Lord, I am missing one of my dear friends today… 😦
a friend that I was so blessed to receive from You… ❤
My Lovely A… Miss Lovely… and Lovely Anita
is the author of Discovering Your Happiness.Today was her birthday.
I miss being able to share awards and tags, reading each other’s blogs to find You were whispering the same exact message, or sometimes complimenting one another’s differences.
She is a blessing that You brought to me at a time I literally believed I was just faithfully living out my last days in quiet. You used her Self Care Challenge to motivate me so much that in taking part in it (21 Day Self Care Challenge) I found a friend who faithfully encouraged me, supported me, and cheered me on through good and bad days.
She taught me how to do tagging, pingbacks, notifications, collage pictures, and so much more. She was the first one to nominate me for an award, and my how generous she was with those awards and tags. She knew I loved using them to praise You, and to share with others. I loved her cheerful giving! 🙂
I miss keeping up with her days at work, her adventures with her bestie, the upcoming wedding of her sister, and watching her love for the You grow so beautifully. I remember her favorite song at the time was From theInside Out.
I pray she is having a blessed day, a wonderfully memorable birthday, and a flourishing relationship with You. I pray that You are giving her victory after victory over her anxiety, and that You have showered her with love, strength, mercy, and grace, on those days anxiety seemed to be stronger. It may have disguised her strength as weakness, but it has NEVER been stronger than the God who gives her strength, and assures her that His strength is made perfect in her weakness, and that she can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens her! May she know You have NEVER left her, and that You will always love her… cherish her… treasure her!Wherever she is today, Lord, shower her with many voices telling her Happy Birthday for me! As long as she knows it’s really love from You, that is all that matters. And should she hear You whispering deep inside… let her know she is dearly loved and missed! ❤
My Dearest Lord, how incredibly awe-inspiring You are! How lovingly You pursue me! So faithfully woo me! You amaze my heart every single day! And night! Every safe and troublesome night! Just last night we had some very dangerous weather come in, leaving some very slick roads. Yet Anthoni had to get on those roads to get to work. I knew he had 4 Wheel drive, but after the fog storm that iced over the entire western part of our state so unexpectedly, not even showing up on radar as it kept adding layers of black ice, in broad daylight, leaving thousands stranded, and hundreds of accidents everywhere.
One of those accidents involving 2 jackknifed tractor trailers left my brother, brother-in-law, and family friend stranded on the Interstate for 7 hours. Even after they got off safely, the car had idled so long on the ice that when they stopped for gas, the car would not come out of park, and had to be towed home. Records were created or broken over that mysterious foggy ice storm (mysterious to us 😉 ) just a week or so before. And so I wanted to see Anthoni off on this night, encourage him, ask him to text when there safely, and just let him know I love him. But that was not how things happened.
My meds were making it hard to even open my eyes for more than a second, a very brief and blurry second. My brain struggled to gain consciousness. As Anthoni was letting me know he was leaving, I was trying hard to awaken, but all I could get out was, “I’m sorry I can’t seem to wake up, Anthoni. I do love you. Please be safe. Let me know you made it when you do.” And I did not get that out all at the same time. I couldn’t stay awake to make sure he heard me, or understand what he said when I could tell he was trying to talk to me, and seemed frustrated that I couldn’t stay awake enough to hear him.
As he started warming up the car, I began to pray to You. “Lord, please help me. Please be with my son. I’m sorry I can’t seem to stay awake even enough to pray. Please keep him safe. Help him get to work safely. Help him not to forget to let me know he did.” Again, I didn’t get this out all at one time, and I didn’t “vocalize” any of it. At one point all I could say was, “I love You, Lord. I love you.” And kept repeating it any time I had consciousness. I made the decision to trust You, to know You wouldn’t punish me, or take it out on Anthoni, just because I couldn’t stay awake. The night was holding on to me, but that’s not the kind of God You are. You are our most loving and protective Father who loves when we trust You. It’s what You desire most from us. So that’s what I did. I counted on You. And got those few words out any time my brain would allow, while making the decision to stop fighting so hard to think, but instead trust You and go onto sleep. And just before I was falling off to sleep I heard those words.
