Life isn't always easy... if it was, there wouldn't be highs or lows, there wouldn't be rainy days or wind storms, there wouldn't be chaos and confusion...
Without the "crazy" things that life brings, where would we be? What would we have to live for? Why would we need to turn to friends and loved ones for support, understanding, and love?
Where am I going with this??? well...
I was typing up the newsletter for MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) last night and writing a brief summary of the featured speaker this month... which happens to be one of my favorite people... Angela. She is going to be talking about journaling...something that she has been doing faithfully for 8 years+. It's been an outlet for her to write about God's mercy, grace, faithfulness and uncondtional love... it's a work of art! Wishing you lots of confidence tomorrow Ang - you're sharing a piece of you that people are going to love and truly admire!
Journals come in all shapes and sizes. They can look torn & tattered, they can be index cards you keep in your purse & grab to "remember" those moments when you're away from home, they can be store bought or hand-made... it's not about the way they look, but what's inside.
Yes, journaling takes time... but what doesn't?? Capturing moments of time on paper with words & photos is priceless - especially for generations to come.
I, too, am a journal bug and really haven't done such a fantastic job since Mason was born. You would think that having a child would give just that much more to write about, but it's hard to find those "quiet" moments to reflect... and honestly, I really don't think "quiet" exists in my life right now. I guess what I've done instead is BLOG!
This blog has been an amazing tool to write about day to day things... about highs and lows... about the people I love... about LIFE! It's art... it's my testimony... it's my way of journaling right now, and it's a way for me to go back and look and see God's faithfulness, goodness, & mercy at work in the life of my family. Thanks again to those of you who take time to read and comment - I love hearing from you & I love that this "journal" keeps you in touch with us!
Today - school is crazy, Mason has some slight medical issues (nothing huge - but he's uncomfortable), I have 5000 things to do before 3:20 ... well, maybe not 5000, but close... and I'm looking forward to hitting the "publish post" button.
Praise loudly... blame softly!
I made this poster almost 10 years ago when I was an RA in my dorm at college.
I wanted my girls to remember how crucial it is to speak highly of others and praise them for what they do.
People in my life - and yours - do great things every day... why not praise them for it!
My goal... ???!!!
To praise people every day - Lord knows they deserve it... and probably don't get a lot of it!
People need to know that they're doing a good job... they need to know that somebody sees what they're doing... and they need to know that I'm not too busy to praise them for the little things that make up HUGE things!
Shannon, Katie, Melissa,Tara, Teri, Angela, Brenda, Bess
--thanks for your dedication to MOPS!
Good luck tomorrow - praying that everything goes smoothly!
Shanna --high five to you today... crazy activity day & you kept things moving! Thanks!
Ian--I love you! Thanks for the past 5 years - worth EVERY minute!