Celebrating You

Chris Sernel

Go where you are celebrated - not tolerated. If they can't see the real value of you, it's time for a new start.

I actually read the above verse on Facebook on  one of my friends page. I don't even know this person who made this quote, but I love it. In fact, we all love it, but do we have the guts to do something about it?

I believe we all have something in our lives that we wish we could change for the better. We pray about it, dream about it and wish upon a star on it. It is a goal that may seem very far off for majority of us. Someday, someday we will live it.

I know quite a few friends who have packed everything up and gone on to live out there dreams. I'm in awe of these people. How brave! How bold! How I wish I was more like them.

I often think about moving on just as the quote implies. Do I stay or do I go ? That is a question that has been haunting me these past few years. I've finally gave myself a deadline in re-assessing my goals for the future. I believe 2015 will be the year where I make that decision once and for all.

As of now, I am leaning more on one side than the other, because things have not been great. So I keep asking myself, if that is the case, why am I here?

I think that's a great question, but I also have to remind myself not to base decisions when I'm in an emotional state. I want to make the right decision based on sound reasoning, not my own personal feelings. I do understand that things can change drastically from day to day depending on how I feel.

Take two of my friends who have taken the plunge and moved away. One is very happy with her decision, the other wishes she had stayed. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

That alone holds me back from making that move. What if I make a wrong decision? I feel that if this is what I am intended on doing, then everything will fall into place like dominoes.
 
The last thing I want to do is force a decision before one is presented to me from God. Waiting is definitely difficult, especially when it involves something very dear to our hearts.

I have a feeling all of you will be hearing on this subject throughout the year. Poor you.

Have a Blessed day everyone.

An Emotional Time

It certainly has been a very emotionally charged and tiring last few days. My weekend flew by in a flash. The family planned an early surprise 50th birthday party which coincided right in the middle of my Crocheting Ministry Meeting. We went from one event to the next.

I had such a wonderful time at both. It was nice to play catch up conversation wise with many of my family members. Everyone is growing into the next stage of their life quite nicely.

Upon leaving for my party, Emily developed a toothache. Her wisdom tooth has been acting up here and there and we've been postponing the inevitable.

The remainder of the weekend was spent in trying to ease her pain as much as I could. I've tried everything from cloves to onion  and nothing worked. The lowest point came at about 4:20 a.m. where I was awakened by Emily sobbing in her own room.

There is nothing more heart wrenching than watching your own child in pain and there is nothing you can do to ease her pain. I just kept stroking her hair and speaking softly to her, wishing the clock to move faster.

Our dentist saw her immediately upon opening her office. I was so grateful for her tenderness and loving bedside manner. She saw her before a scheduled appointment. It's moments like these that I am grateful for making a wise decision in choosing her as our primary dentist.

By the time we dropped off the prescription at the pharmacists and came home, it was already 11:40 a.m. Not much time left to make her something to eat ( soup ), pick up her prescription, make her comfortable as possible and go to work.

I was so drained both emotionally and physically since there wasn't much of sleeping in the last 48 hours. I couldn't stop yawning, my muscles aching, all I wanted was my bed.

 I haven't done much of anything in the past few days. There has been no writing of any kind due to internet connection and this current situation, let alone anything to do with my Ministry.

Life can really throw us a curve and we have to be able to bounce back as soon as we can. Even though I have so much more to tell you and do, I am grateful for these few  precious moments where I can write.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Stealing Our Joy

I am amazed and I should not be, how easily people and situations just love to steal our joy. The minute I made the declaration of trying to improve my attitude toward work, things go wrong almost on purpose trying to steer me off course.

Not only am I having problems at work with my computer, but it seems here at home as well. This bad weather is affecting my connection. Hence, there have been missing posts here.

I have realized that whenever we seek a new path or try to work towards a new goal, the devil will try to throw things at you to sway us away from our purpose. He does not want us to succeed. I'm trying to remind myself of that fact, since I have been up tossing and turning all night going over the previous days events.

Otherwise, our fast is going very well. We're thinking of all the goodies we can't have, but we're staying true to our goal. We have had minor setbacks attempting to make us fail, but we've handled it.

Yesterday, I got up very early ready to start the day. I had writing on my mind, my fingers itching to get under way. I setup the laptop, checked my e-mails and jotted down a few ideas for future literary projects. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the apartment and I went to get a cup. Upon returning, my face fell as there were no bars on my internet. I had no connection.

Normally, I would have given birth to a cow, but instead, I turned on the television and grabbed some crocheting that needed to be finished. It never came on again until after I left for work, but I learned to relax and deal with it. In that process, I finished a shawl and a baby blanket.

Going into work, there were more problems, but not once did I lose my cool, nor did I grind my teeth. I have noticed that last year I began grinding my teeth.

It's a new year, folks. There is always someone that wants to steal whatever happiness or joy we may have in our lives. It's time to put a stop that nonsense!

Have a Blessed day everyone.

A Cold Monday

One of my favorite shows happens to be Alaska: The Last Frontier. I love that show, because their way of homesteading reminds me of my childhood in Poland.

There are times that I may daydream of living like that one day, but I know it is only a daydream. There is no way that I could handle eight months of below zero temperatures, let alone all the hard work of homesteading.

