Thursday, February 25, 2010

Blanket Victory

Are you an early riser or a night owl?  When you have a 7 yr old and a 14 yr old you have to be both!  Admittedly, I am ready to check out by 10 p.m.  There are no more brain cells left, patience is empty, and energy level begins to bottom out.  In the morning the only thought on my mind is reconnecting with my coffee pot!  While the java is brewing I putz around the house tidying up and going through piles, fluffing pillows, just mindless programming that gets my day in order.  Then when the glorious moment arrives and the aroma tweaks my brain cells I pour the first cup, grab my bible bag and head for the dining room table.  I like to sit by the back window and watch the sky change colors and see what birds visit the bird feeder.  It is the most peace-filled part of my entire day!  I love it.  I sit there until the stirrings of my house begin.  Then I sit some more.  I spread out all my stuff ( I love my stuff) which includes:  my bible, my journal, my devotionals or bible study book, my daytimer, and of course my coffee. 


AHHH, so so sweet are these moments.  One thing I have learned about quiet time is distractions will positively come, usually in the form of your thoughts.  That is why I keep my daytimer with me so when I think of something that needs to get done or a phone call I need to make or whatever else, I quick jot it down and move on.  Sometimes I use a devotional that jump starts my quiet time.   Then I pray, say good morning to the Lord and ask him to illuminate a verse that He has for me that day.  Right now I am working through an organized 365 daily reading bible that has an Old Testament excerpt, New Testament excerpt, a Psalm, and a Proverb.  I will take notes as I am reading to things that stand out to me or maybe a scripture verse that I want to memorize, or maybe one that a friend might need to know.  Whatever is speaking to my heart I write it in my journal.  Things vary over time; I switch books and bibles to keep things fresh.  Last year I taught my kids how to read scripture using the form S.O.A.P.: scripture, observations, application, and prayer.  Here is an example, first pick a verse or small chapter, for now I will use Psalm 5:3:
S----"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."
O----There is something special about the morning.  The day is fresh, our thoughts are fresh, and there is a clean slate before us.  I can share with God the things that will fill my day and ask Him to ordain what happens and what doesn't.  I can go into the day with God, hand-in-hand, having thought about the important pieces and perhaps reorganizing things that can wait.
A----I need blanket victory!!! (especially when it is cold and dark in the morning and my bed is so warm and snuggly).  I remember how much better my days are when I start them off with the Lord, because for me, if it doesn't happen first thing in the morning, it doesn't happen at all.  Let's face it; the tyranny of the urgent is tugging at me constantly!
P----Father God I love to spend the morning with you.  Seeing the sky change from blues to purples to hints of pinks (that I know you make just for me, pink is my signature color!) to the opening of the sun casting its welcome on our home.  Help me to have blanket victory and throw off the covers and get to the table of grace where you wait patiently for me.  Thank you that your mercies are new every morning, thank you for a new day. Amen.
That is one idea, or maybe you could do a word study, or reference the scriptures in the side bar that take you around the bible where that same idea is explained.  Perhaps you will have a bible study book that you are working through that helps you dive deeper into the word.  Did you know that there are 31 Proverbs, you could read one each day of the month.  The ideas are endless really; I would love it if you would share yours!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Cross

Easter is in about 5 short weeks.  I remember one Easter we had attended a sunrise service out by a pond.  It was chilly and foggy that morning.  A decent size crowd had gathered and there was quiet anticipation in the air.  My oldest, who was about 4 at the time, looked out over the pond as the fog rolled around and said in his outside voice, "Mommy, look-I think I see the Holy Spirit!" 
My friend Lynnette told me that Easter was her favorite holiday and as Christians the most important one we celebrate.  I had to think about that at first because I am a zealot for Christmas.  Easter is so deep and profound that you really have to take the time to journey to the cross, through the bible, to wrap yourself around all that Easter entails.  It really is the crux of what we believe as followers.  I started a book last Easter called Preparing My Heart for Easter by Ann Marie Stewart.  I worked through about half of it during my quiet time.  I have been looking forward to completing the study this Easter.  She is an excellent historian and really captures Christ's footsteps to the cross.  The study also focuses on the women who followed Jesus during His life and death and you get absorbed in finding yourself among these women.  So if you are looking to prepare your heart for Easter, cozy up with this book, I think you will really enjoy it! 

