Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Maybe it is his Marine training, or just being a man, I am not sure....but my son has reminded me a time or two to.....BE AWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS!

I have taken his advice to heart and I do my best to take good care to stay safe and be alert as I go about my day, in public places, and even when I am home. I understand the need to watch what is happening around me, to be on watchful alert at all times.

These days it is esp important to be reminded of this because we have our high tech phones that we can easily get our noses stuck in even as we are walking to our cars in parking lots, etc.
There are so many safety rules/lessons, that we need to be sure we are applying on a daily minute by minute basis.

This is also true in the spiritual realm.

There is an invisible yet VERY destructive enemy on the prowl every minute of every day following you around doing his best to knock you down and wipe you out completely.

This enemy is as sly as a slithering snake. He is waiting for you to have your guard down and he is ready to pounce on you. He does not do this in obvious ways like a home invasion.....although it will certainly feel like one once he has had his way with you.
No, he usually works on the sly and begins chipping away at your confidence, your peace, your very sanity.
He knows where you are vulnerable, he knows where to hit you.
Your family, your marriage, your kids, your job, your home, you name it...that thing that matters to you, he will be after it!!!

We are warned about this enemy in John 10:10
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy."

God knew we would need to be on alert. That we would need to keep our guard up.

If we keep on reading we will find the happy ending....
"I have come that they have life and that they may have it abundantly."

HE is our savior! Our hero! Our knight in shining armor!!!
He is here to save us from the attacks of the enemy!!

It is up to us to be aware, to constantly think about what we are thinking about. Check ourselves as to how we are reacting and responding to the stresses in life, or even how we are just plain ole reacting to the people in our lives. Watch where we are going, what we are seeing and listening to.

If we can remember that the enemy does not want us to be happy and peaceful and to have all that GOD has for us.....and remain watchful at all times, we can keep the devil out.
Put our armor on every day to be prepared in battle, because whether we want to accept it or not, this IS a battle!

Let me echo my sons warning to YOU dear ones....
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!!!!!
XO

Missing My Dad......

Ever miss someone so bad it hurts?
Oh, I am sure you have, most of us have.
Well, today is one of those days for me.

Today would have been my Dads 73rd birthday....he died when he was only 49 years old, I was only 29! Oh how I miss him today and have throughout the years!

I often think how awesome it would be to have him here to share life with.
He loved life & He loved his family!!!!
He would have loved the people in my life today. My children, of course, and now my grand-angels!! My kids remember him as a wonderful Papa and now he would be the greatest GREAT Papa!!!

Oh I know he is safe and happy in heaven, and I am thankful for that. BUT, I can't help but miss him like crazy on days like this!!!!

I often find myself telling some random, usually silly story and then proclaiming that my dad told me that!
I am carrying on his legacy.

Of course this all makes me wonder and ponder the legacy I AM LEAVING!!!

It is my hope and prayer that I leave a legacy of love and that my loved ones remember me as fondly as I remember my Dad!!!!!!

Next Page Please....

Life is ever changing.

Some things seem to always be the same and NEED changing and other things change so fast it makes our heads spin.

Many of us are afraid of change and fight it tooth and nail. I venture to say that I am one of those comfort creatures that likes things to be similar and run smoothly. Actually I am all about things running smoothly. I am a planner and like things to be planned out.

I have had that challenged a great deal in the past few years. I did not like it most of the time and I have had to learn a great deal about flexibility. Uhmmm....I don't bend real easily, BUT on the other hand. I am one who MORE THAN ANYTHING is interested in being faithful to God and HIS plan for my life.

SO I bend and I move and I ditch my own plans in the trash while going for HIS plan!

The way I see it, it is ALL a learning and growing experience. It's what we need to be closer to HIM, our source of strength and passion and love and ..............
well EVERYTHING!!!

After a few years of these flexibility lessons, it seems as if He is about to mix things up and after one HUGE change I will be living a much more "planned" out daily routine. I kinda like that idea!!! I think it will be so good for me.

After 13 years of working as an Assistant to an Interior Designer; making plants & topiarys, decorating, assisting, choosing tile and paint colors, hanging window treatments, and pictures, etc. etc. etc.
I have a NEW job!!!

I am leaving the decorating field and entering a new job as a front desk receptionist for a welding company.

At this new job I will have more routine. Things will be far less physically demanding (my body NEEDS this!!!). I will be able to use some of my other talents and abilities.

I am excited!!!!!