“You are good, good, oh. You are good, good, oh.
You are good, good, good, good.”
Even as I heard them, they touched my heart in such a way. You were comforting me, assuring me, that You were good and loving. You were tenderly letting me know You well understood about my meds and my concern for my son. You were a doting parent caressing my forehead as You were singing me off to sleep. When I awakened, I immediately smiled. I remembered how tender and wonderful You had been to me. And there was a text from Anthoni. That song kept coming to mind all day long. Something told me I knew the song, yet I couldn’t figure how. Good, Good Father by Christ Tomlin was close, but I knew it wasn’t what You sang me to sleep with. So I went to my YouTube playlists.
I didn’t really know what title to look for because as much as I felt I knew the song, I also had a certainty that I didn’t know it well and would have to figure it out. So I asked You to help me find it. A song titled King of my Heart by Kutless kept coming up, but I would say, “Oh that can’t be it, Lord. I don’t know that song. I know it’s in my playlist, but that’s just because our church sang it a few times during the year so I saved it to be familiar with it. It never really did anything for me. I mean, I know the message was good and godly, and I know friends on WordPress introduced it to me as well, but it just never stayed with me. I don’t even know the words.” So I Googled what I did know… the words You played in my mind as I decided to trust You… to fall asleep and let go of the night.
“You are good, good, oh. You are good, good, oh.
You are good, good, good, good.”
Again! King of My Heart by Kutless came up! So I played it, and listened… and *GASP*!!! It was it! EVERY SINGLE WORD just touched my heart! So many things that You and I personally talk about… were in those words! Here I had trusted You, but You were comforting me! In every single word!
Let the King of my heart Be the mountain where I run
So often I struggle with getting that walk on that beautiful Blue Ridge mountain… walking the Parkway bridge. I wish so badly that I could run that mountain like so may of my friends… Joe and his girlfriend Joy, Tina… or cycle it like my friends Tony and his friends, a few of my doctor friends, Jonathan… or at least walk the trails like my dearest Cousin Kimberly (who was the first woman to YOYO the Mountains to Sea Trail in 2016 and will hike The Pacific Crest Trail in March of this year…. Shout out to “Legs!”!! 🙂 ). Kimberly was the one who the Lord used to inspire me to walk on the Parkway. Yet as I wrote in Walking the Walk Challenge, #1 Color Walk and Walking the Walk Challenge, #2 Texture Walk for Lovely A’s Walking the Walk Challenge, I often end up here in this bed, and have to do that walk with You right here. You help me find joy in “letting the King of my heart be the mountain where I run.” That’s right! With You… I can run! On any mountain! On any bridge! Anywhere! ❤
The fountain I drink from
I struggle too with getting hydrated enough. It’s affecting my health in so many ways, as I have noted in Self Care Challenge Day 8: Water when I was doing Lovely A’s 21 Day Self Care Challenge. So as I hear this line, I am encouraged to “let the King of my heart be the fountain I drink from.” 🙂 “O tasteandsee that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” – Psalm 34:8 KJV
Oh, He is my song
OH, does this ever make my day! The testimony that You finally helped me to get down when Lene invited me to write on Song of Virginity was titled The Love of My Life – I am His Song, so immediately this came to mind with an overflowing emotion that You would give me those words… He is my song! I am Your song, and You are mine! Your banner over me is Love! How loved I am!! ❤
Let the King of my heart Be the shadow where I hide
How often I close my eyes to escape the world and its unpleasantness. How I run to You for shelter… seeking a place to hide. “Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide” reminds of the tender hymn You taught me years ago during storms of the Tornado Outbreak Season of 2011 that I could not hide from but found shelter in You… and every word of He Hideth My Soul! ❤
The ransom for my life
You remind me of the cost You have paid for my life. Yet instead of conviction, it is assurance that though I sometimes long for Home so much that it is all I can think about, You remind me of things You have brought me through, and things that vie for my life and soul, but You… the One who gave me my life.. is the King who paid “the ransom for my life…” because You love me! ❤ You have rescued me… for Yourself! ❤
