Month: June 2016

We’re Growing Up

/ Tracy / Leave a comment

Last week was a big week for us… meaning for my daughter and I. She is almost 9 years old, and growing way too fast for me, and way too slowly for herself. Last week though was one to remember. It was the week she left.

Time For Change

All of her life, she has spent most of her time with us. There’s been no daycare, little babysitting (with trusted friends), and a small number of sleepovers (with the same trusted friends). And we homeschool. She did go on a trip with her dad last year (I had to stay home to care for the dogs ~ our pet sitter canceled at the last minute), but that’s just it… she was still with her dad.

This week though, she got to do something she’s never before done ~ she went to Kid’s Camp with our church. It was a wonderful opportunity for her, and of course, she had an amazing time. Truth be told, I knew she would. I signed her up, and I talked her into going. She was a bit reluctant at first, but the excitement quickly grew as she learned more about it. And of course, many of her friends were going.

Summer Camp

When it came time to leave for camp, she did great! Much better than I did. I had such a hard time letting her go. I knew she would love it, I knew she would have fun, and I knew she would have an awesome God experience, but still… it was hard to let her go… and I was a wreck.

But after hugging her about 7,240 times, I sent her off. I knew I could trust the people she was with. And I had a friend who would be keeping a special eye on her for me, who would also be sending me update texts and pictures, for my peace of mind. Still, I cried.

After an eternity 26 hours, she returned to me. She was safe and sound, energized, though exhausted, and most importantly,  she was touched by God. Also, she seemed a little older to me, a little wiser. And she was more connected to friends. I was relieved to have her home, thrilled to hear her stories, and proud that she did so well. (I was even excited to hear about the copious amounts of ice cream she ate ~ even for breakfast!)

Ice Cream Cones

She’s growing up and needing me less. She’s still a little girl, but she is changing into an amazing young lady. She is maturing and growing in her independence, and I marvel at the gift God has given me in entrusting her to me. I know that as much as she is mine, she is His even more. And I know that my greatest achievement will be in raising her to love Jesus and serve Him. And I’m grateful when I see glimpses of that in our everyday life, and when she goes away to camp.

Yesterday, in church, a video was played, showing all the kids and activities going on at Kid’s Camp. Of course, I eagerly looked for her… would I see her in the crowd? Yes, I did. Three times. And all three times that I saw her, I saw her doing the same thing… arms raised, worshiping Him. I felt comforted, proud, touched, and blessed. Seeing that did my Mama heart good. Seeing your child worshiping God is a pretty amazing thing.

Kids in Worship.jpg

What this experience has shown me is this… time moves forward, everything changes, children become more independent, and letting go is hard, though necessary. It’s also shown me that maybe she’s not the only one growing up (and having growing pains)… that maybe I am too.

 

Lemon Sugar Foot Scrub

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I’m a flip-flops and sandals sort of girl ~ always have been and always will be. Of course, it helps that I live in the Southwest, where warmer weather is far more common than colder weather. However, this means that I have to pay extra~special attention to my feet, as they get dry and cracked from weather, dirt and constant exposure to the elements.

Life is Better in Flip Flops

So, what’s a girl to do? Pamper the piggies, of course! Nothing beats a good pedicure (can I get an AMEN?), but honestly, most of us probably can’t afford to get a pedicure every time our feet need a little extra attention (like weekly, if not daily)! But there is a way to give a little TLC to sore, tired, and dry tootsies… a good foot soak and/or a sugar scrub! And seriously, what piggies don’t want to be pampered?

This easy DIY lemon foot scrub offers two different types of exfoliation for dry, rough, and ravaged feet: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation uses anything abrasive to dislodge and remove dead skin cells – in this case, sugar. Chemical exfoliation is the use of alpha hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids to dissolve dead skin cells and promote regeneration. Lemon juice is a great natural source of alpha hydroxy acids.

Lemon Sugar Scrub Mix

This scrub will keep for a long time in a jar. It’s a good idea to store it in a cool area out of sunlight to prevent the oils from oxidizing. It may separate over time, but if that happens, you can just give it a quick stir before you use it. No worries!

My favorite time to use it is just before I go to bed so the oils that are left on my skin can be absorbed by the skin as I sleep. I use about 1 Tablespoon of the scrub for both feet, but I like to use a lot – you can probably get away with using less.

Lemon Sugar Foot Scrub

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup avocado or coconut oil
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice (or the juice of 1/2 a lemon)
  • 6 drops of lemon essential oil
  • 3 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional ~ I love the added cooling benefit)

Instructions:

~ Add all of the ingredients to a medium sized bowl and stir until combined.
~ If you prefer a coarser texture, you can add more sugar, 1 Tablespoon at a time.
~ If you prefer a more liquid scrub, you can do the same with avocado or coconut oil.
~ Store your finished scrub in a clean, airtight jar.

* If you prefer, you may use any other essential oil that you might like, as well as vanilla or almond extract.

