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same book NEW chapterThis is a chapter in the book that is me. April, 2007 Hooked on EBAY !Greetings all and any bloggers who might pass thru my little corner of the world wide web! I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the beginning of summer!
Yesterday my girls and I aquired a brand new swimming pool! It is not in-ground, I just cannot seem to find the money tree to pay for such a large investment, but this one works great. It is above ground and very large, 4 feet high! Mommy has her own float and has declared that NO ONE is to try to take it from me if I am in the pool...lol
Really, the girls had such fun yesterday and I can tell this will be another great summer of splashing and playing and all good things to come.
So, I have been on my computer non stop for days on end. You see, I am now an official ebayer! Yep, hooked on EBAY! I have found my way to being a seller. You know it REALLY is easy to list and sell. I guess I had this block that I was not going to be able to understand it all, but turns out it is so very user friendly. I have even made a few dollars already. Not enough for a built in pool, but I am on my way!
Chloe has been playing T-ball, what a hoot. All the 5 and 6 year olds, with the attention span of a second, out in the field is quite a fun show to watch. However, I must say our team was the BEST at hitting the ball. Not that it is competive, no one is ever out and everyone gets a hit no matter how many swings. Last week they all rec'd awards. Chloe was the only girl on her team, but she did not seem to notice. Guess it is the age thing. I have posted a few photos of my little slugger.
For some reason I cannot remember how to post a photo in the middle of a blog....if anyone can re-educate me that would be nice.
While watching the games I met a great friend, Lori, she has a son Chloe's age and a daughter Annie's age, so Annie had a great time and made a new friend. REally Annie is usually shy and uneasy around new friends, but for some reason this child has created a very comfy space for Annie and I am so happy to see my girl open up and interact so very vivaciously! Now Chloe never leaves me worrying about that. She is friendly and overly open to any new child....ha ha
I have also found a new Church that I really enjoy, and most important my girls love love love it! They are currently undergoing private sessions with the pastor for a Dedication and then Baptisim to follow. Of course I have dedicated them and Baptised them myself but for them to do so formally is so very important and I am excited about it all.
I even have a job there. I am a greeter! If you knew me in person you would say, "but of course!"...you see, mommy and Chloe are very much alike....FRIENDLY and not shy!!! things are falling into place nicely.
We are plannig a trip up north in July for a family reunion on my mom's side. We number well over 150. It is to be in the Poconos for four days and yes, we are all looking forward to that trip. My girls have no idea just how large of a family they are a part of.....soon they will get to meet them all!
My dog is getting better, although she still drags her back paw in the house, outside she still wants to tun and jump to catch the ball....even begs me daily if I do not do so.....see, I really have three kids who want mommy to play play play!
Well, that is my update and also an explanation as to why JC has not been strolling down blogger lane.
I will try to stop in and visit when I can....but you can always look me up on Ebay Lane....insert big smile
I must say, I am in such an attitude of grattitude for so much these days. We are healthy, we have family, we have our own home and car, we always have food and friends abound....yes, God is good and I am grateful.
As I do, I send you all wishes of joy, love, laughter and many many Blessings of Sonshine!
Peace out,
IN HIS GRIP
JC April, 2007 WARNING! WARNING ! DANGER WILL ROBINSON!I hope this blog finds all you crazy bloggers well. I have missed you, but lately my home has been sharing a flu/virus...it has gone full circle, hopefully this is the end of that visitor.
I would like to warn all you mothers, fathers, young ladies, teens. Last week I was looking at my stats and saw that Baidu.com was where a visitor came from. Now I have seen this many many times, but never linked into that page.
To my surprise, it is a search engine, I think in either Japanese, or Chinese, it also has some english. Now this is the scary part:
when I clicked and the page came up, exactly on the search that brought someone to view my space...
it was: FREE PICTURES OF GIRLS. This is shocking and really calls for action.
As of now, I will be deleting all pics of my girls that are up close.....and then perhaps I will test and see.
So, all you, with precious pics of your loved ones, go to baidu, then think about what I found and perhaps you too will remove your photos of your girls. IT is rather disappointing, as I like to share my pics, as the girls grow and the experiences we go thru, but either I make my space private or remove the pics....hmmmm, perhaps I will not act so quickly and ponder on the "space private" mode.....what do you think I should do?
Be Blessed, thanks for stopping by,
IN HIS GRIP JC April, 2007 My Thoughts On the Death PenaltyI first blogged this in August of 2005....now, almost two years later, due to horrific news I have just learned about someone I grew up with I feel led to reprint this blog.
FIRST, SET BAMBI, THUMPER AND ALL THE ANIMALS BEING SUBJECTED to testing RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE AS WE BLOG AND READ FREE !!!
OKAY, NOW AFTER THE INNOCENT ANIMALS ARE ALL RELEASED FROM A TORTURE I FIND SO INHUMANE THAT JUST THE THOUGHT OF IT MAKES ME SEE RED:
(i once gave a speach during a course in college on this and unfortunatly have too much knowledge and saw too many pictures on animal experimentation ...so whenever i speak of this i cannot turn off the vivid pictures and stories i read from my mind)
The death penalty is too good for any person who is ABSOLUTY guilty of taking the life of another...like ted bundy, jeffry damer, the btk killer, and right now esp. john cooey, the monster who committed a murder here in florida that is so horrendous i cry whenever i think of jessica and her family.
the ones we KNOW are guilty.
