Valuing Training: The Foundation for Excellence

"Whether as a mother training the character of children, filling their minds with excellent writers, artists, and thinkers, or simply as a woman being a steward of every aspect of her life, one can only become excellent by stretching, determining to obey His still small voice and then using every resource to pursue bringing His light and imprint upon this world." - Sally Clarkson

This is such a great blog by Sally Clarkson, thouht I would share.

Valuing Training: The Foundation for Excellence

PERSPECTIVE...

 

 

Perspective.

 

Sometimes that's all I need.

The rest of the time I need a maid, a cook, a nanny.......um a mom, lol!

 

Today my son and I took a ferry over to Seattle to see a friend I haven't seen since college (many moons ago). It was COLD and I did not choose my wardrobe wisely. I am still sitting by the fire trying to thaw out!!

 

Our entire family has been sick off and on since Christmas and we are all feeling under the weather again this week. So, I am going to choose to ignore the dishes and all the clutter....

 I'm going to make a cup of earl grey, cuddle up with my kiddos and watch a movie.

 

I'm just going to enjoy my family....

 

 

How do you plan to enjoy your family this weekend?

 

 

 

 

So that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company

Romans 15:32

 

One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A DANCING HEART...

On my way home from Sally Clarkson's Mom Heart Conference....I find myself in terminal C at DIA, squished between a scowling elderly woman and a young mother with two small children.  I've got time to spare before my plane leaves for the oxygenated and moisture filled Pacific Northwest.

 

I think to myself, "I'll read a couple of the books I bought at the conference.".  Well, I put all the heavy books in the bag I checked, so all I had in my lovely Sak Saum bag...

www.saksaum.org


 were the picture books I bought for my kids. Oh how I love picture books!

 

Any who, long story short I started reading "My Mama Had A Dancing Heart" by Libba Moore Gray.  I got rather emotional...serious nose running, tears falling, tissue needing, sobbing type emotional. I mean people are staring at me, I'm making a scene emotional.

 

 

 

If you know me you know I rarely cry (my very emotional and soft hearted BFF says I'm dead inside, you know like Chandler from Friends, lol).  I didn't really know what to do. I'm great at small talk, talking of any kind really, but emotional outbursts, not so much. It was especially unnerving as the source of all this was a child's picture book AND I was sitting amongst a large group of random strangers.

Why was I having this moment of emotional overload? I'm glad you asked!
As I read this lovely book, I felt as if the author had written it especially for me. It was as if she was speaking directly into my heart; confirming everything that God had put on my heart that weekend during the Mom Heart conference. Isn't it amazing how God works! He can use something as simple as a picture book to speak to us.

 

 Find out more about this here: http://www.itakejoy.com/events/

 

When I read the words, spoken by the daughter at the end of the book, "My mama had a dancing heart and she shared that heart with me", I heard the still small voice of my Father say, "Even though your mom did not (and still does not), choose to share her heart with you; you can choose to share yours with your children, because I chose to share mine with you!" 

 

Silly, simple, but freeing.

 

I am so grateful that God has placed people such as Sally Clarkson (itakejoy.com) in my life to show me what "the heart of a mother" looks like.

 

I have chosen, I am choosing everyday, to live by faith in grace and to share that grace with my family.

 I have made the choice to share my heart with my children, and in return I am gaining theirs; and ultimately leading them to the loving heart of their heavenly Father.



How about you, are you choosing to share your heart with your children?



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If you are interested in this lovely book you can find it here:

http://amzn.com/0531071421

 

 

 

 

I am an ambassador of Sak Saum, operated by In His Steps International http://ihsionline.org/ . I provide an avenue for people to purchase this amazing product. Over 90% of the proceeds go directly back to the girls of SakSaum. Click the link for more info or to make a purchase www.saksaum.org.

 

I do apologize for the "ugly"  links. I have no technical skills...I am technologically challenged, snicker, snicker!

*I also feel the need to say, I am in no way receiving any monetary gain from any of the links I post. I am just excited about them and want to share them with you!*

MY DAILY GRIND...

The majority of my life is composed of cleaning, cooking, refereeing, teaching, diapering and laundering. Doesn't sound very glorious when you look at it in print, but then,

"life is what you make it!", right Miley?

I'm not sure where this pic came from, but it's me this week!

 

 

Today, no scratch that, this week has been one of those weeks where I have done nothing, but maintain. We have had cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. OK, that may be an exaggeration, or maybe not. There are piles of laundry, toys and dishes that need attending. My kids have been watching....movies....all week, ackk! Yes it's that bad. But don't worry I will threaten to "go Amish" and then all will be right again.

It is in the midst of this "daily grind" that I find myself most aware of my need for my Father.

My earthly father may not have been the best example of the loving heart of Jesus, he was however, a remarkable example of God's steadfastness, reliability and provision. If I needed anything, anytime, anyplace, my dad would do all in his power to help me.

I remember a time when my dad had gotten this old truck, a real diamond in the rough, so to speak. It even had one of those ahh-oo-gah horns. I have no idea what they are really called or how you spell ahh-oo-gah. The point is he had grand plans to "fixer up", but I needed money for college or something of the sort, so he sold it! I wish he hadn't, but at the same time I'm glad he did.

