Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week 12

Week 12 of the 2Peas Organize Your Stuff Challenge covered ribbon, threads and fibers. This was an easy week for me since I mainly use coordinating CTMH products and everything was already organized in my scrap space. The majority of my CTMH ribbon is stored in a CTMH Ribbon Rounds Organizer (photo 1). CTMH Sassy Strands (photo 2) come in 6" clear plastic envelopes that are housed in my stamp tower. Bulk CTMH ribbon, along with other manufacturers, is hung on a regular tension curtain rod in my desk hutch (photo 3). I even have room to expand on the rod! I also use embroidery floss and that is stored in a standard floss case (photo 4).

TPDL-Day 23

Day 23 - How We Grow

Point to Ponder: It is never too late to start growing.
Verse: "Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect."
Romans 12:2b (TEV)
Question to Consider: What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and starting thinking God's way?

UPDATE ~

"Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you choose to make. Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you. We become whatever we are committed to."

I choose to be a follower of Christ through an intentional commitment. The want and decide parts were easy; the effort (and especially the persistence) parts have been more of a challenge. I need to make sure my deeds are consistent with my creeds, and my beliefs are reflected in my behavior. The acknowledgement that I need to stifle my own willpower and let "Jesus take the wheel" is easier than the actual process of letting go of control.

"Change starts in your mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act." Spiritual maturity involves shifting my thinking from self-centered and self-seeking, to a focus on others, not myself.

Grand Beach Resort

Our timeshare at The Grand Beach Resort in Orlando was fabulous. The resort is located right on Lake Bryan, just a few minutes outside Disney World entrances. Everything we needed to unwind after exhausting days at the parks was right here - 2 pools, hot tub, beach area with hammocks, workout room and tons of kid activities.

Our 3-bedroom, 3-bath unit had plenty of room for the kids to spread out. We spent time on the enclosed porch enjoying the view, found a few shells during a walk on the beach and relaxed by the pool during karaoke sessions. Grand Beach Resort was rated a "2-thumbs up" by our family.

TPDL-Day 22

Purpose # 3 - You Were Created To Become Like Christ

Day 22 - Created to Become Like Christ

Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.
Verse: "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more."
2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)
Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?

UPDATE ~

Sanctification, becoming more like Christ, is the third purpose of my life here on earth. God wants to shape and develop my character, not change my personality or the uniqueness he created in me. Spiritual growth and maturity is not easy, and my time spent on earth is meant to strength my character. I am a work-in-progress, to be fully completed in heaven.

3 responsibilities in becoming like Christ:

1. let go of the old ways of acting
2. change the way you think
3. "put on " the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits

TPDL-Day 21

Day 21 - Protecting Your Church

Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church.
Verse: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together."
Romans 14:19 (PH)
Question to Consider: What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?

UPDATE ~

Unity is the soul of fellowship, as modeled by the Trinity. And it is my duty to protect the unity of my church. I am responsible to do what's best for the body of Christ, not myself.

- focus on commonality, not differences
- have realistic expectations
- encourage, not criticize
- refuse to listen to gossip
- practice God's method for conflict resolution
- support pastors and leaders

TPDL-Day 20

Day 20 - Restoring Broken Fellowship

Point to Ponder: Relationships are always worth restoring.
Verse: "Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody."
Romans 12:18 (TEV)
Question to Consider: Who do I need to restore a broken relationshps with today?

UPDATE ~

I need to be a better peacemaker. Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict, nor appeasement. God has given me the ministry of restoring relationships, no matter how difficult the task may be.

7 Biblical Steps to Restoring Fellowship:

1. Talk to God first - ventilate vertically.
2. Take initiative - make the first move.
3. Sympathize - listen and understand the other perspective.
4. Confess your part in the conflict - accept responsibility and ask for forgiveness.
5. Attack the problem, not the person - how you say something is as important as what you say.
6. Cooperate - compromise, not compete.
7. Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution - disagree without being disagreeable.

Spring Vacation

We are back from our family vacation trip to Florida and normal life slowly resumes. We took the Amtrak Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia to Sanford, Florida and then spent a week in Orlando visiting all the Walt Disney World theme parks. The weather was gorgeous and we had a blast! Over the next few days, I'll post photos of our adventures in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Our timeshare right outside Disney was fabulous, located right on Lake Bryan.

The above photos are from the Amtrak station in Virginia and the actual Auto Train. Traveling by train (with our Sequoia loaded aboard) was an adventure in itself. The entire crew was very friendly, meals were delicious, watched an on-board movie (highly recommend Old Dogs) for entertainment and over-all a neat and relaxing way to travel. The trip back home was just as wonderful and we met a bunch of great families along the way.

Amtrak definitely earned our return business. Besides saving over $1,000 (between airfare and car rental) by taking the Auto Train, Amtrak provided superior service to their passengers and more than surpassed my expectations. The Auto Train was not just a means to get to our vacation spot, but part of the actual vacation itself.