Disciplines of a Godly Woman

I've been wanting to start a Bible Study/Devotional that I can do during my Quiet Time.  Not sure what to get, I headed to my local Christian Book Store and searched for "The One".  I also posted on my Facebook page for people to give me their suggestions...what they are doing right now.  I received a lot of great suggestions.  And then I came upon this jewel of a book.

The word "Disciplines" is really what stood out.  I'm not gonna lie, I am in need of some Discipline in my life...some Order.  I'm not a mess or anything, but I do need to prioritize...and then stick to those Priorities.  So, I decided This was the book for me!  It's not necessarily a Devotional.  But it very well could be.  She references A LOT of Scriptures, which is what I was looking for.  So, I made my purchase, started to head to the nearest Starbucks to begin my journey of Disciplines of a Godly Woman.  But, as life often does, plans changed and I didn't make it to Starbucks.  That's ok.  I can start it later that day.

Well, 11 days later I FINALLY started it.  And I loved it.  As I told a friend, Maybe if I had already finished this book, I would've been more disciplined and started my devotional sooner! Oh well, I'm just happy to have found it, and am excited to see what God does in my life.  :)

1st Day as Biker/Walker: Epic Fail

So let me preface this by saying:

• Colt’s been wanting to be a Biker/Walker, specifically a Scooterer
• His scooter is in less-than-ideal shape…to go straight, he has to turn the handlebar thingy all the way to the left. (No big deal, I was easily able to straighten it out. Which also means it can easily revert back to crooked.)
• (I don’t really have anything for this bullet, but don’t you have to have at least 3?)

All that being said, here’s what happened:

At 2:00 yesterday, I decided today would be the day that we try out Colt being a Biker/Walker. You have to let the school know by 2:30, so I quickly called and after the 5th try I was able to remember my over-the-phone-important-decisions password. So, I hurry home to get my bike ready and get Colt’s scooter ready. We live about 2 miles from the school, so I wanted to leave by 2:50 to make sure I got there in plenty of time. I had planned on riding my bike, and holding Colt’s scooter. Well, when I got to the house, I decided “Why not just ride Colt’s bike?” I got it out, noticed the tires were super flat. No problem. I grabbed my bike pump and spent the next 10 minutes trying to figure the dang thing out. Turns out, I’m not an idiot. The pump is broken. No big deal. I’ll just ride my bike. (My bike is a road bike with special pedals that my bike shoes clip in to, so I can’t wear normal shoes.) I run upstairs, change my shoes, head back downstairs and out to the garage. I grab the scooter, hop on my bike (which I rode last week) close the garage door, and head out. Mind you, it is now 2:58. I get to the end of my street before I realize my tires are too flat to ride the 2 miles to his school and then back. How did that happen?  I just rode it last week!  So, I race back, spend 30 seconds trying to get the garage door to open, put my bike in the garage, race upstairs, change out of my bike shoes and into my tennis shoes, race back downstairs, grab my keys, out the door, grab the scooter and hop in my car.  It's too late to switch back to a Car Rider, so I'm on like Plan D at this point.  I decide to drive my car to the park that's about halfway between our house and the school.  Park. Hop out, grab the scooter, lock the doors, and off I go...ON THE SCOOTER!

I last about 10 seconds before I realize, I am not a Scooterer!!  Or at least, I've never ridden one, and this scooter is a piece of rickety crap! No problem, I'll just carry it and run!  After about a minute and a half I have to stop.  My legs are dying!  I've already worked out today, so my legs are screaming "Who do you think you are?  You aren't getting far on these sore legs!!"  So I start walking.  But my "Mom Conscience" kicks in saying "Hurry up!  Colt is going to be waiting, have  no idea what he's supposed to do.  He'll be looking all over for you!  If you're not there, he might get insecure. No walking!!"  So back on the scooter I go.  It can't be that hard, right?  So, I scooter on the right for about 30 seconds, then switch to my left...who knows which is the correct side for a right-handed person!  Back to running for another minute.  Then it's scootering time again.  I'm paying such close attention to the scooter when I hear this voice "I'm sorry.  Um, can I please get past you?"  A super athletic woman on a bike!  I am so embarrassed.  Because I've been all over the sidewalk.  No straight scootering for this Momma, no I look like an idiot I'm sure! Oh well, back on the scooter I go.  About 1 minute later I finally make it! (Yes, the super athletic woman on the bike is there, waiting for her kid.  I try not to make eye contact, and instead find a friend and quickly try to act cool.) 

