gift idea:parent/child Christmas yoga

Making real daily contact and connection with our children daily is essential to healthy physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.

Babies and children are masters at the fine art of breathing with their supple, little, tension-free, boundless bodies!

Let's follow their lead!

Making a game of each pose is the way. Not to increase stress. See the Son breaking through any dark clouds in yo bodies! Using our kingdom imaginations we will create much more laughter and joy than taking this life seriously! Thank each other and our good shepherd!

Free our own inner child all while enjoying the company and connection of our precious children! Even if you fought over getting dressed or have had so many time outs this week you just wanna time out for yourself. Come play, relax, breathe, and enjoy our Christmas connection with our children!!!

For in the end all we have are our memories of enjoying our child/children. So let's be brave. Have courage. Trust one another. Feel. heal. Unite!!!

Me and my boys especially like adventurous poses but that might not be your thang! Be yourself. Listen to your body and your child. Have fun!

Part of the beauty of Yoga (Union) is the increased communication, flexibility, awareness, and balance. And what parent doesn't need an increase in that!

Let's let our creativity flow and be inspired!

We have this beautiful moment with our kids in this exact stage of life we are in so find the joy! PS hugs are free!

Here is the class outline but part of the fun is in letting it unfold naturally. Potty breaks, water breaks, fart breaks+you just never know what a kiddo (or adult) may need!

Begin with Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so, little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong, Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, the bible tells me so! Corny but everyone knows it and it's fun to sing and listen to children sing!

1. Mellow Mountain+ simply stand back to back, breathe, relax
2. Child's Pose+ kneel in from of each other, forehead to ground, heads touching, relax shoulders and neck, breathe
3.Ice cream+ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (depends the number strong your family is) scoops, basically building an ice cream cone where one person (largest) stays in child's pose on floor and then each person climbs on person's back and gets in child's pose again, like building a team of scoops one on the next, requires balance here!
4. Havin' a Ball+hold child (taking turns or with as many as your arms can safely hold) and roll on your back front to back and side to side, feels great on your spine and the kiddos get to take a fun free ride!
5.Froggert+ double, triple, quadruple... squat, hold hands, wrists, whatever feels secure and squat together, builds strength, flexibility, balance, mutual support and opens the hips, oh yeah and it's fun too! The whole point here!!!
6. The Steeple+push up into a back bend and connect one leg in the air to your kiddos (calf, foot, depends on size of child), very very invigorating! heart awakening! be prepared for a whole new energy! (smile)
7. Group Bow +take each others hands, wrists, whatever with outstretched legs and arms and ear to ear grins, all forward bend down together, all slowly roll up together, keep trying till feel harmonious or pure hilarity-laughing is key folks!
8. Handstand+against the wall or catching one another, communication, surrender, bravery, and trust
9. Standing Star Flow+hip to hip, arm around each other, lift outside leg up and out straightened, repeat on other side
*any other stretches that are calling...
10. Rest+Let go and let God

End in Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world! Alleluia! Praise the lord! Go in Peace! Serve! Have FUN! Amen!

spirit o Christmas

It's good to practice and preach about loving one another but we must admit human love is fickled, temporary, and at best good for a moment than always fleeting.

There is however ONE true love never fleeting. And no hot man it's not the almighty dollar (smile)!!!

Plato preached be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.
His mentor Socrates taught the unexamined life is not worth living.
We can examine and examine each and every thought and action and we can be kind and kind and kind but in the end it is to notice our Father everywhere in every person every day and give thanks. To see the Son breaking through the dark clouds and give thanks. No one is ever to far gone to be noticed or to be Loved this is true but human love is not the answer. Alleluia or we'd all be in trouble! (smile)

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31,32

Very good to aspire to. I find the real miracle and magic of the Christmas season is best when we cry for mercy. When we admit we cannot do this alone. When we surrender.

