heart mender

Attention fellow book lovers! If you need a quick read that is totally unlike any book you have read, I just finished The Room by Emma Donoghue and it was fantastic. Tough story, but a great message tied within. I also read and loved yet another Andy Andrews book, The Heart Mender. It was a true story (God has given him some amazing true stories to write about!) and it had some powerful messages about forgiveness. There was one page that I nearly underlined EVERY word written, so I had to share some of the healing words that got my pencil going.

“Forgive and forget is not reality. It’s not really possible anyway, which is a good thing, because it is not necessary. Forgiveness does not erase history or excuse what happened. What has happened… has happened, and nothing can erase the memory of it or its consequences.”

“Forgiveness means relinquishment. It means giving something up. To relinquish something means to give up whatever power it holds over us. If you forgive somebody for something he did to you, that means you choose to never again allow that event to determine how you feel or how you act or even how you treat that person. You may remember the wrong, but by choosing to forgive, you have disarmed it.”

You can think about the situation all day long, and let it keep hurting you inside, or you can give the situation up to God and find peace. I loved those healing words, hope you do too!

Have a SUPER weekend – I am SOOO looking forward to meeting Kirk Cameron (woot woot!) at a local fundraiser on Saturday. Planning to be a TOTAL groupie and get a picture with him to share next week!

effective request

Valentine’s Day, oh the anticipation! I’m sure my sweet husband has been slaving over the perfect surprise to show me just how much he loves and adores me. And I, as I sip my morning coffee, wait with eager anticipation for him to execute the perfect Valentine’s display of affection. That would be AMAZING!

I learned very early on in our marriage that although God gave my husband a million things for me to love and cherish about him, he did not come with the gene that ignited his passion for expressing his love for me through gift giving. Determined not to grow old together and be disappointed by this, we mutually agreed upon and regularly implement operation “effective request.”

It goes something like this:

“I’ve been working p-r-e-t-t-y hard lately with all the extra company and birthdays, so I’m thinking that sometime in the next week flowers would go over REALLY well.”

“You PROBABLY already have this covered, but if you haven’t come up with a Valentine’s gift for me, I really would like a gift certificate to go get a massage.”

“I miss you and would really like you to take me out on a date on Saturday. I’ll get the sitter and I would LOVE for you to plan the rest.”

No need to beat around the bush or end up disappointed, just ask!

gluten free world

God is so good. Always. Last May when I was closing the doors to our North Liberty office for Bagolitas and downsizing to just me, back in my home, so many times I was tested in my ability to trust God (although there really weren’t any other options… I just didn’t want to let go). As soon as the doors were shut, our world came unglued at home and the culprit was gluten. I can not tell you how many times I have thanked God for clearing my plate so that I had the energy and focus to overhaul our lifestyle.

It has been a wonderful journey, made so much sweeter by support and community from those dealing with similar issues. For those of you that live in the Iowa City area, we were so blessed to have Sonia Culver come into our lives at the point where we were hanging on by a thread trying to figure out what was going on – that’s God’s grace at work! She is now starting a gluten free support group in hopes of helping many, many families in their gluten free journey. The first class is meeting this Friday from 5-6pm at the Coralville public library. The link below holds all the details and it is open to everyone – no registration required.

Feb_2012-1.Ind

For those that aren’t in the area and even if you aren’t gluten free, I just had to share the yummiest recipe that has hit my lips. Rumor has it, Johnny Depp even serves this up for Christmas!

Cranberry Salsa

1 c. fresh cranberries – chopped

5-10 cherry tomatoes – chopped

1/4 c. granulated sugar

2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro leaves – chopped

1 Tbsp. minced red onion

1/4 – 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1/2 minced poblano pepper

Mix and chill for 1 hour. (I serve with Multi-Grain Tostitos Scoops)

wonder woman

Not a shocker that I am NOT wonder woman, so why do I get caught in the cycle of trying to be? Last week I had the privilege of speaking on a panel for a women’s group about health and fitness. I was not asked for my 6 pack abs, but because I am willing to be quite candid about the up and down battle health and fitness has been for me.

