Remember to Look on The Back

Here was my Facebook post from this morning:


"Arrived at church this morning and a lovely gift was waiting for me. Hand-decorated by one of my church-family members. She even included my FAVORITE verse of Scripture. It's sooo me...and I love it!!!"

And the stone that you see pictured here went along with the post.

I can not fully express how OVERJOYED I was to receive this stone. I love it for so many reasons.

1. It was THOUGHTFULLY created.
2. It was UNIQUELY designed JUST FOR ME.
3. It symbolizes things that I love...SINGING, and God's Word (my FAVORITE Scripture, Psalm 34:1).

Now I was happy with just those three things.

Then...

My friend "Kay" walked in.

As I was thanking her for the gift she told me that she had gotten the stone from one of my favorite hiking trails...one of my "peaceful places." Those who know me well know that this place MUST be near the ocean...and it is. Wow! As if it weren't already meaningful enough...that just added to it.

But like a Ginsu Knife commercial, I have to say, "Wait...there's MORE!"

As she continued to tell me about the stone, I happened to flip it over and noticed that she had written a special message on the

back (get out your tissue folks!)

I was done!

It read:

"Truly, you are such an amazing person. I am so inspired by you and blessed to say that I know you.
Love you,
"Kay"
7-15-15"

I really don't know what to say to that. All I know is that I try to "let my light shine" and try to treat others the way I want to be treated...with kindness, love, understanding, and every GOOD thing that should be shared.

Of course, I am flawed, and "miss the mark" DAILY...but the goal each day is to be a little bit better than I was the day before.

None of what I do is of my own accord, but it is because of the Holy Spirit who dwells within, who allows me to inspire, encourage, and lift up the spirit of others however and whenever I can.

I am sooo very thankful for the wonderful folks whom God has placed in my life who, "know me" and "get me" and my sister-friend "Kay" does. Many "know me", but very few "get me". As easy-going of a person as I am, that part often baffles me, because I'm really not that difficult "to get".

Anyhoo...I will be taking my stone with me to work tomorrow, and there it shall remain as a daily reminder for me to "Just Keep Singing" and to bless the LORD at ALL times, continually keeping His praises in my mouth.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What was the most meaningful hand-decorated gift you've ever received?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Take Me To The Water...

So today was one of those days that just puts a smile on this girl's face.

Last November a friend added me to a group on Facebook. I wasn't sure what to make of this group but she thought it would be a good fit for me and eight months later, I can say that I'm so glad she did. Actually...I knew just days after being in this particular group just how special it was, and very quickly, these women (97% of whom I've never met), became my sisters. Sounds crazy, I know, but it's true. We can bounce anything off one another and know that we're going to get an honest, LOVING, sisterly response. Sometimes we find ourselves virtually Laughing Out Loud. Other times, we are virtually crying with each other. Sometimes, all in the same day...it just depends on who posted what, and the responses that roll in.

Now I've heard a lot of people say that REAL friendships can not be formed via Facebook. Oh, but I greatly beg to differ. Since joining FB in 2009, I have been in FOUR groups that have resulted in truly genuine friendships. I've met at the homes of some people, have dined out with others, gone to concerts and plays with some, traveled across country, and can truly say that these people are my FRIENDS.

I will also say this...not EVERY group on FB is for EVERYBODY...at least not for ME. I was added to one group a while ago and not even 24 hours in I could tell that it wasn't the place for me. The vibe was just so negative, which was completely different from the other four groups that I'm in or have been in. I just can't be in a place, virtually or otherwise where people feed off of each other's negativity. So yeah, I very quickly found the "leave group" button, and it was "Exit, Stage Left" for this chick.

So, back to today.

Today I got to meet two ladies who are in one of the groups I'm in. So get this...we're sitting around talking and having a good time and I find out that most of us were meeting each other for the FIRST time! Can you believe that?!?

Here's the diagram: I'm "D", and I met with "J", "B", and "V".

"D" knows and has met "B" before today. "D" met "J" and "V" today for the first time.
"B" knows and has met "D" and "V" before today, and was meeting "J" for the first time.
"J" was meeting "D", "B" AND "V" today for the first time.

Yet...it felt like we've all known each other forever. How cool is that?!?

So yeah...REAL relationships CAN be formed via FB when you are dealing with mature folks with a POSITIVE vibe. And don't get me wrong...we're not all "Pollyannas" in the group. We are real people with real issues and have real discussions with each other. There's just something about the vibe. The right vibe makes all the difference.

So...the lovely pic that's posted here was taken after we left our meeting spot and "B" and I went to hang out at the beach. She and I are both "nature girls" so anyplace that SHE likes, I am SURE to like. Once again, she picked a winner. Although any time I am near the ocean...my "place of peace" is a winner.

Take me to the water...ANYTIME.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: If you're on Facebook, have you formed any GENUINE friendships there?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

(Day 10/21)

EXPLICABLE Peace

After 5 years of employment, today was my last day at work.

I've known for a while that this day was coming.

Wasn't sure exactly how I'd handle things once the day finally got here. All in all, I think I did well. Kept the goodbyes short and sweet 'cause I didn't want to turn into a puddle of mush and cry all over the place. My co-workers were the best there are, and I will miss them greatly. Saying long goodbyes would've been waaay too much for me to handle.

With the debt crisis of this country looming overhead, and the unemployment rate shooting through the roof, now is probably the worst time EVER to be unemployed.

Having 3 kids, 2 of whom are in college and have expenses to be taken care of, along with a teen-aged son who is outgrowing shoes & clothes by leaps and bounds...you would think that I would be freakin' out over this.

To the contrary...I haven't missed a wink of sleep, and I have a calm that's almost abnormal. I am at such peace. Not inexplicable peace though...no, my peace is very EXPLICABLE. I am completely aware of where the peace is coming from...and so for me, that explains it all.

I am a woman of great faith. Great Christian faith. Faith and trust in my all powerful God. My God who is GREATER than unemployment. My God who is GREATER than this crappy debt crisis that our country is in. My God is GREATER than those things, and so much more.

Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent. Those are His characteristics! So why should I fear?

Times like these are what help me to know without a doubt that His word is true. I read my Bible daily. Some days I don't feel like the message is really sinking in. But I realize that what I'm taking in spiritually each day is the nourishment that I need to get through times like these. Kinda like polar bears...I've stored up enough of God's word to "get me through the winter" so to speak.

I don't know how long this winter is going to last, but He has given me two great pieces of scripture already that I've stored up for such a time as this:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

and

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

I'm sure that as I travel along on this journey there will be many more scriptures added to my "arsenal". I am going to need them all.

Let the DIALOGUE begin! How do you deal with adversity and hardship? Where does YOUR peace come from?

Talk to me!

Til next time...