My Cup Runneth Over

Well...here we are folks!

Thirty days ago I was feelin' kinda glum. Knew that if I continued to focus on the things that were bringing me down, I would only sink deeper. How deep? Who knows?

I was plummeting at a rate that became frightening. Needed to turn things around quick, fast, and in a hurry.

So...I re-shifted my focus.

Instead of fixating on all that seemed to be falling apart, I decided to hone in on all that was still in tact. I chose to do that by way of a "30 Days of THANKFULNESS" campaign. I typically do this every November, but hey...there's plenty more for me to be THANKFUL for than just that which falls during those 30 days in November, so I figured, what's the harm in doing it again during some other random time of the year.

As a result, everyday for the past 30 days, I have posted about SOMETHING...ANYTHING I am THANKFUL for.

Some things may have been really small and silly (to some.) Others, were of grand significance. Either way, they all helped me to remember what's most important...the fact that I am for more BLESSED, than not. 

So on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 30" - I am THANKFUL for ALL of my BLESSINGS...too numerous to count. Some of those blessings are in the form of PEOPLE. Others are in the form of THINGS. And more in the way of CIRCUMSTANCES. All of the above have come in Good and Bad. Nevertheless...I am THANKFUL for it all.

Those who know me well know how much I love MUSIC, and have a song for EVERYTHING.

Here's the perfect song for tonight's post. Take a listen, then...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Name one thing...just ONE that YOU are THANKFUL for today. 



Talk to me!

Til next time...

Just LOOK Around.

Today is a tough one. It's this kind of day that was the reason for me to do another "30 Days of THANKFULNESS" campaign 29 days ago. I needed something to refocus my mind on the POSITIVE when it seemed that the negative wanted to prevail.

This'll be a short one, but I'm going to go with sustained eyesight. 

Heck I may have already been THANKFUL for that over the past 29 days, but because I am THANKFUL for it EVERYDAY, there's no harm in it being a repeat...if it is. Y'all know how I am about these special eyes of mine. 

So on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 29" - I am THANKFUL that my eyes still work. I've been getting a lot of headaches lately which have caused them to be fatigued. Waaay too much staring at a computer screen all day. 

Yet they are hangin' in, and for THAT, I am forever THANKFUL. 

How 'bout you? Let the DIALOGUE begin: How was YOUR day? 

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Learn Somethin' New EVERYDAY!

I am sooo excited right now! I mean really...y'all have absolutely NO IDEA how excited I am! If I could LEAP...I would!!!

Why am I so excited?

I'm glad you asked.

So I came to The Dialogue Den to write today's post.

I was going to write about my trip to Bed Bath & Beyond. But I wanted to include the link to their website. Now in ALL the years I've been writing The Dialogue Den, I have NEVER added a link to ANY post...because I didn't know how.

Occasionally I will "embed" a song (took me YEARS to figure that one out), but NEVER a link to an actual WEBSITE.

I refused to be defeated this evening and decided to "explore." So off to YouTube I went.

I watched a tutorial on how to add a link to your blog, but I still wasn't "gettin' it." The woman's screen on the video looked COMPLETELY different from mine.

At first I thought, "Hmmm...maybe she's using an older version of Blogger." But something quickly told me that that wasn't it. There had to be something else.

So I started fiddlin' around the page...clicked on the HTML button and ALL OF A SUDDEN...an entire DASHBOARD appeared. There is SO MUCH STUFF for me to now choose from.

For example...I can change the font from this... to this... to this. 

And...I can change the COLOR of the font, like this...RED, BLUE,GREEN. Yeah baby!!!

Oh...and I figured out how to add a link, which was my main objective. 

I could stay up ALL NIGHT just playing around and seeing what the options are. I truly feel like a kid in a candy store right now! WOW!!!

So I'll probably write in a different post about why I was buying a bridal shower gift, and what prompted me to write about it. 

But for now...on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 28" - I am THANKFUL for YouTube. It has helped me figure out how to do sooo many things. And what I've realized, is that there's STILL lots to learn. 

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time YOU used YouTube to figure out how to do something? 

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Moving Forward

Today I attended service for the 2nd time at the church that I visited last week.

I must say...with every church I visit, God reveals something new to me. And I really feel that He's saying, "You're doing the right thing. Don't stop. Keep visiting."

For those who've followed The Dialogue Den for a while, you know that I was reluctant to embark upon my "Season of Visitation" because my pastor has always warned against "eating from too many spiritual tables." He says that the result can lead to "spiritual diarrhea." So for that reason, I waited at LEAST two years before I began my journey. What I realize now though, is that I'm not actually "eating from too many spiritual tables." I am still "eating" what is being served by Christ, by way of The Bible.

