Today's Message

Today's message at Willow by Darren Whitehead was about believing. Well...that's what it was titled but it was really more based on the whole Matthew 7:7-12 passage.

7 ¶ aAsk, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask for bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

I walked away remembering a few things...and maybe some of you can help me process through my thoughts...

1. God wants to bless our lives in ways that we can't even imagine.
2. I am too selfish to stop what I am doing and ASK him to change what I think is just going the "normal" way in life.
3. If I were to ask for the desires of my heart, would that be selfish?
4. What isn't selfish to ask for?

I mean...this got really complicated for me, and I don't think that Darren intended people to get confused. But I struggle.

Does God want us to just ask that he heals Sean's ankle? OR for the surgery to just be scheduled already? I know that I have prayed time and time again(fully believing)for Sean's ankle to just be "fixed", for God to take the one thing that plagues Sean's mind and body and bless his socks off by taking that pain away. And yet, I know that God's timing is perfect AND that he hasn't left our sides during this frustrating process. But was it selfish to ask?

What about my business??? Is it selfish for me to ask God to increase the number of customers or work that I have? I LOVE my job...and I am not just saying that. I really do have a certain passion for helping people change their homes or their lives through providing income for their families. But is that what God really wants from me? Sometimes I feel so out of balance when I am running ragged from party to party. It does help me cherish the time that I have with my little ones but is it selfish to ask for him to bless me through my workload?

What about us buying a home? I know that he has provided us the home that we have now. Why am I not content? Is it selfish for me to ask him to provide a larger home where we are not running all over each other?

The problem is... the things that I am asking him for feel worldly(except for Sean's ankle)...and I know that he also says to be content! I am just so confused. I want to ask God and not forget his promises but also "not be selfish about it". Does that make sense?

Chalkwall...ALL THE RAGE! :)

Remember when I mentioned that Uppercase Living had a great new promotion...that was for a limited time...chalkwall??? WELL!!!! It is now one of our number 1 sellers and is here to stay! There are so many things that you can do with chalkwall! Our great cutout kits are perfect for a pre-teen room, dorm room or playroom! Our organizational kits are great for kitchens, refrigerators and offices and the blank chalkwall is just the thing to add a personal touch to! These are GREAT!!!!!! And the best part...THEY ARE REUSEABLE! So...if you don't like them where they are...move them! :)

Two 3's and a 1

My how they grow. I know...I don't need to tell you, but lately I have been thinking more and more about when they were babies. How they wiggled, made grunting noises, moved their mouths towards food. They are SO big and I realize this problem can only get worse! :) I realize that if I feel today like I am letting them go...in about 10 years I will feel devestated by the fact that I have to allow them to leave this nest. I love these girls. Oh goodness...I want to slow time so that I can cherish every second with them, and yet I am sure those who have gone before me feel the same way. Here we go again. I praise God for their healthy bodies, clear minds and kind spirits. They are truly wonderful little girls!

I.got.the.upgrade.

Holy Smokes! I can't even believe it!

Uppercase just released it's Summer 09 newsletter and I was starting to read through it...when I got to page 10 I realized that my NAME WAS ON THE CABIN UPGRADE LIST!!!!!!! HOLY SMOKES!

I know...big deal right???

Well....a few stats. 21 demonstrators even earned cruise. 5 got an upgrade... 1000's of demonstrators across the country...

HOLY SMOKES! I can't believe it!

9 years! Say What????

Tomorrow is our 9 year anniversary(yes...I remembered this year!). I still can't believe how time has flown! Together we have been through twins, job loss, car trouble, living in a tiny apartment, debt repayment, struggling to make ends meet, pregnancy after pregnancy after one more pregnancy!, moving, extended family issues, injury, disability, church changes, and most recently landlord issues. Whew! Sounds like alot! But honestly those were the struggles and I truly believe that "every true stregnth is gained through struggle", and "God is present in every struggle".

So today I reflect on the fact that God has never left us. He brought us together and has blessed us each day along the way.

Love you babe!

I love these kids! :)

Even the big one!

And in March 2011 I will be...

on an all-inclusive trip to the exotic Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe resort in the Mayan Riviera!

Yep, you guessed it!!! This is the next trip for UL demonstrators who earn it! I am thrilled. This seems so fun, so inviting, so warm!

Here is some more info about the location-

Barcelo Maya Palace All Inclusive is situated on the Mayan Riviera, nine miles from Xcaret (theme park), and 45 miles from Cancun International Airport. This location is also 13 miles from Playa del Carmen, 16 miles from Xel-Ha, 20 miles from Tulum (Mayan ruins), and 90 miles from Cancun. The property's amenities include the meals and snacks, beverages, watersports, snorkeling (one hour a day), kayaks, tennis, basketball, miniature golf, salsa dancing lessons, daily shows, and use of the swimming pool, spa tub, beach and pool chaise lounges, and kids' club. Motorized watersports, scuba diving, spa and beauty services, laundry and dry cleaning, airport transfers, premium beverages, business services, and babysitting are available for a fee. A buffet-style restaurant, and 3 a la carte restaurants are also available on site. Barcelo Maya Palace guests have access to the whole Barcelo Maya complex and may use any of the pools, restaurant or public areas they desire. Other amenities on property include children's pool with a slide in a water park, a fitness center, an 18-hole miniature golf course, seven lighted tennis courts and two lighted multi-sport courts, a business center, and a discotheque. Gift shops are located in the lobby. All rooms feature modern decoration in bright colors, air-conditioning, cable TV, in-room movies, minibars, coffeemakers, complimentary bottled water, bathrobes, voicemail, dataports, sofas, and balconies or terraces. Bathrooms are large, well lit and are finished in marble. Closets are spacious and in room safes are available.

Back! And Thrilled!

to have a new catalog to offer! I can't even believe how many of our requests were met by our company! This catalog will be so easy to sell and my hostesses are going to be so happy that they will get their wish lists for free or half price! Here are just a few photos from the convention!