Spiritual
Growth in the Unexpected
Have you ever felt paralyzed by the unexpected? Something happens that you weren’t expecting and you aren’t really sure what to do or what to think or where to go from there. Discouraged, unstable, anxious, fear, unknown…all can come with the unknown and unexpected.
These are all things we felt when we first found out that Hezi would be born with a cleft lip. There were so many unknowns, so many uncertainties that the doctors could not clarify for us until he was born.
And now, most recently, Sophie was diagnosed with strabismus, something I had never heard of until we started noticing a strange occurrence with one of her eyes. We took her to the ophthalmologist and found out that because one of her eyes goes inward periodically, she would need to get glasses. When most kids her age brains can adjust to focus on something far to something close, hers has to work twice as hard to do it. So, the glasses should allow her brain to recorrect this in a few years. Although the diagnosis was what we were expecting, the treatment was much different. But, we are hopeful that the glasses will do their job and will fix her eyes for the rest of her life!
SUPER SOPHIE!!
When she first put on the glasses, she said “I’m a Super Hero!”
<–Showing off her Muscles — We told her that wearing her glasses made her muscles bigger 😀
^^^Hezi wanted to join in the fun!
Daddy and I joined in for dinner, too!
But, it can be difficult when it feels like something hits you out of nowhere and it can be easy to get stuck in a rut when the unexpected happens. Although not always a simple task, here are a few ways to find …
Read MoreCrazy Schedules and Saying no
I think it is safe to say we all say yes to too many things! We run from one thing to the next, stay connected on all our devices, minds are in a million different directions, our time is filled, and our lives are busy! As a mom, no matter how many kids, or what ages, or what activities involved in, moms are wearing lots of hats. Whether its dinner or laundry or work or personal time, it is all taking up space in the day and in the mind.
Saying yes to too many things is not only saying no to freedom, space, and a little rest, it could also be saying no to what you really need. Saying no can leave room for the big yes, more time to think through decisions, and more bandwidth for creativity. I fall into this trip all the time. I want to say yes to everything. I love keeping all my options open. But I have realized that doesn’t always lend to depth or freedom. It also doesn’t always leave room for the best thing. Saying no to something on the schedule can lead to more family time. Saying no to staying up later can leave room for more energy the next day. Saying no to another commitment may help you dive in deeper into the things you are already involved in.
I know I know, as a mom, I want to do it all. But that frame of mind and way of living probably isn’t what is best for my family. Yes I can maybe get more done, but if I am stressed out in the process it is going to affect my family, my marriage, my ability to be present. What if saying no was the courageous thing to do, …
Read MoreHealthy Habits Healthy Lifestyle
We are taking a little break before we start introducing the Growing Weisser men starting next Monday.
It’s a new year. Time to think through the you you want to be. Hopefully that you is pretty close to the you you are today. Focusing on just a few things, small things that can become a reality can help. But don’t think about things that are so far out there that are unattainable. Think about things you can incorporate into your lifestyle today. Set a few goals. But don’t overwhelm yourself. Things take time. And you have to let yourself be you while still trying to grow! What can you do today? And then tomorrow, focus on what you can do tomorrow.
Matthew 6:31-34
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.…
Read MoreHow to Motivate this Generation (JT Ayers Guest Post)
How to Motivate this Generation
By JT Ayers on 10/29/2018
Talking with coaches and teachers that have been at it for a while you will quickly hear “I just don’t understand this generation.”
Today’s athlete is different from years past. My generation (1980-1999) has moved through college and is in the world. The present generation is different. Instead of forcing this generation to be motivated the way we were, what does the research say?
These Young People Are Easily Bored, Are Socially Connected To Their Peers, Proficient In Technology, And Desire To Be Challenged By Their Teachers.
I recently read an article on Motivating the Modern Athlete by Dr. Marty Durden. This article can be found by Clicking Here. His findings are worth sharing.
Coaches generally agree that athletes’ perceptions of authority have changed in past decades. Years ago the coach was viewed as an authoritarian figure akin to a military leader. Many still try to motivate in this way. Paul “Bear” Bryant and Bobby Knight were able to achieve a high level of success based upon strict discipline and demanding leadership. Are you trying to motivate in this way?
