The Wheel of Chores!

Am I the only one feeling the pain of teens not doing chores without you nagging them? It is time for a change in our house so I came up with a little thing I am calling "The Wheel of Chores"!! It sounds so fun and ominous right?

 It's really pretty simple, each week you pick 3 from the weekly chore section. 

-tub/toilet in shared bath

-sinks/floor in shared bath

-clean guest bath

-cat litter

-vacuum living room

-dust

These have to be done one time between when the chores are picked on Monday and Friday morning. Each teen also picks one from the "All Week" section. 

-empty dishwasher

-sweep kitchen

These have to be done as needed throughout the week. We did it during the week because we are a blended family and only have the kids every other weekend so this way they will always be done before they leave for the other parents house and mom isn't stuck doing them on the weekend if the kids are gone. 

You will also see a fun section at the bottom I am calling "Cash or Consequence". Done with your chores early? Want to earn some extra cash? Pick a bonus chore! OR... Have a bad attitude? Not following the rules of the house? Consequence baby! Pick a chore! 

Not sure yet if this is going to work but I'm willing to give ANYTHING a shot. Momma needs some sanity! 

Keep Your Eyes on The Captain

A few days ago I wrote about my fear of flying. Little did I know that just a few days later the Lord would have another flying lesson for me. When I last wrote I was between Orlando and Chicago. This time I am between Chicago and Denver, again high above the earth, and yet this flight is a different experience all together.

 

As the plane boarded I took my aisle seat next to a lovely lady. As the crew began their preflight routine I told my seat neighbor that she won the jackpot with the window seat next to her being empty. Just as soon as I said that another pilot (a Captain as it turns out) boarded the plane walked straight back to us and took the window seat. Darn, no jackpot. I jokingly mentioned something about this to the Captain to which he replied "you still won the jackpot, let me know if you have any questions on the flight".

The flight crew continued their routine. We proceeded to taxi to the runway and off we went. Typically the takeoff is the worst for me. It brings tears of fear to my eyes and sweat to my tightly clenched fists. This time however I thought "surely this Captain will know if anything is going wrong". I even told him it was nice to know we had a backup plan. As the plane took off I began my normal fist clenching until I looked at the Captain. He looked amazingly relaxed. No panic whatsoever. In fact, he was dozing in and out of sleep. This immediately calmed my heart. His peace gave me peace. I have never experienced this on a plane!! Let alone on takeoff! 

As I sit here thousands of feet above the earth I occasionally glance at the Captain. Yep, still no panic. We are ok. 

I am reminded that although the Captain has no control of the plane he knows how to fly it. I was just at a conference where I was reminded of the need for mentors in our lives. I texted my husband yesterday that I need to find 2 mentors, one spiritual and one business. I need a couple of Captains in my life. People who I can draw peace from, who know how to land my panic plane! Now accepting resumes, interviews to begin soon. 

It also makes me think of the Captain who is flying the plane. A good captain doesn't panic even in an emergency. Do you remember the Captain who took a bird to the engine and safely landed the plane in the Hudson River? Much like the Lord, He is flying the plane in my life. Things happen, turbulence will come, engines will blow. He is prepared to land the plane without panicking. 

Keep your eyes on The Captain. Draw from His peace. 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking... 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10, 13 NIV

And... "You still won the jackpot, let me know if you have any questions on the flight"

From 30,000 feet

I'm going to let my friends in on a little something from 30,000 feet. Quite literally, somewhere between Orlando and Chicago. 

Confession time... It has occurred to me that not only do I not like flying. It actually terrifies me. Normally I fly with my husband and I force him to stay awake long enough to hold my hand through takeoff to which he replies when we barely begin to level out "Can I go to sleep now?". This time however I am flying alone. Every turbulent bump sends my heart racing. This is it, this is the one that is going to send us plummeting to the earth. Every time the plane banks to one side or the other I want to scream at the pilot for his dare devil antics. "If you want to be a stunt pilot you should have joined the military where you can do it without 200 people on board" oh wait, you are just turning the plane towards our destination?! Sigh. Don't even get me started on that red thing on the wing that trembles the whole flight like it is about to fall off or the wings that look like they are going to snap at any second. 