Now maybe if I were visiting places of worship of other faiths, then perhaps I would get "sick" and confused. But I have been attending CHRISTIAN, Bible-believing, Bible-teaching churches...so it is well with my soul.

Interestingly, I believe that I am actually growing SPIRITUALLY in ways that I would not have been had I not decided to do this.

So...back to today's visit.

This one actually has a story behind it. That story centers around "Joe."

As you may recall..."Joe" and I had a bit of a "falling out" and I hadn't seen nor heard from him since May 24th. Something happened that I was having an EXTREMELY difficult time forgiving him for.

There have even been times when I wanted to write a SCATHING letter to him...telling him how I felt, and a whole lotta other stuff that wasn't very "Christ-like." I never wrote it though.

Oh, I wrote, and re-wrote it HUNDREDS of times IN MY HEAD...but I never put the words to paper. Didn't mean that I didn't WANT to...just meant that I hadn't gotten around to it.

So we fast forward to the Friday before last which was the day that I selected the next church to visit from my bowl.

Wouldn't you know it. The church I selected was the one that "Joe" pretty much grew up in. Attended service, sang in the choir, etc.

I went last Sunday on what I think was the new Pastor's very first day of delivering the message. The church is 66 years old and he is only the 3rd Pastor they've had there. That's pretty good as churches go.

I enjoyed the message, and looked forward to returning this Sunday.

Days passed and I went on about my merry way. Still no word from "Joe"...and I still hadn't written the letter.

On Thursday night though..."something" happened. I actually posted about this a couple days ago, but I'll briefly recount it here as well.

Before our "falling out", I prayed for "Joe" DAILY. Asking nothing less than for God to BLESS him. Since the "falling out", those prayers became less and less frequent until I finally just stopped praying for him altogether. I didn't pray for any harm to come to him...I just stopped praying PERIOD.

Until...last Thursday night.

I was tired, but couldn't sleep. Found myself up waaay later than I should have been for a work night.

I eventually headed to bed and before I got in, I knelt down beside it and prayed...for "Joe." Even though I didn't know where he was or how he was doing...God knew. Interestingly, I found myself once again praying for him to be BLESSED.

Now if you knew what he had done to me, (and only THREE people do), you would say, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!? You really want God to BLESS him?!?"

I know...it doesn't make sense in a "worldly" sense, but from the Christian standpoint, I had to forgive him, and...ask that he be BLESSED, not CURSED. "The world" doesn't understand that, and never will. "The world" is all about hurting them as badly or worse than they hurt you. "The world" is all about VENGEANCE.

Christ however, understands it fully, and since He is the ONLY one I need to answer to, it behooves me to do things as He would do, and not "the world."

So, I said my prayer and went to sleep.

Hours later, the phone rang. I didn't get to it in time. I looked to see who it was, and rolled back over.

It rang again. It was "Joe" and I didn't answer. I didn't know what to say, nor did I want to hear what HE had to say (at least I didn't think so.)

It rang again. This time I answered.

I didn't say much. I may have only said "Hello."

He did most of the talking. As he spoke I realized that the call was as much for him as it was for me. Maybe even moreso for him. As I listened to the words flow from his mouth to my ears, I realized then why I hadn't written the letters. I realized then, why I had forgiven him even when I didn't know if I'd ever hear from him again. I needed to release the anger, bitterness and hurt, so that there could be room for love, kindness and understanding.

I wish I could share all the things he said, but some things are only meant for the two parties involved (and God.) All I know is that it changed things...positively.

I don't know where he and I will go from here. I just know that wherever we go, either separate or together...we can go with forgiveness and love leading the way.

Was it an accident that "Joe's" church was the one that was pulled from my bowl? If you know me, then you already know my answer.

Maybe God needed me to sit in the place where "Joe" once did, so that I could feel a connection...ANY kind of connection that would soften my heart toward him. What better place to be re-connected than in the same place where he once praised and worshiped God. With God, there are no mistakes, or accidents. Everything happens for a reason.

As I do each time I visit, I'll have you to know that today (and last Sunday), I attended Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Who knows. Maybe today wasn't my last time. Perhaps one day I'll go again...with "Joe."

