Ok I'm doing it again ... stealing my oldest daughter's post

just like I steal my singing daughter's pictures:

Get Clarity With Gratitude

Sometimes things get fuzzy. Where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you want to be can get a little out of focus.
When things get out of focus for me I get cranky. I suddenly am “put out” by all the things that need to be done. I am irritated by the ones I love. I feel overwhelmed by my state of lack (read: all the stuff I want but don’t have).
All of this is a clear sign it is time for me to bring in gratitude.
There is never a time we don’t desperately need gratitude but it is ever more apparent when we are reveling in confusion and negative thinking.
I felt that over the weekend. After an awesome homecoming with my sister Ashley + a fun afternoon with my family I found myself “put out” by the following evening’s event with them.
A huge traffic mess on the way to my parent’s house, my mother’s request that we “shutdown all devices” for the night so that we could be present and participate full heartily, a food plan I am following right now that meant my inability to partake in evening pizza and cake all led to an incredible “pissed off’ feeling.
Imagine…being “irritated” by a request for being present. Whew!
The last few minutes of the drive out to the boon-dox (yes that is the official city my parents live in) I finally got my gratitude on.

1. My lil’ sis is home from Afghanistan. SHE IS HOME!
2. I get to hang with her new BF.
3. My parents are facilitating love and joining as a family.
4. The kiddos will be there.
5. Kelley always gives a rocking time.
6. More opportunity to hang with my bro and sis-in-law who I don’t see nearly as much of as I’d like to.

Okay…Feeling better now. AND… More clarity.
I love my life. I am so grateful for this awesome family. I GET to hang with them and laugh and love. Yes. That FEELS like clarity.
As I delve deeper into Danielle Laporte’s Desire Map I can see that I deeply DESIRE gratitude. And how, above all gratitude offers me even more of my other desired feelings. Really you could set gratitude at the foundation of all desired feelings and be one step closer to building the life you’ve always dreamed of living.
This month in IntenSati class (@PrAna 10am on Saturdays) join us for a great workout and deeper conversations on clarity. This week we bring more clarity through gratitude.
A little fun work for you: Every time you have a pen and are writing down: your grocery list, your to-do list, a note to a friend, a entry in your journal, or a reminder to your self, include a single gratitude. One thing you are grateful for in your life.
If you don’t use pens (frankly lots of us don’t) every time you: send an email, a blog post, a FB update, a tweet, a VM, or add an appointment in your calendar, include a gratitude. One thing you are grateful for in your life.
If you do it I guarantee you will have more clarity by the end of this week.
This months affirmations:
Now I am the voice
I lead not follow
Every day I show the world
Joy is possible
I forgive and I surrender
Practice makes perfect
My state is clear
I do what I love, I love what I do
I am ready, willing, and able
I am grateful
I play full out
Without a doubt, Watch me
Watch me
Focus on the good
Have faith in the possible
Get stronger every day
Live full and free
Watch me Now!
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend”. Melody Battle
I’d love for you to share a gratitude in the comments below. Get your clarity rolling right now!
xoxo, LVA

