Don't forget...

This is just a reminder that you will find my posts over here now. Click on over so you don't miss things like the lessons I learned from my dog, my thoughts on the book of James (a Beth Moore Bible Study), encouragement for your parenting journey, thoughts on peace in disappointment, a book review, and a book announcement {mine}.

See you soon!

Keepin' it Real...D

Surprise!

I am so excited right now. I have something to tell you that will rock your world. Well, actually, it won’t rock your world at all…but it has rocked mine. I am giddy like a school girl and I can’t wait to spill the beans – so here it goes!

Are you sitting down?

{deep breath}

I am moving. Well, not me, but my blog. I have made the move to WordPress!! On the count of three, let me hear you...1, 2, 3 {hooray!!}

Friends, this was not an easy move for this less-than-tech-savvy-chic, so please don’t be too disappointed when you click over. The site is as simple as they come. There will be improvements made...you know, just as soon as I figure it all out or break down and pay someone else to do it for me. In the meantime, please extend some grace knowing that it is a work in progress!

With that said, would you pretty please click on over to journeywithd.com?  {yes – my very own domain}
Go ahead, get comfy. Click the follow button or subscribe via RSS. I don't want you to miss anything…because it is all so worthy, right?

I’ll pretend that you agree.

Please know that you will find all my past thoughts on my new site, with the exception of my food posts. I heard you loud and clear friends. I am in the process of moving my food posts to a new site - Dining with Deanna {clever...or not}. So what are you waiting for? Click, click and away we go!

Would you help me spread the word about my new site? Share it any way you would like. I would be ever so grateful!

Keepin’ it Real…D

No Excuses

Have you ever thought about serving outside your home? Regularly? 

“She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy” (31:20).

This Proverbs 31 woman is amazing {duh} and today we see a new side of her. Previously, we have been watching her work with her hands and serving her family. Now we see her serving others.

One might say that this is common sense. The Bible is rich with commands to serve others. True. But put yourself in a mother’s shoes. Walk with her weary legs as she provides a home for her family – and all that entails! And then, on top of washing dishes, clothes, and windows, imagine heading out to deliver food to those who are sick. On top of making meals and washing clothes, imagine finding time to visit a shut-in. On top of cleaning toilets and making beds, imagine serving at a local food bank. On top of wiping tears, noses, and tushies, imagine being a volunteer at the hospital. On top of giving hugs and saying prayers, imagine helping the homeless. Yes, on top of all that, imagine finding time to serve others.

Sometimes I wonder how I made it through a day of cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Time flies when you are having fun! I could very easily tell you that I am just too busy to serve others. I could assume that other people will take care of the needs. I could say that I have nothing to offer. But that would just be another excuse to disobey God’s word.

Sometimes his commands and the examples he gives us in the Bible do not fit neatly into a box. Sometimes we just have to step out in faith and rely on God to give us strength, courage, and time. Covered in prayer, the needs you can address will become evident. Even on top of all you do as a wife and mother, allow God to the opportunity to work through you in the lives of those living outside your home. Certainly he will provide the way once your eyes are open and your heart is willing.

How do you serve outside your home?

Keepin’ it Real…D



Thoughts taken from Courtney’s eBook, The Proverbs 31 Woman.

His Creation

As mentioned in this post, my church is beginning to study the Bible in chronological order. {Back to Genesis I go!} This past Sunday we talked about creation, the fall, and the flood. As I read and pondered the Scriptures, I honed in on creation.

I love how God starts his precious words to us. It doesn’t start with who he is or why he is doing what he is doing. It doesn’t even tell us how he created – the process. It just tells us that he created. He created day and night, land and sea, sun and moon, animals, plants, trees…and you.

God created you.

Please think about the impact these three little words have. How does knowing this make you feel?

The same God who created the thousands of stars twinkling in the sky at night also created you. It just so happens that he is the one who thought of fluffy white clouds. He determined the brilliance of the sunset sky. It is God who created the vast oceans and the massive mountains. He alone created the Grand Canyon and the solar system. He produced the trees and flowers with color in abundance. The birds in the air. The creatures on the ground. His. His thought. His creation. It is all his and part of his plan. And so are you.

Soak that in. You were created by God. Knit together. A life planned perfectly. No mistakes. No flaws. You are who you are because God created you that way. Those freckles. God’s design. That limp. God’s design. Your body. God’s design. You are indeed “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) by a God who took great care in your design. He breathed life into your body. And he said, “It is good.”

“I chose you before I formed you in the womb, I set you apart before you were born.”

~ Jeremiah 1:5

Now how do you feel? What resonates deep in your heart knowing that God took such great care in you? Are you in awe? Do you wonder why you are so special? Do you wonder what the process was like for God?

