How many weeks till Christmas????

I don't know what it is, but right in the middle of the summer, July to be exact, I start to feel a change in seasons. It happens when I'm not even thinking about it. 

All of a sudden, it's like I begin to smell cinnamon, feel a chill in the hear, and hear the crunch of autumn leaves. Then I get a thrill of excitement with the thought of the holidays right behind that!

Why am I thinking, and always have been, about Christmas, Thanksgiving, and school in the middle of July?! I don't know if it's just my instinct to plan ahead, but I cannot help but embrace the ride when it comes through my mind. 

When I was a child, I looked forward to school. I couldn't wait to get supplies and new clothes, and then find out who my new teacher would be and what class my friends were. I counted down the days when August hit until the first day of school.

Today, I look forward to the school year of course a little differently since my kids are going into 3rd and 1st grade. Buying clothes and supplies is still fun, but the kids are the ones that enjoy it the most. 

Preferably, I would love to be homeschool again. However, as much as I love to teach, having their education on my shoulders isn't necessarily something I want to commit to whole heartedly. I feel that I am too much of a business and task oriented kind of person that having to be strapped to their side would be too much. 

Yet, here recently, some upgrades have been incorporated to the homeschool program that I grew up with called Abeka. It would allow the kids to do their school work in front of dvds or stream so that I would not have to do the teaching, but I would be grading their work and making sure they get it done. 

That might be fun! However, when I think about school, I begin to think about fall. Apples, pumpkins, turkey, leaves, cooler and darker days, sweaters, and fires. I just love the fall!!

Of course, it makes me think of decorating my house and baking all season. And then when Harvest comes around, I love taking the kids to corn mazes and rides on hay wagons. It's the seasonal traditions, I think, that make me look forward to this time of year. 



Afterwards, is Thanksgiving and then Christmas. This always causes me to go in to a spiral because ever year, just about, I want to be the one that cooks the entire Thanksgiving meal and I want everyone to come over to our house. Yeah right!

My over achievements sometimes make me bite on to more than I can chew, but it's the heart behind why that I romanticize about. I love people, I love to serve, and I love food!! What a better holiday to express all of those things!

Though I am getting ahead of myself in that regard; you can always plan a meal; it makes me think that I need to start planning for Christmas! What do I want to get my family? My husband? My kids? What crafts or activities do I want to do? Where should we go to see Christmas attractions during the season?

These are the thoughts the race through my brain as we approach the school year. Ha ha ha. At this moment, I work full-time, so trying to fit in the special breakfasts, movies, hot cocoa, gingerbread house tour, tends to be a little exhausted (go figure). Not to mention wrapping and shipping, shopping and visiting, planning adult parties and attending classroom parties. 

December, I would have to say, is one of two most busy months on my calendar. However, no matter how tired I am at the end of the season; No matter how quickly Christmas arrives; I leave the Christmas season warmed and filled with memories and love. 

The new school year always begins with good intentions of packing lunches, laying out clothes, pre planning weekends of fun, and holiday details, but this year needs to have a new attitude from me, I believe.

This year, teaching the kids how to pack their own lunches and lay out their own clothes. Planning less and enjoying the spontaneous moments more. Keeping Christmas simple and taking off more from work in order to slow down and enjoy the kids who are growing up way.....too.....fast.

I encourage you and myself to feel the warmth of summer and soak up every second of freedom from the school rush for right now. But when the school year begins, remember that when you watch your children climb onto the bus or walk into the school, that whether you're as involved in their life as much as you would like or not, God's hand is available to be placed on them while you're away. 

Wait in anticipation for the temperature to shift and let the autumn beauty consume you while you watch your children develop more and more into the person God created them to be. And as we approach the sports and holiday seasons, remember that doing what our neighbors do may not always be the best. Sometimes, less is more. 

Strategically ask the Lord for His guidance and direction even when it comes to extra curricular activities and Christmas presents. He has a way of leading us to being wise with our time, energy, and money. 

