Christmas – keep believing

Posted on December 24, 2021 by AnnieB

One of my favorite parts of Luke chapter 2 is actually after the Christmas story. Beginning in verse 25 we read about 2 people, Simeon and Anna. They watched prophecy being fulfilled right before their eyes. Their prayers were being answered. Not a prayer they prayed for a day or even a week or a month but a prayer prayed for decades!!! A lifetime prayer! A prayer of faith and hope! A prayer built on a promise. Here is the text:

“As they came to the temple to fulfill this requirement, an elderly man was there waiting—a resident of Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He was a very good man, a lover of God who kept himself pure, and the Spirit of holiness rested upon him. Simeon believed in the imminent appearance of the one called “The Refreshing of Israel. ”For the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he saw the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. Keeping his promise, the Holy Spirit led Simeon to be in the temple court at the very moment Jesus’ parents entered to fulfill the requirement of the sacrifice.

Simeon cradled the baby in his arms and praised God and prophesied: “Lord and Master, I am your loving servant, and now I can die content, for you have fulfilled your promise to me. With my own eyes I have seen your Word,  the Savior you sent into the world. He will be glory for your people Israel, and the Revelation-Light for all people everywhere!”

Mary and Joseph stood there, awestruck over what was being said about their baby.

A prophetess named Anna was also in the temple court that day. She was from the tribe of Asher and the daughter of Phanuel. Anna was an aged widow who had been married only seven years before her husband passed away. After he died she chose to worship God in the temple continually. For the past eighty-four years she had been serving God with night-and-day prayer and fasting. While Simeon was prophesying over Mary and Joseph and the baby, Anna walked up to them and burst forth with a great chorus of praise to God for the child. From that day forward she told everyone in Jerusalem who was waiting for their redemption that the anticipated Messiah had come!”

I can’t even begin to imagine what Simeon felt when they placed the baby Jesus in his arms. He was holding the Savior. The promise. He was promised he would not die until he saw Jesus and now after years and years of believing, Simeon was holding Jesus in his arms! Can you even imagine?!

Anna dedicated her entire life to prayer and fasting for the Messiah to come. A young widow not even 30 years old dedicated her life to praying for this one thing. It took a lifetime for her to see it come to pass. But it did. The Messiah had come. She witnessed it with her own eyes!

I pray this Christmas you receive Him by faith with the same joy that Simeon and Anna felt that day! If you have been feeling hopeless, Jesus has come. If you are feeling alone, Jesus has come. If you are feeling anxious, He has come. For those where this season is difficult and even unbearable, the Lord says, keep believing.  Cast your cares on Him. Even if the waiting seems long, keep praying, keep believing that what the Lord promised you will be fulfilled! 

For God so loved the world (that includes you), that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God did not send Him, Jesus, to condemn the world but through Him you would have hope. You would have salvation. Receive it today and keep believing. 

Merry Christmas.

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Fixers

Posted on June 11, 2020 by AnnieB

Hello, my name is Anne and I’m a fixer. Oh, you too? Then you have found this season of life so much fun….From Covid-19 to stay at home orders, to the horrific senseless murders, racial tension, riots….Ummm no. Those of us who need to make everything right, who need to swoop in and fix it are in agony. It is stressful when you like things in order, when you like control. When you desperately need to not just help but fix. It’s what I do and it might be what you do. You fix. It even got to the point one of my daughters would say as I was pouring out lots of wisdom and knowledge, “Mom, I don’t need you to fix this I just need you to listen.”. So now I always say “is this something you need me to fix or just listen?”, I’m a work in progress.

So the other morning driving to church I was feeling a bit out of sorts. I commented a little too much (on FB) trying to fix and it just blew up in my face. I guess my first mistake was thinking I could fix anything with a comment on FB. I didn’t take time to pray, think, process, understand etc. You get it don’t you? Or is it just me.