Let the King of my heart Be the wind inside my sails
You know, dear Lord, how much I yearn to fly! I want to just soar through the air… enjoying Your majestic beauty… feeling the breath of Your wind in my hair… and supporting my lifeless body. “Let the King of my heart be the wind beneath my sails.” ❤ Let’s fly, Lord! Let’s sail! ❤
The anchor in the waves
Again, I think of those terrible storms, and the rocky waves of this world. Yet You whisper in those words that You are “the anchor in the waves.” ❤
Let the King of my heart Be the fire inside my veins
As I have learned the Lymphedema that I was diagnosed with is a breakdown of my veins from the pressure of the fluid, these words definitely feel like an anthem… a cry… a determination to “let the King of my heart be the fire inside my veins.” You make me grateful all over again for the therapists. They were definitely The Gift of the Year 2017: Therapy… and are still very much a gift from You! ❤
The echo of my days
When I question… Has there been a point to my life? Have I given You a testimony? Do I let You down? Or give You a reason to smile? You remind me my life is not about my whiny little self. It’s all about You! As it should be! Again, another anthem to gladly state and pray that You would be “the echo of my days.” Let them see You! ❤
You’re never gonna let Never gonna let me down
Whether it’s trusting You with my son, or that You won’t punish me because I cannot fight my medicines or the sleep they induce, or not be able to give You the respect You deserve to sit up or address You reverently when praying, or pray on any of the above mentioned issues… “You’re never gonna let, never gonna let me down!” And yes… that was worth repeating! That’s how much I believe it! Here I was worried about letting You down, and yet it’s just like Your great love to be tender and caring to me! ❤
When the night is holding on to me God is holding on
Last night really tried to steal my peace of mind. It certainly fought for my consciousness, as much as it wouldn’t let it rest either. Yet as I chose to trust in You, to trust in the words I could pray to You, as well as the ones I couldn’t even vocalize to You, You heard every word… including how much I love You. You remind me that as I chose to trust You and started to close my eyes for the night, regardless of the fear of letting You down, You remind me of how thoughtful You were to comfort me, but this time the words are, “When the night is holding on to me, God is holding on.”
You are good, good, oh You are good, good, oh Yes, You are good, good, oh You are good, good, oh
No wonder my soul was in love with those words. “You are good, good, oh. You are good, good, oh. Yes, You are good, good, oh. You are good, good, oh.” No wonder my soul was in love with You… the King of my heart! How wonderfully good You are to me! I love it when You give me a song or a word like this in my sleep! When only You have access to me! Thank You for letting me know You were there… that You were listening… that You were moved by my trust in You. Thank You for just being You! You ARE good! ❤
Hi Guys! Just wanted to share with all of you who came along my journey of posting 30 true aspects about myself that you may not know… the AWARD from our dearest Fatima aka Splendor In Embers! Praise the Lord for using her to challenge me… in many ways!! Wanting to encourage someone I love and care about blessed and encouraged me!
Along this journey, the Lord used His whispers, His nudges, and His many resources for encouraging me! Lovely A and her Self Care Challenge was a part of those resources! There are others I can’t mention, but you know who you are. Thank You for letting God use you to help me “fly” within God’s gift of life. And what would I do without InnerManTheatre… my patient son for his feedback and tech support (and Anita!).
I praise Him for each of you who took to read (while patiently waiting for me to learn my way), for reaffirming His whispers (with your likes and follows) to be meant for more than just myself. Your comments allowed God to fill my cup with blessings. And the Awards! So unexpected! All crowns to lay at His feet! God bless you, Lovely A!
My Dearest Fatima, How grateful I am to God for you! For your challenge! For your heart. Please know I am praying for you and your precious family as often as God allows. You’ve always been dear to our family! You ARE family! Thank you for my AWARD!
