The R.V.

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

  The lives which seem so poor, so low,
    The hearts which are so cramped and dull,
  The baffled hopes, the impulse slow,
    Thou takest, touchest all, and lo!
  They blossom to the beautiful.
SUSAN COOLIDGE.

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting my older brother in Wisconsin. One of the highlights of the trip was my tour of their RV. Now, if you have been following this blog, you know how much I love the idea of Tiny Living and hope to do so myself in the future. Just like with many things in life, wanting something doesn't mean it may be a good thing. One has to check every aspect of that want to make sure it is truly the right thing for them.

                                          This is a 38 foot long RV. 

This is the view lengthwise and you can see how much space there is to move around. 

I can easily settle in comfortably in an RV. You can't see in the picture, but there are cabinets above all around the cabin. 

 A closeup of the kitchen area. The sink can also be used as additional counter space as a cutting board, as well as the stove. 

The small hallway consists of a refrigerator (which a good size) and a pantry right next to it.

                         Next to that is more storage.

Two things going on here: The mirrored part on one side happens to be the closet, while the door in the reflection leads to the bathroom. 

The bedroom is at the end of the RV and absolutely feels like a separate room. The bed lifts up for more storage. 

This happens to be my favorite spot. The two chairs swivel completely around. More storage of cabinets on top and on the passenger side, the dashboard is actually a desk. Can you imagine the scenery unfolding as I would sit and write? Nothing but beauty. 

I totally fell in love with the concept of an RV. I would update the decor, but overall, a perfect fit for me. 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

When We Don't Understand

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

I have an acquaintance who has a chronic illness, several in fact. Having just come off another bout with one of her illnesses, I am at a loss how to approach her. That is usually not the case for me, but this time, it's very difficult for me to understand her behavior or her attitude.

She smokes incessantly, doesn't take her medication and walks around with an air of I don't care attitude. She cares not one iota about her health or her life. This is nothing new, she has been like that for years. 

I don't understand that kind of behavior. We pay for insurance, but we don't use it? Like I said earlier, I struggled deeply to understand why this individual and others like them, who don't take care of their health. If you have a chronic illness, that alone should make any person to sit up and take notice. That alone should send a deep desire to live within anyone.

I remember that day well. I went home and I couldn't sleep, thinking of her instead. You see, the Holy Spirit convicted me, because I was wrong to think like that let alone voice it. Who am I to know how she is truly feeling? Who am I to judge her behavior toward her own illness? Where is my compassion that I claim to show toward others? Obviously not here.

3 truths to finish strong
1. You are strong
2. You are worth it
3. You are rescued
By: Jennifer Lee Dukes

I cannot fathom why this person feels the way she does about her own life and health, but just because I don't understand something it doesn't mean it's wrong. It just means I need to learn. So I no longer think anything or say something about her. I'm just there, in case she needs me. This is her journey and she alone needs to make it. Let's pray for her to succeed. 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Technology

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

I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love being able to write my blog posts on a keyboard instead of using long hand in a notebook. I love the comfort and ease of looking up information instantly on anything. I love connecting with others no matter where I am. I love watching movies, T.V. shows and documentaries from any given year at the simple click of a button. 

But . . . . let something go haywire like a storm or an error flashing on the screen, I'm ready to toss the technological gadget out the window. So when it came to the actual move of ours, I cringed. There is nothing more I dreaded than having to transfer all these accounts, wires, cables etc. from one place to another. Calling customer service, waiting on hold and speaking in terminology that is foreign to me with a thick accented foreigner . . . please help me Lord. Let's not forget all the new passwords and user id's. that had to be created, some easy and others not so easy. 

It didn't come as a surprise to find that many mistakes occurred after our move when it came to technology, mostly due to miscommunication. Miscommunication has a lot to answer for in this world. It causes many problems between people. Somehow Emily's name turned into Me Kr and Melani. How? I'm not sure. I thought I was spelling it out and still it happened. This is just one example, but I can say it was easier to make that mistake happen than it has been to rectify it. 

Technology definitely has improved our lives, but it also has created some unwanted problems. It definitely is a love/hate relationship!

Have a blessed day everyone. 

On The Road Again

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

It's been awhile since I took to the road for a trip. I was a little scared in the beginning, but as soon as I jumped on the expressway, it was ready . . set . . go! I love the freedom of an open road, the big beautiful blue sky and a tank full of gas. One can leave all the troubles behind or at least in our minds. 

That's what I did this past weekend, I took to the road and visited my older brother in Wisconsin. You know, when we're having fun, time just flies! We had a blast, but my favorite part (and grateful) was my tour of their RV. There will be pictures, but not today.

Being on the road again brought back so many memories. I used to be afraid of the expressway until a tiny black box was invented going by the name of GPS. Greatest invention ever! I can go anywhere without a thread of fear. If I make a wrong turn, no worries, it quickly redirects you . 

I wish all things in life came with such directions and re-routes whenever we mess up. Can you imagine how wonderful it might be if we are quickly taken off the wrong path in our lives? No messes. No hurts. No lessons learned. 

You did notice that last sentence, right? No lessons learned. Unfortunately, we have to mess up first to actually learn something from the experience. I had plenty of these wrong turns in life. The only difference now happens to be that GPS. I no longer freak out and worry to death about losing my way. It's the same with our spiritual life. God became my GPS in life and even if I lose my way, He'll set me straight onto the right path once again. 

