Don't let your Doubts become Don'ts

Have you ever doubted yourself about something and the more you doubted the less motivated you were to conquer it!
I have!!
So many times I have let the fear of failure cause me to be complacent.
I have let my insecurities talk me out of following my dreams.
And many times, unfortunately, I have let my DOUBTS become DON'TS.

This morning while reading in Matthew 13, my heart was struck with a challenging conviction as I read verse 58. Jesus had returned to Nazareth and was rejected by the people. He ends the chapter with this very sobering thought, " And He DID NOT many mighty works there because of their UNBELIEF".
Wow!!

That verse hit me right between the eyes! What mighty works is God not doing in me and through me because of my unbelief.  Are my doubts holding
some of God's blessings back? Are my fears greater than my trust in God?

I have always had the desire to serve God and honor God with my life. I want a life that SHINES and SPARKLES for Christ. But if I allow insecurities to keep me from following God and the dreams He has given me then; how can I truly follow Him?

When I started this blog, it was with the simple intentions of journaling my life, my pregnancy and motherhood. But God changed the direction and challenged me to write what He had laid on my heart. I laughed at the idea!!  As you know, I am not a writer. My grammar is all over the place. I tend to chase rabbits. And most of the time, I wonder if I even make sense. But after arguing with God for a bit I submitted to God and wrote my first post. I simply wrote the words that God laid on my heart.

After I shared my thoughts for all the blogging world, my friends and my family to see, I immediately became very insecure. I felt very exposed and raw. What would people think, would they laugh at me and think I was crazy or just a want-a-be??? Then I laughed at myself thinking I was the crazy one because NO ONE would even read my post!!
But boy was I wrong and was I humbled.
I quickly began to get texts and messages from ladies on how that post had been a much needed blessing.
The post was shared many times on Facebook and Pinterest and I was left in Awe!! I was so grateful that I had obeyed God. I was so thankful I did not let my doubts in my writing abilities hold me back from obeying and  being used of God.

It is so humbling how God can take our feeble attempts of obedience and make them monumental blessings to glorify Him.

"Little is much when God is in it."

So, let me ask you sweet sister.
What are your fears holding you back from?
What insecurities are in your life that are hindering you from following your dreams?
What  Doubts are becoming your Don'ts?

May I remind us both where all those negative thoughts are coming from?

From the One who wants us to fail.
From the very One who hates us and does not want us to live a victorious life.
From the One who constantly fills our head with lies and doubts.

From the One who tells us:
We are not worthy
We are not good enough
We are not smart enough
We are not qualified
We are not pretty enough
We will never be enough

Well enough is enough old Satan.

Because in Christ and through Christ:
We are worthy
We are good enough
We are smart enough
We are  qualified
We are pretty enough
We are more enough


Because we are more than conquerors  through Jesus Christ! We can follow are dreams. We can reach our goals. We can live victorious. We can conquer those fears. We  can move mountains and leave behind those Nasty doubts! And our Don'ts can become Do's  (see there goes that incorrect grammar)

Romans 8:37 "...we are more than conquerors through him that loved us so."

Ladies, my goal for us is to know we don't have to let our Doubts become Don'ts.
We can do all things through Christ!!!

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AND FORGET YOUR FEARS

Hey...Wait a Minute...Don't Shoot your Own!!!!

My sweet friend and I were talking today about one of our precious sisters in Christ who recently went through a very hard time in her life. During this very critical time when she was experiencing great sorrow, her family came under attack!! They were criticized and had many people that they loved and respected simply turn their backs on them and walk away.

When they needed love, it was not offered.
When they needed a friend, no one was there.
When they could have used  simple encouragement it was replaced with gossip and shunning.

I can't help but shake my head out of frustration and wonder how is this like Christ?

No matter how much you disagree with someone or how bad of a mistake they have made, don't shoot them!! HELP THEM

This is a very tender subject for me beacause I too was hurt by people I admired, respected and loved.
It took years to heal, recover, and get rid of the bitterness that I had allowed to take over. I honestly faught with the lies of the Devil to just throw in the towel and quit.
But everything can be used for the Glory of God if we allow it. I would not be so sensitive to this fact had I not experienced it first hand.

So just a few thoughts on this...

