Get Off the Merry-Go-Round

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Got brave today and kind of looked at the needles. I highly recommend dry needling for anyone having a lot of muscle pain that you just can't get rid of through other means. I am not a trend-follower, but I am tooting the horn of this trendy train.

Dang, this book jumps out at me when I am not expecting it to. It may start out with something I don't relate to then bang pops up outta nowhere! Starting chapter 4 after the end of chapter 3 left me hoping for something more, I got more that's for sure.
--Stop trying to go around it and go through it--avoiding things that may be uncomfortable or inconvenient at the time that will help me in the future has been something that comes back to bite me. But now I am focusing on taking time to do what I need to do when it comes up, even if I don't want to. No, I don't want to take time to go to physical therapy an extra day, but I want to feel better. No I don't want to make yet another appointment and go to the dermatologist, but it may save the skin on my face. No, I don't want to study for the GRE but I'll be thankful if I only have to pay for it and take it once and get it done at a more convenient time (um, still haven't started stuyding...), you get it.

--This is the big one! A pattern of work and relief that is no longer glorifying to God, though it may not look sinful on the outside.
---I love the grind of daily life. I love to work hard, stay busy and productive, always finding something I want to do. I love the thick of a training cycle. I can use this to make great impacts on the people around me when I do it the right way, and I've done it in the past. I worked hard, had success, had great chances to share joy and hope with others. Sometimes though, I get way too busy and caught up, and I am just rushing from one thing to the next, not really looking at what is going on around me or what God wants me to see and do. Then my gifts and opportunities change from a tool to a self-defeating weapon. Then things like injuries, illness, schedule change, whatever, come along to get me to wake up to take a rest. Now instead of going around these signs, I am taking hold of them and looking for what needs to change (although it is kind of forced right now, I am learning to do it on my own and hopeful for the future). Then I thought of a quote that kind of blew my own mind: Get off the merry-go-round and be active in the whole playground. -->>Get out of the cycle of work and rest only to move on to the next work, and enjoy the whole life you've got right in front of you.

Also so excited to be getting a bunch of my favorite dizzled kettlecorn! Share your dreams; God loves them. He wants us to be able to live joyfully if our hopes are aligned with His plans. This may sound silly, but having that recognized was encouraging to my recovery.

***********

Since I've been biking somewhere on the highway pretty much every day for a while now, I've wondered how many people have recognized me, and today, a friend finally texted me that she had seen me! And she asked if we could make breakfast one day soon! Oh, how I needed that. I had also gotten a message from a friend I haven't seen in a couple years but she had wondered how I was doing and gave me some great encouragement through my injuries. I've been pretty lonely lately, and basically no one knows or seems to care whether or not I am hurt/healing/healed, so these were both blessings that God sent to pick me up to start the day. It also may sound silly, but a couple companies reached out to me on instagram, too, to do some work for them. Just a little something to remind me that people are watching, and I am making an impact even when I don't feel like it. That's how God keeps me going.

This afternoon my Bible study hit me like a home run again today! About the "why." A lot of times, it doesn't matter so much what we do, but why we do it. Good things can be sinful if they are done with the wrong intentions, and mistakes can be okay if they are done with a positive outlook.

--It also brought up the same verse that was my verse of the day yesterday, Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion in the day of Christ Jesus."


--The main idea of this section was on rest. Over time, I've gotten better at it. Taking time to relax is so good when you finally do it. Rest is a great time to reflect, too, as I've seen a lot in recent years. We need it. If we're always pushing forward 100mph, we can't really take in where we are and where we've come from. I need to look back and learn, sit still and observe. I often forget things as soon as they go through my head. Mom keeps telling me that if God is trying to tell me something through all this, to listen with my heart. I know He is. It is so good to feel it.


