Do You Participate in Lent?

I do believe that Lent is a great time to be more intentional in my spiritual growth.  Each year, I pray about my growth and ask God to lead me to where He wants my focus.  Usually, I am leaning towards "sacrificing" something...such as no soda pop, no chocolate....but this year was different.  This year, God said, "Don't give up, just GIVE."  Hmmmm....give?  So, here is what I did.....I choose to be a blessing to others INTENTIONALLY.  I listened to God's small whisper to guide me.....sometimes I heard it loud and clear, others....I think I might have ignored it.... :(.  I am not going to add pictures to this post because it is certainly LONG enough with NO PICTURES.

Day 1: I took some pictures and blessed 5 families with copies of their pictures. I also made a batch of rolls and took them to GLOW and gave them to the first person who asked about them and in turn, they shared with others.

Day 2 Blessings: We drove through McDonald's drive-thru and paid for the people behind us. I did NOT expect them to drive up beside us and STOP....that threw me off. I just rolled down the window said "I'm passing on the love, know God loves you." They said they knew and thank you. :)

Day3 Blessings: I prayed for each car that passed me while I traveled to OKC. Many people were lifted yesterday. :)

Day 4 Blessings: For our housekeeper at the hotel. When I returned & got in bed, the note was neatly folded and place INSIDE my pillow case..LOL Was that to let me know she got it?

Day 5 Blessing: Because I wasn't sure if the housekeeper spoke english, I got a little more creative and wrote note in spanish. If you can't tell, the $5 is made into a dress..looks vintage doesn't it?

Day 6 Blessing: A little more spanish a little more origami and a little more joy in my life.

Day 7 Blessing: It was rather simple, I resisted an urge to not really scare a woman who walked around the corner while I was crouched on the floor looking at something. If you know me, you know how hard it was for me! So really we were both blessed.

Day 8 Blessing: I blessed 2 girls with the ride of their life touring Bricktown on Segways! Once again, I was blessed as well

Day 9 Blessing: I made a homemade pizza for Carly since she has been such a blessing and watching the house while I was at OKC. (I am back early because David's grandfather, Coy Baker, passed away.) Thank you Carly for blessing others. I love you!!!

Day 10 Blessing: I let 2 people move ahead of me at the check out even though they had full carts and I had 2 items. :)

Day 11 Blessing: I admit, it won't sound like much, but it was a BIG deal for me. I held my tongue when I was ready to jump up and scream at some people. I am not an actor and never claimed to be one. People can tell when I am upset or disagree......I managed to bless someone by not saying anything. The names shall remain anonymous. :)

Day 12 Blessing: I sent ice cream to youth last night!

Day 13 Blessing: I gave a roll of quarters to an unsuspecting person. :) Do you know how easy it is to drop those in someone's purse?

Day 14 Blessing: I put together 2 trash sacks of clothes for the Love Closet on Saturday from 9 - 2 at the First United Methodist Church! If you have extra hangers or paper bags, we could use them also. We will be at the church Fri. night at 6pm to set up

Day 15 Blessing: I drove through Taco Bell's drive thru and paid for the people behind me. This time, I made an escape before they were able to drive up beside me! A blessing for me is hearing that my friends are trying to pass on blessings as well....makes my heart swell

Day 16 Blessing: I shot some pigs. :)  (Before you freak out, it was a photoshoot)

Day 17 Blessing: I took an hour to pray for people who have requested prayers. Please know that each one of you were lifted in my prayers.

Day 18 Blessing: The LOVE CLOSET! We gave away over 200 bags of clothing! Save your clothes, we will have another one before school starts back.

Day 19 Blessing: Wow.....I didn't intentionally do a thing....must do 2 today!!! tsk, tsk......

Day 20 Blessing(s): I bought a gallon of milk for a stranger. I was stopped by a train and for every car that passed, I prayed for each person that God placed on my heart. To that certain person who was brought up more than once, I specifically prayed for your depression to be lifted. ;)

Day 21 Blessing: I chose to allow cars to get in front of me....and then I prayed for each one.

Day 22 Blessing: I made a batch of rolls for a family. In this, I discovered that if I let the rolls rise longer...they are much more fluffy and I like them better. :)

Day 23 Blessing: I bought a few packages of panties and socks to give away at the next LOVE CLOSET in July. We were really shocked at how fast those thing went at the LOVE CLOSET. Every person should get to enjoy the feeling of new under garments.....not hand me down ones. :)

Day 24 Blessing: I bought lunch for some special friends. I also supported a fundraiser. I shall not mention that I also pulled an April Fool's joke on my "nameless" hairdresser.....who knew letting out a blood curdling scream while she is ripping off my eyebrow could get a reaction like that..... :/

Day 25 Blessing: We bought dinner for some new friends. I gave random hugs.

