Good Nite Sweet Angel

Rafael Cruz

 

(July 29, 1917 - December 22, 2010)

Te amo siempre, Abuelito. Bendiciones a usted.

"Love Dare" Pause

Here it is Aug. 10th. 21 more days til the "Love Dare" Challenge ends.

I am finding myself two weeks behind. 12 days to be exact. Yes, I'm still on Day 7. At first, for about the first few days I was stuck. This challenge is a tough one for me. Especially in light of all that took place around that time. But for the second week that followed there was a lot going on. Too much. I couldn't concentrate on the task. Had to take a Pause.

I have to admit to you all, I'm a little disappointed that I did not go straight through. But I am still excited and motivated to finish what I've began. I was able to get away this past weekend, just me and my husband. We went away on a business retreat. And I have to tell you, it was a blessing. Those 2.5 days allowed me to see my husband in a new light. It helped me to now be able to write out the list Day 7 requires.

So, here we are, Tuesday, August 10th and I'm on Day 7. Getting back in the game. Looking forward to the finish line.

I'm thankful and excited about the next 33 days. I look forward to the shift in my marriage as I allow the Lord to open me up and pour in.  "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies..." -Proverbs 31:10

Miracles & Blessings~

Just Me... 

Day 7: Love Believes the Best

Today's Dare

For today's dare, get two sheets of paper.  On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse.  Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet.  Place both sheets in a secret place for another day.  There is a different purpose and plan for each.  At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.

P.S.

If you're only reading the dare, you're missing out. Even if you're actually doing it wholeheartedly. YOU MUST PURCHASE THE BOOK! There is so much more to this process than just carrying out the task alone. The evolution comes from the rest of the information that goes along with each Dare. It's the "Why's" that you miss out on when you don't have the book. The basic principles are lost. You can purchase the book by visiting my "What I'm Readin'" Carousel on the right. Just click on The Love Dare book. It will change your life and marriage forever. 

"Love Dare"- Day 7: Love Believes The Best

"Love believes all things, hopes all things..." - 1 Corinthians 13:7

The original posting date for this post was July 29th. 

My thoughts...

I can't do this... Not on this day. I wasn't prepared for this. It's gonna take me a min. I remember I got stuck here last time. 


My experience...


I'm thankful and excited about the next 33 days. I look forward to the shift in my marriage as I allow the Lord to open me up and pour in.  "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies..." -Proverbs 31:10

"If there is anything praiseworthy––meditate on these things" - Phillipians 4:8

Miracles & Blessings~

Just Me...

"Love Dare"- Day 6: Love Is Not Irritable

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who captures a city." -Proverbs 16:32


My thoughts...


My experience:

 
I'm thankful and excited about the next 34 days. I look forward to the shift in my marriage as I allow the Lord to open me up and pour in.  "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies..." -Proverbs 31:10

"I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men." -Acts 24:16

Miracles & Blessings~

Just Me...

"Love Dare"- Day 5: Love is Not Rude

"He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning it will be reckoned as a curse to him." -Proverbs 27:14


My Thoughts: Ask him for 3 things that cause him discomfort or irritation...?! Oddly enough we had just had this conversation a few days ago. What I found out was that my "lack" was contributing to him feeling overwhelmed. Surprisingly, I took it in. Didn't say anything to defend myself. Didn't even interrupt. I listened, really listened, and waited. I actually waited until he said he was done.

My response surprised me! Rather than pointing fingers or blaming, I apologized. I don't want to cause him harm. In anyway. So I apologized for adding more to his already existing feelings. I made no promises. Just an apology. One that actually came from the heart.

In my heart, though, I made a commitment to do better. Yes, I've been slacking. For one reason or another. All selfish, I have to admit. But there is no reason why he should be feeling so burdened with things that should not be his concern.

Another thing brought to my attention after reading was that I do have a habit of making unnecessary comments. Not in an effort to hurt, but just out of pure annoyance. I definitely will be working on this one. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, right?

My Experience: Today was victorious!!! When I got up this morning the normal routine began. I decided to let him take the car to work. This way there was no possibility of me leaving and aborting my plan. I got our daughter ready for the day. As he started to make her lunch along with his own, I told him not to worry about it. I'd take care of it. Freeing him up to do whatever else he needed to do before he headed out. I had them out the door on time. Kisses and hugs, have a blessed day.

Rather than climbing back into bed, which was soooo tempting I decided to get up. I "rescued" myself all the way to shoes. Dealt with my son, breakfast, dressed, etc. Then I was a woman on a mission.

