Category: FemmeFuel by Sasha Katz

Love to the Mama

On By femmefuelIn FemmeBytes by Sasha Katz, Love2 Comments

By AbbyA

Love to the Mama

Her children’s names, God, Friends

Music to the Mama’s Ears

Je t’ aime maman, Good Food, Nice Mom

Mama’s Worst Moments

No time to take care of the way I look and knowing that I need to lose 20 pounds but can’t stop stuffing my face with food.

Not doing something the right way when you knew when you did it the wrong way that you were taking a short cut.

Screaming for no good reason.

Advice for the Mama

Be Filled by What Lifts You Up.

Listen When the Good Music Plays.

Forgive Yourself for Something.

Choose a Book about Someone You Admire and Read it.

Think About What You Have Been Given to Do and Do That.

Love Never Fails.

Mastering Your Bon Jovi Moment

On By femmefuelIn FemmeFeatures by Sasha Katz, LoveLeave a comment

By AbbyA

You can’t serve two masters. That is what pounced around my mind as I was trying to decide how to gloss over an important scheduling decision. I was trying to please two significant relationships by compromising my time with one and my truthfulness with the other. I really am not feeling transparent enough to tell you the scenario. You know by now that this is rare for me. In any case, remember Bon Jovi‘s Shot Through the Heart? That’s how the words, “You can’t serve two masters” pierced me. Not such a big deal in the end. I made the right decision.

A few days before, a new jogging acquaintance shared with me that she really couldn’t control herself when it came to food even in the face of diabetes. I literally ran into her a few days after my “You can’t serve two masters” experience. I had the idea to tell her that you can’t serve two masters – both God and food. Not sure in which direction she ran after that comment.

I work out with a group called CrossTrainers. We’re doing a study by Lysa Terkeurst called Made to Crave, Satisfying Your Deepest Desires with God, Not Food. Whether it’s food or something else that you’re craving – – really anything that you have an uncontrollable desire for, Lisa makes a lot of sense. She told this extraordinary story where, on the one hand, she was instructing her teenage son as to boundaries in a relationship he had gone too far with, and on the other hand, she was ready to congratulate herself on her hard day with her son by shoveling chocolate into her mouth. She says it was right then that Bon Jovi shot through her heart (my words not hers). How can we lead others, in their deepest need, to choose God, while we are feeding our own selves with food, instead of God?

Check out the study. If you don’t have the time, see how my Bon Jovi moment resonates with you. Have you made any recent decisions where you had to choose your Master? Did you choose right?

Take a Chance Somewhere Other Than Wal-Mart

On By femmefuelIn FemmeFeatures by Sasha Katz, LoveLeave a comment

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By AbbyA

So, it’s almost Valentine’s Day. I walked the Wal-Mart aisles passing Valentine themed pillow pets that my daughter would love. Cardboard hearts full of chocolate that my son would love.  Stuffed Valentine bears with the year “2011” embroidered on the paw . . . I would have bought that for a high school boyfriend. I glanced at the fancy Hallmark section – – Mahogany façade showcasing all sorts of embossed deep red Valentine cards. I had a miniature rush like the tide coming in – – Pick something up for the husband? I say miniature because this genre of thought usually lasts only long enough for me to decide that it’s not that good of an idea. Note that my sick son is in the cart patiently waiting for me to grab a hamper and take him home for lunch.

What in the heck ever happened to Valentine’s Day in my life, in my marriage? Do I even have the nerve to find a babysitter and go out on this famously romantic night? What in the heck will we do without the kids to laugh with and talk to all night? Seems kind of spooky to think about gazing into each other’s eyes. That gaze holds 18 years of life clips. My old roommate Ann calls it the “good, bad and the ugly.” It is hard to know what clip will surface in that gaze. Hence, maybe it’s better to stay home.

Early on in my marriage, we thought the whole event was a waste of time – – guys with a single rose, couples everywhere, restaurants jam packed, women with red shirts, red skirts, red shoes, red undies. We would have way more goin’ on at home with take out and candles than dining out with a preset price and menu. And then somehow life sets in and time gets you from behind.

Do your marriage a favor this year. However good, bad or ugly it’s been. Do whatever you haven’t done in years past. Join the Valentine conga line. Sort of like you did in your twenties when you went to all of those weddings. Get yourself a red something and a reservation. I am going to take a chance. What about you?

Choose Your Keeper

On By femmefuelIn FemmeBytes by Sasha Katz, Love2 Comments

By AbbyA

If you were a sheep and lived in a barn where someone had to feed you, protect you from wolves and love you, who would you choose? (Posed by Patsy Clairmont in her devotional Kaleidoscope and answered by my dear friends.)

Friend One: My mother (That comes from the one who lost her mom too early.)

