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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Quiet

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In the still quiet, do you allow your thoughts to run wild?  Or do you take that opportunity to talk to God?

Do you sink back into your favorite plush lazy chair, kick your feet up and take advantage of the quiet time to relax?  Or do you stay so busy that you do not allow yourself any down time?

All of these questions are definitely something to consider.  If thoughts are running through your mind consuming you, and they are negative in nature, that leads to potential problems of stewing over situations where people have “done you wrong.”  Does this bring you joy doing this or change the outcome of the situation?  Surely neither one of these, so why allow something like this to zap your energy and take up space in your head?  When negative thoughts try to creep into your quiet space, take that opportunity right then and talk to God about it.  God is the only one that can make peace in those quiet moments you have alone with your thoughts.  Turn it over to Him, and watch Him work wonders in your life over these hurtful situations you’ve endured.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking advantage of some leisure time to relax and rejuvenate your body and soul.  However, if you stay so busy running from here or there, ask yourself what you are running from with all of your busyness.  Perhaps it IS your quiet thoughts you’re trying to silence so they don’t consume you.  Again, take it to God and leave it at His feet.

20 Years Later

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It’s now 20 years later.  Do you still remember what happened on September 11, 2001?  Have you forgotten what you vowed never to forget?

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

I was driving down the road delivering a bid for my employer when the news came over the radio.  It was as if everything started moving in slow motion as I heard the announcement.  I called my fiancé to see if he heard anything because maybe, just maybe the voice on the radio was mistaken.  Much to my horror, I listened as the second tower was struck and up in flames.

It WAS the day the world stopped turning due to violence, terrorism, and an attack on the United States of America!

Twenty years later, we might have flashbacks of that day, or we might have to educate the young ones of the significance of this day.  Maybe they learned about it in history class, or maybe they saw the look on their parent’s or grandparent’s faces as they re-lived the moment.

Now 20 years later, we’re dealing with emotions after President Biden pulled out of Afghanistan leaving a lot of our military equipment behind.  We fear there will be another attack on the United States, some even fearing it would be today with the nation in mourning once again.  Others feel it would be too predictable, though.

One thing is for sure, we all need prayer.  The families and friends are still mourning the loss of their loved ones from the attack on this day, and although it has been 20 years, the hurt is no less felt than the day it all happened.  At this time in 2001, I was dealing with the loss of my sister in July, only to have this act of terrorism occur two months and two days later.  What a devastating time for our family and for our nation. We felt some comfort from those that rallied around us and others in their state of mourning, for our personal loss and the loss that shook the United States of America.  One thing these tragedies had in common is they brought out the compassionate and caring nature of others.   These tragedies allowed for more love to be shown, and this entire world needs more love!

Today, the world is more divided than ever.  With controversy on both sides regarding the vaccines – whether to take it for the preventative nature it is intended for or whether it’s a conspiracy from the government – we are bickering and fighting each other over our individual beliefs.  Race is also still a hot topic – with racism on both sides.

What if we brought back the love from 20 years ago?  The compassion that was felt back then needs to be resurrected today.  There needs to be more caring individuals and less fighting amongst each other.  United we stand … divided we fall!  Don’t we remember that, too?!

As the nation remembers, let us be the change we wish to see in the world …

Birthdays

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Yesterday, my youngest daughter turned 17 years old.  Eek!!  Where has the time gone?  Seriously?!  It seemed like just yesterday I was begging God for my little miracle baby.  He answered that prayer, and I have had the privilege of watching this six pound three oz little baby (at birth) grow into a beautiful young woman.

I remember when I was approaching the last few days of pregnancy with her.  The doctor was concerned for my petite frame delivering a large baby, so he decided to schedule me for an induction.  He did the same when I had my oldest daughter, so this did not came as a surprise to me.  I was due the latter part of September, but here I was given a choice as to when the induction would occur.  The choices were either the 8th or 9th of September, which were the days of the week he did inductions (Wednesdays & Thursdays).  I remember telling my father that I wanted my baby to have her own day to celebrate her birthday.  While it would be cool to have a “birthday twin,” I would not ever want my birthday to overshadow hers!  She deserves her own day, and so I chose Wednesday, September 8th, as my induction day.

Arriving at the hospital with my bag, the hospital staff asked why I was smiling.  I responded, “I am going to meet my baby today!”   They were focused on the events that would happen prior to her birth.  Meanwhile, I was more focused on the moment I would cradle my newborn in my arms.  At 2:40 p.m., I knew that moment was nearing when the doctor asked if I wanted to watch my daughter’s birth.  With a nod of my head, they turned the mirror, and I watched my baby come into the world at 2:44 p.m.  Oh, what a glorious day!!