If you are the one who has been hurt
1. Keep your eyes on God
2. Learn to forgive
3. Walk away from the attacker and start a new journey
4. Heal
5. Cling to God
6. Do not become bitter
7. Trust in God not in religion or man

If you are the Christian who has judged and hurt others, then please remember
1. You are not the Ultimate Judge
2. Don't let your pride or your religious beliefs hinder you from loving people
3. Treat others how you would want to be treated.
4. Love them like Jesus loves them
5. Forgive them
6. Restore them
7. Stay humble
8. Let God use you

I absolutely love the verse in Galatians 6
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."


When a Christian brother or sister has fallen, it is our duty to restore them, to carry their burden and to fulfil the law of God.
No, we do not sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happend, but we certainly should not be part of the rumor mill!

Let me challenge you to ask yourself,
"What did I do to help?
Did I add them to my daily prayer list?
Did I pick up the phone and offer encouragement?
Did I keep my mouth shut to the gossip?
Was I a friend to my friend?
Did I love them the way Christ loves them?

I do not come to you as an expert in this area. I come to you as a sinner, who has made mistakes but found grace and mercy at the feet of Jesus. I come to you as an imperfect Christian who is genuinely striving  to please God.  I desire to love people and show them kindness.

My plea to all of us is to remember that
as Christians we will not all see eye to eye.
There wil be things we may disagree on and stands that we will take that are different.  But as  a Christian, we must quit fighting each other and start fighting the true enemy!

We are on the same team. We shouldn't be shooting each other. We are at war with the Devil, not one another. Satan is the one we should be after.

 He is out to destroy homes, churches, friendships, ministries and families. Let's quit fighting on his team and rally around each other. Let's protect each other and have each other's backs. We need each other, the cause is to Great to walk away from brothers and sisters we don't agree with!!!

Remember- People are In Need Of Kindness

There's just Nothing like Family

The first weekend in May my family came in for a special occasion. My Dad was being honored at our old home church, Bethel Baptist Church. The Bible college they have there, Tri-state, presented him with an honorary Dr. Degree. An amazing fact about my dad is that he not only has his BA and Masters Degree but he also already  has his Doctorate  (So now he has a Paradox " pair of docs". Just some silly dad humor there!!!)
But the most fascinating part is that he did all of this in his late 30's and with a family!!
My dad is celebrating his 20th year as thr Pastor of First Baptist Church of Versailles. It was such a blessing to see him being honored. He is such a humble, faithful servant of God.

The weekend started with everyone meeting up for lunch and then of course.. a little shopping!!

After that, we just enjoyed fellowship and movies!!

The next morning included getting up and out the door in time for church (which was an 1and 1/2 away) not easy but we did it!!!!!!

My dad preached the morning service and did a wonderful job.

It's just not Bethel unless Bro. McFarlane is leading the singing!!

            Dr. Westmoreland, my former Pastor

           The McFarlane Family singing the special

MY DAD!!!

After church, we celebrated Katey's birthday by going to a Mexican Restaurant. 

Then that evening during the graduation my dad was honored. What a testament of faithful servive!!

And of course what is a reunion without all the fun pics!!!...these are just a few of my people!!

I taught these 2 cuties in the first grade!!!...they both just graduated from medical school!!!

                                    My big sis!!!!!

                     My true, one and only sista

             Trying to strike a pose or take a pic??

                                    The Hill Girls

                        Always ready for a laugh

                        I saved the best for last!!!

The start of my THM journey

I recently purchased the book Trim Healthy Momma's and I am taking the plunge into the crazed madness...lol!!!! I can not put the book down, I read 10 chapters the first night!
I have been eating clean about 80%-90% of the time for the last year and a half. I have had some wonderful victories and weight loss in the process. But, over the last few months I have hit a plateau that had me ready to throw in the towel and tempting me to grab a supper size bacon cheeseburger meal, with a shake on the side.

Then, my friend (and prayer-partner in this journey) encouraged me to get the book. That was the best advice I have ever been given. I have been playing around with meals and recipes for a few days and have already broken plateau!!!!...thank you THM.
Seriously, this has been an answer to my prayers.
I had literally done everything humanly and spiritually possible and the weight was not budging. Yes, I have been seeing Non Scale Victories but I needed that validation of my hard work by seeing those numbers go down.  And easily, with THM..it did. I'm eating carbs, fats, sweets and eating a lot more food!!!
I believe I have truly found Food Freedom and an answer to my prayer!

