"Do Something" Day 36 - Learn something new

We took our friends to the Mississippi River Museum today! I enjoy taking people there, including my own family. Even though we have had a membership there for almost 2 years, I like to take the kids and learn something new.

There's always a new exhibit to explore, and if I am able too with their attention, I like to read all the various facts and information to them in the new exhibits. Usually at the end of the day we ask the kids what they loved the best on our adventure and they both will share their favorite part.

It's amazing how in every stage and age in life life, there is always an opportunity to learn something new. Try finding a museum, a gallery, an attraction where you live and take the time to read the informational postings and if you take a friend or loved one along share with each other at the end of the day your favorite new piece of information that captured your attention!

Have fun!

Blessings be with you...

"Do Something" Day 35 - Hospitality

Today and all week long, we have a house full of guests! I am so thrilled to spend 5 lovely days with my very dearest friend and her three children. We have so much planned and hope that everyone will enjoy the tiny little excursions we have planned.

Do you enjoy having guests stay in your home? For me, I enjoy serving in many ways. First, I want to make sure all guests are comfortable and feel as if they were at home, next I want them to be able to enjoy food that has been prepared for them, and lastly I want to make sure that our guests are having a great time!

Sometimes this gives me some stress, only because I worry about if everyone is having a great time. So far, I think we all are enjoying the company of one another!

Invite a guest over, prepare a room for them, a meal, and a loving environment.

Enjoy!

Blessings be with you...

"Do Something" Day 34 - Rest

Rest is a word that I love to say, but don't actually do. during this 40 day journey of "Do Something" I have blogged about training for a 5K run. I am still in training, so I guess that's a good sign! I like it enough to not quit, but as I push myself more, I am beginning to realize that a training schedule on a piece of paper may not be the best training guide for me. I really pushed myself hard earlier this week, resulting in very uncomfortable knee pain. I have treated this discomfort with ice, supplements, chiropractic care, and although I want to run...I keep at it with brisk walking instead.

It's funny how the unlikely of activities, become something you grow fond of. Up until a few weeks ago, I could have died happy knowing that I never ran a race of any distance. Now that I have grown a liking to running, I crave it! To take a break, for the sake of not risking an injury, feels kind of disappointing. I enjoy pushing myself a little bit more each day. Apparently my body doesn't care for it. Too much, too soon...I suppose.

So, I rest, taking a few days off and allowing my knees to recover.

What ways can you rest from the busy life, from your home, from exercise. Really rest, take a break, put your feet up and relax with a good book or movie.

Try it tomorrow on your Sabbath!

I look forward to hearing how you spent your time.

Blessings be with you...

"Do Something" Day 33 - Au Naturel

I clean my entire home with a few natural ingredients:

Baking soda, Borax, vinegar, lemon juice, wintergreen rubbing alcohol, and essential oils.

To some this may seem like a lot of work, I mean it is more convenient to grab a bottle of whatever cleaner, spray the house down and wipe away. For our home it's not a matter of convenience, but a matter of health. Since I do the majority of the scrubbing of this home, I would prefer to not breath in harmful aromas in conventional cleaners. It's safer for the environment and safer for the people that love in your home..

It's safe for children and pets too.

Give it a try and take a little ride on the "Green Side"

Some helpful links:

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/at-home/5-creative-uses-for-borax/

http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7

http://thenewhomemaker.com/bakingsoda

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/environment/a/lemonscleaning.htm

Blessings be with you...

"Do Something" Day 32 - Gratitude

Gratitude goes beyond just saying "thank you". In our busy lives, we sometime forget to really tell our loved one(s)that we are grateful for them. Not only is this important in relationships, but with children and friendships too.

Sit down with your special someone, look at each other and tell them why you are grateful for them. If you aren't the vocal type, grab a pen an paper and write it down in a note. Tech savvy folks, send and email or text.

Although, I really encourage you to something different and sit down face to face and talk.

Since I am unable to sit with you all in person, I want to thank all for you who have visited this blog and have joined this 40 day journey of "Do Something".

This journey isn't over yet, stick with it!

Blessings be with you...

"Do Something" Day 31 - The In Between Times

I thought it was only fitting to share a devotion that I wrote for our home church in Las Vegas. They offer a Lenten devotional, written by the members of this church. Today just happened to be mine. Enjoy!

Blessings be with you...

Wednesday, March 28 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. (v. 2) NIV

I think one can say that when great things happen in our lives, we praise God. We thank him over and over and tell God how great he is to us. What about the not so great things? The struggles and obstacles, the times when we are simply tired of fighting. Do we then praise God and thank him for that opportunity to learn and grow from that experience? I would say not many people do.

During a Bible study for moms that I was involved with a while back, I remember reading in a chapter about the challenges of life, “Every time you face a challenge whether great or small, look at it as an opportunity to trust and thank God.” That small sentence in a 260 page book was so profound to me, that even in the craziest, loudest (I’m referring to my children), and most unfair moments in my life, God is the one to be there at any hour to comfort my pain and he is being thanked for that opportunity to trust him.

Give thanks to the Lord for answered prayers and give thanks for the in-between times too.

Amazing God, thank you for all the love you have for us and thank you for your mercy and grace when we fall short. Amen.

"Do Something" Day 30 - Loss & Grief

Do we really know what to say when someone loses a loved one, a significant other, a pregnancy, a child? We are hurt, troubled, and at most times at a loss for words. What do we say, what don't we say? In our own family of four, we have lost a pregnancy. About 3 years ago, in my 13th week of pregnancy. This child would have been our second child and even though we were blessed one year and one week later with our darling Isaac, I still think about that child we never got to meet and to hold.

Pregnancy and infant loss is not something to "sweep under the rug", I believe in our culture many, many years ago we never spoke about miscarriages. Today is much different, we have support groups, blogs, facebook pages, and many resources to help us through this most difficult time.

Unfortunately not everyone educates themselves on what to say, or not to say. I though I would share this very helpful link on "Words Women Might find Hurtful After a Miscarriage"

http://unspokengrief.com/words-woman-may-find-hurtful-after-miscarriage/

Things that you can say and do:

1) Give a heartfelt hug and say "I'm sorry"

2) Offer to bring a meal

3) Follow up with continued communication.

A woman who has gone through this doesn't take the weekend off to recover, sometimes it takes weeks, months, even years to get through it.

4) Always keep her and her family in your prayers.

This will mean the world to her!

Blessings be with you...