That Was Unexpected!

 I think most of you know that my middle daughter was diagnosed 6 months ago with Type 1 Diabetes. What you may not know is the overwhelming cost of this disease. I had no idea! Do you have an extra $500-$1000 a month to handle a catastrophic illness? Before starting an MLM we didn't! Now, would we rather have chosen to spend the extra income on fun stuff? Of course! But we were being prepared for way more than we could imagine! We don't know why, nor do we care why our daughter has been allowed to be a T1D, but it's going to serve a bigger purpose than we can understand!

What will you do when the unexpected happens?

My goal, and I believe it's my purpose, is to empower mommas and daddies with a backup plan. I have walked the journey before you, so let me show you how you can empower others. You may never be the family touched by financial need or a health crisis, but I bet you know someone who is in the midst of this storm or will be in one, soon. It's unpredictable.

Along with the expense of it, there is also a large time factor involved with Evie's diabetes. The better part of this school year, I have been in and out of the school helping to chase sugars, taking her to the emergency room, doctor's appointments over an hour away (because pediactric endocrinologists are not common), running insulin and test strips and forgotten meters to the school after returning home....whew...and you know that always happens when I am looking frightful! I think it's a plot...just how can Momma be embarrassed, today? Seriously.....y'all, it happens all the time!

As if that's not enough, let me just share about the toll it's taking on the other 4 kids! Yeah, the 2 big kids at college, well, they feel it, too. I'm not one of those Mommas that spoils their kids with lots of stuff (however if you look at my kids' rooms you'd swear we owned a department store!), but I have always given them every moment of my time! It's been really hard on them and on me to have to miss their activities. I'm so proud of all of these kids. I didn't make it to a single college football game this year...at either college...and both kids march in the band! My little twins, ok, they are 11 now, they were spending as much time with my parents as they were with me! Now, Gma and Gpa time is pretty awesome, I have to admit, however, I'm the Momma!!

Community....we would have been sunk without it! Whenever something life changing happens, trust me, you need to find a community of people who are walking or have walked in those shoes. The T1D Mommas are flipping amazing! You can't ask for a more tight knit, emotionally entangled, supportive group of absolute strangers than my FaceBook support groups! These total strangers have been the very explanation of the 'Good Samaritan" because they didn't know me, they say my need and took care of me. The same can be said of the business I run from home, these amazing strangers have become family, cheerleaders, support systems, prayer warriors, the tough love I need as well as my biggest believers! We need each other. We need a tribe!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Have a character building day! 

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Victory...that word brings up so many thoughts. I have enjoyed many victories in my life as well as suffered through many defeats. I don't always think that defeats or failure are bad things. Crazy? ok....those of you who know me stop snickering, yes, I'm a little off the wall at times, but hang on and see where this goes! Failures are sometimes fighting the good fight, following all the rules but just not making it to the winners' circle. However, failures are at times fueled by lack of action, lack of following directions or just lack of good judgment! (I suffer from this one a lot!) This second reason for failures often leads to feelings of regret. I hate that word, usually.

Let's define regret:

regret
[ri-gret]
verb (used with object), regretted, regretting.
1.
to feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.):
He no sooner spoke than he regretted it.
2.
to think of with a sense of loss:
to regret one's vanished youth.
noun
3.
a sense of loss, disappointment, dissatisfaction, etc.
4.
a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss, disappointment, etc.
5.
regrets, a polite, usually formal refusal of an invitation:
I sent her my regrets.
6.
a note expressing regret at one's inability to accept an invitation:
I have had four acceptances and one regret.

Feeling the gloom and doom? I hope not, but we have to see ourselves clearly before we can ever see the depth of the need for God. Hang on...I'm coming to a better train of thought!

What the heck are we to do with the feelings of regret we are battling against? I regret eating the cookie when I wasn't hungry. I regret not walking just because I was tired (lazy but that just really hurts). I regret spending 3 extra hours working instead of putting the computer away and honoring the family time that has become so very precious to me. Regrets, man I have tons of them on a daily basis! For a very long time, I have stuffed these regrets and feelings of failure way down in the very center pit of my being....and I mean stuffed with food, lots of food. Can I just say that was one of the most stupid things I've ever done, and continued to do! Since when did God ever suggest that I keep that crap and hang on to it and suffer the ill effects of such crazy thinking? Never! God pursues us (get that....pursues us) to turn our regrets into redirection!

Regrets can become teachable moments! (now listen, I'm preaching to myself so bear with me) I believe that right now, those of us going on this journey together are in the midst of a teachable moment! The very first thing I hope that we all take away is the very truth of our verse this week! Victory is in Jesus! All victory comes from Him. Is that not the most freeing realization, ever? It's not up to me! It's not up to you! (now don't go eat a box of chocolates just cause I said that....He is the victor, but He gives us the strength, the desire, the tools and the will to choose the right path that leads us to victory!)

What will be different this Thanksgiving? Think back to Thanksgivings past and be honest about what traditionally it looks like. Let's talk about ideas to make a healthy difference this year.

Making Changes, It Ain't Easy!

You know it's impossible to stay the same, do the same or fill your mind and soul with the same words, images and activities and ever expect anything new or better…that's insane! Make a change, go ahead, do it!

