December Advent Week 1

Monthly fitness or food or photo challenges have been part of my new lifestyle for the past couple of years. But, it's December and those of the childlike heart await the arrival of Christmas and Santa and presents. The only challenge is to not sneak a peek! There have been eleven challenging months. December needs no challenge. December is expectant. December is celebration. December is the crossing off of days to something grand!

I choose to mark the advent of Christmas and the New Year with words of importance and contemplating how I respond to those words, daily. Will you sit with me to mull these words? Will you allow them to unlock a puzzle box inside your spirit preparing you for the future?

If we should accidentally drop a day, we will not sweat it, but will turn around from our too-busy stride to reclaim the word and the beautiful gifts of God's thoughts He has waiting just for us.

It's the Little Things Remix

Following with what Lauren Serks initiated on her blog, I found myself thinking throughout the week about those little things that make me smile and catch me by surprise. Little things are really big things when one has a thankful heart. Things like...

Shoulder Sweat!

...Sweat! 
This paragraph is difficult to write. No doubt for you, it's difficult to read! Why would I be happy about sweat? I have been a poor sweater as far back as puberty. I tend to get overheated due to the lack of perspiration during outdoor activities and have passed out. Knowing this about myself, I try to be cautious. Recently, I'm sweating more freely during fitness sessions and running and believe it's more than just because I'm 50 years old. <rolls eyes> For whatever the reasons, I'm thankful! 

An extremely gifted friend is launching a business. It's more than that, it's a God-sized, God-given dream! With this launch comes transition from the former employer, mandatory legal, insurance and government yada-yada all while continuing to do the things we wives and moms do. Can you imagine the stress? Here's to a short season of little oxygen and little sleep! I'm honored and thankful to just be her friend and sounding-board!

I received a basketful of summer bounty including one of my faves, beets! I love 'em! More importantly, I love the veggie-givers! Each member of their family is a giver, which makes them a gift to anyone who knows them!

And, speaking of gifts, mine arrived in the mail from my favorite sister-in-law for my 50th birthday! It's a subscription to NatureBox stuffed full with healthy goodies to share...or not.

Is your heart full? Are you grateful

for the little as well as the big things? 

Let me encourage you to take a moment

to journal your reasons for a grateful heart.

Book Review: The Jesus-Hearted Woman

The Jesus-Hearted Woman: 
10 Leadership Qualities for
Enduring & Endearing Influence
by Jodi Detrick
Influence Resources, 2013
and in association with The Quadrivium Group

The church-world is full of broken-hearted people. What's worse? The church-world being full of broken-hearted leaders.

A compassionate leader and communicator, Jodi Detrick believes "If you have the heart, you can learn the skill." Although this book's title would suggest it is targeted exclusively for the female leader, not a single man could nor would deny the leadership pattern of Christ is for all from those just starting out to those serving for many years in any position. 

Jodi designed each chapter for the reader-leader to draw from her personal leadership experiences through humor, others' lives and God's Word. Ending with a section of coaching questions, a devotional and lesson for the newbie leader, you'll find golden boulders --not nuggets-- of wisdom to immediately put into action.

Are you open to learn? Are you willing to take on the qualities not typically discussed in secular leadership conferences? Are you prepared for that seedling sown in your heart long ago to germinate?

Ok, then! Order your personal copy or several copies for a group development ---> HERE! or at Amazon.

Learn more about a Jesus-Hearted Woman at JesusHeartedWoman.com and about the author at JodiDetrick.com.

Book Review: True Sisters

True Sisters
by Sandra Dallas
Mt. Martin's Press, 2012



Although not a Mormon (a.k.a. Latter Day Saints), I do appreciate the pioneering spirit of going west, no matter the religious or not-so religious preference, which helped to shape our nation. Land of the Free.

Most LDS emigrants (yes, with an "e") chose to push and pull handcarts over 1300 miles of prairie, sand, mountains and snow to reach their promised land. Families walked ...some right out of the soles of their shoes... to claim their freedom of religion and a new start.

The reader follows the lives, joys, losses and emotions of four women making the journey as strangers, but through daily joys and losses, they become sisters of faith.

Sandra Dallas is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. She does thorough research and crafts a beautiful story. As always, I enjoy her books.