BIG News!!

This blog has opened up some exciting opportunities for me.  It was born from one woman sending me the link to make a blog.  I reluctantly started one thinking all the while, "Who would want to read my stuff?", but told this woman that as long as she would read that I would blog.  She is still reading and so are many more.  Well, sometimes my blog gets as many as 1,000 reads in a day.  So many of you are reading my random thoughts about life.  For this I am thankful because it has opened doors for me that I never dreamed existed for me but God did.  God had a much bigger vision for me that I could have ever imagined.  I was simply sitting back, watching God's show and acting as I felt led.  

A  few months ago, I ran with a woman that I had not met but had heard of.  She and I, by the grace of God, ran for miles apart from the rest of the group that was with us.  We shared stories of our children and long story short, she was the woman that God placed in my path that had connections and vision for me that I did not have for myself.  She met with me several times and we discussed all my random thoughts.  We organized them, and she introduced me to Steve Holt Consulting, www.steveholt.com, who was also a person God placed in my path.  Through Steve and my new running friend, I am ready to launch something amazing!!

INTRODUCING

www.funthoughtsonlife.com

I am now a motivational speaker and author!  The website above is my new website!  My new website will show you exactly what is going on with Fun Thoughts on Life!  I would encourage you to look at it on your computer because it is prettier there than it is on your mobile.  Consider inviting me to speak at your event, your lady's day at church, your retreat, as your keynote speaker, as your inservice day for teachers, or as a one on one consultant.  All of the options are outlined on my new website.  Also, you will be able to purchase my first book which is not quite available yet.  You will be able to access my blog from the new website as well as from the original location.  I have been about to pop to reveal all of this to all of my readers.  I am SO excited that God is using me in this way.  I still can't believe this is happening but it is.  God knew exactly what was going on.  You go God!!

I hope you will take some time to go to my new website and browse around.  My son took the pictures that are featured there.  Thank you so much for reading my blog, and supporting me.  Enjoy looking at my new site and please let me know what you think!  Visit www.funthoughtsonlife.com

Have a great day!

Jennifer

The Secret to Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are fun.  Some are extremely complicated, some not as much.  There are 500 pieces, 1,000 pieces, or 20 pieces.  Some of the pictures you try to put together are extremely complicated like a sea of candy corn.  Others have a variety of colors and pattern so they are not as difficult to piece together.  Have you ever tried to piece together a puzzle with no box top?  No guide as to what the finished product should look like?  Does it make it even harder to work the puzzle?

Life is like a huge puzzle with many pieces.  Some parts of life are complicated to put together.  Other parts are not as hard.  The fact remains that we do not have the box top to know what the big picture is.  God holds the box top.  Our lives are His story.  He is the best screenwriter there has ever been.  He holds the picture of what our life ultimately will look like.  

If we don't have the guide, the picture, the box top, then why do we continue to work so hard to put all the pieces together?  It would be so much easier if we just sit back and watch the show, God's show, and "perform" as we feel led instead of trying to control every little piece of our puzzle or every little aspect of our lives.  When we try to work the puzzle with all the pieces and no box top, we are basically doing an exercise in futility, having to work and rework the puzzle ultimately getting frustrated and mad with life.  

We are like little children sitting at the feet of Jesus.  Everything from our perspective looks gray, muddled, and messy.  But one day, God will set us up on His lap and show us what it all meant.  Give us His perspective and let us see our box top that He had all along.    May we all sit back and watch the show.  May we sit back and be led and allow God to place our pieces.  We will all be more peaceful, more relaxed, and more content when we realize that God has the answers and someday He will share them with us when he sets us on his lap in Heaven.

I was not actively searching for the great things that are going to be announced on Monday with my blog.  I was simply sitting back, watching the show, and moving as I felt led.  Each day telling God that where He steps I will follow.  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine where God has taken me through this blog.

When I started writing my blog, I didn't even know what I would write about because my thoughts were so random.  But through the vision of one woman who sent me the link to how to start a blog comes the amazing launch of something incredible happening in my life.  I wasn't trying to work and rework my puzzle pieces into something I dreamed up.  I was simply sitting at the feet of Jesus, moving as I felt led, and sitting back and watching the show.  Well, I sure hope you are excited to hear what my news is.  Two more days and I will be revealing what God has been doing.  You won't be disappointed!  

