I have to say I am sorry for not updating my blog for so very long. But as usual my life has been crazy. But crazy in a good way. God is still very active in my life. He is still amazing me on a daily basis. He has provided for me financially in the most amazing ways. I am doing well, and keeping very busy.
I am currently in a relationship with an awesome man by the name of Michael. He is very interesting and a strong christian. So far, things are going well. He keeps me very busy in a fun way. He promised me there would never be a dull moment and so far he has been right.
I have started writing my book, which I am very excited about. God has continued to put just the right people in my path just as I need them to move me on this journey of writing this book. He intends for it to written and I am honored to have been chosen to deliver this message.
The Carnegie center has been an invaluable resource. Neil Chethik has alot of knowledge that he doesn't mind sharing. I just completed a class tonight on writing a book proposal that Neil taught. I turned in my finished product and am waiting on a response to any changes I may need to make.
Then the fun begins. How to choose an agent and/or publisher. There is so much to just presenting an idea for a book, that it is amazing that anyone gets published.
I have changed the title of my book at the urging of the class, to a softer more encouraging title. I am happy with how it is coming along. I have gotten some good feed back from my writing group on changes that I need to make.
Oh, and did I mention, I got the privilege of writing two days of devotions for a 30 day devotional that was produced for the upcoming Beth Moore conference at Rupp Arena in Aug. That was huge honor and privilege for me. Beth Moore is a very dynamic christian author and speaker.
Michael has been an instrumental part in the creation of this book. I told him he believes in me more than I do. He is a wealth of knowledge and extremely helpful in the editing process. I have enjoyed sharing this journey with him. He has been a tremendous encouragement in everything I do. From my photography to my writing, he has backed me 100%. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Life is good. Still no job but I am not worried. God has been faithful to provide for me in such a way that I don't worry about not having a job. I know, no matter what, He will take care of me. He has proven that over and over again.
My huge leap of faith was all God was waiting for. He has begun a work in me that He intends to see it through to the end. I am very excited about this book and know that God has great things in store for me. I don't know what that is but I eagerly await whatever is next.
My journey, by no means, has been easy. But God has been by my side the entire way. I feel His presence and do my best to stay close to Him. I can't lose my focus now. The journey has only just begun and I am loving every minute of it.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
And life goes on.
Wow, has it been less than two months since I last blogged. So much has happened since then.
Where do I begin. Christmas came and went pretty uneventful but the new year came in with a bang and hasn't stopped. I felt like 2010 was going to be a good year for me. I knew it would a hard one but I had no idea just how hard it would get. Six days into the new year my boss calls me into his office one evening and unexpectedly fired me. I sure didn't see that coming. No warnings, no write ups, no nothing. He told me I was not where he thought I should be after six months of employment and mentioned a minor incidence that I had with the office manager. Which, might I add he never addressed with me. Never ask what happened or anything. I realize I had made some mistakes but thought that was all part of learning a new job. Obviously, I was wrong. Considering the amount of training I had received, I thought I was doing pretty well. But that is now water under the bridge. God has used that for His glory in more ways then one. So after being fired I thought I would head to texas and see my son and then go to fla. for a few days and visit a girlfriend I had reconnected with online. I went to Tx. and had a good visit with my son, his girlfriend and my ex-husband. Then headed to fla. to visit a girlfriend. About 8 1/2 hours into the drive, I ran a red light and hit a pick up truck. Totalling my 2009 corolla xrs. I loved that little car. But even through this I see God's hand at work in many different ways. I walked away from the accident with two cracked ribs and some bruises. The cop told me he did not know how I managed to maintain control of that car. I told him it was a God thing. He then proceeded to show me the route my car had taken. I had went into the median and left tracks in the mud. I was trying to miss the pickup truck and did not see the pole I was headed toward. About a foot from the pole my car made a hard right turn missing that pole by about a foot. All I remember is the initial impact and then the airbag deflating. I certainly don't remember having my hands on the wheel during the impact. The song Carrie Underwood sings, Jesus take the wheel has a very real and personal meaning to me now.
God's hand at work, I was about an hour away from a friends house when all this happened. He came and got me and helped me get my things and helped me the next couple of days to get things in order so that I could head back home. Needless to say I never did make it to fla. My entire goal was to go to the beach and spend time on the beach with God. I have always felt closest to God when I was on the beach. And what better time to go then now. Wow, if I had only known. But God has a much better plan than me. I laid in bed the next several nights asking God to show me whatever it was He wanted me to get out of this. When you ask that of God, He will show you.
First and foremost, He wanted me to go back to my previous employer and make up. I had intended to, really I did. But just not this soon. Obviously, God had other plans. He is a chiropractor so I made an appointment and went in to see him. We hugged and all is well now.
The second thing God laid on my heart about this whole thing was that I always had a habit of going 9 miles an hour over the speed limit. I wasn't at the time of the wreck thank heavens but had been throughout the trip periodically. Funny, God convicted me of this before I left on the trip but I still chose to be disobedient. A friend had sent me a clip of her son-in-law preaching a message about what sin do you think is ok. Then he proceeds to talk about a state trooper who once told him the nine is fine, ten your mine rule. I got the message the hard way. No more speeding for me. Also, I loved my car. I was very proud of it. God said, maybe a little too proud. Wow! When He teaches us a lesson He makes it stick. So now I am in the market for a car. I have decided to buy a used one. And save as much of the money I received from insurance as possible. The insurance gave me a more than fair settlement for the car. I was very pleased. Another God thing.
