Encouraging Words from David Stearman

Best Selling author, David Stearman, has a blog that focuses on encouragement. One of his recent posts touched my heart and knew it needed to be shared. Thank you David for your words of wisdom!

Ever wonder why your car’s rearview mirror is so small, while your windshield is so large? It’s because what’s in front of you is much more important that what’s behind you.





The Apostle Paul approached life this way: One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13-14) 

Forgetting those things which are behind…

We all have questions and regrets. Why did she leave me? Where did I fail? Why isn’t my life, career, marriage, etc. doing better? Have I made the wrong choices? Was I lacking in faith?

We can’t answer these questions because we don’t have all the information required to do so. If we were God, we’d understand everything. But we’re not, so we don’t, and we can’t.

So my advice to you is the same as Paul’s: just forget about it. Don’t keep going over old history. The past is done. Even now it’s growing smaller and smaller, fading in the rearview… 

Reaching forward to those things which are ahead…

Your future will be brighter than your past. The Bible promises it. Prov. 4:18 says, the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter and brighter to the perfect day. So lift up your eyes (Gen. 13:14). This is a new day. Looks out that wide windshield and expect the best times of your life, because they’re coming.

I press toward the goal for the prize…

Don’t give up on your dream. Reach for it. Press toward it. Because there’s a prize. (Yes, a prize!) And the prize is that one day soon you’ll get to see your dream come true.

For more inspiration, visit David's blog at:  http://tropikbird.wordpress.com/

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

AND YOU WONDER WHY WRITERS GO CRAZY????

I received the following from a friend of mine ~ I don't know who wrote it but it's pure genius.  I'm sure it's been around the 'net before but well worth reading again!

You think English is easy?

 

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

 

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

 

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

 

4)  We must polish the Polish furniture..

 

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

 

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert..

 

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present. 

 

8)  A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

 

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

 

10) I did not object to the object. 

 

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

 

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

 

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

 

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.  

 

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

 

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

 

17) The wind was too strong for me to wind the sail.

 

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear..

 

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

 

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

 

 

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

 

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

 

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

 

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

 

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

 

PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick'?

 

 AND THERE'S MORE!

  

 

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP.'

 

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?

 

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP?

 

Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

 

We call UP our friends.

 

And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.

 

We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.

 

At other times the little word has real special meaning.

 

People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.

 

To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

 

A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.

 

We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

 

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!

 

To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary.

 

In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.

 

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used.

 

It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

 

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP.

 

When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.

 

When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.

 

When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

 

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP,

 

for now my time is UP,

 

so.......it is time to shut UP!  

HOPE THIS MADE YOU CHUCKLE,

HAVE A BLESSED DAY

The Importance of "Us Time".

This past week Michael and I had the opportunity to attend a pro-life event in San Francisco so we decided to take a few extra days as a little vacation. Arrangements were made for everyone at home to be cared for and off we went.

On this get-away, I realized how much I missed my husband. While doing all the things tourists do in San Francisco, we found ourselves doing things we used to do while dating and as newlyweds .... holding hands while walking down the street, sharing our hopes and dreams over dinner, enjoying sunsets and sunrises ... and laughing.

Family obligations, ministries, my writing and his job are very important in our lives; however, I am determined not to put our marriage on the back-burner again. God blessed me with a wonderful husband - my rock and best friend - and I will no longer take that for granted.  We don't have to be away from home to reconnect ... we just need to make sure we set aside "Us Time"...even if it's just sitting on our porch looking out at the horizon.

 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. (Proverbs 5:18)

Have a Blessed Day!

Tools of the Trade

The second installment on the Blog Hop asks, "What writing tools do you use?"

It's as if my laptop is attached to me surgically. When I'm at home it's never more than an arms-length away -I never know when the Holy Spirit will deluge me with inspiration.  

We all have times when we just can't find that "perfect word" or have a block when it comes correct spelling. I either have the paperback versions of a dictionary and thesaurus or I open up the page on-line.  

