide how much tv I watch, and how much time I spend on the computer, I'm also the one that decides how much time I spend with friends and those I love. I am blessed that no one really makes those decisions for me.

Peace in giving (up) . I am the first to admit I can't do everything, but the last one to admit I need to "give something up" in my schedule (everything is important and they need me.) Sometimes in order to be a blessing to others, I need to tend to my own needs and give up activities that aren't beneficial. I am blessed with 24 hours in a day and they don't ALL need to be filled.

I don't want to live a life with regrets. I want to be at peace with the time I have used during my life. How about you? Have you made peace with time? Or are you still wishing there was more of it to go around? Are you cherishing the time you have or is it filled with so much you have nothing to do except fall into bed at night thankful that you could push one deadline back another day.

The Lord blesses us with the gift of time. In the book of Ephesians we are encouraged to "Be very careful then, (with) how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (5:15-16a) If you want time peace, make sure you are making the most of the time you have.

2010 A Year of Blessings

Count your many blessings,

name them one by one,

and it will surprise you

what the Lord has done!

Johnson Oatman Jr.

I don't know about many of you, but for me 2009 was a year for the record books in the Burnett household. It started out with my Grandfather loosing his battle to cancer. Then my husband lost his job. That was followed up by a friend fighting for his life after a major heart attack. The year closed with my mom getting sick and battling cancer and me dealing with some medical issues of my own. It is very easy to get depressed over everything we have had to deal with this past year.

I once learned a very important lesson about driving. One morning I was out early for worship practice at church. As I was driving I noticed the gorgeous flowers that were blooming...oops drove off the road. Went down a little further and saw the neighbor had redid the front of their house boy did it look nice...oh no off the road again. By the time I had arrived at church I had driven off the road about 4 times (which is totally unlike me) and I went "Lord what's going on?" The answer that came back was "You'll drive towards what you focus on."

That is such a simple truth, but such a profound thought. What am I focusing on? Am I focusing on the bad things? Or am I focusing on the good (or God) I see in a situation? It's easy to look back on 2009 and because of all the "bad" not see the good. Not see the things the Lord did through my friends life because of the heart problems. Not remember the trip to Disney where I got to "relive" a childhood dream (that my family has joked about for 28 years!) Forget about going to a fabulous party for a 360th birthday. Forget about the fact I was treated like a VIP at Fiskars headquarters. Forget about the lessons learned the blessings the Lord has shared with me of family that loves me and friends that support me.

Because of this, instead of a "New Years Resolution, I decided instead that in 2010 I was going to "Look for the Blessings" I'm going to focus on the good in a situation, how God is working. No this won't make the problem disappear, and no I'm not going to play "ostrich" and burry my head in the sand pretending bad things won't (or don't) happen. I'm going to simply try to remind myself of the blessings of a situation. Rather than focus and dwell on the bad and horrible in life, I'm going to focus on the good, the blessings and try to drive towards it. I know it won't change the situation, it will change my outlook, maybe even my mood! It will help remind me that even in the midst of the dark times the Lord is there with me lighting the way.

Therefore I challenge you as well. Focus on the blessings this year. Try to hunt for the good.

I'm going to be trying to record my blessings this year as well. I will be hosting a scrapbook challenge for the year (both here and on FaithfullyYours.net)

2010 Blessing Challenge

This year I am going to try and create a "blessing book." Each month I will choose a topic/verse for the month and try to have a two page layout done. One side will be the topic/verse the other side will be a finished page waiting for journaling and/or a photo to share how I was blessed that way during the month. Not only will it be a good reminder to look for those blessings that month, but will give a way to "not forget" those blessings that month. (You don't have to do your pages at the beginning of the month you can wait till the end, but I will post the topic at the beginning so you can think on it for the month.) It should fun (and easy cause I'm doing an 8 x 8 album and only 2 pages a month...totally not overwhelming) but the reward at the end of the year will be great! A record of my blessings for the year! I can't wait to get started. I'll post more details a bit later until then I'll leave you with the cover... Happy New Year! May it truly be a year of blessings for your and those you love!