Follow Me Friday!!

Come one, come all!! Follow me and I'll follow ya'll!

Hey there,

If you're visiting from Follow Me Friday, thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you pull up a chair and stay a while!  I've created this space for people just like you to come and be encouraged, inspired and to participate in dialoge concerning faith and motherhood and EVERYTHING in between!

Make sure you click on the link above so you can join in on the fun as well!!

I can't wait to get to know you!! 

OH!!  And comments!  I LOVE comments!  So comment away!

I invite you to have a look around, but here's a few of my favorite posts to get you started!!

Things I Love Thursday: History

Love

Works For Me Wednesdays: Forgotten sized "cough cough" jeans

I have a confession...

ENJOY!! 

Blessings,

Things I Love Thursday: History

The Vegetable Garden by Tod Lindenmuth

I was talking with a friend the other day about family history.

My, what a wonderful thing to reflect on.  Knowing that we come from something, somewhere, a place and time much more simple than we know now.  We all have traditions and quirks, good things and even bad things instilled in us.

We all have history.

As I was talking about my family history I was taken back to my childhood when I used to watch my Papa garden.  He was so good at harvesting vegetables and I so loved watching him do it.  Summertime was always such an amazing experience at Nannie and Papa's house snapping beans, eating fresh tomato sandwiches, watching Nannie can stuff for the winter, eating something homegrown with every meal.

I look back on that time with such a fondness, but at the same time, I'm saddened that I didn't glean any of that wisdom.  That I haven't established that same routine of gardening, or just playing in the dirt even, in my own family.

Both of my grandparents learned what they knew about soil and planting and picking and canning from their parents.  To this day, to visit my Papa's side of the family is like taking a step back in time.  There are still gardens, cool creeks that flow through the mountainside, honey bees and a cellar that stores a winter's stock.

History.

I want that for my girl.  I want her to not just have roots, but to KNOW her roots.  To be able to pick them up and hold them in her hand, gaze into the depths of her lineage and embrace it, learn from it and pass it on.

A gardening of the soul, so to speak.

Papa's soil was deep and rich from years of love and attention...so too is ours...we just have to learn to work it and harvest it.  But, oh glory, once we prep it right and give it just the right combination of sun and shade and water...

Roots.

And the fruit from it is plentiful.

Yes, our history is rich and our roots are strong.

I think I might just plant a garden this year.

(I'm sharing this as part of Things I Love Thursdays over at Diaper Diaries.  Check it out!)

Blessings friends,

Just a glimpse...

New items are coming to the shop in just a few weeks.  Here's but a taste of the fabrics that are going to be featured in the LimaBean Designs Spring line up.

Lovely, aren't they?

Oh and there is sooooo much more where that came from!

Stay tuned!

Daddy Jesus...

You know, I am absolutely amazed at a child's spirit.  They understand far more then we think they do.  Of course, if your little one is anything like my Emma, they are as coy and cunning and intuitive as they can be...all despite their young ages. 

My child's connection to God Almighty, her faith even, it astounds me.

"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ~Matthew 18:2-4

Just after Christmas I started reading to Emma from The Jesus Storybook Bible at bedtime.  It is beautifully illustrated and is so poetic and lovely in how it presents the story of Jesus throughout all of Scripture.  I myself have been moved to tears as I've read; it has so touched my heart.  My goal was in sharing the Word with Emma through this nightly routine.  It's never too early to teach Jesus to your kids.  But through this process, God has spoken volumes to my heart about His love and His mercy.  It really is a beautiful thing.

What's beautiful most of all is, in all of my daughter's innocence and her mere two years in this world....I really think she gets it.

There is a picture of Jesus on front of the Bible (and of course throughout it as well).  One night as we were settling in our rocking chair to read, I picked up the book off her night stand and pointed to the picture on the front cover.  "Who's that?" I asked.  "Is it Jesus?"  Emma looked up at me and smiled and said, "Jesus".

Talk about blessing my heart.

