This year got really nasty with comments and jabs at each side of the Presidential debate and that was just on my Facebook among various friends. This year the politics of politics took its toll on my mind and spirit. I consider myself liberal in my views and found myself being called out on several occasions by friends. The weird thing to me about this is that although I am liberal in my political views I don’t tend to tell many people about them nor talk about politics with others.

I’m content to know where I stand on various issues. Because of this I don’t feel the need to tell everyone how I feel, persuade them to feel what I do, or try to change them. I guess I’m happy to live in a country where so many views can be held and or expressed. I am thankful to the men and women who have served our country in the military to protect this right. If anything I am thankful to be friends with various people with differing opinions from my own. There is something to be said in learning from others is how I’ve always felt.

This leads me to a story about election day. I had lunch with a very conservative friend of mine that chose to talk to me about politics. I told her that she knew that I was liberal and where I stand but I am thankful that we live in the US where we both can have such differing views and be friends. She backed off and agreed she was thankful that we were friends and that no matter what our political view she was glad she knew me. Wouldn’t this be a great thought for our leaders of our country, state, and towns to have?

I know that I’m praying for our current leaders and will continue to do so in the next year as some change and others stay the same. In reality, our leader, is not a man or a woman but God and through Him all things happen. I would much rather pray that God be a part of our country and how our leaders handle things than spend time debating with one another over fine details. I pray that you will join me in the coming weeks in praying for our leaders that they be graced with God presence and work for God’s glory. Together, I pray our country takes a stand not against one another but to pray for God’s almighty presence and will to be done in our country.

Blessings on your week-

Sherry

Relevance by Ebony Pollard

I watched the sun rise this morning (because Lovebug—that’s what I call my baby girl—woke up at THEE crack of dawn). I couldn’t help but appreciate the sound of the birds singing their morning songs as the yellowish-orange glow of the sun filtered through the living room window. Lovebug, content in my arms, was quiet in that moment and I drank in the peace. Moments like these, my mind tends to wander; sometimes to a specific place and other times, nowhere in particular.

Well, this time, my mind did wander to a specific place—a place it didn’t need to be. An issue that had been bothering me for quite some time permeated my thoughts. Almost immediately, the peace that I was feeling just moments before began to contend with an anxiousness that was welling up inside me. Anxiousness soon grew into irritation and, before I knew it, I was on my way to being a little miffed!

Then my daughter, who recently discovered that she can make all sorts of neat sounds with her little mouth, began to blow spit bubbles—her most favorite! Because I think everything that my infant princess does is pretty much awesome, I turned my attention to her (and wiped a little baby spit off of my cheek).

Just like that, spit bubbles brought me back to my sunny, peaceful place.

“This moment, right here, is relevant. This is what I should be focusing on.”I said out loud.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Too often we waste time and energy concerning ourselves with things that we can’t do anything about or that just don’t matter … or both … when there are lots of positive things taking place.

I am a thinker. That isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes, I think myself into a frenzy. I told you all, in a previous post, that I was on a mission to identify the things that keep me from moving forward. Thinking too hard about things that can’t be controlled can be something that could keep any one of us from moving ahead in life.

Obstacle identified. From now on, I’m focusing on things that are relevant.

Thank God for spit bubbles and sunshine, huh?

So, what irrelevant thoughts are standing in your way? Change your focus. Change your mind. Change your life.

The only thing holding you back is YOU!

In a previous post, I briefly wrote about moving forward. Shortly after posting, I realized that I think, talk and write about this subject quite a bit. It must be pretty important to me, huh? Still, I find myself stuck in the same spot in a few areas of my life and I’m asking, “Why am I still here?” For me to feel as strongly as I do about the importance of moving forward, in anyone’s life, I certainly haven’t gotten very far in my own, it seems.

I am glad that I made this realization, though. It caused me to take a moment and reflect on the possible reasons why I haven’t progressed in certain areas. Willing to be honest with myself, I see the things that I have allowed to stand in the way of progress.

