tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45323928123014448722024-03-12T23:19:23.367-07:00Life As I Know It..Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-84865340581513460112015-06-09T05:22:00.000-07:002015-06-09T05:32:27.392-07:00our normal...my normal...I often feel unsatisfied. Like there is so much more I should have or that I should do. Then I put on a load of washing, into my automatic washing machine that plugs into the wall with electricity that I can afford to make it work, and watch perfectly crystal clear water, that I make no effort to bring into my house, fall into the machine to wash my clothes that I have worn once. And it makes me think about people around the world and what their normal looks like. Some only own the clothes they're wearing. Some live without electricity. Some walk for miles to collect water, that probably isn't safe to drink, to use in their home for that day. Others wash by hand in a river and don't complain about it. In this small act I realised I do have enough. And what I own is probably more then what I need. I am always telling my girls to be thankful for what they have instead of asking for more. Perhaps I should practice what I preach.<br />
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This is Zarat, our sponsor child in Uganda, one of her jobs is to collect her families water-I wont even begin to tell what happens to a lot of girls who do this. She sends us letters thanking us for birthday money and telling us that she bought her first ever mattress with it-this leaves me speechless. She pays her school fees and buys her uniforms with it too. Completly unbelievable. May I be thankful for all I have and not take any of it for granted.<br />
<br />Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-76682406527105081722014-11-08T03:42:00.000-08:002014-11-08T03:42:45.456-08:00a good (Gold Coast) Samaritan???My wonderful husband took the girls and I out for dinner tonight - a mega treat for us! As we approached our restaurant we stopped at some traffic lights and there at a bus stop was a woman with about 15 grocery bags full of clothes. I couldn't tell if she was homeless and they were all her possessions or if she had just somehow come by them. She was wearing about 3 mismatched layers of clothes and was frantically going through the bags of clothes. My heart felt sad seeing someone in that state and instantly I wondered how she had got to that place in life. Immediately I thought of the parable of The Good Samaritan and I felt like the one who "worked" (served, worshiped) at the church and passed to the other side of the road and kept going. Who am I to know what I know, feel how I feel, believe what I believe and yet not even stop and just ask if she is ok? I used the excuse that we were having family time and I have 4 children etc etc but at the end of the day I saw someone in need and did nothing about it.<br />
It's all about the one. It's all about love. It's all about loving the one. I don't have the answers all I know is how I'm feeling right now. That I'm thinking about that lady out there right now all alone. I pray that a Samaritan found her and loved her and fed her and clothed her.Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-58610500777230253612014-05-13T05:27:00.000-07:002014-05-13T05:27:17.178-07:00handsfreeYesterday for a whole hour I sat outside and watched my kids play. I noticed everything they did, commented on how well they jumped on the trampoline or rode their bike. There was nothing I didn't see and nothing I didn't make them feel good about. I could see how loved they felt and proud they were to show off their talents. And, surprisingly, it made me feel good, one of the moments in my day I felt like I was doing motherhood right...<br />
Usually when I go outside with them I have my phone in one hand and my eyes are on it the whole time, I only look up if someone yelled out or hurt themself. But in that wonderful hour I realised that I not only need go out with them more often, but always without my phone. All that social media will always be there, but my little precious children wont be little for much longer. Before I know it they'll be grown and not in my backyard to enjoy.<br />
So heres to a life handsfree. A life where my eyes and hands are there for my children. To love and hold and to take notice of every moment. Because on this journey I am realising that no matter how little what they do seems to me, to them its huge!!Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-21654216069685512582014-04-04T06:09:00.001-07:002014-04-04T06:09:27.179-07:00Faith & PrayerAnother movie, another night of tears. One line, said by one girl, bought up fears and emotions in a way I couldn't have imagined.<br />
"I never thought someone like you would love a girl like me"<br />
That was it, short and simple, and of course the movie played on. But not me, I cried & cried in a rush of memories and emotions. I instantly thought of my 3 gorgeous daughters and all this life will put them through. All the decisions they will face. To love or not to love, to run or to stay, to give in or fight for what they believe.<br />
I spent most of my 20's believing no one would love a girl like me. Hearing this line immediately made me think of my beautiful girls. That I never want them to feel how I felt. I never want them to be hurt and know pain like I had known it. I want them to make great choices which lead them to live a great life.<br />
And that, I know, completely depends on how we bring them up. In a home of love, where they know they are loved and know acceptance and are totally secure.<br />
