Five Things You Might Not Know About Me…

Recently, my new friend Allison began a journey through her blog of sharing her heart and inviting those who read to follow along on her journey as the wife of a Christian music artist and more importantly, her life of surrender to Jesus.  It’s been a fun way to get to know her!  Yesterday, Allison shared five things readers might not know about her and invited us to reciprocate with an email to her. I did just that without giving it a second thought.  I blurted out the top five things that came to my mind and it was invigorating!

This spontaneity got me to thinking…it might not be such a bad idea to begin to slowly but surely easing my way into transparency with those who read my blog.  After all, we’re becoming friends, right? 

And so, here are the five things I shared with Allison – five things you might not know about me.  

1. I gave my life to Jesus when I was five years old at Los Gatos Christian Church. My Papa baptized me at the evening service. I remember looking up at him and saying, “I sure do” when he asked if I’d taken the Lord to be my Savior.  The smile on his handsome face is forever etched in my mind’s eye.  What a treat!

2. I struggle with anxiety daily.   I hate it, but its real.  I fight the heart fluttering feeling when I wake up by asking my sweet husband to pray and cry out to Jesus with me.  (That’s a beautiful treat because for 7 years I simply cried out to Jesus by myself.)

3. I’m passionate about being a mom who follows after Gods will for my kids. I’ve prayed almost every single day that they would “follow Jesus all the days of their lives”.  Sometimes its with tears, my hands raised or simply in a whisper. No matter the way, I plead with the Lord to pursue their hearts and that they would pursue His will for their lives.

4. I grew up listening to Amy Grant’s, “My Fathers Eyes” cassette tape. Over and over, I’d rewind and sing like I thought I was Amy herself. “I MAY NOT BE EVERY MOTHER’S DREAM FOR HER LITTLE GIRL …..” Stop. Rewind. Play. Stop. Rewind. Play.

5. I dream of someday sharing my story to hurting (and happy) women. I don’t know why I can’t shake this dream, but I see myself standing before thousands of people and pleading with stubborn, aching hearts to fall on their knees and meet Jesus for themselves.  He saved me.  Plain and simple – my story is etched with heartache and pain and redemption like only Jesus can bring.

Now, will you do what I did and share five things that I may not know about you?  I’d love to share our stories!  You can comment below or keep it between us and email me cyndi.guidry@yahoo.com

sharing my life with you – socialcyndi

Third Times a Charm…

I’m a firm believer that every Mom needs to hear and know she’s loved as often as possible…

I’ve seen two kids express their adoration for their Mom through different social media outlets today.  I’m struck by these young adults expressions of love for their Mom – so much so, that I had tears streaming down my cheeks. (no shock to some that know me).  Just as those tears were drying, I received a “Heyyy mommy I love you” text from my girl.  What a priceless message to my heart!

You know what they say about third times a charm, right?

I thought I’d give you all a courtesy reminder to tell your Mama that you love her.  And, if not your Mama than someone that stepped in and filled the role of Mom in your life.  She’ll lock it in her heart and soul – I promise.  

Off to send my own Mama a message reminding her again that she’s been invaluable in my life.

having a mommy moment – socialcyndi

A shift in our Legacy…

There’s something about sitting down with your teenage kids and having them pour out their hearts.    

As a young Mom, I envisioned hearing the joy, sadness, fears, hopes and dreams of my kids – all of their emotions and ideas each unique to their drastically different personalities.  It’s now a reality in our family.  We talk high school, friendship, college, future spouses, career tracks.  We discuss the role that the Lord plays in each of our lives and where He’s brought us.  We openly discuss sex, drinking, drugs and building reputations founded on  the integrity and the character of Christ.

Recently, a Mom of teenagers said to me,  “I’m not going to tell my kids where I messed up, they’ll learn for themselves.  If they knew what I did, they would use it as a free pass to screw up.”  My heart  sank.

