Discovered recently, one of the Gifts He's given me is that of Connector!! Can't get enough of bringing Good people together! Not for my will, my advancement for His Glory! IF i can do anything to lift up others, to help others achieve their Purpose, it's what i wanna do! Only through Him are we able to do anything Good! So, here goes....  Just coming off an incredible, phenomenal weekend with hugely Good human beings... must share this talent, and these people... First
  4th Point-young band out of Wheaton, IL area...just a bunch of guys singing their hearts out for Jesus. so humble,yet tremendously talented, and genuinely in love with ourLord.

Lead222- Christian Mentoring and leadership training. Couldn't find nicer, more enthusiastic,knowledgeable and kind men and women of Christ. Tons of resources and partnerships! Must check them out!!

Lake Geneva Youth Camp/Church  LGYC- and Conference Point Center- Lake Geneva WI (Williams Bay,WI)   As Keith said, they've reclaimed a 100+yr.old property for the Lord. Gorgeous historic old camp, with countless cabins, lodges, a mansion or two on a stunning lake property. Rustic, yet beautiful with old world charm plus timeless fun and and abundant comfort! Food was outstanding and more than satiating~ People again, the most extraordinarily warm, kind, generous, helpful, just decent, Good, human beings!!

Lastly, Green Bay Community Church-Middle School Ministry- Our home Church and friends- the absolute most loving, nurturing,uplifting community on this planet! #SoBlessed!! Love you #GreenBayCommunityChurch !!! Thanks from the bottom of our hearts and with every cell of our beings!
 
   So, I will wrap this up for now,  but just want to throw out there that this was lifechanging in huge ways!! More about that in the next post!! Thank you Thank you Thank you Lord for giving us this experience~!

Jesus Calling: Refocused & Reframed

Jesus Calling: Refocused & Reframed: "Follow Me wholeheartedly, with glad anticipation quickening your pace. Though you don't know what lies ahead, I know: and that is ...

FREE Skin Cancer Screenings in Select Northeast and Southwest Wisconsin Locations

FREE Skin Cancer Screenings in Select Northeast and Southwest Wisconsin Locations

January 2-2103 Possibilities!!

Starting fresh, a blank slate, new beginnings~

    So it's been said, just do "something". Something is better than nothing.  Start where you are-look around and begin with the most immediate. Set realistic goals, but DO set goals. Speak kindly,compassionately to yourself along the way-its baby steps first, gotta walk before you can run. Celebrate even the smallest of victories. You can move a mountain one stone,one pebble at a time.It's about the progress, not perfection. And reflecting on the positive effort creates its own reward. Feels good to do good. Internalize the experience,making real the benefits-ie when you make right choices, right outcomes happen and that feels wonderful! Keep your eye on the why! Why are you making these changes, working toward a better you, better life, better family and more. Consider a mantra to focus a wandering mind.." I AM letting go of the past,making a good life today". "I am releasing all stress,breathing in healing energy" I am deserving of joy and open my heart to possibilities. I am strong,capable and confident in my choices today.  For those who are Christian, perhaps a piece of scripture....  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"..   Use these mantras when work seems monotonous, when you feel discourage, when you feel negative mind chatter creeping in seeking to undermine your forward movements. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, first for 15minutes, or half an hour, an hour, half the day or whatever seems doable. Take a break to renew body and Spirit, then start again. One day at a time, then the next and the next. Once heard it takes 90 days for habit to really 'take'. To develop behaviors that become 'habits'. See it through for the full 90days. If the ball drops for a day, get back up without consternation or self flogging. Beating yourself up, talking badly to and about yourself only serves to squash the initiative and batter your budding new 'muscles'. Trying new skills, new behaviors, involve using 'muscles' and pathways you've maybe not actively used intensely before. It might be uncomfortable at first,but push through it and allow those 'muscles' and skills to mature. Share the 'adventure' with someone you trust. This provides not only peer support, but accountability. When you bring something out in the open, especially w hen it's down on paper, it becomes more real and invites more sharing. Talk about it with friends, trusted allies, ask for help when needed-even if it's just a hug, or a nudge to keep going. Avoid temptation to stray, to  backslide or divert into 'dangerous territory'. If it's food,spending,gossiping,cleaning, sex,gambling or whatever leads you into 'temptation'-just avoid that street all together. Do go to the barber shop if you don't plan on getting a haircut. If you know certain things, places, or people take you down-mentally commit to creating a suit of armor-so even if you must be go to that place, or be around that person, you can protect yourself from toxicity, or from the magnetic lure to self destructive behaviors. That's where your mantra comes in handy again. Remembering the WHY you believe in the changes you are making AND you must believe whole heartedly. IF this is all for someone else, to appease someone else, it isn't likely to mean as much. It's YOUR life, YOU create your own reality with every choice you make-for better or worse. Each choice brings us closer or further away from the person we want to be, from the dreams we want to become tangible. And most importantly if there comes a time, you feel you are in need of additional help,regardless of all best efforts, just know that asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness. There is freedom in embracing our brokenness and giving up the illusion of 'having it all together'.Sometimes when we are brought to our knees and start looking up, reaching out, we find an unexpected hand from a 'friend' we never knew we had. My wish and prayer for you, for me, for all of us, is that we can join forces, and connect more, elevating the spirit of  compassion,kindness, generosity, gratitude and love of fellow humankind.It starts with the heart, it starts with me. It can start with a smile-an invitation to more. Grateful for new beginnings today~