These toddler years are hard and feel like they are never going to end, but the thought of them being teenagers and then in their 20's requirers more faith and prayer then I truly realise.Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-19253299381727343962014-01-19T04:49:00.000-08:002014-01-19T04:49:04.013-08:00 FEARlessWe saw "The secret Life of Walter Mitty" today. It touched me like I didn't expect and made me think about things i hadn't thought before. In one small scene i realised how gripped in fear i was and how all these fears had effected my life.<br />
There's a scene where the female lead character is playing a guitar and singing to Walter, and in that moment i realised there were so many things in life i don't do because I'm afraid. Afraid of how hard it is and afraid of failure, not doing well, my lifelong fear - afraid I'm not good enough.<br />
I don't play any instruments, because its hard and i mightn't do that well. I didn't finish high school because i was terrified of the HSC. I've never applied for University because of the entrance exam (the one you have to do because you didn't finish high school) and now i live forever feeling intimidated by anyone with a university degree. Honestly and ashamedly, my list of un-achievements because of fear could go on.<br />
That moment made me realise i needed to not be afraid anymore because i don't want my kids turning out like me, afraid and held back. I wanted them to seize every opportunity that came their way and run with it and become the best them that they could be.<br />
This can only happen if i make today my stake in the ground day. The day i decide to not be afraid any more. I want to live a life that my kids see their mum will do anything and try anything. That to them i am fearless and in turn they will grow and be fearless. I want to raise children that strive for righteousness and live for justice and show mercy and grace to everyone they encounter.<br />
Today i will start, today i will make the choice to live life unafraid.<br />
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Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-20668227086486902762011-10-19T21:25:00.000-07:002011-10-19T21:25:38.267-07:00perspectiveI just washed up, boiled the jug and steralised my babies bottles...all that time thinking of women on the other side of the world from me and all they do to look after their bubba's with the little they may have. The lack of clean water let alone water that flows into their homes..how blessed are we to turn on a tap!!!<br />
I cant help it..its how I'm wired..everyday everything I do, I think like that..when I "want" something new, I remind myself that at least I have something old, at least I have something. Every time I eat I feel so blessed, never do I worry that I'm going to go without or that my children might die due to starvation or malnutrition. Everyday I go for a walk, never do I worry for my or my children's safety, both as a woman and also as a christian. My life is not in danger here in this blessed country that i live in.<br />
Its about thankfulness and perspective..no matter our circumstance we have something to be thankful for!!!<br />
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</div>Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-88265057606252332352011-10-04T22:29:00.000-07:002011-10-05T04:53:18.233-07:00i'm aliveGods word is alive. I've heard that my whole life. But it's more true then I realise. Just as we move ourselves to be somewhere for someone in need, so too does the word "move" to be there for us. I just had one of those "bible fell open on the exact verse I needed" moments.<br />
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As for me, I call to God,<br />
and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon<br />
I cry out in distress,<br />
and he hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed<br />
from the battle waged against me,<br />
even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned from of old,<br />
who does not change—<br />
he will hear them and humble them<br />
because they have no fear of God.<br />
Psalm 55:16-19 NIV<br />
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Made my day, touched my heart. Comforted me right where I needed it. Thank you faithful Father...Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-60341290833776250132011-05-24T21:55:00.000-07:002011-05-24T22:20:29.015-07:00Hot cuppa teaI never liked tea..until I met my husband (he's introduced me to many things I thought I didn't like). Once I got into it I realized that tea soothes the soul. Whether you're feeling up or down, excited or flat. A cuppa will touch that place in your heart where you need it most. <br />
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Both babies asleep & I had to ask myself - nap or tea. We both know tea won. Sitting here in my rocking chair, bible open on my lap as I sip a hot cuppa tea. Probably needed the nap but time alone with my God = bliss. <br />
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He spoke to me so lovingly & gently. Amidst all my thoughts in my busy head. He spoke & I heard -a touch greater than tea. <br />
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Psalm 71:3<br />
<i>Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock & my fortress. </i><br />
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I could quote the whole chapter. I needed that & God delivered. <br />
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Thankful. Forever thankfulJodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-13722139515507823772011-05-19T06:25:00.000-07:002011-05-19T06:25:18.040-07:00we are not poorFound out about a site today priceofsex.org watched the preview & cried, felt useless. Then watched the multimedia series & woah!!! That broke me even more. I realised how blessed I really am & in this country how rich we really are. I just hopped into my bed with clean sheets & just my hubby & thought how lucky am I that this is my life. I'm in control of my day, what I do, where I go. Everything. We don't realise what we have until we see someone who doesn't have it & then we know. Know that all that complaining that we do is selfish in the big picture.<br />
