Paying It Forward...Barn Style!

Paying It Forward

A term I am sure you have heard many times in recent years.

Doing something for someone ~ just because

Paying for groceries, gas, or lunch for the person behind you ~ just because

Helping a friend ~ just because

Today we had a wonderful opportunity to help out ~ just because

And ~ just because ~ ended up being way more than we could have expected

We showed up at our children's barn

Parents and kids alike

From every walk of life

Just because

We Love Miss Kristin

Just because

We wanted to help

Just because

Some began painting jumping poles

Some helped out in "memorable" ways

Some fixed water lines

and horse drinking fountains

Did you know that all the horses get their

own drinking fountains at Silver Lining

Many ~ like to drive SUV's

Just because

More helped paint jumping poles

Some had to enter the Dad's vs Mom's

Horse challenge and ride their children's horse

As well as wear their child's helmet~~~

This is my brother

Isn't he cute

Just because

Even my hubby got to ride

Just because

And...the Dad's won

That is probably because I fell off my horse...

Well, I didn't fall off

I just dismounted all the way to the ground:)

HaHa...NO Picture of that!

Completed Jumping Poles

Thank you to each and every person who came to Silver Lining today

I am in awe of our fabulous team

You are Wonderful

Hard Workers

And so much fun to hang out with

I enjoyed laughing with some of you

And...having you all laugh at me during my BEAUTIFUL dismount:)

Kristin,

Your team loves you so much

You have loved on our kids, some of them for years,

and never ask anyone to give the way you do

Thank you for being a special part of our families

We hope you enjoy our company

as much as we enjoy yours

I pray that today was a blessing to you

Praying, praying, praying!!!

Considering With GREAT Joy ~ Paying It Forward

Just Because

Cindy

Friday Night Five #3

Tonight I am SO Grateful...


1) - I am grateful that I was able to organize a 'Paying It Forward' event tomorrow and it looks like the weather is going to hold. We have dozens of people who will be showing up to help a friend with a list of 'things' that need to be done. I am SO excited!!!

2) - Tonight I am most grateful for Friday nights. Off work a little early, hubby making dinner, quiet night at home with the Olympics and time to read some blogs that I've missed so much.

3) - Grateful for a full-time job and patients to fill the schedule. Not that we want to see sick kids, but it is how God is supplying our needs.

4) - Though I didn't want anymore pet's when our last one left us 5 years ago, I am so thankful for Sammie. He brings so much joy into our home. He is funny and Loves to play. One day I will share a photo with you. He loves to jump on my back every night and take a horsey ride to the cupboard where he gets his bone and then we get to play chase until he gets tired (I mean until I get tired).

5) - Lastly, tonight I am grateful for our sweet church. I just love how God has placed us exactly where He wants us and has been opening doors for ministry. Looking forward to seeing what HE does next.

What are you grateful for tonight?

I pray that you can see through trials and tribulations to find TRIUMPHS!!!!

Considering Thankfulness with Great Joy,

Cindy

Friday Night Five!

Tonight I am thankful for so many things but I suppose I will stick to five.

1. It's been a long work week and I get to eat homemade fried chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner thanks to my hubby:) I just LOVE having a hubby who loves to cook and clean up after dinner:)

2. One of my nieces started a new business of hand crocheted hats and accessories for babies and children. I am so thankful for her and the life she has chosen for her children. Check her out at these places.

http://carissascircleoffive.blogspot.com/ her family blog.

http://graciesgarden1.blogspot.com/ her business blog.

*OR Become a fan on Facebook:
Gracies Garden: The latest in Handmade Hats and Accessories

3. Thankful that the weather is beautiful in Phoenix and we are having a garage sale in the morning:) Who wants a piano?

4. Thankful that my mom is healthy and still working at almost 74 years old. Gives me hope for my future.

5. Especially thankful that my oldest son and his wife have a healthy pregnancy and our family is growing:)

What are you thankful for tonight?

Considering Being Thankful with Pure Joy,

Cindy

Gratification vs Satisfaction

Growing up I had a perfection problem. I always thought that if I looked perfect on the outside nobody would see the pain I was living on the inside. Now, let me just say that I didn't have a horrible childhood but there were issues hidden behind closed doors. For some reason I may have been more emotionally sensitive than my siblings and things affected me differently.



I was shy and awkward when inside I longed to be outgoing and graceful. I was easily embarrassed and always felt a bit like a black sheep. I was starved for attention yet when someone would try to offer it I became stiff and built walls to protect myself from being hurt. I had ulcers at 18 because I held every feeling inside!



I worked very hard to keep all things visibly perfect. From my clothing, shoes, jewelry and room to my body. I exercised, ate well, kept my skin clean, teeth great, body in perfect shape along with that southern California tan, I was the picture of perfection!



Fast-forward several decades, some counseling, forgiveness and an abundant amount of God's grace and no longer do I see the signs of that childhood perfectionist. Instead, I see a home that is far from the spotless place I would love for it to be, clothing that sometimes wears thin and has a stain or two, no tan but skin that is covered with age spots and the consequences of too much sun, and a body that no long reflects exercise and health but portrays too many donuts and ice cream, oh and chocolate.



Now instead of perfectionism I struggle with the joy of being redeemed and forgiven but forget about the yielding of my will. My outlook has become short-term gratification instead of long-term satisfaction.



Many nights I close my eyes to sleep and quietly (internally) cry out to God ~ Why Oh Why ~ can I not get my eating habits under control? Why do I struggle so much? How can I say one minute that today is the day and the next minute I am eating something for no reason? I hate myself for my inability to be obedient and yield this area of my life to God.



I have struggled even writing this post because once things are out people may hold you accountable to your word. I certainly don't seem to be able to do that myself. Here I am pouring my heart out to an unknown audience while sitting at my desk with a 20 oz Sprite, 2 1.75 oz Mr.Goodbars and a 3 oz bag of Fritos honey/bbq twists for lunch. Ummmm...do you see something wrong with this picture?



My taste buds want to have gratification NOW but my heart would love the satisfaction of winning a battle. Unfortunately the taste buds seem to out power the desires of my heart.



I have struggled these past few weeks with writing this because I know family and friends read this blog, but the reality is, this blog is my journal of my journey and this is in fact part of my journey. I difficult part, YES! But nonetheless a part!



So, where do I go from here? Well, of course, to the Cross! On my knees, yielding my will, yielding my need for gratification, yielding myself to God's perfect plan and mercy!

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength in me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency) Philippians 4:14 amplified

I do not look today for perfection within myself, just a willingness and desire to be yielded to Him.

Considering Yielding with Great Joy,

Cindy

Short term gratification/Long term satisfaction

Coming...

As soon as I have the guts to write it:)

Sometimes real life is not always joyful...

But looking for joy in the truth!

Friday Night Five...#1

Welcome Friends!

Tonight I am going to start something new on my blog:

Friday Night Five!

Each Friday Night I will list 5 things I am grateful for.

1. Freedom in my life to worship God anytime, anyplace and anyway I am inspired to do so.

2. A husband who is still loving life 6 years post transplant.

3. Bloggy friend relationship!

4. My sweet niece who brought me a baggie of Amish Friendship Bread starter today:)

5. Having a fabulous job during this very poor economic season.

That is just the beginning of what I know is going to be a very grateful year.

Enjoy God's richest blessings this week!

Considering Thankfulness with JOY,

Cindy

I Just Had To!!

Truthfully...

How many times have you tried to enter a door that

God has purposefully kept closed?

...Just Askin'

:)