--There are so many things that can get me motivated about rest. It's one of those things that is hard to do, but once you do, you want more. God likes to work that way, rewarding challenges in His timing ("carry it on to completion in the day of Christ" not the day of Makenzie). Here are some of those wonders: energy, sleep, healing, peace, strength, refueling, enjoying the moment, spending time with others, having time to share, celebrate!, spend the time as thanks for what is past and preparation for what is ahead. It's not only a time for me, but ultimately a time for Christ to be made greater. Rest shows that I have faith in Him in the ways that are hardest for me. I fear the loss of productivity, fitness, my daily routine, whatever, but where I need to act in faith is not doing but being; trusting and thanking God for His provision. Whatever I do should be an act of worship. Enjoy a day on the lake with my family--thanking God for the weather, my home, the wonderful people. Go to a party and celebrate whatever the occasion! God brought us through a great thing! Or sit on the couch and thank God for helping me through another week and pray and prepare for the days ahead. Rest should be joyful, not burdensome.

--Amazing quote! "Fight fast-paced and fear-based with prayer and praise."

Shutting it Down Saturday

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Saturday, June 2nd

Second day and going strong! I got up a little earlier, and we went all day long! The run was good, but the wind was strong, slowing Mom and me both down some.

PS, Mom is now addicted to Starbucks Triple Mocha Frappuccino. So if you want to get her anything, this would be the winner. You could also call this a "hack" I guess, not to be trendy, I hate that, but she would get them in the morning and freeze them until afternoon! When I went up to get some food from the room I would bring it down and it was like eating ice cream! For my afternoon treats, I tried lots of new drinks I had bought over time. I need to hydrate, especially running and tanning in the heat and humidity all day every day, so flavor helps me! Today was a Neuro.

My Bible Study for today was tying up some loose ends of an old daily devotion and a Daniel Plan that I had gotten in my email. The last day of the month was the best one and so encouraging to my place in life.

"Keep Improving"

"No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Not that I haven't heard and read this verse many times, but it means something different in different situations. That's why you can never get enough of the Bible, because God is always at work.

I admit that I am way too hard on myself both physically and mentally. But why do I push myself so hard? Rather than get caught up in the moment, I need to think about the future. Will this small mistake I made (that no one even notices but myself) matter tomorrow? I might spend "5 more minutes" on something, then "5 more" and so on because it's never good enough, but who cares!? I could be missing things or draining energy and motivation for things that God has in store for me here and in the future. If I wear myself out being a perfectionist, I won't have the focus or energy to give to other works, family, friends, and fun. I have a difficult time doing what I need to do now so I can do what I want to do later, but that is something God is teaching me to discipline myself in.

Second was a Daniel Plan devotion titled "Real Life" with the verse in John 10:10 where Jesus says that He has come so that we can have full life. LIFE is found in Him, not in my daily pursuits. I find that when I struggle emotionally, I have gotten caught up in trying to do more than be satisfied in what Jesus has already done. Even before we left for vacation, I had a hard time thinking things like, "What if it rains? What if I can't run as much as I want? What if we don't get to go shop here or there?" I had to remind myself that my joy does not depend on this beach trip. It will be over and done before I can feel like I've been there. Then we will be back home. That was a depressing thought. Not getting to go to the beach last year has made this a huge anticipation in my mom's and my mind, but it is just a thing that will come and go. I will always have Jesus. He has an ongoing plan for my life, and everything else is just details!

For the day on the beach, I read some comics and a part of a book and some word searches. It was a great day on the beach, and by the time we got to the big Coastal Grand Mall and sat for dinner, we were much quieter than we had been. We laughed at ourselves being so tired! We also joke about how "fancy" we eat at the beach; we use gift cards from over the year, and we go cheap! But that's how we enjoy it. We enjoy the beach and simply being there, so we don't have to spend so much money eating out at the places like Margaritaville. Tonight was Chick-fil-a! We hadn't been there in a long time, and it was very satisfying.

