365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID NOVEMBER!

Smiles...don't worry I haven't QUIT! Just some issues with my laptop! Lord willing I will be able to post again tomorrow. It was so bad the past few days that I wasn't even able to leave a message to say I did not QUIT and I will be back soon! I will also catch up...smiles. Have a great evening and a very nice TGIF! Remember even in adversity...never give up, and certainly never QUIT! Stay blessed!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW HALFWAY THROUGH NOVEMBER!

I can not even believe we are halfway through November! Only a month and a half to go in my 365 Word Journey...48 more days. God is awesome! Without Him I would not have made it this far and without the Holy Spirit I would have had nothing to say. There have been hurdles, oppositions, and minor setbacks but I have persevered. I even passed a mountain of a test yesterday. God has helped me to be STRONGER, WISER, and VICTORIOUS during these last 10 1/2 months. I praise Him continuously. I still have a long way to go...but like Joyce says...at least I am am not where I used to be. I am trying my best by Gods grace to enjoy the journey and not focus so much on the destination. Have a blessed weekend and stay strong!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...ALMOST MID NOVEMBER...WOW!

The focus on the 11th in the booklet 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living was DECLARE BLESSING. Say to them, may the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you. may the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace. ~Numbers 6:23-26. Pastor Osteen wrote that "A blessing is not a blessing until it is declared." We are to speak blessings over ourselves and others. This is something we should do daily. Remember the Benediction given at the end of church service? Many churches don't do that anymore but in the early days of biblical times, it was a manor of speaking blessings over the people. DECLARE BLESSING(s) over your life and that of others today. I know I will try and make this a daily practice. Read Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and be blessed!

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

The focus on the 10th in my booklet 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living was OVERCOME OPPOSITION. A wide door has been opened to me and with it are many adversaries. ~I Corinthians 16:9 As Joyce Meyer would say, "New level, new devil!" Its great to know that God will open doors for me and that above all else He desires that I reach my full potential. We need not fear the opposition, whether its family, friends, or roadblocks...we were designed to be over comers! God always provides us ways to OVERCOME OPPOSITION. I thank God that He is bigger than any opposition or problem I may encounter. What a blessing to have Gods favor! If you don't know your Lord and Savior Christ Jesus...get to know Him...begin with reading John 3:16. Get reconnected to God by becoming a child of God and you too can OVERCOME OPPOSITION!

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

Back to 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living. The focus on the 9th was HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. Let no foul or polluting language come out of your mouth. ~Ephesians 4:29 Pastor Osteen wrote that our words can pollute or purify. The Bible tells us that our words are like a two edged sword with the power to kill. I rarely say a bad word but occasionally one does slip out and I immediately repent and ask God to forgive me. Many people assume, (including me at one time), that Ephesians 4:29 was referring to bad words. That may be included but mostly it is referring to words that hurt. Words that hurt others and words that hurt our own well being. Yes there can be bad self talk. God doesn't like us to complain when things are not going our way either. He wants us to always to HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. I will try and always HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE even when its subzero.

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

I did not enjoy missing two posts this week due to issues with my "lappy." I did make the conscious decision not to fret and worry about it though. Ordinarily I would have for sure. The temperature is going down past freezing tonight. Here we go...early...with a test of my ENDURANCE. On my honor I will try...not to complain...smiles. All I have to do is count my blessings and realize I could be in Michigan and have 40 inches of snow. I really need to hear that repeated...measuring in feet sounds like so much less that inches....reality check...thank God for the cold and no snow! The cold weather is just what I needed to have a 3rd cup of coffee today as well as a hot chocolate before bed...Now that's ENDURANCE!

Wow! I just remembered...now I have an excuse to wear my favorite Winter/cold weather grey hat! Hmmm maybe the 28 degree low won't be so bad after all....yeah right....smiles.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

Sorry but I am skipping today and will catch up, Lord willing tomorrow. My laptop is too bad and I am really not up to fighting with it tonight...smiles. God bless you all.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

The focus on the 8th in my booklet 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living was PURSUE YOUR VICTORY. This one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind, I press on towards the mark...~Philippians 3:13-14 We all look behind us on occasion...and some of us look back into the past way more than we ought to. I can honestly say I have become a whole lot better at leaving the past where it belongs...in the past. The booklet says, just like Joyce Meyers has said, "Its is time to develop a warriors mentality and proactively pursue the happiness, health, and peace that God has promised in His Word." I don't know about you but I desire to have all that God says I am entitled to have as His child. I have a book of God's promises. If you don't have one...get one...it is so wonderful to read and learn what God has promised us when we are born again. I intend to PURSUE MY VICTORY to the fullest...do you? 

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

Today is the 9th so that means I am still 2 days behind with the posts from the booklet 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living. Although I am caught up with the days for this month....smiles. The focus on the 7th was YOU ARE APPROVED. Before you were ever formed in your mother's womb, I saw you and approved you. ~Jeremiah 1:5 It is so wonderful to know that not one of us is a mistake. We were not only created in His image...but we are the apple of His eye. Its so great to know that YOU ARE APPROVED! God loves us and approves of us unconditionally. God is a forgiving God. He is also fair...we do reap what we sow but He is fair. It is a blessing not to worry whether or not we are good enough. The next time the enemy tries to belittle you...let him know YOU ARE APPROVED by Almighty God Himself! I thank God for His approval and unconditional love He has for me. Praise God! 

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

The focus on the 6th day in the 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living booklet was BE JOYFUL ALWAYS. I try to BE JOYFUL ALWAYS but I can honestly say I struggle in this department. Like David, we are to bless the Lord at all times and praise should continually come out of our mouth. The Bible tells us to stay full of joy no matter what we are facing. I will definitely work on this...to BE JOYFUL ALWAYS. I am able to praise God and be thankful through anything, I am just not always joyful. The Bible also tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. That is why satan works so hard  to try and steal our joy. I don't want to be worn down with defeat and discouragement until I am feeble and weak. I will be mindful to BE JOYFUL ALWAYS! I will by Gods grace be strong!

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

I am a bit behind as you know...due to device issues so the focus on the 5th was STAND STRONG DURING ADVERSITY. Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. ~Ephesians 6:13 During times of adversity and difficulty is when we grow. God uses these times as a teaching tool...experience is the best teacher. Just by remaining faithful an to STAND STRONG DURING ADVERSITY will allow God to promote me to new levels of victory and live the abundant life He has promised me when it is my season. Awesome! To the very best of my God given ability...I will pass every test and STAND STRONG DURING ADVERSITY!

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

Yesterday my laptop would not allow me to post anything. Now I owe you and myself 2 posts...smiles. I will only do one tonight. At the moment it is behaving but I don't know for how long. The Focus of day number 4 of the 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living focused on SPEAK WHAT YOU SEEK. Declare what is to be. ~Isaiah 45:21 I need this desperately! Sometimes it feels like my head is going to burst with knowledge. I am trying my best to create, with God's help of course, a compartment for each and every thing I have learned during my journey. The wonderful thing is I will be able to go back and refresh my mind by rereading the posts. If I am going to live a life of victory...as I have posted before...I must speak positive words of faith. I need to also be able to back that faith up with God's Word. Learning to be an over comer in the face of adversity is not always easy but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (and so can you.) ~Philippians 4:13 I thank God for His Word and His knowledge and I thank the Holy Spirit who will help me retain it all and be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. I will SPEAK WHAT I SEEK.