Thank you so much for reading my blog.  Without readers I would not be where I am today.  Please share my blog and subscribe to receive updates when I write something new.  Stay tuned to this blog for the big announcement on Monday!  

Have a great weekend!

Jennifer

5 1/2 Ways to Stay Motivated

Motivation is something I think we all struggle with.  I know I do from time to time.  At times it seems we can get many things done, feel a sense of accomplishment, check things off the "to do" list and keep our heads above water in the rat race.  Other times, we feel like we are drowning in a sea of unfinished projects, lists of things to do when we get around to it, laundry, or seas of paperwork that needs to be looked at, sorted through, or addressed.  How do we stay motivated on a day to day basis to be productive?  I have some suggestions that keep me motivated most of the time.

1.  Get an accountability partner.  This may be your husband, your friend, your children, a neighbor, your mom, or any breathing body that can remind you or hold you accountable for what you want to accomplish for that day.

 In the instance of exercise, I joined a running club that meets every Saturday for long runs.  Over time, we have built friendships and get together during the week to keep our accountability high for our exercise.  It is much more motivating to get up at 5:30am to exercise when you know your buddies are waiting for you.  When you are hitting the pavement by yourself, it is much more difficult to follow through when you are self powered.

In the instance of housework, I have operated on the same theme as my motivation for exercise.  My best friend and I have just come up with a brilliant idea for housecleaning.  We will do it together.  I hate doing floors and she hates dusting so we have a team.  One Monday we clean her house and the next Monday we clean my house.  Both of our houses stay clean and we don't have to do what we despise plus it is much more fun to do hum drum activities with a friend.

2.  Envision the end result.  Visualize how your house looks when it is clean, imagine yourself crossing the finish line of a race, create a vision of what you look like 10 pounds lighter.  Put a picture of yourself when you were thinner on the mirror or on the refrigerator to keep you motivated when you want to grab a snack.

3. Utilize Resources Available to You. Use the phone app called My Fitness Pal.  I use My Fitness Pal all the time.  It will let me search every restaurant that I may be eating at and how many calories the dish has so that I can eat where I want to but make a good choice while I am there.  There are many websites available to help keep you on track with weight loss and fitness goals.  There are also many sites that will help you stay organized.  Search on Pinterest for pages about how to deep clean your house or keep your house clean.  It is amazing what is out there on the web that can give you a plan.  If you want to start exercising, get Couch to 5K free download to get you started.  Here is the link to get that:  http://www.djsteveboy.com/1day25k.html

4.  Remove Distractions that Hinder your Progress.  This may be social media.  This may be food.  This may be shopping.  This step could be the hardest one to conquer since sometimes we don't even know what is hindering us from making progress.

5.  Reward Yourself when you Accomplish Something.  Tell yourself you can't look at Facebook until you fold and put away the laundry.  You can't have a snack until you sort through the mound of paperwork on your work desk.  You can go to the shopping center after you get groceries and put them away.  Rewarding yourself is great motivation to be productive.

5 1/2.  Identify What your "Despised Tasks" Are.  For some, going to the grocery may be the worst task ever.  For some it may be laundry, for others it may be going to work every day.  If you reward yourself for doing the despised tasks first, then you will find yourself on a path to motivation and pride on a daily basis.

Today enjoy some motivation and reap the benefits of feeling accomplished.  I challenge you to motivate yourself to achieve a goal today.  Comment and let me know what you did :)

Thanks for reading my blog!  Big things are on the horizon for Fun Thoughts on Life so stay tuned for the big announcement in another week!  Subscribe to receive updates on the right.  I wouldn't be blogging if you all weren't reading.  So thank you for reading!

Jennifer

Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean?

I am fascinated by the Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean.  It is a handy little tool that removes almost anything from your walls and surfaces, even permanent marker.  Honestly I have not found anything that it will not erase.  I wonder what is in that thing.  The original Magic Eraser was created 2000 years ago when the blood of Jesus was shed on our behalf.  It erases all our mistakes from our soul, even those with permanent reminders.

