Mothers Cookies

It was a sad, sad day for my husband. Over Thanksgiving weekend while visiting family in Oregon, he discovered that Mothers Cookies is going out of business. Mothers Cookies. The company that makes those pink and white frosted animal cookies. Cookies that are among his all time favorites. You should have seen his jaw drop when he was told.

We went to Safeway – no cookies. We went to Wal-Mart – no cookies. I hear that Target has them.

How long do you think cookies will last if we find some and stock up?

Making Family Memories

What a great weekend I had. Busy - but really great. On Saturday I talked to a new dear friend on the phone for awhile. This new friend just brings joy to my heart and life. She lives way too far away but I'm so thankful that God introduced us and my life is richer for knowing her and her family.

We went to church on Saturday night and then came home to watch the movie ELF. Never seen it before but had heard rave reviews about it. We all snuggled up on the sofa together with hot chocolate and blankets and it was just a nice family moment.

Oh yes. And I can't forget the snow! We had our first sign of snow for the season. Huge snowflakes started silently falling out of the sky and we all ran outside trying to catch some on our tongues before it turned into a rainfall. It was a kick. Another great family moment and memory.

On Sunday my daughter and husband made a delicious pumpkin cake for my stepson. It was his 21st birthday. The girls also created a scavenger hunt for him for a time capsule that my husband and I had for him. It had some things in it that we'd kept for him over the years - a book he'd made when he was 7, his first homerun baseball - things like that. I wasn't sure how he'd react but he seemed to really delight in discovering things he remembered from his past and I think he liked it - along with his gift from us.

Family. This time of year sure brings home how important every memory is together. I know that I'm so thankful for mine.

The first snowfall of the season. A movie. It's the little things in life that somehow can create the best memories. It doesn't have to be a big orchestrated event - it's just simply enjoying life together.

I think the key to our family making so many family memories together is that we truly enjoy one another's company. I am a very blessed woman.

Prices, Prices, Prices

Well, here in Idaho we are rejoicing. Our gas prices finally dipped below $2.00. I don't know what it is - but we have been unfairly paying slightly above the nation on gas!! Not sure why Idaho is higher. I know some of our neighboring states are drilling for oil. You'd think our proximity would allow us a little breathing room when it comes time to pay at the pump!

Speaking of prices - how many of you moms are sucking in the air like I am when it comes time to go to the grocery store each week? I went to WalMart this week and failed to buy cheese. It was almost $9. I'm not kidding. Almost $9 for a 2lb block. At Winco it was almost $6 so I will be going there to get my cheese. I just hope we don't run out before then!

And chips! Whew! Okay - so I've been trying to cut down on my chip consumption anyways. But that doesn't mean I don't want a few bags on hand when the craving hits me! :) But chips are about $3 a bag. Yikes. I remember buying them on sale for $1.99 a couple years ago.

Cereal is also expensive. I've been trying to eat more cereal (not the sugar-laden kind) instead of bagels in the mornings. I've learned bagels aren't that healthy. Go figure. Here in Idaho, cereal is anywhere from $2.50 to $3.00 a box. I love it when they go on sale. I try to stock up a little if I can.

Christmas is just around the corner. I need Nutter Butters for our tradition of making Nutter Butter Santas. They are over $3 and I will need at least 2 pkgs. There are a few other things I will be wanting too - so I will have to decide if there is breathing room in the budget, make less of them or absorb the cost somewhere else.

It's kind of funny. I bought potatoes this week. Hubby always knows it's a tight payday when we have potatoes for dinner because they are so inexpensive!

I know everything is going up right now. I just keep reminding myself that I can always do without something for a little while if I need to. If I really need cheese then maybe we will have to forego some cookies or another delicacy.

It's been a good learning experience for my family. When my children whine a little bit about not having a few extra snacks to select from after school, or why I didn't buy ice cream - I try to tell them that it's the economy and it hasn't left our family unaffected. It's good for them to realize that we can't always have everything we want. And besides - do they really need 5 different boxes of crackers to choose from for a snack? Or would 2 suffice? Learning, we are. And although it may stretch us out of our comfort zone and personal preferences, I think in the long-run it will be good for each one of us bringing a little more contentment, and thankfulness daily.