Most Holy (Father) God (Almighty), THE source of all good desires (unconditional love acceptance forgiveness), all right judgments (patience love tenderness) and all just works (rescuing lightening lifting): Give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world cannot give (eternal grateful salvation), so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of Your will (saving winning loving), and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies (insert your own fears here (mine+tomatoes, diaper changing, Christmas) (smile)), may live in peace (rest strength joy) and quietness (calm centered present awake alive BRIGHT); through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior (messiah baby hero). Amen (selah pause still)

The spirit of abounding Love this Christmas is clearly expressed for one another and for Him every day by surrendering. By practicing, putting into work, expressing, loving Him in every moment. Abiding if you will. When we are tired, worn down, agitated, annoyed, hopeless, fearful we fall to our knees again and again, crying, repenting, accepting His one and only true Love.

Not just as the Dalai Lama teaches, "my religion is very simple; my religion is kindness." But so much farther wider and eternal than this. The hope is that when we find ourselves being not so kind to one another (we are human after all) each day/moment/season we seek Ye first and that is ENOUGH to fulfill + to love one another right here, right now.

Remold, realign, refocus, reprogram, our Christmas holidays to the way YOU want us to celebrate, serve, and praise. Humbly and gratefully. (oops capital H clearly I need to work on this:))

This Christmas may it be so beyond knowing and not knowing. Perfection and mess. Right and wrong. Evil and good. May it be about Birth, about Love, about You. Meet us here Lord. Find us. We whole heatedly submit.

As for making a home for Christmas de-cluttering, editing, arranging, accessorizing, coordinating, baking, cooking, shopping, wrapping, buying is all fine and good! The point is to be be happy and make others happy! No guilt of I did too much. No guilt of I did too little. Just Love.

Lord You never ask for anything in return Lord. You are so giving. So generous. So full of cheer! Thank You. Make us like You Lord.

It's not St. "Right" coming to town to judge our homes, children, parents, families, selves. It's St. "Nick" spreading joy jolly jubilee and mostly our immense great need to spread You, Gods one and only Son, the light of the world, the true salvation.


So when things get sticky with the messes of life as they always do this advent season shall we pray with an open awakened submitted humble heart and tender alive hands and celebrate deliverance! Deliverance by using our gifts to Love each other by first loving YOU. Deliverance by cleaning someone's kitchen for them or accepting it as is, making someone laugh when they wanna cry or letting them cry their eyes out and listening, putting the music back in someone's heart who has lost it, getting a child to laugh uncontrollably with kingdom imaginations, not loosing the faith, staying the course through this crazy time of year, and believing believing believing in the miracles and magic of YOUR season, not ours!!!

It's just some ideas...whatcha feelin'?!

How I learned to like tomatoes, changing diapers, and Christmas

Emotion and holidays have always gone hand and hand for me and this is good. My heart feels deep during this time of year and this is good. I breathe and this is good. I no longer fear how the turkey will turn out or who will host or how the clean up of dishes will go or if I will put on weight or if I will have enough money for everyone's presents or if my husband will surprise with the best gift ever or vice versa. No longer do I fear the over serving of cocktails and occasional smoke or the harsh words and snide thoughts and comments. I do not worry about who will be our guests and who will not. No longer are tomatoes, changing diapers, and Christmas the enemy.

"Do not hinder the children" from the gospel Matthew comes to mind. All Glory to You God. Thank You good Lord!

Welcome tenderness this season. Do not hinder the children with strained ideas of what Christmas should look like but only of how it should feel.

We open our hearts and homes to our families and friends to discover more freedom!
We take away constrictions and bad connotations and fear and pain and are left with pure hearts wide awake and opened to this life. This one and only life we are given! Of giving and receiving freely, openly, honestly to one another. Sharing our truths together. Sharing our Love. Sharing the Love in CHRISTmas this 2009.

So how do we give and receive love freely?

Surrender.
Thank.
Praise.
Sing.
Play.
Enjoy peace.

