Day 20

30 Days of Dealing Living:  Day 20


Matthew 17:20 NIV

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."


It is amazing how small things can make sure a big impact on our days.  I have had small things remind me of loved ones that have passed on.  A benefit that reminded me of Phil Clodfelter, going by Bryan's uncle's house made me think of another uncle and then thought of his wife that had passed.  Then my sister Julie posted a picture of the rubber ducks that used to sit on Mom's bathroom counter.  Later on I found an item that belong to Bryan's dad and in the same drawer found a picture of my nephew Nick.  All of these wonderful people have left my life in the last seven years.  I found myself sitting in the chair in the back feeling a little sad and missing them all.  Small things that made a big impact on my mind and reminded me of how much they all meant to me.  Small things with Steven can mean big fits.  He was mad because I wouldn't copy a picture for him or let him sleep in the camper.  That means he got mad and did some hitting and kicking.  He threw the computer, which means he lost it for the night.  After Bryan got home from church Steven got happy again.  Maybe it was the hug that Daddy gave him.  Bryan told Steven he looked like he needed a hug.  It seemed to be what he needed.  We moved to the back couch and turned on the tv.  Steven laid there watching Sesame Street on the Kindle and Los Lonely Boys on the tv.  When he decided to go back to the other room he said, "have fun Lonely Boys?".  Which means he enjoyed it.  To me all of this is small, but who knows to Steven they could be huge.  Which is something we need to remember, two people rarely look at the same thing in the exact same way.  So, I did find myself dealing some today and don't know that some of these instances today I will ever get past dealing with.  It wasn't bad, just sad. 

Blessings
Church
My hubby knowing what we need
Slept two nights in a row in bed (we will see if we can make it 3)

Take care and God bless,
Sherri

Day 19

30 Days of  Dealing Living:  Day 19

Galatians 6:2

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

 

 

I just can't seem to get my thoughts together to get a blog done.  I had a good day, started out to early at 3:36 but good.  I helped out some getting a benefit ready for someone whose house burned down.  It is great to see so many people help others.  I enjoyed spending the little time I had with the others.  I want to thank Janet for helping get everything together for the benefit.  Also thanks to all those who helped at it.  It is great to live in such a caring community.

 

Blessings

look above

Steven in a good mood.

 

Take Care and God Bless,

Sherri

 

 

 

Day 18

30 Days of  Dealing Living:  Day 18


Proverbs 16:9
⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.



I have planned out so much in my life that has never come to pass.  Oh how I would love to have lived in the country with a pond as Steven was growing up.  But for safety reasons, we didn't.  Bryan (and me some) would love to have a dog.  But with Steven being scared of them and me allergic, we don't.  I planned on Steven walking to class today, but that didn't happen either.  I'm not sure what got to him today, but he didn't want to go to school.  The only thing I could really figure was that it was the beginning of a new month and it should be time to go on vacation.  Well, that isn't happening this month.  We had planned on going somewhere the week before Easter on a small trip, had hoped to go to Tulsa.  But the washer and van changed all of that.  We will stick around here and go on a couple of day trips.  Everything will be fine.  Today I was able to walk 30 minutes, I don't plan that anymore I just walk until it hurts to bad.  I am so glad I have the chance to exercise on a regular basis.  Especially since it is with my hubby.  I thank God that Bryan and I have the chance to spend time together during the day while Steven is in school.  It is great to have that time to talk, relax, study and just enjoy our time together.  We had a good evening with a minimal amount of screaming.  He was asleep by 7:30 and hopefully he will sleep in. 

Take care and God bless,
Sherri


I love taking pictures of nature.  It reminds me of how God will take care of me more than he does the birds and flowers.  He will direct my path.

Day 17

30 Days of  Dealing Living:  Day 17


Romans 12:3-8 NIV

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.


I was trying to find a scripture about going out of your comfort zone.  You can be called to do things outside of your comfort zone.  I have found that out quite a bit since I have started attending Godsippers.  I never would have thought I would go and help out with a clothing ministry let alone being the director.  It isn't my favorite thing to do as I am self conscious about being around other people I don't know.  I tend to come across differently than I think I am.  I have upset people without trying or knowing.  But, God will lead me through.  I also never would have thought a year ago that I would be doing a blog and sharing the way I am.  It is mind blowing that I have had people from Germany, the UK, Portugal, Ukraine and others reading my thoughts.  What a wonderful way to share the word of God.   I always thought that God called me to teach children and that was it.  HA!  That was like when I prayed for God to let me specialize in working with Autistic children and he gave me one of my very own.  God has plans and you have to be careful with what you pray for because you may get it.  But, you have to remember that God will make it possible for you to do what he has called you for.  Even though at times, I have thought I had no direction or how to take care of Steven.  But, God has always come through for us.  Such as the past several months Steven was throwing fit day after day and no end in sight, the end has pretty well come.  He has been going to class happily for the past couple of weeks.  It is so nice to have him back to happy with going to school.  It is so much easier when he is happy.  Today was kind of a rough day for me as my fibro was acting up pretty good.  We will see what tomorrow brings and go from there.  I refuse to worry about how I am feeling as it isn't permanent as God is in control.  We had a small group at Godsippers, but fun none the less.  I love those ladies and thank God for me going.  This goes back to the comfort zone thing, it took me several months of trying to convince myself to go because I was worried about how I would be viewed and if I would be accepted by them.  Let me tell you that Satan was laughing all that time I was scared to go, because they are wonderful.  It is so important to have a group that you know has your back when you venture outside of your comfort zone for God that will cheer you on and let you lean on them while you find your way. 