They should not be allowed to be put out of their misery in one single moment, that is too good, they must give back something to society....so i say let us do the testing on them...
instead of forcing a rabbit to drink draino , call in one of the above (i know two of them are already dead), anyway call in one of them and have them drink the draino, maybe even give them a painkiller, as if that would help, or even be considered for the annimals who are subjected daily to torture of worse kind...then at least the families of the victims will get some (gosh, i hate to say revenge) but that is how i feel, let them at least feel that their loved one, who cannot be brought back, the one who was killed without mercy, they are the ones who suffer so much, when a death row inmate has one single moment and then, poof ! they are asleep....NO, NOT FAIR....they must pay!
if you do not know what is truly done during animal testing then please visit a peta site, do the research, rent the movie Project X, then think, what the heck did these poor innocent animals do to deserve this. then think of john cooey, again that monster, i say death is too good, to easy, he/they must must must give back so perhaps somewhere down the line a life might be saved from these tests, while no innocent lives (animal or human) need be taken in such a way.
death is just too easy.
perhaps if these monsters knew that the punnishment will fit the crime they might, though i doubt they would, but perhaps they might think twice before they steal a precious life and victimize that innocent, and their families who are left behind.
that is my thoughts: in a sentence, set the innocent animals free and test away on the monsters, lather, rinse, repeat....
wow i am exhausted because i get so upset when i think of these crimes..
This one goes out to Judy, a beautiful, girl who was taken from this world by a monster, a man that pledged to honor, respect, and love her for all his life. I knew them both very very well in my teenage years and I am so very shocked and saddened by this tragic event.
JC
April, 2007 What now? "The joy of the Lord is my strength." ~ Nehemiah 8:10 It;s a beautiful morning...I feel like singing all day! The sun is risen, the girls are at school and I am in such a divine place.
Lately, I have been reading a book, as I shared recently, "The Purpose Driven Life", and at first I started to blog each day's lesson and thoughts, sharing this journey. Then I decided this was too private, and if I really wanted to be honest with myself and God, I had to keep this between Him and I.
So, each day, I have been absorbing new knowledge, meditating, listening and of course waiting. Waiting for what God has in store for me. Now, I have not finished this book and the journey, but this morning I am at such a glorious place I decided to journal here about it.
Last eve, Greg wrote on his Blogquest about "Be Still and Know that I am God."....I have always loved and tried hard to be still and listen...wait upon the Lord....you know, "okay Lord, what next?"
It came to me last night that at the darkest moments of my life, as I have fallen to my knees in sorrow and pain, I have always looked up....sometimes in just shock, sometimes in anger, but mostly waiting, and saying, (usually alone and aloud)...."Okay God, okay, what, what now? What do YOU want from me now, what do I do now?"
One time in particular was when my husband, whom had just come from rehab, up and disappeared as I went to take a shower, off to use his drugs and drink again. I knew that was it....I could not save him and it was time to move on....up until that moment I was praying and hoping, holding out, waiting for the pain to end, my marriage to mend and all to move forward in a loving, Blessed way, as man and wife.
But that day was different, I KNEW. I knew I could not fix him and he did not want to be fixed yet. I had to move on. He had given me all the okay reasons to seek divorce, which I so did not want and had tried desperately to avoid...but that day, as I walked into the living room and saw the note....telling me he was sorry, but he could not stop his journey, of what to me was pure hell and for him I am sure as well.
So, as I fell to my knees in sorrow and pain, I LOOKED UP...."Okay Lord," I cried quite loudly, "What? What now? What do You want me to do?"...and then I was led to go to my room and pick up a book I had recently been studying. This was the book that had brought me to a new understanding of my identity as a Christian. It has a list that I would read daily afirming all the wonderful identies, Blessings and promises that I held as a Chlid of Christ. Up until that book entered mylife, about a year before, I knew Jesus, knew He was God, that He had died on the cross for me, and in accepting Him I was saved... but I did not really know Jesus. I did not have an intimate relationship with Him until the previous year or so.
So, that day, I asked God again, "What now Lord?" and as I read again the list of whom I am in Christ, a peace, a calm and an elation, an actual joy enveloped me and I was so moved and elated I really was almost drunk with happiness....could you imagine, at such a terrible time, I was so very happy too.
Of course I was sorry when the divorce went thru, and I cried many a tear...still do feel sad that I have yet to find a husband whom I can count on forever....
However, I was okay. So, that was over ten years ago, and I am still alone as far as a partner in life...and perhaps one day, but in His time, not mine.
So, now this journey that has led me to today. I have been finding in my quiet time, that there is a purpose for my life. For all of our lives. Each and everyone of us was born, thru Him, by Him, with a predestined purpose. I am seeking mine. As it always is with God, when we ask, or seek, He does lead the way. So over the past few weeks so many events, conversations, meetings, moments and meditations have brought me so very far.
As of now I know this....I have a purpose. I was born not just for my purpose on this planet. My purpose goes into the next life, my eternity with God. Whatever my exact purpose is, I now know that it will come with me as I pass on. Yes, of course I am a mommy and that is a great purpose...perhaps that IS my purpose to raise my daughters to find their purposes...perhaps something more.
Most of all, now I realize that being saved does not mean, okay here is my time on earth, get thru it and THEN, wow, HEAVEN! My glorious life begins.
Heck no, NOW, right NOW I am to strive to fulfill my destiny, my purpose, my God given gift to be used starting here on this place we call earth. I know my purpose is about others, not about me....and what I can do for others....isn't that really the most important thing? Took me until my first daughter was placed into my arms to realize any love outside of self....another blog, see my annie story for that. It is so important for us to see all around us our Blessings, be content and seek moments, meetings, chances when we can be used by God....oh how very exciting, okay, "WHat now God?" I am so elated and excited as I am led unto my journey and I rest in peace knowing that whereever he leads, I shall follow.