As I prepared for what I wanted to share, a realization came over me. The times when I am the farthest away from good health, I have been running through life like I am some sort of super woman, spinning in self-punishing cycles. When I am in the best health, I have shed the costume and am working (always working!) to glorify God. Coincident? I think not!

You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:20

second chances

There is nothing sweeter than a second chance at love, especially when it’s a dear friend who deserves nothing less than what God intended for marriage. I feel so blessed that making handbags allows me to give a gift from the heart. I’ve been dreaming of ruffled clutches for brides, it’s the season and was SO excited make my first one and ship it this week. Blessings to the bride and groom who wed this weekend – wish I could be there!

“Wedding Prayer” by Robert Lewis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled. 
We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, 
for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, 
for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; 
for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen.

my greatest temptation

I have a standard trend of behavior that begins December 26^th. I am always, ALWAYS, completely burned out from pulling together everything for Christmas. What follows Christmas (for me) is a period first of isolation from everyone and everything, followed by a renewed spirit to pull everything in my life together for the New Year.

Since catching my breath after the holidays, I have been COMPLETELY distracted by organizing and new routines. Unfortunately, this has fed into my greatest temptation… an impulsive urge to shop ‘til I drop – refreshing my home décor after taking down all the Christmas decorations, organizing and getting everything just “perfect” (whatever that is) for a successful year to come. Lord, help me if I make one more trip the mall!

And the stores, they know that I am weak and they feed on this, putting out the CUTEST new home décor and organizing gadgets. I find myself in Target for a “normal” trip and walk out with a cart filled with rugs, towels, throw pillows – you name it – and need absolutely NONE of it. This is followed by remorse and guilt and within days I am back returning all of it. A vicious cycle…

In addition to figuring out a way to not burn out at Christmas next year, I am determined to eradicate my impulse buying. 2012 will be the year that I am NOT known by my first name at the return counters! I know I am not alone – unfortunately we all have things that tempt us, no one escapes it and shopping is the bait of choice for this fish. I could blame it on the stores for tempting me, but truly the problem lies within me.

In addition to prayers for the Lord to change (at least soften!) my love of shopping and trying to make my world perfect through organization and things, I came up with a little solution. Does it work? We’ll see!

In the past, I have kept two shopping lists on the counter: one for groceries, the other for household. Anytime something comes to mind that we “need,” I write it on one of the lists. Half the time when I am shopping I don’t even remember what I needed it for and often, there is a good enough option in our house somewhere. I drive myself crazy! So I have created a 3^rd shopping list for anything that isn’t essential. In addition to writing things I think I need while at home, if I see something at the store, I come home and write it down, too. Somehow just having it on a list – like someday I might actually get it – is therapeutic for me and SOMETIMES I can’t even remember what I wanted so badly to write it on the list. Clearly those items would have been returned!

This list of wants is proving to give me such perspective – so much excess and none of it actually affects my happiness. I am currently engrossed in the book of James through Beth Moore’s Mercy Triumphs study and the timing couldn’t be better. Last week’s lesson had a wow moment for me that I had to share. Scarcity of goods inherently improves one’s spirituality. I’m hearing you, Beth, loud and clear!

winter’s perfect accessory

I’m a Minnesota Girl and simply LOVE the onset of winter. (I say onset because by February I am ready to move on!) One of the things I absolutely adore about winter is a change in wardrobe, namely my obsession with scarves. Without revealing an exact quantity or amount of money spent, it is safe to say that I have over 20 (or maybe 30?) of winter’s perfect accessory.

I have 2 standard ways that I wear my scarves (zzzz….) and after lunch with a fashion savvy friend, I worked tirelessly trying to mimic her look. I can’t tell you how many times I think this, but thank goodness for my friend google… a few keystrokes away was this 4.5 minute video on 25 ways to rock your scarf. Enjoy!

altered plans

If you’ve been following my blog, read through old posts or have heard me talk about Women of Faith – HUGE fan, but even bigger fan of Patsy Clairmont.

