I love Monday’s. (well most of the time – today will have sting in it)

Hello Monday, is a weekly blog post that I would like to start that is like the cousin to Friday Facts that I used to do but discontinued in 2012. I am trying to stir my creativity. It’s a combination of musings, tidbits, and goodies I’ve found through my week. Basically, it is random, what caught my attention this past week, blog postings. Literally could be anything. (The past week started off pretty good but took a tragic turn)

Why I love Monday’s: It’s the day I get everything prepared for the rest of the week. I do a weekly home blessing (that is a little thing I picked up from Flylady) and I sit down (most weeks now… I didn’t always do this) make a meal plan for the week. It is also Bible Study Day. This whole year I’ve been going through the book of Hebrews with Dr. Derek Prince. I look at my work calendar and prepare my mind, maybe write a few things down for what is to come in the week. It is like my launching pad day for each week. While everyone else in the world seems to be groaning about Mondays, I am excited.

Book I just finished reading: I just finished this past Saturday the book called Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell. I started reading this book because I was feeling depressed and frustrated with the way things were going. What better way to jump a rut mindset than to read a book about changing your thinking. Not only did it help me to get out of that track on mind, but it also helped me process and think deeper about things going on around me. I think I am better equipped to handle some upcoming things because I will be bringing a different perspective. Thats a good thing.

The first lines that I highlighted in the book were…

Your life today is a result of your thinking yesterday. Your life tomorrow will be determined by what you think today.

Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell

The last thing I highlighted was 5 kinds of thinking I want to shore up in my thinking – by adding to my team or learning myself.

1. Focused thinking – I am often distracted.
2. Realistic thinking – I am an optimist.
3. Possibility thinking – I tend to measure according to what has already been done.
4. Shared thinking – I could benefit from slowing down and allowing others into my thinking process.
5. Bottom-Line thinking: I tend to know the bottom line but loose it in the weeds of all the interesting ideas and things.

Quote that surprised me in the book: In the section about Creative Thinking, it said this:

Well, that is promising for those of us who carry anxiety, now to use it for intellectual and artistic creations. lol

ADVENT: Dec 3 was the first day of Advent – In one of my readings, Pauses for Advent – the first word we ponder is PREPARE.  As I was reading the passage in Isaiah 40, two words stuck out to me.

Warfare and Iniquity – When Christ died for us our warfare has ended, and our iniquity has been removed. That is a beautiful promise we can hold on to.

When our iniquity is removed from us the warfare between God, each other, and ourselves ends. Christ becomes ruler overall.

Sunday2Monday.blog

The Good and The Hard: I remember when I first heard Mr. Rogers talk about his mother teaching him about going through hard times. She said, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ Today was a hard day. My hubby’s momma was put into a medically induced coma. I found out as my kids were beginning worship practice. So many people were helpful today. Becky took over the typing up of a write-up for me this week. Stacy held me and prayed. Mikayla held my grandson. Deb took some items I needed to get to people and passed them out. Pastor Chad made it easy for me to get to my family’s side after worship and did MC for me. There was a lady who helped us get water for the baby at the hospital. Tim, the care pastor, came and brought pizza just when we were thinking we were hungry. Pastor Chad and Lindsay came and hung out, prayed, and listened.

We went home and got another call to return to the hospital. His mother Beth passed away at 8:29pm on Dec 3. She went home to be with the Lord – and she had said many times, ” I am ready!”

Beth was a resilient woman. She worked hard and played hard just like her children. She was a champion of her family. She loved us with great love, many cooked meals, togethering activities and lavished us with whatever she had. She will be greatly missed.

The people in the intensive care were so kind and helpful. It’s been a hard day, and I am thankful there were some good helpers. If you wouldn’t mind being one too and praying for us.

Thanks for listening,

Starla