Guess Who???

Have you ever stopped and said...

"BEST DAY EVER!!!"  

We've all have had our share of more than a few!! I know I have!! Having problems thinking of some? How about a wedding day, birth of a child, graduation, promotion at work, baptism, getting your absolute favorite treat or just an all around awesome day with some family members. 

Personally, I've had a ton of "best day" moments-- I treasure them- hold them close to my heart. 

Just a few of my BEST DAY EVER moments...

The day I married my best friend

Andy dressing up in a banana costume

Dinner with mom

I love my mom time

Getting kisses beachside with my hubby

Having My Mothers Italian Ice with my cousins

My sis and me @ Andy's graduation

Sitting on a rock in Central Park, NYC

Being inside the NYC Library & looking up at the amazing ceiling!!

The day I met the man who would change my life forever

GRAND CENTRAL STATION & the Whispering Walls!

Watching my Andy graduate bible college

Having the entire box of RAINBOW COOKIES

We found out we are going to be auntie/uncle & godparents

My AMAZING Dad and me- I miss you Daddy

Come on... you know you are thinking of one right now at this very moment!!! What is your "Best Day"? Get it in your mind-- get that BIG HUGE grin on your face--

I really believe that we have all of these awesome amazing days-- they make such great lasting memories-- so that when we have the bad not so good days... those memories are there to lift us up. 

Picture this... You are throwing a party at your house- a birthday party let's say. The house is full of family and friends and the music is going- people talking and laughing!! It's amazing, happy, and everyone is smiling-- the wishes have been made, candles have been blown out, cake has been eaten, & presents have been torn open :) ... and as the Mickey Mouse Club song goes... "...and now it's time to say goodbye to all our company..."  everyone leaves. As you say the last goodbye and close the door... your smile fades and you realize-- the house is a mess and you are now all alone. 

Does it sound like your life? Is the "party" gone and you are feeling all alone? 

It's okay, guess who hasn't left you? Guess who has been there the whole "party" and who didn't leave when everyone else did? One guess... no, it's not your dog. lol It's God silly!! 

He has been there since the world began-- he created the world- he created you- he loves you- he has plans that you prosper and have a wonderful future!! (Jeremiah 29:11) God is the One that placed all those "Best Day Ever" moments into motion!!! He is who you need to thank for those amazing days!! 

Some verses to remember in "Best Day Ever" days... and not such good days...

Isaiah 54:17 ncv:"No weapon that is used against you will defeat you. 

Matthew 12:30 ncv: "Whoever is not with me is against me. Whoever does not work with me is working against me. So I tell you, people can be forgiven for every sin and everything they say against God. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."

Psalm 27:1-3 ncv:  The Lord is my light and the one who saves me. So why should I fear anyone? The Lord protects my life. So why should I be afraid? Evil people may try to destroy my body. My enemies and those who hate me attack me, but they are overwhelmed and defeated If an army surrounds me, I will not be afraid. If war breaks out, I will trust the Lord.

Ephesians 3:20 ncv: With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.

2 Corinthians 9:8 ncv: And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything—enough to give to every good work.

Take care of you :)

Relationships...

Question of the day:: How important are relationships to you?

My amazing hubby & me

I'm talking about all kinds of relationships-- husband & wife, mom & daughter, brother & sister, best friends, dad & son... so on and so on... there are a thousand combinations here...  no matter how you put it, they are all important... right?

Dad & Me

I'm gonna chat with you about friendship relationships. My dad used to tell me "Shelly, you think you have ALL these "friends"- most of them are just acquaintances"- (& of course me and my young rebel self- was like NO NO they are NOT!! They are my true friends dad! You don't know them!) lol you've heard the saying "Father knows best" --you guessed it-- he did!! All of those "friends" dropped me like a hot potato!! He also said "Shelly, you can count your real true friends on one hand- and if you are lucky you will be able to fill it up" Well, he was so right!! Over the years, "friends" (acquaintances) have come and go- I'm 30 now, and I thought that I would have a solid group of friends by now-- you know like the TV show Friends-- they are so close and are just perfect all together; or like the show Sex in the City-- all 4 gal pals livin' it up in NYC- depending on one another to pull through the craziness of life. YEAH OKAY!!! Nothing has proven to be THAT perfect. lol

There comes a time in your life I think that you hit (or at least I have) where you are done "playing around" trying to find a friend to be there no matter what- it's kinda a feeling like when you decide to find a guy to settle down with- that "I'm done just dating for fun" feeling- you crave a more serious, dependable, honest, trustworthy person. 

