The Art of Writing a Thank You Note

I think it is quiet the lost art, so when I saw this, I immediately felt the need to reblog it. Enjoy, and remember, being polite shouldn't be lost just because we have the internet, and cellphones.

How Many Times...

Sister, don’t you rename yourself. You see a tiny portion of your life; you do not see the entire story. Don’t name your day or your life or your identity based on any untruth about the Lord. You don’t know what happens next in your story, but you absolutely know the Lord wants good for you all the days of your life. You absolutely can bet on the truth that you are loved with an everlasting Love and you have a Father who will take care of all that you need.

Wait for the Lord. Wait for Him to turn the page before you rename yourself.

Was, the message today during my devotional study, Particularly important because of my desire to push myself in an authentic way everyday.  Please, Take a moment to read

• Ruth 1


• Ruth 4:13-17

May there be a message of hope for you there as well.  You can read it easily, here.  Now, on to my post for the day.  :)

I wasn't expecting to do a post today, not even one bit...

But like the lyrics in my new favorite song, "Well, everybody's got a story to tell / And everybody's got a wound to be healed / I want to believe there's beauty here / 'Cause oh, I get so tired of holding on / I can't let go, I can't move on / I want to believe there's meaning here ... Though I walk, Though I walk through the shadows / And I, I am so afraid / Please stay, please stay right beside me / With every single step I take / How many times have you heard me cry out? / And how many times have you given me strength?"  - "Need You Now (How Many Times)" - By: Plumb.

While reading today's devotion from She Reads Truth, God gave  me a very clear message reinforced by the beautiful music shared above.  He has been my strength time and time again though-out my life.  In good times, and in the darkness, He has been there.  Even now, when my soul cries out to Him, "I need You now!"  He is there, I may not have had my answer until today.  But He has chosen to bless me with the most beautiful message I could have ever have hoped for from my Father.  He is there, and He has given me strength.  He named me Sheila-Lynne.

He blessed me with the strength, to carry on.  He has stood right beside me, while I chose to give up my older boys for adoption.  He stood beside me giving me strength, while my children and I were homeless; me having been pregnant with my youngest at the time.  I have walked through the shadows, indeed.  But God's glorious light, has seen me into the light.  He granted me strength, countless  times.

Our Heavenly Father wants to be there for us, He wants our praises constantly.  Not only should we sing His praises when everything in our lives is going well, but we should give praise, for the strength He grants, while we are struggling and on our knees in the dark.

It is my prayer today, that if you are on a hard road; and you feel all alone... Remember, He is there with you, guiding you.  You just need to keep going, trust that His will is to guide you to where you need to be in your life.  If you are afraid and alone - please seek out your sisters in faith and we will pray together.  For our Father to give you the strength you need to make it through the difficult times you are having.

May God Bless these words, and I pray they seek out someone who is in much need to hear the message,  that needs the strength of our Savior and His Father while they are in the dark, and seeking out God's love and His light.

Authenticity Rocks,

Sheila-Lynne

A Scheduled Family Is A Happy Family

I haven't ever been a scheduled woman, I am prompt, and follow my own drummer, however; now that I am getting back to school, I need a working schedule for myself and my family.  Without it, I am sure school will not go well at all, this is the schedule that I have come up with.

7:00 Wake, Pray, Make Bed

7:15 Spiritual Reading, Check Calendar

7:30 Shower, Dress, Fix Hair and Make-up

7:45 Check Email, Post Blog Entry

8:00 Set table, load dishwasher, start breakfast

8:15 Wake kids, supervise room tidying and bed making, potty-time/change diapers

9:00 Zone cleaning, unload dishwasher from previous night, de-clutter (5 minutes each)

9:15 Clean up after breakfast, load dishwasher, give kids activity to do

10:15 Outside time

11:15 Inside kids help unload dishwasher and “reboot” laundry

NOON Lunch, read to kids, do dinner prep, prepare naptime water cups

12:45 Brush teeth

1:00 Kids naptime

1:30 Next days’ blog

2:30 Check homework plan

3:00 Wake/feed/playtime Scarlet

4:00 Wake kids potty time/change diapers

4:15 Snack, Dinner prep, “hot spots” 5 minute “room rescue”

5:00 Homework

5:45 Feed Scarlet

6:00 Dinner

6:45 Brush teeth, Kids pj’s

7:00 Clean Kitchen/Dining Room/Run Dishwasher

7:30 Empty Trash can, lay out clothes

7:45 Make morning cups, prep breakfast/Check locks

8:00 Homework

10:00 Spend time together, talk, read

11:00 Sleep

I have taken years finding one that I stick to, I am praying that I stick to this one, I am implementing it slowly but surely.  I live by the saying, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."  And right now, this hipster momma ain't happy.  Over the years I have began reading several blogs by mothers.  Do you have a household schedule?  What have you found that works for you?   If you could give a fellow reader a tip, when beginning a schedule; What would that advice be?