All I Ever Have To Be

By MAD21

Fellow blogger Sarah Markley wrote a really good post this week called "Defining Me." It really got me thinking. My young children are beginning to have lives of their own between school schedules and activities like soccer and horseback riding. As a stay-at-home mom, I'm finding I have more flexibility in my time. That's not to say that I have more free time, just that I have a little more control over the insanity.

With this new flexibility in our family's routine, I'm finding that there is a little more time to think about how I'm spending my own life. My family is still my first priority, but once they are off and doing their own things, I'm left wondering what else God has planned for me. Which sometimes brings me to the same question that Sarah asked, "What defines me?" "Who am I?" Am I a mom, a teacher, a financial adviser, an office manager, a runner, a wife, a friend...

But after some thought, I realized the answer is... yes, I am all those things. Why do we have to make things so complicated? I came to the conclusion that who I am determines what I do. So if I want to know who I am, I not only need to look at how I spend my time, but also with what attitude I do it.

I have the amazing blessing of being a wife and mom to the best little girls ever. I take care of our household because I like it and I want to, I'm part of my children's education, and I run because I can. God has put me in this place at this moment, to do the things he's given me to do. And that's all I need to worry about. I don't need to try to be like anyone else, or accomplish more than what I'm doing. Because God has put me right here, right now. When the time comes for me to be anything more than what I am right now, I'll be waiting, with the faith that God will be there to guide me.

Amy Grant sang this song years ago. "All I ever have to be" ...is what you made me. It's the truth. He asks nothing more of us.

Best Laugh of the Week

By MAD21

Have you ever noticed that if someone around you is smiling or laughing about something, that it's hard to resist? Kind of like the whole yawn-thing, once you see someone do it, you feel inclined to do the same.

A good friend of mine sent me a link to this video yesterday. If this doesn't brighten your day, nothing will.

A Weight-Loss Strategy

By Kevin (Shooting the Breeze)

I am by no means a weight loss expert but I have learned a few things through experience. Here is a funny but very sound strategy to weight loss:

I think this video illustrates some important truths when it comes to weight loss.  I have experienced all of these truths first hand.  First, it can be very simple.  It is just a matter of eating less and moving more. Now, that being said, it is simple but not necessarily easy.  It is going to mean making some different and sometimes difficult choices. Second, it doesn’t have to cost lots of money.  You don’t have to pay for a program or for special food. You can continue to buy your food (although different food) from your local grocery store. And finally, there is no quick fix to weight loss.  We all want the quick fix but that is not how it works.  It is going to take some work and some time.  It is well worth the effort though.

What truths about weight loss have you learned through experience?

Kevin Martineau has been married 16 years and has three beautiful daughters (10, 7 and 4). He has the honour of serving God through his role as Pastor at Port Hardy Baptist Church on Northern Vancouver Island, British Colubia. He enjoys blogging, reading, photography and watching hockey.

Fingerprint Friday: Our Little Furballs

By MAD21

I know that not everyone is a "cat-person." But quite honestly, I think most people who don't like cats have never been loved by one. Now, before you get all wound up over the "Cat vs. Dog" thing, know that my family are also "dog-people." We have a wonderful puppy, too, but I'll save her story for another day. Personally, my home just doesn't feel complete without one of each.

When my hubby and I got married, I brought two cats with me. They were brother and sister, but acted more like a married couple. It was quite entertaining. They were both given to me right after my previous cat had died. They were awful as kittens, I cannot say that strongly enough... AWFUL kittens. Most people, my parents included, would never have kept them. They tore everything up. But they became the most loving pets, but they were most assuredly, my pets. The girl cat, Emmy, didn't like anyone but me, and she let you know that if you got anywhere near her. She eventually accepted my hubby, but she would never had admitted it. They boy cat, Oscar, was like a little kid.. all the time. He was very mischievous, loved to play, and liked just about everyone.

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The New Miss Manners

By Alan

Back in the day when Emily Post was the ruler of all things polite, and her book Etiquette was the definitive work on how to conduct yourself at home, business, and even politics. Her syndicated column (currently written by her great-grandson has been read for over 70 years, and many of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren all have decided to follow in her footsteps.

However much people try to think about how politeness and manners are outdated, and out of fashion, they are not only relevant but even more important than ever.

Imagine if we had civil and polite activity in politics? Shouting over top someone during a national speech would be impolite, and therefore avoided. Listening while someone else is talking would be the standard. Incorporating the ideas of the counter-party in points of your own during healthy debate would show that each was paying attention to the other.

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