If you are interested about this Challenge, you might be delightfully surprised to know that you do not have to wait for someone to nominate you, as I have read some of you have for quite some time. You only have to accept and post. See for yourself her 3 rules posted here. Praying for each of you! God loves you! ❤
God is so good and generous with His outpouring of love! He has poured out blessings to me again through dearest Lovely A! Thank you, discoveringyourhappiness.com, for the nomination on the Blogger Recognition Award! Thank you for continuing to let God use you to pour out His love to me! More crowns to lay at His feet!!! ❤ ❤ ❤ I definitely discovered my happiness in good self care advice and friendship! There is so much to learn and apply on her site. I love her weekend posts, and the pictures she includes.How I Got Started Blogging
According to WordPress, I began blogging in May of 2016 (Just like our Lovely A!), but I did not become semi regular until I began a challenge with a good friend of our family, someone who was a classmate of my son, Pre-K through 5th grade. In doing her challenge, I took a risk and opened my blog for everyone to see. I had been a very private person, and was extremely apprehensive about giving the world access to me, but it was something the Lord was leading me to do. I told no one, not even the family friend, in case I had any issues I could just close it back without hurting anyone’s feelings. I followed the link to someone who had liked my post and “discovered” a self care challenge that got me curious. That’s where I met Lovely A, and became a regular by doing her 21 Day Self care Challenge.
2 Pieces of Advice for New Bloggers
1. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on people, no matter how scary the world may be.
Yes, we need to be careful, but we do not have to be closed off. We need each other to know we are not alone in the struggles we have when it sure feels like it.
2. If you are trying to save your e-mails as I do, make sure to pay attention to where the notifications read… There is a new post/response on SOANDSO. It helps to know where to go read and/or reply. I do not want to miss anything!
Today as I was doing my nails and getting pics for the Simple Pleasure blog from Self Care Day 21, I found myself missing the challenge already… BUT at least there is still the friendship found on discoveringyourhappiness! and the many self care habits that have been continuing… listening to Lovey A Challenge 19 playlist, decluttering, meditation, drinking water, better sleep, back to PT, talking with friends, and so much more. I definitely found gain! Good gain! So as promised… pics with the nail polish that I put on, and the lipstick I’m still working on the nerve to try. It’s suppose to be permanent for a good bit, and I do not like to draw attention to myself. We’ll just keep praying and see! God loves you each and everyone! <
Praise our Generous and Thoughtful God! What kindnesses He allows… in whispering into my ear, encouraging me to write, challenging me through others, and sending me a new friend. In all these things He has used Lovely A ❤ to do each… and more. Her blog is very inviting, very encouraging, and solely focused on helping others to find happiness.. hence the name of her bog discovering your happiness.
She reads each comment and responds and within very good time. She shares so much of herself that you feel like you gain a friend. When doing the 21 Day Self Care Challenge, all the challenges were to encourage, to teach, to support, and to genuinely help others learn more on bettering themselves. While it was a daily challenge there was never a pressure about time. I came across it on Day 3 and was given such positivity and confidence. I thank you, Lovely A (Amiga) ❤ , for your nomination on the Liebster Award! I consider this a crown to lay at His feet! May the Lord continue to bless your gift in motivating others! God loves you! ❤
Having said this… I must say too that discoveringyourhappiness.com is my favorite blog. I would have said so without an award. I was just curious when I stumbled on it, but I am glad that God used curiosity to get me out of my comfort zone. Fear easily keeps me from doing anything requiring commitment (which Lovely A would tell me to think of it as one step at a time, not a commitment).
LIEBSTER AWARD RULES TO FOLLOW IF YOU ACCEPT:
Thank and promote the blogger who nominated you.
Answer the 11 questions you were asked.
Tag 5-11 new bloggers who you think deserve some love.
Create 11 new questions for your nominees.
For the full list of rules, check out the Global Aussie page, https://theglobalaussie.com/blog/liebster-award-2017
and you can also choose your Liebster Award image there!