The modern athlete seems averse to this style of coaching. This generation’s athlete desire much less direction from coaches and have access to the answers online. The culture of athletics continues to change and influences the perceptions that modern athletes have toward competitive athletics, teammates and coaches.
In this modern sport climate, the concept of servant-leader coaching remains a relevant model for the contemporary coach.
Evidence supports the notion that ethical core values have a significant positive effect on player motivation. Coaches still possess unique standing in our society and are widely viewed with respect. Parents tell me on occasion “Can you help me? My son/daughter wont listen to me. …
Read MoreNew Beginnings Start Today
Everyone needs a new beginning….time and time again…if we are truly honest with ourselves. Taking risks in life means sometimes we succeed at the new challenge and sometimes we fail, but I think the most important thing is being willing and open to new opportunities. If we try and succeed we naturally have a “new beginning”, a fresh perspective, a new adventure before us. If we try something new and that new experience fails to meet our expectations, we are disappointed and sometimes discouraged. Mikvah is a ceremonial bath that throughout history has represented to the Jewish people a sign or tradition of “new beginnings”. Mikvah is how the Jewish people would spiritually cleanse themselves. They viewed it as a means to wash away anything unclean a purification of sorts that allowed them to start afresh with a clean slate. Mikvah for Jesus was a new beginning. After he was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, God said, “this is my Son in whom I am well pleased”. From there Jesus was lead into the wilderness where he spent time preparing for his “new beginning” right before He launched His ministry.
On my recent trip to Israel, we had an opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River. I was baptized in the Pacific Ocean when we lived in Guam, in the early 1980s. It was a very significant time in my life and that decision made a huge impact on my life. I had not ever felt the need to be “re-baptized” so there was no personal draw on my heart to get baptized in the Jordan River. So when I learned the concept of Mikvah, as a ceremonial cleansing and a sign of “new beginnings”, that moved my heart and I was all in. We …
Read MoreFollow the Rocks…….
God is with us in the waiting….He is not only WITH US…He is intimately desirous of connecting with us to bring us to a deeper sense of trust and confidence in Him as our faithful Abba Father. He is the one who can guide us and direct us, open our mind to truth and justice and bring us wisdom and insight.
In my life there is a progression in my faith walk when I find myself in a spiritual desert.
When I am obedient and seeking Him, that progression draws me toward my Abba
Father, but when I am drifting and allowing wrong thinking to overtake me, I feel far
away and alone. The downward progression usually starts in my thought life-I get
discouraged, I feel alone, I wonder what I am supposed to be learning in the
desert….quickly I forget all that God has done for me in the past, I doubt His
faithfulness, I second guess myself and start to feel insecure. The enemy sure knows
my weakness. Listening to the wrong voices creates a tidal wave of wrong thinking. For
me, this type of thinking is irrational and does NOT match the reality of my intimate
relationship with my Abba Father. When I choose the path of waiting on God and
remembering my identity in Him and how faithful He has been in my life, I am drawn to
His word. In His word, I find joy, peace and rest in the midst of my trial. I find truth and I
meet my creator and learn more about His character. I am challenged to listen, trust,
obey and wait. As I seek God and focus on Christ and all that I am learning in the
desert, I am no longer afraid and I begin to cherish my …
Gogo Grandmothers at VBS-the UNBELIEVABLE Happened
Last week, I experienced one of the highlights of my life!!!!!
For me, it was a miracle of generosity…..
A few months ago, I was invited to meet with the director of a Vacation Bible School (VBS) that takes place at the main campus of our church for one week every summer. She and her staff were thinking of trying something new this summer and wondered if I was interested in being the “guest speaker” for the missionary aspect of the VBS. Part of the program engages the children in joining in to raise money for a special project. The VBS planning staff wanted a tangible project that would motivate the children to take part and make a lasting impact. I was invited to share about Gogo Grandmothers and and the possibility of raising enough money to build a preschool for the orphans in Malawi, Africa. Over the course of the 5 days, my two Gogo Grandmother teammates and I shared stories, photos and videos with the children to teach them about the ministry of Gogo grandmothers. We taught them some words and phases in Chichewa, the language used in the villages of Malawi. We showed the kids personalized videos of some of the preschool children in Malawi sending a greeting to our cornerstone kids and then we made a personalized video in Chichewa to send back to them.