How is your family learning through these tough economic times? And how are you getting creative with your pocketbook each payday? Oh and heck - how much is cheese in your state? :)

~ Dionna

Who Am I To Judge?

I was talking with a friend online today and they were really opening up with me – sharing some personal and painful things in their life. After we’d been chatting for awhile, they made the comment to me that they were thankful that I didn’t judge them for what they had shared. It brought tears to my eyes, for I have learned quite a bit in my life about judgment.

I have learned that we all need grace and mercy at times. We all mess up and make mistakes. I certainly have. There are things I am ashamed of – as I am sure there are with most people. What saddens me, is that most of us either never move on from those things, letting them hold us back in life forever, or we hide them. We hide those mistakes and ugly things in our lives because everyone else acts like they have it all together so we fear how we will be seen once people know that we aren’t perfect. The thing is, none of us are perfect.

I think it’s good that we make mistakes. It’s good that we mess up. For it softens our hearts. It causes us to be more compassionate and gentle to others. It allows us to open up our hearts and realize that we are all one breath away from screwing up in one way or another. If we don’t think we are, we are sadly mistaken. Just when we think we are on solid ground is exactly when Satan likes to swoop in and take our feet out right from underneath us.

Who am I to judge someone else? I am so human – just as they are. And I humanly make mistakes – just as they do. I know there have been times when I have just longed for grace and mercy in my life. I try to remember that when someone else needs me to give it to them.

If more of us could offer a heart of compassion to someone when they open up the recesses of their heart and tell us those deep, dark things – more lives would be changed in a positive, powerful way. Healing would come easier. I think that’s what God wants for us. To put our arms around one another and walk with each other instead of saying, “You messed up. You don’t fit the mold. I don’t want to be seen with you!” How cold we can be!

It takes courage to tell someone things that could be embarrassing or humbling. It takes love to accept them and help someone get back on track in their life.We all have areas of our lives that we need to work on, to improve. It’s good to remember that when someone is asking you for some grace and mercy. Any of us could be in a position that requires someone to make a choice at how they will respond to us at any given time or moment in life. The real question is - what choice will you make? Will you pass judgment, or a give a little mercy?

Cell Phones Shouldn't Replace Respect

I’m amazed at the lack of professionalism by employees these days. I don’t care if you work at Taco Bell, the local car wash, or a department store – you should be professional and courteous at your job.

Recently, I was at a local Taco Bell where an employee was on the cell phone. Now I don’t know if it was a friend or someone in management, but I was left waiting at the counter for several minutes even though we made eye contact. They knew I was there. I guess their phone conversation was more important than their customer.

This has happened to me numerous times. Whether it’s people being on cell phones or simply talking to another employee – I’m astonished at how often employees do their job while ignoring the customer! There is just a lack of respect that is so commonplace anymore that it really is disheartening.

Cell phones are a wonderful invention. I will be so glad when my girls get older and I can get ahold of them or they can have a cell phone with them as an extra security measure. But they have their place. They should not be used to text friends while the owner is sitting across from you at a meal. They should not be used in the work place. If they are business related or you are allowed certain benefits of personal calls – at least go in a back room or outside so that customers don’t feel neglected!

We all feel better when certain courtesies are a way of life. It makes everyone feel more valued. The customer feels more valued and will likely return to the place of business. The employee should feel more valued because they know they are doing a good job and feel pride in the satisfaction of making someone’s day run smoother and better – maybe even adding a little cheer to someone’s life!

I think if we can go back to basic standards of respect, social grace, and class – it would benefit everyone. It would certainly benefit business owners and employees; thus benefiting everyone who graces their space and place.

Live With a Little "Grit" In Ya

I was listening to a podcast this morning where a gal was talking about insecurity and issues in Christian women. Near the end of the broadcast she mentioned that we, as women, need to live with a little more “grit” in us. We let things get under our skin far too easily and we give up. Maybe it’s a friendship that has let us down a little so we abandon that relationship. Or a church that isn’t quite perfect so we give up on it. But her statement is very profound and one that I think we need to give more weight to.