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

Day 3 of the 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living focused on MAKE A PLAN. Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. 
~Proverbs 16:3 I definitely need to MAKE A PLAN! As I have said before, those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Its not that I don't MAKE A PLAN, in fact, I make a lot of them. I do however have a hard time sticking to the plan or completing the plan. Help me Lord! Proverbs 4:25 says, "Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead. Don't look to the left and don't look to the right." That means to cut all the distractions. I am always getting distracted...often distracting myself...sigh. I will work on that...self motivation. Do you need to MAKE A PLAN? Make a plan today that will lead you to your God given destiny...it may not be the perfect plan...but with God's guidance we will arrive.  

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

What a wonderful sunny and warm day today was. A blessing for November. I am so THANKFUL! It is always great to be THANKFUL for all things great and small. God often shows us FAVOR and because it is something small we may dismiss it or fail to notice it at all. I am so THANKFUL that God showed me FAVOR at the market today. Almost everything I purchased today was on sale. Because of that I was able to buy almost twice as much. I was even able to carry it...smiles. It was a bit heavy though and I am still tired, therefore I am writing a short but heartfelt post tonight. More about my challenge of reading 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living tomorrow. Good night...God bless.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

Today's focus on 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living was to DEVELOP A VISION OF VICTORY. Behold I am doing a new thing! Can you not perceive it? ~Isaiah 43:19 Can you imagine...God is seeking those who DEVELOP A VISION OF VICTORY just so He can do something new and wonderful in their lives! I am in...Sign me up! I want to live each day filled with faith and expectancy...Joel's words, not mine...but I am embracing them as my own in my heart. I have to let go of the old and stop looking back. No regrets. God puts are transgressions as far as the East is from the West and remembers them no more when we ask for forgiveness. Only our flesh hangs on to the past, sometimes just to pacify itself other times to make us weak and vulnerable . Now with the help of the Holy Spirit...I will DEVELOP A VISION OF VICTORY! 

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

Yesterday I mentioned I would be reading a booklet titled "30 Thoughts For Victorious Living" through the month of November. My word for the day will become words...time is winding down so I am kicking it up a notch or two...after all time is of the essence now. Day 1 of my my 30 thoughts focused on...THINK THE WAY GOD THINKS. No man has ever seen, nor even imagined the wonderful things God has in store for those who love the Lord. ~I Corinthians 2:9 To THINK THE WAY GOD THINKS takes a lot of effort and assistance from the Holy Spirit. To THINK LIKE GOD THINKS doesn't just mean to THINK LIKE GOD THINKS when it come to decision making and thinking before you speak. To THINK LIKE GOD THINKS means to not think negative, to not think poorly of yourself, to not think defeat. God has so much in store for us with opportunities, good health, financial blessings, and in our everyday lives. Like the Bible says, "The path of the righteous grows brighter, and brighter, and brighter." Joel Osteen says "Think increase, think big, think expansive! Start expecting the unexpected and look at life through your eyes of faith." I tend to think small but I will learn to THINK LIKE GOD THINKS! I will learn to think bigger! Better to aim high and miss the mark...than to aim low and make it.

30 Thoughts For Victorious Living is a small booklet by Joel Osteen

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO NOVEMBER...WOW!

Believe it or not...its NOVEMBER! I welcome you to the 11th month of the year. Wow...it is amazing to me that it is NOVEMBER already. All year I have been trying to read a small book called 3o Thoughts For Victorious Living by Pastor Joel Osteen. In this past 10 months, for some reason or another, I have been unsuccessful. I will be reading it this month by Gods grace. NOVEMBER has 30 days so it is perfect. I allowed myself to get caught up in the day I started vs the 30 days I am supposed to read it, and then there were the days I forgot or neglected to do so. NOVEMBER is the month I will read it for 30 days straight. I am also going to focus on healing...my own. I find myself coping with pains that Jesus died on the cross to deliver me from. Big or small things, we were healed by His stripes. Nothing is to hard for God. I have some other goals in mind for NOVEMBER as well. More on those later. Have a great NOVEMBER...a blessed new month. A big thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with me since the start and also to those who joined me along the way. Each one of you are very special to me and I appreciate you all so much. Have faith, have hope, and be filled with joy. A new year...a new beginning is almost here.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...LAST DAY OF OCTOBER!!!

Wow! Its the very last day of October!!! Did I even have a chance to enjoy it? I don't think I did. It flew by too fast...way too fast. I only have 61 DAYS left of my 365 Word Journey. I am still shaking my head about that. In the next 30 DAYS I want to start wrapping up all I have learned and make sure it is grounded in my heart and more importantly, that I am implementing those lessons as part of my everyday life. I also have a few goals I need to set for myself. Time out for procrastination...I need to focus. A year goes by so fast it isn't even funny. I expect the last 31 DAYS to be a wild ride filled with excitement and a bit of melancholy. I think I may feel a bit sad that my journey is finishing after all it is about the journey and not the destination. So as the DAYS wind down and the end of this journey is just round the corner I will be gathering up all the small bits of wisdom I gathered along the way. That wisdom will be my greatest treasure. Here's to an amazing November.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...LAST DAYS OF OCTOBER!

Did you know there are BIBLICAL VIRTUES? God gave us BIBLICAL VIRTUES to help us be a light to the non believers. We are to be the light of the world a hope that will influence others to Christ. Actions speak louder that words. The 10 BIBLICAL VIRTUES are...

1. COMPASSION "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with COMPASSION..." ~Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
2. INTEGRITY "The INTEGRITY of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." ~Proverbs 11:3 (NIV)
3. HUMILITY "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in HUMILITY value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." ~Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
4. PATIENCE "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." ~Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
5. GENTLENESS "Let your GENTLENESS be evident to all." ~Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
6. Love for "the LEAST" "The King will reply,"...Whatever you did for one of the LEAST of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
7. JUSTICE "...What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" ~Micah 6:8 (NIV)
8. MERCY "be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." ~Luke 6:36 (NIV)
9. KINDNESS "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." ~Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
10. GENEROSITY "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." ~Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

All wonderful BIBLICAL VIRTUES we should implement into our lives. Be blessed!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...LAST DAYS OF OCTOBER!

Yesterday I learned an interesting Fun Fact on meyouhealth.com about the 13 VIRTUES that Ben Franklin lived by. He wrote his 13 VIRTUES when he was 20 years old. I was curious so I looked them up. I have one post day to catch up before the end of November. So here are the 13 VIRTUES of Benjamin Franklin...

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

If there are typos, they were in the original post. Perhaps the original language of that time.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS WINDING DOWN!

Its hard to believe this is the final week of October. There are only 63 days left of my 365 Word Journey. That is something very hard for me to fathom. Without God my journey would have been impossible. Time goes so fast these days. I have always said Jesus may not return for another 500 years...but it will feel like 50. Now even more so as we speed toward the beginning of life as God intended. We are instructed to ANTICIPATE His coming as well as PREPARE. Every time I watch the news report I ANTICIPATE His coming more and more. I am doing my best to PREPARE but growing up in Him. There is no time left to be a baby Christian. Just like babies are born and seem to do more than what used to be normal so must we learn to be Christian adults. Its time to ditch the pacifiers. Learn to pray for others instead of always being the one who needs prayer. That is the most wonderful thing, to be able to pray directly to God. As ill as I was last night...I prayed and God healed me by early morning and I was even able to rest. I woke up at 3 pm feeling so much better. I praise my Lord and Savior for His healing power!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS WINDING DOWN!

My challenge for today on Me You Health was to play the miracle game and imagine that everything I WISH for my life came true. 

