ADOPTION-THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

It's been a while since I've posted. In my last post I talked about the struggle of adoption and the unfortunate baggage carried. It's truly heartbreaking to watch the regression, especially when you know the majority of his problems stem from an abusive parent, making it all the more difficult.

As my son began his Senior year of high school last week, the customary 1st day picture revealed his smiling face, but that grin never reached his eyes...because he still isn't happy. He's been seeing a Psychologist weekly, which has definitely helped, but the sadness, fear, worry, depression, anxiety and anti-social behavior still leaves a big, dark, hovering cloud. Our son's sadness seeps through his often closed bedroom door, permeating throughout the entire house. I try to do everything I can to meet his needs and helping him open up, while providing boundaries of appropriate behavior. He can be very rude to us and other people, but then just as quickly, he can turn on the charm for those he deems worthy/or those who can benefit him in some way. I realize it's learned behavior, especially for kids who have spent years in and out of the foster care system. They learn to "work people".

So with fear of this turning into a rant of a mother's worry or despair, I grab hold of it all, and lay it down at The LORD'S Feet in prayer. My son needs restoration, healing, and a renewed heart. I know the One who can do this. I know mountains of impossible are moved in situations just such as this. You see, we didn't go out searching to bring another child into our home after our youngest (6th child) had graduated and headed off to college.
No.
We were ready for "our time."
But GOD!
HE brought our son into our lives and heart via a simple email and then parted the way for him to become our son, as we learned to take steps of faith along the way.
All I have to do is remember how are son arrived into our lives and I know The LORD is moving. Even in the hard places of doubt and tears.
Even when my son is still in the midst of the darkness of his past, feeling "different" and alone.
JESUS meets me in this place, reminding that HE makes all things new.

I pray.
I lay it all down daily.
I learn to trust.
I pray some more and wait on The LORD.
I am strengthened in those moments of letting go.
I'm reminded that HE Loves my son even more than I do.
HE placed him in our lives for a purpose.
HE has a Good and Mighty Plan for him and us.
This current view is not the final picture but only a journey in faith and trust.

I sigh.
Peace pours over worry.
GOD'S got this!
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"~Jeremiah 32:27

What Are You Saying?

I was thinking about how words can truly affect lives. Back in the day I'm ashamed to admit that I could tear someone to shreds in an instant with my words and I was actually proud of it. I thought, "If they want to come after me or my family...they deserve it, they are asking for it...and I'm just the one to give it to them. They messed with the wrong person!"

I'd persistently look for vulnerable areas by poking, poking and poking until I'd find it, then I'd dig in, my words inflicting pain and causing damage. But truthfully..it was a cover up, hiding the hurt, pain and "less than" areas inside my heart. I put a bandaid over it and as the scripture says, "...For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."~Matthew 6:45 

My words reflected the lacking in my heart. 

I'm so thankful that GOD took the "gift" of words HE gave me, Healing every hurt so that I could be used for the very Purpose HE created me for...pointing people to JESUS, lifting up instead of tearing down... "The words of the reckless pierce like swords,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing."~Proverbs 12:18

Friends, words are powerful. Let's truly think about what we say to others. Let's pray for help to be encouragers instead of discouragers. Join me today in asking JESUS to heal all areas that may be causing us to lash out, hurt, retaliate, or gossip. 

LORD, please help us to be the people you created us to be. Fill us with more of YOU...YOUR Words, YOUR Heart, YOUR Love. Remove the bitterness, pain and/or anger that causes us to say hurtful things. Help us speak words of life, reflecting YOUR Redeeming Grace, causing people to bloom. Guide our walk through each day looking for ways to lift one another up to YOUR Glory; pointing people toward YOUR Ever-Ready, Loving Embrace. In YOUR Name we pray JESUS, Amen. 

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit."~Proverbs 18:21

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."~Ephesians 4:29

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."~Psalm 19:14

Jump on the Thankful Train...what are you thankful for?

Are You Hiding Sparse Areas?

