Imagine

Everyone is blessed with an imagination. 

Some just know how to use it better than others.  Developing your imagination takes some effort.  Don't quench your creativity with thoughts of "I could never do that," or "That's impossible," or "Maybe some other day." 

Let your mind dream big.  Brainstorm, just letting your thoughts run rampant. 

You may even hit on something that will change the world! 

Don't settle for premade, premeasured, prepackaged life.  Keep your friends and family guessing what you'll do next.  Make life an exciting adventure for you and for them!" -Luci Swindoll

I want my children to live this!  This is one of the big reasons why my husband and I decided to try homeschooling.  I want them to dream big, do things that they are interested in, learn to question what others say, not go with the flow.  I want them to read the bible and know what it means to them.  I don't want them to take everything for face value, I want them to dig in to things.  I want them to crave more.  Without an imagination and big dreams to keep pushing yourself, how far will you go?  Make life exciting, do something different.  Maybe you will hit on something that will change the world for the better! 

Forever Changing,
Liz

Linking with Raising Homemakers and Good Morning Girls!

A Scripture and a Snapshot!

Yesterday my family went to the Newport Aquarium, located along the Ohio river, on the Kentucky side.  I took this shot of my daughter with the Cincinnati skyline in the background and love it.  Oh how awesome and beautiful the world, and pretty my little girl is that God created for us.  And to only imagine how much more is waiting in heaven for me!  I pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God!

Forever Changing,

Liz

Katie Lloyd Photography link

God is Awesome



Jimmy and the kids :)

 So blessed!  I love when the weather is nice, it just reminds me of all of the great things God does for me.  He has blessed me in so many ways;

My family
God has given me a wonderful husband and best friend!  I am so thankful that he has a job and works so hard for us.  We are so blessed to have three healthy children.

My church
I love having a church that I can feel great about going to.  One that teaches from the bible and doesn't sugarcoat things.  One that has amazing fellowship!

My online support
I have the best Good Morning Girls and Bible in 90 day groups!  I love that I have accountability and all of the great new friends I have met through them :)  Getting to know all of them and their stories have brought me so much closer to God.

Homeschooling
I have to say that I couldn't have imagined a couple of years ago that I would be homeschooling my children, but now I really love it.  Like being able to take the kids to the park and meet up with daddy today for lunch!  I have found so many other mom's to help support me and love the decision we made to try it.  Again I am so thankful again that my husband works so hard so I can homeschool them!

There are many more things that I am thankful for but just thought I'd share a few today with you!  What are you thankful for today?

Forever Changing,
Liz

Fixing It

Ever noticed how when you go to fix one thing, three other things seem to need fixed?  This seems to always happen to us.  So the other day while my husband was hard at work on the sink, the washer, and the main water valve to the house, my thoughts turned to the book of James.  In my Good Morning Group, we have been doing a study on this book and I thought this was a great example of chapter 1:2

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Sometimes it is easy to get frustrated at these little things but I had to think of what a joy it is that I HAVE a washer,  running water in the house, and a sink to do my dishes!  That is a joy, after a few days without them you know what a blessing they are.    The added bonus, he wasworking on the washer and the sink on Valentines Day, so I didn't have to do the dishes or any laundry either!  I had to thank him for the perfect Valentines Gift! lol

Although none of these things were big things, my husband  was also showing my kids not to give up just because it isn't working out the way you wanted it to.  Perseverance is not something that you can show your kids once and then be done, it is something that they have to see you do over and over again.  I am glad that they have a father that can show them that even when times are tough, they shouldn't give up. Even if it's not what they had planned, it will work out for them if they perserve.  Weather it's a small trail or big, I pray that my children will have the perseverance to get through anything with God.

Forever Changing,

Liz

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day!  I have to say that each year that I am married I love this day more and more.  It's not because of what I get each year, some years there has been nothing tangible to show, but not because my man forgot or didn't want to. Life happens, there were bills to pay, diapers to buy, food to get.  There were more important things I could use than a dozen roses or chocolate!  My husband gives me the best gift I could ever ask for, time together.   Each year we are married, we grow closer and love each other more, that is all I could ask for, time with him.  Once right before I got married my mom said, "You know, he won't always be bringing you flowers.  It will stop."  My thought was, then and still is, that as long as he is around I wouldn't care.  The flowers have slowed down, but now he brings me even better things!  Things that still let me know he cares about me and that he is listening to me.  Things like a new kitchen sink, because I was always complaining about the old one (it had one huge side and one small side), or the piano when I really wanted it, or a jug of tea because he knew I was out... The list could go on and on, love notes, cleaning out the car, picking up something on his way home.   I know he cares and does all he can for me and I love him for that.  What kinds of things does your husband do to let you know everyday that he loves you?

