Faithbooking Inspirations

Just Do It

13 months ago I walked my mom into the arms of Jesus.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.  I want to call her.  I want to hug her.  I need to hear her voice that it will all be ok. 

Was she proud of me?  What was her favorite moment being a mom?  What would she say to my children?  How can I be a better mom?  How do you boil eggs? :)

Over this past year I haven't scrapped a page.

I have taken lots of pictures, but just haven't been too sure where to start to capture the story and pass the legacy.

Then this week, it hit me....what if my kids also loose me too early.  What if they are left wondering what I would say to them?  What if they NEED to know, I mean REALLY KNOW that I loved them and was proud of them, but I'm not there to tell them?

Well, insert here the perfect answer to all my questions and fears:  My albums.

Have you ever really stopped to realize what a gift your albums will truly be to your family?  Our albums can be full of love letters, I'm proud of you cheers, words of wisdom and answers to the deepest questions in life.

The potential for our albums to touch those we leave behind goes so deep that there should be a sense of urgency to get those words recorded.

So, I updated the cart for the Unto All Generations back to the .99 for all 3 volumes, have been noodling on some upcoming posts, and, am excited to turn to a new stage of my scrapbooking:  Not just leaving the legacy, but, making sure my children know my thoughts, prayers and dreams for them!

Silly me ~ I've spent so much time circling around where to get started, and, missed the point that it doesn't matter.  In words stolen from Nike, Just Do It!

Boys (Lesson One) ~ Soundtrack Saturday 11

As a mom to teen boys my role is changing daily.  I'm not needed to wipe their noses or teach them how to tie their shoes.  My job is to get them ready to be men who love Jesus and will rock this world for Him.  That, my friends, is a job much bigger than I dreamed. 

Instead of protecting them, I have to release them.  Instead of bossing them, I have to lead them.  Instead of lecturing them I have to guide them. 

I give them the tools, they go on and use them.  I give them my love, they pass it on.  I lead them to  Christ, they follow Him, not me.

While I am excited to see who they are becoming and where their lives are headed,  I fear roads they may take and mistakes they may make.  We've all been there, done that, bought the t-shirt but don't wanna wear it....they will too.

There are lessons to be learned from me, and, on their own. 

I played this song through 5 times today to be sure I was pulling all the meaning out.  Wow ~ really these are lessons we may forget to teach, but, how essential are they to making it through as our children find their way? 

What a great set of lyrics to put in a baby album, beside some graduation pictures, or, framed for the wall beside your child's bed!

Jars of Clay - 09 - Boys (Lesson One)

Lesson one: Do not hide
Lesson two: There are right ways to fight
And if you have questions we can talk through the night

So you know who you are, and you know what you want
I’ve been where you’re going, and it’s not that far
It’s too far to walk, but you don’t have to run
You’ll get there in time

Lesson three: You’re not alone
And since I saw you start breathing on your own
You can leave, you can run
This will still be your home

So you know who you are, and you know what you want
I’ve been where you’re going, and it’s not that far
It’s too far to walk, but you don’t have to run
You’ll get there in time
Get there in time

In time
To wonder where the days have gone
In time
To be old enough to wish that you were young
When good things are unraveling, bad things come undone
You weather love and loose your innocence

There will be liars, and thieves who take from you
Not to undermine the consequence but you are not what you do
When you need it most, I have a hundred reasons why I love you

So you know who you are, and you know what you want
I’ve been where you’re going, and it’s not that far
It’s too far to walk, but you don’t have to run
You’ll get there in time
So you know who you are, and you know what you want
I’ve been where you’re going, and it’s not that far
It’s too far to walk, but you don’t have to run
You’ll get there in time
Get there in time

If you weather love and lose your innocence
Just remember, Lesson one…   

I Didn't See You

My daughter plays on a homeschool volleyball team.  Being the only 4th grader on a junior high team has brought her mostly bench warming time.  And, when she has gotten to play, it's been my begging praying that she hit the ball over the net......Bless her heart - that hadn't happened....until Saturday!!!

Well, after that great bump, her momma stood up, grabbed the white tounament t-shirt and 'rally towel' spun it like a fool cheering for the Super Bowl game-winning field goal.  And, just as I sat down, she hit it again, back over that net.  So, what 's a mom to do, but, stand right back up there and do it again.  Here I am, shirt spinning, dancing, yelling, I'm sure arms flapping, and causing all eyes to look at me and not the game...only to have my daughter say afterwards "Oh, I didn't see you".

