How to build a life {it's the little things)

Waiting for life to begin. Waiting to build what I always see in  my  head as life. Thinking it's out there. Somewhere in the near future. 

I've realized. Life doesn't begin when we move into our own home and off the Mountain, or when I finally figure out what I want to do when I grow up, or when we have finally paid the last payment on our debt or when I finally get to pull my belongings out of storage. Life is right now.

It is the thirteen year old venturing out after the school work has been down and comes back with a strange rock, muddy shoes and tales of wild animals he has been tracking. It is the MountainMan and I listening to one another retell the stories of our hearts, before the lights go out. It is the dog going to surgery to remove the cancer, the text from Momma saying the meds are working. It is the prayers on Monday morning. The coffee and Bible next to the fire. It is the warm breeze coming through the window. It is the foreign conversation with a child not born of me and yet we are raising him as our own. 

Life is rum and cherry Pepsi on the rocks in the evening. The whistling of MountainBoys. It is the sixteen year old starting the broken Bronco for the first time, worked on and fixed by him, his brother and father. Real life is hard conversations over the trailers dim lit kitchen table. It is the ache of being so sorry that I feel it in my bones and can't seem to make them see. It is knowing that sometimes a simple hug and love is much better than any advice I could ever give. Life is Monday morning prayer times. 

Life looks like the house that goes up for sale and ends with a new home, "the one"... I got to be apart of that life's adventure for them. Life is dinner at their place and dinner at our place. Life is the seven of us around a dinner table on Sunday, passing the mashed potatoes and hearing stories of alien ships and over thrown governments, as we have for nearly three years now. 

Life is listening to the same story being retold. It is the story they were afraid to tell you. It is the grace that is given, the mercy that is taken. Life is disappointment at the truth and yet working through it. It is listening. It is hearing. It is touch and boundaries. It is the smell of fresh cut grass and fresh mountain air. It is the taste of fresh baked break. It is the purr of a kitten. A surprise email from a long lost friend. It is saying I love you. Thank you.I believe in you. 

It's the unplanned pregnancy and the planned divorce. It is the school built for 200 girls.  It's the things that were never part of "the Plan" I have found not many things are. 

Life is right were we are at. It is built each day, each moment, each breath. The mistake is taking it for granted and thinking that life will happen when things are lined up just right. It's the little things that build a life. 

Sisters in Christ

Sitting at a baby shower she pulls me close. I want to be her when I am 80 and so I lean in and listen. She said she was reading a few years back some statistics about the Christian Bride. She says "there are three main reasons that young people from the ages of 18-39 are leaving the church in groves. That means large quantities" she says.

"They are leaving because 1. Hypocrisy. Christians don't DO what they say the believe. They tell everyone else to do it, they hold everyone else to the standards. 2. Exclusivity. We say everyone belongs. Then we scoff when someone different walks through the doors. 3. Relationships. We are missing real relationships. Do we really care? Why do we offer our opinions and rebuke people when we don't have a relationship with them?"

" Misty" she says "what can you and I do about that today?"

I ask myself this every morning since.

It's those people God places in our lives.

-----------------------------

Folks. What can you and I do about this?

Let It Slip Through My Hands

My prayer lately. "God if it's not meant to be. If it's a distraction. Let it slip though my hands."

Since this has been my prayer. Things have been slipping through my fingers. I try to grasp and claw at somethings. Yet, they slip. They crash to the floor like broken china. There is nothing I can do to catch them. So, I am letting go.

Can I tell you that this has come with a HUGE relief?

Once these things are gone... I no longer want for them. That's the phenomenal thing. It's gone and I am not wishing for them to return.

I am a lucky girl!!

Ever been overwhelmed with gratitude. That is where I find myself tonight.  I am one lucky girl. It's true. God has truly blessed me. We are finally settling in  our new "home" at the Ranch. One of the best parts of living at the Ranch is my commute.  I count it as one of my 1000 Gifts. I relish in the fact that I do not have cell service for at least 20 minutes. It gives me time to talk to God. Chat it out if you will. Give thanks and breathe deep. Thank you Jesus for knowing just what I need.

I always have beautiful scenery to take my breath away. It testifies to how great my Creator is.

