Changing Your Mindest

In a world where there is so much negativity and sorrow, drama and hate, pain, sickness, and death, how do we keep a positive mindset?  How do we keep ourselves from sinking into the same negativity that surrounds us daily?

I firmly believe that Satan attacks our minds more than anything else.

I mean, really, think about it for just a second.

According to Medical News Today, suicide is the 10th leading-cause of death in the US, and the second-leading cause of death among people aged 10-34.  And, this doesn’t include the individuals who attempted suicide and survived.

I know from experience how easy it is to get sucked down into the mindset of how much easier it would be for everyone, and myself, if I just took myself out of the equation.  I believe that Satan uses us in those weak moments.  In those moments when we are mentally at our weakest, that is when he pounces.  He fills our minds with lies. He tells us we are not needed, we are not loved, we are not enough, and the troubles in this life are not worth fighting through.

NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE!

So, when we are in the valleys of our life, how do we keep from allowing Satan to get a foothold and keep us from climbing out of that valley?

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
Whatever things are noble,
Whatever things are just,
Whatever things are pure,
Whatever things are lovely,
Whatever things are of good report,
If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-
Meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8

Inspired by God, the apostle Paul gave the Philippians advise to focus of the good, and the positive.  He even says  to meditate on these things!  If you are familiar with Paul’s history at all, then you know that Paul had every excuse in the world to give up and give in to a negative mindset.

Today, we have so much information right at our fingertips, good and bad.  Social media is infested with drama, hate, anger, pain, and death.  The news is full of all the bad going on in the world, and hardly ever focuses on any good. Because, well, drama sells!

My meager advice to you…

1. Surround yourself with positive minded people!
   If, when you leave your circle of friends, you feel more drained mentally then uplifted, you need to run! Run to a new circle who pray for you, and encourage you.
2.  Take advantage of that nifty little unfollow button on social media!
   If you are continuously seeing negative posts from people on your newsfeed, UNFOLLOW!!  Trust me, its worth it.
3.   Look for the good! 
   I promise, there is always a silver lining.  If you are more inclined to think negatively, this may take some practice, but if you look for the good in all situations, God will help you find it!
4.  Count your blessings! 
   There are so many things to be thankful for! Dwell on those things.  No matter how small you think it is, be thankful for it!
5.  Last but not least, If all else fails, remember, GOD CREATED YOU IN HIS IMAGE!! 
   You were worth it to Him to send His only Son to die an unbelievable cruel death, to give you hope beyond this life. Satan can not compete with that! Oh, the freedom in that fact!

Mindset is everything, and if you make a conscience effort to retrain your mind to meditate on all things good, positive, and pure.  It is truly freeing, and you will be able to make it out of that valley!

 

Site sources
*medicalnewstoday.com, article written by Hannah Nichols, Published on July 4, 2019.

 

 

 

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Get Outside

It’s Friday and the plan for our Fridays are usually pretty light as far as school is concerned.  This Friday, however, will be a regular full school day.  We played hooky on Tuesday and Wednesday.  

This is why I love homeschooling.  We had the opportunity to stay at a close friends lake house and took full advantage of it.  I didn’t have to worry about calling the school and asking for my kids to be excused, or wait for school to be out completely. Nope, we just went!  The freedom of homeschool!

I know some on the outside might think it irresponsible to not school everyday, but I know my kids learned as they played.   Science happened!  History was discussed!  Believe it or not, math was even used!  This is what we call, “real life learning”.

Too many kids don’t get outside and play.  Our world has been taken over by electronics and cell phones, and to be able to get outside and disconnect is fantastic, and I never miss an opportunity to do so!

Let’s encourage our children to go outside, discover, and learn!

Healthy Gut, Happy YOU!

4 days in and I am already seeing changes.
As you all know, I am a homeschool mom of two.  Knowing that my children’s success, or lack there of, lands squarely on my shoulders, is beyond stressful.  This stress translates, for me at least, into frustrations and an irritability on my part, that my husband and kids receive the brunt of.