 

Mom and I split up to shop since the mall closed at 9, so that way we could do more faster. I looked around more than I bought (which is kind of a good thing!), but I did get some good stuff at GNC! I had a rebate for Optimum Nutrition Cake Bites, which look really good, so I got a few flavors as well as a carrot cake No Cow Bar. (PS, if you are interested in the rebate app I use, I can send you my referral link so we can both get extra points! I love it and currently have around $100 stored up) I also had an American Eagle giftcard from a return from my birthday I think, and I have not been able to get rid of it! I am highly disappointed in the quality of clothes over time. Prices go up, and quality goes down. Not just quality, but also coverage. Why should I pay so much money for clothes that look like they came out of the trash, are paper thin and/or have holes, paint splatter, whatever!? They're ugly. I could go on, but I'll stop. Finally I found some jeggings on the clearance rack to take care of one of the items on my "wish list" and a decent and cute shirt also on sale at Aerie! Before we knew it, the doors were starting to close all around us, and we had to head out. I can't believe how time flies. I used to think we shopped for hours and would run out of places to look. Well, tonight we shut the place down, literally!

On the way out, we heard some thunder and saw lightning off in the distance, but little did we know of the rain that was coming! I got drenched in the parking lot, even though I only had to walk two steps from under the awning... In the hotel, I had seen a brochure paper for a new ice cream and candy shop that was between the mall and the hotel, so Mom took me by! I got some great chocolates from the do-it-yourself section and tried lots of new flavors! For the chocolates, I got dark chocolate covered pretzels, espresso beans, and pomegranates, chocolate coconut almonds! I love the places that aren't so generic. These flavors I got were banana pudding, salted caramel cheesecake, rum raisin, maple nut, white chocolate raspberry truffle, heath yogurt, and peanut butter pretzel! Their to-go containers were so good! The styrofoam kept it cold already, but when I got back to the hotel and opened it, there were Yeti brand paper things on top! All that goodness and care for packaging, and it still wasn't expensive.

It's Not Over Yet

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(March 29^th-April 4th)

Throughout this year, I have been constantly filled with things that God has shown me and spoken to me, and I have felt so compelled to share. That’s what I love to do, why I chose my major (Communications-journalism and new media). I’ve done my best to verbally share it every chance I get, but I haven’t taken much time to blog at all in the past year or so, but it is a great way for me to share more than the few words of a Tweet or the caption of an Instagram post. I know that God has given me all this to share and the desire to do so to bring Him glory, and I don’t want to waste these opportunities.

One of the strongest ways God speaks to me is through songs. I can find encouragement through the lyrics that I hear on stations like KLove and Air1, but when I go back and really look at them, I can relate it back to Biblical truth. It is amazing how these artists can take their talents and apply it to God and real life like they do. There are some songs that I literally think were written about me.

Last week I was having one of my worst weeks. I was lonely, unmotivated, and feeling physically and mentally exhausted. I didn’t want to do anything and was miserable. I wanted this school year to be over so bad. I didn’t know how I was going to make it through another month and a week. I ended up going home for the weekend on Friday afternoon after being so indecisive all day and having a few mental breakdowns. Literally on the way home I almost turned around twice. (Once I got there, I had a wonderful weekend, though!) So many great songs came on the radio that were very relative to my life, so I kept them in my mind to go back and look at more later. This is one of those songs! However, instead of keeping it to myself, I want to share it. If it uplifts me, I hope it uplifts you. What good are God’s love and blessings to us if we keep it to ourselves?

It’s Not Over Yet

By For King &Country

(Excerpts)

