The time was getting nearer for our baby to be born. I had been having contractions all day. I figured our baby would be born that night or the next day when I went to my scheduled appointment.

I crawled out of bed to go use the bathroom-again. Anyone who has ever been pregnant knows that this is a ritual done virtually every night in the latter stages of pregnancy. Go to the bathroom, go to bed, wait ten minutes, get up again to use the bathroom, and the cycle continues until you finally fall asleep.

As I sat on the toilet, I began to get excited because I thought my water had broken. But the flow didn’t stop. I called for Steve to come in and turn on the light.

My fears were confirmed. I had been filling the toilet with blood. As Steve ran to get the phone to call 911, I fell on to the floor.

I knew at that moment, I was probably going to die. I even told Steve I was going to die. I was not fearful, just matter of fact. I don’t remember thinking about our children at that point, but I did not want to leave Steve.

I wish I could say it was like the movies where the world stands stil for a moment as a man cradles his wife’s body in his arms as she whispers her final words, “I love you” to him.

But this was not anything like the movies.There were arrangements that had to be made. Steve called a sitter to come stay with the children, and then he called my sister to pray.

By now the ambulance had arrived. The paramedics gave me oxygen, put an IV in my arm, and began pumping fluids through my veins. I began to feel better, but I was still pretty sure I was not going to make it. I was not frightened. In fact, I really felt quite peaceful.

A second ambulance came. The intention was to load me up,meet another ambulance, and switch me to it; however, the third ambulance was only six miles away, so we waited for it.

The big dilemma was how to get me down the stairs. Do paramedics only deal with people on ground floors? Their biggest fear was that I was going to deliver the baby. At one point, one of the ambulance crew put the pulse monitor on my finger.

“Ow!” I groaned.

The paramedic got a little panicky and asked, “Are you having the baby?”

“No, you pinched my finger.” We all chuckled.

I was worried my children would wake up, but none of them stirred from their rooms, so I assumed all the children were asleep. Little did I know, Ashley was wide-awake in her room. She knew that was the best place for her to stay. She watched from her window as I was placed into the back of the ambulance. She even took a picture of the ambulances in the driveway. She thought it was the last time she might ever see me. After we were gone, Ashley came out of her room and prayed with the sitter.

The ambulance ride seemed really fast. If I weren’t in the back, I would have thought it quite exciting to see three ambulances whizzing past with lights and sirens. Steve rode up front and prayed even more intensely when the attendant with me in the back told the driver, “Floor it!”

I was freezing. I couldn’t stop my teeth from chattering. My blood pressure was dangerously low.

Upon arriving at the hospital, I was greeted by more people than I could remember. Some guy started doing an ultrasound. They seemed unconcerned that my baby was going to die if they didn’t take it out.

But I was still peaceful. I later found out that I was in shock and taking me into the operating room at that time would have had dire consequences. After three ultrasounds, they finally prepped me for surgery.

Once in the operating room, I only remember a calmness. I felt like someone was praying for me. It was really quite a pleasant feeling. At one point I asked if anyone noticed from the ultrasound the sex of my baby.

Only the anesthesiologist responded. He kindly leaned over to me and said, “We weren’t looking.” I just wanted to know what sex my baby would be when I arrived in heaven with it.

Steve waited in the hallway while the surgery took place. As he watched through the window and could see only doctors, nurses, and a whole lot of blood, he felt an unusual peace, too. He was uncomfortable feeling so peaceful. He was sitting in a chair at the end of the hallway and would begin to think, I should be worried. Then he would start to worry. He would get up, walk to the operating room window, look in, and even with a view of lots of blood, he would again become peaceful. He could feel God’s presence with him.

The next thing I knew, several hours had passed. When I awoke, someone told me I had a boy. The doctors were worried the baby had inhaled blood into his lungs, so they were sending him to a children’s hospital an hour and a half away. A nurse wheeled the baby into my room. He had a ventilator tube in his mouth and a tube sticking out of his belly button. The doctor had sent a scope of some kind up through his umbilical cord to his heart.

As I looked at him I thought, That isn’t really my baby.

His fate was still unknown. The doctor said the baby probably had massive brain damage. The outlook for him was bleak, but I still had an incredible peace.