I have realized that even though I may miss the old ways of doing things, I don't want to work hard labor anymore. I'm not sure if that's the next level of generation gap that I have entered or if simply I'm too lazy.

I'm becoming very self-centered in focusing only on my pleasures, hence my crocheting and writing. Don't bother me about anything else, especially in the wintertime.

I've also noticed that I'm more tired and less active during this season. The days are so much shorter with barely any sunshine, mostly cloudy skies. It is very tempting to call off  work and stay in reclining with my feet up doing nothing, but crocheting or watching old movies as the snow falls.

This is a new year with a new attitude regarding work. From the inside, the outside looks very inviting with snow covered cars, trees and streets. The sun shining brightly signifying late morning, but deep inside we know it's cold out there.

It's Monday and a long week awaits, especially since the Holidays are officially over. It's back to work and already we are mentally searching when the next vacation day will happen.

We groan with disgust as the weather forecast for the week pops up during a news cast. So bundle up, scrape off the ice and snow off our cars, we're heading off to work. A new year begins. Winter is definitely here.

Have a Blessed day everyone.

A Love Of Writing

When I began this blog, I never realized how much I would love writing. The more I write, the more I want to challenge myself. I've been working on a special project (that will be revealed at a later date) which has taken me away from this blog.

I have tried to do both, only to find my focus has been more on the project rather than an even split. Something new I'm excited about, I guess. Still, I'm trying.

My goal for this year is to relax more and writing happens to be one of my vices. What is the other? Crocheting, of course! So instead of running around trying to get as much done as possible, my plan is to do the opposite. The less stress I have, the easier my work life will be.

 At least, that's my plan. Whether it works or not, we shall see. Working on my attitude regarding work is very important to me. I really don't want another repeat of last year and neither do you. I think you've heard enough of my whining to last you awhile.

Besides, this year I will turn fifty! Quite a milestone, since I've battled cancer three times already. I think it's time I've started enjoying life a little more. A little writing , a little crocheting , all with a little glass of red wine.

Have a Blessed day everyone.

First Day Back

Going back to work after the Holidays is no fun at all. If anything, it's probably the hardest thing to do, but this is a new year with a new attitude. Unfortunately, my day didn't exactly start well.

The minute I stepped outside my apartment into the parking lot, I noticed one of my tires were pretty low. Remembering I have a can of flat tire fix in the car, I proceeded to attempt in pumping some air, only to discover the can was frozen.

That's okay, plan B.

 Driving very slowly to the gas station around the corner, I pulled into the air/vacuum station. Ended up wasting a whole dollar on the vacuum instead of the air. Yes, really!

After filling up with air, I got into my car, already a little pressed for time. The car wouldn't start! In fact, I had no power of any kind. I began calling everyone I knew that was home. No one answered. Yes, really!

Suddenly, a car pulled up in front of me, wanting to use the air/vacuum station. I motion to him that my vehicle is out of order. He responds with blaring his horn, his hands flaying around wildly in gestures better left unsaid.

Then a miracle occurred. My dashboard lit up! I tried the ignition and praise the Lord, the car roared to life!

Speeding all the way to work, I tried calling someone at work to let them know I'm on my way and could someone please get the staffing ready for my shift?

I lost track of how many mistakes I've made at work, one after another. Technically, it really wasn't such a good night, but somehow, I handled it quite well. During the whole time, I never lost my sense of humor or my sense of self-worth.

We all have bad days and we all make mistakes. We just need to forgive ourselves and move on so tomorrow we can do this all over again.

Keep loving yourself. Keep loving. . . period. Have a Blessed day everyone.

Throwback Thursday

As the Holidays come to an end and tomorrow will mark the first day back to reality, I felt that it was time for me to do the same. I have been absent in the month of December more than I care to admit to. 

The New Year marks a new beginning and a whole new set of goals, especially for Emily and myself. Today our fast begins for this month. 

We all could use a little encouragement so what better way than to start with more God moments. Have a blessed day everyone.

More God Moments

    These God Moments seemed to touch a chord in people . I open my e-mail and its full of INSPIRATIONAL STORIES and songs . Even at the Wedding on Sunday , I was given inspirational stories that were found in a magazine . Obviously , people want to HOPE . So once again .....more God Moments.


MONTCLARE

I have have a bad week and decided to lean on the Lord and YOUTUBE for Hope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y1wtgLAytA&feature=related

I found myself playing this one again and again. This may not be what you had in mind, but this is how I dealt with my pain and found relief.

Hallelujah Jesus SAVES

MELROSE PARK

In 2005 Nite Life CAFE was New Life Melrose saturday nite service. Being a SINGLE MOM I was there anxious, fretting over the troubles that the next week would bring. While there.....I shook someones hand - there was a Twenty in it. A friend showed up with some clothes for me - (we had been trying to meet up for months)  Another friend went fishing, and shared what she caught, with some other food also. Another sister handed my popcorn balls - we laughed since we hadn't had any since we were kids :)  Before I  left that nite another dear friend called and invited us for dinner after church. 

    Yahweh Yireh    Praise Your Name  This has been a constant reminder that I am the APPLE of His eye, and to cast all my cares upon God.  O how He loves us, O how He loves!!

MONTCLARE

just one more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNeZIcYl3qY&feature=related