Hey… It’s Drea again! I wanted to let you know how we ended our SIX WEEKS…
CRAZY DAYS…
This past week of storms left us without power for about four days. We were fortunate because our house temperature never rose above the seventies and there was even food that remained frozen in our freezer. HALLE-GLORY! Some candles, a few coolers, some ice, and an impromptu BBQ helped us get through it all with minimal damage. We charged the cell phone and laptop in the car and did whatever other resourceful things we could come up with. It is amazing how dependent we can become on something that, in most instances, is not necessary to maintain life. Water was a much more valued commodity during those few days... gas was next for hot showers. Electricity proved to be more of a luxury and the lack of it more of an inconvenience than necessity.
A week before that, I spent serving as Conference Mom at our Youth Conference with about a thousand teenagers, which I affectionately refer to as ‘The Rough Riders’. I must admit, however, that I have wa-a-ay more fun in the youth services where it is more acceptable to scream, yell, jump and do cartwheels at will, so I had a BLAST!!!
‘TRANSFORMERS… MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE’
All of the transformation that we have been undergoing is paying off and we have been kept busy tying new things in with the NORMAL aspects of our lives. We have been able to achieve minimal goals from making a decision to live a disciplined lifestyle for 6 weeks. We wondered… How different would our lives be if we continued and began to inventory other areas of our lives? We think we could see AMAZING change in a year’s time and over a lifetime….. WOW!
We share our process with you as a form of accountability. It strengthens our resolve and dedication to our process to know that there are people that know what we are aiming to achieve and will expect change to happen. We believe that many of our goals and dreams are not achieved because we do not allow ourselves to be held accountable to follow through with activities and disciplines that we begin. We consider you all a part of our process and an integral part of our success.
The SIX WEEK SEASONS work well for us because Gene and I have been able to find a balance in our personalities. He gets the discipline of routine that he enjoys and I get a goal-oriented project that I know will have a STARTING and STOPPING point. So we have found a way for us to WORK WELL TOGETHER! WHOO HOO!!!
We have decided to enter another six week cycle that we have dedicated to CONSOLIDATING, CLEARING THE AIR and COMPLETING PROJECTS.
This is where we are and how we are building from here:
DREA Education
Completed first set of counseling courses; Dedicating more time to reading for enrichment and understanding
GENE Education
Dedicating time to reading (GOALS by Brian Tracy) and studying (working on Exodus)
GENE Nutrition/Fitness
Cut down on excessive sweets and breads; lost 16 lbs.; committed to running and strength training
DREA Nutrition/Fitness
Cut down on excessive salty, fatty and sweet foods; lost 15 lbs. and about 20 in. all over; committed to walking and Yahweh Yoga to help maintain physical and mental and emotional balance and well-being
House Maintenance
Still bringing it all together; focusing on CONSOLIDATING and CLEARING THE AIR of unused or unnecessary items in our home
Finances
In our 10th week of Financial Peace University and have paid off A LOT of our debt. Following the disciplines and principles, we will be left with only a student loan, our car payment and our mortgage when the course is complete in a few weeks.
YEEEE HAAAA!!!!
Our RELATIONSHIP THANG…
Working on a new audio project; working on some writing projects, including some study materials and a book
OUR NEW BABY!!!
Friday evening, our newest edition was born into the world! Mother and father were surrounded by a doctor who guided us with his wisdom, a midwife who is an experienced mother and familiar with childbirth, a doula who assisted during labor, and an elder who encased it all in prayer. Together they served as a support and a covering as we travailed through labor, transition and eventually gave birth. The baby is so beautiful and is everything that we hoped it would be, with so much potential to grow healthy and strong. Besides that, the resemblance to us is remarkable! You can get a glimpse of the little beauty at the bottom of the email.
HOW ABOUT YOU?!!!