In the midst of our incredible family discussions, our kids have been asking Alex and I a lot of questions – TOUGH ONES – and seeking our perspectives on certain areas of life.  You know what we found?  Neither one of us liked answering some of the questions – but we NEEDED to.   The insight and answers I gave weren’t necessarily what I wanted to say.  I wanted to  have “good girl” responses - I didn’t have them to give.  I wanted to say I hadn’t tried this or done that – no chance, I did try this and do that.  I wanted to say that in the face of sexual temptation I turned and ran – that would be a lie.  Alex found himself telling his boys the consequences of his past and the vacancy it left in his heart.  He urged his daughter to find refuge in his  love and affection for her rather than searching for it from other guys.  Tough stuff – but good stuff.

Often, I’ll say to the kids: Rather than throw you into adulthood with no vantage point of the future; Dad and I are going to lift you up, share our life experiences (good or bad) and offer you a new perspective.  Imagine yourselves standing on our shoulders far above us – see the potential roadblocks and traps?  Gain insight from our mistakes.  Allow us to  help you navigate through the curves a little bit wiser and a lot more aware of what’s out there.

I’m certain it’s because of these discussions, that our  kids have recently revealed to us that they want to create a shift in our legacy.  Rather than be parents who have to painfully admit their sometimes shame-filled past transgressions to their kids, they desire to be parents who decided they will heed the warnings presented to them.  They want to do things differently than we’ve done them.  They get up early and spend a few minutes reading their Bibles/devotionals pursuing Jesus.  They each desire to remain sexually pure and spend their lives with that ONE special someone.  They strive for academic excellence and want to pave the way for a successful college experience. They want to finish college with limited distractions.  They’re establishing healthy eating habits early on, exercising regularly.  They all desire to refrain from substance abuse….can you see where we messed up?

I’m not naive enough to think that they won’t come across their own pitfalls and struggles, they certainly will.  (Truth is, I  still do!)  It’s how they handle those pitfalls that I’m most concerned about.  Will they recall an honest answer and heed our warnings?  Will they envision the real-life scenarios that I’ve presented where I fell short?  Will they call out to Jesus rather than shove Him aside?  Will they consider the future consequences? They might not.  But what if they did?  Wouldn’t we rather give them the tools to succeed than throw them into this world and hope they don’t fail? 

welcoming a shift in our lives – socialcyndi

What can Jesus do for me?

Reblogged from The Lipstick Gospel:

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My roommate Kacie and I both love to write. We often send each other half finished blogs that need some editing, some direction or just a word of encouragement. Kacie sent this to me last week and I begged her to let me post it. She captured something that I've been feeling for the last several weeks absolutely perfectly. I hope that you find encouragement and freedom in her wisdom.

Read more… 1,095 more words

Blessed me to my core!

Christmas Traditions through the eyes of a 10-year old

Tonight, Ethan shared a paper that he was assigned to write  in his 5th grade class, outlining some of our Christmas traditions.  After reading it, there was no question that there was an invitation I needed to extend.  He graciously accepted my invite to be my Guest Blogger.  (he thinks this is a seriously HUGE deal…poor guy, I think I have something like 5 followers?)

There’s quite a back story with E’s writing and academics overall.  He’s overcome mountains that we’ve walked over with him.  Knowing where he’s come from….this is a great indication to where he’s headed.  Thanks for taking a minute to read, it means more to me then you’ll ever know!

The Christmas Holiday by Ethan Guidry

TRADITIONS

My family and I have many traditions.  One that I love over all of the others is we go to the same Noble tree farm every year.  Tyler and I go in one direction with a radio.  Lauren and Jon go the opposite direction also with a radio.  Mom and Dad walk around and if they find a tree and I mean a really good tree, they’ll call on their phones.  After three or four hours, one of the groups finds a good-looking tree that stands over all the rest.  We all come over to that particular spot and look at it like we’re dealing with heart surgery.  Then if it passes all of our standards, we cut it down and say, “TIMBER!”

LIGHTS

Two days after we get our tree, we put lights up on our tree and our house.  Jonathon typically puts the house lights up with Tyler and me tweaking here and there.  This year, I got to climb up in a tree and spiral lights down the trunk.  I had to be really careful because it had poured last night and I mean a blizzard of rain.  I was so nervous.  Then I just realized that I was touching a tree that was freezing.  My foot slipped but I regained my balance and climbed down fearing that the branch under me would shatter.  I do not ever want to do that again.  Despite that, it was a really fun doing lights with my family.