I am reminded that life is full of season's and that there is a time for everything. 

Right now this season, it is a season of being filled. Being healed. 

Storms have rolled this year. Heartbreak has happened this summer. My home has changed. My heart has changed. My GOD has not!!

Ack! I could have a melt down

Okay. So, I am not usually one for complaining. OR am I? who knows anymore. What I do know is... I am on the brink of a major melt down. OR Change. OR something. I feel it in my bones. I thought I had it all together until I was KICKED OUT of a closing this afternoon. Let's just say that is a first for me. Never. I repeat NEVER been kicked out of anything before. Not dance. When I was a mere kid and I could not keep the beat for the life of me. Not out of a classroom, for being unruly.  Not out of a bar in my wild and crazy 20's.  Not EVER. I am sure my client thinks I am a total nut job. The way I remember it. I was upset. Wanted to know why I didn't get  a decent courtesy call telling me the documents had not showed up yet. After the closing was put off this morning because of some freak accident that closed down the title company. Then for some reason the doc's never showed up. Then I drove 45 minutes to reach the title company all the while finding out my mother took a taxi home from the hospital because she could not wait for me and my CraZy job that is so very unpredictable. I know. I know. That was a run on sentence and had a million grammatical errors.  I learned all about that today while HOMESCHOOLING our two punks! Yep, that's right. Life isn't crazy enough, WE are homeschooling our children. Anyway I digress. Next thing I know the owner of GT Title services in Salt Lake City , Utah is in my face. While I sit on a couch he is leaning over me gritting his teeth and asking why he didn't get a courtesy call. Then I am  being shown the door. Seriously. Could life get  any more... WAIT. I take that back. I don't ask that anymore. God will show me just how fouled up it can get. Pause. Please. While I swallow a large amount of  The Show, Malbec style. I need it tonight.


Lately, I am not sure if I am up or down. All I know is, I am crying and laughing and screaming and then or than whichever; spilling diesel fuel all over our brand new pergo flooring. Causing us that much more drama just to move to The Ranch. Come. on. already. Months of planning. remodeling. painting. getting rid of stuff. and now this. You say "poor baby. There are worse thing".  Don'tcha  know I know this already. AND there is SO much more to this story. Like my mother being admitted to ICU for pnemonia right after my father's death. AND the crazy relationship she is in. AND being executor of my father's stuff. But not really, because he never wrote it down. And more family drama then I could even dare to share.

 Still I have not forgot the things God placed on my heart before he took my father. I think that is where I struggle as well. What to do with this sick, self centered  world. I try to do the right thing. I teach my children to do the right thing AND I keep getting screwed. I am tired of being nice. I am tired of being the one that says I am sorry. I am tired of being the peacemaker. I am tired of wondering just what God want's from me. Give me strength God. Cause I don't have it. Give me comfort because this bottle isn't providing it. Show me what you want from me.Because you know I  will do it. Just please. I beg you be evident. Cause, I am just not sure anymore. I need you to show me what it is you want from me. And for some crazy reason you call me into the mission field. Please! I pray, this blog post doesn't effect some visionary, world wide, gospel spreading ministry from accepting me because well, I am just too BROKEN!! 

I didn't know it would feel like this

It's hard to believe that it has been one week and one day since Daddy passed. My heart hurts. Physically. I am stuck in a daze and at times it is hard to breath. I am working a lot. Now is my busy season. Time passes quickly.

It's the moments like when I am searching past texts from just a week ago and I see the one marked "Daddy". My heart yanks out of my chest, my pulse races and I feel as though I may vomit. All I can do is just set and rock and cry the ugly cry. Daddy I miss you.

I didn't know it would feel like this.  Yet. I have hope. I weep a little differently then some one who does not. Yet. I weep. I am learning compassion faster then I ever thought. I use to not know what to say to someone who had just lost their loved one. I steered clear. Now I know. It's important to just let them know you are sorry. You love them. If they need ANYTHING you are there. They need you.

Through it all, I can't deny the many, many gifts my God has given me. The promises he has kept. He has stayed close to me. He has given me strength I had no idea I possessed. He has sent people to love me. To talk to me. To guide me.

