3. It was WrestleMania 39 and the Main Event for Night 2 was Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. Cody was considered the underdog in this match against the reigning champion and unbeatable Roman. My money was on Cody. Along with his fans, I wanted the American Nightmare to win. But come shock and horror, Roman wins by… cheating.
And that was that.
I was disappointed. Confused and bewildered.
At the press conference after the show, the media asked Triple H (Chief Content Officer of WWE) why the outcome for the Main Event occurred the way it did. I will never forget his response: “Because the story isn't over yet.”
There is more for these two characters and we need to stay tuned.
Likewise, there is more for your life. There is still more to come. Tune in to what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year. You think it's over now, but far from it. You think it’s the ending but no, it's just the beginning. Don't sit in disappointment or embrace uncertainty but instead ride the wave of expectation. The story isn't over yet!
If you need prayer, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
4. I watch The Young Bucks in awe. AEW showcases this tag team and in their wrestling matches, these boys are astounding! They fight together, depend on each other, communicate constantly (verbally and nonverbally!) and trust each other until they get the victory.
I learn a lot from watching this dynamic duo!
I learned that as soon as I am tired, I need to tag in my partner. I would consider my husband, Travis, as my partner through life. I need to be vulnerable and honest and let my partner know when I need to leave "the fight" and rest. I need to trust that my partner will resume “battle” while I regain my strength.
I need to work together with my partner. I need to anticipate his needs as we go after a common enemy, communicate efficiently and keep our goals unified.
I need to turn to my partner, especially during a crisis time.
No matter what, I need to remember I am not against my partner - we are together in this. Thick or thin. Success or failure. Tap in or tap out…. I am in this with my partner till the end.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you.
***This is my last weekly blog post for a while. My husband and I are taking a 21-day hiatus with the Lord. During that time, we will intercede for people and seek His will for our lives.***
14. I overheard someone talk negatively about his spouse. This man shared with the group the everyday frustrations and the little annoyances concerning his wife.
I thought to myself… this man needs to appreciate the Masterpiece.
What do I mean by that?
If you are critical of the brush strokes, you may be too close to the canvas.
Step back. Look at the bigger picture. I am sure that overall, the marriage is beautiful with minor flaws.
Taking it a step further...overall, the workplace is fun with little complaints. Overall, the money is great with just a few issues. Overall, it's a wonderful day outside with a little overcast clouds.
Do not make the little concerns to be the main focus. Appreciate the overall beauty of what's in front of you!
And never take anything or anyone for granted!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
1. I won't lie. Writing the first draft to any book is extremely difficult. Trying to fill those empty pages with words is daunting, especially when I don't really know what to write. It's a lot of pressure to come up with a story.
But I'll fill you in on a little secret. I won't worry about filling the entire page with creative content. I'll just write one scene. And suddenly, I have an idea for a second scene. And then a third. It will all start to come together. Details will form. Story lines and character development will just start to make sense.
I don't need to understand the whole story. Just take it one scene at a time.
Likewise, you don't need to have all the answers. You don't need to understand the timeline of your life right now. You don't have to have it all figured out. Don’t stress navigating the next route. You don't need to understand the whole story. Just take it one day at a time.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
12. My husband has a Game Room in our house. A collection of video games with its corresponding game console. Rob the Robot lives in this room. Skeletor sits on top of his Snake Mountain. And there are five TV screens. Whether he's watching Wrestling for hours or testing a new Switch game, I know that my husband is having fun, being content and relaxing in his room. And when he's happy and playing, then I am happy.
I can just imagine that God takes delight when his children are playing and happy.
Old Hardy Greaves in the movie, The Legend of Bagger Vance says,
“God is happiest when his children are at play.”
God must be content when his children are resting and relaxing…laughing and enjoying themselves. I want to make sure to enjoy God’s goodness and to delight in each new day surrounded with his heavenly blessings.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
13. I was doing yard work and I noticed these very pretty weeds, purple with a long stem. And even though this piece of greenery was beautiful, it was a weed nonetheless.
And I thought to myself as I pulled these weeds, "I'm sorry. You Are so pretty. But I must get rid of you!"
Are there any beautiful weeds in your life? Sins that seem too intriguing to give up... Indulgences that you know are bad for you but you need to toss.... A lot of friends but no quality ones....
Take a look at your life and pull out some weeds. I know they look beautiful. I know they could even be mistaken for flowers. But weeds suffocate the harvest and ruin the blessings. Get rid of them now before they overgrow and take over the entire yard of your life.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
#26. It was the year 2020 and I wasn't working. Everything was shut down. And I spent my days outside. I rode my bike down a long trail. I ran around the neighborhood and took long walks out in the afternoon sun.