Again from Matthew 19:14 to our children this Christmas we forbid them not from Your Love. We do not try to stop them from pure hilarity, fun, and JOY! Nothing is more important than this we learn!

It's just that easy. So whatever lie is running through our minds this advent season shall we let it go! Stop the guilt. Forgive and forget! Make up and heal! See each other for what we are and not for what we lack. Work together being grateful.

Yay!

merci beaucoup

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:6-7 - NIV

Just beautiful these words You give us tonight. Beauty is all You aim to give us through our whole life. When we let You. Lord help us to let You in even in the darkest of places. Lord we long to receive Your Light.

If we come to You with a new song! With a new heart. True songs of Thanksgiving! Of Praise! Of Worship! You deliver so much more than we could ever think up. Lord we kneel and bow to you our most precious and dear friend. Our dear friend and brother. Our Father. Our family.

If when we enter gates of guilt, courts of condemnation, family tension, strife, and pain May we tap into/praise/speak good of You and Your unfailing Love. Lord save Your family.

If when we feel our temperature rising, our emotions bubbling, our bodies becoming vulnerable if we will surrender/give in/melt to Your graciousness Lord You will save us.

If our egos begin to get the best of us, competition arises, defeat tries to set in, worry slinks it's way to our minds, comparing tries to begin again, may we find Your Truth that really does endure from generation to generation to generation to generation. Lord deliver us.

Lord we admit there is no way in hell we can enjoy each moment unless we are enjoying You and all You have come to give. All You have come to take away. All You have so graciously come to heal. To redeem. To save. Lord we thank You.

Lord we are Your people. Your sheep. Your fam!!! (smile) May You help us abide in gratitude this holiday. No matter the cost may we be the outward Light of Your family here on earth as it is in Heaven.

Lord as we prepare for advent we have no idea where you will take us. Oh the places we will go!!! All we know is we have picked up our crosses and we will go. We will follow. We will abide. We will Trust. We will be Your PILGRIMS (even after this holiday feast has passed.) Lord lead us! Here we come! Lord thank Ya! thank Ya! thank Ya!

Amen.

Praise God.

Tis the Season!

Hooray for family being God's Love of us.

What my heart wants most this Christmas is famalies enjoying one another.
To catch us all in pure hilarity,
Just having some good ole’ fashioned fun.

Shall we all move forward in Faith sharing in the promised presence of God..

I like the test "Is this kind?" It's just so easy each time. Is this kind? If yes do it! If not don't. Ahh now that's a house rule I can handle.

Jesus developed the strong rhythm of time alone, time with a few, and time with the crowds. Teach this to us Jesus.


"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

2 John 1:4, "It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the Truth, just as the Father commanded us." (NIV)

Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" (NIV)

When I feel myself judging it's more realistic that I am just trying to find understanding.
To point my dear loved ones closer to Jesus at every turn along their journey.
Where God's Presence is abided.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; (Isaiah 43:2,3b, NIV).



Your path is clear, we all need Your compassion Jesus, that's why you gave us the gift of family.

This season may we enter into conversation with those we are surrounded by and to see the glory that takes place right there, in that person’s world, the glory of God present in them. Really "see" one another with our brand new eyes!!! Alleluia All Glory to You Father Almighty!!!

body/spirit

To begin I have no idea how we got to where we are with the body in America. Seems like A LOT of untruths exist presently. Like it is not ok to enjoy your body. To like your body. To know your body. Or that it is weird and/or bad to be naked. And so on and so forth. How in the world are these ideas of body in relationship to spirit connected to You Lord?

When I feel pain in this ole bag of bones is there a union to Holy Spirit? What about pleasure? Are there any commonalities for all humans in this topic?
Is this a No Boys Allowed type of conversation? Are we supposed to enjoy our relationships through our bodies? Is affection dead? Is the hug, kiss, bow, kneel, high five, being replaced with text, status update, blog, machine, equipment?

