We are packing up and moving out of this state. We are planning on leaving in March and heading for Texas. Our spirits are high and hopeful. Oregon just passed for more taxes that will effect us as a small business. The economy here is tough and competition has moved into Pat's area of business. We are already drowning financially. We took a hard blow in 2008 and 2009 that used up our savings. Finally to a point that we can't take another blow.
The last two years we have stretched the dollar as far as we could. Amazingly, with Gods grace, we found ways to eat naturally gluten free on a extremely slim budget. Hoping that in Texas, I can enjoy a monthly trip to Whole Foods for a couple of gluten free snacks. I haven't had gluten free pretzels for over a year now. It will be nice to get gluten free donuts for a rare treat once every couple of months again. I know that Pat is really looking forward to Texas grown steak and barbecue.
The kids are looking forward to the wildlife in Texas. I think Pat and the girls will be searching for alligators when we get there. lol I can't wait for a field trip to the cotton fields and mills and to see how they process sugarcane. Pat wants a field trip to the US Mint.
No worries about homeschooling. Texas is a wonderful place to homeschool, with lots of homeschool groups and opportunities to connect socially.
Trying to think of a new name that will be a better fit for this blog.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Friendship with Genuine Christians
To my friends. From my heart. Read the whole thing to appreciate the real message.
When I was in school, I had an older step-sister who was very popular. She was a cheer-leader. I looked up to her and wanted to be just like her. I tried very hard, but it didn't work. I was not her and trying to be like her was an expectation that I could not live up to. Finally I realized that being myself was much easier. I wasn't popular, but I got to be real. I enjoyed the friends that I made and it was nice to get to know them better, because my guard was down.
I still notice the same thing in the Christian world. There are a lot of perceived as "perfect Christians." We look up to them and wonder how they do it. They seem to have it all put together. Homeschooling, discipline, child rearing, house work, life...... it all is a breeze. And then we try to be a "perfect Christian" and hope that others see us as a "perfect Christian."
The truth is that there is NOT perfect Christians." We ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God. We all have hangups and issues. Some are yelling at the kids, having a bad attitude, swearing when we injure ourselves, not submitting to our husbands, not getting the housework done or dinner on the table, etc......... We strive to be better Christians, but we still fall short and get disappointed and embarrassed with our issues. If we hide our issues, then we set our expectations even higher and feel even more disappointed and alone when we fail yet again.
We should be genuine Christians. What is a genuine Christian? It is a Christian who shows others the real person, short comings and all. They don't hide their issues, they talk about them, learn how to deal with the issues more effectively. They gain better friendships. They surround themselves with others who care. They forgive themselves easier.
An example - I yell at my kids. I can blame it on hereditary, my up-bringing, or lack of control. I have struggled with this and at times have felt that this issue keeps me separated from God, because I just can't get a handle on it. It use to make me feel a failure as a parent. I use to hide it as best as I could. But that is just living in the dark. One day a friend didn't realize that her window was open in her car as she yelled at her kids. The first thought that I had was, I am not alone. Instead of pretending that I didn't hear anything, later I let her know that I was happy to see that moment, because I too struggle with it. Uncovering it led to many more opportunities to discuss the frustration that leads to the yelling. And I was now living in the light.
How do you become a genuine Christian? By surrounding yourselves with others who are genuine Christians. In the beginning I was surrounded by the perceived as "perfect Christians." Most of them were quiet and reserved. I too was reserved. But my need for social interaction, led me to always reach out to others. Remembering that at times I was awkward, I continued to be friendly towards people who were awkward. One of my dearest friends were one of these mom's who was dealing with feeling awkward. She felt she couldn't say anything right. Instead of ignoring the awkwardness, I opened dialogue with it when I first met her face to face. I told her that I agreed with her opinion. At first her face had the expression of "what did I do now?" But after the third time I met her, we realized we were friends and now consider her one of my best friends. She too felt she needed to reserve herself around this group of women. She was not the only one trying to break the awkwardness. You can learn more about a person one on one. Then people let their guard down enough to show a little more about themselves. Slowly a group of women were meeting one on one, families entertaining for dinner, a night with just the mom's, and even potlucks and camping together.
