Treasures & Legacy

Last night I went to sleep excited and also woke up excited! So much to be excited and thankful about over here. Don’t get me wrong, I have had a few mornings waking up wondering, “what’s next?” I even had one morning I woke up so scared from a dream that it took me all day to be settle. But I wasn’t going to go in a downward spiral on that day without a fight. Funny enough, I knew if I fought, I’d come back out of it! Hallejaluh!!!!

It is so critical that we CHOOSE to not bow to fear. Sure, fear is a warning. It’s purpose is to call us to action. A healthy action. Makes me think of being kicked down but getting back up. I fought to get back up and SO should You!!!!

As I was reading some personal development this morning, I came to this statement: “Treat each anxious thoughts with a grateful one, and prepare yourself for a new day of joy.”  This is from Max Lucado’s book and devo “Anxious for Nothing”.  In honesty, sometimes it’s hard to catch ourselves being anxious.  Sometimes it’s because we are so used to being anxious or worried, that over time its like our anxiety becomes “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”.  We can hurt others, but more directly we hurt ourself.

Just being candid with you, I have struggled with anxiety for years.  Anxiety lurks inside in such a sneaky way that it is hard to find it, see it, understand it.  A few years ago, I had this “lightbulb” moment.  I struggled silently with anxiety.  It was in the little things.  I would try to hide this small thing or not talk about this situation that was important to my life.  I would allow negative self-talk to happen or maybe it came when I was upset with someone or something else.  Once I identified the root cause, I felt much less hopelessness, and more hope started to filter in.  I was then able to identify any negative dialogue going on in my head, and stop it dead in its tracks!

Funny thing about life, it’s always going to present us with problems.  As an elementary school teacher I am reminded how I teach about problem and solution to students during reading.  We start at a young age learning how to be a problem solver, to identify problems and then find a solution. And don’t forget every situation is different.  You can’t fit every problem in the same box and use the same solution.

Recently, I’ve had to tell my thoughts not to be anxious.  God is doing so many great things in and through us, and in the process ridiculous thoughts have been trying to creep in.  There is a particular quote the Lord has given me to recite over and over as many times as needed until my head gets right, and I can move on.  

So, in combat, I am ready.  Here are 3 ways I stay strong on the journey:

1. God’s Word holds me up with a key verse or specific story.  
2. Sometimes it is a simple quote.  
3. Othertimes I just get alone and listen to praise & worship music that speaks to me.

No matter which one above I do, it typically will send me into an attitude of prayer where I can remember the goal to stay grateful.

A couple great scripture verses to reflect and pray:

Philippians 4:6

1 Peter 5:7  

Take time to pray to gain peace and see new important things about yourself that need to be uprooted and mended so that you can grow!

Be a solution to the problem not a trouble maker.
Choose love and patience and peace by being honest with yourself and who you are.
If you don’t like a situation, check yourself first.
Contribute to society (i.e., your home, your family, your work, your community) in a positive and giving, unselfish manner.
Don’t expect someone else to change especially if you are not giving of love, patience, and peace. You are the change for yourself and others. Chip away and surrender the mess inside of you.

I say all this because I have done and continue to do this for myself as to keep the judgements away. It would be untruthful if I said I have never judged. However, it is what I choose to do in response to that terrible choice I made.
Do you need to ask for forgiveness of someone? Or forgive someone for something they did? Is it easy, heck no, most of the time not. But do it anyway because you know inside that’s the right thing to do.

Friends, be open to someone who comes to you humbly to mend a situation. Be slow to speak so that anger doesn’t rule you. Choose your words carefully and bless others.

~Lori

Hi!  Thank you for stopping by to read & learn more about the heart and passion behind our blog.  My husband and I love to share, create and empower people to become their best.  Over the years, both of us have held several different roles in our career fields.  Now we are seeking to expand and share in a little different way.

Our goal and purpose behind this blog is to encourage, engage, empower and inspire others.

Here’s a little bit about both of us:

~Lori~

I have been in education for over 10 years teaching 3rd grade, 1st grade and now Pre-K!  I have also been an Intervention Specialist for students struggling in academic subjects and some behavior interventions as well as homeschooling our children before returning back to work as a classroom teacher!  (Homeschooling was a very rewarding season for our family!)  Teaching in early/elementary education makes me alive and motivated to create productive, thriving young citizens in and out of the classroom.

*Mark*

Hello, Mark here. In agreement with Lori, I share with her the passion and desire to encourage daily lives, empower those around me to do their personal best with the talents and skills God gave them while keeping them engaged on the task at hand, and to motivate and inspire them to go for their dreams to make them a reality.  Lori and I compliment each other in that she is the refiner of my visionary thoughts and ideas that God gives me. Most of my past 20 years of “work” has been in sales and marketing including running my own auto detailing business for many years. However, I believe that it is time for me to shift gears and focus on doing what I love most which is sharing the truth of who I am, my identity is in Him (Eph. 1:7).  I want to encourage all to see the same.  I hope that you will join us on our journey to exploring many different areas of life in our walk with Christ: marriage, family, work, the Word, children, love, relationships, and loss as well because it is part of the journey. I hope that you have a blast as we share our family experiences and ways to live more Christ-focused in our daily lives.

Here we are!  A couple of ready people heading off into our promised land 🙂  We are so very excited to launch into a calling that has been burning inside of us for years, and we’re grateful you have taken time to walk through it with us!  Bear with us as we maneuver this ship into what it’s destined to look like.  We love you all and, again, thank you for going along on this journey with us!

Much love and appreciation!

Mark & Lori Cooper