You are part of the world's largest support group..giving hope....

Good evening my friends, I pray your Sunday has been one filled with calm and comfort and that now you are ready to sit back, relax, and spend some quality time with your loves and to take some time for YOU and GOD. 

In prayer this evening, I give thanks to you God for all of the wonderful blessings you give me, sometimes I think you have turned and run from me Father and then boom, when I feel that I am down at the very bottom, suddenly I get pushed back up and am renewed. Thank you so much Father for always thrusting me forward and for allowing me to see the light in the darkness. I ask you God to continue to bless my friends and my family, please bless my friend who is suffering a bad sinus infection and much stress, please continue to wrap your healing arms around my friend Star and for the baby who is recovering from the heart attack, I ask for healing, calm, comfort, peace, strength and unconditional love for all, I ask all of these mercies, favors, and graces in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

I love, love, love this story...when was the last time you told those around you that you are proud of them???

I'm proud of you!

Does anyone say it any more? When I heard it the other day, it caught my attention. It was like hearing something oddly familiar but distant and faint in my memory. 

You know, like things your grandmother used to say. 

I needed to understand why. I mean, it just doesn't seem right that a phrase so powerful would not be heard and used regularly. 

"I'm proud of you!" 

When was the last time you said that to someone? Not just someone you love, but a neighbor, friend, or co-worker. 

To a neighbor...

"You make a difference in the world in everything you do. I watch the people around you, how they react whenever you're there. They smile, laugh often and feel better for having had you in their day, even if ever so briefly. I'm proud of you!" 

To a Friend...

"You take on the challenges of life and never give in. You might not always win, but you don't lose for lack of trying. I'm proud of you!" 

To a co-worker...

"You care. It shows in the way you do your work. You not only do your job, you care about the details, the goals and the outcome. I'm proud of you!" 

To a child...

"You didn't hit a home run, but you played with your heart in every game. You never missed a practice, you tried your very best. That's a home run in my book. I'm proud of you!" 

To your spouse or partner...

"We'll get through this together. Yes, you lost your job, but so did many others. I see great determination in your eyes. I love you even more in the difficult times because that's when you shine and the world sees your best. I'm proud of you!" 

Now for you, my "friend I've never met"... 

"You take time each day to search out and read positive, uplifting messages on the internet. Your love for people shows when you pass along special messages for your friends facing challenges. Your faith is strong and evident when you lift up others, offer spiritual support and encouragement and pray for people you don't even know. You are a part of the world's largest support group giving hope to those whose only connection to others may be the internet. 

"I'm proud of you!"

God is watching you and will continue until he sees his image in you...WOW!!!!

Good evening and happy Monday evening, I pray that your day has been a great one, and if it has not been so good...rest in the knowledge that you will never have to go through March 5, 2012 again. There is always a silver lining:) 

In prayer this evening I bowed my head and thanked God for all of the blessings in my life, I thanked him for allowing me to find the story I am including below and for allowing me to be that bit of silver that he is sitting and refining. I asked him to continue to be with all of those who are facing the realities of all that the storms have stripped from them, I asked him to bless them with comfort and calm, and with knowledge that he will be with them in every step they take and in all that they must go through to get back on their feel. I asked him to continue to comfort those who have lost loved ones that they might find peace in their hearts and know that they will be reunited one day with those who are gone. I asked God to continue to bless my friend Star who is healing and mending each day. I asked for blessing to be laid upon my friend who has broken her back and leg in an accident, for my friend who has lost her job, for my friends who are struggling to make it from one day to another and for each of you. I asked God to provide each of us with peace in our hearts so that we might have compassion and caring for others, for calm in our minds so that we might always try to choose the right and follow what we know is good, for comfort in our bodies so that we might walk without pain and for an abundance of love so that we might never turn away from him. I asked all of theses mercies and favors in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

All I can say is that I love, love, love this story...let me know what you think!!! 

Refiner and Purifier

Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God ... 

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. 

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. 

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. 

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ' He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' 

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. 

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. 

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' 

He smiled at her and answered, ' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.' 

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. 

 This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.

My relationships began to improve when I learned to listen with my heart!!!

Good evening and happy Tuesday evening, I pray your day has been a wonderful one and that you and yours are now settled in sharing some so important family time together. 

