Kindness and Patience and Yelling, Oh my!

I consider myself a very kind and patient person.  I have a lot of patience for crazy drivers on the road, incompetent customers, friends who disappoint me.  I actually react with kindness in the most difficult situations. 

SO, why is it that I have absolutely no patience and little kindness for the four most precious and lovable people in my life?

The other day I was reading about the fruits of the spirit, and in particularly, kindness and patience.  I felt convicted that I need to apply this mostly with my children.  I went to bed in prayer that God would help me in this area of my life.

---I woke up the next morning singing and smiling, in a perfect mood, and nothing but kind words were coming out of my mouth --

OK -THAT TOTALLY DID NOT HAPPEN!!!!

I woke up late and grumpy.  I began attempting to get the kids going (which is never an easy feat in my house - they love to sleep as long as possible in the mornings), after not responding for a while the yelling begins - "Get up now!"  "You're going to be late for school!"  "You better be dressed by the time I get done putting my makeup on!" - Definitely the worse of days I had in a while.

Was God trying to test me?  Was the devil getting a foothold?

As I drove them to school that morning, I began weeping.  I told them I was sorry.  I was mostly upset with myself. 
God, please help me to be kind and patient in all areas of my life - especially with my own children!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...
Galatians 5:22-23

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just attended a wonderful thanksgiving eve service at our church.  It was a testimony of all God has done in individuals lives and the life of our church!  Thank you Jesus!

This Thanksgiving I have so much to thank my Savior for...

I am thankful that He loves me no matter what.

I am thankful that He has given me a husband who loves me no matter what, who is incredibly giving both to his family and to others.

I am thankful that He has given me four beautiful children who have all chosen to have a relationship with Him.

I am thankful for the church family He has given me with people who love and accept me no matter what.

I am thankful for the family he allowed me to grow up in, who taught me to know and love Him.

I am thankful he gave me the family I married in to, who all have the same love for Jesus I do.

I am thankful that he gave me a grandma who prays for me daily.

I am thankful He knows what I need even when I don't.

But most of all, I am thankful that He gave His Life for me, so I could live with Him forever!

Thank you God for everything you have given me.

What are you thankful for?

Pinspired!!!

I have had an obsession recently - Pinterest! 

I know it is a little early to be putting up my Christmas decorations, but I love to get a jump start (especially when Thanksgiving is not at my house)!

Here are a few of my pinterest projects!

My Inspiration:                                                                 My project:

 http://pinterest.com/pin/201465783300224841/

I was able to do this all with materials I already have!  I had the large clear vase - spray painted it white, used spray adhesive to apply Epsom salt "snow"

The tray I purchased last year as a clearance item after Christmas - it was a beautiful red (and I loved it), but I decided for this look, it would be better in black.  A little black spray paint and wah-lah!

Add a few candles, ornaments and spray's in the vase!  I love it - What do you think?

Next project - this didn't turn out quite the way I wanted it.  I may have to make a few alterations, but here is what I have so far....

My inspiration:

http://pinterest.com/pin/201465783300232782/

My recreation:

Ok - first of all I absolutely love the tile they have around their fireplace!

When I went to Hobby Lobby to purchase letters, they were out of the letters I needed in the block style, so because I am impatient and wanted to start this right away, I purchased the curly letters.  I wasn't too sure about them, but I think they work, especially with a fireplace that hangs 6 stockings!  I painted the letters burgundy to match our jeweled toned stockings (which I hope to replace someday - but not this year).

The ribbons actually match the small print in the fabric (you can't see that in the picture).  I think I need to iron them and reposition my "y".

Once I figure out how to fix a few of my issues, I will post new pictures.

What about you, have you been inspired to craft lately?

Sugar Scrub Tutorial

I thought I would share one of my favorite new products to make - it is so super easy and feels amazing on your skin! 

Here is what you need for this amazing brown sugar scrub:

Carrier Oil - My favorite is Sweet Almond Oil
(Olive Oil works well too)

Brown Sugar

Vanilla (Optional)

Vitamin E Oil (Optional)

You need 1/2 as much oil as brown sugar.  (ie - 1 cup of brown sugar - 1/2 cup of oil)
Mix well - add a few drops of vitamin e and vanilla if you would like.

That's it!  Super Simple - Here's what my final product looks like!

I love to use on my face and body in the shower to exfoliate!  Try it out, then make some as Christmas gifts!

It's a Makeover!

I love makeovers of all kinds!  I love watching all the TV shows that reveal new and better things.  I love it all - home makeovers, beauty  makeovers, weight makeovers and even fashion makeovers!  I love seeing things "become beautiful".  So today, I am introducing my new blog - made over!