Friend Two: Jesus (That comes from the one who has been disappointed by her husband.)

Friend Three: My husband (That comes from the one who is completely cared for by her husband.)

Friend Four: Caring farmer as well as a competent veterinarian (That comes from the one who has been through enough hell to think practical first.)

What about you? Post your Response. We’d love to hear it!

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

Woman of the Month…Tina Yeager! (PART 4 of the FemmeFuel Interview)

On By femmefuelIn FemmeInterviews by Sasha Katz, Transform YourselfLeave a comment

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I met Tina Yeager through her leadership position in a local foster care organization.  As I got to know her, I was impressed by her warm, professional manner and passion for serving the community.  As it turns out, like most of FemmeFuel writers and followers, she does the balancing act—Business Owner, Committed Mom, Christian Leader and Writer.  She is absolutely qualified to be our very interesting woman for January 2011.  I hope you enjoy her candid thoughts on femininity, relationships and being a single mom.  Feel free to post your comments and ask questions—she will be with us all week!  – AbbyA

In case you missed it…click here to read Part 1 of Tina’s interview: What fuels the Godly woman?

Click here to read Part 2 of Tina’s interview: What is femininity?

Click here to read Part 3 of Tina’s interview: Words of wisdom for the single woman.

AbbyA: As a single working mom, describe how you balance your priorities.

 

Tina Yeager: Priorities…How does one begin? The laundry, homework, housework, social activities, the gym, time with the Lord, serving and yes, I have to work 40-60 hours per week to cover my expenses.  It can be a challenge and I won’t say that it isn’t a great struggle some days.  There are days I cry out to the Lord and say, “Lord, You said You wouldn’t give me more than I can handle, but I think You have me highly confused with somebody else! I feel so weak!!!” He quickly then reminds me that I can do all things with His strength.

I have been married my entire life and being a single mom was not in my life plan.  The lesson I learned very quickly is that I had to make a real effort to keep the week’s activities as balanced and routine as possible for my children.  When I first divorced, I busied myself with a ton of ministry and social activities and dragged my children around for most of it…I started to see them act out and hungry for my undivided attention.  I have now set a rule in my house: Mommy gets one night a week for me.  During the school week, we don’t plan a great deal.  It is enough with homework, sports activities and maintaining the house.  Friday nights are family night.  My kids look forward to Friday nights and the fun we have.  We don’t always do big things—sometimes it is just a bike ride and renting a $1.00 movie rental from the local rental box—but whatever we do, it is our time and they love it.  Time goes by so fast and I don’t want them to only remember me working and cleaning.

The other thing that has given us great balance at home has been our nightly devotional.  We lay in the bed, do our devotional (many times after tickle time and pillow fights) and we learn about Christ and how we can apply it to our lives.  We are doing the Children’s Bible in a year.  It has devotionals after each section.  The children enjoy this time and have really grown spiritually from it.  It has blessed our home tremendously.

The most important ministry I have is my children. My greatest desire is to be an example of a strong Godly woman, who uses God’s strength to get me through each day, has the wisdom to follow Him and the desire to help others grow in Him.  What greater value can I give my children?

I also recognize that like each of you, I fail my children at times. I still lose my temper or get frustrated when they have pushed my buttons one too many times.  I find that if I am consistent with consequences, they behave so much better and those times are less and less frequent. I also know the value of  forgiveness: it frees us up to let go of resentment and anger.  I have learned to ask my children to forgive me when I fail.  We are focusing on growing in Love, Forgiveness, Gratitude and Kindness in our home. With Christ’s love and strength, I believe my children will have amazing Godly lives and will pass it down for generations.

Jeremiah 29:11-14: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b]

I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Tina Yeager has been an RN for 18 years and the CEO/owner of Ocean to Ocean Healthcare since 1995. She has been nominated for “Business Woman Of The Year” by the South Florida Business Journal. Tina is currently chair of the development council for 4Kids of South Florida, an organization committed to meeting the needs of foster care children. She is also active in a community outreach endeavor that benefits The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. This endeavor is called “Dunn’s Run”. Tina sits as the chairperson for this annual community event where proceeds go directly to The Boys and Girls Club, and is also a corporate board member and chair of the volunteer committee.

Woman of the Month…Tina Yeager! (PART 3 of the FemmeFuel Interview)

On By femmefuelIn FemmeInterviews by Sasha Katz, Transform YourselfLeave a comment

image

I met Tina Yeager through her leadership position in a local foster care organization.  As I got to know her, I was impressed by her warm, professional manner and passion for serving the community.  As it turns out, like most of FemmeFuel writers and followers, she does the balancing act—Business Owner, Committed Mom, Christian Leader and Writer.  She is absolutely qualified to be our very interesting woman for January 2011.  I hope you enjoy her candid thoughts on femininity, relationships and being a single mom.  Feel free to post your comments and ask questions—she will be with us all week!  – AbbyA

In case you missed it…click here to read Part 1 of Tina’s interview: What fuels the Godly woman?

