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Simple Thoughts Sunday: A message during ‘Paul’s Journey’

(Photo cred: Unsplash.com)

1 Corinthians 13:13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

As I am finishing up my bucket list “Paul’s Journey” trip, I thought it best to highlight Paul’s greatest message. As he spoke across the world teaching, his primary message was love. That is our goal as Christians to LOVE WELL. I believe that is actually the goal of all humans. My great prayer is that we all do everything we do in any given day with this approach.. 

Cheering you all on and thankful that you take time to read these insights. If each day something I write resonates with one person I will have achieved my goal. 

Have the best week this year! 

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Settle for the BEST

(Photo Creds: Canva)

I have always believed our mind is our greatest human asset in achieving what we want out of this one life.

This statement in the photo was spoken at an event I attended, and I sat with it for a few months. I wanted to share it for today’s Simple Thoughts Sunday because I feel it has power. God gave us all a human spirit with goals, dreams and desires. I believe he wants us to not only achieve those, but to do so with great joy.

Sure, we will have pain in the mix and we will grow during those times, but in the end, we are here for a purpose. If we opt out and choose to not GO FOR our HIGHEST LEVEL, it is our choice. CHOOSE TO OPTIMIZE! Let your close friends and family know what they and I know they would love to cheer you on! I would be blessed to sit with any of your fan clubs. Have an amazing week, my friends.

Rewind: 13 ways October delights!

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(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

(This is a throwback post from 2016 as we look toward how to make October great!)

I think October is my favorite month. I know I have a few that I have grown over time to love, but October is delightful… I’ve listed below some of my reasons why I say that. Take a moment to add yours in the comments! I think it would be fun to share and who knows, you might just get a great idea to refresh your own list.

  1. My No. 1 for sure… the COOLER weather: My dog is relishing in longer walks and gentle breezes. HIKING, and CRUNCHING IN THE LEAVES… INVIGORATING!
  2. The COLORS: The leaves, all manner of pumpkins and vegetables that look like pumpkins to me!
  3. COMMUNITY: It feels like everyone comes out and “GATHERS.” I like that idea of gathering. And with pop-up options like cider mills, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, what better time to hang out with old friends or make new ones!
  4. FOOTBALL! I do in fact love football, from little league, high school, college and the NFL! It’s just plain FUN!
  5. SOUP: My friend Nan always brings me soup. I love that! I also love finding a great butternut squash or pumpkin soup recipe. A bit of crusty bread and it’s the perfect meal, and as an added bonus, it soothes the SOUL!  (I promise my trainer, Amy, that I’ll add some protein in there!)
  6. BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: I love how America has embraced this and over time the rates of SUCCESS if you get an early diagnosis are greatly improved. Research is necessary and this campaign showcases how, if we galvanize the troops, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
  7. HOLIDAY SEASON SNEAKS IN: We get a glimpse but we aren’t fully deluged yet.
  8. HALLOWEEN: To be perfectly honest, until my boys were born I didn’t really embrace Halloween. I mean it’s okay and I loved to fill my pillowcase when I was in 3rd grade, but then it sort of faded. Now that my boys are in college, it’s fading again, but OH HOW FUN IT IS if you have little kids! EMBRACE EVERY MOMENT OF IT! Make fun punch with dry ice, set up a bobbing for apples activity, host a neighborhood pre-trick-or-treating party… It’s a BLAST!
  9. OCTOBER BASEBALL: Last year in particular, but I still LOVE MY BOYS IN BLUE! FOREVER ROYAL!
  10. BONFIRES, S’MORES, ETC.! Being around FIRE IS PRIMAL and screams connectedness. The smell of the smoke… the whole thing is just perfect fun!
  11. BOOTS, SWEATSHIRTS, SWEATERS: If you are a gal, need I say more? If you are a guy, ask your favorite gal! She’ll fill you in!
  12. APPLES! Apple orchards, apple picking, cider, cider donuts, apple crisp, apple pie…         It’s fully AMERICAN and fully AWESOME!
  13. Last but not least… HAYRIDES: YEP, HAYRIDES. I need to find one this year. There isn’t anything more fun to me, than a simple trailer, some HAY, and family, friends and complete strangers! I hope you’ll find one too!

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale!”  – Lauren DeStefano

September Favs – What are yours?