Are you kidding me?  I stood there attracting everyone's attention and, she didn't see me?  Ugh.

I stepped completely out of my comfort zone, put all concerns aside, ranted and raved, and, she didn't see me? - Yikes.

I put myself out there to make sure she felt the love I had for her, and, she didn't see me? - Ouch

Would I do it again? Absolutely

Why - because I love her - more than life itself.

And, this morning, as I looked at my beautiful purple mums covered in rain drops, I wondered how many times Christ does a rally towel spin to get our attention and show His love for us, and we miss it. 

Maybe we're so caught up in the game we don't notice Him standing on the sidelines cheering for us like a crazy mom, or, quietly interceding for us like a Savior.

That tree of gold, red and orange - that's Him, showing His love through the beauty of nature.

That call you just got from a friend - that's Him, showing His love through companionship.

That pair of dirty socks you picked up for your son, again - that's Him, showing His love through the reminder that your child can run and play.

That alarm going off seemingly too early this morning - that's Him, giving you the gift of another day.

What if we, even just for 24 hours watched for signs of Him, in the stands, showing His love for us - How would our perspecitve change?  How would our confidence grow?  How would our trust in Him get stronger?  How would our strength to face the day grow deeper? 

Oh, How my heart would break if my Savior asked me if I saw Him and, I had to reply, "Oh, I didn't see you".

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.  You show love to thousands..." Jer 32:18

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Rom 5:8

So, you can bet , when I scrap those tournament pictures - this will be a double page spread.  1 page to tell the story of her season, the other page to tell the story of "I didn't see you" and, make sure she reads that He shows us He loves us all day long - we simply need to look on the sidelines.

***Keep looking at those pictures through eternal glasses girls - there are so many stories to tell beyond the date, time, and, who was there.

Squattin' & Foldin'

So, I heard this great idea yesterday - if you have a front loader washer and / or dryer, instead of bending over to get the clothes out, squat down ~  Gets some leg toning done, and, saves your back. 

Nothing to scrap about this one, just a great lightbulb moment!  :~)

This is Who I Am

Who are YOU?

What roles do you play?

How often are those roles changing; even as frequently as minute by minute?

How much and often do we allow ourselves to be EVERYTHING we are?

Who did God create you to be?

Who is God CREATING you to be?

These are questions I've been mulling around in my 41+ year old brain....and, this morning I think I heard Him answer my question of WHO He wants me to be......

His answer?.....

"That's just it my child, for today, You are developing where and becoming exactly who I want you to be."

Wow ~ I stepped out of the shower with a lighter step and a renewed perspective of who I need to be......ME!

While that may not seem like such a life-changing answer to many, I have a feeling it would free a large number of this site's readers to live life in a different way.  Our closets of many hats get so full of who others think we should be that we lose sight of who we, and God, says we truly are.

Sure we are the mothers, wives, daughters, employees and bosses that our daily lives and responsibilities require of us.  But, it is OK to also be the scrapbooker, athlete, dancer, artist, or designer we enjoy being.  In fact, without allowing ourselves the opportunity to do and be what we enjoy, we are cheating God, our family, and, ourselves out of reaching our full potential.

Why the revelation?

While I ran this weekend, I spent the entire 10 miles burdened with overwhelming guilt and feeling downright miserable about the fact that my daughter was sitting home without me playing with her.  I bounced back and forth from being the athlete training for a spring marathon to the mom who believed her family couldn't make it a couple hours without her.  So, I cheated myself, didn't finish my scheduled 16 miles, came home and played Wii with her.  And, for the last 48 hours I've questioned my priorities:  Am I selfish for focusing on myself and doing something I love to do?  Perhaps I should just set my desires and goals aside and focus on the ones who need me.  Or, is setting aside a couple hours for myself a few times a week making me a better mom, wife and child of God?

Running is my sanity ~ my escape ~ my 'solve the problems of the world while I make my grocery list' time ~ my one on one with Jesus time ~ my opportunity to answer to myself, push myself, be myself, and, create myself.   While yes, it may be a few hours away from my family, it rebuilds me and makes me stronger to be the rock they need.  To not take that time for myself truly does cheat each member of my family ~ why would I ever dream of selling us all short? 

