It was worth it

 I survived. Not sure what I was worried about. You know, sometimes we go down the rabbit hole and it is hard to get out of it. What I'm talking about is my volunteer day at Shine. (read previous blog entry). I got there, and was all ready for my guest and for me to be a buddy. But God has something else in mind. Not sure what kind of testing this was, but we had some guests not show up, and the guest assigned to me, was one of them. So I technically didn't have a volunteer job. I was told to go and have dinner and they would find me if my guest showed up. So that is what I did. And God placed me at the right time to help another guest and their caregiver through the food line. She was non-verbal and gave the best hugs. I ate dinner with them and found out she has a job at a store that makes healthy pet snacks/treats. Pretty cool. And she loved to people watch. I do too! So we watched everyone dance and walk past our table in their 80's outfits. I was able to dance a little, 80's style, and then I played the audience in the karaoke room. Between the dance floor and the karaoke room, there was a lot going on!

Oh, by the way, Yes I did! I got dressed up too! It was like taking me back to my high school days! I loved it! Right down to my neon pink slouch socks. And BTW, I am thinking of ordering more, in different colors!

                                                                            

So, I worried and panicked over nothing.  Just goes to show that God may had different plans for you and you need to be flexible and be willing to adapt, to step out and show up. It was scary and hard for me to but I did it. And it shows that I can do it again. 

It is written:

Philippians 4:6;Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Isaiah 41:10; "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Love to all,

When AnXietY or pANic attacks you

 

I am thinking right now, what was I thinking signing up to volunteer?? At the time, I thought this would be fun, something new. Now, I am feeling nervous, panic is setting in. What am I talking about?

I have volunteered with my church to help with the Night to Shine. The disability prom that Tim Tebow Foundation does. Our church is hosting it this Friday. The 13th. I thought it would be good to volunteer. I have volunteered before at my previous church, but it was as support staff. It appears I am going to be a "buddy" for one of the guests. At our training tonight, they went over what not to do, what to do, what not to say.....I am now so afraid I am going to screw it up and be the one that does the wrong thing! They say, "have fun" but don't do (fill in the blank).  HELP! I am in panic mode! My thoughts are running crazy...Am I going to connect with my guest/buddy, how am I going to adapt to their disability, what do I even say?? I am going down the rabbit hole right now.

At least I am not the only one that this is their first time. I don't feel so alone, so I can't be the only one feeling this way. So, how am I going to manage this? Well, first, I am giving it to God. So far, I must be still holding onto it, because I still have that anxiety, it isn't going away yet. 

Just give me a few...minutes....days....

Second, I am just going to be myself. The theme is the '80's. Right up my alley! And you bet I have my outfit already picked out...neon pink and all! Slouch socks ✓, big belt ✓, neon dangle earrings ✓, neon elastic bracelets ✓, and my hair scrunchie!! Not sure how I am going to get my scrunchie in use, as my hair is barely long enough to pull back in barrett's, but I am gonna try! What a conversation starter, the 80's. 

As Friday quickly approaches, I will be in and out of panic, but I know it will be fun. God puts us out there, and it isn't always going to be easy. It may be a difficult task, hard job or hard situation, but I pray that God uses me for his good and will Friday night. I pray that I will be a blessing and that I will also receive the blessing too. 

What about you? What is God calling you to do that you are afraid to step out and do?

Isaiah 41:10 ;"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" 

Psalm 56:3 ;"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you"

2 Timothy 1:7; "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Now, Go be the church.

Love to all,

Getting older is not for the faint of hearts

 

Well I am feeling every bit of my age....late 50's! It is 7:00 pm and I am ready for bed! Why? Well glad you asked. First you need to know some great news. We closed on our house and it is officially ours!! But that means, today we were out there, all day, cleaning. I really need to know my limitations. My mind and my body have not synced yet. 

Today I did more- 

• crawling around on my knees cleaning baseboards, 
• bending over to wipe down doors, trim and cabinets 
• mopping ALL the floors (our house is all hardwood, no carpet!)
• and climbing on ladders to reach those high spots on the door frames and high cabinet shelves.

  Doesn't sound too bad, if you are about 20 years younger than me. My back and knees are feeling it now. And I am exhausted! I guess from all the work along with all the excited of our new house, I am spent. And I made a new friend....Advil.