If I'm not home and I see or hear something that is inspirational or profound, it's important that I have a notepad handy (with a pen!).  I've been seen jotting things down in a variety of places, especially at Mass.  The minute I get home, I place the notes in a file I have set up on my computer for "ideas and observations".

I have a headset and play classical or Christian music while I write.  I find it soothes my soul and and helps release my creative juices.  

My elderly parents and uncle live with me as I am their caregiver.  In order to be able to successfully focus on my writing, I write in the wee hours of the morning with candles lit.  The house is quiet, the candles are relaxing and the music is not overshadowed by conversations or television.  It also prevents interruptions via phone calls.

Last but definitely not least, I pray the words I write will provide hope, inspiration, and encouragement.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just released a new book, "And God Still Loves Me - A Journey from the Dark Abyss of Sin to God's Mercy".  The link is on the left sidebar.

Remember the Little Ones

Today is my husband's birthday and he is joining me on today's Walk for Life. God blessed me with a man who loves me, "warts and all"... when he read the draft of "And God Still Loves Me", all he said was, "So do I". He is my biggest fan and I only hope he knows how much he means to me.....Michael:  The thought I have before I sleep, and each morning when I rise, is the hope to be the "me" I see, when I look into your eyes.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As we prepare to Walk for Life, I wanted to share a poem I wrote to my little ones.....this is for you Sarah and Matthew and for all the lost little ones.

"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven."

Henry Ward Beecher 

Heading Up the Road and Off The Grid

Preparing for my trip to San Francisco for the West Coast Walk for Life.  My husband I decided to drive up from San Diego and take five days of R & R.  My mom is being placed in respite care at a wonderful facility while we're away so my dad can get some much needed rest as well.  I'll be removing the laptop that seems to be permanently attached to me, a promise to my husband...so I'll be off the grid for awhile.

Please make sure to check out my new release, "And God Still Loves Me".  The link is on the left sidebar.  

The following is the testimony I will be giving at the Silent No More Awareness Campaign Rally preceding the Walk for Life:

My name is Patti Smith and I am the mother of Sarah and Matthew, two innocent angels I thoughtlessly swept from my life by yielding to pressure from family and friends and believing the rhetoric of the pro-choice community.

Both abortion experiences were the same, I recall them like they were yesterday and they were over thirty years ago. The clinics were cold and sterile, the staff did not provide any type of comfort or assurance. It was like I was there to have a splinter removed, nothing of any consequence.

The sound of the vacuum still echoes in my ears and I distinctly recall the tugging, that at the time seemed to last forever. It was as if something was trying to hold on. There was something trying to hold on, hold on for dear life.... Sarah and Matthew. When I left the clinic both times, instead of feeling relief, I felt empty … like I had left something behind, which I did...Sarah and Matthew.

I was never a Pollyanna, but after the first abortion my promiscuity escalated as did my drinking and I was hell-bent on self destruction. After the second, my life went completely out of control. I lost so very much during those days, including the love and respect of my family, friends and co-workers…. but most importantly, the love and respect of myself. I also purposely lost the ability to have a child as I convinced a doctor to give me a tubal ligation at the age of 30. I didn't know at that time, but realized later, I was punishing myself for the abortions. I felt unworthy and unsuitable to be a mother.

Sixteen years ago I finally reached the point where I could no longer stand to look in the mirror because of how far down the abyss of depravity I had gone. That brought me to believe suicide was the only alternative. God had other plans and I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and then to rehab.

Although successful in maintaining my sobriety my soul was still heavy and I didn’t know why. A few years ago I attended a church seminar and heard a woman sharing her abortion experience and how it affected her. She spoke about post-abortion healing retreats and I immediately knew that’s where I needed to be. God spoke to me through her that day. The woman God so graciously used just happened to be Leslie Brunolli, San Diego Silent No More Coordinator. I attended a retreat shortly thereafter which started me on a wonderful journey of healing and forgiveness.

I learned the guilt, shame and self-hatred I carried for so many years were buried deep within within my soul, and my way of keeping it buried was drinking and promiscuity. I numbed feelings with booze and slept around for, what I thought at the time, was love and acceptance.