So I took it to the Lord. I said God, “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fix all that is going on and I don’t even know where to begin.” Just ask my sweet husband, he can attest to my frustrations. I clean like a mad women when I’m frustrated. I was traipsing around the house crying, frustrated, angry, sad and all the feelings of a fixer. So I continued to the Lord and said “I really didn’t even know what to pray, just help me.” He kindly spoke to my heart and said “it isn’t yours to fix, it’s mine. I’m still in control remember?” Oh, of course. Sorry God, there I go trying to do your job. Then He gave me an assignment. He said, “I want you to spend some time in My Word looking up the word fix. See what I have to say about how you can be a fixer.” So I did and here is what I found.

Proverbs 4:25 in the NLT says “Look straight ahead and FIX your eyes on what lies before you.” 27 Don’t get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil”

Keep your feet from following evil – for me that means staying away from media. Not reading every headline, not reading every national news site. Fix my eyes on what lies before me is the plan and purpose of God. The enemy will use things to distract our attention from what God wants us to focus on. So, look straight.

Paul said in Philippians 3;17 “Join together in following my example, keep your eyes FIXED on those who live as we do! Many live as enemies of the cross and their destiny is destruction.”

Right before this verse Paul says we need to love one another, work together with one mind and purpose. As the body of Christ we can’t get divided. We need to stay as one.

Philippians 4:8 (one of my favorites) says “FIX your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable.”

I reference this scripture often because our thoughts, our mind is so powerful. It can be so easy to read something, hear something and get our thoughts going in a million different directions. 1 Cor 10:5 in the NLT says “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” We need to check our thoughts to make sure they line up with the Word of God. The same can be said for what comes out of our mouths. Is what we say true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable…..

Colossians 3:2 says “FIX your mind on what’s above not what’s here on earth.” and 2 Corinthians 4:18 says So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.”

This life, as challenging and difficult is, not the end. This is temporary. But I believe while God has me here on earth I have an assignment. Not to do what only He can do but to do what the Word tells me. To Love Him with all my passion, prayer and intelligence and to love others as well as I love myself. These are the greatest commands (Matthew 22). Psalm 16:8 which is my life verse says “I keep my eyes fixed on the Lord, with Him at my right hand I will not be shaken.” Good reminder.

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Birds – they aren’t worried

Posted on April 2, 2020 by AnnieB

Bird Nest

This wreath normally hangs on my front door. One day I noticed some renters began to build a home so I moved the wreath to my front window. We use the door so much, I knew it wouldn’t like being disturbed by the amount of traffic. So fast forward a few weeks and we have babies! The mother was away so I grabbed a quick photo through the glass.
It quickly reminded me of God’s promise in Matthew 6 that says:

“Look at all the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they? So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life?”
‭Matthew 6:26-27

Take those worries, fears and “what if’s” and give them to God. He knows what your thinking and feeling so get it out. Then remind yourself what he says about you. You are so valuable to him and wants to fill you today with peace. He will meet all of your needs. Praying this for myself and you.

Dear Father, you know me better than I know myself. Psalm 139 says you have examined me and know everything about me. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. Today Lord I make a choice to draw closer to you! To cast my cares on to you. Today Lord I ask for peace. The kind of peace that doesn’t seem possible during this season of life but I trust you Lord! Let my thoughts be Your thoughts for me. Thank you Lord that You will meet all of my needs. With You Father at my right hand I will not be shaken. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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How to Successfully Work from Home

Posted on March 23, 2020 by AnnieB

For someone who worked as a virtual assistant for years, I thought I would share some wisdom on how to keep up with your work while being surrounded by the comforts of home.

  1. Get up and get ready! Do what you would do on any given workday! So, what does that look like? Get coffee, breakfast, get a shower, get dressed, feed the dog, exercise etc. Whatever you normally do – do it. It is very easy and a fast-slippery slope to say “Woohoo I’m at home! Time to spend all day in my jammies and binge Netflix!” It will trap you so fast! Now that doesn’t mean you can’t be comfortable but don’t get in the routine of not keeping a routine.
  2. Don’t think you can work and watch TV. It will become a quick distraction. Like I said, I’ve done this for years and I’m speaking from lessons I’ve learned. How do you work in your normal office? Music? Quiet? White Noise? Continue with what you are use to. If you do just need noise, I would suggest music or a podcast.
  3. Stay off social media during work time unless you are using it as a tool. This too can be a huge distraction.
  4. Take breaks. Get up, take a walk, eat lunch or a snack but walk away. Get some fresh air. Don’t sit all day, that will get old after a few days.
  5. Make a designated work space. This makes it easier to treat your time at home when working seem more like work. Plus if you have children, you can have some separation between work time and family time.