There are obstacles—both self-imposed and those beyond my control—blocking my view of my goals. It is time to clear the pathway.

Moving forward isn’t just about advancing your hopes, dreams and aspirations. It is also about internal growth and maturation, a constant process until we take our last breath.

I intend to explore these obstacles in my life. Removing them will be a process but, I am willing to stay the course.

What are some obstacles that are standing in your way? Which obstacles are self-imposed (things you brought on yourself) and which are out of your control (resulting from your environment, upbringing, etc.)? What needs to take place in your mind and heart to eradicate them so that you can move on with your life?

True to my candid and transparent nature, I will share my revelations about my own obstacles on my personal blog, as they come to me, in hopes that my experiences can help others. So, by all means, feel free to check out my personal blog as I look for the deeper meaning behind the phrase moving forward!

One of the best parts of being a Fontbonne student for me as a Pathways student is that I get to make my own schedule and study hours because my classes are all online. I know this gives me the ability to work, volunteer, and be a mom to my two kiddos. It also gives me time to be artsy and have fun.

My confession to you all is that I am addicted, just a little, to Pinterest. I love to see all the fun ideas and pin them all eagerly. If only I had the wardrobe from my Fashion Passion board I would be a happy gal. At my church they were looking for small groups and leaders. My pastor’s wife approached me with the idea of having a Pinterest group and told me that she knew I could not only do it but was the one that they actually thought of when someone had asked about doing one.

So, I prayed on that for a while… can you imagine not only pinning on Pinterest but praying about it too? That sounds pretty funny, huh? Even though I put the idea of the small group on the back burner, I kept it in my mind. One night I thought, hmmm… what if I did Pinterest & Prayer. And, thus, a small group was made that night. I’m using Kay Arthur’s book, “Lord Teach Me To Pray In 28 Days,” for the Bible study portion. Then we go onto the crafty part of our group. I’ve had various friends joke with me about the small group and wonder if we were going to pray that our crafts would turn out.

I should have taken their advice and prayed for the crafts. We made pop tab bracelets last week at our first small group. One of my friends showed me how to do them, and I felt confident enough that I could show everyone… boy, was I wrong. Thank goodness one of the gals in the group is a Girl Scout leader and knew how to make them. She led the group and showed everyone how. I am thankful that everyone made a bracelet and a little ashamed that I was the only member that didn’t know how to make one. I vowed to everyone to do a pin this week that I would understand how to do.

Isn’t it that way if life sometimes? You can prep, pray, and be ready to lead only to falter, fail, and have to give up? I am so thankful for our Heavenly Father who can pick up the pieces, whether it be a pop tab bracelet gone array, finances, health or life in general. We serve a God who is always there beside us and will guide us without fail.

I will share a link for both the poptab bracelet and the pumpkins we are making this week in case you are interested and would like to know how to do either. You can look up my small group on Facebook — we have our own group site. Just request to join. Also, if you decide you want to see some artsy stuff that I’ve done, you can check out my Facebook page- Mamasunbear2. Feel free to check it out and like it if you do.

Blessings on your week- Sherry

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Each new day is an opportunity to be better than you were the day before. With a sunrise, comes the chance to forgive and release yourself from the past and make a decision to move forward. Too often, we look back and get caught up in the what-ifs. But, if we would just continue to move forward, we would see that the future can be greater than the past. We just need to change our attitudes.

Don’t let your past paralyze you with fear and keep you from moving ahead. Instead, use your past failures as a launching pad to catapult you into your destiny. Allow yourself to learn the valuable lesson that comes with each failure, apply that lesson to your life and make wise decisions from that point on.

These thoughts can definitely be applied to your life as a student! Being a student isn’t always easy. There may be some challenges along the way to obtaining your degree but, as long as you stay determined, you will get there!

Have a great week!