Answering the Questions:
1.Whereabouts in the world are you from? North Carolina, USA
2 How long have you been blogging for? Since May 2016
3. What does your morning routine look like? Take son to work by 4 or 5 am, devotions, breakfast
4. What do you do for self care? Shower, sleep, elevate legs/feet, therapies, lotions, powders, meds, water, live, pray
5. Lollies or Chocolate? Can’t we do both? No? Chocolate
6. What a typical weekend looks like for you? church and rest
7. What is one of your hobbies? writing
8. Places you’ve traveled? Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
9. Places you want to travel to? Australia, Jerusalem, Great Britain,
10. Where you see yourself in 5 years? With God, wherever I am.
11. Where do you see your blog in 5 years? Wherever God takes it.
Questions for Nominees:
1. What day of the week is best for you to blog?
2. Do you know how much God loves you?
3. How often do you post… daily, weekly, monthly?
4. Do you read other bloggers’ posts?
5. Do you visit other blogger’s pages?
6. Do you know how important you are?
7. Did you do a kindness today?
8. Have you read the Bible… or at least try to?
9. What’s your favorite song?
10. Who is your favorite relative?
11. What can you cook?
Please tag me when you do your blogpost (send me a link to read your blog post).
May you always know how much God loves you. You mean everything to Him. ❤
I pray everything He allows me to write or put out there in the world lets Him and everyone know… Gail Loves God! ❤
Lord, I’m mixed with sadness and gratefulness. Today we end the 21 Day Self Care Challenge that you and I began weeks ago, reluctant as I was to commitment. Curiosity and desire to improve anything in my health or life that you were willing to address led to self awareness, insight, and a blessing you gave I did not expect… a new friend! A fellow believer!
We are to have a GOOD DAY by choosing one thing to do… and enjoy it. I have some clear nail polish I like to use to keep my nails strong (they hurt when they chip off) that I have not used in months. Every time I put it on, here comes another medical treatment or issue that keeps me from being able to use it again for awhile.
There was a time I use to wear make up, nail polish, simple jewelry (if it didn’t cause a skin reaction, or harm babies and children when holding them, and could take the wear and tear I take), and never went without a watch or earrings. As I started having surgeries, procedures, and other health related issues, they would make me take off jewelry and nail polish. I gave up. I’ve not worn a watch since 2004, and I don’t remember how long since earrings.
Ironic thing… health issues from the last couple of years have led to recommendations from doctors to use different skin care items, especially for dehydration. I have a special lipstick I have not used yet. Maybe I will use it? We’ll see. But nail polish is a treat for sure. Thanks for the chance to wear it. That may seem trivial, but breaking nails is not.
Yay! And praise you, Dear Lord. You just keep showering me with blessings in this self-care challenge. Our challenge tonight is to color, and journal on how we felt while coloring. You know I have that coloring journal you led me to get. It was so comforting, and so relaxing, and saved me many a day that I needed to “have my focus elsewhere”. It even brought your Word to life… “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7 KJV
Well, sadly it has been laying on my bed for a couple of months. Another one of those things I felt guilty to even “waste” my time on. Thank you for including it in the challenge. I will be sure to either listen with my new Lovely A Challenge 18 Playlist, in silence, or both. Just to know I will get a chance already puts a smile on my face and a pep in my step (even though it’s bed time…lol). Yeah right. 😉
Well, Lord, tonight’s challenge is meditation. My first thought is that it sounds a lot like quiet time with you. Yet you and I know that our quiet time often struggles to be quiet or have my complete attention. Even as we spend our time, I am either reading the devotion you give me, the scripture that goes with it, or already thinking on what you give me to write in my journal on what we are focusing on. I try to take the time to think on what you wrote, but I am either in a restaurant, a parking lot, or somewhere that other people are passing by or looking from a distance, so my mind is ALWAYS thinking or worrying about something. It is extremely hard to stay still for just a sure 10 minutes, especially without feeling guilty about it. While I take what you give me through the day, I also take that feeling guilty too.
I looked through the listed sites (well they were apps, but I’m not downloading something without knowing what it is). I tried the only free sample I came across on Smiling Mind. I wasn’t able to do it uninterrupted (family), but it didn’t seem too bad. It actually made me smile and even laugh a couple of times. Is it suppose to do that? If not, I guess my focus just isn’t cooperating. The voice said if my mind got to straying or thinking that is was normal. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad sometime? What do you think? Could this help our quiet time get back to where it used to be, hopefully my peace of mind too? Do we need a 3rd party to help my mind, like these medicines, doctors, and therapists? I will pray about it and let you lead.