That retreat put together the pieces of my broken heart and provided me a way to ask for and receive forgiveness not only from God but from Sarah, Matthew and myself.

I stand here today not just to share the consequences of my abortions, but to have the silent voices of my children heard.

That’s why I’m Silent No More.

I'll be posting thoughts and photos upon my return...until then.....

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Something to think about.....

No one should be surprised at the topic of my post today......after all my Seahawks are going to the SUPERBOWL!!!!

The game was a nail biter and I have to admit there were times during the game fear took me to the point of changing channels. WHAT? Gridiron Granny giving up? Yep, I confess, I almost tuned in to reruns of Law and Order SVU.   If I had, I would have missed out on seeing my team make the winning interception, the ensuing celebration and presentation of the trophy.  Regret rather than joy.

It got me thinking (again).....

What would have happened if Mary responded to the angel Gabriel with, "You want me to do what?  I don't think so!" or the disciples to Jesus, "We're going home, this is too hard".

I'm not changing the channel!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A BLESSED DAY AND ON TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!

A Beautiful Day

Got up before morning's light and had coffee with my husband on the porch.  Once sufficiently caffeinated, got ready and jammed my informational brochures, business cards and pins into my Seahawks (of course) tote.  The drive down was wonderful, the sun was rising over San Diego and we were expecting a sunny, 75 degree day.

This was the second Walk for Life San Diego and the turn-out was great!  The speakers were extraordinary and inspiring...sharing their love of God and love of life. While walking, cars would go by and honk with support ... something we won't see much of in San Francisco...we are usually faced with loud heckling from pro-choice groups on that route.  Hopefully our words reached some of those hecklers from last year and they will be joining us ... can only pray!  I also pray we touched and saved lives in San Diego.

It was a busy day but it's days like this that bring joy to my heart and soul.  I know God was there and was pleased.  

While there I was introduced to another wonderful organization - Red Bag.  They sell little red bags filled with nutritious items for the homeless.  If you want more information on this you can visit their website at http://red-bag.org/ . I'm sure they would appreciate the support!

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16).

We're Ready for Walking!
(With Leslie Brunolli)

Booth is Ready!
(With Rosemary Benefield - left, and Leslie Brunolli - center)

The crowd

San Diego Walk for Life

I will be walking and also working the information booth with my friends from Rachel's Hope and Silent No More Awareness.  I'm looking forward to meeting other pro-life advocates and hope we are able to touch and change the hearts of many...but even if we only reach one - that is one life saved.  It's also an opportunity to reach out to post-abortive women who are still suffering in silence and offering them a chance to heal through God's love and mercy.  Next week I will be heading to San Francisco for the West Coast Walk for Life. 

If you are in the area, please join us!

Featuring

	Jennifer Roback Morse	Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D., is the founder and President of the Ruth Institute. She is a life-long educator, a widely-published author, and a popular speaker on marriage and "Culture of Life" issues. Dr. Morse was named one of the Catholic Stars of 2013 by Our Sunday Visitor, one of the largest English-language Catholic publications in the world.
	Walter Hoye	Walter Hoye II is the Founder and President of the Issues4Life Foundation and the California Civil Rights Foundation, as well as being a popular motivational speaker. Walter was unjustly jailed for his peaceful defense of the unborn on a sidewalk outside a California abortion clinic.
	Camille Cassin	Camille Cassin is the Executive Director of Turning Point Pregnancy Resource Center. She has a true passion for helping women and men in crisis pregnancies and offering them alternatives to abortion.
	George Delgado	Dr. George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., is a family physician with COLFS. He is board certified in family medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, health care ethics, and NaProTECHNOLOGY and has practiced family medicine since 1988. Dr. Delgado is also a frequent conference speaker and radio guest, and is widely published, including a study for abortion pill reversal (The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Dec 2012).

Rescued Once Again

Now, I am willing to try new things but normally don't stray too far from my comfort zone. My zone as an author is writing devotionals based on personal experience.  I've never stretched my imagination, except for a short story on fantasy football and that was something quite familiar to me as well.  