I recently went to a new Church, a Church that is just beginning....and I am feeling excitment that He has led me there to serve, to be a part of the groundbreaking of a strong community....
I continue to read my book, doing one lesson each day and listening, reading, absorbing, seeking HIM and His will for me...
I have been Blessed recently with so many different things that are NOT by chance, but MEANT to be EXACTLY in my life RIGHT NOW and I just want to share that this is a very new, bright beginning for me, my journey and my love in HIM, with Him, thru Him....I JUST KNOW THAT HE IS REIGNING GREAT THINGS UPON ME>>>>RIGHT NOW!
Goodness, it feels so right to share this...I hope the day Blesses you all wtih joy, love and laughter....for me this is in abundance and it is wonderful! Oh the comfort in knowing that HE IS GOD, and I am,
IN HIS GRIP
JC
"Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life." -Burton Hills March, 2007 Not Ready for Goodbye : (I have a very special friend. This friend is so close to me and I love my friend very much. We have shared the same bed for over ten years now and she is a part of our family. I recently thought I was going to lose her. I am not ready to lose my friend, not ready to say, " goodbye, thank you friend, you have been so very loyal and loving, but now it is time for you to move on". I am not ready and thankfully I did not lose this friend: yet. Perhaps by now you have figured out who this friend is. She is my best buddy, I have loved her from day one and she has loved me right back. We have slept together, played together, ran together and we are so very close. Everywhere I go in my house she is by my side. Yes, she is my little doggie: "Bear Bear". http://profile.imageshack.us/user/jcsamebook/images/detail/#137/sliferg7.jpg I have always been an animal lover…. And when I say I love animals, I really LOVE LOVE LOVE all creatures, great and small, except the spider, that is a whole other blog. I guess it started when I was little and grew up with a dog-named "Shep". She was so very protective of me when I was a child. My father tells of one day, when I was around three, he picked me up and placed me on the back of the car, to tie my shoe. Well Shep did not approve, she was concerned for my safety and apparently felt I might be in harms way. She bared her teeth, and they were big teeth, and growled loud and low at my dad. I asked him when he first told me this story, "what did you do?". He replied, "I put you back down, VERY SLOWLY!" Yes, dogs have been a part of me and held my heart from the very beginning and I have since become a lover and champion for all animals. I have a blog titled my views on the death penalty and you might want to peruse it to read my strong convictions in fighting for these beautiful creatures who cannot fight or talk on their own behalf. I have always been the one to find that little bird, who fell from the nest, the homeless dog that was at the brink of death or the little kitty no one seemed to want. I have always had an animal in my life. So, back to Bear Bear. Well, about ten days ago, in the evening, I had played ball with her as we usually do around sundown. She loves to play ball. She is a big baby when I do not play and will cry and stand outside in the back, ball in mouth, refusing to come in if I do not give her a few minutes at least every day…..My sweet doggie, I just love to see her running towards me with a big grin holding that ball in her mouth. She is great at catching it in mid air without a bounce too! My super doggie! Okay, so around 9pm that night Bear Bear started to limp, drag and finally fall down unable to move her back right paw. I was very upset and concerned; my girls were asleep, so my neighbor and I took her to an ER night clinic, while her hubby stayed with the girls. Thank heaven for good friends and neighbors all in one! The doc wanted to keep her, give here x-rays and then give her hourly injections for four hours. You see, by the time we got back to see the doc, it was already 1am. Well this clinic closes at 7am and all animals must be picked up by then. This was a $450.00 choice, plus all this, to leave at now, 2am to return five hours later to pick her up. So, I opted for plan B. The doc thought either she had a stroke, or that a vertebra was slipped, herniated or pinched. He wanted to give her steroid injections to see if she would respond that night. I decided to take her home after one shot of steroid, one shot of anti-biotic, as the steroids bring the immune system down. I decided to wait on the x-ray as well. I feel I made the right decision. First, had it been a stroke, at that time, nothing could be done. He had felt all over, she had no point of pain so if it was her vertebrae, then the meds would help and I could wait, with her at home, with me, then go to a less expensive, less "money spending oriented" vet. One I knew and trusted. I must say I was very discouraged as I really did think it was a stroke. I knew that if so, there was not much to be done and I do not have thousands of dollars to spend on her. As much as I love her, I am also realistic, she is ten years old and if it was neurological, well, then I fear that was a no go for my baby. Oh how I cried that night, as I stated in the beginning, I am not ready to say goodbye to my doggie. The next day she was no better, but she was no worse as well. I was so very upset and concerned. Not only for me, but also my girls. They too were not ready to lose their beloved pet and I was not able to imagine the pain of having to do the "best thing for her". So I took her to my day vet and he was optimistic and gave us steroid pills. He said if I see improvement then we know it is not neurological and since he had really felt her all over he knew there was no break and was pretty sure it was a back issue. Now this was a Friday, and he said I could come in next Tuesday, (Monday was a holiday), and then see how she is doing. Well I am so very happy to write Bear Bear appears to be better. It took a few days, and we really can see some improvement. She is not herself yet, but she is definitely not paralyzed…when she did her potty I knew this was so, and that is and was good news. Now she is still dragging her paw, but can give a few bunny hops along the way…she is compensating I guess. For a while I did not realize she was shaving her nails and then a few days ago my daughter found blood on her foot. The poor thing was down to the "quick" on one of her nails. So now she is sporting a very fun, brightly colored and some are even decorated, sock on her back, right paw. One day she had on Betty Boop sock! It is funny, I knew I loved my doggie, I knew she was a member of the family, but until that night I had not realized how much harder it will be to lose a pet now that I am a mommy. Thank God we are not crossing that bridge today…so I shall not waste time on worrying. (If you read my last few blogs you will know I am striving to live life in the HERE AND NOW)…see, this is one more lesson that can be applied right away and is proven to make life that much lighter. So, please keep Bear Bear in your prayers, we are lifting her up everyday as a family, but there is strength in numbers. I do so hope to report soon that she is running, jumping and catching the ball in mid air once again! February, 2007 Not by chance.Albert Einstien once said: "God does not play dice." How true Mr. Einstien. Isaiah 44:2 : I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born. "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." ( Psalm 139:16)Now I know that everything in my life is so very significant. They were all thought up in the mind of God, and they are all geared toward shaping me for a particular service that no one but I can perform. God uses everything in my life – whatever I’ve experienced, whatever I’ve learned – to make me into a person fit for that which I can do in his Kingdom here on earth. I am so very happy to learn that!