Fast forward 17 years, and we celebrated by taking my near adult child to eat at one of her favorite restaurants.  But first … we had to make a stop by Claire’s for her second ear piercing!  She has been after me for many months to let her get a second piercing.  Honestly, she thought I was set against it, but that wasn’t entirely true.  When she was little, she begged me to get her ears pierced, but when I did, she hardly wore the earrings.  I asked her to commit to wearing earrings this time for six months, and then we would talk!  (I, personally, LOVE earrings and feel naked if I leave home without them!)

She appeared confused when we arrived at the mall.  I made an excuse about how I had to pick something up, and although she complained, she walked alongside me until I started to slow down in front of Claire’s.  Then she knew … and a gasp of excitement escaped her lips.  I told the lady what we were there for, and my daughter took her seat.  She is now the proud owner of TWO ear piercings.  ~grin~  She was so tickled with the thought of getting her ears pierced, and afterwards, she was taking selfies to show her friends.

We did more than just going out to dinner and getting her ears pierced, as new clothes were involved as well.  Doesn’t every “girl” enjoy getting new clothes for their wardrobe?   She put one item on immediately, threw her long locks over her shoulder, and strutted inside the restaurant.  We took “selfies” together with the silly Snapchat filters and laughed at how ridiculous we looked in them.  It was great fun!  I’m glad we had this time together, and I’m glad she had HER very own day to celebrate!

I have often said SHE was one of the absolute BEST birthday presents I have ever received.  For you see, her birthday is September 8th, and MY birthday is September 9th!   What a gift, indeed, to be able to hold my newborn baby in my arms the very next day as I celebrated my birthday as well.

Now fast forward those 17 years, and I turned 50 years old today!!  ~gasps~

Birthdays are fun, aren’t they?!

I have been enjoying a half of a century worth of precious memories, and I thank GOD for this opportunity each and every day!  I recognize how TRULY blessed I am, and I pray God allows me 50 more years with my family and friends!  Oh, how I pray to see my yet-to-be-conceived grandchildren grow up and look forward to my great-grandchildren as well.  I’ve often said, “I want to be an old, old woman, rocking her great-great-grandchildren on my front porch.”  And I still mean it today!

There is more life out there for me to live.  There are places in this world I’ve yet to explore, and I want to take all the adventures I can!  I want to stay active and keep pursing happiness found in the great outdoors.  While my birth certificate says I’m 50 years old today, I don’t FEEL like it on the inside.  I’ve been told I don’t look like it either, and for both, I am eternally grateful!

A lot of people get so depressed when they reach a milestone birthday like this.  For some, they think they are “over the hill” and like there is no help for them once they hit the big 5-0.  Not me, baby!  I know there are people who take for granted that they have more time on this earth, and there are those who pray with all their might for more time!  More time, indeed!!  I am one of those people.  I look forward to the adventures ahead, with my family surrounding me and accompanying me on this journey!

Here’s to 17 years … oh, do we remember 17!

And here’s to 50 years … and many, many, many more to come for us both as we enjoy our birthdays together!

I see you … 50 … and challenge you to 50 more!!

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Not Dead: We The People

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Not too long ago, I shared the movie trailer of God’s Not Dead: We The People.

This movie will only be in theaters a limited time.  We cannot encourage you enough to go see this movie October 4, 5, or 6, 2021.  Please click here to get your tickets.

Our world is in turmoil, and our freedom is at stake here.  This timely movie touches on the liberties we were ALL given in the Constitution of the United States of America.  It will take ALL of us to stand up against those in Washington, D.C. and defend our God given rights!  This powerful movie will invoke you to rise up for the cause!

I was given the honor of a pre-screening of this movie, and together, my husband I watched as forces threatened to limit, restrict and completely strip parents of their rights with THEIR children.  This is a touchy subject right now, with the mask argument on both sides within the school systems.  It goes further than that with the controversy over the vaccine for children 12 and over.  Some argue the government is trying to take our freedoms away by mandating masks and vaccines.  On the other hand, many welcome the mask and vaccine mandates that are being handed down in an effort to save lives.  There are arguments on both sides for and against, but at the common core is everyone’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It has been years since we’ve been in school studying the constitution, right?  Maybe we all need a refresher at this time.  Allow me …

The Constitution of the United States begins with three powerful words:  WE THE PEOPLE.  The whole meaning behind these words is simply that the government exists to serve the citizens of the United States!

Please watch this movie.  Then, take action for what your heart feels passionate about!

