Friday Confessions

  I Confess: It's been a minute since I've been here to confess.   I Confess: I don't have a very good reason for slacking.   I Confess: I ended up having shoulder surgery a month ago. I guess that could contribute to my slacking. Thought I was getting my bicept tendon reattached but it was already attached. I ended up having to get my shoulder bone shaved down, bone spurs removed, and a tear in my rotator cuff fixed. Luckily for me, it all went well... and I am already done with Physical Therapy and only have a little achiness.   I Confess: I am super excited for our trip to IL/IN/MI in a month for my Kindergarden BFF's wedding. Going to a Cubs game to round off the fun weekend.   I Confess: My family (Mister Husband, all three kids, and my parents) are going on a mission trip with my church to the Dominican Republic. We are going to spend one day at the Learning Center we were at in November and the rest of the time a AIDS orphanages. I am so excited for the opportunity to serve with my family.   I Confess: My amazing husband got me a 3 hour spa package for Mother's Day. I am going next Saturday... massage, facial, pedicure, etc. I can't wait! Then we are going away to spend the night at a King Arthur themed room in Logan. Yay, Happy Mother's Day to me!   I Confess: Tomorrow we celebrate my mom being 5 years since her last breast cancer diagnosis. We are having a Pink Party in her honor. I am so thankful that God chose to heal her body. She is an AMAZING woman and is the rock of our family. I love ya mama!

Proverbs 22:6

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

This bible verse has been going through my head for a couple of reasons. The first is because of my own children. My 13 year old daughter is on staff at our church in the nursery/preschool and she has been for a couple years now. Currently, she is in a discipleship program and leading worship in the Youth Group. My 10 year old son is very active in Royal Rangers and is the highest ranking boy in our whole church. They both will pray with anyone, anywhere, and anytime. They love to serve their community and have a heart for missions work. I couldn't be prouder. I am so blessed.

The other reason this verse is on my heart is because of another family that I know... one who doesn't have a strong belief system. One who throws around the name "Jesus Christ" as its a swear word... who says they'll pray for people because they don't know what else to say. One who goes to church to show off, rather than to really worship. In turn, this family is going through alot of struggles... financial, health, and most recently with a straying child.

Honestly, it hurts my heart... which in turn makes me think of what it's doing to God. He wants a relationship with us. He wants to love us and have us love Him in return. He sent His son to die for our sins, to give us a chance at salvation. Why wouldn't we want that?

I know its not my place to judge but that's where that verse comes into play... if their children knew God at a younger age, would they have lost this child to drugs and girls? I don't know... I just hope that with my own children the values they have instilled in them now will help deter them from those things in the future.

All I can do is pray for them... really pray for them, not just say it because I don't know what else to say.

The Elephant in the Room: Lust

Yesterday at church, our Pastor spoke about the elephant in the room. You know, that really big problem that's sitting in front of us and no one wants to talk about? Yeah, him. As part of this series, yesterday's elephant was Lust.

As I was preparing myself all week to sit through service yesterday... a lot of things came to my mind. A lot of situations from my past that either involved me or people around me. Issues with work romances. Issues with pornography addictions. Flirting that seemed harmless. Full on adulterous sexual encounters.

I thought about all the people involved in all of those scenarios... wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends, kids. The sin of lust isn't just with you... it involves so many people around you. That's when I realized what a broken world we live in.

As our Pastor was talking, I was drawn in to his every word. I think I took about 6 pages of notes b/c I didnt want to miss a thing. I've been hurt in the past due to results of lust. I want to safe guard my marriage from this point forward to ensure our marriage is the way God intended, between me and my husband only.

