Getting to know myself… growth and life lessons

Getting to know myself… growth and life lessons

One thing I have learned about myself over the years is that I am very protective of those I love. I am a connector, and I love to connect deeply. I am a quality time person.

I am loyal, sometimes to a fault. When someone I love hurts, I have this strange part of me that hurts the way they hurt. This means I tend to adopt the hurts of those I love, I have to be careful of this trait as at times it does not serve me well.

I am sensitive, sometimes also to a fault. Sometimes I put too much weight on what others think about me, if others are upset with me, or like me…although I am getting a lot better at that as I draw closer to Jesus.

My number one spiritual gift is compassion. I am a walking, bleeding heart. This can be something great as it drives me to always want to help, to have a desire to DO and to be God’s hands and feet. This can be bad when something hits me wrong in an office meeting (ha ha, thank God I have been where I am at for 10 years now…they know me).

I get excited easily, which can be fun since it gets others excited… but can be bad when what I get excited about let’s me down.

I am faithful, loyal. I love life! I am not materialistic, and that trait turns me off in others. People and realationships are primary in my lfe!

On the flip side, I crave honest, real communication with others. I am confident in myself and my decision making skills. I am straight forward with my thoughts and feelings, although I work hard to make sure that my delivery is not abrasive, I am sure that there are times I could do better. I get impatient sometimes when I want instant results…God is working on me with this one as I type this.

I don’t like the unknown. I read this analogy this week that said…sometimes in the unknown we act like a toddler having a temper tantrum in the middle of a room of gift wrapped presents. Not a flattering picture, but this is what the “unknown” has done to me in the past. I am working hard at the unknowns in my life now to not act the same way! I know that trusting God through the “unknowns” will bring me to a great reward, even if it is not what the world determines to be a gift…if that makes any sense.

I find that when I sit in silence, another issue that God is working on in me…that He speaks. I need to listen better, and put myself in the position to listen.

Right now I feel like I am in a position where I am growing, learning to trust God, I am being challenged in many areas and I just hope that in each challenge I look to Him first. Otherwise I make a mess of things on my own.

Cheers, Beth

The Whirlwind Weekend

This weekend was a whirlwind!

Saturday we went to see my Friend Emily and her new daughter Ella. Gosh, you forget how little babies are when they are born, and Ella fed my baby fever! Chloe and Ava (Emily’s other daughter) played and enjoyed themselves playing dress up and playing with Ava’s guitar. SO CUTE! Evan was just focused on all the new trucks in Emily’s playroom. It was a short visit but a good one!

At 4 we made the short trip to my parent’s house to celebrate my dad’s birthday. We had a great meal that my mom prepared, paella, YUM! Evan was not happy with the fact that it was Grandpa’s birthday; he wanted it to be Evan’s birthday…pretty funny.

After dinner, Adam and I brought Chloe on a movie date to see Shrek 4. Chloe has loved Shrek for years now and I thought that at 3 ½ she was ready for her first movie. We had a good time, of course you have your typical embarrassing moments with a 3 year old like when she said to the lady in front of her that she cannot see, and when I found her rubbing the lady’s arm next to me (whoops). Shrek 4 was a good movie, maybe a little scarier than the others though. We had a fun movie date!
On Sunday we went to church, and then had a Church Chili Cook-off picnic after church as a local park. It was a lot of fun! Adam made chili for the first time and entered it; he did well but didn’t win, but there is always next time. We enjoyed the picnic, and the kids LOVED the playground. We love our church community!

After the Chili cook-off we went to Grandpa and Grandma DeLaForest’s house for Terese’s head shaving party. It was an emotional experience for all involved. We ate (again) and then Terese got her head shaved. Nikki and Luke both also shaved their heads in support of Terese! Later in the afternoon it was raining and the kids were playing out in the rain, it was so neat to see. This Thursday is Terese’s second chemo appointment, I am praying that it goes smoothly.
We got home with two REALLY tired little ones, it was a great weekend but we were all pooped.

Last night I went through my craft project album. I have been needing some hand towels for the powder room and it dawned on me, why would I go pay $8 at Target for hand towels when I have an abundance upstairs and I can personalize and put downstairs…I’d even like that better! So stay tuned for some pictures of my new personalized hand towels!

Cheers, Beth

More Summer Planting

Adam and I have been doing a lot of work outside lately. Adam has been working on our lawn and removing dead trees and bushes. I have been planting a LOT. This weekend was a great weekend to plant. I put in more of my garden…tomatoes, broccoli, and peppers. I still need to get in beans, peas, radishes, cucumbers, and pumpkins.


I also transplanted two hostas from Adam’s mom; one is mine and one I am taking care of for her. I also planted some more plant cover in the flower area in the front and put in a peony. I love peonies, they smell SO good and they are beautiful! I want to plant more of them over time.


I am really enjoying gardening and a hand full of times now have been able to use veggies from my garden! I can’t wait to make salsa with my tomatoes and just walk to the garden to get what I need to cook!

Cheers, Beth

Devotion : A Saved Heart will want to serve

Today my devotion spoke to my heart. The title is “A Saved Heart will want to serve.”

Serving, volunteering, reaching out, and being a blessing to others has always been something that is near and dear to my heart. Those who know me that I am always serving/volunteering in some way. I have something in me that innately wish to bless others and feel a deep conviction to serve. My motivation has never been because I think I can get into heaven by works, rather, it is something that is deep rooted in me.

When I was reading my devotion I was elated…thinking…this is for me! I felt encouraged, blessed, and like God was cheering me on and confirming what is in my heart!

Here were the specific portions of the devotion that spoke to me:
“You were saved to serve God”
“You're not saved by service, but you are saved for service”
“In God's kingdom, you have a place, a purpose, a role, and a function to fulfill”
“The apostle John taught that our loving service to others shows that we are truly saved”

But the one line that hit hardest for me was:
“If I have no love for others, no desire to serve others, and I'm only concerned about my needs, I should question whether Christ is really in my life. A saved heart is one that wants to serve.”

When I read this line I felt confirmation about one of my biggest pet peeves…I always was hoping that this pet peeve was not me being judgmental. When others don’t do anything to give back or make the world a better place or if you are a Christian you are not doing anything to further God’s kingdom or support your fellow believers or using the gifts God gave you. In fact, I had blogged about this not too long and the title of the post was “If you are not growing, you are dying.”

I am not perfect and I know the areas in my life that God is perfecting. However, this devotion was an encouraging one. I'll challenge you, what are you doing to reach out, how are you using your gifts?

Cheers, Beth
P.s I read the Purpose Driven Life, daily devotion online