I am currently considering my options. I think I want to look at becoming an optician. I have talked to a friend who was an optician and she has given me a name of a friend to contact about doing an internship and what all is involved. I am very excited about doing something different. I think it will be a lot of fun. God has so, turned my life completely around. And even upside down at times. But through it all He has provided for me in a very abundant manner. There are so many more ways in which He has blessed my life from these two horrific experiences. But I have chosen not to post them all. But trust me when God says He has a plan for you and you start seeking that plan for your life, He will meet you there. And He will take you on the most fantastic ride you have ever been on in your life. He never ceases to amaze me with His generosity and goodness. He truly does love me (and you) and want the best for me(and you). He has proven that to me, time and time again. I would like to encourage you to stop just going through the motions and see what kind of an adventure God has for you.
This has truly been an adventure. And the ride has been like a roller coaster, up and down, round and round. The sooner I learn the lesson the sooner I can move on. I am excited to see what God has in store for me next. Hopefully, the lesson won't come in the form of another bad experience. But even if it does, I know God is with me and will get me through it all. One step at a time.
My old boss had me write out an affirmation. I had never done this before, I guess it is sort of a mission statement. This was mine:
Today is a great day and my future lies in the choices I make.
I take full responsibility for those choices.
If Satan sees an opportunity, Satan will seize that opportunity.
Therefore I refuse to give Satan the opportunity to plant seeds of doubt in my mind.
I am strong and can overcome any obstacle put before me.
With my God by my side, there is NOTHING I cannot do.
I will dream big dreams and accomplish great thing for His glory.
I will find my God given destiny and fulfill His will for my life.
God has shown me that with Him by my side, I can overcome any obstacle. So now on to the fun stuff, dreaming big dreams and accomplishing great things for His glory. I wish everyone who reads this the very best. I hope you get the chance to experience God the way that I have.
Where do I begin. Christmas came and went pretty uneventful but the new year came in with a bang and hasn't stopped. I felt like 2010 was going to be a good year for me. I knew it would a hard one but I had no idea just how hard it would get. Six days into the new year my boss calls me into his office one evening and unexpectedly fired me. I sure didn't see that coming. No warnings, no write ups, no nothing. He told me I was not where he thought I should be after six months of employment and mentioned a minor incidence that I had with the office manager. Which, might I add he never addressed with me. Never ask what happened or anything. I realize I had made some mistakes but thought that was all part of learning a new job. Obviously, I was wrong. Considering the amount of training I had received, I thought I was doing pretty well. But that is now water under the bridge. God has used that for His glory in more ways then one. So after being fired I thought I would head to texas and see my son and then go to fla. for a few days and visit a girlfriend I had reconnected with online. I went to Tx. and had a good visit with my son, his girlfriend and my ex-husband. Then headed to fla. to visit a girlfriend. About 8 1/2 hours into the drive, I ran a red light and hit a pick up truck. Totalling my 2009 corolla xrs. I loved that little car. But even through this I see God's hand at work in many different ways. I walked away from the accident with two cracked ribs and some bruises. The cop told me he did not know how I managed to maintain control of that car. I told him it was a God thing. He then proceeded to show me the route my car had taken. I had went into the median and left tracks in the mud. I was trying to miss the pickup truck and did not see the pole I was headed toward. About a foot from the pole my car made a hard right turn missing that pole by about a foot. All I remember is the initial impact and then the airbag deflating. I certainly don't remember having my hands on the wheel during the impact. The song Carrie Underwood sings, Jesus take the wheel has a very real and personal meaning to me now.
God's hand at work, I was about an hour away from a friends house when all this happened. He came and got me and helped me get my things and helped me the next couple of days to get things in order so that I could head back home. Needless to say I never did make it to fla. My entire goal was to go to the beach and spend time on the beach with God. I have always felt closest to God when I was on the beach. And what better time to go then now. Wow, if I had only known. But God has a much better plan than me. I laid in bed the next several nights asking God to show me whatever it was He wanted me to get out of this. When you ask that of God, He will show you.
First and foremost, He wanted me to go back to my previous employer and make up. I had intended to, really I did. But just not this soon. Obviously, God had other plans. He is a chiropractor so I made an appointment and went in to see him. We hugged and all is well now.
The second thing God laid on my heart about this whole thing was that I always had a habit of going 9 miles an hour over the speed limit. I wasn't at the time of the wreck thank heavens but had been throughout the trip periodically. Funny, God convicted me of this before I left on the trip but I still chose to be disobedient. A friend had sent me a clip of her son-in-law preaching a message about what sin do you think is ok. Then he proceeds to talk about a state trooper who once told him the nine is fine, ten your mine rule. I got the message the hard way. No more speeding for me. Also, I loved my car. I was very proud of it. God said, maybe a little too proud. Wow! When He teaches us a lesson He makes it stick. So now I am in the market for a car. I have decided to buy a used one. And save as much of the money I received from insurance as possible. The insurance gave me a more than fair settlement for the car. I was very pleased. Another God thing.
I am currently considering my options. I think I want to look at becoming an optician. I have talked to a friend who was an optician and she has given me a name of a friend to contact about doing an internship and what all is involved. I am very excited about doing something different. I think it will be a lot of fun. God has so, turned my life completely around. And even upside down at times. But through it all He has provided for me in a very abundant manner. There are so many more ways in which He has blessed my life from these two horrific experiences. But I have chosen not to post them all. But trust me when God says He has a plan for you and you start seeking that plan for your life, He will meet you there. And He will take you on the most fantastic ride you have ever been on in your life. He never ceases to amaze me with His generosity and goodness. He truly does love me (and you) and want the best for me(and you). He has proven that to me, time and time again. I would like to encourage you to stop just going through the motions and see what kind of an adventure God has for you.
This has truly been an adventure. And the ride has been like a roller coaster, up and down, round and round. The sooner I learn the lesson the sooner I can move on. I am excited to see what God has in store for me next. Hopefully, the lesson won't come in the form of another bad experience. But even if it does, I know God is with me and will get me through it all. One step at a time.
My old boss had me write out an affirmation. I had never done this before, I guess it is sort of a mission statement. This was mine:
Today is a great day and my future lies in the choices I make.
I take full responsibility for those choices.
