Restoration- How God used an old barn door to help me tell a story!

Over the weekend I had an opportunity to spend a day with my mom and dad. I love the chance to go back home, something about being home calms and centers me. Maybe its the fresh mountain air, or the memories of a childhood full of laughter and fun, I don't know but whatever it is, I love being there and as I get older I cherish it more and more. Well, I know some of you do not know my dad, but he is a "collector" you could say of things he feels he will use one day. Some may say hoarder..but that is taking it a bit too far. I find his garage and shed to be a place of great options for projects!! I know my mom does too! I mentioned to my dad I needed some old barn wood for a project. ( I knew he would have just what I needed somewhere) That is the best thing about my dad, he has a "supply" and the nails to go with it anytime you ask. I loved that about my dad growing up, he could fix anything, and create stuff with old things. Maybe that is where I come up with these ideas? Although, I know this time he did not see my "vision" for these pieces of barn wood.
We dug out the wood and I told him I wanted to transform these banged up pieces into art for my wall. He looked at me several times and kept asking, "are you sure?"
We worked together at gathering up the wood then he helped me assemble my little masterpiece. You see, I had a plan, the entire time of what I wanted to do with that old discarded board. No one really could see it but me, even during the process, I could tell even my dad who was helping me so willingly was wondering what in the world I could do with this old stuff that had clearly seen better days! But I knew.... I knew that restoration and restoring wood takes time. I knew that the time put into it would require some work,polishing,cutting and sanding! In the end  though I knew if I could take these broken pieces of material and assemble something beautiful it would be worth it. It was even better that I was able to work on this with my dad. It has been years since I could work beside him, when I was a little girl I never wanted to leave his side...always wanted to help! I am sure I slowed him down more times than he would ever admit, but he never pushed me off or scolded me, he always let me tag along.
Anyway, back to my project...so I brought it all home, put it down in my garage and started to brush off the cobwebs, the dust, and old paint pieces. Obviously this wood has been around quite a long time!

After the sanding, cutting, and pounding back together.I started to stain the wood and because of the neglect for years, the stain just sunk deep into its very core, the deepest parts of it's being was thirsty and ready for change. ( I was ready for it too!) Seeing it soak it up reminded me of myself, when I am so ready for the things of God to really fill me. to satisfy my deepest parts. I could relate!
Then I brought out the paintbrush, a detail you can not overlook in the restoring process, the brush will get the tiny cracks and heal where no one else really sees. (But those cracks they are so deep, so so deep, and need to be filled! They need to be filled with only what the master artist could fill it with!)

I worked for hours, my back was pounding and I was ready to get this baby hung up on the wall, but I knew I needed to keep going and the process would be worth it. I thought of quotes, millions of quotes, which should I pick? I spent hours trying to decide what would be best for this precious piece, that by this time I have grown to love and adore. My goodness, the whole family now was really excited and waiting too. My little girls have been wondering what is happening out in that garage, mom has been out there for hours! So I began to paint, and this is what came out!I thought how much time must God put into us, our mistakes, needs, and desires. He knows it all and yet pursues us with a passion and love that only He could give, He see's our true potential. He knows what we are capable of no matter what we come from or what we have done.

Funny thing about the phrase, "It is WELL with my SOUL...." is that the very words were penned during one of the most heartbreaking moments in another mans life , yet he knew where HIS anchor was and that no matter what happened, God would not forsake him.
So true and ironic this old barn door, what we see in the natural and what it looks like, looks alot like us, before God gets hold of us, He takes what is otherwise considered useless, discarded, and restores it to a beautiful creation. The deep and edgy cracks that no one sees or runs away from he fills with His healing power and spirit. He makes all things new, and believes in the possibilities of what could be! He believes in you! He believes in me. I mess up, I need him daily. I am hoping this old barn door which I plan on hanging today will be that reminder to me. God is an anchor for my soul and IT IS WELL!