I love this life and all the beauty that it has to offer. Kiss your spouse. Hug your kids. Praise the Lord. Breathe deep. Dance. Sing. Laugh. Give. This life is ours to live for Him. Make it everything you and He dream for it to be!

Empowered

Have you ever felt inadequate? Have you ever felt that your best was not good enough? Well, I would have to say that in the last couple of weeks, that is how I have felt. However, if I went by how I felt, I would never accomplish anything. 

As a mom, my intentions begin on a good note. I tell myself to be more patient, understanding, calm; but something always happens to get me irritated and then before I know it, I'm raising my voice and sending the kids to bed earlier than planned just so I can get them out of my hair. 

As a wife, my intentions begin on a good note as well. I plan to spend time with my husband, being kind and affectionate; but something might happen that changes my plans. He might have to step out that evening or chores might have to be done instead because we didn't have time during the weekend. 

As a believer, my intentions begin on a good note. I plan to spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning, keep the Word in front of me, listen to worship music and pray during the day. Then I realize that we have no food in the house and I have to run before I go to work, just to have enough time to get to work on time. 

Errands, house work, responsibilities.....all screaming to get my attention while I struggle to juggle all of my hopes, dreams, ambitions, and desires. Ultimately, my heart is to love my Savior more than yesterday, serve my husband better than yesterday, pour into my kids more than yesterday, do a better job at work than yesterday, and do more in ministry than yesterday. But let's just face it, we are all human and doing all of this in our own strength just plain wears us out!

That is why the Shepard invites us to sit in His pasture and drink from His streams. It is tempting to be Martha in our "doing". Especially us ladies. We see every problem as an invitation to help when not everything requires our personal attention. We can be good at creating problems in our minds that aren't really that big of a deal. 

However, choosing a life in the Spirit rather than a life in the flesh, we find a place that we can rest. We can cast our care on the Lord in all of the areas of our lives, whether we're concerned about something or not. We can draw from the well a refreshing drink of abundant life. We can rise above issues and fear because He has raised us up. 

Even in our natural responsibilities and relationships, Jesus has the wisdom that we need to do it right. So, when things get a little hairy and don't work out right; or when it just doesn't make sense, choosing Spirit over flesh will always bring the reward. 

You might be asking, "well, what does that even mean?" I'll tell you. When you "feel" inadequate remember Who's you are. When you need rest, remember where to draw your strength. Choosing to respond in love rather than in exasperation is choosing to draw from your spirit man rather than your natural man. God is in you if you are born again, and your spirit is where He will communicate and restore you. 

That restoration will affect your soul and bring peace to your mind, a song to your heart and strength to your body. Believe me, I am encouraging myself in saying this. Mary, Martha's sister, learned something that I have to remind myself to do every day. When Jesus was in her house teaching, she took time to stop everything else and sit at His feet to listen. 

If we will learn to keep our Spirit man sensitive to the things of the Spirit, and keep our minds renewed in the Word of God, we will have a foundation that will sustain us even when things don't go as planned. 

The best illustration for this is watching a dry sponge soak up water. When you place it in a dish, that sponge will soak up as much water as it can hold, until someone squeezes it. Then the water the sponge soaked up, will automatically come pouring out. 

It's the same way with us. If we continue to live in a carnal state that stays more aware of our flesh and outside situations, we will run aground and become dry and frustrated. But if we will choose the Spirit, feasting on His Word every chance we get, spending time in His presence and being obedient to His Word, we will have a flood of refreshing water that will cleanse and thrust us forward to accomplishing much for the Lord in our families and communities. 

Kids, work, life will all try to withdraw out of your bank until you have an enormous deficit. Keeping Christ in the center of your heart, will remind us of our identity, our ability, and our position. Don't let life run you over. Triumph over it all and enjoy every day that you have on this earth. 

Heaven is now.