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

You know that I have asked all of you to entrust me with your prayer requests.  I have one for you.  A sweet precious friend named Macey is in the hospital again.  She is 8 years old and has had major surgeries over the years.  Her intentines have been removed as well as everything connected to them.  She has sepsis and major complications I can't even go into at this point.  She has the spirit of an angel and is an inspiration to behold.  If you think about it, would you pray for her and her family.
They and I would covet your petitions of her behalf.

Blessings,
E.W.

Monday, February 22, 2010

The Invitation

It is nothing short of a miracle my parents survived raising me.  Yep, my middle name was trouble and if I didn't find it then it found me.  I hung out with my teachers in high school, a 27yr old (with a really nice car) took me to my senior prom, and I lived in my own soap-opera (diva, drama, and devious all rolled up).  Madonna was my role model, not this one:
But the "Ladies with an attitude, fellows that were in the mood, don't just stand there, let's get to it, strike a pose, there's nothing to it" one.  Yikes!  I believed there was a God, but not one who could know someone like me.  While in college I fell in love and married in 4 short months.  I graduated, got a teaching job and everything, absolutely everything fell apart.  My husband's son from his first marriage was hospitalized with cancer.  He passed away a few short months later.  The pain and turmoil that entered him was a force to be reckoned with.  We fought terribly and regularly.  About a year later I left.  I spent that summer walking in a haze wondering what had become of my life.   He agreed to counseling and that fall we picked up somewhat where we left off.  I got pregnant and toward the end of my pregnancy came to breaking point.  I had been attending church on and off and the message was starting to take hold of me.  I clearly remember sitting at my dining room table writing thank you notes from a baby shower and started crying.  How could I possibly become a mother and raise a baby when my marriage was so broken.  I could not, but I knew someone who could.  I committed myself to Jesus right there.  "I can't do this alone, nor do I want to, but I understand that You want to be a  part of this mess."  That Sunday I went to church and was baptized, 9 months pregnant!  I accepted Christ's invitation of complete renewal and restoration and began a new life.  I needed to read the bible over and over because my way of living was not in the same grove as God's and I needed to know what changes had to happen.  I was very eager for this living water; I had been thirsty for 25 years!  I faithfully prayed for my husband to come to know my Savior, but the more I tried to talk with him, the angrier he got.  I felt the Lord tell me, "talk more to Me about hubby, and less to hubby about Me."  It was about 2 years later that he did finally accept Christ's invitation as his Lord and Savior.  Oh what a glorious day that was!  He literally went down in that baptism water a dead man and came up a new creation.  That began our new journey in our marriage.  Because we went through such horrible turmoil, we  now have the privilege to mentor married couples.  God is so faithful, so amazing, and so good!   I don't worship any Madonna now; I worship the one, true God.  15 years ago I accepted an invitation that forever changed my life.  That same invitation is for everyone. 
This Sunday a friend of mine is preparing to accept that invitation.   My heart is beating in anticipation of this forthcoming glorious moment.  In our family devotions this morning I told my children I would be fasting from my favorite treat, dark chocolate, on behalf of my friend who will no doubt be met with unseen spiritual warfare this week.  I was surprised when my oldest said that he would also fast from his favorite video for the week as well.  My other 2 committed to prayer every time they picked up their favorite activity.  We have been memorizing scripture this school year and every week we have a new one.  This week our verse is from 1 Tim 4:7b, "Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness."  One element of spiritual fitness is fasting, so this week we are honing that discipline.  Being spiritually fit is a daily quest.  Warrior's must prepare and practice just like the Olympic athlete's.  Reading God's Word, memorizing scripture, meeting weekly to worship at church, and fasting is how we get in shape for the tough times ahead.  I pray you will take time today to get in some training.  Blessings, E.W.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Good Morning Sunshine!