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committee has a busy week

By Tim Hennagir on April 4, 2013 at 9:24 pm

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon-Monticello steering committee members had a busy week getting ready to welcome home the 257th Military Police Company.
More than 400 yellow ribbons were tied in town and along the route the unit will travel when it rolls through Monticello Thursday afternoon. Welcome home organizers asked the public to line the unit’s anticipated point of entry and route through town to the Monticello Community Center.
“I handed out over 100 posters but I have no idea how many were downloaded online,” said Michele Hertwig, steering committee member and owner of MAJIRS! Advertising and Design.
The committee met Monday night to finalize its plans for the 257th Military Police Company’s welcome home celebration.
The Beyond the Yellow Ribbon-Monticello steering committee meets the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Academy Room at Monticelllo City Hall.
“We have just finished our action plan and will be submitting it to the director of military outreach (DMO) and the Yellow Ribbon Recognition Program Review Board for approval,” Hertwig said.
The BTYR program provides a network of resources and volunteers to assist soldiers and their families as they serve our country.
“Our mission is to develop a Yellow Ribbon Network that will unite, honor and embrace those affected by military deployments,” she said. “Actively showing support will help to enable a successful transition all the way home.”
At a higher level, a Yellow Ribbon County unites key areas and communities throughout a county to create a comprehensive network that connects and coordinates county-level agencies, organizations, resources and employers for the purpose of proactively supporting service members and military families.
A Yellow Ribbon County connects and supports communities to provide support at the local level.
The 257th arrived at Fort Bliss, Texas, March 23 and completed its demobilization process after arriving. The 257th Military Police Company partnered with the Afghan National Army to support operations in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during its overseas deployment, said Capt. Troy Hyland, who commands the company.
According to Hyland, the main focus of the unit’s demobilization process during its recent stay at Fort Bliss was decompression.
The 120-plus members of the 257th Military Police Company left Minnesota May 28, 2012, for training prior to their overseas deployment. According to a Minnesota National Guard Operation Enduring Freedom unit overview background sheet, the unit conducted operations in the northeastern part of Afghanistan.
Sgt. First Class Dennis Galvin is the 257th Military Police Company’s non-commissioned officer in charge. He flew to Fort Bliss to assist the unit with its de-mobilization process. “I am the full-time staff behind NCOIC and did not deploy with the unit,” Galvin stated.
The unit completed numerous medical and dental exams, mountains of paperwork and counseling re-employment, education benefits, medical benefits and re-integration during its stay at Fort Bliss.
According to Galvin, the 257th arrived at the St. Cloud Regional Airport Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the secured Minnesota National Guard Aviation Facility.
The public wasn’t allowed to greet unit members there. Buses transported unit members to the Monticello Community Center.

Welcoming Home Ashley and counting the gifts from His hand!

I am continuing to count my gifts ... my grace gifts .... there are many these past few days

and here are just a few including pictures:

The families wait .... Ashley's battle buddy's (Lauren) parents

The biggest thank you card every for the returning soldiers (the very top and far right panel was signed by the 900+ students and staff at Edinbrook Elementary where I work)

951. the embrace, the hugs, from the littlest back from war safe and sound

 

 

 

952. dinner as a family at Benihana's (Lenny was  fascinated by the food being cooked before her wondering eyes)

 

 

953. welcoming Ashley home to Plymouth

 

 

954. a husband, adult children, and grandchildren loving one another well

 

955. relationships built on the faith of Jesus Christ, who He is, and all He has done for us as a family

 

The gift list, the gratitude list is all about His goodness ... and when I think on these things He is most pleased!

 

 

 



 

 



 



 

 

Promote Your Love from LVA

When I saw Lisa today at class she asked if I had read her post from Friday. I had not; but now I have! And because I want this written piece for years to come I am reposting it here on my blog. I have to say that the Why I love Easter is the part that stirs my heart!

PYL: The Best Guacamole Ever. Why I Love Easter. And A Disclaimer.

Guacamole is one of my favorite foods of all time. My homemade guacamole has received many accolades via friends, party-goers, and family.

“This is the best I’ve ever tasted”.

“No way, what do you put in this stuff it rocks!”

“Will you bring your guac to my party?”

Disclaimer. There are two women in my life who make better guac than I do. Morgan Luzier and Cindy Campbell-Lashley. I don’t know…maybe a little more love goes into it than I have to give. I’ve been to many restaurants, parties, and the like. I would always rather eat my guac. Unless one of these two spectacular women are making it.

But, you are going to get my recipe (below). And it is pretty darn awesome!

I’m hanging with the fam this weekend for Easter. I love it. I love them. I have the blessing of a hugely supportive and loving family and while we get into it big at times, we always love big, always. So Sunday I’ll be Easter egg hunting with my adorable nephew and nieces. We’ll be missing two major parts to my fam, my sis who lives in TX(she adores my quac) and her family, and my sis in Afghanistan (also loves my guac, and she doesn’t like guac, Huge props! She is scheduled to return home next week. SO Grateful for her safe return).

My job is to make the guac and bring it. Roger that. Can do.

I love Easter because I don’t spend nearly enough time with this amazing arsenal of support also known as my immediate family. My sis Kelley, her adorable kids, and quiet but solid hubby. My bro, Adam, the amazing transformationalist and shining example of resiliency and inspiration, with his loyal, loving and ever sweet wife (plus the awesome little nephew growing inside her), and my parents, who taught me above all, LOVE.

It is why I love Easter so much. LOVE.

