Abundance!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

~ John 10:10

“If any single phrase of Scripture is meant to capture the essence of what our experience with Christ is meant to be like, abundant life says it better than anything else, in twelve little power-packed letters.

Many of us believe in it -in theory- in the abundant, ever-filling, overflowing life that Jesus came to offer us. We believe it’s hopefully waiting for us out there somewhere, at some point…if we could ever get past this bump in the road. If we could ever just feel better for long enough stretch of time. If we could put this circumstance behind us, or pay our car off, or get through this wedding, or find steady work, or lose the weight we’re struggling with. We think if we can just make it till the end of this year and turn the corner on a new one, we’ll be ready for it. We can see it out there, once we’re not so tied up with what’s here.

Abundant life, here we come…if.

It turns out, however, abundant life is not something you experience in the absence of difficult, trying, challenging situations. Abundant life is what Jesus offers you right in the middle of them. Abundant life is something the Spirit enables you to have when all else is wrong, disheveled, or uneasy around you. This, in fact, is the state in which His abundance is best seen and experienced.

“The thief” -the Devil- is bent on using difficulties to “steal” from you, to “kill and destroy” your peace and confidence, so that you’re consistently waiting on abundance if and when things change. His sinister tactic keeps you focused on all that is wrong, blinded to your current access to abundance. And yet because of Christ and your intimate relationship with Him, you heart-your entire life-can still be overwhelmed with an inexplicable, simultaneous hope and peace-filled stability, even when all else is disheveled around you.

Abundant life is the smile that creeps to the corners of your lips when God fills your heart with a peace that runs contrary to your reality. Abundant life is the sense of divine adventure that pulsates in your soul, even while you’re sitting in a square, gray cubicle doing a job that comes nowhere close to tapping your potential. As soon as you tap into the available, Spirit-empowered reservoir that is a fountain of living water bubbling up inside, He raises a banner of hope in your heart and mind. As you trust Hi to do this, something called abundant life actually shows up, right in the middle of the dreariness.

Your marriage may be hanging by a thread; your finances may be a disaster; your child may be living a reckless, rebellious lifestyle; your doctor may have shown you an X-ray you never wanted to see with your name on it. But your God is here. Your God is able. And He offers abundant life, ready to be brought to the regular rhythms of your life right now, in this, in you.

Believe it.

And live in light of it today.

What evidence and hints of “abundant life” have you been ignoring in the midst of your current circumstances? What would walking in Christ’s abundance and living by His Spirit look like today? Ask the Lord to allow the swell of His life in your life today.”

~ Priscilla Shirer, Awaken, Day 53 Built for Abundance

“In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11

“All the streams of Judah will flow with water, and a spring will issue from the Lord’s house.” Joel 3:18

“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.” Isaiah 40:29

I pray this brought you peace, hope and joy while you move into the abundance that Jesus Christ offers today and for eternity.

Praying for your Children

My Mother gifted me a book titled, “Power of a Praying Wife,” before I was married in 2006. I was so blessed by the practical, step-by-step approach offered. Once I had children I found the book, by the same author, that was geared for parents. I purchased the Kindle version and wrote all 31 down in my prayer journal. I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you today:

Love & Acceptance; God, family, peers and others – Jeremiah 31:3b Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Godly Friends & Role Models – Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Instilling the Desire to Learn – II Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Daniel 1:17a God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom
Destroying an Inheritance of Family Bondage – Exodus 34:7 …keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation. II Timothy 2:26 …and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you become slaves of righteousness.
Speak Life – II Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

I’d love to hear about what you find keeps you going during prayer time. And don’t forget…

Priorities and Procrastination

“Action expresses priorities.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“It’s not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.”
Bruce Lee

People say things to me all the time about how frequently I exercise. Priority is what it comes back to. My priorities in the morning are as follows: 1) rise and pray (IF I’m up early enough) 2) read my Bible and 3) exercise. I used to exercise first and then decided that I would rather wake, let my system adjust, and give God the beginning of my day. It has been such a blessing to me! I make an effort to post on social media a Bible verse or a portion of a devotion that stood out to me as well. Why? Because I want to first reflect a woman who loves and fears God. How else can I do this except by reading His Word and communicating with him? The devotion, Daily Bread, makes sharing on social media particularly easy since they include an image with a Bible verse or saying that is easily shared to Instagram. What a great way to shine a light! I hope, and pray, it encourages others. I love seeing scripture posts. It inspires me!

