First of all, I have to say, thank you all for your encouraging words and affirmation on Facebook and Instagram today. I promise to write more soon about how and why I "needed Jesus something fierce" this morning. 

So many of you have asked about bible studies and devotionals, and my first recommendation is to download the YouVersion Bible app. It's free, and has tons of great reading plans and devotionals to help you get started. 

My second recommendation is to join us for summer bible study! 

Myself and my dear friend Jari Spry are going to co-lead a summer online bible study. We'll be creating a Facebook community of women who want to be accountable to being in God's word this summer. In addition to our facebook group, we'll be joining each other live online every other Wednesday morning in June and July. 

The Details: 

Online Meeting dates:

Wednesday, June 4th @ 9:00 am CST

Wednesday, June 18th @ 9:00 am CST

Wednesday, July 2nd @9:00 am CST

Wednesday, July 16th @9:00 am CST

Wednesday, July 30th @ 9:00 am CST

The Study: 

We'll be working through Beth Moore's newest bible study over 1 & 2 Thessalonians along with the siestas on Beth Moore's blog. It's called Children of the Day, and you can order your copy at Lifeway.com for $15.95 by clicking here. 

FAQs: 

Do I need to be experienced in bible study to join this group? 

Absolutely not! Whether this is your 1st bible study or your 20th, you'll be blessed by being a part of the group. 

Is there any cost to join? 

There is no cost to join except the cost of your member book. 

What if I can't join every week? 

Totally fine! Join when you can, and we'll miss you when you can't! 

How will we meet online? 

We will meet online via spreecast.com. You'll be able to see Jari and myself and if you wish to join us on camera to discuss or ask questions, you'll be able to, but you won't have to be on camera if you don't want to! 

What if my kids are around when we meet online? 

Join the club. Ours will be too. 

What if I work and can't join you during the online meeting times, but still want to participate?

We would love to still have you! You can join our facebook group and watch the online meetings at your convenience. 

Do I need to do anything before the 1st online meeting? 

All you need to do is order your member book and join our facebook group. 

How do I join?! 

Easy. Join our Children of the Day Summer Online Bible Study Facebook group by clicking here and order your member book from Lifeway.com so you'll have it in time for our 1st meeting on Wednesday, June 4th. 

And that's all she wrote. I hope you'll join us! 

A fresh passion

My brain is running in a hundred directions at a million miles an hour. I'm processing from a weekend well spent with 7700 women at Beth Moore's Living Proof Live Event. 

It was truly incredible, and Miss Beth definitely brought a word. 

I'm on overload honestly. If I weren't writing everyday, I wouldn't write about it yet if I weren't writing everyday just because it doesn't all make sense in my brain. 

But I do know this for sure. Beth makes me crazy about God's word. The treasures that she finds....the little mysteries that she reveals in scripture, it makes it crave the word of God, and there is nothing like that craving. 

I have prayed for it many times, and there are several points in my life when I have been obsessed with the Lord's word, but this weekend, that passion came back with a fresh eye. There are so many treasures to be found in God's living, breathing word. 

So while I process an amazing weekend with incredible friends, I'm thrilled that the Lord inspired a renewed passion in me. 

There will be more to come soon...and this is the only picture I snapped all weekend....Sarah Matanane, I'm so sorry we didn't get one with all 3 of us! (We didn't think to do it until we had all walked through the rain....you just can't take a picture after your hair's been in the rain...ya know?!)

{This one was snapped after a break before everyone was back. There were 7700 women in this place, and it was amazing to worship with them.}

Road trip?

Let's go to Tulsa. Want to? 

If you're not from Oklahoma, you may not know where Tulsa is, but worry not, my friends, if your'e not from Oklahoma, it really doesn't matter that you don't know where Tulsa is. 

But if you are an Okie and you love you some Beth Moore, then let's go to Tulsa! 

She's going to be at the BOK center on September 27th and 28th.  I sort of love Beth Moore. The first bible study I ever worked through was Believing God, and it changed me in the best kind of way, so I've sort of been a fan ever since. 

Anyways, I  didn't know if you knew or not, but I thought you should know, and I thought we should go. 

In all seriousness, I am going with a group of girls from the OKC area, so if you want to join us, we'd love to have you! You can find all the info and register here. 

Any takers? 

A little braver today.....a story of a girl and a horse and fear....again

My heart fell into the pit of my stomach today. I knew she was falling before it happened. She knew she was falling, but she couldn't stop it. 

My 6 year old daughter fell off this horse today. It's her second fall since she's been riding, and I know it won't be her last. Falling off a horse is part of riding a horse. 