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from my publisher regarding a fiction project.  Now, I don't drink so I wasn't under the influence and I wasn't sleep deprived.  I read the e-mail,  put my fingers on the keyboard and with no hesitation whatsoever, put my name in the hat and hit "send". Afterwards, I went on my merry way - finishing up devotionals and then I got the contract.  I read it through and thought to myself, "I think I can do that", signed it and sent it right back...but this time with a smidgen of  hesitation.  

Well, last night we had our first conference call for the project and after it was over I was faced with one question...WHAT IN THE HECK DID I DO?!!  I was immersed in fear, insecurity and apprehension. I didn't know what to do...I felt like I had gotten in way over my head...I tried to shake off the feelings but they just lingered. Tears welled up in my eyes....I knew I was going to fail miserably. I went in to the living room to discuss the call and share the turmoil with my husband then something miraculous happened...the more I talked about the project, the more comfortable and excited I became! 

Satan had come very close to destroying a wonderful opportunity by taking me back to the old days when negativity, not faith, defined me. The fear, insecurity and apprehension subsided because of my trust in God.  As I was unburdening my fears to my husband, in my heart I was also reaching out to God and He answered me.
  

Thank you Heavenly Father for coming to my rescue again!

Fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

UPDATE....UPDATE...UPDATE... 5:07 A.M.

I was on Facebook checking out the news feed and fellow author, Kathleen L. Maher,

had the following quote posted.....now how did she know????

Personalized Scripture

I've almost completed my series of devotionals using an exercise in personalizing scripture. The purpose of the exercise is to draw the reader into God's word. The first of the series is dedicated to those suffering from depression, something I have struggled with for many years. The goal of "Behind the Smile" is to utilize scripture to compliment any course of treatment.  Please keep in mind personalizing scripture modifies the actual verses; however, the meanings remain the same.

The following is a sneak peek at what to expect from Behind the Smile, as well as the complete series: 

SADNESS

Everyone in the world faces sadness throughout their lives due to many understandable circumstances. It takes time to recover; however, eventually the sadness disappears. Not so with depressives. We are enveloped in heart-wrenching sadness for no specific reason and it hits us like a speeding train with no bells or whistles to warn of the approaching darkness. No matter where we are or what we are doing, the tears start flowing like a dam breaking.

It is difficult to describe the depth of sadness we reach. It's like being lowered very slowly into a deep, dark well that is filling quickly with those tears. Inch by inch we get closer to the bottom and know we will surely drown if we can't control our weeping.

Revelation 21:4: He will wipe every tear from my eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, the old order has passed away.

Revelation 7:17: For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd me and lead me to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from my eyes.

Psalms 116:7-8: Return, my soul, to your rest; the LORD has been very good to me . For my soul has been freed from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

Psalms 30:6: I will remember....For His anger lasts but a moment; His favor a lifetime. At dusk weeping comes for the night; but at dawn there is rejoicing.

Psalms 34:19: I am comforted knowing ...The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those whose spirit is crushed.

Dear Heavenly Father, reach into that well of darkness and lift me up. With your loving hand, wipe the tears from my eyes so I can see the light of your love and the path to healing.

                                      

Look for the following releases in the near future:

     Behind the Smile - Overcoming Depression through Scripture and Prayer

     Steps of Faith - Living the Scriptures in Recovery

     Solace in Scripture -  Persevering Grief through God's Word

                                   HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Goals

I am on a six-week  "Blog Hop" sponsored by fellow author, Ruth Snyder, who is providing the topics for each one of our blogs.  The first being:  

I'm pleased this is the first topic, because now I can no longer procrastinate.  I have to put my goals in writing and (yikes!) share with others. What better way to hold myself accountable .... thanks Ruth!!!

