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ONE SISTER'S JOURNEY: KEEPING IT REAL

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You Survived, Now Get Busy Living

11/28/2020

If you are readinig this then you survived Thanksgiving and a virtual Black Friday! I heard "I can't do this one more day." and "I'll never survive this Thanksgiving." or statements similar to this too many times prior to Thanksgiving. There were moments I felt defeated too yet I know Who holds my tomorrows in His hands and have hope to see each one of them.

We have a choice to make. We can trust God or we can trust the scientists and politicians. Who will you trust today? I choose to trust God. In this moment we are faced with a surplus of negatives and closed doors. You weren't sure you could survive a COVID Thanksgiving, yet you did. You weren't sure you could teach, parent & teach, or work remotely BUT you have! You have the ability, determination, and strength to be and do whatever you are called, gifted, and blessed to do.

I encourage you to TRUST GOD each day and let Him LEAD, GUIDE, AND INSPIRE you. Today is a new day and it's the day you need to turn a page into the positive outlooks of how you can bless others and encourage them despite COVID. Share love, happiness, and joy with everyone you meet - whether it's in the grocery store, check out line, driving, pumping gas, or dropping off the garbage. You have the power of the Holy Spirit to be the catalyst of hope the people in your circle of influence need.

Let go and let GOD LEAD! TRUST GOD and the direction He leads you.

What does trusting God "look" like to you?

Happy Thanksgiving 2020!

11/26/2020

As I searched for today's graphic I saw this one and knew it was perfect. Some may find it a reminder of all we are missing yet it speaks to me differently. Instead of trying to forget all you are missing, focus on all you still have.

We may not be able to have an overcrowded home BUT we can still connect with our family and friends via phone, text, social media, hangouts, and video conferencing. It's new way and experience. COVID is here and won't be gone any time soon. Let's talk about it, voice our concern, and choose to find the opportunities that celebrate family, friends, life, and change.

Next year when the house is full, the to do-lists are long, and travel expense are high - may we remember not to complain but to be thankful after a year of missing these very things.

Thank you for following the blog, listening to my podcast, reading my books, inviting me to speak at your events, and shopping through my Epicure website. I look forward to hearing how you embraced and celebrated the opportunities this year!

Happy Thanksgiving!
May you be blessed beyond measure...

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Remember to take a Day off

11/24/2020

For some in America, Thanksgiving vacation starts this evening. Many take the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off to clean and bake, hence it's nickname, "pie day". As I head to work this morning I am mindful of the changes and differences yet choose to focus on the ability to relax and recharge this year.

My lists are created and I'm happy to report they are mostly white space, which means there isn't a lot to do. With the exception of a couple items, most of things written down for the next few days are focused on relaxing.

Since I'm not spending a lot of time cleaning and baking, this girl plans to spend time writing, sewing, and crocheting. Prior to this week I was bummed and on the sad side yet this morning, I choose to embrace the change and spend the time be creative and prepping for Christmas.

Last night I hosted my first Advent Bible Study via Zoom. It's a year of opportunity as we learn to live and celebrate differently. If you view it all as opportunity, it's more difficult for the despair and depression to creep in. I wouldn't have thought I'd host a Zoom Bible study yet COVID offered this opportunity. What opportunities are before you this year? Are you embracing them and stepping out in faith to try?

What are you doing to relax today?

Choose to Embrace the Change

11/21/2020

Thursday's blog focused on finding the positive in the midst of the chaos of change and restrictions. You've had a couple days to reflect and process this idea. Has it set in yet? If not, let this quote by Henry David Thoreau help you: "All change is a miracle to contemplate; but it is a miracle which is taking place every instant." I know it's a lot to ask yet if we challenged ourselves to view COVID and the restrictions as miracles, how will this change your perspective? How could this shift your attention, attitude, and ability to see the good in the world? In your family? In your community? In the world?

Instead of fighting the crowds for the last pumpkin pie filling or bag of confectionary sugar, I'll be chilling with my sewing machine or in my writing cottage. This is a miracle. I don't usually have down time the last shopping days before a holiday but this year, I do. Of course to sew and write aren't miracles, yet the timing and ability to do them, is. It's Saturday and a wonderful opportunity to spend time doing something you enjoy and have always said, "If I didn't have to shop for Thanksgiving, I would..."

What is your ...?

What is one change you've made so the focus is
on THANKFULNESS and LOVE this week?

Thanksgiving 2020: Timeless & New Traditions

11/19/2020

Thanksgiving is one week from today and my head is swimming. Can you relate?

There are so many restrictions, changes, and unknowns. Instead of conversations of gratefulness, family visits, and travels while standing in the grocery checkout...it's either silence or sadness.

I can relate, this will be our first year without our daughter home for the holiday. If I focus on this, I'm overcome with despair and want to lay in bed and cry but this is not what I'm called to do or how God wants me spending my time. It' during these moment that I challenge myself to think about the opportunities available because of the change. Yes, I said there are opportunities.

We may not experience a house full of people this year. Instead of stacking furniture in one room so you can set up four folding tables in your living room or spending every hour before and after work for the next week cleaning...you have an opportunity to relax and focus your energies on the people closest to you. Instead of spending extra money you "borrow" from the utility payment envelope to buy a surplus of groceries that only are have eaten, you can pay your full payment. Instead of losing sleep, you will be well rested. Instead of exhaustion at the end of the ,month, you will be refreshed, with renewed energy to focus on Christmas and the remembrance of Jesus' birth and the anticipation of His return.