Another priority that I have this year is to declutter my house. Oh my! When you make this a focus you realize just how much STUFF four people can accumulate. So much unnecessary junk! I haven’t hit it too hard because with all the regular daily life stuff it could be overwhelming. I’m chipping away at it though! Why? I desire for my home to be a place of peace and rest not just for my family but for anyone. When I feel stressed about stuff I know I don’t have a peaceful demeanor and this too is a priority. This is another area that social media can be useful. I’m in a group on Facebook (invited by my dear “sister”-in-law) that is for Moms and is encouraging declutter/organization. So many great ideas!

I know I mentioned social media several times. It certainly can consume us! I wanted to highlight some of the positive ways that it has helped me. I hope and pray that you’ve read something here that inspired or encouraged you. If you did feel free to drop a comment or tag me on social media with one of your favorite Bible verses, inspirational quotes or exercise move of the day!

What priorities do you have? I believe that if you make something a priority just long enough it will become a habit and those don’t seem like work at all!

What inspires you? How do you want to inspire others? I know you’ll be encouraged if you will take one small step today, or even right now!

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”
Johann Wolfgang van Goethe

“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.”
Stephen R. Covey

Elementary Camp at Age 37

In mid April I was asked to consider being a backup counselor for Elementary Church Camp in June. This would be the third year Silas attended and Rhyan’s first year. AJ and I discussed it and began praying. It took some time to come to the decision that I would, and could, be available. I found out one week prior that I would be going as a counselor for the “Primaries,” the 2nd and 3rd grade girls. Rhyan was NOT happy that I would be her counselor. Oh well!

Just as I had prayed about going I began to pray that God would help me to prepare devotions, and items for application, that would resonate with the girls. Something they could take home and remember. I went to one of my favorite places for ideas; Pinterest!

The theme I decided on was Treasure the Truth with Philippians 4:8 as our key verse.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

Each day we discussed different truths with a gem to represent them. They were as follows:

Monday – Individual Worth & Divine Nature – Ruby & Sapphire
Tuesday – Good Works – Citrine
Wednesday – Choice & Accountability – Fire Opal
Thursday – Integrity & Virtue – Amethyst & Gold
Friday – Faith – Diamond
Saturday – Knowledge – Emerald

I included a saying on a card with the date that each girl could keep:

Monday – Don’t compare yourself with others. There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon, they shine when it’s their time.
Tuesday – JOY Jesus Others Yourself
Wednesday – What Would Jesus Do?
Thursday – Big lies can start with a little string
Friday – The future is as bright as your faith!
Saturday – Hey, you. Don’t give up, okay?

I received the biggest blessing when, during Bible and Missions time, there were 2 days that the lessons went along with what our devotion had been. I LOVE HOW AWESOME OUR GOD IS!

As you go through your day please say a prayer for our children. There is so much information for them to process. So many decisions they make and sometimes at a way younger age than any of us had to. So much pressure to perform. Pressure to be liked or fit in. As I guide my own children in the Truth it is so important to apply the Bible to our everyday lives or else it can seem so distant and strange.

How will you show JOY (Jesus-Others-Yourself) today? Do you believe your future is as bright as your faith?

John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

Granola, Yoga & Gentle Parenting

What do these three things have in common you ask? Each are heavily stereotyped. I know I make jokes about “granola,” and am referring to hippie types. Also, yoga is a practice that many feel isn’t really exercise. “All you’re doing is breathing!” So. Not. True. Gentle parenting gets the rap of unruly kids that walk all over their parents. You might envision a family bed, [insert granola], Kavu wearing, baby wrapping, essential oil using, breastfeeding mamas. Just laugh. You know you did. But what do they have in common? And, why did I decide to write a blog about it?