–Ebony

What do you think about when the wedding subject gets brought up? Well, I think about love, family and faith. Saturday, my cousin Amber got married in Pocahontas, Illinois, at a small country winery. I have only been to a handful of weddings that I remember, and now that I am getting older and to the age of getting married, I have been getting invites in the mail every month it seems like. My beautiful cousin found her Polish honey, Stan, two years ago and sparks flew. If anyone has seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, my Saturday evening was very similar to that. Polish families have customs for big events such as weddings. The speeches and the dancing and the singing were something new to me and my family. The speeches were long and full of laughter, and, might I add, I couldn’t understand most of them because half were in polish tongues. The dancing was like ring-around-the rosie with a table of people in the middle.

Last but not least, the singing consists of toasting and taking shots of homemade vodka. I got a little taste of what their faith and family is about, and I hope they got a taste of ours as well. There were so many moments in my night when I was crying I was laughing so hard. They are going to share a beautiful life together, and I couldn’t be any happier.

“Even though your family is oranges and my family is apples, at the end of the day we are both fruit……”

Today, I was listening to the radio and heard that it is the National Day of Prayer. I find myself thinking of when to find time to pray and concentrate on God alone. But when would I not be distracted? I have an IEP to write, a couple of journal articles to read and write about, and a test. Plus, I’m helping my 12-year-old son with his unit on China, and I have to help him research and make a Jeopardy board. Then there is dinner plans because the hubby will be calling soon to find out what is for dinner…it’s like he plans the day based on what yummy concoction I will come up with. Ohh, plus there are all the errands I need to run, and those green beans aren’t going to plant themselves.

Then I hear the song, “He Is” by Mark Schultz who is singing “be still my soul and know he is.” The rest of the lyrics say, “Father, let the world just fade away. Let me feel your presence in this place Lord. I’ve never been so weary. How I need to know you’re near me. Father, let the world just fade away.”

I think that is a great jump start to finding the peace that I want so that I can pray for all my cares and concerns, those of friends and family. I have to finish this now because I am inspired to “be still” and let my soul open to the Lord in prayer.

I will be praying for each of you to make it through finals and get all those assignments in. Also, that you all find time daily to “be still” and be with the Lord.

Blessings- Sherry

I have been praying lately about the types of changes that I need to make and asking for God’s direction as to what I need to do in my life. The one thing that remains steadfast in His direction is my continues studies at Fontbonne. I am blessed with being a Pathways student which has given me the ability to make my own schedule and work on things when I have the time.

I am facing a new challenge of getting four classes done that are general education requirements. I am new to financial aid and learned that I could not get the aid for these classes at the local community college that I need. I am praying and working hard to try to figure out a way to get these classes done so I can earn my degree through Fontbonne.

This fall will be bittersweet for me as a mom because my daughter, Emily, will be a senior in high school. I am constantly reminded that she is growing up and that she will soon be pursuing her own path.

I pray that all of you continue on the path that God has intended for you. Whether that path leads to amazing adventures or bittersweet times I’m sure that you will make it through with God’s love, care, and wonderful mercy.

Blessings-

Sherry

The blessing of confirmation is a special time in the Catholic faith. My little brother and sister got confirmed Sunday and asked my older and Danielle and me to be their sponsors. I can’t describe the feeling it was being asked to do something like this. It was a true blessing. We had a lot of meetings and practices for this event. The best thing that came out of it was that it strengthened the loved of us siblings. What we did together as a family was something really special to me and, of course, everyone else as well. We all came together and the whole event was a success, including the after celebration my parents had at their home. After it was all done, I had a conversation with my older sister about how it was such an honor doing this for our younger siblings. If you have the chance and the honor to do something like this, my best recommendation would to do so. There is a lot of work and thought put into it, but the end result of something indescribable.

I’m taking a world religion class this semester, and we are required to go to a different type of religion outside of what we were raised in. I decided to go and see what the Scientology building on Delmar was all about. I brought my best friend with me, because naturally, I was a little scared to go to someplace I had never been before. I found it to be quite interesting and everyone was fairly nice to us while we were there. I grew up Catholic my entire life; I went to a private grade school and high school, so I’ve never really been exposed to any other type of religion before. After going, I can walk away saying I explored somewhere new, and I’m happy I went!