Honest TRUTH

There are many things that partake in this category of "honest truth." Such as ....

1. My daughters started school again (after Christmas break)

2. My 16 month old is showing signs of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). At least that's what I define it when I don't put the cheetoh back on the her plate EXACTLY the way she had it.

3. It's the dawn of an amazing new year and I'm grabbing hold of it with a tight GRIP.

4. I'll be celebrating my 14 year marriage anniversary to my most amazing GUY this February.

5. My oldest daughter is getting older (she'll be 12)

6. Activities....sports, band, swimming, etc....

7. I'm getting older and the gray often peeps it's way through my massive curly darkER hair

6. and more and more and more

In reading my devotions today, I realize that having a mental note of all thee above isn't good enough. I'm living in them......not just thinking them. Owning up to the fact this list is happening and being "diligent" and intentional (one of my favorite words) in ALL these matters.....will allow me to have this GREAT year I'm gripping to.

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them,

so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15

Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't AIM to please people. If they see progress in my "every day living"....that's SUPERB! But, that's not my ultimate goal. I want to be "diligent," "diligent", "diligent!" Being this way and giving myself wholly to these matters will produce progress not only in the eyes of others.....but in the one I aim to please most.

I really HOPE......

God is pleased with my choices today.

I can make a difference in someone's life today.

My daughter Braxtyn does well in her testing.

The VIBE youth ministries goes amazing tonight.

My house becomes clean and stays that way this week. (I can not only hope, but dream, lol?)

We are able to sell our Durango at a great price.

My husband feels better. (AWAY flu)

I can be more spirit led in my daily choices.

Future......WAY AHEAD...All 4 of my amazing daughters marry "mighty" men of God. My daughters change the world!

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Psalm 71:14

Excess....do you have any of this?

Today I got up at 5am REFRESHED! WOW! "Conquer the world" type of REFRESH. I did the next best thing, "I WORKED OUT!" Felt amazing. I hadn't done it like in a week and a half. Mark was out of town, I was out of town, and a bit lazy! We had a wonderful opportunity to pour into the lives of many youth pastors and their spouses. South Dakota AIN'T no joke. What an amazing group there. Mark and Christie Entzminger are doing an amazing job.

Came back home and SMOTHERED our 4 girls with hugs and kisses. We missed them so much. I'm so glad to be back home. We love Alaska and this month marks my 8th month being here. God is so good to me.

I was reading my devotion which was on EXCESS. And with the EXCESS I have, do I find contentment? It all depends what the Excess is! Come on now! I certainly am trying my best to get rid of the Excess weight I've accumulated in the last 13 years of marriage....I hate Excess dust bunnies and hair on my floor (YIKES....4 girls), I love EXCESS decorating money, peanut butter twix, time with good friends. It all depends. Here are some questions I was challenged to ask myself at the end of the devotion:

What in my home is excess?
Answer: Cable, heater too warm (We can wear more sweaters), lights always on, snacks to always have on hand (My kids need to drink more water)
Who can I give it to that needs it more than I?
Answer: At this time..... Haiti. If I were to eliminate/limit all the areas mentioned above, my family could contribute roughly $175 per month. I wonder who NEEDS this money more? I challenge you and myself to answer these questions too.

Power Verses:
2 Corinthians 6:10, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." (NIV)

Things I Learned in 2008

1. How fast my kids grow up. How intelligent they are. How amazing they are.
2. How Jesus can calm all fears and stresses
3. How limited I am in finding solutions.
4. How God totally has the pages of our lives filled out
5. The fact life really isn't worth living if you aren't going to be real.
6. That things will get better even when you can't imagine in your wildest dreams how it will come about.
7. How much I loved snuggling with my family.
8. How important daily time with the Lord is.
9. One Coffee Bean iced caramel latte really is good for you (once a week)
10. God picks busy people to do important things. He typically doesn't go hard after lazy people.
11. I lose the most weight when I eat breakfast and exercise every day.
12. There's never a right time to do the wrong thing.
13. Share wisdom with people. If they don't listen, let adversity teach them.
14. I need to listen to more podcasts
15. To everything there is a season. God is taking me into a new season.
16. Being alone is a blessing if you like yourself. And, I really like being alone! Does that mean I like myself too much?
17. My husband is a better man than he was in 2007.
18. Probably because I was a better wife in 2008 than in 2007!
19. I love people still. Good thing!
20. I still love impacting the lives of young people. Really...People in general.



We started a new tradition in the Zweifel household for the New Year. We're going to all get our nails done. Probably not at a salon, but we'll all buy polishes and do them. Start the New Year with Nice nails. I can't imagine a better way of proving we're ready for the New Year. Mark may not want to jump on the bandwagon with this one.....he can find a manly thing to do. Plenty of that in Alaska!

Countdown is coming

Living in Vegas has been a great experience and time in ministry. This city uses entertainment at its best to ATTRACT people...at any cost. That's a "no brainer!" Not like an epiphany moment. However, why is it not a "No-brainer" for believers in Christ. We're not about entertaining.....but we should be about ATTRACTING. What is it that attracts a person to me. Is it my "sexy looks" as my husband would say. Is it how poised and patient I am with my kids when they do the unthinkable? Highly doubt that one!

I've been thinking about this because in Vegas, this New Year's eve there will be tens of thousands of people on the strip ready to RING in the 2009 Year. They'll do all the crazy things to say "Farewell to 2008" and Countdown 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, etc..... to "Welcome 2009." I WANT TO DO THE SAME.

I believe THAT countdown should be a BLAST OFF for the believers in Christ. From the moment you say that NUMBER #1.......a transformation, an EXPLOSION, a PARTY should occur. The fireworks on the Las Vegas strip won't be the only fireworks blasting. My spirit will be joining too.

I've said it before....I don't want to be the same person I was in 2008 in the New year 2009. Not that I'm a terrible , wretched person. I'm not satisfied with where I am in many ways. Another words.....there's always room for improvement in many areas. "He who began a good work is faithful to bring it to completion..." I'm counting on God to do this for the rest of my life. Every year (to me) needs to be another chunk of His "faithful completing."

2009 - i already know what I need His help in...but it may be something different with Him.
Only time will tell. :)

Planning on having a great day with my girls. No one coming over to play....no extra kids. Just my own. THANK YOU JESUS. They all seem to get along when it's just them. Need to purchase a few things at a couple of stores, do a little picker upper in my home, and call it a day. What a life! Well...it will soon end. School starts Jan. 5th. It's been a wonderful break.

After a Slumber party...YIKES!

I know someday I'll get too old for this. But for now, I'll do MY BEST to cherish the moments of this fun childhood memory. However, I'm having a difficult time with how everyone seems to be treating my Macy. Now, I know she can be annoying, but you can't help but feel sorry for the kid. She's 4 years old and it's not quite time for Sleepover's with this age. So....the other sisters have their friends come over and Macy is the "ODD ONE OUT!" "Can't we all just get along!"

I'm trying to think what I should accomplish today. I hate to be lazy, but I know Christmas break will be done and I'll be back in the GRIND of working, teacher, chaplain, mom. The wife part is on hold a bit ....cuz Mark won't be home for about 4 weeks. So, I think I might just DO NOTHING today. What a rare occasion. But, you mom's know this can change in a FLASH with kids.

I think I'll put some ear plugs in and read a book.