Take today for example.  My daughter is struggling to grasp some math concepts.  Typically, I would have become impatient, and so frustrated with her ability to grasp these concepts in the amount of time I thought was adequate.  She is already frustrated and ready to quit without me adding to the meltdown by having one of my own, which happens more often than I would like to admit.

Today, however, was surprisingly different.  The difference wasn’t in how quickly my child learned her math, or how much better her attitude was towards her mother.  No, the difference was me, my attitude, and the way I handled the eye rolls and mumbling.  About a quarter of the way through the lesson, I began to see it.  I began realizing that I wasn’t frustrated like I normally would have been by then.  I wasn’t becoming angry with my daughter for her attitude towards someone who was just trying to help.

It was like the fog had been lifted.  Yes, I know 4 days is not a long time for me to already be thinking that this is because of Plexus, but I know myself well enough to know that this wasn’t a fluke.  I know when there is a change in my attitude and the way I react to situations, whether good or bad.

90% of your body’s mood-boosting serotonin is produced in your gut.  The Plexus Triplex System is a combination of Bio Cleanse, ProBio 5 and Slim supplements.  Bio Cleanse works to remove harmful microbes and substances from your gut, ProBio 5 restores a healthy balance to your intestinal tract, and Slim helps your gut microbiome thrive while supporting healthy glucose metabolism.

On a rather personal note, I would also add that my bowel movements are beginning to finally show some semblance of normalcy.  YEAH, HIGH FIVE!!!

4 days in and WOW! That is all I have to say!

Still skeptical? I would be too if it was just me on this journey, but it isn’t.  I have two older sisters that can attest to the same benefits, which is the sole reason I am where I am now.  Without hearing about their results, I would have never joined myself.  Please, google or bing, or whatever you do, “TriPlex testimonials”, and hear from others.  It is well worth it.

If you are already on the way to a healthier you with Plexus, please leave a comment and share how their products have benefitted you.

 

Why Plexus?

You may be wondering why someone who is 5’7″ and weighs 104 pounds would even be considering trying Plexus.  Well, let me start by saying that I am obviously not in it for the weight loss benefits.

 

So what is Plexus??
❌Plexus is NOT a weight loss drink or diet pill.
❌Plexus is not a meal replacement.
❌Plexus is not a fad.
❌Plexus is not an energy drink.
Plexus Slim was designed for diabetics to help balance blood sugars. Balancing glucose helps heart health, hormone balance, sleep regularity, energy levels, reduce inflammation, and reduce cravings for sweets and carbs. We encourage healthy eating and exercise but Plexus itself is a simple tool to help balance your body in an all-natural way. There are no quick fixes, no meal replacements.

Plexus is a wellness company with incredible enzymes, vitamins and minerals that help balance and restore the body. Once everything is balanced it can begin to thrive, repair and run optimally. Most people have no idea how good our bodies are designed to feel when you give it the right building blocks consistently.

I have joined this company for the gut health benefits.  I have always struggled with a lack of energy, concentration, anger, mood swings, and constipation.  I am starting with the Triplex which will work to remove, restore and rebalance my body to help get my gut back into balance

. 

I am currently on day 2 and will be posting regularly about the changes I am excited to start seeing.  If you are at all interested in this company or have any questions, please feel free to ask.  I may not have all the answers yet, but I can definitely put you in touch with someone who does.

Here’s to better gut health and more energy!

Froggy Morning

Living in Florida guarantees high humidity, foggy mornings, and bugs. The bugs that come out in the evening, attracted to the light radiating from my windows, are a temptation that the frogs just can’t resist.

A little while back, while I was enjoying my morning coffee, I had noticed a frog that was still clinging to my window from the night before.  I didn’t pay him too much attention and went on about my normal morning routine.

After a while I noticed that the frog was no longer on the window, but he had left a trail through the condensation.  My curiosity caused me to take a closer look.  When I did, I was surprised to find very defined frog prints.

He is welcome to leave smudges on my window as long as he helps keep the bug population down!