On this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 27" - I am THANKFUL Christ being the PERFECT example of FORGIVENESS.
Without His example, I'd be holding on to a WHOLE LOTTA stuff that would slowly be eating me up inside. That my friends, is simply no way to live.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: Is there anyone you need to forgive. Or are you harboring unforgiveness because in YOUR mind...what that person did to you is simply UNFORGIVEABLE? Think about that before you answer. Then think about ALL that Christ has forgiven YOU for. Then answer.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

It's the Most Wonderful Time...of the Week

Ah Saturday...my FAVORITE day of the week.

Not a whole lot to say on this day. It's been lovely. And that's all I'll say about that.

So on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 25" - I am THANKFUL for Saturdays. My time is my own from START to FINISH.

Sunday would be my next favorite, but it's hampered by the fact that's it's followed by Monday. And I have absolutely NO LOVE for Monday (through Friday.) One day I will though. When I am working in a CAREER that matches my passion and purpose of helping those less fortunate, on a DAILY basis.

That's all I've got.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What day of the week were you born on? Me. I was born on a Sunday.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Hello God? It's Me...

A funny thing happened on my way to sleep last night.

Yesterday was a rough day. TERRIBLY rough. The world seemed to being going mad and it was all a bit too much.

As a result of the unrest going on around the country, I found myself staying up much later than usual for a work night.

Finally, I decided to turn everything off and head to bed.

Before I got into bed, I knelt down next to it and PRAYED. My prayer was considerably longer than usual because I just had so much on my heart and mind.

In the midst of my prayer I found myself praying for "Joe." Remember him?

I hadn't heard from, nor seen him since May 24th. At this point, I'd finally resigned myself to the fact that he was simply GONE.

Since he's been gone I've experienced a gamut of emotions. I've been sad, angry, concerned...you name it.

I guess lately I've been more in the angry phase and I stopped praying for him and his well-being. I had removed him from my prayers altogether. That was...until last night.

For some reason, last night I was compelled to pray for him heavily. And so I did. Then crawled into bed and went to sleep.

Now remember...I haven't head from, nor seen "Joe" since May 24th. That's been over a month ago.

Well...last night, as I was deep into my REM sleep...the phone rang.

The ringtone was familiar, yet unfamiliar and since I wasn't quite awake, I didn't answer.

It rang again.

This time I looked and the phone and saw that it was (you guessed it!) "Joe."

I didn't answer because I wasn't sure what I wanted to say, of if I had anything to say AT ALL. "Missed Call."

It rang again...I answered.

We spoke for a while. Actually, "Joe" did most of the talking. I quietly listened...while thanking God for yet another prayer answered. As I said a couple posts ago...sometimes He answers RIGHT AWAY, and then there are other things that I am STILL waiting to manifest.

So what does Joe's call mean? Who knows. I'm not trying to dissect it. I'm simply glad that it occurred. I was relieved to hear his voice. Things still aren't what or where he needs them to be. I pray, for his sake, that one day soon they will.

But on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 25" - I am ever so THANKFUL for God's prompt answer to my prayer.

I know that He's REAL. I know that He HEARS. And I know that He ANSWERS.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: Is there anyone in your life whom you've lost touch with and would love to reconnect?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the POSITIVE

Twenty four days ago when I began my "30 Days of THANKFULNESS," I did it because I was feeling a bit low.

I had recently been betrayed by someone I trusted and I could feel myself sinking into depression. I needed to pull myself out, so I decided to focus not on the negatives in my life, but to keep the POSITIVES in the forefront.

I gotta admit, I'm feeling kinda low again tonight (for a number of reasons) and almost didn't want to write a "thankful post." But I made a commitment 24 days ago and I'm gonna stick with it.

So on this day, "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 24 - I am thankful that ALL of my children, and especially my SON, are all SAFE and WELL tonight.
God has them covered. He is with them wherever they go, at ALL times. Knowing that allows me to have peace at a time when the country of ours isn't so peaceful.

How 'bout you? Let the DIALOGUE begin: How are YOU coping with all that's gone on in the news these past two days?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Got My Wheels Spinnin'

When I was young, my friends and I liked to hang out at the roller skating rink...especially during our teenage years. The skating rink was the SPOT.

We had two that we'd frequent. World On Wheels in L.A., and Skate Depot in Cerritos. Both are now closed.

But the past time of roller skating is alive and well. My 22 year old daughter goes weekly. Unfortunately, the closet spot is in Orange County. So...that's where EVERYBODY goes now.

Last night I sent her a text to see what she was up to and she told me that she was out skating with friends. I told her to be safe (as I always do...just 'cause that's what us Moms do) and went to sleep.

Well I woke up this morning to find out that there was a shooting at the skating rink where she was. Everyone was searched over a three hour period as the police looked for the shooter (which they never found.)

