Class Retreat

A couple of weekends ago, about 20 of us headed to Doublehead Resort for our "first ever" class retreat.  We really had a great time getting away together!  We spent time just visiting and laughing, playing some games, having devotional time together, and just enjoying the quietness that is there.  There's something special about retreating away together and getting away from all of the distractions and the busyness in our lives.  It was refreshing to spend quality time with our "sisters and brothers" and to have some time to refocus.  Everybody really had a great time and said that they would LOVE to do this every year!  Hopefully, those of you that didn't get to come this year will be able to next time around.  A special THANK YOU to those who put all of the hard work into making this retreat happen...we appreciate you!  Here's some pictures from our night away...

Mission Lazarus

As you all know, some of the families in our class are part of a very worthy cause. They are helping to support the work of Mission Lazarus in Honduras. They give of their means every month to sponsor two of the children there. Jon and Stacy thought that our blog would be a great place to share this info about our class's sponsored kids and their pictures for you all to see.  Thank you to those of you that are supporting such a great cause! 

Mexico Mission Trip Pics

Our class just recently got back from a mission trip to the Baja in Mexico.  They had a great weekend serving the people in San Quintin and surrounding areas.  As always, I think our team was blessed just as much as the people in the Baja.  Here are a handful of pictures from their trip.  I will try to add some more later. 

Baja Group Leaves Today

Good Morning Homebuilders - Just a reminder to pray for the group headed to Baja this morning!! Hope everyone has a great day!

Self-defeating perfectionism

So today I was reading an article online and the author said the following: "Perfectionism may be the ultimate self-defeating behavior."

I think I might agree with this statement because if you think about it - perfectionism can cause everything from anorexia and bulemia to depression and lack of self esteem. Where did this idea that we just aren't quite good enough come from? Who decides when we are good enough?

How much laundry does a mom (or dad) have to do in one day to be good enough? What job title must one achieve? How many dishes must be washed? How many miles must be run? What diplomas must be hanging on the wall? What type of car in the driveway?

Do any of these strike a cord with you? They do with me. I think this nagging idea that I am not quite where I am supposed to be or who I am supposed to be follows me around continuously.

I believe depression is directly related to perfectionism.

In high school, I had a major major bout with depression. I played softball, basketball (then quit basketball), cheerleading, choir, SGA, volleyball and don't get me wrong -- this wasn't odd almost everyone played everything at our small school. But sometimes, I think we get involved over our heads...there just aren't enough hours in the day to be every where and do everything we want to do. I wanted to be perfect - at everything. Never miss a throw, never miss a ball, never make a mistake and when I did it just ate me up. I had trouble letting things go.

Now life has totally changed. I don't play sports - at least not competitvely, but I still struggle with these same feelings that I felt all those years ago but this time it relates to being the best mom, being the best wife, being the best friend, being the best employee etc, etc...

And the weirdest part is that sometimes those around us who seem the happiest and like they "have it all together" are actually struggling with this the most. I'm glad that God included all different types of people in the bible. There are murders, liers, back stabbers, cheaters and for me I am especially glad there was a perfectionist - Martha -- who thought she had to have everything just right. And in the midst of having the Savior sitting there in front of her she was missing the whole point.

So today my prayer is that my Martha ways become more like Mary's -- what are your thoughts on perfectionism?

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, NIV).

Don't Worry Be Happy

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

Worry - ugggghhhhh - I don't know about you but worrying is a big part of my life. I worry about money. I worry about my job. I worry about my family. I worry about my kid. It is so hard not to worry sometimes. You know as a Christian that worrying shouldn't be a part of your life, but it is so hard to fight off that feeling and to give things to God.

What things do you worry about? How can we find peace in the midst of all the stress? Once you pray about something - do you continue to hang on to those things that you asked God to handle?

Today, let's give our cares and burdens to Him and then trust that he is guiding our lives and that we are in the palm of His hand.

Hope everyone has a great day today!