If Satan sees an opportunity, Satan will seize that opportunity.
Therefore I refuse to give Satan the opportunity to plant seeds of doubt in my mind.
I am strong and can overcome any obstacle put before me.
With my God by my side, there is NOTHING I cannot do.
I will dream big dreams and accomplish great thing for His glory.
I will find my God given destiny and fulfill His will for my life.
God has shown me that with Him by my side, I can overcome any obstacle. So now on to the fun stuff, dreaming big dreams and accomplishing great things for His glory. I wish everyone who reads this the very best. I hope you get the chance to experience God the way that I have.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Healing from my past
This has been an interesting week to say the least. I woke up Monday morning with a severe headache and nausea. I went in to work, got an adjustment from Doc. and went back home to sleep. Later in the day I was not feeling any better so I went back in for another adjustment. My daughter came over later in the evening and insisted I go to the E.R. and get a shot for the headache and nausea. So we spent about 4 hours in the E.R. but I did get a good nights sleep from it. I woke up Tues. still not feeling well and with a hangover from the pain shot and phenegran shot they had given me the night before, so once again I stayed home from work and slept. On Tuesday evening the diarhea started. So maybe it wasn't a migraine afterall. It is now 5a.m. on Sat. morning and I still have mild nausea after eating. Just wish it would go away. I find it ironic that I got sick at the end of a seven day fast from the internet. I was given a challenge from a friend to stay off the internet for seven days. Several people commented that I was having withdrawals from my fast. I thought this was funny at first but am now wondering, is there a connection? Guess I will have to pray about that one and see what God has to say about it.
I recently started counseling at the advice of a friend. Thursday was a rough session. She really had me thinking about my past. I had to fill out a form and list people in my life who had hurt me in some way. And then compare that with how I was treated in my childhood by various people. It was enlightening how I tend to pick men who treat me the same way I was treated as a child. We are now working on how I can overcome my past so that I pick men who will treat me the way God intended for a woman to be treated. I like my counselor very much. She is the first counselor I have been to, who actually has a game plan as to how I can overcome my past. Instead of just having me talk and she listen. I am given homework so that I can work through issues that have been plaguing me for years. It is not an easy task. Unfortunately, in order to heal we must feel. And some of those memories are excruciatingly painful at times. She has encouraged me to love the little girl inside of me. Spoil her and show her she is loved. This is hard to do after so many years of suppressing those painful memories. Funny how when we suppress our feelings they surface in some other form. We think we are containing the pain when in reality we are only shifting it to some other area of our life. Recovery is like having an infection. You have to drain all the puss and nasty stuff inside, out of you, before you can actually heal. If the puss remains, we only become sicker. Our entire body suffers in some way. The body knows when we hurt. The pain has to come out, if we don't allow it to come out, then the body becomes sick in some manner. It takes different forms in different people. I have seen it cause depression in some, severe arthritis in another, ulcers, vertigo (which I have experienced) and in some cases possibly even cancer. So, if we want to be physically healthy, we must also become emotionally and spiritually healthy.
I feel quite confident I can overcome my past with time and the proper guidance I know I am strong enough to do it. God has used so many of my friends to help me through this process. I am truly blessed. When I took the buyout at toyota, I knew it would be a life changing experience I just never realized how deep the changes would go. He continually puts just the right person in my life at just the right time. I have always heard that God's timing is perfect but I am now experiencing just how perfect it truly is in a very real and very personal way.
Lord, I pray that you will continue to guide me on this path of not only self discovery, but a path of healing from the wounds of my past. I pray that you will allow me to use my experiences to help others overcome the wounds in their life also. Bring people into my life who I can share these experiences with. People who want to overcome the pain in their lives. Always, give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to keep my mouth shut. Fill me with your words. Help me to help them to know that they are loved. That they too, have a very loving God, a very personal God, who wants to help them to heal also. Thank you for putting these trials in my life, for without these trials, I would not be the person I am today. These are the things that have shaped me and made me into a person who has to trust her God. Trust Him to lead me where He wants me to go and trust that He is able to do all that He says He can, including healing me and making me a stronger, kinder, more loving individual. I pray all these things in your name. Amen.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible about tears is Psalm 56:8 the New International Version says: Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll-are they not in your record?
I find it amazing that God cares enough about me to record every tear I cry. He loves me that much and will never waste my tears without giving me something in return, if I seek Him.
The New American Standard version says it this way:
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
Wow! how amazing that he not only records my tears but he keeps my tears in a bottle. Our God loves us more then we can ever imagine. And when we hurt, he knows we are hurting. He is only waiting for us to come to Him so He can heal us from the hurts of this cruel world we live in.
Revelations 7:17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
A wild thought just crossed my mind. What if the tears God saves in a bottle are the springs of living water He is referring too. I am sure there are enough tears flowing in this cruel world to keep a spring flowing. Wow! what better way to use my tears then to bring life to others. He truly is an amazing God.
Rev. 21:4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, the old order of things has passed away. 5) He who was seated on the throne said, " I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Here, He even states, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. He has made us a promise He intends to keep.
Psalm 126:5&6
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6) He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
If we take our experiences and share them with others we will be blessed and we will see a harvest from our efforts.
Jeremiah 31:16&17
This is what the Lord says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the Lord. " They will return from the land of the enemy. 17) So there is hope for your future," declares the Lord. "Your children will return to their own land.
He declares these things. The word declare in the dictionary means to proclaim, state emphatically. to make known publicly or to prove. God wants to prove to us that He means what He says. We can trust Him to do what He says He will do. I don't know about you but in todays world their are very few people you can trust to do what they say. And to me that means everything. I want to know I can count on someone. We can count on our God. He is always there and always available. 24/7. You will never get his voicemail or a busy signal. He doesn't screen His calls. He takes them all. As a matter of fact He sits patiently waiting for us to come to Him. So don't be afraid to give Him a call. He knows what you are feeling and wants to help you heal from the pain of your past. Just as He is helping me. I hope you too can find the strength and perseverence to join me a journey of healing. You are in my prayers.
