Give Thanks

Came across this blog today ... and I think it will bless anyone who reads it. I was watching the TV show - 19 Kids and Counting - on TLC the other day when I heard Anna Duggar say something that made me stop dead in my tracks and reflect. She said something along the lines of give thanks during good times and bad times ... And I realized - I tend to moan and groan and whine and complain when hard times come my way. But what a difference it would make, if I stopped and praised God in the midst of my struggle or frustration for the blessing in store. For the experience. For the opportunity to grow and become a better person. For the lesson the struggle would teach me. And so I began to search for the exact quote Anna said ... and instead stumbled across this website instead.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

My Daddy ... A Cancer Survivor!

My father is a recent survivor of prostate cancer! He was diagnosed with cancer back in July of this summer and had surgery to get his prostate removed at the end of August. He has taken off of work since then for two months, to recover and heal. He has been an example of strength and an inspiration for us all. I am so grateful that the doctors caught the cancer in the early stages - prostate cancer took the life of my grandfather in 1996.

Today my dad is happy and healthy! My parents recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary - and I thank God every day for my father's health and for his commitment to and love for my mother and his children (myself included).

As a result ... I want to donate money to prostate cancer research. I came across this website which has trendy bracelets for $25. The money for the bracelets support research for a cure. When I am paid on Friday - I will be donating a portion of my pay check to the purchase of one of these bracelets! I cannot wait to wear it proudly - in honor of my father.

I love you! 

The Right Companions

Boy did I need to hear this message this morning ...

“A man of many companions may come to

ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

(Proverbs 18:24, NIV)

Your destiny is too big to accomplish on your own. That’s why it’s so important to be connected to the right people. We have to understand that God has already arranged for certain people to speak faith into you. He has already placed people in your path that will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish your dreams. The reason some people never reach their highest potential is because they never get away from the wrong people.

Recognize today that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to connect with people who understand your destiny and can call forth your seeds of greatness. You don’t have time to spend on people who are always pushing you down, telling you what you can’t do, or never giving you their approval no matter how hard you try. Friend, life is too short to drag people along. If you will get the wrong people out of your life, then God will bring in the right people so you can fulfill the destiny He has in store for you.

Father in heaven, thank You for placing the right people in my life. Help me to discern the right connections You have for me. Give me strength to release the wrong relationships so I have room in my life for the people You have chosen to connect with me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Get out of the Boat

"God has a divine plan for your life. Like Peter, however, Jesus needs you to step out of the boat so that you may progress toward your greater purpose. The boat symbolizes your comfort zone. It is the place you return to when it appears God isn’t doing things when and how you planned. Resist the urge to be stuck. Get out of the boat!" - T.D. Jakes

Seasons of Life

Charles Spurgeon once said: “It may be that there are saints who are always at their best, and are happy enough never to lose the light of their Father’s countenance. I am not sure that there are such persons…and I have not traversed that happy land. Every year of my life has had a winter as well as a summer, and every single day has its night…I confess that though the substance be in us, as in the tell-tree and the oak, yet we do lose our leaves, and the sap within us does not flow with equal vigor at all seasons.”

Speak Favor into Your Life

Remember, even if you don’t see how things could ever work out, God does. You’ve got to speak to those mountains in your life and declare favor over those situations. Instead of talking to God about how big your problems are, talk to your problems about how big your God is! As you speak to your mountains, they will be moved, and you will move forward into the victory God has prepared for you!

inspiration

“It has been a year of trials, but God has always pulled us through with His mercy and grace. May we never take our eyes off Him and His love for us.”

D R E A M S

had a dream about my ex last night ... it was so vivid and real. he had messaged me and then showed up at my door step. why i dreamed about his last night is beyond me .... but it makes me miss him a tad. i truly miss the friendship we had when things were amicable between us. i am pretty sure that i will never have the privilege or pleasure of being his friend again. we have both changed so much - i am not sure we have much in common anymore other than a history together. additionally, if his wife was smart - she would not allow her husband to be friends with his ex (with whom he shared many firsts) with all of that being said .... i send him love and light :o) i hope he is doing well and is happily married. and now i am going to drop it ......

Secret Admirer...

On Friday, a secret admirer anonymously sent me an email at work that stated the following below:


Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 1:11 PM
Subject: Just a Thought

With distant stares your eyes say it all

Captivated and captioned with beauty I begin to fall

Into a desireable obliss as we miss yet another chance to take things far.

As we speak again with eyes and pass by I envision you as my single shining star.

Wanting you to know your noticed each and everyday as we pass one another by

With wishfull thinking of the feeling to have you by side.

Walking to places yet unknown to man and the mind

With manifestation and illumination of us being stuck together in time

Wondering just what is on your mind and if you have a man on your other side

Could I be attempting to walk on already taken lands afraid yet intreagued if your loves like quicksand

From your hair to your nails to your frame

You got it all and I can tell from your name

Knowing I'm more then man enough to physically mentally and spiritually handle you

wanting to see what you'd look like walking just in some Jimmy Choos

But we may never know what it could one day be

And simple dreams could possibly become reality

Until then I will keep my dreams alive in my mind

Until that time in which I speak and you become mine.....

                                The End

I hope you like it, as you inspired it...

Then last night ... he sent me the following in another email:

So here are a few basic questions to get to break the ice and moreso get to know you for you and the type of person you are? These are well thought of questions in which I only ask your honest answer!!!

 Here are my questions...

1. How Man siblings total do you have and the order?  

2. Favorite Food?

3. Birthdate?

4. Favorite Color?

5. Ideal Date?

6. Whats your Fatacy?

7. Longest Relationship?

8. Last relationship and why didn't it work?

9. Are you a physical person like PDA ect.?

10. Secret Talent?

11. On a scale 1-10 10 being highest rate sex in arelationship:?

12. If we were together, Could you love my son as though hes your own? Not asking you to play mother role though!

13. What flaws do you have?

14. What do you want out of life? 

15. What do you desire in a man?  

16. Whats your religious background?

17. What are your pet peeves?

18. Describe your ideal date if we were broke. 

19. If I was ready to jump off the edge would you be able to talk me down?  

20. What is the most important attribute of a man in which your dating?

21.What do you think you need to work on as a person? 

22. Worst experience in a relationship and what did you learn from it?   

23. Do You Drink or smoke?

24. CAN YOU COOK and whats your best dish???

Is this creepy or what? I tell you - it's tough being single sometimes. I dream of the day when I am in the arms of my prince charming.

Destiny

Let yourself live and be in each moment, with each person, learning each lesson along the way. Destiny isn't some place we go, it's where we are.

One Year Ago Today ...

Yesterday I realized - it's been one year since I've last seen Sean. This time last year I was in Parris Island, SC watching him graduate from boot camp.

It is crazy how fast time flies - although it did not seem very fast looking back on it. It's also amazing to revisit where I was emotionally and mentally, twelve months ago. I am a different person and in a different place. But I am thankful for where I am at today. Going through it - I never thought I would ever find a place of happiness and peace again. Yet I have found it, and I value it so much more.

I hope Sean is doing well - stationed over in Japan - and that his life is bringing him lots of happiness with his new wife. I thought to myself just last evening, he will always hold a special place in my heart. He was my first love ... my first everything. What a special time in my life full of a variety of memories. But that season has passed, and now it's time to look to the present and live my life to the fullest. I mean after all ... maybe I'll be the one with a ring on my finger this time next year ;-p

Happy Labor Day Weekend!