Getting Victory!

For several weeks now there has been a several situations going on in my life that I have been struggling with. Little things have just been adding to it. It hasn’t seem appropriate to blog about it, I have not talked to any friends about it (just John), but have been carrying the burden around inside of me. It must be showing in me, because several of my friends have been asking me if I am Okay and making little comments that it looks like something is bothering me. Well there was, but I just didn’t know how to share it with someone and I just wasn’t ready to share it. I have been praying about it, but not really getting or expecting victory. This weekend I was ready to talk about what was going on and wanted to unload on someone. I tried to share and called several different friends that I thought might understand or at least listen to me. However, the timing never seemed to work. I called my best friend Pat and she was on her way out. I told her I just called to whine she said the next time we talk she will bring the cheese (we have the type of relationship that we can do that) Lol J. I did try to talk to several other friends, but it just didn’t seem to be the right time. I believe this was God getting me to whole heartily rely on Him and waiting for him to deliver me, not someone else.

During nap time I started reading Psalm 34 and came to the computer and typed out my heart to the Lord and wanted to share my process here on my blog.

Today I need God to do something in my heart and life. I have a situation going on and I need God’s victory.

Dear Lord,

I want out of this situation that I am in. I feel miserable, unhappy, and hopeless. I also don’t feel like I should really ask you to help me out. I feel like it is my own fault that I’m here so what right do I have to ask for your help? I don’t have a right, but I don’t know what else to do. I am crying out to you because I can’t do it on my own – even if it is my own fault I am where I am. I am hoping you will have mercy on me and love me anyway. Please deliver me out of this hopelessness and show me a new way.

Psalm 34:6
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalm 34:9 - 10
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:17 - 19
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit,
A righteous man may have many troubles,
But the Lord delivers him from them all;

Lord I am seeking you and I need you to deliver me. Please forgive me for where I lack and where I was wrong. Teach me to be better and to do different. Please give me the wisdom that I need right now and that I am seeking. Help me to overcome, to be victorious, and to trust you. Help me not to believe Satan’s lies in my life. I give you this situation in my life and will wait on You. I will no longer carry this burden and worry about this situation. I give you my desires and my wants and will accept whatever you give back to me. Lord I am going to rejoice in the blessing you give me and not be jealous, envious, or less fulfilled because of what you give others. I am looking to you to fill my heart and provide my needs. I am not looking to a friend, pastor, or anyone else to deliver me. You are my deliver and rescuer. It is in you that I trust. I am relying on your strength.

I love you Lord! I am seeking you! You are amazing! I want to be loved by You. I trust that you hear me and that you are bringing me victory. I am sensing your presence.

There is song called People Need the Lord, I have learned that not only do non Christian people need the Lord, but Christian people need the Lord too. I need the Lord!

I am moving on and trusting the Lord to do a new thing in my life. I am going to rejoice, live, and enjoy God’s freedom. I am breaking free of these chains I have been in the past few weeks. I will not let Satan hold me down any longer. I will not be bound by his lies. I serve a risen God who has overcome the world. I am more than a conquer in Christ Jesus!

James 4:7 & 8 (personalized)
I submit myself to You O God. I resist the devil, now he is fleeing from me! I am coming near to You O God and trusting You will come near to me. I want to humble myself before you Lord and trust that you will lift me up.

I will endure.

I love you Lord! I give you the glory and victory in my life. I worship you.

When I started typing I felt very defeated and hopeless. God has brought me through and I am thankful and now determined. I will continue to Praise the Lord! Now I am waiting to see how God will bring certain changes in my life, but no matter what He has already changed me through this prayer!

Until Later,
~Betty~

SMART Habits Saturday

It is SMART Habit Saturday time again. If you are new to SHS you can click here to find out more about it.

I have been struggling with my goals for a couple of weeks now. I wasn’t sure if I was even going to participate this week, but I need to continue no matter how I am feeling. Here are my list of goals that I am doing well on and have been making a difference in our home:
Clean Kitchen sink nightly
Load of Laundry once a day
Declutter something once a day
Eating more fruits & veggies

Here is my list of goals that I am continuing to work on
Exercise Monday – Friday
Drink water daily
Reading my Bible daily

This week I am going to refocus on these goals and to help me with my exercise, eating better, and to loose weight I am going to find and organize healthy recipes that I can cook for myself and my family. In other words I am going to put a little more effort into cooking and planning for my family.

I am thankful for participating in SHS and for all the encouragement from the other participants. If you have wanted to set some goals and make some changes in your household and have not yet participated in SMART Habit Saturday now would be the time to get started.
Anyone who participates in SHS for two weeks in a row by the end of March will be entered into a drawing to win Laura’s 5 free Organizing Bags, three large and two small! To join SHS or to visit other participants just click here.

Until Later

~Betty~

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today we signed our name over and over again on paper after paper until I began to wonder if it would ever be over. It was finally over, we said our goodbyes, and we were given keys to our new house. We became homeowners for the first time and how proud and excited we felt.

Today to celebrate our “House’s Birthday” as Jody told her teacher today, we invited our friends over who helped us move in to have Dominos Pizza just like we had two years ago on move in day. When I went to pick up the pizza I saw the previous owner, who I may add I have not seen at all in two years since we signed all those papers. I thought that was kind of cool! I reassured him that we are happy with the house and the neighborhood. He seemed happy to hear that.

God has blessed us over & over and for that I am grateful.

Until Later,
~Betty~

High Maintenance or Low Maintenance?

Our local Christian radio station has an awesome morning show that I love to listen to every morning. Kevin & Taylor in the Morning are AWESOME! This morning they were talking about whether you would say you were high maintenance compared to your girl friends or other women you come into contact with. They were encouraging people to call in, of course I did not call in. However, I called my husband and asked him "What would you say if somebody asked you if I was high or low maintenance?" At first he was quiet, then he said "Low maintenance, all I have to do is give you a Mt. Dew and tell you to go blog!" So there you have it blogging keeps me low maintenance!

Until Later,
~Betty~

Thankful Thursday

• Today I'm thankful that my husband loves me!
• I am thankful for a husband who loves me through my moods and when people and things irritate me.
• I'm thankful that my husband is there for me when things that you can't talk to others about are not going well.
• I'm thankful that I can count on my husband to be there and support me when I'm being irrational and overreact. When I ask him what he thinks he just answers "This is one of those times when there isn't a right answer, right?"
• I'm thankful that my husband has my back even when he doesn't agree with me.
• I'm thankful that my husband loves me enough to forgive me when I invite 30 plus people over to our house for Easter celebration and forgot to run it by him first.
• I'm thankful that my husband loves me.

Please visit Sting my Heart for more Thankful Thursdays.

Until Later,

~Betty~

SMART Habit Saturday

Well I did eat healthier this week and walked around my neighborhood about everyday. However, I did not loose any weight this week. Yes I am a little discouraged, but I am not going to give up. This week I am still going to try to eat healthier and to walk the neighborhood. I am going to cut back on the tea drinking and really try to drink more water:( . I am still continuing on my other goals of keeping my sink clean, one load of laundry a day, scripture reading, and declutter at least once a day.

To learn more about SMART Habit Saturday click here. If you would like to join SMART Habit Saturday click here. Thanks for Lara The Lazy Organizer for being our host.

Until Later,

~Betty~

Thankful Thursday

This week I wanted to share what it is that I am thankful for about my house. We have talked about selling our house and moving closer to our church. Right now it is just talk, but I wanted to reflect on why I am thankful for the current home we have.

• I am thankful that I have 2 bathrooms and I have a garden tub to enjoy hot bubble baths by myself


• I am thankful that I have enough room for my girls to have a separate playroom than their bedroom


• I am thankful for a fireplace


• I am thankful for a dinning room and a breakfast area


• I am thankful for a garage


• I am thankful for a yard the kids can play in


• I am thankful to be living in a subdivision away from traffic


• I am very thankful that we have been able to afford this house and have made each payment on it.

I don't want to sound cocky about my house - there are certain things I don't like about it and I would change, but I'm emphasizing the positive and the things that I do like. For those who do not know me after 11 years of marriage this is the first home we have been able to buy. I just don't want anyone to think that I take this for granted or that this has just been handed to me with no work or worries, because that is not the case. We have had our struggles. I just don't want to turn people off and sound like I'm bragging, because that is not my intent. I am just trying to reflect on the blessing God has provided for us. I hope you understand my heart as I share this.