What is amazing to me is that she got right back up and rode again. 

I know she was scared when she fell. I know she was a little scared when she got back on, but I'm learning that each of a us have a few things in life that we view as scary but that we're willing to pursue anyways. 

My sweet little girl tried dance and feared the crowd. It wasn't worth the fear to her. She tried piano, and once again, feared the crowd when it came to be recital time. It just wasn't worth the fear. 

But riding is different. She loves riding. I mean, really, really loves riding. It's all she talks about. It's all she wants to do. 

And it's scary, and really scary when she falls, but there are some great things in life that are worth being scared over. 

I was thinking tonight about how courageous she is and about what it means to be courageous. 

Do you have that something in your life? Something that is more important than fear? 

My kids are that to me. They make me be courageous. They scare the crap out of me, but they are worth the fear. When you love someone that much, fear becomes a part of that love. But my babies....they are far more important than the fear. They make me be courageous. 

My business is the same way. I was thinking about how scared I was when I started.

What would people think? 

What if I failed? 

What if no one wanted to buy anything from me? 

What if......

But I had that 20 seconds of insane courage, and I did it, and I never looked back. It seemed worth the fear to me. 

Marriage is the same. What if he leaves? What if he stops loving me? What if it doesn't work out? What if? 

Worth it. Worth every second of the fear. 

Starting a bible study? Same story. What if no one shows up? What if they think I'm crazy? I don't know enough about the Bible....What will I say? Still....worth it. 

Everything that I have ever done that was actually worth doing was surround by a dark cloud of fear. And very slowly, day by day, that fear fades. I don't know that it ever really goes away. I think we just become braver. 

But there are things in my life that I stray away from because I'm afraid. Big things. Real things. 

Like writing a book. Or speaking about something other than Scentsy. I've gotten to a pretty comfortable place where things generally tend to work. I see other things, but I don't go there, because what if I were to fail? 

Today I watched my daughter fall off a horse, be visibly afraid, and then choose to get back up and ride again. And today I decided that I want to be more like her. I want to be brave like she has chosen to be brave. 

And I wonder if there is something in your life that is scary that you stray away from because of the "what ifs." I think we all have something in our lives that would be worth the fear if we would only step out and take a chance. 

My daughter reminded me today that it's worth it to fall sometimes. It's a reminder that great things aren't easy and sometimes we fail while pursuing them. But there are great things that each of us are called to that require us to step outside our fear and be brave. 

Maybe Brene Brown says it best when she says, "The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time." 

Here's to all of us showing up and becoming a little braver. 

Community.....you need one

Sharing life with others isn't easy. It's usually messy and complicated and not always convenient. 

Let's be real. That's just how it is. 

But as Christ followers, we are called to be in community with one another. 

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  ~Hebrews 10:24-25  

I know that taking time out of your day and routine to meet with and encourage other women is often much easier said than done. It's easier just not to do it.

But I know that my life apart from my women's bible study would be completely different if I didn't have them to constantly encourage me, challenge me, pray for me, and lift me up. It's what we do, and it's not always easy, but it's incredibly beautiful and worth every moment.

Our small group has been meeting on Tuesday mornings in north Edmond for over 2 years now. It seems as though everyone in the group has had their fair share of trials and tribulations. We have been thru hard times, times of blessing, and times of crisis. And we have done it all together.

No, we're not perfect, and we even make mistakes when it comes to one another from time to time, but we love each other, and we love Christ, and that's what makes community work.

We are currently inviting new friends to join us! And we would love for you to come.

We meet for 2 hours every Tuesday morning to fellowship, pray, and study God's word.

We do offer childcare, and we are in the process of making our large group into smaller, more intentional groups.

We meet for snacks, coffee and fellowship from 9:30-10:00 and then we split into our smaller groups for study. Each group does a different study, and we alternate leading for those who feel comfortable doing so. We stay in our small groups for 8 weeks, and then we change up the groups and start a new study.

Our new format allows for everyone to pick the group and study that best suits them. If you want homework, pick a group doing a study that has homework. If you know you can't manage homework at the season of life you're in, pick a group that's working thru a devotional.

I realize that taking time out of your already busy day is a lot to ask, but I will say that I don't know where I would be without these women in this group. Within our group, we have been through infidelity, divorce, restoration, foster care, a devastating home fire, sick kids, pregnancies, foster care, death, marriages, cancer, and the celebration of new life, and it is a joy to have a group of women to walk through the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, and everything in between with.

