General
Wild Things
I always start the day with good intentions, really. I ask God to keep a guard on my mouth and help me be a good mother to my tribe. I try to step into the day with a positive attitude, productive feet and a loving heart. But isn’t it strange how even with the best intentions put on, the mess that lives deep inside can surprise us by rearing it’s ugly needy head. Somehow the older I get and the more I know, just means that I know what I am doing is wrong, and watch myself do it. “Yes, I am taking things personally! No, I am not using all my words with integrity! Of course I am making assumptions! Definitely not acting my best!” I hear my...
Read More20 Tips for a Positive and Productive 2013
20 Tips for a Positive and Productive 2013 1. BEGIN. The greatest miracle of your success will not be that you finished but that you had the courage to begin! So get up and get moving today. 2. PRAY. C.S. Lewis wrote: “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I am helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” And remember the two most powerful prayers are. “Help and Thank-you!” Simple and heard…always. 3. LET GO. The 3 things that you cannot change is the past, the truth and others. Accept the things you cannot change. What you resist, persists. If you are...
Read MoreHoHoHo… A Caroling We Go!
You know how when someone asks you to do something and you say, “Yes!” without thinking it through? Well, a neighbor asked me a while back if I would take my guitar over and sing for the residents of the new nursing home she opened. Being the kooky musical family that we are I replied, “Sure!” Well, yesterday was the day we finally were able to get over there. I had given the kids a heads up that morning that we were going to go sing right after Jackson got home from school, I told them it was in our neighborhood and it wouldn’t take too long. After school we quickly hurried to get ready, Grace and Jackson were not too sure about the whole...
Read MoreDavey Jones Locker
Today one of my very favorite uncles is losing his battle with cancer. My heart is so heavy because I loved him so much as a child. He taught me what “Davey Jones Locker” meant, and threatened to send us all there! We followed him around the mountains of North Carolina like he was the Pied Piper, giggling the whole way. We loved how he made us feel, his laugh and his big sweet smile. My greatest memory of him will forever be, in the prime of my “BUD CRUSH” (and yes you can have a rush on your single uncle when you are 12), we were water skiing and I really wiped out. The boat swung around to get me and as it came close I lifted my arms up to be...
Read MoreInvisible
Last night at Youth Group a brave young man got up and shared his story. This high schooler is always up at the church helping, hanging out, with a quick smile. But last night he shared how the last two years have not been easy, in fact they were just down right painful. The transition into high school was a tough adjustment, bigger crowds of kids, friends choosing new groups and leaving him without a place to belong was just the beginning of a very difficult couple years. At one of the very lowest points he walked up to a group of kids at lunch and was told, “We are trying to cut down the number of people at our table, you will have to find another place to...
Read Morebirthday altar
As my birthday drew near all I could think about was retreating to the mountains of NC for rest and renewal. It was not an easy exodus, with last minute car repairs, children to leave, work to complete and a later than normal escape. Eventually we left, my soul exhaled, and we were on our way. When I got here, I realized that it is in this special place that I come to build little altars, just like Abraham did. He would retreat to the mountains, pitch a tent, build an altar and give thanks. I might not have to pitch a tent, in fact I have a very comfy bed up here, but it’s in this place that I have the time and space to slow down, breathe and remember who...
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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.