Irma is NO Friend of Mine

On the heals of the devastating Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma has proven to be no slouch with the follow up.

A category 5 and as long as the entire state of Florida, Irma has caused many to have fled, many to have remained in fear and trembling, or have had loved ones that are understandably worried and stressed.

We fear the most, what we can't control.  It's a helpless feeling.

Personally, I have felt the fear of my friends that have loved ones in the Caribbean and Florida.  I too have felt that fear as my daughter was in Miami.  Only 1 week into her 2nd contract with Royal Caribbean, evacuation was handled very well and I no longer feel the fear as of Friday around lunch time.  Safely on her previous contract's vessel, she is sailing to safe waters to return when the port of Miami re-opens.

But what of those that chose to stay, who didn't have the means to leave, were forced by employers to stay or lose their jobs, emergency or essential personnel that need to stay to help, people in the hospital or assisted living that cannot leave and their caregivers, etc.?  Many are our family members or friends.

We feel so helpless regarding their safety.

Although Irma has weakened, she's still a devastating storm.  Many evacuated from Florida to seek refuge in much of our state of Georgia.  Up here in the north Georgia mountains, we shouldn't be experiencing a Category 1 Hurricane or a Tropical Storm!  Thankfully, Irma has weakened to where she will be a tropical storm when she brushes over us, yet this can still be very damaging.

What does that mean to us and to evacuees?  It means that even small towns like ours have made provisions to provide shelter for those currently camping close by or those that live in trailers or RV's that are not secured.

For us, we did all that we could.  We love our home in the Chattahoochee Forest but our home is surrounded by extremely large trees.  Trees that have been on this small mountainside forever and I pray they remain standing and stronger after this event.  We secured our heavy patio items to the railings, brought in the remaining items or stored them under the front deck.  The only other things we can do are to prepare for a few days without power which also translates to no water since we are on a well and septic tank.  So we shopped earlier in the week to buy non perishable food items, fresh drinking water, and small amounts of gas for the generator if needed.  We didn't buy all that we could have as gas is in short supply in our small town.  We bottled a lot of filtered water for drinking and made ice bags to stuff the freezer tight.  We've set up the table with our lanterns, all of our electronics are charged, as well as batteries.  Flashlights are on standby as well as a few radios.  I baked cookies for honey and he bought me wine.

our lanterns

self explanatory

did you know stored wine bottles, for a future glass cutting projects, make great drinking water containers?

something pretty to look at to ease the stress (I'm a wreck!)

My prayers are with us all.  As those in the Caribbean clean up, evacuees face the unknown, those in Florida that are currently experiencing Irma's fury, and to those of us on the dirty side of her powerful remnants.

From the great "philosopher" Bret Michaels, "every night has its dawn".  The sun will shine again and the opportunities to love and serve each other will glorify His holy name.

Don't Be A But(t)

I'm sure you have heard this before... but I thought I'd write it down for my reference. I need reminding (often) to not be a but(t)

But... I'm too old
But... I'm too out of shape
But... I'm not smart enough
But... I'm not pretty enough
But... No one cares about me
But... No one will read my blog
But... What if I fail?
But... What if I get laid off?
But... What if something bad happens?
But...

Can you tell I have been fear driven? I listened to Michael Hyatt's podcast on the way to work. He presented a list of ways to overcome a "scarcity" mentality or a "limiting mindset". Here is a link to the podcast I listened to Michael Hyatt Podcast 

That's what the above list represents. And I could make the list a lot longer, but, you get the idea...

I need to quit being a but(t)!  I need to quit limiting my life to how I think so that I  can stop letting fear hold me back.

How about you?  

What is your perspective that may be holding you back?

Do It Afraid!

Do it Afraid!

My thought for the day.  I admire those that can just approach life and seem to be not afraid of anything.  I, on the other hand, am afraid of so much!  

I used to be afraid of everything.  I was called "shy" when I was a child.  But I was really afraid of "doing it wrong" so I did nothing.  And then if I did work the courage up to ask to do something, or try to do something... I was shot down.  So... I quit trying.  Yep... I quit!  

Where did this get me?  Well, I still managed to keep a good work ethic and forced myself to be outgoing when I needed to (with a red face and decollete).  But I never took charge of my life and I have some regrets due to fear.  I let it control me.  It's totally MY fault!  

But it's not too late for me.  I've made some positive life changes in the past few years and I've allowed myself to "evolve" and grow.  I've been learning to become "me". But since I love simple things and keeping it real and simple... I'm determined to not make this too difficult on myself.  I'm not going to believe that change happens overnight and with little or no effort.  I'm going to not overthink it and just do it, AFRAID! 

I've learned that my forced extroversion allowed me to do what I needed to do but over the past year I've allowed myself to start embracing a more introverted side... I'm sort of a combination of the two. 

