Devotion

Like many people in the world, I am mesmerized by the Olympics. For every gold medal we win and each one we ALMOST win it makes me wonder: what does it take to win gold? Perseverance, dedication, talent, support and devotion. Perhaps the last word, devotion, is the most needed element. I have had the opportunity to see many athletes who were talented but just could not devote the amount of time and energy needed to make it in their sport.
As I spent my time driving back and forth to rinks at all hours for my son's curling regionals I couldn't stop thinking about the level of devotion that our team has needed just to get to the regionals. Next weekend it will be the girls that we are driving out of town for their curling events. For Colton's team to get to the regionals they started planning last year at this time. Devotion. They devoted their time and energy and commitment to each other as a team. They did not win, yet they remain devoted. They suffered a humiliating loss and when they got off the ice they immediately talked about their plans for next year. They will stick together as a team because they are devoted.
This made me think of what have I devoted my life too. I am reminded of the song by the Newsboys, All my devotion- I give it to you.
If this weekend can be an example of what I give my devotion to- it would be my family. I now this sounds wonderful...but what about my saviour? How much time did I devote to Him? This weekend was curling and parent council meetings and taking care of an injured child. I can honestly say, the only time I spent with God was when I was praying that Colton would make his shots. It is embarrassing to me that I am often stuck in this point of my life. Much like a lack of devotion will show up on the ice rink it will also show up in my life when I do not devote my life totally to God.
What would total devotion look like? Would it mean that I am in church 24/7? Or does it mean I pray about everything from what to wear to what to eat? Not quite. Devotion to God is getting to know Him so well that I would know His will in ALL situations. How will I know His will? The only way is to spend more time with Him and to read the Word. I will still need to pray for guidance, just like the elite athlete needs their coach.
If I take you back to the example of Colton's team, without proper communication and a good coach, this team would not be able to achieve their goals.

Could devotion to God earn me the gold medal? Just living my life for Him will get me to the Olympics of life(heaven) and the eventual gold medal, or shall I say the gold mansion?
Just because I did not spend my weekend in church or doing church activities should not mean that I do not spend my time with God. God is with me everywhere and I can take the time anywhere to devote to Him. I cannot even claim to have a reason not to read His word, afterall I have the Bible downloaded on my itouch.
I used to say that I needed a life coach just to keep my life on track, turns out I have a willing coach, I just need to be willing to spend time with Him and listen to the guidance that He gives.
That is what I am going to try this week. Devoting more of my time to Him and watching how this shapes my life.
Update on Lent...I did not know that Lent takes breaks on Sundays...so I still have had no chips and no bitterness. It feels great!
Taa Taa for now!
Kimmy

