My refuge. My Rock.

I will begin by sharing this with you... One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.   When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him,  “Do you want to get well?” -John 5:6 (NIV) "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. -Luke 18:41 (NIV) It has been on my heart for a while now to write based on these two passages of scripture. As I shared in my previous post, I underwent some emotional healing that has improved my spiritual walk as well as my personal relationships. This healing has helped me to empathize with more others because I better understand that many people on this earth grow up with some kind of dysfunction in their household and/or with relationships in general. This should not surprise us since we are human and are not perfect, not even close! Since my healing, I have spend numerous hours meditating on John 5:6. Why would Jesus ask a disa...

To my sons Mikey and Brandon: You are both the most special people in my life, no comparison! You each have unique personalities and talents that amaze me every day. I know that you came into this world for a purpose that is unique to both of you and the world is and will be a better place because of you. There's a lesson I've learned so far in this life: that when you can impact one person-by helping them in any way that you were called to help them-that's all it takes to make a big difference. Why? Because that person will do the same one day for someone else and onwards it goes. We change the world one person at a time, that's how it works. My hope and prayer is that you will see how important you are in this life, not just to me or your dad and the rest of the family but to the people that you will impact in the future. I would like to share with both of you why I believe what I believe-my testimony: I grew up believing in God  because my parents first taught...

This morning I decided to reflect on the past year on all that I am thankful for. This past year has been quite defining in my life. What defined it most is being a part of the Healing for Damaged Emotions group. In meeting once a month for a year with other wonderful women, I learned so many things and grew in ways I never thought possible! So what is this group? You may be wondering. It is a support group that uses the book "Healing for Damaged Emotions" to help us understand our perceptions of life, people and situations and how those perceptions have been shaped by our childhood and other stages of our lives. It addresses those damaged emotions or those unidentified emotions that tend to interfere with us having healthy and happy relationships both with others on earth and with God. It's not a professional counseling group but it complements it well for those of us going through counseling. For those not needing professional counseling, it still helps us because one ...

It's hard to believe it's been 11 months since I last wrote on this blog. My last post "When We Keep Our Promises" highlights Hannah. She had prayed and begged God for a child as deep in her heart she longed to me a mother. She promised God to dedicate her child to Him if she granted her this blessing of motherhood. She did exactly as she promised. After weaning her son, a few years later, she gave him to the service of the Lord to train to become a priest and was only able to see him once a year. She did not complain about that. In fact, she was just so grateful for such a gift from God, that she praised Him with one of the most famous prayers in the bible. As my family and friends already know, my husband and I are expecting a baby. I'm actually 19 weeks pregnant with a little girl and I am so excited to be able to meet her in 4 months. What most people do not know is that this little girl growing inside of me is a miracle from God. Around the time I wrote my...

1 Samuel 2: 1-10 (Hannah's Prayer) Then Hannah prayed and said: V. 2: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance" A little background: Hannah could not have children and back in the day if a married woman could not have kids, it was culturally shameful. However if you read about Hannah you'll see that she didn't just want children to comply with culture, she really wanted to be a mother. She prayed and begged God crying out to him for a child and even promised that she would give her child to God to be used for His purposes. Hannah wholeheartedly prayed and God heard her prayer and he was merciful to her. God decided to use her to be the mother of someone who would eventually be used to deliver God's people (Samuel).  What inspires me most is her first few words to God. "My heart rejoices in the Lord, in the Lord my {Horn} is lifted high". ...

Today I turn 40 years old. The third decade has left. Another decade has emerged. Only it's not just another decade I'm coming into, it's the decade in which I get to live adventures I've never lived, do the things I used to be afraid of doing, conquer the battles that lie ahead, and love like I've never loved before! You see, in my 30's, I lived a lot. You can say I lived a lifetime in those ten years. I became a mom of my second little boy at 30 years old. I was challenged in my faith like never before and sadly walked away from God at 31, went though a tough divorce at 32, and thankfully came back to my God and Father at 34. While strengthening my faith, I made great new friendships and rekindled old ones, I learned how to be a more loving and patient mother (though I'm still learning!), and then at 39 I married the love of my life! Now God is calling me higher. He has a dream for me. He believes in me. I remember telling Him years ago that due to the...