What's your sanity?  Is it that weekly scrapbooking night with your friends?  How about the women's Bible study?  Is it a few minutes each morning gardening, watching the birds at the feeder or reading His Word? 

Satan wants us to become distracted.  He doesn't want us to be at our best.  If he can keep us from renewing ourselves, we are less of a threat to his kingdom. 

I challenge ALL OF US to acknowledge what renews our spirit and souls, deflect the guilt laden arrows satan shoots at us, and allow ourselves to do something we enjoy.  Not only can our family survive a few hours without us, but, by becoming who we truly are, our loved ones will be stronger through us.

Dents in My Fender ~ Soundtrack Saturday 10

Got a page to create with pictures of your teen's first little fender bender?

Journal how much He loves us, no matter how big or how many dents we have.

While this is a great set of words for such a page ~ the words and message are great for us, whether we are 20 years of age, or 20 x 4.

If you stop by our home, you'll hear this week's song for Soundtrack Saturday  blaring pretty loud :~)

Francesca Battistelli - 01 - Free To Be Me

 

 

Free to Be Me ~ by Francesca Battistelli

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

(Chorus)
‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me
And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

Magnificent Defeat

I heard a great phrase in a song yesterday ~

"This Magnificent Defeat"

Got me to thinking about how many Magnificent Defeat finish lines the Lord has brought me across through His power, grace and love.

What about you?  What have you defeated only through Him?  How about that sin, fear, moment of decision, or challenge? 

That weight you lost ~ that was only through His power.  That moment you stepped on the airplane despite your overwhelming fear of flying ~ it was His hand that gently guided you.  That sin that was running your life, soul, and, mind ~ it was His Cross that provided the power to overcome.  That mountain of a situation that you believed was an impossible climb ~ the peak was reached and conquered through His love and guidance.  Each of those Magnificent Defeats were yours through, and because of, Him.

We need to share the stories of our Magnificent Defeats in our albums.  The phrase makes a great page title / header.

• Title a page This Magnificent Defeat and tell the story of a specific time the Lord has helped you be a "Defeater" instead of a "defeated".  Include pictures, your feelings before, during, and after, as well as how the Lord provided the power, grace, peace, love, forgiveness and/or direction you needed.
• Title a double page spread "Magnificent Defeats" and share mini stories.  Include a few short sentences about the times you have defeated through Him.  Even little moments such as the time you only ate half the piece of cheesecake or were able to speak to someone who'd hurt you.
• Include scriptures, prayers you prayed, and songs, people or stories that were an inspiration.
• "...the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  1 John 4:4
• "...divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4
• "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
• "...The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm."  Zephaniah 3:15
• "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:14 (for more scriptures for scrapbooking, see Unto All Generations)

He gives us the gift of Magnificent Defeats daily.  Give Him the glory.  Point to His power.  Focus on His forgiveness.  Leave the Legacy of His Love for you and His children.

The Real Me ~ Soundtrack Saturday 4

For Soundtrack Saturday 4, I'm gonna give you an unmasked little peek into my heart.....

It has been a year since we made the decision to move to Texas, and, our home has still not sold.  So, I am living between 2 states and learning to love the 2 day trip between Texas and Ohio via van with 4 kids, a big black lab and a GPS that I have yet to figure out :~)

While this time has been somewhat crazy, I can't believe how deeply grateful for it I am.  I have been the only adult in my home for 11 months now.  It is amazing what you see when you don't have someone to 'busy you' from looking at yourself. 

Without my husband around to talk to and busy myself with, I have been placed in a unimaginably beautiful place to stop and see how and who God created me to be. 

Meaning no disrespect at all to my dear husband, precious children, or my wonderful life, I think somewhere in the last many years, to my fault, I'd lost who I was.  I was so busy being the everything to everyone that I'd forgotten the woman I was underneath the costume.  I'd misplaced "The Real Me".

During this time of 'semi-seperation' from my usual life, the Lord has given me a much needed opportunity to step back and begin to uncover the woman He created.  I have realized He sees me as beautiful, strong, individual and worth it.  And, I know I am not the only one that finds that phrase a hard one to claim and believe!

