Death

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

When I was a small girl, death was a scary thought and I spent many years being afraid of it. I thought about the burial and how I didn't want to have bugs and worms eating away at me. Just the image alone sent shivers down  my spine. The things we are afraid of are usually things we just don't understand. 

As I grew older, I placed death on a shelf. I mean, everyone in my family lived well into their nineties, why should I even think about it now? When my second child died from SIDS, I rationalized that this was "my cross to bear" in life. When my fourth child died of complications from Spinal Bifida, I became angry with God over death. Isn't it the old to die, not the young?

It wasn't until my bout with cancer in 2007 that I finally made peace with death. Here I was, a middle aged woman of 42 finally dealing with life ever after. I realized there are no guaranties to how long one lives. It didn't matter that my ancestors lived until 95 yrs., I most definitely will not. 

Death became my friend, because in it, I would be born again into a new life. I didn't look at it as the end, but a beginning. All because I believe in Jesus and the Cross. When I close my eyes, I can imagine what it will be like. Am I afraid? Absolutely! We are always afraid of the unknown, but I won't be alone. 

Where is your faith? So many of us are walking around, stumbling  to find our way. So many that believe in nothing. I cannot even imagine not having that lifeline to cling to in my dire need. So I ask you once again, where are you when it comes to God? Are you at peace? It doesn't take much. It all starts with a conversation. Lord, I need you. 

Have a Blessed day everyone.

A Weekend Of Rest

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together
(Psalms 34:1-3).

Wiping down the kitchen counter, my thoughts scattered with all that had to be done before my visitors came over. Visitors that I haven't planned on. Agitation quickly set in.

Today was to be my relaxing weekend. I had one appointment for my mammogram and afterwards I was free to indulge myself in total idleness. It never quite materialized.

What happened to that perfect weekend that I dreamed about during the week? All I wanted was a nice quiet time at home with my Pj's, enjoying the things I love to do. It just didn't happen.

There are times that I feel inadequate as a leader. And selfish. I feel tired, burned out and mentally drained. Trying to accommodate everyone's likes and dislikes can be a real handful. I think of Joey as a Pastor and I cannot even imagine his stress levels on a daily basis. How does he unwind? Where does he go to de-stress?

Let's be honest here. Where did these feelings materialize? It only takes one fail or a setback to allow the devil to seep into my brain with negativity as to whom I am as a daughter, mother, worker etc. Why do I allow these thoughts to grow? 

" Be still and know I am God."

This verse has served me well again and again. Thank goodness for His loving embrace in my need for comfort. Be still my mind. Be still my heart. Just be still.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Highlight Of The Week #4

                                            Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me
(Psalms 13:5-6)

It's funny how quickly the weekend ends and a new week begins. If only the workweek would go by as quickly, but usually that's not the case. We began our week with a visit to the orthodontists. Not very exciting, I know, but then as the week unfolded, so did our schedule.

A year ago, I was invited to participate in a literary project where I wrote for 30 days on one topic.  As you all may know, I am not a professional writer with an education in Literature. Writing sort of just happened and here I am now. Yet, I've always wanted to stretch my capabilities as far as they can go when it comes to my writing. I gladly accepted the challenge.

This week, two things were highlighted above everything else. This writing project was one of these things. Since all of this is quite new to me, I found it both an adventure and tedious at the same time. A story involves a lot of work behind the scenes and a book even more. The process can take months at a time.

 First, I wrote my 30 days project and sent it to the editor. From there it goes to editing for grammar and sentence structuring. When finished, it's sent back to me to read over. Then I send it back once again for another editing process. After that, I get to re-read it for a final check. I did say it was tedious, didn't I?

Next, the fun part comes in where I choose a cover, the color scheme on the book and the size of the book. A "Forward" and "About The Author" has to be written right along with a beautiful picture of me. This was how I spent a big part of my week.

The other thing that highlighted my week, was a call from my chemo nurse to inform me that my mammogram came back with an abnormality. I needed to have another one done. Now, just about every time I have a mammogram, this happens. So, no worries, this is very common for me. Back to the scan I go and that's how I ended my week.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Throwback Thursday

 

  Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Last year, not exactly sure of the time frame, my mom decided to visit Joey and his family. Upon her arrival at the Springfield Amtrak Station, Joey posts a picture of the both of them. All of a sudden, people are remarking on how incredibly beautiful not my mom, but I look with that auburn hair. That's how much I look like my mom. 

