HOPEful girl

Here I am.  I made it!  What have I learned from this 40 day journey?  I think  I learned what it was like to spend more time in God's word and prayer.  I learned how to be grateful and appreciate those around me especially to what's true and authentic. Its been interesting to say the least.  Some days I just didn't feel like writing or communicating.   I was too tired, or discouraged.   Some days I couldn't think of what or how I'd come up with anything to say, but then at the very moment, God just speaks to me and gives  me the words.  Amazing how He does that!   In case you're wondering, I used a forty day devotional from my 'you version' bible app to lead me.  So instead of me   taking a Bible verse to fit what I wanted to say, I'd have to reflect and meditate on the reading that was given to me that day and  how I'd apply that to my life and post for that day.   I was taking the Holy Spirit's leadi...

  Today, I just finished reading the book, the Martian  and tonight I also watched the movie Unbroken, (another book I also read).  One story is science fiction,  the other based on a true story.  Both are  amazing stories about survival,  resilience and hope.   I can't help but wonder when I hear these types of stories, what I would do in that situation?  Would I be able to use the knowledge God gave me to survive an isolated, harsh environment like Marc Whatney did on Mars? Could I persevere with strength and hope like Lou Zamperini did stranded in the middle of the ocean then later tortured as a prisoner of war?  We all have our own life journeys.  We are put in a difficult situation at one point or another.  They all might not be as dramatic, but they all have some way of changing us.   You never know what you are capable of until you go through it. God has a way of using these difficult times to change or sha...

  When I was in college walking across the campus one day, I remember a girl approaching me asking, 'Are you saved?'  I first thought, what kind of a question is that?  Am I saved?  Well, that is a personal question I think that should be just between me and God.  But in fact, I wasn't sure  what she meant by that question, 'saved?'  I just got the sense that she was out for something else other than a true friendship.   I mean, why would someone be nice to a total stranger and just randomly ask that question? What was she selling?  Was this some secret society? That is why I am turned off and not on board with this type of street evangelism, but that is a topic for another day.   Now going back to that question, of course now I know the answer and I can confidently and loudly shout, 'Why, YES, I AM SAVED!'  Thank you Jesus.  But it took me a long and actually strange way for me to get to that point. That's another story f...

    God's grace,  its the gift that keeps on giving.   He gives it to us freely even though we don't deserve it.     I run, I fall I walk, I sometimes crawl I give, I take I bend and yet somehow I break I get dizzy from all this spinning 'round I'm determined but wonder where I'm bound I've learned to follow the sweet familiar sound Of Your voice The straight and narrow twists and turns I make my way and Everyday I live, I learn to follow You You walk me through a maze of grace I stand, I sway I reach for You, I push away I'm spent, I'm saved I disobey yet I behave In my personal struggle to break free The only peace for the puzzle that I need Is just to follow the sweet familiar lead Of Your love Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see. I'm not turning 40, I'm going to be eighteen with 22 years experience --Author unknown

I received an early birthday surprise today.  My husband surprised me by bringing my best friend Alicia all the way from across the ocean to visit me!   He is the best!  And I can't wait to spend time catching up with my friend.   We have known each other since well,  ..since kids, a long time.  We met on the high school country team actually and would spend summer afternoons together just being silly teen age girls as we we waited for practice.  We laugh, cry and fought together like sisters.  We would sometimes drift a part, but always come back together, closer then ever.  O.k. gotta go catch up with my friend now. God is good! The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.  --Hubert H. Humphrey

  I got my first birthday card in the mail today!  Yay! From my mommy and daddy. Well, actually my first birthday card was yesterday from my car insurance company.  But today's card was real. It was sincere!  I am blessed to have been raised by two loving parents.  I'm sure there were times that I drove them mad and probably still do.  As a parent now myself, I've come to appreciate those challenges that come from raising a child.   Yet, you never stop loving them, sincerely.  To love sincerely is not always an easy thing to.   I mean, let's face it, some people are just hard to love.  But isn't that what Jesus did and asks us to do?  To love the unloveable? Isn't that what he does for us?   Like the love of a parent for their own child.   That often takes courage because it exposes us to potentially be hurt if we don't get that love or appreciation reciprocated.   Sincere love is like a gift, not expecting any...

