Tiffany Harper

I'm Moving

Tiffany Harper — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:37:38 -0700

This will be my final post on this blog.

I have been here at this little home since August of 2006.

I have shared with you all my obsessions with food, scrapbooking, the birth of my babies and we have shared together the ups and downs of life.

I have shared with you all here on this blog my heart in regards to ministry, marriage, life and motherhood.

I even met some incredible people.

But it is time to move.

Please join me here at my new blog home: Tiffany Harper

I look forward to "seeing" you.

Blessings,

Tiff~

Leaders Listen

Tiffany Harper — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 08:39:14 -0700

In my devotions awhile back, I read Exodus 18. Moses and his Father In Law Jethro had finally been able to see each other after years away. Jethro had heard about all the Lord had done for Israel and went up to see Moses.

During his stay, he observed Moses judging all of the people from morning until evening.

Jethro, in his loving concern for Moses, pointed out wisely that the task Moses had taken on was too big for him. And he gave advice to him concerning how to do the work God had called him to and how to establish other leaders that were Godly and wise and utilize them to help Moses with governing the people.

In no way was Jethro trying to usurp Moses authority or to keep him from leading. But he wisely saw that the task was far too large for any one man (or woman!) to do alone. Moses listened to wisdom and acted upon it.

How often as leaders do we take on good, but rather large tasks all by ourselves? It is good to enlist help! Duplicate ourselves when it comes to leaders so that we are not doing it alone! We are not meant to do this alone. In Illuminate, Dan has leaders who interact with a lot of our members when it comes to prayer, life groups, questions, events. Dan is the Pastor, but he cannot do it alone! We have over 100 college students attending. Can you imagine Dan trying to take all of that by himself? I would never see my husband. And then that would make me a very crabby wife! *smile*

Dan tries to seek the wisdom of other pastors because they often can see things that he can't. And he utilizes the advice that he believes will best benefit Illuminate and the people attending.

Leaders listen.

Often times pride and ego can get in the way and we can miss out on spectacular opportunities to see God at work. So don't be that leader! Be the leader who is open to wisdom, who is a constant sponge willing to learn more and seek those who have walked before you. They more than likely have much to share with you.

Blessings,

Tiff~

Just Do It

Tiffany Harper — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:00:00 -0700

Around the 1980's Nike released a slogan that would for the next twenty years tag its commercials and accompany its apparel. We all recognize it as the challenge to get physical every day. No if's, and's or but's.

Just Do It.

The last few days I have been asked by a handful of my friends, especially moms, as to how I fit in my workouts. They see me logging them in through Team Beachbody's Wowy Supergym (for accountability) and they want to know how.

Just Do It.

It is easier said than done.

Believe me, I know this. I have two children under the age of 5 running around in my small, two bedroom apartment. Said 5 year old now goes to school 5 days a week. We have one car and we need to take said Kindergartner to school as well as drop off hubby at work. Pick up Kindergartner. Not to mention clean the house, do laundry, play with children, deal with homework, bible studies, ministry to college students who text or call throughout the day, pick up hubby from work and then try to get dinner on the table at a decent hour.

Not to mention that there are still baths to be taken and bedtime stories to be read...and somewhere in between grab a short rest (or heck, coffee!!!).

The truth of the matter is, I have to schedule in my workouts.

I Just Do It.

No excuses. No TV. No Movies. Nothing. Not until I get in at least 20 minutes of heart healthy exercise. I know that when I am done, I will feel much better about myself and about the time I have spent. I am taking care of myself because I know if I don't, I won't be able to properly care for my very busy family.

I schedule my workouts in. I have been doing it this way for about 6 months now. If you have a gym pass...USE It! If you can't afford a monthly membership try a local fit club, the YMCA or purchase a home workout Program like the one I am currently using. That way you can easily pop a DVD into your Player and workout in the privacy of your own home.

Write it down. Commit to it. Just Do It.

Let me know how it goes. We can all do this together.

Blessings,

Tiff~

Happy Labor Day

Tiffany Harper — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:39:45 -0700

I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful and fun day with family and friends. Today I am spending it with my sister and her husband. They wanted to see the kids really bad (and me too hehe).

