Mrs Fussypants

He is Risen!

And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here. ~St Augustine

 

I love this. I love the passion in Dr. Lockridge's voice. I generally shy away from writing about faith too much here because I really am a louse. With a tendency for selfishness, an all to often occasional swear word and general bad behavior, but maybe that *is* the point. I am full of fault, but even I can be used for His greater good.

I do not deserve His grace.

I do not live anymore – it is Christ who lives in me.
Galatians 2:20

You have leaves to rake. A steering wheel to grip. A neighbor’s hand to shake. Simply put you have things to do.
So does God. Babies need hugs. Children need good-night tucks. AIDS orphans need homes. Stressed-out executives need hope. God has work to do. And he uses our hands to do it.
What the hand is to the glove, the Spirit is to the Christian….God gets into us. At times, imperceptibly. Other times, disruptively. God gets his fingers into our lives, inch by inch reclaiming the territory that is rightfully his.
Your tongue. He claims it for his message.
Your feet. He requisitions them for his purpose.
Your mind? He made it and intends to use it for his glory.
Your eyes, face, and hands? Through them he will weep, smile, and touch.

1 of 365 devotionals in Grace for the Moment, Volume 2 Originally printed in Come Thirsty

As a stay home mom, I used to feel unimportant because I am not out in the world serving. I am at home changing diapers, preparing truckloads of food, hiding from them when the noise is just too much, and even occasionally cleaning. But, I am spending my days molding and guiding these five little boys into men God can use one day. My impact, and your impact as mothers, we may never fully comprehend.

For all the Moms out there, feeling unimportant or unworthy this Sunday, keep up the good work. It is an honorable calling. Keep on teaching and leading. Your impact is eternal.

You don't have to be perfect. He already is.

Happy Easter!

Love, Alli

Good Friday

Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead…This is the Good News I preach. - 2 Timothy 2:8

In a letter written within earshot of the sharpening blade that would sever his head, Paul urged Timothy to remember. You can almost picture the old warrior smiling as he wrote the words. "Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead…This is the Good News I preach." ...

When times get hard, remember Jesus. When people don’t listen, remember Jesus. When tears come, remember Jesus.

When disappointment is your bed partner, remember Jesus. Remember holiness in tandem with humanity. Remember the sick who were healed with callused hands. Remember the dead called from the grace with a Galilean accent. Remember the eyes of God that wept human tears.

From Max Lucado's Brilliant Six Hours One Friday  {photo}

I hope you have a blessed Good Friday.
Humbly, alli

Nana's Inspired Winners

1) Wow, I didn't know your story! I am going to start reading now. My husband is in the oil industry and hasn't worked for two months. We have sent out dozens and dozens and dozens of resumes and heard nothing. We have four children and a slew of house, cars, and other payments.

I am really glad things worked out for you! The conference sounds great!

Melissa

Posted by: Melissa

2) I think as long as we are considerate and mind our manners we should be allowed to proclaim our faith and our politics. I'm not sure why, but those that scream the loudest for "fair speech" seem to want to silence those of us that are conservative Christians. Thanks for giving the silent majority a voice in your blog, even though it must be scary at times to fear the backlash. I love to see Christian conservatives using the internet more and more, and this conference is a fantastic example of that. I would love to participate!

Posted by: Lynne

3) I felt the tears well up just reading your post today - I can't imagine how I'd feel if I were watching you speak online. I so remember lurking and reading your posts when things were looking so bleak, and quietly cheered your family on when everything started turning around. As a single mom of a wonderful three year old - who is facing losing her job in a little less than 30 days and who is scared to death of what the future holds, I hope I have a smidgeon of your faith in the days ahead. If I am lucky enough to win a ticket or not, I still want say thanks for being so inspirational every day.

Posted by: Sonia

4) Oh please enter me! I never get to go to the conferences because of air fare so this would rock!

Posted by: Untypically Jia

5) My family is currently in a similar situation, and like you, I have taken a hold of my laptop and am working away. Thanks for all the inspiration!

Posted by: mrschattypants

6)  This is soooo exciting for you Alli! Hopefully I'll be picked, I'm needing some inspiration....what with my husband away in Afghanistan and me back at Fort Campbell with six kiddos and no family within a 850 mile radius, Lord Help, lol.

Posted by: Dianna from Fort Campbell

7) I so love happy endings. :) Of course, it's the journey that makes us who we are. I love how adversity can bring out the best in people.

As for the conference - a conference I could go to even though I'm miles away in little 'ole Australia? You HAVE to pick me!!! Pretty please!!!!!! It might be the only one I can EVER actually make it to! Plus of course, I'm a big fan of being able to attend in my pj's - my favourite outfit!!!!

Posted by: Lightening

8) Oh, Alli! Congrats! I am so happy (and proud!) of you! I would LOVE to hear you speak (I'm still crying b/c I was unable to come to Blissdom, lol!). You totally deserve this honor, and everyone who attends this conference will be blessed by what you have to say and the example you set. YOU GO GIRL!!!

Posted by: Amy

9) Wow, I didn't know your story! I am going to start reading now. My husband is in the oil industry and hasn't worked for two months. We have sent out dozens and dozens and dozens of resumes and heard nothing. We have four children and a slew of house, cars, and other payments.

I am really glad things worked out for you! The conference sounds great!

Posted by: Melissa

10)  Thank you for reminding all of us to feel fortunate for what we have and thank God regularly. And I don't just mean the material things, because if you beleive, God will give us a way. I also mean the things we forget in everyday life. For me it's that I am still alive, I have a roof over my head (though it's not the roof I desire), food in my belly and the ability to have met someone as special as you are.

Posted by: Kelli

P.S. from Alli- we will give away tickets on Inspired Bliss this week, too. Yay!

A Woman Inspired? Yes. Humbled? Definitely.

Ok, stop laughing. Yes, the very sweet ladies who are planning A Woman Inspired conference asked me to speak. At first, I panicked. Thinking, "Do those ladies read my blog?" I'm not exactly channeling Beth Moore over here. ;) I post inappropriate photos, and have salty language.

I often even have shied away from topics deemed controversial because of the Internet backlash. Crazy, huh? I have had tons of advice telling me never to discuss my faith, my politics and so on. But, as time goes on....it all comes out.

After much prayer, I decided on my topic. Getting through the valley. Many of you know my story. A year and a half ago my husband lost his job. I was pregnant and on bedrest with our fifth son. As the months went by with multiple companies not coming through at the last minute, we realized we were in trouble.

Savings were gone, we lost our dream house, I lost my fancy car. Lost my security. Poof. Homelessness. It happens fast.

I did what any of us would do. I started working. I had a laptop and tried to figure out what to do. Two years ago I didn't know how to email a photo, but I wanted to figure out a way to work online. Let me tell you, it has been a comedy of errors. Who starts a bunch of sites without having any clue what she is doing? {waves hand wildly} ME!

So where am I now? We are back in Nashville. My husband is working for a great company, and my three oldest boys have a wonderful school. As for my company? I'm still here slogging away and am surrounded by wonderful women. My company motto? Do the most good for the most people. Isn't that what we all try to do?

So many women have written me in the same situation I was in. Husbands who are out of work, homes about to be foreclosed, and they are crippled with fear. My heart aches for them. I know that feeling well.

I wish I had answers to all the problems. I don't. But I do have my story. My story of loss, struggle, faith and redemption. I hope my story is an encouragement to women in the valley of life.

God used our struggles to change my husband and I for the best. I wouldn't want to suffer through that again, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Wonderful things can happen in the valleys of life.

I am giving away 10 tickets to the conference! The conference was kind enough to donate them to 10 of my readers. Don't worry about airfare and hotel costs, the conference is online from April 6-9th!

I will be speaking in my PJs, with a baby on my knee. And I hope you will be there, too.

To enter simply leave a comment below. Nana Fussypants will choose 10 readers to receive the tickets tomorrow. Y'all know I can't choose. Oh the guilt!

Be sure to check out the amazing list of speakers who are nice enough to let me join in. ;)

Love, Alli

Navelgazing on a New Dawn

Hindsight is always clear. I woke up this new day, this new year, with the usual thoughts of how I will do things differently. But, seriously, who am I kidding? As soon as I plan the diet, I decide chocolate is the only thing I need for breakfast. When I decide I will be come a super organized mom, we all get the flu. When I decide I will become 'better' I am quickly humbled by my own limitations. Then it hit me. The little things are tangential. I'm ok with that. I yam who I yam. This year, I'll stick to what really matters.