I recently started counseling at the advice of a friend. Thursday was a rough session. She really had me thinking about my past. I had to fill out a form and list people in my life who had hurt me in some way. And then compare that with how I was treated in my childhood by various people. It was enlightening how I tend to pick men who treat me the same way I was treated as a child. We are now working on how I can overcome my past so that I pick men who will treat me the way God intended for a woman to be treated. I like my counselor very much. She is the first counselor I have been to, who actually has a game plan as to how I can overcome my past. Instead of just having me talk and she listen. I am given homework so that I can work through issues that have been plaguing me for years. It is not an easy task. Unfortunately, in order to heal we must feel. And some of those memories are excruciatingly painful at times. She has encouraged me to love the little girl inside of me. Spoil her and show her she is loved. This is hard to do after so many years of suppressing those painful memories. Funny how when we suppress our feelings they surface in some other form. We think we are containing the pain when in reality we are only shifting it to some other area of our life. Recovery is like having an infection. You have to drain all the puss and nasty stuff inside, out of you, before you can actually heal. If the puss remains, we only become sicker. Our entire body suffers in some way. The body knows when we hurt. The pain has to come out, if we don't allow it to come out, then the body becomes sick in some manner. It takes different forms in different people. I have seen it cause depression in some, severe arthritis in another, ulcers, vertigo (which I have experienced) and in some cases possibly even cancer. So, if we want to be physically healthy, we must also become emotionally and spiritually healthy.
I feel quite confident I can overcome my past with time and the proper guidance I know I am strong enough to do it. God has used so many of my friends to help me through this process. I am truly blessed. When I took the buyout at toyota, I knew it would be a life changing experience I just never realized how deep the changes would go. He continually puts just the right person in my life at just the right time. I have always heard that God's timing is perfect but I am now experiencing just how perfect it truly is in a very real and very personal way.
Lord, I pray that you will continue to guide me on this path of not only self discovery, but a path of healing from the wounds of my past. I pray that you will allow me to use my experiences to help others overcome the wounds in their life also. Bring people into my life who I can share these experiences with. People who want to overcome the pain in their lives. Always, give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to keep my mouth shut. Fill me with your words. Help me to help them to know that they are loved. That they too, have a very loving God, a very personal God, who wants to help them to heal also. Thank you for putting these trials in my life, for without these trials, I would not be the person I am today. These are the things that have shaped me and made me into a person who has to trust her God. Trust Him to lead me where He wants me to go and trust that He is able to do all that He says He can, including healing me and making me a stronger, kinder, more loving individual. I pray all these things in your name. Amen.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible about tears is Psalm 56:8 the New International Version says: Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll-are they not in your record?
I find it amazing that God cares enough about me to record every tear I cry. He loves me that much and will never waste my tears without giving me something in return, if I seek Him.
The New American Standard version says it this way:
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
Wow! how amazing that he not only records my tears but he keeps my tears in a bottle. Our God loves us more then we can ever imagine. And when we hurt, he knows we are hurting. He is only waiting for us to come to Him so He can heal us from the hurts of this cruel world we live in.
Revelations 7:17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
A wild thought just crossed my mind. What if the tears God saves in a bottle are the springs of living water He is referring too. I am sure there are enough tears flowing in this cruel world to keep a spring flowing. Wow! what better way to use my tears then to bring life to others. He truly is an amazing God.
Rev. 21:4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, the old order of things has passed away. 5) He who was seated on the throne said, " I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Here, He even states, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. He has made us a promise He intends to keep.
Psalm 126:5&6
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6) He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
If we take our experiences and share them with others we will be blessed and we will see a harvest from our efforts.
Jeremiah 31:16&17
This is what the Lord says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the Lord. " They will return from the land of the enemy. 17) So there is hope for your future," declares the Lord. "Your children will return to their own land.
He declares these things. The word declare in the dictionary means to proclaim, state emphatically. to make known publicly or to prove. God wants to prove to us that He means what He says. We can trust Him to do what He says He will do. I don't know about you but in todays world their are very few people you can trust to do what they say. And to me that means everything. I want to know I can count on someone. We can count on our God. He is always there and always available. 24/7. You will never get his voicemail or a busy signal. He doesn't screen His calls. He takes them all. As a matter of fact He sits patiently waiting for us to come to Him. So don't be afraid to give Him a call. He knows what you are feeling and wants to help you heal from the pain of your past. Just as He is helping me. I hope you too can find the strength and perseverence to join me a journey of healing. You are in my prayers.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Life
It has been a couple of months since I have posted anything on here. It is time to post again. Recently I visited Toyota, my old place of employment. They were having a health fair and I talked to Sandy, the nurse, and asked if we could come and be a part of it. She was excited to have a chiropractor as part of the health fair. It was interesting going back. It felt so weird to drive through that gate again. Only this time as a visitor. After the health fair ended I stayed through their lunch to see all my old friends. It was good to see everyone. I was surprised to see how some had aged considerably in just the four or five short months I have been gone. It was the same atmosphere. Everyone was so negative. Not much has changed there just the faces. They had a lot of temporaries and again they are working a lot of overtime. Not much laughter or fun goes on there anymore. It is a shame a place that could be so awesome to work at has become a prison to so many. I know how they feel because I felt that way also. It seems as if management does not allow fun. I know when I was there if they saw someone enjoying there job it seemed as if they would do something (make some silly rule) that would stop the fun. I am not saying people should do things that are unsafe. But I see nothing wrong with someone enjoying their job. Why does management feel a need to steal peoples joy. Are they so miserable that they want everyone else to be miserable too? I used to love that job. But as management changed, the rules changed and those rules felt like chains, imprisoning those that work there. Dooming them to a lifetime sentence of misery. Holding people down and frustrating them to the point of resentment and anger. It is no wonder that moral is so bad in that place. I just wish management could see how they are destroying that place one rule at a time. Once again, I am so thankful that God chose to remove me from that prison. I am much happier because of it.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Who am I anyway.