Blessings
Steven walked to class
Godsippers
couldn't walk as far as usual, but could walk some

Take care and God bless,
Sherri

My darling son, that in hind sight I asked God for.

Day 16

30 Days of Dealing Living: Day 16


Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

 

Well, I have made it over half way in my journey.  I will tell you I feel so much better.  It is nice to have such a different look out on life.  I have definitely stopped dealing and started living.  I know I will have rough days as that is just life.  But no more of day in and day out of focusing on the negative.  Steven is having better days at school and seems to actually look forward to it again.  I am enjoying the workouts, which never happened before.  I am so much happier.  I must say today did have a down time.  Bryan and I have always said that Steven can be worse when he is happy.  Tonight was a prime example of just that.  The past couple of days Steven has been very screamy and hyper.  I had to be a mean mom and put my foot down hard.  That meant a fit to where Steven threw things, hit and kicked for about 5 minutes.  Then he stopped and calmed down with no more screaming.  We will see how tomorrow goes.  I hate doing it, but sometimes it has to be done. 

Blessings:
Steven still walking to class
I was able to walk a mile today and do some stretching this evening

Take care and God bless,
Sherri


A calm and happy boys makes for a calm and happy home.

 

Day 15

30 Days of Dealing Living: Day 15

“Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life.”
― Charles M. Schulz


I thought I would put a quote about siblings today.  I found a picture today from Thanksgiving of 1971 and thought I would share it.  I know that my brothers and sisters tormented me growing up.  Well, not so much Julie and Shirley, but the rest did.  Julie and Shirley just moved out,.  I guess I really got upset with Julie moving out.  I was to little to remember.  It was mainly the three above me.  Terri, Jeff and Steve who tormented me the most.  They found all sorts of ways to do it.  Hanging my stuffed animals by the curtain strings and locust shells on the light switches to name a couple.  I won't mention how Terri caused me to have bad dreams because she tricked me into coloring on the walls.   But, I wouldn't be who I am without them.  At times, I wish Steven could experience it, but he wouldn't understand a lot of it.  Steven did have a good day today and walked to class again!!!  They said he had a good day all day.  He wanted to take the laptop in today and I let him.  He got to play it at 2:00.  Which is their down time before they leave.  So, he got Wendy's tonight.  I didn't feel good today and didn't work out.  Bryan didn't understand how bad I felt until he went to Guitar Center.  I told him I would wait and not even go to Gordmans.  Then he knew.  Back to my siblings, I cherish each and everyone of them.  I know that I am not as close as I would like to be, but growing up and having our own families can cause that.  The best thing is that I know they are there for me come what may.  I want to thank Julie, Shirley, Mike, Terri (yes even her), Jeff and Steve for being there for me and loving me. 

I am behind on blessings, so here is a catch up.

Day 12-
no meltdown with Steven wanting it to be Sunday

Day 13-
Church
Steven had a pretty good day

Day 14-
Felt good
Got Steven to sleep early and got to watch my favorite show

Day 15-
Steven had a good day
My wonderful brothers and sisters.

Take care and God bless,
Sherri

Just look at Terri's face and ours, tell me she didn't cause all the problems at home. :) Also, no clue why the picture was taken at a funky angle.

Day 14

30 Days of Dealing Living: Day 14

Isaiah 40:31 NIV
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Today started out pretty rough.  Actually at home wasn't bad and most of the drive went good.  But once we got on the interstate he wanted to go home.  He didn't walk to his class today, but it was after a 4 day weekend that wasn't expected.  Especially after him being so upset over Saturday not being Sunday.  He also wanted today to be Sunday.  We pray that tomorrow will go better.  I didn't get a lot of exercise done today as my hip was hurting.  But, I did get some in.  I am thinking of chaning up to where I walk at the gym and do some weights here.  I have to get my weight down.  Of course, I need to get eating better.  I didn't do bad today.  Not as good as I thought.  I was surprised to find out the Charbroiled Cod tacos I had at Hardee's were 300 calories and 18g fat each.  I didn't think they would be that bad.  I guess I need to look before I eat.  I did find an app that will ehlp with calories.  It even has fast food in it.  The way home was pretty good, but Steven was pretty hyper.  It continued here and then he decided he wanted me to print the same picture out for him everytime I turned around.  I told him no after two and he had to wait until tomorrow.  So he decided to shove the laptop off of the bed, which I caught.  Then I still wouldn't do it and he threw his Kindle.  I knew pretty well when he was hyper that he would crash quickly once he went.  I knew even more with the way he was reacting to everything, he would go quick.  He stopped and crashed about 7 and was asleep by 7:15.  I have been enjoying the night, especially since I got to watch Bones for the first time in I don't know how long.  I love that show.  I feel really good tonight and it will keep up I know it! 

Take care and God Bless,
Sherri

The eagles in Missouri across the Alton bridge.