My husband travels around 250 days a year so I understand working from home can be isolating. If you are home alone and now working from home here are some things to keep in mind.

  1. Stay connected! And by this, I mean more than thru social media posting or a text message. Make phone calls, hear people’s voices, video chat. This is where technology is such a huge blessing!! We have the capability to at least see each other’s smiling faces. My husband and I make it a habit of video chatting every morning and every evening when he travels. We have even video chatting during dinner just to “be together”. Gather virtually with friends as you eat your dinner! It helps!
  2. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to stay connected. If you are having trouble with the stay at home rule and live alone reach out! Don’t stay isolated! The bible says the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) He can try and destroy you by keeping you isolated. The enemy loves to use isolation as a weapon but we know the Lord will not let this prosper! (Isaiah 54:17) Stay connected and reach out if you have a need or need to have conversation! Never think “oh, their busy” or “I don’t want to be a bother” please, reach out to those in your sphere.

I hope through my experience this helps all of you just a little bit. Praying for everyone during this new normal!

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Where is My Focus

Posted on March 22, 2020 by AnnieB

Where is My Focus

The past week or so has been a bit stressful. For everyone. I’ll just be honest and say every so often I feel a little anxious. A little overwhelmed. Totally not me. For those that really know me, I’m calm under pressure. I can handle the stressful situations. I can list several examples but will spare you that for now. Today I chalk it up to the times we are living in, the immense amount of information being poured out through all media. The un-knows. The what’s to come kind of thoughts. 

This morning I woke up early (for me) around 4:15 and was coughing a bit so I got up. It’s allergy season folks. I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat in my favorite morning spot, opened my prayer journal and my bible and began to read and write. I had such peace. I thought wow, I don’t feel stressed right now. I wasn’t having the palpitations, I didn’t feel anxious or nervous. I felt peace. There was a real calm in my spirit. I took a deep breath. I breathed HIM in. When my day is filled with HIM there is a calm. When my focus is on the Lord I can face anything. 

Our focus needs to be on Jesus. Probably one of the best examples is Peter. 

 “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “truly you are the Son of God.’”

 There are so many lessons in this passage of scripture but I want to talk about what we need to focus on when the winds start to blow and the storm rises up. When Peter kept his focus on Jesus he had no trouble walking on the water. There wasn’t any fear. The minute he began to panic and focus on the storm he started to sink! No surprise. In the season we are living in right now, we need look no further than this biblical truth to find that our focus needs to be more on God and less on the situation. Of course there will be times when it does get a bit overwhelming. More often than not it is when our focus is on our FB newsfeed or watching the news or reading the hundreds of articles with every worst case scenario.  Maybe you are even having conversations that aren’t healthy and feed the fear. Maybe you are alone with your thoughts. Have you ever said the words “I get nervous just thinking about it!”? Wow! So true! I need to quit thinking about it! There is a big difference between being well informed and being OVERwhelmed with all of the rheteric. Be wise but trust in the only one who brings true peace. When you begin to get overwhelmed there are a few healthy things you can do. First and foremost pray. Bring those thoughts before the Lord. The bible says take every thought captive and ask yourself what does the Word of God say? Does my thought line up or do I need to replace it with what the bible says. Second, call a trusted friend. Don’t let yourself sit in isolation alone with these thoughts. We are honoring and practicing the physical distancing but that doesn’t mean we can’t pick up the phone and call someone. Better yet if you can, FaceTime or use some sort of video chat so you can look them in the eye and smile. Third, fill your house with worship music. Saturate it with His presence. 

My Prayer: Today Lord, I choose to focus on you. The author and perfecter of my faith. Thank you Lord for your gentle reminders when I lose that focus. I pray Father for those out there who can’t seem to shake the worry or anxiousness. Fill them Lord with Your peace. The peace that surpassed all understanding. Guard their hearts and minds. Take away the thoughts and replace them with your spirit. Father, I pray for those that don’t KNOW You! Let this be the day that those without hope, that those who do not have you as Lord of their life receive you as their Savior. With you Lord at our side, we cannot be shaken. I pray Lord that You would bring an end to this virus and heal our planet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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NASCAR

Posted on January 4, 2020 by AnnieB

My husband and I are fans of NASCAR and look forward to hanging out on Sunday afternoons watching the race and cheering on our favorite drivers. This past Sunday one of the commentators said something that made me go ‘wow!’ He said at this point in the race, that the lead car cannot take his eyes off of what is in front of him. If he looks back he’ll get distracted and lose focus. This could lead to someone passing him and consequently losing the race.
There were maybe 35/40 laps to go and the leader was doing well but had a couple cars right on his bumper. In his rear view mirror. They work hard back there to try and get the lead driver off his game. They want him to get distracted by looking in his rear view mirror to see how close they are but he has to stay focused on what is in front of him. Looking back would not only distract him but slow him down, even for a couple seconds, allowing the driver behind him to take advantage and possibly pass. This particular driver had the experience and the skill to know he needed to keep his eyes fixed in front of him in order to reach his goal and win the race.

70534474_10220193697336776_4599781232371302400_nWe need to do the same. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. When trouble tries to sneak up on us don’t panic, don’t stop looking forward.
Paul says in Galatians “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” If we let the problem get us distracted it can consume our attention and cause us to fall away from the race chosen for us. Proverbs 4:26-27 says: “Watch where you are going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked even for a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness.”
‭‭This driver who by the way won the race has practiced and studied countless hours to know how to strategically handle situations that arise. The Word of God will do the same for us. Focus on Jesus, get into the Word and study scripture. Feed on it so it’s deeply rooted within you. Then, when trouble comes, you are ready.

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Choices

Posted on January 3, 2020 by AnnieB

This morning as we were enjoying our last breakfast in Puerto Rico, I sat staring at the buffet. The huge buffet. Choices upon choices upon choices. There was an entire buffet of fruit. Another table loaded with meats, cheeses; the European flair. You had your classics like eggs, bacon, pancakes…And the pastries! My sweet tooth was in glory, the pastries! You had total control of whatever you wanted. No limits. Nothing in your way. You could choose to eat healthy or you could indulge. You could eat just enough to satisfy your appetite or you could be gluttonous and eat till you were ready to bust. The choice is yours. I think our life is the same way. We have a choice how we live day to day. We have a choice what we feed on. We have a choice to feed on what the world offers or The Word. Deuteronomy says in chapter 30 “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”
‭‭God promises that if our daily diet is full of Him then we will live a blessed life. If you are feeling run down, depressed with no energy filled with anxiety and worry – check what you are feeding on. What are you choosing to feed your spirit. Is it full of (insert any news media) watching minute by minute the news? Is it hours and hours of TV, Facebook, Twitter?

Buffet

I know for myself when I eat from the buffet and make too many unhealthy choices I’m going to pay for it. It will keep me feeling bloated, lacking energy and most likely gaining weight. But if I’m mindful about what I feed my body from all the choices before me, I’ll be energetic and healthy. Spiritually I always find the same to be true. My day is so much better when it starts off with time with my Heavenly Father. That choice sets the pace for the rest of the day. Keeping my prayer and conversation with Jesus going and watching carefully what I feed on will always make for a better day. Psalm 71:8 says “Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.”
‭Today walk up to the buffet filled with the goodness of our Lord and feed on His glorious love.

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Blinkers

Posted on January 14, 2015 by AnnieB

Recently I find myself arguing online. Arguing about politics and also arguing about religion. Arguing about Jesus. Every time I engage I get that awful feeling in my stomach, you know where it’s telling you what’s happening is not a good thing. There are so many blogs, websites, articles, opinions out there that on a minute by minute basis some new topic is being talked about in my FB feed. I like to refer to this as the ugly side of Facebook.  Some of them I feel so passionate about that I can’t help but want to give my thoughts in the comments. Usually it is with people I feel like I can have open discussions with and that they should know my heart enough to understand that one I can have an opinion and second that what I say certainly comes from a place of love. So I think. Yet I find myself getting that feeling in the pit of my stomach where I just don’t feel right and sometimes I end up deleting what I write. I have also felt like I’m not having a discussion but being attacked.

