Heart Choices: 2011-05-29 -->

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The Power of Encouragement


Encouragement can be very powerful.  Encouragement is something we all could use sometime.  Some people crave it.  Some people think they can easily do without it.

"We have different gifts according to the grace given us...if it is encouraging, let him encourage..."Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

I think I have the gift of encouragement.  There have been times in the past when I wished I had a more visible gift.  I would see others who could sing solos and bring people to tears.  But the only people that don't seem to mind my off key singing are the preschoolers I work with. Singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" with hand motions doesn't qualify as an inspiring solo.  :)

I realize that we all need a little encouragement along the way.  I love to be able to give that encouragement.  But sometimes the encourager needs a little encouragement ...especially when life has been challenging.

An unexpected word of encouragement
Out of the blue, I received a beautiful photo card from blogger Cindy of Letters From Midlife.  Cindy has the gift of encouragement.  She quietly notices when someone needs encouragement and ...she follows through and does something to encourage.

Janette of Janette's Sage is an encourager.  While navigating a time of uncertainty in her family's life, she is always there to lend a word of encouragement to others.  She always tries to make lemonade out of lemons and she wrote about it here.  But Janette has reached out to me personally in so many ways this past year and encouraged me.

Felisol of On the Far Side of the Sea is an encourager.  She is my Norwegian 'sister'.  I love to keep up with my Norwegian heritage by reading many of her posts like this one.  She always seems to sense when I need an extra dose of encouragement and she does so ... through her comments on Heart Choices.

There are so many other bloggers who have been such an encouragement to me.  There are too many to name but here are just a few.  I hope you take the time to visit them.  Those who encourage also need encouragement.

  • Sonja of bits and pieces ....  I know that the Lord brought this godly woman into my life.  She is also of Norwegian descent and has become a true mentor and sister to me.
  • Kathleen of Sassy Granny ...I met her in person when she lived in Arizona.  She's since moved to the Seattle area but I was privileged to spend quality time with her several times.  What a joy and an encourager she is.
Sassy Granny AKA Kathleen
  • Bethany of Raindrops & Rainbows ...what an encourager!  She is such an example to me and yet she's probably half my age.  When my sister Christine was going through some challenges, she wrote and asked if she might send her a card of encouragement.  My sister received many cards from Bethany and it was just what Chris needed.  That warmed my heart and ...encouraged me too.
Bethany & her hubby on their 10th anniversary
I cannot forget to mention Lisa of Sharing Life with Lisa.  I was thrilled to meet her in person last year when I visited family in Florida.  Lisa drove hours just to sit and talk with me and ...encourage me.  Best of all, she is a prayer warrior and ...follows through on that.

There are so many friends who have encouraged me including Helen, Terri, Sue, Linda, Anna May, Jill, Tara, Heidi.  Each one of these women reach out a hand of love through a card, a hug or simply listening to me  And for that ...I thank you.

I'm linking up to Bonnie of The Faith Barista as she jams about the gift of encouragement.  Btw, she has also been an encouragement to me.



FaithBarista_FreshJamBadgeG



Blessings and love,
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TSMSS ~ Above All



It's Then Sings My Soul Saturday when I link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

I love children. I work with children.  So how could I resist not posting this video of little Kaitlyn Maher singing "Above All".



Happy Saturday!

Blessings and love,
QuickEdit

My One Week Vacation


I had a one week vacation since the last day of our school year was Friday.  So what did I do on my vacation?

  • Clean
  • Rest
  • Spend time with friends 
  • Spend time with Greg
  • Work on lesson plans for Culinary Camp for Kids

Charity, Anna May, Helen and me meeting at Paradise Bakery for fun and food
The week has gone by too quickly as I'm gearing up to return on Monday.

For the next two weeks, I get to teach Culinary Camp to first through fourth graders.  I'm really looking forward to this but I want to be prepared.  What do 7-10 year olds like to eat?  I have lots of kids' cookbooks that I've been reviewing.  Thank you Heidi!

And I'm amazed at how much valuable information, with recipes and crafts are online, especially on mommy bloggers' sites.

If you have any suggestions or links to sites or blogs with information on teaching cooking to kids, I'd love to hear from you.  So stay tuned as I report back on how things are going.

Blessings and love,

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Thankful Thursday ~ God's Peace



It's Thankful Thursday and my friend Iris of Grace Alone is hosting this month.

I'm so thankful for a one week vacation.  Friday was the last day of school at Rancho.  Although Greg and I aren't going anywhere, it's nice to be together, visit with friends, and catch up.
Photo Credit: True Food Kitchen website
I'm so thankful for friends.  I met my friend Terri for lunch at the Scottsdale Quarter today.  We had lunch at True Food Kitchen.  What a treat this was!
Photo Credit: True Food Kitchen
We ate outside on the patio and the weather was perfect.  It was overcast so it wasn't too sunny or hot.  And the food was fabulous; chopped chicken salad for me.  Thank you Terri!

Tomorrow I will get to see my friends Helen and Anna May.  Although we now live closer to each other, it's been so long since we actually got together.  That's what happens when you return to full time work, I guess.

I'm thankful for the gift card I received from the parents of the children in our preschool class.  It was very kind of them and I was eager to get some long needed clothes for summer.  So while I was at the Scottsdale Quarter, I was able to pick up a few things.  It's been so long since I've gone shopping.

Iris wrote about peace in her Thankful Thursday post.  In this world, peace is not something I would use to describe all that's going on now.  Even in my own life, there's still so much uncertainty.  But I'm thankful that despite all of this, I can have God's peace.  I may not know what tomorrow will bring or where I'll be living several months from now.  But I'm learning to trust that God loves me and has a purpose and plan for my life. I don't have to carry the burden.  I'm learning to pray and ask for His direction.  And then I'm slowly learning to listen and obey.

You can visit Iris at Grace Alone to join in.

Blessings and love,

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WFW ~ No Hiding


Hiding behind masks?  Have you ever tried to do this?

We cannot hide from God.


Let's take our masks off and be real.

Run to the Lord.  Only He can satisfy.


I'm linking up with Internet Cafe for Word Filled Wednesday.
Blessings and love,

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