Granola and yoga were only inserted here to get your attention because of the stereotype they carry. They’re both healthy though!

I’ve had several conversations recently, been witness to and been the one yelling at my kids. Not proud Mom moments in my book.

A little bit about me. I am the second oldest of 12 children. I grew up in a yelling house. Not always yelling in anger but yelling to call siblings/kids to another part of the house, dinner is ready, we’re leaving, etc.. Sometimes being yelled at because I was in trouble. I’m Irish. It’s my heritage right? I recognized at the age of 16 that my anger too easily controlled me and I began then to ask God to take it from me. I believe he did a miraculous work because I felt much more level headed for years. Then kids…

As the Lord has worked on my heart towards my children I have seen this as a very damaging pattern to continue. I was given a bunch of Christian parenting books by a dear friend at church. One was by Julie Ann Barnhill. She and I could be friends minus the parts about large slurpy cups from Seven-Eleven since I’m not a soda girl. The author compares our anger to an active volcano; referring to herself (or me!) as Mt. Momma. Sound familiar?

Through her oh so relatable stories you might find yourself asking these same questions and having these same feelings.

“I was a mother thankful for her children but completely blindsided by the person she had become after motherhood. In the days, weeks and months that followed my first two births, I scarcely recognized myself…I was going to be what every mom longs to be…a “good” mother (I know you’re nodding your head in agreement here!)

dynamic
involved
compassionate
fun
inspiring
loving”

After her children arrived she said her list read more like this:

“impatient
discontent
irritable
depressed
disappointed
angry

Angry? Since when have I been an angry person? …acting out in an uncontrolled manner? Never!”

As Julie went in depth with the various ways that we can be angry I saw a very ugly side of myself towards my children. The recollection of instances were not pretty. There were times I know I made my children feel stupid or crushed their self-esteem. A few times that were abuse plain and simple. That was hard to type. Abuse isn’t always physical as we know; mental, emotional and verbal abuse are just as real and so much easier to rationalize.

This is where the gentle parenting comes in to play. We went through some family counseling some months back. AJ and I were feeling a bit out of our depth and at our wits end with our children in various situations. There have been many sentence writing sessions at our house due to these new methods.

There were two things, however, that stood out the most to me.

I need to control my emotions when dealing with my children.
I needed to differentiate discipline from punishment.

Am I perfect? Not by a long shot. I just had an emotionally charged conversation with Silas the other day in front of his friend that could’ve resulted in a better learning experience had I used control. I also had the wrong attitude, tone, etc. due to not controlling my emotions just today in interactions with each of my kids.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Isn’t that what we’re trying to do? I want to raise kids to be capable people who know themselves, handle their emotions and can help others.

I would love to hear from you, my readers, of any gentle parenting methods that have worked for you. Until next time!

Following God’s Will

Today I wanted to share what brought about the desire to blog and how I came to the place I am in life now.

I began working at the age of 13. It wasn’t a typical thirteen year old summer job. My grandma had a catering business and I would help her when she had large jobs to prepare for. The motivation was for funds to allow me to go on trips with my youth group or purchase gifts for others. At the age of 16 I began working for my Uncle Lisle who is a CPA. I worked through tax season doing administrative work such as collating tax returns, billing, financial statements, typing, etc. My work experience has been varied with a foray into hospitality, advertising, but mainly finance and accounting work. I have always loved to work!

AJ and I were married in 2006 and moved to Savannah together. I ended up working at a financial planning and then public accounting firm while here.

During 2017 we were both working and the kids were in public school. It was during Silas 4th grade year that a new math curriculum was introduced and he began to struggle. Math isn’t his favorite. We are involved parents and worked a lot at home with him. It was discouraging the amount of time that the teachers expected him to spend on homework each evening. As parents we began questioning whether the school curriculum was at fault (not discounting the character of our child) and considering our options to help him be successful. Ideas such as private school or tutoring were considered.

