The Intentional Life

Paul and I escaped reality for a week. Well, not quite, we were doing four days of training for Gateway.  But being 11 hours away from all our other responsibilities?  It sure felt like we had escaped. I feel like it was good in more ways than one.  I really enjoyed the training that we went through.  I really enjoyed eating out and having someone else make my bed for me.  I enjoyed the quietness of the evenings, being spent however you want.  Those of you who are houseparents as well...you know how big of a deal THAT one is!  And, although I dearly missed our kids....it was nice to have a break from that as well. The first few days were the feeling of 'Ahhh...freedom!'  I didn't have to say phrases like:  "what did i just tell you?" or "stop pulling your sister's hair." or  "crayons are not for eating." or  "stop dumping milk on your head."  and countless other phrases that we utter as parents that we never imagined we w

Kinda feeling it this evening. Not sure what has brought it on.  Whether it's because I'm fighting a cold.  Or because I didn't sleep all that well last night.  Not sure. But sometimes I think God is trying to speak to me in those melancholy times.  I think sometimes I am discontent and not even aware of it. Does that make any sense? I hope it does to someone, because then I wouldn't be alone in this. At any rate, what better way to pull out of melancholy (or discontent) than to count blessings, right? A short picture list (in no particular order...because this is the order I found them in and downloaded them from their folders...and can't switch them around because I am computer illiterate...)   My beautiful children  My wonderful, loving, forgiving, perfect-for-me husband Peace in Jesus Christ Co-laborers in this work that make this life just a bit more sun-shiny Family that loves us and accepts us just the way we are Sisters! 'n

I like New Year's day. And Mondays. And mornings. They all have one thing in common for me. Clean slate.  The start of a new year.  The start of a new week.  The start of a new day. I used to do new year resolutions, but, you see, I am not very disciplined (something I have *ahem* resolved to change...) and trying to do something different in a new year, well, doesn't last very long.  I would try really hard for oh, say the first week or so, and then the wheels would fall of the wagon.  Well, the next year wouldn't come around for another 340 days so I would shelve those resolutions for another year.  But weeks, and days, come around a bit more often.  So I have found myself making resolutions for myself for a week, or day, at a time. This week I am going to get my closet organized. This week I will get that card written and mailed. Today I will try a new recipe. Today I will spend more quality time with my kids. Today I will not get impatient with my