They are inside your head, you’ve got a voice that says

You won’t get past this one; you won’t win your freedom

It’s like a constant war, and you wanna settle that score

But you’re bruised and beaten, and you feel defeated

This goes out to the heaviest heart

Oh, to everyone who’s hit their limit

Even when you think you’re finished

Keep on fighting, hope is rising

Out of the dark, into the light

Never give in, never give up, it’s not over yet

Time to put it in your past

Feel the winter leaving, it’s redemption season

Long live the young at heart

Cheers to a brand new start

We’re revived and breathing to live a life of freedom

Until the kingdom comes

We’ll run til the race is won

Don’t you ever give up, no never give up

My mind is my own worst enemy. I think about things way too much. I always compare myself to myself at different times in my life and set standards that I have to meet, always trying to outdo myself. Anything less isn’t good enough. I feel like I can’t get away sometimes, and it can drive me crazy. I look back at other times in my life and where I am now, and I feel like I am stuck and can never be “normal” again or escape whatever challenge is on my mind at the time. (But Philippians 3:13-14 tells us not to look at the past, but to focus on the future that God has for us.) That little voice that tells me “I’m not normal,” “I can’t do this” and whatever else, is the devil trying to use my own mind against me. I’m always going back and forth (if you don’t know me well, I am one of the most indecisive people you will ever meet) with choices, emotions, progress and changes, good days and bad ones, positivity and dread. I want to stay in the light and make lasting changes for good, but sometimes I get so far down physically and emotionally, I feel like I can’t go on. I feel like there’s no hope. A heavy heart is definitely something I can say I have had at times this past year. (Psalm 43:5, 34:18)

I’ve felt like I’ve hit my limit sometimes. By the time last week ended, I was there. I was so emotionally and physically drained, I didn’t know how I was going to make it through the rest of the school year. I couldn’t take it anymore. I didn’t know what to do with my life, couldn’t think straight, couldn’t even cry! My emotions had gotten to the point of affecting my physical performance in running and my energy levels, too, which then made me more upset, and the cycle went around. I was afraid I was done, and I wouldn’t be happy or feel good again, like I had gotten too far under.

BUT I know I have to keep fighting (1 Timothy 6:12). There is hope. This darkness we go through will not last (Psalm 30:5). There is always light the day after night (Ephesians 5:8). God tells us “Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded (2 Chronicles 15:7).” Any hard time we come to is not the end. In the midst of struggle, it’s not over yet (1 Peter 1:3-9 is one of my favorites, as well as Romans 8:18-21 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

We all have things we have been through that we wish we could change. I know I sure do. I’ve spent so much time in despair and tears over opportunities I’ve wasted and bad choices I’ve made. We all do. It’s okay to mess up. What’s not okay is dwelling on those mistakes. They are good to learn from but bad to carry around as a burden (Isaiah 43:18-19). God wants to use our mistakes to build us, while Satan wants to use them to tear us down and hold us back from growing and sharing the light of love (Hebrews 12:11, Proverbs 3:11-12, 1 Peter 5:8). We can’t change the past, so we need to let it go. Winter leaving? Literally and figuratively! I am loving this warm weather we’ve been having lately…and that I have come back this week feeling so mentally and physically refreshed. It’s time to be redeemed (Psalm 103:4). With Easter in just a couple weeks, that’s even more applicable, for we will celebrate Jesus dying to redeem us from our sins! However, we have this redemption any and all the time. Embrace the fact that Jesus has wiped away our shortcomings and given us the opportunity to take on new and full life (Romans 8:1-2).

He gives us a new, young, joyful heart that can live for eternity (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Celebrate these opportunities as a new start! I know my parents and I are. Not every “new start” has to be a physical milestone, but some can be. For me, I am rejoicing that I get to start at a new school with new coaches and a new team and new classes. It’s like starting college all over again, but I am so grateful to be able to start fresh. New starts can be made any day at any time (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10). We just have choose to make the change, delight in the Lord’s work, and go with the flow (Deuteronomy 30:19). (I don’t flow very well, but that is something I have been working on.)

Now this week I have come back to school with a better attitude, a positive and renewed spirit (Job 22:23, 33:25, Isaiah 38:16). Along with a better mindset, my body has felt so much better, too. I am sleeping better, I have energy, and I am enjoying each day more. I know I can live a life of freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 3:12). It will be tough at times, but I can do it. Just having a positive attitude makes a huge difference on how you feel physically as well as mentally (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). It may sound unrealistic, “mind over matter,” but it is a real thing! When you truly believe something in your heart, it will spread to the rest of your life (Proverbs 4:23).

As Christians, we have the ultimate goal of Jesus coming again or us going to Him first. Either way, we are looking forward to a place where we will never have to deal with those negative voices, things holding us back, pain, defeat, darkness, or any other negative thing (Revelation 21:4). We can persevere no matter where we are in life knowing that the race we are running (game we are playing, walk we’re taking, river we’re rowing…whatever life comparison you want to make!) will be won when we see Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14, 1 Corinthians 15:57, James 1:12) . Every day and every moment is getting closer to that time (1 Peter 4:7). Following God’s gameplan and the Savior’s strategy, we can’t lose—unless we give up (Galatians 6:9). Never give up (Luke 21:19). God never gives up on us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Romans 8:28).