The Bible says to "Bear one another's burden's and so fulfill the law of Christ." {Galatians 6:2}

That is exactly what our group does. We would love to have you. If you're in the Oklahoma City area (we meet in North Edmond) and are interested in joining our group, please comment below. Or if you are interested in learning more about how to start a lead and group in your area, also comment below. I would love to help you get started.

A few hours a week really can change your life. We are living proof. A community of women....you need one. I'm just sayin'

Promises

Tonight at about 5:30 on the dot, I had a small emotional breakdown. 
Like I wanted to scream and throw things and cry (but I so maturely restrained myself). 
Do you ever look around your house and think to yourself, "who robbed us?" Because that's what I asked myself today. 
Seriously, how does our house look like this at roughly 5:00 every single day? 
And for about half a second, I wanted to cry. 
Instead of crying, I got out 2 huge boxes and told the kids that if they filled 2 boxes with toys they wanted to give away to kids who didn't have toys, then they would earn 2 tickets to see Despicable Me 2 tomorrow. 
Yes, I'm into bribery. 
We cleaned out the living room toys and the toys outside, and then we headed up to the playroom, where I almost had another precious little tantrum. 
Our playroom is a serious disaster area. Everything in me wants to have all the kitchen toys by the kitchen set, and the books in the library area, but that is just never going to happen. We have over a dozen kids playing in that playroom every Tuesday for bible study. 
I mean, do I need to say anything else? 
I just started throwing stuff away. I was so over it. There were broken toys and smashed DVD cases. I mean, it is what it is, and that's just part of inviting a small daycare of children of various ages to play in 1 room in your house 1 day a week. 
Then on top of all that, my dining room and living room are covered in every piece of Grace Adele, Scentsy, and Velata product I own since I'm hosting my open house this Saturday. 
Plus my laundry room is still a train wreck (remember, I was organizing it a few weeks ago?) Well, it's still a mess! 
Oh, and we found a snake in the backyard today. 
A big, long black snake. 
A big, long black snake that Brian was supposed to kill and instead he let that devilish thing escape under the deck.
In his defense, he did borrow snake traps from our neighbor and poured flour around the perimeter of our deck so he would know when the snake slithered out. Great plan.
So that's really the bulk of why I wanted to have a pity party. BUT in the midst of all that, I was reminded tonight of how sweet and patient the Lord is. 
I'm in the middle of an online summer bible study. We're working through Priscilla Shirer's Gideon study, and it is so timely and perfect for where I am right now. 
Tonight as we watched our teaching session together online, I was reminded so sweetly of how the Lord uses or weaknesses and our strengths to create the body of Christ. What a blessing to know! 
But I was also reminded that there are always 2 parts to the story. There is the part that we do, and there is the part that the Lord does. And I am so incredibly thankful for the part that the Lord does. 
He picks me up out of my pity and allows me to triumph in the middle of my weakness. He gives me unknown and abnormal strength to do the things that He has clearly called me to do. 
Priscilla went on to explain that as sons and daughters of Christ, there are over 8,000 promises written in God's word that are available to us through Christ Jesus. 
BUT those promises are not placed within our hands. They are only placed within our reach. We have to do our part and reach out and act in obedience to claim the promises that the Lord has for us. 
Tonight I am thankful for a God who places His goodness and glory and peace within my reach (even in the midst of my mess) and all I have to do, is reach out and act in obedience. What a blessing. 

When I Don't Have Enough

Today I messed up.

I let my fear of not getting it all done. My fear of the lack of time I have available, cause me to make a poor decision that I instantly regretted.

If you know me or you've read this blog for any amount of time, you know that I do my very best to be intentional with my time.

I have help with my kiddos 2 days a week and that's when I try to get all my "work" done so that when I'm home, I get to be momma and no one else.

I also have an assistant who works part time for me. Hiring an assistant was a decision we made a few years ago when I realized that I was working like I had a full time job when I had quit my job to be a stay at home momma. Things weren't aligning like I wanted them to, so we decided to hire some help.

Well, my assistant had a beautiful baby girl a few days ago which means I am once again doing her work plus the work I was doing.

Needless to say, I miss her and appreciate her after 2 days of doing all her work. And I found myself very overwhelmed this morning with my mounting to do list.

As I headed out the door to go sit in a quite coffee shop and sail through that to do list, a friend called. We had talked about setting up an appointment today to chat about balancing business and kids and working from home. When we originally talked about it, we never settled on a time for sure. I never wrote anything down, and it escaped my mind.

When she called, I knew that she needed to talk to me as a friend. I knew that our meeting was not going to be about balancing business and family but about much more.