Over the course of the next several days, even weeks, the pieces began to fit together. I had a condition known as placenta accreta. My placenta was in full praevia position, but my placenta had grown through my uterine wall and attached to several of my organs. The doctor was unable to stop the bleeding. He had to perform a hysterectomy.

At one point during the surgery, my blood pressure bottomed out and my oxygen levels dropped below 50 percent. After they pumped twelve units of “new” blood into me, my condition began to improve. When I finally came out of the anesthesia, my chances had gone from slim to much improved.

Our son also improved gradually. While he rode in the ambulance to the other hospital, they told us his breathing improved; and he even opened his eyes for the first time. They were able to reduce the ventilator to 60 percent. Every report from then on was positive as God multiplied His blessings to us.

After five days I was able to go home, but home is not where I went. I went to the bedside of my son, Bryan. I had to wait an hour and a half before I could hold him. He nursed right away, and we were able to take him home the next day. It didn’t appear that he had any brain damage.

I believe that the Lord had been preparing me for this almost my entire pregnancy. It was a miserable pregnancy. It was the first time I was questioning if I really wanted to go through having another baby. But in my heart, I knew I could not do anything to prevent a pregnancy. Steve and I felt convicted that we should let God be in control of our family size. We knew God was the Creator of life. Children were blessings to be desired.

At one point during my pregnancy, I told the Lord in prayer that if I were not to have anymore children it would have to be by His hand, not by ours. I did not know when I went to bed on Feb 11, 1998 as I lovingly touched my round belly that that would be the last time I would ever feel a baby kick within my body. I was thirty-three when Bryan, my eighth child, was born. I figured I could possibly have another eight before I was through. It is so easy to take fertility for granted.

Since that night, my life has changed dramatically. The little things don’t seem to matter anymore. My children could have been without a mommy. My husband could have been without a wife. I would have been in heaven, so I probably wouldn’t have cared too much.

The Lord has given me a new life. I really thought when I came home from the hospital that I would be perfect. For some reason I felt that I had almost touched the hand of God, so somehow that would make me a perfect mommy. Right away, I blew it. So, I’m not going to get to be perfect-yet! But I won’t stop trying!

I’m enjoying my life more, enjoying my children more, and enjoying my husband more. So many things seem to get in the way of what is really important. I hope that I never get to a point again when I cannot marvel at God for saving the life of my son and myself. I hope that I will not forget to marvel at the blue sky, the snow-covered grass,the intoxicating smell of a newborn baby, a two-year-old singing “Jesus Wuvs Me,” and the sparkle in the eyes of a child when you throw all abandon to the wind and say, “Let’s have soda-pop for lunch!”

When God saved my life, He put a new beat in my heart, more spring in my step, joy in my soul, and a miracle in my arms.

In the mundane, there is life!

©2001-present Terri Camp “I’m Going to be the Greatest Mom Ever….Even if it Kills Me”

I love being in real estate. It’s so rewarding to me to market a well-priced house and have it sell right away. Or take a buyer to several homes then finally finding one myself because I’ve spent hours pouring over listings to find just what they are looking for in a house. They walk in and their eyes light up. I love that!

The hard part though, is the up and down financial thing. When it’s going well…it’s going well. But if I don’t have a sale one month, I don’t have electricity the next month. That’s STRESSFUL!

Every once in awhile I entertain the idea of “getting a job.” Now, you may think I’m lazy because I don’t want to leave home every day and be gone for about 50 hours a week in order to bring home enough money to just barely scrape by. I’ve made a committment to my kids that I will be here for them.

I love the idea of running my own business, even if it means long hours working at home. That’s okay, because I’m here. I’m constantly inventing new products in my mind or figuring out a way to make what I love to do, writing, speaking, inspiring, and encouraging into a money making venture. But quite honestly most people see that as a ministry, not something worthy of pay.