Saying thanks

I know it is not thanksgiving, but just like valentines I like to think that there are other days of the year we can talk about thankfulness and love. This blog will cover a bit of both today.
The majority of you already know about my crazy desire to make my kiddos fresh waffles with whipped cream every morning. Last week I noticed the waffles were not being eaten and ended up being thrown out after a few days. I hate waste, and I took that as a sign that they no longer were thrilled with the waffles, so I stopped making them. Once the kiddos found out that this was happening, there was a huge uproar at the house. They continue to want the waffles, it was just that I had added too much other choices and they could not eat as much waffles anymore. (I started cutting up fresh fruit...and had homemade cookies for afterschool)It was, however: unanimous that they wanted to still have waffles every morning.
So this week it started again. The girls scarfed down those waffles and barely left any for their brother who wakes up after they leave. By the time Colton had made it down to eat I was already gone off to get ready for a busy day. I heard something quite surprising from my bathroom as Colton was leaving- he said thanks mom!
The next morning this same scene was carried out with him coming up to me and saying thanks for the waffles mom. Thanks. It is one word that I don't think I hear enough. I know why too, I don't happen to use it enough. My other BFF Becci will tell you how often she needs to remind me to use my manners with my children. In my defense that is because she is in the throws of raising a smart 2 year old and teaching manners, whereas I am past that point and seem to have forgotten how to use mine anymore.
How incredibly sad. I don't know how to say thanks. I have known for awhile that I had a problem with saying thanks. I was in a bible study once that taught us how to pray, the first thing they said is to start with thank you Lord. I found this awkward because most of my conversations with God were about me. Things I wanted and things I didn't want. I learned how to say thank you to God when Colton was sick. At that moment in my life I realized how important each day was with your family, and I was thankful. I vowed not to take anything else in this world for granted. So when I start talking to God I start with, thank you. Thank you for my children, I could have been infertile, thank you for my husband- he truly loves me for who I am.
Here is a list that I use to guide me. Some days I have new things to add to the list, like thank you for a great doctor's appointment with the kids. Generally though it goes like this:
1. Thank you for dying for me (may I never take this for granted)
2. Thank you for giving me children ( may I remember they are a gift..even when...)
3. Thank you for my health (truly a gift)
4. Thank you for my Hub (another gift)
5. Thank you for my sister and her amazing daughter (I have learned so much about You through her)
6. Thank you for christian parents (the foundation that goes on)
7. Thank you for my friends (not to be taken for granted)
8. Thank you for my job (even when I am not so happy with it!)
9. Thank you for loving me (even when I am not too love able)
10. Thank you for my church (so blessed to live where I can worship openly)
11. Thank you for my Pastors (they have all blessed me- so please bless them too)
12. Thank you for understanding me when no one else can!
Last night when I got home there was a gift for me...my driveway was cleared. I went into the house and found my son and asked him if he had done that. Thank you, I said, and I meant it. What a blessing. I added that to my list of thank yous in my prayers.
So, when you have to do thank you notes or just have someone holding the door open, just remember that thank you goes a long long way!
Taa taa for now,
Kimmy

Following

First of all...I know Char I said I would talk about anger...but I just wasn't feeling it today. Trust me...there will be a blog on anger!!

I have a feeling this blog is gonna be a long one...so buckle up peeps and lets get it started. So, as you are aware...I am very new to blogging. When my Hub emailed me and said you have 3 followers I was a bit amazed at his ability to know this. For those of you who do not know him, my Hub is in intelligence and I always assume he is using some sort of special powers to find his information, but as he informs me he just looked at the side of my blog. Sure enough when I opened the blog there it was in bold letters...3 FOLLOWERS- YIKES! The excitement of that turned quickly into sheer panic...followers....to be a follower there needed to be a leader- who is leading them? I am NOT a leader.
OK before all of my friends out there start commenting- I know I am bossy, opinionated, stubborn and competitive, but trust me that does not make anyone a leader. I also enjoy having a wee bit of attention...which can be a dangerous combination with this leader thingy. So all of that combined, I started refreshing that page hourly, then half hourly- 5 followers, 6 followers...then nothing. Sigh...six followers...that is not much. So the competitive side of me started- I looked at other blogs to see how many followers they had. Just remember only hours ago I did not even know what a follower was. Then came a mystery follower- I still don't know who you are...but man I am curious. Follower number 7 came and we are now stuck there. My kiddos started asking about my blog- so I showed them and immediately demanded that they clicked on becoming a follower- just to bolster my numbers.
Maybe you are getting the picture for why I am not a leader. Unfortunately those qualities do not make me a good follower either. With all those qualities I usually think I could do things better- even when the leader is Christ- I know I know...but I am being honest with you here. When my son was diagnosed with this crazy rare fatal disease- well I tried to find the other way- maybe every doctor made a mistake. The one thing I can tell you I am getting better at is surrendering to what I can no longer control, and you know what...that is something. To be a follower you have to be able to trust the leader you are following. This can be more challenging as the leader brings you places you are no longer comfortable going. It is at these points many will choose to stop following. Trust and faith is following even when you are not really sure what the outcome is, but you know that your leader loves you and will not harm you.
Another reason I am not a great leader-I am a wee bit directionally challenged. Yesterday on a walk with my coworkers I naturally took the lead on the narrow path. I was walking confidently along when I heard from the distance someone calling my name- when I looked up I realized I was leading us directly into the creek. So to be a leader you need to look ahead of you not just the first few steps. I have a fear of looking too far ahead- it is not bringing us where I wanted us to be.
My Hub is a natural leader, and rather generously allows me to take chances at leading. My children certainly feel more comfortable when my Hub is in the drivers seat- literally. Once when Hub was leaving for a long mission overseas we were dropping him off at the airport. After a long and painful goodbye at the airport it was time to take the long trip home with the kiddos. I remember they were really young and it meant I had to place each one into a car seat and buckle them before I got my emotionally weary body into the drivers seat. I started up the van and took a look into the rear view mirror to back up- but all I could see was a very scared looking little boy in the back seat. I immediately knew he was afraid for his daddy's safety and started to comfort him by telling him that Jesus would protect his daddy. So he says...and Jesus will protect us right mommy? Cuz I was just thinking, how are we gonna get home without daddy to drive? Out of the mouths of babes....
As it turns out my son became very trusting of my abilities during his daddy's absences. Most of the time he was my greatest cheerleader. When he would see that the world had dealt me just a little too much of life he would try his best to solve the problem, help me or gently ask me if I wanted to talk to daddy. My son was a great follower- he really helped keep this leader on the right track.
When I think of leaders in our church I wonder if I am being as good of a follower as I could be? Am I there greatest cheerleaders telling them they can do it and offering them help? Unfortunately, I am often more critical than needed and do not offer myself humbly to be led. I would have never made it if my son always pointed out my flaws- instead he would say to me maybe next time it will work- or did you try this, but the best part was always, maybe you should talk to daddy. As long as our church leaders are talking to the Father then we need to trust them and be their cheerleaders. Sometimes, when my son thought I did not quite tell daddy everything, he would talk to daddy about some of my concerns...that truly amazed me. We can do the same- go to our Father on behalf of our leaders and ask for them to have all the help they need.
So, I guess whether you are the follower or the leader in each and every situation there is an important role to be done.
taa taa for now my friends!
Kimmy