Day 26 Blessing: I used a blessing God gave me to bless a family with some family portraits.....and they turned out half decent even with the wind blowing 500 mph!

Day 27 Blessing: I changed a program I was going to give at a group yesterday by listening to my heart. I encouraged the group to write down their "story" and share it with others. We have a woman in the group who is turning 100! She said she didn't believe anyone would want to hear her story! What is something about your life you would like to make sure is passed on for others to remember?

Day 28 Blessing: I went barefoot all day to encourage people to think about those in the world without shoes. I believe I got at least 5 pairs of shoes to be donated to our LOVE CLOSET!

Day 29 Blessing: I spent some special time with the XS Group yesterday. Although, I do believe they are more of a blessing to me. :) I don't think a time goes by without laughing. Wait until you see the train pictures....bahahahahahah.

Day 30 Blessing: I gave a small sack of soap, shampoo, toothpaste and some change to a person standing on the corner needing help. :(

Day 31 Blessing: I bought 2 more packages of socks for the LOVE CLOSET. I encourage you to do the same please. Socks, underwear and bras were some of the first things to be gone at the LOVE CLOSET. The next closet is July 30th.

Day 32 Blessing: There was a lady at an estate sale who ran out of cash and I paid for her items. :)

Day 33 Blessing(s): We bought lunch for some people. I shot some photos of some girls. I helped with a Sunday School class. I did NOT scare the girls after watching a scary movie...because they made me PROMISE

Day 34 Blessing: I failed....must. work. on. it. today.

Day 35 Blessing: I mailed some random people cards to cheer them up. Making up for Day 34, I took someone's cart back to the little cart parking spot for them at the store.

Day 36 Blessing: I parked at the back of a parking lot and as I walked into the store, I prayed for each person and/or car I passed. I prayed God's abundant blessings and the wisdom to recognize them for each one.

Day 37 Blessing: I judged some FFA Creeds last night at the District Speech Contest. Glad I went....they were having a hard time getting all their judges with the storms. I believe in the future of agriculture.....

Day 38 Blessing: I blessed my Carl with a wonderful romantic night at home.....sigh....The rolls were part of the dinner I planned...Chicken Alfredo....yummo!!!

Day 39 Blessing: I attended a benefit event that supports a medical clinic in Ecuador where American physicians provide care to indigent families... and train local medical residents. I also blessed a woman by paying for her dinner. :)

Day 40 Blessing: I made cinnamon rolls (from a can) for the children's camp fundraiser at church. I also helped Amy while she teaches jr. high sunday school.

Day 41 Blessing: While at Braum's I let a woman go ahead of me. When I got my item, it was rung up wrong.....at least $3 less than what I owed. I corrected the cashier and paid the correct amount. She said, "Wow, that is a first, I've never had someone tell me they owe more than they were charged." she thanked me and thanked me. That broke my heart.....why do people think that is ok to cheat business?

Day 42 Blessing: I gathered stray carts at Wal-Mart and put them in their little parking spot. I know, it is lame.... I shall do better today. :)

Day 43 Blessing: Apparently I didn't take the cart pushing blessing seriously enough. I kid you not, I had to run into Wal-Mart and didn't notice the carts.....til I walked into one! I looked around, and they are all over the place! So, guess what day 43 blessing was? I promise, I will not underestimate the blessings God puts on my heart.....pinky swear!!!

Day 44 Blessing: I went through the drive-thru at McDonald's and paid for the person behind me. One thing has really surprised me each time I've done this....it has been less than $10. I was actually paranoid I was going to have someone who had a $20 order or something....actually only one time did it go over $5. This is one blessing I think I shall continue beyond the Lenten season. :)

Day 45 Blessing: I dropped a $20 bill into a woman's purse as I walked past her....she was busy looking at something on a bottom shelf. (Next time, I will do an origami design) It was just a spontaneous thing....making mental note: carry origami bills in my purse. :)

Day 46 Blessing (Final Day): While grocery shopping, I helped 2 women do their shopping...one was in a wheel chair. I got them a cart, which they didn't have and I gave them one of my shopping bags. I also helped them get to their car.