I was working through my to do list in my head, trying to figure out if I could get it all done if we met. I wanted to be there for her as her friend, but I also wanted to make sure I was being responsible with my time.

I ended up telling her we could meet on Monday, and that it would be better because we wouldn't be rushed and I could give her my full attention.

As soon as we got off the phone, I started to feel bad, and then I started to rationalize it in my head. I told myself that I have to work when I have a babysitter so that I can get everything done, so that I can be there as a momma when I'm home. I want to be a good steward of my time.

I tried to talk myself out of feeling guilty.

As I pulled into Starbucks, ordered my coffee and sat down to work, I quickly forgot about the situation as I swiftly checked things off the list thanks to free wifi and a nice little caffeine kick.

I made my 12:30 appointment, and had a few minutes to spare before I needed to be home to resume my role as mommy. There were a few things that I didn't get to, so I pulled back into Starbucks and sat outside to work on my bible study homework.

My online group met tonight, and I was behind on my homework.

I opened my workbook to the story of a widow who helped Gideon even when she thought she didn't have the resources to do so.

The story is found in 1 Kings 17:8-16.

The Widow at Zarephath

8Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9“Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”

10So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”

12But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”

13But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son.14For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”

15So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.

As I read this story today it was so very clear to me that the Lord had asked me to be a good friend today and trust that He would provide me with the time that I needed.

Often the Lord calls us to do things that don't seem reasonable or logical.

All I could think about was how little time I had today. I couldn't give what I didn't have.

But this story is a beautiful illustration of how the Lord can take what we feel is lacking and turn it into enough.

I believe that if I would have met with my friend today and been there like she needed me to, that He would have provided the time I needed to get it all done. Maybe not today, but eventually.

Tonight my prayer is that He would continue to change me. I want to have a heart more like His. I want to do the things He clearly calls me to. I know that the Lord can multiply my hours and effort when I am surrendered to His purposes.

I'm grateful for a simple lesson in a beautiful story. Praying for more quick obedience (even when it doesn't make sense) because when I'm not enough or don't have enough, God is enough and has enough, and He gives willingly to those who work according to the purpose of His will.




The bye, bye baby weight food journal for today is below.
{This is getting old quick! But I will say that I'm not snacking nearly as much as I usually do because I don't want to admit it to you.}

2 cups of coffee (with sugar in the raw and creamer)
{Yes, it is very clear that I need a new breakfast routine. Caffeine and sugar is not cutting it as a good start to the day.}

A lunch sized pizza (hand tossed and cheese) that I had half of (3 small pieces)
A lunch salad with olives, carrots, and ranch dressing (not too much)

Chips and Salsa
1 cup of decaf coffee (with sugar in the raw and creamer)

Margarita Chicken (with black beans and rice @Chili's). The menu states that it's 650 calories and I had half of it.

and 5 bites of the Chocolate Molton Cake.....so good!

It's 11:55, and I would like to tell you that I'm going to do some push ups or crunches or something of the sort to make up for the lack of activity I did today.

Maybe saying I was going to do some form of physical activity every day was a little ambitious.

I plan on running tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.




Happy 4th of July Eve!

Birds of the Air

We have watched them coming back and forth, bringing food for their 5 babies. The nest is right outside our dining room window snuggled into the branches of our knockout roses. They are perfectly protected from any predators there.

Cardinals. They are beautiful, and it only took a few days for the tiny babies that looked so frail and fragile to start to venture out of the nest.

I was shocked to find them hopping around the roses this morning. Little balls of fur happy to be out of the nest. 

But there was 1 not strong enough to venture out yet. He didn't have nearly as many feathers as the other 4. The runt remained behind in the nest while the other ventured out. 

Brian warned us all that they might not all survive. Five babies makes for a lot of tiny beaks to feed. 

But we were hopeful. Maybe he would just need a little more time. But within a couple hours, the other 4 were gone. I watched the daddy flit off with the last one. 

And one tiny baby bird was left in the nest. 

I understood that the momma and daddy had to go with the other 4. They were going whether or not the last was coming or not. 

So we watched him throughout the day. Hoping he would come around or that the mom or dad would come back to feed him. 

Around 3:00, Brian decided to give him some water in a dropper. He got so excited and started flitting his little wings and chirping.

That was all it took. We aptly named him Mo (as in mohawk) since his feathers are coming in in sort of a mohawk pattern at the moment, and Brian started digging in the garden for worms. 

As a side note, there is something sexy about your man taking care of a baby bird. 

He mushed up a few worms, added some water, and put that concoction in the dropper to give to Mo. And Mo was thrilled. 

