I think what I’m most proud of is my resilience. I have been through a lot of difficult situations and yet I have been able to bounce back. A lot of that had to do with my family being loving and patient with me. Having a strong faith in God has helped me too.
James 1:2-4 (NIV) – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”Jul 5, 2023
Today has been good. I went to church and was treated to a surprise breakfast and visit with my cousin and his wife afterwards. We went for a walk tafterwards which normally isn’t as big deal but my back didn’t like it. I wish I could get my breasts reduced, my lower back is chronically bothering me!
Anyhow on the positive side I’ve I been working on reducing belly fat. This workout is really good and easy to stick to.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. God has been at the wheel of the stuff I’ve been going through lately – extremely grateful for the prayers of family, friends and even strangers! My Aunt met a elderly veteran who gave her this cross for me and said he would pray for me. The wagons of Gods people have been rallied! I’m so, so grateful!
I don’t usually wear crosses because of what they represent – the murder of an innocent man but understand what it means in Christianity.
When I think of todays prompt I think of my life right now gradually getting in place. It’s taken me three years to get where I’m at. Many of the days leading up to this one were littered with fear, sadness and grief – lack of faith! A lot of my days have not very productive and could be perceived as lazy days. I was in such a state of shock leaving Texas. I have been retired from active duty longer than I was in (21 years). When I was active duty I burned the candle at both ends. I was usually the one leadership turned to when a program was a mess. I worked a lot of long days cleaning up messes. Lazy days meant more to me then they do now. I don’t have a specific purpose when I wake up each day! When I was active duty I was up at 4:30 am and worked til after 5.
I haven’t completely found a fit for me here yet in being useful again. A lot of what holds me back is driving. I hate driving! When I was married, Kyle used to always drive and I got used to that after 12 years! I was spoiled! I keep my eyes open for things I can do – little things. When my back is not hurting I would like to help set up at the church again. I don’t want to feel like I’m wasting the gift of my life. A lot of people I’ve known haven’t even lived as long as I have.
One of my favorite passages from the Bible – makes me think of a Palladian (class I played in FFXI video game). In these trying times we must put on our armor!
Ephesians 6:10-13New International Version
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
When I saw the prompt for today I immediately thought of Fred Rogers Neighborhood program. He showed through that program all the ways to be a good neighbor. He used puppets and people to make his points. One of the most powerful things he did was share a child’s swimming pool with a black police officer – https://youtu.be/v4recJ6qXyk?si=HcUP2OLkmIn4sWkt
He was so gentle and kind. The kind of neighbor I would love to have. I have nice neighbors but they mostly keep to themselves except Marlene. She is an older lady who walks her dog she calls Number 6 and pretty much knows everyone.
I know I have shared this a couple times before but it is so relevant right now. We are getting toxic news at every turn. Mr. Rogers was and remains a helper to this day.
Luke 10:27New International Version
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
Hello to you. The past few days have been hard for me. I am having to wait and there are lots of unknowns. I can’t really get into specifics but my whole life is affected by what’s going on right now. I’m so grateful for my family and friends! I came up with this poem to describe what’s going on.
Hello to you. How are you? I am doing ok considering what’s going on in my life right now. I can’t really talk about it but let’s just say it’s life changing. I am leaning on my faith, family and friends right now. Yesterday my cousin came and whisked me off on an little adventure. We had Dickeys BBQ and went for a walk.
The big thing have been putting off is end of life planning. I know at some point I’m going to die and I will have property, finances and stuff that will be left behind to deal with. I have a will but it’s old so I need to get everything up to date. So I need to deal with it and hopefully I can do it through the VA so it won’t cost me anything. Ideally I just want to leave everything to my brothers daughter but need to get everything in writing and official.
Yesterday my beautiful cousin Laura came and whisked me off on an adventure. This is one of the sights we saw on a walk together.
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?
The topic or issue I’ve had the most change about in the past couple of years is spirituality. I have more of a Christ consciousness than I did before. In the past it was simply just God I believed in not so much Jesus. Now after time and experiences the focus has narrowed down to Jesus. I can remember a couple scary lucid dreams I had and the one name I was barely able to say got me free was saying the name Jesus. I have always believed in God but for the longest not just Jesus. I have only just recently declared my belief. Once you say yes to Jesus, you can’t really say no!
I just want to give thanks for my family and friends today. I had something scary happen yesterday and they helped me get through it. I am so blessed to have such a support system!
Psalm 142:7New International Version
7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
The trait I value the most about myself is honesty. It’s a trait I valuein others as well. I can’t stand being lied to. This was something I grew up with. If I got caught lying to my parents there were repercussions. I got caught a couple oftimes as a teenager doing things I wasn’t suppose to! I can remember saying I was at track practice but really I was going over to a friends house. There was an older guy there who I witnessed get into a fight. The cops had to be called and our parents had to give permission for the witnesses to give testimony. That’s the only way my parents found out what and where I had been! Boy did I get in trouble!
Colossians 3:9-10
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Today was really nice. I joined family in celebrating my cousin Heidi’s birthday over at my Aunt Ruth’s house. It’s always nice when we can get together like that.
The brand that came to mind for todays prompt is Full Circle. When I’m in the grocery store I look for that brand. Unfortunately they don’t have all the product I’m looking for but quite a bit. Full Circle is an organic product line like dairy and grains and other various products.
When I’m in the grocery store I look for this brand
Matthew 16:13-20New International Version
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b]will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.”20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Hi there. I’m just back from our Thursday prayer meeting and getting groceries. I’m grateful for the gathering today and the prayers for my health by the folks gathered there. Which leads me to one of my top favorite words gratitude. Adopting an attitude of gratitude in any season of life can really make it easier to get through. It’s focusing not on what’s on wrong but what’s right. There have been times lately with the stuff I’m going through that I have wanted to give up. Getting into a gratitude attitude has pushed me through those times.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
To be 