Welcome!

So why the makeover?

There is something about creating something with your own hands that makes you feel accomplished.  I love to attempt and try new things!  A year ago, I decided  to try my hand at soap making.  I was pretty easy and so much fun!
 (Warning:  There are dangers in working with lye in soap making, please read on all dangers before attempting yourself)
A couple of weeks ago, I was able to sell my products for the first time at an event our church hosted.  It was a blast, and I actually made money!  I recently decided to open my own etsy store!

So, here's my new blog to go along with my new etsy store!  Feel free to visit often!

www.etsy.com/shop/sarahssoapandcrafts

(I am still going to post about my weight struggles, they will just be under the "my weight struggle" button at the top)

5/6 Missions Trip

I know it has been forever since I last posted.  The truth is I've written so many posts, but I never got them up.  Actually, this one has been written for a week and a half and I am just now getting it up :)

God has been doing incredible things in my life.  This past week I was able to spend time in downtown Grand Rapids with our 5th and 6th grade students from our church.  We spent our time helping some local ministries.  I thought I would share a little of what we did.

1.  Alpha Women's Center
The first stop (for the girls)was to the Alpha Women's Center
1.  Alpha Women's Center

The first stop (for the girls) was to Alpha Women's Center  This ministry definitely struck a chord with me.  I really pray that God will allow me many more opportunities to serve with them.  This is an incredible ministry that reaches out to young mothers.  One thing that I really liked about their ministry was that they allow women to earn credits through counciling and certain activites to "buy" donated items in their "store".



2.  Urban Family Ministries
The next ministry (that we spent a majority of our time with) was Urban Family Ministries.  UFM ministers to youth in the inner city.  On Tuesday night we were able to have a barbeque for the neighborhood.  We were able to provide a physical need (many in this community are lucky to receive one meal a day), and have the opportunity to pray with them and inform them of UFM.  This is one of my favorite pictures of my daughter, Ashley, and her friend Jenna.

On Wednesday, we were able to help UFM with things that their resources don't allow time or money to get done. It was a rewarding day to get so much accomplished.  We then assisted them with their Wild Wednesday program.  They bus approximately 100 kids every Wednesday night.  They teach tem about Jesus, feed them a meal and build relationships. 

3.  Take Hold Church

The last place we spent our time with was Take Hold Church.  They are a new church plant of our church, ministering in the heartland of Grand Rapids.  They have an unique ministry reaching out to those most of us woudl run from (they look a little scary) -  Rough guys with multiple peircings/tatoos, prositutes, and the homeless.  We spent the morning worshipping we them.  We then held a car wash in order to raise money for their ministry.  (I can't imagine they receive much in the offering plate each week).  We were able to raise $650 in just 2 hours!  Then we had an incredible afternoon doing a clothing drive at the church.

Overall, it was a very exciting and rewarding week.  our students walked away with a new purpose in life!  You can view more pictures at www.grmissionstrip.blogspot.com.

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Oh, by the way - The weigt has been coming off - slowly - but I am averaging about a pound a week - I passed losing 5% of my body weight a couple weeks ago, and I think I should hit 15 lbs lost this week!

Self Discipline

2 Timothy 1:7  For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I have an issue with self discipline.  It is not something that comes easy for me.  I see this in all areas of my life: managing my weight, exercise, spending daily time with my Father, doing the dishes, writing on my blog and so much more!  Looking at the very word itself, the very idea is unpleasant - SELF-DISCIPLINE - Hebrews 12:11 says "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness". 
It is not simple.  It is not easy.  It is sorrowful.  However, in order to live a godly life and to have the peaceful fruit of righteousness it is something we need. 

How do I do this?

Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

It's the grace of God that gives me salvation that allows me to live self controlled! 
I need my Savior daily helping to pursue a self-controlled life in every area!

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Other notes:

I know it has been way too long since I have written a blog post.  I have found that trying to write on such a narrow topic is very difficult, so I may open up this blog to be a little more.  I may share things that are going on in my life or pictures of things I've done. 

Ok, on to my weight...when I started this journey, I did not want to focus on the number on the scale or my weight, just focus on becoming the woman God wanted me to be.  However, recently a friend from work asked me to join Weight Watchers with her.  Although I knew this would be a sacrifice of both time and money, and I would have to face the scale and the dreaded number every week, I decided this would be good for both of us.  (It's always better to have someone with you on a journey like this).  I was shocked at my first weigh in - I had gained 7 lbs in the past 2 months!  I guess it may be necessary to focus a little on the number. 

Attempting to look to Jesus,

Sarah