Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1. It's been said the best things in life are free...are they? What are some of those things? 

Friends , grandkids, and nature.

2. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Apple pie or home made ice cream? Do you like hotdogs? If so, what do you like on yours? 

Stars, Red, Apple pie, on my hotdogs I prefer chili, onions, mustard, and relish.

3. One thing on your summer bucket list? Any plans to make it happen soon? 

A trip with some college friends....Yes, so far this is happening.

4. What's your summer anthem? Yes, you need to have one. 

"Summer Breeze"

5. What's something you love about America? If you live outside of America, tell us something you love about the place you call home. 

We still try to help ....when the going gets tough we are there to lend a hand, our diverse culture, and sports.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I will be celebrating my birthday Saturday....I was almost a firecracker!

Have a great rest of the week! and Happy Fourth of July!!

April A-Z Challenge...Letter 'Z'

 

Wrapping up the A-Z Challenge today!!

                                            Z

                                       Zealous

New beginnings can happen any day.  Time will change as it always does.  I can't stop on the chapter of my heartache and pain even though it will always be a part of me.  There are more chapters, and I have to walk into these chapters.

God wants me to move forward each day and to be zealous for this life he has given me.

Saw this on Pinterest..."Some days she's a warrior.  Some days she's a broken mess.  Most days she's a bit of both, But everyday she's there.

STANDING.  FIGHTING.  TRYING."  (iFunny)  This is me exactly.

I have been through mountains and through the valleys.   But nothing changes the fact that God is good.   God will take the bad situations/circumstances and in time turn them around and use them for good. I have to admit, during suffering I did not see the good and I still question But God has a plan and purpose for my life.  Hope and believe and release (my word for 2021 is release) is what I cling to daily.

April A-Z Challenge...Letter 'Y'

 

                                     Y

                                                  Yes

Yes, it is okay to fall apart

Yes, I am processing my hurt

Yes, prayers do restore my confidence

Yes, I am overcoming some of my fears

Yes, I am focusing my energy on what is important

Yes, it is okay to laugh

Yes, I am spending more time with God and listening to his voice

Yes, I  am finding more positives in life

Yes, to this new beginning

Yes, I am a work in progress

Yes, I will make it!

A-Z April Challenge...Letter 'X'

 

                                              X

                                       XOXO

Love can't get enough.

I use to love the start of a new school year.  I was like a child on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa; I was anxiously waiting on a room of smiling middle schoolers.  Now, being retired (partially), I do not experience this excitement, but I still have a few butterflies when I hear and see the big, yellow bus go by.  Yeah, I still get excited when it is my FIRST day ( I usually start a few weeks after the students) of school as I pull into the parking lot.

My new beginning, is learning to love each day.  To wake up excited about all the possibilities the day will bring.  Each day is a blank page...LOVE IT!

"Every day is a chance to begin again.  Don't focus on the failures of yesterday,start today with positive thoughts and expectations." (Catherine Pulsifer)

A-Z Challenge...Letter 'W'

 

                                            W

                                          Wonderful Plans

Heartbreaking situations and experiencing devastating losses have definitely robbed me of happiness.

For a year, I have been praying about a situation.  Currently, I am in a season of waiting.  Personally, I don't like this season of waiting.  It is hard to wait patiently on the Lord.  But I know God has a wonderful plan for me.

How do I know? Glad you are wondering.

1.  He is with me while I am waiting.

2. He knows this is a vulnerable time for me so he gives me scripture to rely on when the devil is tormenting me.

3.  God's timing not mine; that's why I need faith.

4.  It is a wonderful plan because God says so.

His plan might look different than mine. "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9).  Drawing closer to God and getting to know him better, I know his wonderful plan is much more than I could imagine.

"God has prepared things for those who love him that no eye has seen, or ear has heard, or that haven't crossed the mind of any human being." (1Corinthians 2:9).

A-Z April Challenge...Letter 'V'

 

                                        V

                                     Version

A new version of myself is coming...slowly.  As hard as it is right now, I am making a new commitment.  God has left me here for a purpose.

I am realizing the future can be appealing.  My circumstances, the excruciating pain, hasn't changed; I am changing.  Embracing reality and releasing control of things I can't control is the new version of me.  Will I have setbacks?  Most definitely!  There are days when I still break down in a grocery store because I see my daughter's favorite food item or I break down while pumping gas because of a song playing.  But this new version of me realizes they aren't setbacks; just evidence of how much I loved.  When you love deeply, you grieve deeply.

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." (1Peter 5:10)

A-Z Challenge...Letter 'U'

 

                                         U

                                 Understand

To live my life to the fullest, I have to understand I have to face the unknown on my own (I know I am not the only one!)  Wishing I had a crystal ball, but I don't.  But then again, I really don't want to see the future.

With this new life I have been handed, I need to understand who I really am. To begin, I need to understand how God sees me.  God created me to be all I can be.  He doesn't want me to go around 24/7 looking like I have been weaned on dill pickle juice! (ha)  God knows I have been hurt deeply, but I need to remember and understand that God works things out for my good.  HE sees the big picture.  I only have a bird's eye view.