911 ~ ACTS OF KINDNESS IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY

I think we all remember exactly where we were and what we were doing that fateful morning of September 11, 2001. It's etched into our memories as though it were yesterday. And while our hearts continue to ache all these years later, I feel it's important to share the acts of kindness and love that was happening all over the country in the midst of the chaos. I want to share my sis-in-law's memory of that day. She told me her story a couple of years ago while we were in Texas for my son's college football game. It's very moving and speaks to the very heart of sacrificial love, rising up in the worst of times.

I was talking to my sis-in-law, Chasity, about not realizing I'd booked our flight home on 9/11 because let's face it, this is not a day I would purposely choose to fly on. While talking, she shared her memories and the horror of the terrible attack all those years ago. She gave me approval to share part of her story.

She worked for a large hotel right by the Dallas Fort Worth airport. Immediately after the attacks all flights were grounded. She witnessed tons of planes circling overhead, anxiously awaiting the go-ahead to safely land.

The aftermath of the grounded/returning/arriving flights were monumental. People were stranded. Taxi's were overwhelmed attempting to get frantic, confused and distraught people to nearby hotels. The airport called all local hotels and asked if they could send employees in their personal cars to pick people up until their hotel was filled to capacity. My sis-in-law immediately got in her car and headed to help. As she reached the airport, she jumped out and started yelling, "I CAN TAKE YOU!" People swarmed her car, throwing suitcases in the back and piling in on top of one another. As she drove she was shocked to see people walking along the freeway with their luggage in tow, trying to get to a safe place, away from the airport. It was chaos and confusion. My sis-in-law continued to make trips again and again until their hotel was full.

This day is etched in her mind, as it is in each of ours forever. A day when innocent lives were lost and families mourned the unthinkable. A day when people stepped up to do what they could. A day when there was no such thing as a stranger, only people in need and people willing to meet those needs any way they could.

Friends, on this Anniversary of 9/11, may we never forget the love and unselfish giving of so many people right in the midst of our Country's worst tragedy. From the first responders who gave all they had to give...their very live...to the people on the 3rd plane bound for another attack, who saved many by their selfless heroism. Along with ordinary people just like my sis-in law, who saw a need and acted! I'm thankful for her story and while we will never forget, I pray we are always reminded to look for ways to be a Blessing to others daily. 

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."~Romans 12:21

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

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?

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?

WOW...WHERE TO BEGIN-THE ADOPTION?

WOW...where to begin? I guess I'll start here:

First of all, we're on the tail end of ALL the paperwork to finalize the adoption of our foster son, Lil J. We thought we were done raising our "Brady Bunch" family when Elijah (our baby) graduated high school (WOOHOO...US time!) But Jesus had other plans for us. I received an email about a young boy that changed everything. It reached deep down into my core. I was unable to shake it. So, after praying with my hubby for several days, we began to move. We took steps of faith, walking it out and waiting on The Lord's will for our lives, our family's and lil J's. 

His mom was in hospice, dying of breast cancer. He hadn't been placed in a home yet and had been at the large local facility waiting for the right family for 3 months. As we visited with him (getting to know him and him us), I prayed that if The Lord wanted us to have him in our lives, to please let his mom hang on long enough to meet us and know her son would be well taken care of. 

After several visits with lil J, knowing/getting confirmation that he would become our foster son, I asked him if it would be okay to visit his mom so she would know that he would be well taken care of. I just couldn't imagine getting ready to leave this earth and not knowing where my child would end up/who would be taking care of him. He gave his approval (he was 13 at the time). I sat on it for a whole week. I was nervous and knew it would be awkward (Hi, you don't know us but we're going to be raising your son, as you prepare to go to Heaven). 

Finally, after work on a Friday, I KNEW it was the day we HAD to go visit. I bought flowers, took pics of our house, his room, our family, and our dog. The hubby and I headed over to the hospice facility. She looked better than I expected and was sitting up. She was very thin, pale, with long dark hair and big eyes. She was so young...too young to be going through this. We nervously introduced ourselves. She stared intently at us for a few minutes, looking, searching...then told us she was really hot (I'm sure she was just as nervous and uncomfortable as we were). My hubby went out to get her some ice for her ice pack. I stumbled over my words...wanting her to know how we came to this point, standing here in her room-preparing to care for her child. I showed her the pictures and explained each one. She took a long time...as though committing each and every picture to memory. After about 30 minutes of visiting, her mom and aunt came into the room. We introduced ourselves to them and then said our goodbyes (it was about 8:30 p.m.) I mentally made plans to come and visit her in the coming weeks so she could really get to know me. 

The next day, (Saturday, at 12:00 p.m.), as we were driving to go visit lil' J, we received a call that his mom had passed away. I broke down sobbing. I thought we would have more time. She looked like she had more time, I mean, we had just been talking to her...

At her services, her family shared the fact that she had been praying for a good family to take her son. After meeting us, she felt she was finally able to let go of her pain and suffering and go home. I took special note of the date, it was December 7th...the day before my birthday. One mother, handing her heart over to another; her gift to me, her greatest treasure, her child...her son.