Forever Changing,

Liz

This weeks link up with Katie Lloyd Photography,  Scripture and a Snapshot!

What a great verse and great reminder to me.  I know I would do anything for my children, and then to know that God can give so much more!

Forever Changing,

Liz

17

 Last night as I was driving home from taking my 17 year old niece to get maternity clothes, listening to KLOVE I heard a great message.  They said, God uses our brokenness to help change others. (Since I was driving it is not a direct quote but the idea is huge).  God can use our past sins, our pain, our bad times to help someone else get through theirs.  

My niece is in the same position as when I was 16, struggling to graduate, find money to support the new baby on the way, and working on building a relationship.  Although I had talked to her a lot about not getting pregnant and telling her to wait, I can't help but understand because I have been there.  There is nothing that she can do now to change the past and I feel that she needs lots of support to help her through a hard time ahead.  While my parents were helpful with me, it would have been nice to have a supporter.  Someone who wasn't telling you all the time that you were making a huge mistake and your life was over, nothing would ever be the same.  I knew that but I still wanted someone to tell me that with hard work and love I could do it.  That is why when Klove came on and said that, I prayed.  I prayed that my niece would know that we love her, we are here for her, and I prayed that we could help show her God's love and that she would come to know him and raise her baby to know God.  It took me awhile to find these things and I think that God will help me to get close to her from my past brokenness.  Please pray that I would be able to bring her to Jesus and that she will see all that God can do for her. 

Forever Changing,
Liz

Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

2 eggs, beaten

2 lbs lean ground beef

1pkg Stove top mix

1 cup water

1/2 cup barbecue sauce, divided

Preheat oven to 375F  In a small bowl, beat eggs lightly with a fork.  Mix meat, stuffing mix, water, eggs, and 1/4 barbecue sauce in a large bowl until just blended.  Shape into an oval loaf in 13x9 pan.  Top with remaining barbecue sauce.  Bake 1 hour or until center reaches 160oF

Forever Changing,

Liz

Linking with Feasting in Fellowship Fridays over at Comfy In the Kitchen and Raising Homemakers

Beautiful

I read the secret of looking beautiful today, and surprise you can't buy it at a drugstore, on ebay, or anywhere else!  When I found this quote I just had to smile and think how very true it is.  It doesn't matter how much make-up I put on or weather I dye my hair.  It doesn't matter what kind of clothes I buy or if I have designer shoes.  It doesn't even matter if I have wrinkles (once I told my son that I was putting on wrinkle cream and he said he wanted some wrinkles too.  I put a little on him and he asked how long it takes to work.  I laughed and told him about 20 years!  His answer, "Mom how come it worked so quick on you then!")  It all comes down to this;

Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you look when you're looking for

what's beautiful in someone else? -Barbara Johnson

When I am looking for the good in others, my heart is in the right place.  When I am looking at others the way God wants me to, they see God through me.  What could be more beautiful than that?

Forever Changing,

Liz

I've been so busy these last couple of days!  My son broke his arm.  Although I am sad that he got hurt, it is such a great reminder for me that anything can happen and things can change in an instant.   My son is doing great with the cast, but it is a big adjustment to only have one "working" hand right now.  Little things like putting on his coat and shoes, he has had to learn to do differently right now.  This is something little, but it just reminds me that I really need to be thanking God everyday for everything that I have and that I am able to do!  It is a great lesson for my children too!  I am taking this as a hint from God to slow down and enjoy things more right now.

Forever Changing,

Liz

Time

Yesterday a missionary visited our church.  His family moved here from Kenya, Africa.  Since this is where my husband went on his mission trip I was really looking forward to hearing from him!  The message was great, I loved listening to him, you could feel his passion.  He was good at getting everyone involved in the message.  One of the things he said when he started was, "we have a saying in Africa, Americans may have watches but we have the time."  Remember back a few weeks ago when I wrote about this, my husband saying that church was so long.  I thought to myself when he was telling me this, "How could you sit there that long?"  Now I know, the missionary went a little over our "normal time" but it didn't feel like it was that long.  It almost felt like it was just me and him having a conversation.  It was so neat, and I loved the accent! 