For more Thankful Thursday please visit Sting My Heart.

Until Later,

~Betty~

SMART Habit Saturday # 10

I am so glad to be participating in SMART Habit Saturday. If you are new to SHS and want to know more information on this please visit Lara The Lazy Organizer here.

As I look around my house and look at my list of goals I am realizing how much of a difference I am making in my home. The dishes and the counter top are cleaned, my laundry is caught up, I have decluttered my girl’s clothes, areas of the house are becoming decluttered and all that feels good. I am really starting to see a difference in things. Not only am I noticing how things are looking I also see how it is affecting my family and they seem to be better at picking up after themselves, or maybe I’m quicker to remind them to put things away, but, whatever, it is working! I am very happy with myself in these areas.

As I am looking at my goals and I see what is working, I also see what is not working. I am still struggling with my exercise and water drinking. This has been a challenge for me. However, I am not going to give up on these goals. I really do want to be healthier and to loose weight. This week I am going to work on these goals. My plan is to walk around our neighborhood once a day this week. The weather here is getting nicer and I can easily walk during the day with my day care kids. Also I am going to decrease my goal amount of water to drink. Instead of 64 oz I am going to try 48 oz. I have a bottle that I keep in the refrigerator and instead of trying to drink 2 of them I am going to try to drink 1 a day. Hopefully that will help me to get back into drinking water. Along with trying to be healthier my new goal this week is to eat more fruits & vegetables and less sugar. I am going to try to stay completely away from sugar this week, except I am going to allow myself to drink sweet tea. I have decreased the amount of sugar I put in my tea. I have already gone to the grocery store and have made my menu plan for next week, so hopefully I have set myself up for success. We shall see. I will let you know how it goes next week.

If you want to join SMART Habits please visit Lara the Lazy Organizer here.

Until Later,
~Betty~

The Ultimate Blog Party

Welcome to my blog party hosted by 5 minutes for mom. I know I am coming in at the last minute of this, but I have not been in a “Partying” mood this week. However, I decided that I need to do this to make me feel better. Therefore welcome (if anyone is still around that is)!

At any party you have to have food so I wanted to start off with my favorite party/ snack recipe. It is Pico de Gallo and tortilla chips. Here is a picture & the recipe:

A can of petite diced tomatoes
A sweet onion
1 tablespoon of cilantro leaves (I use the dried spice compared to the fresh)
A bag of Tortilla chips
Dash of salt (optional)
Dash of sugar (optional)

Dice & finely chop the onion. In a medium bowl mix tomatoes, onion, cilantro, salt, & sugar together and serve with tortilla chips. You can eat it right away or chill it first. If you like things hot & spicy you could make it that wat. I don’t like things hot so I make mine mild.

Another food that I served at a party that was a hit was what we call Blog Meatballs. I originally got this recipe from Lara the Lazy Organizer. Sorry I don't have a picture. Here is the recipe:

Meatballs:
1 pound ground beef, extra lean
½ cup milk
½ cup saltine crackers
1 T onion, chopped
Dash salt and pepper

Sauce:
¼ cup apple cider vinegar (you could use any type of vinegar)
1 cup ketchup
¾ cup brown sugar
2 T onion, chopped
Dash salt and pepper

Mix first 5 ingredients. Make meatballs with 1 ½” ice cream scoop. Drop into baking dish. Mix last 5 ingredients. Pour over meatballs. Bake covered at 350 for 1 hour. Remove cover and bake for 30 minutes more or until sauce has started to caramelize.
When I served these at a dinner party they were delicious and all my guests loved them.

Other food that I love and would share with you is pizza and bread sticks. So help yourself to some:

Along with food we have to have drinks. Here are my favorite drinks:

Sweet Tea & Mt. Dew

As we are eating let’s make our way around my blog and I will tell you a little about me then you can leave me a comment and tell me about you then I will come over to your party.