Not only do we end up resembling our mothers, but we also have the same techniques in dealing with issues like relationships, work, and our belief system. We do what we know. It always makes me smile whenever I hear a young woman make a bold declaration that she is nothing like her mom. For now, that is. She'll get there!

 Messes Of The Past

You want to know what she will look like older, look at her 
mother.
OR
You want to see what she is like, look at her mother. 

We end up being just like our mom, whether we like it or not. As young women, we set out into the world full of high hopes and dreams, vowing not to end up like our moms. We love our moms, but we will not be doormats for others to trod upon. We will be different. Our moms are too nice and forgiving and they will not stand up for themselves. Well, we will not be anything like them. 

Sounds familiar? The fact  is, we become them because our moms feel and love  us. They are not doormats, but they would do anything for us. It's only natural for us to end up like our moms since they are our first introduction into the world and into how things are done. 

Our childhoods shape how we interact with others, the relationships we will have, how we deal with our emotions and how we keep our home. 

If it's a childhood with pleasant memories or not, we go in two directions. Either we become exactly like our moms or directly the opposite. 

Many times I've visited the home of a friend's parent and  although, the style and decor may not always be similar, the housekeeping usually is the same. We learn how to cook and keep our home in order from our mom. 

There are three of us, my two brothers and I, each of us with a different approach to cleaning. My older brother is a spotless person with not a speck of dirt anywhere to be found, even though he would disagree with you regarding that fact. The rest of us are just like our mom, casual housekeepers who do the usual round of chores, but you will find dishes in the sink or a load of laundry. 

Now that my mom is living alone, her apartment is spotless, nothing out of place. That's because she is only one person and she spends one day a week making sure it stays clean. 

I often wonder, if that will happen for me. The older I become, the more I do the things that make me happy. You could say, I'm living out my dreams. The last thing I want to do is housework. Will I ever be free of the chains of housework? 

If we become our mothers, then all I have to do is look to her for that answer.

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Simply Chipped, Broken And Mismatched

                                                   Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                    everyday is a journey.

Hiding In Thee
“O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine would I be;
Thou blest, ‘Rock of Ages,’ I’m hiding in Thee.
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my Refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee,
O Thou Rock of my soul.
Hiding in Thee, Thou blest ‘Rock of Ages,’
I’m hiding in Thee.”
William O. Cushing

For my next project, I decided to throw out any chipped, broken or mismatched mugs, dishes and bowls. We all have them, don't we? It's always our favorite coffee mug that gets chipped that makes that cup of java taste so good.

 This was extremely difficult for me to do and not just for me, but Emily, too. We become accustomed to our things and deep inside of me there is that thing about an item having multiple uses. Remember the three R's theory? Reuse, recycle and reduce. I'm a firm believer of that. 

So with a a heavy heart, I went through my cupboards and either threw it out or donated the contents. Somehow, I was expecting all this available room and it didn't happen. Instead, I opened another jammed packed cupboard and distributed the contents into the new available spot. So my cupboards don't really look empty, maybe a little tidier.

I have noticed that all this cleaning out business has caused my trash bag to be pretty full on a consistent basis. Since we make a lot of our own food from scratch, we don't have that much garbage to throw out. 

I also need to confess that my simplification fervor has been dying out. Looking around our little apartment at the next job to tackle, I find myself growing weary. Not sure if the enormity of the next is holding me back or the fact that I am experiencing cabin fever.  I'm sure there is truth in both. 

Until next time, have a blessed day everyone.


 

January Review

                                                  Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                   everyday is a journey.

The month began filled with hope, renewal and a gusto to refresh the things that make us who we truly are, both on the inside as well as on the outside. So with a surprising fervor, I attacked my simplification goals, beginning in my bedroom. 

With that same energy, my writing that once became stale renewed itself by flowing beautifully. I formed a new schedule that would accommodate both my Ministry and this blog. I love this new schedule since it allows flexibility that my treatment needs. There are days where I am extremely exhausted and cannot do anything but sleep. 

Every weekend and a few mornings a week, I focus on my writing. As to my Ministry, I have learned to delegate the workload. I'm not too proud to ask for help. All this provides for me to be more relaxed, rested and spend a bit more time fellow-shipping with others. Something I'm not very good at.

