Quotable Sunday

Today, I have decided to do quotes on Self Esteem/Worth.
God has really been working on regarding my self worth lately. So I figured why not just post some quotes & encourage myself at the same time.

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."

Albert Einstein

"The tragedy is that so many people look for self-confidence and self-respect everywhere except within themselves, and so they fail in their search."

Dr Nathaniel Branden

"Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?"

Fanny Brice

"It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes."

Sally Field

"It's surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you're not comfortable within yourself, you can't be comfortable with others."

Sidney J. Harris

"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love" John 15:9

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Let Go Monkey

My new bloggy friend, Christine, over at IE Mommy wrote this. I asked her to steal it & she graciously allowed me to.
Lately, I have been posting from my heart. The way that I have been feeling, the things that I have been fighting & going through, etc. I know I haven't been a complete open book, but I'm sure you don't always want to hear me complain, nor do I want to add fuel to my fire.
Anyway, when Christine posted this, it hit me...Satan has been attacking Left & Right...How dare him!
So I am saying Let Go Monkey, Let Go!

Here's her post:

Recently at women’s bible study one of the ladies shared the process of how they catch monkeys. It seems that the poachers will create a little box that has a tiny hole the perfect size for the monkey’s hand. Inside the box will be a yummy treat for the monkey.

When the monkey reaches in and grabs the treat his “closed” fist is now too big to fit back through the hole. The monkey never thinks to “Let Go” of his treat and therefore gets captured.

It quickly became a joke for the group but we were not oblivious to the example it presented to us as Christians.

How many times in our life do we “reach” for something that is not good for us…not God’s will in our life and when God’s say “let go” we don’t want to?

Sometimes I think we are a lot like this monkey…we only see our treat…we see what is yummy and our short sightedness “captures” us. We have the tendency as human beings to only see what is directly in front of us…especially if it is something that we desire.

Satan consistently tempts us with the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eyes. It is not a new trick. He used the same technique on Eve in the garden.

Genesis 3:6 (NLT)
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her.

Granted he doesn’t always tempt us with something obvious but the temptations are there none the less. What exactly is temptation? A Wordnet search defines temptation as:

• something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
• the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid; “he felt the temptation and his will power weakened”
• enticement: the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire; “his enticements were shameless”

Temptation isn’t always something detrimental like addictions or indiscretions. If you are like me you think of a temptation as something so sinister it shouldn’t be spoken of during the day.

But reality is there are temptations all around us. Anything that has the power to keep our eyes off the Lord or our hearts away from the Lord is a temptation. We can not allow ourselves to be like Peter and take our eyes off the Lord or His will, guidance and direction in our life.

Matthew 14:29b-31 (NIV)
… Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

It was exactly when Peter took his eyes OFF the Lord that He began to sink. Not the moment before when his eyes were firmly affixed on Jesus. In God’s graciousness it tells us that immediately Jesus reached out to Peter and saved him.

New shoes, a new car, the latest and greatest fashion accessory or tech toy….even the amazing sales at Gymboree complete with Gymbucks can be a temptation which would and could take our eyes off the Lord.

Do you think about it? Do you obsess over it? Do you wake up wondering what is going on with “that” world or with “that” item. Then, my friends, that is a temptation. Temptations are not always of the caliber of looking for your next hit or flirting too hard with the box girl/boy.

Satan doesn’t generally work in huge, firework displays of temptation…at least not a first. His method of operation is generally very subtle, very sly and very simple…it is the end outcome that is usally a big fireworks display…because that is when we realize how far away from God we have moved. That is when our eyes are opened when we are captured.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Jesus understands our temptation and through it all He has provided a way for us to be strong. His Spirit lives freely within us and it is in that power that we must meet the temptations in our life.

Ephesians 6:16-18
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Stay alert my friends for our enemy is out there and he is constantly looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). We do not want to be like the Monkey and be captured within our own lust, greed and shortsightedness. So let go monkey, let go!

Friday Fill Ins

I found something fun for my blog, now I just gotta sneak time to do it =D


1. One week ago I was really in the dumps & moody. Dealing with a VERY sick baby.

2. I went through a lot when I was young.

3. Mama told me to always trust in the Lord.

4. We make one heck of a life you and me.

5. Take your time to enjoy life & all you have been blessed with.

6. This too will pass!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to just relaxing & catching up on doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include photos for ref's at 7:15am (shhh, I'm not going!) AYSO board at 7:30am, all three kids throughout the day and soccer games. Possibly having dinner with my brother & sister in law and Sunday, I want to do nothing, but that's not in the plans!

Word Filled Wednesday

A day late, but that's ok! God has once again been working on my worth. This scripture REALLY spoke to me when I found it on "all you have to give" I knew I had to use it!
I guess he is really stretching me lately. It's been hard, but I know worth it when I'm through.


The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word (no famous quotes or other literature — only the beautiful Word of our God) through photo’s & a Bible verse!

