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Transition is tough. I’ve had lots of transition seasons in my life so it isn’t new to me at all, but there is something about transition, that when it  comes, it leaves me feeling edgy, nervous, irritated and frustrated. Sometimes, I even feel a little scared. There. I said it, it’s all out in the open now.

Anytime life takes a turn, or the direction completely changes, it is uncomfortable to this flesh of mine. I am the kind of person who will keep the same cell phone for 8 years because I am comfortable with it. I’ll hold onto the same computer, even when it becomes a “technological dinosaur”, just because I am ‘used to’ the programs and don’t want to change. My hair style is the same that it was in high school, my clothing style hasn’t changed much either- in fact, once I find something that works for me, I can stay with it for pretty much my whole life. I resist change most of the time, and it’s not always a bad thing.  That’s probably why sticking with Jesus hasn’t been too difficult for me either. I mean, times may get hard, but Jesus, and His Word works- why would I try anything else, right?

Sometimes though, change – which brings transition- is needed: Like the cell phone issue- I finally, ages after all my friends had taken the plunge years earlier, invested in what is called a Smart Phone. People, my eyes were opened! Life took on a whole new meaning with this incredible little device in the palm of my hand… but the transition wasn’t all excitement- stress began to settle in with trying to figure out the darn thing! For a good couple of months I was operating on a learning curve that everyone else in the world did not have! It was like being in a foreign country and I didn’t not know the language! The same thing is happening with my website here, I am seriously mystified by all the website talk on how to run this site the way I envision it. Thank the Lord for a good friend who takes the time to explain it all to me when I have questions!

Right now though, those kinds of changes and transitions are easy in comparison to the ones that are staring me in the face now. My oldest child is getting ready to to start life as an adult, the process has already begun and I can feel the resistance rising up in me. I have begun courses for my Herbal Certification after years of wanting to, and while excited, this brings a new season into view- transition. There may be a move in the near future for our family- transition. Ministry is growing- transition. Daily life has new focus with the education of my other children in full swing now, and even all of these do not speak of the changes God is bringing about in my character, mind and heart… transition.

Years ago, I was like a boat without an anchor when change would occur and the tides of transition would carry me to and fro- it wasn’t fun and it wasn’t easy. I gave into chaos a lot and panicked at every rocking of the boat. Now I won’t say that I handle things perfectly now, but I will say that there is much more assurance that the One Who is Captain of the boat knows exactly how to steer it and I trust Him. I’ve learned a few things about the process of transition and how to get through it as painlessly as possible… and maybe with even a little joy in my heart:

1. Put your LIFE SAVER Jacket on: I grew up near the Great Lakes in Michigan and one thing all of us kids were taught early on was Boating Safety. You didn’t dare go out in a boat without your life jacket. It was just plain common sense. Jesus, the Word of God, is my Life Jacket. Without His daily instruction, I am bound to drown when that wave comes crashing or I fall out of the boat, but His Word keeps me safe and brings me back to safety every time. During times of change and transition, I fix my gaze on Him and follow His leading for a safe trip through the uncertain waters.
2. Focus on the destination & fruit ahead: Looking at how hard it is, how much you don’t like this process, how you wish you could just hide from it all etc… will defeat you in the first leg of the race. Trust me I know. If however, you can focus on the finish line, the fruit and outcome of the new change, you are more likely to pass with flying colors than with a white flag. I know it’s hard, but ask the Lord to help you see the fruit and to encourage you along the way.
3. Bring some Crew Mates aboard, Include your spouse and a close friend for support: We all need it, yet we don’t ask for it: SUPPORT. I have a friend who may join the same Herbal Course that I have and I know she will be the one I am calling when I need to figure something out or examine something. She’s also the one that reasons scripture out with me and is a trusted intercessor for our prayer needs as a family. (I have quite a few friends plus my spouse for that) My husband is almost always one of the first people I go to for support and counsel. Aside from them, my pastor and key leaders in my church are also valuable trusted counselors and a support team. You can ask others to pray for you, to talk things out with you- though they should never replace your time with the Lord.
4. Lastly- Cultivate an attitude of thankfulness and rejoicing: When I am in transition, usually at some point I realize the need to be thankful and rejoice over the work being done in my life- most of the time, I realize it at my lowest possible point out of conviction! Regardless, when I finally do come to my senses and muster up some gratefulness and rejoicing, my entire outlook changes and the future seems bright again. And there is something very valuable that comes when joy is given it’s place- strength. I have hit rock bottom in the middle of transition before, felt defeated, like quitting, and utterly weak. But then I would raise my hands and praise God and thank Him and all of the sudden my strength would be renewed. Thankfulness and Joy go a long way during times of change.