Thankfully, my daughter and her friend were safe. But it made me wonder about a few things.

When did we come such a VIOLENT society?

When I was younger, my friends and I hung out "without incident." The worst that would EVER happen was a possible FIST fight. But all this gun violence??? When did that start?

I sometimes wonder if the best years for being young ENDED when I was young.

I think about my 18 year old son now and how UNSAFE it is for him to even walk down the street as a young male Black.

To the police, he's a threat.
To other young men his age, he's a threat.
As his MOTHER, I know that he's not a threat to EITHER.

He is a law-abiding citizen with a good head on his shoulders...but you'd have to actually KNOW him to KNOW that. The Police and random young men my son's age, DON'T know him. So for that reason, I must keep him CONSTANTLY covered in PRAYER.

Texting my daughter, instinctively telling her to be safe, and then seeing how close she was to danger also made me even more aware of the fact that we just never know when our communication with someone will be the last.

Thankfully, that wasn't the LAST communication for us. But for those friends and families of the victims in Orlando last month...it was. Or for the friends and family who've been victims of mass shootings...for them, it was. And for those who've texted loved ones as they're leaving work at the end of the day, "On my way home. Love you."...yet ended up in a fatal car accident. For those folks, that was their LAST communication. There are so many other examples that I could list.

Bottom line is this, we just never know. And that's all the more reason to LOVE each other while we can...because we simply don't know how long we will have them, or they us.

So on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 23" - I am THANKFUL that God has allowed me another day to tell my kiddos that I love them.

Now it's YOUR turn. Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time you went roller skating?

While you think about that, here's a song for ya!


Talk to me!

Til next time...

Bon Appétit!

Today for the first time in TWO months, I enjoyed my 45 minute lunch break in the comfort of my very own car. Oh how I've missed that. I love taking my lunch to the car, turning the radio on to a "talk-radio" station, and relishing 45 minutes of "ME time."

Before heading out to my car today, I "prepared" my lunch. That consisted of adding HOT water to my shrimp flavored "Instant Lunch"...known by another brand as "Cup Noodles." Do you know -- at this VERY moment, as I am writing this post, I just learned something new. I always thought these noodles in a cup were called "Cup O' Noodles", or may even "Cup of Noodles." I had no idea that they were called "Instant Lunch" or "Cup Noodles" (without the O' or of in the middle.) The things you learn...I tell ya!

Anyhoo...I digress.

So I added HOT water to my "Instant Lunch" and headed out to the car.

Now as I mentioned earlier, my lunch was shrimp flavored. As I was eating and waiting for bites of shrimp, I began to wonder just how many of these microscopic freeze-dried shrimp-like pieces (like the one pictured) does the maker LEGALLY have to include in each cup in order for it to be labeled as "shrimp" flavored.

In my ENTIRE cup, I counted THREE "barely there" bites of shrimp. Three very well may be the max that are required. We'll see tomorrow when I have another one. And then again the day after that.

Yes, I know that these noodles aren't the healthiest of choices as they are tremendously high in sodium. However, my finances are EXTREMELY tight right now, and will continue to be until I get my next paycheck. So until then, lunch will be noodles. Hey...if it's good enough for college kids, it's good enough for me.

And that leads me to "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 22" - I am THANKFUL for food to eat even when my money is abysmally low.

Noodles may not be"fine dining" or even "average dining," but they are food in my belly -- keeping me from going hungry, so I will thank God for those noodles just as I would thank Him for a meal consisting of the largest king crab legs around. Oh how I love me some king crab legs...actually, ANY kind of crab legs for that matter. Maybe tomorrow I will imagine that my noodles are king crab flavored instead of what they actually are.

With that said, Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you have a favorite "go-to" meal when your money gets low?

When I was little, we'd have fried bologna sandwiches with that slit cut in the bologna so it wouldn't bubble up. May not have been much, but I was never hungry as a child, and I won't be as an adult. Even when the noodles run out, there's plenty of rice in my cupboard. For that too, I will be thankful.

Now talk to me!

Til next time...

ME Time

Ah...Fourth of July. Hotdogs. Hamburgers. Parks. Beaches. Friends. Family. Fireworks.

For most folks, those are all the things that make up a great Fourth of July. For me, what makes Fourth of July BEST is a DAY OFF OF FROM WORK. A much needed, long awaited DAY OFF. Paid time off is simply something that we don't get enough of in this country. So when I get a "Company Holiday" OFF...I gladly take it, and relish every single solitary second.