October 4, 5, and 6th are your opportunities to see this powerful movie.

13 Lost Lives

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Having a retired Colonel as a boss and your own father as retired military certainly gives you a greater appreciation of those who have served our country.   These great men served and then retired with honors.  Both are passionate and proud of their time spent in the military.

I have close friends who agonized over their sons and daughters going into the military in years past.  Many prayers were sent up during the time they served, and thankfully, they had a happy ending as my friend’s sons and daughters all returned home safely.

As things escalated in Afghanistan recently, I’ve watched my boss struggle daily.  He posts his own thoughts on his Facebook page, so there is no doubt where he stands on this subject.  It has certainly been a devastating blow to the United States of America.  We have been shaken to our core due to the lives lost and American’s left behind in Afghanistan.  Senselessly, 13 lost lives due to a suicide bomber.  Thirteen beautiful individuals set out to serve their great Country, and they lost their lives at the hands of pure evil!

Scrolling through Facebook last night, I couldn’t help but see Nikki Haley re-sharing pictures of the fallen soldiers.  She re-shared a look into four lives; however, all 13 were shared on Stand For America‘s Facebook page.  I sat reading about each of these heroes.  Looking at their pictures, with them smiling and in uniform, made my heart hurt deeply!  It is one thing to “hear” of such a tragedy occurring, and yet another to put faces with the numbers reported to have lost their lives.  Thank you, Stand For America, Nikki Haley, and others, for sharing so the world could learn more about these beautiful soldiers.

SSgt Taylor Hoover was the oldest among them at 31 years old.  He had plans to marry when he returned.  Oh my gosh, this gripped my heart and felt as if someone was trying to pull it out of my chest!  My oldest daughter will marry the love of her life in 18 days.  I cannot begin to imagine the devastation felt by his fiancée and their families.

All of the soldiers are important, please don’t get me wrong.  I am only sharing the thoughts that went through my head as I saw their faces and read their stories!

My heart shattered to learn the others ranged from 20 years old to 25 years old.  Babies!!  These were all someone’s babies.  My heart shattered more each time I read about their lives.  Life had only just begun for them.  They were out on their own in this cruel world as their mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers were back at home praying for them and their safety. Oh the sheer horror and terror they – and their families – must have felt as they watched this unfold at the Kabul airport.  I cannot fathom the heartbreak as they received the knock on their doors.

I encourage you to visit Stand For America and read about these precious individuals and their lives.  Put a face with a name, just as I did, and they become more than just a number plastered across the television.  They were mere babies in uniform.

Tears welled up in my eyes and a lump formed in my throat as I thought of their mothers and fathers.  At a time like this, all we can do is pray for them.  Their babies won’t be walking back through their doors again.  There won’t be any more text messages or voicemails from them.  The approaching holidays will hurt even more without their loved ones.

Please pray for the family and friends of these American soldiers.  Please pray for our country as a whole and for our leadership to make wiser decisions than those made recently.  May God comfort as only He can at this most difficult time as these families and the United States of America mourn.

 

LCpl David Espinoza, 20

SSgt Nicole Gee, 23

Sgt Taylor Hoover, 31

SSG Ryan Knauss, 23

Cpl Hunter Lopez, 22

LCpl Dylan Merola, 20

LCpl Rylee McCollum, 20

LCpl Kareem Nikoui, 20

Cpl Daegan Page, 23

Sgt Johanny Rosario, 25

Cpl Humberto Sanchez, 22

LCpl Jared Schmitz, 20

Corpsman Max Soviak, 22

 

 

 

Faith Over Fear

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Yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work, I shifted through my jewelry to find the perfect piece.  The message was certainly appropriate for these trying times we are all living in.  Slipping the necklace over my neck and taking a glance in the mirror, I picked up my purse and headed out the door.  “Faith Over Fear” … what a statement piece!

Later, at the office, I hurried to print our case progress logs for the morning meeting.  As I took my seat, my boss looked right at me and asked,

“What does your necklace say?”

He is a very observant man, and any interesting piece of jewelry will catch his eye.   Once before I wore a necklace that looked unique, as if it had a message written in another language.  He asked me, then, if it had a significant meaning, but at that time, the necklace I had chosen to go with my outfit did not.  Yesterday, though, the message could not have been more appropriate.

I clutched the circular piece in my fingers as I held it toward him so he could read it as well, then I said,

“Faith Over Fear”

As the words left my mouth and reached his ears, he smiled and gave a nod of approval adding in,

“Wow!  That’s powerful!”