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I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything but I can do something - Mother Teresa<br />
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“Speak up for the people who have no voice,<br />
for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice!<br />
Stand up for the poor and destitute!” Proverbs 31:8-9<br />
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...And what does the lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8<br />
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I ask please take the time to watch the multimedia series. Watch these real people with real stories & be thankful for what you have. And ask yourself what you can do...Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-11372472954954077552011-05-11T05:59:00.000-07:002011-05-11T06:07:03.463-07:00thankfulnessthis week my husband decided to be thankful..i thought it was a fantastic idea and jumped on board..and wow we have so much to be thankful for..really no reason to complain..<br />
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thankful for the small and the big..nothing is exempt..thankful that my fridge and pantry are full..thankful that there is food in my tummy..thankful that my arms work and i can prepare meals for my family..thankful that i can walk to the beach everyday..thankful for my double pram that i can push to the beach and not have to carry my girls..<br />
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</div>thankful that i have a computer and internet..thankful for clothes-cool and warm..thankful for a bed with sheets and blankets..thankful for a home to live in with walls and windows and fully enclosed roof/ceiling, with running water and electricity..thankful that i have a car and that i can put petrol in it..thankful that every week i can afford to buy food, that i'm not worried about my childrens next meal..i could go on and on..<br />
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then there was last friday when my baby started to choke, it wasnt the first time so we knew it was serious. after a minute or so i called 000 and the ambulance was on its way..the woman talked me through it all until they arrived..she had recovered by then but they suggested i go to the hospital just to have her checked..there they asked me to stay overnight so i was close if it happened again..i was suddenly reminded of a family i saw in a clip about Compassion (sponsor children) these parents couldnt afford a doctor let alone the hospital, but in a desperate final attempt to save their 2 year old daughter they took her to hospital, the father promising to pay..somehow someway..and as she lay in their arms and died her father tried to give her mouth to mouth..in closing they wrote "poverty is when the breath in your lungs is all you have to give". i cried and cried thinking how tragic that would be..that night in the hospital i thought how incredible it was that i never once thought of cost or travel..i didnt have to go 100's of kilometres to the hospital, nor did it cost me to get there..once there i recieved the best care and immediatly because i have a baby..<br />
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i cant help but think of families all over the world who dont get this..or dont have this for themselves or their sick children..let alone food for themselves or their children..i'm going a long way around saying remember to be thankful..and if you can, change someone somewhere's life..<br />
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sponsor..donate..volunteer..whatever fits you bestJodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-32485454518699079022011-05-04T22:51:00.000-07:002011-05-04T22:51:39.284-07:00i love cookingi had to say it, i love cooking. anything yummy that's going to put a smile on my family or friends faces. food is what i am sure keeps the world going around. today my daughter and i did some cooking, i love watching her try to sneak a taste..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qh0A9Jv5UzeoU6dSUHwyH_f_kCaL72-iUfVDXe8WipO1qkCSoiCDqCKMXrAkXkuxFJ8D_eNMJ449x4JIsvFn_4hpvVEYtvNYK1pCo4FZ4uQLO_qqkFd56CFqNS_mxpkHTlZr5jvoDqo/s1600/Jodies+iPhone+pic%2527s+651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qh0A9Jv5UzeoU6dSUHwyH_f_kCaL72-iUfVDXe8WipO1qkCSoiCDqCKMXrAkXkuxFJ8D_eNMJ449x4JIsvFn_4hpvVEYtvNYK1pCo4FZ4uQLO_qqkFd56CFqNS_mxpkHTlZr5jvoDqo/s320/Jodies+iPhone+pic%2527s+651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>its like Gods word, full of yummy treats and vegies (those bits that aren't the tastiest but we so need it). i found this verse in Amos of all places chapter 4 verse 6 "You know, don't you, that I'm the one who emptied your pantries and cleaned out your cupboards, who left you hungry and standing in bread lines? but you never got hungry for me. you continued to ignore me." God's decree WOW i love that its even about food..it was a jump off the page verse for me..in all the pain, loneliness and frustration God was trying to get my attention..to tell me that only He can fulfill me, only He can heal me..only Him. so loving..full of mercy and grace.<br />