Lately God has been showing me just who I am. I am rediscovering myself and enjoying every minute of it. Life is good for the most part. I still have some missing pieces I would like to find. But that will come in God's timing. I am willing to wait. I know God will bless me if I wait patiently. I Bought me a camera and joined a camera club. I have always loved taking pictures but could never afford to buy a nice camera. Well, I splurged and did just that. And I am loving it. When I tested with the career consultant one of my top jobs was photography. I think it was second to cosmetology. Can't see me doing that. I think that would bore me to tears after a short while. So, photography and writing are my top two picks. I am sitting back and waiting to see just how God will use these two gifts. I think the most awesome job to have would be to travel, photograph the places I visit and write about them for a travel magazine. Now that would be a dream come true. The only thing that would make it better would be to have the love of my life (????) join me.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
2 months into my journey
God is so very good. Yesterday I went to dinner with my daughter and son in law to celebrate her 25th birthday. I also got to spend time with my son this week who was in town for my parents 50th wedding anniversary. He brought his girlfriend and she seems very sweet. I could not be more blessed. I have two incredible children and a great son in law.
I finished the story for Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary. It is quite long but I think you will enjoy it. Here it is:
For years, while growing up, in the small town of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Mom and Dad played George Jones on the stereo. One of their favorite songs was 4 0 33 and I never understood the significance of it, until I got older. Mom liked it so well she had the numbers 4033 put on the mailbox, next to the house, where she receives packages. For all of you who either have never heard the song or didn’t pay any attention when you did, here are the words.
We’re the two new people that’s moved to the middle of the block
And we’re the talk of the town and don’t you think we’re not.
For we’ve got love and happiness people envy us you see.
For we found heaven right here on earth at 4 0 33.
Yes we found what most people are looking for.
And it’s not a lotta money to spend on a real fine car.
It’s a window where a bird flies and sings so free
And there’s a whole lotta windows in this little house at 4 0 33
The four thousandth block proves what true love can do.
Once a lonely place but was sold to me and you.
Oh all around the house you can see little children play.
And they’re not other people kids we’re proud to say.
They are the symbol of our love for all the world to see.
They’re a part of heaven right here on earth at 4 0 33.
All hours of the day you can see many people drive by.
For a look at the house they think fell from the sky.
They think that this place would make them as happy as you and me.
And the whole towns trying to buy our house at 4 0 33.
REFRAIN
We’re not gonna sale our happy little house at 4 0 33.
Wouldn’t take a pretty thing for the love we had at 4 0 33.
As you all know we are here today to honor my parents. They truly lived the life of this song. George Jones could not have written a more perfect song for this occasion.
What is the recipe for 50 years of marriage? Is it true love, marrying your soul mate, sheer determination, or pure stubbornness or maybe a combination of all four?
Dad and Mom, also known as Bob and Johnnie, were married Aug. 22, 1959. Now seven kids and fourteen grandchildren later they are celebrating 50 years of marriage, a feat in itself, much less surviving raising seven children.
Mom said it took her six months to get a date with Dad. “He didn’t want to take me out because I was Catholic but when we finally went out he knocked my socks off with the first kiss and has been doing it ever since.”
On their 32nd wedding anniversary my dad planned the evening. He wanted to recreate that first date. So Mom got all dressed up and even put on lipstick, which she rarely ever wore. Dad showed up at the house in a limousine dressed in bibbed overalls with one pant leg rolled up and a straw in his mouth. He was carrying a coffee can with silk flowers in it. It was certainly a night to remember. My mom could not stop laughing and who could resist that infectious laugh. It always echoed throughout the house.
On their 33rd anniversary they decided to renew their vows. They both loved the song Meet in the Middle by Diamond Rio, so they modeled the ceremony after the song. Which says, “I’d start walking your way, You’d start walking mine, We’d meet in the middle, ‘Neath that old Georgia Pine, We’d gain a lot of ground ‘Cause we’d both give a little, and there ain’t no road too long, when you meet in the middle.” They had a pine tree in the yard that Dad built a gazebo around and he poured a sidewalk leading to it. Mom was on one end of the walk and Dad on the other and they met in the middle and renewed their vowels “’Neath that old Georgia Pine.” It was a very touching ceremony.
They truly found what most people are looking for. Their love was apparent to everyone, especially us children. They were not afraid to show their affection and they didn’t seem to mind embarrassing us kids with a passionate kiss.
I remember walking into the kitchen when I was young and seeing Mom and Dad kissing passionately. I thought “yuck, how embarrassing” and ran out of the room as fast as possible feeling I had seen something I shouldn’t have.
My brother, Tom, recalled a story, after the four oldest kids had left home, when it was just him, Jenny and Josh. They had all gone to a movie together leaving Mom and Dad home alone. They were given strict instructions to come straight home after the movie. Upon arriving home they found dad coming out of his bedroom pulling up his pants and holding his t-shirt in his hand. He asked “what are you doing home so early.” Tom said, “You told us to come straight home” and Dad said “oh, well then, just go to bed.” And then of course there was the Hulk Hogan incident that I won’t elaborate on.
Other times I remember Dad kneeling beside his Sugar Babe, patting her on the leg and kissing her affectionately on the cheek. No two people could be more in love.
Mom and Dad were obviously meant to be parents; and we seven can testify that they were both very good at it. When I asked Mom why did you have seven kids, she said “all I had to do was wash my underwear with your dads and I got pregnant.” With seven kids, there was always something going on around the house, which brought much delight to Mom and Dad. They both loved children and Mom especially loved babies. We even had two foster children for a while but when the time came, it was difficult to give them up. Nothing thrilled Mom’s heart more then holding a baby.