One of the things I loathe is laundry. It seems never ending!!! Washing and drying are the easy part. It's the folding and putting away that is my enemy. LOL! But today I decided I was gonna catch up on ALL the laundry. I had preloaded and washed a load to be complete by 6 a.m. (thanks to my delay start timer). It was ready to go. So I did a "laundry reboot" (FlyLady term) and grabbed the already full basket that had been sitting in the back office for over a week! Shameful, I know.

As the day went on I washed, dried, folded, put away, washed, dried, folded, put away. Over and over again. I went completely through six loads!!! It might have been seven. LOL! Either way, they are completely done. Not to mention this was all done while stopping to keep my 20 month old occupied. We read A LOT of books today.

Dinner was decided, pulled out, marinated and ready to be cooked. It was cooked on time. It tasted good. And I even cleaned as I went. My sink is clean and empty. My daughter's lunch is prepared and packed. I even offered to pack my husband's. (I forgot he's fasting tomorrow so I'll have to keep that for tomorrow evening.) The kids were bathed and in bed on time.
 
Now I know this might all sound like typical stuff that is supposed to happen. But lately, like I said, I've been a slacker. Not overly slacked, but just not giving it my all. So the point for me today was to do take care of something that is an issue for my husband. I have to be honest, as I was putting his clothes away, I can't remember the last time his drawers were full of clean clothes! He actually has enough underwear for 2 stacks in his drawer! (TMI- Sorry, I just didn't know.) Nothing says I love you like clean underwear and socks.

It took that small visual to have a big impact on me. How rude is it for my husband to have to search out clean underwear?! It IS rude. Well, no more. Today was the day of new beginnings.

I'm thankful and excited about the next 35 days. I look forward to the shift in my marriage as I allow the Lord to open me up and pour in.  "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies..." -Proverbs 31:10

"The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious." - Ecclesiastes 10:12

Miracles & Blessings~

Just Me...

Unplugged...

I apologize for my absence. My family went on a camping trip for the weekend. Don't know why I thought that I would have service in the middle of the mountains. Keeping hope alive I guess. LOL!

But instead, I was unplugged! No cell phone. Not a single bar!!! It was a blessing in disguise I suppose. To be completely disconnected and have to engage with people.

I will be posting and updating. It may take a min. But I will bring the site current on the Love Dare. We are on Day 5 "Love Is Not Rude". I will be posting on this by this evening.


Blessings.

~Just Me

"Love Dare"- Day 1: Love is Patient

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."—Ephesians 4:2 NIV



If you can, come join us on this journey. Leave your comments and let's be there for one another.

Read up for tomorrow:

Day 2: Love is Kind




~Just Me...

The "Love Dare Challenge"- Jul. 23 - Aug. 31, 2010

 July 23rd - August 31st, 2010

 

"The Love Dare personally leads you through daily devotionals, records your thoughts and experiences, and ends each day daring you to perform a simple act of love for your spouse. This 40-Day journey equips you to melt h...ardened, separated hearts into an enduring love that can withstand the flames of fear, pride and temptation. The Love Dare book will help you reinforce and enrich your marriage, earn back a love you thought was lost, and hear more about the One who not only designed unconditional, sacrificial love—He illustrated it.

In a world that attacks, devalues, and redefines relationships every day, learn how to rescue and protect your marriage from the firestorm. Take The Love Dare and FIREPROOF your relationship."- www.thelovedare.com 

I began this process once. Failed to complete it. I'm excited to begin again. In this new place in God I am looking forward to how much more the Love of Christ can be infused into this covenant.

My marriage is not falling apart. It's not even in jeopardy. My goal is to see just how far I am willing to push myself to find/discover a Christ-like love for my husband.

I'm hoping to keep this up-to-date daily about my process and progress. If you can, come join me on this journey.

Miracles &Blessings.

~Just Me

It's Time to Be About My Father's Business

I am ready for whatever the Lord allows this day. I am ready.

I pray for eyes to see & ears to hear, a bridled tongue, anchored feet, and open heart. Amen!

Today, I am ready to open my arms wider. To make sure the seeds I sow have broad borders. Ready to reap the blessings of Father Abraham.

Now that we've found our connection in the Man and Woman of God... It's on! Lord, have your way with me.

Miracles & Blessings!

Really wanting to get back to
blogging. Not sure about what yet. But I've set up everything possible to help this process along.

So, I'm sending this from my phone via text message. I'm hoping that it works. (fingers crossed)