Faith and Strength

The following is an excerpt from, "God's Promises for You ~ Scripture Selections from Max Lucado", page 19:

"An example of faith was found on the wall of a concentration camp. On it a prisoner had carved the words:

I believe in the sun, even though it doesn't shine,
I believe in love, even when it isn't shown,
I believe in God, even when he doesn't speak.

I try to imagine the person who etched those words. I try to envision his skeletal hand gripping the broken glass or stone that cut into the wall. I try to imagine his eyes squinting through the darkness as he carved each letter. What hand could have cut such a conviction? What eyes could have seen good in such horror?

There is only one answer: Eyes that chose to see the unseen."

He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. The people who trust the Lord will become strong again.

They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.

Isaiah 40:29, 31

Spiritual Dryness ~ an excerpt from Henri Nouwen

Spiritual Dryness

Sometimes we experience a terrible dryness in our spiritual life. We feel no desire to pray, don't experience God's presence, get bored with worship services, and even think that everything we ever believed about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is little more than a childhood fairy tale. Then it is important to realize that most of these feelings and thoughts are just feelings and thoughts, and that the Spirit of God dwells beyond our feelings and thoughts.
It is a great grace to be able to experience God's presence in our feelings and thoughts, but when we don't, it does not mean that God is absent. It often means that God is calling us to a greater faithfulness. It is precisely in times of spiritual dryness that we must hold on to our spiritual discipline so that we can grow into new intimacy with God.

I loved this excerpt from Henri Nouwen's book, "Bread for the Journey". If you don't want to buy the book you can subscribe to the newsletter at http://www.henrinouwen.org/.

I was up early this morning but didn't actually get out for my walk until it was almost too late. Consequently I came home all sweaty! Bleah! All the neighborhood gardens are full of zucchini, corn and tomatoes, all in varying stages of growth. I try to say hello to everyone I see, even if they don't look receptive to a good morning or a hello. This kind of behavior can become contagious. Imagine everyone doing this: smiling at their neighbors and saying hello and a kind word of encouragement about their garden, house, yard, dog or whatever. Friendliness, what a concept.

A Day in the Life of...

I woke up late this morning so I missed my morning walk. After a nice refreshing shower I went to Bible Study with the regular group from our church. We shared some of our life experiences and told how we dealt with them, keeping in mind that God is always in control. I am reminded by the quote below in green text from Maya Angelou, to be thankful for being "where I am".

Afterward we went to lunch at a favorite Mexican restaurant. I brought home leftovers for our chickens.


"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
— Maya Angelou

Some of My Loved Ones

I learned a lot from the life experiences I have been through. One thing that is very important is to have someone; a friend, relative or other loved one, that will stand beside you no matter what. A true friend is someone who is there when times are good, bad, or anywhere in between. A "fair-weather friend" is someone who is only there for you when the going is good. When things get rough they disappear. You can't lean on a shadow! If you are fortunate enough to have someone in your life who has been there for you, and stayed there while you desperately needed them you should thank God for them. Embrace them and never let them go.



This is my own true love. He saw me through the worst of times and never let me down, not once. He prayed with me and for me during the worst months of my life. When the months turned into years he was still there and he was still praying. The woman who cast him out of her life was a fool. I am thankful that God saw fit to bless my life with him! There isn't a day that I forget to thank God for this most precious gift; a sincere, kind, loving, and affectionate man! Did I mention he is adorable?



This little cutie is my little ray of sunshine, my granddaughter Shannen. She turned 13 on December 31st, 2010. Some of the photos are older, like the one on the right with her father, my son John. Shannie lives out of state so I only get to see her on occasion but we always manage to make the most of our visits together .




Last year during one of her visits with me we made our own handbags. Shannen's was a black and white one with different prints. It turned out very nice and she was really pleased with it.

Where do I begin? I am 62 years old and yet I feel as though my life just started. I have survived a defective heart valve, a pancreatic tumor, a dysfunctional childhood, several terrible relationships as an adult, and a brutal knife assault by my ex-husband (who died in his prison cell - thank the Lord) and the subsequent betrayal of the daughters of this same man who, while I was in the hospital in a coma, stole away all my marital assets as well as many of my personal effects. It took over four years in litigation to regain what was left of my assets. after the deceitful betrayal of these three "human beings". How could people by so ugly? I would later learn sociopath tendencies are passed on through the genes from parent to child.

You may well ask how I survived and thrived to become the happy person I am today. I give full credit to my Creator, God Almighty. I am sure that it was He that sent forth a team of "angels" to be there for me; my physical therapist, my counselor, several members of the clergy who administered to me along the way, my sisters, my aunts, my cousins, and those who became new friends as well as the old friends who re-entered my life. They all helped me to see the many blessings God had in store for me in my new life. My old life became like an old coat that was worn out and no longer necessary and was therefore discarded. Good bye old life ~ hello new life!

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-7

But my life is not to be summarized by what has been done to me or what I have lived through. I am who I am today because of all that, indeed, but it does not define who I am. I am so much more than that!

"We define ourselves by the best that is in us, not by the worst that has been done to us." ~ Edward Lewis

Please feel free to share your own testimony with me. Doing so gives great strength to one's character and it's a great way to make new friends.