I have a very important tradition every year that drives my family crazy...I have to find the *perfect* Christmas tree. This year our hunt was way behind schedule due to our trip to the Packers game. So this afternoon, I got up out of my sick bed so we could find it. As we pulled up to our normal lot it looked like they were tearing it down. The man said, "All trees are $20.00 and you have until sundown, we're closing shop." Woah...we just made it! As I went through row by row of the tiny, sparsely branched trees, I became discouraged, asking one of the workers, "Do you have any large trees left hidden in the back or something?" "No, this is about it," he replied. I continued back and forth, having my son, little Josh, grab one just in case I couldn't find anything better. I finally narrowed it down to three best of the worst, giving in to the tallest one. Once we got home it looked even worse than I anticipated. The hubby tried to console me when he noticed the dismayed look on my face by saying, "It'll look better once we get it decorated." But there were too many bare spots to try to hide. So we rotated it to camouflage the worst parts and shoved it up against the wall. 

Friends, my poor empty branched tree reminded me of what I'd done for years in my own life. I tried to fix the outside while camouflaging the empty areas in my heart and soul that were in dire need of mending and growth. Year after year I put up a great front, but inside I was wilting. All my hiding began to become very apparent to those closest to me. I needed to make some big changes. 

So today because of this reminder I'm choosing to be thankful for this less than perfect tree! I'm thankful that when I decided to stop trying to hide, opening up my emptiness to JESUS, giving HIM access to all of my brokenness, I no longer felt the need to hide my flaws. HE took my less than and filled me with more of HIS Love and Forgiveness, causing growth in every area of weakness..the very things HE already knew I was lacking.

Friends, are you hiding sparse areas? Join me in continually taking it all to The LORD in prayer. We don't need to attempt to conceal...HE already knows. Let's expose those flaws to the Unconditional, Restoring Love and Light of CHRIST. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."~John 15:5

Jump on the Thankful Train...what are you thankful for?

Remembering 9/11

Every day on my Facebook and Instagram sites I post a "THANKFUL TRAIN" message. I do this to make sure I think of at least one thing I'm thankful for each day reminding me of the Blessings in my life. Some days are definitely harder than others and let's face it...the Anniversary of 9/11 made today extra difficult. So here's what I came up with:

Every 9/11 the memories of shock, horror, sadness and disbelief spring forth. Everyone remembers exactly where they were and what they were doing all those years ago. It's etched into every fiber of our being...the day our safety and freedom was attacked. 

Out of the ashes of tragedy a great rise of love, hope and restoration emerged. The Heart of America, the people, "One Nation Under GOD, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All" poured out over the sorrow. We truly were *One* Nation under *GOD*, meeting the needs  of people however we were able.

Today, 14 years later, it seems that although the memory is embedded, our wonderful Country has seen a great divide. Our Nation is moving backwards as GOD is being pushed out of the Heart of America. 

Today I'm thankful for the memory of the *response* to this great tragedy in our history. The Love was incredible. The hearts of everyone United in the face of evil. I pray for our Great Nation, that we will get back to the *Heart* of what's truly important and remember...

"For with GOD nothing shall be impossible."~Luke 1:37

Jump on today's "THANKFUL TRAIN"...what are you thankful for?

I RECEIVED A MIRACLE HEALING!

I went to this amazing place to celebrate and thank God!