It’s Wednesday, snowing and today I woke up feeling sad and gloomy, wondering where on earth Monday and Tuesday went and not wanting to do ANYTHING. After getting the kids out the door, I was about to embark on a little pity party, throw some extra, EXTRA cream in my coffee and declare it a hat day. BUT, then I read my email and my course for the day has been altered. Thank you sweet Patsy, just what the doctor ordered!

From Sad to Glad
by Patsy Clairmont

For years I dragged my sorry self around like a bag of old potatoes, weighed down by an inexplicable sadness. Then I slowly began to realize I was a big influence on myself and I could make some changes that would help lift my own spirit. Some of these things sound too simple to matter, but give it a try and see if it doesn’t promote goodwill in your own heart and home.

Sing: No, it doesn’t matter if you sound like fingernails on chalkboards, just sing. And choose happy songs that once made your toe tap and your heart skip. Put on a Women of Faith praise CD and worship the Lord.

Warning: At first you won’t feel like doing this if you are in the doldrums, but with all the love in the world, may I suggest you do it anyway. (Don’t make me come over there.)

Laugh: Call up a funny friend and stir up some health-producing endorphins. Deliberately lighten up. Yes, pretend if you have to, because many a time I started out phony-ly happy and ended up genuinely joyful.

Serve: Do something for someone else. It gets our mind off us. Bake a cake, send a card, plan a party for someone you love or don’t, pick a bouquet for a neighbor, take a group to a Women of Faith event, etc.

Study: Pick a Bible passage to study then memorize one of the verses that cheers you. God’s Word changes our mind and strengthens our fragile character.

Create: There’s something about working with one’s mind and heart in a creative manner that releases bad vibes and restores the soul. You don’t have to be an artist to create, I promise. I did watercolors for a couple of years before I painted something identifiable. It startled me when I recognized my effort. I showed a friend and we immediately framed and hung it before it disappeared.

Maybe you’d rather cook, bake, garden, dance, sew, scrapbook…okay, do it.

Avoid: Pity parties. Newscasts. Negative people. Racy books. Overeating. Sad movies. Excuses.

So dab away those tears and roll up the sleeves of your determination. While it’s not easy to move out of sad I hope these few reminders help to improve the quality of your inner atmosphere. Oh, wait―there’s more: pray, exercise, clean house, journal, volunteer, rest… (Somebody stop me!)

Patsy just updated her website, check it out! http://www.patsyclairmont.com

mission complete

Had and AWESOME time at the Andy Paige event last night! I’ve got a few photos below (I didn’t take one with Andy, I forgot!) BUT, I’ve got some photos of the newest Bagolita creations and they are up on the site today! I’m transitioning to my new inspiration board as you are reading this… loving grey, but going to need to bring some pow to it. (See key#5 from Andy, below.)

Andy’s 5 keys to looking FABULOUS every day are:
1. lipstick (she said gloss will do… whew!)
2. create shape through your waist
3. cute shoes
4. your HANDBAG (woot-woot!) She calls it your “social barometer”
5. do something unexpected, like a pow of color – Something that will ignite conversation

Have a great Fall weekend… LOVING that I get one hour back from the sleep I missed this week.

life begins each morning

A friend of mine recently shared this on her dad’s caring bridge site as he battled cancer, and I had to share. Perspective. What a wonderful gift!

Life Begins Each Morning
Whether one is twenty, forty, sixty or eighty;
whether one has succeeded, failed, or just
muddled along–Life Begins Each Morning!

Life is a day–this day. All past days are gone
beyond reviving. All days that still may come
are veiled in mystery. Each new day is Life, and
life begins anew with it.

Each night of life is a wall between today and
the past. Each morning is the open-door to a
new world–new vistas, new aims, new plans,
new thoughts.

The greatest fact in life is this, that it never is
too late to start again. Biography simply
overflows with inspiring examples of this truth.

However discouraging your days may have
been, keep this thought burning brightly in your
mind–Life Begins Each Morning!

L. M. Hodges