Enjoy the Wind

 
Do you ever think life is passing you by? Or that your schedule is too hectic?  That you are too busy to enjoy the little things? We have many commitments pulling us in different directions; each one needing our time and attention. Demands that are placed on us (or that we place on ourselves) can be overwhelming and unbearable.

I realized something yesterday while pulling out of my driveway. I need to stop with my scheduled day and busy routine and enjoy the beauty around me. As I walked into the crisp October air, I took in my surroundings. I noticed the changing of one season to the next; the colors that filled the trees were bright and brilliant! Against the blue sky, the leaves were beautiful shades of amber, burnt orange and rustic red. The sun was shining and provided enough warmth (along with a jacket and scarf!) that I was cozy and content. There is a verse that comes to mind, "Be still and know that I am God". (Psalm 46:10). Sometimes, we need to be still and appreciate the beauty that God has created for us on earth. He created it for us to enjoy...and in doing so we honor Him. He cares for us and wants to bless us and enrich our life. Let's take a break from our crazy hectic schedules and enjoy the beauty of today. Breathe in the cool air and allow it to refresh your soul. Walk outside, look around and Be Still.

With love, Stefanie

Sisters

Yellowstone 2010

Today is my beautiful sister's 27th Birthday! I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday when we were sharing a bedroom (even though we had our own rooms) and whispering late into the night. I am so grateful for the relationship I have with her...we are sisters, best friends and each others "go to person". I love her with all my heart and wish her many more wonderful years of happiness! Thank you, Kaitlin for being the best sister EVER! love ya girl!

The Power of Influence

Have you ever wondered how your life influences others? Or how we are influenced by those around us? Recently, I've been thinking about this.  Does my life influence others for the good, or the bad? Is there a grey area? Is it possible to be neutral and not influence either way? I'm not certain, but I think there are only 2 options...we either bring people up, or we pull them down. It's kinda crazy to know that we have the ability to alter the way people think...act....live. We can encourage or discourage.

Let me share a story that serves as a good example about the power of influence. When I wake up for work, I mentally prepare myself. From the moment my feet hit the floor I am thinking good thoughts about the work day. On my drive to work, I pray about the day and ask that God use me to serve Him. I'm usually in a good mood when I get to work (unless I am in desperate need of coffee!). There are mornings that I and am challenged to stay positive, happy and upbeat. Why? Because those around me might be exhausted, negative, critical or unkind.  It's easy to become that way after working all day, isn't it? If I experience these emotions when I walk in the door, it is discouraging and can bring my mood down. On the other hand if I'm greeted by a smile and "good morning", it starts my day off so well! How can something this insignificant change my mindset? It's called the power of influence.

That was a simple example to illustrate a point; there are hundreds of ways that we influence those around us every day…whether we want to or not! There’s a phrase my momma taught me that has stuck. “Think yourself into a way of feeling”. I interpret this as motivating ourselves to think more positively and therefore, our actions will reflect our renewed state of mind. I re-route my mind because I have the power to change my thinking and mood. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that most people would rather bring forth a positive energy as opposed to a negative one.  We have the power to choose our mindset and control the direction of our day (many of us are control freaks in some aspect of life, so this should excite us!). Now, I am not saying  this works for everyone…it just happens to work for me.

It’s important that we make a daily effort to positively influence others.  It’s unrealistic to think that we can be happy all the time or that we can do it all by ourselves. How do we have joy and allow those around us to experience it? I love the verse in Nehemiah 8:10 "the joy of the Lord is my strength." We must look to the source of joy in order to harbor it within ourselves. As we go about our day-to-day lives, let's remember that anyone we come in contact with will be influenced by us. We can encourage others through our kind words, gentle spirit and positive attitude. Let's choose to renew our minds, cleanse our thoughts and allow our joy to be seen by everyone around us.

With love, Stefanie

Pasta & Family

Tonight was "Pasta Night"!!!! Apparently, several years ago (before I came into the picture) the Patriarch and Matriarch (Grandpa & Grandma) of the Rodgers family had a Thursday night tradition...Thursday night was pasta night. Well...when Crystal told me the tale of this Italian lovers dream, she advocated to restore this family tradition . As I'm getting ready for the festive family dinner, I was considering what to wear. I decided to go with a loose pair of jeans, so I could be comfortable when all the pasta decided to expand in my belly. Makes sense, right? RIGHT! Let's just say, thank goodness I did cause I still can't take a deep breath!