In paraphrasing Isaiah 46:3, God says, "I have carried you since before you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you."
It is such good news to know that He is with me ALWAYS....and amazing that each and everything in my life was preplanned by Him...even right now, as I type this blog, He ordained me to do so: and this before I was born!! That is such a powerful truth that I cannot comprehend the understanding, so I will just take on faith as He is God, not I. I will not understand everything, but just knowing it to be true takes life to a whole new level!
So many times, in between all the good thoughts, I have beat myself up over and over. Disappointed in certain choices I had made, paths I have traveled and relationships I have done wrong. Now, well I know the beginning is to forgive myself, thus done I am certain that even the mistakes I have made are meant to be and will bring me to my place in His cosmic plan.
When I add in the lesson yesterday, about each thought being held captive to Jesus I see why I made the same mistakes over again. Shoot, as I kept dwelling on the negative things in my life, mistakes and traumas, I was bringing to me the same bad stuff...I cannot think bad thoughts about me, my life, my today and my tomorrow, it is a cause and effect.
I now must find out who I am and what my true purpose for this life is...I am so elated and excited as I find all these truths. I am released from bondage of self and find that I feel that much lighter just knowing this. I am now going to accept all areas of what makes me be me...be it the physical, the mental or emotional...even geographically speaking, all my past choices and works: that is the me I am meant to be right now! I know I can not remain passive about this, just set and live as if the race is run, no more to work on...that would be so silly. Now I can move on, letting go of my past, looking to TODAY, learning and loving thru each and every moment...like a previous blog: BE HERE NOW...that is my mission and I can do that! So in closing I am reassured that I was created by God for God, not by God for me. Plus I know I am exactly who I am supposed to be today. As for tomorrow, well, I will get there when it comes. My mind is open and my heart is willing...I will continue to run the race, my eyes on the Mark! Darn, I feel good now!!! A poem by Russell Kelfer sums all this up:
You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.
You look like you look for a reason,
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what He wanted to make.
The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.
No, that trauma you faced was not easy,
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.
You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God! Oh the joy of knowing we are all, IN HIS GRIP JC February, 2007 Do You Want to know a secret....Let me whisper in your ear...I'm in love with you." Remember that Beatle song? Guess you can see I have always been a fan of the Beatles and feel they really have given some strong and truthful messages to live by...see my blog on the Beatles to read more of this.
WARNING: This is a long blog, but I felt inspired to keep it going.
I write this mostly to encourage myself but hope another might enjoy it and find some light from it as well.
Now, this blog is about the secret. If you watch Oprah, then you might of caught her recent show labeled "THE SECRET". I saw it and for the most part I was intrigued. Of course those present to bear witness left out the most important secret: We all will NEVER get to heaven on our works. We are ALL sinners and only thru the Son will we get to the Father. I know, this is not really a secret but let's take it further. Oprah's secret stated that we need not only to ask, but we must use all our energy, thought included, to bring forth successful results. They stated that we draw to us what we most think about....so if you dwell on the negative, expect just that....if you dwell on sickness, well it is just like signing up for bad health of some kind. The secret is to "Hold every thought captive to Jesus"...only allow your mind to go where HE would go as well.
Also on the show they stated that we MUST believe and see ourselves in the place we so desire. For instance if you desire sucess and wealth see and vision yourself there....use your mind to think about you in that position....hmmmm. Now the Bible tells us to "pray believing and knowing that it is done". Is this true? YES ! We can pray and know that what we ask is done....HOWEVER, yes there is a but....we MUST know that all prayer must align with HIS WILL, not ours. So if I ask for the lottery it is doubtful that I will indeed win due to my proper thought and prayers....not unless He too wills this for me.
In the book by Rick Warren, "The Purpose Driven Life, he states: "You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. For everything, absolutely everythig, above and below, visible and invisible...everything got started in HIM and finds its purpose in HIM. Col: 1:16
Many people want to teach and proclaim to "look within" to achieve our purpose on earth and then strive to achieve these goals and such. Many self-help books, even Christian ones, usually offer the same predictable steps to finding your life's purpose: Consider your dreams. Clarify your values. Set some goals. Figure out what you are good at. Aim high. Go for it! Be disciplined. Believe you can achieve your goals. Never give up.
Of course, thes recommendations often lead to great success. However, you could reach ALL your personal goals and still miss the purposes for which God created you....now, this is a secret and one MUST know God first and look to Him, not within ourselves to truly know the why and what of our true purpose here on earth. The Bible says, "Self-help is no help at all. Self sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self." Matthew 16:25.
So how do we find our purpose? It is thru revelation...the Word of God. The Word is forever, always was and always will be. We should think and dwell on Him and His Word and if we pray, well ask Him to show you His will, not yours, His purpose, not ours.
