Adventure day

It's always scary to try something new. Today, me and my daughter got us some bikes and went out riding! I haven't been riding in a lot of years.  I mean, A LOT of years. But I was able to manage. She hasn't ridden since she was 6. She had a bike then and was going down a hill and couldn't stop, and CRASH! The results were a broken arm. She gave it up after that! Bike sold.

So you should have seen us out there today. First we walked our bikes about a quarter mile to the church parking lot in my neighborhood. Then in true parent fashion (like you do with your younger kids teaching them how to ride), I was trying to show her how to ride a bike and run along her trying to keep her from crashing. 

It was a site to see.  Me, 52 years old, running alongside my 23 year old daughter. But after 20 minutes, she was doing it.  I am so proud of her overcoming her fears and taking on a bike. 

And glad to say no crashes to report. Arms intact.

What have you been holding back to do because you are afraid? You could be missing out on a lot of fun and experience that can be gained. Push through. Overcome the fear. 

Girl, you are strong. 

Psalms 56:3; "But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."

Love to all,

Many Scars

I recently saw a picture of a older lady showing her natural body and scars. It said "this is what beauty is". A lot of times, us ladies, define our beauty and self-worth by our bodies. I am far from perfect and I have a lot of scars.
Our scars are different from each other and how we react to them is different.
My scars bring me memories of good times and of some times I would like to not remember as much.
I have my C-section scar that gives me beautiful memories of my hard experiences of trying to get pregnant and of what going through all those tough times gave me, my family. It took me a lot of infertility treatments and tests over 5 years before I was able to actually get pregnant. More people saw me below the waist that I would ever want!
Scars can also bring back memories that were not so funny at the time but now everytime I see it and think about how I got it, I have to laugh. This scar is between my eyes. I got this when I was in the 5th grade playing in the corn pasture at my grandmas house. Me and my cousins were told to not play in the corn field but we never listened (like when they also told us to not play in the barn either!) and when we were running back to the house trying not to get caught, I ran into the barb-wire fence and it clothes hooked me between the eyes! Not a fun day for me.
I also have a scar to remind me of the year of treatment for cancer. I actually have 2 scars, one on my breast that reminds me of where my tumor was, and one on my chest to remind me of where my port was and the treatment I got.  This was not a good time in my life or my family, but I don't want to forget it because it showed me how strong of a woman I was and showed me no matter how strong I was, I still needed to depend on God and my family. Through all of this testing time, I have now a lopsided boob which makes it tricky when buying a bra! I have patchy hair and have to really pay attention when I am fixing my hair to cover up the bald spots and so many cow licks!
There also is the scars that we don't see. Those scars I think are the hardest. When we are mentally beat up and trying to overcome a fear or depression, this is the hardest. I have to try and not beat myself up every time I look at my hair, or my weight loss trials.  I just try to concentrate on what I have been blessed with and be content with my what I have and not concentrate on what others have or do. God made me the way I am. He made you the way you are.
We all have scars, some are more noticeable than others or may not be seen at all. And everyone manages and reacts differently to them. But we all need to realize that we do not know what others are going through or battling in their life. You know the old saying, don't judge until you have walked in their shoes.

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Love to all,

My privilege to serve

It's my privilege as a nurse to:
~serve you
~pray with you
~pray over you
~listen to you
~laugh with you
~cry with you
~cry for you
~hold your hand
~comfort you
~be your family when they cannot be with you
~take your pain from you
~be with you when your life is ending
~help you go in peace

This is a nurse. I have many hats in my job, but caring for my patients is why I am a nurse.
I have many privileges as a nurse with my patients, but the hardest is watching them pass away.

I got the privilege today to help someone in the end. Hold their hand. Pray over them. It was the hardest, but I know they are not hurting or suffering anymore. And I would like to think that they are with the Lord now. I pray for their family through this difficult time.

I love my job, I love my career, I love being able to give love to those in need.
I will not stop. I will press on.

Romans 13:8; Owe nothing to anyone- except for your obligation to love one another.
Romans 8:21; Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
1 John 3:11; We should love one another.

Love to all,

losing control

Do you ever feel like you are not in control? I mean, it can be the smallest of things or the biggest of things. What is a big decision or task for me may be small to you. Sometimes, I think, just getting through life is difficult. Frustrations like trying to get my kids to help me clean the house or just do the dishes. Frustrations like not being able to see my family during this covid crisis. Frustrations like why haven't I won the lottery yet!

As I listened to my daily devotion this morning on my drive into work, I was reminded of a few things but one big thing that I heard is that I AM NOT IN CONTROL. We don't get to control our circumstances, but we CAN decide on how we react to them and it is our choice on how we handle them also. So when the kids won't help me clean the house, it isn't going to do me any good getting mad. All that will do will raise my BP and cause me to be mad and I still have to clean by myself. But if I give it and not react, I can put in my ear buds and clean away in my little music world. (And I can sing and not worry how I sound to them because in my mind I sound like Mariah Carey!)

We have to not focus on the problem. When we put all our energy into the problem, then all your focus is on that problem. We can change that by seeing the opportunity in every difficulty.
I know when I face a fear or difficult time in my life, I will pray to God and tell him my troubles. But a different way of looking at this is to stop telling God about your problems and tell your problems about God. God already knows your problems, insecurities, fears. See your potential to overcome your problems by facing the fears and not backing down but stepping into it. 

This is what being a hero, (or she-ro) is.

John 16:33 gives us a promise: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Love to all,