Indeed it is.   When the media wants you to live in fear and feeds you all the negatives in the world, please choose faith over fear!   Choose faith every time, just as I did thumbing through my necklaces that morning as if I was on a mission.  Let choosing faith be the mission YOU are on daily.

The noise of the world can overwhelm you.  At the moment, we have the potential war in Afghanistan staring us in the face.  We are starting to see more Covid-19 numbers that continue to rise in the United States, despite the vaccine that has been made available to children age 12 right on up to adults of all ages.    In addition to that, we have the everyday worries of our loved ones that have been stricken with cancer or any number of diseases.  It seems there is no where to turn for comfort and hope.  That is when it is even more important to choose FAITH, my love!

I’ve heard it said that the Bible is playing out right before our very eyes.  For years growing up as a Pentecostal Holiness in the Church of God, we were told horror stories of what the last days would be like.  Years and years people have speculated it was the “end times” we were living in.  If we weren’t convinced of it before, crack open the Bible that has gotten dusty through the years and refresh your memory of what, exactly, the Bible says!  Some people it is just a compilation of “stories,” while others believe these things that have been written will surely come to pass.  No matter what side you are on today, please make sure your heart is right and you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior so you will be certain to have eternal life with Him in Heaven.  Right now Christians are being persecuted, so what I’m asking seems like a tall order to some.  But I beg you to get your heart right with God before it is too late.  We never know what is going to happen next in this crazy world.  I have urged my very own family to get right with God, if they aren’t (because no one can truly know our hearts and no one has the right to sit in judgement either).  But this comes as a plea for my brothers and sisters all around the world because I care what happens to you!

Faith Over Fear, my dear ones.

All you need is faith as small as a mustard seed.  Imagine what can happen if we all have faith!  See Matthew17:20 where it talks about the mountains moving if you just had faith as small as a mustard seed!

Our ONLY hope in this world today is through Jesus Christ!  And despite what is going on in the world today, God did not give us a spirit of fear!  See 2 Timothy 1:7 for reassurance:

 

7ForGodhas not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

When searching for scriptures to share regarding having faith over fear, I found a website that offers a free prayer guide.  I encourage you to look into this, but even if you choose not to, know that God hears you.  Whether your prayers are bold and authoritative, or whether you can barely utter the words with tears streaming down your cheeks, God HEARS you!!  Even if you cannot speak at all, God knows your heart.

Instead of quoting all of the scriptures they provided, I’ll direct you once more to their site:  GodTube

Be encouraged, and choose faith over fear!

Isaiah 41:13 – For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

 

 

Questions That Should Not Be Asked After A Loss To Suicide

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This year marked 20 years since my sister died by suicide.  July 9, 2001 was one of the hardest days of my entire life.  It was during that time God carried me, just like the Footprints In The Sand poem says.

When the community learns of such a tragic death, there are so many questions.  Believe me, the family has tons more questions they would like to ask, but the ones that hold the answers are in Heaven (God & their loved ones).   No one knows quite what to say or do.  I thought I would offer some guidance, just as another friend did today.  She lost her daughter in January of this year, and she and her husband are still trying to cope.  We continue to rally around them and pray, knowing firsthand only God can comfort their hurting hearts.  My friend shared this with a plea on her Facebook page, and I now share it with you:

The Questions You Shouldn’t Ask Me About My Son’s Suicide | The Mighty

I would also like to share another source for those struggling after such a horrific loss:

The Compassionate Friends Non-Profit Organization for Grief

 

One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
There was only one set of footprints.
I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life.
This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way.
But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints.
I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”
― Margaret Fishback Powers

Show Me The Father

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Fathers help shape us into the people we are and will become in life.  Some of us have wonderful fathers and look forward to conversations involving them.  Others, however, have not had their biological fathers in their lives or have not had them as the best father figure to look up to in life.  Instead, they have had to rely on other men to fill that role.  Whether it was a grandfather, step-father, or an older man that came into their lives and took the child under their wing to mentor to them, men have an unique role in the lives of children all over the world.

 

“SHOW ME THE FATHER is the film our nation needs to see. We have become a society that
devalues and mocks fathers, but God created the role of fatherhood for a very specific
purpose. Many of our children feel unwanted and unworthy because half of their identity is
absent. Fathers are necessary for the next generation to heal.”
– Nona Jones, Author, Pastor, Speaker, and Executive

 

The movie SHOW ME THE FATHER is another beautiful movie from the Kendrick Brothers, who are well known for the movies COURAGEOUS, WAR ROOM, and FIRE PROOF.  It is their first documentary, though, and people might groan when they initially hear that.   However, this documentary shares true stories with wisdom and such power from fathers like Jim Daly (from Focus on the Family), Sherman Smith, Stephen Kendrick, and Dr. Tony Evans.  These influential men share their stories and also share the fatherhood of God as well, stressing to us the importance of leaning on our Heavenly Father.  God is good all the time, in every situation and circumstance, even if we may not see any good in the situation at the moment.  God is ever present, and He is the father we can lean on and into no matter what we face in our lives, even at the hands of our own fathers.

