Compelled

It's 9:39 p.m. and I am making soap.  From scratch.  In my kitchen.

I'm not going to lie.  There is a huge part of me that would rather be in bed asleep or preparing for tomorrow morning's Sunday services:  ironing and laying out clothes, brushing teeth and setting out Bibles.

So why are my purple rubber gloves pulled up to my elbows as I slosh the dishes in the sudsy water for yet another round of soap making?

Because I am compelled to not forget.

I visited a tiny slum village in the heart of Colombia, South America two summers ago to the date.  I met people there with smiles as wide as their hearts.  People with seemingly no earthly possessions to speak of, just a shack of a cobbled-together "house" behind them.  Frankly, I have seen people in America spend far more money on a chicken coop than these shacks of corrugated tin and plywood would have cost. 

I am compelled to remember their richness of soul and poverty of earthly needs.  

The sanitation in this area was desperately lacking.  There simply was no money, no jobs, no resources.

And so here, after all three of my children take their 30-minute long Saturday night bath with a tub filled with hot clean water and soak to their hearts' content, I bring out my supplies and make soap to send to those in desperate need.

Because I want to always remember and never forget.  

There is always something you can do to help.  

Enjoy today,

P.S. You are welcome here! Thank you for stopping by for a visit. Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

Six Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Summer

The summer action is running full-throttle around here, and I'm guessing that things are probably similar in your neck of the woods.  We love summertime here at www.lavameclean.com. 

Summer is one of my favorite seasons of the year.  Disclaimer:  If you have known me for any length of time at all, you know by now that I say that about every season.  Ha!  In any case, I am a big fan of the heat, the sunshine and garden goodness explosion; and most of all, of the many opportunities to get together with friends and family.  Love.  It.

That said, it is of extreme importance that we remember to take care of ourselves during busy seasons.  It is oh so easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted to the point of sickness.  Here are a few quick tips to staying at the top of your game in the summertime:

1.  Get a good night's sleep.  Put yourself to bed at a decent hour and rise at an equally decent hour.  Don't let yourself become run-down by skipping out on the rest your body needs to recover each night.

2.  Rise early and meet with the Lord.  Nothing starts the day off right like humbling yourself before your Creator first thing in the morning and fixing your eyes on Him.  Ask the Lord to forgive your sins and purify your heart; and again place every ounce of your belief in Him for the day.  He is enough for each day.

3.  Fuel your body with good things.  Fresh fruits and veggies abound this time of year in the farmer's markets and at roadside stands.  Stock up once or twice a week when you pass by and keep them handy in your fridge.

4.  Keep up your exercise regimen.  It's hot.  That's a fact.  But you're going to feel much better when it's crazy hot knowing you've been moving your body to stay healthy each day and feeling your muscles firm up.

5.  Laugh.  Heartily.  Often.

6.  Take a break!  This is, after all, what summer is famous for.  Slip your sandals off, wiggle your toes in the water and breathe.  

Enjoy today,

P.S. You are welcome here! Thank you for stopping by for a visit. Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.

Stories Without Dragons Are Boring

 

"Stories without dragons are boring."  So says Jon Acuff, author of the book, "Start."
He goes on to write,
"You don't get 'happily ever after' unless at some point it was in doubt, unless the whole adventure was in question.  Success was anyone's guess.  Survival was up for grabs."

True, right?  Are you up against crazy odds in some endeavor in your life the Lord has called you to?  Don't stop.  You will face dragons.  You will have to face seemingly insurmountable odds and scale the highest of walls.  Press on.  The end is always worth it.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."  ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

Enjoy today,

P.S. You are welcome here! Thank you for stopping by for a visit. Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts.