A person's a person no matter how small!

Dr. Seuss has common sense.

 

Someone has it WORSE than you do...

 

 

Credits: Mark & Angel's 25 Beautifully Illustrated Thought-Provoking Questions Article

What's something you've NEVER had in your life?

Credits: thoughtquestions.com/

It's Never Too Late...to find old friends!

"It's Never Too Late..." by Patrick Lindsay

More from It's Never Too Late!

SaraHHouse365: It's Never Too Late...to be better than you are!
SaraHHouse365: It's Never Too Late...to take a trip!

SaraHHouse365: It's Never Too Late...to push your boundaries!

SaraHHouse365: It's Never Too Late...to make some quiet time.

Life is like a bicycle...balance

Source: etsy.com via fitsugar on Pinterest

25 Questions that Provoke Thought

25 Questions that Provoke Thought



If the question makes you think, it’s worth asking.

1. What is it like to wake up every morning and pretend that you aren’t dying?
2. Do you believe in the death penalty? What if someone murdered your mother in cold blood? What if someone murdered a stranger’s mother, but saved your life the month before?
3. If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend?
4. Would you rather be rich and paralyzed from the waist down or poor and able bodied?
5. What’s the most expensive gift you have ever received? Is it the best gift you have ever received?

Judging Others

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to remember this: I will be judged with the same measurement I give it out in.

 

 

Matthew 7:1-2

How to Choose Running Shoes

Source: rei.com via Jean-Yves on Pinterest

Intro: One Thousand Gifts | Ann Voskamp

Hey Ladies! I gave you just a brief intro last week to the book that we're looking at for our next Small Group session: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I wanted to get you a little more so here it is. I'm looking forward into diving into this book with you guys! After we do our May Day baskets (this Sunday, April 28th at Heather's!, 3:00 pm), we can discuss this book's schedule, online discussion, group meetings, etc.
-SH



“How,” bestselling author Ann Voskamp wondered, “do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties?” When your days are filled with the mundane, disappointment, or even darkness, how can you break the bondage of self-hatred and fear that has white-knuckle control on your life and instead embrace the everyday blessings that will immerse you in Christ’s fullness? How can you live your life with a heart overflowing with delight?

In this five-session, video-based study, Ann encourages participants to take on the life-changing discipline of journaling God’s gifts—to really look at life and find the good in it. It’s only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, that we discover the life we’ve always wanted … a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. And only then can we come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved—by God.

Embark on this personal, honest and fresh exploration of what it means to be deeply fulfilled, wholly happy, and finally fully alive.

The study guide includes video notes, discussion questions and Bible Study, between session activation, and journaling space that will all help you to further explore the topics discussed in the One Thousand Gifts DVD.

Ann Voskamp’s story is not happily ever after.  As a child, her sister was crushed under a truck in front of her and her mother.  Consequently, her mother checked herself into a psychiatric hospital and her father couldn’t find God.  As an adult, she stood beside her brother-in-law as he buried his first two sons.  Voskamp is a wife and mother who does not grin through the pain but battles to believe that in God is joy, and that there are as many gifts amid the grittiness of life as in the moments of celebration.

In One Thousand Gifts: A Dare  to Live Fully Right Where You Are, Ann strives to find the meaning of life and fully embrace the surprising truth from the final scenes of Jesus’ earthly life.  In the hours before Jesus’ execution, he took bread and gave thanks.  This fresh, heart-wrenching book unveils the long forgotten wonder that through the imitation of Christ’s thankfulness, we too can experience a life of joy.

With startling lyrical power, Voskamp writes the answers to universal questions:

• Where is joy in the midst of cruelty and chaos, duties and despair?
• How does one slow down enough for the soul and God to live in synch?
• How in the world do we learn to find God and live fully?

The laundry keeps piling up, dishes never end, kids fight and people die.  But regardless of circumstances, the dare of the “gift list” shows Voskamp a way to live even through the dullness and hurts of life.  Through the aches and triumphs, she finally sees what she’s been missing, something that so many women can’t seem to find in their everyday lives.  Ideal for personal spiritual growth or Bible study groups, included within One Thousand Gifts are study questions to provoke additional thought and discussion.

The Book | One Thousand Gifts | Read Chapter One

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, Excerpt by Zondervan



Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
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SaraHHouse365 | In the Constant Go Go Go, make time for Rest
SaraHHouse365 | Shaped for Serving God, Purpose Driven Life,
SaraHHouse365 | 100 Ways to make a different in Your Community

What are you uncertain about right now?

