New and Improved !!!!

New and Improved......!!! ....." Yes, you can have the newest" , "be the first on your block" ....etc. etc. etc.......Yes, the words alone will get the adrenaline going.....But what many of us don't realize is that new and improved also implies......"Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end....."I find myself looking at life's beginnings and ends more often these days. With a few of life's experiences under my belt....and a greater appreciation of those who have "gone the distance"....

A very dear friend has made a life choice, that is moving her across country to live near her daughter and her daughters family..... As new beginnings are challenging at any age, my friend is in her sixties and is "stepping out of the boat" just as Peter did....and is walking by faith !!! (see Matthew 14:27-32)

I am grateful for my friends example to others around her and by her huge faith that guides her....


As you go on with your day today........remember to "STEP OUT OF YOUR BOAT"

Don't Worry Be Happy !!!!

In the words of the very popular 80's song.......Don't Worry Be Happy !!!! Easier said than done sometimes right?

There are so many things for us to worry about, finances, health, our family.....most of our lists would be endless......We could ponder our days away with worry and anxiety of the "what could's" or the "what if"s"......or ..........
Do not worry about tomorrow,for tomorrow will worry about itself. Matthew 6:34

I love that HE has my back and lessons my worries......in fact I count on it....

EAT, PRAY.LOVE

Eat.Pray.Love........

Yes, these three words are popular right now because of a novel written by Elizabeth Gilbert and a new movie starring Julia Roberts......

However, when i see these words I am reminded of what "My Heavenly Daddy" did for me.....
You see EAT...reminds me of the bread for HIS body that HE sacrificed......and PRAY....reminds me to give thanks for what HE has done for me personally and the world surrounding me....and LOVE......without it we would have nothing............<3<3<3

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

1 Corinthians 13

Abbondanza....

Italian for "abundance". It's a word that's used when someone is trying to exclaim about how lush or abundant something is.....

Last week my middle son and I surprised my 92 year old italian grandpa at his weekly gathering place....."Porky's Pizza Palace".....You see at Porky's my grandpa isn't reminded of his age or the absence of my grandma. At Porky's Papa is reminded of the music that he loves and surrounded by friends strumming banjos and singing 30's and 40's music boldly and without intimidation. He is reminded of his youth as he stands up and 3 to 4 lady friends, trade off dancing the jitter bug to the fox trot with him.

As my son and I stood to join "Papa" on the dance floor for a series of line dances........there we were , three generations, enjoying a moment...... A teenager, logging this moment into memory, an elderly man, enjoying the moment and the moment....and a grandaughter/mother gracious that I am able to feel abundantly grateful of both......

Abbondanza.............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm Back......!!!!!

After a long hiatus I am back .........It has been almost a year since my last post and God has definitely been doing a lot of work on me...and in me.

As we are ALL always "under construction"....I think HE was trying to build on a whole "new wing" in the rebuilding of my heart. An update on the progress of the project; the destruction took place, the new plans approved and the rebuilding has begun !!!!!! The rebuilding and the reinvention of yet another stage in my life. I believe as women, we have so many roles and are constantly reinventing ourselves.

As most of you know, I have taken on a new passion and am "half way" through my 1600 hours of Cosmetology school. For so many years I struggled with self image insecurities and self worth. Because of the work that God has done in me and my life I feel I am now able to share this with others through encouraging the beauty within us that HE created. " God never overlooks a single detail. And HE pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! Luke 12:6-7" ....... He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiates 3:11

Once again, HE has shown me that "It's All Good"..........

Take me away......

In times of darkness in your life, take comfort in knowing this....

As MY glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.”..<3 Exodus 33:22-23

It is a beautiful and consoling thought to think that while there is darkness in your life it is because God's precious hand is covering you. Although it is dark you can rest in knowing that you are in HIS magnificent protection......HE's got you covered. Then when the darkness passes HE will lift HIS hand and you will know HE was there with you as you will see remnants of HIS presence .

Today is 8 28

Hello ....whoever is reading this....

I just wanted to remind you that today is 8 28..... Remember that no matter what is going on in your life right now....or even something that happened yesterday or beyond...God is working ALL of it for good.....Romans 8:28

HE has the power to change brokenness into healing and weakness into strength !!! The amazing truth of it all is that we are ALL works in progress.....always "under construction" until the day HE brings us home to be with HIM. We constantly have the ability to search for HIS purpose and who HE has planned us to be!!! We just have to ask and trust in HIM....


Prayer: Father God, remind us today that we are just YOUR works in progress. YOU knew each and everyone of us before we were born and know the paths that we should take, (although most of the time we choose to take our own)....Guide our hearts and our minds toward you. Encourage us to take each moment of the day and remember that each and every moment is part of "our" story that you are creating in our lives.....Thank you for today's chapter !! We ask this in your son, Jesus' name. AMEN !