This morning I spent a lot of time thinking about this and I got a vision of horses. Strange I know but hey, God gives me strange visions. Horses wearing what are called “blinkers”. You know the little leather things that go on either side of their eyes so that can focus on what is in front of them and not get distracted. Ah Ha! You know where I’m going with this don’t you? Here is what Wiki said about Blinkers:

“Blinkers are usually made of leather or plastic cups that are placed on either side of the eyes, either attached to a bridle or to an independent hood. Many racehorse trainers believe these keep the horse focused on what is in front of him, encouraging him to pay attention to the race rather than other distractions, such as crowds. Additionally, blinkers are commonly seen on driving horses, to keep them from being distracted or spooked, especially on crowded city streets.”

Some of the things I see on FB have become “Blinkers” in my life.

When faced with this I turned to scripture to find out what God’s word has to say and so first I went to Colossians Chapter 2:6-8

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”

So many times what we read can lead us down the path of human philosophy rather than biblical truth. It is our job to stop and ask ourselves does this line up with what the Word of God says or is it just someone trying to stir the pot. I blog out of my own personal experiences in the hopes of helping someone else that has gone through something similar. Some of the writings now a days are pitting Christian against Christian and not doing anyone any good. How are we reaching the lost by tearing each other down. We aren’t.

In Philippians Paul makes a special appeal to those who are arguing in the church to put an end to it and settle it. He then goes on telling them (and us) to focus on what is important, things that are lovely, praise worthy, pure, true etc. These are the things we should focus on. Glorifying Christ Jesus! Telling people about a savior that loves them and wants a relationship with them!

Today I had to take a long hard look at my heart and think, “am I really accomplishing what Christ wants of me by getting into it on FB with others?” Today I make the decision to put on some spiritual blinkers. Not blinders but things that will guard my heart from getting off course. If I am going to stay in the will of God, hear His voice and do all He has planned for me then I cannot get caught up in nonsense. Always learning and will never think I know it all.

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T.M.I.

Posted on January 6, 2015 by AnnieB

Obviously when you undergo surgery on your lungs you expect to have some coughing. In fact coughing for the most part is good. Coughing will help to keep pneumonia from setting in. You’ll cough as you keep working your lungs to gain full expansion. Well, for the past week or so I’ve been coughing a lot. I mean like all day. If I talk, breath deeply or exert myself I’ll start coughing. Once I start it seems to go on for a while and at times can be quire harsh. So yesterday I called the CCF nurse line and in turn I received a call back from the nurse practitioner in my doctors office. After explaining everything and her asking questions she suggested I come back in for an x-ray to get a look at my lungs. She then made this statement, “your last x-ray showed a little pleural effusion so we need to see if that is getting worse.”

As soon as I got off the phone I said to my husband “hey, what’s pleural effusion?”. He said that it was fluid or air that would build up in the pleural cavity around the lung. The lung may be leaking. Hmmm, interesting. Well, let me Google that and see what Wiki or some MD sites have to say. So yesterday I began on my quest to learn all I could about this topic and wow, was I overwhelmed! All of a sudden I was reading about surgeries, chest tubes, lung collapses, hardening of these areas etc. Way To Much Information! I haven’t even had the x-ray yet and already I am thinking and planning for another surgery in my future! I filled my head with the good old “what if’s”. Maybe that is why at 3:30 a.m. I’m sitting here writing because I certainly can’t sleep. I let the overload of information and the “what if’s” take over my mind….again. Sigh.