I will especially enjoy TODAY because when I go to work tomorrow I have already been assigned to cover someone else's desk. THAT my friends, is the quickest way to have a relaxing three-day-weekend roll right off.

So for these next 20 some hours that belong solely to me, I will do as much as I can doing what I love.

I will write, and sing, and write and write some more.

I'll probably throw some cleaning in there somewhere (not 'cause I love it, but because SOMEBODY'S gotta do it.)

And then I'll write again.

Also gonna carve out some time to get my resume out to a few places. Somewhere out there is my ideal CAREER. The one I was CREATED for. One that does NOT have me sitting in a cubicle listening to the clickety-clack of everyone frantically typing away on their keyboards in an office that is more quite than the library. Some days I just stop, listen, and almost want to cry...knowing that God must SURELY have more for me than THIS.

Somewhere out there, is an employer who is looking for someone with a PASSION and PURPOSE for helping the homeless (especially homeless YOUTH). No...I don't have any "professional" experience in that area. No...I don't have a college degree in that area. But I have the HEART for it...and PLENTY of professional experience that I have gained from my corporate positions. If you ask me...I've got the winning combination. One day, my future employer will realize that too and I will FINALLY be able to make a POSITIVE impact on the lives of others.

So yeah...this DAY OFF is already JAM PACKED. Filled with things that mean something to me. Filled with things that will one day, some day, get me to where I want to be, and that leads me to what I am THANKFUL for today.

On this, "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 21" - I am simply THANKFUL for a DAY OFF...away from "the cubicle."

For the rest of y'all, headin' to picnics, "cookouts", and what not..."throw a shrimp on the barbie" for me ('cause you know I don't eat beef, chicken, goat, lamb, pork, or turkey)...and have a FANTASTIC Fourth of July!!!!

Now, Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's you favorite "song for the summer?" Here's one of mine. Be sure to turn it up!



Then talk to me!

Til next time...

Spontaneous Sunday

Earlier today, my plan was to go visit a new church, and then head back home. Simple enough, right?

Well...I made my way to the church, enjoyed the service, and when it was over, I checked my phone.

I saw that I had a "missed call" and a text from the same person. Before I headed home I gave my friend call.

She said she figured that I was in church (my friends know me well) and was hoping that I'd call when I got out. She wanted to invite me to a Los Angeles Sparks game.

I hemmed and hawwed for a moment because my original plan was to just go home.

She told me that another friend was already at her place and that they had discussed who to invite. Mine was the ONLY name that came up. Oh, the pressure. Well at that point, how could I say no?

So I told her I'd be on my way.

Got to her house, we all jumped in her car and headed to the Staples Center.

All I can say is..."Oh what a time we had!"

I hadn't been to a Sparks game in YEARS. One thing that I really enjoyed was the fact that it was "family friendly," as in...families can actually AFFORD to go...and they do.

You'd have to search pretty hard to find a FAMILY...especially one with an income similar to MINE, at a LAKER game. Nope. It costs a pretty penny, and then some, for even ONE person to go to a Laker game...let alone a WHOLE FAMILY.

So yeah, I enjoyed that aspect of the Sparks game.

And I greatly enjoyed the fact that the Sparks WON! That always makes attending the game just a wee bit sweeter.

So yeah...that was my "Spontaneous Sunday" adventure. I'm glad I went.

And on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 20" - I am THANKFUL for the fact that I am the type of person who folks actually ENJOY being around. I know that I enjoy MY company...I'm glad that OTHERS do too!

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: When was the last time you attended a professional ball game...be it baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis...or even hockey?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

It's Gettin' Hot In Here...

So after two months and two days of being without my car, I finally got it back yesterday (Thank You Jesus!)

The guy who repaired it did a good job. New hood, new bumper, new front headlight. Looks great.

Even with the latest repairs, my "Kenya" still needs a lot of work. She drives very sluggishly, and the air conditioning doesn't work. I need to get both checked out, but as always...there's just no money. So...I make do until.

Today I went to AutoZone to get some of that stuff in a can that's supposed to flush the A/C system (or something like that.) The little can thingy cost me $59.04 with tax, which I thought was pretty pricey, but hey...it's summertime and I need A/C in my car, so...I paid it.

Of course, since I know absolutely NOTHING about cars, I asked the guy in the store how to use the stuff. He explained and then I just asked, "Is there someone here who can show me?"

Thankfully, he said he would.

So we headed out to my car, he hooked up the "can thingy," told me to start my car and turn the air on FULL BLAST. I did, and nothing blew but HOT air. At that point he told me that there's "something else" going on with my A/C and that I'll need to have it checked out elsewhere.