I will miss seeing my daughter and other family due to the precautions in place to keep us safe. I will miss watching the parade in the morning and baking so many desserts that no one could eat them all. On the flip side, I won't miss the exhaustion and waste.

There are a few things I'm thankful for as we transition into the countdown to Thanksgiving: we have technology allowing us to "see" our loved ones and hear their voices, officials have our health and wellness at the forefront, and most of all, the time I would normally spend cleaning and baking, I plan to spend drawing closer to God and focus on the importance of the holidays and the meaning of Advent.

Are you able to focus on Thanksgiving this year?
What helps you maintain a grateful attitude?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Organization & Planning

11/17/2020

My apologies for not getting the blogs up last week. I won't bore you with excuses, the fact is I didn't plan and prepare well last weekend. This lack of attention spilled into the week. In addition to my four cooking classes, two workouts at the gym, working 5 days, and the everyday items...I failed to get everything done.

This past weekend I had a choice, get my act together or spend another week chasing my lists and struggling with time management. Since you are readinig this blog, you know the road I chose. I opted to dedicate time on Sunday afternoon to write and schedule my blogs. I recorded and scheduled my podcasts for the week. I organized my list and agendas for each day of the week, and geared up for the last full week of school before Thanksgiving break. It was a productive, and relaxing, weekend.

Next month, or early January, my first devotional releases! I'm so excited! In order to maintain healthy sleep and exercise habits, a successful Independent consultant with Epicure, lead an Advent Bible study, work on my next couple books, and work full-time...I MUST GET ORGANIZED, and stay this way.

Here are some of the things I do to maintain organization on a daily basis, and especially when life is crazy busy. Feel free to use any or all of them, or skip over and share your own in a comment. During this time of unknowns, it's a great time to share, encourage, and help others.

Daily Lists (prioritized and color coded)
Reminders on my phone for the important/MUST DO items
Scheduled time to relax (read, sew, crochet)
Work Time blocks (Epicure business, writing, editing)
Exercise 3-4 times a week
7 -8 hours a sleep a night
Learning to say no when asked to do something that doesn't fit in schedule
Ask for help/delegate when possible

I didn't get to specific so you can make it your own. One thing with getting, and staying, organized is to have a plan that works for you. What works for me may not work for you but sometimes we need to try different things to truly figure it out. I have a book that might help you figure out how to set your goals and reach them, click her to learn more. Good luck! The first step is to put a plan into action. It might not work but until you try, you won't know how to revamp and modify to fit your needs. You can do this!

What do you do to stay organized?

There are often Pains Involved in Change

11/5/2020

Last week's podcast message talked about goals and desire. This week I focus on thankfulness and where are we directing our gratefulness. I noticed a recurring theme over the past two weeks.

The theme of seeking God's will and direction in our lives, instead of our own. As I looked for an illustration or picture for today's blog, this showed up in the gallery and spoke to me. It's an important and powerful reminder, one I needed and thought you might too.

"The will of God is not always easy but it is always right."
Pastor Matthew Hagee

As I reflect on life, there have been many times I struggled, strived, failed, and modified plans to reach my goals. And more often, no matter how hard I tried, success wasn't before me YET it's because of God steering me away from MY goals and desires to align me with HIS WILL. Some of the learning hurt my pride, was a financial hit, or broke my heart yet in the end, I am thankful that God worked His will out, in spite of my foolish trying. When somethings don't work out, take time to pray and listen, are you seeking God's will or yours. It's something to think about.

Are you pursuing your will, or God's?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Celebrate the Successes

11/3/2020

A late post as I didn't do well with my time management this past weekend, looking to do better this weekend. The good news is that I realize how much the way I've been organizing my time has helped me during the work week. Maybe I needed the reminder that a few hours on Sunday save me at least an hour a day during the week.

I'm also thankful I didn't post already because I have exciting news to share. This past July I signed up as an Epicure consultant and I enjoy this on so many levels. Not only has my health had a positive impact, I'm having so much fun sharing health, wellness, and time saving tips with others.

Tonight I closed my first $500 cooking class. I think I may have been even more excited than my hostess, yet it may be too close to determine. To celebrate I tossed confetti (paper shredding that was set by the door for recycling) in the air. My lawn looks like it snowed and my heart is overflowing.

I appreciate ALL my hostesses and customers so much! I've met some cool people and learn something from each one. I wasn't sure I'd ever be the consultant for a $500 cooking class yet I was determined to have one before year end and I accomplished this...tonight!

I share this with all of you as an encouragement! Don't give up on the goals you set. Set them high and strive to reach them. In addition to this wonderful journey with Epicure, my first devotional releases in January!! It's an Lenten Devotional. If you'd like to be a part of my promo team, email me: livinwithlisa.keepingitreal@gmail.com. I hope to kick off the promo after Christmas and through January, leading up to Lent. God is good, I'm grateful for the encouragement He showed me tonight and on this journey. #KeepingitReal

I'm thankful to share time-saving tips and healthy alternatives with others! A special thanks for my hostess who busted a hump to reach her goal!

Photo used under Creative Commons from its-mrb

Writing with Buske