My husband and I are taking better charge of our health.  It won't happen overnight and changing bad habits that are comfortable is very difficult.  Especially when both of us deal with chronic pain. (He has an arthritic back and I have migraines).  But dealing with it little chunks or mini goals at a time is working well for us.  We are both starting to slowly feel better.  

I'm also taking on other life changes, little dollops at a time.  At times I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew.  Since my attention span is pretty scattered, at times I take on too many different dollops at a time and accomplish nothing.  So I'm learning to focus on one dollop at a time instead of 10 dollops at a time (10 dollops is a pretty big blob).  I'm trying to be bolder and more confident.  God created me this way for a purpose, so I need to fulfill His purpose on my life and glorify Him in the process.  

All this rambling to say... even if the road ahead looks foggy, take it anyway.  We can't grow by standing still.  If we stand still, stuff will start growing over us!  That's just not the way to live an exceptional life.  

Genesis 12:1-2

Remember... God set you apart for a purpose.  It's only yours, not anyone else's.

Do it afraid!

Positive Thinking

I'm not generally a negative person, but I worry a lot!  Maybe that does make me negative... =(

This morning, while driving into work, I caught myself worrying about my busy day at work and really dreading going in more than normal.  As I caught myself, I tried to consciously change that thought to... "it will be fine, just relax, enjoy your day, life is good, and for goodness sake... PRAY ABOUT IT instead of worrying and dreading it.  So.... here I am, smiling.  We've got one chance to enjoy this life.  I'm wasting it with worry about the future, our finances, my weight and health, work, the drive, our kids, etc.  

Sigh... this is going to be hard, but I really, really want to change my thought patterns and be healed of this fear and worry for good!  

God is sovereign!

I pray that you have a wonderful day.  If you struggle with worry, fear and anxiety, I feel you.  I'm praying for you too.  

Live Each Moment Like Your Last

What if tomorrow is too late?

Why do we get so caught up in our fears and worry, that we just can't live each moment to the fullest?  Everyone in our lives has been placed there for a purpose.  God has gone before us and prepared the way.  Regardless of how they treat us, love us, don't love us, ignore us, spend time with us... they are all created by God, living their own purpose and helping us learn and become stronger to live out or destinies. 


Life really is too short.  Go for it.  If God is in it, no one can stop it.

Tomorrow may be too late.

another sleepless night

Well, here I am... awake again in the middle of the night.  It is time to pray.  Prayer is needed for many things all of the time, but I am needing some very specific direction for both Kelly and me.  I have asked others to pray for me on this, but have realized that I need to sit, be still, know.  

My head gets so noisy with the worries and distractions.  What if I hurt someone's feelings?  What if we make the wrong decisions?  Why are people so hurtful?  Why are we taken for granted?  Are my concerns valid or just part of this weird cycle of grief I am finally acknowledging?

I have basically stopped eating this week.  I haven't chosen to fast.  I just don't want to eat.  Maybe this is why I wake up with a headache around 2:30 am.   

I want to be excited about some possible changes in our lives, but fear and worry always send me back.  I am just done with certain things I see going on.  I don't understand recent things that have happened, and I don't think I ever will.  I am not motivated to help out like I used to because I feel so taken advantage of.  I am in over my head and very angry.  

But, I am a change is good person.  Change can be good for Kelly and it could be done for me.  I want to give in to the smiles I have had recently and admit these are butterflies, but again, fear is holding me back.  

Right now, I choose to give in to God's grace and leading.  I choose to get on my face before Him and openly share my heart and not just be silent because He already knows my heart.  I choose to be ready and available for the new paths that He will take Kelly and me on and I am ready to be excited and not scared.  I choose to embrace this life for the first time!

Clearing My Head

It is freezing outside.  I really don't like the cold.  Extreme temperatures bother me period!  I would love to just get in the car right now and drive... It would help clear my head.  I tried earlier while walking the dog, but it was too cold and all I could think of was getting back in the warm house. 

I am waiting on Kelly right now too.  Don't know if I am picking her up or her friend's parents are bringing her home.  I really need to clear my head.  It is a jumbled up mess with so much going on right now.  Mom's chronic illness, her being sick right now on top of that.  I can't hook up with one of my best friends.  Our schedules are not meshing right now.  Upcoming deadlines with the dance company and getting back into Kelly's routine.  Is God trying to tell me something?  I feel God is trying to tell me many things right now, but my head isn't clear enough to understand.

My prayer tonight... Dear gracious Father, help me to put aside all of this mental and emotional clutter so I can hear You.  Only you, I am done with the lies of the enemy either in my head or through the mouths and actions of those around me.  I need you Daddy God.  Clear the distractions so my focus is where it should be, on YOU!  Help me to finish grieving my many losses and to finally get the tears out.  Holy Spirit, fill the holes in my spirit so I can give myself totally, and completely to the Lord.  I am ready to hear YOU!  I ask this in the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen!