Texting, multi-media messages, facebook, twitter, instant messaging, email, voicemail…. all of these ”connection” apps are on my “communication” device called a smartphone. There are truly so many possiblities of connection, yet… I’m feeling quite disconnected! LOL! People are growing more and more careless of how they comment or reply, what status’ they put in front of our faces rather than in their personal journals, and impatience seems to be more real than ever before.
It reminds me of those movies about machines taking over the world because.. well…. they actually have! I miss the days when words were written or typed onto paper and a phone was just a phone that I actually enjoyed using.
You knew it, you loved it and you cried to you parents for it! The arches always shined like gold and the irresistible toys cheerfully played with our minds as if with telepathic powers. McDonald’s had us hooked before we even knew how to pronounce hangurber.. oops, I mean hamburger.
As a child, this amazing fast food chain seemed to have it all. The meal of happiness with all it’s tasty glory, the coolest toys ever with the need to be collected and it’s own little wonderland called.. the play place. Oh, the innocence of it all. Those were the days, but unfortunately I’ve grown up and the innocence has been lost and I got a clue. In fact, I got so much of a clue that even just the thought of McDonald’s food made me want to hurl up 30 years of it all at once and it has became a permanent displeasure to any of my senses.
I’m not really writing this post just to gross you out or even convince you to stop eating their food. Besides, I already wrote all of that on my “Get Healthy” page a year ago. (lol) No, I’m writing this post in regards to my personal celebration of a HAPPY-er year without McDonald’s and a healthier year with real foods!!!! I’d stopped eating McDonald’s in May of 2010, but last month I remembered one extra time that I went with a group in July 2010 and ate a chicken wrap. (Gag me!) So now that it’s officially been ONE YEAR, I’ve decided to have a little fun with it and put together a little TOP TEN list! Hope you’ll be “LOVIN’ IT!”
TOP TEN REASONS I GOT A REAL HAPPY MEAL
10. A meal that keeps me satisfied for more than an hour after eating it makes me happier.
9. I want my body to be properly fueled rather than flopping around on sugars and processed mysteries.
8. Despite how healthy the advertisements say they may be, even the salads have insane calories because of sugar.
7. I lost the taste for food that’s processed like Ronald scarfed it down, barfed it all up, froze it, shipped it and then served it to me. (Like the chicken mcnuggets process pic below)
**That’s not ice cream!!!**
6. I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I’ll never find out what it is they cook that makes it smell like a footlocker in every one of their restaurants.
5. McDonald’s calls people who eat their food more than once a week “Heavy Users.” And to be honest, it’s often true!
4. If they really want them, I can buy my kids any McDonald’s toy in any thrift store or yard sale and also take them to parks that don’t compact us in stinky little rooms.
3. Honestly, their food makes better toys than their actual toys do. Never molds!
2. Clowns don’t go to cooking school.
And the number one reason….
1. I want to help keep my future generations from ending up like the clueless, lazy and wobbly WALL.E people!
Everyone makes mistakes, everyone has some regrets whether a short or long list, but there’s so many people in this world who are literally crippled by their past mistakes. Stuck in their own minds thinking about these things over and over… always facing it and letting it bash them a little further down. I want to send out some encouragement though……… You are more than the choices that you made. The condemned feeling doesn’t come from God. The world was already condemned so condemning you is not why Jesus came…. He came to save you and me from that condemnation. You’ve just got to start believing that you are more than what YOU have been and start letting HIM help you to be the YOU that HE created you to be. Start letting Him show you who YOU ARE. He created the stars… and you. He created the sun… but wants to shine through you. He’s an amazing and loving God… we just don’t understand that love! He doesn’t expect you to understand it though… He just wants you to live in it and love through it. He wants you to know that you are so much more.
There’s a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she’s wandered
And the shame she can’t hide
She says, “How did I get here?
I’m not who I once was.
And I’m crippled by the fear
That I’ve fallen too far to love”
But don’t you know who you are,
What’s been done for you?
Yeah don’t you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
Well she tries to believe it
That she’s been given new life
But she can’t shake the feeling
That it’s not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she’s rehearsed all the lines
And so she’ll try to do better
But then she’s too weak to try
But don’t you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
‘Cause this is not about what you’ve done, But what’s been done for you. This is not about where you’ve been, But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel, But what He felt to forgive you, And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
You’ve been remade
You’ve been remade.