When I returned home from my errands this afternoon, he informed me that he had completed 3 successful feedings. Mo was gaining back his strength. 

And amazingly, that's all it took. 

Within a couple hours, we watched the daddy cardinal come back and feed that baby. 

And then momma came back and fed that baby. 

And they continued to come back and feed him. 

I don't think they wanted to leave him. They had to to take care of the other 4. We were able to get Mo through the afternoon until mom and dad could come back and tend to him. 

And they did. 

And as I prepared for my online bible study tonight, I was reminded of the verse about how the Lord provides for the birds. I couldn't remember where it was, and I was running late, so I just forgot about the story and the scripture all together. 

As we got into our discussion, we came to a question that talked about how we often feel and who the Bible says we are in Christ and the gap that often exists between the two.  

As we were sharing, one of the girls said that she often feels worthless and insignificant. I started to remind her that the Lord's word says that we are not worthless and insignificant but valuable and special. I looked down to reference the scripture that was in our study guide reminding us that we are valuable, and there was the verse, Matthew 6:26. I had no clue what that verse was, but I felt that we should look it up. 

So I turned to Matthew and started to read the words that Christ spoke:

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

And I knew that the Lord was working to show this girl exactly how valuable she was. This was the verse that had come to my mind as we set down to meet. I didn't know where it was, but I didn't need to. He clearly wanted her to hear those words, and hear the story of how we stepped in for a moment to care for a bird. A bird that He cares for and provides for even when its mom and dad can't.

And He loves us so much more than that. We are so valuable to the Lord. He loves us so much. And while we may at times see ourselves as worthless, He reminds us everyday as the birds fly above us, that He loves us more than them. He finds so much value in us that He will always provide for us just as He provides for the birds of the air.

Thank you Father for your simple and beautiful reminders that we are so incredibly valuable to you. We love you and trust you and submit our lives to you. In Christ's name....Amen.

Lessons from Gideon week 1

I am currently working through Priscilla Shirer's new bible study titled Gideon Your Weakness. God's Strength. 

And I am loving it! I am doing it with a group of girls online via facebook and vokle, and it's been a lot of fun so far.

I have been so moved by the things I'm learning that I thought I would share.

So here are my Lessons from Gideon {Week 1}. They are all just short statements that I jotted down. They don't go together as a whole, but each individual statement is one I want to remember.

When God calls us into a risky place where we don't have the skills, ability or resources to do it on our own, it's because He's setting us up to see His hand and His work. He knows that if you see His work, you'll have a passion for Him that cannot be put out.

God's plan is always bigger than what we can see of it. 

With God's grace, you can always start fresh and build a new legacy for Christ.

We are an important part of God's redemption plan because we are a part of His Church. 

God has deliberately positioned each of us to be His representative, beckoning our ailing culture to Him one person at a time. 

The Lord still desires to extend mercy and redeem His people.

We have been commissioned to rise up in our own way to serve His purposes in our generation. He has a unique calling for each of us.

God will empower us to complete His work, multiplying our simple efforts to achieve maximum results.

We cannot function with any sort of effectiveness apart from the Spirit of the Lord.

Victory requires constant effort to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 

{2 Cor. 10:5}

We can lead in spite of ourselves with help from the Holy Spirit.

I have the ability to intentionally and strategically change the future of my family and what they believe to be true about God.

Unglued

Oh the Lord is working on me. Let me tell you. 

We started this new study in my Tuesday morning group called Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst. And let me just willingly admit that I dug my heels into the ground and leaned back not wanting to do this study. And I think it's mostly because I know that change will be involved, and I don't want to have to change! 

And let me just tell you that I was absolutely right about change happening. After only 1 week of doing my homework, I can already see how challenging this is going to be as I let the Lord chisel me. 

Unglued is all about looking at all the ways we come unglued and getting to the root of why it happens. As Lysa says, it's not about perfection, it's about imperfect progress. And I love the thought of progress, and I love the truth that it will probably be imperfect. Amen. 

So that's all. I just wanted to say that I'm in it, and starting it, and living it, and making my attempt at imperfect progress, and I'm good with that. 

Praying that the Lord starts to chisel soon. 

I promise to review it when it's all said and done. We'll see how it goes. 

Who can resist a donut?

So here's the story about how I woke up one day and discovered I was chubby. 

I really wanted to say fat, but then half of you would have emailed me and told me that I'm not fat and I just had a baby. Whatever. 

I feel fat and I look chubby so we're calling it what it is people. 

I do recall that I just had baby #3. I also vaguely recall that that was 7 1/2 months ago. And I'm very certain that I am sick of looking like this and not having clothes that fit. 