Show Me The Father will be in theaters September 10, 2021, and I encourage you to go see this movie.  Take your families with you!!  Share with others who may be blessed by the true life stories and what we can all gain from these influential men.

I realize that everyone’s father story is unique to them, just as the men in our lives are unique.  There is no one else like them, and while my father story is a happy one, others do not have a happy story when thinking of their own fathers.  My oldest daughter struggles with the difficult relationship she has had through the years with her own biological father.  So I understand, and I know first hand some of the challenges she has faced and is presently facing, even at the age of 24 years old.  Unfortunately, her father/daughter relationship has been a painful source of heartbreak, and it still affects her today.  Our fathers very much affect who we are, and are at the core of our identity and direction our lives take.  They can help mold us and inspire us, or they can be the reason we question why we aren’t loved or “enough” for them to want a deeper relationship with us.  Such has been the heartbreaking case for my daughter, and I have cried tears right along with her over this.  There is not anything in the world wrong with my daughter – and never has been – yet it has pained me greatly that my daughter has questioned her own worth and value due to her father’s inability to be actively involved, take a lead role in her life loving her and being there as a father SHOULD be!  Just recently, they had another falling out due to his inability to acknowledge how the things he has said and done have her hurt.  Instead of accepting responsibility for his actions and words, he chose to invalidate her feelings yet again and place the blame elsewhere instead of with the person he sees in the mirror daily looking back at him, where it belongs.  Sadly, instead of owning up to and correcting his behavior, things escalated to where she has decided not to try any longer with him.  It saddens me greatly because my father is so very important in my life!  HE is my rock, and the one I always turn to no matter what.  My daddy is my everything, and it breaks my heart that my oldest daughter does not have this type of relationship with her biological father.  Things could have been so different in her life and their relationship; however, he has chosen to become emotionally disconnected over these years, and in our eyes, has dropped the ball in his role as her biological father.  Thankfully, all faith in men has not been lost, as she looks up to MY father with such love and admiration, as well as her step-father.  Together, these two men have picked up the shattered pieces of my daughter’s heart and helped restore her faith in what a father is supposed to be.   Her future husband has been instrumental in this as well, as these three men have helped change her view of fatherhood.  She and her husband will strive even more so now to give their own children (when that day comes) two sets of parents that will move Heaven and Earth to be there for them, loving, nurturing, and making memories!  I’m thankful for these men that have chosen to step up and show her what being a father is truly all about, and my heart is thankful these men have shown her the unconditional love and devotion of a father for their daughter/granddaughter.

Similar stories like our own will be told in this documentary, and it will have us all thinking more along the lines of the fatherhood of God as well.  Show Me The Father has five men sharing their true stories.  There will be story lines, of course, along with plot twists you didn’t see coming, but the movie will inspire and encourage you to be the best father YOU men out there can be for your daughters!

Watch the trailer here.  

SHOW ME THE FATHER is a film the entire family needs to see, so why not go together to watch it?  Be sure to get your tickets at showmethefathermovie.com and join families every where in theaters beginning September 10, 2021.

 

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Message of Hope

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It still seems surreal.  The weekend in Kentucky could not get here fast enough, and then it flew by!  We tried to savor every moment, from the first hello hug to the last goodbye text message to everything in between!

Many “firsts” were logged on this trip.   The first time setting eyes on Maria in person!  The first hug and sitting next to her thinking we waited 23.5 years!  Then the fun REALLY began!  It was Maria’s very first time riding a horse, hiking to a waterfall, and kayaking!

While we had a lot of fun on this trip, some amazing things happened as well.  We went back to the hotel Friday night after dinner and sat outside talking until almost one o’clock in the morning!  While we were out there, this gentleman had just arrived pulling a trailer that housed his motorcycle.  He was meeting another friend there to ride the mountainous roads together.  What fun!  My husband and Maria’s husband instantly made friends with him, and together they stood talking as if they all had known each other their entire lives.

