Picking Up The Pieces............

Threads Of Life... Sometimes Life Unravels And You Tie It With A Bow!

You know me and my stories, sagas, whatever you want to call them...but I always hope it will inspire someone, I vent, I get this surge of relief, spirit, joy. And I am so very grateful to God and the loving people in my life. The Bloggers "Chatty Crone" & "Pondside" take a moment in their blogging business to make sweet comments when I write something new and I thank you!
Last September I left a very bad situation, a dangerous marriage that was not healthy. It's been a year of growth in so many ways.

I walked away from shattered and right

into to the arms of new hope.

I think about my dogs "Autumn" and "Spice" and my 3 Cats
"Jasmine", "Thomas" and "Elaine" and
I'm more at peace after having to leave them behind.

I visited my my parents in Florida,

visited family everywhere

counted my blessings

swam

swam some more

counted my blessing again

worked as a job coach

made my greeting cards

went to Savannah and my beloved

Jersey shore

saw places and places

reflected

and I can say it's truly been better than I ever expected.

Lesson Learned:

Humility

1. (noun) humility
the state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement; humbleness
2. (noun) humility
an act of submission or courtesy

hu·mil·i·ty

[ hyoo míllətee ]

modesty or respectfulness: the quality of being modest or respectful
[ 13th century. Via French < Latin humilitas < humilis (see humble) ]
Thesaurus
NOUN


Synonyms: self-effacement, unpretentiousness, humbleness, modesty, meekness, shyness

How did I learn this you might ask? I worked with a young lady that has Cerebral Palsy as a Job Coach. She has volunteered at a local hospital making visitor passes for over 13 years, five days a week from 9 am until 2 pm. Everything she does takes effort. She goes through her day having a difficult time walking, talking, swallowing. She sings in a chorus, swims, takes Pilates, exercise class, craft classes and more. She has strength, courage, humor, patience.

I learned from Linda that I have been given such gifts in my life, Linda was a gift God gave me to enable me to see just how very blessed I am.  Jennifer

Colossians 3:12-13

New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

ok, so i'm not decking the halls, the walls, putting up a tree - stuff i always do.

don't get me wrong - i adore the holidays, i'm festive

funky, love ribbons bows and glitter with the best of 'em!

i shop 'til i drop.

but

remember i said i left me home in september, took 3 days of clothes to escape an abusive marriage, living in a friend's house

while she's living in texas

well

just not this year

so

i'm still having a festive holiday

just different

my daughter in law ravy and i made gourmet gift baskets

for friends that have helped me in so many ways during this new journey with packing,hugs,encouragement,sleepovers,humor and just plain listening.

a new church and friends

this is a site i can enjoy - incredible!

my friends and i are still crazy

some are dealing with breast cancer some are survivors

we're all supporters

we're all strong

some things never change,

no matter what your worries may be

like babies smiles and petal soft skin

or how much i miss my animals,

 how much i'm sure you love your's

and that i get to enjoy friends critters

there's "junior" the guinea pig, dogs named "maddie",

"gracie", "stanley", "star", donkeys named "donkay", "jade",

a horse named "reno"...how can a girl be lonely?

staying healthy...for sure!

count my blessings
each and every one!
jennifer
did I tell you change can be really cool
and not too very scary? 

Turn The Page... I Believe In Me and I Believe In You...With God's Help

Turn the page....

I've had something on my mind these past few days as I've heard from family,

the holidays are coming fast and furious,

 my son Matt and his girlfriend have decided to stay another year teaching in Korea.

I am asking God to help me write this post and

not have it sound like I am a victim but as someone
that is reaching out to others to inspire.

I grew up in a physically abusive home and married
very young. It seemed safer. Who was I? Who was he?
Who were we? Stayed in a marriage of infidelity for 23 years.

My sons survived and grew. I stretched and bloomed.

Women are strong don't you think?

That's why they don't have menstrual cramps or give birth!

I come from a long line of strong women.

I remarried. Now that I look back -

I have this huge urge to bring men out of their shells.

I've learned a few things. In fact I've learned a lot of things.

Eight years of abuse taught me a lot.

 I'm a strong woman. 

I'm not a quitter.

I watched everything I loved be destroyed before my eyes.

I was disappearing.

I confided in the Lord, I begged Him to show me what was right.

I constantly read my bible. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep.

But I am a strong woman. Joy filled in my heart and soul.

God Loves Me.

I left with 3 days of clothes in an over night bag.

I am healing now. Giving myself the ok to be me.
 Letting God love me. Reaching out to help others.
Volunteering.
Talking to the young teens in the high school
health room I work in and trying to line up speakers
 to talk about relationships, abuse, self-esteem.

Turn the page...if you need someone to care,
to hear you - please know you can be safe.
People care. There are resources.
God loves you.
Jennifer   * leave a comment and I will gladly reach out to you

SAFETY ALERT: If you are in danger, please call 911, your local hotline, or (in the U.S.) the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or



TTY 1-800-787-3224. Please review these safety tips.