This probably sounds like a dream come true for most people. I can honestly say I don't think it would be. If everything I WISH for would suddenly be mine I would get hung up on what I wanted...much the same way I used to get when I tried to watch Netflix. I spent so much time trying to decide what to watch that I was too completely exhausted to even watch anything. Having everything you WISH for could turn into disaster...having to watch everything that you think about...even passing thoughts. If I had to WISH for something...I would WISH that Jesus would come tonight or tomorrow. After that I would not need to WISH for anything else. It is a selfish WISH though because there are so many people who don't know our Lord and Savior and countless others who have not accepted Him. Maybe first I could WISH that everyone would come to accept and love Christ Jesus and then that He would return. I believe more in faith than in asking for a WISH or two. I am not sure exactly what this has to do with setting goals...if it did I would WISH someone would come and do my laundry...smiles.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS WINDING DOWN!

Today my challenge on Me You Health was to describe myself in three words. I did not hesitate to say...

1. CHRISTIAN (Follower of Christ)
2. CREATIVE
3. EMPATHETIC/Compassionate

As a CHRISTIAN, many choices and decisions I make are because I am a follower of Christ. Actually...most of the choices I make. I am very CREATIVE and I consider that a God given talent. Sometimes though my creativity translates as CHEAP although I prefer THRIFTY...smiles. I believe in re-purposing everything that I can. I am also a self proclaimed Big BABY. I don't whine (unless I am ill or cold) but I cry over almost every disaster and joyous occasion. I will just say in those 2 case scenarios, I am EMOTIONAL. I am also a HOMEBODY. I enjoy going out on occasion and doing things...but really I love being at home. I have movies, books, art projects, and every other thing I love to do. Most of my friends think this is wonderful and unique. I do have a few who, although they don't criticize my choice, are always out and about and could not imagine staying home as much as I do. I am very EMPATHETIC and COMPASSIONATE towards others. Last but not least, I am also very PEACEFUL...besides being a CHRISTIAN...nothing means more to me than being PEACEFUL. So you see I can describe myself in 12 words or less...3 is a bit more complicated. Do you think you can describe yourself in 3 words or less? Give it a try and see what words you come up with.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS WINDING DOWN!

Yesterday I had an adventure and a MIRACLE. While standing on one leg, the other leg decided it wanted  to be the leg up in the air as well. It gave out and I went flying backwards and landed on the floor...hard. The MIRACLE in all this is that I fell in a very narrow space between a stool made out of iron, a metal heater, a book shelf and on the other side a bed frame...my bed is up very high, and a bench with hard wooden legs. To make matters worse there is a sewing machine sitting on its side in a cloth bag where my head landed. I remember I smacked my head on the machine and that the floor was extremely hard. That's all I remember because it was a MIRACLE that I only had a slight pain on the back of my head for less than five minutes. I didn't hit anything else to my knowledge and my back which I landed on with a loud thud, has no pain at all. I was more worried about Bailey than myself. I was standing up talking to him when for all he knew, I vanished lol. I praise God for not getting hurt. In my mind I imagine a giant hand coming out like an over-sized catchers mitt catching me so that I landed softly without pain. God is so good! What an adventure.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS IN THE TWO'S!

Yesterday I came online to write my post and because I wanted to do some studying first and wash the dishes...I returned to a laptop that was acting extremely CRAZY and I wasn't in the mood for it. Typing while holding it almost upside down while it is screaming (grinding) loudly can be a bit undaunting. Therefore I will just count yesterday as a CRAZY day that worked out in the end. I have guests so I may save my actual post for today and type 2 tomorrow when it is not so CRAZY around here...smiles. Have a great weekend!

Hmmm now I am clicking publish and it is not even going...acting CRAZY again...sigh

35 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS IN THE TWO'S!

I am having a bad case of deja vu tonight. It is that time of year again when I have to remember that there is a time and season for everything. Even Fall and Winter...sigh. I actually went to sleep in the late afternoon just so I could get WARM. Most of you, by now, know that I really can not stand the cold weather. The daytime temps are WARM but the nights are cool, especially in the house when the sun begins to fade. Bailey and his fan certainly don't help the situation at all. My only escape...sleep. Sleeping in front of the heat which I vowed not to use until November. A bit of a chill in the air and I caved. Not once but twice. Now all I want to do is sit in front of the heat and imagine I am outside on a very WARM day. Whats worse is I have yet to wash the heavier covers. I know this horrible dislike of cold weather is mind of matter. I made it through the cold before and I will do it again. I will also try my best not to grumble or mumble my way through. I will think WARM thoughts, skip the negativity, and spend the cold season going to bed extremely early...hibernation....now why didn't I think of that before...and lots of hot chocolate....cheers.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS IN THE TWO'S!

Yesterday I posted that I needed a plan in order to reach my perspective goals, but first, I needed to figure out exactly what those goals were and what direction my life was going. I feel that if I am not going forward...I am essentially going backward. My Daily Challenge on MeYouHealth.com was to write a "WISH LIST" of my goals for next year. I would say that was perfect timing. The challenge gave us a few ideas such as health, friendships, relationships, finances, etc. I am choosing to share some of my WISH LIST here as a part of my journey.

My WISH LIST: Goals for 2015

1. Bring my son home to America*
2. Turn my hobbies into cash*
3. Cultivate positive friendships
4. Make exercise a bigger part of my healthy lifestyle
5. I will say this one is private but it concerns my romantic relationship...smiles
6. Broadening my business
7. Become more financially able, as well as stable
8. Dirty laundry is non-existent...literally
9. A place for everything, and everything in its place
10. My patio looks like an outdoor oasis  

This is my WISH LIST for 2015. I could add a few other things but decided to limit myself to these 10 first because I am more apt to be successful. 

If you desire to move forward in this upcoming new year...I recommend you make a list...a map to get you there. A WISH LIST is a perfect place to start. January is also a great time to start your own 365 Word Journey. Take up journaling if you don't desire, or think you want to commit to blogging. Together, you and God, can do it! All things are possible with Him!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS IN THE TWO'S!

I recently read "The best way to predict your future is to create it." I don't know who wrote the quote but pair it with Joel Osteen's quote, "If you want to know what your life is going to be like in the next five years, look at what you are speaking out loud today" ...and you can see how important it is to speak the right words about and over your life. There are days when I don't know where my life is going tomorrow, much less in the next 5 years. Those who fail to PLAN, PLAN to fail. What do I want out of life? What direction do I desire my life to go in? Those are things I really need to put much more thought into. I can not get to a destination without directions or a map. A PLAN is a guideline...I don't have one. I will have a PLAN before December 31, 2014 by God's grace and guidance.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS IN THE TWOS!

As I mentioned in my first post today, yesterday I did not post because I was out having fun. I was home in time to do it but I didn't want my laptop to mess up the fun mood I was in. I learned some things yesterday as well...maybe I should rephrase that. God reminded me of some things I already know and answered some questions I had been asking Him in the past few days. In getting some much needed answers and also answering some of those questions myself after "seeing the light"...I was also able to learn some things about myself. The Bible says...Let the weak say they are strong. (Joel 3:10) I love 2 Corinthians 12:10... For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV) The enemy sends WOLVES...often IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING. Much the same that "everything glitters is not gold," WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING are deceptive. They present themselves as one thing while exhibiting the behavior of something much more deadly. Just like the enemy...the WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING come to kill, steal, and destroy. Often without knowledge of how they are being used. It is best never to let your watchful eye close. Be strong!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...OCTOBER IS IN THE TWOS!

