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.