Our Hostess & Mr. Linky can be found at Forever His

I'm crying out

I have started a new class at the church. Jose was approached a few months ago about attending a Leadership Development Class. After we talked about it, we decided to attend.
Well, ever since I started, I have felt something in my heart.
An anger? Sadness? Frustration? I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's God trying to work some stuff out of me. Maybe it's Satan attacking me & stealing my ministry. Maybe it's just my emotions & PMS'ing. I honestly don't know & can't figure it out.
I wrote a list last Sunday while in class. This is what I wrote...
My Identity Issues & What I'm Battling...
1) I don't feel worthy enough to have it all (what God has for me)
2) Afraid of what God is going to do
3) Others passing judgement on how I live
4) Finding someone to talk with about it all. Not having someone to counsel with.
5) Walking away from the class feeling like crap & anger.
6) Felling like I am separating myself from the group & not participating.
7) Do I really want to do this?
8) Why is the fear built up so strong?
9) God puts me in the position to minister to others, but why is there no one there for me? Is it me not reaching out? Is it my own personal insecurities? Who can I reach out to? Who is my support?
#9 is probably my biggest issue right now. I'm not one to reach out to others for help. I have always had to "take care of myself" and therefore am not one to "whine" about my issues. I can 99.99% of the time handle the situation I am in by just reaching out to God for help, but sometimes we need flesh.
At our first meeting, I did go to one of the "leaders" to get help. When I started to talk, another girl walked up to her & was crying telling her, "I need to talk to you."
I was pushed to the side. So, the one time that I did try to reach out for help, I was pushed away & rejected. Something that I deal with VERY HEAVILY. I know it's probably something that I shouldn't have an issue with, since I have been dealing with it ALL my life, but it does bother me still.
Then during the last meeting people were talking & saying, "Yeah, I called so & so to get support and understand what was going on." or "I was talking to so & so about my particular situation."
It angered me that once again, everyone around me is getting help & support, BUT ME!
HELLO! AM I HERE? CAN ANYONE HEAR ME? I'M CRYING OUT & NOBODY IS LISTENING!!!!!!!!!!!

I finally opened up to Jose about it tonight. I was afraid of telling him, because I don't want him to tell me, "Just go talk to so & so." or "I don't want you to feel like this."
Well, I can't just go talk to "so & so", that's not me. When I do, it's because it is coming from my heart & I REALLY do need help.
And him telling me that he doesn't want me to feel like this tells me to shove my feelings down & "just keep swimming".

This burden is HEAVY! It's affecting me & I don't know what to do.
I actually emailed one of the leaders & told her I was going to drop. In turn, Jose feels he should drop. Making me feel guilty. I don't want him to drop from something he should be in.
UGH!
Someone, please help. What should I do?

Word Filled Wednesday

I have really been dealing with my giving lately. I have, honestly, always been one to give the shirt off of my back. But I have a TON of brand new baby stuff from Delayna that I thought I could make some money off of to be able to purchase some things for her or even Christmas. But, God is telling me, "Melissa, give it to 'so & so'.
Then I fight with him. Why, I don't know.
But I feel as though this scripture has really opened my heart & eyes to what God wants me to do.

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze

Yes, he gets a blog post to himself!
I am SO sad to hear of his passing. I was really hoping that he would fight this deadly battle. I have been very open and aware of cancer stricken patients. Why, I don't know. It hurts for me to see SO many people battling this ugly disease and with Patrick Swayze having the ability to work with any doctor, just as Farrah Fawcett did, I was hoping he would win this battle.
So in his honor, here is a list of my all time favorite Patrick Swayze movies, in order of my favorite...
1. Dirty Dancing
2. Road House
3. Ghost
4. Point Break
5. The Outsiders
6. 11:14
7. To Wong Foo

Meet Me In The Stairwell

Heard this on my home from dropping kids off at school. I had to post it!

35 Before 35

Ok, so my friend Jessica did up a list of 35 before 35. In other words, 35 things I would like to do before I'm 35.
Here it goes:
1) Go to Guatemala to meet/see my husband's family
2) Become a Director for Pampered Chef
3) Re-do my floors in my house, tile, wood floors and concrete
4) Be a Football Mom
5) Take a cruise with my Honey, ALONE!
6) Take a Disney Cruise with the family
7) Get out of debt, except for my house
8) Get to a healthy weight and be more focused on me as a person & not a wife & mother
9) Revamp my wardrobe
10) Get a built in pool
11) Get my mom into her own place
12) Obtain Good health insurance
13) See a different president in office
14) Run a 5k
15) See my marriage grow
16) See my ministry that the Lord has for me flourish
17) Become better at taking time with God, daily
18) Stand with my friend, Jessica, at her wedding
19) Plan Jessica's wedding =)
20) Spend more time with my extended family
21) Have another family reunion
22) Plan a family reunion for my other family
23) Learn to sew
24) Get a tattoo on my wrist
25) Get a tattoo on my back
26) Go to Glen Ivy & get the FULL treatment
27) Just go to Glen Ivy
28) Watch Anthony walk across the stage at graduation with MANY awards & honors
29) Get a weekly scheduled pedicure
30) Manicure weekly wouldn't be bad either
31) Go to the Grand Canyon again with the kids
32) Watch my church grow & expand
33) Be a part of my church expanding & helping women obtain jobs
34) Watch a Broncos Game LIVE
35) Throw a Super Bowl Party

Ok, now seriously, that was hard! To think of 35 things within "x amount" of time is NOT easy!
I'm also not one to make "goals". I don't know why...OH wait that's my 36
36) To make & obtain some goals
Anyways, what's your list of 35 before 35? Leave me a link of yours or just answer them here ;-)

Houston, We have another tooth!

Oh Yes, Little Miss has her top left tooth coming in.
Boy has she been a CRABBY PATTY these past two days!!! She isn't napping, and I mean, she isn't napping. She won't eat her cereal, again. Fussy and just wanting to be held. UGH! Thank God Jose has been home, because a mama can only handle so much!
Well, I will let you know when it pops through...

Word Filled Wednesday

I haven't done WFW for a while now. I feel as though it's a day I can really take some time and reflect on what God has done, is doing and will do for me in my life.
I came across this verse on a blog that I follow & it really impacted me. So I'm using today. Enjoy!

The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word (no famous quotes or other literature — only the beautiful word of our Father) through photo’s & a Bible verse!

You can find McLinky at Lori's bog at www.allyouhavetogive.com. Stop on over and share God's Word expressed through photos.