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

It was not until today that I understood the full scope of what could have happened to me yesterday. The 30% chance of rain had turned into tornado warnings and sever thunderstorm warnings. It it became pitch black like night time I knew it was not a good sign but still I did not think of the severity. I will admit my eyes were closed as I ran across the parking lot. I couldn't see anyway because there was way too much rain and it was lightening so much and the thunder was deafening that I was terrified when I had my eyes open. Whenever I opened my eyes a slit the two girls were still in front of me and that is all that mattered to me. I worried about them carrying a lightening rod for protection (the umbrella). Many people lost electric power and so many trees fell leaving some homeless and others with gaping holes in their roofs and all the water pouring in ruining everything. At that moment...running across the parking lot, I understood the meaning of the phrase "cloud burst" and it was bad. Tonight we are having a mini repeat. I am just happy to be indoors. Now, just like yesterday, it is returning for round 2. I am feeling very very FORTUNATE. I thank God once again, for the safety I had yesterday. Tonight I reassure myself that if God can protect me outside in the midst of the storm, I know He can protect me inside. May God bless you and keep watch over us all in Jesus Name Amen.

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

Wow! I may have picked the absolutely wrong day to stay out after my doctor appointment. The weather forecast can be wishy washy at best and because the sun was still shinning brightly after my appointment...I pressed on...but let me back up a bit. First thing this morning I left 10 minutes later than usual but I was still within the 2 hour time frame I allow myself to travel. However the bus didn't come and when it did the driver said the one I thought I had missed, didn't even come because a train was stuck on the railroad crossing blocking the way. Coincidence...not in the least. Because of the skipped bus or buses, (there was a bit of confusion about how many had been skipped),there were way more people to pick up and thus way too many stops. The usual 20 minute commute to the train station took 35 minutes. Then I had to wait 10 minutes for the next train and when it did arrive it was in slow mo mode. Occasionally Marta does not allow the trains to go full speed...today was that day. The 20 minute trip took 35 minutes if you add in the wait time. I am thinking by now that there must be a lesson in here somewhere. I was quite patient and I commented to the Lord that if He wanted me to go, He would have to get me there on time. I had wanted to cancel but didn't and in the back of my mind I was thinking maybe I should have. When I got to the station where I have to transfer to another train...it was right there waiting...never happens...God answered my prayers. When I arrived to catch my bus...it was waiting as well. I had whispered to myself...Lord if you really want me to go...the bus will be there too. God answered although it wasn't a prayer just a passing thought. My fleece. The bus driver even let me off closer to the doctors office although technically that stop was closed due to construction. I arrived 5 minutes before my scheduled appointment which was 15 minutes earlier than usual...of all days. There was no plausible way I could have made it on time...but God. Then the receptionist promptly forgot me and didn't tell my doctor I was there until 11.47...47 minutes late. Was my morning commute disruptions a coincidence? I don't believe so. After my appointment I missed two buses, one while I was trying to cross the busy street and the second because I went into a market to avoid the 20 minute wait in 90 degree plus heat. The two different buses came about 10 minutes apart. Because I had plans afterwards I wanted to stick to them. The sky became very, very dark while I was waiting for a shuttle bus. By the time it arrived it was drizzling and had started thundering. A few seconds later you couldn't see anything because of the heavy rain and the pitch dark. People getting off the shuttle would scream and run and people getting on were drenched and freezing because of the a/c. I had brought my raincoat in my backpack so I put it on. When I got off the shuttle with 2 other women to go into Ikea...the parking lot was flooded over our ankles and worse yet it was lightening and thundering so much that I prayed the whole way across the parking lot which was far. The other two girls, both under one umbrella were ahead of me. One was nice enough to share hers with the other but I won't use and umbrella when it is lightening. I was soaked where my raincoat didn't cover and my feet...well it was almost as if I had brought the rain indoors with me...it wasn't on the floor just in my shoes. An amazing thing happened though...I had FUN! I PRAYED, I BELIEVED God. I even faced my FEAR of that horrible storm. I felt STRONG, I felt INVIGORATED! So what should have been the worst possible day ever...God turned it all around and it worked out for my good. When I arrived back at home it was sprinkling a little but the sun was shinning. I had to walk through more water but my feet were already super wet so it didn't mater. To think, when I left the house in the morning I had coping with the late afternoon heat on my mind. I had even brought water with me which I never do, just so I would stay hydrated. When I got home it had dropped from the mid 90's to the low 70's. (72) I was also thinking I should not have carried the raincoat when it probably wouldn't even rain. God order our steps and sometimes those steps take us on an amazing adventure. Today was one of those days!