Of course, this sugar scrub can be used on your hands or body too! And what did I tell ya? Easy-peasy, right?

Lemon Sugar Scrub MFL.png

Yes, There Are Hypocrites in Church

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I was hanging out with a friend the other day, we were chatting, our kiddos were swimming and playing together, and it was just a fun, warm, sunny, summer day. I said something about the church, as I frequently do, and this time she didn’t just “uh-huh” me. This time she listened. This time she asked questions, engaged, and shared.

Like many people, my friend “believes” in God, but she’s not serving God, she hasn’t turned her life over to him. As far as people go, she’s a good person, even though she’s not a Christian in the true sense of the word.

Believe in God

My friend didn’t grow up going to church, though she went a few times with friends. And that’s not something she’s done as an adult either. But now she has kids. And she admitted she thinks they should have that experience ~ after all, how can they choose for themselves if they aren’t even exposed to it. And it’s supposed to be good for families. But…

She doesn’t believe in “organized religion,” because there are too many hypocrites. She knows too many “church people” who say one thing, but behave completely differently. It’s not about drinking, smoking, tattoos, listening to the wrong kind of music, or any other “thing” that churchy people love to get their panties in a bunch over. It’s more like snobbery, judgment, gossip, lying, cheating, etc.

My response? You’ll love it… well, actually, you’ll probably hate it, but whatever… What I told her is basically this… I’m a Christian, and I read my Bible, and I love Jesus, but as a whole, I pretty much can’t stand Christians. I told her I understood how she felt, and there’s a lot of truth to it. But there’s much more to going to church than that. And we talked a little more, and I think her family will end up visiting our church with us, but I knew that she knew that I heard her. And I didn’t pressure her, push her, or judge her.

Two Different Messages

What I didn’t say to her is this: I believe Christians to be one of the greatest hindrances to Christ. I really do. The way Christians attack each other, gossip (in the name of prayer, of course), pass judgment on even the stupidest of things, lie, sow dissension, and act thoroughly self-righteous, is quite frankly nauseating. Oh, but if there’s a need, they’ll bring a casserole (and make sure everyone knows it), so that makes it all okay. Wrong.

Though our hearts should be pure, open, and loving when we go to church, it’s not always that way. There is often goodness, helpfulness, and a welcoming spirit in a church congregation. But there’s also something darker… more deceptive at play as well. On the downside… there are people who use the church to make fashion statements, and if you don’t look or dress a certain way, then you just don’t belong. Others view the church as a popularity contest ~ it’s like they’re finally getting high school right, only they’re now in their 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s ~ and if you’re not in, well, then you’re out.

People in the church, just like outside of the church, have agendas. Some are jockeying for position, some want power and see church titles as giving them that, some want the spotlight and all they need is to be on stage.

We're All Broken

None of these things are the right reasons for being in church. BUT… None of them are reasons to avoid church either. See, the church is for all of us. And we’re all broken, flawed sinners. Truthfully,  in the church, there are more people who honestly love and serve God with a pure heart, than there are people who are there for their own selfish reasons, swimming in their own sanctimony. We just tend to remember more the ones who hurt us, or who offer a poor representation of who Jesus is.

Yes, there are hypocrites in the church. There are liars, thieves, adulterers, and snobs in the church. There are people filled with pride, arrogance, and judgment too (basically, sanctimonious jerks). But don’t let that keep you from the church. There is much good, love, compassion, support, and friendship within the church as well.

When people know, or believe, we are Christians, but our actions are un-Christlike, we not only turn people away from the church, we also turn them away from Christ. We need to go to church for Jesus. We need to look for those who represent Him and be wary of the ones who don’t. And always make it our mission to be one of the ones that represent Him, not one who doesn’t. Leave all that other stuff, the dark stuff, for Him to sort out. He will.

Atheism

 

Pest-Away Spray

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It’s summertime! And who doesn’t love outside summer fun?! Yes, there can be some drawbacks, but basically, it’s fun! Fresh air, sunshine, no school, playing in the sprinklers, swimming in the pool (or a lake if you’re so inclined), hanging out with friends, campfires, S’mores… the list could go on, but it boils down to this ~ it’s fun!

Sprinkler Fun

So what can ruin that fabulous fun? Outside summer pests. Creepy, crawly, flying, biting pests (no, not ladybugs, they’re an exception, as my daughter would tell me). Bug spray is helpful for those who enjoy the great outdoors. What is not great is about bug spray, however, is that all the harmful chemicals that are used to kill those pests are also harmful to us. Basically, we’re spraying poison on our skin ~ our biggest organ. And yes, what we put on us, we put in us. No thank you!

Bugged by Bugs

Safely Protected

There is a safe alternative to commercial bug spray… make your own! There are numerous ways that nature offers protection from pests ~ typically in the form of specific plants, and in this case, the essential oil obtained from plants. Plants that are natural pest repellents include Basil, Catnip, Cedarwood, Citronella, Chamomile, Garlic, Geranium, Lavender, Lemongrass, Marigold, Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, and more.