Credits: Lifequestions.org, markandangel.com,

Husband over Happiness

A note from Dad, Nov 2012

"Spring" : April 18, 2013

 

10 Financial Commandments for Your 20s

Just starting out? Set yourself up for a lifetime of money success with these time-tested principles.

By Erin Burt, January 8, 2009

When you're in your twenties, change is a way of life. You're choosing a career, paying your own bills, getting your own place to live and perhaps making decisions about marriage and family.
The more things change, the more important a stable financial foundation becomes. We've listed ten principles that should be carved in stone for every twentysomething. No matter where you are on the pathway to independence, these time-tested guidelines will boost your odds of financial success.

1. Plan ahead. To get where you want to go in life, you need goals and a plan to reach them. Having neither is like driving a car without a steering wheel -- with your eyes closed.
Start by asking yourself what  you want in your future. Think about the short term (five years or less), medium term (five to ten years) and long term (20-plus years). Now you're driving with your eyes open. Then take hold of the steering wheel to reach your goals. Budgeting is a great way to do this. It allows you to see where your money is going so you can make the necessary adjustments to get you where you want to go. Learn more about how to set up and use a budget.

2. Live within your means. Can't afford something? Don't buy it. Sounds simple, but too many people have a heck of a time following this one and get in over their heads in debt. Borrow sparingly, and only for those things that have lasting value, such as a home or an education. (To learn more, see When is it Worth Going Into Debt?) Learn to keep spending in check while you're young and you'll save thousands of dollars over the years -- and save yourself a lot of stress, too.

Read more at http://www.kiplinger.com/article/saving/T063-C006-S001-10-financial-commandments-for-your-20s.html#1L8M1QD6v6zE5B7P.99


3. Make saving a habit. You work hard for your money, so when your paycheck arrives, why not make yourself the first person you pay? Arrange with your bank to automatically divert part of your paycheck every month into a savings account. That way, you won't have to remember to transfer the money manually, and you won't even miss it when it's gone. Out of sight, out of mind.
Your first savings priority is to amass an emergency fund. Eventually, you'll want enough cash on-hand to cover at least three months of your expenses in case of the unexpected, such as a job loss, medical emergency or car repairs. Once your emergency fund is well under way, you can divide your monthly savings deposit to go toward other goals too, such as buying your first home, getting a new car or taking a dream vacation.
4. Pay off your credit cards. If you have a credit-card balance, now's the time to rid yourself of that albatross around your neck. Set a goal to pay off all credit-card debt before you turn 30 and have other financial responsibilities to tend to.
A $2,000 balance at 18% interest would take nearly ten years to pay off if you made the minimum 4% payment each month and would cost you an extra $1,116 in interest. To pay it off in two years, you'd only need $100 per month to be rid of the debt. Use our calculator to find out what it'll take to pay off your balance. Then, commit to use your credit card only for expenses you can afford to pay off each month (see the 2nd commandment).
5. Start investing. The sooner you start investing for retirement, the less painful it will be and the more money you'll accumulate. Let's say a man starts socking away $200 a month at age 25 in an account earning an average annual return of 8%. By the time he turns 65, he'll have $703,000. But if he waits until he turns 30 to start saving, he'll end up with only $462,000. In other words, that five-year delay could cost him almost a quarter of a million dollars (see Behold the Miracle of Compounding).