We live in a world that is full of “entitlement.” And it can be very tough to live “in” this world but not “of” it. By that I mean, it’s hard to not let the standards and expectations in life rub off on us. That’s why it’s so important that we stay in God’s Word, know what it says and live by it – daily.

We need to be able to “suck it up” sometimes. It takes far more courage to stick it out than it does to pick up your feet and take flight! Not only that, but taking flight doesn’t often grow character. It only starts to take root in your life and establish a pattern of fleeing and running away when something becomes uncomfortable or when it’s not your “style.”

I think that we, as women, have a lot of fight in us. We just don’t utilize it in the right ways. We tend to use it when someone picks on our children, but do we use it in God-honoring ways? Or do we let our skin get pricked far too easily?

We could all use a little more “grit” in our lives. That “something” deep inside that only God can give us to help us weather out bad situations and circumstances and come out on the other side better for it. That “something” that decides something is worth fighting for and we are going to take a strong stand. Maybe the very thing we need to fight for, is maintaining integrity, biting our tongue and toughing out a situation!! Sometimes that is more honorable than any other stance we can make.

It’s time we tap into that part of ourselves again and let it fuel us and give us vision. It’s time that we stop crumbling and falling apart, but instead, get a little “grit” inside of ourselves and stay around to fight for ourselves and each other. I know I’m in. Are you?

Restoration

Do-overs. How many times do you wish you could go back in the past and do something “over?” We all do. We all make mistakes or have things happen to us that profoundly impacted our lives and the way we see and feel about life. We can be affected by those moments and circumstances forever. But, how will we let them affect us is a much deeper question than simply acknowledging that they will, indeed, affect us.

Sometimes we let those past hurts or sins to disable where we are today. We don’t leave them behind in the past, where they belong. Instead we wear them with us – every moment – every second of our lives. We live and breathe them. But when we do that, we have let Satan cripple us. He uses something so personal to us that God could use for a ministry in our lives; and instead, he cripples our ability to heal and be made whole. He cripples our ability to be used by the Lord.

God can provide positive outlets of ministry in our lives from those very pains and sorrows from our past. Instead of simply being “affected” we can instead be “effective.’ It’s kind of like the saying – “turning lemons into lemonade.” We can use what we did or what happened to us and turn it around for the good of others and for the Glory of the Lord.

God can restore us – but we have to let Him. That means walking through those minefields of hurts and heartaches. It might even mean unveiling them and bringing them out into the open where other people will hear and know about them. But I have found that God has an amazing way of making something that we think is so dark and ugly, appear so merciful and tender when it’s brought into the light of His forgiveness and grace. It’s scary getting to that point but He will walk us through it step by step and we WILL make it.

We each have a chance to have a “do-over.” We have the chance to respond to that “thing” that hurts our heart so deeply. That time is today. The time is now to make the choice to not just be “affected” but to be “effective.” Don’t let Satan make you a victim any longer. It’s time to be restored.

Free Things On Itunes

Itunes is a great resource. I am fairly new to the whole “I-pod”, “Itunes” thing. But I’m quickly falling in love with it. I love having to only pay .99 cents for a song instead of buying a whole CD of songs and really only liking about 3 of them. (My husband would beg to differ since collecting CD’s is a hobby of his!)

As I was visiting Itunes recently, I discovered something else cool about them. You can get free things! When I say “free” – I mean free downloads. Why would this be cool? I’ll tell you.

For one thing, I can go to Itunes and get some downloads for some of my favorite Christian speakers – free. Randy Carlson of “Intentional Living,” “Focus on the Family” broadcasts and more. So nice to have these inspiring words at my fingertips as a free resource!

I can also get free downloads for my girls. I found some “Paws and Tales” stories that are Christian in nature and have a theme and moral. My youngest loves to listen to audio books and cassettes so these were an especially fun find for her.

One of our greatest finds was Spanish lessons. You can learn Spanish – free! There are numerous different downloads from different teachers and organizations on Spanish so you have a lot to choose from. No big expensive software program that you have to buy. They are all free!

There are so many other educational downloads that you can get free at Itunes. There are many other languages you can learn, Sesame Street and Radio Disney podcasts, Old Time Radio theater, news and more. It’s such a great resource!