In prayer this evening I bowed my head and let the noise of the day wane away, I stilled my mind and allowed myself to become melded with the Holy Spirit. We sat in silence, me feeling only the blessing of our Father in heaven's grace and goodness as I sat thinking about all the prayers we have lifted and all that have been answered right before our very eyes. I asked God how can anyone deny you, how can anyone not believe in your goodness and your love?Please Lord, continue to bless my friend Star as she is growing stronger each day and is such a wonderful inspiration to so many.  Father, thank you, THANK YOU,  for all of the good things you have put in my life, for my daughter who I love with every breath I take, who has been nothing but joy for me for 25 years. For that little boy growing in her tummy, who will no doubt steal my heart and wrap me around his very pinkie finger. Thank you for my Wayde, who stands by me through thick and thin, who takes care of me in a way that only a person filled with unconditional love can, for my family, for my friends, and for all of the beauty that is around me each day. I ask you God to bless all with peace in their hearts, calm in their minds, comfort in their bodies and an abundance of love in their hearts. I love you Father and am so thankful for YOU. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask these blessings and favors. Amen...

The writing that I am sharing tonight is one that I had to overcome, imagine being a person that really thought she knew all of the answers, I have a strong personality and tend to tell others what is best for them without allowing them to be heard...it took me many years to overcome this but let me tell you...when I started listening and began to hear what others were saying was when I began to live my life, I was amazed that I am not always right, my way is not always the right way and who in the habitats am I to think I know it all. It was very freeing for me to see the error of my ways and I have learned so much in hearing with my heart....

Listening with Your Heart

This is an actual advertisement found in a Utah (USA) newspaper from a man trying to sell his motorcycle. 

"2006 Suzuki 1000. This bike is perfect! It has 1000 miles and has had its 500 mile dealer service. (Expensive Service!) 

It's been adult ridden, all wheels have always been on the ground. I use it as a cruiser/commuter. I'm selling it because it was purchased without proper consent of a loving wife! 

Apparently "do whatever the heck you want" doesn't mean what I thought!!! 

Call me, Steve. [phone number]" 

Her sarcasm was lost on him. Somehow he didn’t hear the words behind the words. 

Why is it? We own cell phones and send email. We talk, text and tweet. We have more ways of communicating than ever before, but communication is still a major problem. 

Maybe they hear our words, but they're deaf to what is behind the words. So what do we do? We say it LOUDER. If we can't be understood at conversational level, maybe they'll understand if we blast it into their heads. 

And sometimes we simply don’t listen well. Perhaps that is because many of us are afflicted with what communicator Nido Qubein terms "agenda anxiety" – the feeling that what we want to say to others is more important than what they might want to say to us. So we don’t listen. We try to impress rather than express, not realizing that two monologues do not make a dialogue. 

"Please understand me," is the desperate cry of too many relationships. "You don’t have to make me feel better; you don’t have to do anything; you don’t even have to agree with me. But don’t judge me. Just understand me. Please." 

The truth is that our relationships work when communication works. And communication works when we hear the words behind the words; when it becomes as important for us to listen as it is for us to speak; and, when we truly understand each other. For me, it takes more than merely listening with my ears. I also have to listen with my heart. 

My colleague and friend Roy Trueblood collaborated on the book MANAGING FROM THE HEART [Managing from the Heart] In it, the authors discuss what it means to communicate from the heart as well as from the head. Here are five principles of "H-E-A-R-T" communication. These are great tips for better talking and listening in personal relationships. 

H - Hear and understand me. 

E - Even if you disagree, please don’t make me wrong. 

A - Acknowledge the greatness within me. 

R - Remember to look for my loving intentions. 

T - Tell me the truth with compassion.

Noted author and psychotherapist Virginia Satir said this about communication: "Once a human being has arrived on this earth, communication is the largest single factor determining what kinds of relationships he makes with others and what happens to him in the world about him." It seems important that we get it right. 

I realize that the quality of my life will be largely determined by the quality of my relationships. And my relationships will improve when I learn to listen with my heart. 

Love is a greater treasure than all the crown jewels that ever sat on a queen's head...

Happy Monday evening my friends, I pray that you and yours have had a great start to a week that will only get better and better. It has been a beautiful day here with the sun shining and little to no wind at all. Counting my blessings for all that I have been given....

