“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God."
It's official ~ and Mad Dog, you were right. When you give a road name it does stick! Thank you Sir... *kotc*
Thanksgiving day I shared with my family my new road name and the story behind it. My niece Stephanie liked it and my sister Sherry started using it saying it just 'fit' me. Cookie it is! Now to get a new scoot and ride. I can't wait... maybe then I'll stop all this baking. It's killin' me... *gg*
I have found the girl in the pic below again... finally... and it is good. My passion for reading, writing, running and riding ~ to name a few ~ have all returned. It's a new beginning. I'll be moving again to a new home. Starting a new job. Starting a new adventure while finishing up a few things I've left undone these past few months.
What a life I have! I wouldn't trade it for any other. I love it... :-)
I received your most thoughtful and precious gift of the handmade crocheted butterfly from Angels For Hope. Thank you so much for wanting to give me something special. Thank you so much for wanting to give me some of my Hope back again. The card reads:
"Someone special requested you receive these "Wings of Hope" so you would know you are cared about and loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
Please know that your thoughtfulness has impacted me greatly. This weekend of thanksgiving has returned some of who I was back to me. I'm finding 'her' again... my Hope is returning even though physically ~ she is gone. I feel it ~ and it is a relief.
I love my butterfly! I will cherish my wings of hope always. Thank you...
Today I want to say Thank You to all of my family and friends who have been there for me throughout my life and especially since Hurricane Ike. There are no words adequate to express my core and the feelings I have for each and every one of you. I am forever grateful for all that you have given me in prayer, thought and deed. Thank you...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
May you spend today with those you care about those most important in your life may your day be filled with joy and laughter and your home filled with love...
Oh what I would do to have The kind of faith it takes To climb out of this boat I'm in On to the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone Into the realm of the unknown Where Jesus is And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name And they laugh at me Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me Time and time again "Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me I would choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have The kind of strength it takes To stand before a giant With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound Of a thousand warriors Shaking in their armor Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name And he laughs at me Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me Time and time again "Boy you'll never win! You'll never win!"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me The voice of truth tells me a different story The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me I would choose to listen and believe I would choose to listen and believe the voice of truth The voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have The kind of faith it takes To climb out of this boat I'm in On to the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone Into the realm of the unknown Where Jesus is And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name And they laugh at me Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me Time and time again "Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me I would choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have The kind of strength it takes To stand before a giant With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound Of a thousand warriors Shaking in their armor Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name And he laughs at me Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me Time and time again "Boy you'll never win! You'll never win!"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me
The voice of truth tells me a different story The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me I would choose to listen and believe I would choose to listen and believe the voice of truth The voice of truth
I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you" and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You and raised me up again my strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can't find You and as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you" and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm
I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm
~ Casting Crowns Words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." ~Proverbs 4:23
The information below came from my daughter's Facebook notifications ~ {We are participating today... will you join us?}
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I think some people are confused about what this event is. All you have to do is literally write the word LOVE on your arm to show support, maybe even donate some money or time at your local suicide hotline, or suicide or teen help line. You write it on your arm, so that when someone asks... why is that on your arm? you can spread the word about depression and suicide.Because for some reason in our society depression and suicide are still taboo topics, a lot pf people want to keep quiet, but everyone needs to start talking about it.
On November 13 go around writing LOVE on your arm in big letters, be creative, use colored sharpies or washable markers, spread the word.
this is for all the survivors. all the innocent who aren't loved all the kids who are hurting and suicide is the only place they can turn.
Also, don't forget to donate so kids in need can get the help they deserve. It takes thirty seconds to write four letters. I challenge you to stand up and speak out!
Help is out there, and by keeping quiet we're only hurting the people who need the help. Many people who suffer from depression and have struggled with suicidal thoughts. This event is meant to raise awareness on how severe this disease is. Depression and suicide have an impact on everyone whether its through having depression or knowing someone who does or someone who committed suicide. It's so simple to do. Its time to stand up and get the word out. Maybe someday there will be a cure for this instead of just a treatment of medicine that can actually make it worse.So speak up, and speak out!
Check out the Site. and see the story that started it all.
REMEMBER*
POST PICTURES AFTER THE EVENT I WANT TO SEE ALL THE AWARENESS AND THE CREATIVE WAYS PEOPLE DID TO SPREAD THE WORD AND CHECK OUT THE EVENT FROM LAST YEAR
Looked down from a broken sky Traced out by the city lights My world from a mile high Best seat in the house tonight Touched down on the cold black tile Hold on for the sudden stop Breath in the familiar shock Of confusion and chaos Are those people going somewhere? Why have I never cared?
Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing Give me your love for humanity Give me your arms for the broken hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach Give me your heart for the once forgotten Give me your eyes so I can see yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah
Step out on a busy street See a girl and our eyes meet Does her best to smile at me To hide whats underneath There’s a man just to her right Black suit and a bright red tie To ashamed to tell his wife He’s out of work He’s buying time Are those people going somewhere? Why have I never cared?
Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing Give me your love for humanity Give me your arms for the broken hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach Give me your heart for the once forgotten Give me your eyes so I can see yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah
I’ve been there a million times A couple of million eyes Just moving past me by I swear I never thought that I was wrong Well I want a second glance So give me a second chance To see the way you see the people all alone
Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing Give me your love for humanity Give me your arms for the broken hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach Give me your heart for the once forgotten Give me your eyes so I can see yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah
Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing Give me your love for humanity Give me your arms for the broken hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach Give me your heart for the once forgotten Give me your eyes so I can see yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah
Why are you striving these days Why are you trying to earn grace Why are you crying Let me lift up your face Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough To where will you go child Tell me where will you run To where will you run
And I'll be by your side Wherever you fall In the dead of night Whenever you call And please don't fight These hands that are holding you My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side They swallowed the grave on that night When I drank the world's sin So I could carry you in And give you life I want to give you life
And I'll be by your side Wherever you fall In the dead of night Whenever you call And please don't fight These hands that are holding you My hands are holding you
And I'll be by your side Wherever you fall In the dead of night Whenever you call And please don't fight These hands that are holding you My hands are holding you
Cause I, I love you I want you to know That I, I love you I'll never let you go
And I'll be by your side Wherever you fall In the dead of night Whenever you call And please don't fight These hands that are holding you My hands are holding you
And I'll be by your side Wherever you fall In the dead of night Whenever you call And please don't fight These hands that are holding you My hands are holding you ~ Tenth Avenue North
Come to the waters, you who thirst and you'll thirst no more Come to the father, you who work and you'll work no more And all you who labor in vain and to the broken and shamed
Love is here Love is now Love is pouring from His hands, from his brows Love is near, it satisfies Streams of mercy flowing from his side 'Cause love is here
Come to the treasure, you who search and you'll search no more Come to the lover you who want and you'll want no more, no And all you who labor in vain and to the broken and shamed, yeah
Love is here Love is now Love is pouring from his hands, from his brows Love is near, it satisfies Streams of mercy flowing from his side, yeah
And to the bruised and fallen Captives, bound, and broken-hearted
He is the lord He is the lord, yeah
By his stripes he's paid our ransom From his wounds we drink salvation
He is the lord He is the lord
Love is here Love is now Love is pouring from his hands, from his brows Love is near It satisfies Streams of mercy flowing from his side Streams of mercy flowing from his side 'Cause love is here Love is here
Received this e-mail from my son today. Simply sharing... Always remember what's important in your life ~ the rest is all small stuff.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Story time:
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous, "Yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things: your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled,"I'm glad you asked." He said, "It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
If everything comes down to love Then just what am I afraid of When I call out Your name Something inside awakes in my soul How quickly I forget I'm Yours
I'm not my own I've been carried by You All my life
Everything rides on hope now Everything rides on faith somehow When the world has broken me down Your love sets me free
When my life is like a storm Rising waters all I want is the shore You say I'll be ok and Make it through the rain You are my shelter from the storm
I'm not my own I've been carried by You All my life
Everything rides on hope now Everything rides on faith somehow When the world has broken me down Your love sets me free
Everything rides on hope now Everything rides on faith somehow When the world has broken me down Your love sets me free You've become my hearts desire I will sing Your praises higher Cause Your love sets me free Your love sets me free Your love sets me free
It's time for healing, time to move on It's time to fix what's been broken too long Time to make right what has been wrong It's time to find my way to where I belong There's a wave that's crashing over me And all I can do is surrender
Whatever You're doing inside of me It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace It's hard to surrender to what I can't see But I'm giving in to something Heavenly
Time for a milestone Time to begin again Re-evaluate who I really am Am I doing everything to follow Your will Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills? So show me what it is You want from me I give everything, I surrender
To whatever You're doing inside of me It feels like chaos somehow there's peace And though it's hard to surrender to what I can't see I'm giving in to something Heavenly Something Heavenly Time to face up Clean this old house Time to breathe in and let everything out That I wanted to say for so many years Time to release all my held back tears
Whatever You're doing inside of me It feels like chaos but I believe You're up to something bigger than me Larger than life Something heavenly
Whatever You're doing inside of me It feels like chaos but now I can see This is something bigger than me Larger than life, something Heavenly Something Heavenly
It's time to face up Clean this old house Time breathe in and let everything out