Work also became the focus as once again, my current shift is being minimized. Another change, another sign of the times we live in. Funny enough, I took it all in stride shrugging it off what will be will be.

As the month closes, I'm pretty proud of myself for maintaining my goals. Although, I am aware that this is only the beginning, there will be challenges ahead. 

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Highlight Of The Week Pt.3

                                        Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

We began the week with freezing temperatures. It's been a pretty decent Winter with hardly any snow or ice. I'm also starting the week a whole year older since my birthday was over the weekend. It was a very lazy, all about me kind of weekend. The last thing I wanted was to go back to work. 

I've never liked 4 day workdays. One would think it would go by quickly, but the opposite happens. So here we were struggling to get through the week. Everyone was on edge due to this shift change coming up, especially when we would find out in a day or two on who exactly is moving. A tense week indeed!

No one seems to like changes and we cannot blame them. We're such ornery people so fixed in our ways that we dislike being told what to do. Whenever I feel down as a leader, I think of Moses and the Israelites. Now here's a man who had to deal with all types of behavioral issues. I cannot complain. 

So we began the week in a subdued manner and we ended it in the same way. There are times that stillness is in order as our psyches deals with the change. Everything is a process and not too long ago, I had my change issues. 

I cannot help but feel excitement for the coming year. That doesn't mean that only good things are coming. Whatever happens is a lot better than nothing happening and we're just existing in a stagnate atmosphere. Let's keep moving forward, because the world keeps spinning regardless of our feelings. Here's to embracing and accepting of any change this year may bring.

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

The Love Of God

                                        Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

I'm always on the lookout for poetry that resembles my love for God. Now, I may not be an evangelist with the gift of gab when it comes to Praise and Worship of Our Heavenly Father. But . . . . I love to belt out a good song regardless of what my voice may sound like. The same goes for poetry.  I'm so glad there are people who have that amazing talent of forming words to describe our love for Our God. I hope you enjoy this blessed Sabbath day.


The Love of God

“At first I prayed for light; could I but see the way,
How gladly would I walk to everlasting day!
I asked the world’s deep law before my eyes to open,
And let me see my prayer fulfilled, and realize my devotion.
But God was kinder than my prayer,
And darkness veiled me everywhere.

And next I asked for strength, that I might tread the road
With firm, unfaltering pace to heaven’s serene abode;
That I might never know a faltering, failing heart,
But go on and reach the highest part.
But God was kinder than my prayer,
And weakness checked me everywhere.

And then I asked for faith; could I but trust my God,
I’d live in heavenly peace, though foes were all abroad.
His light thus shining round, no faltering should I know;
And faith in heaven above would make a heaven below.
But God was kinder than my prayer
And doubts beset me everywhere.

And now I pray for love, deep love to God and man,
A love that will not fail, however dark His plan;
That sees all life in Him, rejoicing in His power,
And faithful, though the darkest clouds of gloom
and doubt may lower.
And God is kinder than my prayer;
 Love fills and blesses everywhere.”

Edward D. Cheney

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

If I Could Linger

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

If Thou Couldest Know

“I think if thou couldest know,
O soul, that will complain,
What lies concealed below
Our burden and our pain,
How just our anguish brings
Nearer those longed-for things
We seek for now in vain,
I think thou would’st rejoice, and not complain.

I think if thou could’st see,
With thy dim mortal sight,
How meanings, dark to thee,
Are shadows hiding light;
Truth’s efforts crossed and vexed,
Life’s purpose all perplexed,
If thou could’st see them right,
I think that they would seem all clear,
and wise, and bright.

And yet thou canst not know,
And yet thou canst not see;
Wisdom and sight are slow
In poor humanity.
If thou could’st trust poor soul,
In Him who rules the whole,
Thou would’st find peace and rest,
Wisdom and right are well, but trust is best.”

Adelaide A. Procter

It's funny what we can discover about ourselves when reflecting on the past. I'm not sure if it's the arrival of the New Year or being huddled inside during the cold months, but my mind has been drifting back to the past in analysis.

I am a person who doesn't linger basking in what is around me. I'm way too busy or over-scheduled in my tasks to sit and relax. That's where my problem lies. 

I don't know how to linger. I can go to a birthday party or a family event, mingle for a bit and be one of the first people to leave. I never outstay my welcome and do the opposite. I don't stop in unexpectedly, usually it's on my way to another place.