Silly me, I didn't put on sunscreen. And after a few months of this, my body and my face got all burned and red. No amount of lotion or moisturizer could help. Concerned, I sought professional advice, but the Dermatologist said the skin had to heal organically. I had to just let it heal on its own.
Fast forward, and now in 2023, I can (finally!) now say that my face is blemish-free and back to its normal color. I learned my lesson and I apply lotion every time I exercise outside. But this blog isn't about maintaining proper skincare (but seriously though, wear sunscreen!)
This message is about letting go.
Is there something in your life that has to heal on its own time? Is there something that is out of your control or answers that just need to manifest organically? No rushing. No instant results. No quick fixes. A steady, one foot in front of the other progression. Understand that some things just have to wait. Understand that promises will manifest on their own time. Do not rush the process. Do not get in your own way. Do not get ahead of God. Just let it happen naturally. And let it go… to heal.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. i would love to pray for you.
5. Travis and I are "back" from our 21-day hiatus with the Lord. We had the privilege of praying for the needs of God's people from all over, requests coming in from the United States and other countries. That time with the Lord was truly a time of unparalleled blessings and favor!
Recently, Travis bought and constructed the (1,830 mini bricks!) Van Go Starry Night Lego set. This playset ignited a conversation. Though the painting of Starry Night is one of Travis' personal favorites, I'm not a huge fan. I don't quite get it. There are swirly things in the sky. The big tree looks ominous, almost like something out of a horror movie. But Travis sees beauty and wonder and majesty and, in his explanation, he finally tells me, "You don't appreciate it because you're not seeing it on a bigger scale," talking about the details, the brush strokes, the artist’s state of mind, the imagination of it all.
Do we do this? Or is it just me?
For example, I don't appreciate the vastness of the heavens, I just look up at the stars every so often. I fail to capture the wonder of nature, I just complain about the weeds sprouting up in my yard. I can even put God into a human-sized box without experiencing him in all of his limitless splendor.
I would encourage you today to take a second look. To appreciate the majesty of the masterpiece. To look at the bigger picture. To not take miracles for granted. And to realize the intricate details that went into the wonderment of the moment.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
6. There was a green lizard who hung out inside of our lanai. And I watched him. He was a whiter color when he clung to the sides of the screen doors . But he turned a darker color when he was lying on my exercise equipment. At first his color change shocked me. But I quickly realized that he was adapting to his present situation, blending in to what is around him.
I want to be like my lizard friend. I want to situate myself to my outside circumstances. I do not want to panic but just… go with it. I want to remain fluid and be able to adapt to what is going on. I want to accept change as smoothly as possible. Without stress. Without complication. Without losing my cool.
I can give in. I can surrender to this life's journey. I can rest in any position I am in. I am a chameleon, wearing several hats and thus, succeeding in any role.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
9. I am an avid reader. I can read up to 2-3 books a month.
I usually celebrate the beginning process. I go to my Library and pick out a new read. I start each story with such anticipation and excitement.
I also celebrate when I finish a book. I immediately write a review on Goodreads and share my thoughts and feedback of the story.
But I do not celebrate the middle of the book. I never once have said, "Hooray! I am finally at the middle."
The middle is a time when you may have to push through a few chapters that are dull, uncomfortable or you are just not feeling it.
The middle of the story may not always be exciting, but you have to go through the middle to get to the end. And as I said before, I celebrate when I reach the end.
Are you going through the middle of your personal story? I would advise you that not every chapter is going to thrill you. Some parts of your story will bore you. Other parts will frustrate you. But just know, it will all make sense at the end… when we celebrate together!
To see what I am currently reading, connect with me on Goodreads!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
21. It was late. It was dark and I was walking through the neighborhood by
myself.
I do this regularly, so I normally don't fret about it. With my headphones on and the feel-good music blaring through my ears, I don't ever worry about anything… unless there is weirdness. And there was. Up ahead.
A car was parked facing me with his lights on. It seemed more dramatic of an anxiety had it not been so late, and I was the only one outside. This car was up ahead, almost blocking my path.
As I contemplated my options… should I move across the street? Should
I speed walk past it? Should I turn in the other direction?… the car turned off
its lights, the driver left the once moving vehicle and I was able to
just continue my walk in peace.