Minty Madness Organic Green Smoothie

A great new smoothie recipe!! LOVE IT! My kids love it too so we all can celebrate this one!
1 cup frozen pineapple (or fresh)
1 cup mango
2 cups raw organic spinach
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup water
4-5 fresh mint leaves

Turn on Vita Mix or blender...BLEND it up!! Delicious, quick and packed full of healthy live nutrients!! Mix it up and share some of your own!!

Become all you were meant to be!

Do you feel like you constantly are up against a wall? Discouragement and sadness can come in like a flood and overwhelm. There are so many things that can come against us from day to day that can feel like everything is gone, you will never be happy, your life will never turn around. But it can! Reclaim your life...reclaim what negative things have tried to take from you. God wants you to soar and be all you were created to be.
In this FREE ebook which downloads automatically you can experience renewed perspective and hope.
Download today!!

Why taking ownership is so hard!

So many people want to know the secrets to success. What makes a business strong? What does it take to grow a church? What makes a great marriage? How can I be a good parent? Is it possible to be healthy and fit even when I am so busy? Can a mother really balance work and kids? Can a dad really be the leader he needs to be for his family? Is it possible to ever love again? Will I ever really get out of debt?
These are questions many of us have asked ourselves. Maybe even worked at from time to time. Anything worth it in life is going to require work, and lots of it. I am in the middle ground generation right now where the ones after me feel "entitled" to it all without the work, and the older ones have given up or are still working when they should be enjoying life. So here I am sitting here observing two opposite ways of thinking. I see it everywhere. I see a total lack of ownership over the situations and lives people find themselves living.
Most of us drown in our stress or drown out our circumstances by avoiding what it will take to change it. We have turned to work, ministries, addictions, relationships, social networking and every other possible thing to keep us "moving" along so we don't have to deal with the ROOT problems.
The root issue when things are not progressing in a positive way is lack of ownership.
We all have done this from time to time. We believe in a lie we heard or have developed a belief system that is really way too small.
It is never too late to start, and start small if you must..but please DO START! Falling down is part of life but getting back up is living it! Take personal responsibility for how you want to change things in your life. Taking ownership is hard because it puts you in a place where you stand face to face with your fear, insecurities, self doubt, and baggage all wrapped up in one and you push through it anyway. You stand there and wonder what in the world do you do with all of it and how do I change living this way? And then you take one step! One painful and uncomfortable step and then another and then another.Stop living the life you do not want to live and make choices towards a better tomorrow.
Is it going to be tough? Of course it is, its going to be a major pain in the rear some day's. Some times you may feel like you just want to give up,  believe that your not qualified, or rich enough, you may feel you don't deserve it, or you just have been dealt a bad deal you need to live with as punishment. It is not true.  It is really not true!! You have a huge battle in your mind. Jim Rohn said it best when he quoted, "forget about the thief waiting around the corner, what about the one in your mind!! " Your mind is where it all lays waiting dormant- are you going to allow your mind to sabotage your way of thinking or are you going to get out of your own way? The choice is yours and it is yours to make right now!! Today! Take ownership. Pull up the big girl pants or big boy pants your meant to be wearing- throw away the diapers and get out there and make your mark on the world. Life is passing by- don't get to the end of your own with regret and wonder.

MOTIVATION!! Refuse to believe the lies you tell yourself

Coaching

Many people are still learning what a life coach does and how they can help others. Coaches come along side an individual and help them in areas of career, wellness, and personal growth. Life coaches are becoming increasingly in demand as people strive to better themselves and improve in certain areas but lack the skills needed to give them resources to think about their dreams and goals. It is important to get fresh perspective and meet a coach that is an expert in the area you want to develop. Many coaches offer packages, seminars, and coaching one on one via skype. Online coaching gives you the opportunity to meet with a coach in the privacy of your own home and on a time schedule that meets your needs.

New website address

Taking on a new website address this week. Be sure to check it out. www.allthingshealthycoaching.com If you are looking for healthy recipes and healthy options there is a great page with ideas and links for you to check out. Be sure to check out the new services offered as I am constantly trying to expand my consulting and coaching business.