October is in the twos...its the 20th already! Amazing how fast time is going. As I am sure someone must have noticed I did not have a post yesterday. Today I will post two. I have not missed a day in a long, long time. My reason? I actually had a weekend for once. Usually my weekends blend in with my week and everyday is about the same. As I have said before, when I make plans I fail to stick with them. I am happy I did this time although I believe my friends tricked me to get me out of the house on a lazy Sunday in the late afternoon. I had FUN! Most of it was FUN anyway...I did not enjoy the time I spent riding in the red BMW convertible sports car much at all. The driver insisted upon speeding from city block to city block. I was happy to take the bus and train home...my friends suggested that...after my prayer that I would not have to end up with all my bones broken after going 90+ miles an hour on the expressway...smiles. I did have FUN seeing the art created with metal dumpsters, the black and white silent movie on the giant screen, the crowd of people walking...2 of which were carrying huge orange balloons. I had FUN seeing the top of the Ferris wheel and the new streetcar tracks and stop shelters. I even had FUN at McDonald's, walking the streets, looking at the tall buildings...which I miss, seeing the person dressed in a costume akin the Michelin Man...with a plain white face, watching people, and eating Chinese food. I had a FUN day indeed! I will have to go again soon because it really was FUN. A Big Thank You to my friends...smiles.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT ATIME...WOW ITS MID OCTOBER!

My challenge today on "Me You Health" was to choose a goal and write myself a contract that I would complete it. My goal was short term this time. Some things I needed to finish up this weekend. I did not want to procrastinate. I feel that to make my 365 Word Journey a total success, I need to be able to EMPLIMENT what I have learned in my everyday life. I have been able to EMPLIMENT much of what I have learned, however I am still lagging behind in what I feel are a few crucial areas. Example...dailey exercise. I have done okay but I know I can do much better. I am not looking for perfection, although I do want to be at least 180 degrees in the right direction. I definitely have to learn to push through my feelings. Just because I don't feel like doing something doesn't mean I should put it off.  That is why this weekend is catch up time. Catching up on all the things I neglected last week while I was being frustrated with my laptop. That is time I could have put to good use or at least used more wisely. I have also had a lot of distractions. I have a lot to focus on this week including staying focused. God give me grace. Have a blessed Sunday.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID OCTOBER!

Still have the tummy ache but its getting better by Gods grace. I was able to go out and get some fresh air and sunshine today. I still have to work on my nutrition but I am feeling more optimistic than I was yesterday. I have even been getting more rest. I have less than 2 and a half months of my journey remaining and I am setting some GOALS that I feel I should complete before that time. Just a few short term GOALS that I started at the beginning of my journey that I want to either wrap up or get back to so that I can wrap them up. 10 Months flew by so I can only imagine how fast the the next 2 will. Here's to good health and GOALS that will be completed on schedule...Have a great weekend!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...MID OCTOBER ALREADY?

Okay so maybe coffee and peanut butter on a spoon do not a good meal make...smiles. So I ate a couple pancakes and now I feel even worse. I have a tummy ache....sad face...and a sigh. I really have to get back in my NUTRITION mode. Everything I eat is healthy 99.99% of the time...the problem is my lack of eating. I have no clue what to eat. People have been known to ask each other...what do you have a taste for?...at meal times...but what if you don't have a "taste" for anything? My lack of NUTRITION is affecting me now so I will have to decide what to buy at the market that I will actually eat. This is so hard, to struggle with this since I was a teenager. I seem to only have an on switch and an off switch and when my hunger switch is off...its really off. One more thing on my ever growing list of prayers for things that need fixing...smiles. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...MID OCTOBER ALREADY?

Wow and can not believe October is halfway finished! Amazing how fast time flies. Today was a quiet day...not a bad thing at all. I found it quite pleasant and relaxing. I even managed to get some long overdue house cleaning done. Deep cleaned Bailey's house, did the dishes, vacuumed...I absolutely forbid myself to sit on my butt today and vegetate. I would have to say today was a PRODUCTIVE day in spite of interruptions. Off we go on our journey through the second half of October. Only 2.5 months left in the year...I am really shaking my head about that. Stay blessed!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

Today my mood is not the best...not up not down...just melancholy. I feel like my get up and go...got up and ran. Part of this feeling can be attributed to my lack of enough sleep, lack of proper nutrition, and my inability at times, when I am tired, and hungry...to make a decision. Hungry you say...yes...and if you handed me a $100 bill right now...I would still be hungry. I have no appetite at all. I just plain don't know what to eat. I have no energy to do anything. Part of that could be the food issue but paired with a new med that has tired, nausea, and dizziness as side effects does not help. All this is making me frustrated. I did decide to make pancakes and I will eat them rather I feel like it or not. I just have to PUSH my way through. I know this too shall pass. I will keep praying and keep believing that all will be well. God is good and I know there is always light at the end every tunnel...even this one...if I PUSH and don't give up. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

I was talking to a friend today about how sometimes you can love someone but it may not always work out the way you want it to. We all learn through experience and often that experience leads to broken promises and heartache. When our DREAMS are shattered we can not help, sometimes, to look back with regret. But this is not Gods will for our lives. I have learned that DREAMS are often just DREAMS deferred. Maybe it wasn't the right time, or the right person, or the right choice...but we don't have to give up on the basis of our DREAMS. If you feel God saying this man or woman is not for you, you don't have to give up on your DREAMS of being married. If your DREAMS are to have your own business, a chicken farm may not be for you...however you would do amazing cleaning swimming pools. Your DREAMS in both cases are differed or delayed. So never look back and have regrets...keep moving forward. Keep believing, keep having hope and faith that your DREAMS will come to pass!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

Mother and child are doing well and both are home now...big smiles. God is doing an amazing thing through all this excitement of having a new family member. He is answering my prayers. He is also allowing me to be a WITNESS and an EXAMPLE. I consider this a privilege. Fences indeed can be mended and relationships can be repaired. This is only the beginning...my prayers are for complete restoration and I know with God all things are possible! Have a blessed new week and remember its never to late to repair that which is broken when it is Gods will. And nothing is too hard for God!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

I am absolutely in love with my newborn GRANDSON!!!! He is perfect in every way! Such a cutie. God is so good. I know his mother will be the very best mom...if I must say so myself...smiles. He arrived exactly 3 weeks earlier than predicted but at just shy of 6 pounds, my GRANDSON was definitely ready to be born. I definitely want to be around as this GRANDSON grows up. Its hard when you live far away, but they grow up so fast. I am just so excited I can barely contain myself! Tomorrow I promise...I will choose a word not baby related...but do you blame me? GRANDSON GRANDSON GRANDSON...I just can't say it enough. :- )  :-* ;-} @}-- <3

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

I am so happy that today we will be welcoming a new BABY into the family! What an exciting moment! I am very excited and also praying that all will be well with our BABY. He is a little early...exactly 3 weeks...but apparently right on Gods schedule. Mommy is doing well now...just got her epidural....smiles. A new life to lift up in prayer, as he makes his way in this world. I pray over this BABY that he will have a long, healthy, and prosperous life. He will even have his grandfathers middle name which touched my heart. May God bless BABY, Mommy, & Daddy...Amen.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!!!