A Roth IRA is a good place to start, because earnings on your investments will be tax-free. Your employer may also offer a workplace investment plan, such as a 401(k). If your employer matches some or all of your contributions, invest in your company plan first -- that's free money you shouldn't pass up. Check out our 30-Minute Investing Start-Up Kit for a step-by-step guide to start investing right away.
6. Establish credit. In order to qualify for the best interest rates on a credit card, auto loan or mortgage, you need to start building a solid credit history. In fact, a good history can also save you a bundle on your auto insurance or help you land an apartment or a job (see Why Your Credit Score Matters). Building a good credit history in your twenties will ensure it's ready when you need to use it.
If you didn't have a credit card in college, one way of getting credit now is to apply for a secured card: You make a deposit -- usually $300 to $500 -- in a savings account as collateral, and you can get the money back after one year of using the card responsibly. You can also start building a credit history through www.prbc.com, an alternative credit bureau that gathers data on regular payments for rent, cable and other recurring expenses. (See Rent Your Way to Good Credit to learn more.)
7. Have a marketable skill. "Your own earning power -- rooted in your education and job skills -- is the most valuable asset you'll ever own," says Knight Kiplinger, editor in chief of Kiplinger.com. Your twenties is the time to invest in yourself to acquire those skills that will start your career and boost your earnings.
It's also a good idea to start building and maintaining a network while you're young. Personal contacts can come in handy to further your career or even enhance your personal life.
8. Cut the financial umbilical cord. You have your own apartment and your own paycheck. You may even have your own spouse and children. Isn't it time you grew up? If Mom and Dad are still preparing your taxes, balancing your checkbook or managing your investments, consider this: Whoever controls your finances controls your life.
The desire for parents to help their kids is nothing new, as is the desire for kids to let them. Just don't let it get in the way of learning to succeed financially on your own. Your parents aren't going to be around forever to help you out. You may also reach a point in your life when you don't want your parents to know the intricate details of your finances. Start now to cut the cord. We've got four tips to help ease the transition.
9. Marry wisely. You and your spouse create the most important team in your life. You'll want to make sure your team works well -- and shares similar financial values -- so you can work together toward common goals. Money can drive a wedge between even the strongest of couples. So choose a spouse with whom you can keep communication open, avoid keeping money secrets from and regularly assess your goals and progress. (See 10 Questions to Ask Before Saying 'I Do' to make sure your union is on the right financial track.)
And, of course, it helps to base your marriage on something deeper than physical attraction. Divorce is costly and can derail even the best-laid financial plan.
10. Have some fun. Personal finance doesn't have to be boring. Taking the time to travel and have new experiences before you have a couple of cranky kids in tow is not only easier, it's cheaper. Consider a semester abroad in college. Seek out inexpensive entertainment close to home. Take a class just for fun. Or take advantage of cheap travel options such as youth hostels, camping and off-season travel deals.
Build some memories, meet new people and try new things. But please, don't go into debt to do it. Save up ahead of time and you'll be in prime position to make the most of your thirties...

Read more at http://www.kiplinger.com/article/saving/T063-C006-S001-10-financial-commandments-for-your-20s.html#1L8M1QD6v6zE5B7P.99

Why is church attendance important?

Question: "Why is church attendance important?"

Answer: The Bible tells us we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25). Church is the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), “spur” one another (Hebrews 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honor one another (Romans 12:10), and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

When a person trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she is made a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). For a church body to function properly, all of its “body parts” need to be present (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Likewise, a believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). For these reasons, church attendance, participation, and fellowship should be regular aspects of a believer's life. Weekly church attendance is in no sense “required” for believers, but someone who belongs to Christ should have a desire to worship God, receive His Word, and fellowship with other believers.

Credit: gotquestions.org
Church Attendance

100 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Community

100 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Community

Young people are serving their communities at record numbers. Each year, approximately 13 million teens give 2.4 billion hours of service back to their communities. Here are some ideas for how you can make a difference:

1. Help teach a younger child to read.
2. Help cook and/or serve a meal at a homeless shelter.
3. Gather clothing from your neighbors and donate it to a local shelter.
4. Make “I Care” kits with combs, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc. for the homeless.
5. Pack and hand out food at a local food bank.
6. Adopt a “grand friend” and write them letters and visit them.
7. Visit senior citizens at a nursing home.
8. Rake leaves, shovel snow, clean gutters, or wash windows for a senior citizen.
9. Pick up groceries or medicine for an elderly person.
10. Go for a walk with a senior citizen in your community.
11. Deliver meals to homebound individuals.
12. Hold an afternoon dance for your local nursing home.
13. Teach a senior friend how to use a computer and the Internet.
14. Paint a mural over graffiti.
15. Invite local police officers to present a drug awareness or safety program.
16. Tutor a student that needs help learning English or another subject.
17. Organize a canned goods drive.
18. Clean up a vacant lot or park.
19. Organize a campaign to raise money to purchase and install playground equipment.
20. Plant flowers in public areas that could use some color.

