“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”  ~Abraham Lincoln
“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”  ~Maya Angelou

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. ~ John F. Kennedy
“Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

God Bless Our Troops

God bless America
God bless our troops

God bless their sacrifices
God bless their selflessness

God bless their call of duty
God bless their love, sweat, blood, and tears.

God bless their families
God comfort them
And calm their fears.

God bless our troops
God bless our freedom
God bless our Country

God be with them.
God lead them.

I have a brother and a cousin in the Army. My grandfather was in the Army as well. He served in the Korean War. I am very grateful for the service of all our brave men and women in the United States  Armed Forces. Thank you for your devotion, courage, and sacrifice. 

helmschick –out 

Persevere – to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

On the wall at my gym the word Persevere is written.  Four years ago  when I first joined, I would see that word everyday, except Sunday .(Always took Sunday off) It was a constant reminder and encouragement to me. I was going through an extremely difficult time and I felt discouragement weigh heavy on me everyday. God used it as a reminder for me to press on in my day and trials. I lost fifteen pounds in four months. Just in time for my 30th birthday. However my stress plagued me and I developed TMJ and was in too much pain to keep exercising.

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. I am almost there! I have been working out everyday except Sundays, since May 1st. My husband had 31 sessions of paid training that he had not used. So, I‘ve taken advantage of them. I workout with a trainer twice a week. I am getting back into shape and toning up. My face still has its fits but it has not incapacitated me. I started out 3O mins a day. Last week I was able to do an hour a day, every day. (one day doing as long as an hour and a half.) I am so happy. It feels so good to be moving again! I can’t wait to see where I am in a couple of months.

In times of difficulty persevere. You will overcome your obstacles. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. Keep fighting for it. It’s funny to me how four years ago the word spoke to me as a motto for my life and it still is. It was obviously written to help us obtain our goals in the gym. To stay the course and not give up. No white flags! Do not surrender! You can do it! In  life we all need some perseverance and encouragement.

Perseverance

Perseverance
And keeping the faith.
Faith that can move mountains.
Faith that can, is,
And has moved my mountains of doubt.

Perseverance
And finding peace.
Peace that surpasses all understanding.
A calm and peace that transcends
Lifes whirlwinds and thunderstorms.
No residue of anxiety
No fear

Perseverance
And trusting, surrendering to God
Letting go, accepting
Believing and knowing
Obediently following
And holding on to His love.

 helmschick –out

They Call Me Momma

They wake
The moment sunlight
Begins to light the room
They are anxious
To begin each day
And they call me Momma

They holler for juice
For just about everything
They even play
Let’s make a deal
And they call me Momma

They call me Momma
I call them my children
Or monkeys
Or trouble
Above all
I call them precious
And they teach me a lot.

They illustrate truths
Help mold my character
They hug me
They remind me
Of things when I forget
And they call me Momma

They call me Momma
Many times throughout the day
And though it might
Make one crazy
It’s the best feeling to know
I am their Momma
God entrusted them to me
(How scary for them)

They call me Momma
And I am proud
To own the title!
 

– helmschick

This is a poem I wrote a few years ago in honor of being a Momma. A few things have changed. They don’t so much holler for juice anymore. Now it’s more like, “Can I play xbox?”, “Can I have a soda?”. Before long it will be “Can I go out with my friends?”, “Can I borrow the car?”. So not ready for that!

I am so blessed to be a mom. My kids are awesome.

Fear cannot live in my heart
Fear cannot live in my mind
If it does it will take the best of me
It will rob me of courage
It will hold me captive
It will strip me of my identity

So Fear will not live here in this house
Fear will not live here in my heart
Nor in my mind
I was made to be courageous
If God is for me who can be against me
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

I will accept those things I can not change
Others hearts
Others minds
Others choices
I have done my part
I am moving on in my life
I will not be afraid because God is with me.

I have no shame
I have no regret
And I will not fear failing
Because I will never be perfect
I will fall down
I will get back up again

I will continue to grow
My warrior princess heart
And follow Christ everyday of my life

Believing
Boldly Trusting
Brave

– helmschick

Today I am so happy
I must smile.
Today I am so blessed
and happy,
So many things in the past,
Have stood in my way.

Peace flows through my soul
I have been made whole.
My present and future
are no longer shadowed by the past

I am so grateful
There is so much love.
And joy follows me daily
I love that I get to experience it
And share it
Today I am so happy.

I love the sound
of my children laughing
and singing.
I love the sound
of paws pitter-patter across the floor
or wet kisses on my nose
Today I am so happy

I love the sun illuminating the sky
and the sound of birds chirping
I love that today I am so happy
I love that I have joy.
I love that I can see how blessed I am
And I love that the Lord has brought me here

Today I am so happy
I must smile.
So many things in the past,
have stood in my way.
Not today,
for today I am so happy.

– helmschick