Click here to read Part 2 of Tina’s interview: What is femininity?

AbbyA: What are your words of wisdom for the single woman who wants a relationship?

Tina Yeager: Wait on the Lord, serve, grow closer to Him and guard your heart. 

Isaiah 30:18: Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! 

So often, women act on feelings before they stop and wait on the Lord and listen.  A wise man told me once: get up before everyone else does, sit in the dark and just listen…Don’t pray; just listen for the Lord’s voice.  Once you hear it, you are free to pray and praise Him.  The Lord has been so good to speak to me during those times.  When we are serving and drawing close to Him, it makes it so much easier to be single.  Paul talks about taking advantage of being single because when we are married, things change drastically.  We all have the desire to be with “the one” and I believe God wants that for us, too.  However, we need to wait and let the men hear the Lord’s voice and pursue us—not the other way around.

We need spiritual leaders as husbands, and if we take on the role of spiritual leader from the beginning, it very likely may not change in the future.  I see, too, many women in our singles groups constantly pursuing the men because they simply don’t want to be alone.  We have to remember we are not alone and our worth is not based on whether a man is interested in us or not.  If you approach dating in that way, you realize that if a man isn’t interested in you, it is no reflection of your value—he is simply not the one the Lord has for you.  Let the Holy Spirit lead!

Tina Yeager has been an RN for 18 years and the CEO/owner of Ocean to Ocean Healthcare since 1995. She has been nominated for “Business Woman Of The Year” by the South Florida Business Journal. Tina is currently chair of the development council for 4Kids of South Florida, an organization committed to meeting the needs of foster care children. She is also active in a community outreach endeavor that benefits The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. This endeavor is called “Dunn’s Run”. Tina sits as the chairperson for this annual community event where proceeds go directly to The Boys and Girls Club, and is also a corporate board member and chair of the volunteer committee.

Woman of the Month…Tina Yeager! (PART 2 of the FemmeFuel Interview)

On By femmefuelIn FemmeInterviews by Sasha Katz, Transform YourselfLeave a comment

image

I met Tina Yeager through her leadership position in a local foster care organization.  As I got to know her, I was impressed by her warm, professional manner and passion for serving the community.  As it turns out, like most of FemmeFuel writers and followers, she does the balancing act—Business Owner, Committed Mom, Christian Leader and Writer.  She is absolutely qualified to be our very interesting woman for January 2011.  I hope you enjoy her candid thoughts on femininity, relationships and being a single mom.  Feel free to post your comments and ask questions—she will be with us all week!  – AbbyA

In case you missed it…click here to read Part 1 of Tina’s interview: What fuels the Godly woman?

AbbyA: Describe femininity.

 

Tina Yeager: Femininity is the ability to be strong, yet loving, kind, generous and gentle.  Many women lose their femininity when they take on the role of men in business and don’t realize that they can be both loving/kind/gentle and strong/intelligent at the same time. I must say, we do a great job of competing with the men in the market place, however, it is so much sweeterwhen it is a feminine woman that also exudes strength and wisdom.

It excites me to see women who are successful and continue to be the loving, Godly women who Christ created them to be.  Keeping our feminine side is what sets us apart from so many.  What a testimony and example you are when you recognize that you don’t have to lose the feminine side of you to be a great pillar of strength!

AbbyA: What do you plan to accomplish in the New Year?

Tina Yeager: My goal for 2011 is completing my book:  “Smart Women, Bad Choices.”  The book is all about women living redemptive lives despite the struggles we may have gone through.  It is a story of a woman that came from an abusive childhood, a rebellious youth and felt unlovable and unworthy.  She made so many choices that reflected those feelings within her.  So many years of heartache and pain were not in vain, as God had a plan and a purpose for her life. Christ redeems her life and fills it with true peace, joy and comfort.  He uses all the hurt and pain for her to help others and glorify Him.  The book teaches and encourages women to draw closer to Him and to let go.  We are all works in progress.

Tina Yeager has been an RN for 18 years and the CEO/owner of Ocean to Ocean Healthcare since 1995. She has been nominated for “Business Woman Of The Year” by the South Florida Business Journal. Tina is currently chair of the development council for 4Kids of South Florida, an organization committed to meeting the needs of foster care children. She is also active in a community outreach endeavor that benefits The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. This endeavor is called “Dunn’s Run”. Tina sits as the chairperson for this annual community event where proceeds go directly to The Boys and Girls Club, and is also a corporate board member and chair of the volunteer committee.