Unique Holidays: April

 

 

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I can't celebrate them all, and some I took of my list becuase they were just completely irrelevant, but here is what I did throughout the month of April!

 

April 1st

• April Fools’ Day
• National One Cent Day
• 
• I have a gift for finding change everywhere.
• National Sourdough Bread Day

April 2nd

• National Ferret Day
• National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
• 
• When I was little, it was peanut butter or it was jelly, never together, but now I have decided that it is a great taste!  I even made a pancake topped with PB & J one day.
• National Reconciliation Day
• All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting the world's sins against them.  And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ's behalf:  Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:18-20
• "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death fo His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!  Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."  Romans 5:10-11
• "Through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross."  Colossians 1:20
• National Love Our Children Day – First Saturday In April

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."  Ephesians 6:4

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."  Proverbs 13:24

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son."  Hebrews 12:6

 

April 3rd

• National Chocolate Mousse Day
• 
• I love the fluffiness of chocolate mousse!  I make it simply at home quite often using pudding and cool whip.  This was a picture of the bowl of mocha cappuccino mousse that I took to our church Christmas party.
• National Find a Rainbow Day

April 4th

• National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day
• National Hug a Newsperson Day
• National School Librarian Day     

·         April 5th

·         National Caramel Day

One of the best flavors ever!  Caramel! 
Here I made caramel and chocolate sprinkle pancakes
Two of the many, many caramel ice creams I love.  But only so many can fit in the freezer at one time.

·         National Deep Dish Pizza Day

Whenever it's a special occasion, this is what mom wants.  Deep Dish Little Caesar's.
 

·         National Go For Broke Day

 

·         National Raisin and Spice Bar Day

Two of the best kind of bars like this that I've had!  Clif kidz iced oatmeal cookie and Meta Health spiced oatmeal raisin

·         National Read a Road Map Day

·         April 6th

·         National Caramel Popcorn Day

I am hooked on flavored popcorn lately!  I've found so many flavors and just keep buying them...caramel is one of the original, though. I got this kind at Target.

 

·         National Sorry Charlie Day

·         National Student-Athlete Day

This has been such an exciting year as we have had so many students decide to continue their sports into college!  This was from Katlyn's signing to Milligan.  I will brag on my best friend.  Full ride academic and athletic to run cross country and track.
 

·         National Walking Day – First Wednesday in April

 

Our fun activity from Abide girls retreat this year was a walk and a game at Seven Islands bird sanctuary!  It was great to be on some trails again, but this time slower and with different people. I really enjoyed taking in nature with my youth group girls!

This weekend was a great time to get to know some of the younger ones a bit better!  I can't believe how much bigger and older they seem now!

·         April 7th

·         National Coffee Cake Day


I haven't had coffee cake lately, but I've had coffee, and I've had cake, so that counts, right?

·         National No Housework Day

 Feeling tired on this day?  Don't want to clean.  Don't.  You have an excuse.

·         April 8th

National Zoo Lovers Day

·          

This is a description of my childhood. I have always been an animal-lover. The zoo was one of my favorite summer outings, and I dreamed of being a zoologist. Those career plans have changed, but I still love the wild animals. This is a picture of a drawing I made for my Grandmother, as she was the one who took me on my favorite summer excursions, including the zoo. 

·         April 10th

·         National Cinnamon Crescent Day

·         National Encourage a Young Writer Day

"As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."  Acts 4:20

Obviously I love to write. That's why I have this blog and billions of journals stacked up in my room. It's just a great way to express yourself and reflect on all the blessings that God has given us. Even if it's just occasionally, I encourage you to put some things down to paper to help get it engrained in your mind.