So I sat here and began to pray. First for forgiveness for running to wiki before running to my savior. Thank you Lord that your mercies are new every morning! It is bringing me to tears just thinking about how I let something once again get in my head. After months of trusting Him, meditating on His word I let crappy thoughts jump ahead of what thoughts I should have. A passage of scripture came to mind:

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Matthew 6 has a lot of great instruction on several topics one of which is worry. Starting in verse 25 Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat or drink. Not to worry about clothing. He also says not to worry about tomorrow. Yesterday I seriously got caught up in worrying about tomorrow. So many what if’s entered my head when I hadn’t even had the tests. I haven’t even talked to the doctor. Worse of all, I hadn’t even prayed.

Philippians tells us not to worry about anything but in all things with PRAYER and supplication (asking humbly) we should present our requests to God knowing that He will give us peace!

Lord, thank you for the gentle teachings and correction you give me in every area of my life. I am so sorry for what transpired yesterday and that I wasn’t focusing my thoughts where they needed to be at that moment.  I know that you already know everything that is happening in my body and have the perfect plan. Your Word says that by the beating Jesus took we are healed so I claim that healing for whatever is causing this horrific cough. Jesus you tell us in John 14:13-14 that we can ask anything in your name and you will do it. Yesterday I sent our a bunch of text messages asking for prayer and I thank you for the prayer warriors that have been there since day one standing in agreement with me. I am so thankful for the FB friends that are praying and those they have shared my prayer requests with who also agree. The one thing I didn’t do was stop and pray myself. I went into fix it mode, diving into solving the issue at hand from my natural perspective instead of realizing that You are in control. Today is a new day and Lord I know I can face it with You! I will not be shaken. tmi

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Resolutions

Posted on December 31, 2014 by AnnieB

happy new yearSince 2005 I have always kept 3 scriptures close to my heart as resolutions of sort. I find that with these 3 scriptures, I can continue to strive to do God’s will. I’ve never changed them because I believe I can always try harder in each area.

Luke 10:27 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray all the time”

Luke 6:37 – 38 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

This year has brought tons of changes. All of which I believe, God orchestrated for my good. In March we moved back to Ohio after spending 2 amazing years in Charlotte NC. I was very homesick, missing family and friends. Work allowed us to live anywhere so moving was not a difficult decision.

2 days before we moved, Ron’s company laid off 30 people and he was one of them. Yes. Our truck was just about loaded and we get this big blow! We came to Ohio without employment (I was working part-time). Thankfully we had saved and were able to weather the storm and he began a new job in June. A dream job. A career job. A job that would challenge him, stretch his skills and knowledge and take him around the globe! A job with the best healthcare we could have ever imagined. Healthcare we would need come August.

Moving back also brought me closer to my mom who took a couple falls. That would have been difficult to deal with long distance. For quite a few months I was able to be with her once a week and care for her. I treasure that time and I am so thankful. Being close to our children and grandchildren allowed me to be there for them as well when they needed me. Whether it was to cook them their favorite dinner or have the grandkids for a sleep over. We were here to celebrate the engagement of our daughter to the man of her dreams and look forward to helping them plan their wedding for 2015.

Little did I know when deciding to move closer to family and friends how much I would need those I love, when I found out in August I had lung cancer. No matter how great your faith, hearing those words will shake you. It felt like a sucker punch that came out of nowhere. As scary as it was, it allowed my faith to grow leaps and bounds. I learned so much about what God’s word says about healing, faith, and trusting in the Lord. It is what led me to start blogging. It allowed me to take my experience and share it with anyone who wanted to read about it, in hopes that it would encourage someone else going through a difficult time. As I sit hear, December 31st, I am well on my way to feeling great after my surgery, just a month ago.

I was introduced to new outreach ministries, made new friends through local churches and have God inspired ideas that scare me! 2015 will be a year of truly stepping out further in faith to see those dreams develop and be obedient to what the Holy Spirit has shown me. God has a plan for your life, a calling, a mandate.  Are you ready to step out and see it come to pass? It has been years since God has given me the green light to travel to another country on a mission trip and 2015 will take me to Haiti. More on that in the coming weeks!

In closing 2014 let me give you this passage of scripture:

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

May 2015 be the year you start a relationship with the Lord, rekindle a relationship that you let die down, or take it to the next level. Jesus loves you and so do I.

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