God gave me a wonderful husband. A storybook husband. The prince who holds you up when you can't do it on your own. The man you dreamed of as a little girl.... Yeah, God gave me him. He has been amazing. Let me cry, scream, punch the jeans that Daddy would wear the next day in his grave, over and over again. He hasn't once said "that's enough. pull yourself together." he just let's me cry.

God gave me the gift of forgiveness. Daddy and I had a very rocky past. God redeemed me. He redeemed Daddy. He redeemed our relationship. He gave me the gift of time with Daddy. He let me see how my Daddy forgave. He never held a grudge. Just loved unconditionally. What a great legacy he left behind.

God gave me the gift of letting one of my best friends witness his coming to Christ. Then she reminded me how genuine it was. What a beautiful gift.

God gave me the gift of my very strong grandmother. Who sadly knows the in's and out's of a funeral.

God gave me phone calls after phone calls from my Dad's friends telling me just how much Daddy loved me.

God gave me salvation. He redeemed me. What a gift that I will see him again.

Stepping Out of The Boat!!

I guess it's time to share that we are stepping out of the boat. Taking a leap of faith. Trusting... We have been asking; where is GOD taking us? I believe we know. Will you pray for us? Pray that the house will sell for what we need it to. That we will stay strong as a family and a couple. Pray for protection from spiritual warfare. Pray for wisdom. Pray for growth. Pray for healing. Pray for a smooth transition. AND good grief, pray that I can home school next year!! Thank you friends!

Very Unlikely Farm Hands

Identity Crisis

Source

Okay. So you are going to click on the link. That's fine. I am probably going to get hate mail after you click on it.( LOVE mail would be good) The author is a lesbian. (Gasp) yep, this Christian reads blogs written by lesbians. I loved this picture and I had to give credit where credit was do. Besides her story mirrors mine in funny little ways. BUT that's  not what this post is about. Let's move on. 

1st order of business: My blog needs a new name. Any suggestions. It's in a bit of an identity crisis. You know  i·den·ti·ty cri·sis

noun  A period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to a change in their expected aims or role in society

I am taking ideas. Submit them to me... who ever wins gets some STUFF from my basement... your choosing. Is that my first give away? Ha!!

2nd order of business: I am still struggling on how to put this journey into words. I had "lunch" with a friend yesterday. Really, I just chatted her ear off. I realized that I still have not wrapped my mind around  this journey and so at this point it's just a bunch of ramblings. I do have a point though.It was made really clear to me that others may have wrestled with this similar "Who Am I ?" question. I am going to share a little tid bit of how I am figuring out just "WHO" I am.

When I finally reached my breaking point almost a year ago; I begged God to change me. I begged with ugly tears, and a snotty nose for HIM to change me. I knew I was black hearted, dependent on STUFF. Hating people. Hating myself. I was tittering on an edge. I could feel something was changing and I was terrified. Everything I had built myself on was starting to crumble.  I ran to the only ROCK I knew. HIM. and I begged HIM to change me. I even told HIM he could break my knees if that's what it took. Just change me, cause I can't do it myself. I have tried. I would wake up and do my affirmations. I would tell myself that today "she" wasn't going to get to me. That today I was going to sell that house. That today was my day. Today I will forge my destiny. It didn't work. The doors kept closing and I kept getting worse. So, I begged. and HE heard my cry. He changed me and is still changing me. 

This changing thing is messy. I was a mess. Some-days more then others. For months, doors closed. For months, things were being revealed to me. For months, I felt lost. I told L.O.V.E. that I just didn't know who I was any more. I would search the internet asking "Who am I?" I pinned and facebooked looking for the answers. I made lists and checked them off. I cried. I hid. I cooked, a lot.

 Late one night I lay awake sobbing. WHO AM I?  If I am not an amazing wife, a dynamic Realtor, an incredible mother , a wonderful friend then who am I? If my clothes don't define me and my car means nothing. Who am I? If the education I have, the 1099 I claim, the letters and designations posted behind my name, the neighborhood I boast in... isn't me. Well, then WHO AM I?Can I tell you during this time I gained 15lbs and a bad case of adult acne. YEAH, just what a girl needs when she is feeling completely insecure. As I lay there sobbing it came to me. "Hey YOU!! You are MINE. You are a beautiful daughter of the KING."