It is always fun meeting new people and learning their stories.  Why is it always a surprise when God uses ordinary people to deliver messages to us?  This was the case on two separate occasions during our time in Kentucky.  Mike, our new motorcycle friend, learned of Maria’s diagnosis during the conversation Friday night, and he shared a message of hope.   He relayed that his mother was diagnosed with Leukemia but went on to live 30 years with it.  Those were definitely words we needed to hear.  Maria needed to hear them, especially, as she is staring Leukemia in the face right now.  She has her good days and bad days, of course.  On her bad days, overwhelming feelings sweep in to consume her, and I can only imagine it is a fight to get back to a good mental place.  Mike’s message was right on time.  God knew what Maria needed, right when Maria needed to hear it!  And … God delivered it through a total stranger … one of his angels in human form!  Thank you, God.  Thank you!

Saturday morning as we prepared to greet the day and explore on horseback, we saw motorcycle Mike in the parking lot again.  I was sitting in the Tahoe with my door propped open waiting on the others when Mike appeared in my door.  With the most sincere blue eyes, he peered through into my soul as she said, “I just wanted to thank you …”  I looked at Mike with wondering eyes as to what, exactly, he was thanking me for.  Then he continued, “I wanted to thank you for what you’re doing for Maria.  She told me, and I think it is amazing.  You have such a big heart to give her such an incredible gift this weekend.  Thank you for who you are and what you are doing in her life.”   I was rendered speechless at that moment, because I was not sure what exactly Maria shared with him previously.  Also, I am not one of those people that gives a homeless person money while snapping a picture to post on social media either, so I was not sure what to do with his words other than tuck them away in my heart.  Tears began to sting my eyes as I realized he knew much more than I was letting on about that weekend, and he recognized me in that moment when I was not seeking any kind of recognition at all.  What was done that weekend for Maria and her husband was a gift straight from my heart, and it was something I did not even hesitate doing.  You see, right before I offered this weekend to them, my boss had just told me that he was giving me a bonus.   Immediately, I decided to pay it forward, and his generous gift to me then became my gift to her.  Just as my friend, Greg, has done for my daughters and I in the past with his generous and unexpected gifts, blessing our hearts, now it was my turn to take an opportunity I was given to bless someone else.  Paying it forward … a random act of kindness … whatever you want to call it … It makes it all worthwhile when you see the person on the receiving end smile.

 

When We Last Spoke

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I grew up watching Melissa Gilbert in Little House On The Prairie. It was one of my favorite television shows, and I enjoy the re-runs still today.  She brings the characters to life, no matter what role she is playing.  It felt like watching a family friend on the big screen in her latest movie When We Last Spoke.

Purposely, I do not watch the trailers or read anything on the movies I am getting ready to watch.  Instead, I rely on the picture to “speak” to me, as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.  If I am not automatically drawn in by the picture, I flip right past it.  However, this family picture drew me right in.

 

Look at the way the older lady at the bottom carries herself.  By the look on her face, you know there is a story waiting to be told, and this movie did not disappoint.  Aside from that and Melissa Gilbert staring in the movie, I was drawn in also by the smiling faces of the mischievous little girls.  Also, let’s not forget the old classic car they are leaning against in the bottom picture!!  I had no hesitations at all with pressing play for this movie!

The movie switches between the past and the present day, with lives of two sisters that faced heartbreak at such an early age.  The entire family suffered, honestly, but the movie is primarily centered on the two girls, Juliet and Evangeline.  When their father went off to war, their mother could not cope with the stresses of raising two young girls alone.  Sadly, she chose to drop the girls off with their grandparents, Ruby and Walt, with the girls begging, crying, and following behind with tears streaming down their faces.  That was heartbreaking enough, but the storyline continued with more the young sisters had to face.  It seemed like one thing after the other, until their grandfather, Walt, broke down crying and asking God why … I think we have all been there a time or two in our lives, if we are honest.  We can relate to feeling so overwhelmed with emotion with things happening in our lives, especially when we lose someone we love (whether they choose to walk out of our lives or they pass away).  Although we are taught not to question God, it is human nature.  It doesn’t mean we don’t love God or that we aren’t honoring Him.  We just seek answers as to why we have to face so much turmoil in our lives when we follow Him.  No one promises the path will be easy, but it doesn’t have to be so hard either!  That is where a lot of people get stuck – you either hang on to bitterness and resentment turning away from God, or you allow Him to comfort your broken heart and pick up the shattered pieces as only He can.  There is overcoming and forgiveness intertwined in this movie as well.

The storyline definitely gripped me as it focused on the girls mainly but also on those with a significant impact on their lives.  It was interesting as it flipped from the past, with the young girls with what they went through, to the present day with the now grown Juliet and Evangeline, and how what they endured affected them then and now.  “Family secrets” were mentioned, and often times when a secret is kept, it is to seemingly protect another member of the family.  (No, there was not any thing involving sexual abuse in this Christian based movie.  It was the secret the older sister kept from the younger one in the way the mother left.  Secrets such as these are often kept so as to protect someone’s feelings and heart.)

