Write the Vision: Beginning 2019 With A Dream!

If you've read my blog for any amount of time, you know that I am passionate about vision boards! What I think I might be even more passionate about, though, is the process we take in order to create our boards: dreaming!

Dreaming has always been a part of God showing His people the good things to come in their lives, right? Jacob dreamed of an angel speaking to him when his uncle Laban deceived him. This dream led to Jacob being instructed to take only the speckled and streaked and grey-spotted flocks. The Lord spoke to Joseph, Jacob's favorite son, in dreams also, and to the baker and butler and the Pharaoh. God spoke to Daniel and to the king, and Joseph, Jesus' father, too! Dreaming is a way God shows us things we can't quite comprehend or understand how they will come to pass.

And so for the next 14 days, I want you to commit to spending quiet time with the Lord. Ask Him to show you what He has for you this year. No matter how crazy or impossible what you see or envision may be, I want you to write it down! Just start off with 5 minutes of sitting and listening to the Lord. Maybe He will keep you there a little longer or not for the full 5 minutes, but commit to spending that time with Him. Can you do that with me?

If you feel like it, I'd love for you to share what the Lord has been saying to you!

~Lyn

Come for the journey, stay for the friendship!

The Beginning of My Transformation!

I am so excited to be starting a new workout program! I know that in the past, I have avoided talking about fitness, but for the past year, this has been something I committed to doing, and I want to share it with all of you!

Today, I'm talking about transforming my outward appearance. The Scripture says in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that god ad acceptable and perfect will of God." Another version says to "Fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out."

How many of you have tried a workout program or a diet plan? You know it takes a LOT of what we call "will power," right? I mean, just decide that you're not going to eat pizza or sugar for a month, and all you will see on television are pizza and sugary food commercials, right?!

Well, the reason I'm writing about this on my blog is for you to help hold me accountable. You know how much better we do if we know we might let others down or someone else is watching! So this morning, I am beginning my 6 week workout program, striving to eat healthier, and renewing my mind in the Word of God! I'll post my progress here and on Facebook and Instagram, so be sure to follow me there!

If you're starting your health and fitness journey, I'd love for you to share that, too!

~Lyn
Come fo the journey, stay for the friendship!

When You Can't Say 'No'...

I am a volunteer with a national youth organization that has a unit in our town. I love working with the youth, young men and women who have great potential, big dreams, and wonderful ambitions. I've been with this organization for six years now. 

A few months ago, I decided it may be time to decrease my presence and bow out gracefully, as it were. I mean, I could visualize all the things I could do if I no longer had that commitment every week, and it was exciting! Time to write my books, read other books, work my fitness business, and so much more!

But then I felt the tug of a few pretty cool teenagers. "You can't leave! The (organization) won't be the same without you!" How do I say 'No' to that?! I mean, if I walk away, am I robbing these kids of the impact the Lord wanted me to have on their young lives??

I believe I WOULD! And so as difficult as the position is with time, emotional energy, and utilizing leadership skills, I find myself constantly coming back to the fact that I am called to work with the youth! 

I used to think that I was supposed to be working in our church youth group. But things just never really worked out for me to do that. And then, I joined the youth organization, and several months after joining, a parent asked, " Why do you do this?" Almost naturally, as if the Holy Spirit spoke through me, I uttered, "I've always been called to work with youth, and that is just what I am doing!"

I believe before we say yes or no to an opportunity, we need to really determine if it aligns with what the Lord has called each one of us to do. For example, I am really good at serving in our church cafe, and I do every now and then, but that isn't my real calling; it's just something I'm good at. And I enjoy singing, but I'm not called to be in the community choir or our church worship team. But I am called to work with you, and I do at our church and at the youth organization. 

What are you called to do versus what you're good at that isn't part of your calling? I'd love for you to share!

~Lyn

Come for the journey, stay for the friendship

Help in Time of Need

As a mom of 8 young children, I often felt as though I had to everything myself. Even one time when I had surgery, I didn't want to ask for help. Thankfully, my wonderful church family set up folks to help bring meals or run errands if I needed. And you know what? Making meals for our family was just what I needed then!

Another time I had surgery on my feet. I wasn't able to get around much, but with pain medication, I was also little company and preferred to sleep most of the time, my children then older and able to care for themselves. But one person just wanted to talk or occupy my time or anything other than leave me alone. This made my recovery a bit longer as I wasn't getting the rest I needed to allow my body to heal.

This all got me to thinking about my own ideas of what helping people actually looks like! As a blogger, am I giving my readers what they need or am I just doing the digital version of talking like my friend had done to me? Am I offering positive, uplifting, encouraging words to my sisters in the Lord? Am I really, TRULY helping or am I hindering a spiritual or emotional recovery?

Perhaps the emotional recovery is just mine. Writing is cathartic to me. It is calming and a bit relaxing, if you can imagine! But I think that just knowing that you aren't going through something alone or that someone else has gone through it and come out on the other side, it's refreshing and comforting. So that is why I write this blog.

I am not a Super Mom! I don't have magical powers and cannot overcome that pile of laundry OR remembering to put the clothes from the washer into the dryer! But I can relate to a lot of things women and moms go through because I've been there, too.

What does "helping" look like to you? I'd love to have you share your thoughts!


~Lyn
Come for the journey, stay for the friendship!

One Word for 2019

If you're new to Super Mom the Illusion, or even if you aren't and might just need reminding, I choose one word each year to help me focus on what the Lord has called me to do. Of course 2019 is no different, so today, I want to share my One Word with you!

Success doesn't come without action and a commitment to do something. I'm going to pursue a variety of things this year, some familiar and safe and others that are new and definitely will take me out of my comfort zone! But as Wayne Gretzky said, "You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take!" I don't want this to be a year of me saying, "I wish I would have done that when I had the opportunity..." I'm looking forward to a successful, blessed, and flourishing year!

What about you? Have you chosen the One Word that will help guide your focus for the new year? I'd love for you to share it with us!


~Lyn

Come for the journey, stay for the friendship!

Welcome to 2019!!

First of all, I'd like to thank you, my readers, for hanging in there while I work through some things. Sometimes, we just need to step back, re-evaluate and prioritize things we're doing in our lives, make time for refocusing on where the Lord is calling us, and rest in His peace knowing that all that He has planned is better than we can even imagine!

So, I'd like to tell you what you can expect this year from Super Mom the Illusion.

New, relevant articles on:

• homeschooling information, resources, and support
• reminders to write your vision and create vision boards 
• my weight loss journey and support for you on yours
• encouragement from the Word

As I step into a new role as homeschooling grandmother, I look forward to sharing with you the adventures I have with my oldest grandson, the good, the bad, AND the ugly because that's life. I've been on my own weight loss journey, too, and if you're starting or have been there for a while, I hope we can support and encourage each other! As always, I'll be helping guide you along as you create your first or even 15th vision board for the year. I can't wait to share this year with you all!! 

Come along for the journey, stay for the friendship!

Cheering you on daily!

Lyn~