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6

Faith

What we pick up with our senses and what the Bible says about our situations are not always going to match. Especially when there is an attack. That's why Hebrews says, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

When we approach God according to our trust in what we "see" then we are not taking God at His Word. We are not fully persuaded in what He has already done on the cross. We are actually magnifying the situation above God's love for us, His complete provision and His power to intervene.

But when we come boldly into His presence and speak in faith declaring the Word of God over our situation, those things that don't line up with God's will for our lives will begin to change. Faith initiates change, and understanding His love for us helps us to realize that if He wants heaven on earth for us, then how can we belittle what Jesus has done for us by allowing brokenness to settle in?

He is the ALL SUFFICIENT ONE. Not the maybe, might, half-way, watered down, if He feels like, I might have to help Him, respecter of persons kind of god. He is an all consuming Fire that has taken our fallen state as sinners and brought us up to sit with Him in heavenly places as Kings and Priests. Just as royalty would only have the best, GOD PROVIDED FOR YOU AND ME TO HAVE ONLY THE BEST -- IN THIS WORLD NOT JUST THE ONE TO COME.

Parenting like God

Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It's tough, inconvenient, and just plain messy. I struggle between being too tired to even think, so I just say whatever to get the kids to move; to being romantic with their existence and I just give into anything they do. I know that my kids love me for who I am, but is who I am really effecting them in the best possible way?

You have probably heard the saying, "There is no manual for raising kids", but I beg to differ. The Bible is exactly what every parent needs to not only survive, but to create within each child, the heart to chase after God and become exactly who He intended them to be. 

That sounds a little daunting, but I will have to say, that if it wasn't for the Holy Spirit, I would be utterly lost. As a mom, I have come to the realization that my kids are not like everyone else's kids, but our Creator made them individually different on purpose. For a purpose that gives Him glory and honor. 

I have humbled myself to a place that in my heart, I know I need His help. I mean I didn't ask Jesus to be my Lord without the understanding that He needs to be Lord in every area of my life, but it is a daily humbling that brings me back to Him as my center for how I use my voice, my hands, and my decisions concerning my kiddos. 

The Bible talks about spanking, about honoring your parents, about not provoking your children. It talks about listening to your parents and giving a inheritance to your children. All in all, where is the balance of discipline? How tough should I be with wrong behavior? How much should I allow them to have of any good thing?

I was teaching last Wednesday night about the effects of being filled with the Spirit of God. When we become filled with the Spirit, we become filled with the very nature and power of God. Not only is God's love shed abroad our hearts when we accept Christ, but then being baptized in the Spirit, we have the nature and power of God to act just like He does, which is love.

So here is where it all comes down. We will have the most success as parents when we know what the Bible says concerning parenting and then do it. But we cannot forget also the element of how. How do we discipline? How do we speak to our children? How do we raise them?

We must look at how God responds to us when we make a mistake, or down right rebel. Does he yell at us? Does he correct out of anger? No. Though He is firm when it comes to sin, He is gentle and affirming to us. He draws us back into His presence by pointing out what we've done wrong and reminding us that we need to repent. 

Once we repent and make a change, He is quick to forgive and does not remember what we've done, also reminds us of our righteous position with Him. We must stop bringing up our child's past as a way to jab or remind them of their shortcomings. We must parent as God does. 

Even when we are growing, God never gives us what we cannot handle nor does He expect us to handle it well. It might be a stretch sometimes or a challenge, but whatever He does give us helps us to grow. Anything we cannot handle He won't give to us. Additionally, He doesn't give us anything that isn't good. How much more should we?

My heart behind this blog post is not to condemn, but rather encourage. You have what it takes to be an awesome parent. We are not perfect and we have made mistakes, but take the stance as Christ does. He sees you as forgiven and being perfected, so give yourself a break and forgive yourself of anything you feel you've done wrong. A lot of times, it's not as bad as we think.  

Take the reigns with God. Allow His presence, love and laughter exude from you with your kids. He loves them even more than we do, and He wants to work with us. He was the One that chose them to be your kids and He is the One that chose YOU to be their parents. He knew what He was doing and He gave us the tools to parent well. 