I'm constantly multitasking! Even now, I have at least four windows open, flitting back and forth between them as I write this post. I write a few paragraphs, go to another page and leave a message for someone. 

How do I linger? How do I still my mind to just sit down and mingle with people without worrying about all the things that I need to do? That is definitely something I'm working on right now. 

Life to me, is a constant learning process where we are looking in the three way mirror for that imperfection to erase or smooth out. None of us are completely done, all perfect and immaculate. 

I know people who have no problem lingering, regardless of the problems that await them elsewhere. They don't worry about the mundane chores, countless necessary errands or deadlines that need to be done. So there are dishes in the sink? Laundry piling up? Refrigerator empty of food? It can wait, I'm enjoying myself right now. 

I need to be more like them. I need to take the time in admiring life around me. I need to sit and listen intently to the needs of my friends and family. I need to see the seed growing. I need to linger.

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

Fast 3

Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey. As we are in the last week or so of the Fast, I have decided to continue on with this new routine. I really feel good, my soul rested and quite energized. I would like to continue this trend throughout the year. As to my Facebook games, I've made a decision to play them at night when I come home from work. That's usually the period where I am too tired to write or even crochet. I normally watch something and go to sleep, but I can use this time in a better way. I can play games, lol. In my research to develop an even deeper relationship with God, I've come across the following list from Pastor Rick in ways for effective prayer. Since we are fasting, this seemed a great time to share the following with all of you. I hope this helps in your quest to become closer to God. KEYS TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER Start your new year off with a special time of prayer. Commit this week to praying and dedicating this year to God's purposes in your life. Here are ten ways to make sure your prayers are as effective as possible. 1. Make prayer God-centered rather than problem-centered. 2. See prayer as a privilege more than a duty. 3. Let your prayer be with the Spirit’s help instead of your skill. 4. Embrace the authority of Christ rather than the lies of the enemy. 5. Pray like a victor not a victim. 6. Focus on Christ more than technique. 7. Pray based on God’s Word rather than your will. 8. Approach prayer as an encounter more than a request. 9. Come to prayer through Christ’s work not your merits. 10. Pray regularly rather than occasionally. Listen to Pastor Rick's High Impact Living broadcast on Oneplace.com. Have a Blessed day everyone.

Throwback Thursday

 

                           Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

  I've never been good at joining a support group. Just not my kind of thing. I am a problem solver or at least, I like to improve my lot in life. So it's very difficult for me to sit in a group and talk about feelings week after week. It's not me. That doesn't mean I don't believe in support groups. I believe everyone has their own ways going through trials. Everyone needs to do  what works for them. I write through mine.

Below is a post from a few years back. To this day, my kids tease me about my jealousy with my grandkids and other people. It just proves that you don't need blood to love a child. I can love all children and I love these two very much. I don't care what color they are or where they came from. They are mine.

 

A Sort Of An Update

I've seen better days ,
but I've also seen worse .
I don't have everything that I want , 
but I do have all I need . 
I woke up with some aches and pains ,
but I woke up . 
My life may not be perfect , 
but I am Blessed . 

I've joined a chronic illness group at church. We've only met a few times since we all are sick most of the time. I've never been one to sit in a circle and get all touchy feelly with my emotions especially when it came to the crying part. I deal with situations a little differently. I may have a pity party going on for a couple of days, but I always pick myself up regardless of how I feel mentally. I may have a difficult time accepting how much weight I have gained, but I move on with it. I can't take a "woe is me" kind of 
attitude. 

Spending time with children 
is more important than 
spending money on children . 

I have to be honest with you . . . . . I have been experiencing great jealousy regarding my grandkids. This year, we just haven't been able to get together as much as we normally do . . . . hence the jealousy of everyone else who had the opportunity to do so. 

One day, while flicking through Facebook, I encountered a picture of my grandchildren posing with Aubrey's dad and his wife. Here they were smiling and hugging my kids  . . . . and these kids were loving it. I turned to Emily  and said:

"Who are these people with my babies?!" 
"Those are the real grandparents, mom."

And how was your week? Have a Blessed day everyone.

Simply Medicine

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journal.

