Calling Heaven

Have you ever wished you could make a phone call to heaven? I do every once in awhile. Today is one of those days. Yes, I have plenty of things to ask Jesus when I get to heaven. These phone calls I want to make are for people who have gone before me.

I lost one of my best friends when we were barely 19. I lost the last of my grandparents before I was 31. I have lots of questions for these 5 amazing people as well as things I want to tell them.

I want to ask my Grandma D. how to make her banana split dessert. I want to go for one more root beer with her. I want to tell her all about my classroom and my students. I want to tell her I have lily of the valley planted in her memory. I want to ask Grandpa D. to explain some more scripture to me. I want to hear him say one more time, "You can turn now. There's only two ambulances, three fire trucks and a helicopter coming." I want to tell him I'm reading the Bible more and more every day. I want to tell him I refuse to take his nativity scene down now.

I want to ask my Grandma H. for teaching ideas. I want her to tell me abut teaching "back in the day" and tell her about my experiences. I want to make play dough with her one more time. I want my Grandpa H. To walk me through his farm fields one more time.

I want to go see a movie with Anne. I want to try on every pair of sunglasses on the rack at the store. I want to skip through the aisles of the grocery store with her. I want to introduce her to my husband and kids. I want to have pizza and ice cream with her, I want to laugh until we cry.

Most of all, I want them ask to tell me what heaven is like. But, there is no phone in heaven. So I'll keep living my life to be worthy of heaven when I die. Then I'll find out for myself...and give 5 amazing people the decades' worth of hugs I've missed giving them. I miss you, Grandma and Grandpa D, Grandma and Grandpa H, and Anne. I love you all!

Are You On Track?

As I sat waiting for a train to pass today, I couldn't help but think about derailments. Many dangers exist with trains. If just one wheel gets off track, it can set off a tragic chain reaction. It takes a lot of work to get it back on track.

Our lives are the same way. If we get off track just a little bit, it can set off a dangerous chain reaction. Thankfully, we are able to get back on track with God's help if we will only let Him do what He needs to. We need to completely surrender our lives to Him. I have had times in my life where I have had to ask God to get me back on track. He never gets tired of us asking for that. He is always ready to help us if we will just ask.

If your life has gotten off track, ask God to get you back on track. Avoid a spiritual derailment.

Brenda

Being Transparent

My husband has been very open about his weight loss journey. However, most people don't know I started on this journey with him as well. That's because I had no desire to be that open and transparent with people. One area of my life I've always struggled with is my self-esteem. I've never seen myself as pretty, smart, or even worth being around. So, I convinced myself that no one would care that I was working to lose weight. No one would want to keep track of my journey. So, I kept it to myself. I would quietly keep track of my calories and weigh in every week. I have always been my husband's biggest cheerleader and he has always been mine. This journey has been no exception.

However, as part of my renewing, I have developed a greater sense of self. Do I think I'm beautiful? No. Do I think I'm better than anyone else? Absolutely not! However, I do realize I am pretty (and that's all thanks to my husband for making me realize my value), I realize I am smart..not a genius but intelligent, and I am worth being around. Does that mean I spend time surrounded by friends? No. Most of my time is spent either at work, at home with my daughter (time very well spent) or home with my husband (which is time even more well spent). So, I have decided I will start blogging about my weight loss journey. No, I won't post pictures of the reading on the scale on weigh-in day. I'm not quite ready for that. However, I am going to share my successes and failures in my weight loss journey as well as my trip through life. Hopefully it won't bore you but maybe be a bit of an inspiration to someone.

So, here goes. I have been seriously working to lose weight since January. I haven't had a potato chip since October (and if you know me well, you know that's a hard one for me!), I've only had ice cream twice during that time. I've walked more than I ever did before, I find myself thinking about what is going into my mouth and being aware of the calories in everything I eat and drink. I look at labels to compare brands. I know what things I need to keep out of my diet, what things I can have on special occasions and what things I can have as often as I like. I track every calorie I take in as well as the exercise I do every day. It's a good way to really focus on how much I'm taking in. I haven't lost nearly as much as my husband has. I have up and down weight weeks. But I know it's all going to work in the end. So, I press on. Thursday is weigh in day. Anxious to see what this week brings. Hoping for a good loss. Prepared for a gain. Either way, I'll let you know...and then I'll continue on my journey. Maybe someone is interested in my progress.

♥ Brenda

Is There a Right Way to Worship?

Some people worship with their eyes closed. Some raise their hands. Some move to the rhythm of the music. Some sit silently and pray. So I ask you, is there a right way and a wrong way to worship? I believe the right way to worship is the way God calls each individual to worship. If God calls me to stand and sing, I will. If He tells me to sit and pray, I will. If He tells me to raise a hand, I will. But I believe it's wrong to expect someone to worship one way just because you do. Don't judge the way others worship. You worship your way and I'll worship mine.

Just what God laid on my heart today.

What Did You Say?

I've had a verse rolling through my brain for a few days now. OK, to be honest, it's been in my mind and heart for about 17 years. It's a verse we used at Prairie Camp counselor training every summer. My former counselors will remember hearing about "silver boxes" and most likely remember the video we watched every summer. Giving people "silver boxes" is sharing kind words, words that will encourage them rather than tear them down. Throughout the summer, we would simply need to walk by and quietly say, "Is that a silver box?" It was extremely effective for many summers. Since then, I have thought about silver boxes when I would hear people say harsh things to others. I also think of it when I hear some people talk in ways that would make sailors blush. (I know, sailor get a really bad reputation).

Ephesians 4:29 in The Message version says, "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." I have this verse highlighted in every version of the Bible app I have on my phone. I read it often. I think of it daily.

So, I ask you this question and hope you will ponder it carefully. What words are coming out of your mouth? Are they building people up or tearing them down? I am working hard to make an effort to make sure that the words that come out of my mouth are building up the hearers. If you catch me saying something that might not be considered a gift, feel free to ask me, "Is that a silver box?" I promise I won't be offended.

Blessings.
♥ Brenda

Of Icebergs and Tree Roots

You may ask what icebergs and tree roots have in common. Icebergs and tree roots both have their stability underground, unseen by human eyes. Without what's seemingly invisible, what's on the surface could never stand. You also may ask what they have to do with being a renewed woman. Ask yourself this. How grounded in God's word is your heart and mind? I'm going to tell you that I lack in this area badly. However, I have chosen to replant myself, to stretch my roots out into deeper ground. When we ask God to strengthen our roots, He is faithful to help us find that solid ground into which we can plant those roots. I'm not saying it's an easy road. Making changes in life that are imperative for further growth are not always easy. However, it's the most rewarding feeling. My biggest change of late seems to be on the outside as I've gone from being a blonde to being a vibrant redhead. However, I can assure you the biggest change is deep on the inside. God has made changes in my life that I can't explain. However, I know these changes are going to stick. I look forward to continuing to update you on my progress and hopefully help you make changes you may need to make.

Brenda

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by. I will be filling you in on things God is teaching me through daily experiences, Scriptures and anything else God lays on my heart. I'm a wife and mom who has struggled in my life. I am overcoming those struggles. No, I'm not a profound thinker. But I can think and I can share my thoughts. I hope you will be inspired to renew yourself as I have. Blessings

Brenda