Gene and I love to celebrate with people. We appreciate you allowing us to share our journey with you. Now, we want to hear about what’s going on with YOU! When we hear about the awesome things that God is doing in others, it gives us and extra boost. We know that what God has promised us and what we are believing God for is not only possible, but will happen at the appointed time, as we are faithful to His will for our lives. Your personal victories and testimonies encourage us, so let us hear them!
We love you guys and appreciate all of your continued encouragement. Should God bring us to your hearts or minds, please talk to Him about us and whisper a prayer on our behalf.
Hi-Ho! Hi-Ho! It’s off to work we go!
August 12, 2008
August 08, 2008
August 05, 2008
I GOT NEXT!
While we were waiting for the lights to come on, our neighbors across the street and surrounding us got their power back. I went over to my next door neighbors’ house and said, “When’s it gonna be our turn?’ Hmmm…
Before I left out of the house one of son’s excitedly said, “Ooh, Mom! The lights are on across the street… that means we’re gonna be next!” Twenty-four hours later we still had no lights.
God talked to me a bit about it all and my response to the situation. He showed how similar it was to our personal vision. Sometimes it seems like everybody around us has lights and is moving forward and are GLOWING, while we sit in the shadows of candlelight. Sometimes it doesn’t seem quite fair, but then I wonder if I would feel the same way if it was me with the lights on while my neighbors sat in the dark. Good question, huh?
I believe that there are always two kind of people around us… Those who we admire and attain to be like; and those who admire us and desire to be like us in some aspect of our lives. Isn’t it true?
Even with our very good friends, there is usually some part of their character or lives that we admire. And more than likely they feel the same way about you, too.
You’re more this…
They’re more that…
She has longer hair…
He has a nicer job…
You live in a neighborhood I would like to live in and if I had a man like yours then my life would be great!
So many comparisons… It is natural to see the differences, after all when the Creator colored us different hues and coiled some of our hair tighter than others and gave us different personalities, some with a bigger ‘funny bone’ than others, I believe that He did it so that we would stand out as a unique creation, different from any other. It just sometimes takes effort to process our thoughts productively in a certain situations.
Truthfully, the most natural response is the one that you will see as you watch preschoolers play. When one gets the cool toy, the other quickly grabs for it and says, “I want it!” Very seldom will you see children share or cheer for other kids unless they are prompted (or forced) to do so. A few seem to come out of he womb with a special grace, still many of them will need to be taught. But when they learn how awesome it is to give a ‘YAY!!!’ they are hooked… that is, until they grow and learn to reserve their cheering for football games and parades.
As adults, we have been socialized not to pout or fold our arms (in public) and stomp around when we don’t get our way. In the privacy of our own thoughts and secret corners, however, many of us are still saying, “They aren’t even as smart as I am…” or “I work much harder than he does, he doesn’t deserve that…” or simply “IT’S MY TURN! THAT’S NOT FAIR!”
Often it takes maturity (or a child-like spirit J) for us to see others with their LIGHTS on and say, “They are really shining over there! If something so awesome could happen for them, then I know God will give me the desires of my heart. We must be next!”
Instead of moping around and using all of my energy to complain, I decided to celebrate with those whose lights were on as if they were on in my home. Then I lit my candles and got back to living and preparing for the time when my LIGHTS would come on.
Before I left out of the house one of son’s excitedly said, “Ooh, Mom! The lights are on across the street… that means we’re gonna be next!” Twenty-four hours later we still had no lights.
God talked to me a bit about it all and my response to the situation. He showed how similar it was to our personal vision. Sometimes it seems like everybody around us has lights and is moving forward and are GLOWING, while we sit in the shadows of candlelight. Sometimes it doesn’t seem quite fair, but then I wonder if I would feel the same way if it was me with the lights on while my neighbors sat in the dark. Good question, huh?
I believe that there are always two kind of people around us… Those who we admire and attain to be like; and those who admire us and desire to be like us in some aspect of our lives. Isn’t it true?
Even with our very good friends, there is usually some part of their character or lives that we admire. And more than likely they feel the same way about you, too.