Great...I just spent $59.04 on that "stuff." Now what?

Again...he very graciously offered to give me a refund.

He also gave me some numbers of places I can call to see about getting the A/C checked. Of course...none of those places will look at it this weekend, so I will have to wait, and keep riding with the windows down until some time next week. Thank goodness I wear my hair "natural" so a little bit of wind won't hurt it.

One thing's for sure. I seem to have more money going OUT (or at least NEEDING to go OUT) than I have coming in. There's just never enough for everything.

Here's a list of what I need:

* A/C fixed in my car
** New refrigerator
*** New clothes (so that I don't have to keep rotating the same five outfits every week)
**** New furniture (it's so old, it's embarrassing...which is why i NEVER have guests over...EVER)
***** New TV (My current on (and the ONLY one we have is TEN years old at LEAST. And it only displays about 60% of what's being output. It cuts off part of the picture on both the left and right side, so I only see what's directly in the middle. As an example...a HERSHEY'S commercial came on one day and all that I could see was the SHE in the middle. The HER and Y'S were cut off.)

So yeah...those are just a few things that I need but they ALL have to wait. When you live paycheck to "almost paycheck" as I do, a WHOLE LOTTA stuff simply WAITS.

Even with all those NEEDS, I still manage to keep a smile on my face. Folks who see me outside of The Dialogue Den have NO IDEA about my life and all that's going on in it. Quite honestly, there's whole lot going on in my life that I don't even write about here. I just don't think people are ready...nor do they care.

If you see me in passing, or at an event and ask me how I'm doing, my knee jerk reaction will always be "Fine," even when I'm not.

Most times the smile is genuine. Many times it's not. That's just where I am right now.

If I had my way, I'd start that Go Fund Me campaign that I wrote about a couple weeks ago. But I'd only do it if I knew that folks were going to contribute and not judge or criticize me for what I need the money for. Knowing that the money would go toward HELPING ME get to a better place mentally, and financially should be enough. But I know the world doesn't work that way.

So...I shall continue to wear my smile and know that "this too shall pass."

Through it all...God's got me.

On this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 19" - I am THANKFUL for God, who walks along this tough journey of life with me.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you know of any INEXPENSIVELY priced auto shops in the Los Angeles that can fix my car's A/C? INEXPENSIVELY priced are the operative words.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

On The Road Again

Today's post is another quick one.

Bottom line...on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 18 - I am THANKFUL for FINALLY having my car back after being without it for the past 2 MONTHS and 2 DAYS!

I think that's enough right there.

How 'bout you?

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Since having your own car, what's the longest amount of time you've ever had to be without it, if ever.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

i SEE You!

Anyone who's followed The Dialogue Den for a substantial amount of time, knows that I have very "special" RETINA. Yes, in January 2009 I received some terribly unsettling news about my retina and the fate of my vision. The news was life-changing and sent me into an extremely deep depression.

Over time I bounced back and realized that these eyes of mine were made by God and He will sustain my vision for as long as He wills to do so. Once I came to that understanding and acceptance, I was able to move forward with life.

Since that January in 2009 I have thanked God EVERYDAY for the ability to STILL SEE. For me...that's HUGE!

Most folks wake up each day and don't give a single thought to the fact that their eyes still function. They are probably like I was before my diagnosis. I never gave much thought to functioning eyesight either. It's like that saying, "You never miss what you have until it's gone." Thankfully my eyesight never left me (although I have had some scares), so I haven't had to miss it. I pray that I never will. But the simple THOUGHT that it could possibly one day be gone, had me missing it already.

As I said before, by God's grace, I can still see. And thanks to a news report that I saw this afternoon...even if...(and that's a BIG if)...even IF my sight begins to fail, this AMAZING man has been doing research to help folks with conditions like mine, actually SEE again. PRAISE Jesus!!!

Ever since my diagnosis I've wondered what ANYONE was doing toward the treatment of retinal diseases. Yes, we hear about cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes...but we NEVER EVER EVER hear about retinal disease. I mean c'mon folks...shouldn't FUNCTIONING EYESIGHT be up at the top of the priority list? If not the VERY top, then at least in the Top 3.

So I listened to the report about Dr. Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD, and the work that he has done toward bridging medical science and engineering to restore sight. He was inspired by his grandmother who lost her vision due to diabetes. He wasn't able to help her at the time, but praise be to God, he is able to help many now.