After 1 year of being in our family as our foster son...we are now making it permanent. Sometimes children are just meant to be a part of your family. God knows exactly what He's doing. It happened first years ago, when I received my three step-kids to help raise and guide. And now we've been given another son, who was meant to be a part of our lives. As we said, "Yes, LORD, YOUR WILL for our lives," He in turn answered a mother's prayer before she was called home. He is always working, as we learn to let go of our carefully planned lives and give HIM room to work, we find our true purpose and joy...HIS WILL. 

Catch Up!

Wow…I've had so much going on in my life that I haven't been able to keep up. To start off, we received a special gift this Christmas…we brought a young foster boy into our home. It wasn't planned but God put him right smack in the middle of our lives and heart. I've definitely learned over the years that the safest place to be is in "God's Will"for my life.

It's crazy how we can plan a direction for ourselves and when God steps in…He brings you to a screeching halt and says, "Go this way," tugging & pulling at your heart. It was a very short process and through the whole thing we continued to pray, "YOUR WILL GOD, not ours." The doors flung open, one by one until I received the final call, "He will be coming to your home today."

"Woah...what, really? Am I ready? Am I capable? Can I do this? I've never done anything like this before." Doubt. Fear of the unknown has always stopped me in my tracks. A pattern. A place that I needed to learn to walk out in faith; knowing that when God answers prayers…HE will provide everything that I may be lacking.

He answered in a big way! Our little guy is blossoming quickly. He has adjusted to our home, our kids and us. I know it won't always be easy and rosy. I know that everything takes time. Patience. Love. Understanding. Routine. Love. Love. Love.

God is in charge and I am learning to walk out in faith as never before. I pray this coming year is one of increased faith, love, joy and trust, as you allow God to work in and through you to shine the light of Christ on those around you. You'll be amazed at what you can do through HIM!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Keep Moving Forward...

Around each corner is a wonderful new adventure waiting to happen. Keep moving forward. Stop looking back, you've seen what's behind. Your change is just up ahead...keep going!

9/11 Eleven Years Later

It's been 11 years since the horrific 9/11 attacks. It's hard to believe it's been that long. I'm sure each and every one of us has that day etched forever into our memory. Do you remember exactly what you were doing? I know I do and I will never forget the day that changed America forever.

The majority of us often look at all the inconveniences due to 9/11; longer lines at the airport, stricter security, more rules, guidelines and terrorist alert warnings. All of these add to the significant changes brought about after the attacks. But when you feel like complaining, let your mind wander to the families who's lives were truly changed forever...beyond the daily inconveniences that you and I experience; their loved ones never came home! They were left with broken, lost, shattered dreams and lives.

On this the 11th anniversary, remember to pray for all those who have lost their loved ones.

*Hope found in the rubble ~ Read 9/11 survivor stories a decade later: Click Here

Smash Face!

I don't know what's going on with me lately but I look like this!

At work this is how I feel. I look outside, then move closer to the window, closer, until I look like her. Dreaming, hoping to get outdoors and be creative. I've worked indoors my whole life, clothing store manager, banking, office manager...I feel stuck! Don't get me wrong, I feel so grateful to have a job, especially now, BUT......

I want to feel a purpose, a sense of making a difference in the world. I want to be creative. My whole life has been spent with figures & numbers. Which always shocks me since I HATE math, calculations and things of that sort. But that's what I do, that's what has paid the bills.

I have dreamed a lot! BUT....

Like the picture says, why do I stop myself? It's weird, when other people have hopes and dreams I can help, encourage and push them. My dreams on the other hand, I sabotage. I've been writing a book for a while now (one of my biggest dreams) BUT....I always find things to side track me. It feels like I will never be able to finish, so I go for the quick fix (I'll Blog instead). Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to Blog, BUT....I told myself I would set a schedule and write 30 minutes everyday until my book is finished. BUT....it's easier to put it off write a quick little short story on my Blog and then of course it's too late to work on my book.

Now, do you see the pattern developing here...BUT...BUT...BUT? I need to eliminate the BUT's from my life and then and only then will smash face end and my dreams begin!

So for all of you SMASH FACE...BUT people out there, try to join me in chasing your dreams by eliminating the BUT's!

Dreams create the ability to see beyond our current situations to the hidden possibilities deep within us.
By: Lisa Petrarca

MY TV DEBUT TONIGHT!!!

Today my friend Warren Boyd appeared on the "Good Morning America Show" to talk about his new show, "The Cleaner" starring Benjamin Bratt, tonight on A&E at 10:00p.m. (check your local listing for your area). The show is about his life...he helps celebrities who are recovering from addiction. He has helped VERY FAMOUS CELEBRITIES...can't really spill the names (we worked with him for a while last summer).

When he first started filming, he wanted all of the boys from the football team to be on the show, (since it's true life and my boys play with his son). He had us come down to hang out and watch the mock football game (you can't tell who my kids are because of their helmets). They ended up using the parents as extra's...now you need to make sure that you don't blink. I will be standing behind the mom and daughter during the football game cheering when the extra point is attempted. I have the platinum blonde hair, standing next to the girl in the hat....PLEASE DON'T BLINK or you will ruin my debut!!LOL!! For those of you with tivo, you don't have to worry, just rewind and freeze the moment...I'm trying to not let all of this go to my head!

All kidding aside, it's an AWESOME show! We were able to see the first episode about three months ago, I can't wait to see more. It is full of action, sadness, joy, love and HOPE...DEFINITELY A MUST SEE SHOW!

Here is the link to "The Cleaner"
http://www.aetv.com/the-cleaner/