Bullfrogs and Butterflies

My all-time favorite spring activity is watching caterpillars turn into butterflies.  I love the whole process, especially as a mom.  Hunting for the eggs with the girls, finding the tiny caterpillars, watching them destroy a milkweed.  Finally forming their chrysalis and then waiting for the beautiful butterfly to emerge.

Growing up in a Southern Baptist home, I have vivid memories of playing the vinyl record "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" on the record player in our living room.  I know there were hand motions and dance moves involved but what mainly sticks out to me is "Bullfrogs and Butterflies have both been born again!"  The lesson to a child was that just like the tadpole turns into a frog and the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, we as Christians are born again when we accept Christ.  I never quite understood the magnitude of what that meant, but the terminology was used so frequently that I knew it meant "being saved" and becoming a follower of Christ.

Now that I am an adult, it all has become very clear to me.  Especially after this Spring, watching the process of a butterfly form up close.  As a fun project for Shelby's kindergarten class I purchased a milkweed plant that had caterpillars already munching on it.  We took it to school and the class watched as the process took place.  They even did some research to learn exactly what was happening every step of the way.  The most exciting part for my girls was when we actually watched the caterpillar form into it's chrysalis.  While it is fascinating to watch scientifically, it really hit me on a spiritual level this year.  When a caterpillar forms it's chrysalis it must first purge it's old skin, once it does this if it doesn't fall away it will kill the caterpillar when the metamorphosis occurs.  Once that has happened and the caterpillar is inside it's chrysalis, the change happens.  During the next 10-14 days, the caterpillar basically digests itself to form the wings and new body of the beautiful butterfly.  I know you may all be thinking, what the heck, when did she decide to be all scientific?  Well, I share all of this to say, this is what happens when we decide to follow Jesus.  If we don't let go of all the junk, it's going to hinder our growth.  We won't be able to fully receive the grace that God has promised us.  Now, just so you know, I'm not a theologian and this is definitely my own take on all of this.  But what a beautiful lesson to teach our children.

To become a Christian, you must first die to yourself.  Forget the previous life you once knew, and let God change you into the beautiful person you are created to be.  Just like the Bullfrogs and Butterflies!

Here we go again....

Isn't this how it always goes, or according to Timehop it does for me.  Every year, I try to blog, and then forget, get busy, or just don't have anything to write about.  I think about the things I want to write about, truly I do.  But then, I never take the time to sit down and actually put the words down.  So here we are multiple failed blogs later.

Let's make 2016 different, let's make it a point to blog.  Blog about LIFE!  Working out, eating, living.  All of it!!

First of all y'all, I had the most surreal experience this past Saturday.  My husband and I were asked to speak in front of 2500 people at a regional Advocare event.  When we initially got the email, I was blown away!!  I made it a goal when I joined Advocare to one day be on that stage, but I never dreamed it would be this soon.  I kept it cool and calm for the 2 MONTHS we had to prepare.  We practiced what we were going to say over and over and over.  I made him do it twice on the 30 minute drive to rehearsal.  But let me tell you, Saturday, at 10:15am, when we hit that stage, I have no idea what I said.  I spoke from my heart about what Advocare has meant for me and our family.  Hearing my husband share his INCREDIBLE weightloss story was something that made me extremely proud to be his wife.  The energy from the audience fired me up to go out and tell that stories to the masses.  I know there are more exhausted stay at home moms out there, looking for a solution for energy!  None of us wants to be the mom that is too tired to play after school.  And none of us wants to be the mom that hides behind the camera.

So 2016, I will blog.  I will inspire.  I will change the world!