Thank you vs thanks

“Thanks!” or “Thank you!” -- which do you say? The phrases are used interchangeably in our culture, but I think there is a distinction. “Thanks” is usually expressed in an informal situation, to a close friend, or an incidental happening. “Thanks for holding the elevator door.” Or maybe you use “thanks” when writing a note to a friend.

“Thank you” is used to show respect and acceptance to someone. It’s more polite or formal. By adding the simple word “you,” the expression suddenly becomes more personal. It conveys genuine thankfulness to the person.

In today’s world, we are in such a hurry with our words, that we forget the meaning of them. Let’s be thankful to one another with our words. If you are thankful for someone, tell them. Express your feelings through your words. Paul in his writing to the Thessalonians said: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The next time someone does something nice for you, make eye contact and say “Thank you.” You might be surprised at their reaction to your personal expression of thankfulness.

By Dennis LeFleur (my Daddy!)

How should my plate look?

Go ahead and give it a try. The answer is below.

Knowing how your plate should look is very important.  This information helps you make healthy choices for you and your family.

Know what you are eating!

 

Body Measurement and Weight Chart

Have you ever taken your measurements? Here is a helpful page to help you know where to take your measurements. Don't forget to weigh yourself! Also, I would love to hear how you are doing along your weight loss journey!

Laughter Yoga

Tonight around dinner we were talking about what we had done today. Johannes told us about her yoga class. They did Laughter Yoga. She explained that fake laughter provides the same benefits as spontaneous laughter. She said they laid in a circle with one persons head on another persons belly. Then they started laughing. She said soon the fake laughter turned into real contagious laughter


  
Give it a try. It might be a great stress reliever for your family.  Let me know how it goes...a video would be an added bonus!!!

Pine Forest Room Fragrance

I remember when I was a newly wed, I read a book and in it, it said to make sure your house smelled great when your husband got home from work. It is supposed to make him feel relaxed and ready to spend time with his family.  That has stuck with me for almost 16 years. I'm always trying to come up with new ways to make our house smell great.

Today I tried to make up a Pine Forest scent. We live in a Pine forest so that was pretty easy. I went outside and snipped off a few tiny branches. I found a lemon and some cloves in the kitchen.

We keep a pan of water on the fireplace as our humidifier so I tried my concoction in that.

Pine Forest Room Fragrance
-4 small Pine tree branches
-1/2 lemon, sliced
-5-10 cloves
-Pan of water
-Fireplace or stove

I was expecting our house to be filled with the aroma of the forest....NOPE! Nothing. I couldn't smell any pine scent. Zero lemon and not a hint of cloves. Failure!

Well, I guess I need to work on my recipe. Do you have a fabulous house fragrance recipe you would like to share? Please do!  I need help!
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UPDATE: After making the fireplace super duper hot, it worked! It wasn't as strong as I was hoping but it still smelled good. I think I am going to try cinnamon next time.

                                           

Obstacle Course Pictures

We had so much fun last night with the obstacle course. I took pictures but they are really grainy because of the lighting. Oh well...

Obstacle Course

5k fun runs are very popular right now. In fact I hate running but I did a 5k Mud Run and loved it!  Tonight in our Bible Study/workout we will be doing an Obstacle course at the church.

Here is a map of what we will be doing and where we will go. Youth group leaders, this would be so much fun to set up in your church.

Read Chapters 12 and 13 and answer the questions at the back of the book.

A few of the obstacles before everyone starts!

Missions Trip to Mexico

         

Last year for Christmas the Struska family went to Mexico to build a house for a needy family. Phil's brother Ron and his family are a missionaries with YUGO ministries.

YUGO allows people to have an active part in ministry by offering short term missions projects like the one we did, building a house. They offer a hands-on experience where ministry becomes real, the statistics have names, faces and stories.

We spent a week away from our everyday comforts and got to experience God in a whole new way. 


 It took us 5 days to build this house.

 

Project Joy- we handed out ALOT of Christmas presents at local churches.

If you have never experienced a missions trip, check out YUGO Ministries.   They do a great job of taking a week and turning it into an effective, live giving and world changing experience.

Mocha Brownie in a mug--delish!

    

  

Tonight Johannes wanted a chocolate dessert but I didn't want to make something that would be sitting around for me to eat. So we made these brownies in a mug. They were so good and they didn't take very long.