As a child, it seemed to me, Mom was always pregnant. I remember Dad getting all of his brothers and sisters together to make yet another announcement but when he stood up, someone shouted, “WE KNOW BOB, JOHNNIE IS PREGNANT!” So Dad just sat back down and they all burst into laughter not knowing what to make of it.
When you come from a large family any get together is a major event. For friends who are not familiar with the extended families, my dad had six brothers and two sisters, nine kids in all. And although my mom only had one sister, between the two of them, they had fourteen children, seven in each family. So any family event will no doubt be huge but that keeps life interesting. There is never a dull moment at Mom and Dad’s house.
I remember numerous get togethers when I was a little. Family reunions in the summer time and of course my favorite, the Christmas parties in the winter. Mom always got out the good dishes and the Christmas table cloth. The house looked like a hallmark store with all the decorations and the kitchen smelled incredible. She would spend hours baking cookies and candy so that all of her and Dad’s family could be together at Christmas. There was always a house full at these functions and we always had a great time.
My dad was quite the storyteller, telling stories about growing up with eight siblings. And let’s not forget the stories about his father, my papaw, whom they called Pader. Papaw liked his moonshine and had his own still. He used to keep my dad home from school to make moonshine while he was off getting drunk. He had numerous close calls with the law but he would just move the still to another location. As he got older, he became quite subdued. Mostly due to the shoebox full of pills that he washed down with a beer. His moonshine days were over only to be replaced with a cold beer.
Now Mom was totally different from Dad. She didn’t mind setting back and letting Dad have the spotlight. She was perfectly content staying home, chasing after little ones and making our house a home. She always cooked the most amazing food, like homemade bread and homemade spaghetti sauce. She made everything from scratch. I remember she always made homemade hot chocolate after we had been sleigh riding. What an incredible treat after playing in the snow. I can remember her making some of our clothes also. She even made matching dresses for us girls.
We grew up in a two story house on Hamilton Ave. We have a lot of good memories from that old house. We would get all the neighborhood kids together, the Bobst, Colette Conn, and anyone else we could find to join us. We would all dress up and have parades, as well as put on plays in our garage. We would make Mom and Mrs. Bobst come and pay a quarter to watch
We all worked together just as a family should. We raised a garden and everyone played a part. I can remember that old concrete picnic table, in the back yard, piled high with corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers, as well as many other things we had grown in our garden. Then the hard work began. Mom would can and freeze as much as possible so we had fresh vegetables for the winter. Dinner was always well orchestrated. We all took turns. I would peel potatoes, Karen would set the table, and Cathy would make the tea and mash the potatoes. There was no TV in the kitchen. Dinner time was family time and I loved that. It was one thing you could always count on. We all had chores to do also. We took turns doing dishes, washing and drying. Everyone helped out. Saturday was cleaning day. We divided up the chores, picking things up, vacuuming, dusting and cleaning the bathrooms. We were the true American family that so many kids long for today.
Karen and I were reminiscing about things like raising chinchilla’s. We had two hundred of them at one point. Now that was a chore. And then there were the times we would set around the kitchen, with a jar of cream, passing it back and forth, shaking it until it became homemade butter. What a treat. I still love butter today. We made ice cream floats on Friday nights. Mom would buy a six pack of Barq’s flavored sodas and we would all sit at the kitchen table and have family time. Then of course, there were the things we missed when we moved out. Such as waking up to Dad’s voice, singing outside at top of his lungs and the smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen.
Mom and Dad shared the discipline and neither was a stranger to the paddle. None of us kids have forgotten the Plexiglas paddle Dad made for Mom. He even engraved (on it) Mommy’s “please do stick.” It definitely got results. Just to let you in on a little secret, we found the perfect hiding place for that foreboding piece of plastic. Then there were the dreaded words, “just wait till your Father get’s home.” We knew worse was yet to come. As we got older, Dad became more creative in his discipline. I remember once getting into a fight with my older brother Harry. We were only a year apart but he seemed to thrive on annoying me. Well, Dad got the brilliant idea to stop our fighting by making us spend the rest of the day side by side. And to make sure that happened he tied us together, opposite legs and opposite arms. I guess when you have seven children you have to get creative sometimes. The only time we could separate was to go to the bathroom. I was never so glad for a day to end. Talk about torture. I made it a point to get along with everyone for at least a week after that ordeal.
Since we could not afford to eat out we would get cheeseburgers from Burger Chef because they were only .39 on Tuesdays and watch Eight is Enough, a family favorite. Jenny remembers coloring Dad a picture, each time he went out of town to work, and putting it in his hat before she went to bed, knowing he would be gone when she woke up. She did not like the fact that her Daddy would be gone for an entire week.
On Sunday morning, Dad would take Jenny and Tom to Catechism at St. Monica’s in New Boston and drop them off. Since Josh was too young to go, Dad would take him to Toytown and let him play. He loved to watch the toy trains that were set up inside the store. Some of his favorite memories include Mom picking up her best friend Darlene and heading to Portsmouth to shop. They would always go to Marting’s and ride the elevator up to the third floor to buy candy at the candy store.
When the T.V. show Roots made its debut, Harry became curious about our heritage and wanted to know more. So Dad decided to take us on a road trip. My grandpa had told Dad we were originally from Virginia. So Mom and Dad decided to find out more. We drove to an area in Virginia that my Dad had heard about as a child and began our search. We saw historical signs with John Mullins’ name on it and began to stop at various small businesses and inquire about the Mullins’. We were given directions to the home of an elderly lady named Martha Mullins, after talking to her she recalled the birth of my grandfather. This was the beginning of many new discoveries about the family. Now when we have a Mullins reunion, you will find some of the people we met in Virginia still attend. Mom said it was a horrible trip because about all the kids got car sick. This was a first; it was usually only me that did that.