GAMES

Around Christmas time, my family plays a lot of games.  We play board games, acting games and a lot of guessing games.  One that I just started this year was “I spy on the tree”.  We all go in the family room and sit.  There are two chairs and a sofa. We all gather around and each take a turn naming an ornament.  Whoever finds it, makes it their turn.  This game started when I was looking at the tree one day and Mom walked in the room and I said, “can you find an ice cream ornament?”  She looked for about a minute and pointed it out.  Then, it was her turn.  Now we play that game whenever we can.

These are some of the traditions that my family and I do every year.

sharing my son with you – socialcyndi

Write it Down

I’ve been reading over the pages of the yellow legal pads I’ve been filling for the past two years and you know what?

God answers prayer.   

Little tiny & super huge personal things that I’ve REALLY prayed for –  I mean, complete surrender.

Things like…

• A heart change.  A deep one.
• A love relationship with my “future” husband (at the time).
• A huge dose of grace for those I’m intolerant of and impatient with.
• A restoration in my belief of genuine friendship.
• Children who love and seek Jesus.
• Confidence for my Son who struggled with belief in himself.

I could write pages and pages of specifics surrounding each point above and the way things are progressing.  Here’s just a glimpse…

My heart is becoming like new.  Walls are being broken.  Trust is being restored.  It’s truly a delight to be aware that I’m vulnerable.   God heard me. 

The relationship I have with my husband Alex is nothing short of a miracle.  I sometimes feel so undeserving of such a man.  I deeply love him.  He’s genuine. He loves the Lord with all of his heart.  He leads our family. His heart is right.  He loves me – faults and all.  God heard me. 

I’m learning to think through situations with a new perspective rather than make things all about me.  I’m genuinely beginning to place myself in the shoes of those whom I’m impatient with and the perspective is enlightening.  God heard me.

I’ve had to confess and admit that I’m not a good friend.  I’m a wall-builder.  I’m a hider.  I back away when I’m in a spot that doesn’t set well with me.  I don’t compete – it’s just not me.  And so, I’ve had to surrender my fears in friendship and let God do some major overhaul.  I’m working through what friendship looks like – what it expects and what is required.  It’s been such a blessing to have a couple of women with amazing grace walk through this with me.  One at a time, I will make things right and good.  God heard me.  (honestly, this one is a painful confession for me to pen.  God’s asking me to let go, and so I am).

The kids consistently encourage me to lean into Jesus more and more.  Their shameless faith is absolutely inspiring and has BLOSSOMED over the past two years.  I see my Papa in sweet Tyler.  I see gentle leadership in Jon.  I see a love of justice in Lauren.  I see a heart that longs for EVERYONE to know Jesus in Ethan.  All of them unapologetically love the Lord.  God heard me. 

Tyler will readily admit that he’s lacked confidence throughout his life and that his self-image took quite a beating through a very dark time.  God has pulled that child right into His grip and has provided him a man in his life to encourage and sow seeds of greatness into his heart and mind.  This child who openly confessed his weaknesses and fears just 16 months ago to his family, now has a spirit of confidence I never imagined.  Thursday, he’ll speak publicly to his peers about the unconditional love of Jesus.  I’ve labored in prayer for my son and his heart.  God heard me.    

Every single one of those things I wrote on the pages of  those legal pads.  I prayed over them and gave them to God.  To look back over the words –  to SEE and KNOW the answers – has been an absolutely amazing gift this Christmas season.  Give yourself the greatest gift this year.  First, place your hope in Jesus – surrender your heart to Him. (if you want to know more about this, I’d love to chat with you….feel free to send me a personal email and I promise to reply – cyndi.guidry@yahoo.com)  Second, WRITE IT DOWN – every single hope, fear, praise, sadness, emotion, thought – and keep going.  Fill pads of paper, or Word documents, or note pads or whatever it is you use.  And then WATCH prayer being answered in your life.

writing with you – socialcyndi

To Whom Much is Given…

I can’t stop thinking….over and over….to whom MUCH is given, MUCH is required.  

Our family is continually being refined and readied….taking GIANT leaps of faith.  

It’s scary.  

It’s exciting.  

It’s real.  