 

Saying Goodbye

If you have read any of my posts on my time in Trinidad, then you would be somewhat familiar with Parker Henderson.  He was a friend, a Grandfather figure, and an inspiration to me.  He spent the majority of his life in the mission field along with his wife and children.  He is a legend as far as missionaries are concerned, or at least he is to me.

On the morning of June 22, I received a text message from a friend informing me that Parker, at 92 years young, had passed.  The flood of emotions were unlike any I had experienced before.  I immediately broke down in uncontrolled sobs.  I texted my dad and let him know and then my husband, who was at work.

For the rest of the day I tried to figure out a way to be able to attend a funeral in Lubbock, Texas, over a thousand miles away.  That was not in the realm of possibility for me at that time.  I had just visited my parents in Texas in late March, early April.  Trying to make that trip again that soon just wasn’t likely.  Knowing this made it all worse.  Finding out a couple of days later that the service would be streamed live over YouTube made not being able to be there, bearable.

My parents, of course, were planning on attending, along with some very dear friends of ours who would make the trip from Trinidad to be there.  There were people coming all the way from Thailand as well.

The next couple of days, my mind was bombarded with memories of Parker and our time with him and Donna in Trinidad: mundane memories, and memories that made me laugh out loud followed immediately by uncontrolled tears.  My nights were even filled with dreams of Parker.

On June 26, the day of the service, I was up around 7 and doing my regular morning routine. I got the coffee on, went out to feed the animals, came in and fixed my coffee.  The morning went by so slow.  The funeral didn’t start till 11:00 my time, and it seemed like I could find nothing that could pass that time quick enough to satisfy me.  I had informed my kids that they didn’t have to watch with me but I was going to, and I really wanted quiet during that time.  They are old enough that that request was totally possible.  They both said that they wanted to be there with me and I was fine with that.

Around 10:30 I turned our TV on YouTube and checked the time and screen continuously.  At 10:54 I decided I would go to the restroom so I wouldn’t have to leave the room during the service.

While I was washing my hands, I began hearing music playing, and  my son yelled out that it was starting.  I hurried down the hall and turned the corner, looking up at the screen that is mounted on our wall.  I immediately recognized the back of my dad’s head, and yelled out, “It’s Daddy!  Look, it’s Ma and Papa!”  My parents were right in the center of my TV screen and after letting out a sob, tears began flooding my eyes and running down my cheeks.  I felt so weak at that point that I stumbled back a little as I attempted to find my chair.

I fumbled around trying to get my Messenger on my phone pulled up.  Through the sobs and tears, I managed to text my mom, “I can see you!”  I saw my mom look down at her phone and start looking around for the camera.  She turned around and was smiling at me.  She then showed the text to my dad,  I saw him read the message and then he turned around and smiled at me.  Being able to see my parents throughout the service helped me feel more like I was really there.  It is hard to put into words how comforting that was but at the same time, how much more painful it made it all.

Parker’s service was beautiful.  Just seeing how many people where there from so many different places and countries, not to mention how many of us who were attending via YouTube, really was a testament to how many people he had an impact on.  He will be missed, but every time I hear the song “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus”, I will think of him.

 

Blame it All on My Roots

This picture was taken in Cameron, Texas at an awesome BBQ joint. After watching my nephew play t-ball, we all decided we wanted BBQ for supper and according to my sister and her husband, it had the best BBQ in town. Circle S BBQ was basically a large metal building with a drive through and a covered area with a few picnic tables to either wait on your order or “dine” in.

We ordered brisket, because who doesn’t order brisket at a BBQ place in TEXAS, and dug in. The food was not a disappointment!

While eating, the drive through was in continuous motion with trucks and trailers pulling fully tacked horses ready to work. Typical traffic for a small town in Texas.

While eating, a group of men came up, ordering at the window, and then sitting to patiently wait on their food. They caught my attention immediately because they were the epitome of a Texas cowboy. Dusty old cowboy hats, jeans that had seen better days, and old button up blue jean shirts. To top it off, they walked up with their spurs jingling. I immediately took a few pictures. This was the end result.