Do I sound crazy?

Let's compare a friendship relationship to a marriage relationship... 

Well lets face it-- don't we all deserve a REALLY GOOD friend? "Oh yeah, yeah, I have good friends Michelle..." Okay awesome-- 

Well let me ask you... What is a good friend?

• Someone who when you are stuck on the side of the road with no gas or car problems- will jump and come rescue you- nothing like "well I really don't have the gas money.." or guilting you into paying them to come get you
• Someone who when you need prayer- will cover you
• Someone who you can call or text at 2am because you can't sleep- and they actually care to call or text back
• Someone who when you are sick- comes and takes care of you & calls you daily to make sure you are doing okay
• Someone that YOU are willing to drop everything for and ask/expect nothing in return
• Someone who lifts you up and encourages you and tells you the hard truth-- even if it hurts.

These are just some for instances. 

~Ang & Me~

I am so overjoyed to say that I have found the ultimate friend -- she is my best best friend and God placed her in my life, and me in hers! I am just so, so thankful for her and the precious life God has given her!!! Her name is Angie- Thank You so much God for her!!! Man, it has taken YEARS of my life to find her!!! 

Do you know anyone like this? Married folks are like "um yeah... my spouse" --well think about this... If you are married... do you know anyone like this BESIDES your spouse? What if your spouse is like mine and out of the state most days... then what?

What about God? Just a thought... How is your relationship with Him? 

• Do you talk to Him? --Just talk regular as if He was standing right beside you. Like "Hi God, I'm feeling ___________ today. Thank you for being with me." That's it- doesn't have to be anything fancy. 
• Do you read the bible?-- Doesn't have to be for hours-- just spend some time reading with Him. I started in the New Testament- not in the gospels but after-- like after Romans. I actually started in 1 Timothy. Pick somewhere and start. Just read a chapter or a few verses and make that your uninterrupted time with God.
• Do you pray/meditate (thinking on good, praiseworthy things)? Again, no need to be all elegant and fancy here- just speak from your heart. Just talk regular- as if you were talking to your spouse or family/friend. 

Just a little something to think about- yesterday we were talking about "de cluttering" your life and letting God organize it-- relationships go with this. Evaluate your relationships... think about your relationship with God. 

Also remember that you can change a relationship with your words-- that can be a positive or a negative statement-- be careful here. Make it an effort to encourage not discourage!!

Some of my important relationships...

Bro in law Justin & My sister Christine

Mom, Andy & Me

Take Care of you :)

UMPH...

Sorry about no post yesterday!! Blogger kept telling me there was an error occurring and would not let me post anything!! BOOOOOO!!!

Is it actually possible to be MORE positive? We all have hard days... bad days... days that just plain STINK!!! I've experienced them-- I mean hey, I am in them... 

They seem to come in waves-- like the ocean-- you're walking along the shoreline of the ocean... it's all calm and just very beautiful and breathtaking. You close your eyes & take a deep breath. These are known as the good times, the easy going times...

YAY right... well then all of a sudden-- you hear a starting of a roar in the distance- 

AHHHH!!!!! WAVES.....

Wave #1: Someone hurts your feelings- whether they are close to you- or you are just randomly affected by someone else's bad mood-- you are instantly feeling down.

Wave #2: You discover that you are behind on a bill- and it NEEDS to be paid in full- IMMEDIATELY... did I mention that there isn't enough moolah to cover it.

Wave #3: You are starting to feel sick-- oh crap-- a cold. 

~These are just some scenarios... I am totally sure you have your own "waves"~

*If any of this you feel is taken from your own personal life at this very moment, I did not tell your life story here-- it's totally an accident.*

How in the world do you bounce around after that?! How on earth do I have ANY positiveness after all the bashing of these sandy waves!!! 