Final thoughts:  I do believe I was blessed far more than I actually blessed!  This kept me focused through the Lenten season....I felt closer to God this year than any other previous year.  Thanks for letting me share with you!  I hope you had a beautiful Easter!!

God loves you....oh YES He does!!!

    

When God Puts Something on Your Heart.....

Do you respond immediately?

Do you wait to get "clarification" that it is actually from God?

Do you push it to the side and ignore it, hoping it was a fleeting thought?

More than a year ago, I felt God's tug on my heart.

It might have even been longer than a year....I'm not sure.

While looking around my own life, I saw clutter.

In a cleaning frenzy, I must admit that I have just thrown

clutter in the trash can to make my life feel less

cluttered.

It worked.

The freeing feeling was amazing....at first.

Then that "cluttered" feeling crept back into my life.

So, once again I decluttered.

I threw clutter in the trash.

I felt free again.

Then HERE it came again!

That feeling I just couldn't shake.

How many times would I have to declutter to get rid of

that nagging feeling I was doing something wrong?

Finally, I stopped.

I prayed.

I opened my Bible.

I tuned into God.

I listened.

God revealed to me His infinite wisdom.

SHARE.

LOVE.

LIVE.

I prayed some more.

Here is what I heard.....

Instead of throwing away perfectly good "clutter".

SAVE IT.

STORE IT.

WHAT?????  Did I HEAR that correctly?

Um, Dear God....I said I have CLUTTER and you want me to SAVE IT and STORE IT?

HELLLLOOOOOO.....

I questioned whether he really understood my problem.

I sat on it for at least a year....surely he didn't want me to SAVE and STORE my clutter.

One day while at my Thursday Sisters' Bible Study....I blurted out a suggestion...

"Hey, what if we had a clothing closet at church and gave away clothes?"

I think I hoped they would not show any excitement...and then I would

know for sure it was not a GOD thing.

WRONG!!!

They were almost TOO excited.

Matter of fact, the entire plan was hatched, planned and set in stone on the church

calendar that very day.

MARCH 26, 2011 would be the very first LOVE CLOSET.

We started spreading the word to save gently used and new clothes.

We facebooked it, we put it in the newspaper, we advertised in the church bulletin.

We made fliers for school, we made fliers for the local food pantry.

We collected items - we asked for ladders and hangers and broomsticks.

This last picture is all that is left of the March 26, 2011 LOVE CLOSET.

(Minus the kids.)

We planned to be open from 9:00am - 2:00pm.

People were at the door at 8:00am.

Each person received a paper grocery sack (Donated by Reasors Grocery).

If they could get it in the sack, they could take if FOR FREE.

Of course in the planning stages we had the nay sayers....but what ifs and so on....

we stood strong and said we would do this from the love in our hearts and

not judge whether someone "really" needed the things or not.

We didn't have any problems because

we knew we were tuned in to what God was calling us to do.

When we finished and locked up on that March 26th day, my heart was

swelling with LOVE and relief for God's children.

Here I sit, typing this post and can honestly say my heart hasn't deflated a smidgen.

Matter of fact, I think I continues to grow bigger.

Our next LOVE CLOSET will be a BACK TO SCHOOL LOVE CLOSET.

We are already SAVING IT and STORING IT.

Thank you God for continuing to whisper to me until I could take it no more.

By SAVING IT and STORING IT, we were able to SHARE IT and SHOW LOVE and in return, LIVE!!

(Thanks Tresa for noticing I had last year's date...oops...it is 2011, sorry)

Got Problems?

Do you ever feel like you are minding your own business;

heading in the direction you feel is right.

It isn't until then, that you look up and

BAM, it is right on top of you!

Sometimes life just feels out of control.

Sometimes everything seems too big to handle.

Sometimes we don't realize just how bad it really is for us.

....until we look UP!

What do we do then?

We start running for our lives.

We forget everything and everyone around us.

Sometimes it looks like we are getting ahead of the

problems.

It looks like we are making progress.

But the problems keep barreling upon us.

The problem is....most times, when life gets like this we

think that doing a 180 degree turn will get us out of this dilemma.

When in reality, all we had to do was jump to the SIDE, take

 a breath, turn to our Heavenly Father, and watch the

"train" go on by us.

God works like that.

Notice that I said it will GO BY, He doesn't promise

that He will REMOVE it from your life.  It still has to pass.

If you keep focus, he can help you see the correct path you will

need to get you where HE wants you to go.

We don't want to spend our time, running in the wrong

direction from things that are so much bigger than we

will ever be.