Bryan left for a salmon fishing trip tonight so he couldn't come to the pasta dinner. So, I hitched a ride with my dear mom-in-law and we rode to Gma and Gpa Rodgers together - in the T-Bird with the windows down and the country music playing in the background. I am very fortunate to have such an amazing "second family" up here in Lancaster. It was a difficult transition for me when I moved from Dallas, Texas up North. So many changes were occurring in my life at the same time...I got married, left the south, left my family, moved to PA and started a new job...all within 2 months time. It was a BIG transition. Thankfully, I have Bryan; he is so supportive/understanding and also my very best friend. And I have an amazing second family within the "Rodgers clan". They have helped alleviate my homesickness and loved me as one of their own.

It was a fun-filled night of eating, eating, eating, and being together!
Hopefully pasta night is a tradition that we will continue! The time spent together enriches my soul and fulfills my need for family bonding, closeness and love. The following verse comes to my mind: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).


When different personalities come together, whether family, friends, coworkers or other relationships, we should strive to show selfless LOVE to them. Even though we have different personalities, we are each fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). As I re-read that verse, I am challenged! Cause I need to work on selfless love; I get irritable, I'm rude sometimes...and I definitely could use more patience. Let's not forget the love that was already shown for us...the love that knows no bounds...the love that forgives all wrong...the love that redeems us...the love that died for us.

With love, Stefanie

The Rodgers Family celebrating Margie's 50th Birthday

Coffee & the Plumber

Well, it's official. I am a sucker for sunshine, cool weather and blue skies. I love how the cool air feels when I take a deep breath. I had off work today, so instead of tackling the many loads of laundry that cover the bedroom floor, I decided to indulge. I brewed a 12-cup pot of dunkin doughnuts coffee when I first woke up, opened the windows and turned on the Today Show. That's my routine; some days I plop myself onto the couch and get all cuddly with a blanket and other days the TV is on solely for background noise. Today was a cuddly day. I poured my fresh coffee into a Yellowstone mug and enjoyed the early morning.

Our kitchen sink has been leaking for a couple weeks and Bryan put a large bucket underneath the cabinets to catch the dripping water. We had a plumber man come this morning to take a look at things. This guy was a spunky fellow with great presence and like-ability. He was 100% Italian and full of life! Have you ever met people like that? The kind of person that you want to surround yourself with because their energy and good vibes rub off on you? That's how this guy was. He had a kind heart and his presence filled up my kitchen (wet floors and all). In the south, we call em' good ole' boys. He told me about himself, his family and some health issues he's dealt with. I was so encouraged that he was kind and willing to share his life with me! Come to find out, our garbage disposal needed replacing. I also ended up with a new faucet and spray nozzle. Anyways, everything looks nice and I don't have to worry about flooding the kitchen anymore (except when me and Bryan get in water fights with the sprayer!)

It's pretty cool what God had in store for me today. He took a day of relaxing and coffee drinking and touched my heart. Even when you least expect, someone may enter your life and teach you something. The lesson I learned is this: I need to show kindness and honesty to everyone I encounter...to all those around me, no matter where I am. I could be at work, at the grocery store, at church, at a ball game, driving (yikes... kindness while driving is hard for me!), at home with Bryan or at a stranger's home fixin' their kitchen sink. We gotta keep our eyes open and our hearts ready to receive these remarkable gifts of encouragement and kindheartedness.

With love, Stefanie

Faith

So I was thinking today about miracles. I know many miracles were performed back in the Biblical days and I've heard many awesome stories from people who believe they have experienced a miracle... Do miracles happen today? I think so...I am in a circumstance right now that is unexpected and has me thinking about miracles. It does not directly involve me, but it does directly affect me. I have found myself asking the question "why?". Do you ever ask that when you are given a curve ball in life? How do we handle the unexpected? Do we fall apart or stand firm?

My first inclination is fear...worry...anxiety (I'm so not proud of that!) When things go differently than I expected, I find myself wondering "why?" For me personally, I could not get through tough situations without the power of prayer and knowledge of God's power. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not own your own understanding; in ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He will guide your paths". God is gonna guide ME? You better believe He is...and thank goodness; sometimes I need a little nudge back on the right path! Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future". Thank goodness for this verse...I love it!