You’ve been remade.
You’ve been remade.
My husband, Murad is celebrating a great anniversary today….
“15 years ago, today, marks my anniversary of arriving in the USA.” Says a proud citizen of the United States of America.
“My ambition was to get a higher education, like CPA or MBA. So I came and got busy working and making money lol. I still have the ambition… but I have no time.” .. and again he laughs. This guy is always laughing hahahahaha.
“I thank the Lord that He brought me here to reveal to me what He really had purposed for my life.” Amen…. I’m exceedingly thankful for that as well.
“I didn’t even imagine in my wildest dreams that I’m going to meet the most beautiful woman… AND MARRY HER!” *I’m happily blushing*
“When I was a child or even a teenager, I never planned to come to the USA. My coming here was a last minute idea. (literally) It happened when my best friend came and persuaded me to come… so, I did. I’m truly blessed beyond any and all expectations.”
“Now I could say, it’s an honor to be an American citizen, an honor I never understood before. And… I get to pay taxes too… something else I never understood before.” hahahahaha
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND!!!!
I’m always thinking about this beautifully and wonderfully made child that God brought into my life for a new season… a new title… MOM. She was the first to call me mommy and show me that I could be a good one. So in retrospect, if she’s 10 years old.. then it means it’s also my 10 year anniversary of Motherhood. Right? lol
Newborn Alayna with Daddy April 2001
It’s not about me though is it? LoL, no. It’s about this child who is growing up and warming my heart every step of the way (mommy woes are making my heart ache at the same time though). I would’ve never imagined that I would have a child so beautiful, smart, funny, bright and cheery. She’s so caring and welcoming and she loves to talk to people and get to know them. I’m loving to see all that God is molding her into.
LEFT: Alayna at 2 years old. RIGHT: Alayna at 3 1/2
I had a moment last night, her last night of being the single-digit age of 9 (only mom’s understand this heart-ache) ..I held her and got very teary-eyed. It was one of those precious moments when you face the facts of your child growing into a woman which is followed by mental images of graduation, engagement, marriage, LEAVING ME.. and grand kids. Oh…. so overwhelming.
Alayna means… “precious; sun ray, shining light”. And that’s what she truly is… plus much, much more.
Okay, here’s the deal. As I sat down to lunch this afternoon, I started thinking about other foods. LOL, not that my food was at all bad, but I want to branch out in what I eat and enjoy different things. I began thinking about many cultures and wondering what they ate everyday. I know there’s the key dishes for every culture… but what are the common daily dishes in each one? I want to know and I’d really like to learn without having to go to multiple cook books. Besides… I wouldn’t know which dishes in a cook book would be the household faves for daily dishing!
So this is where I’m longing for a favor from you. In the comments section of this post I want YOU to write what culture you’re from and what your family most commonly eats on a daily basis for breakfast or lunch (I’m not that interested in dinner). I’m asking also that you would add the recipe or a link to it!
Would you be willing to do this for me? Please???
I think this will be fun for everyone.
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*Update
As you can see below in the comments, Ubermoe (Mohammad Badi) created a blog post about popular foods from his hometown that I will most DEFINITELY be trying out! Then he asked me to give him some of St. Louis’ popular (and very easy) dishes… so… here comes the best of St. Louis!!!!
Heaven’s Closet was opened by Doug and Donna Duvall in Hillsboro, Missouri to serve their community by providing free items such as clothing, linens, shoes, accessories, toys, books, baby items of all types and household items. Food items are also provided when available. All items are free because all items are donated and everyone who works there is a volunteer. (My mom is one of the volunteers!) Volunteers are always needed!!!!
I’m asked the question time and time again with the same wonderfully confused face… “The FREE store?! Everything’s FREE?!” Yes… it’s a free store and everything is absolutely free! (YAY!) I love this place and leave the city to visit it often (usually with curious and anxious passengers lol). I was actually there yesterday when it dawned on me to share this great place with everyone via blogging!
LET ME SHOW YOU AROUND A LITTLE!
Woman browsing the girls section
A portion of the mens section
Baby section
A portion of the women’s section
Kid’s toys, games and books section
The check out counter where the volunteers bag up your free items
While all items are free, there of course must be order to be sure there is plenty for all. An easy guideline list is kept on the walls in most sections for your shopping convenience.