Thank you, Jesus, ❤ for such a challenge as this! 😉 Such a blessing! New favorites! Old favorites in new voices! Sorry it took so long to get this up, Lovely A ❤ ! But I was having such fun… getting lost in the deep and beautiful… raising my hands to the heavens… and wanting to leap and shout for joy!! My favorite newest favorite is actually by a couple of WordPress friends.. Red Letters! ❤
Disclaimer: I could not narrow it down to 5!!!
When I just want to lay back and listen to the beauty of the words and music!
1. Good, Good Father – Chris Tomlin ❤ ❤ ❤
2. Know You – Red Letters ❤
3. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – YouTube doesn’t say singer but Johnny Carrasquillo ❤
4. What a Wonderful Name – Hillsong ❤
5. O Come to the Altar – Elevation Worship
6. How Deep The Father’s Love For Us – Selah
7. All this Time – Britt Nicole
8. How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin ❤ ❤
My pickups (Dangerous in my system, but it makes me feel like saying to life, BRING IT ON!)
Let’s dance the day in and our worries away!! 🙂
1. Good Morning – Mandisa
2. Stronger – Mandisa
3. Beautiful Day – Jamie Grace ❤
4. Hold Me – Jamie Grace ❤
5. Do Everything – Steven Curtis Chapman
I had video links but they were extremely messed up regardless of how many times I fixed it. Maybe it’s a WordPress thing I just don’t understand yet.
Oh my goodness. The Lord knows I need this one and is using this challenge yet again to “get’r done”, Lord willing. Me and all of my belongings live in one little corner of the house, and are made to feel guilty for being that much of a space.
You wouldn’t know it from just this clutter that I’m obsessed with being clean and in order, mostly for my sanity. I prefer to see EVERY spot in the room, to know it is free of whatever I cannot see. What started this I do not know, I could guess a couple of things.
My friends and family often made fun of me, saying I must have OCD. I don’t believe it’s that bad, but don’t appreciate the jokes as I have friends who do. I grew up with our house always so filthy, with bugs, sometimes fighting rats in the house.
In foster care, we cleaned every day…. our room and household chores, regardless of age. No activities allowed until all cleaning done. Even on Saturday, which had the heavier chores. There were strict rules, and strict punishment.
When I was 13, one of my teacher’s paid me to clean her house and was strict. Her thing was… If you are going to do something, do it right, and do it right the first time.
I worked for top notch hotels on their VIP, Conference, and Entertainment floors.
When I had my 1st home of my own, I was amazed at how clean it stayed. ALL 4 of us kids kept our homes spotless.
My son liked things so clean when he was a baby, at the least bit sticky he would drop his ice-cream and wail while holding out his hands to be cleaned. Everyone would tease, “Yep. He’s just like his momma.”
There is something freeing about my life being clean and clutter free that makes even my mind so much healthier. De-cluttering is like getting rid of all of the negativity in my life. It’s like knowing the difference between what is important to keep and what needs to be thrown out. De-cluttering equals sanity. God is generous when He allows clean.
Lord, I make a comfort box tonight. You are the 1st thing in. Life without you is absolutely miserable. Then your word… whether I’m reading it, or just laying my weary head on it as I talk to you… or laying with the pages open to feel like I’m laying in your arms, as my tears fall on your pages… your word is the most physical thing of you to me.
Currently I would add my devotional book, but normally I use the reading plan you allowed me to learn from Skip Heitig’s Book, How to Read the Bible and Enjoy It.
Puzzle books. One variety and another with either all Sudokus or all Word Games.
A journal for noting thoughts and whispers from you, and a composition book for writing poetry. I guess I should throw in the pens to write with too… lol.
My coloring journal you gave me, along with the color pencils and highlighters.
My Ellipsis Android Tablet to listen to Good, Good Father and more of your music. I guess I should put the charger and cord in too… lol.
A nice perfume or cologne… I love Charlie and Obsession. If it’s Charlie, I love to put some on my wrists (back and front), and arms. If Obsession, I love to put it on the shoulder and arms, near the wrists too, but all on a long sleeved shirt to curl up with.