Infinite, glorious, majestic, creator of all the earth; Lord you amaze me!  Did you realize that God is in the business of repetition?  He is monotonous, and He loves to be monotonous!  What do you think of when that 'm' word comes to mind?  Nothing positive I'm sure.  Think about this; everyday the Lord says, "Okay sun, it is time to rise again!"  And so the sun does.  Everyday he tells the oceans to wave, the flowers to bloom, and the seasons to change.  Just the thought of all the snow we have and that God made every snowflake different makes me wonder.  Now I ask you, do you think He delights in this task?  Would you?  Somehow we have bought into being inanimate about reoccurrences that visit everyday!  When we bought our home 11 years ago I was so excited.  I wanted to clean it and care for it.  Over time I met the chore with dread and disinclination.  My house was the same; it was my attitude that had changed.  Reminding myself of that puts things back into perspective.  I am really glad to have a home to keep up and care for!  Same thing goes for repeating for the umpteenth time for child A to brush their teeth, having a sink full of dirty dishes, wiping up mudding paw-prints in the fall, reminding someone again of an obligation, tucking in a child who calls for you just one more time, climbing into bed to snuggle up with a book and hubby's looking to snuggle up to you!  The list goes on doesn't it?  Again I need to remind myself that I adore my husband, I love being a mom, and I need to be useful and helpful.  The enemy gets us thinking it's MY time, MY space, MY needs, and MY energy to be spent how I choose.  Hmmm, how many times did you need a 2nd chance at something, a reminder, a little grace, a little nudge?  So here is the great part of God's blessed monotony.  Over and over and over he forgives us, loves us in spite of our selfishness, and prompts us to try again. 

 Philippians 1:6 NIV
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.


God is so faithful to work with us as we are.  He is patient to keep working with us, cheering us on, and wanting what is best for us.  Me too, that is what I want for myself and all my loved ones.  Today I want to encourage you to keep being consistent, to keep the big picture in mind, to embrace gratitude for the repetitions that come your way everyday! 

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Standing in the Gap

Reading through Ezekiel is rather dreadful-such naughty people (and in BIG trouble)!  In the 22nd chapter it says, "I searched for someone who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one."  That caught my attention.  Jeremiah 5:1 helped, "if you can find a man, if there is anyone who does justice, who seeks the truth, then I will pardon her."  God is looking for honest and true people.  This wall is not one of stone but of faithfulness.  We continue to move further and further away from the precepts America was built upon.  If the Lord searched America over whom would he find that stands in the gap?  To me standing in the gap is praying!  I am not a political gal by nature, I am learning though.  Frankly, the more I hear in the news the more my heart is broken, and that is just little 'ol me, what is God thinking about all of this?  Abortions, terrorists, tolerance, smooth-talkers in white houses, wars, and the list goes on and on. Our country needs a total spiritual reconstruction!  When we give the appearance of loving God without living his way, we are covering up sins that could eventually damage us beyond repair!  My voice may be small in how my senator responds to my emails but my voice is HUGE when I pray and intercede for my country.  Will you join me? 

Monday, February 15, 2010

Whelmed

I remember hearing speaker Beth Moore once say, "Why do I get so overwhelmed, why can't I just be whelmed?"  That comment still makes me laugh.  In our powder room there is a scripture verse on the mirror that has been there for a couple years.  It is rather tattered from getting Windexed over time but it continues to encourage me.  From Galatians 6:9 "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."  What is making you weary right now?  What seems overwhelming to you?  For me, the first stretch of homeschooling my kids this school year was immeasurably wearifying!  Defeat, frustration, turmoil, getting pushed to the limit is how things started right out of the gate.  Really, what was the problem?  I spent months and months researching the perfect curriculums for each little darling.  I went to conferences, spent my summer prepping the 180 day school calendar, lugged 2 huge bookshelves from the basement that now abide in my dining room/ schoolroom, had my girlfriends come over and discuss and plan and plan and plan (for our high schoolers in particular).  I had done my part.  Forecasting smooth sailing from there I was shocked when things began to quickly crumble.   This was the first time all of my kids would be home schooling.  That includes an elementary, middle, and high school range.  All of them home, all of the time, learning to cooperate in a learning situation. 
I forgot about one, tiny, little detail:  THE LEARNING CURVE!!  I cried, I threatened, I prayed and cried some more.  I wanted to quit, just give up.  Put the one darling back in school after Christmas break.  UUUGGGHHH. 
Somehow we endured the first semester (can you hear the birds chirping in the background?). 
Since the New Year started I have to say things have been considerably better.  Why?  I am not doing anything different.  Why?  Well that is when I noticed the scripture on the mirror.  I wish I had noticed it months ago.  The fact of the matter is if we keep keepin on, doing the next right thing, persevering, and pushing through, there is something good to reap.  The learning curve takes time to cultivate.  My wiring tends to be impatient on this end.  Thank you Lord for showing me again that your word is true!  I don't feel weary or overwhelmed so much now.  It still is a huge responsibilty to educate children.  Now, I am just whelmed by it all!
So if you are in the midst of Beethoven's 5th whirlwind, hang in there, your time is coming!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Love Notes