Sometimes I think about this. I wonder why he gave me gray hair when blonde would have been prettier. Why I am short and stocky instead of tall and slender. I wonder why I can write but I can’t take a test. Why I can could do a cartwheel but I can't dribble a ball. Why I love asparagus and hate Brussels sprouts. I wonder why my heart breaks at some things and not others. I wonder…

And as I wonder, I get a glimpse of my God. The God who created the incredible heavens and beautiful earth. The same God who created the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen, the deepest blue ocean, the highest mountain, the blazing sun, and the soft moon. This God who populated the earth with living creatures, bountiful crops, striking flowers…he also created me. I am his best creation.

Can you soak that in?

Keepin’ it Real…D

A Few Chapters of You - A Book of Him

I was so excited to be in the New Testament for the B90 challenge and then it hit me. I am participating in a church wide study called The Story. If you haven’t heard of this, it is the Bible written like a novel {sort of…but not really}. We began our journey together on Sunday so guess what that means? I’m back in the Old Testament.

*sigh*

But really, all is well in my world (in case you were wondering), because I am simultaneously in the NT with the B90 challenge – for a few more weeks anyway. God has a lot to teach this girl and I am ready to soak it all in! And, let’s face it, I gravitate towards the NT so doing some real study in the OT will be good for me.

But I digress...let's get down to business!

Last week was a busy week for me in the gospels. You know, I’ve read them and read them and read them. I’ve listened to sermons on them. I’ve done Bible studies on them. Don't take that the wrong way. It's just my way of telling you that I have studied the gospels. I’m by no means an expert – that would require intellect, of which I am lacking. I suppose I'm just trying to say that this was an easy read for me because it was familiar. I'm in my box. My comfort zone.

I love to read about the life of Jesus. The life he lived for me. The life he gave for me.

Something hit me as I was reading these faith-filled, lesson-packed gospels. Did you realize that no matter what gospel you read, the life of Jesus is summed up in just a few chapters? He didn’t spend half a book bragging on himself, although he could have. He just gave us the facts. He told us the things we need to know. He let us in on the secrets of living the life he desires for us. And then commissioned us. He told us to live like he did, making disciples in the world.

Live like he did. Make disciples. Sum up your life in a few short chapters and make the rest of the book about others. I like it.

What is your a-ha moment in the gospels?

Keepin’ it Real…D

Top 10 Reasons I'm Not the CM Director

I may or may not have said something stupid last week – to my boss of all people. I'm not sure why I am surprised because I am notorious for saying stupid things when I open my mouth. It’s that whole, “think before you speak” thing that gets me in trouble. Writing is so much easier...and editable!

Someday I will learn. {hopefully}

We were in our monthly meeting when I was giving kudos to Cathy, the children’s ministry director at our church. She, as always, did a bang-up job at putting together an egg hunt that drew an estimated 350 kids. Kids. Add family on top of that and there were a whole lot of people wandering around, looking for eggs, hoping for a prize, playing games, munching on candy, mingling, and having a great time. She deserved kudos and lots of it!

Here’s where I insert foot into mouth. As I was congratulating her, I may have said something like, “I could never do her job.” The statement is true, but probably one that should have remained in my head at the time. All I meant was that I am more of a simple girl. A wall-flower. I am the person who prefers smaller groups...much smaller. Thinking about organizing such an event makes me break out in hives and begin to hyperventilate.

Someone please hand me a paper bag.

I can teach as many people who want to listen. I can sing and dance and make myself look silly for as many people who want a good laugh {that's easy}. But please, I beg of you, do not ask me to plan, organize, and run events that make this introvert be sociable. So today, in honor of my extrovert friend, I am posting the Top 10 Reasons I'm Not the CM Director.

You would never, ever, catch me dressed up like this. Holy cow...no pun intended!

You would also not catch me wearing a mop on my head. Doesn't that make you wonder what she was like in college? Yea...me neither!

In addition to the egg hunt, the trick-or-trunk event, the bowling party, and the Christmas party (to name a few), Cathy also hosts an overnight extravaganza for the kids - and she actually looks forward to it! I usually go home to sleep in my own, comfy bed.

I wouldn't put on a bathrobe, tie it with my hubby's belt, and suddenly believe I was a black belt. She likes to get into character. I'm more mellow on stage.

She’ll be seen on stage with a rabbit, aka, her sidekick, Mrs. P...and make it all look normal! I couldn't pull that off.

Yes, she will do anything for the kids, including being clawed by a cat. I don't really like cats.

She enjoys torturing her friends. I would feel bad making my friend look like a flower using a tutu.