     I have to share something very personal. I received a MIRACLE healing. On Thursday, May 29th, I went to see the surgeon to discuss/schedule surgery to remove a very aggressive pre-cancer. It was in an area that could've left me with a colostomy bag for the rest of my life. This procedure was recommended after several tests, visits with my doctor and my oncologist. It was decided that surgery was the best option. During my appointment, the surgeon performed an extensive examination (which I thought I was only there to discuss the surgery and then set a date. I was not happy about more examinations needless to say.) That was until...he found absolutely NOTHING! It was gone! He told us he could not perform surgery on something that wasn't there. THANK YOU LORD for answering prayers.  Once home, I dropped to my knees, praying, thanking, crying. I grabbed my Bible and when I opened it, this is the first thing I saw: 
“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” 
     Then I read the rest of the verses: 
"So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road." Mark 10:51-52
     I started balling like a baby all over again! Faith, me? My faith during all of this was like a roller coaster ride. Some days I'd do great and others I spent crying, stressing, and worrying. This led to internet researching, (which of course led to more stress and worry.) Finally, I'd open up my Bible again to get filled up with truth and immediate peace.
     As I kneeled, crying in gratitude, "Thank you Jesus!" My husband walked in. He said, "Why are you crying?" When I told him the scripture that I'd just been given and how I felt, he said, "It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed, Lis."
"So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." WOW...that's the exact kind of faith I had. It was small. But I tried to remain steadfast in seeking the Lord in the midst of everything. Failing some days and doing amazingly well others. FAITH. What does the Bible say about it: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1. After this answered prayer...my faith is growing. The Lord chose to heal me. 
     And yet, while I received this very undeserved miracle...there are others, like my step-dad who was not healed...even though he had amazing faith. During his illness, his spirit remained strong, unmoved, unwavering in the midst of his cancer. He was a light to so many people. He was a miracle by his example everyday to each one of us. So when I talk of faith and miracles, I need to always remember, whether it is a complete and total healing or the gift of incredible faith and strength from the Lord to endure the trial in the midst of the storm. When we continue to seek Him, He always fills us up where we're lacking. Just like the mustard seed which is the smallest of seeds and yet grows to become the largest of trees. 
"Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32.
     Thank you Lord...I stand in awe and amazement of your gift!

Paddle Out for Pastor Chuck Smith

On Saturday, October 19, 2013 there was a paddle out for Pastor Chuck Smith...the founder of Calvary Chapel churches and a great man of God.

My hubby decided he really wanted to go. I told him I'd go with him and take some pictures. I had no idea that it was going to be so crowded. I was late as usual and had my hubby a little stressed, but I dropped him off and then luckily found a spot in the pier plaza parking lot as some people were just walking up to leave. I then made my mad dash to capture the moment.

When we got there it was PACKED!! Every inch of the pier from the beginning all the way down to Ruby's Restaurant at the end of the pier was 3-4 people deep to reach the railing to see.

Luckily, I was able to locate a small space, turned my body sideways and held my arm over the rail to snap shots. Of course people then scooted a little to the left and right to let me up front...WOO HOO!!! What can I say, it's ALWAYS about finding a way to get that AMAZING shot!

The fog quickly began to roll in but before it covered us an amazing rainbow, which actually looked like a white light in person, touched down right smack in the middle of the circle. It was an incredible sight to behold. It would go away and then appear again and again. It was breathtaking and made you feel as though God was right there in the midst of this incredible tribute to an amazing man. 

There's my hubby with the flower in his mouth. I was so far away and it was foggy...lucky I got this shot!

I loved this shot of a birds wings (looks like Angel Wings) as it dove for food during the ceremony

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

What a wonderful tribute to a man who spent his life serving the Lord!

CLIMB YOUR MOUNTAIN-A TRUE STORY OF DAVID BOLDA

When David Bolda found out he had Stage 4 inoperable lung cancer, he set a goal for himself to climb Mt. Timpanogos (11,750 ft.) This was no easy task for anyone but it would be especially challenging for someone who was fighting for every breath. It would take incredible determination, strength, and stamina...pure will power, heart and faith.

On the day of the hike David (my dad) was prepared to push his body to the limit and in his own words, "It is my way of thumbing my nose at the disease." He was prepared, armed with his two hiking poles to lean on and several family members and close friends by his side. With each step they climbed slowly but surely, stopping every so often for my dad to catch his breath. The higher they climbed the thinner the air became and the tougher it was on my dad's already strained lungs. But he would not quit, he had a mountain to conquer, he had cancer to beat, he had a goal to pursue and an underlying example to set for his family.

The backpack he was carrying began to weigh 1,000 pounds, threatening to steal the little energy he had left. My brother David, knowing that my dad needed every ounce of strength to continue on, quickly grabbed my dad's backpack and carried it along with his own. Slower and slower they climbed. My dad so weary, breathing heavier and heavier, but forging ahead toward his goal. The support of his loved ones lifting his spirits and encouraging him every step of the way. He was on a mission, an unstoppable, unquenchable desire to prove that the heart is bigger than the cancer and pain.