There was another time when I needed to drive home from college (I went to Life Bible College, now called Life Pacific, in San Dimas, CA), but my car was just not reliable. He being the pastor of a small church didn't have much money, but what did he do? He bought a Greyhound ticket, rode the bus from misery (aka Missouri) all the way to LA... It was quite a bus ride. Then I picked him up and we headed for home that night. He did all that just so I wouldn't have to drive my very unreliable Volvo home alone.

My dad taught me that If I went to my father for help, he would be there. I never questioned that, ever. His choice to be there for me built in me an unshakable foundation.

If my sinful, earthly father was there every time I needed him, how much more could I trust my heavenly father to be there?  I knew that God was there for me if  I needed anything, anytime, anyplace, my heavenly Father would do all in His (unlimited) power to help me.

That foundation has saved me through a lot of tough times...I may be broken and torn down, at times my daily grind is just too much for me, but I know my God will always be there.

He is steadfast, reliable and he provides for my every need even in the mundane everyday, no... especially in the mundane everyday!

 

 

 

 

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Psalm 55:2

Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14

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In need of a good book? Check out Desperate by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae.

You can purchase it here:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Desperate-Hope-Mom-Needs-Breathe/dp/1400204666/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359080732&sr=8-1&keywords=desperate+sally+clarkson

or here:

 

http://www.itakejoy.com/store/#!/~/product/category=1148011&id=18632073

 

 

 

I AM CHOOSING GRACE...

 

 

Have you noticed how the main focus of parenting in today's

 

society is on discipline and behavior?

 

 

 

 It's all about spanking and formula's. Do it! Don't do it!

  

How to have a new kid by Friday (I have not read this book, just

  

the title got me thinking, you know?).



Spank, don't spank...Make your kid

behave...blah, blah, blah! 

 

  

What about getting yourself to behave?

What about becoming a new parent by Friday?

It's ridiculous, isn't it!?  

We know that true change starts within the heart. 

Why then do we seek to "change" our children by force? 


 

 

The more I learn about the heart of God,

 

 the more I see that he wants me to "disciple" my children.

 

 

 

Jesus extends grace and mercy to us,

he draws us to Him with love, not anger or wrath.

Discipline has its place, but our focus should be on

discipling (teaching, training and equipping), not on discipline.

No matter the "method of discipline" we choose to use,

  

we ultimately teach what we model.

 

In other words, our children learn from who we are

 

and how we respond to everyday life.

 

 

 

 

Jesus does not give us a method or formula for raising our

 

children. He does however, give us an example.

 

That of his relationship with His disciples.

 

He always went straight to the heart.

 

Always correcting and teaching in love.

 

Always serving.

 

 

 

 

I can say from personal experience that it is much easier

 

to forcefully demand respect,

 

than it is to extend mercy and grace, to earn it.

 

 

 

With the first you bring distance and 

 

bitterness, with the second relationship and trust.

 

Jesus offers us complete and unconditional love and acceptance...

 

shouldn't we then offer the same to our children?

 

 

 

 

But what about "spare the rod and spoil the child"? 

  

The argument seems to be; If I don't take authority

 

and force my kids to be obedient,

 

then they will be rebellious and out of control.

 

 

 

I see two problems with this; the way we view authority,

 

and the way we view "the rod".

 

 

 

Personally, I have always viewed authority as

 

dictating, strong, loud and demanding, you know,

 

a drill sergeant type thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the last 8 years (yes I am that stubborn).

 

God has slowly challenged my view...

 

 

 

 

Jesus most definitely took authority.

 

He was and is still the ultimate authority.

 

He is not, however, in any way, a dictator or demanding.

 

 

 

  

His disciples were His friends, he loved them,

 

spent time with them and served them.

 

Even on the night just before His death!

 

 

 

  

As for the rod ,

 

I see the "rod" as being used to guide and

  

protect the sheep...not to beat the sheep.  :)    

 

 

 

Regardless of whether or not you spank,  

  

the focus of this verse is not on the child but the parent.

 

I see it directed toward the responsibility of the parent

 

to teach and train the child. 

 

 

 

If we do not disciple our children and lead

  

them to the heart of Jesus, then we have failed....

  

We have "spared the rod and spoiled the child".

 

 

 

 

It's amazing how we look for ways to take

 

the responsibility off of ourselves.

 

If the focus is on the "rod" or the "formula", then when we fail,

 

when our children rebel, 

  

or disobey, it becomes the "formula's" fault.

 

 

 

 

I've got news for you...we will fail, they will rebel

 

and  they will disobey!

 

 

 

We are sinners and so are they.

 

For me this is so freeing...

 

I do not have to be perfect and neither do they!!!

 

 

 

 

Children are a gift from God.

 

They are molded and designed with purpose, given to us to steward. 

 

They aren't ours to control. They are given to us to

 

"teach and train in the way they should go".

 

 

 

 

I am choosing to live my life based on the example

 

He has given by His.