·         National Farm Animals Day

Farm animals are my favorite!  They're just so cute and sweet!  And they tend to taste good. My favorite farm animal is obviously goats, but I also think cows, baby ducks and chicks, piglets, as more are also precious. (That was one of my school folders. Didn't match a thing except for my personality.)

 

·         National Siblings Day

·          Hah!  I have none!  I used to always pray for one, but now I know that God not wanting any more children in this family is totally for the best. I love our family the way it is. 

I consider my teammates and church family to be my siblings. 

"What love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God; and that we are!"  1 John 3:1

"As it is, there are many parts, but one body."  1 Corinthians 12:20

"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters."  Hebrews 13:1

·         April 11th

·         National Pet Day

 

Mom loves the pets more than she loves me I think. They don't talk. Ignore the look on her face; that was aimed at me taking her picture, not the cat and dog!

I don't typically want to see movies, but this one looks so cute and funny!  My family is always watching animal videos, thanks to Dad, so a whole funny movie would be perfect for us. 

·         April 12th

·         National Library Workers Day – Tuesday of National Library Week

·         April 13th

·         National Peach Cobbler Day

Pulled his one out of my creative bank!  Homemade peach cobbler using a few random things at home: nectarines (all the peaches at the store were moldy), peach yogurt, vanilla frozen yogurt, cool whip, granola, chopped dates, etc. 

·         National Scrabble Day

·         April 14th

·         National Dolphin Day

 

·         April 16th

·         National Eggs Benedict Day

National Wear Your Pajamas to Work  Day

 Too bad I don't work. But I do "work" on things here at home in my pajamas all the time!

·         April 17th

·         National Haiku Poetry Day

·          I wanted to write
But I totally forgot
Oh, look, a haiku!
(See what I did there, pulled that one out of thin air just now)

·         April 18th

·         National Animal Crackers Day

I was so excited to find these new "animal crackers" when my friend Maggie brought some to lunch!  How cute are these Annie's Bunny Graham's?  I chose the flavor based on the packaging, and that turned out to be the best deal, too, because it included, honey, chocolate, and chocolate chip, so I could use them with anything!

·         National Columnists’ Day

Maybe I'll be one of these one day?

·         National Lineman Appreciation Day

No comment.
        

·         April 19th

·         National Amaretto Day

No I don't drink anything alcoholic, but sometimes the flavor makes things quite tasty!  One of my myoatmeal.com flavors of pb lean featured that with chocolate hazelnut. Marble slab amaretto ice cream is also top notch.

·         National Garlic Day

My love for flavor is broad and celebrated daily. 

·         National Hanging Out Day

Sometimes you just need to hang out with a bunch of people. Post run TCBY party!and abide weekend free time!  Fun, relaxing, all with wonderful people.

·         April 20th

·         National Lima Bean Respect Day

You bet I respect the Lima beans.

·         National Look Alike Day

Who do you think I look like?

Many say my dad, many say my mom. 

Mrs. Bowen says Shalane Flanagan. 

What's your opinion?

·         National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day

Life is already crazy enough as it is so I don't need the upside down cake. Just give me (and mom) some pineapple. It's addicting.      

·         April 21st

·         National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day

Got creative with this one, too. The Feed had a great deal going on some of the Clif products, so I stocked up on a new kind, Kit's. These cashew ones were great!  Even better in pieces covered in dark chocolate, chilled. 

·         National Kindergarten Day

The good ole days when we finger painted, had snacks, parties, colored, and took naps, and played on the playground. Now they have to take standardized tests and hate their lives and go home in tears. My heart aches for these kids. 

·         National High Five Day – Third Thursday in April

Show someone that you think they've done a great job!  This doesn't even require words! 

·         April 22nd

·         National Earth Day

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it."  Psalm 24:1
(Picture from enjoying some nature at Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge and Birding Park in Kodak, TN)

·         National Jelly Bean Day

     
I don't like candy, but I have friends who are obsessed, so I buy jelly beans and then give them to them.