Just the other day I was working again on how to be able to have some kind of steady income so the stress of getting my electricity turned off wouldn’t happen quite so frequently. I was thinking about some of the changes I need to make in my life. So I came up with a plan: A New You by The New Year! at Tadahmom.com If I can get people to sign up (basically it helps cover my time and expense) then I could have a steady income, even if it’s not enough to meet all of my expenses, it could help take some of the pressure off in the financial realm of my life, plus it could help me develop the products that Moms need! – like the “inspector gadget extend an arm” for backseat fighting children. (I’m kidding about that) But there are a lot of products in the works, like the Itty Bitty Pity Party Package.

I’ll help you – and you’ll help me. I love when things work out like that! The more people we have join, the more brilliant minds we have working to help each other. We are going to transform our lives! We are going to set goals! We are going to share our successes. We don’t have failures, we only have opportunities. We are going to encourage each other. It is a community of moms who need some accountability to move forward – or onward and upward. For a small monthly fee of just $4.95 you can be a part of something huge!

I’ve talked with several of the internet experts and they tell me, that’s not enough! You have to charge way more than that. One even said, “Terri, you should be charging at least $45.00 an hour for your services.” You’re giving too much away! I stuck my tongue out at them. They didn’t know it though because we were chatting online. I know I’m not the internet expert here. I’m not trying to be. I just know that I have a need, and I have a lot to offer. So, that’s where I am. I want to make my services available to every mom regardless. That’s why I set the price at $4.95 a month. EVERY mom can afford that to make a positive difference in her life. That’s cheaper than most magazines! And you won’t be inundated with ads. Even one of my books costs about the same as THREE MONTHS of subscription. And you get new and fresh content. How cool is that?!

I’ve set up the website and the community. You actually can join the community for free, but you don’t have access to all the materials that will be available. For the small price, you’ll want to become a member of the site. The more people we have the more “experts” we’ll end up having within our ranks. So spread the word to your friends…join Tadah Mom.com TODAY!

The first challenge is the “New You by The New Year” Challenge. Through a series of fairly painless assignments you will be in charge of your destiny. We aren’t going to wait for the New Year to make our resolutions. We are going to make them now! Then when the new year comes, we’re going to have a giant celebration!

Are you ready to change your life?!? Okay, maybe you don’t need a complete new you. I know people who are nearly perfect, yet they still want to set goals and have someone hold them accountable. But even more so, they want someone to encourage them along the way.

As moms, we just don’t get enough of that. I’m here to change all that!

One of my goals is to help 1 Thousand Moms by the new year to live happy lives with much less stress. Want to help me reach one of my goals??? Who knows…maybe I’ll reach that goal much sooner…with your help…I can!

Sign up and follow me in the community – cheer me on – be a part of a movement of moms who at the end of the day can shout, “Ta-Dah!”

The irony was incredible to me. I never worried about “this” for her life. She was the one in our house who was the strongest proponent of purity. She was the one who confidently let me know that there was NO WAY she would ever sleep with a boy unless she was married. She was the one who put her life on hold to help me when I needed her. She was strong! Resolute! Morally Upright. And now … pregnant.
The first words out of my mouth were, “In our house, children are a blessing, no matter what the circumstances are.” Within seconds I knew that the best direction would be for me to support her 100 percent. She began telling me the plans she was making. I also wanted her to know that this was not the time to make the decisions. I felt strongly that she needed to know that everything would work out just fine, and that I would be there, by her side through the whole thing.

There are so many “life happenings” that we are unprepared to handle. I remember once telling someone, “Oh, I could never go through THAT!” I’m not sure what the THAT was, but I knew at the time I wouldn’t be able to go through it. It was around the time I found out about my oldest being molested that I realized, I didn’t need to know that I could go through it, until it was time. I needed my strength through the battle, not worrying about what might come in my future.

I’m so thankful that we don’t have to think about what may come in order for us to be able to handle it with grace and courage. You know…life is tough sometimes. For some reason, I thought it would get easier. On one hand it sort of has, because I’m stronger now. I remember once looking up to heaven telling God, “By the way God, I’m a wimp! Just thought I’d let you know. All this stuff getting thrown at me, I can’t handle it.” I’m pretty sure He’s standing there taking the brunt of most of my “stuff” only letting a few things pass through that He knows I can handle. So, when I’ve feeling overwhelmed, I just have to remember that this stuff has gone through God already, and HE thinks I can take it. And if HE thinks I can handle it – then by golly – I can handle it…even if I am a wimp.