We need to hear the word, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and tap into the original Magic Eraser.  Mr. Clean's version can be purchased at your local Walmart.  My youngest daughter tapped into the original Magic Eraser today.  It was one of my proudest moments as her mother.  She confessed the sweet name of Jesus before men and was buried with her Lord in obedience to His word in baptism.

My daughter wanted my husband, her daddy to baptize her.  My hubby did a wonderful job.  It was my finest hour.  He quoted Acts 2:38 and explained why we were doing what we were doing.  Our daughter confessed that she believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  She will be 11 next month.  Is she too young to be baptized and realize what she is doing?  Well, I will not be the one to stand between my girl and her God.  Whether we are 11, 21, 41, 71, or 101, we never will know everything about the Bible and salvation.  What I do know is that she has heard the word, she believes, she knows what repentance is and has turned her eyes toward God, she confessed His sweet name, and was baptized in obedience to His word.  She knows enough to be baptized and she felt lost.  You have to realize you are lost in order to be found.  This is why children fall into the category of the saved.  They are innocent.  Once you realize you are lost then you know what must be done.  You must be baptized for the remission of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This evening I pillow my head in a household of 5 Christians.  It sure is a good feeling.  To pillow my head knowing my family is saved is exceptional.  The original Magic Eraser can remove all the marks in your life, even ones with permanent reminders.

My youngest daughter has talked all day about how free and forgiven she feels now.  It is the same way I remember feeling when I was baptized years ago.  It is also the way my oldest and my son felt when they were baptized.  When the original Magic Eraser is on our side, there is not need to wait for January 1 to change something about yourself.  God gives us a new day, a new hour, a new minute, a new second to change.  Seize the moment and keep your eyes on the prize.  Now that is a point to ponder.

Thanks so much for reading my blog!  Subscribe to receive updates when there is a new post.  If you are on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom and click "view web version".  Then there is a box on the right column where you can put in your email to get updates.  Have a fabulous night and take advantage of this new moment!

Jennifer

Getting in Touch with Your Inner Groovy

Excitement is in the air. Wonderful things are in the works for Fun Thoughts on Life. If you haven't subscribed yet, do so in the box to the right of this post. If you are on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom and click on View Web Version. Then you will see the subscribe box. 

Today we will get in touch with our inner groovy with a fun craft project. You don't have to have a creative bone in your body to create this flower arrangement for fall. 

I used a pot I had at home, 

a piece of burlap purchased in the fabrics at Walmart, 

a block of floral foam I had at home or can be purchased at Walmart, 

and one stem of greenery I purchased at Hobby Lobby. 

I cut the burlap into a 12 inch square and stuffed it into the pot. It gathered itself when I stuffed it. Then I put the floral foam in the middle. 

This is what it looked like:

Then I stuck the greenery into the floral foam. 

VIOLA!!  A floral arrangement that looks like I slaved over it!  

So get up and get in touch with your inner groovy today!  It makes you feel accomplished and gives you a little something new to look at. 

Go to my Pinterest Page from the button on the right. Here are two things I made from Pinterest today also. Directions are in the pins. 

On the left is simply a printout from a free website featured in the pin "Free Fall Printouts". I printed it on copy paper and framed it. 

On the right is simply a pumpkin sitting on a piece of burlap in a pot. Simple. 

Thanks for reading my blog!  Stay tuned for a big announcement the end of this month!  You won't want to miss it!