Be Still and Know that I am God! -Psalm 46:10

(P.S. No XS GROUP girls were injured in the making

of this life lesson.  The train was just setting on

the track and we thought it was a great photo op.)

XS Group: What Does XS Stand For?

Several years ago, I became a small group leader through my church. We had hoped to get the youth involved and become bonded with one another.

I never really thought about how involved and bonded I would become....

Here are two members of XS Group, Naomi and Kimi.

(Not a fancy name..it really means Xtra Small Group...LoL)

Over the years, girls have come and girls have gone...sometimes to the point where we can't even qualify as a SMALL group...thus, the name.

Currently, there are 5 girls attending XS Group which means I actually have to use a church van to transport if all show up!

On this day, we had two girls come to XS Group.

We meet once a week after school.

Currently, we are reading Alex and Brett Harris' book, Do Hard Things.

This is a wonderful book in which all teens should read.

It helps teens realize that the teen years are for doing great things and to stop stooping down to the low expectations that are put on them.

Yes, that is correct...LOW expectations. (CLICK HERE FOR THEIR BLOG)

Seriously, most teens are expected to make their bed and make good grades and be good. Alex and Brett believe there is so much more that can be done while a teen. Did I mention that they were only 19 when they WROTE the book?

On this particular day, since all weren't here, we just headed to the local pizza place and did a tiny Bible study.

Teens deal with a lot of stress and sometimes, they feel very tiny in God's HUGE world. So, I spent some time putting together very tiny letters and basically told them that when they feel very small in God's world to just remember:

Matthew 10:30 says: And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Wow! When I think I am small...to just know that God knows HOW MANY hairs are on on MY head...UHMAZING!

I also, referred to:

Hebrews 5:13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

The tiny letter told them that I was proud that they made XS Group a priority and that meant that they were moving from the milk to the meat in their spiritual life. I also shared that sometimes we go back to the milk, but there will always be room for the meat.

The letters were put into tiny envelopes I created especially for the tiny letters (I had to use a magnifying glass to read it...they didn't). The tiny envelopes were put into a prayer capsule that the girls can keep on their key chains. My prayer is that they will add their own special prayers to this capsule and see them being answered one by one in God's special timing.

To my XS Group: I have experienced the ups and downs with you. I have cried and laughed with you. My heart has filled with joy of happiness and at times, been trampled by pain. I chose to walk this walk with you...sometimes me dragging you and sometimes you pushing me to go further. Thank you for including me in your Christian walk. My life is forever changed!

I love you!!!

Traci

Psalms 25:21 (Our XS Group Bible verse)

We Called This HUMP DAY at VBS

We managed to make it through Day 4 of Camp E.D.G.E.

For some reason, Day 4 seems to be the ONE day where we are "sluggish".

So, I used that excuse to wear my jammies!!!

I told the kids that I was just sooooo tired from 3 very exciting and very tiring days of VBS that I overslept!

Since I overslept, I missed my "beauty" appointment.

I didn't even have time to get dressed before VBS started.

(You didn't realize how itty bitty that tent was til you saw me coming out of it, did you?)

Yes, people, I did go out into public looking like this....I even had to enter our Wal-Mart looking like a complete dork.

My shirt says, "Most of the people who drive me NUTS, are in my family".

I thought that was appropriate since my side kick was a a squirrel.

The pants are Dr. Pepper pants....I'm a Pepper don't you know?

Nutty Buddy's Xtreme Sport today is......
the very mushy, very sticky....MARSHMALLOW WALKING.
NO, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME!
Nutty Buddy didn't even wash his nasty feet before doing this stunt....
he had been in the park all day w/ a lot of pigeon poop on his feet.
...as he walked across the terrified marshmallows...they (the marshmallows)
WHIMPERED and CRIED OUT IN AGONY!!!
Are you wondering what this had to do w/ the days lesson?
SO DID WE!
Well, Nutty Buddy actually took some of the now very dirty marshmallows...
put them on a stick,
roasted them,
and......
ATE THEM on a S'MORE!!!
OH YES HE DID.....THE KIDS LOVED IT!!!

Here are 2 of our soldiers holding a FREEDOM BOX.
Meet Laura and David...they are in the Air Force.
Thank you Laura and David for all you do for our freedoms!!

Oh, and I must NOT forget that my middle daughter has her birthday each year during VBS. She is 17!!! Is that possible when I am only 28?
Happy Birthday Sydni!!! (This picture is NOT of her birthday outfit...you'll get to see that soon...and YES, she WILL have on clothes) This was my DAY 2 outfit!