My writing has primarily focused on devotionals thus far but here's what 2014 "should" look like:

1.  Complete my works in progress:

*  "365 Days of Gratitude" - A book filled with the innocent words of children on gratitude.
*  "Steps of Faith" - Living the Scriptures in Recovery
*  "Solace in Scripture" - Living the Scriptures in Grief

2.  Focus on new genres (i.e., fiction).

3.  Arrange speaking engagements at conferences and fundraisers to share my faith journey           and promote my books.

4.  Seek out advice from other authors by having them critique my work.

5.  Increase my use of social media.

6.  Be diligent in maintaining my blog with a wide variety of fun, interesting and thought-             provoking topics.

7.  Set up book signings at a variety of venues once my paperback "Moments With God" is              released - and last but definitely not least.....

8.  Continue spreading the message of God's love and endless mercy in all of my work.

That's it -  Perhaps I'm being a little too overzealous because I'm exhausted already just thinking about it...but better to have too much to do than not enough.....right?

Taking the Day Off

Trying to finish up my devotionals for my next series; therefore, I'm taking a

Will be back on Monday!

Have a Blessed Sunday ~

Celebrating the Baptism of our Lord!

Be Still

I was up all night watching mom as she was having a pretty tough time.  She finally fell asleep and as I watched her a feeling of calm came over me.  It felt like I was in the arms of Jesus and He was telling me, "All is well, I am with her".  

That got me thinking (oh no, thinking again and in a sleep-deprived state!) ... moments of pure calm are few and far between and I realized it's probably because I haven't given my brain a rest.  Normally my mind is a jumble of worries, thoughts, plans, ideas, etc.  While watching my sweet mom, I focused just on her, to savor the view of her resting peacefully and everything else just went by the wayside.  I was finally able to hear Him because I was QUIET.  

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

It's Not a Coincidence

I had a working lunch yesterday with my friend Leslie, who is the Director of Rachel's Hope - Escondido.  It was our 2014 brainstorming/goal-setting/scheduling session for our healing retreats.  We accomplished a great deal and are "ready to roll".  This year we are changing it up a little by using "Redeemed", the devotional I wrote for post-abortive women, as part of the program. What a wonderful endorsement!


While we were eating, shuffling papers and talking non-stop (now THAT is multi-tasking), I drifted back in time to when Leslie came into my life.  I wrote about it in "And God Still Loves Me", which will be released next week:

It wasn’t until I had sobered up and joined the Catholic Church that the true affects of the abortions were realized. I attended a Faith in the Spirit Seminar at my parish. There was no reason I would go to something like that, but on that weekend I walked into the seminar alone. One of the speakers was talking about her abortion and how it had such an impact on her emotionally. She spoke about Rachel’s Hope which does healing retreats for post-abortive women. The more she spoke, the more my tears flowed. She was talking directly to me! After the session, I walked up to Rosemary Benefield, Executive Director of Rachel’s Hope, who was also at the seminar, and said, “I need you”. She gave me a pamphlet that outlined her program and I signed up for her weekend retreat.

The woman speaking at the seminar was Leslie and I didn't even get the chance to meet her that day.  Rosemary invited me to a fund-raising dinner a few months after going through her retreat and Leslie was part of the group seated at our table.  After introductions, she asked me how I heard about Rachel's Hope. I told her about the seminar I attended and how the woman speaking inspired me to reach out for healing.  She looked at me and said, "I'm getting goosebumps, that was me!" The rest, they say, is history.  She invited me to co-lead one of her retreats in Escondido and I continue working with her to this day.

God spoke to me through Leslie at that seminar. I believe it was His plan for me to join her and Rosemary in sharing the healing touch of God's love and mercy to women who are living with the shame, regret and pain of abortion. I am blessed beyond measure.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

 Have a Blessed Day!

Faith and Doubt

Many circumstances in life can have a significant impact on faith journeys. Having doubts and the guilt that follows can be overwhelming.  In my case, no matter how hard I prayed, the void in my heart and soul was immense. Those "dark periods" frightened me, because I thought a "true believer" would never have doubts.