That was it. I knew who I was. All of those clothes in the closet. Shoes on pegs.  All of the great wrapping paper, ribbons, home decor, fax machines, holiday decor, sewing machine and crafts setting in the basement. The money in my savings. The boxes of make up, hair extensions, false eyelashes, creams and waxes under the sink. Well that's NOT me. I am a DAUGHTER of the KING. So, are you (if you are a woman.) That's that. You are royalty. All of that great STUFF in the closet is just wonderful gifts from your Father. Enjoy them. He gave them to you. Just don't let it tell you who you are. 

Amen? Amen.

I am done rambling. I am still looking for a name. 

Feening in a different way

Feening: - to want something badly, to have a craving.


It's usually what a junkie does. One day I might explain how I know that all to well. For now I want you to know that I have a different feen. A feen for The WORD and a feen for God, a feen for hearing HIM E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y.!! A feen for HIS will in my life WHERE EVER it might take me. 


I promised an update to what has been going on. Not sure I can put it all in one post. I do want to share a few things and maybe one day I can put it all down in words. For now we will start right here, right where I am at. In the quiet. Listening for God. Listening to God. 


 God has REALLY been working on me for a while now. A few years ago a wonderful discipler (is that the right Christianese terminology?) told me to "Stop Bucking God". I had not really realized until that point just how disobedient I was (and still am at times). From that point on I asked God to search my heart, to show me when I am in complete and utter disobedience. Wow, how my world was rocked. I wish I would have kept a better journal, but lets just say for the last 3 years give or take my HEART has been COMPLETELY changed. Lately, even more. I am NOT the same person I was 3 years ago, 2 years ago or even last month. I am so grateful that HE did not leave me in my pit of slime, of mud and mire;he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2. 


With my change comes change with my blog. I will be changing it's name; I no longer feen for real estate. I just doesn't fit me any more. Don't get me wrong. I still love me some real estate. I still really enjoy working with people; helping obtain their home. I love home improvement. I love making memories. BUT I have found that I really have a passion for what God is doing. I will be changing the about me page.... cause well. There is more to me now. I hope you all stick around. & When I can make a little more sense of my thoughts I will write it all down.


For now I am still getting rid of stuff. I am praying. I am reading. I am MARVELING. I am listening. I am organizing. I am being intentional.  Today I let go. Because for a while now I have been holding on with my finger nails; and well today God repeated "let go, I will catch you" So, here I go. Let's see where I fall.

Tickled PINK!!

Without a doubt, surprises are the best part of being alive. I LOVE to be surprised. I LOVE to surprise. The look on your face, the feeling in your tummy. A reminder that you are not forgotten. Someone thought of you enough to meticulously plan and keep hidden until just the right time. It is the perfect timing that gets me. HE always has perfect timing.  "Rarely early, Never late, just always on time"-Rachel Homer .

This is what I must remember during this waiting time. His words "be still and know that I am God." While I am waiting; God just keeps loving on me. Surprising me. Saying things like "you silly girl, don't go making plans in stone.Because I have plans for you. Don't fret, don't worry. They may look ugly today. I promise they are to prosper you and not harm you. Give pink a chance.okay, maybe he didn't say give pink a chance.  Don't go making statements that you will never like something, live somewhere, or love someone.  I will change it. For I alone change hearts of stone. I will change yours as well." 

 Now before you go and start telling your neighbor that I have gone crazy, hearing God talk to me. I will disclose that he did not audibly say this to me. There was no burning bush or lightening in the sky. Just a poke that said, "hey give Pink another try"  

This blanket is exquisite; just like God's surprises. It was given to me as a gift. It's timeless. Hand woven.  Close to at least 100 years old, if not older. Made by a great, great grandmother to my punks. It was woven in love.Planned. Created. Used to warm someone, and someone after that. It's wool and kind of scratchy. But beautiful; none the less. 

It came at just the right time. I was feeling a little lost. Forgotten. Useless. Unwanted. Rootless. Wingless. Perfect timing. Perfect gift. Pink!! I will cherish it. One day pass it down in my family. Hopefully just like my faith. A legacy of God loving people. God willing. 