I started yogaing a decade ago. I literally opened the yellow pages (old school style) picked a studio and went to my first class. I had just graduated college, started teaching first grade, been to Europe and was feeling totally out of my body. The first class was hard. Kinda like giving my entire life and being to You. I felt major discomfort but yet went back for more. And more. And more. I learned everybody is beautiful. It got easier each time...that's saving Grace! Sometimes I still try to place a steel shield between me and my body and spirit but Thy true Grace is never stopped once it's been opened. Much like a Texas wildflower springing forth each season, each year; when we start a new pose our spirit is renewed. I'm like oh yeah remember me your body. And Grace begins again.

If the True giver of life has come to give and give abundantly we must try to find the Truth when our bodies are hurting. When our bodies are healing. When are bodies are in pure delight! I am told and shown emotion is held in our body.
Is it possible even beneficial to be brought into love and harmony with God; presence in accordance with You, through our bodies.

True comfort is different or the same as feeling comfortable?
Tender mercy is different or the same as tenderly caring for one another?

The Breath of the Lord blows through the pain in yoga and we can feel again; we are healed.
By surrendering our body in a pose we may be surprised at how MUCH a body changes from day to day hour to hour moment to moment. As does our spirit!!!
Great Hope for me is in the enjoyment of our bodies. Our God given bodies.
Being grateful in the fullness of our being. Through sober mind, body, life, soul, and heart. Sober meaning at peace, in harmony, lacking disconnect.
Bound together by these bodies may we be united in You.
Fully knowing and loving our bodies. Knowing the pain, the discomfort, the lack of stretch, bend or grace and then embracing the Hope that nothing may separate us from Your Love God. nada! rien! niets! wala! niente! niekas! ingenting! NOTHING! No pose, no stretch, no circumstance, no relationship. Alleluia! God You are so Good! Thank You!

Yoga immediately became a concrete metaphor for me. Bow in a pose, bow to God. Give attention fully in an asana, give attention fully to the Lord's work. How a body can physically be transformed and how we as humans can be spiritually transformed or saved through Christ Jesus. That connecting to our bodies and being continually aware is never futile, never wasted just as our laboring with our Lord.

Lord show me how to use my love for Yoga and my love for You in the fulfilling of Your purpose. A.G.T.Y.G.! Amen.

God Thank You

Your plan is so perfect. Your purpose so good. God Thank You.

Your timing is perfect. Your protection so true. God Thank You.

Your wisdom so comforting. Your beauty so near. God Thank You.

Your people so kind. Your love so tender. God Thank You.

Your generosity so abundant. Your spirit so free. God Thank You.

This thanksgiving season may I be Your one of many stewards in Grace. Each sunrise and sunset may we fall to our knees with thanksgiving rejoicing in Your Glory. Amen.

Oh my God what WE can do!!!

Sin. Eeek who wants to talk about that. Not me. Ever since I can remember I've been a full on sinner. Oh the stories I have! Oh the stories I'm sure I will have in the future. Lord help me!

For so long I have thought my biggest problem, my biggest sin, my biggest worry, my biggest pain, my biggest trouble was money, greed, judging, lust, those are the front runners that come to mind right now. I am learning it is my lack of Trust, lack of Abiding, lack of Hope that is the real deal...

I have felt I am wrong to ask for material things and money from others who have it and I am wrong to ask.
I have felt I was wrong to take from others when I needed and I was wrong to take.
I felt wrong to think a man has super cool things about him even when he was not my man.
But the worst the very worst is when I believed I was alone. WOW what a lie!

I am here I hear.

He is here.

I have held on to a great guilt from spending money, using money, coveting money, wishing I had other people's money, and not being grateful for "my" money. "My" because as we all know nothing we possess is really ours. Everything belongs to Him.


I am told through accepting Jesus' atonement for my sins WE ARE HEALED. Our sins are washed away. But what in the world does that mean?

Gradually really accepting Jesus in and through every aspect of myself, sorta like coffee peculating, letting the word and truth, the gospel, the Joy into my life, my soul, my body, my mind, my heart, my spirit I am truly atoned.