Spend time in His presence when you need to get your mind right. Spend time in His Word to find out how to raise your children in a scriptural manner. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance concerning the uncertain and the unknown. He will give you the wisdom that you need. 

Parenting like God takes determination, discipline, and commitment. However, I can guarantee that when we apply the Word and allow His nature to flow through us, not only will we have more success in parenting, but the relationship that we have with our kids will become heaven on earth. 

Proverbs 22:6

Rachel's Nic-Nac Corner

Last year, I discovered Chip and Joanna Gaines. I will have to be honest, I absolutely love them! I love what they do, what they stand for, and what they believe. I also love the fact that Joanna does almost everything that I have always wanted to do!

For a while now, I have had the idea of beginning a road side lunch spot that sells fresh picked veggies and fruit, baked goods, flowers, and lunches and snacks. I have wanted to turn that into a cafe with a store of knick knacks and a barn that opens seasonally for the holidays. 

I started a small business through Facebook called Rachel's Nic-Nac Corner with the intention of heading down that path. I began with custom designed hand painted letters which worked for a while, but then I had a couple of kids and the idea went on the shelf for a little while. 

Just recently with Fixer Upper on TV, did the idea come back to life in my mind. I started to really market my service and got a few orders. Overall, I designed six names for different customers. I was really excited!!

I wanted to venture out and start parties, but because of other responsibilities, I was unable to dedicate time to it. Although, it's still an idea for the future. I am now going to make already designed letters that people can pick from with different designs and colors so that I can have a back stock of letters and I can sell them immediately. 

I am also looking to sell wreaths and Christmas tree services, but I have to take one step at a time. Right now, I have just opened another wing of my Nic-Nac Corner that is the Bakery. I began just this week by selling Lemon Zucchini Bread. I sold two already, invoiced for another, and have a few orders on hold. 

I am so excited about the idea of all of this because I know that not only does it entail me doing what I love, but it also brings joy to others, and supports good things. The proceeds go to missions, local churches, and other outreaches that minister the gospel around the world. 

If you are interested in finding out more about my services, products or organizations that I support, go to my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nicnaccorner/

You'll be able to also order anything that you see. If you have any questions, feel free to message me!!

Health Journey Day 4

Okay, so my intentions with this blog was to write an entry every day. Ha ha ha, well you know how that works out when you're working full time and you have a family as well as other responsibilities. 

However, I do want to post maybe at least once a week. I began the 21 day fix again on Monday, and that is something that I would like to post about today.

I've done the 3 week program now about 1 - 2 times already, but not consecutively. This time, I intend to see it through. First of all, the workouts are only 30 minutes long, and though you can't cheat your way to losing weight or defining muscle, they are only long enough to do some damage, but short enough to feel like you didn't really spend too much time out of your day. 

Second of all, the food is great. The last couple times I did the 21 day fix, I used their Shakeology, which is amazing by the way, but I didn't want to spend the money this time. However, I found that protein, fat-free greek yogurt is a perfect substitute!

I eat lean proteins, healthy carbs, lots of veggies and fruit, plenty of water, and a taste of fats and oils. Just enough to say that I can have what I love without over doing it. The program is laid out for you, it just takes commitment to show up to the "gym" and dedication to cook and pack your food. 

I have always wanted to be healthy, but I have come to the realization that it is not just going to happen. Of course that's true, but coming to terms with that is understanding that you have been doing it the easy way up until this point. That's why you feel the way you do and look the way you do. If you don't like it then you're going to have to change the way you have been doing things. 

So, I am on day four. I have worked out for 2 days so far, planning on working out today, but couldn't yesterday because of time and responsibilities. I ate right though the last three days and I am eating right today. 

I already have had the temptations of eating whatever I feel like eating, but of course that's not going to get me the results I want. I am only looking to do it for the three weeks to see where I end up, and then take it from there. It's not easy, but with God's help I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. 

I will keep you updated on the results.