Keep trusting - that's what I do

It's not easy to trust that it will all work out when all you see is doom and gloom but if you can just spark that glimmer of hope, you'll be able to see there is a light ahead that doesn't dim, it just gets brighter and brighter.

We are born to trust, but somehow time and people diminish it's strength.  Unless of course we've been blessed with a perfect life where people never go back on their word and parents don't die or get divorced, where jobs are always there and money grows on trees.  I don't live in that world.

I live in the world where people make mistakes, jobs end, people get sick and pass on, parents divorce, credit and credibility lose their "score" and well....life happens.

So...I'd say trusting in God takes time.  It takes practice.  It's a learned trait.  It's a habit that must be formed.  It's important to my survival.

I don't know the "how", the "when" the "why" of each situation, but what I do know is....I know the One who speaks peace into each situation.  I know the One who blesses.  I know the One who rewards those who are diligently seeking His will.

As we start over we have to remind ourselves that each day is different.  What doesn't have to change is our focus.  Stay focused on God, stay focused on the positive things.  Stay focused on what He's done already and what He's continuing to do on your behalf.

My life =)

I tell you, this is me.  I can't really remember ever a time in my life where I haven't tried to make the most out of a situation - whether good or bad.  I am just so blessed to be able to live, it's hard for me not to enjoy it.

My boyfriend and I were invited to dinner with a seasoned couple in the church he attends last night.  During the course of our conversation I found myself listening intently to just how they have "lived" during their marriage.  They've raised a family - had 5 children, four boys and one girl.  They tragically lost one son to an early death, moved 22 times and still managed to sit across from us and feed into our spirits.

I believe it is a great testimony to see how others have made it.  How they've chosen to "LIVE" the life they've been given and do it with grace, a smile, happiness in their hearts and the joy to share with others just how to obtain that same goal, just living life to it's fullest no matter what life throws at you.

I'm so blessed...so excited about life and thankful to know how to live.

Starting over...with joy in my heart and a will to live this life I've been given!!!

Writing this with a thankful heart

I didn't post yesterday because I was being checked for breast cancer.

I guess it was in early May when I detected a lump in my breast and didn't say anything to anyone about it.  I was afraid and I was facing some uncertainties in life that kept me from seeking the care I needed.  Isn't that how life is sometimes?  I just knew I needed to be emotionally strong and secure with The Lord before I ever sought medical advice. 

Well over the last month and a half or so I have just continued to watch/feel for any changes in size or touch and well...nothing changed, it was just there, reminding me that some people get cancer.  You know how it is...our brain automatically goes to the most negative place it possibly can when dealing with sensitive information.  Or maybe yours doesn't - but mine does.

I've often been baffled by the fact that my sister and I have outlived our mother and father and for some reason when a physical ailment comes knocking at my door I wonder if my time on earth is through.  Well....it's not, Thank You Jesus.  They did a 3D mammogram and followed up with an ultrasound and I'm clear!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can tell you - with all the hope and faith that I live with on a daily basis...I still felt fear of the unknown leading up to hearing it from trained medical professionals that I was okay.  I spent hours over the past couple of months praying that God would bring me through and that He would allow me time with my children, grandson and grant me the gift of love and a life with Greg.  Nothing felt sweeter than the hug Greg gave me after the doctor gave me the all clear...nothing tasted better than the bite of a peanut butter cookie (celebratory of course) and being able to look at Greg and know that God just brought me (us) through, yet another major obstacle.

I can't express it enough just how wonderful God is.  He truly does comfort us when we are down, He truly does give hope in hopeless situations.  He truly does care about every single need and want we have and desires to take care of His children.  I am one of His children!

For anyone who's facing the "unknown", it doesn't have to be the terrible "c" word of cancer, it can be an unknown disease, an unknown life change, an unknown career change, just anything that is causing you to have sleepless nights, hopeless days and a restless spirit - I challenge you to trust in God.  I challenge you to pray about it.  It doesn't mean the feelings will all go away, but what it does mean is your spirit will find rest in God, knowing He will see you through.  

Starting over can just mean allowing God to bring rest to your current situation.  Starting over can just mean you place your cares and troubles in His hands.  He's totally qualified to handle anything and anyone.

Here's to a beautiful day and a thankful heart.

Determined to live life

One thing I've learned in life is that no one is above life's challenges. 

What inspires me are the ones who take those challenges and become stronger, healthier and happier.