If you don’t have an Ipod you might still check out Itunes.com because I think you can listen or watch snippets of some of these things without actually downloading them. (You might have to register for a free account though). It’s worth a try!

So many people associate Itunes with music but it’s so much more than that – as my family has been discovering. So many valuable tools and resources right at your fingertips. Check it out. It’s fun and it’s enlightening.

The Future of Our Country

I just wanted to post a little "something" since most of us Americans are so riveted and invested into what happens today with our election.

I know a lot of us are very concerned about the outcome of today's elections. Others, not so concerned. But whichever stance you take - I want you to know that there is one leader who we will never have to worry about and He knows all the details of everything going on.

I believe that whomever ends up taking office as our President - will do so only because the Lord allowed them to. God tells us in the Bible that He allows Kings to have their authority and He can just as easily take it away from them. There were many "bad" kings in the Bible and there were good kings as well. God knew in each case, what His people were going through. At times, He responded to their prayers and at other times, He let things play out for a bigger picture and plan that He had in mind.

There is great peace to be found in knowing that God has everything in His control. And that He will act on behalf of those He loves. We need to "fix our eyes not on what is seen,but on what is unseen. For what is Seen is temporary. What is Unseen is eternal." 2 cor. 4:18

It's so easy to get caught up in our circumstances and our feelings. But we need to look up and trust the One who has it all in His eyesight.

I have faith. A deep faith. And I believe in what God will do. With everything in me. Don't give up and don't stop believing. And never, never stop fighting for what is right. For maybe you are the one, whom God is waiting for - to ask Him to move and take action on your behalf.

Coming To Terms

Why do we often seem to feel better if we discover that someone who we thought was really beautiful or blessed in life, instead really struggled with personal issues or were hurting a great deal on the inside?

Why can’t we just be happy when certain people seem to be blessed in life?

I think it’s because we’re jealous. We want what they have. We think it’s unfair that someone else has what we want.

It goes right back to childhood and human nature.

I talk to my children often about being happy for each other when one of them gets a reward or gets special attention or recognition for something. I tell them that we each get our turn in life and part of being a family or loving someone is rejoicing with them when it’s their turn. The problem comes when you feel like it’s never your turn. And then the feelings of jealousy, anger, irritation, or dislike start seeping in and growing in your heart.

I know. I’ve been there just like you. We’ve all been there at one point or another. We look over at someone else’s life and something about it just seems more glamorous, peaceful, rich, loving, or blessed than something in our own lives. Or something in our own hearts.

But I’ve found that everyone has problems. It may not appear like it on the surface, but EVERYONE has something painful, something hard, or something not-quite-ideal that they deal with in their lives. I’ve found no one who has it all together.

When we covet someone else’s looks, husband, job, home, car, life – whatever – we are spitting on what God has given us. We are telling Him – basically – that, “God, what you’ve given me is not good enough.” And that’s wrong. Yes, some of us deal with health issues more than others. But those others may deal with heartache from a troubled marriage or a special needs child. And still those others may deal with not the most blessed looks or a family that doesn’t give them the encouragement and love that they need. We all deal with something.

I think that’s why it’s important that we remember we are a “team.” We need to help each other in the struggles of life and not try to pretend that we don’t have them. For we all do. They are just different.

The next time that “blessed” person shares a new blessing in their life with you – try rejoicing with them. Truly rejoicing – from the heart. Try hugging them or smiling with them. Try loving them and being happy that someone can enjoy the fruits of God’s blessings in that particular area of life. I think if you do, you will find that that joy spreads to your own heart and changes your perspective on things. I think you will find that God will open your own eyes and reveal the blessings He’s chosen especially for you and your life. They will be personal and they will be just right for your circumstances.

We just need to come to terms with the fact that we will never have everything. We won’t get “it all.” But you know what? It’s okay. Because God has enough blessings to go around.

Concern For Our Country

I’m concerned. I’m concerned about our country and I’m concerned about Christians.

This election has showed me just how much Christians have gotten sucked into the world. How much we’ve allowed the lines to be blurred on our values and our faith. The very fundamentals we say we believe in, don’t often seem to mean so much when it comes down to it. After all, we’d rather vote for a candidate who appears “cool” than one who stands for life.