HERE ARE THE GUIDELINES:
It’s a place for everyone including the giving, the recyclers and the needy! Anyone can be a part of Heaven’s Closet by donating items, money or their time to this great community service.
People are always decluttering and getting rid of stuff, but if you don’t have anything to give hold a clothing drive! And if you don’t have any service like this in your area……. maybe you could be the one to open up to your community! PRAY ABOUT IT!!!!
I love going to concerts and fully intend to make my way to them more often!
I wanted to just share a couple of my favorite bands with you whose concerts I enjoyed the most in no particular order.
MIKESCHAIR
Keep Changing The World
Let The Waters Rise
I just attended a small concert for MIKESCHAIR a week ago as a part of a concert series being done by THE BEST radio station in the world called JOY FM for their 10th Birthday Sofa Concert Series event going on all month.
This band really impressed me because the songs are awesome and the guys are truly genuine… which is always awesome to see!
*After I published this post, I got immediate notification from a friends blog I’m subscribed to and saw she wrote about the concert for MIKESCHAIR as well! lol
I went to their concert a couple years ago and absolutely loved it. It’s awesome when you go to a Christian concert and they make it obvious that they’re not here to show off their talent, but give God all the glory and honor with it… and that’s what both of these bands do.
My favorite skit for SET ME FREE
Since I posted the original song, I wanted to also post this skit a church did with it.
I really like what they did and how the demons fall when Jesus stretches out his arms like when on the cross. It kind of makes me laugh and get all excited! haha … LOVE IT!
God is awesome and gives humanity great talents that are doubled and blessed when used to show his love!!!!
The next concert that I would love to go to would be this guy…….
Israel Houghton
For more great Christian music… listen to St. Louis’ very own JOY FM online from anywhere in the world with live streaming audio!!!!
Wow.. what a 7 day’s it has been! I’m so happy I’ve done this shut-away and it certainly won’t be the last time! I feel rejuvenated and strengthened, but most importantly, God has helped me understand some things about myself through first knowing HIM more. I will tell you one of these things now.
As a mother, I love my kids so much…. but I realized I was lacking in teaching them some very important things. When you read about King Josiah you read that he was just 8 years old when he started to reign over Judah and it said that “He did what was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the ways of David his {forefather}, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” (2Kings 22:2) Later on in his life this book was brought to him by a scribe after being given it by the priest, Hilkiah. As he read this book, he realized not only the importance, but the authority that this book held for it contained laws … it was The Book of the Law. He was then immediately up to the task before him and he rent his clothes and said, “For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us because our fathers have not listened and obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” And he was quick in having these words read to all the people of Judah.
What a testimony this child grew up to have! His foundation made him strong in his young adult life to manage this great task of reforming Judah! Where did that foundation come from though? His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. We can go back to Joshua 15:39 and see that his mother was a descendant of Caleb. What an amazing impact us mothers have!
“THE MORE SATAN TRIES TO STAMP OUT THE FIRE, THE MORE HE JUST ENDS UP SCATTERING SPARKS AND SPREADING THE FLAMES!” – taken from the book Meet the UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL
What are we saying to our kids in our everyday lives? To fear? To worry? To just attend church when we can and try to do good deeds? What did Jesus die on the cross for then? What was his precious blood shed for? Acts 2:39 says “For the promise is unto you, and to your children…” wait…… who is going to teach our children this promise? This is our job as parents… to be good stewards of all that God has blessed us with. Including our children.
We need to get back to the basics and then take our children with us as we go beyond them on the path that God leads us!
Here I am in the middle of so much that I want to do and so much that I felt I needed, but I have to step back from it all for a few days. Seven days to be exact. I’m going to take a week to step away from everything. Facebook, twitter, email, blogging… and food. Normally I wouldn’t announce such a thing, but seeing as I’ve made my diet so public and committed to blog about it everyday, I don’t know how to say it in any other way and I can’t just disappear for a week without explanation. Besides all of that, I think we all need to hear of more and more people who want to keep their walk with God in check. Without bragging of course. It’s encouraging. Don’t you want a closer walk with him? Of course you do…. we all do, even if we say we don’t. It’s what we were created to do and our spirit knows it.
Anyway, I’m putting these things behind me for a week because I want to be changed. Everyone has a different walk with God and feel to do different things at different times to have it. To get their flesh out of the way. To step back from the things that are getting their attention and say, “I want to know you more, LORD.” And as this song says… That’s the place where I’m changed, and that’s where I belong! I won’t be better than anyone…. I’ll know Him better than I do now.
