Queenies Little Kingdom

I will never expect applause for doing the right thing.  I pray that I've raised my kids to think the same way.  I know that I married a man who chooses to bless without ever expecting something in return.  His ways of giving have always inspired me to be better.  My question to you today is DO YOU BELIEVE it's better to give than to receive?

I do.

I run into opportunities here and there to love on someone in a way that literally costs me nothing.  Just me giving of me.  I know that I've probably missed some along the way and for that I feel more encouraged to be aware of needs around me.  People need each other.

I've been on the need end myself.  Maybe that's why I feel so sensitive to helping others.  I know what it's like to fret or worry over an issue or a bill and I get what the stress of that can do to a person.  It can eat you alive and rob you of all your peace & patience.

My hubby and I have struggled.  Pretty much our whole marriage has been robbing Peter to pay Paul.  We had babies right away, we went back to college (talk about broke), we moved several times, we worked low paying jobs and we did it all with GOD'S NEVERENDING HELP!

Sometimes God used other people in our lives to bless us and other times He orchestrated events that helped us pull through.  Either way, WE KNOW IT WAS GOD!  We learned very early in our life that WE COULD ALWAYS TRUST HIM!

That's just what pushes me when I feel it's my turn to give or bless.  I know that if the spark to "do something" for someone is there IT IS GOD NUDGING ME TO DO WHATEVER IT COST.  He'll take care of the rest.  He's looking for my willingness to obey.

Today, God put a small need in my path.  I consider it a gift.  The last year has been so hard emotionally, financially and mentally on me.  But even in the midst of all of that….God was working and blessing me.  How could I ignore a very real need right in my face?  It was literally my turn to pass His love along.

I'll be honest….it feels way much better to give than to receive!  To hand someone something they need with no strings attached is liberating.  To know that they won't have to worry about anything because of my willingness to obey feels amazing!  And I owe all of that blessing to Christ.

God

I am overwhelmed at the way you bless me.  Even when struggle is my friend….you are hard at work providing me a way through.  Thank you for the blessings; hubby's new job, my job, my health, my kids health, a home and a loving family & friends.  You are the greatest example of giving.

Amen

My family likes to snuggle.  Can you see?

It's just the way we do things.  That's why we bought a giant sofa, so we can pile up and relax.  Together.

Sometimes, we even take pictures of our craziness.  And heck, if you can't get the camera just right…you hold it out and click it with your toes.

I'm thankful for a fun family.  I'm beyond blessed and I know that home really is where the heart is (in my world).  If you have a loving family, don't forget to play around and goof off.  Make sure to enjoy one another as often as possible.  Time can whip right by…

These are the people I love the most. They make my world go round!

Remember my jazzy attitude yesterday?  Well, it went to pot by the time I went to bed last night.  Lame, I know.  I'm blaming it on all the wicked emotions that I've traveled through in the last 6-8 months.  I've had ups and I've had downs.  I think it's only fair that I get a little blue here & there.

I have what feels like the weight of the world on my shoulders.

See how life can be a bag of mixed emotions?  All of what I'm feeling comes from a lack of organization.  My life and all that goes along with it feel jumbled up.  Who knew selling a house while working full-time and trying to commute long distance (hubby) could be so stressful?  Especially after the summer we've had and all the additional boxes of stuff we had to bring home with us.

More clutter equals more anxiety.

I've been working on a TO DO list.  It's exhausting just looking at it.  I even tried to seperate the work out on two pages, big things & little things.  Overwhelming!  Maybe it's getting to me because of what we just had to do at my mom's house.

Stuff stacked everywhere makes me want to cry.

I told someone yesterday that I'd just like to pack a suitcase and leave.  That may sound a little crazy but it represents how one step forward two steps back I feel.

Enough whining, I know.  I can't get my summer back.  I can't make it all happen in a weekend.  I can't change the fact that we've collected junk and let it build up.  I can't do anything but take it all ONE STEP AT A TIME!

So, pray for me.  I need strength, patience, focus and TIME to work on my exhaustive TO DO LIST.

SELLING MY FAMILY'S HOUSE IS MY MAIN GOAL!

God,

Thank you for blessing me with such a beautiful house.  Forgive me for not keeping it under control.  Help me be of sound mind when making important decisions.  And protect my family/spouse from disagreements and strife through the process.

Amen

Mondays are harsh!  At least they can be, if we let them.  I'm clearly one of those people who enjoys her weekends.  So, my gift to me and to you today is to push forward and find the POSITIVES about being alive and employed.

See, it's not about everything going our way.  It's about going for it and making it happen ourselves.

I've shared before about the power of a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!  It works!  Be positive and believe something wonderful will happen.  Trust me, it will blow your mind!

Even Mondays can be amazing!  It is the beginning of a new week afterall!  Who doesn't love ALL THINGS NEW?

I find when I jump on the happy bus early…it sticks with me all day long.

So, here's to a great attitude on this Monday.  Let your heart be glad that you get the chance to live and love today.

Most of July is a blur.  It was fast & furious in everyway.  I have a heart full of memories crammed into that 31 days.  I plan to cling to them as tight as I can forever. In spite of losing my mother….many happy things happened too.  As I've learned, life is too short to miss out on celebrating all that God gives us.

In July….I learned –>

Sparkly shoes can give your attitude a jolt!  Especially when strangers compliment you while trying them on at the store.  Now I just have to find somewhere to where these beauties!

My uni-bomber daughter likes to get her comfy on while we speed through downtown Atlanta in the rainy weather.  Who does this?  I needed some support, kid!  Isn't she lovely?

Cookouts with old friends & new make holidays way more fun!

Mini Donuts might be my new obsession!  Thank you Jesus that there isn't one of these anywhere near me in Indiana.  So stinking good!

People like to decorate their lovely beach-front yard in the weirdest of things.  Seriously?  Who has time to build such a masterpiece?  And so many?

The world is a scary place.  But there are people who will stop on a busy interstate and help you!  IN THE BOILING HEAT TOO!

Be careful how you ask for a "little" ranch dressing to go with your fried pickles at certain restaurants.  The manager might be a little silly and bring you this much.  It was a hard day and God must have sent this funny guy just to me.

That I buy too many white pants.  I love them.  I can't stop myself!

For 2 nights, Ms Gates and I shared that couch bed in my mom's hospice room.  Thankfully, some sweet nurses hauled in another couch for us to have our own bed on the 3rd night.  Gates still refers to our arrangements as luxury beds.

My best friends from high school were there for me at my mom's funeral.  I didn't even have to call or ask.  Time doesn't erase true friendship love.  I can't get over how blessed I am with loving friends, everywhere!

The hardest times in your life can also be times of great joy.  Strangely enough that's how it goes here on earth.  I'm deeply moved by the ways God worked in my life through July.  I had no idea how difficult letting go would be and God knew that….so He orchestrated special people and places just for me.

How could I ask for more?