So I'm ready for that road again. Ready for wherever it may take me. You see, I have my GPS with me. 

Have a blessed day everyone.  

The Waiting

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

Life is made stronger
Giving, receiving;
Love is made longer
Hoping, believing.

Life is made sweeter,
Truly worth living;
Love is completer,
Trusting, forgiving.

--M. B. S.

I have come to the conclusion that I'm horrible at waiting. I've also realized that a horrible person emerges when I wait. I'm imperfect, totally unworthy of being the daughter of a King. I say that I want to do the the will of God, but secretly I'm hoping it is the same as mine. I say I will trust in the Lord, but then I whine when things don't go my way. Yup, waiting stinks.

I've also learned something valuable: Sometimes, God waits on us while we're waiting on Him. 

Wow, that's powerful, don't you think? I think we get stuck in this waiting game and we forget that we are the ones who have to do the work. We keep looking to God to do it for us. Someone asked me last night how do we know when to act or when to be still? What a great question! 

For years, I've been praying and praying on something so dear to me. There were times where I felt for sure this would be the time these prayers would be answered only for the opposite to occur. I would cry out to God why is it always no? In all honesty, will we ever know the why?

So how do we know when to act or when to be still?

Well, I can only speak of my own experience. When I push things to the forefront, because I just cannot wait any longer, things always become worse. I keep pushing and pushing until the situation comes to a boiling point. When things turn for the bad  horribly, that's when I step back and admit to God how desperately I need Him. I give it all up to Him. When we are broken, hitting bottom, that's when I become still. I learn the hard way that unless He says so, nothing will happen. 

There are times when an idea pops into my head out of nowhere. It could be while I'm listening or watching something and suddenly I feel so certain of what I have to do. Absolutely positive. There is no hesitation or doubt about it. A calm assurance comes over me and I know I need to act on that idea. 

None of that will matter if I don't make an effort to allow God in my life. If I don't open my heart to Him, I will never be able to hear Him. When I was a baby Christian, I didn't hear Him right away. It took studying the Word, growing in my Faith and developing more of a personal relationship. It didn't happen overnight. I wish that every one of you could experience that kind of relationship. 

Have a blessed day everyone.

A Church Of Our Own

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


Hidden in our longing there's
an innate yearning for 
something better---- some
lasting pleasure or sense of 
completion. Something that 
cannot be found in plastic
and cellophane, but in the
perfectly satisfying 
companionship of Father,
Son and Holy Spirit.
Daniel Darleng

As we began this new journey of ours moving back into the suburbs, one of our main goals was to find a home Church. I, myself especially, couldn't wait to get back to a steady routine. I wanted to join a women's group, something I have missed being involved in. Online bible studies are great, but I miss the human interaction of a face to face discussion. Who says I couldn't do both?

We did choose to belong to a large Church atmosphere, which was something new for both of us. We have always stayed in a small Church community, where we really were more like a family. Small Churches do offer a cozy atmosphere. 


To be honest, everything seems a little different, which is to be expected under the circumstances. Belonging to a large Church such as this one, has setbacks for me. For Emily, this means more younger people for her to mingle with, but for me,  I have no idea how I will make friends here. How does a person connect in a mega Church?

Next week it will be our official third visit to the Church, not counting the Christmas service. We wanted to allow ourselves time to really assess every aspect of the Church, especially the teachings. I have one small problem with this Church, thus far. Since it is part of a mega, mega Church in another location, we actually watch a live feed of the main Pastor in that location preaching. Now, I did notice that during Christmas service, our very own Pastor taught the message, but that was it so far. I hope that is not the case every Sunday. I want a more personal interaction with the Pastor as he preaches here in the Church where I am at. 

So as you can see, we are in a quandary as to what we should do. We did want a change in our life, maybe this includes the Church atmosphere, too. I did enjoy the message last week and isn't that the most important part? Shouldn't my only concern be whether they are preaching the Word of God? I think we have our answer here.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

A Post About Nothing

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


I never saw a moor
I never saw the sea
Yet, I know how a 
heather looks and 
what a wave must be.
 I never spoke with God
nor visited in Heaven.
Yet, certain I am of the 
spot as if the chart 
were given.
Emily Dickinson

Some days, one cannot get anything done no matter how much we may try. It just doesn't happen. We could plan everything, even write it down on the calendar and poof! nothing is accomplished. 

That's exactly what happened this morning. My bed was so warm and comfy that I had no desire to rise from it. I watched as the hand on my clock ticked away announcing each new hour, as I lay snug as a bug in my bed. I almost called in sick to work, because of  all this laziness! It would defeat the whole purpose if I had listened to that voice. My goal has been to save all the vacation days I could and use them during those hot, humid days of Summer. 

When I was younger, I used to think that days like these were really procrastination in disguise. I, no longer feel that is true. I believe it is our bodies'  way of telling us it needs rest. We live in a such a busy world nowadays where we are on the go constantly flitting from one event to another. Our bodies have a hard time keeping up. Or at least, this is true for us older folks.

So I listened and rested. Everything today has been done in slow motion. Why fight it? We need to know when to get up and when to just sit tight. 

Have a blessed day everyone.