For my next project, I decided to tackle my three drawer plastic cabinet in my bedroom. The first drawer is

for makeup; The second drawer is for medicine and the third drawer is for washcloths/dishtowels. The first and third drawers are pretty well organized, but the medicine one is a total mess. One can barely close it without jamming one thing or another. All the band-aids and contents of medicine packages spilling over into the drawer. 

                                           before

Believe me, the last thing I wanted to do is clean it out. The more I pulled out, the more it looked like a mess underneath. I might need a whole package of baggies to sort things out. I even found a broken thermometer and countless of wrappers from cough drops/band-aid wrappers/used plastic medicine tabs. 

               
 I found things such as masks, adhesive removal cream, bandages. Things I haven't seen nor used since my early days with cancer. Who knew all that could fit into that little drawer?

                             after

I have to admit that my mood was not in it at all. The last thing I wanted to do is clean anything, but I did want to stay focused on my goals for the year. A small drawer that held an entire small wastebasket  full of garbage. It was finished. I was happy. Such a small task, but an accomplishment all the same.

We have to take our victories and celebrate them, no matter how small they may be.

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Eat. Pray. Hustle.

                                                          Everyday is a brand new day,

                                                          everyday is a journey.


Trees

“I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth’s sweet-flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain,

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.”

Joyce Kilmer

Eat. Pray. Hustle. My very first on-line bible study. Do I like it? Well, I have never been in a bible study where there wasn't any discussion afterwards, so I do miss that interaction. Otherwise, I do love the option to watch it comfortably any time of the day. 

What I do find extremely interesting is that the bible study is about living out our God given dreams. That is exactly my goal for this year. Now, I have found my God given dream twice already, once with this blog and the other with my crocheting ministry. 

The goal for this year is about living out God's will for me. I want to concentrate on doing His will in everything I say or do. Let my actions  be a reflection of who I am in Him.

One may think that with two goals already in the making, why would I look for something else? I believe we are never truly done. There is always more to learn, more to accomplish, more ways to extend ourselves in bold ways. I truly believe there is something else that God has in store for me. 

As to the the bible study....... well, I'm sort of hooked to on-line studying. I already signed up for another one.  One of my favorite things I've learned from this one is to make a covenant with all the things that are important to me. This way, I show my commitment towards work, being a mom, a wife, my writing or my ministry. I am declaring that this is important to me. I love that idea.

Another interesting fact I took away from this bible study is that nothing stops a dream faster than fear. That has been my problem for most of my life. I will analyze something to death all from fear. I will make lists of pros and cons, anything to help that fear grow. 

Thirdly, we need two main people in our life to help make this dream grow. One as a cheerleader to encourage us through it and the other to be the coach, telling you what needs to be fixed. They have to be two separate people. Always remember that dreams need to be protected and have to be in a healthy environment. 

As this Bible study concludes in the next two days, I find that I will miss it. It barely took twenty minutes of my life, yet I find that my soul is thirsty for more knowledge. I've always thrived on a more in depth studying of the word. As one ends, another one is beginning soon that offers just that. The world is forever moving so don't forget to get on.

Have a Blessed day everyone.  

The Written Page

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Let me go where'er I will,
I hear a sky-born music still:
It sounds from all things old,
It sounds from all things young,
From all that's fair, from all that's foul,
Peals out a cheerful song.
It is not only in the rose,
It is not only in the bird,
Not only where the rainbow glows,
Nor in the song of woman heard,
But in the darkest, meanest things
There alway, alway something sings.
'Tis not in the high stars alone,
Nor in the cup of budding flowers,
Nor in the redbreast's mellow tone,
Nor in the bow that smiles in showers,
But in the mud and scum of things
There alway, alway something sings.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

In  my Freshman year in High School, I fell in love with Literature. Suddenly, all I wanted was to read, read, and read. It didn't matter if it was mystery, thriller, romance or poetry. I loved it all. My love of the written word has expanded into actually writing itself. I find it hard to believe that I've had this blog for four years now. It seems such a long time.

For awhile there, I felt like my writing muse has left me. No matter what I wrote, it didn't feel right. I have found that my writing is influenced by many things. It seems I have a writing schedule where my senses are more in line and alert allowing the juices to flow beautifully. If I miss that window of opportunity (by sleeping in or an appointment) it's gone. 

Another factor happens to be my energy levels. I need to be sitting at my desk, ready to go. If I'm tired or the mood has been depressing for whatever reason, it's gone. I've always worked better in the mornings or very late nights. Lately, I try to save one morning over the weekend where I devote to my writing. 

