Reflections of my life

I bet you didn't know this about me, but I am 42 years old and I've never been on a Ferris Wheel OR flown in a plane. I write out a daily schedule and have multiple calendars for all of our family activities. I like a routine and think it works best for me, HOWEVER, I have days that I wished I could throw it out the window and do something spontaneous. I like long hair and pony tails. My worst flaw is being critical of others. I struggle internally and let the Lord deal with me. I seek Him to restore my mind to thoughts I need to have and not being critical.

When I was in 8th grade I was in homecoming. It was one of my happiest days that turned into my worst nightmare. A drunk man driving an 18 wheeler loaded with batteries ran into the back seat of my mom's Ford Thunderbird while on our way home. We were in a six car pile up and landed on a bridge. We made the front page of the Spartanburg Herald and mom and I had our first ride in an ambulance. No broken bones, but lots of pain and soreness. For weeks I was terrified to ride in a car; I kept hearing all that metal crashing around me.

During my first semester of college at just 18 years old I found a lump in my breast. After failing at draining it with a huge needle the doctor sent me for an ultrasound and a mammogram. I was told I was the youngest person in the area to have a mammogram. None of the tests gave the doctor the information he needed so I had my first ever surgery on Dec. 28, 1988. The doctor did a bilateral mastectomy removing 3 lumps and tissue. I recovered at home. Praise the Lord no cancer was found.

In college I fell in love and had my first big heart break. The Lord sent Chris to pick up the pieces and we're going on 16 happy years. We worked together in his computer business, built a 3000 square foot house on 11 acres, had a baby and then decided to move to a neighborhood. We have been blessed with our one daughter and love her so much, pre-teen years and all :) We embarked on foster parenting last year and have enjoyed caring for 3 precious little girls.

On this life journey I have seen things I wished I hadn't seen, like children suffering and being hungry and neglected. I get frustrated by not having control over situations, but the Lord in His wonderful guidance is teaching me daily to lean on Him and trust Him. I've faced some challenges in my life and had my share of pain and heartache; through it all I've always relied on the Lord. Jesus has been my closest friend and He has never let me down. Please don't start this new Year without Him.

God bless you and your family. Thanks for reading. I hope in the coming year to write more, complain less and be a better servant to the Lord. Oh and just maybe I will overcome my fear and hop a plane or at least a Ferris wheel :) Happy New Year!

My Red Christmas book :)

I want to share with you my red Christmas book. When I was in the 9th grade my favorite English teacher, Mrs. Babb, gave us an assignment to buy a book with empty pages. She wanted us to write about our Christmas experiences from birth to 9th grade. Being the writer that I am I remember being thrilled with that assignment. I have continued to write about each Christmas since then. It was a lot of work in the beginning, but now it is one of my most prized possessions. I not only write about each Christmas and how I celebrated, but I have tucked memorable cards, pictures, church bulletins etc., in my book. So it is a scrap book of Christmas memories. It is not only a joy to write in, but also a joy to read and reflect. Let me encourage you during this very busy season to stop and reflect. We are told from God's word that Mary the mother of Jesus, "pondered these things in her heart". Stop and think about why we celebrate Christmas. What does it mean to you? Write it down. Share the love of Jesus; after all He is reason for the season.

Merry Christmas :)