So what is my 2009 plan in a nutshell?

"Do the most good for the most people."

It is a simple challenge to myself. A challenge to think about my actions, my words, my business decisions and choose the greater good. This year is full of new opportunities, growth and challenges. Full of people I have yet to meet, people who I will quickly grow to love. Projects that have yet to come to fruition.

I look forward to climbing the mountains, clutching to my faith in the valleys, finding more people to love, enjoying the work of my hands and hopefully not embarrassing myself too much in the meantime.

Thank you for joining me. Let's take on 2009 together.
All my love, Alli

*your turn* Share your thoughts, ideas and goals with me and our friends in the comments. I'd love to hear them. If you have a 2009 post feel free to link it so we all can read. ;)

The True Hollywood Story of Christian Rockers Third Day

Sure, I've spoken of my favorite band often here on my little ol' site. But you will have to forgive me, I haven't told my readers the real truth behind my affection for the Christian rockers, Third Day.

You may have heard the rumors or you may have seen the blurry paparazzi photos. Forgive me for hiding the real story behind the band.

Yes, it is true, I am the secret member of Third Day.

We had to keep my ability to RAWk on the down low because we worried that fans would be confused by a frizzy haired suburban mother of 5 being the secret to the Third Day sound.

I am left with only my happy memories of our old days.

Ok, seriously, I love this band and love the brand spankin' new CD, Revelations. This post is part of Third Day's Fun Linky promoting the new release.

For my readers who think they may not be "in to" Christian music, go buy this CD. I promise, you will love it. They rawk. Before my beloved Hubs became a Christian I used to sneak in Third Day into our CD player between Blues Traveler and Allman Brothers CDs. Hubs loved it, even before he loved the message. Good stuff! 

Love to all mah friends- new & old, Alli

PS- Congrats to Mark & Stephanie on the birth of their second daughter. What a wonderful blessing.

It is over, and I am so darn happy

   

So you may have noticed over the last few months all the vague references to my living situation. Mr. Smartypants was always home, our house was for sale, he was always interviewing, house sold, we stayed here & there, and lots of homeless jokes. Well I am so happy to say it is over, and only now I can talk about it.

Here is a quick rundown of my last year in cheesy Fussy photos.

October- Hubs lost his job, but had a severance package. I was all, "No worries, we'll hang out until Christmas and then move in the new year." I was so cocky and naive. I had no idea what the next year would hand me.

  Then, after Christmas, I noticed he wasn't getting magical job offers and no one ever came to see our house. The house I planned on raising my children in, and no one was begging for it? I was not pleased.

I decided to start an online women's magazine, a cafepress store, and a jewelry business. I became a shameless self-promoter. The proverbial dancing monkey.

 

I worked and worked. I went from super confident to terrified as I learned just how quickly life can go from cushy to down right scary. I now understand how easy it is to lose it all.

I went on bedrest and turned to you, my friends, and was given love in an amazing amount. Your comments, emails and notes were like a lifeboat in the middle of my storm. I am still humbled by the love y'all send my way everyday.

You welcomed sweet baby, Jeremiah, with us. Thank you!

I watched as God used our situation to teach Mr. Smartypants and I faith and preserverance. I watched as my husband was slowly humbled and then built into an amazingly wise soul.

I had my tough moments. Moments when I lost faith. One night I cried and told God how mad I was that this was happening. I felt utterly abandoned by Him. I questioned if He cared. That very next morning without any notice, my sweet friend Meredith showed up at my door with a hot lunch for my family and every single dime she made in her huge yard sale. She refused to take no for an answer. She was the messenger to tell me I was not alone. Yes, when her blog says 'cheerful frugality'- she lives it! There are just no words to describe her.

Another night I called Karla in tears. The anxiety over what lay ahead for my family was overwhelming. She told me to go read Shannon's post called, Wilderness. Her words spoke to me and I began to feel like there was light at the end of that long tunnel.