So back to miracles. What is a miracle? That someone be healed from a sickness or disease? That one's bank account be tripled? A broken relationship that is mended? An "A" on an exam you didn't study for? A promotion at the job when you expected to be fired? Your husband finally does the dishes without you asking? (ha, ha...that's a JOKE!) I've been praying for a specific request and asking God for a miracle. I've prayed about it numerous times...but know I could be doing better. I believe that miracles can happen beyond a shadow of a doubt...that healing can occur no matter what. These things can happen, but here's the kicker...it will happen IF IT'S GOD'S WILL.

I learned a valuable lesson this week that I know came from the good Lord above. It involved miracles, timing and His will. He taught me that His will and my will are different and His timing can also be different from mine. So how do we understand God's will? Let's go to the scripture! If we allow Him, "God will transform us into a new person by changing the way we think. Then we will learn to know God’s will for us, which is good and pleasing and perfect"(Romans 12:2). Basically, this verse tells me that God's will is perfect! Not my will (although sometimes I beg to differ with God!), but HIS will. Even Jesus, our perfect example, yearned and struggled with God's will. In the Garden of Gethsemane hours before his arrest, Jesus fell face down and prayed "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:38, 39).

I strive to follow the example of Jesus by seeking God's will in tough circumstances...the curve balls...the bends in the road and even the dead ends. Sometimes, I fail miserably! Thankfully we have the grace and mercy that tenderly lifts up back up. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work for the good of those who love Him..." I know that God answers prayer. And I now understand that He answers it in His way, His timing and His will. Now it's up to me to have Faith like a mustard seed...and watch God unveil His power and Faithfulness.

Goodnight! With Love, Stefanie

Welcome to the Rodgers Life!

Welcome to my world!


So…I am delving into the world of blogging! I must admit that I didn’t know what the word blogging meant until earlier this evening…when I explored the blogspot website! I have been inspired by my sister-in-law and friend; whose blogs have intrigued my interest. So, here it goes! My first posting! I’m just excited I was able to navigate the website and set up my page; it took a couple hours, but here I am! Welcome to the Rodgers life!

Move over Summer…Fall is in the Air

Yay for fall! This has to be my favorite season…I LOVE cool weather and sweatshirts (Northerners call them “hoodies”, but I have not yielded to that term yet). I look forward to getting my fall issues of Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens…if you don’t get these magazines, you should! I love anything orange; pumpkins, fall leaves and mums! I LOVE pumpkin spice cappuccino/flavored coffee (especially from turkey Hill)! I love all things pumpkin, but not nearly as much as my brother-in-law. He is also from the south (woop-woop!) He goes crazy-nutso for all things pumpkin! So, I made my first big-ole’ pot of vegetable soup the other night. Does anyone else love the combination of hot soup and cool air? Something about it soothes my soul. I remember growing up and my sweet momma would always start off the fall season with vegetable beef soup. I have such great memories of sitting around the dinner table (with mom, dad, and Kait) and taking turns stating our “good news” and “bad news” of the day. I make that same recipe today (minus the red meat) and always think of our family suppers. Many thanks to mom and dad for making meal time the most important time of the day. Anyways, as I’m looking through our back door, off the patio and into the yard, I can see the leaves are turning colors; they are starting to drift their way to the ground. I like it. No, I love it. There is nothing like the changing seasons that help me reflect on God’s beautiful creation.

I decorated the house last week for the fall season, but believe it or not, I was mentally envisioning how I’m gonna decorate for Christmas! (I know, it’s crazy early!) I have a good reason...my parents and sister are coming up here; Britton is coming too and I’m so excited, I can hardly stand it! Ok, that’s enough Christmas talk, but be assured there will be much more Holiday blogging after Thanksgiving!

Friendship and My Girls

One of my very dear friends Nicole is getting married in September, 2011. She recently got engaged to an amazing guy, is madly in love and planning her fairy-tale wedding. I met Nicole in January, 2006 when we first moved to Lancaster. We were immediate friends…she took me “under her wing” and helped navigate my new life in Pennsylvania. I am lucky enough to be a bridesmaid in her wedding along with several other close girlfriends. All us girls are meeting tomorrow for dinner at Annie Bailey’s, in downtown Lancaster! I can’t wait! There is nothing better that good food and great friends!