After several long, grueling hours, my dad's dream and goal was achieved. This mission was accomplished with faith to reach above limits, to trust and rely on the close family and friends that Heavenly Father had placed in his life; helping him through struggles, trials, illness and sometimes incredibly difficult mountains.

STANDING AT THE TOP OF MT TIMPANOGOS~THUMBING HIS NOSE AT CANCER!

My dad survived 5 years after that devastating inoperable lung cancer diagnosis which initially gave him less than a year to live. He made the most of everyday saying, "I've been given another day to live so I'm going to find someone to help each and everyday." These were not just words...he lived it and in doing so, left a legacy, an example and a goal for each one of us to strive for.

The day after my dad's amazing accomplishment he said, "It was a great challenge but I needed to prove to myself that I could do it and to teach my family that they can accomplish much in the face of adversity."

Today on this one year anniversary of my dad's passing, I want to tell him, "Dad, you've climbed your final and greatest mountain....this life. You've reached your crowning glory...Heaven. I'm so grateful to have been given such an incredible example! I'll continue to climb my mountains with the knowledge you've instilled in me...knowing without a doubt: "I can accomplish much in the face of adversity!"

I LOVE AND MISS YOU DAD...TILL WE MEET AGAIN!

CHIEF/CAPTAIN DAVID BOLDA

Help For Lung Cancer Cough

 

I'm reaching out to all of you for help. As most of you know, my dad (step-dad), Dave has been battling 4th stage inoperable lung cancer. He has defied the odds. It has been 4 years since his original diagnosis.

My mom, Carrie & Dad, Dave with Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock

Lately however we received some disturbing news that it has traveled to his brain. We continue to Pray and have Faith that the Lord can heal him. He already has given us 4 years since his original diagnosis.

The immediate problem my dad is facing right now however is the horrendous cough. It is 24/7 and is completely debilitating. He needs rest so his body can heal, but the cough keeps him awake. I'm hoping that someone will read this post who has experienced or had a family member/friend go through this and may have heard of something that gives relief for 'lung cancer cough.'

Please leave a comment, links or any information you may have
or have heard of that may give him some relief.

Hubby Anthony, Elijah, me, my dad, mom & Stacy

 Private room to meet the Detroit Red Wings Coaches-Gift to my dad! READ ABOUT IT HERE

THANK YOU!

Very Scary...Do You Believe In Angels? (Part 1)

Yesterday it was raining really hard here in So. California. I usually don't think much about it because I used to live in Utah & I'm used to snow, white-outs and black ice, so rain is really more of a bother than anything.

That was until....

I headed to work in a downpour, was on the freeway almost at my exit when the rear end of my Navigator started to hydroplane (slide out). Since I'm used to dealing w/ black ice, I didn't panic. I took my foot off the gas (hitting your brakes will send you into a tail spin) and slowly tried to correct it. The back end then slid the other way, I corrected again. This continued two more times...my back tires wouldn't grab. I finally slid off the freeway at 55 mph, missing a pole, hitting an embankment completely sideways.

I remember thinking, "Oh no, I'm going to roll over." My next thought was, "This is how it happens, people are on their way to work & the next second they never see their family again."

I skidded up onto the side of the hill, bracing myself for the flip. But it never happened! My car slid, spun around through the shrubs & bushes, then came to a stop with my front end facing the freeway, halfway up the hill.

I sat there shocked, frozen, thinking, "I'm okay, I can't believe I'm okay! What do I do now, I'm not hurt, I don't need to call 911."

A lady, came running down, through the pouring rain & bushes from the top of the hill. I opened my door and walked towards her. She grabbed me, hugged me & said, "God was watching over you today." I said, "You're right, I can't believe I didn't roll over." By this time a man also came down the hill. We all three examined my car & decided I could just drive it out back onto the freeway. As I headed back to my car, the woman hugged me again & said, "God was protecting you."