Workout pants do not pass as workout pants when you don't work out in them and you're only wearing them because they have an elastic waist band. (I promise I will quit complaining in just a minute.) 

On another note, I was at Barre3 the other day for a repeat visit and there was this girl in there who had a baby who must have been between like 9 months and a year old, and she was so incredibly fit that I wanted to rip her hair out. 

I don't struggle with jealousy at all. There is no need to worry about me. Really. 

But I digress. Skinny people with babies make me want to walk around offering free donuts to everyone like that little girl on the Special K commercial because I know I can't resist a donut. Surely they couldn't either. And if I carried around free donuts for long enough, surely, those skinny moms with babies would get chubby like me, and then we could all be chubby together. Wouldn't that be great?! 

So in all honesty I don't want all the skinny girls to be chubby. I want to be one of them! I want to be a skinny girl with a baby. 

Now before you get all huffy on me. I'm not trying to be super thin. I just want to feel strong again. I want to make better choices about the food that I put into my body. Once I start making better choices, my body is going to respond. 

When I decide to do something, I have to have a plan. (You're not surprised by that are you?) 

And since I do not diet....would never ever ever.....I am on a workout plan and I'm doing weight watchers again. 

I seriously love weight watchers. It really is easy and the principle behind it is that it helps you make better choices about the food you eat. It re-trains your mind to help you make better food decisions. It's like a sophisticated food journal. And it has built in accountability, which is important. 

I use Weight Watchers strictly online and it works great for me. I can track my food choices from my phone really easily, and I feel in control of what I put in my body. Brian and I both used the online program when Luke was about 1. I had my last 10 pounds to lose and it came right off and stayed off. 

Today was my 1st day back on, and I did great. I caught myself grabbing handfuls of goldfish every now and then and immediately stopped! Who wants those extras points?! Not worth it. 

So that's the plan. I just wanted you to be aware that I will still eat the occasional donut (because they keep bringing them to my house for bible study) but I'll count the points and move on. 

Because who can resist a donut? (Besides my sister who hates them, but that's another post all together). 

Oh but before I go, speaking of bible study, you should join us! I'm starting an Online Bible Study to study Priscilla Shirer's Gideon along with the siestas over at Beth Moore's blog. I have already watched the first video session and it's awesome! 

The only thing you need is to pick up a copy of the Gideon participant's guide and join us on Wednesday night at 8:00 pm CST. If you think you'd like to join us, check out this post.

Summer Bible Study Details!

I am exhausted. Aren't you? It turns out summer is a lot of work!

Attempting to "work from home" with my 3 littles and my hunk of a husband and that silly golden retriever who is a black pit of affection, is really a lot to deal with.

So with that being said, I am so excited to add one more thing to my plate! {insert sarcasm}

But in all seriousness, I am writing this post with a smile on my face, because I am thrilled to get our summer bible study underway. I need to be in God's word. I need the community. I need the accountability. I am in serious need of some daily, intentional Jesus time.

Last year we took a chance and tried to create a community online of women all over the country. And it was so much fun. I can't wait to reconnect with some of you as we get started with this summer's bible study. And I can't wait to meet new friends too.

We do our study along with the siestas over at Beth Moore's blog. I have to thank Ms. Beth for leading us to love and study God's word the way she does. What a blessing to have such an incredible teacher.

This summer we will be studying Priscilla Shirer's Gideon. And I would love for you to join us.

This is how it works:
You'll need to purchase a Gideon member book. You can find one at Lifeway for $12.95 by clicking here or by picking one up at your local Lifeway or Mardel.

Then you'll need to comment below and let me know that you want to participate with us. You will be emailed no later than Monday with all the details on how to join us for our 1st "meeting." But you need to order or go pick up your member guide now!

This year, you will not have to have a webcam. You'll just need an internet connection and a computer and your member guide.

We will meet on the following days via the internet in our online community from 8:00-9:30 pm CST.

Wednesday, June 12th
Wednesday, June 26th
Wednesday, June 3rd
Wednesday, June 17th
Thursday, August 1st

So what do you think? Do you need some accountability? Do you need some fellowship this summer? I hope you'll join us for our Online Summer Bible Study as we dive into Gideon with the leadership of Ms. Beth and the teachings of Priscilla Shirer. It is sure to be a life changing summer.

Remember to comment below and let me know that you want to join us.

edit on Monday, June 10th: There is still time to join us! Comment below and I'll get you added to the group. We are forming a group on facebook to communicate, so you'll want to have a fb account.

Even When We Don't See Him

I've been scouring through the book of Esther over the past few weeks and I'm enthralled, wrapped up, sucked in.