Like many of you, I have the Ebola patients and their families, as well as the disease itself and the other 3800+ West Africans who have suffered and died. The Bible tells us not to FEAR the things we see and hear as the end comes near. That is the only thing that keeps me from being afraid. Throughout history there have been plagues, contagious diseases, and epidemics ...all the way back to early Bible days. 2 Samuel 24:15 recounts the story of a fatal epidemic. Ezekiel 14:19 tells us of a nationwide epidemic. People love to debate the why and how God brings such devastation that wrecks havoc on the world and upon people. I don't believe He does. We are no longer under "The Law" however there are certain laws that do not change...such as The law of Reaping and Sowing. The world is a product of its downward spiral...seeing more and more, no need for God The Creator. That fact causes me to FEAR way more than the Ebola virus. I am going to believe the words written in Psalm 91:10...No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. Read to verse 10-14 and you will really be blessed. I shall not FEAR what I see and hear in Jesus Name Amen.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

What a wonderful sunny and hot day it was. Very enjoyable to out and about. Last night I had a nice time texting my daughter. All went well after all. I told her I was reminiscing about her. Today I went to market and came home without FOOD. I don't know why I am never able to decide what to eat. I have a love/hate relationship with FOOD that has lasted throughout my whole life. I am going to have to work on that...sigh. With God all things are possible...smiles. Crackers are not really FOOD nor is string cheese but I am trying. The search for a FOOD I will crave and enjoy goes on. May God continue to bless you.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

Yesterday I was struggling, especially trying to write my blog. So today I will write early while the laptop is cooperating. Today is my baby girls birthday...she is my second born and my youngest daughter. Wow how time flies. I REMEMBER so much about her as a baby. I REMEMBER everyone saying she looked just like me. I REMEMBER her laughter and smiles and her favorite toys. I REMEMBER her playing on the swing set at home and the huge ones at the park where I ran around with her. I REMEMBER her hiding behind me as a toddler, the very first time I took her to Gods house and how much she loved it. I also REMEMBER dragging her there as she got older. I REMEMBER her tears when she came home from school....kids had teased her because she was so smart and because of her beautiful dark chocolate complexion. I REMEMBER having to find my baby girl and her elder sister during a tornado and us running with the small tornado right behind us but not yet having touched the ground by Gods grace. I REMEMBER my love for my baby girl and her elder sister being greater than my fear of the tornado. I REMEMBER her love of doing hair beginning when she cut off one of her baby braids with kid safety scissors and then cried because I couldn't reattach it.  I REMEMBER her tumultuous teen years which I wasn't sure I would survive. I REMEMBER her getting bad grades and her telling me she didn't want anyone to think she was smarter than everyone else in her classes. I REMEMBER her lack of doing choirs but turning 360 to help her friends clean up at their families house. I REMEMBER her being listless and always tired...laying on the sofa in the family room in front of the TV. I REMEMBER her story about being poisoned by radiation from the microwave as an explanation for her illness...after which a doctor appointment revealed a bundle of joy. I REMEMBER my baby girl becoming grown up and not wanting any advice from me...always wanting to find her own way in the world even when she was going in the wrong direction or down the wrong path. I REMEMBER her now and again thinking I was giving her the right guidance and I REMEMBER her following it. I REMEMBER looking at a photo of myself in 2005 and noticing I looked just like my baby girl after she was all grown up. I REMEMBER our visit in 2008 and again in 2010 and her not so great attitude. I REMEMBER my tears today as I think of all those memories. I REMEMBER that God said...train up a child in the way they should go, and they will not depart from it. I REMEMBER my prayers that one day that we will be close again...like that small baby girl I brought home and loved and cherished so much. I REMEMBER she is very much, in some ways anyway...just like me.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

I think today I was completely useless! One of my goals for this month is not to waste time. Time is too precious to waste...especially on frustration. The fix was easy...to PRAISE&WORSHIP God...literally! PRAISE&WORSHIP always changes any situation. I believe that PRAISE&WORSHIP go together as one complete package. I do know the second half of my day was so much better than the first half and I know it was because of PRAISE&WORSHIP. God is good and when we PRAISE&WORSHIP Him...amazing things happen. Try it and see how blessed you will be!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

I wish I could say that I thought about my LIFE and figured it all out in a matter of hours but that simply isn't true. Basically I am exactly where I was yesterday in this thought process. Of course me being me...I did what I normally do, I Googled it! Yep I Google everything! The Bible is always my first option however. God knows way more than Google ever will. Genesis 47:9 refers to LIFE as a pilgrimage, in other words...a journey. That means that LIFE can be different things at different times. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us there is a time and a season for everything under the heavens. What I decide about my LIFE today may not be pertinent tomorrow. Even if I come up with what I want out of and for my LIFE, LIFE does not always go according to plan. There are many curves, roadblocks, and forks along the way. Leo Babauta on LifeHacker made a good point...don't focus on the future, focus on the things you (I) can do now like making new friends, learning new skills, go on adventures, etc. Anything that can add to and enhance my future endeavors. In hindsight I almost know exactly what I would have wanted out of LIFE. But as Joyce Meyer always says, we live LIFE forward not backward. Even though I had an idea of what I wanted to do with my LIFE way back then, my dreams never became my goals, and therefor they stayed just that...dreams. I can honestly say it never even occurred to me to work towards those dreams and set goals to get me there. Mainly due to lack of knowledge and mainly fear...more on that another day. Even now when I have a tiny inkling of a dream and take a step or two in the direction of that goal, I drop it and move on to something that doesn't cause me discomfort. Just writing today may not be getting me closer to knowing what I desire for my LIFE but it sure is giving me insight as to why I don't know what I want. 

~A few things I wrote to help myself~

• Where do I see my self in 5 years?
• What do I see myself doing in 5 years?
• What am I passionate about?
• What would I want to do if money was no object?
• What do I really enjoy doing?
• If I wasn't scared what would I be doing?
• What would my 90 year old self say to me now?
• Would my 90 year old self have regrets?
• What would those regrets be?
• Above all what does God want me to do and not do with my life? (If I knew this I could have skipped the rest)

As I continue my journey of learning what I want in LIFE I pray that if you don't already know, that you will. Just remember LIFE is always evolving and the LIFE you have today, may not be the LIFE you have or want to have tomorrow. Before the end of the year I will give you an update of what it is I want out of LIFE. In the meantime...my journey continues...one word at a time. Stay blessed.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

Ever since yesterday I have been pondering over exactly what it is that I want out of LIFE. I think if you expect nothing...you get just that...nothing! We hear things like, "LIFE, Love, and the pursuit of Happiness" and "Live LIFE to the fullest." I don't know about all that but I do know Jesus died to give us abundant life...not just existence. Therefore His perfect plan is that we enjoy our lives. How can I enjoy my LIFE if I don't even know what I want out of LIFE? I have been accused of living far too simply and that is true. I tend to adapt to things very easily. This is not always a bad thing...in fact it comes in handy during dire emergencies. In order to have abundant life however, I need to find the balance between seeking abundant LIFE and accepting LIFE as it comes. I certainly have to work on that. In the mean time I will just try and figure out what it is I want out of LIFE and for my LIFE and as always with Gods help. My free will needs some incite. I can not believe I have never really thought much about LIFE...my LIFE at all. No time like now! I feel like a seed in a wind storm...I have never landed long enough to be rooted and later bloom. "Bloom where you are planted" is making a lot more sense to me now...smiles. May God put you on the right path for your LIFE as well. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

(For we walk by faith and not by sight) 2 Corinthians 5:7 Sometimes it is really hard to believe what you can not SEE. In the natural this seems impossible. However Gods principles work different than human nature. God wants us to SEE before we have...believe and SEE, then have. This principle works well when I think about it but I really need ask God to help me in this department to put the two together. I can believe and I can SEE, but the connection between the two seems sketchy at best. Maybe it is because I am not sure exactly what it is I am believing God for. Maybe I need to figure that out first...smiles. I hope to SEE what it is I really want out of life, but first I need to know what it is I would like to have. As my mother would say..."It is better to aim high and not obtain my goal, that to aim low and reach it." On my list to work on this in the next 3 months. TGIF and have a great weekend!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

Now that its October I really need to step up my game a bit. Time is winding down. Time to complete the goals I have set for my self and things that I want to achieve during my 365 Word Journey are my main focus for October. I attempted to start working out again in August and failed. I tried a second time in September...rather half halfheartedly I admit, and again I failed. By Gods grace October I will complete that goal. My Summer excuse was that it was too hot to walk daily and too hot for many of the goals I had set for myself...well...its cooling off now...so no more EXCUSES! The whole point of my journey is to keep moving forward. The problem with resolutions is we don't keep them. We go back to the same bad habits and behavior. My 365 Word Journey is me hitting the reset button on my life and going in the direction God wants me to go. To reach my destiny...I must keep moving forward. I can not afford to make EXCUSES for the things I need to do and with Gods help, the things I need to change. I will share a few of my goals for the month of October. These are in no particular order of importance.