Disclaimer: The photographs produced by Homeschool4love are protected by Federal Copyright Law (all rights reserved) and may not be reproduced in any manner without the Homeschool4love’s explicitly written permission. Any photographs that are shared on this site will not be copied or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the company/blog/individual.

Saddle Sunset

I took this photo earlier this year.  The funny thing about this picture is that, since I was facing the glaring sun, I didn’t even realize I had managed to capture my son in the background, which made me love the picture even more.

Disclaimer:  The photographs produced by Homeschool4love are protected by Federal Copyright Law (all rights reserved) and may not be reproduced in any manner without the Homeschool4love’s explicitly written permission.  Any photographs that are shared on this site will not be copied or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the company/blog/individual.

Adventures in Horses

Untying G from the trailer, he thoughtfully lowered his head down, allowing me to place the reigns over his ears.  After coaxing my horse over as close to our trailer as I could possible get him to go,  I climbed up onto the finder well.  Leaning over, carefully reaching for the saddle horn, I jumped from the trailer onto the saddle.  He stood very quiet while I leaned over, situating my feet in the stirrups.   Reaching for the reigns now, I was ready to go and so was he.

I rode over to where my dad was waiting, and he led us to the arena and we went over the barrel pattern a couple of times while waiting for my turn.  “Right inside… figure 8 to the left inside…head to the right side of the third barrel and then bring him home.”  Nothing too complicated, especially when the majority of the ride, for this little girl, was done at a trot.

In the alley way now, my dad pats me on the knee and smiles.  Meanwhile, I am pleading with him to please not swat G on the rear with his hat, like he does with my older sisters, as I head out.  I was happy to come out of the alley way at a very slow trot.  He assures me that he won’t, but I still keep a close eye on his hand, making sure he doesn’t bring it up to his hat as I kick my horse forward, toward the first barrel.  He keeps his word, of course.

I round the first barrel, no problem.  The second barrel is in my sights and we trot around it and head to the third.  G begins to slow so I kick a little to keep his speed at a trot, but he is being stubborn, insisting on slowing down and I immediately recognize this suspicious behavior.

I begin kicking frantically to no avail.  G comes to a complete stop right between the second and third barrels and I begin to hear all the people in the stands laughing.

HE WAS POOPING!

I understand that when you got to go, you got to go, but come on!  He couldn’t of waited just a couple more seconds before relieving himself? I was so mad I could have spit.  I should have spit, right between his ears! I kicked, and kicked, and kicked, for what seemed like an eternity, and he pooped.

I was beyond relieved when he finally finished and began moving forward again.  I think I rounded that third barrel and ran that stinkin horse “home” as fast I had ever rode, just to get out of sight of all those people.

Daddy was waiting, as always, to tell me I had done a good job, and he did.  I don’t remember much else after that, except the feeling of being laughed at while I sat on a pooping horse is etched in my memory forever.  Needless to say, I probably had the slowest time in the history of barrel racing.

Although, at the time I was furious with my horse and embarrassed beyond consoling, moments like these were what made my childhood great.  These are the things I look back on now and laugh at.  These are the moments I cherish.

G and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but he left hoof prints on my heart.

Best Peanut Butter Cookies, EVER!

With the temperatures finally beginning to drop a little, I don’t mind using my oven quite as much.  So, when I had a craving for something sweet, I was more inclined to whip up something from scratch then drive 20 minutes into town to satisfy my craving.

I wanted something quick and easy, so I decided on my peanut butter cookies.  This recipe is very simple but still so very good. 

First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Next, mix together in a medium sized mixing bowl your sugars, peanut butter, shortening, margarine, vanilla extract, and egg.

Next, stir in your remaining ingredient.  This will be your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This will form a stiff cookie dough.

Shape into about one inch balls of dough, and place them on a non-greased cookie sheet, about an inch to an inch and a half apart.  Using a fork, gently press down on the dough in one direction and then press in the opposite direction, creating a crisscross pattern.

Bake in a 375 degree, preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cool for 2 minutes and remove from cookie sheet.  This makes approximately 40 cookies.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.