Thankful for Gatherings and Much More!

Feathers make me think of friends I've lost, little blessings

and make me smile. They have this ethereal nature that seems to connect me to many ideas. Because of this, I've decided to use them as my Thanksgiving theme for this year.

So here I'll begin my thoughts

on gratefulness journal...

• the joy of moms and grand moms going to movies with their little ones
• praying anywhere I choose
• Hospice and their caregivers
• prayers for our troops and their families

• new babies
• caring for our elderly
• helping the homeless
• church

• making a new friend
• loving an old one
• holding hands
• loving my job

• my sons
• my family
• the ability to laugh and cry, then laugh again
• to stop, listen and care

It might sound very simple to you when I list what I view as my blessings.

This last year has been a rough road in many ways. I've learned a lot,

adjusted a lot, moved twice, had health issues, began a new job, made friends,

become closer to God, read many a book, seen new places... learned who truly cares, who always has,

have become a better friend and Mom, realized I make mistakes and always will, have learned meditation and prayer, listening is very powerful and I am a novice at it. My sons are wise and I have a great deal to learn from them. God is always holding me in HIS hands. I have dear friends that ride their roller coasters and mine. I have a huge sense of humor. It's OK to cry. Everyone has a story to tell, a gift of themselves to share. I am so very thankful for this Life. Jenn

Happy Thanksgiving...

there is no one else like YOU!

The Greatest Of These Is Love... Easter Greetings

Easter Greetings....

the eggs, the bunnies

coloring eggs, pretty baskets

peeps, chicks, bows and bonnets

creams, pastels, Sunday best

but the greatest of these is....

Love.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

In my father's house there are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you,

 I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.

You know the place to where I am going." John 14:1-4

I'll Stand By You - Continued Prayers for Japan

If one prayer was a red balloon... sending hope towards Japan...

imagine what more than one could do?

two prayers, two thoughts,

kind words...

their world is in turmoil

donations are still needed

so be it red color - blue color,

yellow color, green...

whatever your wishes .... just send them off with love

wouldn't you want someone to pray for you today?

you can make a difference

we can make a huge difference!

Lullaby of Rain and Rainbows Prayers for Japan

And God Gave Us Rainbows....

Acts 14:17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

HIS protection

His Love

Nature's Beauty

Shelter from the storm.

 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant. Genesis 9:14-15 (NIV)

giving myself the ok to be a healthy me.... and thinking of you flying!

so i said to myself...    self

you're not bathing suit ready

but who am i fooling, i wear one every summer

we're all talking about our "plan of action"

i'm asking GOD for HIS help

daily

i've gone down 4 jean sizes in 2 years
not too shabby ( the big butt is still there)

i'm giving myself the ok to not wear a bikini

for my boobs to not be where they used to be

to have a poof

i love the ocean and to swim regardless of what the label reads

so what if my beach chair sinks in the sand

summer IS my time of year

healthy is more important than skinny

i will not join a gym

i will exercise

i love yoga

i will never love working out

i'll drink more h2o

i'll laugh at life

i know what to eat (i prefer pizza, pasta, ice cream, vodka tonics)

treat myself to flowers once a week (or giving them to someone i love)

i work a full time and a part-time job

have a card business and a jewelry business

which i have yet to list on line

i'm looking for a reasonable apartment

(does that exist?) taking classes at night

all this should keep me away from the refrig right?

treat myself special (a massage, socks, a scarf)

because i am

and so are you (it can be an asian pear, a candle, etc.)

God gives us wings...

we have to believe we can fly.
what will help you through the day to a healthy life? tell me tell me!
                                                          jennifer

I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly

There's No Cross That Love Can't Bear...Holiday Caring

Love Bears All..

Once a mother stood on a corner
Tears betrayed her painted smile
She was trading in her halo
For just enough to feed her child


Then an old man, cold and hungry
Saw her crying, so he stopped

And he gave her his one possession
A shining silver pocket watch

There's no cross that love won't bear
And when you're down to your last prayer

It will be the saving grace
In the depths of your despair

There's no cross that love won't bear

So the old man found a park bench

Crawled inside and went to sleep
He lay down and went to sleep
As he drifted into slumber
He prayed the Lord his soul to keep

Then the mother with her halo
Came to him in a dream

And he woke up in a mansion
His silver watch there on it's chain

There's no cross that love won't bear

And when you're down to your last prayer

It will be the saving grace

In the depths of your despair

There's no cross that love won't bear

No, there's no cross that love won't bear

by John Berry

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
—John 13:34-35

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.