For Tina, about a month away from giving birth now, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, she has a great support team. She’ll be able to live here with us while she continues taking college courses and working. They even told her she could bring the baby to work. One of her concerns was how she was going to be able to afford all the stuff that goes along with having a baby. (I certainly am not able to help right now) Her workplace had a surprise baby shower for her (Ask me about the games!!! I got to plan them!). After the shower, Tina was sitting on her bed, looking like a huge load had been released from her. She said to me, “I got everything I need! That was the biggest stress for me, and God took care of it.” One loan tear droped out of her eye.

Even though we hate watching our kids struggle with the choices they make, it’s totally awesome when we get to see them realize that God is taking care of them in the midst of those choices.

One of my first memories of doing treasure hunts was on my 13th birthday. I planned a great scavenger hunt and hoped that I could get on “his” team. You see, I invited “him” because I liked him. I also invited the girl he liked, because I knew he would come if she was coming. I even mentioned to him that she was coming to the party. Why did I do this? Because I wanted to be near “him” even though I knew the event would cause me pain, watching him with this other girl and wishing it were me.

Through the years I have done a lot of things and asked a lot of questions that I knew would cause me additional pain. How many of us ask the question, “Do I look fat?” We think we look fat, but we want someone to tell us we don’t. If they say we don’t, we question them further until they finally break down and tell us we look fat.

I wonder if this all comes from when we were little kids crying about something when our mom tells us to stop crying or she’ll give us something to cry about. Maybe, we’re still looking for the reason to cry??? I don’t know why, but I think we’re stupid and should do everything in our power to stop allowing ourselves to make more pain for ourselves.

A lot of this pain is even manufactured in our own thoughts. I remember one night when I was married and my husband hadn’t arrived home when I expected him. Suddenly my mind was all awhirl with possibilities. As I thought about them intently, I even began crying as I saw myself standing at his funeral. When he came in the front door about an hour late, I was now angry at him for causing me so much pain. He actually hadn’t done anything. I was the one manufacturing the pain in my own thoughts.

I’ve actually come to believe that the pain we manufacture in our minds actually in a weird sort of way makes us feel good, like we’re alive. But it’s so wrong on so many levels.

For one, The Bible itself tells us, “whatever is pure, whatever is noble, whatever is of good report, think upon these things.” Yet, we tend to train our minds to think about the things that cause us pain – and more pain – and even go on treasure hunts to find even more pain.

Another reason it’s wrong is that it affects our relationships with people in such a negative way. They begin to wonder if we want them to cause us pain because we ask them such questions that only have an answer that would cause pain.

In one of my former relationships, the person would constantly want me to justify to them why I had broken up with them. Over and over he would want my reasons for leaving him. Who does that help? It only forced me to continue to tell him what I didn’t like about him that was enough for me to break up with him.

I’ve done it too. I remember sobbing to someone on the phone once, “Why don’t you want me?” Oh my goodness, what was I thinking? Hurt me more?

I’ve even gone so far as searching for things that would even cause me more pain. I think perhaps I thought it would help if I only “knew the truth.” – and we all know, “the truth will set you free.” But that statement used in this way is totally incorrect. It’s more accurately “the Truth will set you free.”

Ladies – ladies – ladies (am I listening???) We need to stop causing ourselves more pain! We need to turn our lives around to the place where we are expecting joy – not sorrow.

Okay, so how do we do this?

Of course we can’t change everything in one day, so I’m going to just ask you to be aware. Be aware of those questions you ask of others that can only produce one result – more pain. Usually that question begins with the word, Why did you….and relates to us.

One more thing I want you to notice is how you process your thoughts. When something happens, like a child isn’t home on time, where do your thoughts go? Do they go to positive things like, “Oh he probably just got talking with his friends and lost track of time?” Or do you begin to think the worst? “Maybe he ran out of gas? Maybe he was in a car accident? Oh NOOOOOO! And pretty soon we’re all worked up. Then they come in the front door and say, “Sorry, I lost track of time.”

When you are feeling yourself pained. Stop and ask yourself, is this related to the way I’m thinking?