In prayer this evening I ask that you pray for a sweet friend of mine who lost her sweet dog, Annie. I do not know the circumstances but I do know what a sadness comes over our heart when we lose one of our 4 legged babies. I ask God to bless her with peace in her hears. I also would like to ask for special prayers for a very special lady who has battled for so long, who has lived on borrowed time for so long and is so very tired. Father this sweet lady is so ready to come home to join her sweet husband. Let us all pray for God's will to be done and that if it be her time that she embrace this next horizon of her life and that she know how much she is loved. I prayed for each of you as I always do asking God to bless you with his love, his peace, his calm and his comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I love this next story, I am one who has allowed the throws of life to get to me from time to time and in looking at what is the most in my life. I am beyond rich...my daughter and my family make me the richest! 

It’s Free

I was doing my monthly bills again recently. The stack was huge, so I took a moment to enjoy the balance at the top of the page. Then I clutched my pen and started to write check after check to pay bill after bill while the balance got smaller and smaller with each one. 

I finally finished and looked at what was left. The ending balance wasn’t much. It amazed me just how much everything costs these days. I looked down again at the tiny amount left over and sighed. It was then, however, that I felt someone behind me. I turned and saw my youngest son smiling down on me. His handicapped mind had no concept of money, yet his gentle spirit seemed to know that I could use his smile right then. I put my pen down, got up from the table, and gave my boy a hug. I rested my chin on his shoulder, patted him on the back, and thanked God one more time for giving him to me. At that moment I felt like the richest man in the entire world. I thanked God again for helping me to see the truth that the most priceless thing in this whole world is free. 

Love is a greater treasure than all the crown jewels that ever sat on a Queen’s head. Love is more precious than every ounce of gold that was ever mined from the ground. Love is more valuable than all the stocks and bonds that Wall Street ever sold. Love is what we are here for. Love is what life is all about. And love is free! 

The next time then that your pockets are empty, the next time that your bank balance is low, the next time that you don’t have a thin dime to your name remember that the most valuable thing in this life doesn’t cost a cent. Love is a gift from God that we are all free to share. It brings us more joy than all the money in the world and the more we give it away the more of it we have in our hearts, souls, and lives.

Be careful how you live..YOU may be the only bible some people will ever read!!!

Good evening and happy Friday night, I pray this night has been a wonderful one! 

In prayer this evening we continue to thank God for the healing miracles he is allowing for my friend Star, we are asking for minute to minute healing and our prayers are being answered. Please continue to pray with me for those who are battling the beast of addiction, who are choosing drugs over family and loved ones. I ask peace, calm, comfort and love for each of you and am so very thankful for your friendship and continued support. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask blessings and favor for all. Amen.

Great little read about human compassion and  not judging others. A lesson I can surely benefit from!! Peace be with each of you:)

The Living Bible

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can’t find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can’t blame him for what he’s going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man’s cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can’t even hear anyone breathing. The minister can’t even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won’t be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, “What I’m about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.” “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!”

… Author unknown

Will you be listening?

Good evening and happy beginning of the weekend, it was a nice day here in Utah, no snow, no rain, and warmer temperatures, we even saw a bit of sunshine off and on.  I pray you have had a beautiful day and that your weekend affords you some YOU time.

In prayer this evening as I bowed my head, I felt such a strength in God, I felt that he was very near me and was listening, it was funny...after I said my prayers I was looking for a heartfelt story and came across one that stood out to me, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is trying to touch a heart through me, he is needing us to listen with our hearts, to see the blessings he is sending us, to listen to others and to let them teach us. I am so blessed to be able to be a tool for Him, I am so very blessed to be able to put fingers to keyboard and share messages. I love Him so much and wish to only please him. I know that He lives in each of us and I know that every one of us has a message to give, has a light to share and has a purpose, I vow to listen more and more each day to those around me. I pray that your evening is filled with joy and laughter, that love is on your lips and that you are sharing this fact with your loved ones. God bless us by opening our eyes when we rush through and do not hear you. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Here is the story that seemed to pop off of the page at me...I don't question I just do. I hope you enjoy the message and that it sparks an urge in you to listen! God bless each of you. 

Will You Be Listening? 

Author: Amy Rolfs

I made my weekly trip to the post office today. I love going there. It’s one of those small town post offices where everyone knows everybody. I didn’t grow up in this area and really haven’t been here long so I don’t know many of the folks in this community. You know what they say, “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet”. I think that’s why I like going to the post office so much. Seems that each time I’m there, I meet another “friend”.