WHOA!! I have a loving husband, (oh wait, I gotta change the description of myself! big life change!! yay me!!) five fabulous kids, (they are the busiest five kids ever and guess who is the taxi cab driver!) a design business, which I love, a church I enjoy, friends I don't see enough of and you want me to make a change!! Who the heck are we kidding? There's no room for change, right?

Well, Susan, if you want something more for your family, you better find time to make a few changes! Who knows, it may make life more enjoyable and just might solve a small problem or two, such as paying for two college tuitions in the fall and taking a vacation this summer…..how awesome would that be? So, ok…I'm thinking just maybe I need to really consider this new opportunity quite seriously!

Why not invest in other women and their hearts and see what happens? There are so many options that we as women have at our fingertips. How do you know which to choose? Well, I chose to take the Pink Plunge and let me tell you what helped make my husband and I believe this is where I need to be. First, the company I have chosen to represent is God centered. The philosophy of the company is "God first, family second and career third." (That's gotta be a positive!!) Second, I love, love, love the products and have used them for a very long time!!! Another reason is the product I have chosen is consumable; it's going to wash down the drain every night, and when the women I party with fall in love with these products like I have, they are going to demand more!! (happy, in love customers=reorders=sales=money in my bank!! oh yay!!) Here's the biggest reason….if I stink at this (yes, it's possible I am not good at everything I try, but I'm giving it my all to learn and since I'm teachable, surely I can't be that bad!!) I can send my inventory back and get 90% of the money back!! Safety net! WooHoo!! (makes the new hubs a happy man!!)

OK, you're asking yourself, is she crazy? Really? Of course I am,  have you read my stuff? I really can't imagine what a difference this Pink thing is making in the lives of the women I'm meeting. They are experiencing a little bit of pampering with their friends, some laughter, and learning to take care of themselves. Just a little bit of joy and fun in the middle of their busy lives touching their hearts. This Pink company is reaching out beyond the boundary of big business and is in the business of making a difference. Two really big causes are supported, and both of these are dear to me: Cancers Affecting Women and Domestic Violence. My fabulous customers make a difference in these amazing fights just by purchasing from me! I love how it all works full circle!

So, you want to make a change? Consider these few things as you research organizations to become a part of:

1. What is the company philosophy? Who is first?
2. Do you use/love the products?
3. What is your safety net?
4. How much is your investment and why is it recommended to invest in different increments?
5. Who is going to teach you to be successful?
6. Will you make a difference and how?
7. (for the hubs out there) Show me the money!

I suggest you pray, get your family involved in the decision, and just believe in yourself. If God gives you a vision, then for heaven's sake He's going to give you the pathway! Jump in and go! Let me know when your difference begins!! I'm your biggest cheerleader!

Have a character building day!

Susan

Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving Day…wow…so many thoughts filling my mind. I could sit and ramble for a very long time naming my blessings and what I'm truly thankful for. However, that would bore you and add that to the triptofan from the mountain of turkey you are consuming today that would put you into a Thanksgiving coma!

Love, peace, health and happiness….I have been given them all, and today I am committed to having an attitude of gratitude that lasts longer than one day, or even one month.

QUESTION: What is the one thing you have never considered being thankful for?

Have a character building day!
Susan

Post from Practically Speaking

Now This is Parenting & Marriage at it's Finest!

This is the post from Candace Cameron Bure's blog. Enjoy!

What Did You Say?

Sitting with the family tonight, having a time of family prayer and devotions, my 9 years old son asks a very serious question. "We say that we ask Jesus into our hearts. I'm confused. What does that mean? Your heart is just pumping blood. How do we know He's really there?"

I have failed as a good, Christian mom!! It's over, I give back every one of my chips of jewels that were to adorn my gold plated crown when I die and reach the eternal rest of heaven! Where did I go wrong? How in the world did I make my poor child believe that he must actually have a cracked open chest and Jesus actually lives in his little heart? Kids are so literal….and I forgot that!

It's not enough that we good intentioned parents realize how desperately we need Jesus, but that we find a way to share that with our kids in a way that actually doesn't scare them to death or freak them out or just honestly, causes them to say this isn't real, cause it just can't happen! How many times have you heard this phrase, "All you have to do is pray and ask Jesus in your heart."? How many times have I said it? Uggh!! Lord, I know you don't expect much out of me, but really, you could have stopped this one a long time ago!! Goodness, I feel like an absolute failure. So, what do I do now?

Honestly, I gotta tell you that I have no idea! God, (yes, it's me, again) I need Your help here! A childlike faith is what you tell us we need, and I've been shoveling grown up portions of the truth to someone who just isn't ready to deal with that, what do I do now? I know that the thief on the cross is as saved as saved can be, and living with you in Paradise, why can't I just remember to say that all you have to do is say, "Lord, I believe."

QUESTION: Have you found a good children's devotional book that you'd like to recommend? Post the title here, I'd love to check some new ones!

Have a character building day!
Susan

It's all in how you look at things!

Perspective.

Now this is a really great shirt to wear to remind yourself that even though things may look off, it's just a matter of what's most important. Does it really matter? Besides, how cool that this shirt will remind me to put things in perspective when my head hangs down in defeat....it's right side up!!

Have a character building day!
Susan