I want to encourage you to keep walking. That mountain will suddenly
turn into a molehill. What you are anxious about will no longer be an issue. That stress will evaporate, leaving no cause for concern. That problem will reach a solution. All will be well in your soul and in your life.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
16. "The trick is to not overreact."
I said that recently to my husband who wasn't feeling well and
immediately his thoughts turned to: "Is this Covid?" "Are these symptoms lasting?" "Is there something even more wrong with me?"
"The trick is to not overreact."
That piece of advice was also told to me when I was let go from my place of employment. "Will I be okay financially?" "Is this going to affect other areas of my life?" "How do I pick the pieces and move on from here?"
IF the what ifs come to the surface... you do not have to "go there." Don't listen to those negative thoughts. Just let this storm pass. Seasons come and seasons go. And before you know it, you feel healthier and stronger. Or like me, you are in a better spot than you were before.
I make it a habit to say, "Thank you, Lord" even when I don't know what is happening around me, knowing that God is going to work this out somehow, someway.
I just can't overreact; I need to have complete trust in my Savior.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
15. I was outside jogging around my neighborhood and it was incredibly hot outside. My thirty-minute run was becoming nearly unbearable in the Florida heat. Usually, this exercise is about a four lap circle and that day, by the last lap… I couldn't make it. The finish line looked too far.
So, instead of seeing how far left I had to go, I mentally divided my run into small, more doable milestones. I looked down at my feet, taking it one step at a time. I told myself, "Just make it to that lamppost" and then after that "just run to that tree," breaking up the long trip into easily doable steps so that I could complete my workout.
That day, out of breath and out of energy, I needed that change of perspective. I needed to break my goal into smaller pieces. And that's what eventually got me to the finish line. And I know that you will also experience personal victory in your own life. Just pace yourself and try not to conquer everything all at once... just do the next right thing, take the next step forward to reach that next milestone up ahead.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you.
10. We have an owl statue in front of our yard, properly dubbed: Solar Owl.
Solar Owl is solar powered, meaning that during the day he soaks up the sun through a solar panel so that at night, he illuminates brightly. Solar Owl shines in the darkness; he is brighter than anything else in the shadowy yard. Even in the midnight hour, Solar Owl can be seen from the road, casting it’s glow.
I am inspired by Solar Owl. I want to retain the light and goodness of the gospel so that I cannot help but radiate. When things around me look dim and dark, I want to maintain a level of happiness and joy. I want to soak in Jesus and his truths and his love so much that I illuminate his righteousness. And I hope anyone in a dark place can see God's glory shining bright!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
For those who feel busy and stressed and overwhelmed, I just wanted to
share a few verses on peace that will hopefully help you to relax and
slow down and breathe easy:
2 Thessalonians 3:16 : Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
John 14:27 : Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as
the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid.
Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 4:8: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 29:11: The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
I pray that you will feel at peace right now. I pray for a good night's sleep with sweet dreams. I pray that God will cover you with his goodness and love. May you feel content and happy and stable in all of your ways. Let's embrace the peace and beauty of the Lord today!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
17. I want to tell you a secret. I follow myself on Amazon.
Why do I do this?
I need to be a fan of my work before anyone else can. My books
represent me and I stand behind each and every one of them. I wouldn't
put my name on just anything. The story has to remain positive. The
message has to be uplifting. The ending has to be happy and upbeat.
I need to believe in myself. There are critics. There are negative
reviewers. There are naysayers. But if I stand tall and believe that
what I do makes a difference and that inspiring stories can change lives… then I remain a fan of what I do.
I would remind you today... to be a fan of yourself. You are doing very well!
You have come a long way, and you need to applaud the steps of progress that have led you to this exact spot.
And we are both expecting such good things ahead!!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
11. On the days when I work at Billy Graham Ministries, my responsibility is to bring people hope. I need to speak comfort and peace during their difficult time. I listen attentively to understand their personal and specific needs. I need to speak positively and assure them that God is personally taking care of them and moving on their behalf.
But, what would I say if I were the Client?
In the spirit of counseling, let me put myself on the couch.
What kind of words would I say to cheer myself up?
I talk to so many people, I forget what it’s like to encourage myself.
I guess I would say… to be patient. This is a process. I would remind myself to trust God and stand on His Word. I need to walk by faith and not by sight and definitely not follow my feelings. I need to praise the Lord for what he has done in the past and assure myself of what he is capable of doing today. I would tell myself to relax and breathe. I would say that prayer is powerful and that God is going to do amazing things… I just need to receive it. I just need to believe it. I just need to speak it.