The man pushed me & as I slowly made my way back onto the freeway I looked back at the woman still standing in the pouring rain, she blew me a kiss. I blew one back to her & slowly made my way into the traffic, still in a daze & wondering about the woman.

Do you have a story where you feel like you were watched over & protected?

There's more...Part 2 Tomorrow

WHEW...Breathe

Breathe...

Okay, so I feel like I've been on fast forward ever since I got back from vacation. It sure is hard trying to get back into the swing of things again, not to mention having to drive to LA two days in a row to take Jullien to castings before he heads back to NY.

On Monday I got a bit of bad news. I'm an independent contractor & I work for an accountant on Mondays & a Commercial Real Estate Development Co., Tuesday-Friday. When I walked in my boss told me that she had lost hours on one of her BIG clients so she longer needed me.

SIGH...

Breathe...

At first my brain was spinning, trying to think of what to do to make up the $$.

Then after praying...I felt at peace. The first thought that came into my mind was "When one door closes, another one opens." This has been true my entire life.

Then my next thought was, maybe this is happening so I can use that day to finish my book, (which I've set a goal to have it done by Dec.) but with my schedule, there's no way I could've ever accomplished that.

We'll buckle down even tighter on the $$ and make it work, and I'll bust my butt to spend Mondays ONLY on writing!

WHEW...Breathe...Blessings come in all kinds of disguises!

California Surfer Receives An Escort From A Whale

I just read this story & absolutely loved it! Thought I'd re-post it for those of you who didn't hear about it...SO COOL!

California surfer receives whale of an escort during marathon paddle

By: Pete Thomas, GrindTV.com

When Southern California surfer Jodie Nelson set out Sunday to standup-paddle nearly 40 miles from Santa Catalina Island to Dana Point, she hoped it'd inspire her best friend, who has been involved in a long and exhausting struggle with breast cancer, to keep fighting.

Nelson, 34, whose mother and aunt are cancer survivors, also hoped her nine-hour test of endurance would raise money for two cancer charities and heighten awareness about a plight affecting millions of women.

What Nelson could not have known was that a 30-foot minke whale would swim alongside her 14-foot board and accompany the surfer as she stood and paddled for two of those nine hours, thus joining the cause.

"It was a day that all of us involved will never forget," Nelson said, in reference to Angela Robinson, her best friend, and the rest of a crew aboard an escort boat.

Minke whales are not commonly seen off Southern California, and those spotted by boaters are often elusive. So when a mammal Nelson named Larry joined her endeavor to become the first woman to make this long paddle, she took it as a sign.

"To me it was a total God thing," the San Clemente resident said. "We prayed at 4 that morning that God would reveal his beauty and creation and nature, and allow me to endure this long trek, so for me it's not such a huge surprise that this happened."

Larry did not merely swim close to Nelson. He rolled around repeatedly alongside her and blew bubbles beneath her board. A film crew was on the escort boat and CNN, Fox News and ABC are just some of the networks she says are interested in the story and footage.

Alisa Schulman-Janiger, an American Cetacean Society whale researcher, said minke whales can be friendly but added: "This type of quality encounter is highly unusual."

Nelson raised only about $6,000 in advance of the paddle, disappoingtingly short of her target of $100,000 for the Keep a Breast Foundation and Boarding for Breast Cancer. A few of her celebrity friends let her down, she said, but when this story reaches a national audience she expects the pool to grow considerably.

"I thought, 'I don't need so-and-so,' " she said of a particular celebrity, whom she declined to name. "Because I honestly feel like Larry is going to help us reach the $100,000 mark with our fundraising effort."

Larry or no Larry, completing a stand up paddle over 39.8 miles of ocean and sharks speaks volumes about Nelson's strength, stamina and determination.


Larry took her mind off the task for two magical hours, but her mind never strayed from the cause. "I can't even begin to compare what I did to what cancer patients are going through," she said. "But I wanted to put myself out there in a dangerous and scary, overwhelming situation; something that was big and just to show people that you can win that battle with that big, scary thing called cancer.

"I wanted to draw some kind of parallel and just encourage people to keep fighting."