Ruby, played by Melissa Gilbert, tickled me in the one scene where she is dancing with the girls.  Oh how that warms my heart, as I have danced with my very own daughters just like this, and still do from time to time.  It made me reflect back on precious memories of my girls at that age and the fun we had being silly together.  Making memories!  That is what we were doing, just like Ruby with Juliet and Evangeline.

There was confusion in the mix within the movie as well, but a whole lot of love, too.  What struck me was the misconception with one situation in particular and also the part with the great-grandmother that tugged at my heartstrings and truly brought tears.  Not wishing to ruin the movie for you, I will choose to leave you in suspense and wondering What is she talking about?!

This award-winning movie is now available for live streaming on Amazon, so watch it and feel the love surrounding this beautiful family.  Click here for all viewing options!

 

Disclosure: Many thanks to Last Spoke Partners for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

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When Your Friend Is Hurting

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When you work with people for any length of time, you develop a friendship with them.  Some “friendships” are really just niceties exchanged in the office environment, while others go much deeper than that.  In my office, I have formed a rather unique friendship with a warrior.  He is a warrior on so many different levels but two that stand out are 1)  he is a warrior for Christ and 2) he is a prayer warrior.  At any given time, he will break out into prayer.  The usual “let’s bow our heads” goes out the window here with him.  One minute you could be in deep conversation, and the very next he is staring straight ahead speaking with such conviction and authority.  “Father, I ask it to be …” and he goes into bold specifics, and he follows it up with “Thank you for the hope of it.”

Today, as we sat in the morning meeting going through our client list for updates, the meeting came to a screeching halt as he asked specifically for prayer right that minute.  He began to share with us a little of what he encountered Tuesday night when he came upon a motorcycle accident within minutes of it happening.  I knew something was off with him yesterday but had no idea what was truly the reason behind how he carried himself and with what little words he spoke that day.  Feeling stuck between wanting to offer an ear and not wanting to pry, I chose to play it safe and let him be.  When people are ready to talk or feel a need to do so, they will, so I felt it better to leave things alone Wednesday.  Today, he shared some of his heart.  Immediately, we went right into praying over him.  Our boss lead the prayer, and when it was my turn to speak I found myself overcome with emotion.  When your friend is hurting, you are affected by it as well because of how deeply you care about them!

I have known for quite some time that we connected on a deeper level.  We were more than just “office friends.”  We have talked in detail about the Bible, God, religion in general, and our beliefs.  It is mainly him sharing because I am not as knowledgeable with all of the stories in the Bible as he is, so I am like a little sponge soaking it all up when he shares.

The realization that hit me of my friend hurting swept over me, and immediately I teared up when I started to put my thoughts into a prayer for him.  I have not been all that comfortable praying out loud for people, and so this is taking me out of my comfort zone for sure.  But I offer my humble prayers, even if I don’t speak as eloquently as others do.  I know God still hears me no matter what or how I pray.  I was moved to tears for this man and wanted so badly to help his heart with the images that have been tormenting him since he arrived at the scene of the accident.

Would you please offer prayers for my friend, too?  He leans on the fruit of the spirit in all things, and he mentioned this several times when we spoke briefly after the meeting.  He is a true believer and a great witness for the Lord.   While we cannot remove this night from his memory bank or erase the images he saw, we can trust our Father to help him through this.  He has been thinking of the man that was on the motorcycle, but he has also been thinking of the driver of the vehicle that cut in front of the motorcycle, in what appeared to have caused the accident. We don’t know the individuals personally, and it is troubling to think that the man might have left this world not knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  On the other hand, maybe he was saved and had a personal relationship with Jesus.  We hope that is the case and that he did not suffer.  With the driver of the vehicle, we pray for him as well because making a mistake such as this cost someone’s life.  The driver has to carry that with them through the rest of their days, and that will be a tremendous burden to carry.  Would you please pray for the driver as well?  And last, but not least, the family of the motorcyclist needs our prayers as well.  They have lost a very important part of their family, and they need comfort now and in the days ahead.

At the end of the meeting, he thanked us and called us “family.”  Isn’t that really what we are supposed to be to each other, though?  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, after all.

My life has been changed by working alongside this man, and I thank God for placing me here.

