McPIFP Goal for Week #34

Goal: Delight Yourself in the Lord

So this week's goal is going to be a little bit different. Last week was a very life-changing week for me... SO life-changing that I can't contain my very real revelation of the absolute LOVE and faithfulness of our Saviour King!

Most of you all are very well aware of my past and the trials and obstacles that I've had to overcome to get where I'm at today. BUT, what I hope for above anything else, is that you realize that I didn't get to this place without crying out to God. In November 2008... after running away from the Lord when I got divorced.. I went down to the altar to FINALLY ask for healing of my broken and disappointed heart. I knew that I was living the way I was because I was so hurt and broken, and I needed to be healed. I asked my Pastor to simply pray for healing of a broken heart. I knew down to the very depths of my soul, even during all the chaos and confusion, that this was the very first step to living my life the way I'm meant to. My Pastor prayed for me, then smiled, and looked me in the eye and said, "You know what to do, Mandi, so just do it." And he was right... thus began my healing process.

This doesn't mean that I didn't still make mistakes or still enter into the same negative mindsets as before, but what this meant, is that I personally invited Jesus back into my life. Ya see... Jesus is there all the time. He's not the one who strays away or abandons us. WE are the ones who run away from Him, but something happened when I asked him to heal my heart. He invaded my life once more and I started hearing his voice and direction; and I started reading and filling my mind up with His word and his faithful promises; I started to eventually get rid of the bad habits and mindsets and started creating new, meaningful, and pure habits; I started speaking his word and breath of life into my future; I started worshiping Him from the very heart of my hearts; I started delighting myself in the Lord 100%! I was on the path to full healing and restoration! I made mistakes and it took time to stop all the bad habits... but after 7 months... let me tell ya! I reached a new and exciting place with the Lord! I was fully healed; I was restored and pure again! I was expectant and hopeful of GOOD and Godly things happening in my life! I experienced true Grace and forgiveness. I now knew what it meant to need a Saviour... to not just want, but to actually NEED the love of Jesus in my life. I was no longer just choosing to live a pure and Christian lifesytle, but I NEEDED it like I needed the very breath I breathe.

I have been fully healed and restored for almost 4 months now. And these past few months have been the BEST in my life! I finally reached a place of peace and contentment. I am no longer lonely; I no longer feel the need to search and search and search for a husband; I even stopped focusing on me and started investing more in my friends and family. According to Websters, to delight means, "to take great pleasure in". Well, I was finally there! I delighted and LOVED hanging out with just me and God! I was in love for the first time! I couldn't stop talking about everything He has done and is doing in my life! I experiened true happiness and joy from the inside out!

According to his word and one of His faithful promises that I've held onto is this: Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desires. Psalm 37:4 And here's another scripture later on in Psalms, with that same promise: The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them. Psalm 145:18-19

Wow! I get chills from reading just blatant truth and love in those words! God loves you, friends and I love you, too! And because I love you, I want you to experience healing and restoration in whatever you're going through in your life. Delight yourselves in the Lord this week. No, delight yourself in the Lord always and start expecting GOOD things to happen! Like I mentioned before, this past week has been life-changing. My deepest desires... some that I had even forgotten about... have been fully granted. I am not only restored and healed, but I am now fully COMPLETE! I am overflowing and "bursting at the seams" (Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge your house, build an addition, spread out your home; for soon you will be bursting at the seams.)

Jesus is Lord! And God is FAITHFUL, friends! Allow Him to come into your life and grant you the deepest desires of your heart! His promises are REAL and He desires to bless you in every way!

I love you all soooo much! xoxoxoxox

Pollie the Pug Fairy Update

Pollie the Pug Fairy has recently acquired a new TuTu and she wanted to share it with everybody! She has also recently just recovered from a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), which explains why her previous visit to the Nursing Home, she kept having accidents. She's feeling MUUUCCHHH better now and is back to her happy, snorting self! We're still working on some weight loss goals, so she can be even more healthy and happy as she ministers and makes people smile... but after a recent trip to the Dr., we were excited to find out that she's TWO POUNDS lighter! This is a huge accomplisment for Pollie the Pug Fairy, because as you probably know... after giving love to humans, Pollie's next greatest love is FOOD!

Pollie hopes to be back in the Nursing Homes soon! I will keep you posted! =)

McPIFP Goal for Week #33

Goal: Autumn Spring Cleaning!

Mmmmm.... something I look forward to every year is the sights and smells of Fall (because this also means I can start listening to Christmas music! Haha!)! Here lately, I've loved being outside of a morning and breathing in the crisp smell of the season changing. Although my allergies, which have never given me any problems before, have been going H-A-Y-W-I-R-E (I know I'm not alone in this!)... I've soooo enjoyed the progression of Fall. The leaves are already starting to change and some are even falling. One of my favorite things about this time of year is when I'm driving under a whole cluster of trees and all of the colored leaves are falling down like rain. Oh, it's so beautiful and I look forward to it every year! Observing the seasons change is probably the best part about living in the Midwest and I'm so thankful that God gave us such natural beauty to admire! After all... we are kinda stuck here in the Midwest with the allergies, ice, sleet, humidity, and tornadoes.... so the least He can do, is make it beautiful to look at, right??! ;)

This Tuesday is actually the true "First Day of Autumn" and for this week's McPIFP, I'd like for us to do an Autumn Spring Cleaning! Clean our your closets, storage units, garages, your children's clothing, look under your beds, etc... and give those items that you don't need to someone else who does. I've already done a McPIFP similar to this one, but there's nothing wrong with doing it twice a year. After all... I know I'll be going through my summer clothes soon to switch out my closet with my winter clothing, so I know I'll have bags full of stuff I don't need. You can give these items to any charities, or if you know of some families in need, or even to your children's schools for the Nurses to keep on hand. I know, personally, that my school could use some boy clothes.