Funny how our bodies and minds don't think alike. I don't know about you, but I tend to go with my mind and think that I can do more than I can. That can get you into trouble. Especially someone like me who is accident prone and will trip over my own feet just walking. Yep the floor just jumps right out at me!

As I am (trying) accepting growing older, I think about all the experiences this life has given me. And I am just adding this to the list of my wonderful life adventures. I wish you all an abundant life and adventures too!

1 Timothy 4:8; "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Isaiah 46:4; Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Love to all,

packing again

 
 Well, we are doing it all over again. Packing. And I can tell you for sure, that this is the last time. That's a fact! Yes, our new house is almost done! We are hoping to be moved in the next few weeks! I am so excited and soooo ready to get out of this rental house and into my own house. There are lots left to do before we move, but it will get done!

As I am packing, I keep saying to myself, where did all this stuff come from? Because I didn't unpack everything. Then there are things that I did unpack, all of it. I am thinking, like, why did I unpack ALL the towels and linens? Why did I unpack all 6 table cloths? It's not like we were planning on staying here very long, it was just temporary. But I did. And I am having to pack it all back up again, as you can see. Oh and don't be mistaken, this picture is only the packing what I have started on in the kitchen and living room. The upstairs boxes are still upstairs, but at least that part of the house is finished. 

Today, at church, our lesson was about trials and struggles. Everyone has them and we all respond to them differently. Sometimes my struggles and trials are very hard and difficult and other times it is just, well, life. But I was reminded today, that God is with me throughout all the trials. He never promised me that there would not be any trials, but he did promise that he would walk beside me through it. When life gets hard, God uses it to help us grow. I don't know about you, but sometimes I don't want to grow. I don't want any struggles and trials. but that will only be in Heaven. 

While on earth, there will be trials. But God, will always be there, walking beside you and me, carrying  us when we need it. 

So, I am back to my packing. Back to getting everything ready for our move. Getting ready for the next chapter in our life and in our parents life. Because they are moving with us! 

John 16:33; “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Love to all,

Get your bread and milk!

 

January 2025 snow storm

Well, here it comes! What is coming? THE SNOW STORM FOR 2026!! They (our great weatherman) are saying that we are going to get about 12+ inches of snow! I just can't deal with it! Why?  First I really don't like cold weather, but can deal with it because it is just for a few months. And the really cold days are only a few. But SNOW! I really do not like snow! We got a snow storm last year, I think we deserve a break for a year!

Ok you say, why don't you move to somewhere that doesn't have snow. Well, then I would just complain about the hurricanes or tornadoes or flooding or something! So I should just stick with this. At least with snow, I can just hunker down in my house with my warm fuzzy socks and binge my TV shows. Or maybe I can get some housework, hobby stuff or maybe even start packing this weekend. Maybe, maybe not. One thing in KY is when there is threat of any snow, EVERYONE hits the grocery store. Well, we went early this week for our normal, weekly shopping and we got what we need. A friend went yesterday and said the shelves for bread were almost bare! What the heck! We are only going to be locked up for at the most 2 days. Do you really think you will use 3+ loaves of bread or 3 gallons of milk in that time? And the snow isn't coming until Saturday night!

Fear and panic set in when you do not know what is going to happen. The only time that I remember in my lifetime of a major snow was the snow storm of 1994 and I got "trapped" at work. Yes, I did. It sucked. It was my last shift of the week and I could not get home because there was 14 feet of snow! I stayed at the hospital and worked until it was cleared for staff to get there and I could leave. They hooked us up in a room to sleep after our night shift for a while. 5 of us in a small room with cots. Not ideal. It was just a day but it was the fear of the unknown of when I would be able to get home. My most awesome hubs drove the 15 minute drive for over 4 hrs to get to me and get me home! I loved him for that so I wouldn't be stuck working until the roads cleared, but could have have grounded him for risking getting out in the snow covered roads. We were in house for about a week before all the stores were open and people could get out. My car was buried in the snow for almost 2 weeks because they plowed the parking lot and all our cars were buried and covered in ice!

SO..... Y'all be safe out there and don't panic. We can get through this again! 

Isaiah 41:10; "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".

Philippians 4:6; "Do not be anxious about anything"

1 Peter 5:7; Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Love to all,