None of us here were an accident. We are all hand made by God to be exactly who we are...now what we do with our lives, well that is up to us. Kind of...unless we turn it over to Him, ask Him to show us the way, the why and the wisdom to understand and fulfill His reason for our lives.
God's purpose for your life predates your conception...wow! He planned it before you existed, without your input! We get to choose so many different things in life,: our career, spouse, hobbies, and such, but we do not get to choose your purpose. Our purpose of our life fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity. ETERNITY ! That is forever......and ever....that is too much to understand with our human brains, but it IS the TRUTH.
A secret of our lives is that without God our life makes no sense...none at all. It is not about me or you. "Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him."
I have felt many times like I was living in darkness and dwelled on the downside...playing the ol tune: Poor poor me. That is a victim's mentallity. We are all victims....some worse than others...but once we have accepted this, angered it, grieved it and confronted it...it is time not to continue to be the victim...then they win, and we lose, but to choose to now be the one that is in control, with God of course as our father, pilot We then choose to leave the darkness and walk in the light. Then to go further we not only speak words, we walk them as well. It is important not to just "talk the talk", but we should all "walk the walk".
I think here on blogtown it is easy for me to write words of wisdom and truth. For the most part this is great and so very enlightening to others ...but the blogger him or herself should hold themselves accountable to such and of course hold everything accountable to HIM....see, the secret is not so secret at all...it is simple rather than complicated.
I have directly used some quotes from the book by Warren mentioned above...I am currently re-visiting this book, taking a 40 day commitment to read one chapter a day of the book as well as a Psalm. The Psalm is my own choice as, in my case, I find Psalms so very enlightening and uplifting. My favorites are :
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord
and He will give you the desires of your heart" Now that is some uplifting truth to stand on and know to be in His will. Of course my desire of my heart must start in Him...striving to keep a personal relationship with Him, ever seeking His face...and then as I find my own desires, they should line up with His will, not mine.
Psalm 57: 2-5 " I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose, for me. ....God sends His love and his faithfulness" There it is, He wants us to find our purpose in life, not earthly achievements such as money and things, but for His plans for us throughout eternity.
Finally, when I am down I always go to this particular Psalm: 103:2 "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisifies your desires with good thigs so that your youth is renewed like the eagles." Isn't that so very encouraging and uplifting? I love this one.
Now I have learned that one of the most comforting thoughts that can penetrate my mind is yielding to the will of God, for he who created me knows what is best for me. This is how we gain peace in the midst of the storm. He has every detail of our lives under control. Whatever we pray for, whether it is healing or a house , when our will is in harmony with His will, we will recieve what we request and perhaps even more.
I have met some who choose to pray "Speaking healing, contentment, protection and such. " That is their way. As for me, well I stand on His Word, praying and as I do I KNOW it is already done, there fore I thank Him daily for He will deliver....I thank Him because as I ask and seek Him, it is already done...that is powerful knowledge. We all know that God can work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called upon His purpose. Romans 8:28...There it is again, our purpose must be His first.
That said, we all know we must accept the fact that bad things happen, even to those who love Him, but in such times I find it is helpful to remember our lives are forever and the 100 years or less we live on earth is but a bleep in our true existance and we can endure such trials and tribulations. I blogged on this as well,here is the link, my own way of remembering not to get stuck on the things of this earth. Not fun, but we can get thru it all. Of course some do this with such grace we often wonder how the heck they can continue to go on under such a path their lives have taken...I for one admire and strive for this strength and mindthought...it is there that we will find our peace...accepting our hardships as well as our Blessings.
Some pray to be healed, physically, but His will does not promise such. For some, yes He will deliver them from such, but for others it is to be. However, they are already healed if they accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour...they were healed over 2000 years ago when He took the cross for us. We are all healed in a matter that is most important....thru Him, with Him and in Him. We must trust in Him.
When I was a child my family would take a summer vacation for a week or two to the shore. I loved the ocean, still do, however I was always so afraid to go out too far, I always had to have my feet touching the ground. However, when my father was there He always held my hand and then I knew that I was safe and would venture, with him to the deeper waters. I knew my daddy would always protect me, keep me safe and I no longer felt afraid. I had faith in my father and knew I was "IN HIS GRIP" That is how I choose to walk with God, In His Grip and trusting Him to keep me safe. Now you know the why of my salutations on blogs and comments. Of course bad things will happen to me on earth, but ultimately I trust that he protects me from evil that tries to keep me from Him...see, He holds me, but I choose to hold back...that is everyone's choice...it is a good choice I feel. It is faith, trust and thus we achieve grace.
Grace is recieving that which we do not deserve. IE:Being saved thru the Son, not due to our works, but thru our faith. He died so that we shall live, what a gift of grace !
Then we also achieve mercy.
Mercy is kinda the opposite. Mercy is not recieving that which we deserve. Wow, I am so glad of that one...casue I have fallen short many times and will never be perfect....but He is a loving God, Father and forgives us our sins...He shows us mercy. Once again, Jesus took our punishment and opened the doors to heaven upon the cross. "As He opened up His hands for the nails, the doors of heaven opened and it rained mercy . Thank you Lord !
I know I have really gone on here...as I have done so for myself really...I am studying so very hard these days, growing in Him, striving to be a better child of God, follower of Christ, Christian soldier and also exemplify for my daughters a kind loving, Christ centered life. I so want to keep on His path and also want them to walk their entire lifes on the path He wills for them. So I share this because I think it is good, I write this to remember what I am learning and also will read this to keep my thoughts captive to Him...do not dwell on evil, but on Him, that which is good and thus you will be Blessed.