People fascinate me: how they think, how they feel, where they’re going, where they’ve been. I believe that each of us serve as Gods messengers. Occasionally we’re aware of it, but many times we pass along His messages without even realizing it. So, I tend to pay real close attention to the people I come in contact with and what they have to say. I’m not one to believe in coincidences. I believe that each person that crosses my path, does so at just the right time and for just the right purpose. Sometimes they’re in our lives for a longer period of time and sometimes it’s only for a brief moment in passing. What’s amazing to me are the people that just pass through. In that brief moment they can carry a message with them that can impact your life… but only if you listen.

Today, I was listening. Today, I met one of those special messengers. His name was Charlie. He was an elderly man in his 90’s. At first glance he seemed so frail, walking very slowly, appearing weak and tired. That was just his shell though… the body he’s resided in for so many years. It didn’t take me long to see how strong his spirit was. It lit up the room and spread a blanket of warmth that seemed to touch everyone within reach. What truly captivated me was when he started talking about his wife. The love just poured out with every word. The respect, admiration, the look in his eyes as he spoke about her… there are no words to eloquently describe it. It’s the kind of love everyone hopes to have one day.

I’ve witnessed enough relationships to know that this kind of love does exist. Listening to Charlie today reaffirmed that… it gave me hope all over again. He talked about the day he and his wife first met and how he said to himself, “She’s going to be my wife one day”. He said that the minute he first set eyes on her he somehow knew, in the deepest part of his soul, that they would spend the rest of their lives together. He talked about who he was before she came into his life and who he became after she entered. Charlie said, “everything I am, I owe to her”. Oh, life wasn’t always rosey for them, he assured. They experienced more than their share of hard times and it wasn’t always easy. And then he looked me straight in the eyes and although he was talking to a room full of people, for that moment, I felt like Charlie was talking to only me… he said, “When you love someone, when you really, truly love someone, the pain and the struggles that life throws you… it’s never too much. When love and God are the core of the bond that you share, then you can get through anything.”

I want to be loved like that. Everyone deserves to love and be loved like that. Not the kind of love that “completes” you… although very romantic, I never agreed with that. But rather the kind of love where you go into it complete… whole… but then find that because of this love, you’ve grown in ways you could never imagine. The love that goes beyond understanding. It’s a love that you not only share with each other, but even more importantly with God… knowing that something this powerful can only really come from HIM. And I realized that listening to Charlie – it wasn’t the love that he had for his wife that touched me so much. But rather it was the love that he and his wife had for God that amazed me. It was God’s love that poured out of him as he talked to all of us today. It’s BECAUSE of God’s love that he and his wife had shared this beautiful life together.

I’ve learned a lot of things these past couple of years. I look back at all that’s happened - so many changes. There were times I felt like the rug was ripped right out from under me. I couldn’t understand why it seemed as if all the things I cared most about – needed to be taken away. So much lost these past years. Why? What’s the message? What am I missing? Then it finally dawned on me… all these things I lost, all these things that ended… kept bringing me right back to where it all began... right back to God and Me. That’s the message. I finally get that. Ya hear that God… I finally get it! It all must begin with YOU and me first. The love towards myself, the love towards God, and accepting entirely, above all else… His love for me. Before anything else, that must happen first. Sometimes I guess I need to lose everything in order to find myself and God. Until I do that… I have nothing.

I don’t pretend to know everything or to suddenly have it all figured out. But I know one thing for sure and that is that God will continue to send Charlie, and all His other messengers, to help us along the way. The question is… will you be listening?

Only when you are happy yourself can you spread happiness with others.

Good evening and happy Thursday night, it has been a beautiful sunny day here in Utah with our high hitting 45...simply unbelievable for this time of the year here!

I pray your day has been a good one and that you are ready for a nice relaxing weekend. I had a very special prayer request from a very sweet friend and would ask that you all reach up to the heavens and pray with me. Her post on my facebook...

 "Dawn will you please ask your prayer warriors to pray for my dad who had a heart attack today. I just got a call from my sister who said that the doctors told her to start calling family and the next 48 hours are crucial. The doctors don't give him much hope." 