Draw Phil's face on a lunch bag

Lower Body workout video and week challenge

                    

Purse Essentials

What do you keep in your purse?

Christy- Cheerios, crayons, coloring books... I sometimes remember my wallet. 

Anita- I took my mini Gerber & pepper spray out because I am always afraid I will forget they are in there at the airport. Had to give one up before! 

Julie– I kept an extra pair of Jacqueline's underwear in my purse when she was potty-training---for real.

Abi- My purse at the moment doubles as a diaper bag... But I always make sure I have my wallet, phone, and keys.... Everything else belongs to my kids.

Mindy- Have to have my CPR mask and mini first aid kit (must be the nurse in me)! 

Jamie- Most important thing in my purse: mini, pink Swiss Army knife. Used it to remove stitches once!  

Kristin-Always have my wallet, phone, keys. Like to have gum, lip stuff, diapers/wipes, water bottle, some kind of snack (I KNOW you agree :P), hair ties/bobby pins. Weirdest thing I've found.. sippy cup that turned into some kind of yogurt NASTYINESS. Sometimes I change purses in the winter or when it's rainy so no moisture gets inside, or if I need a strap that stays on better when I'm wearing a bulky coat

Melissa- I have one that I use all the time. I do have a few backups but I'm too lazy to switch except for VERY special occasions (read that as - my own wedding). 

Tom- A friend of mine gave a speech at the Republican district convention one time. She started her speech by saying, "In my purse are three things I never leave home without, my Bible, a copy of the Constitution, and my gun." That tells you most everything you need to know about her.

BTW, She won the position she was running for.

 Erica- The other day I wondered why my purse was so heavy and found, among other things, a kitchen spoon and a screwdriver.

Brenda- Buy one good leather purse at a time until it wears out. I always have dog treats for my furry kids!

I am THANKFUL to God for:

 I Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

In what situations does the Bible say we should be thankful?

What do you think keeps people from being grateful?

Will you express gratitude to God and others around you this week, even for the minor things, or will you have the attitude that the world owes you?

 ***Email me for a printable version of the THANKFULNESS calendar. MelindasFitness@gmail.com
***I made the calendar as big as possible so you can read it.

Imagine your 'First Night in Foster Care'

While I'll never know what it's like to be put in foster care, with each placement I keep learning more of what these precious children are feeling.  Here's what I imagine would be a typical first day:
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First Night in Foster Care by Phil Struska

Ripped from my home and all I know, cause they say I was in danger.
I'm going to a nice foster home, but to me they are just strangers.
Pack a bag I'm told, but I'm too numb to decide,
What to bring and what I'll need; I'd much rather just hide.
I grab a couple things, but I've never packed my stuff.
Will I need all my clothes and toys, or are just a few enough?

Buckled in a stranger's car, headed who-knows-where.
Tears run down my cheeks cause I forgot my teddy bear.
Better not ask to go back now, who knows what they'll do to me.
They've already forced me from my home, and my whole family.

I'm so full of questions I don't even know where to start.
Why do I have to leave the ones I love with all my heart?
Can somebody tell me, can someone explain,
Why I am forced into even more pain?
Did I mess up?  Was it something I did?
I thought I was a pretty good kid.
Evidently not, I'm being taken away.
What could I have done to stay?
The lady driving is trying to explain, but I can't hear a word.
My little sister is quietly sobbing, so I try to comfort her.

We shuffle through the front door of an unfamiliar home,
Dragging a plastic bag of what's left of things I called my own.
Two strangers greet and smile at me,
But for me to smile back would require surgery.
I hear a dog bark out in back,
They say they also have a cat.
Guess that's what's causing my allergies.
Prob'ly get yelled at if I sneeze.

They give me milk and cookies, then show me where I'll sleep.
Better not get comfortable 'cause there's nothing here I'll keep.
I forgot my P.J.'s too, guess I'll have to sleep in jeans.
These are so uncomfortable, they tell me, "It's the seams."
They read me a bedtime story, but I can't relax a minute.
Though it kinda makes me chuckle when he puts my name in it.
Maybe we'll be safe here, but doubts keep racing through my head.
I check on my sister one more time, then pass out on my bed.

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Now does your life seem just a little bit easier?  I'll have to write another one describing how things improve with time, and how readily these precious kids respond to a stable, loving home.  It is so awesome to see how resilient they are.