During this challenge as parents I would go through periods of stress and anxiety due to the nature of my work; tax deadlines, etc. Graciously I had been working a part-time schedule for several years that allowed me to pick up the kids from school. The stress however, was spilling over onto my family. Women do not compartmentalize like men (See my blog about how men and women process differently) and I carried work home with me mentally much of the time.

AJ and I began to pray separately about what we should do that would alleviate my stress and give our children the attention to their education that wouldn’t take up 11 hours of their day. I remember saying to AJ one day, “I don’t know how to pray!” I had been in this familiar pattern of life for so long that I couldn’t see a way out of the rut. It was during this time period that God was speaking to me about drawing my heart towards my husband and children. I wasn’t sure what exactly that meant.

AJ came to me in the fall of 2018 and said, “I’ve been praying and believe that the direction we’re supposed to go is that you should quit your job and homeschool the kids.” People, to some of you this may have sounded like the best news ever, everything inside of me screamed, “NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!” Internally I immediately began arguing and thinking, “Well! That’s not what God told me! Maybe we’re not talking to the same person!”

In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God was pronouncing judgment because of their sin; verse 16b says, “Your desire shall before your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Ladies, this is not a verse about desiring to do what your husband tells you! This verse specifically is saying that we will battle the desire to be the boss, “wear the pants,” or to be the leader of our home. This is not an attractive quality at all. I resemble this verse. *sigh*

Praise God! He is faithful! My heart was turning. God began softening my heart to the idea of becoming a stay-at-home mom and homeschooling. We decided to keep the kids in school for the 2017-18 year and I would put in my notice to be finished with work at the same time. It wasn’t easy! There have been many decisions, and sacrifices, as we’ve progressed on this journey. It was hard to say goodbye to my co-workers, who had become friends, of over 5 years. It was hard to lose that independence and comradery.

AJ and I felt that this decision is something that we’d take year by year. We’ve had a great 2018-19 school year and plan to homeschool for 2019-20. The kids are NOT thrilled that I’m making them do some work through the summer. Also, I have a great desire to get my Bachelor’s degree and pursue my Master’s to be a CPA myself some day. I haven’t been able to work out how this is going to happen just yet but the dream is still there and I feel a window will open somewhere as I continue to pursue God’s will for my life and my family. As I continue to pursue the example of the Proverbs 31 woman laid out in verses 10 through 31 I am confident in my God to work all things for my good. He is faithful!

The desire to blog began in 2017 when I joined the Beachbody family in January as a coach. I hadn’t counted the cost properly considering that I was working full time as well as having all the responsibilities that being a wife and mother hold every day. Although I’ve since cancelled my coaching membership I am still a member. I love the programs and the ability to take them anywhere on my phone. I know that my family life wouldn’t allow me to go to the gym everyday and that is what was so appealing about a home workout program. The programs are challenging and would work well in a gym environment where you have access to weights or other equipment to reduce the cost of purchasing at home.

I wanted to begin blogging to throw my thoughts and ideas out about health, fitness and nutrition. Also, since I’m so passionate about finances it seemed like a natural fit to include since we have to be good stewards of our money to capitalize on the health portion. As a graduate of Dave Ramsey’s, Financial Peace University, having an Associates’ Degree in Math, being a former Certified Financial Paraplanner and my finance background I know just enough to be dangerous. Although the blog should’ve been born back in 2017 it wasn’t carried to term until 2019. And here it is!

I hope that you have found it interesting and inspiring. I love to read comments and get feedback about what is important to you or concerning you so that I can create future blogs to cover those subjects. I am not a certified coach, in fitness or finances, and my goal is to inspire others to change and live more abundantly without being enslaved to financial cycle they may have found themselves caught in.

You can follow me on Instagram @autumncerto for fun fitness, health and life stuff.

Happy Thursday!

Grocery List. Airbnb. Cleaning. House Remodel. School. Summer Break.

Oh my! Yes. All of these thoughts were rushing through my head at some point this morning. This is approximately 1/4 of what was going on. Sheesh!