What three things does love do?  Love gives, and gives, and gives some more!
In the name of good intentions, let's get busy!  Here is your love challenge, you must pick at least one.

Have you ever asked your honey, 'What is one way I could be a better wife to you?'  Now before you roll your eyeballs into the back of your head pause a second.  You are asking him a very humble and thoughtful question.  Pull up your boot straps and be ready for his answer.  He does not have to answer right away, he can think about it.  Take his response to heart and keep in front of you that you are showing, in a real way, that you love him!! 

Alrighty, how about writing little love notes to everyone in your house.  No dissertations, just a sweet thought note and leave it on their pillow.  Even a joke or riddle is fine, just something that says I love you. 

Third idea, plop yourself down wherever a family member happens to be hanging out and be still!  Ask them how they are doing, what they are up to, let them do the talking and you just be still and listen-that's all!! 

Are you up for the love challenge; I'd love to hear about how it went!  I'm prayin for you girls!!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Forget Me Nots


Girlfriends make life so sweet!  One recent phone call to my friend Jo went like this:              "I (me talking) am the worst friend on the planet!!  I forgot that I invited you over for lunch and made other plans and have to leave."  I can hear her take a sharp inhale on the phone, "OOOOh, I totally forgot that we were supposed to come over..."  And so it goes.  I have another friend who has the memory of an elephant and she will tell stories about things we have done together.  As she is telling the details of the event I wonder who in the world she is talking about, I simply can't remember!!!!  This is a thorn of frustration for me.  One of my greatest fears is I will end up an old lady mimicking the Shirley McClain character from Steel Magnolias and blurt out whatever happens to be on my mind, stunning the people there, and leaving the room in my outlandish hat and bag of tomatoes and forget that I just said whatever I said! 

SO what is a girl to do? Well this girl makes lists. I love lists. I love calendars. I love boxes that need to be checked off in hopes that I can. All these fabulous reminders make for lots of piles. My desk captures my reality.  Piles, piles, wonderful piles.  This morning I thought, 'yes but it is only my desk', but then much to my surprise, I looked around...piles of cookbooks on the kitchen island, piles of magazines and books stacked about on the coffee table, piles of school papers on the bookshelf.  Might I just add they are all important piles!  One form of recording that has benefitted me immensely is journaling.  Thank goodness for notebooks!  I have recorded milestones and happenings of each of my children, I have thankful journals, prayer journals, and journals I use in my quiet time to record things I am learning.  Recording information allows me to look back and remember, to recall and see how God answered a particular circumstance or prayer request.  Journaling blesses my heart.  In Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV it says:


Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.


Remember the good things that the Lord has done.  Today I wanted to encourage you to pray for your children, and if you don't have any, pray for those little ones dearest to you.  I will get you started and you can go from there.


Pray for the Lord to show you their gifts and talents that He will hone them.
Pray for their purity, that they will value guarding their hearts.  Pray for their future spouses. Pray for the fruit of the Spirit to be evident in their lives.  Pick one fruit they need more of; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Pray for their relationships with their siblings.  Pray for godly people and friends to be placed in their path to help steer them.  Pray for contentment and for integrity.  Ask the Lord to bless them with wisdom and discernment that far surpasses their age or experience.  Pray they will love God's word and live for an audience of one.  Pray they will be a force to be reckoned with in this fallen generation, that they will be leaders and grounded in their faith.  Pray, just pray...