Here comes that word again... POSITIVE

FORCE yourself into positive land. Yes, put some "umph" into it!!! My dad and I used to shoot hoops sometimes-- ok ok we would play HORSE-- lol!! I can remember shooting for the basket one time and missed by a LONG SHOT!!! I think the ball wound up in the grass!!! Dad said "Shelly, you got to put some umph into it". I was like what is "umph"? Standing there in front of the house on that cool evening, I learned what umph was.

Picture a basketball hoop- now picture yourself standing in front of it- you are visualizing making the basket- the follow-through-- you go to shoot the ball-- you jump every so slightly and make a UMPH sound as you do it.

So the next time you are having a poopy day... put some UMPH into it!!! Force that ball into the basket!!! 

Think on good things-- can't muster any up-- Ask yourself: What has gone on in my life that has been good? It doesn't have to be from that nasty day, week, month, or even year! Remember something happy that's taken place in your life. I know there is SOMETHING~~ think on those times-- and when that starts... you start thinking more clearly, more happy, more positive.

Next thing you know you are turning what you thought was negatives into positives -- 

Negative: You had to call into work because you were feeling sick

Positive:  You were able to get 2 loads of laundry done 

Negative: You found out about that unpaid bill and you had no money to pay it.

Positive: You were able to return something unused to the store and got money back to pay it- or the people gave you an extension to pay- or an unexpected check came in the mail

Negative: Someone hurt your feelings

(You can choose to forgive them with Jesus' help)

Positive: They came up to you and apologized! or Started acting like they didn't do anything and started treating you better-- (okay that's a long shot but I have totally experienced this!!!)

Hope this helped today!!! Remember your umph!!

Take care of you :)

Time well wasted? Nope...

I was watching a podcast from Joyce Meyer today-- and she was preaching some GOOD stuff man!!! I needed to fill ya'll in on some of her preachin' action!!

It's kinda a humbling- scary- yet liberating feeling when you make this HUGE GINORMOUS realization that you have "wasted" your days. What you say? "NO NO NO Michelle-- your days haven't been wasted!! Don't say that" - you say. Well, let me tell you- I HAVE WASTED so many good ones!! 

How and why would I say this? Well... let's start with "HOW"~ How have I wasted my time- my days- my life... being stressed over completely nothing! How in the world did I let things get this BAD?!! I mean seriously? "Oh but Michelle- your life never appeared bad to me!!" AH HA-- but I KNEW. Like how did I let very little tiny thing get to me?! And which leads me to "WHY"- well, why did I let everything get to me? It's easy-- I let the nasty things in and never let it out. Never took DEEP breaths... NEVER took the time to just be-- I was always wrapped up in work, doing over my absolute best, and wanting to be PERFECT all the time. (Being strong for Andy as he took on the pastor life, new job, loosing insurance temporarily, changing positions with my work, taking care of Daisy, dealing with money & living stuff)-- OH and what happened next... MADE MYSELF SICK!!! Really sick & drained and tired and weak... and well... honestly-- left God behind. Need an excuse? I had it... I was busy and overwhelmed--- not only trying my BEYOND best in every area of my "peachy life" --- yeah... everywhere EXCEPT with my relationship with God. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks with your life stuff...

I'm done wasting my days...all of them!! I don't want to live upset, angry, disgusted, stressed, worried and anxious!! I wasted soooo many days being this way... and I am NOT giving in anymore!!! I want God to be proud of me!! I want Him cheering me on "THAT'S MY DAUGHTER!! THAT'S MY GIRL!!!" 

The more I'm in a hurry-- the more I run over people! Think about it... you're in a hurry right... huffing and puffing while waiting in line somewhere. You get to the counter FINALLY- only to find the sales person is new, doesn't know which buttons to push, and needs to call for help. You have 2 choices... 

1. Stay flustered and give her a hard time "OMG, huffing and puffing... in which making their day worse      OR....
2. Be calm- collect yourself- and SMILE!! Even though you might be in a hurry and you are set back... STILL SMILE and YOU say hello!! It might just help... they will take a deep breath, and relax. You never know-- you might have made their day.

When we are in a hurry... we really don't think about the impact of our actions. SLOW DOWN- BREATHE...