I’m on a new treasure hunt – looking for that great treasure that resides in my own mind.

Ahhh…lying here on the beach so relaxed …. (reality check – sitting in a car waiting)

I just found this video!!! It’s awesome! Take a look.

Trust me on this one, I’ve had my share of stress! People have often asked me how I am able to keep going. Well, one of the biggest reasons is that I don’t allow stress to pile up in my life. I’ve learned to get rid of the things that are totally out of my control. I actually spend time destressing. I consider destress time to be as valuable as eating well. You need to take the time to do it!

When the stresses of life begin to pile on you, there are many negative health affects. We cannot and actually should not eliminate all stress from our lives, but there are healthy things you can do to help rid yourself of the stress that is taking residence on your body.

#1 Learn to identify the things you don’t have control over. These include things like, behavior of others. Whether they are a child, spouse, co-worker, or friend, you cannot control their behavior. So try to remember when their behavior is causing you stress, that you don’t need to hold on to that. Let it go. Give it up. Don’t hold on! Flick it off!

#2 Fear – There is no reason to be afraid. Fear is simply anticipating something that hasn’t happened with your body reacting as if it is happening to you. This is self-induced stress. Flick it off!

#3 Not taking care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, your stress level will be far greater than if you exercise, eat right, and don’t do things that damage your body. If you are dealing with a habit you want to break, Flick it off!

Take this stress test – Stress Test

Okay, so this is a little goofy – but I had fun making it. Maybe if you watch it, it will remind you to “Do the Stress Flick.”

The Stress Flick Song from Terri Camp on Vimeo.

Sometimes things in life don’t always go the way we would plan them. However, I have chosen to try to make the best of any situation, by seeking out the Lord to discover if there is perhaps a lesson the Lord is trying to teach me.
Recently I had taken a trip on an airplane for a speaking engagement. One of the things I use in my talk is a Supermom apron with lots of pockets, which I fill with different items that aid my talk. I have items like a plastic frog, a picture of my last baby at his birth, bubble bath, a squirt gun, a diaper, and liquid laundry soap.
Upon checking into my hotel room, with about 30 minutes to prepare myself for my first talk, I discovered the laundry soap had leaked out, spilling onto many of my clothes. It also created a red dye that stained many of my clothes too. Frantically I cleaned the apron in the little sink. Attempting to dry it with the hair dryer was futile. Almost in a panic state, I rinsed out some of the clothes, leaving the rest to simply dry. Fortunately the church where I was speaking had a dryer so I was able to get my apron dried in time for my talk.
I still had three travel days left, and was a bit beside myself about what clothes I could wear. The following morning as I was getting dressed, I realized the undergarment I needed had not been rinsed out, but was dry. It took me awhile to figure out that something was very wrong. I assumed that I had been sitting too much, which had created the pain I seemed to be feeling on my “sitter.” I didn’t investigate the cause of my discomfort; I simply tried to ignore it.
The following morning I realized I had developed a serious chemical burn, obviously from the large concentration of liquid laundry soap that had penetrated my undergarment. I still had an entire day of sitting while waiting in airports and sitting on my flights home. There was no way to find some place to get some kind of medication to apply to my burn.
On the shuttle ride to the first airport I began to ponder my pain. I tried sitting delicately, which is a near impossibility. There was nothing to do but try to find something redeeming in my pain.
I began to think about the laundry soap like sin. It can so easily penetrate and after sinning, we can sometimes not see the effects of the sin. Even though we know the sin is there, we will often try to hide it, much like feeling like no one would know if I simply put my clothes on over the large stain. We may be able to hide from our sin for a long time even. But then one day, suddenly, we discover there is great pain associated with our sin. When we try to hide and bury our sin, it sits and festers, burning into our very souls.
There comes a time, when we must come clean. With sin, that means we must repent and make amends for the sin we have committed. Even though I cleaned up as best I could, soaking in a tub for quite awhile, I still had much pain. There was no way to undo what I had already done. That is the same with sin. We will be forgiven, but we cannot undo the effects of the sin. It has been allowed to fester, and is now forcing us to deal with the consequences of the sin.
Sometimes when we sin, we don’t get to the very root of the problem; we simply apply a salve to help erase the pain. But it still doesn’t help; it’s only a temporary problem.
After we repent, we know we have been forgiven, yet we must deal with the pain of the consequences for quite awhile.
The pain I’ve been dealing with has shown me how much I take for granted, like walking without pain, and sitting. Even though several days have passed, the pain is perhaps even more painful now that I have cuts from skin drying out. It is also like that with sin. Sometimes the initial pain of the sin isn’t as bad as when it has had a chance to fester in our heart. When we are making our choices in life, we often take for granted the fellowship of the Holy Spirit in a pure heart.
Sitting with my pain has prompted me to ask the Lord if there be anything in my heart which has grieved Him. Oh repentance, the healing balm of our hearts!