• Exercise Daily
• Use my time wisely
• Study Gods Word daily (not just read it, study it!)
• Lose 11 lbs.
• Drink more fluids (I tend to drink only 2 cups of coffee)
• Do something fun (outside my house)...smiles

My list is a bit lengthy (but doable) and you get the general idea. No more EXCUSES and/or procrastinating. Today I got some exercise, drank some water, and studied my Bible. Day 2 and I would say I am off to a good start. I know it won't be easy but God help me. My list is in a place so I will see it daily and that way I will not be able to make any EXCUSES.

Do you have some things you know in your heart you should be doing? Don't make EXCUSES...October is a great place to start!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

Wow its already OCTOBER! Its very hard to believe we are in the 10th month. Today is the 274th day of the year and now there are only 91 days remaining in this year. 3 Months left in the year. I think when this journey is almost finished I will be a bit sad. That is until my next 365. I do wonder how the leaves know that its Fall. I saw the first ones falling today and some were changing colors as well. It was hot today and quite sunny and it certainly didn't look or feel like OCTOBER at all. Enjoy this new month and stay well. 

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...LAST DAY OF SEPTEMBER!

I have always been interested in the FRUITS of the spirit. There is a great deal about FRUITS in the Bible. Matthew 7:18 says A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. This verse is repeated almost identical in Luke 6:43. For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Verse 44 A goes on to say For every tree is known by his own fruit. I want to be known for my FRUITS and the FRUITS of the spirit are the most important FRUITS we can bare. The FRUITS of the spirit are listed in Galatians 5:22-23 they are as follows, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance. In layman's terms...Love, Peace, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfullness, Joy, Kindness, Patience, and Self Control. The hardest fruit to bare for most of us is probably Self Control. That is where walking in the spirit comes in. I try to always focus on that walk. Like everyone else, I am far from perfect...I am a work in progress. We all are until Jesus returns. I pray for your great success as well as my own and that we shall all bare good FRUITS...in Jesus Name Amen.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...SEPTEMBER IS ALMOST GONE!

One of the awesome teachings I heard in the past few days was concerning LONELINESS. Any of us who have lived or do live alone have probably felt the heartache of LONELINESS from time to time. But do you know that many people who feel extreme LONELINESS are often surrounded by people? Being lonely in a crowd is an uncomfortable feeling as anyone who has ever gone to a party or event where they didn't know anyone well can tell you. We don't often use the term wallflower any more, but still there are still many who stand on the outside looking in. Often this may be because we don't feel we fit in or we feel inadequate, or we are somewhere that we really shouldn't so we are uncomfortable...but did you know God made each and every one of us unique. How awesome is that! Not only do we each have a distinctly different fingerprint, which is amazing in and of itself, but we have different combinations of DNA, personality traits, habits, etc. I may have my mothers hair and eye color, but I may not share her personality or talents. When we feel LONELINESS creeping  up on us it is easy to fall back on emotions that make us feel like an outsider but God loves and cherishes us just the way we are. The best thing is we are never alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us that God will never leave us nor forsake us. I also thought about what Joyce Meyer said when she stated, "Lonely desperate people do desperate things." I have thought about that before because I know people, and I am sure you all do as well, who are in unhealthy relationships because they just don't want to feel lonely. This is not just opposite sex relationships...it could be one of your "Girls" or one of your "Boys." I often consider that when the wrong people try to be involved in my life. Not only do we have our Heavenly Father with us always but we also have the ability to become our own best friend. When you are in a season of LONELINESS spend time with God and take the time to get to know yourself better. You can also spend quality time with others who might be experiencing LONELINESS, such as an elderly neighbor or do some volunteer work at a nursing home or hospital. I always try to see my glass half full and not half empty so at least no one is disturbing me with this or that and the only time schedule I have...is my own...smiles. Next time you are tempted to fall into the despair of LONELINESS, stop take a deep breath, go do something you enjoy, talk to God, dance, read...in other words...just redirect those feelings into something positive and remember just because you are alone...you don't have to be lonely! Stay blessed and stay well.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...SEPTEMBER IS ALMOST GONE!

It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that these are the last few days of September. Although October is still technically Fall...I always remember it as the onset of very cool weather. Okay cool to me can mean 70-75. Once your blood thins you feel the cool weather differently. When it is mid to high 70's here, people start wearing Winter clothing, boots, heavy jackets and hoodies, sweaters, the whole nine yards. I am not quite that bad yet...mainly because as much as I love being hot...I don't enjoy being all bundled up. The first year I was here I didn't wear a coat until January...now when October comes I always find myself wondering if I should actually buy a Winter coat. The one I had has a broken zipper and I haven't replaced it in years. Another thought on my mind is my 365 Word Journey is winding down. In the beginning I was not certain I would make it one week much less 9 months. God gave me STAMINA, PERSEVERANCE, and a great desire to keep PRESSING ON. Sometimes the best way around a mountain is through. Just because something is challenging doesn't mean we should give up. I heard some amazing teachings this weekend which I will share with you in the coming week. Have a happy and blessed new week and keep PRESSING ON!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...SEPTEMBER IS WINDING DOWN!

My first inclination tonight was to give in to the laptop issues I was encountering and just give up on writing. In my spirit however, I felt to push on. I did and God gave me what I needed. I just watched the Prime Minister of India commit to making sure every citizen of India has a toilet by 2019. Did they just say a toilet? I will admit I was a bit taken aback. I mean I am fully aware of poverty around the world. I just never thought about the lack of something so basic as a toilet. Even where there is no running water available I somehow envisioned bathrooms with toilets...primitive perhaps...but there. Like the Prime Minister said (paraphrased), we sometimes forget how BLESSED we are. I try to focus on what I have and not what I don't have. When we look at life through the eyes of others instead of our own, we will see how BLESSED we truly are. Our children complain about going to school, but many children don't have that privilege. In America, we are BLESSED to at least have 12 years of learning. Looking into the eyes of children, teens, and adults who have no hope is heart wrenching. People with great ideas and knowledge with no way to express it. I know amazing artists that don't have paper or pencils, much less canvas and paint. I know of others who may or may not have one meal each day. I know still others who would have loved to finish school, or even had the chance to attend at all. There are footballers, scholars, teachers, scientists, doctors, pastors, and even prime ministers and presidents behind those empty eyes that lack hope. Indeed we are BLESSED. We are our brothers keeper. No matter how insignificant we may feel handing a dollar to someone who needs it, or partnering with a ministry that gives globally, or giving encouragement to someone who needs it desperately...we can all do something. Stay BLESSED...but...pass it on.

See what we can do together----->globalcitizen.org

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...SEPTEMBER IS WINDING DOWN!

