A Mother Is...

“A Mother is someone who upon realizing that there are 4 people and only 3 pieces of pie, will flatly state that she never really cared much for pie.”

Go hug your mom for not only the big sacrifices, but also for all the little and unknown sacrifices she made for you. Or say a quiet prayer of thanks if she’s an angel in heaven.

To All Moms & Who Wish to be Moms

Happy Mother's Day to all you lucky moms. To those of you who are still waiting to be moms and feel left out, please allow me to share with you my thoughts. 

Not that long ago I was a woman who did not fit in on Mother's Day.

I dreaded when that day rolled around.

I felt so excluded, so cheated. I would rather be alone on Christmas than to face Mother's Day.

See I had no mother, she died when I was young and I had no children, with no hope of ever having any.

You can't get much farther away from celebrating motherhood than that.

Then God answered a long given up on prayer. A prayer I stopped praying because I received no answer. I took God's silence to mean, "No." When really it was, "Wait".

My son is a complete miracle from God. And I thank God for my miracle every day of the week and twice on Sunday's.

So for all you moms out there, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day and I am so profoundly grateful to be celebrating with you.

But to those who hearts still break, either from the loss of a child or the loss of never having a child, I am weeping with you. I know how that feels and I wish and pray that each and every one of you has your prayer answered.

It may be of little comfort to read this, but I do know God has a special plan for all of us if we just let Him. If we just trust Him.

Maybe He will make you a mother someday. Whether it be one of your own or through fostering or adopting. He may even use you to help children through other means like teaching or volunteering or advocating for them - being a voice for them. I don't know. There may be other ways He wants to use you in the lives of children.

Just don't give up. 

Ask God to help you hear and wait for His message. Ask for His guidance in what to do and to not be afraid to follow what He is calling you to do.

I know there is a place out there for you. God has a place for every one.

Don't sit idly by. Go out there and get involved. There is a child somewhere who does not have a mother and is waiting for someone like you to fill the void. You are needed and wanted.

I taught children in the field I was experienced in and found great joy in helping children overcome fears and problems and watched them succeed. It helped me fill the void even if only a little.

Be the answer to someone else's prayer while you wait for your prayer to be answered. And God will answer yours in His time. This I know for sure.

Happy Mother's Day both today and in the future!

Julie

Just When Your Faith In People Is Fading...

Just when your faith in people is fading, something extraordinary happens to renew it. 


My husband and I stopped on the way home to get a few grocery items. We had been gone all day and we were all tired and our 4 year old was acting cranky. 


My husband gave me the keys and I proceeded to take our four year old to the car while my husband waited in the long checkout lane. 


Later he told me when we got home that the lady in front of him paid for our groceries, even though he tried to object. 


She said, "God bless you" and paid for them anyway. My husband said, "God bless you too", gave her a hug and she walked away. 


Thanks to that angel we changed our attitude from one of weariness to gratefulness. 


It was a sweet reminder. Time for us to do in kind - pay it forward.


(By the way, the picture above is a great likeness to the angel in front of us at the grocery store.)

The Final Analysis

I have always admired Mother Teresa and her wisdom transcends time.

When I feel surrounded by people who seem uncaring, selfish and downright mean, I try and remember these words of wisdom.

Try your hardest to not let those people's negative energies pull you down into their dark pit.

Do your best to see the bright lights of true friends among them. It may take some looking, but they're there, like a small light in the dark. Surround yourself with these good people and like the shadows that run when the light is turned on, the others will fade away.

Enjoy Mother Teresa's words of wisdom:

The Final Analysis

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God.

It was never between you and them……………….anyway.

~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Project MAHMA

WHAT IS PROJECT MAHMA™?

Project MAHMA is a coalition of families across North America who stay at home with their kids and earn income by helping others live healthier, better and more independent lives. Project MAHMA was formed as an opportunity for mothers to:

•           Have the very best for their family's health, well-being and financial future

•           Realize their personal potential

•           Make a difference in the lives of others

•           Do it all AND stay home with their kids

Shaklee Is What Makes Project MAHMA Different

For over 50 years, generations of families have counted on us to do what no other company can do quite like Shaklee—make products that are naturally safe AND proven effective.

Our mission at Shaklee is to provide a healthier life for everyone and a better life for anyone. We do it by making natural products that are so exceptional, you just have to tell your friends. Every product that goes into every Shaklee bottle is designed to improve health, work without compromise, and be gentle on the planet.

When you pick Shaklee, you will know three things to be true. It is always safe. It always works. And it is always green.

OUR OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES

More than 50 years ago, Shaklee pioneered a revolutionary way for anyone to earn a substantial income from home. Instead of paying advertisers, retail outlets or other third-parties to get the word out about their products, Shaklee pays you. For doing what you would do anyway – sharing an outstanding product that will bring better health to everyone you know, and the people they know, and the ones they know, and so on, and so on.