I don't understand the engineering of it all. This thing weighs God only knows how much, plus you add the weight of passengers and all of their junk? I don't know how it ever gets off the ground. Which is why I question the ability to stay off the ground. 

How I wish I could go back to the child-like wonder of flying. Kids aren't afraid. They have faith that it will get there and they will soon be chasing Mickey Mouse or hugging grandma. They don't think about the wings snapping off or engine failure from hitting a bird (that actually happens you know!). 

I've always thought I love traveling, the truth of the matter is that I enjoy the destination. The adventure of exploring somewhere new. 

It's kind of like life I suppose. Some of the best destinations come after a season of fear and struggle. So as I tremble in my seat at 30,000 feet, my husband reminded me (through a Facebook message, thank you Jesus for on-board wifi) "fear not, I am with you.... God" May be easier said than done, but I will try. One thing is for sure, I will enjoy the destination. If you are trembling in your seat, afraid of the "what if's" be encouraged, your destination is coming. 

 ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’ Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”

Isaiah 41:9-10 MSG

Hay

Since moving to Western Colorado I have been fascinated by the farming of hay. If you have never noticed it you should. It is really quite a process. As I was watching my neighbor out working the hay over the past few days God has been talking to me about how the hay is much like my walk with Him.

Let me explain... 

For most of the year the hay is just getting irrigated, is growing and growing and growing. I feel like most of my life and my relationship with God is like that. Water it, read His Word, go to church, pray and grow. 

And then the unthinkable happens... you have spent all this time growing for what? Just to be cut down.

You think... why God? Why now? I was doing so great, growing so well... 

Then you are left out in the field just to lay there and dry out, feeling cut down and useless. You see the tractor coming and think "it's time to be bailed up!" But no, not yet. 

You see there is a purpose in everything the farmer does. The next step is raking the hay. The purpose of this is to stir the cut hay up to dry it out. It may only take one time raking it, it may take multiple times. If the farmer bails the hay while it is still wet it will grow mold. Moldy hay is useless. 

Then, finally it is time to be bailed. Once the hay is dry the farmer once again comes through with the tractor. This time the hay is scooped up, bound up tight and taken away to be used. This bail of hay may be used immediately, chances are there is more waiting though. Somewhere the farmer will pile the hay up to be used through the winter. That may be months away. It may be used by the farmer, or the farmer may sell it and it will be used by somebody else. 

We all have had that time where we have felt like we were growing so well. Then the unexpected happens and you get cut down, left out in the field. And just when you think you can't take it any more, you get stirred up to be dried out more. But know this, you have not been abandoned, your time is coming. You will be bailed up, and you will be useful. And all the while, in the field the root of the hay is still there. Ready to grow some more. What season are you in? Are you growing? Do you feel cut down? Do you think you can't take any more drying out? Maybe you are the bail of hay that has been sitting under the hay shed waiting for months, maybe years to be used? Take heart, your time is coming.... 

"There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next."

~Romans 5:3-4

Story Time

This blog has been part of my story, my journey, my calling out of Egypt. The promises and faithfulness of a Father, the anxiousness and child-like faith of a believer. I believe that like Mary, in Luke 1:45 I have been blessed because I believed that The Lord would do what He said. 

I have been blessed to see people in my life recently who are beginning to feel the same stirring I felt four years ago... When God began to quietly whisper Jeremiah 29:11 to my heart. "I have something planned for you..." 

It has become clear recently that He gave me this story and this journey for a greater purpose. (I know... I'm a little slow!) God always has another plan! 

Not many people have heard my full story, my calling. The Lord is speaking to me... and much like when he did four years ago it makes me nervous. Just like before, I get one of two reactions when people hear my story for the first time. 

1. You are a total nut job! 

2. That is an incredible God story. 

And it's never predictable! I was surprised when people who I have known forever told me I was crazy for listening to God. 

Lately as I watch my friends being called, I once again hear God speaking to me. "Tell them what I've done for you." "Tell them what I've brought you through."

Maybe it's time... like when the teacher in kindergarten gathers the class up for story time. Jesus wants to gather people up and let them hear His story, in my life. 

Gather around...

But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything The Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been" ~Mark 5:19 NLT