Well, I guess I have my comfort box. As long as you are in it, that is all the comfort I need. If I am forgetting something, or you would like me to include something, just whisper. I want all that you have for me and want for me.
This will be my way of doing Lovely A’s 56 Lists To Make When You Are Feeling Down. It makes a great list to inspire many things… subject to writings, things to think on, things to distract ourselves with, a way to pass the time, fun games (like when riding on long trips) or trivia for party dinners, and so much more.
YOU Favorite memories: Having my son, brother’s wedding, college days, church events Your best qualities: God’s love, encouraging, honesty, loyalty, committed Best days you’ve lived: under His grace and salvation Compliments you’ve received: a blessing, encouraging, strong, trustworthy, beautiful soul, kind, understanding, patient What you like the most about yourself: love for God, faithful, attentive, patient Your most precious possessions: Bible, tablet & smart phone (online bible), journals Bucket list of things to do: Love & obey God, fly, beach, another country, ferry Things that make you happy: God, family, friends, writing, church, church family Positive adjectives to describe yourself: encouraging, patient, strong, honest Your values: I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, crucified, resurrected, sent us the Holy Spirit, and is coming back for us to take us to live with Him. I believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit being a triune Godhead called the Trinity. Favorite ways to relax: writing, praying, singing, TV, movies, social media, games Fun things to do at home: writing, singing, TV, movies, games
YOUR PEOPLE People you love: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, my son, family, friends, church family People loving you: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, my son, family, friends, church family How you met your favorite people: Molly, giving birth, being born, life, church People you would like to meet: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Family, Lovely A, Moschie, Helga What you like to do with your friends: Laugh, travel, lunch, church, fly, beach What you like to do with your family: Travel, beach, church, fly, laugh People you would like to reconnect with: Lost loved ones, church family, friends Things you would like to do with your friends & family: church, travel, fly, devos People who inspire you: God, my son, Lovely A, Christ-confident souls, photographers Every friend you ever made: A list of EVERY friend I’ve made is too long for WordPress. People who have positively influenced you: God, Molly, Mr. Farlough, Mrs. Chamberlain, Brett, Lovely A, Mary Chapman, Diane, Freddie, Emile, Michelle Gift ideas for your favorite people: Bible, blankets, books, music, my poetry, ice-cream Everything you love about your partner: Jesus is the Love of my life. I love Him because He first loved me! That means something to me! People you want to send a thank you note to: Mr. Farlough, Brett, Blake, Katie, Ali, Andrew, Rebecca, Lovely A, and so many more! Date night ideas: church, church events, dining, picnics, Blue Ridge Parkway, walking
YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Things that you are grateful for: God, family, friends, life, love, kindness, forgiveness Things you are proud of: God, my son, my college degrees The scariest things you’ve done: lived, loved, trusted, opened my FB and WP to public Dreams that became reality: my son, finishing school, bible college Biggest accomplishments: accepting Christ as my Savior, my son, published writings Ways to celebrate your wins: praising God, with family & friends, screaming, ice cream All the things you are good at: writing, encouraging others
YOUR DREAMS Life goals: Love and obey God Countries you would like to visit: Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom Things you would like to do: write for a living, travel, fly Stories you would like to write about: God’s love, Ava (writing now), I Miss Us Adventures you would like to live: traveling to Australia, traveling our country Dreams for the future: keeping God 1st, writing for a living Where you would like to live: a room or small place joining a Christian friend’s home What you will be doing in the next few years: I have no idea. Living is a good start. Things you would like to get: back to good health, a lot of unspoken prayers Skills you would like to learn: sewing, quilting, my tablet, WordPress layout Wish list: Whatever God hopes of me and for me.