I wil end this with one more quote:
John1:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears you - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him.
I pray His will be done and I pray the same for you! That is how to find true happiness.
Happiness: a bi product of healthy living.
I hope at least one person is intrigued here and might be inspired to seek their purpose in life and strive for His will in their lives rather than praying to bend His wil to theirs.
I hope to continue to share my new enlightments achieved thru this new study I am undertaking as I go along...I am using blogtown as my journal of sorts...keeping myself aware and accountable..I hope you enjoy it and it Blesses you as it is me.
As I continue to say, and now you know the origin for me, (yes, the shore and my dad on earth)
we are all,
if we choose, (key words here)
IN HIS GRIP
now that is an excellent recipe for safety!
For now: I am encouraged to just try and keep my thoughts and doings in a positive Godly manner, not allowing any thought to stray from Him...and I know this is hard to do. I used to share with others, many years ago, and up until now kinda forgot this. Whenever you ask, remember to Thank Him for it will be...also, when you fear or worry, do not fret or dwell on this, but just change your thoughts to anything you know to be true of Him....anything: we know He was born of a virgin, we know He was a carpenter, we know He performed miracles, we know He died on the cross at age 33, any such fact about Him. Or pick up the Bible and read at least a few pages. I have printed out those I wish to really keep in the front of my mind and taped them all thru my house. Thus I am contstantly reminded that life is really all about living for God, not me...and He loves me and has great plans for me....How very exciting!
Okay, I will exit here, I have just reached a high level of excitement just typing this and for this I wish to Thank Him and read a few more verses, I am indeed hungry for His Word....and you?
Peace be with you all,
JC
Peace JC January, 2007 Iam still here....just not here : )I have no idea if anyone still comes by to see if I am here or have updated...but I have been reading a few blogs and read a comment where one stated since he had not done a blog in too long msn deleted his space...so here is a new blog, just in case.
I first wish all a very Happy New Year ! My family, friends and myself have just enjoyed one of our best Christmas Seasons as well as a super dooper New Years Celebration...life is good.
I do not know why, but my blogging desires are just not here at this time. Of course I think of many of you...some more than others. I have left a few, very few messages to say a temp goodbye....but cannot find time to visit all....perhaps over the next month or two the least I can do is stop in with a brief hello, I am thinking of you....okay, I will try.
At this time my life is very well...I am focusing, as usual, on my girls...but also getting into a frame of mind, heart and lifestyle to "BE HERE NOW". This is a very old concept, I think back in college when I read "Diary of a Yogi" and other such alternative lifestyles, in search of self, I first came upon that concept. It really is so very simple and exactly the best way I know I can enjoy life to it't fullest.
There is no reason to look back, that is over. There is no reason to fret about tomorrow or even overplan...life has too many uncertainties to guarantee that my "plans" can come to be...so I am living here, now: in the present.
This is a Biblical concept, but also one of many varieties of theory. It really is keeping life simple. Like my girls do. They just go thru today, sometimes not even aware of what day it is, if there is school tomorrow or even what the next hour may bring. Awww to view and live life like that of a child. Just like the Bible tells us to do....sure does make for a much happier state of mind. I have always been of the school of thought that happiness is a bi-product of healthy living...I still do think this. Now, as I go thru each day, even each hour, or minute if necessary, well this just comes into play. It is so much easier to take things lightly, not to worry, not to overplan, overthink, overdo......like John Lennon said:
LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE BUSY MAKING PLANS!
right on John!
So for now I am off to spend time enjoying whatever I am about to do...perhaps go play a game with the girls, perhaps pay my bills, perhaps call a friend, perhaps do some housework, cook, read, ride my bike, walk the dog....whatever, but I know that it will be exactly as it should be....simply living life day by day, doing the next right thing.
Hugs to all,
and as I always remind both myself and any who happen to arrive to read any new or old chapter I have written here:
we are all,
IN HIS GRIP
peace out,
JC October, 2006 Memories...from the corner of my mind.Greetings to all and any who pass thru my space.
I seem to have acquired quite a lapse since my last entry. I have no real reason other than lack of thoughts to share, inspiration and then most of all BUSY BUSY BUSY ! For this of course I am grateful...I love to keep busy with my girls.
As fall is here I find myself thinking of autumn up north and all the joy, beauty and yummies that came with it.
We certainly had our share of apple trees and orchards all around us. The area I lived in was full of oak trees and many other beauties that would change year round. The leaves would transform into kalaidascopes of red, orange, yellow and brown....and as they fell to the ground the scenery was awesome ! I remember playing for hours and days in the piles of leaves my dad had raked on his few hours off work each day...yet, never do I remember him telling us not to do so again. He always enjoyed us playing in the yard and he too would join in the fun. Of course there was always the story of the one child that was related to a friend of a friend's aunt thru marriage...that had covered up in leaves and been run over...so of course we were told over and over, not to do this anywhere near the road !
There was one particular place that jumps to me. It was Tyce's or Tice's Farm in Montvale, NJ. It was an apple orchard that took us into a wonderland of fall. The place decorated with large pumpkin patch's, scarecrows, bales of hay corn and all the other thoughts and decor that comes with fall. They made their own donughts and apple cider and it was the best I have ever had....this because of the fun that came with it. I have such fond memories of my childhood...I was very Blessed in so many areas as a child and this is just one memory I cherish year after year.
Now, as a mom myself, I continue to strive to create for my children such times to enjoy and remember in days and years to come. We have our home decorated with our own carved pumpkins and many other fall decor....tastefully of course ! We have been to the pumpkin patch, will attend the Fall Festival tomorrow and then on to Oct. 31 and a day of costume and candy !