We taught the VBS kids how to say “Jesus Rescues”-Yesu a Mapulumutsa.
We taught the VBS kids how to say “Good Morning Malawi”-Mudibangi Malawi
The VBS theme was Jesus Rescues…the lonely, suffering, hurting….so this preschool building project made sense to the VBS kids. Our VBS kids could be the hands and feet of Jesus by raising money to help build a preschool where kids in Malawi would get …
Read MoreFather’s Day Encouragement
Here are some fun Father’s Day quotes….Ask your kids to write a special something for their dad and make it into a card or Father’s Day note to bring encouragement to Dad. You can use these if you want.
Some examples of encouragement messages….
1. A father is someone who you look up to no matter how tall you grow.
2. A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.
3. Any man can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.
4. We never know the love of our parents for us; till we become parents.
5. A Father holds his child’s hand for a while, but holds his heart forever.
Love messages for dad this Father’s Day.
1. Dad, I may not need you to hold my hand anymore, but I’ll always need you to hold me in your heart.
2. To the first man to ever hold my hand, buy me a dress, smile at me, tell me how to be strong, and teach me how to love, Happy Father’s Day. I love you, Poppa.
4. One of the greatest gift I ever had came from God; we call him Poppa.
Here are the SUPER Dads in our family!!!!
“I have written to you, fathers because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you…” 1 John 2:14
A friend wrote a beautiful tribute to her father using this compassionate and insightful quote….”We are born into families with either a dad who heads his family with breathtaking responsibility or with dads who struggle their entire lives …
Read More5 Directives to Develop Strong Character and Grow in Relationships
A very famous writer and well known orator was known for his commitment to helping encourage people in self development and interpersonal relationships. He was a brilliant man, known for his courage and passion for spreading good news. One of his letters was written to a group of people in Corinth that he had taught over the years. He had committed to helping them thrive in spite of hard times. Over the years, they had stolen his heart and he was passionate about seeing them conquer their enemies from within and from without. He wanted them to work on a few character development exercises before he arrived for his last visit. He reminded them about how they had become new in Christ. He challenged them to “not waste their sufferings”, because suffering connects us with others in a way that no other experience can. He encouraged them to take comfort by looking above the layer of clouds that overshadows people when they are suffering. He talked to them in this letter about how God equips each one of His followers to be free of the chains of their past. He taught them about a God who would be a father to them-a good an generous father. He explained to them about personal generosity-sharing their gifts and talents with others who have needs. And he addressed their comparison thinking which was a big factor in their strife and sufferings. He sent them this letter so they could work on a few things before he arrived so he would not have to make his visit a confrontational and discouraging visit. He ended his letter with 5 directives…..
- REJOICE
- BECOME MATURE
- BE ENCOURAGED AND COMFORTED
- BE LIKE MINDED
- BE AT PEACE
HOW WOULD YOUR LIFE BE DIFFERENT IF YOU FOLLOWED THESE DIRECTIVES?
How …
Read MoreFriendships Provide New Growth
Memories are a precious possession. I have acquired my most precious memories by opening my heart and taking the risk of sharing myself with others. You can never understand the risk-benefit ratio in friendship until you abandon all fears and jump into friendship with reckless abandon. As a young extroverted girl who loved life and had a zest for learning and sharing my passions with others, I tended to jump right into friendships. I never counted the cost because I just loved people. You meet a friend, share some interests, and over time, soul connections develop into lasting friendships that allow you to pick up right where you left off….friendships that are never limited by time or distance. Deep enduring friendships are committed to working through difficulties and to sharing in one another’s joys and sorrows.
One of the best things I have received in my life is the gift of deep and abiding friendships.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of gathering with friends that I have known since grammar school. One of the gals and I have been friends since kindergarten and the rest of us met in 7th or 8th grade. So our friendships spanned 50-55 years. We brought photo albums and yearbooks and spent the afternoon and evening reminiscing and laughing and talking about old times. We prepared a meal together and took lots of pictures. We shared about our lives and many of our joys and some of our sorrows. The best part of our time together was there were no walls or pretenses…everyone was willing to be vulnerable and “real”. I am sure there were hidden things in each one of our lives that did not come up that night but in time, I hope that the foundation was set for …
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