I was about to turn to the story we left off with when Emma looked up at me again and then said, "Daddy."  I thought she wanted to pray for her daddy because that's what we do after we read; we pray for all our family and friends.  So I asked her if she wanted to pray for her daddy.

What happened next took my breath away.

She closed the book in my hands and pointed to Christ's picture on the front and said, "Daddy Jesus".

We read the story of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus that night.  This was John's song...adapted from Scripture (Matthew 3, Luke 1&3 and John 1).

Because God loves us with a Never Stopping,

Never Giving Up, Unbreaking,

Always and Forever Love-

Heaven is breaking through!

He is sending us a Light from Heaven

To shine on us like the sun

To shine on those who live in darkness

And in the shadow of death

To guide our feet into the way of peace

That's the love of God.

He is our Daddy, our Abba Father.

  
And my girl gets it.

 (I'm sharing this as part of the Mom's 30-minute Blog Challenge @ SteadyMom.  Check it out!)

 

Blessings,

Calling....

I have to admit...

This is a really long post.  It's also all over the place.  Forgive me.

Deep breath....GO!

I've gotten my calling wrong many times during the course of my life.

I remember as a child wanting so badly to be a doctor.  As I grew older I knew, specifically, that I wanted to be a doctor that delivered babies.  Then once I entered high school and honed in on a little bit of medical terminology, I knew I wanted to be an OBGYN.

I also, from a very early age loved to write.  But I wouldn't learn to really develop this until much later and actually, I'm still working on it!

But back to being a doctor...

It's funny, looking back, how involved God was in my life long before I even fathomed a relationship with Him.  I never would have noticed His divine providence then, but now I can clearly, without a doubt, say that He charted my path even when I had all these grand (very well mapped out) plans for myself.

I entered my senior year with enough biology, math and Latin credits under my belt to accompany any pre-med student into their first years.  All that was left was anatomy and I was well on my way to being a doctor.

Long story short, three weeks into it I dropped the class seeing as I was totally grossed out and I took study hall instead.  At least there I could study.....

Or write.

I have to note that I'm sure we provide God with a healthy amount of chuckles when we think we are in control of our own lives.  But let's face it people...He rearranged a high school senior's class schedule!!  He's THAT involved (in control of) in our lives!

At the same time I was dropping out of anatomy, I was also offered an opportunity to serve as one of the part-time anchors on our school news channel (aka: the morning announcements).  

I wasn't on there every morning, but I can tell you when I did have a spot, adrenaline rushed through me like I was bungee jumping from the New River Gorge Bridge.  And though I was nervous and probably messed up a thousand times...I needed a new passion and since the whole MD thing wasn't going to work, this seemed like a nice alternative.  I immediately set my sights on Katie Couric's job...I was going to be a journalist.

I had a new calling.

I went on to study journalism in college and actually excelled at it.  It allowed me to explore my writing more and in depth, which would prove to be very useful later on.  I loved it!  I would be leaving college with three internships under my belt...one from a regional magazine headquartered in Roanoke where I got my name in print more than a handful of times, one from my college's PR office and one from the Peace Corps press office in Washington, DC.  I'll just go ahead and say it... I was cocky enough to believe that I could land any job I wanted.

Again...God chuckled.

I couldn't get a job to save my life!  Not even the Roanoke news paper would hire me and before too long my mom was needing me to contribute to the household if I was going to live under her roof! Aye yi yi!

How did I get this wrong??  I mean, I thought I was good at this!  How could I not get a job!?!

This is where I'm going to spare you the details of several years and my failed pursuit of journalistic stardom...

I went to grad school, studied corporate communication all while working at Target (first as a cashier, then up the ranks to an Assistant Manager of a store).  I also wrote part-time for a local Arts and Leisure magazine in Roanoke.  Left Target, moved to Charlotte, NC and got a job at an investment firm (numbers, eeke!), which is where I am to this day.

Is my current job my passion?

No.

Is it my calling?

No.

Just as medicine and journalism weren't either.

Then what's the daggum point of this post you ask!?!