This group of genuine Christians grew closer and when one of us were struggling, we prayed and gave support. One mom sent out an e-mail stating that all of us together was her best friend, because each of us had a piece and put together made a wonderful best friend. I too feel the same way and am very blessed to now have a sea of genuine Christian friends around me that love me for who I am, even with my short-comings and faults. I too love my friends and feel blessed that God made them the way they are. Thank you friends for having the bravery to share who you really are, even your faults. Your faults have been a blessing to me. Just knowing you have them has released me from the bondage of being a failure and has helped me to work on my frustrations more clearly and feel it has made me a better Christian.
Go welcome and be friends with the awkward girl. She has many blessings of friendship to offer.
When I was in school, I had an older step-sister who was very popular. She was a cheer-leader. I looked up to her and wanted to be just like her. I tried very hard, but it didn't work. I was not her and trying to be like her was an expectation that I could not live up to. Finally I realized that being myself was much easier. I wasn't popular, but I got to be real. I enjoyed the friends that I made and it was nice to get to know them better, because my guard was down.
I still notice the same thing in the Christian world. There are a lot of perceived as "perfect Christians." We look up to them and wonder how they do it. They seem to have it all put together. Homeschooling, discipline, child rearing, house work, life...... it all is a breeze. And then we try to be a "perfect Christian" and hope that others see us as a "perfect Christian."
The truth is that there is NOT perfect Christians." We ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God. We all have hangups and issues. Some are yelling at the kids, having a bad attitude, swearing when we injure ourselves, not submitting to our husbands, not getting the housework done or dinner on the table, etc......... We strive to be better Christians, but we still fall short and get disappointed and embarrassed with our issues. If we hide our issues, then we set our expectations even higher and feel even more disappointed and alone when we fail yet again.
We should be genuine Christians. What is a genuine Christian? It is a Christian who shows others the real person, short comings and all. They don't hide their issues, they talk about them, learn how to deal with the issues more effectively. They gain better friendships. They surround themselves with others who care. They forgive themselves easier.
An example - I yell at my kids. I can blame it on hereditary, my up-bringing, or lack of control. I have struggled with this and at times have felt that this issue keeps me separated from God, because I just can't get a handle on it. It use to make me feel a failure as a parent. I use to hide it as best as I could. But that is just living in the dark. One day a friend didn't realize that her window was open in her car as she yelled at her kids. The first thought that I had was, I am not alone. Instead of pretending that I didn't hear anything, later I let her know that I was happy to see that moment, because I too struggle with it. Uncovering it led to many more opportunities to discuss the frustration that leads to the yelling. And I was now living in the light.
How do you become a genuine Christian? By surrounding yourselves with others who are genuine Christians. In the beginning I was surrounded by the perceived as "perfect Christians." Most of them were quiet and reserved. I too was reserved. But my need for social interaction, led me to always reach out to others. Remembering that at times I was awkward, I continued to be friendly towards people who were awkward. One of my dearest friends were one of these mom's who was dealing with feeling awkward. She felt she couldn't say anything right. Instead of ignoring the awkwardness, I opened dialogue with it when I first met her face to face. I told her that I agreed with her opinion. At first her face had the expression of "what did I do now?" But after the third time I met her, we realized we were friends and now consider her one of my best friends. She too felt she needed to reserve herself around this group of women. She was not the only one trying to break the awkwardness. You can learn more about a person one on one. Then people let their guard down enough to show a little more about themselves. Slowly a group of women were meeting one on one, families entertaining for dinner, a night with just the mom's, and even potlucks and camping together.
This group of genuine Christians grew closer and when one of us were struggling, we prayed and gave support. One mom sent out an e-mail stating that all of us together was her best friend, because each of us had a piece and put together made a wonderful best friend. I too feel the same way and am very blessed to now have a sea of genuine Christian friends around me that love me for who I am, even with my short-comings and faults. I too love my friends and feel blessed that God made them the way they are. Thank you friends for having the bravery to share who you really are, even your faults. Your faults have been a blessing to me. Just knowing you have them has released me from the bondage of being a failure and has helped me to work on my frustrations more clearly and feel it has made me a better Christian.
Go welcome and be friends with the awkward girl. She has many blessings of friendship to offer.
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