21. Volunteer to help at a Special Olympics event.
22. Set up a buddy system for kids with special needs in your community.
23. Raise money for Braille books for visually impaired people.
24. Read books or the newspaper on tape for visually impaired people.
25. Bring toys to children in the cancer ward of a hospital.
26. Contact your local political representative about key issues.
27. Register people to vote.
28. Organize a public issues forum for your neighborhood.
29. Volunteer at a polling booth the day of an election.
30. Take a friend to the polling booths.
31. Vote.
32. Offer to pass out election materials.
33. Plant a garden or tree where the whole neighborhood can enjoy it.
34. Set up a recycling system for your home.
35. Organize a carpooling campaign in your neighborhood.
36. Adopt an acre of a rainforest.
37. Clean up trash along a river, beach, or in a park.
38. Create a habitat for wildlife.
39. Create a campaign to encourage biking and walking.
40. Test the health of the water in your local lakes, rivers, and streams.
41. Contact your local volunteer center for opportunities to serve.
42. Volunteer at your local animal shelter.
43. Help build a home with Habitat for Humanity.
44. Walk a neighbor's dog or pet sit while they are on vacation.
45. Teach Sunday school.
46. Learn to be a peer counselor.
47. Send a letter to one of America's veterans or overseas soldiers.
48. Volunteer at your local youth center.
49. Participate in a marathon for your favorite charity.
50. Become a candy striper at your local hospital.
51. Mentor a young person.
52. Serve your country by joining AmeriCorps.
53. Become a volunteer firefighter or EMT.
54. Donate books to your local library.
55. Donate clothes to the Salvation Army.
56. Start a book club in your area.
57. Adopt a pet from the Humane Society.
58. Hold a door open for someone.
59. Give up your seat on the bus or train to someone.
60. Donate your old computer to a school.
61. Give blood.
62. Coach a children's sports team.
63. Become an organ donor.
64. Teach a dance class.
65. Participate in Job Shadow Day (February 2).
66. Organize a project for National Youth Service Day (visit www.ysa.org/nysd).

Someone is looking for exactly what you have!!

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SaraHHouse365 | 10 Lessons everybody learns in their 20's
SaraHHouse365 | Staying Positive

My good friend Layna had this sign in her bathroom.
Great sign! Could apply it to many different scenerios: relationships, job search, etc.

30 Challenges | Day 16

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

April 16, 2013

16. Watch less than 30 minutes of TV every day.

– Entertain yourself with real-world experiences. Great memories are the product of interesting life experiences. So turn off the television (or the computer if that’s how you watch your TV programs) and get outdoors. Interact with the world, appreciate nature, take notice of the simple pleasures life has to offer, and just watch as life unfolds in front of you.

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SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 7: Treat Everyone Nicely

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 9: Life Lessons

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 11: Get rid of one thing

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges |Day 14: Wake up early

Outdoors Walking

Source: Uploaded by user via Jean-Yves on Pinterest

30 Challenges | Day 15

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

April 15, 2013

15. Ditch 3 bad habits for 30 days. – Do you eat too much fast food? Do you play too many video games? Do you argue with your siblings? You know some of your bad habits. Pick 3 and quit doing them for 30 days. Period.

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SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 7: Treat Everyone Nicely

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 9: Life Lessons

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 11: Get rid of one thing

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges |Day 14: Wake up early

30 Challenges | Day 14

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

April 14, 2013

14. Wake up 30 minutes early every morning. – Get up 30 minutes earlier than usual so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man. That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness and other unnecessary headaches. Give it a legitimate try for 30 days straight and see how it impacts your life.

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SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 6: Dedicate an hour

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 7: Treat Everyone Nicely

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 9: Life Lessons

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 11: Get Rid of one thing

30 Challenges | Day 13

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

April 13, 2013

13. Don’t tell a single lie for 30 days. – With all the seemingly innocent, white lies that trickle out of us, this is way harder than it sounds. But you can do it. Stop deceiving yourself and others, speak from the heart, speak the whole truth..