Talk about healthy! The Lord blessed me with a great report when my blood work came back. God is so good. Everything came back good to perfect! It wasn't that I was worried...the fact was I had not given it another thought. I thought I was just getting my thyroid levels checked. I even got my flu shot today. Early for once. Last year I didn't get one at all, but when I do its always at the tip end of flu season. This year I am prepared! There are many scriptures in the Bible concerning health. Many refer to healing, but God never intended us to fall ill. Adam and Eve changed all that of course. Most of us would like be like Job, after he was healed, his health was restored and he felt young again. 
(Job 33:25); (Psalm 23:3) The Bible says I was (we are) FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made. (Psalm 139:14) I don't know about you...but I want to stay that way or at least repair what's not by Gods grace. Above all keep your soul in good health. 
(3 John 2 CEV) This is my foremost goal. Now if I could just get a few more workouts in...smiles.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...SEPTEMBER IS WINDING DOWN!

Today has not been the best day for me. I believe the enemy is using my neighbors to disturb my sleep. Far fetched? I think not. There is an enemy and he comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) Of course when I am extremely tired nothing seems to go well. The laptop has been so bad the past 2 days adding to my discomfort. I am trying not to give into any stress promoting EMOTIONS. I am not focusing on the negative aspects of today though. I am learning new things and working through the EMOTIONS I was feeling. One thing I have learned in life...there is always someone worse off than me. EMOTIONS can be a good thing, but often we let them cripple us. I will not...I am stronger than that...God gave me (all of us) self control. I just have to lean on Him. God may not change my neighbors, but I know He can change me so that I will be able to sleep in spite of all their noise. I pray tonight I will...in Jesus Name Amen.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...SEPTEMBER IS WINDING DOWN!

I must say today was a perfect day! Plenty of sunshine, big fluffy clouds, bright blue skies, and a light breeze. If this is Fall...I am lovin' it! 

Did you ever decide to fall off the HEALTH wagon just for a day...on purpose? That was me today. I think it was not to be however, because everything I wanted was not on the available! How unfair is that? Lol. I said okay Lord, if you don't want me to have it, I won't. Not that God dictates what we eat or don't eat all the time, but if you are like me, it will snowball. I tend to get stuck on certain foods once I eat them once and will continue until I am sick of that food. A slice of cake just might trigger that. God certainly knows me better than I know myself. One area of focus during my 365 Word Journey, besides my spiritual HEALTH, was to pay more attention to my physical HEALTH. I believe that Spiritual, Physical, and Mental HEALTH all work together as one and when they are off kilter we get out of sync, especially spiritually and it begins to affect our total HEALTH and well-being. There was a time, a couple years ago, when I was either missed making appointments or I was canceling them. That is long since a thing of the past. Even my physician noticed last year before she left. Now I am considering making optometrist and dentist appointments. I will also look into finding a better physician since my replacement one doesn't do a thing but fill my prescriptions. That means that particular office only cares about the copay. Take care of your HEALTH, its all we have. I believe God expects us to use self control and make healthy choices. Don't wait until January to do something about your HEALTH start today. May God bless you.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...SEPTEMBER IS WINDING DOWN!

Last night 10.29 pm came and went without me giving it a second thought. I got up this morning and the farthest thing from my mind was thinking about it being the first full day of Fall. The bun is back in his house and I accomplished a lot of things I had put off because the bun was running around. His misbehaving is what got him caught in the end. His adventure was much that of a back-slidden believer. Bailey thought he was going to have more fun outside of his house...his comfort zone...so he avoided me. He wouldn't come near me because he knew I was going to try and convince him to return. He was out for 3 days and instead of enjoying it to the max, he didn't appear happy at all. He would occasionally peek through the gate toward the area he was supposed to be in...probably, at least in my mind, thinking how much more comforting and comfortable his house was than just laying on the floor and being alone all night long in the silence (since we sleep with a rain forest Cd playing). Now he is safe and relaxing in his house and is calm and peaceful. If you stick your toes out in the world, soon it will be your legs and you will find yourself walking into sin and often into trouble. Like Bailey it was that trouble that will get you caught and then you find yourself wanting to be back in a safe haven...in the human sense...Gods welcoming arms. I know you are wondering, "Where is her inspirational or encouraging word for today?" If I had to choose I would say...DON'T STRAY AWAY." If you did, quickly return. God never leaves us...when we feel far away from Him...it is because we strayed away. Find your way back...He is right there waiting. Stay blessed!

This was not my word today but a word for someone else...I pray it helped you.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...SEPTEMBER IS WINDING DOWN!

This is the day that the Lord has made...I will rejoice and be glad in it! However...smiles...I am not happy about SUMMER ending...sigh. There is a season for everything and so it is with the SUMMER season. Every year I go through feelings of melancholy but this year things are supposed to be different so I need to banish those feelings before they take hold too deeply. Part of the issue was yesterday morning I realized that although I love SUMMER...I did not do one thing to enjoy it, unless going to Ikea 2 times counts (and it does...love love love Ikea). I did the same thing I do every season...not much...okay make that nothing lol. Next year, if I am blessed to still be here...I will work on that...in fact I will start way before next year so that by January I will be settled in and it will be a routine. Anyway feeling down about SUMMER leaving is sure not going to stop it from happening. So tomorrow morning I will wake up  (Lord willing) and get up and enjoy the wonderful blessings of life and be exceedingly glad that the Lord allowed me to see not only another day...but a brand new season. All things must pass away and all things become new! More on that with the onset of the Winter season...which is a whole "nother" issue with me entirely....smiles. Happy and blessed new week and I pray you enjoyed the last weekend of SUMMER.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID SEPTEMBER!

Wow! Today has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. It never fails to amaze me when I hear teachings on the very thing I wrote about the day before. God is awesome! Joel Osteen purposed a question today..."How much have you GROWN (spiritually) in the last 5 years?"  In many ways I have GROWN so much, especially in the past 10 months, and in other ways I have not GROWN much at all. I am indeed a work in progress. God is faithful to finish the work He has begun (Philippians 1:6) and I know He will finish the work He has begun in me. I am sure I will have GROWN even more in the next 3 months. That is a good thing. Just as we can not stay "baby" Christians all our lives neither can we stay "toddlers" or "preschoolers" or "teens"...no matter how you look at it sooner or later we must become GROWN up adults ready for battle. In the mean time I will stay strong, stay faithful, and continue to walk in the spirit. May God bless you all.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID SEPTEMBER!

I had a lot on my mind today. Sometimes in life you know exactly what you want...and yet it seems out of reach. I know I am never supposed to stop hoping or give up HOPE altogether and I do not intend to...still it is not always easy believing for what, in the natural seems all but unattainable. FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) I know by FAITH all things are possible with God. All I have to do is read about Sarah and Abraham to know that nothing is too hard or impossible for God. We are commanded in Gods word to "Walk by FAITH and not by site." 
(2 Corinthians 5:7) Yes I have focused on FAITH and HOPE before but we learn by repetition. FAITH and HOPE go hand in hand. I am definitely still learning...we all are, or should be. The Word says If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him. But let him ask in FAITH, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5,6) Therefore I will not waver...I will keep having FAITH and HOPE...in Jesus Name...Amen. Stay Blessed!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID SEPTEMBER!