The point of it all is, God had greater things in store for me all along and I was blind (up to a certain point) as to what it was.  

My calling had nothing to do with Med school or NBC.  No where in His plans was there room for lab coats or  prime-time spots.  And it took me 28-years, getting married and having a baby to finally figure that all out.

God's call on my life was and is to be a mommy.  The best mommy I can be to my girl Emma and any other children that I pray we will be blessed with.  At one point I would have scoffed at this, but right now, at this very moment in my life, I am so (more than) ok with it.  I want it more than anything I've ever wanted in my life.  And I say all of this with the confidence that being a mom, a full-time mom, has nothing to do with me abandoning other goals that I've set for myself.  Such is not the case.  Keep reading.

Jesus is walking with me and teaching me some very hard lessons right now because I still work part-time and it kills my heart on those days I have to leave Emma with someone else (though I know she is in the most loving and capable hands).  I want nothing more than to be with her, being those loving, capable, mothering, hands every day of the week.

But whereas I was totally oblivious to God's dealings in the minute details my senior year and in my anatomy class, I am more than aware of how involved He is in the minute details of this current situation.  Leading me every step of the way, I can reach out and touch the when that I will be at home all the time with my little ones...I just have to trust.  Trust God that he has it all figured out.

I write all this to say too, that a lot of times, while we are so caught up in trying to figure out what we're going to do with our lives, we're missing out on what God's plan and purpose for us is.

Now, here is where I can assume that not everyone reading this is a Christ follower, but rest assured good people, He still has a plan for your life, regardless of whether you want to follow it or not or whether you are aware of it or not.

And that gives me comfort.  It gives me comfort, as strange as this sounds, that I'm not in control...that you're not in control.  Because you know what?  I don't know about you, but I mess up.  I mess up A LOT!  That's why this stinkin' post is so long and could have been even longer.

I have felt lost and hopeless and like a failure so many times and it's because I wasn't aligning my heart to the wills of my Heavenly Father.  He was nudging me and guiding me all along, I was just too stubborn to acknowledge it.

So it comforts me to know that despite what self-imposed or societally-imposed expectations and goals are set before us and despite how many times we'll fall flat on face at trying to meet them, our gracious God has an even greater will and purpose for our lives then we could ever imagine.  We may still fall on our face a bit, but in the case of Christ's plan for us, He's always there to help us back up.

Though none of the "callings" I thought were callings ended up being so, there was one thing that God blessed me with that, along with His love and direction, has been there with me from the get go...that's my writing.  And in knowing I am called to be a mother, a shepherd of my children, so too do I know that I'm supposed to be writing this now.  I don't have to abandon this.  This is part of my call as well.

Those of you reading may tire easily at my laborious musings, but I can't tell you the joy (second to being a momma) this brings to my heart.  God has gifted me with this expression and I am so thankful to Him for that.  It's the one thing I feel like I've tracked with Him on from the beginning.
And that's a special feeling.

Do you know God's will, His plan and purpose for your life?  Do you feel like you've missed the boat on what it is you're supposed to be and do?

I bet if you asked Jesus what He thought I think He'd share it with you.
He's been telling me for years, I just now heard Him.
What's He been telling you?
Think about it.


I'm sharing this at

Blessings friends,

Voyage...

VOYAGE

O Lord of the Oceans,

My little bark sails on a restless sea, 

Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;

Suffer no adverse currants to divert my heavenward course;

Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;

Bring me to harbour with flying pennants,

hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled.

I ask great things,

expect great things,

shall receive great things.

I venture on thee wholly, fully,

my wind, sunshine, anchor, defense.

The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,

but my helm is held steady,

thy Word secures safe passage,

thy grace wafts me onward,

my haven is guaranteed.

This day will bring me nearer home,

Grant me holy consistency in every transaction,

my peace flowing as a running tide,

my righteousness as every chasing wave.

Help me to live circumspectly,

with skill to convert every care into prayer,

Halo my path with gentleness and love,

smooth every asperity of temper;

let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;

may I strive to bind up every wound,

and pour oil on all troubled waters.