Please join me in asking favor and blessings for this family as they stand in wait of God's will. know that you are always in my prayers for peace, calm, comfort and understanding. God I love you so much and am so thankful to you for giving your son so that I might have life. In the name of Jesus Christ our savior. Amen

What Is Success?

What is success, really? What does the word success bring to your mind?

I am sure many would answer along the lines of lots of money, big house, new car, designer clothes, five star restaurants and all that. And sure enough, those are signs of success on the material level. Nothing wrong in reaching for those - as long as you feel joy in the process. 

It has been interesting to see how my own idea of success has evolved through the years. When I was young, I was eagerly reaching for material success. I chose my jobs accordingly and so of course ended up in sales. And sure enough I did earn some pretty good pay checks.

But then a nagging feeling started to grow. I began to realize selling was not what I wanted to do all my life. After all I was often forced to sell products I knew did not really fit the customer. You know how sales meetings go: all that matters is the amount of money you made. The values were hard. Eventually I became very unhappy.

And so I became to realize that even with big pay checks I did not feel successful. That is when my search for success turned inwards. I quit sales and chose another profession - this time helping people. The feeling of relief and belonging was great - and suddenly my life felt successful again. Even though I earned less, I was much more content.

I started to paint again. I love horses so at first it was horse portraits only. Then abstracts - and then other subjects. 

And then I returned to my old love - writing. And positive thinking. 

I realized I felt the most successful when I loved what I did, never mind the money. And so for my own part I define success by the feeling of contentment. Joy, happiness. These emotions can be triggered by many things. Painting, writing. Playing with a small child. Handling a difficult case at work well.

So what is success for you? Do you let others define what is your success ? Are you reaching for that big house just to impress others? Or have you learned yet to listen to yourself and what feels good within? Try to learn to listen to your own feelings - and you may be surprised at what you find. I know I was - but I am also much happier for it.

And always remember - what is success for you may not be success in someone else´s mind. But you are not here to live anyone else´s life but your own. It is not your obligation to please others with your life - only yourself. Because only if you are happy yourself, can you spread happiness to others. You cannot give what you do not have.

So be true to yourself and follow your own joyful path to your own definition of success.

With his lip quivering and a tear streaming down his cheek he replied, thank you, thank you.

Good evening, as this day quickly comes to an end, I pray that you and yours have had joy this first day of the New Year. 

In prayer this evening I thanked God for all of you, for being in my life and for always standing in the gap when I am in need of prayer. I love the fact that I can come to you at any time for personal prayer or for prayer for others and you so eagerly pray with/for me. I am so very blessed to have you in my life. Kind Father in Heaven, give us the kindness to hear with compassion, to offer support, loving comfort, and care. Give us courage to do what is needed, the wisdom to choose what is right and fair. Give us the vision to see what is possible. Give us faith that will help pave the way for a present that is hopeful, a future that is peaceful. Give us a heart to bring joy to each day. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

The Circus

Once when I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. Finally, there was only one family between us and the ticket counter. This family made a big impression on me. There were eight children, all probably under the age of 12. You could tell they didn't have a lot of money. Their clothes were not expensive, but they were clean. The children were well-behaved, all of them standing in line, two-by- two behind their parents, holding hands. They were excitedly jabbering about the clowns, elephants and other acts they would see that night. One could sense they had never been to the circus before. It promised to be a highlight of their young lives.

The father and mother were at the head of the pack standing proud as could be. The mother was holding her husband's hand, looking up at him as if to say, "You're my knight in shining armor." He was smiling and basking in pride, looking at her as if to reply, "You got that right."

The ticket lady asked the father how many tickets he wanted. He proudly responded, "Please let me buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets so I can take my family to the circus."

The ticket lady quoted the price.

The man's wife let go of his hand, her head dropped, the man's lip began to quiver. The father leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?"

The ticket lady again quoted the price.

The man didn't have enough money.

How was he supposed to turn and tell his eight kids that he didn't have enough money to take them to the circus?

Seeing what was going on, my dad put his hand into his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill and dropped it on the ground. (We were not wealthy in any sense of the word!) My father reached down, picked up the bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, sir, this fell out of your pocket."

The man knew what was going on. He wasn't begging for a handout but certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking, embarrassing situation. He looked straight into my dad's eyes, took my dad's hand in both of his, squeezed tightly onto the $20 bill, and with his lip quivering and a tear streaming down his cheek, he replied, "Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a lot to me and my family."