You’re more this…
They’re more that…
She has longer hair…
He has a nicer job…
You live in a neighborhood I would like to live in and if I had a man like yours then my life would be great!
So many comparisons… It is natural to see the differences, after all when the Creator colored us different hues and coiled some of our hair tighter than others and gave us different personalities, some with a bigger ‘funny bone’ than others, I believe that He did it so that we would stand out as a unique creation, different from any other. It just sometimes takes effort to process our thoughts productively in a certain situations.
Truthfully, the most natural response is the one that you will see as you watch preschoolers play. When one gets the cool toy, the other quickly grabs for it and says, “I want it!” Very seldom will you see children share or cheer for other kids unless they are prompted (or forced) to do so. A few seem to come out of he womb with a special grace, still many of them will need to be taught. But when they learn how awesome it is to give a ‘YAY!!!’ they are hooked… that is, until they grow and learn to reserve their cheering for football games and parades.
As adults, we have been socialized not to pout or fold our arms (in public) and stomp around when we don’t get our way. In the privacy of our own thoughts and secret corners, however, many of us are still saying, “They aren’t even as smart as I am…” or “I work much harder than he does, he doesn’t deserve that…” or simply “IT’S MY TURN! THAT’S NOT FAIR!”
Often it takes maturity (or a child-like spirit J) for us to see others with their LIGHTS on and say, “They are really shining over there! If something so awesome could happen for them, then I know God will give me the desires of my heart. We must be next!”
Instead of moping around and using all of my energy to complain, I decided to celebrate with those whose lights were on as if they were on in my home. Then I lit my candles and got back to living and preparing for the time when my LIGHTS would come on.
August 04, 2008
Who's Got the Power?
I don’t like the feeling of powerlessness…
I am lying on a mattress in my basement that is currently being illuminated by candlelight. As I write this, our youngest is laying beside me rubbing my arm. Our third son is on the other side of him watching the flickering lights. Our second son is reading a comic book by flashlight and our oldest is serenading us on his acoustic guitar. Dad just began a prayer and I am wondering… about being without power.
When the lights first went out, Gene and the boys were not home yet and the little guys were afraid. Isn’t that what happens when we feel powerless? We become fearful. We stumbled around in the dark but eventually, found our way to the candles and lighters.
.
.
.
As I lay there listening to my husband pray, I was reminded how powerful we really are. The Spirit of God was very tangible in that moment of vulnerability and defenselessness. It is dark and we are not able to see past the radius of the dancing candle light, still there was evidence of great strength in the room that affirms that we are not victims, but indeed very powerful.
We can choose our state of mind, to a large degree. We can choose to concern ourselves with thoughts that we have no control over our life or we can acknowledge and be grateful that what we perceived as power was never our Power Source in the first place.
When our environment and surroundings betray us and we can not decipher one face from another or find our way around in the dark, we have a Power Source that is not affected by the frailty of temperamental humanity in an unstable world. He gives us His words to shine a light around our footsteps and to light our way. He helps us get our bearings again we do not remain disoriented and discouraged in the dark.
I am lying on a mattress in my basement that is currently being illuminated by candlelight. As I write this, our youngest is laying beside me rubbing my arm. Our third son is on the other side of him watching the flickering lights. Our second son is reading a comic book by flashlight and our oldest is serenading us on his acoustic guitar. Dad just began a prayer and I am wondering… about being without power.
When the lights first went out, Gene and the boys were not home yet and the little guys were afraid. Isn’t that what happens when we feel powerless? We become fearful. We stumbled around in the dark but eventually, found our way to the candles and lighters.
.
.
.
As I lay there listening to my husband pray, I was reminded how powerful we really are. The Spirit of God was very tangible in that moment of vulnerability and defenselessness. It is dark and we are not able to see past the radius of the dancing candle light, still there was evidence of great strength in the room that affirms that we are not victims, but indeed very powerful.
We can choose our state of mind, to a large degree. We can choose to concern ourselves with thoughts that we have no control over our life or we can acknowledge and be grateful that what we perceived as power was never our Power Source in the first place.
When our environment and surroundings betray us and we can not decipher one face from another or find our way around in the dark, we have a Power Source that is not affected by the frailty of temperamental humanity in an unstable world. He gives us His words to shine a light around our footsteps and to light our way. He helps us get our bearings again we do not remain disoriented and discouraged in the dark.
August 01, 2008
Delapidated Things
Delapidated: decayed, deteriorated, or fallen into partial ruin especially through neglect or misuse
I have always wondered why a building would begin to fall apart when no one lived in it. It doesn’t make total sense to me. I literally begins to fall apart. But why?
I looked it up but couldn’t find anything that explained this process of decline that comes as a result of neglect. There are all sorts of materials to consider. Bricks will faire better that wood structures, for example. No matter what type of material it is, however, it will need to be maintained and kept up over time.
Relationships are similar… they must be maintained. Maintenance will look different at various stages of life. Often there is an ebb and flow to them as we transition through seasons of our lives. Still, ‘connection’, maintenance, is necessary. Even if that is once a day for a relationship with a family member; once a week for another or even longer for other friendships in your life. It is important to ‘make the connection’!
Life can be so hectic that it can be challenging to find ‘connecting times’. Often in the midst of our personal challenges and storms, there is so much energy being poured into survival that there is little room for these seeming insignificant moments. Maintaining our relationships is crucial, however.
Just as a house changes, ages and settles throughout the year, the same can be said of those that we care about the most. Each of us is always changing, always aging and always settling more into our individuality. While sometimes we may be grateful that we have been fortunate to miss tumultuous portions of people’s lives and catch them on the other side of it all, we should remember that none of us come out of those situations unaffected. We will be different.
Relationship ‘houses’ that are maintained are kept current. The may need to be rearranged to meet ever changing needs and accommodate additions to the family as they change. Situations and misunderstandings can wreck our relationships if they are not dealt with appropriately when they first pop up. During these ‘connecting times’, you are able to oil the door hinges, check for water damage to your roof and cracks in the foundation. You are able to deal with the maintenance that is needed to hold everything together and keep your relationships from falling apart.
I have always wondered why a building would begin to fall apart when no one lived in it. It doesn’t make total sense to me. I literally begins to fall apart. But why?
I looked it up but couldn’t find anything that explained this process of decline that comes as a result of neglect. There are all sorts of materials to consider. Bricks will faire better that wood structures, for example. No matter what type of material it is, however, it will need to be maintained and kept up over time.
Relationships are similar… they must be maintained. Maintenance will look different at various stages of life. Often there is an ebb and flow to them as we transition through seasons of our lives. Still, ‘connection’, maintenance, is necessary. Even if that is once a day for a relationship with a family member; once a week for another or even longer for other friendships in your life. It is important to ‘make the connection’!
Life can be so hectic that it can be challenging to find ‘connecting times’. Often in the midst of our personal challenges and storms, there is so much energy being poured into survival that there is little room for these seeming insignificant moments. Maintaining our relationships is crucial, however.
Just as a house changes, ages and settles throughout the year, the same can be said of those that we care about the most. Each of us is always changing, always aging and always settling more into our individuality. While sometimes we may be grateful that we have been fortunate to miss tumultuous portions of people’s lives and catch them on the other side of it all, we should remember that none of us come out of those situations unaffected. We will be different.
Relationship ‘houses’ that are maintained are kept current. The may need to be rearranged to meet ever changing needs and accommodate additions to the family as they change. Situations and misunderstandings can wreck our relationships if they are not dealt with appropriately when they first pop up. During these ‘connecting times’, you are able to oil the door hinges, check for water damage to your roof and cracks in the foundation. You are able to deal with the maintenance that is needed to hold everything together and keep your relationships from falling apart.
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