Power to the Group!

Just thinking of the power behind a group compared to what I can do by myself. Glad to be a part of Big Level Baptist Church, they are such an encouragement to me.  It's awesome to gather with a group of believers. The Lord knew what he was doing when He placed me in this area. Included in this bigger group, is a smaller Women’s Group. We have been able to collectively put together a huge number of shoeboxes, do outreach in the community and within our own church. I could never do these things myself but together we have achieved many things for God.  

Also within my church family we have come together as Women once again, to meet for a Bible Study. I certainly would not have been able to purchase the DVD’s of Beth Moore on my own, but as a group we are growing in the Lord. There are many other groups that come up under the church family I am grateful for such as; Sunday School, training union, activities for my children, the list goes on.

I am also thankful to be a part of a fairly new group called Changing Lives Mom’s Group. This is a group for Mom’s to get together, let our children play and learn, as well as have fellowship with other Mom’s. We have had  seminars to help us remember to take care of ourselves, go on outings & just have play dates. This has been another group of Christians friends that I have been blessed to meet.

The local library is another group that has been a blessing to me. It is awesome to have my children be involved in an educational time. Stories, songs, educational games and crafts, have helped my little girls interests grow. I love books so I feel so at home there. There are also other mother’s that attend. While there last week it was neat to realize; I remember when they were pregnant with their son and now he is two.  

Thinking back on groups I have been involved in, in my past. For my college friends there was "The Group." Yes, we were all that mattered! I am so thankful for the groups of friends I have had throughout my life. I am thankful for my group of friends around me now as well as the group of friends I have been able to stay in contact with through Facebook. 

There are a few other groups I am involved in but I think one of the most important is the family group. This group was given to us by God. We can’t pick our family, because God already did for us. He knew what He was doing when He put us where He did. Without our family, we wouldn’t even be born. Think of the strength, love and support you receive from your family. There is power in the group.

Maintaining Logic: In Mind, Body & Soul

When I first started this blog I wanted to write reviews on books I've read.  That idea has fadded for me. My reading is so much more than a book. It's kind of a lifestyle. For one, I read so much more than just books.  For two, I just can't seem to put down the next book in a series in order to write that review. In the meantime, there are other things that I want to share. These things pertain to what I am cooking or making, spiritual aspects and other things that enrich my life.

I don't want to make this solely a cooking blog, I don't want to make it solely a religious blog and I don't want it to be just about books. So here you go, your going to get the whole Megillah. Food for the mind, body and soul.

Honestly; it takes all those to maintain logic around here. This may seem all over the place to you, but that is who I am. Throw in some ADHD and your in for a good time. :) Now that I have taken away the restraints, I have a lot to catch you up on.

Whole Foods, Whole Series, No Reviews

Wow! I have been entirely addicted to letttuce wraps. They can be made with almost any bean, topped with sesame tahini another cut of veggie and sometimes turkey or tuna, but not always. The sesame tahini found in the ethnic food aisle is what ties it all together. I am in like with that stuff! I also like Blackened Red Fish Magic Seasoning to sprinkle on top.

Another thing I think my friends will find helpful was shared by Karen, a website called http://mywholefoodlife.com. They have such yummy food there, that seems realtively easy to make. Karen made the larabars and said they were awesome. I am making the High Protein Energy Bites this evening. They will be great to eat before my early morning walks and swims.

I know I have been promising you some book reviews but I have been reading so much that I haven't been writing. I plan to change all that this week. I will spend time writing reviews on the entire series I couln't put down.

Summer

Lately I have been so busy with summer fun, a new Bible Study series and Vacation Bible School that I haven't had a lot of time to write or read anything else. I can't even believe so much time has passed since I wrote something last.

 I was able to enjoy Dollywood with my daughter and son, mother-in-law, sister and niece. How awesome that my 3 yr old daughter and 2 yr old niece were able to have their first amusement park experience together. It was a joy to see them have that much fun. I really recommend taking your children to this park. It is a friendly and God centered park. It is beautiful and shaded. Both pleasing to the children and their parents.

Wow on the new Bible study! I am learning so much already about Esther. We are only in week 2 of a 9 week series! I'm learning more about myself and how "
It's tough being a woman" in this world. Also learned that there is a total absence to any reference to God in the entire book. How wierd is that! Maybe I can write a review about it at the end of the 9 weeks.

This year VBS has an amusement park theme which I thought was super cool since we just went to one. It also follows the life of Paul. He is one of my favorite writers in the Bible. The main verse is "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." II Timothy 1:7. This seems to be one I have needed to quote over and over since I have taken on this year of classes. So here goes a week that I am giving to God to take care of; I am feeling very unequipped.

A New Week

Reading Now

Last week is over! Here is one lady who is thankful for Monday and a new work week. I know, it's crazy to say that.

I am reading a lot of material right now. Just finished The Honest Life. A review is coming. In addition I have read over four grades of VBS Bible lessons, facebook statuses, blogs, pinterest, newspaper, ingredients and tons of children's book.



Skinny Oats in a Jar
skinnytaste.com

In the interest of my family's health, we have been walking with our family and friends. This is one of my favorite forms of exercise, because it doubles as socializing. What a great stress reliever! I also tried some new recipes. Made homemade red pepper hummus, proceeded to make a lettuce wrap with it, turkey, and a slice of pepper. One of the most delicious things I have put in my mouth lately. Tried this "refrigerator oatmeal." First one I tried was mocha, because I LOVE coffee. It was all I could do to get that down. I didn't give up tho. I tried a raspberry vanilla one this morning...couldn't get enough!

Stick with it this week. It' a new week! There's so much to read. If a health benefit doesn't work for you, try it differently before you throw it to the wayside.

Life as we thought we knew it...

There's loads of information to improve our lives. Sometimes, we get information overload. First, we need to figure out what is the most important to us. Then, we need to look at what is harming us the most. Last, we need to look at what is feasible for our families. It's important to incorporate these benefits without throwing our lives overboard, making us unable to follow through.

Lately, I have started incorporating just one thing each day that will make my family's life better. They don't even seem to notice! Do not let it upset the flow of your life. Make one choice that will improve you each day. What will you do today to make your life better?

Inspiration in Chaos

In the midst of all the chaos I find inspiration in many things and through many people. Yesterday, was the end of a journey, through a creation series for mothers. Exactly when I was grasping being a mother of two I found an avenue that encouraged me to take care of myself. While at "story time" with the kids I ran across the book The Honest Life: Living Naturally And True To You, by Jessica Alba. It has been an encouragement and will be my next Book Review.  It's challeging to be creative amongst the constant interuptions of children, but cheers to Maintaining Logic!

Why...

I have decided that in order to maintain some sort of sanity in my life I need to continue doing the thing that I like to do outside of just being a mom. Don't get me wrong I love being a mom! I also don't want to forget that I am a person outside of that.

I cannot do all the things I used to do as a single person, nor would I want to. One thing that I miss is Saturday night fun! Whatever that may have been, I always tried to have something to do on Saturday night.

I am now stuck in the house with two children and my husband has maintained his Saturday night fun of attending the dirt track race. So I decided that I would find something I like and am able to and do on Saturday night. This has evolved into writing.

It is something I can leave and come back to in between runny noses, wiping butts and feeding children. Where some of the very brilliant ideas I was getting at may be lost, I can always write what is still on my mind.

I would also like to share the many articles, links and things I am interested in at the time with my friends. Plus I want to have them for myself. So I hope you enjoy this kind of online journal of me, trying to maintain my logic, or sound mind, or sanity as some might say.