What is the recipe for 50 years of marriage, you ask? You will have to ask them but whatever it is they have the perfect recipe.
The years have taken there toll on both of them but their love endures. There was much laughter and tears throughout the years but that is how life was “at the happy little house at 4033.”
By: Marty Shuff
Aug. 15, 2009
I finished the story for Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary. It is quite long but I think you will enjoy it. Here it is:
50 Years Together
We’re the two new people that’s moved to the middle of the block
And we’re the talk of the town and don’t you think we’re not.
For we’ve got love and happiness people envy us you see.
For we found heaven right here on earth at 4 0 33.
Yes we found what most people are looking for.
And it’s not a lotta money to spend on a real fine car.
It’s a window where a bird flies and sings so free
And there’s a whole lotta windows in this little house at 4 0 33
The four thousandth block proves what true love can do.
Once a lonely place but was sold to me and you.
Oh all around the house you can see little children play.
And they’re not other people kids we’re proud to say.
They are the symbol of our love for all the world to see.
They’re a part of heaven right here on earth at 4 0 33.
All hours of the day you can see many people drive by.
For a look at the house they think fell from the sky.
They think that this place would make them as happy as you and me.
And the whole towns trying to buy our house at 4 0 33.
REFRAIN
We’re not gonna sale our happy little house at 4 0 33.
Wouldn’t take a pretty thing for the love we had at 4 0 33.
As you all know we are here today to honor my parents. They truly lived the life of this song. George Jones could not have written a more perfect song for this occasion.
What is the recipe for 50 years of marriage? Is it true love, marrying your soul mate, sheer determination, or pure stubbornness or maybe a combination of all four?
Dad and Mom, also known as Bob and Johnnie, were married Aug. 22, 1959. Now seven kids and fourteen grandchildren later they are celebrating 50 years of marriage, a feat in itself, much less surviving raising seven children.
Mom said it took her six months to get a date with Dad. “He didn’t want to take me out because I was Catholic but when we finally went out he knocked my socks off with the first kiss and has been doing it ever since.”
On their 32nd wedding anniversary my dad planned the evening. He wanted to recreate that first date. So Mom got all dressed up and even put on lipstick, which she rarely ever wore. Dad showed up at the house in a limousine dressed in bibbed overalls with one pant leg rolled up and a straw in his mouth. He was carrying a coffee can with silk flowers in it. It was certainly a night to remember. My mom could not stop laughing and who could resist that infectious laugh. It always echoed throughout the house.
On their 33rd anniversary they decided to renew their vows. They both loved the song Meet in the Middle by Diamond Rio, so they modeled the ceremony after the song. Which says, “I’d start walking your way, You’d start walking mine, We’d meet in the middle, ‘Neath that old Georgia Pine, We’d gain a lot of ground ‘Cause we’d both give a little, and there ain’t no road too long, when you meet in the middle.” They had a pine tree in the yard that Dad built a gazebo around and he poured a sidewalk leading to it. Mom was on one end of the walk and Dad on the other and they met in the middle and renewed their vowels “’Neath that old Georgia Pine.” It was a very touching ceremony.
They truly found what most people are looking for. Their love was apparent to everyone, especially us children. They were not afraid to show their affection and they didn’t seem to mind embarrassing us kids with a passionate kiss.
I remember walking into the kitchen when I was young and seeing Mom and Dad kissing passionately. I thought “yuck, how embarrassing” and ran out of the room as fast as possible feeling I had seen something I shouldn’t have.
My brother, Tom, recalled a story, after the four oldest kids had left home, when it was just him, Jenny and Josh. They had all gone to a movie together leaving Mom and Dad home alone. They were given strict instructions to come straight home after the movie. Upon arriving home they found dad coming out of his bedroom pulling up his pants and holding his t-shirt in his hand. He asked “what are you doing home so early.” Tom said, “You told us to come straight home” and Dad said “oh, well then, just go to bed.” And then of course there was the Hulk Hogan incident that I won’t elaborate on.
Other times I remember Dad kneeling beside his Sugar Babe, patting her on the leg and kissing her affectionately on the cheek. No two people could be more in love.
Mom and Dad were obviously meant to be parents; and we seven can testify that they were both very good at it. When I asked Mom why did you have seven kids, she said “all I had to do was wash my underwear with your dads and I got pregnant.” With seven kids, there was always something going on around the house, which brought much delight to Mom and Dad. They both loved children and Mom especially loved babies. We even had two foster children for a while but when the time came, it was difficult to give them up. Nothing thrilled Mom’s heart more then holding a baby.
As a child, it seemed to me, Mom was always pregnant. I remember Dad getting all of his brothers and sisters together to make yet another announcement but when he stood up, someone shouted, “WE KNOW BOB, JOHNNIE IS PREGNANT!” So Dad just sat back down and they all burst into laughter not knowing what to make of it.
When you come from a large family any get together is a major event. For friends who are not familiar with the extended families, my dad had six brothers and two sisters, nine kids in all. And although my mom only had one sister, between the two of them, they had fourteen children, seven in each family. So any family event will no doubt be huge but that keeps life interesting. There is never a dull moment at Mom and Dad’s house.
I remember numerous get togethers when I was a little. Family reunions in the summer time and of course my favorite, the Christmas parties in the winter. Mom always got out the good dishes and the Christmas table cloth. The house looked like a hallmark store with all the decorations and the kitchen smelled incredible. She would spend hours baking cookies and candy so that all of her and Dad’s family could be together at Christmas. There was always a house full at these functions and we always had a great time.
My dad was quite the storyteller, telling stories about growing up with eight siblings. And let’s not forget the stories about his father, my papaw, whom they called Pader. Papaw liked his moonshine and had his own still. He used to keep my dad home from school to make moonshine while he was off getting drunk. He had numerous close calls with the law but he would just move the still to another location. As he got older, he became quite subdued. Mostly due to the shoebox full of pills that he washed down with a beer. His moonshine days were over only to be replaced with a cold beer.