My father and I went back to our car and drove home. We didn't go to the circus that night, but we didn't go without.

~~Recipe for a NEW YEAR~~

Good evening, I apologize for not having a morning post nor my lunchtime food for thought, I found to day that I have had the stomach flu or medically termed the norovirus gastroenteritis. I promise you it is not a fun time in the old city! My Wayde is still in bed on day number 3 and I have been from the bed to the couch to the bed again. I am sorry to say I had to miss out on one of the most important things I have ever been invited to do, I was supposed to get to see my unborn grandbaby on sonogram tomorrow and me and only me was going to get to know the sex and not share this with my daughter or her hubby until Feb 4th for a birthday present to her. This sickness has not only cost us extra money for but also would have been to dangerous for me to be with her, I would have been in fear of passing it on to her or Derek or both. So my heart is broken and I cannot seem to stop the flow of tears! I know all things happen for a reason, I just wish I knew what the reason is. 

In prayer this evening I asked God to bless me and mine with health, I asked Him to wrap his arms around me and hold me as I sit and weep over missing the special day tomorrow and I ask him to bless my baby with her thoughts being laid calm regarding the health of her baby! I asked God to continue to bless each of you with his love, his peace, his calm and his comfort. I asked God to hold my sister's father in law in his loving arms, to comfort him as he is going through his physical medical struggles and if it be His will to wax him strong enough to pull through and make a full recovery, if it be His will to call him home, to comfort him, to ease any fear he may have and to surround him with all of those who have gone before him to include his beautiful wife. Father comfort his family and bless them with calm and comfort as they stand in wait. I ask all of the blessings and mercies in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

I came across this sweet little recipe for a Happy New Year and thought it was one to share,  hope that you enjoy it and I pray that you will take it and use it in your new year! 

Recipe for a Happy New Year

  Anonymous

    Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

    Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Dancing with God

Good evening, and YES I am alive, I contracted some type of very nasty stomach virus Christmas night, missed an entire day yesterday as I could not even get out of bed for anything more that the bathroom and back to bed, I am just now able to sit up long enough to write this blog. Now unfortunately Wayde is affected and is doing poorly. Boy this is a bad dose of "gombuu" I pray that the holiday has been a more healthful one than ours and that you are now looking forward to the NEW YEAR festivities!

I prayer this evening I ask each of you to say a little prayer for our household, for a healing that will take over quickly and allow the both of us to be well. I pray that each of you had a magical Christmas and that you felt the spirit of Jesus as you celebrated. I pray for each of you that there is peace in your heart, calm in your mind, and comfort in your bodies. I ask that you pray with me for my sister's father in law as he is struggling with healing after a most horrible fall. He is in the hospital and not doing well. I ask our Father in heaven to bless him with healing if it be his will, to keep him from feeling pain and to hold him in his lap and comfort him each step of the way. Father he is such a wonderful spirit, a obedient son and a perfect mentor for his own sons, bless him with his next stage of life. I ask our heavenly Father to bless all who are suffering, for all that are struggling and for all that are in need of blessings. In the name of Jesus I ask these favors. Amen. 

Dancing with God

Source Unknown

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.

It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G" I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i". "God," "u" and "i" dance." God, you and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God as God abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

"You changed my mourning into dancing…"

Ps 30:12

Are we more glorious when we are broken and humiliated?

Good evening and happy BIGGEST LOSER Tuesday, on the scale this evening I must say I was disappointed but not as badly as if I had gained weight. I am down only 1 pound this week, but 1 more less than I was last week, at this rate it will take me until I am 90 to get where I need to be! Oh well, Rome was not built in a day and I did not gain the weight over night so "ONWARD AND UPWARD" 

In prayer this evening I asked God to provide for you and to comfort you, to look at each of you individually and define your needs, to hold you when you are scared, to give you strength when you are weak, to dust you off when you fall and to nudge you forward when you stop. I ask him to bless my sweet friend who is still suffering with pneumonia, she will have a CT scan to look deeper into the problem, please Lord lay your hands upon her lungs and bring them back to healthy. Father bless all those who are suffering this night, give us peace, calm, and comfort. I ask mercy, blessing and grace in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tonight's story is an eye opener who would ever think that in our weakest most vulnerable moment and in total humility that we are most worthy? 