may i always be hungry for him..Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-79013006230847236642011-04-27T06:27:00.000-07:002011-05-11T06:10:50.147-07:00Painted nailsI finally painted my toe nails tonight.. My 2nd daughter was born 7 weeks ago & I had thought/believed/planned for life to go on as I knew it.. But of course "life" happened & nothing stayed the same & everything changed.. I actually have days that I don't get out of my pj's & weeks that I don't want to leave the house.. This once social butterfly with full hair & make up (even just to do groceries) stays home & looks plain/boring/a mess.. So today while feeling the million things I seem to feel at this moment in time/life I decided to crawl out of my pj's & paint my toe nails..small step for most but at least a step for me-the advice I followed is this “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest..Matthew 11:28<br />
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My sweet Sofia was born 7 weeks ago.. Gorgeous & perfect in every way.. We have been blessed in so many ways & that's what we need to keep in mind.. Focus on today Matthew 6:34 not weighed down with tomorrow when we can't change it anyway..<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2pmdB4VbxEbPOUFoF67-jF0SSYOxap5l5UfRDp_lWSVdyUQ_DPVB-XDjlYnT_86gvOdiq8Io_6SmKPmbPanKlgsUhUzxlBI5A_bPksxxo27zORi5MvXocqScJDGCvkPjgWrfkP4fjRU/s1600/Jodies+iPhone+pic%2527s+604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2pmdB4VbxEbPOUFoF67-jF0SSYOxap5l5UfRDp_lWSVdyUQ_DPVB-XDjlYnT_86gvOdiq8Io_6SmKPmbPanKlgsUhUzxlBI5A_bPksxxo27zORi5MvXocqScJDGCvkPjgWrfkP4fjRU/s200/Jodies+iPhone+pic%2527s+604.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-14813615529141209462011-02-04T18:35:00.000-08:002011-02-04T18:46:03.391-08:00~ blessed ~A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life... Proverbs 28:14<br />
I long to live a blessed life & here is the answer. I've read that verse a 100 times & finally it sunk in. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's easy. I'm saying it's a choice. Everyday in all I do & in all I say-think first & choose, choose to be tenderhearted. Choose to speak words of life. Choose to treat others as I'd want to be treated. Choose to do what Jesus would do.<br />
2011 what do you have in store for me & my family?? 1 month & 5 days into this new year & already I feel so blessed. So loved. So cared for & cherished by father God. In both the little things & the big things.<br />
4 weeks & 3 days until our bubba #2 is due & the build up & excitement is so great. I can't wait to meet this precious person God has entrusted to us. To find out if it's a boy or girl. To nurture & love thus little life. <br />
To live tenderhearted. My goal for 2011<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wa-jOPVnPaFnIzncDPWQsRdWTHS7KVPXaPgNDX6UaOnOKmR21-6XZm9xNcjQAdu-ekr1JFvIrV5k8lOtKMBoBztF-ec43R5HL-HX0xZpiBReRI7rpKBnV10V4T-gjFAQvoc6jXEajWs/s1600/Jodies+iPhone+pic%2527s+338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wa-jOPVnPaFnIzncDPWQsRdWTHS7KVPXaPgNDX6UaOnOKmR21-6XZm9xNcjQAdu-ekr1JFvIrV5k8lOtKMBoBztF-ec43R5HL-HX0xZpiBReRI7rpKBnV10V4T-gjFAQvoc6jXEajWs/s320/Jodies+iPhone+pic%2527s+338.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-42876619672709788622010-11-23T18:04:00.000-08:002010-12-06T04:17:18.384-08:00Fall to pieces..I've been thinking what to blog for a bit now. Then today I got it. Right out of Proverbs 24:10 "If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much of you in the first place."<br />
There it was in black & white plain for me to see. Because if I be honest I've been complaining just a little lately. Letting the circumstances of life drag me down. Instead of rising above-as I know I should & can. Not that I've had a "crisis" just alot of stormy waves in this ocean of life-not the calm waters I prefer. Then I read that verse & heard Bobbie Houston say "Rise Up" a word of hers from Colour conference a few years ago now, that is still so relevant to me today. I want to continue to be that passionate, never say no to injustice woman that I've always been. And only I can do that, be that. So it's a new day with fresh revelation. <br />
In all that seems so hard I sit here writing this with my bubba in belly kicking & moving, reminding me that there is life growing in me-life that God is shaping.<br />
We truly are blessed.Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-5062895444925566062010-10-30T03:41:00.000-07:002010-10-30T03:41:16.749-07:00May we never forgetAfter Colour-March 2010-I organized a fundraiser for the precious women in Uganda who have suffered torture beyond my comprehension. Nose, ears & lips cut from their face treated as worthless. We raised funds for them to have their faces reconstructed. <br />
But may we never forget. Because life happens. We get an iPhone, go shoe shopping & start thinking of Christmas & before we know it they (those precious women who are so valuable) are a distant memory. <br />
My dear friend went to Africa & saw things I never want to see. Children starving covered in their own waste because they have nothing & no one. It broke my heart. Yet a few months later the tears I cried & how my heart broke is nearly forgotten. <br />
May we never forget. May we always remember. May we be His hands & feet. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Give the thirsty a drink.Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532392812301444872.post-8036612185105206752010-10-29T22:25:00.000-07:002010-10-29T22:25:15.793-07:00Todayi read a blog and it moved me a woman I'd been praying for & who was praying's prayer was answered..it touched a part of my heart..so i thought i'd give it a go..this is the start..<br />
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its like things are great..really great..but then life happens..it's hurts..it's disappointments..it's joys & excitements..<br />
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We need to take each day with Gods grace & new mercy & know that with Him we can do all things..<br />
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Like I said this is the start & this is today..Jodie Boulenazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397246574455844645noreply@blogger.com0