Over the years I have often been asked who my heroes were. There was once a time when my ONLY hero was Jesus. I simply didn't feel that there had been anyone "earthly" who had done anything "heroic" for me.

That changed as I watched my mother in her hospital bed during the last two months of her life, SHE became my "earthly" hero. None of what happened between she and I before those two months mattered. In the days between September 17, 2014 and November 9, 2014 -- my Mother became my "earthly" hero.

After seeing today's news report and discovering Dr. Humayun...I can now say that I have TWO. THIS man has given me hope. Yes, my faith in Christ has given me hope enough to understand that no matter WHAT happens with these eyes...God's got me, and will be WITH me at ALL times. Dr. Humayun has given me a hope that says, just in case these eyes DO fail...HE is working on ways to bring them back.

Right after the job of those who lead souls to Christ, I think that THIS man's job is the 2nd most important of all.

So on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 17 - I am THANKFUL for Dr.Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD, and ALL who are doing research in retinal disease. Ways to ultimately halt it, and/or RESTORE vision if the disease has gone too far. May God bless HIM and ALL others who are doing this GREAT (and MUCH NEEDED) work.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: Who is YOUR "earthly" hero, and why?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

FAITH > fear

Yesterday morning I posted a pic of a "Facebook Memory" from 2 years ago that said, "Everything You Want is on the other side of FEAR." Hmmm.

Somehow, I think that must have resonated in my subconscious throughout the day. Later that evening I happened to come across an ad that said, "Writers Wanted." I decided to read more about what type of writer was wanted and quickly realized that I fit the bill.

I hemmed and hawed for a bit and then decided to GO FOR IT, and responded to the ad.

After that I posted a pic that said, "If you want something you've never had, you've got to do something you've never done." Well...I had just done that. The only thing left to do at that point was PRAY and WAIT.

Well...God didn't make me wait for very long. He really gets me with that. There are some things I've prayed for and He STILL hasn't answered (at least not in the way that I had hoped.) And there are other things I pray for and He pretty much answers IMMEDIATELY.

In this particular case, not even 24 hours had passed and I received a FAVORABLE response...the response I had PRAYED for.

At 9:28am this morning, I received an email that said, "...Welcome to the project!"

Yes folks, I am now part of a WRITING project for a publication that will be coming out in December. I am beyond excited and completely overjoyed. FINALLY, my work will be PUBLISHED. Thank You Jesus!!!

My final submission is due in a couple months, so until then, I'll be writing, re-writing and writing some more. This is my opportunity to show THE WORLD what I am capable of. I want to be sure to show my BEST.

So on this day, "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 17 - I am THANKFUL for FINALLY walking in FAITH and not FEAR.

The difference is AMAZING!

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: What have you done recently that you were once fearful of doing? How did that work out for ya?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Livin' the GOOD Life!

Today has been a tough one.

Interestingly, days like today are ones that make me think of my Mom the most. Oh how I envy her and long to be where she is.

No, I don't hope to die anytime soon. However...if I did, I can truly say that it would be well with my soul.

THIS LIFE IS HARD...and FULL of DISAPPOINTMENTS.

That's been my experience lately.

So when it comes to my Mom, I think about how she no longer experiences disappointment from ANYONE. She is experiencing the fullness of JOY, in the presence of God, ETERNALLY. Who wouldn't be envious of that?

Often times I will overhear conversations where one person asks another how they're doing. The response is, "Well, I woke up on this side of the grass, so I'm doin' alright." Every time I hear that...and I mean EVERY TIME...I think to myself, "Even if I woke up on the other side of the grass, I'd be doin' alright, because that would mean that I have FINALLY made it to heaven...my ULTIMATE destination...where there is no more pain, sorrow, hurt, disappointment, evil, hatred, lying, cheating, living paycheck to a few days BEFORE paycheck (because my checks don't even meet)..and everything else that we experience in this life."

So yeah...I'm having a tough time right now, and I'm not afraid to admit it. No smoke and mirrors here. What you see is what you get. Some days my truth is simply a bit more difficult to swallow than others. Nevertheless, I know that God will get me through it. That doesn't make the burdens any lighter...it simply gives me assurance that I'm not alone. Sometimes that's all we need to know, is that we are NOT alone.

And sometimes...nothing else matters, but seeing Jesus.

On this day, "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 15 - I am THANKFUL for my hope in Christ. Sometimes it feels like the ONLY thing I have.

How 'bout you...Let the DIALOGUE begin: What could someone do for YOU to make your life easier? I know what MY answer is. I posted it about it last week. Today's YOUR turn.