I want to add that I have not bought their cookbook, special ingredients or any special foods yet. I have been going on Pinterest and on thier website to get recipe ideas and im using the food I have at home.

I decided to blog about it because I wanted to be accountable.  So,  I'm going to journal my progress here. While I'm not ready to share my weight I will say that I am currently  between an 8-10 and my 8s are snug!
I'm so excited to see what the future has in store for this THM newbie!!!
Maybe you have been on the fence ready to take the plunge but are hesitant for whatever reason..may I encourage you to take the jump!!! Get the Plan Book and go for it.

The ER and Easter Sunday

Like I mentioned, Arlee got bit by a fire ant.  I saw the ant on him when he came running to me crying "buk, buk". But once I got the ant of he was just fine and never mentioned it again.

Hours later he came to me again saying "Boo boo" and showed me his middle finger. Which was extremely swollen. We did not have any medicine so my hubby had to go get some. We got the medicine in him hoping that would help.  But, By the end of the night his finger and hand were so swollen and the bite mark had turned into a huge bubble.  The medicine did not seem to be helping.

Neither of us had ever seen anything like this.  I tried to call my sis and some of my nurse friends,  but unfortunately could not get ahold of any of them. I noticed red streets running down his hand and just had a bad feeling.

My sister, finally called back and encouraged us to take him on to the ER. And I'm so glad we did. Poor feller was so miserable.  They gave him 3 medicines and put him on 2 different antibiotics. It was a long night but he was such a good trooper!!
These pictures do not do the swollen finger or blister justice.

 Thank goodness for TV, cartoons and cell phones!

            He has discovered funny faces and selfies!!
And like any 2 yr old you can not keep them down for long.

It was a long night but thankfully the medicine allowed him to sleep through the night peacefully!!
Thank goodness since we had church that morning.
Since our church was just having a 10:00 service we got a little extra sleep.

We had a wonderful service. The music and preaching was amazing.  We enjoyed it and had a lovely meal with Jessica and Tanner afterwards at Taylor's. This has become our traditional Easter Restaurant...with its chocolate cobblar!!!

And because of the crazy night the Easter Bunny forgot to come that morning!!!! But after lunch and nap time He graciously arrived with his goodies for Arlee. Puzzles and Bubbles!!

And of course our traditional annual Easter Pictures...we did lavender for our family color.  I picked the wrong color this year, because I could find ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Lee and Arlee were easy. .but not me.

 The first store I went into had a beautiful dress but it was higher than I like to spend.  But after going to every store (literally every store) and losing hope because There was nothing in this color this year!!!..next year I will probably find it everywhere.

My sweet husband knew I really loved the dress from the first store,  so he bought it for me!!!..next year the boys outfits will coordinate with my dress.
But I do adore how it all turned out. And at least one time a year we can all be matchy!

It was a wonderful day that even involved a wonderful nap!! What a perfect Easter

Easter Egg Hunt

This year I had the honor of hosting our family's Easter get together. This was the first time I have hosted a holiday on my husband's side and I was tickled pink!!! I love hosting parties and gatherings.  Call me crazy but I LOVE IT!!!

I also made Arlee a little Easter shirt with some left over fabric. I used a t-shirt he already had, so I did not spend any money on this little project. I got the idea from Pinterest, of course.

 His name and bow tie were made from on iron on patch and the bunny was put on with 2 sided sticky tape...this item allows me to be creative and not sew!!!..because I can't, don't and won't.

We did a BBQ themed lunch that was delicious.
I did this chalkboard menu...who knew drawing pigs could be so challenging!!!

And of course a family egg hunt, that may have involved a little cheating!!!....oops. But the lesson to learn here is never leave your basket of eggs laying around unattended!!!

                     Jessica and Kasey, teammates

Jackson is just not sure about all the craziness

The crazy sisters!

 Smart little Arlee knew the prize was in the egg so he was more interested in getting the candy out of the egg instead of collecting the eggs.

                Sweet Lilly caught on very quickly!!!

 Jessica, Kasey, Andrea and Anna fighting to find the very last egg!!

I adore this picture..and check out Arlee on the background!!

In the end Dexter and Sarah won!!

                  The Grandparents watching!!

                                    All the girlies

Overall it was an amazing day. The only bummer was that Arlee got bit by a fire ant which involved a large night trip to the ER.

That is another post