Did you know that the book of Esther is the only book in the Bible where there is no mention of God at all? None. Never a word about Him.

But, the story is intriguing. It's like a modern day movie with complex characters, love, and betrayal. I'm addicted to it. I can't wait to see what happens next. Of course, I'm studying with Mrs. Beth Moore, and we're taking each chapter a week at a time. Slowly but surely we're walking through how God has as much to say (if not more) when He says nothing as He does when He says everything.

His presence over the pages of Esther is unmistakable and undeniable. And what I love about God is that when we look back at our lives, He is there, even when we weren't seeking Him, even when we didn't care about Him, even when we didn't know He even existed. His hand can be seen spread across the pages of our lives even when we didn't ask Him to be a part of it. It's because He loves us even when we don't love Him. He pursues us even when we aren't pursuing Him.

2 Timothy 2:13 assures us that "even if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, because He cannot disown himself."

Isn't that a beautiful truth? He wants us always. No matter what we've done, who we've become or how badly we think we've screwed up, He will remain faithful because we are His children.

So take heart today. Know that even when you don't see Him on the pages of your life, He is very much there preparing good things for you to do.

.....day 298 of a year of writing.....

Because YOU Need To

What on earth is the sweet Lord doing to me? Doesn't He know that I have four kids in my house, plans to move this summer, and a baby on the way?

He doesn't care, and I kind of like that about Him.

I wrote a few weeks ago about an online Bible study that I'm starting in connection with Beth Moore's Summer Siesta Bible study over Kelly Minter's study called Nehemiah: A Heart that Can Break. I'm very excited about that group and the community that we're going to build online.

But to be involved in that group, you had to be able to commit to three of our four meeting dates, have a webcam, and all that good stuff, and we had to turn people away because we wanted to be able to connect with a small group of women.

It occurred to me today that we could do something similar if we created a group of women and worked through a study on our own. The idea is the same: build a community among women and hold each other accountable to studying God's Word.

But this one will be on your own time. There will be no "meeting times." We will simply stay connected via a private Facebook group and use that forum to connect and share and discuss.

So, if you're interested in studying God's Word this summer and you're not in the midst of any other study, let me know. Leave a comment below and I'll find you on Facebook and invite you to our group.

We'll be working through Beth Moore's Believing God study. If you've never studied God's Word before or if you've been through a million Bible studies, this study is truly incredible. It's a great place to start as you build a foundation for who God says you are.

All you need to do to participate is comment below so I can add you to the Facebook group and purchase your member book. You can find it here at Lifeway for $14.95 or here at Amazon for $14.95. You should also be able to find a copy at your local Mardel store or Lifeway store.

Once you're a part of the Facebook group, I'll ask for your email address. If you're interested in watching the session videos (on your own time), I will add you to an email list where you'll receive access to them. You can also work through the workbook without watching the videos, but I personally love the videos and get a lot from them.

It's just another opportunity for you to dive into God's Word.....You really don't have any excuse this time. There are no time restraints. You work at your own pace. And you get a community of women working through the same homework as you for you to connect to online.

If He's been calling you to His Word, this may be exactly what you need. If you've never done a Bible study, this should be your first. If you've done a million, add this one to the list, and join us as we seek God's truth through His word this summer. Why? Because you need to. Trust me. It just may change your life....this particular study changed mine for sure.

.....day 291 of a year of writing.....

What Good Is It?

I put the final ink on my James Mercy Triumphs Bible study today, and the phrase that won't leave me is, "What good is your faith?"

James, the half brother of Jesus himself, urges us to not just believe, but to live out our faith through our obedience to the Lord. 

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.16 If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17

What good is it if we don't actually help anyone? What good is it if we are merely trying to survive this life instead of thriving in the truth that the Lord has called us into? 

What good is it? 

And I keep asking myself what that looks like in our lives? And I'm asking the Lord too? How do you want us to live it out? What does it look like for the Dalkes? 

We sort of thought we knew. We thought we knew what He had for us to do, but then everything changed. With Brian being home lately, we've been able to really seek the Lord. Our relationship is really strong right now, and oddly enough I believe it's because of an event that we didn't know was going to happen; an event that we didn't plan for at all, but now, in retrospect, we see the Lord's hand and blessing all over the circumstance that placed us in the situation where Brian is home for now. It's been a growing and healing time for us, but now we're stepping back and asking the Lord, what's next? 

And it all comes back to that statement....what good is it? What good is our faith if we aren't actively listening to the Lord and helping those He calls us to help?

