Day 20 Friday, Family, Fun, Night

I am so glad that even if I am behind on my 30 day journey of writing that I am picking up where I left off a week ago.

Tonight we had fun as a family (as many as were available) hanging out at Lisa's new studio! It is so fun to see her very excited about all that is ahead for her in the area of yogi, wellness, and community ... I am so excited for her and know that many will experience great health and wellness because of all Lisa has to offer!

Check out her site at http://www.santefit.com/

We also enjoyed pizza and I ordered the gf Pizza Luce (yum, thanks Lisa). After we ate we elebrated Josh's soon to be 29th birthday. The guys were able to help a bit by taping off the studio so that Matt, Lisa and other friends would be prepared to paint the place in preparations for opening day November 1. And as if that was not enough fun we got to bring Sid and Pru back for their monthly sleep-over at Bampas, and Nanas.

When we got home the 2 little ones tried to go potty before brushing their teeth and then they were off to bed. I prayed and Sid asked if I would sing "You are my Sunshine". This is a song that I used to sing to Kelley as she left the hospital each time she visited me when I was hospitalized for treatment for the MS. The singing of the song tonight with Sid brought back memories. I lost a few of the words near the end of the song but where I left off Sid picked up singing and finished out the song.

Oh how I love family! In His Arms soon to be asleep ....B.

Day 19 B & B

I am so excited to be feeling better and preparing for the weekend. There is a large group of women from NHC going to WOF on Friday and Saturday. One of the offerings to the women was to stay in homes of other women. I have the privilege of hosting 3 women in my home while I send Terry on a "man sleep over". Just to give them the
B & B feel I sent them a guest letter via e-mail of what they can expect ... This is a copy of the letter ...

Dear Ladies,

We are delighted to have you stay this coming Friday night at the Promising Pederson Plymouth Bed and Breakfast.

Just to give you a bit of history about our little B&B , it was acquired almost 4 years ago after the 5 younger Pederson’s moved out of their parents home.
Our name was selected because we are Mr. and Mrs. Pederson, your Innkeepers for the night (oh but Mr. Pederson will not be in the inn or course). Also, we Promise to make your stay wonderful and fun and of course we stand on the Promises of God’s Word. Finally, Plymouth (not too original I know) was selected because we are located in the wonderful suburb of Plymouth less than 2 miles from New Hope Church.

For your enjoyment the Inn is located just 2 blocks from Three Ponds Park, which has many beautiful walking paths, swing sets, picnic locations and a fishing dock. You will have easy access to the Hwy 169 and Caribou Coffee is less than one mile away!

The Promising Pederson Plymouth, Inn Bed and Breakfast is an enchanting place with a rare gas fireplace in the spacious living room, and an inviting patio door extending into the gardens (see attached photo). Each of our guest rooms has a private bath and one of the bathrooms actually has a shower and tub too! I am sorry but there are no hot tubs on the grounds and CD players are by request only. We also offer cozy clean sets, fabric softener smelling towels, a warm place to lay your head and of course, chocolate. These two suites are wonderfully decorated and the additional seclusion makes it ideal for special occasions, like WOF.

Finally I must add that no pets are allowed!

We look forward to your arrival tomorrow evening should you have any questions or concerns feel free to e-mail or call!

Sicerely,
Beth Pederson
Promising Pederson Plymough Bed and Breakfast

Day 18 Still feeling crummy :-(

Ok I have to say that there is not a lot to say or write about when I still feel crummy ... except maybe to say how thankful I am for my husband who has taken such good care of me. He got up with me at 12:30 am and took me to the hospital last night. The doctor ran IV fluids and anti-nausea meds for the night because I have been unable to keep anything in my system.

As of 9:30 this evening I am happy to report I am doing a bit better and I have kept the banana, applesauce, toast and even popcorn down. Hopefully by tomorrow things will be a bit closer to normal.

One upside of being sick is at times during the day I actually feel like reading and I jump between the Bible, a leisure book and the following book I am reading towards spiritual growth:

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us.

Fasting, Solitude, Contemplative Prayer ... Have you wandered from one practice to another? Then you may want to pick up this book. I love that this book is written by a women as many books like this are written by men and in particular Pastors. ... for me I am reading it on my Kindle!

Gratitude October 18 Day 17

Well so much for staying on track with my 30 days ... I am a day off after having the flu yesterday and not spending any time at the computer. The story is that it started on Friday night when the family met for pizza at Kelley's. Kelley was sick and proceded to throw-up for the first time in 6 years. Then Saturday Terry and Josh were on the golf course when Josh got sick. Then I received a text message from Ashley at 5 am on Sunday that I should call as soon as I got the message and yes, you guessed it Ashley was sick ....then on the very same day Sunday at 3:30 in the afternoon I started to feel sick. I am home today from work and will be home again tomorrow as I am still sick.