 

She likes messy games and activities. The messier the better! Simply put - I don't.



She will wear a Santa hat. I don't even put up a tree.

 

 

People are just drawn to her. She is enthusiastic and passionate about the ministry. She loves what she does, she loves the kids, and she loves to pour into the people who help her make it all happen. Okay, so we have a little something in common. I just might not be as outwardly enthusiastic!

I couldn’t hold a candle to Cathy…but I am eternally grateful for her and her leadership. She has been a friend, mentor, and encourager for many years and I look forward to serving alongside her for many more to come!

Who do you look up to in ministry?

Keepin’ it Real…D

He Loves Us!

Monday nights have become my favorite night of the week. I’m pretty sure I have mentioned that before. There is something incredible that happens when you connect with other couples and come together to explore God’s desire for marriage.

Love is once again in the air and this week we will tackle it from a slightly different angle. We will look at the love that God has for us and how that relates to our marriage…and it does relate! God delights in each one of us – always. Even when we are, um, let’s say, less-than-delightful. I think I may have been the wicked witch of the Kohlhofer West a time or two…or more.

Let’s not ask my husband his opinion on this one, okay?

But knowing that God delights in me even still actually gives me hope. He loves me…and I honor him by reconciling my relationships with apologies, forgiveness, and love.

“So when you fail to love or respect completely, or maybe not at all, take heart. This isn’t about us, but about Him. Mark it down: He loves us because He loves us because he loves us! We have nothing to do with it. Even when ‘we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself’

(2 Timothy 2:13).”

It's going to be a great week!

Here is a Love Dare Challenge Update:

Last week I set out some Riesen candies and post-it notes. Each couple had to take one of each and then each spouse then had to choose one. Whoever chose the Riesen candies had to write love notes to attach to each piece of candy and give them to their spouse. Whoever chose the post-it’s had to write love notes and leave them in unexpected places for their spouse. Sharin’ that love!

Mike chose the post-it’s because he had a sneakin’ suspicion that he would be receiving the candy if he let me have them first. In fact, I think that is exactly what all the guys did in our group! Here is my bowl of candy notes.

Cute, huh? Just humor me...I had fun typing out affirmations of things I love about Mike but don’t aways express.

He left me a few notes around the house, but this one, left on my computer, was my favorite.

I can’t wait to hear how the other couples met the challenge! This week, everyone is choosing a piece of paper with a different challenge for everyone.

~ Call/text your spouse this week just to say hello and “I love you.”

~ Do something unexpected for your spouse this week.

~ Surprise your spouse with his/her favorite ________________(candy, ice cream, dinner, dessert…you fill in the blank)

~ Pray for your spouse this week and leave him/her an encouraging note.

~ Make a surprise meal for your spouse this week. Breakfast in bed…picnic in the park…candlelight dinner…

~ Spend time doing something your spouse likes to do.

April Date Nights:

Zoo Date: With or without kids, the zoo is just fun!

Fondue Date Night: This night can be for couples only or made into a fun night for the whole family! Don’t have a fondue pot? Just use a mini crockpot! You might have to borrow from friends if you want more than one type of fondue but it will be worth it.

Oil/Broth Fondue - Dipping foods: meatballs, prepare cubed meats, shrimp, scallops, vegetables, potato chunks, mozzarella sticks, (cocktail, horseradish and teriyaki sauces for dipping).

Cheese Fondue - Dipping foods: cubed French/Italian bread, florets of broccoli and cauliflower, bite-sized cooked chicken, bite-size cooked ham, roasted potatoes,

Chocolate Fondue - Dipping foods: strawberries, bananas, peaches, pineapple, mango, apples, cherries, angel food cake, pound cake, cheesecake, cookies, marshmallows, pretzels {for chocolate fondue, melt chocolate chips with some vegetable oil (1-2 tablespoons) to get to a good consistency}

The Envelope Date: In advance, prepare 12 envelopes together. Three will have breakfast ideas. Three will have an event idea. Three will have dinner ideas. Three will have lovin’ ideas (or, family fun ideas if you want to make this a family day). Each spouse will fill one envelope and together, you will fill the third with an idea for each category. Here are some ideas:

• Breakfast: Breakfast in bed, your favorite breakfast restaurant, make breakfast together

• Event: Movie, Mini-golf, Park

• Dinner: Chinese take-out, your favorite dinner restaurant, a new restaurant you have been wanting to try

• Lovin’: Romantic movie at home with sparkling cider and fancy/favorite dessert, cuddling with candles or fireplace (and maybe a movie)

• Family Fun: Movie night and popcorn, family board games

What will you and your spouse be doing this month?

Keepin' it Real...D