Are your plates spinning in life, and are you overwhelmed where you are today? Life, for me, seems to keep getting more and more busy, crazy, and nuts. Some days my plate is so full….that I don’t even know where to start. The thoughts start coming. Where do I start? Work? Home? Kids? Husband? The sound in my head just keeps going in circles. I needed to STOP, and listen for a moment, and pray for wisdom. The verse that says, “a wise woman builds her home”, became my reality. I have learned over time to take four simple steps in life to keep some balance. Balance and simplicity are what you will find today in this message as you listen. I hope you enjoy this special event with me!
When you have a special needs person in your life, it is always a learning experience. As the saying I use goes, ”I found my new normal and it’s a moving target.” Our youngest son is now seventeen and it took me about twelve years to finally start to understand how he thinks. The funny thing is, once I started to get the ‘we not I’ way of thinking, it helped me understand why some of my extended family members act and react the way they do.
Let me explain a little. The bottom line is this, when you say to someone with Autism, ADD, ADHD or something similar that they need to be to bed earlier since they woke up so early that day, usually you get a fit and a large argument. But if you say that we all woke up early and we should all go to bed early, that one individual seems to calm down and agree with you.
In our home we have learned to be creative and use we more than I. Yes, some might say that we are giving in, but we say why have an argument when you can just change the wording and make life a little easier?
Do you struggle with a special needs family member? What have you been able to do with changing one or two words?
Here are some practical tips we use to help the day a little better:
Things to do and say:
Include yourself and talk as if you are a group.
Speak clearly and only use the facts.
Smile and be kind.
Make eye contact and smile.
Use kind speech and words.
Respect them as you would anyone.
Remember God created them unique.
Things not to do or say:
Don’t single them out.
Don’t use figures of speech
Don’t joke: jokes to them are insulting (even the most simplest joke is not the same for them)
Don’t expect the same in return when it comes to eye contact. (eye contact for them sometimes can be overstimulating)
Don’t yell or use harsh words (a soft voice goes much further with them)
Don’t treat them with disrespect….they are people too.
Don’t treat them like they are weird.
We are all unique in our own way and have been wonderfully made. Your uniqueness might make you just as strange to someone else as they are to you. Remember to be kind and respectful to each person you encounter. Most of the time we can navigate life much better that way.
Have you ever wondered how to get started with essential oils and what this stuff is all about? Well, I did too and found some simple and effective uses for them. Come join me and learn some basic 101 tips and tricks on how to use them, why to use them, and which ones to use.
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent.”
Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
The Great Depression, this is a time in history that I can only read about. I was not born in that time, but I can learn to appreciate what happened and how the way of life was then. Many times I have sat and listened to my dad talk about a meal called Scrumptial; his father would make this for them on Saturday nights with the leftovers from the week. This unique pot of leftovers was the highlight of his week.
Recently, I was listening to an older lady talking about living in the Depression era, and she recalled one of her fondest memories. She remembered that on Sundays they would go to her aunt’s house, but her aunt could not afford heat. So they would grab the kitchen chairs and huddle around the stove while lunch was cooking, and they would get warm by the fire. She went on to say that they would sit facing the stove to get the front of them warm, and then have to turn around so their backs would get warm. As she talked about this, she was giggling and repeating, “Oh the good old days.”
Fast forward to 2020, and what do we have? Central air, heat in our homes, cars to drive, and so many other advantages. We have plenty of food, clothes, and almost everything we could want or need at our fingertips. Yet, I never hear, “These are the great present days.” What has happened to us? Why do we not seem like a happy people? You would think with all these “things” that make our lives more convenient and stress free, that we would be overjoyed.
Many times I have said to my husband that I almost wish we could go back to a time like that. A time when we as a people appreciated what we had. Working in a guest service position, I see the side of people that is ungrateful and demanding. I see this at church when we want what we want and demand our rights. What happened to being thankful, grateful, and appreciative? I personally am challenged to look at what I have and learn to be content in these things and to appreciate them even more.
Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place trying to balance all the things you need to in life as a wife and mother? Do you have extra things that get in the way and turn your world upside down? My life is never the same, and just when I think I have it figured out…..the rug goes out from underneath me.
So how do you find balance without going insane? How do you find balance and still enjoy life?
Come and join me on my latest video, and see how a mom, full-time working mom, wife, wife of a husband with a disability, career woman, home-school mom, and a ministry leader finds some normalcy.
Life is definitely a journey and an adventure if you know anything about me. Every day brings new and exciting things and also some overwhelming moments. For the past two weeks my husband has had two major falls from having seizures which led him to be in the chiropractor’s office 2 to 3 times a week plus having to have physical therapy and wear a back brace.
Because of this we decided to take a quick weekend away that we called a Saturday vacation. While on this vacation he had a seizure, his scooter that he uses to get around in large places died in the middle of the museum. This led to us having to push it out of the museum, to loading it in the car manually, and causing me to be completely overwhelmed and having to have a good cry.
If you asked me is it all worth it I’d say 100%. If you asked me what I marry this man again I would tell you absolutely 100%. He is the man of my dreams and if he comes with an extra package called epilepsy …I wouldn’t change a thing. Now having said all that… I have stated over and over it many times that I have found “my new normal and it’s a moving target”. so what does all of this mean, for me there is no normal, normal is only for a moment and that changes again. And I am OK with that. I’ve had to learn to be OK with that… Otherwise I would not have survived life and all that has been part of it.
This is made me in the long run realize how precious life is, it is giving me the desire to encourage other women and their walk and their journey, it is also encouraged me to invest in peoples lives whenever I can.
But having said all that… I have a new journey in life and an adventure and that is my YouTube channel. Come and join me and come and visit me and see what this crazy life entails. I hope you will find encouragement along the way, maybe some new ideas that you’ve never thought of before, maybe a few laughs, but most of all I hope that you leave feeling a little bit better about yourself, a little bit more encouraged than when you first started to visit with me.
I am about to teach this coming Friday to a group of young people at church. The ages range from three to fourteen. Trying to incorporate enough information to keep them all interested in the devotion can be hard at times. We, as a church, have committed to reach out to our neighborhood kids and share each week with them that Jesus loves them.
This weekend the topic is “The Journey that Saved the World.” We have gone with an overall theme this year of the “Olympics.” Teaching the kids about preparation, endurance, and finishing the race. So, let me take you on the journey that I have prepared for the kids.
Preparation:
In order for Joseph and Mary to hear the call of the Lord, they needed to be prepared and walking close with Him.
Then when the angel came and told them what was to happen, they needed to prepare for the journey.
Endurance:
Because they were prepared, they would be able to endure the journey.
They knew that God called them to do this task, so they needed to endure no matter how hard the journey would become.
Finishing the Journey:
When they got to Bethlehem the journey was not done. They needed to find lodging, a safe place to deliver baby Jesus, and prepare the area for the baby to come.
Once the baby was born, they could look back and see that they had prepared for a work to be done. They could see that they endured the journey they had to go on to get to the place where He needed them to be, and then they needed to deliver the baby to finish the task.
What we can learn from this:
We need to be ready and prepared for when He calls us to do a job.
We need to know that we will need to endure the journey, and that it might not be easy all the time.
We need to know that when the journey is over, we can look back with joy, and we completed what was asked of us.
We also can look at the fact that when we prepare and answer the call, endure the journey, and finish it, that it is not only us who are affected but many around us. A task given to us by the Lord always has layers to it. Our lives are not our own, and we affect others all the time.
Mary and Joseph answering the call brought us the Savior (His divine plan). This Savior would ultimately be the One who would save the world. I am sure that Mary and Joseph had no idea the impact they would have on us today, thousands of years later.
Read Luke Chapter 2 today for the story of their Journey.