While you think about it...listen to this song:

then...

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Pen, Paper, Keyboard and Words = JOY

Monday.

It drains my like no other day of the week. That being said, this post will be quite brief.

On this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 14" - I am THANKFUL for my love of writing, and for my consistency with The Dialogue Den for the past few weeks...maybe even a MONTH. I'll have to check.

Plain and simple...I LOVE WRITING!

When I have nothing else...I have my WORDS.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's YOUR passion?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Choir of ONE

Today at church I had the pleasure of speaking briefly with one of our former members. She moved away a few years ago, happened to be visiting, and decided to attend service with her old church family.

As we were speaking she mentioned how EVERY TIME she hears the song "Because of Who You Are" she thinks of me.

One year for our annual "Women's Day" service, I sang that song. I have always LOVED it because it expresses EVERYTHING I feel about our Lord. It was a sheer BLESSING to have been selected to sing it that year.

She told me that she thought (and still thinks) that I sang it better than Vicki Yohe herself. WOW! That's says a lot because Vicki's voice is simply BEAUTIFUL.

It's no secret to those who know me that I absolutely LOVE music...and I especially love to SING.

No, I'm not the BEST singer in the world, but I sing from my heart and have fun with it. That's all that really matters in the grand scheme of things...right?

So on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 13" - I am THANKFUL that God puts a song in my heart...EVERY DAY.

As you listen to the this one, close your eyes and let the words penetrate your soul...reflecting on the AWESOMENESS of God and ALL He is.

Then Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's your FAVORITE song to sing? Doesn't have to be Gospel.

Talk to me (or SING to me)!

Til next time...

Saturday...In The Park...

Ahhh Saturday. My FAVORITE day of the week!

I love Saturdays because my time is COMPLETELY my own...and I don't have to dread the impending Monday (as I do EVERY Sunday).

This morning was FANTASTIC!

I woke up and awaited the arrival of one of my church members to come pick me up (still don't have a car...but soon...very soon).

She picked me up and we headed over to church.

Today was my regularly scheduled Saturday to help CLEAN the church. Once cleaning was complete, many more church members arrived and we began another work.

We made sandwiches and stuffed bags to be distributed to the homeless nearby. THIS is the kinda stuff I absolutely LOVE doing. It makes my heart EXCEEDINGLY glad!

We stuffed 160 bags and headed to a nearby park.

Got to the first park and there were NO homeless because the police had run them off. That particular park is heavily frequented by children so the officers make sure that it's kept safe. COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE, and as a parent (although MY children are all ADULTS), I am thankful. The safety of children should ALWAYS be priority.

So here we were with all these sack lunches and the DESIRE to give them away.

We hopped back in our cars and headed further south.

Arrived at a different park and IMMEDIATELY knew that we were at the right place.

We unloaded our cars and it seems that as soon as the first bag was handed out, ALL of the other park occupants caught on and awaiting theirs.

I am OVERJOYED to be able to say that we had enough for EVERYONE. Some folks even got TWO bags. PRAISE GOD!!!

As we gave them "nourishment for their bodies", we also provided "food for their souls." Two ladies that I spoke with even asked me what church we were from. I told them, and one asked me for the address. I wrote it down, and told them that I hope they can join us soon.

How AWESOME!

This for me is what "church" is about. It's NOT about getting all dressed up on a Sunday morning, heading to a building for a few songs, a message, and then heading back home. At least that's not ALL that it's about. Yes, fellowship with one another is essential...yet there is so much MORE to "church".

What it's about MOST, is sharing the LOVE of Christ with as many as we can. And we don't have to be "preachy" about it. We simply need to show LOVE to others...letting them know that Jesus LOVES them, and that they MATTER...just as they are.

So yeah...today "the church" went BEYOND the four walls...out into the streets. Bodies were fed, and hopefully lives were changed for the better by our very small act of LOVE. I greatly look forward to doing this again, and again, and again...

On this day, "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 12" - I am THANKFUL for being allowed the OPPORTUNITY to SERVE others.

I have been in some fairly dire situations financially (even RECENTLY) and any one of those folks in the park could have been ME. I am no better than they. They are no worse than I. We are all HUMAN, and that's ALL that matters.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What are you favorite organizations to volunteer with?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Laugh Out Loud

Long day. Just got home.

Went to a comedy show.

Really needed to laugh.

Laughter is definitely good for the soul.

That's all for tonight.

On this day: "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 11" - I am THANKFUL for comedians who make us laugh.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you know any good jokes?

Talk to me!

Til next time...