A couple of the things that stood out to me specifically:

• If you have a problem with pornography, do something drastic. Turn off your internet in your house. Hand in your smartphone. Get rid of the temptations.
• If a wife doesn't feel good about a friendship the husband has with someone of the opposite sex, there is a reason for it. Wives are very good judges of character and their guts talk to them. Husbands, if your wife says anything about that girl you work with;  RUN!
• Communication. You have to be able to communicate with your spouse. No matter how hard or awkward it is, you have to talk about it openly. Keeping anything from your spouse will always come back to get you.
• Have an accountability partner. If you struggle with this sin, you cant do it on your own. You need someone to encourage you, to talk to you, to pray with you. Seek a Godly man or woman from your church. Suck it up, you are not the only person who struggles with this... remember that elephant? Everyone knows its there so get past your ego and get some help.

As a lot of these things hit home for me... When I feel lost or that things are beyond repair, my God tells me to wait... that He's got a plan for me and things will get better. I thank God for the work he has done in my marriage. I pray for all of those wives who are currently dealing with this mess. I pray that they are wise enough to know what's going on. That they have someone to confide in and seek help with... That they feel God's love in the midst of conflict with their spouse.

As my Pastor said, when these men are sitting in a dark room in their house, on their computer, looking at naked women... do you realize that those ladies are daughters of the Great I Am? I bet if they remembered that instead of looking at them as an object of lust, there would be a lot less of this going on.

My biggest prayer is for these husbands. That they realize the damage they do with this sin. The heartache they cause. The grief they put the one they love through. All aspects of lust are damaging and heartbreaking... no matter how small. I pray that every man has the respect to start looking at women differently today...starting at the way they should be looking at their wives; you know, the only person they should have eyes for in the first place.

Amen.

Confessions: Valentine's Edition

  Time to Confess!!   I confess: I had a great Valentine's Day.   I confess: I was spoiled. An anniversary band to go with my wedding ring, flowers, a coffee mug, and a stuffed animal.   I confess: I spoiled Mister Husband as well. A new leather motorcycle vest, pictures in frames, and a plant for his desk at work.   I confess: The kids got spoiled too. Candy and tickets to a Utah Jazz game in a couple weeks.   I confess: We spent our Valentine's at the bowling alley. Wasn't the most romantic outing, but I was with my honey (and my son) so it was good :)   I confess: When we got my ring last weekend, they gave us a gift card for a free pound of See's Candy. I am officially 4lbs heavier this week than normal.

Valentine's Day 2013

Valentine's Day is more to me than flowers and candy... it was 5 years ago on this day that Bryan stole my heart. I was in a funk over something's my ex-husband was doing and Bryan pulled through and restored my faith in the opposite sex. Because of his sweet ways with me and my kids, I fell in love with him that day and knew he was who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

Mister Husband, I love you with everything in me. Be Mine, always and forever.

Let. It. Go.



How to stop running the show and start walking in faith... Love it!!


I am doing an online bible study with some ladies from my church... we meet on Wednesday nights to discuss what we've read. We just started this last week and already this book as touched me. It's talking about not being in control... and it's ok to let go of the control. It talks about control in marriage. It talks about having a healthier marriage. I am only a few chapters in, but I can't wait to read more.

If you are interested in checking it out, go to www.melissataylor.org.

Friday Confessions 02-08-13

  Another Friday... another time to confess!   I Confess: My shoulder feels better, my elbow feels worse. Dang ice! Went back to the Dr today and nothing is broken... but she thinks there is soft tissue problems. So meds and PT are in my future.   I Confess: I really didnt care the outcome of the Dr appt as long as she said I could take that dang sling off. And she did, so I am much happier!   I Confess: My girl didnt make the team... he has enough guards in older players. Bummer. However she showed so much heart and ability, that he asked her to be the team manager, as a 7th grader. Yay!   I Confess: I dont like that I've spent more time with my ex-husband this week than I have with Mister Husband. Freaking get back from Puerto Rico already will you, Bry?!   I Confess: It was a crazy week... alot going on at work and at home. I felt stretched like you wouldnt believe, but I made it. Here we are at Friday and it's almost time for the weekend. Sleeping in and relaxing are in my future... with a lot of snuggles with my hubby who's getting home late tonight.   What are you confessing?!