family

• a group of people related to one another by blood or marriage
• a person or people related to one and so to be treated with a special loyalty or intimacy

I have a soft spot in my heart towards family, I always have. I was brought up in a home where family was always priority. Be it immediate, or extended, family always came first while I was living in my parents home. As a result, now an adult, not too much has changed.

This Saturday I will be heading up to Calgary for a few short hours with my mother-in-law. We plan to leave early-ish, and will be back before dinner. Why spend four hours in a car for a mere 3 hours you ask? Because Matt's cousin Shawna from Australia is in Calgary and a wedding shower is being held for her. A four hour drive is a measly price to pay for family.

Family is where it all begins, and where it all ends.

good genes

This week has been abnormally busy. And by busy I mean absolutely crazy!

I'm one lucky girl because even though its been outrageous in my life, I have one amazing, super supportive, always encouraging, best cheerleader on the planet husband (and he's hot, which is an added bonus), not to mention the fact that I live in the same city as my incredible parents who go out of their way to help others.

Case in point, my brother goes to a college where he's involved with the men's volleyball team. This weekend his team will be playing the college in my city. Pretty sweet as it means a chance to see my brother. Earlier this week my brother texted my mum saying that they were having trouble finding a hotel to stay in over the weekend. So naturally (although unnatural to others) she offered to let the team stay at their place. Keep in mind this is 15-ish, 6 foot-something, athletic men.

The main reason this comes so naturally to my mum is that my grandparents (her parents) were the same - opened their home. There was always an extra seat at the table, and more then enough food for whoever happened to stop by. Although I don't remember my great grandma, I can only imagine that she was the same. I'm convinced that this gift of hospitality has been passed on from generation, to generation - it has to be genetic.

In saying that, on Thursday evening, the men's volleyball team will be at my parents house, and the ladies...at mine.

And for this I'm truly thankful! Will it be crazy? Likely. Will it be exhausting? I'm sure. Will it be a blessing to the 15-ish people who enter my home? I certainly hope so.

My prayer is that those at my home, would leave the same as those who stay at my parents...well taken care of, physically and spiritually/emotionally.

gumballs

I love this video.

Earlier this week I had a conversation with a mom, in which I was able to tell her that whatever her and her husband teach in their home, and model for their children will be what really sticks. And this simple illustration helps prove it.
Feeling pressured as a parent? Don't! Out of all the people on the planet God chose YOU to raise your children.

I like to think that I partner with parents as they raise remarkable children. They have a HUGE job and responsibility, one that I'm honored to be able to play a small part in.

I love my job.

Fake, Real or Faith

Quite a few months ago I was having a conversation with someone from my church. She made a statement about something had been said on the pulpit. The person who had preached that Sunday had made a comment about putting a smile on your face even when the situation is difficult (I think...I actually wasn't there since I spend most Sunday's with children). The comment the person from my church made in reference to this was that when they're having a crappy day, they just want to have a crappy day. They don't want to have to "fake" their way through the situation.

This thought has been rolling around in my head since the conversation.

Personally, I crave people who are genuine. Those who are real about the very real struggles/situations/circumstances/issues they face. I'm pretty sure we all know some plastic people (I'm not talking about those who have been made plastic through surgery!). Although they SEEM to have it all together, there's something very unattractive about these individuals as they hide behind an image.

And yet, there are those who are so very real that you can't help but wonder if they're suicidal. Every situation sends them into depressive state, or into an angry fit.

And yet somewhere in between the two there's what I believe is faith. It's being honest about a very real situation, and yet having faith that things will get better. And that's where putting a smile on your face comes in.

I truly believe that every single situation I find myself in, that there's a very big God in control of it, and as a result, I can't help but smile.

There's those who are fake, those who are real, and those who choose faith...I'll pick faith.

SELFish

The past few months I've become hugely aware of how selfish I am. Overall, I think its easy for me to identify how selfish OTHERS are, and yet often I'm less then willing to admit my own struggles with selfishness.

The truth is, everyone is selfish. I've come to the conclusion that all sin is caused by selfishness. Why else would I lie, gossip, overindulge, be jealous, greedy... I do it because of ME. Thinking of my SELF, rather then anyone else in my life, or the world for that matter.

I've been told in the past how much of a "servant" I am. This is partially due to the fact that I was raised in a home where an attitude of "whatever it takes" was cultivated. I learned quite early in my life that there are times when you just need to do whatever is needed. But that's only part of the reason why people would see me as a "servant." The other contributing factor is my self. Honestly, there have been times were I've served in some capacity with the sole purpose of getting something in return...whether it be a reward, thanks or recognition, there are many times I can think of where my motives have been less then pure. Again with the selfishness.

The problem is that selfish ambition is part of my sinful nature. (Galatians 5:16-21)

And once again I'm painfully aware of my need for Jesus and the help of Holy Spirit in my life.

The amazing and hugely interesting part of my sinful nature as described in Galatians is that it's followed by the fruit of the Spirit. I have a choice, I can live by the Spirit, or I can gratify my self. Unfortunately it's not a one time decision to choose living by the Spirit, rather a conscious decision nearly

every

moment

of

my

life.