Maria

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I wrote this Monday and thought I’d share here as well.  It is heartfelt and full of emotion.
Dear Maria Miller:
Meeting each other online all those years ago ended up being one of the absolute best things to happen to us both. We have helped each other through some trying times in our lives, and we have also been each other’s biggest fans and cheerleaders along the way. We have watched our children grow up over all of these years. Who would have ever thought that a lonely single mother venturing into the online world 23 and 1/2 years ago seeking friendship would have resulted in friendships that have and will last a lifetime?! Sure, we’ve all had our ups and downs through these years – that is a part of life – but the important thing is that we always find our way back to each other. Our friendship is THAT important and a huge part of our lives. How did we ever live without each other? From silly times playing on words in the “lounge” to serious subjects and matters of the heart, we have shared just about everything with each other.
I’m so grateful for your caring, forgiving, and loving heart. You have such compassion for others and have not been afraid to lend a helping hand, no matter how it stretches you. You have given freely of yourself and the resources that you have, and now we all, in turn, give to you from the bottom of our hearts. We wish there was more we could do at this time, but we know the most important thing we can do is remain by your side and pray to our Heavenly Father for your healing. And we do! We are flooding Heaven with our prayers for you, calling you by name before Him, and we KNOW He hears us all. MATTHEW 18:20 KJV “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
No matter what your team of physicians have said, He has the final word! He is the author of your life. He knows every thing about you, even that your favorite word is the “F bomb,” and He loves you … oh how He loves you!! I will not get “preachy” on you, but I will tell you with complete confidence that God knows the plans for your life, every single one of them, and He provides Hope for you and your future. Jeremiah 29:11 provides such comfort for me, and I hope it will for you as well: 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.”
You have struggled, and you have smiled. You have continued with a brave face at times, and other times you show your most vulnerable side to us. We love each and every part of you and encourage you to continue to be as transparent as you feel necessary as we walk alongside you. You are NEVER alone … EVER! Please know that.
You might be one candle, but that is all it has taken to pierce the darkness and shine so brightly for the world to see. That’s you. That’s OUR Maria.
When I first learned of your diagnosis, I cried for days … big old ugly face crying. There is no graceful way to cry when you learn that kind of news. I cried for you, for Mike, for your children and grandchildren, and for your extended family and friends like me. Our hearts were broken right alongside your very own. There is no other way to say it. Words fail at a time like that, and all I could do was reach out to you and to God. And I’ll continue to reach out to you and to God. Neither of you will be able to get rid of me. Ha! You’re both stuck with me. But I want you to know that even in this, God is close to the brokenhearted, and I KNOW he has been close to you and even carried you through the months when you were so close to death and did not even realize it. I’m thankful for how God carried you through this. Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” This is who we are: the brokenhearted! We are brokenhearted for you and your family, but we are comforted knowing that the Lord is near us and is helping you — and all of us that know and love you –through this. Just like the little sign I sent you says, “We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow!”
In four days, we will meet each other for the very first time. I have a lot of emotions going at this time. I’m so incredibly happy to FINALLY meet you! We tried a few years ago, but it wasn’t meant to be. Now, it is going to happen!! I will promise not to be a babbling mess all weekend, for there is FUN to be had and lots of laughter to be shared. I am looking forward to it all with you, Mike, and Dusty!!
We have several things planned for the weekend. I am absolutely **thrilled** to be able to share some of the very “first” adventures you’ve taken … knowing I’ll be right there with you as you experience them all!! We will be gentle, and please know that if, at any time, you need a breather from us, you are free to take all the breaks you need. We do not want you to feel self conscious at all about anything! We are understanding and know that chemotherapy has left you unable to cope with the heat of the summer. We are bringing a mini portable personal misting fan/air conditioner for you that some of the fellows use on construction jobs sites. We hope this will help you on the trail, although we aren’t going to push you even though we know you are wanting to push yourself! The hotel, horseback riding adventure, and cave kayaking adventure have all been booked and paid for, now let the fun begin! Don’t forget to wear light, comfortable clothing for the waterfalls and horseback riding, but be sure to bring a jacket, as the cave is supposed to be 55 degrees inside for the kayak adventure!
I have written a mini novel with this post, but remember I AM a member of the long post club from the “lounge” days.
I’ll end this post with much excitement and anticipation. Four days stand between us meeting each other for the first time in real life, and I seriously did start packing a few things last night so I didn’t forget them!! I hope you like me in real life!! LOL
I love you, woman!!! Always and forever!
~Shirley
(I am sharing a picture of Maria and her husband Mike.  Maria LOVES snow, and here you can see how happy she is with the love of her life beside her and what looks like a light dusting of snow in the background.)
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