Thank you Lord for your timing; your will, not mine-Amen

Over it 1.18.12

It was so popular the first time, I thought I would try it again. Besides it is sort of like therapy, you know just being able to talk about the things I am  over :) I loved hearing everyone's comments through the week. I loved that all you junkies would point out when you were doing or wearing something I was totally over . :) I mostly loved seeing My favorite Neighbor in her RED skinnies. I know seriously, this girl can't go wrong.  

DISCLAIMER:  I am about to get all judgey 

Well, it's the middle of the week. The ever famous HUMP day. The one where it's half way over but not all the way. So in honor of getting over it, I am posting my tops "I'm over it" and "I want some more of it".

I'm OVER it:

• Pink. Yes, the color. It's cute on little girls,not so much on grown women. Yes, I like pink cheeks and maybe a pink accessory. BUT I am over seeing women covered in pink. Unless it's October.I totally support pink ribbons!! Cover your body in pink ribbons. 
• REALTORS not answering their phones. Come on people!! 
• REALTORS not giving feedback on the homes you show. It's common courtesy.   
• The "we have more then one offer so we need highest and best"
• Second and third showings resulting in NO offer
• No SNOW!! Hopefully we get some today.
• To do lists half way done.
• Dishes in the sink.
• The never ending pile of laundry that has to be washed,dried, folded or ironed.
• Feeling guilty
 

The HUMP part. I am almost over the following:

• The color RED
• Short Sales
• Envy. Just when I think I have it handled!! That's why I am ALMOST over it. Stink'n sin.

I want some more of it:

• UNDERCONTRACT
  

• Rustic in my house. I am imagining rustic with urban flair. Catch me? You know like a pair of deer horns hung on my bedroom wall; with a few strands of my pearls hanging off those bad boys. Hickory Wood floors and wall to wall mirrors. A LARGE crystal chandelier in the living room matched with a HUGE sepia toned horse canvas.I am thinking pallet coffee table with books of beautiful architecture and fashion magazines strewn about. Don't forget the fur throw over the back of my antique leather sofa. I am thinking a little tasteful taxidermy above the stairs and some antlers in a jar for a table scape. Candles in ball jars... to bad that's all in my imagination.   
• Drop Cloth curtains
• Punks home from school. This week they had two days off. I loved having them home.We had good conversation. We laughed a lot. I miss them today.
• Soft Vintage Graphic Tees. With designs on them made by orphans. CommonThreads.
• Forgiveness
• Thrift store finds
• Projects getting done
• Big decisions being made. Like to homeschool or not to homeschool
• Black horn rimmed glasses. I want some so bad I can feel the ache right in my bosom. Ha! Bosom, what a funny word.

What are you over and what can't you get enough of?

10 things i am over 1.11.12

DISCLAIMER: I am about to get judgey and there is an offensive word in the following post.

Well, it's the middle of the week. The ever famous HUMP day. The one where it's half way over but not all the way. So in honor of getting over it, I am posting my tops "I'm over it" and "I want some more of it".

I'm OVER it:

• Bling on your jeans!! Yep, sick of seeing women and MEN with bling on their butt's.
• UGG boots and sweats. Yuck!!
• Boots tucked into pants. Well, I like them on everyone else. Especially my long legged sister in law.Just not me. I am 5'1. Come on. Really. I am going to stick my leg in a boot with HALF my jeans sticking out!! I just cut my 1 foot leg in half. Looks ridiculous on me. I know,just after I made a ton of leg warmers with ruffles. 
• Skinny Jeans. 'Cause I am not skinny!!
• Burnout tees. Period.
• My red drapes in the kitchen. Ug.lee
• Utah drivers. Learn to merge. There are other people on the road.
• Being stagnant. MOVE. Do something already!!
• Poverty. I am greedy! Why can 't I share more?
• Drug addiction and the hopeless parents/spouses/siblings/employees/citizens that it conceives. Demonic. 

The HUMP part. I am almost over the following:

• Feathers in grown women's hair.Although I am tempted to put this blue one in mine this afternoon.
• Smokey eye. 
• Crackle paint on finger nails. AND furniture too. But I am WAY over that.
• Red lips. OR am I?