People would be very surprised if they knew how long it actually takes to write a post. I can understand why authors go away to their hideaways in the mountains living a recluse lifestyle until their books are done. Which leads me to another influence . . . .interruptions. Nothing can kill your story line faster than the phone ringing or the constant chatter of my roommate. And this is just a little blog!

So as I go back into my writing zone, I hope you have an excellent day following your God given, driven dream! 

Have a Blessed day everyone.

O Holy Sabbath

                                           Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey
                                         
One of our main objectives has always been to leave the Sabbath as Holy as possible. Sunday around here is Church day and family day. We try not to have any social events to take away from the sanctity of the day of rest. That means no hard laboring such as laundry, vacuuming etc. I have to be honest and admit that there have been times we have broken that objective. This morning as I glance at the overflowing hamper (more than usual) I am tempted to do so again, but I don't. I really want to stay committed to my goals this year. So as we unfold this Holy Sabbath, I hope you will enjoy this poem that means so much to me and my feelings regarding my Faith. O Holy Sabbath!

Love bade me welcome; yet
my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed love,
observing me grow slack from
my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me,
sweetly questioning
If I lacked any thing.
A guest, I answered,
worthy to be here.
Love said, You shall be (here).
I the unkind, ungrateful?
Ah my dear, I cannot
look on thee.
Love took my hand, and
smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have
Marred them: let my
shame go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love,
Who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says
Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
George Herbert

Have a Blessed Sabbath.

A Birthday Special

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Today I spent the day in the company of people I love and enjoy, but that's what birthdays are all about. I'm not one to run around partying, but quite the opposite. I prefer the coziness of home and could live alone away from everyone in complete isolation. Yet I know we are to fellowship with others so I really try my very best to go out into the world. When I do, I never regret doing so. This was the case today as I thoroughly enjoyed myself from break of day until the evening. 

After a stimulating breakfast conversation with my niece and nephew-in-law, I headed back home to prepare the abode for the arrival of  my landlord and the annual pest control visit. There is nothing more appealing to me then a freshly cleaned home. It even smelled clean.

From the afternoon until the evening, I spent in the company of my fellow Ministry ladies at a baby shower. I am not sure if I can convey how well we get along with one another. I have prayed for this Ministry to attract fellow members that had a passion  and desire to be there. I think God answered that prayer. These ladies made me laugh so hard, no not laugh, bellow so loud that our table was filled with rowdy whooping and hollering. We truly enjoy each other and drinking 7up!

I truly am very blessed to be surrounded by people who love me. Thank you everyone for being here, my therapist in a sense, reading all about my crazy journey. Thank you to my mom, Mary for choosing to give me life. Thank you for being you.

Have a Blessed day and today I'm 51 years old!!!!!!

Highlight Of The Week #2

                                       Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

The week began with a bang, an announcement waiting for us as we walked into work on Monday. Once again, they are eliminating the amount of people we have on second shift. Half our crew will go to first, the other will remain, all depending on our seniority and position.

For some reason, this doesn't upset me at all. Maybe that could be because majority of us have gone through this two years ago when they eliminated our third shift crew. Been there, done that. 

Will I be one of the ones leaving? I have no idea, but I am okay with it if I am. I do have the seniority, but that does mean anything. If they need me on first, they will move me. After all the struggling I have done these past two years with adjustment, I really feel comfortable with letting go of all that negativity.  I'm ready for whatever happens.

It does bring a sort of excitement to what normally would have been just another workday. Everyone is talking about new rumors of this or that. The whole manufacturing floor is abuzz with the news of who is leaving and who will be forced to go.  Plans have to be made and complaints are aired for everyone to hear. It does provide an outlet for an idle mind. 

This year, I have promised myself to really let go of the worrying about things that I cannot control. In fact, I have no control over anything besides my own impulses. My goal is to lean on God and learn to trust His promise to provide for His children. He will lead me where He wants me to go. 

Have a Blessed day everyone.

 

Throwback Thursday

 

    Everyday is a brand new day,

                   everyday is a journey.        

Here we are, a whole three years later and I still enjoy the following blogs, plus a few more I've added on since then. My e-mail is flooded daily by subscriptions to various blogs, devotionals, charitable organizations and my dear audios. 