·         April 23rd

·         National Picnic Day

Motown madness was the best picnic day even if it was cold!  I could not have asked for a better day with this group. We drove out to Max Patch during Saturday's free time and took literally all the leftovers front the night before and had a wonderful time eating, fellow shipping, and taking some senior girls group pictures. Thanks Patty, for hosting and driving us around one more weekend!

 

·         National Take a Chance Day

Some motivational quotes here:

"You can't steal second with your foot on first." -Pat Summitt

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." -Various Christian leaders

"God loves us just the way we are, but refuses to leave us that way."

 

·         April 25th

·         National Zucchini Bread Day

·          

This is a throwback to a homemade loaf I made a couple summers ago with zucchini fresh from my neighbor's garden. They don't have any plants anymore, so this is in honor of all the veggies they have given me before!  (I also used Gail's recipe as a guide for mine)

·         April 26th

·         National Kids and Pets Day

Pets are such a gift from God. They're not just for children, but for adults, too. Their innocent spirits, company, and silliness bring out the child in everyone. These two have been around most of my life now, and we are both getting so much older. But what great memories and cute pictures of good times we have had!  

Sophie, Frisco, and Kenzie, the Jones children

·         National Pretzel Day

·         April 27th

·         National Prime Rib Day

Not something my family typically fixes, but we get it occasionally at dinners we get invited to (mother's day at Regency with Granannie, sports or academic honors banquets, etc)

·         National Tell a Story Day

Do I need a day for this?  

Every day is an opportunity to share your story, no matter what it is. God has a special story written out for each of us, and He wants us to share what we have learned along the way.  
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"  Mark 16:15 

·         April 28th

·         National Blueberry Pie Day

I've never actually had this, but I want to...blueberries are just wonderful, so warm them up with something like graham cracker and top with something cold and sweet?  Good idea. 

National Great Poetry Reading Day

I know it that I'm not a poet, but someone out there is.

·         April 29th

·         National Arbor Day – Last Friday in April

 

Trees!  Nature!  Air!

Metaphors from the Bible!

Life. 

·         April 30th

·         National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Sophie was adopted from the Morristown animal shelter for my moms birthday several years ago.

·         National Bugs Bunny Day

When I was little, my dad used to love to draw Bugs Bunny sketches for me. He didn't think anything about it, but I am impressed with his ability.

·         National Honesty Day
"Kings take pleasure in honest lips, they value the one who speaks what is right." Proverbs 16:13

"An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips."  Proverbs 24:26

·         National Oatmeal Cookie Day

Homemade wins again!  I got this recipe from a Christmas magazine (pictured above, but if you can't read it and want details, just ask me for them!), and baked a batch for school. 

In addition to typical oatmeal raisin ingredients was maple syrup and honey, church kept them moist and even sweeter!

·         National Raisin Day

Raisins go best with things like oatmeal and sweet potatoes. In my opinion at least.
 

All month long...

National Child Abuse Awareness Month*

International Guitar Month

Keep America Beautiful Month

Good thought, tough task...

Lawn and Garden Month

Yes I was creepily taking a picture of my neighbor mowing his year, but he didn't notice. Little did he know that he was helping me participate in some monthly celebrations. 

National Autism Awareness Month

National Decorating Month

These poor things had been in their Christmas clothes since November, so I finally just forced myself to stop putting it off and change them into their spring outfits. 

National Fresh Celery Month

Celery doesn't have much flavor, but I love how it adds a crunch to my meals!

Favorite use: Dad's spaghetti

National Garden Month

Mom was caught in action, too. She works so hard to keep our grass and flowers in shape!

National Humor Month

Humor needs no month. We should be happy and laughing every chance we can!  Life is great, and even unfortunate things can be funny if we just go with the flow. 

National Poetry Month

I was going to post a poem I had previously written, but I found this one in the comics, and...well...read it; it speaks for itself.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month
Some of my favorite Bible verses are ones that I look to specifically for anti-stress!  There are so many, and God's peace so huge, but I'll just list a couple.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

"So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless."  Ecclesiastes 11:10

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7

Man, do I feel better just reading those three!  And I wasn't even stressed in the first place! 

 

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April showers, May flowers, June bugs...July is almost here!