Lord come into every aspect of my life and wash away the sin.

He cares nurtures and protects me as I learn.

OH MY GOD WHAT WE CAN DO! Together! Helping! Eternally!

I am told forgiveness never disappoints.
To simply and GRATEFULLY ACCEPT help.
To give freely the help I am so blessed with!

So true!

So how does this play out in real life? Real diapers and wipes. Real covetousness. Real stealing. Real lusting. Real judging. Real sinning.


Will peace really arrive or is the point to search and search and search deeper?
I can only hope my most peaceful years are NOT now. Oh boy is this is it! (smile)

What reform is God calling to you and I...
We can only listen and obey.

How deep my need for You God really is but I'm guessing You will abundantly show me how much I really need You!

If this is rock bottom for us do we really have hope?

HELL YES!

Why do I write this stuff?

Are white lies actually ok?

Is following all the rules this world has to offer actually part of YOUR purpose, Your plan, Your movement?

At times I don't know why I still don't feel Your deep forgiveness but I trust You will show me. You will teach me. And I feel.

I don't still know why I constantly think people don't like me. Lord heal me!
Why should anyone ever feel like a reject, an outsider, a weirdo, the poor kid in the corner, not clean enough, not together enough, not invite-able enough when You will be the One and Only One we will give an account to at the end of our life.

Not sure if I'll ever be skinny enough again (smile)...
Not sure if I'll ever be "rich" with money again...

If I'll ever actually give my entire life to You. But this is my utmost goal! Even beyond my hill country acreage dream! (smile)

If I will ever LIVE , really live, with an eternal mindset. Fixed on You my friend. My dear friend Jesus.

Will I ever know if I'm doing my job right?
If my job as a mother and wife is really the highest calling?
Will we really SHARE a relationship with You, me and my amazing husband sharing and living through and in You JESUS CHRIST. SEXY!!!

Will my relationship with my Mom and Mom-in-law ever be pure without all the crap this world tries to put between us and Your Love.
Will we see eye to eye on Your highest calling?
Don't know if I am a true friend to others.
Not 100% sure if I would betray my best friends.
cheat on my husband
hurt my children
make people think my children should be taken away from me.

All this uncertainty and yet I sense Your certain Love in my life.

If security in wealth really is fleeting
and
my thirst for You will never be quenched on this earth
then what next?
Forgiveness, Abiding, and Hope!

I long to write music and perform.
To act, write, and direct.
To reflect Your Love through the ARTS!
To reveal the deep deep connection between BODY and SPIRIT!

Show us Your way to help this country live for MORE!

May we CREATE what You desire us to CREATE.
YOU will!!!!

May we keep experimenting, exploring, searching, loving, living, reconciling, readying, praying, forgiving, believing, hoping, and abiding!

I sure HOPE to!

Help me actually let my husband be who he really is and quit nagging, dictating, manipulating, bossing, judging, fearing blah blah blah!

Thank you reality !
So grateful for Your blessings!

Change us Lord!

Jesus Christ is the beautiful end to our soul searching! Hallelujah! Amen!

If these dark times will ever LIGHT UP and lighten up that would be a start!
Making our lives a LIVING HOPE in You Lord.

May we find the Joy of YOUR saving help in worship, praise, thanks, and GIVING through one another. May we fulfill Your Purpose through You Christ, feel like that should not even need to be said by now but will continue to include. All things through You Christ bringing Joy to children and people, nurturing, caring, helping, and protecting one another. By learning to abide in Your Love at all times and in all circumstance. Knowing You will provide all the care and protection we will ever need through people HELPING people. FAMILY HELPING FAMILY. Friends helping friends. And lastly and most difficult for me May we openly ask for penitence. By identifying when we are putting money, greed, lust, SIN before You , before our family and friends, before humanity heal us. Atone us! A.H.G.T.Y.F.G.A.!