I know if we were to sit in a room filled with strangers and told each other our life stories we would find we have reason to be thankful for the life we've been given.  We would hear how many times each person started over in life, we would hear how there were highs and lows to each season faced.  We would hear of love and loss; we would then know...we are not alone.

My hope and prayer is that each person who is faced with starting over grab a hold of a new vision for your life.  Be hopeful for a new beginning.  Be bold and courageous, full of faith that you've been given this opportunity to live a life filled with happiness.

I truly am blessed to be given this chance in life to start over and live it out with love, trust, faith, hope, and the courage to enjoy each day as they come.  

Thank you God, thank you Greg, thank you Kaitlyn, Aubrey and Emmett for showing this person that I'm living the life I'm meant to live!!! I love you all so much!!!

It's all about perspective.

This last week has brought on a whole new set of things to ponder.
A few of my friends and acquaintances have experienced amazing loss this last week.  The passing of a healthy beautiful husband/father/brother... I learned of a woman who under Oregon's Death With Dignity Rights, checked into a hotel room at 3:00 PM yesterday and said goodbye to all those left behind.  Another family lost all three of their children in a crosswalk.  It's time to wake up and take notice at just how quickly it all ends.  

I have been given only one life to live and I want to make it count.  I want my children to know I love them and appreciate them.  I want to make memories with my girls, my grandson, my family and the man I love.

I may not have everything I want...But I have who I want.
I have a God who loves and protects me.  I have amazing friends, I have a job, a home, a car.
I am a blessed woman!




How do we do that?
Love God!  Serve Him!  Serve Others!

Instead of saying...does this matter to my partner?
Ask yourself the question...does my partner matter to me?

Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect.

Instead of waiting for someone to make you happy, you can make someone else happy.

Instead of thinking you have to be the most beautiful woman in the world, fall in love with the man who believes you make his world beautiful.

At the end of the day all that matters is who you love, who loves you and the God who holds us in His hands.

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No matter what you've faced, no matter where you thought you'd be today - you have the ability to make the rest of your life the best of your life!

Start over with a new perspective today.

Do I bring honor?

This hit me hard today.

What does honor mean to me?

It means to live with integrity and respect.  It means to set someone or something in a place of high regard or respect.  It is the opposite of shame in my eyes.

I honor the man I love by keeping myself to him.  I'm trustworthy.  I value my role in his life and want to honor him with my actions, heart, mind and spirit.

Honor cannot exist when anonymity exists.  I can't honor him as my boyfriend if I never let anyone know we are together.  It gives others the opinion that I'm single or available to other choices.  

I need God's honor in my life so I am not ashamed to say that I'm His child.  I have humbled myself before Him displaying my failures/sins.  I have asked Him to forgive me, cleanse me and make me new.  I genuinely desire to please Him by living a life that will bring Him honor - because I love Him.

Loving God - means proving to Him with my actions, my words, my life that I bring Him honor.

Loving Greg means I prove it with my actions, my words and my life.  

What a privilege we have to be loved and to be able to love someone.

As I've started over...I know now more than I have ever known in my life - that I want to be loved, honored, and adored...by not only the very God who created me...but my children and the man I am committed to.

How amazing...

This verse is for each and  every one of us who've ever doubted in ourselves.

 God knew I would have hazel eyes, brown hair, crooked teeth, freckled skin... He knew I would have a sensitive spirit and need affirmation.  He knew I would need to be reminded from time to time that I am loved and needed.  God knew I wouldn't be the President of The United States...but that didn't matter because my role was just as important.  I am a mother, a gramma, a sister, a daughter, a friend, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, and a girlfriend.  I am a child of God and to Him... I am a masterpiece!  I have made mistakes and often fall short of my expectations.  I have scars both physically and emotionally- I have needs, wants and desires...but again... I am God's masterpiece!  

I may not have the body of a model or the face of an angel but I am God's masterpiece!  I may not always get things right - but I don't always get it wrong and regardless- I am His masterpiece!  

Because I believe in Him and His word - I must believe I am beautiful in His sight!  I must believe I am a child of the King... I must believe that I am a gift worth cherishing...because I am a masterpiece!  

Remember who you are... Don't doubt in your bloodline.  

God does not make mistakes and He loves you just how He created you! 

I am one of a kind...I'm an original.  I'm blessed and highly favored by God Himself...because I am One of His masterpieces!  

Remember this as you start over.

You were created by the Master!