This chapter is complete (or it will be after this work week).
Now it is time to see what else God has in store for me, what great things have yet to come.

I am looking forward to it with great anticipation and excitement,
and saying.....


NEXT PAGE PLEASE.......................

A Pig-Pen Mentality.....

Do you remember the Charley Brown character, Pig-Pen???

He's this little guy who brought with him a cloud of dirt and dust everywhere he went.

Back in the day when I worked in the forest service was when I was first referred to as "Pig-Pen". Rightfully so, because I was the one at the end of the day with the dirt swipes across my face (you know when you are hot and sweaty and you wipe your forehead).

Jeez I get dirty doing ANYTHING! I don't mean to, but I tend to be so messy!

Recently I have had this image in my mind again. Only this time I am seeing the swirl of dirt following him along life as more like our persona....our attitude, our cloud, our atmosphere.

We all bring a sense of yourself everywhere we go, whomever we meet along the way is touched (whether it be positively or negatively) with this puff of personality we permeate. It is our very BEING, our CHARACTER, our attitude, atmosphere, disposition, ESSENCE, heart, identity, individuality, influence......

Think about it. Are you exposed to someone who brings a specific PUFF of personality everywhere they go? It can either draw you in or repel you. It can either make you feel good or make you want to cower in the corner. You either see this person coming and feel wonderful or you want to turn the other direction.

Oh, sometimes our "persona" is not THAT extreme. But either way, you are bringing it along with you everywhere you go. You are creating your own atmosphere.

Hmmmmmmmmmm................

Think about that!

Have you ever heard the phrase, "everywhere I go, there I am"?

Yea, that is what I am talking about.

You cannot escape your own cloud.

So what IS YOUR influence, your atmosphere??

How are you making others feel?

How do you leave people feeling when you have spent time with them?

Are you even aware of how you are behaving?

Lord knows we ALL need help in this department. We all need to be aware of the atmosphere we are creating around us.

We have a short time with each person we encounter (for the most part) so we need to be a positive, happy, joyful, encouraging personality that draws them to the love of Christ.

My prayer today is that I can remember my own little cloud of "dust" as I go about my day that I might bring smiles and encouragement every step of the way!!!

Tell me YOUR thoughts about this little theory of mine.........I would love to hear them!

Have a blessed and beautiful day!!

XO

Hurting Hearts and the Love of our Faithful Father.....

Good Evening all of you lovelies......

My heart is heavy thinking of so many precious people who are struggling deeply. There are so many aches and pains in living this life on earth. We are going to feel these effects of an imperfect world more and more every single day until the day we get to heaven.
It is inevitable. Our reward is coming.
YET, the pain that you are feeling RIGHT NOW is real and it hurts deeply.
I know.

No matter how desperate you feel,
how deep your heart has been cut,
how depressed you have been,
no matter how grim the future looks,
how scared you feel right now,
how impossible the situation feels at this moment,
how confused you are, how lonely you have been feeling,
no matter how crazed you are feeling......
ALL of those things are oh so real...........
But I want you to remember that SO IS OUR GOD!!!!!

He has your back!
He is bending over to pick you up.
He is wiping the tears from your eyes.
He is smoothing out the way before you.
He is opening doors where others have slammed in your face.
He is clearing a path where the one you are on has become over grown with weeds.
He is the sunshine that will brighten your days.
He is the peace that will surround you,
the smile that is in your heart.
He is the author of all good things, and He is writing your story.

He created you perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully, with a plan and a purpose. (Psalm 139)
He has not forgotten.
Check YOUR OWN decisions and choices to see if YOU are the one in the way of the blessings.
If not, then it is just not time YET!
They shall come.
He ALWAYS provides.
Granted, it is not always in the way we had hoped or asked for.
Believe it or not, to get everything the way we want it is not always the best for us.
Just think of how parents are with their kiddos. Children are always asking for something....and parents don't always say yes, because they know what is best for them. Maybe they want more sugar and the parent knows how destructive it can be. Or maybe they want to do something dangerous, the parent is only looking out for their safety.
Sometimes there is no apparent reason when God tells us no, but just as our children trust us, we must trust GOD with the answer He is giving us.
Trust and Obey.


One of the first scriptures I memorized when I was saved at the age of 24 was Proverbs 3:5-7
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge HIM in ALL your ways and He will direct your paths."
Not many days go by that I do not think of this scripture and KNOW that it is my favorite, my "life verse" for a reason...because GOD knows where I am weak (trusting HIM/letting go of control and trying to figure things out.