As I have named this space, my life is a book and I have many chapters, I have great news and updates in my book. I have had the opportunity to go back, remember and reunite with a special person from those chapters gone by.
I recently have had a very enjoyable reunion with a friend that I have seen nor spoke with for 30 years ! WOW ! Talk about weird, yet fabulous. At first we kinda just kept looking at each other and laughing. He was a year older than I and we were close friends that hung in the same crowd. I have such great memories of him and his car, our friends, the laughing, the crazy fun, the adventures we shared...
I have found my friend to have become such a good, kind, sensitive and quite successful man...and of course this makes me so very happy. He is the proud father of an adorable 9 year old who I am sure has here daddy in the palm of her hand....isn't that the roll of us girls with our dads ? ( insert a smile here)
My girls and I hope to meet her in the future...I think they will get on so very well. What fun to see the next generation together as we, the first from this group reminisce.
Remember, I have not seen him since high school ! At first at the airport when he was waiting for me to pick him up, it occured to me, what does he even look like. When I last saw him he had long, wavy, auburn hair...the kind I would love to find naturally on my head today ! ha ha
Well, after slowing down at each man I saw I thought for sure I found him and asked "Are you Michael?" Then the second I heard his voice I knew my friend and it was awesome.
My children adore him and it is so good to be back in touch with my childhood friend...not to mention as he still lives in the area we grew up in I certainly have rec'd the "updates" on many friends and school mates that I remember. Some from Kindergarden up and some from Jr. High and then those that came later in "HIGH School"....yes, playing with my words....and laughing here....oh the memories I will never share and those I have and will....some good, some not so good, a few sad times and decisions made wrong...but most of all the memories are so very enjoyable. A few are kinda fuzzy and we have had great fun filling in the gaps...some not quite matching up which makes it more fun...a matter of perspective or one who really did forget the facts ? hmmmmmmm
So Michael, I imagine you will read this....this one goes out to you....my long lost dear friend...."thanks for the memories...." those that we shared and those we will share as we continue on this road of life. It is so very good to have you back in my life.
I would love to continue here, updating and sharing but life calls and at this exact time the phone is ringing as well as I have the girls calling me too. After all, I do exist to serve them don't I ? ha ! So this is where I will end. I do hope you are all well, enjoying your Blessings and continue to create the memories...they sure can last a looonnnnng time !
IN HIS GRIP JC September, 2006 Mothers, moms and mommies.I was chatting with Patti, who is such a great listener...I hope..LOL
Anyway, my comment became a blog so here it is..the easy way
to publish an entry !
HAPPY SATURDAY ! At least I hope it is happy. My kids are swimming
in the back yard as I type and the sound of their
laughter and screams make for such a great feeling.
I love knowing they are happy. I especially love when they
are not beating the crap out of each
other : )
So, I have made a deal. Actually it is kind of a dare....yikes !
I am sure it will be fun...now the deal folks is between Patti and I
so just know it involves meeting new people...just hoping where ever we go
there will people in our age range...which do you think would be worse:
walking into a room of 20 year olds or walking into a room
of 70 year olds..WHOAH NELLIE, oops, I have the wrong room and run LOL
I am going to the Church my mom has been pushing
me to go to forever....she tells me, over and over,
Heidiann her hairdresser met her
new husband there...so at least mom will be happy.
You know last year I was engaged.
I had been dating him for the last, on and off,
5 years prior...he was a very nice guy,
generous and loved my kids as well.
However there was one problem...when
I kissed him, which only happened about
four times...well it felt like I was kissing
my father....YUCKY. So then I would be very uncomfortable
around him, always afraid he would want to kiss me.
So, I realized if kissing felt that way,
imagine getting married and fulfilling
my wife duties in the bedroom...NO WAY !!
Now that has to be good for me to
sign up for a lifetime with someone...
and I knew if I married him my life
would seem sooooo long. So, I ended
it. Now my mom loved him. She was so
disappointed in my choice. She actually
seemed mad at me. Finally I told her
okay, I will marry him, but you have
to have the sex part...LOL she stopped
after that! I now have three, two from my
previous marriages, very lovely and quite
large, engagement rings...I do not wear them
of course that would be crazy...but one day
I can give the two larger ones to my two girls
and the other I will make into a ring or something
for me.
Moms are funny aren't they? My mother
has this way of getting across a point,
or shall I say her opinion, she might walk
into my home, see the new color I had
it painted and she would say. "That's nice
if you like it" okay mom, now take the
knife out of my back pleeease..then, suppose
something in my life goes wrong, not too
serious, but enough to make me complain,
mom will always say, "That is what you wanted"
Yeah, like I wanted my heart ripped out
over and over for years. This in reference to
my wanting to be a foster mom, and falling for
the department of children and families line
telling me from jump street that this was my
child forever. Then my brother, who has his degree from U of F,
major was broadcasting, communications...so he started out as a dj
and worked his way up to the top...well they did a clean sweep and my
bro was laid off...and mom says: "This is what you wanted"...Holy Cow
did she really say that? That is what I was thinking as I witnessed
my brother being shot thru the heart with a verbal arrow. The thing
is, mom does not mean harm....she just hoped he would be a doctor,
lawyer or some other "Professional" choice ! That was years ago
and my bro is now doing very well, owns his own company in LA and
he and his family are flourishing in His grace...now THAT is what he
always wanted!!
I have a Video Recorder, of course, what
parent does not...well my parents have
been here for many a holiday and visit..
and EVERY filming of mom she says,
"Okay, JC, that's enough" every one.