Anyway it just really gets me thinking, as American Christians we plan trips to go over there and help them out.  They need it, they are poor, I have seen the pictures and heard the stories of how they live.  But then to here that they come over here to show us what it's like to give EVERYTHING to God.  It is hard when we have so many things and they get in our way, everyday things.  We are so busy.  One of my friends recently did a survey of why people didn't attend church, a lot of them said it was because they were either too busy on Sundays, or so busy during the week that they were to tired to get up on Sundays!  I know that I can't get rid of my clocks and watches but I want more time.  As a Christian I have to think, which do I think God wants me to have, a watch or TIME!

Forever Changing,
Liz

I'm linking up with Good Morning Girls!

A Scripture and a Snapshot

Here is my picture for this weeks link-up with Katie Lloyd Photography! 


My little guy!

I love his face in this shot :)  He is trying so hard to hang on!  Hope you enjoy.

Forever Changing,
Liz

Butterfinger Pie

Butterfinger Pie

1 tub cool whip

6 frozen butterfinger candy bars

graham cracker crust

Beat candy bars with end of spoon until very finely chopped.  Add to the cool whip.  Spoon into the pie crust.  Refrigerate for a couple hours before serving for best results!  Enjoy :)

Forever Changing,

Liz

I am linking up over at Comfy in the Kitchen for "Feasting in Fellowship Fridays", and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, and Raising Homemakers

Like a mother

Sometimes I get so caught up in how much I want to change and grow, I forget to help lift others up with me.  Today I was reading in 1 Thessalonians and felt very convicted of how Paul writes.  He wants everyone to grow.  He writes in in chapter 2:7-8 &12

"but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only

the gospel of God but our lives as well."  

"encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his

kingdom and glory."

It is easy for me to say a kind word or do something to help someone out, then dust off my hands and head home.  Paul shows me here that I really need to invite them to be apart of my life.  I think that a lot of people have the impression that as Christians we don't have the same struggles as them.  I know I have a neighbor like this.  She will come over after fighting with her boyfriend and talk about all the things they said and just cry to me.  She was so surprised that I could even relate.  I told her before my husband and I started going to church we would have those same fights.  "Really!" she said, "well how did you change that."  Of course my answer was that we started going to church, and then God started convicting us to change our ways.  We didn't change to go to church, but rather started going to church seeking change.  I can see how, if someone sees me do something nice, they might just blow it off and say, "well they don't know what it's like for me."  I used to say that!  I want to bring them in show them my life, like Paul!  That is a hard pill to swallow, for me to let my wall down, show inside MY space.  Is this something you struggle with?

Real Love

My sweet babies!

With Valentines Day coming up, I have been flipping through some of my craft books in search of something great my children could make for their grandparents.  There are so many neat ideas, its hard to chose.  As I was looking through the book remembering back to all the Valentines I had worked on for my parents, I thought of God.  How I am suppose to love everyone.  How much he loves me.  So I got out my bible and started looking at all the passages that had to do with love.  This one really stuck out to me.

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord" -Psalms 25:7

I have done a lot of stupid, immature things, rebelled against God and forgot about all he had done for me.  But God forgives and forgets.  He remembers me and loves me for who I am now, who he knows I will become.  That is true love.  I cannot think of a better Valentine than that of Jesus on the cross, giving me everything I will ever need!

Forever Changing,

Liz

My reminder

A few weeks ago I was in a store at the mall (I love to go look but hate to buy anything, its just to expense to justify!), looking for new crafting ideas.   Anyways, I seen a sign I just had to have.  I picked it up, crossed my fingers and flipped it over, $3, so I bought it!  The sign now sits in the entryway, and I love coming in the door and seeing it.  It reminds me of God's love, my husband, and to be thankful because everything I have God provided for me!  It took God a lot of lessons for me to get the house the way I like it, like good things come to those who wait.  When we first got married we tried doing the rent-2-own thing for the entire house and then watched them take things back, as we couldn't afford all the payments.  Now we know to look at thrift stores, yard sales, and save up for the big stuff.   It took even more lessons from God to get my relationship to the great place we are at today.  Getting married young and not having great christian friends got in the way some, so did people giving bad advice (don't work on them, it won't get better, get a divorce, etc..) and not turning to God with our problems.   And even though God has always loved me, it was taken many, many lessons for me to realize what that love really means!  I know that I still have many lessons to learn, but having that reminder helps me to put my focus into trying to improve and learn from everything.  So what does this sign say.... 

Every life is a fairy tale written by God's fingers



Forever Changing,
Liz

I am linking with Far Above Rubies and Women Living Well!