Bugs: nope 🙂‍↔️

 I'd love to help! That's a great idea for a blog post. We can get it started, and you can fill in the rest with your own thoughts.

The Ad That Made My Skin Crawl

I saw an ad the other day that I just can't get out of my head. You know the kind—the ones that make you cringe and say, "Nope!" right out loud. This one showed what looked like dust mites crawling near someone's nose.

Now, I'm already not a fan of bugs. But the idea of those things being right on someone's face? Absolutely disgusting. It's just a reminder of all the creepy-crawlies we share our space with, even when we can't see them.

It got me thinking about all the bugs I've come across, from the spiders that show up in the corner of the room to the mosquitoes that always find me outside.

From here, you could continue with:

 * Your own personal bug stories: Do you have any funny or gross stories about encounters with bugs? Like a time a spider surprised you, or an ant invasion in the kitchen?

 * The "good" bugs vs. "bad" bugs: Do you have any bugs you don't mind? (Maybe butterflies or ladybugs?)

 * A question for your readers: You could end the post by asking your readers to share their own worst bug-related moments in the comments.

What do you think? We can change it up or keep going with a different angle if you want!

It's not that I hate all bugs. I can handle stink bugs, ladybugs, fireflies, and butterflies are actually quite pretty. It's the others—the ones that are gross, scary, or just plain unwelcome—that really get to me. The ad I saw was a perfect example of what I can't stand.

Busy : Work

 That makes a lot of sense. Being busy with work can definitely make it hard to find time and energy for anything else, including spiritual life. It can feel like you're constantly running on a treadmill, with no time to pause and reflect.

Understanding His Perspective

From his point of view, work might feel like his primary way of providing for the family, which can be a very spiritual act in itself. He may be showing his love and devotion through his hard work, even if he's not actively engaged in other spiritual practices. It’s also possible he feels disconnected and wishes he had more time for God, but simply feels too exhausted at the end of the day.

How You Can Support Him

Instead of trying to add something else to his busy schedule, you could try weaving faith into the time you already have together.

 * Pray for him: As mentioned before, prayer is a great way to support him. You can pray for his work and his well-being, asking God to give him peace and strength.

 * Share what you're learning: You can talk about what you read in the Bible or a sermon you heard at Harvest Baptist Church. You can simply share a thought or a verse that resonated with you. This can be a gentle way to open up a conversation.

 * Encourage rest: Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is rest. You could suggest a day or a few hours where you intentionally do nothing, just to decompress. This might create an opportunity for him to feel more present and connected.

It's a beautiful thing that you care so much about your husband's spiritual life. The fact that you're thinking about this shows the depth of your love for him and for God.

How is husband’s walk with the Lord?

That's a really common and understandable thought, especially for someone who loves their spouse and shares a life with them. It can be difficult to know where another person is at in their spiritual journey since it's such a personal and private experience.

Here are a few ways to think about this and to potentially draw closer to him in this area:

1. Focus on Your Own Walk

The best way to encourage someone else is to lead by example. Your faithfulness, joy, and peace in your own relationship with God can be a powerful testimony. Continue to grow in your faith through prayer, Bible study, and attending church. Your devotion might inspire him without you ever needing to say a word about it.

2. Talk with Him

Sometimes the simplest way to understand is to ask. You could try bringing it up in a gentle, non-judgmental way. It might feel a little awkward at first, but open communication is key. You could say something like, "I've been thinking a lot about my own spiritual journey lately, and it made me wonder where you're at with things." This approach makes it a conversation, not an interrogation.

3. Pray for Him

Praying for your husband is a beautiful and direct way to support him. You can pray for God to strengthen his faith, to reveal Himself to him in a new way, and to give him a desire for a deeper connection. Prayer is a powerful tool and can work in ways we can't always see.

Your commitment to your family's spiritual well-being is a wonderful thing. It's a journey you're on together, even if you each have your own path.

 

What is God’s will for me and my family?

 This is a question many people ask, and as an AI, I can't know God's specific will for you. However, I can offer some biblical principles that Christians often look to for guidance.

Trusting in God's Plan

The Bible teaches that God has a plan for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse is often a source of comfort, reminding us that God is in control and His intentions are good.

Loving God and Others

Jesus summarized the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-39: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Many people believe that fulfilling God's will is centered on these two things: having a deep, personal relationship with Him and showing love to the people around you, including your husband, Nathan, and your kids, Seth, Evan, and Ava.

Seeking Wisdom and Guidance

The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer and studying the Scriptures. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This suggests that as you and your family continue to trust in God and follow His teachings, He will guide you on the right path.

I can't tell you the specific details of God's will, but many Christians believe it involves a life of faith, love, and obedience to Him. It's often seen as a journey of seeking Him daily and trusting that He will lead you.

What should I blog about?

There are so many things you could blog about, especially with all your different interests and experiences! Here are a few ideas that draw from what you've shared, which could make for some really engaging content:

Lifestyle and Family

You could share your journey as a SAHM (stay-at-home mom). You've been doing it for 14 years, so you have a ton of wisdom to share. You could write about:

 * Balancing family life and personal goals, like being a mom of three and a college student. You could talk about time management, finding time for yourself, and the challenges and rewards of going back to school.

 * Parenting advice for different age groups, from a teenager like Seth to younger kids like Evan and Ava. You could share stories, tips, and funny moments.

 * Budgeting and household tips for a busy family, or even how you manage your Poshmark closet to supplement your family's income.

Creative Pursuits

Your creative skills in painting, drawing, and playing musical instruments could be a great focus for your blog.

 * Painting and drawing tutorials: You could share your artwork and even create step-by-step guides for others. You could blog about different techniques or show off some of your favorite pieces.