I think we're getting better at seeking His will instead of our desires. I pray that we continue to get better that constantly. 

On of my favorite phrases from Beth's pen in the last session of James was this:

I want to keep the poor on my radar at all times and stop protecting myself from the pain and plight of others. 

Do you do that? Protect yourself from pain because it's easier?

I do. It's why I don't watch the news. Have you ever heard that song by Matthew West called "My Own Little World?" It's that message exactly. It's about staying in our own little world "where it hardly ever rains."

What's interesting is that the Lord knows that about me. He knows that I do everything I can to keep myself from pain. Most of us do I think. And pain is exactly how He brought me to Him through a little girl named Ellie Kate McLaughlin. You can read about how she changed me here. But Ellie Kate's life and her family's life is not one empty of pain. When the Lord brought the McLaughlin's into our lives, He never intended for it to be a temporary thing. He intended to use something painful to make me fall head over heels for Him. Pain is what made me seek Him and find Him.

Yet, we so often do everything we can to stay in our little world. We don't want to deal with anyone else's rain when we can barely handle our own. But what good is that?

What good is our faith if it's not being lived out through our actions and desires to be the hands and feet of Christ?

My prayer tonight? That He would make my faith good for something. I want it to be more about Him and less about me. I want to be willing and joyful to do whatever it is He calls us to do.

So I have to ask you too.....what good is your faith? Are you seeking His will for your life? Are you letting Him use you for the good of His kingdom? I don't think it's the easiest thing to do, but the easiest thing is never the best. Doing things that are hard is what makes our lives worthy.

What good is your faith?

.....day 283 of a year of writing.....

There Is No Such Thing as the Perfect Church

There is no such thing as the perfect church.

I've been rolling that phrase around in my head for days now, and it suddenly all came to a head in my Bible study time today.

I know so many of you whom have told me that you just can't find a church that you like or that you feel welcome in. I get it. I understand. It literally took us years to feel at home and comfortable in our church.

But it's our own fault. We walked in expecting perfect people in an imperfect world. We are sinners. All of us. Christian or not, we are all constantly battling sin in our lives. We are sinners by nature. And yes, we are saved by grace when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but that doesn't make us perfect.

A lot of people have a spear to throw at Christians because we often claim to believe one thing and then act in another way. It's true. We do it all the time. And it's because we know and understand the way we should act and live but often fall short of even the expectations we set for ourselves.

The church is simply a body of believers all striving to be more like Christ day in and day out. We all fall, we all sin, and we all fail to meet expectations. The physical building of the church is just that.....a physical building. The name on the outside isn't what makes it a church. It's the sinners on the inside that make it a church.

But our expectations of what a church should be are often too high. We want the church to serve us, to save us, to be the foundation for our lives. In reality, we, as believers, are the church. We are supposed to serve. We are supposed to save. We are supposed to be the foundation.

I love Peter's words in 1 Peter 2:4-10. He says this about Christians:

4 As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to Him—5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6 For in Scripture it says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in Him
will never be put to shame."

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,"

8 and,
"A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

In this passage, Christ is referred to as the Cornerstone. The beginning of the church and all that we as Christ followers believe.

Peter refers to believers as "living stones"....part of the spiritual church built where no one person or one thing would be able to tear down its walls.

You see, the church is not a building. It's a group of believers (living stones) who have been added to the multitude of other stones laid generations before them to build something stronger than brick and mortar.....something that no one would be able to destroy.

But just because we are part of this spiritual building that Christ has built, doesn't mean we won't be free of sin or disappointment. We will fall short of perfection every single day for the rest of our lives. We were not made for this world. And we cannot live in it with any semblance of victory without a relationship with the cornerstone....Jesus Himself.

We cannot expect for a church to ever be perfect. A church, made up of imperfect people, will never live up to the expectations that we may have of it.

We have to remember that if we are believers in Christ, we are the church. We are the the people who are supposed to serve, lead, and steward others. That doesn't mean that you should shy away from getting plugged into a church. It means that you should absolutely be plugged into a church...serve in a church.....give in a church.  But don't expect perfection from a church. People will sin. The devil will attack, and people you love will be deceived. But as a living stone of Christ's church, you have to persevere. Perfection can only be found in one place. He was tempted and tried and never faltered. Jesus is the only perfect one. On Him we should lean. On Him we should place our trust. And through Him should we serve His church.

{Thanks Ms. Beth for another very timely and necessary lesson for my soul.....today's post came from ideas and writings in Beth Moore's James Mercy Triumphs study....week 7 day 4.}

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household,20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

.....day 280 of a year of writing.....