People seem to get confused so easily. Why? I may only be one opinion but I think it has to do with how little we are plugging into what we say we believe. Are we reading the Bible? Are we studying what God said we are to do and how we are to live? Do we believe in the very commands we say we are living by? Or do we go to a “watered-down” church because it makes us feel better about ourselves? Do we forget what we were taught on Sunday and just continue on with our lives the way we want them? Has it really come to the point that we decide what we value in life by who is cool and who is not?

I’m scared. I’m scared for our country. I still believe in it – don’t get me wrong. I love America so much. It’s a beautifully stunning land. People are so diverse with freedoms that each one of us take for granted. But I’m scared for our country because we don’t seem to know how to think for ourselves anymore. We blindly trust what we read or hear in the media – never thinking that those people are biased themselves. Never thinking that they may be lying to us. Never doing our own research or homework. We’re like sheep. And soon if we aren’t careful – we will be sheep gone astray.

God wants to bless us. He wants to prosper us. But we need to do our part. Pray. Pray hard. Pray like you’ve never prayed before. Fast. Be informed. Read, research, investigate, look into things for yourself. Don’t just blindly trust. It’s so crucial and vital that we do. If we don’t – we all may pay for it down the road.

God Never Wastes a Hurt - We Do

Thank the past for who you are.

It’s not often that you hear that. In fact, for most of us, the past holds great pain for us. We don’t like to revisit it, much less thank it for anything. We don’t often feel that hurtful or painful moments in our lives did us any favors. I know I haven’t. But I’ve been wrong before.

Nothing in our lives is a mistake. Nothing. I believe that. I believe that things happen for a reason. That God knows every detail, every moment of my life. And I believe that He allows some things to happen to me and cause other things to happen to me on purpose. I may not understand or even like it – but I believe that. But I’m also learning that not everything that happens to me is about me. Sometimes it may be about someone else and I’m swept into circumstances for God’s greater plan.

If we breathe – if we live – at some point, we’re going to hurt. There’s no avoiding it. But the real question is, do we learn from it? Do we let it become a gift to us?

If we try to bury our past, forget our past, or even ignore it – it’s like in a way that we are telling God that He made a mistake with us. Because if we acknowledged that what happened was for a reason that we might not be able to comprehend, if we allowed what happened to some way work for us and not against us, if we have been able to use what God allowed in our lives to help us grow in our faith or to help someone else – then we are acknowledging that we trust God’s reasoning behind it all and are ready to let Him work through those things in our lives – today and now.

God never wastes a hurt. It is us that waste the hurts in our lives. It’s us that get bitter, grow cold, or allow what happened to completely consume or overtake our lives so that we always remain in “victim” mode when that is NOT what God intended for us. It is us that try to ignore something so personal, so painful – like it never happened when it lives with us every moment.

I may not like everything that has happened to me. In fact, I’m still learning to forgive and heal in certain areas. And I think that’s more than okay as long as I continue to move forward and make strides in those “soft spots.” But I’m also not trying to deny anything. I’ve made mistakes – heaven knows. Others have made mistakes that have included or hurt me. But I’m learning how to acknowledge those moments, take them to the Lord, and let Him use them how He sees fit because I think that’s the only way that those painful moments won’t be wasted hurts in my life. It’s the only way that God can get the glory and I can truly move on the better from them.

If I’m to truly trust God with how He works in my life, I need to trust that He’s behind ALL of it. Not just today or tomorrow – but yesterday too. And in order for me to truly move forward, I can’t “shelve” certain areas of my life. I need to bring them to the table before Him and ask Him how He wants me to deal with or use certain issues or areas.

I may think something was unfair when God sees it as just right for whatever plan He had in mind. What’s done in our past is done. The real question is – what are we going to do with it? If they bring me closer to Him, or use me to bring someone else closer to Him. How can we not thank God for those yesterdays? And if they haven’t brought us or someone else closer to Him, maybe we just haven’t done our part in the equation. I think it’s high time we did. After all, the most painful part is over with!

Trust that God didn’t make a mistake with your past. Trust Him to use it in your life and watch the real beauty of His plan unfold. Do you have the trust that it takes – or will you miss out and be trapped by those moments forever? He wants us to be free. Let Him take you there.