I remember sitting in church as a kid and listening to Pastor Jack Fedalen preach. I was only about twelve, but I can remember it like it was yesterday. His preaching was always dynamic, but more importantly, he had a way of making you remember what his message was all about.
That day as I sat under his teaching, he reminded those of us who are believers that we should always have a tear in the corner of our eye. Pastor Fedalen went on to say once you lose this, you have lost one of the most important things in life.
Today I was chatting with my son about several really cool God things that have happened over the past week. It is almost overwhelming how many cool things have been happening. As I shared these things with him I watched his face soften, and the tear in the corner of my eye was real.
The Bible talks about how we need to be a witness to others and love them as we do ourselves. We need to feel the pain of others. The Bible also says that the angels rejoice when one soul is reached for Christ. What I was sharing with my son was that my husband and I have been sharing with three couples about our relationship with the Lord. Then this past Wednesday I spoke to a group of over three hundred women at a mini-conference. I was able to share my story and what the Lord means to me. One phone call that I received today was about my message on Wednesday. She asked if she could use some of what I shared. She has family that needs to know about Him and she felt that what I shared about eternity at the end of my message was just what they needed to hear.
Again, that tear was in the corner of my eye. Being older, I can relate to what he was trying to tell us during that message years ago. When we hear of the Lord’s work, His people, and when someone receives a relationship with the Lord, it is time to shout out loud and have a tear. The day that that tear is no longer there and we do not feel excited for these things is the day we have lost sight of what God is doing.
So my question to you today is, are you watching what God is doing all around you? Don’t meditate on the negative in this world. Regain your hope and the tear in the corner of your eye by keeping your eyes open for His work that is being done.
Here are a few verses for you to consider today for encouragement:
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Luke 15:10
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Over thirty years ago I learned how to can tomatoes. I did that for a few years but never really ventured out from there. Recently, after watching so many YouTubers who are now getting into canning, I decided that it was time to try this again.
I reached out on Facebook to find someone who would be willing to teach me and get me going. I was blessed with a friend, and the first thing she started me with was Cranberry Chutney. I had never had chutney and really didn’t think I would even like it or use it. To my surprise I am in love with it.
We have used this for roast pork and turkey, but the best is with cream cheese and crackers. This recipe is simple and a keeper for me.
wash cranberries, sterilize jars, cook down cranberry and applesfill your jars, take the air bubbles out, and wipe jars clean for before adding the lidput the jars under the bath for 20 minutes, take out and place on a towel.an empty pot is when you know it was yummy and my favorite part is listening to the sound of the jars popping.
At this point I have made over thirty jars and have given most of them away as Christmas presents. Homemade is always a great way to go for gifts, and my friends and family were so pleased. I will start canning jams and jellies soon, so stay tuned for some more yummy recipes.
25 jars done and ready to give away as giftsoh so good and oh so yummy
Do you can? What have you made? Share some of your favorite recipes with me and let me know what works best for you as a beginner canner.
Lynn A.C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother
Cranberry – Apple Chutney Recipe
Total Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
16 servings
Ingredients:
1 – 1 ¼ cups of sugar
½ cup water
1 package (12 ounces) of fresh or frozen cranberries
2 large tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium onion or I like to use 1 teaspoon of dried onion instead
½ cup of raisins and I prefer to use homemade raisins
½ brown sugar
½ cider vinegar or white vinegar will also work well
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (I like to add a pinch more)
½ teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves
1 teaspoon of fresh ginger (I used powder)
If you do not have allspice and cloves….I used ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice
Directions:
In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar and water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 3 minutes. Carefully stir in the cranberries, apples, onion, raisins, born sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, salt, all spice, ginger and cloves.
Return to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until desired thickness and stir occasionally.
Can be served hot or cold and added to Roast Turkey, Roast Pork, use as a side dish and also add to sandwiches or cream cheese on crackers ( a favorite of mine)
Resume Of A Mother 