YOUR FAVORITE THINGS Favorite songs: Good Good Father, Jesus the Love of My Life, Amazing Grace, A Wonderful Savior, Did I Mention, Oh Lord What Would I DO Without Your Son, How Can I Fear With Jesus, Day by Day, I’ll Stick With the Old Stuff, My Victory, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, All This Time, Be Thou My Vision Funniest jokes: clean ones! Favorite movies: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Fireproof, Courageous, Grace Card, Facing the Giants, FlyWheel, Little Women, Little Dorrit, Letters to God, Hidden Places, Though None Go With Me, Chronicles of Narnia Favorite TV shows: Preaching, Downton Abbey, As Time Goes By, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, Doctor Who, Doc Martin Favorite books: The Holy Bible, Bible study books, Pilgrim’s Progress, devotionals Favorite places: home, church, Blue Ridge Parkway Favorite food: Spasagna, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Pizza, Ice-Cream, Tacos Favorite restaurants: Cheddar’s, Olive Garden, Applebee’s, Chick-fil-A Favorite parks in town: Sandhill Sports Park, Lake Louise, Lake Julian Favorite quotes: God loves you! Jesus Christ died for you. What more do you want Him to do, die again? Favorite podcasts: PoddyBreak with Tim Hawkins
A bucket list… Lord, I’ve heard this a lot. I thought it was a list of things someone was to do before they died, and they were knocking them out one by one because they had limited time. Well I guess we’re all living on borrowed time… directed by you.
In taking the time to pray and think, This is my bucket list. If anyone says a bucket list and a wish list are 2 different things then take it up with God on which wishes He will be granting. 😉
Loving the Lord with my heart, soul, mind, and body are always at the top. Doing His will. Making Him happy. Making a good testimony for Him. Loving others. Using my Spiritual gifts He gives. Trusting Him with everything.
As for what He doesn’t mind us hoping for: I desire to fly. I never have for fear of flying. So flying related things…. airplane, helicopter, passport, skydiving, hang gliding, hot air balloon, even zip lining. Now I know what you’re thinking (if you know me)… what about your health… your nerves? Well I’ve seen people taking rides with professionals who knew how to prepare patients, equip them, and take them along as they do the jump. Granted they were famous or had money, but it’s possible. So… baby steps…
1. Get my driver’s license upgraded to serve as a passport ($13).
2. See if local airport still gives plane tours to see what inside looks like.
3. Ask if local plane or helicopter rides are available, if not where and how much.
I would like to 1. Fly 2.Get away 3. See the beach. 4. Go to another country 5. Ride a ferry
SO while I wait for those golden opportunities, my bucket list for now is to keep doing the baby steps:
Physical Therapy. Drinking plenty of Water. Get plenty of rest. Walk when able.
Keep listening to my doctors. Don’t forget breakfast.
Remember to thank God I can walk… period.
Today, Lord, was Treat Day, and it was! Thanks for the delightful surprise with time at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center! More on that in a second, but 1st the Challenge.
Looking over the Challenge thus far… I still struggle with getting sleep, water, and eating, but eventually do. I love to write. Blogging is writing… fun… and encourages others… all while sharing your whispers. Fear tries to invade, but you make all things better with your presence. Reading helps remind us you are always there.
My favorite take away so far, Lord, is absolutely seeing you in this, especially through my Lovely friend. 😉 It helps to balance life with things that make me happy… reading, sweet tea, sweet friendships, and visits to one of my favorite spots on the Parkway.
I love watching that little movie. Sometimes it just kills time, and often making new friends from all over the country, and even the world! Today I met a couple from Wisconsin (US)… Herb and Donna who were patient while I figured out how to use my tablet. I offered Herb to retake the pic, but they just both laughed. They were so sweet.
It was such a beautiful and bright day! If you notice the rays in the cloud and sky, that was the way you arranged the view for each of us. I loved it!
Lastly, a special treat indeed, I picked my son up from work. He was trying to teach me about my tablet. We took a selfie! And he smiled! I love that smile and those eyes! Always have! Thank you for allowing them to look up to me and say, “I love you, Mom.” It gives me a slight glance into how you feel to see me smile. 🙂
Today was her birthday.
Wherever she is today, Lord, shower her with many voices telling her Happy Birthday for me! As long as she knows it’s really love from You, that is all that matters. And should she hear You whispering deep inside… let her know she is dearly loved and missed! ❤
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