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

2 Timothy 3:12 warns us that Christians will be PERSECUTED. We will be PERSECUTED because Christ was PERSECUTED and we are His followers. As Christians we are in the world but not of the world. Still it is very sad to hear that more and more Christians are being PERSECUTED for their faith. I have a prayer map I received in 2008 from The Voice of the Martyrs. Their website title, www.persecution.com says it all. It was not until I saw this map did I come to realize there were restricted nations where government policies and practices prevent Christians from obtaining Bibles and other materials. In many of these countries Christians are not only treated poorly but often imprisoned or killed. Like those in Iraq on the news today, all of their possessions are confiscated and they have to flee for their lives. In the hostile areas of certain nations, although the government tries to protect the Christians civil liberties, it is all but impossible. I have a friend who had to attend an "Underground" Church and its location had to be moved always. I have another friend who had to read his Bible quietly and secretly and we could not talk freely about God for fear that his neighbors might hear and turn him in. Oh the privileges we have in America that we often take for granted. We do not have to fear being PERSECUTED for our faith...at least not yet. Pray for out Christian brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering. Some are being starved out of hiding, some have been kidnapped, beaten, raped, killed and more. We are all one body. The body of Christ. Prayer has the power to change the world. Especially when two or three are gathered together. So let us pray for those who are being PERSECUTED. Don't forget them. One day it could very well happen to us. Stay blessed!

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

All I am trying to do is be the best me I can be. Some days I succeed and other days I know I could do much better. Doing WELL is not always easy. Doing right is usually easy but not very popular. I am tired of explaining. It is exhausting. Today I will rest in God. Tomorrow is a brand new day!

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

It HURTS to walk. It HURTS to stand. It even HURTS  to lay down. But I feel great! The World Cup finished on July 13, 2014 and although I did some exercise since then it must not have been much. For those who don't know...during that time I made a commitment to workout during every match I watched, which was all but two. Since then, I have made the commitment to workout every day in the month of August and everything HURTS as if I have not moved my muscles in a year. Lesson learned...if i don't keep it up, my body assumes we have started over again. Talk about incentive to keep moving! One day at a time one week at a time one month at a time. All I have to do is keep moving forward...even if it HURTS.

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

There are times when God simply amazes me! On Friday I was vacuuming in the front of my house when suddenly I turned it off and paused. I had the noonday news on in the back although I was not watching it. I heard the word pharmacy and went to look at the news report. At the same time I knew I had no interest in it whatsoever. As soon as I walked into the room they interviewed two of the pharmacy patrons and lo and behold who did they interview first but my friend who I had been very concerned about since I last heard from her in February! I could have jumped for joy! I was definitely praising God! But wait...it gets better. On Sunday I received a phone call and because its usually someone trying to sell me windows I did not pick the call. It was nagging at me when I noticed something that seemed both impossible and improbable. There was also a voice mail! I was once again AMAZED to hear my friends voice! I called her immediately and we were both AMAZED after I told her my story and she told me her story of how someone had stolen her phone while she suffered a medical condition. The man was later arrested and sent to jail. When he was released not long ago he felt guilty and found her and returned her phone! Once again she had my number and had called me and she was AMAZED that I had called her right back! God had answered both of our prayers! We are as close as sisters and now we vow not to lose each other again! I once had someone tell me that I should never be AMAZED at what God can do. The Bible says we are to come as little children. (Matthew 18:3) A child would be AMAZED! I know I was. It wasn't luck that led me to go and look at the TV and it sure wasn't luck that led a petty thief to return something he had stolen. It was God and He works in mysterious ways! The definition of AMAZED means to surprise (someone) greatly; fill with astonishment. I will always be AMAZED!

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

I can't seem to help myself...I am in good company however. All over the world like minded people are biting their nails, pacing, sweating the mail carrier, and checking online. Once the end of July arrives we eagerly wait for the first couple days of August and the announcement of the release of the brand new yearly IKEA catalog! Smiles. You may be laughing by now but this is serious business. The IKEA catalog come out only once a year and the avid followers of IKEA (me included) sweat it out until it is in our hands. Even my daughter said she is jealous because I always get my catalog before she does. Probably due to the fact that she is an hour away from her "local" IKEA. Don't fret though. She will drive and get hers all because she can't wait for it to show up in her post box. If you think all this hoopla is hype...check online. Pinterest, Facebook, Google+, Google Images, and Twitter...not to mention an awesome site I discovered for IKEA hackers. This is a whole community of people who turn their IKEA furniture into unconventional things, thus hacking. This covers everything from tables hung as lighting above the dining room table, rugs on the wall, and dressers or bookshelves in the kitchen! The fascinating thing is, 99.99% of it works! We all have our own special way of looking a our new treasure...I savor my own...like a good meal, I take my time. Since early afternoon I have only reached page 36...smiles. I am sure IKEA catalogs will show up everywhere in the next week or so. From the bedroom, the bathroom, to the boardroom. What's in your briefcase this week....IKEA? By the way...Yes there is an app for that! It allows you to do some really amazing things including seeing how the furniture will look in your home. If you live near an IKEA and haven't been, I suggest you check it out. If nothing else you can get a free meal when you sign up for the IKEA catalog  (get the catalog) and download the coupon for a free entree. (up to $5.99 value) IKEA has been around since the 1940's (who knew!) and the stores are located all over the world. Going to IKEA is like a "staycation"! Its an experience! When you go have fun, have lunch, and have a vehicle to bring your treasures home in. Believe me, even the plants are cute. :- )

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