You may or may not be a fan of the Bible, Jesus, and God (I have had my moments of struggle) but one thing I can say is that Jesus demonstrated a life of LOVE. Whether or not you consider him a messiah or just an extremely rocking human that offered this world a better view and left it better (Let’s be honest. Dogma is what creates the negative view on him, not his actual life or message), I believe you can agree with me on some of his most poignant words.

“Love your neighbor as yourself”. This is huge. If you don’t love yourself how can you love others? And if you repeatedly judge, chastise, and criticize…well then this speaks to how you deeply feel about yourself. Pay attention to your insistent thoughts of others, for they are a reflection on how you truly view yourself.

And then his final words.

“Forgive them. For they know not what they do”.

What finer lesson could we receive from this life? Nailed to a cross by many that swore an oath of loyalty to him. Mocked by the masses. Humiliated in front of the world and tormented. These were among the last words he offered in this life.

“Forgive them. For they know not what they do”.

Ultimate. Radical. Unconditional. Forgiveness.

Available to you. If you so choose. To accept what is.

Whatever is spoken, thought, or acted out against you. Forgive them.

When you make a mistake. Hurt others. Deny yourself the worthiness that is your gift upon arrival in this world. Forgive yourself.

Forgiveness. Available to you. Whenever. Wherever. You are willing to receive.

Enjoy this Friday, whatever your religion, belief, or state of mind. If you are a lover, a hater, a protagonist, an antagonist, an ally, an enemy. Judgmental. Perfectionist. Addicted. Saved. Willing. Resistant. Open. Closed. Whatever you are, wherever you are….you are loved. You are forgiven.

Xoxo, LVA-

And now for more goodness…here’s my recipe. Enjoy it!

 

The Best Guacamole Ever. With A Disclaimer.

Prep time

15 mins

Total time

15 mins

This is the best recipe for guac ever. Excluding my friends Cindy and Morgan…maybe they put a little more love into it. I don’t know. So this is possible then the third best guac recipe of all time!

Author: Lisa Van Ahn

Recipe type: Appetiser

Cuisine: Guacamole

Serves: 6

Ingredients

·         6 large avocados

·         2-5 tbsp. of cilantro, chopped

·         1 red onion, diced

·         1 fresh lime-maybe two if you are feeling lime-y

·         4 tbsp. of pace pic ante salsa

·         1 tbsp. of sriracha -more if you like it spicy

·         1-1/2 tsp. of worcestershire sauce

·         Kosher Salt

·         Fresh cracked pepper

Instructions

1.    Cut avocados in half, pull out the pit and scoop out the pulp into a bowl.

2.    Chop 3-5 tbsp of cilantro and add to the bowl. Add up to 5 tbsp. if you love cilantro.

3.    Add diced red onion.

4.    Squeeze 1-2 limes over the bowl. More lime if you love it.

5.    Add pic ante, sriracha, and worcestershire.

6.    Mix with a hand held immersion blender until well blended but still a bit chunky.

7.    Season with a healthy amount of salt and pepper and mix together with a spoon.

8.    Serve with chips. Or be particularly healthy and serve with fresh crudit’e.

The beginning is coming to an ending .....

MONTICELLO, Minn. (WCCO) – For 124 Minnesota soldiers, the war in Afghanistan isn’t over — it’s just beginning.
Three weeks after President Barack Obama said all troops would be out by 2014, friends and family said goodbye to members of the 257th Military Police Company as they left Wednesday, just days before Memorial Day.
“I don’t have any insight on [the war] ending, because mine’s just starting,” said Spc. Zach Haugen.
Soldiers and their spouses find Obama’s anticipated ending date hard to believe.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Andrea Stai, a soldier’s wife. “I think they’ll have to stay there until it’s safe and then hopefully they can move out and go to the next stage for everyone.”
The 257th will be responsible for teaching and coaching members of the Afghan National Army.
It was the first departure ceremony and deployment for a majority of the soldiers, including Haugen.
Haugen has 1-month-old son and a 2-year-old daughter. He says that missing his kids early years will be the most challenging thing for him and his wife.
“She’s holding up strong for now,” Haugen said. “Next week, it’ll be a whole different story.”
The soldiers will leave for training in Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday before going to Afghanistan in the spring. They’re expected to return in the summer of 2013

See the video by following the link ....
.http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/05/23/more-than-100-minn-soldiers-leave-for-afghanistan/#.T73DOY2uyTQ.facebook