My dad was sooooooo right!!! He used to say "Just calm down Michelle, Just callllllllm down". Funny thing... it used to make me soooooo mad to hear him say that. And still after he passed away my mom and Andy used to tell me this too--- in the same way oddly enough... and it stirred up SO much anger in me to hear it. Well... dad was so right!! I really do need to CALLLLLLLLLM DOWN!! lol

You know in Exodus 20:8-11 it says to keep the Sabbath holy... take Sunday OFF-- no hard labor--Spend time with your family, have a movie marathon- instead of hard core cooking-- order a pizza, do something for yourself- yes... something YOU enjoy!!! If God needs to rest- what does that tell you? Doesn't have to be "Sunday"- just make it one special day a week to take a rest and take care of you.

So... I'm not gonna be cliché here- by saying "oh God changed everything" (but He really did) "read your bible" "go to church... blah blah blah..." I'm not going to sit here and preach to you about what you NEED... HELLO? Who am I to tell you? I can only preach to myself and try to share my personal experiences with you to help you.

Keep your life in balance- on purpose! Make an effort to walk a life with patience, kindness & love.

It's up to you ultimately to establish your own personal walk with God. It's not hard to ask Him into your life- Do you know God? Do you understand that He sent His Son Jesus to die for you? Do you know that Jesus died on the cross FOR YOU and for your sins? Do you know that He loves you more than you know and that He's coming back for you? Ummmm... answer yes? Guess what? You have Jesus in your heart and we will totally see each other in Heaven!!! YAY! 

Take care of you :)

Which Reflection?

Reflection... a word with a few meanings...

1. Something such as light, radiant hear, or sound that is reflected.
2. Careful or long consideration or thought

Tonight... we are look at #2

So... let me set the stage here... 


You get out of the shower, brushing your hair... putting on make-up... you of course look into the mirror to do these things right? So... have you ever really looked into the mirror and took a good look? I mean a GOOD look? Did you like what your refection showed? Did you feel "clean"? Did you feel "dirty" still? Feel something different? Seriously speaking here... on a personal level... I have looked into the mirror many times and still felt completely dirty... like I wondered who was I looking at. "Who am I ?" I asked. 


Now what? You looked in the mirror and found something you didn't like (I'm not talking about wrinkles or bags under your eyes here)... now what? What can I do about it? 

Let's take a quick look of how inviting God into the situation can help out.

In Ephesians 2:10- it says "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." We are HIS masterpiece!! He said so! So no matter what the situation or the circumstance- know that HE created YOU so that YOU can do the good things HE PLANNED for YOU long ago. (Notice how many times YOU is used here-- He sent His Son for YOU- He did it all for YOU because He loves YOU that much- hard to imagine right?!


The beautiful thing about God and His grace is that He sent Jesus for YOU- and when you accept Him into your heart... He takes over!!! I mean takes OVER completely! It's a rush-- gotta understand that every day is a challenge and is full of decisions of right and wrong and choices... make the right choice- make the wrong choice-- God's grace covers a multitude of your sins!! He never just drops you- even the times where you feel the loneliest- He is always holding you & never let go- He hasn't left you- 


He never gets tired of you--


God sees you as His beautiful child- He chose you for such a time as this! He wants to be your Daddy and have a relationship with you. 


You know it was funny- it wasn't that long ago when I "thought" I knew God and had that "relationship" with Him... only to find that I slipped away for a bit- and where was He? Right there waiting for me. He never left me. 


My most awesome hubby pointed it out and it was so clear... he said "Honey, you need to trust Him like you trust me" That was like a slap-- I wasn't really trusting God like I trusted Andy. WOW-- and Andy is NOT GOD- Only God is God. lol I needed to hear that. 

So, I know I went off on a trail there- but something to think about.

Back to your reflection-- I guess the main thing is to see Jesus with skin on- Are you "in His image"? Are you doing things to glorify God? Are the choices you are making positive or negative? Can you honestly control the way your actions are against yourself and others? The answer to that last one is yes. Just try. Try to make an effort to speak more positive about yourself- about others. Golden rule from my dad's lips... "Don't have anything nice to say... don't say it at all." It works every time. Or from the movie "The Help"- the maid says “You is kind. You is smart. You is important." That is so true!! God certainly thinks so anyways... and that's what ultimately matters... for real! 

As always... hope this helped your day become brighter

Take care of you :)