May the world this day be happier and better because I live.

Let my mast before me be the saviour's cross,

and every oncoming wave the fountain in his side.

Help me, protect me in the moving sea

until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.

~Author Unknown

The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions 

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist

I'm jumping the gun on this a little bit because I have a couple more chapters left, but it's just too good for me not to share it now.  It can't wait.

I often wonder, as a woman, a wife, a mom...heck, a human even...if I'm the only one that thinks the things I do about life and joy and sorrow and God and how it all meshes together.  For the longest time I thought surely I was alone in my musings.  Yet, having said that, half the time I can't even make sense of what is crawling around up in this mind of mine...how can I propose that anyone else can?

Enter Cold Tangerines.

Turns out, as fate would have it, I'm not alone.  The author of Cold Tangerines, Shauna Niequist, does make sense of what goes on in her brain...thus probably millions, giving a voice and understanding to what most of us don't have the courage or maybe even capacity to do.  I said numerous times while reading this (and I'll probably say it many more) I felt like she was speaking right to me.  Like she was writing about me.  Like this sister spirit of mine had entered my home, my heart, and spoke exactly what I have felt in various and sundry situations.  I dare to assume, should you choose to read this book (which I highly recommend) you'll feel the same way as well.

The subtitle of this book is "Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life" and Niequist not only beautifully illustrates God in our everyday lives, but she gives us something to reach out and touch...a tangible, wrap your arms around and love it, sort of glimpse into our emotions and our thoughts and our faith.  This book is extraordinary in nature in it's own right, that's for sure.

Through short vignettes (chapters) detailing childhood, family, adulthood, parenthood, work, death, faith (and everything in between) throughout her own life, Niequest manages to touch on almost every topic and emotion within the human spirit...with total and utmost honesty.  In fact, there were a few times in my reading I actually had to reread and reread certain passages because she had said things that I had actually thought but wouldn't ever say.  Her honestly is raw to a degree, but so relevant and relateable.  Turns out...most of us think and would like to say these very same things as well.

Every tale chronicles not only the ups and downs in life, but the splendid nature of God in the midst of it all.  The resounding theme, for me at least, was that we are not alone in this walk.  We always have a good and mighty God there with us, during the good times as well as the bad times.  I think that in and of itself is a necessary call for celebration!

Not to mention, I was astounded at the near poetic language Niequist wrote in.  Having studied both English and French literature, her wording and expression are lyrical.  You almost feel as if you're reading some literary classic love story, which I think is appropriate as God does carry on his own love story with us does he not?  On a side note: I would like to see a Devotional book written by this wise woman...I think her wisdom and way with words would give us new insight into the Word of God.

So would you read this book?  I think you should.  I also think you would thoroughly enjoy it.  Check it out.  If you'd like to purchase it through amazon, head over to my "I Recommend" link in the left hand column.

Cold Tangerines is published by Zondervan Books.  More information about Shauna and her book (including her blog and speaking opportunities) can be found at http://shaunaniequist.com/

I'm sharing this on "Works for Me Wednesday" over at We Are That Family, because...well...this book just works for me.  Check out what works for others and while you're at it...link up and share what works for you as well.

 

Disclaimer:

Shauna Niequist does not know me...nor do I know her personally.  I have received no compensation for this review.  Just wanted to share what I think is a great book!

I AM

In case there was ever any doubt...

I AM a morning stretch

I AM poofy cloud shapes

I AM waves breaking on the sand

I AM puppy kisses

I AM sun beams flickering off water

I AM a child's laugh

I AM a mother's touch

I AM a blade of grass

I AM a cool summer night

I AM a little girl's curls

I AM the smell of a newborn baby

I AM leaves turning in the Fall

I AM the melody of children playing

I AM the fragrance of honeysuckle

I AM the warmth on a cold night

I AM a grandmother's weathered hands

I AM a mother's embrace

I AM creative spark

I AM leaves crunching under your feet

I AM sand between your toes

I AM a soldier's courage

I AM a tear

I AM intertwined hands

I AM an artist's strokes

I AM baby chick fuzzy fur

I AM a father's strength

I AM a grandpa's wisdom

I AM that quiet whisper

I AM a smile from a stranger

I AM a hug

I AM fingers gliding across a piano

I AM a mother's womb

I AM a raindrop

I AM a fresh summer tomato

I AM a helping hand

I AM love

I AM comfort

I AM forever

and I AM always

I AM all these things and more

I AM God

If there were ever any doubt...