 

 

 

AdChoices

Counting Gifts

941. Spring Break

942. friends who sit at hospital beds

943. a father who loves his girls well

944. a strong Spirit when the body is weak

945. the littlest home from Afghanistan

946. a hot apple blast and "talk time" with the oldest

947. a son and a daughter-in-law bringing the gifts of supper, a movie and themselves

948. "We haven't broken down, so I'd say pretty good!" said Kelley (my so very positive daughter)

949. Texas Girls

 

 

950, His grace, His love, His mercy and His protection over this family of mine

 

 

loving you all so much more as I remain In His Arms today! B.

Stateside

 

just a bit tired

 

yep stateside

 

So very grateful to have received a phone call last night at 9:35 pm from Ashley .... "Guess where I am she asked on the other side of the phone?" Thrilled to hear her voice she said, "Fort Bliss TX"!

End of conversation until I woke up this morning and thought it had been a dream. I texted her and she reassured me that indeed she was stateside. I have a happy, happy heart to know that my littlest is safe and sound with her feet planted for now in TX .... soon to be in Minnesota!

a burger without the bun please

 

 

 

 

Sure wish I were there for the last supper.

Aren't they the cutest grandchildren ever?

 

 

in my in box

I love that I have signed up for the verse of the day to come automatically to my in box. It usually comes first on my e-mail list of messages in the morning unless family and friends e-mail  during the night hours.

It is a reminder to me when the computer may be calling me, desiring me, sucking me in as technology can do (my flesh) that I must go to His word for the meat and not just be content with the milk from a verse.

Today I found this verse in my in box after spending time during the night watch praying for family and friends and on the couch with my open Bible finishing the end of Matthew.

I do enjoy computers, don't get me wrong, but the feel of my fingers turning the pages of a Bible that was given to me by Fern Arne, my Stephen's Minister, in December 1991 and the pen and paper of my journal can not be replaced by technology.

2 Timothy 1:9

He has saved us (you, Beth)  and called us (you) to a holy life—not because of anything we (you) have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us (to you Beth) in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time ....   Forgive me for inserting my name in His word but this is how He speaks to me, feel free to insert your name and be blessed today! In His Arms, B.

Dear Ashley,

I remember you asking for me to write you letters just telling you what's happening in my life so .....

I have missed writing and sending packages to you. I miss the fact that I can't just pick up the phone and call you. I had a "snow" day  on Tuesday (would have loved to just met you for coffee).  Much to my surprise they closed the schools in most districts except for the bigger districts of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I have been sick with bronchitis, sinus infection and an ear infection so .... I was very grateful to have no school on Tuesday. I went back to school on Wednesday but the cough and breathing has gotten worse so I will return to the doctor today.

Last Sunday night I saw all the women from the 257 MP Co at the FRG meeting. It was a good meeting but a hard meeting as there was much to be talked about in the way of what to expect when you get home. I really want to be aware of what you may want to do and not want to do. Commander Hyland's wife spoke and she was very honest and transparent which I was grateful for. They also had a Chaplian there and I was able to sit next to and talk with some parents who's son had been deployed twice. Andera and Jenna planned the meeting and it was by far much more helpful then our full day at Anoka Tech. I wished that dad had been there but I took good notes.

Tuesday was the snow day and I was not feeling well so I missed my Blue Star Mom's meeting. They did a spring packing for the troops. (they knew not to send anything your way)

Tonight I have Real Women we will be having the women from MNTC (Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge) next Thursday as our guests. We are planning an evening of Polish (manicures) Praise and Prayer. It will be fun to serve in this way as we did this last year and it was such a blessing. I just signed up for the women's retreat and am excited to go ....I am also super excited for Adam and Renee and the  birth of our new grandson! I hope all is well with you!

 Today I am  praying: "Lord, make Ashley strong and filled with courage for every task. Equip her with everything she needs to fulfill your plans for her, but teach her to rely on You, not on her own abilities. Make her a soul-seeker. (Joshua 1) Lord, protect Ashley from scars, caused by the trials and struggles of this life. I thank you that Ashley does not have to become negative or pessimistic as a result of circumstances around her, because she has hope and abundant life in You. Help her to fix her eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. for it is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:8-9,16-18)

I love you way more, mom