SRKindredSpirits

Today, I turn 35 years old. I'm not one to make a big deal about my birthday, but, the older I get, the more I reflect on my life. So, I thought I’d share some lessons I’ve learned... 1. Say you’re sorry. Being too proud to apologize is never worth it. Open your heart. Life is amazing if you don’t shut it out.  Be willing to take the wounds that come with an open heart, but know when to walk away. Know who your people are and you will experience the best of life. 2. Possessions are worse than worthless — they’re harmful. They add no value to your life, and cost you everything. Not just the money required to buy them, but the time and money spent shopping for them, maintaining them, worrying about them, insuring them, fixing them, etc. Mindless shopping is unhealthy, and useless. Live a clutter free life. 3. Slow down. Rushing is rarely worth it. Life is better enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Savor life. Not just the usual pleasures, but everything and everyone. The stranger y

I am not a preacher. However, I am an ordained minister and have a license to legally perform marriages in the state of Indiana. Ok... you can quit laughing now!!! The above statement is true. I even have a certificate to prove it!  My currant bible is 23 years old. I've had it since I was young and it is falling apart. I love my Bible and I have tons of notes in it and things highlighted so I can easily  find things. The only problem with it besides falling apart, is that it has giant print and is huge and heavy to carry around.  A few months ago, I bought a Holman Reference Bible, which I like the size and the lettering print style. However it is cheaply made and the pages are extremely thin. There's also not much room in it to write notes.  So when I saw this Bible, I thought that I would give it a try. I wish that I wouldn't have. The Bible has no room for writing - not even a small margin. The text is not easy to read. It has no references. The th

I have learned that it is okay to ask for help and guidance.  To say no and not feel guilty.  That weight loss also sheds unwanted baggage. That failure is not an option.  That I am worthy of love. That I am important. My life an d my wants are important.  That whatever is worth having, is worth fighting for, and is hard. That portion control and protein matter more than most people think. Simply to be true to myself and to those that I love. I have learned who my people are. That being unique and different is one of my best qualities - in a world where people zag, I zig. That good things can happen at any time, on any day. And finally, I have learned to be Rhoda. To be the best version of myself, with the man that I love, my children, and my God. To be okay with who I am. Read about my weight loss journey here:  Getting Healthy Part 1 Getting Healthy Part 2 I am currently down 75 lb. since October 2016 and wear a size 14 jeans,

Let's just say you have five special dishes from Aunt Susie, five from Great Aunt Betty, and five from Aunt Helen. You have four from Great-Grandma Judith, and two from your next door neighbor. Your mom gave you three, and your sister gave you three more. Now you very seldom use any of those dishes but you can't get rid of them because they are all special, (and what if your sister came to visit and didn't see the dishes she gave you?) , so you have them stacked all together, with all the other dishes in the China hutch - that you seldom use.  But, you are now holding onto 5 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 27 dishes. Maybe each of the dishes are unique in its own way - it might be a special color, or a special pattern, or maybe it has a special memory of Aunt Suzie serving mashed potatoes in that dish..... but here's the thing -  do you really use, and love, and have special memories of all 27 dishes?  You see, when you have 27 special dishes it's really

Our first sofa set we had for 7 years (We actually still have the original love seat, now 11 yrs old in my office.) but 3 years ago we bought a new furniture set.... but after only 3 years our newest set was shot. Actually it was shot after 2 years, it just took us another year to finally do something about it. It was awful to sit on... it felt like you had lumps in your butt and I was embarrassed to have company over. Let me insert here that the hubby and I have always liked the idea of buying a cheap sofa set, use it for 5-7 years and get a new set.... because we have kids who make messes and I like to change my decor and get tired of the same items of furniture. So, that is and has been our plan. We were rather disappointed that after only 3 years we'd have to buy new sofas, but I started researching sofa's online. However, after all the researching, we were worried that we'd sink another $2500 in sofas, only to have them not hold up as well. We real

Today, while spending time outside, I took some great pictures of this Killdeer protecting her eggs. Killdeer remind me of two things; Spring and my Grandpa Frick When I hear the Killdeer, I know Spring is on its way...  Every year, we have a pair of Killdeer make their nest in our drive.  Our youngest daughter loves it. She gets out the bird book and looks them up, and tells everyone that they are her favorite bird. Killdeer remind me of my Grandpa Frick. I remember him taking me to his field and showing me their nests. He could also make an exact replica of the killdeer sound. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ So, here's some Killdeer facts... Killdeer have brown upper parts, white underparts, and orange rumps. The eyes are dark with a bright red eye ring . In flight, the Killdeer's long, slender wings have conspicuous white wing stripes. Killdeer live in open habitats such as fields, meadows, gravel bars, and mudflats. Name "killdeer" refer

" Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." - Matthew 5: 13(KJV) The "Ye" he is speaking of are Christians. We should be salt. Salt = we should give flavor to the world. We should make others desire God by the way we live and act. We should be so salty that it makes others thirsty for Jesus. If Christians have no flavor = christian influence on the world, they are good for nothing = not good and it might as well be cast out. In Bible times, salt that had lost its flavor was thrown out in the road for people to walk on. It was no longer used for flavoring or for preserving food. It was no good. As a Christian, make sure you have some flavor. Make others thirsty for God by the way you live your life. Be an influencer for good. Make a difference in the lives of those you come in contact with. 

“Mice and pigs, chickens and cows- Squeak, oink, cheap and moo... Oh, the animals God has made! And, Hey, He made me too! Night night, God. ” As the big moon rises, the jungle settles in for the night.  All around, jaguars, lemurs, and monkeys cuddle close and say, “Night night!”   These little board books are absolutely adorable. Night Night, Farm and Night Night, Jungle are amazing books that incorporates both learning about animals and a love for God.  I love how God is woven within these bedtime stories. A wonderful way to begin a prayer for little ones. It's the perfect end before dreams begin. The stories come alive with the illustrations that are bright and colorful.  If I had to give it a critique, it would be that I wish there was more touch and feel in the Night Night Farm Book. But, all in all, these are both adorable little books and will make a cute gift for my brand new  niece or nephew that will be arriving in a few months. Dis

Happy Easter from the Kindreds.... Easter 2018 I have always loved our great big fireplace since the first day I laid eyes on it. We try to take a family picture in front of it every Easter and Christmas. Some years, we forget, but I thought I'd post our family pictures with all the kids from years past....  So, here's a trip down memory lane.... Easter 2017 2016 2015 Easter 2014 Easter 2013 Easter 2012 Easter 2011 Easter 2010