I could ramble for thousands of words about my evolution in the last months, but I will spare you all :~)  However, I will say that He sees 'The Real Me' in each of us.

He creates us in His image; the exact woman He desires to come along-side Him, do His work and grow His Kingdom.  To not become that woman is not only cheating ourselves, but, more importantly, Him. 

Lord, I do pray that these readers are able to see themselves as you do.  May each one look in the mirror today and see something wonderful, strong, and beautiful.  I pray these women reach under their masks and claim the daughter and dreams you've created.  Jesus, you are too powerful and perfect for us to cheat ourselves, and You, from the life You've set for us.  May we each see "The Real Me" today and take the next step towards her.  Thank you for your love and grace!

While "The Real Me" from Natalie Grant has always been on the top ten tracks of the 'soundtrack of my life', it rings even deeper and truer now.  It is a perfect song for the majority of you out there.  Something about us scrapbookers ~ we don't put our pictures in the albums and forget we are part of the story and legacy too :~)

"Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into
A perfect tapestry
I just wanna be me"

(Those receving this by email will just have to bop over to the site to hear the song since it doesn't transfer through the newsletter)

The Real Me ~ Natalie Grant (Awaken CD)

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break
How much will they take before I'm empty
Do I let it show, does anybody know?

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I'm tired of the song and dance
Living a Charade, always on parade
What a mess I've made of my existence
But you love me even now
And still I see somehow

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into
A perfect tapestry
I just wanna be me

But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

And you love me just as I am

Wonderful, Beautiful is what you see
When you look at me

Oh No, She's Awake...

"Live your life in such a way that when you open your eyes in the morning satan says, 'Oh no, she's awake'."

I received this in an email a couple days ago, and, it has continued to challenge me in a deep gut-checking way.

Does satan say this about you?  I'm not sure he does about me.

Along with being a personal prayer, this statement can make an eternal impact in our albums.

• This would be a great title page in a graduation album or 'new path' album
• Use it along with a picture of a loved one you want to challenge to live such a life
• Use it in a double page spread with pictures of a loved one whom you believed lived such a life, and, journal what she / he did to bring others to Christ
• Include pictures of a teenager sleeping / waking
• Frame the phrase and place in a bedroom or bathroom to challenge you or your family

Lord, may we be intense enough in our walk with and for You, that we are dangerously scary to the enemy.

One Heartbeat at a Time

So often as mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and mentors we feel as if we are just not doing enough.

Shaping these precious souls entrusted to us is a daunting task that often takes years to see its fruits.

It's easy to get lost in the day to day busyness and wonder if we are truly making a difference.

This morning, I was blessed by a song that brought a tear to my eye along with "rewind" pushes at least 6 times.

We must remember we ARE changing the world as we mold His children.  Each moment, word, and smile will, one day, create someone who WILL "rock this world for Him". 

As many of the Mother's Day pictures are getting developed and placed in albums, I thought I'd share the beautiful song and lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's "One Heartbeat at a Time".

• Use some of the words as your place Mother's Day pictures in your albums
• Journal how your own mother / grandmother / mentor changed the world through her children
• Journal your prayers and dreams of your own children / loved ones changing the world
• Use the chorus in a baby album as a gift to a new mother
• Include Isaiah 40:11 ~ He tends His flock like a Shepherd and carries His lambs close to His heart.  He gently leads those that have young

Lord, give us the perseverance to press on and make the most of each moment as we "make history with every touch and smile"

*** Just a little technical note:  I am super excited...I just figured out how to insert the songs into these posts ~ so, cruise through the Songs and Poems Category and now actually hear the songs I have shared.

One Heartbeat at a Time ~ Steven Curtis Chapman

You're up all night with a screaming baby
You run all day at the speed of life
And every day you feel a little bit less
Like the beautiful woman you are

So you fall into bed when you run out of hours
And you wonder if anything worth doing got done
Oh, maybe you just don't know
Or maybe you've forgotten

You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time

With every "I know you can do it"
Every tear that you kiss away
So many little things that seem to go unnoticed
They're just like the drops of rain over time
They become a river

And you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
How you're changing the world
You're changing the world

You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
Oh, I believe that you
You are changing the world
One little heartbeat
At a time

And you're changing the world