Wednesday, February 1, 2017

To migrate or not to migrate...


Can we talk?  I love a good joke/meme/prank just as much as the next person, and usually have no problem just passing on by things that don’t make sense (to me), are offensive or whatever.  But every once in a great while I have to say something… and it’s usually when someone is trying to compare apples to oranges.

With the recent hub-bub about President Trump and “his” actions on the already immigration laws I’m seeing more and more people comment about how we’re all descendants of immigrants, that so and so came to America illegally and look at their great contributions and how President Trump's grandparents and own mother came to America illegally.  Except they came here before it was actually illegal to do so… and then became American citizens, worked hard, paid their dues, and lived a good life – the reason most came to America in those days.  They played by the rules. Yes, I understand that we are a “Nation of Immigrants”.

There’s a BIG difference between the “old” immigrants and the “new” immigrants… most of the older immigrants were literate and skilled, came over as a family, assimilated with their new “homeland”, and usually had at least “some” money.  The newer immigrants that come over illegally (in the more recent years) are generally not educated or skilled… they come over as “birds of passage” as it were, are reluctant to assimilate and often demanding that “we” as a country conform to their ways, they rarely become citizens and more often than not they arrive penniless.

I’m not against immigration.  But I can’t and won’t stand behind those that come illegally and make no effort to become a positive force in society, that make no attempt to become a citizen or try to stay here legally.  If you’re doing ANYTHING illegally, it should raise red flags.  We have rules and regulations for a reason.


Friday, August 12, 2016

A Visitor from Heaven...


I recently joined this challenge group where you’re to walk 30 miles in 30 days… sounds easy enough right?  I thought so too… until I started doing it… in the hottest month of the year!   We’re on day 12 and I’ve gone 8.7 miles… the first day was the hardest but as you all know, every journey starts with a single step and even though I’ve missed a couple days, I’m still pushing forward.  Last month I walked no miles… so I’m already ahead of the game and as they say, it’s more than those that didn’t get off the couch.  With that said… this has been a tough week.  Emotionally, mentally, financially, it’s just been absolutely draining and the end of the work day left my mind spinning…  

Halfway through the walk a cardinal flew across the path and perched on a tree branch.  He sat there staring at me, I immediately felt a connection and it was like everything stopped spinning, for just a second the world stopped.  As silly as it may sound or whether you believe in old wives tales or not, it’s believed that a cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you most need them or miss them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know they will always be with you.   Yesterday was my father’s birthday… he would have been 76.  Without a doubt I believe that cardinal was my father, he knew my struggles and knew I needed to be reminded to believe in myself, that I can handle whatever life throws at me.  Telling me to stand tall, lift my head high and take pride in myself… you’ve got this, everything will be ok.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Keeping Focused...

God never leads you to do something without equipping you for the task.  We must keep our eyes on Him not only for direction, but also for empowerment.   


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Best Advice Ever

A great video I had to share about life perspectives throughout the various stages of life...

The message is clear... Love What Matters.

Amen.

We Can't Take The Cuteness
This is entirely too adorable.Video courtesy of CBC Radio
Posted by Love What Matters on Tuesday, November 10, 2015




Tuesday, January 26, 2016

A Problem Free Life?



We’ve all read or heard the saying… everyone has struggles or problems, don’t judge. I can’t help but wonder if we hear it so often that people tend to just block it out and pay no attention to it or the meaning and purpose it serves when in fact it’s probably the most important message of the day.
Everyone, and I mean everyone has problems.  If you’re sitting back and admiring someone for the care-free life they’re living and thinking they don’t have any problems, you’re delusional.  Instead of focusing on and putting hope into having a problem free life, we should direct our energy into seeking the one True God and a problem free life for all eternity in Heaven.
Easier said than done, right?  I know, I’ve had my share of problems and struggles but I am also reminded that there is ALWAYS someone out there with greater struggles.  How do we make it through?  Where do we find the strength to carry on?  For me it’s through Him and His believers… my light tends to shine brighter when surrounded by believers.  Believers who trust me even in the darkest of times.


 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your 
God will be with you wherever you go.”  -Joshua 1:9  


Sunday, March 29, 2015

Waiting on Him

I woke up and looked at the clock... 5:00pm!!  Wow!  My head was pounding just thinking of the day I just wasted, so many things I'd wanted to accomplish... and didn't.  As I laid there thinking about everything, more specifically, my life... I started crying and was upset how everything was so out of control.  So many things that needed to be done, so many things that needed to happen, and there isn't a thing I can do to make those changes happen, NOW!  Why?  Why God?  Why can't I get this to work?  All my life I've always been able to make things happen, pull the impossible out of my rear... and now, when it was me that needed it most - nothing.  My "powers" had vanished.  Or had they?

It was then He showed me Lamentations 3:24-26... I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."  The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Instead of trying to figure things out myself I need to trust Him with every fiber of my being.  It's the way He designed us, to stay conscious of Him as we go about our daily tasks.  He has promised many blessings to those who wait on Him... renewed strength, increased hope, and the awareness that He is always present.


I am again reminded on this beautiful day, to wait on Him.  Don't be so impatient, slow down, pay attention... waiting on Him means directing my life and my attention toward Him in hopeful anticipation of what He'll do next.


But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~Isaiah 40:31





Thursday, March 19, 2015

Thursday Thoughts...

... from the shitter...

Whilst sitting on the throne this afternoon my thoughts drifted to the health properties of coconut oil and then for some reason I felt the need to remind myself that I was thinking about coconut oil and not olive oil.  Olive Oil… that’s all it took for the ADD to kick in and my brain was off on an olive oil tangent. 

There are literally dozens of varieties of olives… black olives, green olives, Italian olives, greek olives, French olives, Turkish olives, Spanish olives, sigh… the list goes on and on.  So which olive is used for making olive oil and why are there so many different kinds?  Pure olive, virgin olive, extra virgin olive… seriously?  How does anything become an extra virgin?  And can I get on that bus? 

Thankfully someone came in the bathroom and rattled my brain free from the grip olive oil had on it… stay tuned for more random musings.