Being Used

Needed, what does it really mean? For that matter what does it mean to be used? Well being a mommy and being a parent can teach you a bit about both.

I remember my first real lesson in this came when my son was nursing nonstop all of a sudden. He was six months old and this was unusual so when I asked for advice from my fellow mommies the resounding answer was he was USING me as a soother. Using me? How could a six month old use me? I was exhausted and in no mood to be used...so I started to take action when I noticed him doing this again I would give him a soother. It worked, but at what cost? I mean was he using me...or did he need me? Did he need to be soothed and I gave him an artificial soother? I don't know why I thought at that moment that being used was such a negative thing. Why would I think that a six month old could know of anything but what he needed.

I am sure I did no harm to him by giving him a soother, but why couldn't I soothe him? I was afraid of being used.

I am at a different stage in life now...I crave to be used...it makes me feel needed.

So, it ended up that I could not keep giving him the artificial soothers and felt better to soothe my son myself. That time of my life went by so quickly and at the ages and stages my children are at now they do not need me as much....or do they? Could all their requests and demands actually be a form of need? Some requests are obvious. When they want me to come shopping it is so that I can pay.

Other requests are not as obvious and would seem to be a situation where my children are using me...or am I needed? When I miss cooking them breakfast one morning I will hear about it for the next few days. Obviously they can make their own breakfast...so they are being lazy? Or is it that they are needing the same thing I need from those breakfasts together? Those mornings are really magical for me, I need them as much as they do.

Camille comes down first, the quiet one, and starts eating. After a few bites she starts talking. She shares alot during those early mornings. In a few moments Calissa wanders down, tired but excited for her day ahead. She is normally talkative, but at this time she is listening to her sister and talking with her. It is so beautiful. I start sipping my coffee and send them off to school. As soon as the door closes as they rush to catch their bus, their brother joins me in the kitchen. Colton is every bit of 15 and talking is not high on his priority. When he sits at the island to start eating his waffle, most of the communication is grunts and one word answers. By the time he has had his third bite it starts, that amazing personality that he has starts to glow. So who is using who? If you can see what I gain from those few moments, you know that I am definitely the person using them...but it is because I love them and crave what I can see them grow into.