Have you ever heard, “Men are like waffles and women are like spaghetti?” It’s a book actually, written by Bill and Pam Farrel, I’ve never read it and seem to recall that this summary was used in a Sunday School class I was in a few years ago. My summary of the theory is that men are like waffles because they compartmentalize EVERYTHING. Watching TV. Work. Family. Wife. Kids. Hobbies. You name it. Women however, are like spaghetti. We easily flow from one thought to another and back to the first or on to the 100 others that have been floating around in our heads for who knows how long. No wonder my husband has such a hard time keeping up when I totally switch topics on him! My spaghetti brain can easily link a date night idea with family vacation or home remodel plans. Perfect example. We’re going on a date and end up at the gun range (AJ obviously planned this one!) and afterwards we end up at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Oh! Let’s head to the clearance section and see if there are any doors for the bedrooms and closet we need. Spaghetti!

Ha! Ha! All of this to ask how do you organize your thoughts into productivity? I’ve mentioned before that I use a day planner and that helps A LOT. It’s especially nice when I make notes and can go back and reference someones name or a job number. I will use calendar reminders on my phone for certain things such as dentist appointments because even though they give about 3 reminders from various sources (phone, text, email, etc.) I have completely forgotten about them and rushed to get there on time. Mom brain. Spaghetti!

I’m currently plotting how to use my husband’s time while he is off for 7 days and so I have lists. Paper and pencil lists that are usually on a scrap piece of paper because recycling. Duh! Lists that include what we’ve already decided to do on our home remodel as well as all of the life stuff that pops up that needs attention too like washing the car, who we’re sending graduation gifts to, etc. Spaghetti!

And then there’s the grocery list. Do you have items that you added to a list, didn’t buy for whatever reason, they fell off the list and you don’t think about them again until you (or one of your lovely offspring asks for it so nicely *insert eye roll*) want it and realize you didn’t buy it 5 trips ago? Nutella is essential in the Certo house because Rhyan is a fiend. Spaghetti!

School because we only have a few days left and I need to order end of year tests for my kids BUT I have to know when I plan to test them because there is a limit for how long I can keep the test. Oh! I also need to put a reminder to file our Declaration of Intent, by September 1, for our home school 2019-20 year. Spaghetti!

Summer break and all the fun stuff like free days at the state parks or $1 movies. Plus when will we take library trips or pool days with friends. And most important to me, where will I fit in Bible study with girlfriends. Spaghetti!

Airbnb because I was thinking about our summer vacation and need to start looking and booking. Then I re-downloaded the AAA app because we might use those discounts instead. Spaghetti!

Cleaning because it’s Thursday and since we’re gone all day Friday I’d like to clean the house today. Oh but wait! The plumber is coming because of issues in the laundry and kitchen sink. Oh yeah! I also want to strip the bedding and wash that too. Oh wait. Washer and dryer are moved because plumber. Plus, because of said plumber, I don’t want to wash my floors because who knows where they’ll need to go and work boots are never clean. Spaghetti!

Hee! Hee! Welcome to my spaghetti!

What do you use to organize your spaghetti into your best productive life?

A Blog is Born!

Hurrah! After only 2+ years of wanting to start a blog; here it is!

I live in Georgia, am married and have 2 children. I homeschool my children; grades 5 and 2. Staying at home and homeschooling is new to our family since May 2018. I hope to share more about this in my blog. I enjoy fitness and use many of the Beachbody programs along with running and other outdoor activities. I used to work as a bookkeeper at a local accounting firm and plan to be back in that field in the future.

My goal with this weekly blog as a place for inspiration and encouragement. At WW Consulting there are four main goals; faith, family, fitness and finances. I have LOTS of ideas for this blog but I’d also like to hear from you, my readers, on what you’re interested in. I won’t even begin to pretend that I’m a professional, or even proficient, in most of these areas. I have done a lot of research for various things in my life and hope to share as well as learn.

I look forward to hearing from you all and am already thankful for your readership!

I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13