I just love the concept of being able to access them anytime I like. While others are on their phones, checking out Facebook, I use my phone to read my e-mails. 

I have added many Tiny House blogs since I wanted to see what life is like living in a Tiny House. I wanted to see the different problems that can arise and the solutions that were chosen. Most of all, I wanted to see if this was something for me. I hope you enjoy and keep on reading!   

My Other Blogs

This weekend , Emily and I are relaxing at home , taking care of a few chores around the apartment . As we kick back , let me share with you some of my favorite blogs that I follow . 

A HOLY EXPERIENCE 
A lot of us are familiar with Ann Voskamp and her 1000 Gifts , but I really enjoy reading her blog and keeping up with her family of eight and their life on a Canadian farm where she home schools all of her six children .

CONFESSIONS OF A FUNERAL DIRECTOR
A look at the life of a young funeral director and how he deals being surrounded by death all the time . A great perspective into the ups and downs of a funeral home .

JENNIFER DUKES LEE #TELL HIS STORY
A blog about  a young mother with two children living on an Iowa farm trying to live life for JESUS . A  great look into the life of a young woman and the everyday chaos that occurs . 

HOLLEY GERTH
Holley is a married , older woman who has had to come to terms to a life without children . She has become one of my favorites , maybe because of our ages . 

BLESSED BY BRENNA
I have been following this little toddlers battle with a particular skin disease from day one as her mother happens to be friends with my Aubrey . I am amazed at the strength of this mom as she deals with her daughter's illness . 

A VOICE FROM THE  PEW
My close friend , Maureen 's blog  that describes her love for our Almighty Father . She is an advocate for women and their struggles showing God's love and tenderness to them . 

I certainly hope you find time to check out any of these blogs as they are close to my heart and I hope they will become close to yours. 

Have a Blessed day everyone .

Where Is The Sun?

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

I will not doubt the love untold
Which not my worth nor want hath bought,
Which wooed me young and wooes me old,
And to this evening hath me brought.

--Henry David Thoreau.

 I never imagined that the day would come where I actually miss sunshine. I have always been a firm believer in all four seasons. We need these seasons to happen not only to provide the Earth with the rest, the growth and renewal it needs, but for our own well-being. 

Each season provides something we need. 
Spring 
 Provides renewal, a fresh start into physical activities and mobility after a long rest. 
Summer 
 Provides a time for family adventure where we interact  with others, go on vacation and spend time with the ones we love. 
Fall 
 Provides a time of preparation as children go back to school, our gardens are harvested and supplies are replenished for the upcoming frost.
Winter 
 Provides a time of rest, more sleep and leisure time.

I find that I need all the seasons, that my mind and body need a break as one ends and the other begins.We need a breather in between so we can evolve correctly and in tune with God's natural process.

I do miss the sunshine, because I feel that's what energizes us every single day. The sun states the kind of day we will have mentally. I think I'm over this Season. :)

Have a blessed day everyone.

Fast 2

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

January has always been the month where Christian Churches embark on a Fast for the New Year. Majority of them, that is. It's no wonder that I have come across, during one of my devotionals, the following questions one can reflect on. 

Please answer these questions every day during the fast:

1) What stands out from the passage today?

2) How is your spiritual appetite growing?

3) What is God telling you during the fast?

4) What areas of your life need to change?

5) What assignments has God given you today for His glory?

6) Who needs your prayers now?

7) What insights is God revealing about your focus and goals in 2016?

So how is my Fast coming along? Pretty darn good. I'm ashamed to say that I must have spent a lot more time on my game playing than I have realized. I find that I have no reason to go on Facebook anymore and a lot more time available.

Every morning, I go on to my Crocheting page and make necessary updates. That is the extent of my Facebook exploration. Even the television doesn't hold much appeal to me any longer. I rarely turn it on, mostly on the weekends for Masterpiece Theater. 

I've been thinking that when my Fast ends, that perhaps I should continue  with the routine I have set for myself right now, saving the game playing for nighttime when I come home from work. I never go to sleep directly upon arriving home. There is that hour or two that I stay up doing really nothing useful at all. Insert my game playing right in that spot. We'll see what happens. 

Otherwise, things are going pretty well. I'm writing more, reading more, participating in an on-line bible study and listening to my devotionals daily. I'm trying to adjust my schedule for a more effective routine with a satisfying outcome. That's all I can ask for. 

