Category: Life

Posted in Life, Updates

Coronacation: The Future of TNR

Posted on by MrsFrantz

 

person in yellow dress shirt drinking from white ceramic mug
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

So for the last three days Chris and I – along with most of the nation/world – has been under a quarantine because of the corona virus, and I am also on a mandatory “spring break”. I have been doing good actually – except for an hour on Wednesday when I thought i was going to lose it because I had been staring at a screen for the past two days -, and I’ve been very productive! I cleaned my floors, did laundry, and have kept up with the dishes. Not to mention I have done a lot of streaming – in case you missed that -, and a few Facebook or Instagram live videos. This “break” has actually began to feel like a little vacation for me, a coronacation you might say? I realized this morning I hadn’t reached out to my blogging community and so that is why I am here. I know we all are trying to adjust to being home-bound – for the most part -, while for some not knowing how long this will last. I just found out today the state of Kansas said schools are going to be out for the rest of the year – not semester, year! Wow! A part of me doesn’t think I could handle being at home and limiting my outings for a whole year, but then another part says, “You are stronger than this, you can make it work!” I guess what I am trying to say is I feel you. For someone who has a history of anxiety, it is especially hard, but I am finding ways to cope. One of those being, I am writing to all of you and I am streaming. Not only is it making the process easier to deal with, I actually get to talk to other humans – regardless if it is over a screen or not!

So what does this quarantine mean for TNR? Well, honestly, as long as I can come on here during the week and for an hour on Saturday’s or Sunday’s, I will be hanging out with each of you and making content that brings you joy and peace. As Chris and I said before, TNR is designed to foster community and love – especially in the times we are living now! So will you help me? Will you reach out to those you know and tell them about our Twitch channel and the other social platforms we have so we can build this community? This has been my baby for a while now, and I’m glad my husband could step up and help, but my vision is to see TNR reach the world and brighten the lives of every person we meet. So if you’re with me, and you want to help me create amazing content that will grow our little space, then comment below with some suggestions you think would help. And remember, Chris and I love tabletop games, RPG and MMO games, fantasy/crime/fiction books, and scifi/ inspirational family friendly movies and shows. If you can think of anything within that demographic that would help bring in more people share your thoughts below or send us a message in the contact section. Thanks again for joining us on this journey and have a safe and beautiful day!

Happy Trails,

Angie

P.S. Not trying to make light of the situation with the term, “coronacation”, but if we can’t find something amusing about this situation, we might just crack!

Posted in Life

Be on the lookout

Posted on by MrsFrantz

March Reboot 1

Hey everyone, so this week’s post is going to be a bit short, but I’m itching to share something amazing that my hubs and I have going on behind the scenes. However, I can’t quite share the details with you just yet, but I can say to be on the lookout for some exciting events and such we will have planned starting in Mid March, early April. O_O I know, very elusive, right? I don’t know if you’re like me at all, but I hate surprises….this is one, however, that I promise you will like – well, I hope you’ll like -, and what I can say is, you should expect me to be writing more on here one to two times per week, and uploading stuff on our other social platforms like YouTube and Instagram. That is all I can say for now, but I hope you will pray that God will direct our steps and help us as we step into this new leg of our journey. I look forward to sharing more with y’all! As always, please make sure to subscribe to the blog, head on over to our other social platforms on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube and follow us there, and then finally make sure to share with your friends so we can grow our little community and share this fun adventure with the world! ^_^

Happy Trails,

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~Angie~

Posted in Life

Stepping into your calling

Posted on by MrsFrantz

Banner Year

Hello everyone, today I wanted to share with you a few things I been thinking about lately regarding my calling/purpose. See, unlike some people, when I was little – and up until this past year – I always seen kids who knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. Some said firemen, others work for the police, and even a few doctors and nurses; however, I never really knew what I wanted as a kid. Fast forward to about 7 years ago and I began thinking about being a teacher. I wasn’t dead set on it, but the thought seemed like something I could see myself doing, you know? Then a year or two ago I began volunteering with a after school bible program for kids, and I really enjoyed it – especially when I got to teach. This of ‘course made me think I would just do this for fun and as a hobby, not something that I could make a career out of, and since I have been having trouble with the finances for school I never thought I would become a teacher. Well, after around February of this year, I knew I wanted to get a job and do something that would allow me to still work with the program – KCBS -, and make some extra cash so I could help pay down our debt, and that is when it happened. I found out through a friend about a school that was hiring teacher’s aides, and even though I thought I knew what they did, I was not prepared for the amazing things God was about to show and teach me.