Bug Deterrent Plants

There are many different recipes available for making your own comfort spray. Typically, a base of vodka, witch hazel, or apple cider vinegar is used with distilled water. Then you add whatever extras you prefer. I have found that using vodka (cheap, don’t spend money on the “good stuff”) is my preference. Also, most of the recipes I’ve found are for small amounts, but I prefer to make up a large bottle and transfer to a smaller bottle as needed (less work that way). Here is my favorite recipe:

DIY Outdoor Comfort Spray

~ 2 Cups Vodka (or Witch Hazel)
~ 2 Cups Distilled Water
~ 25 Drops Purification EO
~ 15 Drops Peppermint EO
~ 15 Drops Cedarwood EO
~ 15 Drops Citronella EO

Add to amber or dark blue spray bottle and you’re done! Shake and use as needed. Easy-peasy! 🙂

Natural Outdoor Comfort Spray

What Every Woman Should Know

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First off, I didn’t write this list. But I wish I had. Second, I wish every woman in America (heck, in the world) would get this. I mean really get this. Third, I wish I would get this. Always.

10 Facts

10 Facts Every Woman Should Know:

1. Everyone has rolls when they bend over.
2. When someone tells you that you’re beautiful, believe them. They aren’t lying.
3. Sometimes we all wake up with breath that could kill a goat.
4. For every woman unhappy with her stretch marks is another woman who wishes she had them.
5. You should definitely have more confidence. And if you saw yourself the way others see you, you would.
6. Don’t look for a man to save you. Be able to save yourself.
7. It’s okay to not love every part of your body….but you should.
8. We all have that one friend who seems to have it all together. That woman with the seemingly perfect life. Well, you might be that woman to someone else.
9. You should be a priority. Not an option, the last resort, or a backup plan.
10. You’re a woman. That alone makes you pretty damn remarkable.

~ Austin Blood

 

Oh, how I wish I had known these things when I was younger. Looking back, I see how utterly insecure I used to be. It is astonishing how critical I was about myself, how much I compared myself to others… and came up short. I was so freaking critical of myself, and now, I don’t really know why. Other than that I was just young and had next to zero self-esteem.

It happens. The zero self-esteem thing… it happens. To far too many of us, I’m afraid. When you grow up not being built up, but rather, torn down, it’s hard to break that off. It’s hard to see yourself with value if as a child, you weren’t valued. Sometimes, it’s hard to see yourself with value, even if you were valued.

Insecurities

The thing is, society the media puts ridiculously impossible standards on women. Standards that, quite frankly, are a lie. The media photoshop, perfect lighting, and stage makeup to erase flaws and create the illusion of perfection. Perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect eyebrows, perfect body, perfectly thin, perfectly smooth, perfectly bronzed (without fear of skin cancer), perfectly wrinkle-free… and it’s all… perfectly… crap.

Today, I look at pictures of me when I was young, and I see something I wish I could have seen then. I see a young woman who was beautiful, who had a smile that could light up a room, who was thin and fit. I see someone who was funny, witty, and charming. I see someone intelligent and fun, who was vivacious and loved life. I laughed often and often made others laugh. I wish I could have seen that then.

Beauty Opposite Perfection

Now I see that while I wasn’t perfect (and who of us is, really?), I was pretty dang awesome. I truly enjoyed making other people feel good, and I had a kind, caring heart. Unfortunately, I used to be too hard on myself. I used to think of myself as plain, fat (though I was size 8-10) mediocre, and simply less-than. I just never felt pretty enough, smart enough, popular enough… I never felt good enough. What a waste! Those kinds of thoughts are a waste of time, a waste of energy, and a waste of spirit.

Now, with the advantage of age, maturity, and perspective, I see myself much differently. I know I’m not perfect. But I also know that I’m pretty freaking awesome. I have a lot to offer, and well, if someone doesn’t like me, I’m okay with that. I hope that doesn’t seem arrogant, it’s just that I’ve finally grown to love me ~ imperfections and all. It’s how I know that I’m flawesome!

Flawesome 2

More importantly, I know that God loves me, he approves of me, and he designed me the way he wanted me to be. I know that my imperfections, my flaws, and my idiosyncrasies, are what makes me special. They make me, me.  I now know I am a masterpiece, created by the God of the Universe, and he made me unique, the way he wanted me to be. And who am I to argue with that?

To See Myself the Way You Do

To see myself the way he does. Not for how skinny or flawless I am, how put together I am, how popular I am, or how pedigreed I am.

God sees us as beautiful, precious, unique, loved, and passionate. He sees us as daughters of the King. He chose us. He desires us.

Imagine that. The God of all creation, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega… He desires us. He pursues us. He values us. And He wants a relationship with us. And that is enough.