I want some more of it:

• More stats that tell me UTAH's housing market is on the rise and that the housing crisis is over.
• Offers on the homes and properties I have listed. 
• The Bitch Bang.(I warned you) I sport one,therefore I can call it the name I coined it. "The Bitch Bang". Why do I call it this? Because that is what you look like when you wear this thick, heavy, in your eye, side bang.You look like a female dog that has just gone in for grooming. BTW I cut a mean bang. OR as Francois would call it "Fringe"
• Cowboy boots
• Cardigans
• Scarves
• Chunky, earthy rings and necklaces. With a big fat CROSS!! Makes it all the better.
• Pendleton/Aztec print
• Rosy Cheeks
• Well defined black eyeliner
• Big fat false lashes

There you got it!

What are you over and what can't you get enough of?

Last Day to be Thankful

I can't count how many beautiful sunsets we have witnessed  on our back patio.

So, here it is November 30th... the last day to be thankful in this month. (Sarcastic Snicker) I just had to share a little something that happened to me over the course of this week. Bare with me as I share the sorted story.

Four years ago we moved into the home we now reside in. A string of events lead us to a quick decision about this home. Sure it didn't meet aaallll of the criteria we wanted, but we knew it would have good resale value. At the time, that is all we were concerned about. Truly we thought we would own this home no longer then 2 years. We believed we would up grade a few things and then sell it for a profit. Soon after we moved in the BIG BUBBLE BURST! Over the last few years we have contemplated selling. As of now any equity we had and any money we put down on this home is GONE. Just like most people who bought 4 years ago.

Dirt bag fire pit L.O.V.E. made in our back yard. Yeah, I am lucky to have such a handy husband.

Home is where you can be a PUNK and be loved ;)

When people ask me about my home, I always say "It's real small and I don't have an office and I HATE the tile and all of the flooring and blah blah blah." I complain, I grumble. For some reason last week as I was saying this to some incredible buyers I am working with, it hit me. "Seriously Misty!! This is the home GOD gave you. You spoiled, selfish, little brat. This home is perfect for you guys. 2,800 square feet is plenty of room for a family of four. AND your neighbors!! All of them are amazing!" Oh, wow! Talk about humbling. When I started to think of the memories we have made here and the again with my neighbors. God sandwiched me in between two amazing families. You are familiar with my "favorite neighbor" you may be less familiar with my "rigid pappy" neighbors. What you say, those are opposites, that makes no sense! Well, it describes them perfectly. Piercings... for both of them on their gorgeous faces. AND her... well she is the type you covet right away. Knock out body and gorgeous eyes. BUT these two aren't just about looks... they have hearts of gold. A month or so a go appliances did NOT like me. I ended up blowing up two, YES, TWO microwaves in ... wait for it ONE DAY!! Guess who had a spare one and gave it to me for free???? Yes "rigid pappy".  So lucky to be surrounded by such selfless people.

Anyway, all of that just to say. Thank you GOD for placing me RIGHT where I need to be. Thank you Jesus, that you know me so much better then I know myself. That you provide in crazy, spectacular ways that I would never even imagine or dream (and I have a pretty good imagination).


If you are out there looking for the "right" home. Don't worry you will find it. I promise. BTW it's my job to help the process be that less stressful. So, if you are going at it alone or you know someone who needs a little help in the complex decision. I would love to help!!

Making Memories!!

Yeah... I am thankful

If you like what you see. You should talk to Angelique. She has an amazing God given talent.

All this "I am thankful" crap floating around on facebook has got me feeling guilty. I mean, I like the thankful crap.  But why are we not thankful like this everyday? The other thing I just have to get off my chest is, what with the Christmas in the stores already, what happen to THANKSGIVING?  and Christmas music? Why is it okay to start the Jesus music in November? but we can't play it all year round?

So here is my list of what I am thankful for:

1. Thank you JESUS!! Yes, JESUS. Oh, my goodness. I don't even want to imagine where I would be today if you would have left me in that gutter of lies. If you would have let me go down that path I had chosen, full of glamour and greed. What sewage I would be living in!! Ephesians 2:8. This is the scripture that screamed at me and I jumped. Right. into. His. grace.