I find Colt, he was fine...no insecurities with this kid!  We head back...him on the scooter and me walking! How embarrassed am I!

This Guy Makes Me Smile

As you can see, Colton dressed up as Harry Potter for Halloween this year...although he would argue that he IS Harry Potter, and is currently trying to convince me to change his Birth Certificate. Not gonna happen. Anyway, he has no problem getting into character here.

(I'm supposedly studying for my Audit final that is happening TONIGHT! But I had to take a quick break. Once finals are over, I will share the pics from Colton's 8th Birthday Party. There's so many good ones! And believe you me, the party was...let's just say..."Interesting".)

Blog Annoyances

So I've been wanting to update my blog design...in the hopes of increasing my desire to post more blogs....and somehow I jacked it all up. It took over an hour to figure out how to fix it. Now it's almost 1:00am, and I'm just now posting. And it's not even a cool post! Oh well, better than nothing, right?

A Plan up His Sleeve

Many of you have heard or read about the 21-day fast that churches are doing, starting today and going through January 30. Well, I have decided to participate. It was a last-minute decision...made this morning about 8:00. I feel that God is urging me to do this. I've been a bit restless these past few weeks...searching and praying for what God has planned for my life this year. I know that going to school and taking care of Colton are the main points, but it's the details that I'm thinking about. I'm trying to not only give God the Big stuff, but also the little things in my life. (not an easy thing for me to do)

I researched the Daniel Fast:
per Daniel 1
1. Only fruits and vegetables
2. Only water for a beverage
per Daniel 10
3. No sweeteners and no breads

I have decided to do a variation of it. Had I had time to prepare for this, I would do it in it's entirety. So, this is what I'm doing:

No meat.
Only water to drink.
Eating mainly fruits and vegetables.
I am going to limit my bread and dairy.

Other than the food portion, I have decided to also fast:

Facebook
Books - I will only read the Bible
Secular Music - Only listen to KSBJ and Christian cds

I spend so much of my time on facebook and looking up and listening to music, and most of my freetime is spent reading. I love to read...whether it's secular or Christian fiction, I'll read anything. This has taken away from spending time in God's Word, and having a devotional. So, I'm cutting those things out.

As for Colton, one of the websites had a scheduled devotional for the 21 days for kids. I plan on doing those with Colton...and not having him participate in the other parts of the fast. I know that spending time together in the Bible will do wonders for him and me...and our relationship.

My prayer is that God will open up my eyes to His Will. That he will give me a deeper hunger for Him. I know that He has a plan up His sleeve for me and for Colton...and I'm excited to experience it! Please keep us in your prayers whenever you think about us. I hope to blog during the next 21 days. God is good!

deborah

2011

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord...

I can make New Years Resolutions...plans for 2011...but only God knows what's in store for me and mine.

That said, here's what I would like to accomplish this year...in no specific order...just as they pop into my head.

1. Speak more softly with Colton - have more patience, and don't yell. I can get across to him the same thing without raising my voice. I just need Jesus, and patience, to make it happen.

2. Study harder. Devote a lot more time to my school work. Mediocre won't do. I want to excel.

3. Read the whole Bible through. Spend more time in God's Word. I would love to have a devotion every day...but that requires better time management. Which brings me to my next one.

4. Manage my time better. This will allow more time with Colton, more time to study, time for devotions, and more sleep. In doing this, I will need to set priorities.