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SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 6: Dedicate an hour

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 7: Treat Everyone Nicely

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 9: Life Lessons

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 12: Do something new

 

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter - and How to Make the Most of Them Now

by Meg Jay, PhD

I am 25 and thus right smack in the demographic that THE DEFINING DECADE: Why Your Twenties Matter --- and How to Make The Most of Them is talking about. But the audience for this book is far wider than just readers in their twenties. Even if you just hit 30 --- or on the flip side of things if you have a child in their twenties --- this book will speak to you.
If you’re in your twenties, prior to reading this, you might be asking yourself, “Am I crazy? Is life really this hard?” The short answer is no. We’re all a little crazy --- some of us more than others --- but being in your twenties is a time of growth, personally and professionally. Though overwhelming at times, you don’t have to have everything figured out. What you do need to have is a plan for the future, because the groundwork you are laying during this decade will matter later.
In this book, Dr. Jay reveals the biggest common misconception about your twenties --- that life begins at 30. It’s a nice idea, but what happens when you turn 30 and realize that you didn’t plan for anything, you just expected for something to click when the day came that you blew out thirty candles? How do you avoid reaching that milestone without a plan? Dr. Jay spells it out clearly --- you use your twenties to figure out what you want that life plan to be. And you don’t need to get it all “right” from the start.

Do you want to get married? Where do you want to live? Do you want kids?

Your twenties are about deciding on the life you want to live, but that doesn’t mean you have to have everything figured out and tied up with a pretty little bow the day you turn twenty or even the day you graduate from college. With real-life examples of twenty-somethings that she has worked with, Dr. Jay shares proven tips on how to reclaim your “defining decade,” to ensure that you don't wake up one day and realize that there were so many things you wanted to do, but didn't. Some things, like having a baby when you’ve never even had a meaningful relationship or making partner at your law firm by the time you're 30 --- even though you're 28 and haven't started law school --- aren't always going to be an option. Figuring out what you want and when you want it will help you avoid missing out on the things that are really important to you.
She also addresses the voices that say “you should be,” or “everyone is doing this” that often cloud our own decisions. And she takes a look at things like Facebook and what they mean to people --- and how they can skew our perceptions of what is real, no different than the glossy magazines.
If you're in your twenties or know someone who is then read this book! While reading THE DEFINING DECADE all I could think about was how I personally wanted to give this book to every other twenty-something I know. It should be required reading for all. And if you are in your twenties when you finish it, pass it along to your parents.

Reviewed by Maureen Linehan on April 17, 2012

silence is a girls loudest cry.

 




 

Source: favim.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Allyson on Pinterest

What makes you smile?

 

 

Credits: Mark & Angel's 25 Beautifully Illustrated Thought-Provoking Questions Article

30 Challenges | Day 12

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

April 12, 2013

12. Create something brand new in 30 days or less.
– Creation is a process like none other. Putting to use your innovative faculties and constructing something with your own two hands will leave you with an indescribable sense of wholeness. There is no substitute for it. The only caveat is that it must be related to something you actually care about. If you are creating financial plans for clients all day and you hate it, that doesn’t really count. But if you can find something you love, and create something related to it, it will make all the difference in your life. If you haven’t created something in a while just for the sake of creating, do so. Take the next 30 days and let your creativity run wild.

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SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 6: Dedicate an hour
SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 7: Treat Everyone Nicely
SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 9: Life Lessons

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 10: Enjoy Life as it happens.

30 Challenges | Day 11

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

April 11, 2013

11. Get rid of one thing a day for 30 days. – We have so much clutter surrounding us at any given moment (at the office, in our cars, in our homes) and we’ve become so accustomed to it that we no longer notice how it affects us. If you start cleaning up some of this external clutter, a lot of internal clutter will disappear as well. Choose one needless item each and every day and get rid of it. It’s that simple. It might be difficult at first, so expect some resistance. But after some time you will begin to learn to let go of your packrat tendencies, and your mind will thank you for your efforts.

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SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 6: Dedicate an hour

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 7: Treat Everyone Nicely

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 9: Life Lessons

30 Challenges | Day 10

30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

April 10, 2013

10. Pay attention and enjoy your life as it happens. – When I watched the Academy Awards a few months ago I realized that most of the speeches actors and actresses make when they accept an award go something like this: “This means so much so me. My whole life has been leading up to this moment.”

But the truth is, our whole lives have been leading up to every moment. Think about that for a second. Every single thing you’ve gone through in life, every high, every low and everything in between, it has led you to this moment right now. Ask yourself this: How much of life are you actually living? If you’re like most people, the answer is likely: “Not enough.” The key is to concentrate on a little less on doing and a little more on being. Remember, right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. Spend the next 30 days living in the now, for real.

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SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 6: Dedicate an hour

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 7: Treat Everyone Nicely

SaraHHouse365 | 30 Challenges | Day 9: Life Lessons

 

Credits: Mark & Angel's 30 Challenges for 30 Days of Growth Article