I did feel better when my brother and
his family from California came, as John
was using his Video thingy and sure
enough mom said, "Okay, that's enough
John!"
Mom is from a very Irish family and
has 4 sisters...they are all pretty much
the same or so it seems, and when it
comes to "touchy love" you know holding
hands, arm around you, like I do with my
girls...well let's just say mom is not very
comfortable in that area. I do not
blame her, that is how she was raised.
However, when it is really bad, like the day
I came home from the final court for Annie, when
the judge ruled she was to go back to her bio parents
that day....well, mom was out the door immediately and
went right to me and hugged me, and my tears were
mixed with hers...she has a very good heart. She
exemplifies the spirit of giving and servitude for
not just her children and family members, but to
basically anyone who is in need. She has been
"baby/man-sitting" for the past 3 years for a
woman whose husband suffers from Alzheimer and at
times the wife needs a break...so mom is there,
everytime. To this day, whenever I am sick or in a sticky wicky
mom is the first one I want....once a mom always a mommie!! To this day, when I am having a bad day, where she used to disagree with everything I said,
now she listens and offers soothing words...guess she knows I
am in a delicate way....I would not be the best part of me, if my mom
was not who she is....she taught me such good things...about love,
family and Jesus as our Saviour... She really is and was the best mother and I hope I can be to my girls as she was to me
and my brother. However she is a doodle.
When I was say, 10 or 11, our teacher asked us
all to find out what country our family came from; now,
just like my girls I am adopted, so I knew that although mom's
family came from Ireland, and dad's from Scotland, I was not
of the same...so I asked mom and as she does have a good
sense of humor, she replied, "well, you are some kind of
oriental..that is all they told us" ! I AM NOT ORIENTAL,
but mom did not know this was a school project...anyway
I go into the bathroom and I am looking at my face, thinking
wow, I did not know this about myself, well I guess my eyes
do have a small way about them that could be oriental and
my hair is quite dark, okay I am oriental. It was years
later when the subject came up I found out I was italian. Mom
went hysterical when I told her I had gone to my teacher, a nun, as
I went to Catholic grammer school and told her I was oriental,
"My mom told me I was from a family of such origin".....funny
mom eh?
Crazy woman that she is, I love
her more than ever of course. Funny
thing, I never truly understood her love
for me until they placed Annie in my
arms...wow, what a feeling. For the
first time ever I had a love that was
totally unconditional, and no matter what,
I would always put this child, and now
her sister, before me. I finally experienced a love that
was totally about another person....It really opened
up my heart and my understanding
of our parents and just how much
they love us. When the girls are
unhappy, I feel their pain, I so want to protect
them and keep their lives full of good, not any bad, but
that is not realistic, so I do say one thing, I tell them
that life is not fair, this, because mom never told
me that and I did not like it when the truth came
barreling in!
I want them to enjoy life and remember all
good things about their childhood. Even something
so little like say there is only one pop tart left
and I was just about to eat it, one of the
girls comes in and says, "I want one too"...of
course I give her mine and she never knows
the difference....
Now, heaven forbid someone should offend or
hurt my child as I am a she-bear in that area.
When Annie was in Kindergarden she came home
and said a boy kept playing with hair at nap time and
she had gotten in trouble when she told him to stop....and
Annie does not like getting into trouble...she is very
sensitive.....anyway, at open house that year, I asked
Annie, now who is pulling your hair, she pointed to
this very cute little 5 year old boy, who was showing
the classroom to his mom and dad....and this ol she-bear
walked right up , said excuse me, and proceeded to
tell the boy, please stop bothering Annie, playing with her
hair, especially at nap time...it is not nice and she does
not like it at all....can you imagine? What was I thinking
to act this way.....truth is I was thinking no one was
going to hurt my kid....not as long as I am around.
Kinda like Marie, in Everybody Loves Raymond !
Once in a while I get a little overwhelmed
when I realize I am responsible for
who they turn out to be in Life! That is a previous
blog.... I so want to lead them to the right path,
not wanting them to learn as I did, the hard way.
Time will tell on that one.
Heck, at least most mothers have a father
that can take some of the blame...LOL
Now for me, well let's just say if my girls need
therapy they really can blame the mom !!
Of course I hate when they get hurt, it hurts me so, but I
admit I love the fact that me, only mommy, can make it all
better...now that is such a strong feeling.
I think we all go thru the different stages of being first mommies,
then as the kiddies get older mom and then as time goes on,
once in a while, Mother. No matter how I address or refer to
my mother, she is a gift, a Blessing and has touched my life in
a very good way.
So, back to the deal,I will scoop out
the group my dear mother has chosen
for me, this at the age of well let us just say above 40..LOL
will I be the same when my girls get older....hmmmm I do
tend to like things my way....
Anyway,
I must go alone as I cannot take any of my friends or family
as they are all married! I wonder if I will walk in and see
"the one"...if He exists. Since Brad Pitt is taken, I do not know, I wonder
if anyone can top those genes...smiling here.
Actually, I used to ask God for the right man, one of His
choosing, and now I think that I have found him...so I continue to pray, but now I pray, that He please
guide me and make me the "right woman"...I want to be
worthy and lovable to him...afterall that is "the other side"...
However I will keep my end of the deal:
I will keep you posted with the outcome, as I am sure it
will make for good material...most likely it will be
funny, which is really the least of my fears...LOL
Happy Saturday to you all!
In His Grip are we. Now that is enough for me...I will need Him
as I go about this experience!! Hopfully I will leave looking like this
:
  not like this:
 Wish me luck!!
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