While you're sharing better health with everyone, you're also teaching them to do the same, introducing people to a better way of earning an income, and a better life.

Click Here to learn what makes Shaklee different and why it's a perfect opportunity for Moms (and dads) looking to create additional income while making the world a better place.

You can visit our website to learn more > http://tobehealthy.myshaklee.com/us/en/welcome.html

A Laid Off Paramedic Saves Life While Delivering Pizza

Read full story here: Colorado Man Delivers Pizza, Saves Heart Attack Victim

Talk about God’s divine intervention!

A laid off paramedic had to take a job as a pizza delivery driver. While making a delivery he heard a woman screaming. Her husband had gone into cardiac arrest just as the pizza was being delivered to his door.

The pizza delivery driver told the woman he was trained and he was able to revive the man as paramedics arrived.

God has many ways he helps us, even ways disguised as hardship such as losing a job. That young man was meant to be there at that exact time and I’m sure he will be rewarded for doing the job he was placed there to do.

Trust God even when it’s hard to do.

Read full story here: Colorado Man Delivers Pizza, Saves Heart Attack Victim

Sometimes We Need Comforting, too.

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you," says the Lord.
~Isaiah 66:13

In this holiday time, sad feelings can overtake us. Even though we may feel joyful around others, when we are alone such as driving home from work, in the shower or standing in line at the grocery store, sad, even lonely feelings can somehow overtake us.

Does it mean we are depressed? Does it mean we are ungrateful? Does it mean we are oblivious to our blessings? The answer can be both yes and no.

Sometimes we do have a chemical imbalance in our brains and are clinically depressed. If your feelings of sadness last for weeks with no breaks from it, then it’s time to see a doctor. However, if the feelings come and go and are short term, then you might just be suffering from burnout or a case of disconnect.

We can have the best of families, the most fulfilling career and all our basic need fully met and then some and still feel like something is missing. You may ask yourself why you feel that way. Maybe you’ve over-committed yourself and are just tired. Maybe there is some unresolved conflict you need to address, whether it be with a co-worker or more closer to home with a loved one. Either way you need to “fix” it. Or maybe you realize something is missing, but just aren’t sure exactly what that is.

It could be that you’ve lost your way to God. Though we may feel loved by God we may not feel connected. And we only have ourselves to blame for God is always there. It is us that have disconnected the ties. We only need to reconnect with God to fill that void that may be causing our unhappiness. And like a patient parent, He waits for us to come back to Him.

There are times that our blue feelings have merit. Missing a loved one who is gone, worry over finances or job loss, a child who has somehow lost his way. The reasons could be endless. This is the time to go to God and ask for more than just His help. Sometimes you just need to be comforted. Just like a child sometimes needs to climb into your lap and be comforted.

We do more than help our children when they need us, we also comfort them when they are hurting, both physically and emotionally. Just as we are with our children so is God with us. All we need do is to ask, to reconnect, to reach out and ask to be comforted. He is waiting for us.

So remember what the Lord has said,
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you."
~Isaiah 66:13




Click Here To Give The Gift of Good Health This Year with Natural Beauty Supplies, Vitamins, Herbs & More!

Good News: Homeless Man Returns Money Found

Now for some good news for a change:

A Tempe, AZ homeless man found a backpack and over $3000 in it. He could have had helped himself and very easily kept it. Instead he did the right thing – he helped track down the owner and returned everything.

Now, as his story is slowly being spread, others are helping this man. His good deed is being rewarded as no good deed goes unpunished.

What I don’t understand is why this news story is not front line news. We need our children to hear more stories like this.

God has asked us to help one another. Here, a man who had nothing helped someone who clearly had more than he and in return strangers are helping him back.

God must be smiling.

To read the whole story click here: Homeless Tempe man turns in backpack with $3,300

Thank You Veterans

Thank you veterans both past and presently serving.
Your sacrifices are great and we honor you.
We also honor your families who also sacrifice, especially when their loved one is far away.

If you are veteran, you may want to check out the local restaurants in your area today.
Many of them are offering free meals to veterans.
You will need your military ID for proof.
Call ahead and ask for the manager to see if they are offering this special.

Inspiring Housekeeper Wins Breakfast In Bed

Almaz Gebremedhin worked 3 jobs to support 5 kids.
Her husband left her and her children. She got herself off public assistance by working extremely hard and taking care of her children.

Her children said, "She taught us how to respect people. She taught us how to work hard. She taught us how to love unconditionally. She taught us how to give. She taught us never to quit and to follow your dream." Her children have all graduated at the top of their high school classes, and all earn acceptance to Penn State University -- all on scholarship. Sounds like a good mom to me.