St. Faustina

Praise God, I summoned the courage to share my pain with a friend in my faith community and how relieved I was to find out I was not alone!  That's when I was introduced to the Diary of St. Faustina. She described my feelings perfectly, "My mind became dimmed in a strange way; no truth seemed clear to me. When people spoke to me about God, my heart was like a rock. I could not draw from it a single sentiment of love for Him. When I tried, by an act of the will, to remain close to Him, I experienced great torments, and it seemed to me that I was only provoking God to an even greater anger. ... I felt in my soul a great void , and there was nothing with which I could fill it. I began to suffer from a great hunger and yearning for God, but I saw my utter powerlessness."  You see, being a perfectionist, any weakness to me was a failure ... but after reading her diary, I understood that God does not see it that way.  He sees those struggles as a victory, because it's through those struggles I strove harder to be closer to Him. God's answer to St. Faustina confirms this, "My daughter, during the weeks when you neither saw Me nor felt My presence, I was more profoundly united to you than at times when you experienced ecstasy. And the faithfulness and fragrance of your prayers have reached Me."

It's comforting to know I am not alone...the words of St. Faustina stay with me as well as those spoken by Pope Francis in one of his general audiences, “Who among us - everybody, everybody! - who among us has not experienced insecurity, loss and even doubts on their journey of faith? Everyone! We've all experienced this, me too. Everyone. It is part of the journey of faith, it is part of our lives. This should not surprise us, because we are human beings, marked by fragility and limitations. We are all weak, we all have limits: do not panic. We all have them,” Francis affirmed. "However, - the Pope continued - in these difficult times it is necessary to trust in God, through prayer, and at the same time, it is important to find the courage and the humility to be open to others and ask for help, to ask for a hand: 'Give me a hand, I have this problem.' How many times have we done this? And then, we overcame the problem and found God again. In this communion - communion which means 'common union', all united, common union - in this communion we are a big family, all of us, where all the components help and support each other."

Question:  What do you do when you struggle in your faith journey? 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Precious Creatures

It's amazing how pets grab hold of our hearts and never let go. God blesses us with these precious creatures and they become an irreplaceable part of our lives.  

We lost Mikey yesterday, the dog I spoke of in my blog post, "Blind Trust".  He reached the point where he couldn't walk and was having problems breathing.  We knew he was suffering and he deserved to be free. We are all mourning and many tears have been shed but we will hold fast to the memories of his unconditional love and the comfort, joy and companionship he so enthusiastically brought to each one of us. He was a beloved part of our family for many years, and for that we are truly grateful. 

There is much discussion on what happens when a pet dies.  Do they go to heaven? What do you think?  I believe God rewards those pure of heart, and that is the whole essence of a pet. I have no doubt Mikey is romping in the flowery fields of heaven with all our other beloved companions that went before him. 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Silent No More

I'll be attending two very important events this month, The San Diego Walk for Life and The West Coast Walk for Life held in San Francisco.  I will be attending these events as a member and Regional Coordinator of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and giving testimony as a post-abortive woman.  

I've discussed Rachel's Hope in a previous blog; however, have not explained Silent No More. The Silent No More Awareness Campaign is a project of Priests for Life and Anglicans for Life,whereby Christians make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings to women and men. The campaign seeks to expose and heal the secrecy and silence surrounding the emotional and physical pain of abortion. The Goals of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign: Reach out to people hurt after abortion, encouraging them to attend abortion after-care programs. Invite those who are ready to break the silence by speaking the truth about abortion's negative consequences and the path to healing. Educate the public that abortion is harmful emotionally, physically and spiritually to women, men and families, so that it becomes unacceptable for anyone to recommend abortion as a 'fix' for a problem pregnancy. Share our personal testimonies of hurt and healing to help others avoid the pain of abortion. I have a link on the left side-bar of my blog to the Silent No More Awareness Campaign website that contains an abundance of information as well as written and video testimonies from around the world.  I encourage you to visit the site.  You will find it not only informative but eye-opening. It was through my involvement with Rachel's Hope and Silent No More that inspired me to write my devotional "Redeemed", which is one more resource for healing.  The link to this book is also on the left side-bar under "My Books".