Make your own list of strengths and weaknesses you observe in them and present them to the Lord.  It will delight your heart to see how the Lord answers you, especially when you look back in your journal and recall what was so heavy on your heart at that particular stage of development has been taken care of by the One who loves them best.  Just call them your 'forget me nots'.  If you write it down it is harder to forget.


We do the best we can right? Wherever you are on your journey, take the next step, and do your best. Get together with your girlfriends and pray for your children together! 


Concerning my piles that stare at me endlessly, I can take care of that too:

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A Message from the Queen

Life does not come with a manual.  We take our queues from the Bible as well as from those who have gone before us who shed wisdom and discernment from their vantage in life.  There are a few women in the Old Testament that I treasure.  My most favorite warrior chic is Queen Esther.  Gleaning two extremely valuable nuggets of wisdom I want to share them with you today.  (This must be good because a Trojan ate my computer 3 days ago while I was posting this very message).  If you have never read Esther's story do so today.  It is tucked between Nehemiah and Job.  It is not very long, only 10 chapters, you could read it all in one sitting.  (I am smiling right now as my power flickers on and off from the blizzard-I'd better hurry!!)  Orphaned and raised by her cousin Mordecai, a very godly man, Esther was chosen to be selected by the king as his wife.  The king's first wife was rather rebellious and dethroned.  Esther stood apart from all the other contestants because of her beauty but more importantly because of her integrity, grace, and strength that she possessed.  After becoming queen she learned that the kings right-hand man, Haman, has plotted to kill all the Jews and deceives the king to go along with his plan.  Did I mention that Esther is Jewish?   I will leave you here to find out the rest of her story.
Have you ever had to talk to the man in your life about something troubling your heart?  A BIG something troubling your heart, one that could cause major conflict if not addressed and handled correctly.  Well, here is a message from the queen.  First, you fast and pray.  For me that looks like fasting from sleep so I can pray and seek God's wisdom, other times fasting from food is what is necessary.  Second, you feed him.  Yep, I mean cook him up a yummy dinner and allow him a chance to unwind from the day.  Men simply function better with food in their tummies!!  Then, invite him to join you in a quite place, pray with him, and then present what is on your heart to him.  Girls, our guys want to be our heroes.  If we come to them humble in spirit and gently place before them our hearts, they will respond in courageous and caring ways.  Timing is everything!

P.S.  If you want to learn more about this lady read Charles Swindoll's book.  It gives more behind the scenes information and makes the whole story come alive.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Enchanted with Snow

I took this picture this morning-I am so tickled with myself.  This is our sweet ALEC TREE.  He is our son that passed away about 17 years ago.  We planted this maple in memory of him.  We have enjoyed watching the tree grow year by year.  It looks so pretty covered in a blanket of white!  The snow is steady and plentiful, and our family is all snuggled in by the fire.  In Hebrews 3:6 it reads, "We are God's household, if we keep up our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ."  Christ is in charge of our household, meaning our hearts.  I found it interesting that the 2 pieces to fulfill our hope in Him is courage and confidence.  Why courage?  Over and over again the bible reminds us to NOT FEAR.  Hmmm, are you fearing anything?  Are you going through a personal snowstorm right now? Take heart!  Essentially, it all boils down to having the courage to trust and obey.  Our walk in faith is just that, trusting and obeying that God is leading us to a higher, richer ground.  What about the confidence part we are to embrace?  Is your spiritual posture solid and purposeful?  Knowing that God is faithful and that He will do what he says He will do and that He always keeps his promises is how our confidence is built.  Guess who wants to steal these things from us?  Yep, that dirty old rascal Satan, that's who!  Ask yourself what you are believing.  Is your trust in your job or paycheck, your family, your appearance, or your status?  Well guess what baby girl, all these things can be shaken!!  If our foundation is built on our hope in Christ, when the storms of life come (and they will come) we can be confident and have courage to do the next right thing.  This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls Hebrews 6:19 proclaims.  I pray that you will come to know the promises of God, his trustworthiness, his faithfulness; they endure forever!  Here are a few scriptures to research:  Prov3:5-6, Jer29:11, Eph6:10-20, Gal2:20-21, Lam3:22-27.  I keep spiral bound index cards with my bible and journal.  When I come across a scripture that lifts my heart I write it on the index card so I can savor it throughout the day.  The Word of God is what gives us courage and confidence.  Since you are snowed in, check out those verses and write them down.  I promise you will be glad you did!!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Enchanted with Oils