James 4:6 - But he gives us more grace.  That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Bamboo

Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day, the Master of the garden was wont to walk. Of all the denizens of the garden, the most beautiful and most beloved was gracious and noble bamboo. Year after year, bamboo grew yet more noble and gracious, conscious of his Master’s love and watchful delight, but modest and gentle withal. And often when the wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would cast aside his grave stateliness, to dance and play right merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon, leading the Great Dance of the garden, Which most delighted the Master’s heart.

Now, once upon a day, the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo with eyes of curious expectancy. And Bamboo, in a passion of adoration, bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting.

The Master spoke: “Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you.”

Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. The day of days had come, the day for which he had been made, the day to which he had been growing hour by hour, the day in which he would find his completion and his destiny.

His voice came low: “Master, I’m ready. Use me as Thou wilt.”

“Bamboo,” – The Master’s voice was grave --- “I would have to take you and cut you down!”

A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo…”Cut …me… down ? Me.. who thou, Master, has made the most beautiful in all thy Garden…cut me down! Ah, not that. Not that. Use me for the joy, use me for the glory, oh master, but cut me not down!”

Beloved Bamboo,”—The Master’s voice grew graver still—“If I cut you not down, I cannot use you.”

The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There was a whisper:

“Master, if thou cannot use me other than to cut me down.. then do thy will and cut”.

“Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also”.

“Master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust; but would thou also have to take from me, my leaves and branches too?”

“Bamboo, if I cut them not away, I cannot use you.”

The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. And Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low: “Master, cut away”

“Bamboo, Bamboo, I would yet… split you in two and cut out your heart, for if I cut not so, I cannot use you.”

Then Bamboo bowed to the ground: “Master, Master… then cut and split.”

So did the Master of the garden took Bamboo…

and cut him down…

and hacked off his branches…

and stripped off his leaves…

and split him in two…

and cut out his heart.

And lifting him gently, carried him to where there was a spring of fresh sparkling water in the midst of his dry fields. Then putting one end of the broken Bamboo in the spring and the other end into the water channel in His field, the Master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo… And the spring sang welcome, and the clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of bamboo’s torn body into the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted, and the days went by, and the shoots grew and the harvest came.

In that day Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, was yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant, but in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master’s world.

Author Unknown

Will you join me for a cup? Also did I win or did I lose?

Good evening.
     Biggest Loser night...did I lose or did I win??? Well I did neither... I am exactly where I was last week, but I was sweating it...I was thinking I might be up a little as I have not been as diligent this week in watching what I eat, dang those butterscotch krinkle treats!!!  So this week I get a big fat ~~~0~~~
     Tonight, I sit in prayer asking God to bless you and the stress that you are carrying around! I know this week is a stress filled one with the house cleaning, the meal prep, the cooking, the company, the...the...the...! Father tilt our chins toward you as a father does a child and let us know that we do not have to be perfect, we do not have to try to please everyone, the one who is most important in our "pleasing" is you father. Give us the knowledge that this holiday is a celebration of Thanksgiving for what we have in our lives, it is more important to give thanks and enjoy family and friends..not one will remember the food that was served years from now but they will remember who was there and how much enjoyment was served up! I asked God to continue to bless and comfort those struggling with life this night, that they feel his comforting arms around them and the love that is being showered over them. Allow them calm and peace Lord with no fear nor pain. I asked him to continue to bless each of us with faith and hope and to give us the will to never give up no matter how big our storm. In finishing my prayer  I sealed it up and lifted it to our savior Jesus Christ for special delivery to our Father in Heaven. Amen.

Tonight I came across a wonderful little story and was impressed by its message, I love the idea and the meaning behind it. I pray you like it as I did and that you will share your thoughts with me in the comment section below. Your feedback is so much appreciated! I love you and thank you for spending time with me each evening! God bless you. 

Anyone for a Nice Cup of Tea?

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired.

During their visit the conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in their work and lives.  Offering his guests tea, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of tea and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the tea.  When all the alumni had a cup of tea in hand, the professor said:

"Notice that all the nice-looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the tea. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was tea, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups.... and then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the tea; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life. The type of cup one has does not define, nor change the quality of life a person lives. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the tea. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

Live simply.  Love generously.  Care deeply.  Speak kindly...... And enjoy your tea.