Have a blessed day!

Tiff~

Thanks Grammie ;)

Tiffany Harper — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 07:41:17 -0700

Everytime they consume cereal for breakfast, they finish it off together by drinking their milk from the bowl just like this.

In unison.

Quite frankly, I there are some who would say this is a display of poor manners.

Me? I say this is hilarious and it shows how much these two are joined at the hip, even with their age differences.

So thanks Grammie for teaching them this ;).

Tiff~

Forks Over Knives

Tiffany Harper — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:59:47 -0700

Today I finally got to see the documentary Forks Over Knives. I had seen a trailer back on another blog and since then I have been anxiously awaiting its release to DVD.

I am absolutely, one hundred percent passionate about eating healthy, a fit lifestyle and taking care of the bodies God has given us. We only have one here on this earth. This video helped open my eyes to the staggering truth regarding how much processed meat and animal fats we as a country consume, as well as the stunning facts and benefits that eating a whole, holistic plant based diet can produce.

Imagine reducing Cancer and diabetes just by changing the way we look at food. Imagine if we lived differently from all the rest, ate mostly vegetables, worked out regularly.....

Imagine.

While I am certainly not a Vegan, I do support the idea of a rather Vegan lifestyle. I know in my own house, we will probably not go entirely without chicken or fish. (My husband loves meat...so leaner meats will be in our house).

But eliminating McDonalds and Taco Bell from the family menu....that is entirely my goal.

I have included the trailer for you:

My Buddy

Tiffany Harper — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:28:07 -0700

On Saturday Madi and Dan headed out to see their cousin ride in a rodeo. (Sorry folks, no pictures). Dan forgot to bring a camera.

But......

I have really cute photos of a certain two year old that I got to hang out with since we couldn't go for that TWO HOUR DRIVE up north.

So here you go. My little buddy. Warning: you are about to witness some serious cuteness. You might want to think of having some babies, or more, if you keep staring at them. Just saying.

I see you ;)

Have a great Tuesday sweet friends!

Tiff~

A New Adventure Awaits Her.

Tiffany Harper — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:49:56 -0700

It is the first day of school for the Harper's.

Madi begins Kindergarten

She is ready to spread her wings, make new friends and learn new things. To learn to read and write sentences and act grown up.

Okay and still be silly ;).

I could tell she was a little nervous, so before she went into her classroom we recited a simple motto to help ease her nerves:

"Be yourself, Be Kind and remember that God is always with you."

It seemed to help my sweet girl as she gave me a radiant smile and then she was off to her new adventure.

Have fun today Madi! We love you so much.

Mommy, Daddy and Sean

Gigi and The Royal Tea Party

Tiffany Harper — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:19:51 -0700

I am a huge fan of Gigi-God's Little Princess . Today I was watching with Madison and Sean the episode where Princess Gigi had a very important announcement for her best friend Frances.

Throughout the movie she kept coming up with extravagant and "royal" ways to tell her friend that she was God's little princess too. But nothing was working out quite as she hoped. Poor Gigi became so discouraged by the end that she was ready to give up....until she learned that Frances was still waiting for her, by a window, to see what Gigi was trying to share.

And that sweet little girl decided not to give up and gave her best friend a royal tea party, as well as the best news Frances had ever heard.

Friends, in this sweet little story God reminded me to never give up on telling those we love about God's greatest gift to us all. We may not always have the right words to say. The circumstances may seem rather dire or unpleasant. We may be afraid of rejection from our closest peers.

But things don't need to be perfect in presentation. We don't need extravagant signs or messages or advertising. We don't even need "fancy" tea parties. Or fancy gifts to lure them into our churches. We aren't selling Jesus.

We are sharing Him.

"They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service." 2 Corinthians 9:13 HCSB

Be bold friends!

Tiff~

Oh Happy Day

Tiffany Harper — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:42:27 -0700

I thought today, since it is lazy Monday, I would post a song that the Illuminate worship band sang last night.

It rocked the house and got everyone with their hands raised, leaping in the air worshiping our Father in heaven. Oh yeah!

It was an awesome sight to see =).

Enjoy friends!

Tiff~

Happy Day-by Jesus Culture