GREATER THINGS ARE YET TO COME!!!!!
There’s a cleanse for the physical, it takes sacrifice and discipline.
On an application, one of the questions that used to puzzle me was: What are your hobbies?
You wouldn’t think this would be difficult considering it has to do with myself. I seriously never really knew how to answer it though because.. well, I don’t have a “hobby.” Normal people are able to pin-point their own likes and dislikes, but nope, NOT ME! This frustrated me sometimes because I wanted to know!!!!
Okay, I’ll stop confusing you and explain. I didn’t know what my hobby was because I was trying to pin point ONE thing. Well, not too long ago I found that I don’t have a specific hobby. Sometimes I like to sew, but I could go on a sewing kick for a while and then never touch a needle and thread again in my life! I tried drums, but that didn’t last long because the urge to practice just hit me every great once in a while so I’d play for hours and then not touch my set again for sometimes months. Photography is cool, but I lost major interest in that after our house fire in 2006 burned my cameras and all the photographs I spent so much time and money on.
Fortunately for myself (and any applicant readers), I’ve recently discovered that my hobby is CREATIVITY. I may do something and love it for short or long periods of time, but any of those things have to do with my creative thinking. I’m not awesome at anything I do, I don’t want to take any one class (yet) to perfect any of it… I just enjoy as each phase comes along.
At the moment I’m enjoying photo editing so I made a collage of a few of my pics I shot and edited.
January 7, 2007 was the day I had this little girl named Rejoice (Joy.) Tomorrow she will be four years old and as I laid next to her this morning for a few moments, I saw what will probably be the last baby-ness characteristics I will ever see. I hugged her so close to me. She’s my baby and she will always be my baby, but she becomes less and less of a baby in this world everyday.
When I had my first daughter, Alayna I read the famous children’s book Love You Forever and made up a tune to the words the mom sang to her son:
I’ll love you forever
I’ll like you for always
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.
This song still gets sang to them both with hugs. And in the moments I sing it to each of them they pause, take a breath as they listen with smiles and sighs. It’s one of “our” moments and I love it deeply.
I read a blog post this morning and I wanted to share a portion of it with you all. I like it so much because as I look back over my childhood I see how easily dreams can be snatched from children… the devil wants kids to grow up thinking they’re nothing and not capable so that they won’t live up to their purpose God pre-destined them for. So we’ve got to let our kids know as often as we can and in as many ways as we can….. to fear not.
Every single person has big dreams when they are kids. A lot of people don’t make them. You know why? They were either afraid of failing so they never tried or they didn’t want to work for it. It’s not that they couldn’t get them. It’s that they wouldn’t. I dare you to be better than the rest. I dare you to dream something so big and so great that you can only accomplish it with God plus a lot of hard work. And I dare you to make that dream a reality. Fear not…you can do it.
Life it designed to be an uphill battle. If it was easy then everyone could do it. But you are exceptional children. I know YOU can do it.
Are YOU living in CHAOS?
(Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome)
As most of you know, I’ve started a 2-month commitment to dieting and blogging about it DAILY. You can read about it on my health page.
But I wanted to share something with those of you who are looking to get organized in different areas of your life, but you don’t know where to start!
Over a year ago I came across a woman named FLY LADY and she has a great team working with her. I’ve found that quite a lot of people still haven’t heard about her so I wanted to pass her site along! Following her guidelines has really helped me a lot in the last 2 years with many things around my home and her emails always kept me reminded and encouraged!!!! Here’s an interview with FLY LADY by DeclutterMastery.com!
First, I want to say thank you, God for bringing me through 2010! He’s a provider and most importantly.. my savior is the best counselor! I couldn’t have made it to 2011 successfully if not for His love!!!! “If I never had a problem, I’d never know He could solve them.” He’s good in problems and out of problems.. you just can’t go wrong with Jesus.
I also want to tell you all how much I appreciate your support and interest in the different subjects I post by leaving comments, sending emails and subscribing to my blog! It’s great when people you know like, comment and subscribe, but it just feels so wonderful to meet new people doing the same!
This is especially going to be a fun year! And it’s starting off with a great challenge for all of us determined to lose weight as I blog about it everyday on my GET HEALTHY page!
I hope you have a tremendously blessed year and that you continue to join me through out!!!!