Sometimes I might feel I'm being under attack especially if things go wrong or don't go my way.  I read the news and become disheartened by the the evil that is happening in the world today.   It is true that we are fighting a spiritual battle and not by what we can see or touch.  It can often be an internal battle.  God tells us to not go into battle unprepared.   Don't give in to our feelings and don't fall into negative thinking.   This passage is a favorite among Sunday Bible school lessons.  In fact, the other day my husband and I and our boys were all trying to remember all the components of the full armor of God.   Paul writes a perfect and wonderful illustration of how we must fight these spiritual battles in God's strength and not our own.  He tells us to put on the belt of truth, the breast plate of righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit and Pray at all times!...

  Mondays are hard, especially after a nice relaxing weekend with family.   I am blessed to have a job that I love doing.  Although some days carry its challenges, and I would be lying if I said that I absolutely look so forward to Mondays, it is an occupation that I feel like I am making a difference in someone else's life.  There are also days that I am torn between my family and my job.  I think that as a woman and a mom, I carry that struggle especially.   How did you do it all those years mom?  Some days I do feel overwhelmed, but it is this bible verse that often carries me through.   I work to please the Lord and serve His children because that is where He wants me to be.  I am also very blessed to have a husband who is a stay at home dad.  It is a decision we made early on and it is what works for us.  And I have to say, my husband is really good at his job, probably better than I ever could be.  It is an important...

  One lesson that's hard to learn I think toward life of sobriety is how to just stay in your emotions and not let them get the best of you.  We live in a culture that encourages a quick fix to whatever is making you FEEL bad, whether alcohol, drugs, medication, food, shopping, or sex. These are only temporary.   They are all illusions and lies that the evil one wants you to believe.  Feelings and emotions will come and go and they can be very misleading.  Bad stuff happens but its how we respond to it that matters.  One solution that is real is the love of God.  You can always go to Him in prayer whenever, wherever you are and in any point in life.  And it lasts longer, cheaper, and you don't have a hangover.  Today I am grateful for the cool trade winds, that I'm able to run and enjoy it, my family and our health. Thank you for joining me today. Have a blessed Sunday!  The best and most beautiful things in the wor...

I used to struggle with this verse.  I strove to be a strong independent woman focused on my career so I really couldn't see myself submitting to anything.    I remember reuniting with two my old girlfriends from college while I was in medical school over coffee one night.   They both were my seniors, good friends and Christian women who I looked up to very much.   I think this was before or just when I became married and not sure how the subject came up.  I will never forget the moment when they looked me straight in the eye and told me that the husband is the head of the household as if they were breaking some horrible news.  This was the truth and I just had to accept it.  Well the message really isn't horrible as I've come to learn.   Its just the concept of submission in this day and age is seen as weakness or slavery.   Its an old fashioned idea for another time.    The submission this passage talks about and actual...

  I can't believe its almost here, my 40th birthday. And soon I will need to go get my boobies smashed for the very first time.   I just can't wait! (sarcasm)  But seriously folks,  now I will take this moment  for a public service announcement.  Women, go get your boobies smashed. It could save your life.   Seriously!  Anyway, moving on. I'm not going to freak out about my birthday just like I said at the beginning of this journey.   I'm really truly excited for my birthday as everyone should be, every year of their life.   It may be hard in a dark world today to get excited about anything.   Not to sound all spooky near Halloween, but evil truly does lurk around us and as evident by watching the news.   Yet, you or I can be a bright star that shines even in the darkest night.  How? By being positive and open to the Holy Spirit in the midst of unbelievers around us.   You might not feel like it and the ene...

      There are times in my life when I've been spiritually asleep.  Those are the times when I don't even know it.  Then I look back and think, 'what was I thinking?' 'How could I have done such a thing or live a certain way?'   Its been 81 days since my last drink.  I really don't think about it much and I really don't like to count, but just thought I'd share.   I think by sharing is my way of staying awake. Today, I went to the dentist, not a pleasant thing I wanted to do, but had to be done.   I was living with a tooth that lost a filling, or so I thought for a few months now.   I remember I just noticed it was missing one day feeling my upper molar with my tongue.  When the dentist looked at it, he said it was actually a chipped tooth, but was chipped in such an unusual way, the filling just popped out.  I was thinking and trying to remember how the heck I could've chipped that tooth?  I don't eat hard candy....