God knows your weaknesses too.
He knows what you need and when you need it.
He knows your hearts desire, because HE PUT IT THERE!!!!

I want to encourage you...whatever you are facing, I can list the NUMEROUS things I know of at this moment:
loss of job
no home of your own
desperate to become a mommy
starting a new life
confused about love
severe health issues that are looming over you
a medical scare
financial struggles
marital trouble
starting over
raising children and all the struggles that comes with that
exhausted and overwhelmed
someone you love is incarcerated
someone you love is distant and leaving you out
depression threatens to takes hold/or it has taken hold
you are in pain all day, every day
your work situation is miserable
your car is broken down, again!
you are grieving
you are scared
you are desperate
you are struggling with addiction
you cannot seem to keep up
you are overwhelmed
you feel isolated and alone
you feel like you do not have a purpose

I kid you not, I had someone particular in mind with each one of those issues I wrote!!! Some people I realized fell into more than one category even.

These are desperate times.

Once again, I have the answer for you.........the only answer there is.

The answer is GOD!!!!
Allow HIM to permeate your very being and to be your all in all. Once you begin lining your life up with HIM and HIS WORD, you will begin to feel a peace that passes all understanding. Knowing it is NOT up to you, but up to Him, should allow you to relax!

Something I say to myself often is: LET GO AND LET GOD!!!!!!
Whatever it is you are going through....I pray you will find the strength to give it to the omnipotent God and leave it with HIM!

If you would like me to pray for you, I would be honored.
Know that as I wrote this I was doing that very thing, praying for all these needs and knowing full well that there are so many more that I have not touched on. GOD KNOWS! When I pray, He fills in the gap.

May you feel that love and peace today.
God Bless You!!!
XO

Summertime & Standing Strong!

Last week was one of the best weeks everrrrr!!!

My little family all came home to the "nest" for a little Family Staycation.

We swam, & played & laughed & snuggled & read books & watched old movies & went to the park & colored & danced & played games & took naps (the kids - not the adults so much, that's when we had a chance to visit!)
What fun it was to fill our hearts and our home with so much love, laughter and memories that shall last us forever.
I love how my grandchildren have the sweetest cousin bonds, and how much fun they have and how much they enjoy being at Mimi & Papas!!!
I LOVE BEING MIMI!!!

I also love how much I enjoy being around my adult kiddos! They are so amazing!!!

As a family we have been through plenty of ups and downs in life and this past year and a half has been one of those times that we were tried and stretched and I am so thankful that we have held on to one another with a fierce grip!

The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy! He is on the prowl at all times. To think you are immune to such attacks is only fooling yourself and leaving yourself vulnerable. Each and every day we must put on our armor and be prepared for the war that wages for our very souls and for our marriages and families.

"The thief does not come except to steal and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10

I am so thankful that I have the promise of LIFE and LIFE ABUNDANTLY!!!!!!
God is so good!!!!

My hope for you is that you are enjoying the life that God has intended for you and that you stay ever alert to the tricks of the enemy.

XO

Fibromyalgia...What Do You Know About It??

It is in honor of National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day that I am writing this post.

I was diagnosed with this chronic condition eight years ago. It was not an easy diagnosis, fibromyalgia symptoms resemble many other conditions, including some that are fatal. I did not know whether to be relieved when I got my diagnosis, first because I still felt so miserable and there was no true remedy and secondly because I had NO idea what fibromyalgia was.

Initially I was prescribed seven different medications. It did not take long for me to find that route only a miserable path of possibly covering some symptoms yet causing others. It was bewildering to say the least.

My personal symptoms have varied through the years from vertigo, extreme muscle fatigue, aches and pains that are widespread and could be in any place in my body at any point in time from the tips of my toes, the bottom of my feet, to the aching of my hands to the consistent headaches that become quite debilitating at times. I struggle with much of what you are about to read about in the excerpts I am going to include from an article I read just today.

I have taken many routes on this journey. Some days are much easier than others but there is not one single day that is not fogged over by the awful symptoms to some degree.

Many of you have no idea what I am even talking about...

what is this fibromyalgia you might be asking.

First of all, I am by far no medical expert, I can only speak from my own experience and share that which I know....which is all I ever try to do.

I came across an article here....http://www.faithfamilyfibro.com/

I want to share it here with you because it is the best I have ever read. I love the way these writers have explained it. (I only hope I am not crossing any lines using someone elses writing). That being said....here we go....

"Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that's difficult to understand, especially if you don't have a medical degree. Because it involves the brain and nervous system, fibromyalgia can have an impact on virtually every part of the body. If you're trying to understand this condition in someone you know, it can be incredibly confusing. When a lot of people see a bizarre collection of fluctuating symptoms that don't show up in medical tests, they decide fibromyalgia must be a psychological problem. A host of scientific evidence, however, proves that it's a very real physical condition."
Following is the greatest analogy to help you understand more....(from the same article)

"Imagine you are planning a party and expecting about 20 guests. Three or four friends told you they'd come early to help you out. But they don't show, and instead of 20 guests, you get 100. You re overwhelmed. That's whats happening with pain signals in someone who has fibromyalgia. the cells send too many pain messages (party guests), up to five times as many as in a healthy person. That can turn mild pressure or even an itch into pain. When those pain signals reach the brain, they're processed by something called serotonin. People with fibromyalgia, however, don't have enough serotonin (the friends who didn't show up to help), leaving the brain overwhelmed. This is why people with fibro have pain in tissues that show no sign of damage. Its not imagined pain; it's misinterpreted sensation that the brain turns into actual pain. Other substances in the patients brain amplify a host of other signals - essentially, "turning up the volume" of everything. That can include light, noise, and odor on top of pain. and it can further over load the brain. This can lead to confusion, fear, anxiety and panic attacks. Most people with a chronic illness are always sick. The effects on the body of cancer, a virus, or a degenerative disease are fairly constant. It's understandably confusing to see someone with fibro be unable to do something on Monday, yet perfectly capable of it on Wednesday. Look at it this way: Every ones hormones fluctuate, and even things like weight and blood pressure can rise and fall during the course of a day, week or month. All of the systems and substances in the body work that way, rising and falling in response to different situations. Research shows conclusively that fibro involves abnormal levels of multiple hormones and other substances. Because those things all go up and down, sometimes one or more are in the normal zone and other times they are not. The more things that are out of the zone, the worse they feel."

Understanding Stress & Fibromyalgia
"Some people think fibromyalgia patient are incapable of dealing with stress, because a stressful situation will generally make symptoms worse. The important thing to understand is that we respond to stress both emotionally and physically. A physical response, in everyone, includes a rush of adrenaline and other hormones that help kick your body into overdrive so you can deal with what's happening. People with fibro don't have enough of those hormones, which makes stress very heard on their bodies and can trigger symptoms. Also, when we talk about "stress" we usually mean the emotional kind, which can come from your job, a busy schedule, or personal conflict. A lot of things actually cause physical stress, such as illness, lack of sleep, nutritional deficiencies and injuries. Physical stress can have the same effect as emotional stress.

Understanding the Fatigue of Fibro
Think of a time when you were not just tired, but really exhausted. Maybe you were up all night studying for a test. Maybe you were up multiple times to feed a baby or take care of a sick child. Maybe it was the flu or strep throat. Imagine being exhausted like that all day while you are trying to work, take care of kids, clean the house, cook dinner, etc. For most people, one or two good night's sleep would take that feeling away. With fibro, though, comes sleep disorders that make a good nights sleep a rarity. A person with fibro can have anywhere from one to all the following sleep disorders: Insomnia, Inability to reach or stay in a deep sleep, Sleep apnea, Restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movements.

Fibro in a nutshell.....

A lot of illnesses involve one part of the body, or one system.

Fibromyalgia, however, involves the entire body and throws all kinds of things out of whack.

As bizarre and confusing as the varied symptoms may be, they're tied to very real physical causes. Fibro can take someone who is educated, ambitious, hardworking and tireless, and rob them of their ability to work, clean house, exercise, think clearly and even feel awake or healthy. It's NOT psychological "burn out" or depression. It is NOT laziness. It is NOT whining or malingering. It IS the result of widespread dysfunction in the body and the brain that's hard to understand, difficult to treat ,and, so far, impossible to cure. The hardest thing for patients, however, is having to live with it.

Having the support and understanding of people in their lives can make it a lot easier."

This article helped me understand so much better and I have this condition!! It helps me to realize that a lot of what I feel is "typical and normal" if there is such a thing in this fibro world. This chronic condition has rocked my world and caused me to grieve over the way things once were. The energy, stamina, and ambition that used to be a big part of my life.

I share this with you so you will understand better, not only me, but anyone you know who has this crazy thing called Fibromyalgia.

XO Love and Blessings to you!