Simplicity

So as technology and social media develop, the question is: Just where and how do you 'focus' your energies? Does anyone else have blogs on three or more different sites? Typepad, Blogger, Wordpress,etc? Then you add in Tumblr, Livejournal,Drupal, oh it goes on and on! There are platforms to juggle multiple social media sites-ie Tweetdeck, and there are several speciality sites-ie Flickr, Pinterest,  How much is too much? How much is manageable? Some might say social media is a fulltime job! But like it or not, it is here to stay so we might as well learn about it, understand it and  figure out how it can fit best into a life! Even more, how can we use social media to our maximum advantage, so it is actually serving us. Such a quandry. Well I don't have the answers but would like feedback! Thanks for any insight you can provide~

Organization does not come naturally~

 You know how there are some people that just seem to 'have it all together'?  They carry neat little clutches,or tidy wallets. Hair,clothing,and physical appearance impeccable-not a stray speck of lint anywhere. They have calendars with color coded events,tasks neatly noted. Checkbooks and digital registers shoot out realtime account balances. They have a contact lists cross referenced with home,business,birthdates,kids' schools,etc.CarsTurtlewaxed regularly,airfresheners neatly hidden under the driver seat,floor pads immaculate with supplemental coverings,surfaces neatly Armoralled. Homes are spotless,cords wrapped with zipties,shoes at the front door aligned according to owner and foot sizes. Closets reveal a tidy system and color palettes.Pantry crumbless with labels visibly alphabetized- Okay-well you get the idea.Does this just come naturally?

   Organization does NOT come naturally to me! In fact it's been a struggle all my life. ALL my life! In fact I wake up thinking I am defective every single day.Those ruthless admonishments have tormented me throughout my lifetime-why can't you just "get it together"? How can an "adult" NOT have this down by now? It's things they teach us in Kindegarten. If you take something out-put it back when you're done. If you use something up, replace it. A place for everything and everything in its place.Something goes in something must come out. There is not an infinite amount of space in a fixed structure.Can't spend more than you have-20-16=4,  Right?Seems pretty simple.Not so easy in my world.

    My world is a tumultuous jumble of 'making do'-flying by the seat of some tattered pants,covering up for inadequecies and fighting that urge to just succumb.Internal dialogue is not often kind,forgiving,nurturing. Identity muddled, imposter syndrome ,chameleon complex wrestling for ultimate dominance-who wins? Where is transparency,authenticity and integrity? There is a melancholy longing for that time when things seemed simpler,actions were almost innocent in facility.Trust was effortless,beliefs fundamental,and the Spirit was indomitable. Those days of yore now exist only in diffuse semipermeable memories.  These days I must consciously choose a deliberately proactive positivity. It's become truth that only we can create our reality,through the choices we make."If it is to be, it's up to me" or so 'they' say.The point of this extended rambling is essentially that it's time to step up,stop wondering and jump into action.

    A plan of action. Ah, that's what I need! It's always a "system", a new plan, some grand scheme to get the job done. No, really, I've developed hundreds of "plans" to conquer the chaos. Another filing cabinet,more plastic tubs,boxes,envelopes, closet organizers, wall systems-even hired an organzer once. Here's the glitch though, the problem will not be remedied by an external 'fix'. The breakdown is deeply internal.Faulty thinking at the very core. To effect lasting change the plan of action must embrace a multifaceted approach,largely involving a reorganization of the subconscious. Must eradicate those scathing messages squelching self worth and any semblance of self respect. Need to create an inner atmosphere of calm encouragement. Where a  strong,solid foundation is built, potential for healthy growth exists. When healthy growth occurs, there is greater likelihood for positive change. All about that positive change! 

    In seeking change, I've come around full circle. So things aren't perfect in my world,but they could be a whole lot worse.Gets back to that conscious choice to focus on the best.It's been said,"if you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem". I opt to be part of the solution.That means letting go of all possible negativity,all draining influences-toxic thoughts,people, circumstances. Seems it comes down to an energy flow. Begin the day with the genuine belief that I can do all things with Him Who strengthens me.Set a reasonanble goal.Stay focused on the "prize". Small manageable tasks,knocked down one at a time. Visualize doors opening,sparks igniting,relationships developing,friendships forming, good happening through every small motion forward.Must remember it's a marathon, not a sprint. This will involve longitudinal corrections,ongoing over the duration.Progress,not perfection and daily gratitude.

     Daily gratitude, thankful for a second and third chance and many more Blessings... Will continue moving toward a better way, another day. 

Alma Stoller: Giveaway: Blackbird Designs

Alma Stoller: Giveaway: Blackbird Designs: One of my favorite stitching blogs is Blackbird Designs by Alma Allen.... (so cool that we have the same name) Her work is completely di...