God is everywhere and His fingerprint is in everything.

Seek Him and there He will be.  Trust Him and He will far exceed your expectations.  Follow Him and He will be your steady compass.  Love Him, He already loves you.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

~ Psalm 46:10 

Things I Love Thursday: Dimple Smooches

(photo of Emma the week we came home 04/08)

I love smooching my girl's dimples.  My gracious, there's just nothin' on earth like it.  Back then I could just nuzzle and kiss to my heart's content.  Now she runs from me saying, "No Mommy, no tisses!!"  But I always manage to snag a couple anyway.

Do you have dimples in your family?

Have you kissed them lately?

If you haven't...Good golly you're missing out!  Go smother those sweet little crevices with some love!

And if you have...Go kiss them again!

Blessings Ya'll!

 

Things I've learned from the Stomach Flu....

Sorry, I've been MIA the last couple of days.  I had (and still have) several posts in store for the first few days of the new year, but as fate would have it, the entire Mayhorn clan came down with the stomach flu.  We're starting to feel a bit normal again and are well on our way to a full recovery, but it's been a rough week to say the very least.

Here's a few things I learned from the process...

(by the way, if you hate the words vomit, puke, regurgitation, hurl or diarrhea...then stop reading now!)

1) First and foremost...I learned that it is within my being to NOT throw up when my daughter pukes all over me.  I wasn't so sure at first.  And it was a test.  I was pushed to the very limits of my strength, but I succeeded.

2) Dogs don't mind being hurled on or help in the clean up.  Gross, I know.  But God love her that she loves my girl that much.

3) Stomach bug + milk and your child = really, really, really, really, really, really BAD in all ways, shapes and forms.

4) First of the year weight loss goals have officially been achieved.

5) And I have kicked my caffeine habit too seeing as all I could stomach was ginger ale and chicken broth.

6) Like a really stinky perfume spray from the Macy's cosmetics aisle, so too is the smell of milk vomit stuck in my nostrils.

7) From #5...it's stuck in my carpet as well.

8) From #5 (and 6)...it's stuck in my dog's fur also.

9) My house looks like I have housed desperate, ravaged, and hungry refugees, only our diet of saltines and pedialite made them trash the place in search of more sustenance.

10) I never want to see my laundry room again.

Praying you all stay well this icky-sicky season.

New Year's Resolutions...sort of, but not really.

I remember this time last year when I posted about New Year's Resolutions.  I had actually resolved not to make resolutions (mainly because I never keep them), but I still had this whole long list of things I hoped to accomplish throughout the year.  As did I the year before as well.  And in some respects I think I can say I held true to most of them, but there are always those couple of ones for me that I miss the mark on year in, year out.  This is normal right?

So this year, 2010, I've decided to take a different approach.  I'm not making resolutions.  Nor am I setting goals (or blogging about them at least).  It goes without saying that there are plenty of things I hope to do or learn or accomplish this year, but having a list seems to always leave me a bit disappointed if everything doesn't get to be checked off come December 31st.  Why do that?

Instead, I'm going with what I feel like is my personal theme for this year.  It will encompass everything I do, be it in my parenting, my marriage, my family/friend relationships.  It will dictate my actions from how I live...wholly.  The way I eat, my body image, the exercise I do.  I will be guided by this theme in how and what I blog about, the work I do, the activities outside of my home that I become a part of.  It will produce in me joy and contentment and love and wisdom.

This whole concept will resonate throughout my entire life and being. 