I remember back to almost a year ago when I was out of work for numberous days due to the H1N1 flu ... the following was my post ....

Thursday, October 29, 2009 flu yuck!

morning pages
October 29, 2009
one month from my last post

Illness .... Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick ...But He, being full of compassion ... for He rememberes that they were but flesh ... therefore I take pleasure in infirmities ... for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Not sure I am taking pleasure in these infirmities but when illness and or injury hit me I know that this is one way God slows me down to get refocused on Him and knowing and keeping at the forefront that He is the Healer.

This too being Monday a day to reflect on graditude .... counting my thousand gifts right along with Ann's community ....

161. Friday family night (even if we did share sickness along with fellowship)

162. Saturday morning coffee (thanks Ashley)

163. Saturday mroning skyping with Carrie and reading a book to Annika via skype

164. Having Sid and Pru help me with the Saturday morning laundry

165. Take-out PF Chang's gf spicy chicken and enjoying time with Terry on the couch

166. Sunday morning prayer time with my friends at NHC

167. Having 25 kids present and praying on Sunday at HopeWatcher;s

168. Taking 18 kids and several parents on a Pray-Day-Away on Friday

169. Looking forward to Women of Faith this coming weekend

170. Finally grateful that I am on the way to wellness because He is my Healer!

Laundry Day (day 16)

Wow if I can keep up on the daily writing it will be easy to remember what day I am on 'cause it matches the date!

Laundry day usually is not very exciting but today was quite different ...

Today I had 2 amazing helpers as Sid and Pru took my entire white load from my bedroom into the hallway and then they placed each item in the washing machine. What I can't believe is that there was not a camera in the place so ... you just have to imagine to toddlers walking back and forth at least 4 times each to place the laundry into the washing machine.

"Here Sid" says Pru.

"OK Pru bring it. Put it in here" says Sid.

"Here's more Nana" says Sid.

Mind you I take the whole small load (2 person laundry load) in one trip. This was way more fun though to do laundry with these two little helpers.

10-15-10 day 15

Let's see if it is day 15 that means I am halfway through my 30 days of writing commitment! Because I love to write this is not a difficult commitment but rather taking the time to write presents itself as the challenge.

I love this saying I have on my wall

"Motivation is what gets you started.
Habit is what keeps you going".

I have some things on my to-do list and one of those things is getting in the habit of word-processing my handwritten journals. Please join me in praying that I will make a habit of daily typing so within my life time I will get all journal's (43 of them) word processed.

I am thinking it would be easier to do this if I just had a more portable typing system. You know something without the cords and printers and extra stuff. Something that is lightweight and portable for taking notes and such. Well you guessed it ... it's the alphasmart at the top of the page.

Since I love to read (the kindle) and write (the alphasmart) make a great portable pair!

And I got the kindle for graduation so I am hoping to get the alphasmart for my birthday ... hint, hint.

a prayer I came across in a book I am reading Day 14

Who every said that 30 days of writing had to be 30 consecutive days?

Not me .... yes it was my intention but then it was never my intention to pull ligaments in my ankle at my neice's wedding and have this result in getting off course ... it's Ok. I am back on the writing binge and I want to share this poginat prayer I came across in my reading this week ....Lisa it's a good one to go along with change ....

Lord, I am willing to
receive what You give
release what You take
Lack what You withhold
Do what You require
Be who You desire

once again remaining In His Arms, B.

missed a day so this is day 13 of writing being written on day 14

I think that I have good reason to have missed a day of writing (Friday). You see, I did have a day "off" of school but it was a day "on" of getting ready for a garage sale. I kept quite busy getting ready and it was a good thing I was prepared ahead of time because the ....

bad news

Friday night I was in the ER with torn ligaments in my ankle due to a mis-step in heels while at my niece's wedding.

good news

I raised $116.00 towards my trip to Liberia coming up in November-December.

I am grateful .... because I needed to have my foot raised and iced, I had plenty of time to work on my visual journal.

I am even more grateful .... for my family because I could not have had the garage sale without their support.

Thanks Terry for doing a lot of the running, putting up signs, getting balloons, etc. and thanks kids for supplying me with many of your "must-go's" to sell.

lywm family ... In His Arms, B.

day 12 ... this one's for you Kelley and for Carrie too!

God,
Give me wisdom to see that today is my day with my children. That there is no unimportant moment in their lives. may I know that no other career is so precious, no other work so rewarding, no other task so urgent. May I not defer it nor neglect it, but by the Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by Thy grace realize that the time is short and my time is now for children won't wait.

day 11 of 30 days of writing

so fun to leave this note for my wonderful husband this morning ...