I’m not a fan of rap, but I know a good message when I hear one.
It’s now got me talking in rhyme, but not reason.

It’s worse than reading Doctor Suess to my kids.
I spent too much time, watching their vids.

And now I must let you go cuz I’ve got work to do.
So, peace out, and I hope you enjoy the vid too.

I told her that the flaws she sees up close like that are not visible to anyone else. I told her to step away from the mirror a bit to see the way others really see her. She stood back….and smiled.

The problem with us, is we’re so close to ourselves, we can see all of our imperfections. Sometimes we need to step back and try not to focus so much on what is wrong, but look even closer at what is right. We need to be able to look in a mirror, and allow it to reflect our true inner beauty.

Do you feel unworthy? Did you know that if you carry around with you a feeling of unworthiness, then you will be unable to see your true beauty? It will always be coated with this self-loathing garment.

Unworthiness goes very deep. It’s not something that is easily tossed aside. But it must be!

The next time you find yourself feeling that you aren’t worth anything (I know the feelings creep up at the oddest times) I want you to replace that negative crap with something positive. You need to be armed. So, I’m going to give you an assignment. It may be difficult, it may stretch you, but it will be worth it!

Okay, here is your assignment. I want you to send me a comment with at least five things about you that are positive traits. I told you it’s going to be hard! Some of you will sit there and think, that’s too egotistical, or whatever reason you want to choose – it’s likely because deep down, you feel unworthy.

Just now as I was writing this, I thought, I should set an example and do it first. Then my palms began to sweat. I think my face even flushed. It’s hard to tell people good things about ourselves. But it’s easy to give a list of woes, complaints, and self-loathing comments. So, I’m going to do what I’m asking you to do. Here goes, My list of five positive traits. I am creative. I am encouraging. I am a very good mom. I am intelligent. and I am a child of the Most High King!

Okay, now your turn! Leave me a comment with five of your positive traits. Then, I want you to say them outloud. The reason I want you to say them outloud is because it’s difficult for us to believe it. Say it outloud! Then pay attention when you start saying the negative stuff when you look in the mirror, or just when you’re out driving, or talking to people. When you feel that crap try to envelope you, don’t let it! Take those negative words, and proclaim the positive.

You are worthy my friend!

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall – You are the Awesomest You of All!

Follow the Itty Bitty Pity Party steps and you’ll be feeling better in no time.

Gather everything you need first.

Items you will need: Door hanger, journal, pen, candles, music, hair brush, clean clothes, and favorite perfume. Oh yes – your chocolate. You might want to create a little Pity Party Basket with everything you need ready to go at a moments notice.

Eliminate all distractions. Tell everyone you MUST be left alone. Download and print your door hanger here Hang it on your door. If you’re thinking you might use this a lot, laminate it!

Go to your designated party location. A master bathroom, closet, or bedroom, are good locations.
If you have a bathroom in your master bedroom. Lock the master bedroom door, then lock the bathroom door too. It’s empowering! If you don’t have locks, pretend to lock out the world.