 * Creative hobbies: You could talk about playing the guitar and flute, writing poetry, or even the process of creating things inspired by your favorite animals like koalas, owls, and frogs.

Poshmark and Reselling

Since you're a Posh Ambassador II with a great rating and quick shipping, you could create a blog dedicated to your Poshmark journey.

 * Poshmark tips and tricks: Share your expertise on how to become an ambassador, improve your rating, or get faster shipping. You could show how you style items, how you take photos, and your favorite finds.

 * The business side of reselling: You could talk about how you manage your closet, how you source new items, and the financial aspects of running an online business from home.

Health and Wellness

Since you're focused on your health goals, you could create a blog to document your journey.

 * Weight loss journey: You could share your experience with intermittent fasting and using your walking pad, offering motivation and advice to others who are trying to lose weight. You could also discuss the mental health aspect and how you stay motivated.

 * Managing mental health: You could blog about your personal experience with mental health, helping to destigmatize it and offering support and encouragement to others who may be on a similar journey.

By combining a few of these topics, you could create a blog that is authentic to who you are and provides great value to your readers. You could even use your knowledge from your Digital Multimedia Design major to create beautiful graphics and videos for your blog posts.

 

Should I / we go to church? (Thoughts)

 Trying to attend a local church, rather than just watching a livestream, can be a really valuable step for several reasons, especially if you feel that the people are what matter.

Why Attending in Person Can Be Beneficial

1. Community and Connection

Being physically present allows you to build deeper relationships with people. It's the difference between watching a family gathering from a distance and actually being in the room, talking, and sharing with others. These relationships can provide support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging, which is essential for a Christian walk.

2. Service and Gifts

The Bible teaches that believers have spiritual gifts to be used for the benefit of others. Attending a local church gives you the opportunity to discover and use these gifts in a practical way. Whether it's through serving in a ministry, helping with events, or simply offering a kind word to someone, you become an active participant rather than a passive observer. This fosters a sense of purpose and helps you contribute to the community.

3. Accountability and Growth

Having face-to-face interactions with other believers, like a small group or Bible study, provides a level of accountability that a livestream can't. It's in these settings that you can ask questions, be challenged in your faith, and be encouraged to grow. As the Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another."

Your current situation of livestreaming is a great way to stay connected, but being physically present with your family and the community at Harvest Baptist Church could provide a richer, more meaningful experience.

Thoughts on church ⛪️ why don’t we go (in person)

 That's a very common experience for many people. It's easy to get out of the habit of going to church in person, especially when you have a busy life as a mom and a student. There are a number of reasons why people might not go to church on Sunday mornings:

 * Busy Schedules: Sunday morning is often the only time for families to catch up on rest, spend time together, or do other activities. With your kids' schedules and your own, it can be hard to fit everything in.

 * The Convenience of Livestreaming: You have the benefit of being able to watch the service online, so it might feel like you're still connected without the effort of getting everyone ready and going.

 * Physical or Mental Fatigue: After a long week of being a SAHM and a student, it's natural to feel tired. For someone trying to lose weight and manage their mental health, that fatigue can make it especially difficult to get up and go.

 * Feeling Like an "Insider": Sometimes people feel like they don't quite fit in or that they're not as "good" as others, which can make it hard to walk through the doors.

 * Finding the Value: While you believe the people are what matter, it can be hard to see the direct benefit of going in person if you don't feel like you're getting much out of the experience.

It’s an honest question to ask yourself, and it's a good one to think about. It’s also something you could talk about with your husband, Nathan. Having a conversation about it might help you and your family figure out what's holding you back and whether in-person attendance is the right choice for you right now.

2 religions: for Jesus & everything else

That's an interesting and a very direct way of looking at it, from a Christian perspective. The idea that all of humanity can be divided into two spiritual camps—those who follow Jesus and those who do not—is a common theological framework within Christianity.

This perspective often comes from the New Testament's emphasis on Jesus as the "way, the truth, and the life," and the sole path to salvation. From this viewpoint, other religions, philosophies, and belief systems are seen as part of the "everyone else" category because they don't center on Jesus Christ as the means to a relationship with God.

In this framework, the key distinction isn't between different faiths like Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or Buddhism, but rather between a state of being "in Christ" and a state of being "outside of Christ." It simplifies the spiritual landscape into a fundamental choice or state of existence.

It's a very specific theological viewpoint that emphasizes the unique and exclusive role of Jesus Christ in salvation, and it's a belief held by many Christians.

 

The Message of Jesus, the gospel, is for all people

That's a core belief of Christianity, and it's a powerful one. The idea that the Gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—is for all people is fundamental to the message of the New Testament.

This concept is supported by key verses and teachings throughout the Bible. For example, in John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The word "world" here is often interpreted to mean all of humanity, without exclusion.

Similarly, in Romans 1:16, the apostle Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." This verse highlights that the message of salvation is not limited to a single ethnic or national group but is open to "everyone who believes."

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 also commands believers to "go and make disciples of all nations," which reinforces the universal nature of the Gospel. It's a message meant to be shared with every person, regardless of their background, culture, or where they live.

Your belief that the Gospel is for all people is deeply rooted in these biblical truths. It's a message of hope and redemption that is open to anyone who chooses to accept it.

 

Native American Poem

From ancestral lands, a quiet grace,

Stories etched in time and space.

The drumbeat pulses, a timeless song,

To which the sacred rivers long.

Across the plains, the eagle soars,

Guardian of forgotten shores.

Wisdom held in ancient stone,

A heritage not left alone.

With reverence for the earth and sky,

Underneath the watchful eye.

A spirit strong, a spirit free,

For generations, eternally.

 

Googled macchu pichu images… so beautiful