Those wanting to help Jodie with her mission can do so via her page on the Keep a Breast Foundation website.


Photos: courtesy paddlewithpurpose.com

Transition

On Sunday we got the keys to our new place. We start moving on Thursday and Friday. I'm not as sad as I thought I'd be, but then again, we don't have to be out of our house for a while, which gives us time to move things in slowly.

I'm sure when its time to turn the keys over to the new buyers, it will hit me.

Sometimes I think we get so comfortable in our life, that God comes in and shakes things up.

I'm looking at this as a fresh start. All of the older kids have moved out so we really don't need a big place anymore. Change is always hard but sometimes necessary.

One of my bosses was walking around work the other day saying, "Bloom where you're planted" over & over again. He thought he was being funny...I laughed, but then thought, "How true!"

Cheers to New Beginnings!

Wrestling With Why

It's been a long time since I let so many days go by without updating my Blog. I somehow found myself in a rut. Usually my Blog & writing is my escape. But following the death of my friends two boys, Zach & Drake, I found myself just at a complete loss for words.

Anything that I could write about was just so trivial in comparison. So I just stayed away, trying to deal with it by reading my Bible a lot, hoping to find an answer to "WHY could this happen to this family?" They have been through so much.

The dad, Steve, almost died in 2000.

It started out as just a normal day. He went to a pizza party, got a mug of beer from the tap and drank it.

All restaurants have someone come in & clean out the drink lines with chemicals. The person who had cleaned out the lines on this particular day didn't drain out all of the cleaning fluid.

Steve ingested all of the remaining chemicals. It instantly ate away his esophagus. He dropped to the ground grasping his throat as his oldest son Steven looked on in horror.

Steve was in ICU for months. No one ever expected him to live. They eventually manufactured an esophagus from his intestines. He was a miracle.

At his sons funeral he recalled that he told himself he had to pull through, his boys needed him & he refused to leave them.

From that point on, his life changed. He could never sleep lying down, he had to be completely upright. If he bent over after eating, all of his food would fall out. He went from a healthy 220 lb. man to about 135 lbs.

The stress of this event, eventually took its toll on his marriage. He divorced and raised his three boys on his own.

Both Steve & Steven spoke at Drakes funeral. It was incredible. His inner strength and love for his boys was evident to all who attended. He said he didn't know why so much has happened to his family, but wanted to encourage everyone to continually show and tell their kids, spouses, parents and the people in their life that they love them. Look them in the eye, not a text or a phone call, but TELL them face to face. Stop what your doing everyday in your busy life and spend time with your kids/family members. You never know how much time you have with them. MAKE EVERYDAY COUNT.

As I sat listening to him, I couldn't help but think about how caught up I get in little everyday tasks. I get flustered, stressed & find myself sitting behind the computer, isolating to escape. I needed to hear that, I need to make more time for my family. I need to write when everyone is at their activities so that I will be able to be there emotionally for them.

As I was praying & reading the Bible, I realized that God knows exactly how Steve feels. He too lost his son. He had to witness his son, Jesus Christ, in unbearable pain & suffering.

When things like this happen, and the question is WHY...the only one who truly knows the answer & can help in your pain & suffering is God.

What an incredible man...I pray for him, His fiance Shannon, his son Steven and Venus daily.

Be sure to count your blessings & look for the good in your life everyday!

PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY

After you read the incredible story below, be sure to leave your prayer requests in the comment section. I will add it to our weekly HB Gathering Group to have others pray for you! Don't carry your burdens alone another day, turn them over to the Lord!

Cherokee Indian Legend
Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His dad takes him into the forest –blindfolded-and leaves him...alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood. The boy was terrified-could hear all kinds of noise...Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth...and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically - never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night...the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him...at watch...the entire night.

We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us...He is sitting on the stump beside us. All we have to do is reach out to Him.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" Joshua 1:9

Prayer Requests

Okay, so here's the thing...every week I put together a prayer request and send it out to everyone to pray for each other (e-mail addresses are kept hidden via BCC). I can't tell you how many people are in need of prayer right now! So I decided to open it up to EVERYONE. Prayer is POWERFUL...no matter how small or large the need, let others pray for you.