2. L.O.V.E. of my life. First,thank you he is gorgeous. Oh yes, he is. Not just his looks but his personality. He is THE funniest guy I have ever meet. A dreamer and a realist. He breaks me down and builds me up. Reminds me of who and what is important. God uses him as a tool to mold me. He is my other half. My best friend. He really is. If I have a choice to go get a drink with the girls or hang out and watch UFC (gag a little here) I choose the couch everytime!! He is unbelievably brave, he takes risks. He encourages me and discourages me. He protects me and then pushes me out into this scary world, promising he will always be there to protect me. He works hard for this family. He sacrifices for us. He leads us. He has vision. If you don't know him, you want to, the second you see him. He is trust worthy. Random people tell him their problems all of the time. I am not kidding. The regular run to Home Depot always takes way longer then it should. Because the cashier usually ends up telling him how she just filed for divorce and bankruptcy. Not kidding true story. When he hears these stories, he is burdened for them. He is amazing. He treats me like a queen. Loving me just as he loves himself, thanks again JESUS! Solomon 1:7

3. Punk 1. Ha. He is one funny kid. This kid has compassion like no one I have ever met. AND the brain on this child. He was born a philosopher. My mother use to say " he is an old soul in a new body" (whatever that means right, insert bratty daughter snicker here )He is constantly putting himself in the other persons shoes. He loves Jesus. I mean really loves him. I questioned his love for Jesus a little while ago. Started with all the mother worries. Like "oh my, he is going to just punt everything I have ever tried to drill into his head." BUT he surprised me. He came back at me with HIS love for Jesus. Not the one I tried to instill in him, not the "I love Jesus because mom loves Jesus." No, his own authentic love for Jesus. AND it shows. He is going to be an amazing man. IF it's in God's cards that he marries... she is one lucky lady, because I am one lucky mother. Not sure what God was thinking when he handed me this child, other then watch out Misty he is going to show you just how much I love you. I feel so ill equipped. 1 Samuel 1:27. Yes, he is an answer to my prayers.

4. Punk 2. This kid is a bowl full of giggles. This child was born witty. He has a come back for everything. He is such a joy to have around. He too is compassionate. Always the first to lend a hand. AND this kid is great to hang out with. He tags along just about anywhere I go. Always full of encouragement. He is so in-tune with others feelings. He knows when someone is having a bad day. Then he tries to fix it. I don't know how many letters I have stored in a special little box from this guy. On any given night (usually extra long ones, when I want to tear my hair out) I come to bed with a note setting on my pillow. He usually writes these AFTER I put him to bed. They are so full of genuine love. To personal to share what they say, put he is so precise in his writing. They are not generic in any way.  Again, 1 Samuel 1:27. God, knew what he was doing. He answered my prayers yet again.

5. My Metochoi Ladies. Most of you won't know what that means. BUT they know who they are. AND they mean the world to me. Proverbs 27:17. Thank you for keeping me the sharpest tool in the shed.


6. My FAVORITE neighbors. Yes, that is plural. Because her family is amazing. A reflection of her. She is incredible. I can't even begin to explain the love I have for her. She has seen me at some REALLY ugly times. You know what she did... made me dinner. I am not kidding. One of those ugly days, where not only did you not shower but you ugly cried all day. She noticed and brought me dinner. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Thank you friend for helping me up.


7. Authentic Friendship with WOMEN. When I was younger, mom use to say over and over again how she hated women. They were so catty. So, I grew up not really liking women either. BUT boy, God has sure changed my heart. He has placed some AMAZING women in my life. I am SO grateful for them. They love me, talk with me, rebuke me, pray with me, and show me love. Like, really show me. They don't just say they pray for me, they set me down and pray for me. They don't just say they love Jesus. They move to a different 3rd world country and show that they love Jesus. Then they come back, share stories that rock my world and point me ever more to Jesus. They tell me to "Stop bucking my God and obey him." They tell me, I encourage them as well. They remind me to run the good race, because who knows who I will be setting next to at the feast. It could be Paul!! They tell me to keep going because they have been there too and it gets better. They remind me of what a good wife is. Then they invite me over for a glass of wine and a good craft night.  So, I LOVE you women. Thank you Jesus.


8.This Year of GROWTH!! Ugh... it has been painful. BUT would not change it for the world. 