What are some pieces of advice that you would give yourself today? Speak encouragement and love to the Counselor and the Client.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
8. I know what it's like to feel unstable in life and unsure in my decisions. To be in a season of turbulence. When I don't know which way is up or down. There are days when I do not have enough energy to face the day.
I know what's it's like to feel uncomfortable with the crisis I am currently dealing with. I don’t know if what I am doing is helping or hurting…. When I don't know if the decision I am making is the best decision.
I know what it's like to feel exhausted and stressed out.
I want to remind you that God is here even in these difficult moments. Hang on. Keep trusting and keep believing. Stand strong in your faith. Keep leaning in to God and rely on the Promises found in His Word. Live each day on your knees.
Your crisis will be over soon enough. God will reveal Himself to you even in the storm. And together, we believe for better days ahead.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
21. As part of my exercise regime, I go out in my lanai to lift weights and jump rope.
I count to 50 when I jump rope.
1…2…3…
Urg! The sirens and honking cars I hear from the road mess me up.
I start again. 10…12…13.
The birds and noises in the nearby woods cause me to miss my jump and I have to stop.
As frustrated as I am from the outside annoyances, I am the one to
blame. I am the one who is allowing the interruptions to ruin my flow.
I have to remain focused on my task.
48…49….50.
My dreams depend on my ability to continue even against any shortcomings or personal hiccups. I must breathe, look, step and jump as I progress in my personal and daily goals. I cannot blame anyone but me for not reaching my highest potential.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
#25. I knew the ending of the movie. In fact, I knew that the ending of that particular movie was a good one. A perfect one. And that's why I recommended we watch it.
But my friend who was watching the movie for the first time was stressed out by the story. He didn't know how one thing connected to the other... but I did. He didn't know why one character had to go through this and that... but I did. I knew it all made sense.
And that's what made the ending so beautiful!!
As my friend was enduring some of the scenes on the screen, I turned and whispered, "It gets better. I promise."
The scene going on right now in your life may be a stressful one. And you're unsure of what is going on. And I am here to tell you that it gets better, I promise. Keep holding on. The ending is worth it. In fact, you are going to love the ending! Everything happens for a reason. The pieces come together nicely and it will all work out. You'll see! Just wait. Wait for it. The best is yet to come!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
20. Travis and I are "back" from our 21-day hiatus from the Lord and it
was truly a wonderful time of interceding for others while seeking the
will of God for our lives. We had so many personal miracles and blessings take place during that time!
But I want this week's blog post to talk about what I experienced literally just
a few days ago.
It was sudden. And unexpected. I walk outside of my house and there is new greenery planted in the front yard. The beautiful yellows and purples
wave at me as we meet for the first time.
The landlord told the gardener to plant these… but to me, it was a
new beauty I now get to enjoy... without me even lifting a finger.
I immediately thought of Deuteronomy 6:11: The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant.
I am praying that God will provide an unexpected Harvest in your life.
That you will wake up one day and be hit with a good surprise from
Heaven! I pray that God's Promises will manifest. And may
we praise the Lord for bringing love and support and such beauty into our lives. We receive and enjoy the Abundant Life sprouting up all around us!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
#27. I want to share a personal Journal entry of mine, dated back in 2017.
“I have learned to keep going. Even if no one is supporting me. Even if I am on my own - to keep completing the task God gave me to do.
Refrain from looking around at those laughing at me or not supporting me. Just stay focused and diligent no matter what.
God needs me for a time such as this.
It's not about book sales. It's not about large lines. It's about people connecting to a Savior!
It will be disappointing. I will not get the attention I think I deserve. Don't let that stop me. I am doing this because God told me to. The results are up to him.
If it helps, many have stood where I am standing now and felt what I am feeling. Welcome to "putting yourself out there." Welcome to being an Author. Welcome to serving and following God. The work is great and at times, the reward may seem small - but I don't fully realize the investment I am making into God's kingdom. Be assured of that!
I do this because God said to do it. Period.
I don't know who my book is touching and reaching. Don't give up now!”
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
7. I was working 6 days a week for months. And it was brutal! I was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. And I prayed that God would provide me rest, hoping for much needed time off. Maybe my employers can relax the schedule a bit or approve some days off.
Even though I was working extra shifts and overtime hours, God showed up in my situation and He was able to give me rest… while I was still working. God provided me with daily strength and daily energy. The shifts I worked seemed to require less stress and there were plenty of times when I was able to relax and breathe even while on the clock. God gave me the grace and patience for each new day.