It’s what we’ve been asking for as a family,  for the past two years.  It’s what I have been pleading for, for the past four years.  I kind of feel like Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10 when He cried out to God saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, that you would enlarge my territory and that your hand would be with me wherever I may go…”

He hears me and He knows me.  And while I’ll always be a work in progress, there are a few (ok, 10) things I need to really surrender…. Which is NOT always easy.

1. To allow Alex to lead when I think my plan is perfect…

2. To guide my kids with how I live…

3. To be humble and admit when I’m wrong…

4. To just step back and relax…(aka – take a deep breath when I want to flip my lid)

5. To work on my anger (this seemed a fitting follow-up to #4)

6. To be honest…always.

7. To do what’s right when no one is looking…

8. To trust God’s plan is perfect when it makes no sense…

9. To stop trying to control everything…

10. To quit fretting….living with fear…anxiousness…lack of planning…(see #9)

He does hear me – and I will work every day to live for Him.  I want to…

Because to whom much is given, much is required.  And I’m ready to do what’s required.

exposing my heart – socialcyndi

P.S.  Just an hour after writing this blog, I’m adding something I just read…I can’t help but think of how this readily applies to my list of surrendering….Oh to be this kind of wife.  Enjoy!

http://emersonandsarah.blogspot.com/2012/12/caught-in-act.html

Girl Talk…

When I was 15, I made some of the worst choices ever.  Deep in my heart, I WANTED to live for Jesus, but I allowed  pressures of the world to get in my way.  I was so easily distracted & influenced and it didn’t take me much to find myself in a situation I immediately wished I wasn’t in.  I’d sit back, fret for a moment, and then continue on doing what I knew in my heart wasn’t good for me.  I learned some painful, self-induced lessons.  All I wanted deep down was to live for Jesus, but living for Cyndi was much easier. 

Fast forward 10 years in my life…

She entered the world on February 12, 1998.  My beautiful Lauren Nichole.  She was SUCH a good baby.  The night she was born, she slept through and literally has slept through every single night since. (Unless of course she’s having a Heartland Marathon or up until the wee hours chatting with her friends.)  She sucked her thumb and soothed herself, she listened, she used the signs I’d taught her at 6-months old, she laughed, played quietly, let her big brothers smother her with hugs and kisses, she sang songs, played with her dollies, loved music boxes and snow globes, talked in full sentences at 14 months and was my little companion all throughout her younger years.  We did everything together.  She was my best girl, my dolly, my lovie bug and….she was strong.

Recently, it’s significantly impacted me how strong Lauren has become.  She’s almost 15 and is making 95% of her choices differently than I did at her age.  She is sold out for Jesus…..in our home and outside of our home.  She seeks Him, loves Him deeply, He is her refuge and she lives to serve Him.  She’s a faithful friend – I don’t know a girl like her.  She desperately works on not gossiping.  If she finds herself in a place where she’s slipped up, she confesses and asks for forgiveness.  She’s honest….sometimes to a fault.   She’s wise to attend to her studies so diligently.  Her goals are lofty – but she’ll accomplish them.  She’s committed to being her best on the soccer field which requires commitment off the field.  Planks, foot work, squats, burpies, juggling the ball, running, fitness, eating healthy most of the time. (she indulges occasionally on some red dye filled foods ) She graciously helps around our home and knows how much it means to me that’s it’s in order.  She loves her brothers – just last night, she was bunkered down in their room sharing her heart and listening to theirs.  She’s strong.

I share this not to boast about her.  Actually, I share her strengths to highlight my weaknesses and the value I find in learning from my daughter.  It’s in her strength I’m inspired to lean into Jesus, work harder, bunker down and chat with my kids, find a routine to physically become fit and strong, become a better friend, confess when I’m wrong, put my best foot forward in all I do.  Her strength is rubbing off.

Too often as a Mom, I find myself encouraging my kids to make good choices and follow my lead…sometimes, my lead stinks.  Sometimes I’m quick to anger, slow to listen and want to sit on my bum rather than go for a walk.  There she is standing strong and encouraging me to put down the sweets, love on my boys a little differently (thanks to her insider tips), offers me grace and reminds me that we can do all things through Christ – TOGETHER.

Lauren means “Victorious” and she lives that way every single day…

I’m so thankful that God chose you, Lauren Nichole, to be my daughter.  I’m richly blessed by your strength in character and in life.

becoming stronger every day – socialcyndi

A family that really has NEEDS…

Last night, Alex and I found out about a family in our baseball league that lost everything they have in a house fire.

 I cannot imagine losing everything I own.  

It’s something I’m convicted about because I tend to hold on tightly to “things” – too tight, to be honest.  But during this time of year, I think about things a little differently….cherished Christmas ornaments,  the advent calendar,  the books from Papa, the trinkets from Grammy, the memory boxes I have for Jon, Ty, Lauren and Ethan.   It’s unfathomable thinking of losing those memories while here on earth.

All of that said – there is a family who needs to see what community really is – like never before.  I read over their list and my heart dropped….Mom wants clothes & blankets.  Dad needs Lowe’s/Home Depot gift cards for tools in order to work and continue his craft & a coffee pot.  Kids wanting footie pajamas, Legos  a fuzzy blanket and older kids hoping for skinny jeans and shoes.  The basics.  We need to rally around this family.

Alex and I will be making a trip to the drop location and reaching out to this family.  We’ll be HAPPY to take whatever you have to give and bless them.  Feel free to contact us at alexandcyndig@live.com.

Here is a portion of what we read….

**Please help us “adopt” this family and provide them with a special Christmas. They have lost everything so anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated, but we would really like to ensure that they have gifts to open on Christmas morning. The parents had been setting aside money to buy Christmas gifts and that cash was lost in the fire. 

We will be at the Snack Shack at ISB on Saturday, December 8th from 2:30 to 3:30 to collect donations.

I’ve listed information on sizes and wishes for the family.

Mom
Shoe size 7
Pant size 14
Top size Large-XL
Blankets
Non-fiction books

Dad
Shoe size 7
Pant size 32/30
Top size Medium
Coffee pot
Home Depot/Lowes gift cards (dad is a self-employed contractor and will need to replace work tools)

8-year-old son
Shoe size 4 1/2
Clothing size 10-12
Spongebob Legos
Footed Pajamas
Fuzzy blanket

11-year-old son
Shoe size 6 1/2
Pants size 12 Husky
Top size Large

12-year-old son
Shoe size 8
Pants size Jr. 16 (skinny jeans)
Top size Jr. Med

For the older boys
Entire series of the Saw movies
All 3 Rush Hour movies 
(It’s not on the list but they would need a DVD player to watch them)
Soccer ball
Lacrosse stick

I know our community – it’s full of loving, caring people who want nothing more than to see this family return to “normal” as soon as they possibly can.  Let’s bless them EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY MORE THAN THEY CAN ASK OR IMAGINE.

rallying with you – socialcyndi

Ethan Thomas

Some days, there is nothing better than a moment with Ethan Thomas.  I promise.

Yesterday, I walked into our home and I was instantly overwhelmed.  Anxiety. Fretting over NEEDLESS things.  A little clutter, a pile of folded clothes on the sofa….a grumbling, hungry stomach BEGGING for me to fill it.  I huffed and puffed around the house asking questions that didn’t need to be asked and creating a potential whirlwind of panic within my kids.  Nice Mom, huh?

Instead of walking out of the room and disappearing far away from the thickness of my horrible behavior, there he was….all 4 feet 8 inches of him standing in my face.   He said, “one day, I won’t be old enough to sit on your lap so I think I should today.  What do you think Mom?”

I melted.

I apologized.  Outloud.  I confessed my stress, worry and needless nit-picking to that sweet little face and those EYES that smile all by themselves.  And he graciously accepted my apology and then responded…

“You talk to me about worry and relying on Jesus, Mom.  Just think about that and what you would say to me.”

Absolute simplicity.  Pure conviction.

As it usually happens….there’s a little life lesson in this for me.  You see, if the tables were turned, I would have walked out of that room SO FAST!  Not Ethan.  He walked right up to his tension filled Mom and confronted me with love, compassion and grace.  And offered me my own advice – to rely on Jesus.

Oh to be like my boy!  To have a little courage that reaches into those tense moments I’m confronted with from time to time, and be the person who loves, comforts and graciously leads to Jesus.

thankful for my boy, his eyes that smile and the lesson – socialcyndi