I wonder if God is using me? Better yet,will God use me? The times when I am being used by God are the best times of my life. When I take time and converse with Him and can actually be used by Him, that is when my purpose is truly fulfilled. Maybe I will not like being used at first...but I hope I always know that I am being used for a greater purpose.

To update you: Day two of Lent and my walking buddy and I had the greatest walk yet...we encouraged each other and spoke of great people in our lives and highlighted the best parts of our days. Those parts of our days that often get overlooked by the negative things that are happening.

I have not had any chips...but wonder if I am allowed to have Crispers...my gut tells me that I cannot.

Taa taa for now friends!

Kimmy

Lent...

Maybe I should be introducing myself and telling you how I got started on this blog thingy...but not on this my first blog...sorry that would just be to expected...and I am not one to be expected! I am sure you will come to find that out.

Okay, changed my mind...here is a brief intro... So, to start with I am a mommy to three wonderful children...well sometimes they are wonderful, other times they are teenagers and preteens...so you can not really blame them. I am married to a terrific guy, well most times he is terrific, but other times he is a middle aged guy who is in the military (and loves the military) so...you cannot really blame him for not being perfect all the time. Me...I am terrific. Well okay, I am a middle aged woman who changes her mind and goals almost daily, and yes I expect my hubby and children to keep up with these changes.

My faith is my life. That is the essence of what I will write. I love a saviour who died for me and all those who can believe. That is it in a nutshell...if He can Love me...then well loving you is easy...trust me!
So onto today's blog...Lent.
My best friend walking buddy is an awesome Catholic girl, and I am not Catholic. We really love to explore the differences of our religions and sometimes are not quite sure what the differences are...I like to believe my religion is "on the right track" and she just believes. What a concept...and that is what I just love about her.

On our walk yesterday,from which she dragged me away from watching the Olympics, we discussed Lent. "Do you guys do Lent?" she asks.
Umm, well not really. What I mean is we don't give up something for just 40 days, we are asked to give up something for our lifetime for Christ. ( I really thought this was a terrific answer!)
Hmmm...she replied in a really thoughtful non judgemental way.
Then I got to thinking...what have I given up for Christ really?
So I asked her what she was giving up...she said Chips...and bitterness.
Oh....
You see her and I have alot of good reasons to be bitter...we really do, and our walks become alot more active the more we talk about our bitterness. So for 40 days we are only going to look at the bright side of things. This should be interesting.
So what have I given up for Christ? In this fast pace world that I take part of everyday...well what sacrifices have I made for Christ.
So I decided to participate in Lent with her...I am giving up chips for 40 days (ok and I am letting go of bitterness). No, I am not Catholic, and No, I don't think this will get me to heaven....but I do think this has the possibility of making me a better follower of Christ.
Who knows...maybe I will loose weight- pounds and burdens!
Taa taa for now my friends...
Kimmy

Lent...

Maybe I should be introducing myself and telling you how I got started on this blog thingy...but not on this my first blog...sorry that would just be to expected...and I am not one to be expected! I am sure you will come to find that out.

Okay, changed my mind...here is a brief intro...

So, to start with I am a mommy to three wonderful children...well sometimes they are wonderful, other times they are teenagers and preteens...so you can not really blame them. I am married to a terrific guy, well most times he is terrific, but other times he is a middle aged guy who is in the military (and loves the military) so...you cannot really blame him for not being perfect all the time. Me...I am terrific. Well okay, I am a middle aged woman who changes her mind and goals almost daily, and yes I expect my hubby and children to keep up with these changes.

My faith is my life. That is the essence of what I will write. I love a saviour who died for me and all those who can believe. That is it in a nutshell...if He can Love me...then well loving you is easy...trust me!