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

Calendar Days

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


God of the Impossible

“O God of the impossible!
Since all things are to Thee
But soil in which Omnipotence
Can work almightily,

Each trial may to us become
The means that will display
How o’er what seems impossible
Our God hath perfect sway!

The very storms that beat upon
Our little bark so frail,
But manifest Thy power to quell
All forces that assail.

The things that are to us too hard,
The foes that are too strong,
Are just the very ones that may
Awake a triumph song.

O God of the impossible,
When we no hope can see,
Grant us the faith that still believes
All possible to Thee!”
J.H.S.

One of the most important items in our little apartment happens to be the calendar. Every Christmas vacation, one of the things we do is  fill up our calendar for the upcoming year with appointments and special occasion dates (birthdays,anniversaries). I pour over the old one, reminiscing as I scan over each month. 

If you are an organizational person such as I, a calendar is a huge and necessary piece of equipment. Believe me, getting a calendar as a gift for Christmas will be greatly appreciated around here. It's not enough for me to store all that personal information in my head, I need to see it written down. 

The same can be said of the calendar seasons in our lives. To me, life is about learning and progressing within our hearts. Some of these Seasons can be seriously painful, but we need to dig deeply peeling away all the layers until the beauty is exposed. 

That's exactly how I have been feeling lately, as if one Season has ended and another is beginning. There is a need inside of me to prepare. Now, I cannot explain that need, it's just there. That is why I want to simplify as much as I can, getting rid of the "old" and making room for the "new."

There are many ways to do that. For me, it could involve freshening up the apartment with new curtains or rearranging the furniture. We could clean out and throw out any unnecessary items. We could go through a deep and personal analysis of the relationships in our lives, past and present. Whatever that may be, it is time to see what is working and what isn't in our lives. I guess, you can say that this year will be all about the work within me.

Have a Blessed day everyone. 

2016 And Beyond

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

A new beginning has been on my mind the entire Holiday Season. My mind keeps drifting off examining what I need in my life, not what I may actually want. There's a huge difference in the two. Remember that my main goal is to walk in the path that God has planned for me. That may involve a plan that I hadn't thought of or necessarily may desire. Hence, my deep concentration levels on that subject. 

So what am I looking for this year? 

1. For one thing, I think it's time we began saving for a new car. That doesn't mean we are buying one, just that we need to prepare ourselves financially for that expense. The vehicle I do have happens to be quite old and pretty soon, it will completely die a horrible death. 

2. We have been contemplating moving to a new place. Originally, we believed that my work would eventually close shop and we would move closer to Joey's. Our goal has always been to be closer to one another where we can see each other more frequently. This has changed since my company has been bought out by a third party. 

Our next thought was that perhaps we will move to a newer and slightly bigger apartment. I say bigger, because our place is smaller than what is out there in this neighborhood. There may not be extra rooms, but they are larger in size than ours. There are many pros and cons on this subject which we will talk about at a later date. Of course, all of this depends on what happens with my job situation.

3. I really would love to expand my writing into various other projects that I've had to place on the back burner due to lack of time. I've always felt like I had two ministries: my crocheting and my writing. Last year, both of these ministries suffered or at least I feel like they did. I would love for two things to happen in both of these areas. 

Writing: I hope I have the extra time that I need to finish these projects by using better organization skills in delegating the assigned tasks. Writing has a very short window, if there are interruptions, that window can close pretty quickly. 

Crocheting: I have some wonderful ladies in our group who are faithful to the very core, but I would love to have a right hand person to take over when I'm not able to. Right now, we have an open door policy where the ladies show up when  and if they want to our monthly gatherings. There are times it is a full house and others only one or two. That is fine, except that I can never take advantage of the policy for myself. If one of the ladies would step in and host a gathering, it would be wonderful. I'm looking for that right hand assistant. 

4. My last goal for this year is to learn to relax, minimize, linger and forgive myself if I cannot complete any of the above. I am my worst enemy with all these high expectations that I set for myself. Some of these goals are not realistic. I have to learn to unwind and just do nothing once in a while. It's a lot harder than it may sound when one is such a multitasking person as myself. 

No matter what this year holds for all of us, we have to learn to adapt, accept  and forgive ourselves. Life is too short, my friends. 

Have a Blessed day everyone.