Please leave me a message and I will send it out.

A Piece of Cake
Author Uknown

A little boy is telling his grandma how everything is going wrong.....school, family problems, severe health problems, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which, of course, he does.
"Here, have some cooking oil."
"Yuck" says the boy.

"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Grandma!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"

"Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves, but when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times, but God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good!

We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!" God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. I hope your day is a piece of cake!

"I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
John 6:35

Street Dancers Perform?

My husband and I decided to spend a quiet day at the beach on Sunday after church. We walked down Main Street, ate lunch and then headed to the pier and sat down on a bench overlooking the ocean. We were spending some much needed alone time, watching the surfers, talking and just hanging out. A team of street dancers walked up and told everyone who was sitting around to please hang out because they would be performing shortly.

We both love watching any type of dance...but especially street dancing (it takes us back to the 80's, you know OLD SCHOOL). They began their preparation to perform. They stretched, did hand stands to strengthen their arms, several hard balancing moves, more stretches and then put on protective padding. This continued for about 30 minutes. We could tell that they were very talented as one of them ran up the side of a pole and did a back flip off of it.


The crowd was becoming restless with anticipation. Finally they were ready to perform. A lifeguard pulled up at the exact moment they were going to start and asked them for their permit to perform. They didn't have one...they scrambled around nervously for a while, but...it was over. We all walked away feeling let down. Sitting their waiting through all of their preparation for NOTHING!

Do you think God sometimes feels the same way? He begins to shape and mold us, using the hard times in our life to help us grow. Years and years of preparation. Getting us ready for all the blessings He intends for us. He waits patiently, day by day, trial by trial, as we slowly began to take shape. Finally when we're almost there...we become discouraged and quit. We feel that we don't have a permit to perform the way that God wants us to. We don't feel qualified. We are fearful and forget that he has been stretching us through hard times, strengthening us through his word and supplying us with protective padding through prayer and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Don't stop before you achieve your ultimate purpose! He is waiting with loving anticipation...for us to be stretched enough to be able to display our GIFTS to the world.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:8, 10

Ride The Big Waves

"I'm too scared...I can't touch the ground out there," Josh shouted as he continued to stay close to shore. The crystal clear blue waves, perfectly formed, came crashing to the shore in a foam of white wash. Josh happily jumped on his board as the foamy white water approached, standing up on his board and riding it for a few seconds to the shoreline.

My husband tried to coax Josh out to where the real waves were. He would head out deeper, but keep jumping off his board to make sure he could touch the sand without having his head go under water. If he ventured out too far and could no longer reach, he quickly paddled closer to the shore.

Finally one bright sunny, summer day, Josh laid on his board trying to summon more courage...heading out a little deeper, when a small, well shaped wave approached. My husband shouted out, "This one's yours...go for it!" Feeling more confident due to the encouragement he was receiving, Josh quickly turned his board around, hands moving in a wind mill motion through the water, prepared to ride a real wave. At precisely the right moment he stood up on his wobbly board, whisking through the wave, water spraying, his eyes squinting, white teeth sparkling as a huge smile spread across his face. "Yeah...this is AWESOME!" he screamed out over the booming of the waves. He had experienced the thrill of surfing. He also overcame his fear. Josh would never surf the foamy waves of the shore break again.

Our relationship with God is similar. We are safely near the shore, our feet securely touching the ground. We all seek and crave stability in our lives. When God starts prompting you to go out farther, beyond where you can touch, you immediately shrink back in fear.

This is human nature, fear of the unknown can often stop you in your tracks. But God is out in the "BIG WAVES." He knows what he has planned and wants us to trust him. It may be scary at first, but you'll never experience the joy, exhilaration, happiness and the complete freedom he has planned for you unless you stretch yourself.

It all begins with your prayer life. You need to spend quiet time alone everyday with God. Asking for his wisdom, peace and protection over your life. Ask him to help you let go of everything you know and take you into the deeper water of his love. Out in the incredible, blue, clear, beautiful waves of life that he has planned for you!

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145:14-19