Going to be a little busy this week.....

Our Vactions Bible School is this week!

We are at "Camp E.D.G.E."

"Experience & Discover God Everywhere"

I know I RARELY post a picture of myself because I am

usually the one behind the camera....

yet, let me dress up like a total moron and

EVERYONE wants to make sure they get pictures of me.

I had to get these off Facebook...hello...

I swear I am just drunk on the Holy Spirit here!!! (I'll do anything to spread God's Love)

My character is Imogene Marciella Fun....for short, it is I. M. Fun!

I am the Camp E.D.G.E "Director".

The pastor and I do an opening skit each night to introduce the Xtreme Theme

for the night. So far, we've had Xtreme Kayak Paddle Twirling, and Xtreme Fire Juggling...which

is done just by using the "lighters" that you light a candle w/....you know what I am talking about....he has TWO of them and the flame can be "thrown" and "caught" to each lighter.

We even did the Harlem Globetrotter stunt of throwing the bucket of water on him to put out his "burning" tail!

The preacher, Shannon, has only been with our church for barely a month!

He is a hoot....their family is a true blessing.

His character is "Nutty Buddy" the squirrel.

This is a prop for our camp.

The lovely lady on the right is the REAL VBS Director....I just play one.

Amy has done an amazing job putting this whole thing together.

Stay tuned for more updates as the week progresses!

Giving Their Life to Christ!

I am loving this picture....I think I might enter it

into a contest....can you see the cross in the pitcher?

I'm going to title it LIVING WATER!

Isn't it a glorious day when a child accepts to live

a life for Christ?

I Swear There Was No Drinking at the Retreat!

HAPPY FAT TUESDAY!

Here are some pictures of last weekend's women's retreat

with my church.

This is Mrs. Pat.....Mrs. Pat is 80 years old....I think.

She was about the spunkiest gal at the retreat.

Unfortunately, after "attending" Mardi Gras, she suffered

"GATOR TOE". That is a new ailment....I think it comes from

having to find SOMETHING to do the with props

found in the bag......

I know it looks like there was drinkin'......there was NOT!

She is drunk on the Holy Spirit.

Something I want to share about this special woman....

she never got to attend church camp as a child.

So, every chance she gets to go on a retreat, she GOES!

Why a few years ago....she was involved in the kidnapping*

of THE BELL!

We were not allowed to wear watches or to know the time...we just

knew when THE BELL rang, it was time for something.

WE GOT SICK OF THE BELL!

THE BELL had to go!

Mrs. Pat drew a very lovely picture of THE BELL.....

complete with a blindfold over his eyes!!!

I LOVE YOU MRS. PAT!!!

*No bell was harmed in the making or filming of the retreat. I won't say anything about the poor gator though.

Bible Study Thursday

Almost 6 years ago a friend and I started a women's Bible study at her house on the encouragement of our associate pastor, Yar. We started with Genesis 1:1 and now we are in Chronicles 7. I'm sure we'll either be raptured or dead by the time we get to Revelations. This Bible study has been such an amazing part of my spiritual growth.

You know how reading the Bible is sometimes well, er, uh, BORING? Well, reading it and having different perspectives can really help in that area. There are times when I get NOTHING and then one of the other ladies has a whole new spin on it. We also use the Life Application Bible with footnotes which gives us a focus for the week.

We don't do curriculum and I think that has been the success of our group. If a woman has to miss one or two Thursdays, she doesn't feel like she has missed the ENTIRE book. I can't tell you how many times people have dropped out of those kind of studies, me included, because they feel like they can't "catch-up". The way we are reading through the Bible is like watching a Soap Opera after missing 6 months, you can just pick up and are back with the program after ONE time.

I encourage you to spend daily TAG (Time Alone w/ God), but also to enjoy learning with others. My favorite TAG time is on my porch swing with the breeze blowing.....which reminds me that even when I can't SEE God, I can always FEEL Him. Just like radio waves.....they are around us all the time, we just have to tune in to HEAR them. I can tell when I've not spent time w/ God, I hear STATIC, I worry more, I get crabby, I procrastinate more.....and the list goes on.

May God bless you today and may you be TUNED IN!!

Ash Wednesday

Malachi 3: 3 He will sit and judge like a refiner of silver, watching closely as the dross is burned away. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold or silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. Today is the first day of Lent and I am devoting more time to study deeper into God's Word. I want God's reflection to be seen in me.