I hope you have gotten rest and feel a bit better (he's stuggling with a cold). Could you get a box of envelopes (small) please? And I also need more stanps.

Thanks Honey ... have a good day!

I came home to envelopes, paper and stamps ... and now he is fixing gf pancakes ... It doesn't get much better than this.

Day 10 struggling at work

Lately I have been struggling at work. I have decided to pray though this time of discontentment with the prayer below .... I have posted it here but I have also printed it and will carry it in my pocket while at work until further notice.

This is my tweaking of a prayer written by Stormie Omartian



Lord, I pray that You would help me to be successful in my work. No matter what my work is at any given time, establish it, and help me to find favor. Thank you for the abilities, gifts, and creativity You have placed in me. Continue to reveal, develop, and refine those gifts and talents and use them for Your purposes. May my skills increase in value, and may I excel in each of them. Open doors for me that no man can shut, and bless me with success.

Keep me from ever being in competition with others and help me to always rejoice in my co-workers accomplishments. Help me to build others up and not forget that we are on the same team. If what I am doing is not in Your perfect will, show me what Your will is. Keep pride far from me so that the enemy will never be able to make me fail.

Lord, Your Word says when I commit my work to You; the financial blessing I receive will not bring misery along with it. You have also said “the laborer is worthy of his wages”. I pray that you will give me the gift of work that I love and establish the work of my hands. Enable me to accomplish great things so that You are glorified.

Psalm 90: 17 Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon me and establish the work of my hands.

Remaining in His arms at work, Beth

day 9 grateful

162. Grateful for a new journal / sketchbook to visualize my dreams

163. Grateful for the OK from my job to travel to Liberia

163. Grateful to have a warm bed to crawl into tonight

164. Grateful for praying friends

165. Grateful for a God who hears my heart

day 8 good writers write

I have this phrase that I say a lot with the kids, "Good Readers, Read!" Well, like good readers read, good writers, write also.

Writing today about one of my earliest childhood memories .... It was the gift of my first new 2 wheel bike. I remember I received it from my uncle Wes when I was five. I learned how to ride this bike by standing the bike against the wall by our driveway on Thomas Ave. After I stood my bike by the wall I would climb up the wall and get on my bike. I would then push off from the wall. I would ride straight ahead right into the street. I fell often when I was first learning but my Uncle Wes taught me to just get back up on my bike and try again. Eventually I mastered riding my 2-wheeler.

day 7 what a fun day ....

I woke up a bit late today but not too late for Sati class ... Yea. I love that we are learning a new series as we always do with a new month. It's all about leading and pushing back the negative thoughts and dreaming and change. All things that I can say I am happy to embrace today!

I quick came home and took a shower, put a load of clothes in the laundry and showered. And then I was off to meet my friend Pam for lunch at a restaurant I had never been to before and it had a gluten-free menu ... yea! I enjoyed breakfast for lunch ... yum! Pam and I visited for 2 hours. We caught up on each other's lives, talked about how we were seeing God at work and shared how we could be praying for one another. I love that we have been long time friends and we can just reconnect over lunch. Super fun!

I then came home and got some things done around the house that I had wanted to do and then I was off with a bag a books to the half price book store. I looked around for a bit and found a fantastic new sketchbook journal.

I came home and inserted the picture at the top of this post in my new "visual journal" more about this later.

Terry went out and got PF Changs gf spicy chicken for dinner ... yum!

I finished my thank you postcards and I tweaked my support letter.

My bag is packed for Sunday and my laundry is almost done.

I got my next book from BookSneeze to review in the mail so .... I am off to the bathtub to soak and read.

day 6 writing and thinking about it too ...

In His Arms, (Mark 10:16)

Beth

This is day 6 of the 30 days of writing and I am thoughtful of writing ... here are some of the questions I am asking of myself ....

of course the 5 W's come to mind

Who am I writing to?

What am I writing about?

Where am I writing?

When am I writing?

Why am I writing?

More questions I am asking myself ... what is my order of writing, on paper, in a journal, on my blog or in all of these areas.

When I stared actually keeping Journals in 1980 30 years ago it was because I had a desire to have conversations between my Father and me. Now I would love to have those conversations in print so my children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren will have a history of the faithfulness of the Father both in our lives as a family and in my own life as a follower of Christ.

So, some other questions I am asking myself is do I combine my journals and my blog? Do I begin to type my journals separate from my blogs? Do I start another part of journaling, a visual journal?
Do I take writing classes? How do I organize my writing and my process of writing?

Lots of things to think on ....