In my quiet time I read in Hebrews 1:9, "Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else."  The oil of joy, another version says; 'the oil of gladness'.  There is so much to be joyful about.  Really stop and think about your blessings.  Unless you are living in Haiti right now you have tons to be glad about.  So what is our deal?  What do we really have to complain about?  Yes, life is hard, yes life is messy.  The tyranny of the urgent yells, distracts, keeps us sweatin the small stuff.  Shheesh, we must stand against this posture of being!  Now don't get me wrong, I'm complaining lugging the groceries in too so I'm reminding myself too!  But girlfriends this is an opportunity to acknowledge the lie that Satan throws our way and be on guard against him. We are equipped to juggle many things. Did you hear that?  Let me say it again, we are equipped to handle it!!  If you are unsure, ask an older lady, talk with her, she'll help ya!
What is your biggest complaint right now?  Can you put "it" into perspective?  Will "it" still bother you next week?  What if "it" were removed all together, would you long for "it" back?  I pray that you would be determined about the things that are truly dear to your heart.  I listen to the advice of  ladies who have already been down my road, and oh how they wish they could do things differently.  Live a life of no regrets, that is a tall order, but we can strive by prioritizing what means most to us and keeping it in the forefront.  I want the oil of joy permeating throughout my days.  Being someone who deals with seasonal depression I know when I feel joy and I know when it is absent.  I know when the depression is over because it feels much like a snug hat that you finally take off after wearing for quite some time. Do you know what I am talking about?  Forget the hat-head, static hair flying around, I mean the cool sensation of being released from the cap, you feel lighter, more open.
That is the oil of joy, but in your heart.  That joy is Jesus himself permeating through the very fibers of your life.  The joy of Jesus is free, abundant, agape-filled, and powerful!  The essence is in the Word.  That's the secret.  Find a favorite scripture, write it on an index card, and say it over and over until you are a fragrant blossom glad to be alive!
Now, go get a massage!!!!! (With some fragrant oil)!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Enchanted with Firsts

Do you remember your first kiss?   How about your first car?  In thinking about "firsts" I think of positive sweet images that are forever tucked away in my rather forgetful mind.  My first crush, apartment, job, the first time I wrote my married name on a legal document, and my first newborn baby to hold.  What first comes to your mind?  Firsts are imprinted on our very souls, exceptionally deep and lasting.  Today is a first for me-I am officially a blogger; one more title to add to my list.  I am very excited to embark on this excursion of journaling.
I have been thinking about this for quite some time now.  Why blog, do I have time to blog, will I be stalked by some bizarre blog-ator?  I have asked a lot of questions, have been blessed by reading others, and have come to the decision that today is my day!  It is my heart-felt prayer that this will be a blessing to all who read my posts, but mainly that it will bring glory to Christ.   Otherwise, it's just a waste of time which is a non-renewable resource.  My intention is to keep it real, share my heart, and have a memoir in progress.
SO, first things first, you need a name for your blog.  That takes some creative thinking.  Mine cultivated over time.  One thing about me is that I am a prayer warrior.  I have a burden in my heart that calls me to pray.  People are funny about it, some will say, "Since you have a connection with the Big Guy Upstairs would you mind putting in a good word for me."  Those who are closest to me know that what is dear to their hearts can be trusted to me to petition on their behalf.  I am a soldier in the Lord's army wearing the badge of prayer warrior.  That was the underlying motivation for me to start this blog.  I want to pray for you!!!  If you would like to leave a prayer request in the comment box I will be sure to include you in my quiet time. 
The enchanted part comes from my rose-colored, Norman Rockwell, hopelessly romantic side that weaves its way through my character. Viola', Enchanted Warrior was born!
When I tuck my kids into bed at night (even my high schooler) I leave them with this sentiment:  May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you and bring you peace.  Numbers 6:25  
I pray that for you today dear reader.