Fight the Good Fight

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood],

but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.

5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and

reasonings and every

proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God;

and we lead every thought and purpose away

captive into the

obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Annointed One).

II Corinthians 10:4,5

The Everyday Life Bible (Amplified Version)

I don't know what I think of boundaries. I am cetain that there are things that I control by the decisions I make. I am certain the decisions I make affect those around me. I am certain that I need people, but not as much as I need MY God. I have responsibilities. I accept them. I have the power within myself to overcome. That power comes from MY Lord and Saviour.

Kristi

Boundaries, a book to re-read

My sister has come a long way in the last little bit. I am proud of her determination to keep her boys on a tight schedule, especially on school nights. The only problem is...I miss my sister tremendously. We both have schedules that are hard to incorporate together during the daylight hours so when I'd love to be sitting on her couch doing nothing but being next to her, she's diligently following her evening routine in order to give her boys the stability they need. And when I'd love her to be sitting on my couch next to me doing nothing, while the boys run amuck, that cuts into her evening routine and her self worth. I do not like the situation that has been created between 2210 Savannah Dr and 2309 Ragland Rd, but as it turns out, I have no control over that. My heart will continue to be pulled southward, longing for the security, the friendship that I now miss so much. Boundaries, Leann, boundaries.

Leann

Update

On August 24 Ortho said I could remove the splint that I had worn for over 7 weeks. Woo Hoo! The fracture was healed enough that reinjury was not a huge issue. However, with a 3 pound lifting restriction I still had some weeks ahead of me. I was still having so much pain. It was thought to be more nerve related so I took a dose of steroids for a week and continued with therapy. I also recently got issued a TENS unit (it sends electrical impulses to the nerves around the injury) and that has helped tremendously. I still go to Occupational Therapy twice a week (I'm suppose to anyway). My therapist, Patti, ROCKS! Next week I get to test my grip strength again. This is one way to determine when I can be "released". The past 3 months have been quite a test. And, even though I have been able to use my arm more over the past month since removing the splint, I know that I have a little ways to go before a full recovery. The most important thing .......... my boys are home with me and we get through each day the best we can.

Kristi

Life Lessons, Part II

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?" {It won't, will it ?}

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything. {Everything?}

29. What other people think of you is none of your business. {This is tough. I recently found out how someone felt about me and, now, I am having a hard time forgetting}

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. {This is good ...... right?}

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. {I am so not good at staying in touch.}

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. {Humbling, isn't it?}

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. {Or crazier, huh, T?}

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable. {Are our memories good enough?}

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. {Wow ... that's all I can say.}

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. {Check ..... Check ..... & Check}

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. {Though I don't always practice it, this is a lesson I learned from my mother.}

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.


Kristi

Life Lessons, Part I

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you & no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

by Regina Brett, Cleveland, OHIO

Kristi

ONE of my Obsessions

I have an obsession. Actually I have several, but I'm only telling you about one right now. My children and my husband hate it. My sister loves it about me. My mother thinks it's inappropriate. My Daddy is indifferent. I know a lot of people suffer with this. I am a
ZIT POPPER! If I see a zit on someone I know, I soo want to pop it and will probably ask if I can. I think it's the breaking thru the skin that I like. Ya know, when the pressure builds up behind the zit? I don't like to use my fingernails, because they cut the skin and you don't get a good POP! My family (Jay and the girls) actually run from me. My sister calls me over to pop hers. I've considered therapy for it, but I have so many other things that my therapist wants to discuss, I'm not sure we'll ever get to it. But the time I'm out of therapy, that might be my only vice! :) So I tell you all of this to prepare you for what happened to me on Sunday afternoon at church. My sister and I were working in our classroom at church when I heard a few facial areas calling my name. So I popped a few successfully, but not that great, big POP, wow, I'm satisfied, I've done my job, kinda work. I spotted another on her lower cheek, close to her lip. As I squeezed, I could see the core rising to the top of the skin. I knew this on was gonna be a good one. I had squeezed as hard as I could, but it didn't pop, so I repositioned my fingers, planted my feet, and put all my strength into my two fingers, squeezed with all my might, AND..
it squirted me right in the glasses! As I saw it coming, I kept squeezing, but closed my eyes. Now that folks, is sickness. Kris and I laughed so hard I thought we might fall down. Believe it or not, I don't recall that that has ever happened to me before. This has not deterred me, so if you need a CHEAP "facial", CALL ME!

Leann

Domesticated bliss IS possible ...... after you've premedicated yourself!

I read this on a card last night ............. about peed my pants. I certainly know many of you can relate. Not that I should be talking relationships, but .....................
I saw an Oprah rerun with Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood just a couple months into their new union. It was truly amazing and uplifting. When ask "How can you love someone with all you have, have children, stay married four 14 years and then just say "we're done"?" Now, any of you that know me know that hit me right between the eyes. Garth's response? He said that when he met Sandy they had 2 things in common 1)they were broke & 2)they had the future in front of them. WOW! There are many marriages that start out that way. While marriage counseling is the wave of the future (some ministers even REQUIRE before they will marry a couple), it was not something couples did 15, 20 years ago. What a mistake! Suppose you find yourself in such a marriage. What do you do? You try to repair it. By "fixing" yourself first. Once you've accomplished that, you ask your mate to change what needs to be changed. Then you take these two "new" people and you make it work. And, if something fails, you pray that God will change whose heart needs to be changed. Then if that cannot happen you protect yourself ......... and your children. And you continue to pray to God for wisdom and strength.
How's that for deep, sis?

Kristi