(Photo creds: Canva)

I thought it would be a good idea to inject some joy into our conversation. One of my boys recommended I talk about my favorite things about September. Well really, about fall as a whole. I am pretty sure it’s my favorite season. (I may or may not change my mind if the days get chilly too soon!) I thought I’d get the ideas flowing, and I know others would love you to chime in with one or two ideas for fall fun!

  • Definitely…. Football, the “littles,” high school’s Friday night lights, college and – of course – GO CHIEFS!
  • All kinds of festivals… the apple orchard, the pumpkin farms… ALL KINDS. Please have cider donuts!
  • Shorts & sweatshirt weather – and jeans with t-shirts for that matter.
  • BOOTS (they deserve a line for themselves, cowboy or other)
  • Community 5Ks and Saturday farmer’s markets
  • Patio seating with heat lamps…

Okay, your turn….

Have an amazing weekend!

Emotionally EXHALE

(Photo Creds: Canva)

What does it look like for you to make this Labor Day weekend count? After all, Labor Day is all about TAKING A BREAK. EMOTIONALLY EXHALING.

It used to be that school started after this weekend, which was a great decision, if you ask me. Alas, for most that isn’t the case anymore, and we are hit in August with what I think of as a total onslaught of obligations, activities, etc. This comes at a time we were just beginning to maybe “exhale.” Summer just started, didn’t it?

For me, “emotionally exhaling” involves very little. Reading, life planning, maybe a meal or two with some dear friends/family, a visit to the farmer’s market, and a a chance to take in the last days of warm sunshine. For others, it’s rock climbing, marathons and shopping extravaganzas… My hope is that you will truly reflect on what this weekend SHOULD look like for you right now. There is a great book that came out last year called “The Best Yes” by Lysa Terkeurst. That book calls out to us to truly make the best decision for ourselves at that given moment and season. Not every LABOR DAY weekend requires the same… some call for all out parties, gatherings, traveling, etc.

So, what does your soul need this weekend? The great news is that it is Thursday and most of us can still can DECIDE what we need and then CHOOSE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Whatever you do, I hope that you will EMOTIONALLY EXHALE.

We all need a spotter (or a few)

(Photo Creds: We Heart it)

On Sunday, I kicked off the week by reminding you that you are indeed a “bad ass.” That’s according to the Bible by the way, which is a great go-to source for understanding how we are designed. Apologies for any that are offended by that word choice, but I feel it’s the most appropriate way to call out the truth.

That said, I felt this was an appropriate topic for a Tuesday, which by the way is the “most productive” of work days. It’s when the coffee hits the system and we are ready to ROLL.

To me, there is not much better than getting that “flow” going and really feeling like you are conquering your day. That could be any day, but especially when that to-do list starts to get crossed off, line by line. LOVE IT! Anyone else?

Along the way, my hope for you today is that you will make sure to USE A SPOTTER. We all need them. I need several… managing your health, finances, family, relationships – the list goes on – requires a TON OF HELP. Who are your spotters? They can help LIFT THE HEAVY LOAD and give you much needed relief.

Have a STRONG WEEK and know that others are cheering you on and want to help!

Celebration marks the moments of your life.

(Photo Creds: Cindy Reynolds and her lovely, and obviously fun, better half. Cindy and Dennis own Somerset Ridge Vineyards & Winery outside of Louisburg. It is beautiful, fun and one of the BEST KC experiences! Check it out.)

Okay, so for real… this eclipse experience was just FUN. I was on a plane, so did not get to experience it, however, the pictures were just a thrill to look at! I love it when everyone just stops and has FUN.

Props to the companies, schools and organizations that took the time to MARK THE MOMENT. Regardless if you are a science nerd and loved every minute of the details, or if you just wanted to don the cool glasses and join the festivities, it was something for everyone to celebrate! A once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Celebrating is important! It is actually more than important and I need to do a better job of celebrating small moments. I actually decided I needed to ALWAYS have a bottle of pink champagne in my refrigerator to have on hand to celebrate the little things in our lives, family, neighbors, colleagues…

Here is a thought: How else can we make celebrating easy and top of mind? That’s the thinking for the day.

Celebrating is a GIFT we have on hand every day and week if we choose to use it! What do you need to celebrate? Seeking out the good in life is a key to happiness and to a life of serving others and yourself well.

Worth repeating: What this moment demands

(Photo Creds: Pine Cove Camps)

(This is an insight worth repeating from around this time in 2016.)

Every moment and season of our lives seems to require something different.

