From Strength To Strength

Last year was a year that came wrapped in challenges and surprises.  Some of them good and some of them I wish I could forget.  Along the way though, I have grown stronger, wiser and that much more grateful, especially for the little things. Little things like watching the sunrise or watching a movie with my dad and son.  In actuality, these are not little things at all but the real substance of life and our most cherished memories.

My Dad (left) and Brother

 When My father fell gravely ill the latter part of 2013 I finally understood how precious and fragile our lives really are.  We are all here but by the grace of God.  My dad is doing better now but I am forever changed by his near death experiences and stories.  I am convinced that there are lessons to be learned in everything, even in the painful moments that are hard to get through.  It is because of those moments that we can appreciate happy moments and joyous occasions.  This year I will savor the good times,.... and when bad times come I will take away whatever I can learn from it.

Happy 2014 lovelies and all the best for the new year!

Cherio

Angels Surround Us - Guest Post

Lately, my prayers have really been answered.  I've seen miracle after miracle, and I feel my faith increasing to the point where I pray for things I never would have prayed for before.
Today, I was standing in line at the Dollar Store.  There are so many people here who have fallen on hard times...so many unemployed.  The Dollar Store is a very busy place now, and there are lots of sad faces.  
As my things were being rung up, I looked at the customer being rung up in the next lane.  Her face was sad and drawn and looked gray - like she was sick.  She looked defeated and heavy with grief.  I did something I've never done before.  I asked my angels to wrap the stranger in love and lift her up, to hug her and kiss her and make her feel delightfully happy and as light as a feather.  I asked them to fill her with joy and make her laugh.  I also asked them to heal her of whatever was making her look so gray.  I imagined the angels surrounding her.
Right before my eyes, the corners of her mouth started to lift!!  I quickly looked away so she wouldn't see me looking at her, and then I heard laughter!  LOUD laughter!  I looked, and it was her!  She was positively beaming, and she said to the cashier "do you know what I'm going to do?  I am going to go out to eat!!"  She then practically skipped out of the store.  As she passed me, I saw her skin was healthy and pink.  I watched her drive away, beaming with joy, and I prayed that her angels would keep her wrapped in love and fill her with faith that everything will be alright.
My grandmother told me that every one of us has a whole host of angels from heaven surrounding us, and they will do what we ask.  I believe it is literally true!

By: fffarmergirl@gmail.com 

Cherio

A little Bit Of "Me Time" In My Life

Last week I have to admit, I felt like a hamster on a tread mill. No matter how much ground I covered there was more to go.  What a a week!  I feel like in the process my sweet little blog got neglected but am back and happy to have a minute to share and relax if only for a little while.  Hope you had a wonderful week and got a lot accomplished.  If not, hey, tomorrow is Monday, a brand new week awaits.  As Tim Gunn says "make it work!"

Well, as always whenever I find a little "me time" I get so excited I don't know what to do with myself.  And I really mean that literally. I don't know if I want to paint, watch a movie, order in and read a book or go out.  The good thing is though, whatever I decide I ALWAYS have fun.  Here are a few things I did with my "me time" this week end.

I painted the opening picture and had a blast doing so. And since I was already dabbling in paint I made these darling little paper weights.

Then, I made earrings to match this gorgeous cocktail ring I just bought.  

And then I bought a few pieces to add to my dragonfly collection.  Nothing major, just little things that make me happy.  Now I am going to hang out and spend some time with my son. We are going to watch The Hunger Games and order takeout.

How did you spend your weekend?

Cherio!

In Pursuit of Happiness And Good health

Though I am usually a pretty calm and laid back person, there is one thing that can causes me to become unglued, and that is a health scare.  I literally go from zero to panic mode in two seconds flat.  Since I am a very strong person spiritually and emotionally, this is very perplexing and out of character for me. What is this weird gravitation to self diagnose on the web for every blister, bump or pain I get.  Am I the only one doing this? 

A few years ago I had developed a very bad case of carpal tunnel syndrome, at the time I had no idea what it was so of course I googled the symptoms. Big mistake.  Google basically informed me that I had Parkinson's disease and I was convinced that this was true.  I was inconsolable.  Thank God I was alright after a few days but since that episode there has been other occasions where yet again I did the same thing.  Am I not a woman of faith? This is one habit that needs to be permanently kicked to the curb! 

Yesterday I had an epiphany or what Oprah refers to as an "Aha moment".  I had a pain and was googling it as usual.  This time though, in the midst of my search it occurred to me that I could either choose to believe that I was in good health or look for reasons to prove I wasn't.  It was only then that I truly got it.  If Life is what I make it then I choose to be happy and in good health.  I am going to laugh more, sing more, and dance more.  And, instead of promising to start exercising tomorrow, I will do it today.  Now where did I put those dumbbells....