Followers

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Rainbows through Clouds

I didn't get to sleep until after 1:30AM last night as my heart was very heavy with the thought of Megan leaving earth and going to be with Jesus.  Megan is a young lady that arrived in ICU two days after my niece had arrived.  At 18 years of age and a recent graduate, Megan was fighting for her life against a serious illness.  Her family was inspirational, and shared their journey as we watched them walk by faith through their journal on Caringbridge. 

For the past month, I've been going to bed every night and waking in the morning reading her journal and praying for her and her family.  Megan has been on my prayer list right along side my niece who is now preparing to go home on Friday.  Last night as I read her dad's journal my heart sank.  I started drafting words of comfort and strength.  I had writer's block.  My mind was racing.  I prayed and prayed.  Finally,  there they were... simple but from my heart. 

I learned this morning that at 1:37AM Megan's father posted that indeed Megan has left us to be with our Heavenly Father.  I laid on my bed and cried.  How painful for her family.  As a mother of three my heart ached.  I can't even begin to understand what it would be like to watch your child walk this journey.  It was hard enough for me to watch my niece, brother and sister in law walk their journey, and I ooze with gratitude at Isabel's outcome. 

I am grateful for the promise of Heaven, and eternal life.  What a delight that Heaven is the blessing not our lives here on earth.  I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that each of us has a purpose here on earth. 

As I look at my life and all that has happened in the past years I can see many blessings in the trials and tribulations.  This is only what I can see from my eyes.  How exciting to think of what is happening around me that I can't see or don't even know about as a direct result of my journeys.  Am I fulfilling my purpose here on earth?  I pray for God's will, and the strength, courage and wisdom to carry it out.  I enjoy my time with God.  My conversations have evolved over time, and I continue to grow in His presence. 

Today I try to see the rainbows through the storm clouds. 

"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us."

With gratitude,
Angie

Monday, June 27, 2011

It's Double Punch Monday!

No, I'm not talking violence.  Coldstone Creamery has double punch Mondays!  I really enjoy the ice cream (maybe it's more about the mixins), and I have a family that enjoys it as well.  It would be helpful to my waistline if I were the only one that liked it, so I could say I want Coldstone and the family would say No, it's not good.  For a split second I'd consider it anyway, but truly would then walk away.  Instead it goes a little something like this.  Me:  Hey, let's go to Coldstone.  Family:  Sounds GREAT! 

For me, it's like anything else that tastes super delicious.  It tastes so good going down, and then a few minutes or hours later you start to question why you ate it.  I was plenty full before we made the decision to grace the front door of Coldstone.  Oh well, I did it, and I guarantee I will do it again.  How could I walk away from double punch Mondays? 

The ice cream was a nice follow up to the fish fry from the freshly caught bluegills by Ryan.  He has been successful the past two trips.  There's something about the taste of fresh fish caught by my hubby, breaded with shore lunch and fried by me.  Yummy! 

"Sweet" Dreams!
Angie

Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Walk

After a lengthy argument in my head on whether I should bother with a walk today (you know it could rain), the better portion of my brain won, on went the tennis shoes and out the door I went.  I compromised by telling myself that I should only do a 1 mile walk because if I went any further I may get drenched.  Yes, I know I'm not sugar.  Although I tried talking myself out of it I'm so glad that I went.  Have you ever taken an action, and your mind followed?  It was the perfect temperature for a stroll, and it was just what I needed. 

I enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors, as well as, I've come to find myself intrigued by the flower garden of the neighbor down the street.  It seems like she is constantly adding or moving flowers or decorations in her yard.  It is beautiful, and reminds me a lot of my grandma and grandpa.  We also have a pond in our neighborhood that is the home to several flocks of geese.  They've had babies in the past couple of months that are adorable with their half-grown feathers.  As I'm dodging the land mines left on the bike path along this pond, Daddy gives me the eye to imply that I had better not come any closer.  I look away as if I don't want to start any trouble, and I continue walking as quickly as possible on down the way.  This reminds me of a story of when I lived on a farm.

My brother was a young little guy barely able to walk when we lived on a farm.  He enjoyed helping our dad feed the animals.  We had chickens, rabbits, geese, sheep, quail, hogs and one cow.  My brother at this young age didn't understand that we were to get the chicken eggs out of the coup not the geese eggs.  Needless to say, I still vividly recall him holding a goose egg in his hands while attempting to take it to my dad when momma or daddy goose grabbed a hold of his diaper and started hissing and snapping at his little bottom.  My frightened brother took off for the entry out of the fence, and shortly thereafter he was rescued from our dad.  I can't recall if he learned his lesson, but I know this memory has always stuck with me and I don't mess with geese even to this day.

My walk continued with focusing on the Oriole birds, green grass and flowers.  By the time I arrived home the sun had started to peek and it was looking to be a beautiful day.  I'm grateful that I didn't talk myself out of going for this walk.  As I sit here and write this post I think about all of the fun and loving family memories this one walk brought to me.  I also think about all of the reasons I can find to not do something if I truly don't want to do it.  Not enough time, no energy, not feeling well, it's raining has been a good excuse lately.  However, if I take the positive action in my life my mind follows, and I feel so much better. 

Much gratitude,
Angie

Welcome to the Incouragement Room!

Here I go!  I've decided to start a blog site to share my thoughts, and somewhere along the way I am hopeful that there will be words of encouragement.

The past year has been a journey, and through this my faith and relationship with God has grown immensely.  I am no longer afraid to pray for God's will as I truly believe that I have a purpose, and as long as I'm living this purpose it is in my best interest.  I've learned to not only pray to God unceasingly for other people, but to also listen to what God wants me to hear.  In my quest to follow God's will for my life I need to write.  I've choosen to begin this new journey in my life by writing in my blog.

I have several ideas to blog about, but I also believe that living life on life's terms is surely going to provide me with numerous topics.  My life is full of happiness and serenity, but I've also learned over the past several years that no matter how hard I try to maintain this lifestyle there will always be ups and downs.  I know that it's not what happens to me, but rather how I react to it.  Say what?  

I hope that you will join me in my journey, and that you will gain encouragement at some point during your stay.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope to see you again soon!

Blessings,
Angie