I hope you all have a fresh and fabulous FALL week! Take some time out to enjoy the beauty of God's creations. OH! And do me a favor and start calling the radio stations to tell them to start playing Christmas music! I'm ready!! Haha! =)

Love you all!

xoxoxoxox

McPIFP Goal for Week #32

Goal: Love on your Grandparents!

So as you all know (at least I hope so!), National Grandparents Day was yesterday and this year actually marked the 30th anniversary. Grandparents Day is supposed to be celebrated like Mother/Father's Day.... a celebration of the role and uniqueness our Grandparents play in our lives. But instead of just a day to celebrate, I want to challenge you to a WEEK of celebrating!

For most of us, we know that our Grandparents won't always be around. I'm the type who probably focuses too much on this fact--not intentionally of course... but sometimes the little Debbie Downer sitting on my shoulder reminds me! But thankfully, Debbie Downer's nemesis, Happy Harriet, reminds me even more that I get to spend eternity with my Grandma in Heaven if/when the time comes. =) But I am constantly reminded to take time out for my Grandma and appreciate and love the times I get to spend with her. I have been truly blessed with an amazing Grandmother. She is such an example of Godly strength and faith in my life, and I know that whenever I need prayer, I can call her up, and she prays with me right over the phone. She is so special to me and I cherish every moment I get to spend with her.

This week, touch base with your Grandparents and just simply LOVE on them! Take your Grandma/Grandpa out to eat at their favorite restaurant, buy her flowers, drive him/her to a Dr.'s appointment, bake him/her a dessert or meal, simply spend time and talk to them, write them a 'thank you' letter or card, offer to go shopping for them, mow their lawn, etc., etc. If you don't have any Grandparents to honor this year, then find a family member or friend or somebody who has made a difference in your life to celebrate.

And above all, let them know you love them. =)

Have a great week!

McPIFP Goal for Week #31

Goal: Labor Day -- Look Ahead!

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. (U.S. Department of Labor)

Wow! In today's economy... is this an incongruous holiday or what?! How many of us know at least 3 people who are unemployed right now? And for those who are still employed, I'm sure you've never been more thankful for your job and have complained less about it in the last year than ever before! Fortunately, this is just a season and we, as the American people, WILL bounce back from this. Already... how many people do you know who are making the decision to go back to school? To finish their college education? To do something they love? I can name 5 just off the top of my head-- not including myself.

For those of you that don't know, I made the decision to go back to school to finish my elementary education degree, AFTER getting released from my sales job. Obviously, the transportation industry was one of the first ones hit so I was one of the first ones released. For me, it was a blessing and a release to actually go back to school and do what I wanted to do--teach! I see many of my friends and peers doing the same thing right now... going back to school to fulfill their dreams. It's a wonderful sight and such a liberating feeling! Even when our economy is at its lowest; and when our nation is as unstable as ever; and unemployment is at its all-time highest.... NOTHING can stop us from making something out of nothing, and making our dreams come true. =)

For this week's goal, no matter if you're employed or not, I encourage you to LOOK AHEAD! Have faith and a hope that things will turn around, for "faith is the substance of things hoped for!". Our Nation will endure and we will get through this. Don't be gripped by fear and uncertainty. Instead, PRAY and seek the Lord's direction for your life. He doesn't want you floating around aimlessly with no direction or guidance... He LOVES you and will find a way to be glorified out of any situation... just as He has in my life. =)

... but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing:

forgetting the past and looking forward

to what lies ahead.

Philippians 3:13

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

McPIFP Goal for Week #30

Goal: Compliment someone

There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause

than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment.

-Robert Brault

This week's goal is quite a simple one.. at least for me. I can remember as far back as junior high, when I was only 13 years old, feeling the need to tell people how I feel. This can, of course, not always be a good thing but I've learned that along the way as well. ;) I've also always felt the need to compliment others when I see something I like.... not just thinking it and telling someone else, but I've always made sure to go right up to that person, or send a card/email, and let them know what I like about them. I've always thought in my head, "well, if someone liked my outfit or liked my hair or the way I smell or the way I handled a certain situation... then I would surely wanna know about it!" So since that thinking entered my head.. I've always made sure to give others compliments, knowing how much, I myself, appreciate it. Seriously though... who doesn't like to hear something good about themselves?

I figure paying a compliment to someone each day is a pretty simple and effective way of paying it forward. If you make someone feel good just by telling them that you like their shoes or they look handsome today.. then think of how that person will feel! If that person feels amazing and on top of the world from just a simple compliment, he/she is more than likely gonna want to spread that feeling around! It just all makes so much sense! =)

I hope you all are having a wonderful week! I'm sorry this is late, but you still have 4 more days to implement this goal.... OR... you can implement it for the rest of your life!

Love you all!

Mandi =)