Not only did I get the job, as some of you may know, but I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being an aide. See, for those who were like me and don’t know exactly what an aide does, I got to help the teachers(I worked with both the pre-k teachers) with the various centers that help with verbal, communication, and skills they would need when beginning kindergarten and going on to further their education. I also of ‘course helped to maintain cleanliness in the class by keeping the floors swept and the tables cleaned after each activity and snack time, and help with lunch duties. I remember one day I literally got paid to set up an Easter egg hunt! It was probably a few weeks after Easter, and when I got to help with facilitating that egg hunt, that I realized this is what I wanted to do with my life. I really did want to be a teacher, and the avenue or pathway to getting my degree was going to be as an aide. See as an aide, you don’t have to have a degree, just need your diploma and some experience in working with children. This means I can work as an aide, and eventually finish my degree as the school pays for my training!! Of ‘course, currently I am not able to do this because of the school I am presently at, however, I am hopeful that as my husband is seeking another job elsewhere, that I will be able to find another job that is full – time and will pay for my training. I am starting to experience the joy most people talk about when they have finally found their niche or calling and are working for a place that they enjoy going to everyday!

Now, I know not everyone has had that aha! moment so to speak, but I hope that if you are not happy with where you are, this brings you hope to ask yourself and seek out that thing that reasonably makes you happy…and by reasonable, I mean use some common sense when thinking about it. I am not saying quit your job and go travel around the world abandoning those you love for some pipe dream, I mean really seeking your purpose and taking small steps to make it happen. Anyways, I hope this has helped you and brings you hope for your situation you are in. I know I have been greatly encouraged by my current job and the way my boss supports me in wanting to further my education, even if it means just saying a prayer for me to find a job elsewhere that will help me achieve my calling. If this helped you will you leave a comment below, subscribe, and share with your friends? My desire, besides being a teacher, is to write articles that help people and inspire them to be the best version of themselves, and in order to do that I need you to share this with those whom you think will benefit from my posts. Thanks in advance.

Till next time,

~Angie~

Posted in Life

Staying Charged Up

Posted on by MrsFrantz
battery charging device display
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

 

In a world where everyone is addicted to being busy, how do we stay connected with friends, family, and more importantly, God? In today’s post, I will share how being productive far outweighs being busy, and is definitely more fulfilling!

Since January, I have come to realize that God doesn’t desire me to be busy…and lately, that has been the case. I have realized I’m allowing life to get in the way of my relationship with God, my husband, and people I consider my close friends! I know I am not the only one though, because those who I thought were my friends have allowed life to get busy and every time I want to schedule us to hang out, well, the only response I get from them is, “sorry I am just so busy, but I can text,” and sometimes I don’t even get much of that. I am not condemning those who have texted me that, but it is giving me mixed messages as to whether you really want to be friends or just keeping up appearances.

Anyways, as I was saying, I am really busy this semester with working as a teacher’s aid, doing music and teaching for the Christian program I volunteer for, and helping with other various things throughout the week. I am enjoying the fact that I am keeping busy, but also feel a little isolated when it comes to my friends and keeping in contact with them. I find it funny the program I volunteer with is talking about using our senses to experience God in our lives. This has been helpful for me because the first one is about being still and looking for God in my everyday life.

How this relates to staying connected:

Through all the things I’m doing every day of the week, I am not just being productive, I am still feeling full and refreshed instead of feeling depleted and tired. I am learning to stay connected to God through prayer and reading the Bible, and this is giving me the energy to endure the week and not get tired out or experience fatigue. I am also learning to be content with where I am in life right now. There are things I would like to do, and people I would like to spend time with, but I am learning to just take each day one minute at a time and stay in the moment in a sense. I also am setting little goals for myself throughout the month, and I am taking time to rest – go to bed early(since I get up early), spending some “me time” where I am either reading a book; watching a show; or just enjoying nature by myself, and take time to take care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. After all, the Bible says in order to love others I need to love myself, and I am learning how to do that.

In conclusion,

I am learning to spend time with God in the morning before going to work, I am taking proper care of myself and speaking words of affirmation over myself, and I am learning to be content with myself and what is going on in my life right now. By doing this, I’m staying productive, listening for God with my senses and for His voice, and finding ways to serve others. I know if this has helped me, it will help others. I hope this has been a light for you, if in fact you are feeling depleted and find yourself comparing with others. Let me know your thoughts below and some things you are doing to stay productive and fight off the busyness of life.

Until next time,

Angie

 

Posted in Life, Reflection

Stuck in a rut

Posted on by MrsFrantz

 

red car on muddy road near trees
Photo by ahmad syahrir on Pexels.com

 

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut? Much like the picture above, there have been so many moments in my life where I find I am stuck, just waiting on something or someone so I can pursue my dreams. I don’t know about you, but for me, I have had to fight tooth and nail for things in my life. Whether it is peace, joy, acceptance, a job, proper education, to get bills paid(debt gone), it has been a true fight. I have hope one day I will be able to achieve my dreams, but let’s be honest here, it can be tiring…and really wears me down. I try to help those around me through words of kindness and love, use this blog and my other social media outlets to reach those whom could benefit from things I have been through and such, and try to make friends with people that I can hang out with other than on Sunday mornings….all from what I can tell is to no avail. Am I speaking to anyone other than me? Well, if not then maybe I can write to my 50-something year old self and remind her to keep holding on, and one day it will get better. I mean, I have things to be thankful for, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I wish I could be doing what I was called to do. When will my time come? I can believe till my believer is broken, but when will I get to see some fruit from my hard work? Until I see that day, I take every day one minute at a time, shut up in my house studying and focusing on verses to help me stay positive, I encourage others on Sunday and through social media, and I just make it through the year having not lost my sanity. This may not be a very positive post, but it is the real me –  and at least I can say I have done that…been true and honest to myself.