I started blogging last summer and I love it. I love listening (reading) about other people’s lives and to be able to share my thoughts and heart. In a group setting I tend to be quieter and just sit back and listen, blogging allows me to do that and also to be able to express myself on my own terms. I love to read other blogs and encourage people when I can and I love to get comments and be encouraged myself. Some of the blogs I read people share their heart in a humorous way, some in a serious way, and some in an informative way, and some in just everyday talk. I enjoy hearing how we moms are in this together whatever the circumstance and issues we may be dealing with currently. Some bloggers know how to tell a story and draw you in as if you were right there. Some bloggers know how to draw you in and touch you heart. Some bloggers give you ideas and teach you how to be better at organizing, cooking, crafts, planning, and just an overall a better person. Some bloggers are excellent writers and are trying to publish a book. I blog, not because of my writing skills (trust me), but because I love the connection with other moms around the world. It’s great to know that whatever our time schedule when we can fit blogging in we are there for each other.

My blog best benefits me by using it to keep me accountable and to set goals for my daily & everyday life. If you look at my sidebar you will see that I have joined Thankful Thursday, SMART Habit Saturdays, and Weekend Reflections. These are memes that enables me to use my blog time to become a better person. Just like the name of my blog says I’m on the journey to victory and I will get there one step at a time.

Thank you for stopping by. You are welcome to come back again and join me on this journey and we can encourage each other. Visit 5 Minutes for Mom for more parties.

Until Later,
~Betty~

SMART Habit Saturday # 9

I am running 2 days behind on everything. But here is my SMART Habit Saturday update.

If you have wanted to set some goals and make some changes in your household and have not yet participated in SMART Habit Saturday now would be the time to get started. I have some great news.

Anyone who participates in SHS for two weeks in a row by the end of March will be entered into a drawing to win Laura’s 5 free Organizing Bags, three large and two small!

Now that would be enough motivation for me to start participating. I would love to have these Organizing Bags. Therefore, if you have been thinking about joining go here for more information and join us.

I have been working hard trying to declutter and organize my house. Things around here are starting to look pretty good. I want to be able to keep my house always looking good. Therefore for Week 9 my new goal is to declutter my house 15 minutes a day.

How I did this past week:
I am noticing I am doing better on my organizational goals than I am on my healthly goals. I still have a lot of work to do to make these goals a habit. However, this is a process & a journey right? So I will continue. Here is how I did:

Week 1 Clean kitchen sink nightly This is still going strongly.

Week 2 Drink 8 glasses of water a day I am not doing well with this habit. I am trying to refocus.

Week 3 Exercise Monday – Friday I have struggled with this also. I am not doing good here.

Week 4 Read my Bible daily I still need to work on this habit. I am reading more than I was, but have not been doing it daily.

Week 5 Sort my girls clothes Completed

Week 6 Organizing tax receipts Completed

Week 7 Continue with same goals Continuing

Week 8 A load of laundry once a day I did pretty well with this goal this week. I have our laundry all caught up and it feels good. Now only if I could be doing this good on my health habits!

If you want to participate please visit The Lazy Organizer here.

Until Later,
Betty

Thankful Thursday

During our family Prayer time at night we always go around and tell what we are thankful for that happened during the day or the week. Therefore, I decided that I want to add this to my blog. So every Thursday I am going to share things in my life that I am thankful for.

This has been a difficult week and I am feeling discouraged and disapppointed right now, but I know there are still things in my life that I am thankful for no matter how I am feeling.

I am thankful for the blessing of friendship. Since we have moved to Georgia God has blessed John & I with a group of friends that have blessed me more then what I can express.

I am thankful that I was able to talk on the phone to Pat, my best friend from Lima. It was like a breath of fresh air. Talking with Pat encourages, inspires, and sometimes convictes me in my spiritual walk.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to blog. It has been helping to stay accountable to my daily home task, to be a better mom, better wife, and better Christian. I have been so encouraged by some of the blogging friends I have made and by reading their stories & lives.

As always I'm thankful for my family. We are together no matter how we feel or what is happening in our lives.

Dear Lord, Thank you for all these things that I have listed and so many more that I have not listed.

Visit Sting My Heart for more Thankful Thursday entries.

Until Later,
Betty