The Bible says...let the poor confess that they are rich ( Romans 4:17). It also says as a man thinketh so is he! ( Proverbs 23:7 ) I can see I have some RETHINKING to do. Not that I feel poor...I just feel extremely limited and frustrated. The best way to deal with this issue is to confront it head on. I can do all things through...and with Christ...who strengthens me! I have noticed that my journey is not getting any easier, in fact it is getting a bit tougher as I mentioned yesterday. That is why I had to push pause and do some RETHINKING, gather my thoughts and focus on what I know and not what I see, feel, or hear. I also need to return to my sleep pattern of being in bed and asleep by a decent hour. The enemy loves a tired mind. My mother always used to tell me, "Nothing good ever comes easy." I believe that she is right about that one. Do you have some RETHINKING to do? Believe me, there is no time like the present. Stay strong and stay blessed.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID SEPTEMBER!

I do not feel like I accomplished anything today. More like I am trudging uphill in metal boots. Between DISTRACTIONS and DISRUPTIONS...mostly my laptop, but other things as well. The laptop is still DISTURBING me so I have to keep this short. The 3 D's were a bit much. Tomorrow will be a BETTER day. It will be a BEAUTIFUL day. It will be a BLESSED day! It will be a BOUNTIFUL day! So right now out with the negative and in with the positive! The BEAUTIFUL B's! Stay BLESSED!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID SEPTEMBER!

Last night after watching several news reports I was having a couple deep thoughts. The first was, "Wow Lord, the world is ENDING right before our eyes!" I said that after watching one disaster after another unfold on news video. I envisioned the creation of the world at the base of a mountain and mankind pushing it up towards the peak bit by bit century after century and now we have finally reached the top and we are free falling down the other side of that mountain into destruction...and we are falling fast. I said Lord, "In the natural I would be afraid, but your word tells us not to fear." I am alive in this time and place because it was ordained by God. That means whatever is happening now or while I am on this earth God has equipped me to handle it and He has equipped all of you who are in Christ as well. Consider how many people buy a book based on reading the back cover, or inside Jacket, or even the last few pages before they hand over their money. Why? Because they want to know what will happen and or how it will end. Well the Bible tells us exactly how all this is going to end! Not only is there going to be a great ENDING but there is a..."to be continued"...for all eternity! With Christ as my Savior I don't have to worry about what I see, or what I hear....I only have to read His word and go by what I know. There is an awesome ENDING. In the words of John..."Even so, come."

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID SEPTEMBER!

Today was an odd sort of day. Things happened that had no explanation so I prayed and everything calmed down. I feel like I am walking on a narrow path with fallen trees and boulders along the way that are supposed to distract me or get me off track. Even though today felt a bit MEDIOCRE I was blessed to receive a Blue Star along with a certificate. I feel a sense of achievement although all the glory goes to God because without Him...none of this would be possible. As for tomorrow...all is well and tomorrow will not be MEDIOCRE...tomorrow will be fantastic!

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WOW ITS MID SEPTEMBER!

Wow! I can't believe its mid September already. The days appear to be going by faster and faster. Today I found out the importance of being Christ-like and a living testimony to others. We sometimes do not realize the INFLUENCE we have on other people and how we affect everyone we come in contact with. We can INFLUENCE people in a good way, or God forbid, we can INFLUENCE them in a bad way. Some of my greatest hurts have come from Christians. If I wasn't strong enough in Christ, I would have been crushed. But what of those who are not Christians? How much of a turn off is that? We may not always be aware of it, but we do INFLUENCE people we don't even know or speak to. We are a world of watchers...even without meaning to we notice what those around us are doing and almost immediately we perceive them to be good, bad, smart, or not, friendly or standoffish, student or thug, kind or unkind, gentle or angry, etc. Are we always right? Absolutely not! But what we see and perceive becomes our truth. Only by getting to know people do we come to know the true person they are. What do people see when they notice you from afar? Do you stand out or blend in? The Bible commands that we come out from among them. We should not only look different, talk different, and act differently but we should also think differently...by having a different mindset about everything. I am not perfect, no one is, however everyday we should be striving to be more like Christ and INFLUENCE people so they will wonder what we have and desire to have Christ as the heart and soul of their lives as well. 

May God bless and watch over the readers of this blog. In Jesus Name...Amen.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER!

It is often the little things that allow us to build our faith. This also helps us become fully aware of God in our everyday lives. There were things God told me to do last night, including to stop fretting about the internet connection and go to bed, not to look at it in the middle of the night and don't check it in the morning. I heard from a pastor this morning to learn to say "ALL IS WELL" no matter what I see going on around me or with me. I don't believe in having a mantra but if I did...that would be it. Not all will be well, or I think or feel all will be well...but I declare that ALL IS WELL in Jesus Name! The Bible tells us that all things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose. God only wants the very best for me like any father would, and like any child, if I don't get it...its because I have strayed from what I know to be right because my Father has taught me what is right and what is wrong...and continues to teach me daily. The words that we speak are extremely important. I often find myself reeling my words back in since I began my One Word Journey. I desire that my words always reflect what I know to be true (Gods Word) and not what I perceive to be reality. What I think and what I see and definitely what and how I feel is not always the truth. I know that ALL IS WELL because the Bible tells me that it is. 

God bless you all and thank you for reading my "One Word Journey." Feel free to leave me any comments you may have below.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER!

What an ATTACK today. I pray for my laptop always so I can do what I need to do and now my wifi connection took a hike all day! It was off and on like s blinking light. I pray all will be well tomorrow in Jesus name...Amen.

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER!

I was thinking about PERCEPTION today. How much of our lives are based on PERCEPTION...how we perceive things. When I first brought Bailey home he was small and since I did not have the funds yet to purchase a very nice habitat for him. I kept him for a month in a very large storage bin. Because he was small he could not even jump out...or perhaps at that young age he did not realize he had the power to jump out. I am sure that Baileys PERCEPTION of the world was very small. That was home to him...he had his shelter to hid under, his food, water, and blanket. He was happy and so was I because it gave me a chance to save up and buy him a really large habitat that he would be able to grow up in. Then one day he stood up and peeked over the side. He realized that his PERCEPTION of the world was wrong...indeed there was more! After that I had to lay the pet gate over the top and within a few days I laid one of my weights on top to keep him in. His whole PERCEPTION of the world had changed and he wanted to be a part of it. I had always let him out to play in one room which was blocked off with the gate to keep him in. Then one day I let him run around in another room as well and getting him to stay in the first was all but impossible. Bailey is bigger now, he has his super large house which he had to "grow" into and even there he had to learn there was a second floor he could jump up to...once he did that he was even more happy. Now Bailey is a true "House Bunny" and has the run of the front of the house his whole PERCEPTION of his world has changed. As Christians our whole PERCEPTION of things can be or become clouded. Our PERCEPTION of this world should come from the Bible. No matter what we see or what goes on around us...we need to focus on Gods word. Everything we need to know is in there. If we have the PERCEPTION  that our problems can not be solved...the word will tell us otherwise. If our PERCEPTION of our molehills is that they are more like mountains...they will be. What is your PERCEPTION of the things in your life?

365 WORDS...ONE WORD AT A TIME...WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER!

Today is a somber day...I can not believe it has been 13 years and like most people, I remember exactly where I was at that moment. Afterwards because my job literally closed its doors for a few days as the country mourned the loss of so many friends, family, and countrymen, I huddled around the Tv with my friends and family, and on that first day, even strangers. What I remember most in the aftermath is that we were all one. We were all Americans. Not Black Not White Not Latino. or Asian Not friend nor stranger...nor rich nor poor...we were all one country united...like the United States of America was intended to be. How fast we forget that lesson although we still remember and honour that day. The way things are in the world today...tomorrow is not promised. Express love to your family and friends and draw nigh to your Lord and Savior today...because tomorrow is not promised. If you noticed...there is no word today. This is my moment of silence for those who perished on 9.11.2001.