I've felt God leading me in this direction for at least the last couple of weeks.  But of course I'm known for not listening very well.  I have a horribly bad habit of thinking my way is better...even when God is concerned.  But even as this first day of 2010 is almost over, God's quiet yet emphatic whispers to me have been revealed and reiterated to the utmost extent.  Which is another reason why I know that this year...my year...will be about one thing and one thing only.

OBEDIENCE

Today I have been faced with trials.  Not even 24 hours into the New Year and already I want to take off my many hats and run for the hills.  I think at one point I even questioned why anyone would want to "do" this Christian stuff...it's too hard.  But fortunately God was speaking to me through a dear friend when she shared 1 Peter 4: 8 with me.  It says, "Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins."

I can get mad and I can get frustrated and I can feel lost and like a failure.  I'm going to mess up, as are the ones around me.  I'm going to not meet some of my goals and I'm going to feel like giving up.  I'm going to have really awesome days and then I'm going to have really poopie days, too.  But in the midst of all of that junk, there is love.  A love that has covered me and all my mess, therefore I too must love in the same way I have been loved by Jesus.

My call to obedience is first and foremost to God and all that entails as a Christ follower.  I'm bad at it and changes need to be made.  I all too often get in my own way, but if this year and all the rest of my years are to be fruitful ones, I must start now.

Dear Jesus, I have timidly walked with you these last few years.  I have been reluctant to fully submit to your Mighty will, Lord and I have felt it.  I have felt it in my bones...the need for a foundation, a support, far greater than what I ever thought I could and tried to give myself.  God I have blatantly ignored your guidance and I have scoffed at your calling on my life.  I have been afraid to follow Your will because it's just not easy.  What I had to learn the hard way was my way is by no means a cake walk either.  Dear Lord, I want this year to be the year of all years...a new decade in which you make me a new me.  As the Psalmist prayed Lord, "Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

Secondly, my call to obedience is in my home, with my family and my husband as the leader of it all.

I'll be perfectly honest with you...I don't jump up and down with glee at this one.  It is something I am convicted about and know with all my heart has taken not just the back burner, but no burner at all and now is the time to let God work.  It's not in my hands to be the wife and the mother and the homemaker I'm meant to be...without Jesus dwelling here in this space amongst us.  He still has a lot of work to do on me in this respect.  I'm a "strong, independent woman" (whatever that means) and the people and relationships I cherish most have suffered because of it.  So...I say again...(it helps when I go back and read this again at various intervals throughout the year)...

Secondly, my call to obedience is in my home, with my family and my husband as the leader of it all.

Lord I suck at being the wife and mother you have commanded me to be, Dear Jesus.  I can't do any of this without you and I pray you will soften my heart, quiet me tongue, ease my impatience and shape me Dear God into the woman I so long to be.  A woman that is wise and committed and eager to make her home and her family one that only honors you.  God, help me to be the woman who is praised by both her children and her husband.  Even more so, Lord, help me to be that woman so that my children and husband are even more blessed by Your love through me.

I have no idea what's in store for this year.  But I know God has some remarkable plans in the works for my life for sure.  It all makes me excited and giddy, but nervous and sick to my stomach as well.  It's like those first few moments before you get on that super scary, exhilarating roller coaster ride.  You think you might wet your pants before you get past the little metal spin gates...all those various feelings of fear and adrenaline rummaging around in you.  Then you get on and hit that first drop and you're screaming and white-knuckling the safety bar.  Your head is pounding back and forth and if you're wearing earrings, they have caused permanent indentations on your neck behind your earlobes from all the bouncing around.  You think you might just die if you plummet to the earth at 90 miles and hour one more time, but then whole ride is over in seconds.  And most of the time you get right back in line and do it all over again.

That's my hope for 2010 and all this obedience theme stuff that I'm confidant is supposed to take place in my life.  It's going to be the thrill ride of all thrill rides and as jello-y as my knees are right now going into this...

I know I won't be able to contain myself when it's time to get back on next year!

 So....

What's your theme for this year?

 

Be blessed, friends.  Be blessed.