Living a Blessed Life

Yes, you read that right. I am thankful for 2020! I know it may be difficult to understand given the many reasons we have to be angry with 2020 and ready to throw it out the window, but hang with me here and you just may agree. We're called to "Be on Guard. Stand Firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love." 1Corinthians 16:13-14 First of all, I do not believe there is ever a year, month, week, day, or hour that defines us. The story of our entire lives and our relationship (or lack thereof) with God is the only thing that truly defines us. Each moment of each day builds upon the next to create us into the person we were designed to become. I have found that a positive attitude through adversity and trial not only helps us personally, it helps that people surrounding us to stay positive as well.  POSITIVITY IS CATCHY! There are peer reviewed scientific studies proving the Power of Positive Thinking. These studies discuss the many mental and ph...

It's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas at the Schwarz home! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, regardless of how different it was this year. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family in Iowa (I always love going to spend time with my parents), and then hosting Darek's family (minus Uncle Mark) on Saturday. We definitely missed having Uncle Mark with our crew for the long weekend, and are holding onto hope that we can be together during Christmas instead. I know there are many disruptions and changes to the way we typically do things this year, but I have decided to choose joy, hope, and peace instead of worry, discouragement, and anxiety.  I choose to enjoy every moment with my children at home, even when things feel stressful for a moment.  I choose to find the joy in being home and having a little more down time to read a Christmas story to my kids before bed each night, instead of being in a stressful rush to get them tucked in. I choose to find peace in...