Under My Roof
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, well feel like it! Yes, the air is cooler but mostly because I had all my babies under one roof last night! Okay, babies might be a stretch since 3 out of 5 have facial hair! There is nothing like having all your children (and a few friends) home laughing, eating, playing, fussing and finally sleeping. They are the best gifts ever given to me, even when they are loud….as the Grinch say, “The Noise, Noise, Noise!” (this is from the non-facial hair one mostly, the minority of...
read moreComings and Goings…..
Transitions are always tricky. Coming home from vacation, new job, new marriage, just graduating into adult life, end of a relationship, moving, rolling out Christmas and then putting it away. We get comfortable with the norm, what we are use to….then life changes. Even if it is good change it can be uncomfortable, like a great new pair of shoes that we need to wear a bit before they fit just right. I was thinking about this last night when my little ones came back from their Dad’s house. They have a transition every couple days....
read moreSimply Christmas…..
I was laying in bed this morning and was and noticing how calm I am. Isn’t it Dec. 13th today? Usually this is the part in Dec. when my heart-rate goes up and the pace picks up. In years past this is the time I start doing the countdown to how many days I have left to get it “all” done. Decorating, 5 kids, 5 stockings, Santa gifts, family gifts, friend gifts, shop, wrap, Christmas cards, Cooking, Oh and looking fabulous for the many parties and events on the calendar………Oh and don’t forget the...
read morePeace Under Pressure
Well, the Christmas season has begun, last weekend we hauled out the holly, decked the house up, hung the stockings and trimmed the tree! I lead the Advent class and started to make my lists. Yes, the season is in full swing. As a life coach I am constantly encouraging others to find balance, meaning and peace in their life. But as we know peace is not easy to come by during the hectic and busy pace that is thrust upon us. So maybe peace is our goal….balance and meaning is our aim. It is unrealistic to think that we will experience a...
read moreCreating Space for Hope Within the Season
Ready set go! The Season has started…..For some, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for others it will be difficult to find the joy, much less the meaning. This year I want to challenge myself and others to be INTENTIONAL. Today, put your heads together as a family and start to think about what will make this Christmas a Gentle, Meaningful Christmas. If you don’t make it a priority it won’t happen, the season takes off like Santa’s Sleigh and before you know it you are toasting in the New Year! Just think of...
read moreAdvent Class starting Monday Nov. 30th!
FUMCWP’s 3rd Woman’s Advent Study Finding Holy days within the Holidays There is a striking contrast between the frantic activity of preparing for the “Holidays” and the quiet reflection and joyful, patient waiting of the “Holy days” of Advent. Join us for one or all three classes where we will take a loving look at the realities of the holiday season while discussing keeping balance, meaning, health and joy within the HoHoHo. Whether decorating, wrapping, cooking, shopping or entertaining love ones we...
read more“Just Christian”
My friend said “You haven’t posted anything lately?” You know some weeks just fly by and before you know it it’s been 10 days….So my friend here are my ponderings of the last blog-less days. I was having a conversation with an acquaintance and they mentioned they had someone that they wanted me to meet, of course I said sure! The next line is the one I have pondered, she said “They are Christian, but you know not a Heavy Duty Christian.” My response, embarrassingly was, “Oh, I know what you...
read moreRiding the rapids …..
It seems like these last few weeks I have been swimming up a strong current. You know the kind you see on a river when the current is ripping along so fast and with incredible strength that whatever goes in it is taken quickly out of sight. Fighting a current so strong can be exhausting, and can make you weary. Just standing in it you can lose your footing, slip and be pulled along. Swimming against it can seem like you are getting no where at all, wasted energy with no forward movement….Ugh! Everyday life can feel this way at times. It...
read moreEveryday Choices
Herni Nouwen…… ( I love the guy!) The important thing to remember is that we might not have a choice in regard to the circumstances of our life BUT in regard to the way we respond to these circumstances. Some people become bitter as they grow old….while others grow old joyfully. It doesn’t mean that the life of those who become bitter was any harder or more difficult that the one who is joyful. It means different choices were made. Everyday we always have a choice to live the moment as a cause for resentment or joy,...
read moreJobs, bras and weeds!
I was talking to a friend the other day about how she left an old job and started a new one. She is so happy with her new position and glad that she had the courage to made the jump…. you know it is a jump when you leave something familiar and take a risk into unknown. As we were talking it became very apparent that for some of us when we make the leap we find ourselves saying, “I would have done this sooner if I had know how unhealthy the last place was!” It’s not until we are in a new environment that we can see what...
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Merrill Is a mother of 5 who has found her calling in sharing her experiences from life with others. She can help you break out of your routine to live life to its fullest potential.