Jennifer

Sporting Sheet Marks

I showed up on a Saturday morning to run with my friends a few weeks ago only to have it pointed out to me that I had sheet marks on my face.  NICE!  The very next day when I was going into church my husband pointed out to me that I had sheet marks all over my arms.  Today while in church, my husband leaned over and said, "You are covered in sheet marks."  I texted my running buddy that I had sheet marks on me again this morning and she said something that sparked the inspiration behind today's blog post.  She said, "I don't get sheet marks because I flip and flop in the bed so much I don't have time to get them."  I began to ponder this statement because I have always woken up with sheet marks from laying still in the bed.  I have always slept like a rock thus I am always covered in sheet marks for hours after awaking each morning.  After my friend's statement my mind began to wander as it does so often.  This is what my mind wandered to:


What kind of sheet marks are you covered in?  What do you "lay in" long enough in one spot to sport the sheet marks from it?  Are you laying in God's word, so that when you go to Walmart people stop you and say, "You have sheet marks of the Lord all over your arms." ?  How about social media?  Do you spend so much time on the computer that you bear the sheet marks of internet?  Do you focus so much on money that you bear the sheet marks of a workaholic?  How about sheet marks from your children?  Do you focus so much on them that you neglect your husband? Good deeds, helping the helpless, being a friend, showing Jesus to someone, donating your time are all good sheet marks to bear.  Pornography, drugs, alcohol overuse, internet, selfishness are all sheet marks we need to remove from our bodies.  What sheet marks are you bearing today?  Good or bad?

My friend's comment has sparked a stream of thought in my head.  Today I sit watching football and thinking about what sheet marks I need to keep and which sheet marks I need to purge from my life.  Let us all lay long enough in the fruits of the spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, that we bear the sheet marks from them every day.

Now THAT is a point to ponder!  I hope you enjoy my blog.  Please subscribe to the right so you won't miss a single update.  If you are on a mobile device, then scroll to the bottom and click on web version. Then you can subscribe in the column at the right.  Have a great day today!

Jennifer

Socks That Sort Themselves

Necessity is the mother of invention. I used to have two little nagging thorns in my side at the Anglin Compound but not anymore because I invented a solution for both. Check out these ideas and let me know what you think!

Socks. Good grief socks. Especially single socks. No one in my home has only one foot so why do I continually find just one sock?  One sock to go in the washer, one sock comes out of the dryer, one sock under the couch, one sock on the deck. Sock sock sock. Rarely do I find a pair. And then there is the basket of single socks on top of the dryer just hoping to eventually find their mate so they can regain usefulness in society. Their self esteems suffer as they sit day after day, week after week in the humidity of the laundry room. Some consider mingling with mismatches even. Poor socks. Is this situation fair to them?  And even more important than assigning feeling to an inanimate object is the fact that I get tired of trying to find mates for these lost socks. 

Sort socks no more, I say!  I had the brilliant idea to just quit trying to sort them. So I don't. When I fold laundry I put each person's socks individually with their laundry pile and they can match(or not match) them up. Best.Idea.Ever. Don't you just love it when you come up with a solution to an annoying problem that literally gives you a slice of peace to your day?!  I let it go. Let go of the annoyance of sock matching. It was one of the simplest but most freeing ideas I have ever had. Somewhat of the flavor of people in the Bible who were freed from leprosy. What an annoying disease that just ate at you all the time. Itching, hurting, just a thorn in your side. Jesus healed them of their annoyance. I am now freed from the bondage of single socks. Free at last!  

Another little annoyance is in the kitchen for me but may be another spot in the house for you. I am trying to sign papers for school, write a note down, make a grocery list, write down a phone number and I can't find a pen. Ever. Even if I bought a package of pens and put them in the junk drawer they grow legs and walk off to try to hook up with the single socks that were around. Not any more. Not at my house. You have seen this handy little solution at boutiques or Chinese Take Out Places. The solution to keeping pens where they need to be and always handy. 

I bought the little green pot at the dollar store, filled it with coffee beans(which are a natural deodorizer and smell good at the same time), and made my pens into flowers. 

Throw away the cap for your normal ballpoint pen, cut an artificial flower from the bunch, and wrap electrical tape around it and VIOLA!  The pens have purpose and are no longer tempted to walk off to find greener grass somewhere else besides the junk drawer. It is pretty on the counter, makes my kitchen smell good, and I never have to look for a pen again!  Free at last from the bondage of annoyances!

I hope you enjoy my blog. Please sign up to receive updates when I write something new. You can do that on the right. You will receive an email when I have updated the blog. If you are on a mobile device, then scroll to the bottom and click on View Web Version. Then you can subscribe. Have a great day!!

Jennifer