9. Make up. Yes, I am thankful for it. You should be too. And all of the mundane stuff like : toothpaste, soap, smelly lotion, my favorite perfume, the new turquoise necklace, Jeff's job, my job... The SCOUT!! Yes, I love the scout. 


10. My country. Yes, the good ole USofA. I sleep in safety every night. I have opportunities at every corner. I am free to write whatever I feel, with out the fear of someone killing me. They might not like it, but they have the freedom to not follow me. Thank you men and women who sacrifice so much for a silly little soul like myself. I am grateful.


And yeah, I am thankful for you. Thanks for sticking around. God Bless!

Pivotal Moment.... When did you have yours and what did you do with it?

I had a lot of ah ha moments this week. HE is moving in my life... Where is HE taking me?? Guess I will know more as time goes on.

When was your pivotal moment? What happened next?

Here is a story of an amazing family,with a pivotal moment. They inspire me, may they inspire you as well. They were brave when they heard the call. They said "Here I am, use me". Go take a read and while you are at it... give a little or a lot to their cause. They are soo close to bringing their boys home.

REST for the worn out Control Freak

Matthew 11:28-30

New International Version (NIV)

   ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I would have to say that this year has worn me out. Just plain tuckered me out. OUT! I tell that drunk monkey to shut UP!! Sometimes she doesn't  listen. If I were a rag I would have holes and tears, I mean you would be able to see right through me. Then I think, maybe that was the point of this year. To make me transparent. To find my identity in Christ. Because I believe what  Jeremiah 29:11 tells me. 


Still I long for rest. I find I don't trust. Who am I kidding? Throughout my week I find myself doubting, more often then trusting. I try to control situations, people, banks, closings, attitudes, the car in front of me, the lady at the check out line,  my punks, my L.O.V.E., hearts... must I go on? I am a CONTROL FREAK.  Then low and behold HE shows up and reminds me who is in control. EVERYDAY he shows up with such grace for this .... sinner.  


Today was on of those days where he showed up in a mighty way with THIS sermon. If life feels heavy, I recommend you take a listen. If you are in the Salt Lake Valley and you are looking for an amazing church... Look No Longer. We would love to see you.

Hello Monday. Let's get some perspective shall we?

Hello Monday. Hello to coffee and some Mc breakfast with a dear friend. Thank you GOD for her... good talk.Hello to instant chatting to a friend so far away. You know just what we need God. Thank you again for her... good talk. Hmmm.... Seems like my Monday has a theme about it. Hello bank negotiating. Hello to clean house and clean carpets. Hello new buyer. Hello to finally under contract... if you would send me the bank approval :) I told you short sales are a process!! Hello to perspective....


The picture above is a cherished one in my collection. This is one of me and my dad. Before  the divorce, before adolescence, before marriage and kids, long before...the cancer. Yeah, I said the ugly word, cancer.  The last year has been a rough one. Even before I found out about Dad's cancer. I mean we have really been refined this year. I am okay with it now. BUT when you are in the meat of it... its ugly and it hurts. Like sandpaper its rough, but when it is all done you are newly molded and a new creature. That is what I am. If you knew me four months ago... you don't know me now.


My perspectives have changed. My perspective on the economy , my job, money and STUFF. More then ever my perspective has changed on relationships. I have learned to ACCEPT people for who they are, where they are. Thank you Jesus. Sure admonish when need be, but for crying out loud don't let anger fester over silly things.Say what you need to say, in LOVE, say what you need to say. Don't write them off... they are worth it.  I have also learned that sometimes you can try REALLY hard and really open your heart up only to be spit on. I am okay with it now... Jesus just calls me to love. So that's what I do. 


Life is short... its true. Its even shorter in places like Haiti where a dear friend and her family are living for the summer. In Haiti death is just part of the population control. Are you kidding me? No, I am not! Every day children die there because they don't have the money for  a simple antibiotic, they fight for a small snack. While I set here eating Italian Creme Cake and start a post on the UP house. I just couldn't post it today. Because I am in a funk... and I am not going to pretend that all is magical today... because right now its not. 


I promise tomorrow... I will show you the UP house. Today the thought of the UP house only brings me to tears, because even there the L.O.V.E. of his life dies.


Thanks for understanding dear friends. I cherish all of you.


Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10