This blog is a shout out to not only my son Sam (pictured above), but the thousands of camp counselors at Pine Cove Camps, Kanakuk Camps, Camp Barnabas and the many other great camps that have literally given themselves fully this summer to serve others. In their endless days, with little sleep and millions of calories burned, they encounter moment after moment where they have to ask this question: “What does this moment demand?”

A child that is just flat-out tired today and not into the camp games, one that isn’t feeling well and another that has more energy than Kelly Ledecky. In every situation, these students have learned to adapt, rise and ultimately, to serve well.

I haven’t gotten to talk at a deep level with Sam yet, but my mom intuition tells me that Sam learned more than he could have imagined and he has a new​ ​idea what personal sacrifice and dedication looks like.

As we think through this idea of “What does this moment demand?” I believe we also often are required to​
adapt and rise up.

What are you encountering in your life right now?​ ​This time last year, we talked about hard conversations, and that is certainly an area that requires something different from us.

Some others might include…

A friend that just received a cancer diagnosis. What is required of us as their friend​? ​How do we need to​ ​rise​ to the occasion. How do we need to adapt our life to be there for them and their family?

A child that is struggling in middle school. Do we need to educate ourselves and read everything we can on these struggles? Do we need to take the time to have meaningful conversations with the school leaders​ ​and​ ​teachers involved? How can we best serve that child in​ ​this moment​​?

A local small business that could use some publicity.​ ​Do we even have a role here?​ ​You bet! Social media is a tremendous tool today! Tell your friends​ ​and give them a shout out. What else?

A community struggling with conflict. Where to even start?

We start by​ ​adapting, learning and by rising up to the moment!

Great conversations: A template for 1-on-1 talks

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

(I want to note that if you don’t happen to have kids, the ideas in this post could pretty much be used in any conversation with someone you care about… I hope you find it helpful!)

As a mom, I am always mindful of ways to be better in that role. As the boys get older, I find this more challenging. I want to be someone they can always trust to listen to their heart (without judgement), but someone who they know will also spur them along toward God’s gifting in their lives.  This can be done through encouragement, brainstorming the “possibilities” together and even rebuke and course-correction.

I’d have to say I’m not so good at the latter. I find it challenging given the different personality types knowing just how to approach certain topics, while honoring how they think and digest information. I long for the spirit of a great teacher or coach who knows just how to train and get the best out of their students.

Every summer of the boys’ younger years we went to an amazing family camp, Pine Cove in Tyler, Texas. Beyond the family excitement part, the best part for me was getting great training on parenting and leadership in the home. The parents had an opportunity to hear world-class speakers who spent a portion of each day speaking into us and giving us ideas on how to grow as a parent. I have found that since we aged out of camp, so to speak, a couple of years ago that it has been helpful for me to sit down for a week in the summer and maintain this focus, which is where this blog was birthed.

Through reading, scripture and conversation, I made this list of  questions or conversation starters that could be used as a template for these 1-on-1 discussions.

The idea here is to focus on soul questions:

  • How are you?
  • What are you seeing? Are you on the path you want to be on?
  • What do you think life is teaching you right now?
  • What are you learning?
  • Where do you want to travel? What do you have planned that is “fun” and filling of the soul?
  • What are you reading?
  • What are you living for?
  • What gets in the way?
  • How can I best help/encourage/inspire/support you?

This I hope gives you a list to start from. I’d love to hear what others you have!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: A spiritual retreat may be just what you need

(Photo Creds: My dear friend Deb lives in this beautiful part of our country – Idaho)

Deb posted this photo last week. It’s her daily view, and it’s stunning. It is usually by water that I hear the most from God, but I believe we can hear from Him anywhere really. In fact, right now, I’m having a “spiritual retreat” day and I’m simply sitting outside on my deck. It’s a fabulous summer Saturday and I’m open to hearing from Him on all manner of things from my boys and family/friends, to my career; finances and dreams – the list goes on.

Today’s “simple thought” is that there is great power in taking time to reflect and listen. There is even greater power in finding rest so that we can be fully present. In fact, in the Old Testament story of Elijah in 1 Kings, he goes up to Mount Horne/Sinai and seeks God. There, away from the distractions, he is able to hear from God. It’s an inspiring story and offers us important guidance.

I’m not sure about you today, but I need to hear from God. What are his plans for me? How do I serve the best I can and honor this life He’s given to me? Those are big questions. Over the years, I have learned the absolute power of getting away and seeking Him. There are a few sources that I’ve found which I’d be happy to share if you are interested in having your own “personal retreat.”

Have an amazing week my friends.