 

He did not give us a formula, nor a method, just an example;

  

one of unconditional love, mercy and grace. 

 

 

 

 

We all choose our own "method".

 

As for me... I choose to discipline myself

 

and to disciple the heart of my children.

 

 

 

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I wrote this over a year ago....

 
 

 

God was really working in my heart tearing down

some pretty big walls. Since then, 

He has led me to some amazing mentors and resources.

  

Sally Clarkson has been my biggest mentor

(through her books, blog, FB and other materials)

over the last 2 years.
 

I was searching....

  

I knew, you know? I had the knowledge, but I needed to know,

"What does this look like in the mundane everyday?".

 

 

I recently attended one of Sally's MomHeart Conferences.

  

Can I just say...you must go!!! 

 

 

For me, there was no huge revelation or emotional

"I can do this! I going to go home

and be the best mom ever!" moment. 

 

  

Even better, God met me in a very personal

and real way in one simple moment.

  

He tore down the final "bricks" in my wall so to speak.

 

But, I'm saving that for another post..... 

 

 

The rest was just pure encouragement and affirmation.

 

I loved getting to know other mom's from all over

who share this same vision.

 

 
 

God even had a very special friend there for me, 

  

(thank you Sally for introducing us)!

 

 

 
 

I want to encourage you...don't go the way of culture

(even Christian culture).

Question, pray, listen. He will direct you.

Find like minded women. If, like me, you can't

  

find many...look for mentors through blogs and books.



Let God be your mentor. Listen to that still small voice,

in this overly loud and busy world,

that whispers, "follow me...".

 

 

I still wake up everyday the same sinful mama,

with the same sinful children.

The difference is that I am making the choice everyday

to intentionally raise my children

with grace, mercy and love.



I am learning to listen and follow that still small voice...

To discipline myself and disciple my children.

I am choosing grace.

And in return I am gaining the heart of my children.

Sally and Clay Clarkson have many good books and resources. You can find out more

about her at itakejoy.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lynn's Gringo Salsa

I've been making this salsa for awhile now and I can tell you it's nacho (not your) average salsa. Come on...It's corny, but you know you want to laugh.  :)

Here's what you will need:

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes

2-3 jalapenos

2-3 serrano peppers

1 bunch of cilantro

1 small onion

3 TBS lime juice

1/4 tsp ground cumin

2-3 tsp minced garlic or (1tsp garlic salt)

salt & pepper to taste

First wedge your onion and throw it in your food processor of choice. I'm using my Ninja. I call her Nina, Nina the NEENJAH! You don't have to name yours. :)

OK, OK so I cheated and threw in some red onions I had left over. Still tastes great, but white onion makes the best salsa, so you stick with the white one (at least the first time you make it).

Next cut the end off the jalapenos and slice them in half. Use a small knife to strip out the middle. Make sure not to scratch your eye (like I did) or bite your nail at this point! Do the same to the serrano peppers. Like so...

If you like it HOT leave some of the seeds intact. The more seeds the hotter the salsa! My kids love this salsa. If you like everything SUPER MILD you can reduce the amount of peppers by half, make sure you don't get any seeds and add a teaspoon of sugar.

Cut the peppers into chunks and add them to your food processor. (And, YES! I know my countertops are ugly! It's a rental...sigh...one day I will have countertops of my own choosing. But until then, ugly brown it is).

 

I strip the leaves off of my cilantro, but you don't have to. Just cut off the bulk of the stems and add to your food processor. I use a the whole bunch. I LOVE CILANTRO!!!! In my opinion you can never have to much cilantro (or chocolate, but that's a whole other issue!).

Add your lime juice, cumin, garlic and salt and pepper (you can taste test at the end and adjust the salt and pepper.

Go ahead and blend it. This is where personal preference comes in. If you like it chunky just blend less.

Now add both cans of tomatoes and give it one more whirl (if you like it chunky just add the tomatoes and stir). 

Sorry forgot to take a picture of the blending and whirling part!

.....and TA DA!

I like to eat mine with Costco's Organic Tortilla Chips. They are a steal at just over $4 for a 40 oz bag!

Lynn's Gringo Salsa

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes

2-3 jalapenos

2-3 serrano peppers

1 bunch of cilantro

1 small onion

3 TBS lime juice

1/4 tsp ground cumin

2-3 tsp minced garlic or (1tsp garlic salt)

salt & pepper to taste

 

 

 

Cut the onion into wedges. 

 

Slice jalapenos and serrano peppers, take out seeds. 

 

Take the majority of the stems off of the cilantro. 

 

Add jalapenos, serrano peppers, cilantro, onion, lime juice, cumin, garlic, salt & pepper to your food processor (or chop by hand).

 

Blend into your preferred consistency.

 

Add tomatoes and give it a quick blend (add them w/out blending if you are making chunky salsa).

Store in a glass jar or container.

 

 

 

Tastes best when made 24 hours in advance and left to marinate in the fridge.

*Must be refrigerated*

**Fresh tomatoes can be used in place of the canned. I use canned because it lasts longer and cost less.**

Please leave a comment and let me know how you liked it!!