We packed up our house, and watched job after job fall through at the last possible moment. We held out for a job in a good area for our family and feared we had waited too long. I remember how my heart was breaking as I took this photo and while I wrote this post.

We spent the last month with my sweet family. It was such a lesson in humilty and gratitude. It was hard, scary and now that is over, I see that is was wonderful. Forgive me for not giving you more details as life was swirling around me. I think I felt as if I spoke of it, the enormity of the situation would be too much. I needed to address it when I could look back.

We are coming back home to Nashville! Hubs has a wonderful new job. We are earning half of what we did before so you'll see me starting even more things online. I'm officially a work-at-home, homeschooling mommy now. (Lord help me!) Sure, the house is gone, and that is fine. I may have lost my house, but what we gained for our family is priceless. We have come out of these long hard months with a new perspective on my life. I'll write more and more about it as time allows. Today we will be gleefully searching for a rental house!

 

I don't pretend to know what life has in store for my life, but I know He is in control and I will continue to trust in Him.

Now, share with the world exactly why your life doesn't suck. Anything that makes you happy will do. Have fun with it! ;)

Love you tremendously, Alli

"Insert Witty Title Thursdays"

Luckily this week has no mention of a new Mercedes or soft scrub. I just have some photos to share that make me happy.

Here is little Jeremiah. He is 6 weeks old today. Poor little guy has been sick and feverish for the past week. Luckily I have my cousin, the doctor, around to keep an eye on him.

As a ER doc, her instructions gave me pause. "Alli, just watch him. If he starts looking toxic call me and we'll take him in." Wha..What? Huh?  Toxic?

Toxic, she explained, is a way doctors talk to eachother- not to parents! Toxic meant pale, blue, liveless, etc... Luckily he never fit that description! I'm so happy he is on the mend. But I really never want to hear that term again. Seriously, how is that for bedside manners?

This is the view from the living room of the family's house in the mountains. The house is in a cove surrounded by large hills, hence the lack of cell/internet service. I grew up visiting my great-grandmother and sitting in the pews of the little white church next to her.

I wanted you to see just how quaint and sweet the view is where I am staying this month. I almost can forgive the lack of cell coverage. almost.

I am so thrilled the flood water in Iowa is down enough for Mr. Smartypants to fly in today for tomorrows interview at the Univ. of Iowa. If he gets the job can I find a house to rent that hasn't been soaked in diesel and sewer water? 

And finally I am loving the Chick-fil-a playland. I've been here all afternoon typing away while my boys terrorize the poor kiddos in the playland.  I have heard every version of 'are they all yours' to 'whew, you got your hands full' to 'going for that girl huh?'

"Guard Your Daughters" the spawn of Fussypants have arrived at the playland.

Now it is your turn. Spread your joy. Tell the world how lovely life is or just that life doesn't suck too bad. I promise I'll have some snazzy graphics next week for us to use. Feel free to name the Thursday linkage whatever you like, we'll keep it open. :) Just be sure to link back here.

Love you, Fuss

Fussy Serves a Risen Lord

The song is from Third Day, my favorite group. The footage is from The Passion.

Love, Fussy

2008 Year of the Bloggy Rawk Stah

Prepare yourselves for my very deep and well-thought-out resolution....

I shall become a bloggy Rock Star!

OK, not really, but I do want to increase my readers and have some fun while I'm at it.

Seriously, there are two supa-fun things in the works:

1) I am starting a marriage site that will be based on the "Gentle Art of Ruling Your Husband" Series. The site will be full of tips, cheap psychological tricks, and real-life ideas for marriages.

2) Also, the-too-wonderful-for-words Shannon at Phat Mommy, is allowing me to take over her in-hiatus blog, Homeschool Hacks.

My plans are to keep up with the great direction she took it and to also feature articles cross-posted from other homeschooling mommies. Please drop a note via email to me with your ideas, tips and interest in being featured.

Also, how blessed am I that Shannon has given me this opportunity? I used to read Homeschool Hacks when I was building up the nerve to try homeschooling. To get to know Shannon via blogging and to do this....too cool for words.

It's gonna be a great year, Friends of Fussy,

Love to every single one of ya, Alli