5. Work out AT LEAST 4 times a week. There is no reason this can't happen. Just goes back to #4. I'm not getting any younger...which means neither is my metabolism. :)

6. Eat healthier. More fruits and veggies. Less fast food.

7. Cook more. Not just bake, but cook...real food, like for dinner and stuff. :) I love to cook, I just need to do it.

8. Blog more often. Once a week would be lovely. I can do that. Set aside one night a week...when I know my homework load won't be as heavy.

9. Plan more outings with Colton...for Colton. We do a lot of running around, but not enough of it is for him.

10. Read less fluff, and more books of substance.

11. Write. My dream is to write Children's Books. This year I will get started, and make it happen.

12. Get more involved at church. I have helped out in the nursery, and enjoyed it. But I would like to do that and more. I want to know the people I go to church with...and not just my small group of friends.

13. Love unconditionally. I feel that I do this well...but nowhere near the way Jesus loves.

14. Be more like Jesus. I want people to look at me and know that I am a Christian, and that I love Jesus. I want to be a walking testimony...and an example to Colton. I want to love Jesus with all of my heart...and not just my leftovers.

15. Tithe. I have slacked on my tithing the past couple of years. I have no excuses. This year is a fresh start. God has taken care of me, and given me so much. I HAVE to give back to him...faithfully.

16. Be a better friend. Not just on my time, and when it's good for me. I want to be a better listener.

17. Play the piano more. I took for so many years. Why don't I practice? What was the point of all of that time spent practicing, and all the money spent on lessons. I will inherit a beautiful grand piano one day. I don't want it to just collect dust.


That's all for now. I think that's a good list. Jesus, please help me to prioritize. Give me grace, patience and peace. This year promises to be super busy, but well worth it.

Tomorrow's December? Are you kidding me?

So, yesterday my niece was being born...or so it seems. More like 11 months ago today! Are you serious? Where did this year go? How are we already just one month away from 2011? Here's a recap of 2010 for us:

1. Well technically my niece, Presley, was born December 30, 2009, but it still feels like this year.

2. Colton has lost 4 teeth. (technically only 3 in 2010. He lost his first tooth on NYE 2009.)

3. I completed 37 hours of school this year. (or will have in 2 weeks.)

4. My nephew, Jackson Sean, was born March 28th. He just turned 8 months. Wow! He will be walking soon for sure!

5. I went from working full-time, to working part-time, to quiting completely, to now helping out a few days a month. I am seriously blessed to be able to go back to school full-time.

6. My sister Rebekah left her job at VC and is now working for herself. She does an amazing job cutting all of our hair. I highly recommend her!

7. Colton played his first season of soccer.

8. Colton learned how to ride a 2-wheeler bike.

9. Colton learned how to swim.

10. I won a trip to San Antonio! 2-night stay at an amazing hotel. 4 tix to Fiesta Texas, 4 tix to Sea World. 4 tix to Schlitterbahn. (we ran out of time and didn't make it to Schlitterbahn.) Talk about an awesome trip! We had a blast!

11. Rode in my first MS150 with my Bestest, Lindsay. What an experience! I've recently registered to ride again this coming April!

12. Was a bridesmaid in one of my BFF's wedding. Jordan and Brad are perfect for eachother. The wedding was amazing! So happy for them, and sweet Ty and Hallie!

13. Attended the 4th Annual Mom Prom. Every year it gets bigger and better. We are making "Dads of Mom Prom" Calendars. They will be awesome. Place your order today...only $15.

14. Colton graduated Kindergarten. Man, he's getting so big! He got "Class Comedian"! Imagine that. ;)

15. Colton started 1st grade, and has an excellent teacher. She is a blessing, and we are so thankful for her.

What else..............................

I'll have to get back with you. Class is almost over. (yes, I'm blogging during class. But you'd understand if you were in this class. Business Law. All he does is tell stories, and drags them out. We only cover about a page of notes in 2 1/2 hours!! It's awful, and I hate it!)

Ok, enough ranting. I'll be back soon!

deb