God can and will answer your prayers. He will show up for you. He may not answer prayers in the way you were expecting, but He will be with you and surround you with his loving care and personalized attention. I am happy God knows what's best for me and I know I can trust Him with everything I need!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
19. Let me just say this… I am so happy I did NOT get what I asked God for!
Travis and I wanted to buy this "perfect" house and the deal fell
through and we were stressed and devastated. We had prayed and fasted to God for this house without realizing this literal shut door was working in our favor!
We didn't know it then but the house we ended up with is so much better!
Another example I can use. This year alone, Travis and I experienced major
transitions in our jobs. For me personally, I wanted to keep the television job I had. Though I prayed (so hard!) and fasted to keep this media job, I didn't realize the closed door was working in my favor!
I am now enjoying a work-from-home opportunity that allows me to see Travis more and allows me to save money, to relax and sleep in, which is a perk!
Thank you, God that no matter how much we beg and shout and yell and
cry… you still are such a good God and you know what is best for us!
You don't listen to our temper-tantrums… but instead you keep us in
your good and perfect will! I am so grateful for closed doors, and I am so grateful for you!
** This will be my last weekly blog post for a while. My husband and I are taking a 21-day hiatus with the Lord. During that time, we will intercede for people and seek His will for our lives.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
18. It was a rough time in my life.
New information kept coming in. It was hard to make plans. In fact, I
stopped making plans altogether. I knew things were changing daily. Sometimes, hourly. I didn't quite know what was going to happen. The future remained uncertain. I was remaining flexible with each new day, and I had to be aware of God's leading.
When you are facing a difficult time, when you are surrounded in a fog,
unsure of your next steps… I pray that we will know and trust that God
will clarify which path we are to take. I pray that we will reach out and depend on God's strength while leaning on his Word.
Know that God has you, that he is walking with you (even when it's
hard to see him) and he's leading you (even when it's hard to hear from him).
Thank you, God that you are with us in the storms of our lives. We
trust you for the safety and deliverance of this turmoil. And we
praise you for manifesting your divine Promises in our lives right now.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
2. I work as a Prayer Line Associate for the Billy Graham Ministries. In fact, if you are feeling stressed or anxious - please call :
# 888-388-2683 and someone will pray for you day or night.
When I take a call and talk to the stranger on the other end, I need to remind myself to slow down. I need to intently listen to the needs of the caller and pray as the Spirit leads. I have to be in the moment, attentive and present. The worst thing I can do is rush the conversation and hang up. I have to take a breath. Take a beat. And allow God to use that divine opportunity for his purpose.
In the same way, I need to slow down my life. I want to stay in the moment. I need to make it a habit to collect my thoughts, clear my mind and stay focused. Where I am is holy ground. This very second is a miracle. I do not want to take this opportunity for granted or rush from one task to the next. Instead, I need to take a breath. Take a beat. And allow the Spirit to lead me each and every day.
“Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” – Exodus 3:5
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
#23. I remember riding the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom. In fact, I've ridden that ride multiple times.
One time, it was very hot and the sun was out and none of the wild animals could be seen. They were either hiding or seeking shade.
Then another time, it was gently raining outside. And even though I didn't like being wet at a theme park, the lions and elephants and zebras loved it! They were all playing and enjoying the cool air. It was an unbelievable experience seeing the liveliness of the animals.
I believe that when it rains in my life, something also shifts in the spiritual.
Let me explain.
I have gone through trials and difficulties in my life and all of a sudden, people, resources and support seem to come out of nowhere! Connections I haven't talked to in years now want to bring about divine opportunities. Unexpected money arrives in the mailbox (yes, that does happens!). A calm peace suddenly waves over me. I may not like the rain, but there is a certain sense of wonderment happening even in the storm.
I want to remind you… In the good days, we can enjoy the victory. But even in the bad days, we can still enjoy the victory. Because God will send support and help and love and solutions… even in the rain.
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!
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#24. Have you ever read a book and in the story, there are plot twists and unexpected surprises and you want to read ahead but you refrain because you are so caught up withy what might happen next?
I am a writer and I know each book I’ve written by heart. I know the endings to my stories. I know that even though there may be confusion, frustration and heartbreak in Chapter 7, there will be a happy ending and everything will work out by Chapter 10.
Only the Author knows the ending.
You have to trust the Author.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11
…looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; - Hebrews 12:2
Jesus Christ is called the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is writing our personal stories. Trust the Author. He has a good plan and path for you. And your best days - your best chapters - are just ahead!
If you need prayer for anything, let me know. I would love to pray for you!