Now Mom was totally different from Dad. She didn’t mind setting back and letting Dad have the spotlight. She was perfectly content staying home, chasing after little ones and making our house a home. She always cooked the most amazing food, like homemade bread and homemade spaghetti sauce. She made everything from scratch. I remember she always made homemade hot chocolate after we had been sleigh riding. What an incredible treat after playing in the snow. I can remember her making some of our clothes also. She even made matching dresses for us girls.
We grew up in a two story house on Hamilton Ave. We have a lot of good memories from that old house. We would get all the neighborhood kids together, the Bobst, Colette Conn, and anyone else we could find to join us. We would all dress up and have parades, as well as put on plays in our garage. We would make Mom and Mrs. Bobst come and pay a quarter to watch
We all worked together just as a family should. We raised a garden and everyone played a part. I can remember that old concrete picnic table, in the back yard, piled high with corn, tomatoes, and cucumbers, as well as many other things we had grown in our garden. Then the hard work began. Mom would can and freeze as much as possible so we had fresh vegetables for the winter. Dinner was always well orchestrated. We all took turns. I would peel potatoes, Karen would set the table, and Cathy would make the tea and mash the potatoes. There was no TV in the kitchen. Dinner time was family time and I loved that. It was one thing you could always count on. We all had chores to do also. We took turns doing dishes, washing and drying. Everyone helped out. Saturday was cleaning day. We divided up the chores, picking things up, vacuuming, dusting and cleaning the bathrooms. We were the true American family that so many kids long for today.
Karen and I were reminiscing about things like raising chinchilla’s. We had two hundred of them at one point. Now that was a chore. And then there were the times we would set around the kitchen, with a jar of cream, passing it back and forth, shaking it until it became homemade butter. What a treat. I still love butter today. We made ice cream floats on Friday nights. Mom would buy a six pack of Barq’s flavored sodas and we would all sit at the kitchen table and have family time. Then of course, there were the things we missed when we moved out. Such as waking up to Dad’s voice, singing outside at top of his lungs and the smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen.
Mom and Dad shared the discipline and neither was a stranger to the paddle. None of us kids have forgotten the Plexiglas paddle Dad made for Mom. He even engraved (on it) Mommy’s “please do stick.” It definitely got results. Just to let you in on a little secret, we found the perfect hiding place for that foreboding piece of plastic. Then there were the dreaded words, “just wait till your Father get’s home.” We knew worse was yet to come. As we got older, Dad became more creative in his discipline. I remember once getting into a fight with my older brother Harry. We were only a year apart but he seemed to thrive on annoying me. Well, Dad got the brilliant idea to stop our fighting by making us spend the rest of the day side by side. And to make sure that happened he tied us together, opposite legs and opposite arms. I guess when you have seven children you have to get creative sometimes. The only time we could separate was to go to the bathroom. I was never so glad for a day to end. Talk about torture. I made it a point to get along with everyone for at least a week after that ordeal.
Since we could not afford to eat out we would get cheeseburgers from Burger Chef because they were only .39 on Tuesdays and watch Eight is Enough, a family favorite. Jenny remembers coloring Dad a picture, each time he went out of town to work, and putting it in his hat before she went to bed, knowing he would be gone when she woke up. She did not like the fact that her Daddy would be gone for an entire week.
On Sunday morning, Dad would take Jenny and Tom to Catechism at St. Monica’s in New Boston and drop them off. Since Josh was too young to go, Dad would take him to Toytown and let him play. He loved to watch the toy trains that were set up inside the store. Some of his favorite memories include Mom picking up her best friend Darlene and heading to Portsmouth to shop. They would always go to Marting’s and ride the elevator up to the third floor to buy candy at the candy store.
When the T.V. show Roots made its debut, Harry became curious about our heritage and wanted to know more. So Dad decided to take us on a road trip. My grandpa had told Dad we were originally from Virginia. So Mom and Dad decided to find out more. We drove to an area in Virginia that my Dad had heard about as a child and began our search. We saw historical signs with John Mullins’ name on it and began to stop at various small businesses and inquire about the Mullins’. We were given directions to the home of an elderly lady named Martha Mullins, after talking to her she recalled the birth of my grandfather. This was the beginning of many new discoveries about the family. Now when we have a Mullins reunion, you will find some of the people we met in Virginia still attend. Mom said it was a horrible trip because about all the kids got car sick. This was a first; it was usually only me that did that.
What is the recipe for 50 years of marriage, you ask? You will have to ask them but whatever it is they have the perfect recipe.
The years have taken there toll on both of them but their love endures. There was much laughter and tears throughout the years but that is how life was “at the happy little house at 4033.”
By: Marty Shuff
Aug. 15, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Today is Saturday, July 11. I have now been unemployed for two weeks. I must say I do not enjoy the job search experience. It is not fun but a test in endurance for sure. I have the possibility of one job. But don't know for sure yet. I have enjoyed my time off but managing my time is another story. It is definately difficult to do wisely. I have stayed very busy just doing things I enjoy and going to lunch with girlfriends. God is teaching me many things these days. Mostly self discipline. He has asked me to give up things and is also adding new things to my list of things to do. I am taking classes at the carnegie center on writing and am enjoying that very much. I am learning alot about critiquing and what to look for. My group is a very friendly group and very accepting of everyone. I am currently working on writing a piece my mother has asked me to write, for their 50th wedding anniversary, that is coming up in Aug. That will be interesting. With 50 years and 7 kids it may be difficult to keep that one short. I will soon be writing my testimony also. I think everyone should write theirs for their children if for no other reason. Then I intend to start piecing together the book God has laid on my heart to write. That will no doubt be a lengthy endeavor. But I am anxious to start on it. I need to finish this so I can manage my time better. I will write more later. Hope you all have a great weekend.
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