1. Now get your Ta-Dah Mom Journal (I know you don’t have one – you’re going to have to pretend on this too. – any journal will do)
2. Light your candles. An essential oils candle is an awesome way to change or enhance your mood. You will want an uplifting scent reserved just for your IBPP. Some good choices are spicy cinnamon, citrus, or you can purchase an aromatherapy candle to uplift the spirit. To make some of your own scents read this.
3. You will have ten minutes to complete these tasks – set a timer!
4. For one minute write in your journal everything you can think of that is frustrating you. Don’t worry, complete sentences aren’t necessary. Here ends the “Pity”
5. Now sit up straight and take a few deep breaths. Here begins the Party!
6. Begin playing some uplifting music. What are some of your favorites? Leave a comment of your favorite music so others can enjoy it too.
7. On a clean piece of paper, spend three minutes writing sentences that begin with, “I love…I’m thankful for…I’m blessed by…” One of your sentences can be, “I’m thankful for Terri and Ta-Dah Mom!”
8. Close your eyes for a moment – DO NOT fall asleep!
9. Take a moment to enjoy some hot chocolate, or a decadent piece of chocolate that you have saved for this moment. Chocolate should be enjoyed in moderation and in a special way. Don’t wolf down that chocolate! Lindor Chocolates are perfect for this party. Get a coupon here Lindt Lindor Truffles
10. Sit up and take a couple more deep breaths. Allow the aroma of the candle to envelope you.
11. Change into your favorite outfit.
12. Brush your hair.
13. Refresh your make-up.
14. Look in the mirror (c’mon, you can do it!) Smile at YOU.



Throw your arms up in the air and say, TA-DAH!

]]> http://terricamp.com/taking-care-of-you-itty-bitty-pity-party/feed/ 2 http://terricamp.com/new-year%e2%80%99s-enhancements/ http://terricamp.com/new-year%e2%80%99s-enhancements/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:04:44 +0000 Admin http://terricamp.com/?p=62 Most diets begin on a Monday. Most end on Thursday. Resolutions begin Jan 1, the list is often stumbled on months later, then tossed in the trash. The feeling of failure will often envelope the person when they discover “the list.” People quit smoking when the pack is empty, but the pack is never empty because there is another one to take it’s place.

The number one reason most resolutions fail is because we are focusing on the negatives that we want to change. I know some of you are saying (with a snotty attitude), “So, It’s good to become a better person.” I’m going to go on record right now to tell you –

• YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!
• YOU ARE AN AWESOME PERSON!
• YOU ARE ALREADY A BETTER PERSON!

The problem I have with all of these themes of change in our lives is that it forces us to focus on the negatives or weaknesses in our lives. In an effort to be a better person we try to get rid of the negatives. What that does is it makes us put so much focus into those negatives.

This year I would like to challenge you to not create resolutions, but rather New Year’s Enhancements!
The Bible tells us that we are created in His image, that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and that He knit us together. That is incredible!

My New Year’s Enhancements are going to be based on those three aspects of my created being.
If I believe that I am created in His image, then He has created me with the strengths he wants me to have. Make a list of your strengths – go ahead, take a long time. It really is okay to think about the strengths that you have. In our weakness, He is made strong. Let Him have your weakness, you enhance your strengths.

One of my strengths is that I maintain a positive attitude in spite of extreme difficulties. I am almost ashamed to admit this, but there have been times that I’ve attempted to stifle that positive attitude, because I thought it would come across to others in a negative way. How dumb is that?! This year, I’m not going to squelch my strengths! I’m going to enhance them.

After you make your strengths list, write at least one sentence for each strength of how you can enhance that strength. Using the example of “Being Positive” – When a positive thought enters my mind, I will either speak it out loud or type it.

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. I’ve often heard sermons on this that are horribly negative. The preacher will say things like, “The Holy Spirit doesn’t want to dwell in a body that is fat, or smoking, or whatever…” WHAT? Since when did the Holy Spirit require that we get cleaned up first?

My New Year Enhancement is that I am going to be cognizant that the Holy Spirit has chosen to dwell in me – in my present condition. He has not given me a list of things I must do in order for him to stick around. He likes me. He likes to hang out with me. I want to enhance His dwelling place.

God knitted me. I am one of his creation. How cool is that? I’ve often thought that I was a huge disappointment to God. But when I think about that He created me, without even saying, “oops” – that truth enhances my life!

I’m going to challenge you to try to throw away the idea that you have to become something you aren’t. Spend some time reflecting on what you really offer to the people around you. This year, rather than focussing on changing the negative, enhance those things that make you uniquely you!

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