 

Posted in Change, Life

Seasons of Life P.1 – Spring Time

Posted on by MrsFrantz

 

barefoot basket blooming blossoming
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

I don’t know if the weather has been unusually warm where you are from, but here in the metro St. Louis area it has been down right HOT!!! So hot in fact, I am starting to wonder about all these theories about global warming. Thankfully though, the past two days have been amazing, and as I began thinking about what I was going to write today, I decided to head to this new local coffee shop not far from where I live. I think yesterday’s temps only reached 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the heat index was pretty low as well. Anyways, I found this cute coffee shop, and the thought, “seasons” came to my mind. Suddenly, I felt the urge to begin writing again, and I started jotting down my thoughts on paper. As I sat there staring out the window and thinking about how beautiful it was outside, it reminded me of the various seasons in life. The way I see it, each person goes through seasons; or times; where it seems either good, bad, or a little bit of something in the middle. I have come to believe it is in these seasons where our character is developed, and we become a stronger person. I have been taught that through this, it is what helps develop our unique story and a way to help others around us. Over the next few weeks I would like to share a few things from each of the seasons, much like we see in our weather pattern, I have encountered over the years. Today I will be sharing about Spring, and in the moments when we truly feel #blessed.

Spring Time, Life at its best

Most people, me included, would usually take it easy when life seems to be going our way, as if we don’t have a care in the world. I am not saying we shouldn’t enjoy these moments, I have become a firm believer in journaling during these times, and I think – actually I know – I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for my faith and what the Bible says regarding my identity. For many people I have talked to, who claim to be a Christian or are not following Jesus, they base their identity on pop culture and what is common among others. I have noticed when times are good, they are really good; and when the bad times come, it feels like the ground is falling out from beneath them. Something I have learned over the years is if I don’t find my identity in what God has said about me, then I will not survive when life tries to sucker punch me in the gut. This is why I have become a firm believer of journaling when times are good, because in the seasons when nothing is going right, I can look back and remember there was good in my life, and I can have hope that the hard times won’t last forever. One truth I love to focus on is found in Jeremiah:

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. – Jeremiah 17:8 New Intl. Version

Could you imagine living life like this where it always feels like spring regardless of what is happing all around you, and no matter what others do it doesn’t affect how you feel on the inside? This is exactly what God wants for all those who trust Him with their hearts and lives.

Next time we will discuss what to do in the summer season, when it feels like the heat is turned all the way up, and you are doing your best to just come out with most of your limbs intact.

If you don‘t have a personal relationship with God or you have heard horrible things about a God who only seeks to hit you with a switch when you do something that he doesn’t approve of, then will you reconsider the real God of the Bible? Will you ask God to reveal himself to you today and help you to learn to embrace the good times, and reflect on them when life gets challenging? All you have to do is be honest and talk to him like you would a good friend.

 

Until next time,

Angie Frantz

 

Posted in Life

The Gospel in Today’s World

Posted on by MrsFrantz

 

Chris-Blue-Voice-Semifinals
“Take Me To The King” by Tamala Manns performed by Semi-Finalist Chris Blue

I don’t know about you, but I have noticed how Christianity has become popular in our mainstream media and with celebrity’s recently. If you have been a follower of Jesus for a while, and know anything about Biblical prophesy, then you will understand how this isn’t a surprise to me. However, as a kid who grew up in church – and was fascinated by reading Revelations and anything I could get my hands on regarding Biblical prophesy -, I always wondered if I would see signs of Jesus calling believers home, and the countdown to us returning to earth for eternity. What most people would know as the end times…even though they are more of a beginning in my opinion. Anyways, in seeing false teaching and celebs saying they believe in God so they might get a vote, like, or revenue from the movies they are trying to get followers of Jesus to watch; I have also been seeing a rise in true believers rising up, those who have recently come to faith, or those whom have decided to start standing up for their faith and shaking off the attitude of mediocrity and a hide-in-the-shadows-believer mentality. If that doesn’t make sense, let me put it this way; I am starting to see more people whom have placed their lives in the hands of Jesus choosing to represent Him truthfully more now than has ever been. Not only am I seeing people who are supposed to be believers beginning to stand up for Jesus and his true character, but there are countless new believers – people who have realized they don’t have to have it all together to come to Him, and that life isn’t much of one without Him in it -, making a stand for true Christianity.

Seeing this makes me wonder if the revival – people realizing their need for a savior – that is to come before Armageddon hits will actually happen in my lifetime. Now I am not writing this to argue with anyone, however, what I am doing is opening up a discussion to see if anyone else realizes this, and what your thoughts are. Remember, if you comment below, please be respectful of others. Thank you and have a good Tuesday!

Angie