Her co-workers adore her and nominated her for this award.

You can read more on this inspiring story here: Emeril's Breakfast in Bed Contest Winner Announced

With all the issues with immigration and I have my opinion on illegal immigration, but this story of an immigrant who didn't come here illegally, who came with nothing, was left with nothing, did not expect America to "take care of her" while she sat idle, but worked hard, raised her children right and became an upstanding citizen is something I admire.

THAT is what America was founded on and deserves this recognition.

Athlete’s Great Deed After A Terrible Game Loss

When the only thing the main stream media talks about when it comes to athletes are their crimes, their indiscretions and their mistakes it is so nice to hear about the athletes who do good, but almost never get the recognition. Here is one such story.

NHL’s Brooks Laich who was emotionally devastated after what has been called the worst series defeat in franchise history when they were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs put that behind him when he helped a mother and her teenage daughter who had a flat tire on a busy highway.

He stopped and changed a tire for two people he didn’t know, on a dangerous stretch of road after a very big personal let down. He could have driven right by just like hundreds of other people did that day, but he didn’t. For that he deserves some special recognition.

These are the athletes and the good deeds the news media should be shouting about from high places. Maybe if we had more coverage like this instead of all the negative then maybe more high profile athletes would hold themselves to a higher standard. I think it’s time to raise the bar off the ground for athletes and their behavior.

To read the short, but sweet story of Brooks Laich see: After Game 7 loss, Capitals' Laich fixes tire for stranded family

Kids Help To Keep Flood Waters Back

See link to full story below.

This is an amazing story. Most teens want to text their friends every thirty seconds, but in Fargo, ND they have put their cell phones down to fill sandbags to help keep their neighbors homes and the town from flooding.

They know their help is desperately needed and are doing all they can to help. "They pretty much have saved our community," said David Stark, 62, who worked beside hundreds of student volunteers Tuesday.

The city’s goal was met three days ahead of schedule thanks largely in part to these selfless kids. So thumbs up to the young people and all those helping to save their town!

Please send prayers up for the residents there and everywhere that are facing disaster.

Link to full story: Students pitch in to help save town from flood

Kindness Breeds More Kindness, Study Shows

A study done recently showed that generosity is contagious.
Apparently, when one person performs a single act of kindness, it influences dozens more.

Though the study seems rather dry, and I think most scientific studies are, it still shows that when a person is observed by others being generous and giving, it causes others to do the same.

Interesting………so all we need to do is see someone acting kindly, generously and selfless and it causes us to want to do the same.

Maybe we need to see more acts of kindness on the news and in the news papers than news of people behaving badly. If we do that we may change how the world acts one person at a time.

See full article below:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/03/kindness-spreads/

Today’s Good News - NFL Player's Generous Gift

When you hear about NFL players in the news, it’s rarely good news isn’t it.

When one of them does something wrong it’s plastered all over the news over and over again till you’re sick of hearing it. I know I am often very disappointed with professional athletes, whom many young people look up to, for always being in trouble with the law. The extreme amount of money they earn and I use the term, “earn” very loosely for some, does nothing to help their personality any. Many of these athletes have forgotten where they came from and do nothing to help their communities where their fans reside.

Well, here is a news story about a NFL linebacker from the New Orleans Saints who did the opposite – he did something extremely generous before leaving the Saints and signing as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns.

Scott Fujita gave half of his Super Bowl check to charity. He split it by giving half of it to relief efforts in Haiti and the other half going to coastal restoration in New Orleans. Now that is how a professional player should act – with kindness and generosity. The rest of the so called, “professional” players who always seem to find themselves on the wrong side of humanity really could learn a lesson or two about giving back.

It's too bad that this will probably never make front page news, but my question is, "Why not?" I would much rather hear about this then some other player in jail for whatever reason this time, wouldn't you? I know there are many athletes who do good works and never get any recognition or even a mention of it by the news which is so sad. That is why I'm sharing some "Good News" like this.

I’m sure Scott's generosity will be greatly rewarded for as we all know you get back what you give away.

102 and She Just Retired

(Lauren R. Harrison, Chicago Tribune) She sits on a brown suede couch, one leg folded under the other, one tiny canvas Oxford shoe dangling above the wood floor. Hunched over a spiral-bound notebook, nose nearly touching the paper, she looks for the 22nd page of her story. Raising a large black-rimmed magnifying glass -- a trusted reading companion the last decade -- she moves it over each word, enlarging the cursive lettering by five times. At times squinting her eyes, more gray than blue, Merle Garton Phillips reads aloud the newest passage of "Beautiful Pebbles," her book in progress…….

Read how this remarkable woman has lived and chronicled her life and shows no signs of slowing down!

102 and she just retired
Friends marvel at Merle Phillips, who's busy writing her 11th book