Choosing

 The road we walk is filled with choices
 We can choose to walk in the sun or
 choose to walk in the dark
 We can choose to react with love
 or choose to react with negativity
 LET'S CHOOSE LOVE

Snow and Grace

 Freezing outside with a light dusting of snow
causing one to wish for a blanket of

 snow to
make things seem cleaner somehow
but,
our snow dances freely today,
just like we can dance
because of grace we don't need a blanket

My anchor

The only times I feel unanchored are the times I let go of God.
I get too busy for my own good and let go of the one thing that grounds me, Jesus.
How I am thankful for grace and acceptance!
He loves me no matter what I do.
I am over flowing with thankfulness!

Trusting Love

It is amazing what happens when God gives you the gift of really opening up to people and praying for those in need. For years, I was very guarded, now, I can be an open book. It started with something Jo Frost taught me when we did Supernanny, then, God had to sift me and I felt very raw. I was an emotional basket case for a few years, opening up is hard. Now, I am healed and I want to shout it out loud. I want to tell others there is hope.
 My friend Debby said to me recently, "you have to trust those who love you". I have finally accepted it. I have an awesome husband, great kids, great parents and great friends.
 I'm writing this to share love, share Jesus and give others hope.
 Love God, Love People, all people.

Run through the yard!

 Our dogs are driving me crazy! They want to go outside and just sit there. They whine, bark, stare at me, try to get in my lap....just to go outside and then they don't want to get off the porch.
 I wonder if this is how God feels when we miss opportunities. When we beg for the best and then he gives it to us and we aren't satisfied or won't get off the porch. Just wondering. I think a lot...I do know God loves us regardless of whether we get off the porch or not!!!

The road we are on is long. Layers of the onion for all to peel. I am so thankful to God and all of my friends and family who have been on this road with me. Being in school again and learning all about counseling has been a big part of healing for me. I'm not perfect, just different. It is so meaningful to me to be able to hold my hands out and say "how can I help you" to hurting people, instead of  "let me fix you" as I did in the past. Helping others without fixing is done in love. It took me almost half of a lifetime to learn this. Fixing always led to thinking I have to control, control is not done with love (although, I never realized this in the past). Love is hands open, control is hands closed.

 Thanks to everyone who has helped me on this journey, ya'll know who you are and I love you.  

Love Bird Painting

My latest painting! :) 

The Beautiful Weeds

What some might think of as ugly weeds, others can understand and help them grow into beautiful flowers!!
Cara sees these "weeds" as "flowers" every spring and every spring it reminds me to look close to appreciate the beauty and the differences of people.
She picks them in the car line while we wait on Ellie to get out of middle school. I love to learn from the hearts of kids.

Emma's Conversation

I was in another room but I could still hear Emma and Cara talking last night. Emma said "Remember Cara, good will always win"...I was thinking about that statement. It isn't true is it? I am happy with the fact that my 8 year old still believes it but sad that one day her view will be tarnished by something, even if she starts watching the news.

I do believe it is partially right, something good usually comes from most situations. Something good, a lesson, an inspiration to help us with our journey. Maybe this is the best way to look at every situation. We can always hope and pray, the statement will become true!

Isabella's Rainbow

Last week was a hard week for me. One thing God continues to show me is that self pity will get you nowhere. Everytime I go to the "victim" place in my mind, God gently reminds me of what is important.

Two weeks ago today, my friend Emma from high school lost her 7 year old daughter. That is real sadness and heartache. Nothing I have gone through lately would come close to the pain Emma and her husband Ed are feeling as they miss Isabella.

The day Isabella passed, TN had a beautiful rainbow. Very vivid colors. Her parents wrote that it was Isabella painting in Heaven. I am going to repost the pictures I took and rename it Isabella's rainbow. Lets let Isabella teach us how blessed we are. Please keep Emma and Ed in your prayers as they miss the presence of their angel.

My Mamaw

My mamaw sat on the swing in the back yard

and looked at the clouds

I talked about the shapes looking

like dogs and cats

she listened to me

the little dreamer

she encouraged me

to

keep looking to the sky

I miss her everyday

A Little Love From a Child

Mornings can be hectic at our house. As I was rushing around getting everything together, Cara kept saying "Mommy, Mommy" in an excited voice....I turned around in a hurry and said "what Cara", she said "look, a heart". We had left a clothes hanger by the microwave while everyone was getting ready. Cara saw a heart in the "flection"...... She was so excited with a big smile on her face. It made my day! I'm glad I took the time to look instead of rushing her out the door.

Enjoy Every Minute of Today

Taking in the good is not about putting a happy shiny face on everything, nor is it about turning away from the hard things in life. It's about nourishing inner well-being, contentment, and peace -- refuges to which you can always return. --Rick Hanson

How Things Change

Time always changes

some things heal in

time

some things stay the

same

some things never heal

but change in appearance

and how we see different

situations

the best thing

is to listen and

feel what is right

what feels peaceful

the path that brings

beauty and love

Nourish Peace

I am behind in painting. I have two friends who I want to paint birthday paintings for and both birthdays were in December.

Sometimes, I want to paint something but my "God vision" isn't the same as my own personal vision. So, I sit and wait and wait and wait, until I give in an attempt to paint the picture I know is meant for the person because I paint from vision not from a place of comfort. It usual requires me painting something I think I can't paint. Then, somehow, I paint it anyway. All because I listen to the "God voice" the voice of peace...

This is what keeps going through my head for my friends painting. It does not mean I know the answers, I do not. I just write and hope it makes people feel happy.

Nourish Peace

It takes a lot of effort to have personal peace

What can you do to have that peace

for yourself

What are the things standing in the way

of this

for you

What can be let go

What else can you give

to God

Nourish peace

drink it in

like water

Breathe

Kindness

Have you ever driven through a drive thru resturant to look inside the window, see the stress, and be glad you didn't work there? I have many times. Now, I try to make eye contact with the stressed person in the window and give them a big SMILE. It is amazing to watch their expression change and for a moment, they give a nice smile back. That is the power of kindness. It is contagious.

Everyone needs to be lifted up. Everyone needs to feel important. Lets take the time to give people a HUGE SMILE today!!! They will return it and maybe for a second their day will get better, I know mine will!

Just Thinking

Look in the mirror

observe the view

am I looking

at me or you

the pain of others

reflected back

help them see

what they think

they lack-

the beauty

in their soul

thankfulness and

love

will help

confidence to show

with kindness and

without judgement

they begin to grow

Goodness

There is still much goodness around

people who care

to take the time

to help someone

they haven't met

to help lift

others up

to help them gain

confidence and feel

LOVE

to help break through

past barriers

so they can

rise to their potential

Ice Cream and Love

Okay, Cara must think like I write. Is that a good thing???

Yesterday, I took her to McDonalds for a sundae and she said "Mama, icecream is like sprinkling a little love on your heart"...