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Quite a lot has been happening around here lately so posts may not be as regular as I normally like them. After our trip to Salt lake City, I taught an herbal class and have signed up for my first set of course to become a community herbalist. I am also in the process of overhauling our homeschool routine and preparing for a homeschool high school graduation this spring. Whew! There is much more on my plate than I would care to talk about so I am just going to take it day by day right now and trust in the Lord with all my heart!

I know it is the middle of the week, but I wanted to share how much fun I’ve had in homeschool this week with my boys. So here is a post all about it for you homeschooling mamas out there: (Just click on the photo, I am learning how to put a link on the actual image now, lol)

Little Hands Craft and Activity Time

I’ll see you soon, Fruitful Viners!

Nicci

Regular posts will resume shortly here at Fruitful Vine Women’s Outreach, it’s good to be back!

I apologize for any inconvenience, starting tomorrow Fruitful Vine Women’s Outreach Website will not be accessible for the next week, I will send out a post to let you all know when we are back up and running. Blessings, Nicci

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I had the honor of teaching an herbal class this week for some local ladies here in my town and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect for me because I am working my way through the book Nourishing Traditions and getting ready to purchase my first module toward my herbal certification. To me, nutrition and herbs go hand in hand. One of the reasons why I have so much respect for the herbal and nutritional therapy community is because they do not seek to re-invent the wheel concerning health. God made our bodies and He provided good food for them in the form of seeds, plants, animals and water. If we take nutrition seriously, then these bodies of ours are built to know what to do in response to what we put in them. But our bodies also get confused when we put foreign matter into them that was never intended and this is why we end up with so many unnecessary health problems.

I am totally preaching to the choir here. I have absolutely abused my body in times past through neglect, bad nutrition and harsh treatment. Women tend to be prone to this because we’re too busy most of the time, but lately I have been more and more convinced that the Lord is not pleased with how we treat the bodies He has given us. We slowly poison ourselves with sugar, caffeine and processed foods while trying to maintain a stressed and hectic lifestyle without rest, and yet we somehow expect God’s blessing to be on all that we do. This is simply unacceptable and I have decided for myself that this is the year for change. I want God to be pleased with me in all areas of my life, and I want this body of mine to last so that I will be able to do His work without hindrance.

As a helpmeet and a mom, not only do I owe this to the Lord and myself, but the benefit of a healthy body also extends to our families as well. There have been many a night and day when a little one has come to me wanting to play and I was too tired or stressed to oblige. We are back to the basics of priorities again ladies- which is more important- my stressful life and to-do list or the love of my child?

This year, I’ll be sharing with you things I know and am in the process of learning concerning women’s health and naturally caring for our families. I will also be sharing my own progress as I seek to implement real and lasting change for the care of my own temple. (Deep Breath) I believe that caring for our bodies is directly related to our relationship with the Father so I will also be meditating on and memorizing scripture for my journey.

My first scripture to start with? “I CAN do all things through Christ Who Strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

Also a fun quote- Learn it, live it, love it!- favorite quote from the movie The Game Plan.

Soon I’ll be making a section here on the site devoted to this and I pray that you will join me, let’s get healthy for Jesus!

Onto this week’s posts:

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February’s Sweep & Keep Challenge: Master Bathroom: Week One

Make Herbal Vitamin Powder for Smoothies

Make Green Smoothies for Your Health!

We’ve changed our buttons on the site a little- rss feed is no longer available… BUT you can now hook up with me on Pinterest and you can still subscribe via email, so keep spreading the word that Fruitful Vine is great place for God’s ladies! You can also like our articles on Facebook and send out a tweet if you like. I treasure your support and input, so don’t forget to contact me if you ever have a question or suggestion!

Have a blessed week and I’ll see you soon!

–Nicci