trust

When I turn 50 I think I'm going to have my daughter take me rock climbing.  I want to do something totally random. Glad I have a little time to think about it! 

screensaver

This is my screensaver right now!  I'm so proud of my daughter for training hard for her very first marathon. She's running in November and I cannot wait to watch her cross the finish line. 

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." ~Phil 4:13 

I agree with Meghan

I went to the movie with my sister last night.  I had been looking forward to Eat Pray Love since I read the book (read it a long time ago when I was obviously in a different place), everyone has been talking about it and I love Julia Roberts.  My daughter saw it and her text message to me was: "Eat Pray Love= snoresville!!!!!!!! Too long... Renter!!!" I have to agree 100% with her. It actually made me mad on a lot of different levels. It was very unrealistic and the only part that touched me was at the very beginning when she introduced herself to God.  She got out of bed in the middle of the night and begged Him to help her! Later on she admitted she had a problem with listening, and I know she was accurate in her assessment because I don't believe God would have told her to divorce her husband for absolutely no reason. I have nothing else to say about the movie except I'm glad I made the choice to pass on the Junior Mints! Wow- what discipline! :)

It reminded me of another movie awhile back that had a line I still hear people say. "You complete me".  I can't remember the title of the movie, but Tom Cruise had the leading role and I thought he was charming.  When I found this video it made me want my daughter and anyone else in the dating world to see it. It's a message from one of my favorite authors, Henry Cloud.  He is right on. I started dating my husband because he made me laugh at a time when life was definitely not very funny.  He can still make me laugh but he does not complete me! If you don't have time to watch this little video just trust me... Only God can complete you!  I've learned that lesson and I'm thanking God that I didn't have to divorce my husband to learn it!

Thank You God for hearing my Prayers and not encouraging me to leave my husband.  Thank you for installing me with a hunger for You! Please don't let this movie encourage my sisters to think twice about their marriages either! Oh, and thank You for feeding me a good Word, hearing my Prayers and especially Loving me!




Love,
Angie xoxo

out of my control

It's a beautiful crisp Friday morning.  Our house is a complete disaster because the new bedroom carpet was supposed to be installed yesterday but there were technical difficulties.  This control freak is freaking out just a little bit. I just got home from my walk and am sipping on my first cup of coffee amid the mess.  Whew, I'm really being tested here! I have a few other messes to work out this morning, so I'm glad God brought this Word to me.  The only thing in our room is our huge empty dressers and a king-sized bed in the middle of the room.  Guess where I'm heading right after I publish this?  (I probably should have done it first.)  It seems there are quite a few things out of control in my life this morning!  I'm going to have to call to apologize to someone for taking it out on him!  And when I don't know how to pray for another loved one, it's simple.  Lord, let Your Will be done, not mine!  I keep forgetting He has everything under control even when I'm a mess.

"This, then, is how you should pray: 
   " 'Our Father in heaven, 
   hallowed be your name, 
 your kingdom come, 
   your will be done 
      on earth as it is in heaven. 
 Give us today our daily bread. 
 Forgive us our debts, 
      as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
 And lead us not into temptation, 
   but deliver us from the evil one  (Matthew 6:9-13) 

J.A.W. 24th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my son, John who turned 24 today!

I just wrote him a note, then realized he may not appreciate me sharing his life with the w.w.w. (whole wide world). Let me just say that I thoroughly enjoyed having him home for June and July while he was here for his internship. I loved our power walks, power talks and how he challenges me!  I enjoyed hearing him tell me his thoughts regarding his first year of law school and it's potential to make someone become cold and insensitive. I don't believe for a second it will happen to my son. He is so caring and loving.  He fell in love... with the game of tennis!  I'm glad he spent so much time with his friends and I admire him for trying hard to see all of our family. I love watching him turn into a grown man. He reminds me more and more of his dad every day. He got all of his good qualities. Actually I hope he is a good mix of both of us. :)

I'm happy John chose to come back to his hometown. Words cannot express my love for him. I will never forget the moment he came into this world and it is a privilege to be his mother.

(We sent him home with a map of The Great Lakes.)

xoxo

My sister and His will

Patricia is on her way up from North Carolina to take care of mom!  

Lord, let Your will be done!
Love,
Your daughter

(I wrote this Sunday somewhere else)

I had such a nice time with my mom on our spontaneous trip to Chicago. For some reason the guy at the Whitehall Hotel gave us the best suite! My mom immediately called to thank him and tell him that she is 74 years old and has never stayed in such a beautiful room! Seeing the look on my mom's face was priceless as she looked around and smiled from ear to ear!

We listened to "It All Goes Back in the Box" on our way home and enjoyed the reminder to intentionally fight the "Hurry Syndrome" and to remember that... "It could be worse".

No one enjoys a road trip more than my mom. The only bad part was that she forgot to pack her Insulin. I was worried about her most of the time. As we listened to the music she kept talking about her funeral. She wants her body to be used for Science so they can learn more about kidney disease and diabetes. She also said she wants this kind of music played as opposed to just the "Catholic" music. She also made a request that if she has any money left, she wants to make sure all of her grandchildren can come even if they cannot afford to get here.

I couldn't help but notice tears in her eyes when this song (I Can Only Imagine) came on. It's one of the songs that was played at my dad's funeral. We had to beg the Priest to allow it because it wasn't a "Catholic" song. Mom still misses my dad like crazy. She was sure God was going to take them both together. She is so ready to be with him, but we all know that He'll take her in His perfect timing.



With much love and gratitude,
xoxo

Mom & I enjoyed a random trip to Chicago this weekend. On the way home, we listened to my iPod for 6 hours, singing to all of our favorite music. Mom made a comment regarding how my life has changed since my divorce and how much I've grown in my spirituality. I had already thought about it many times on my own. When this song came on, it brought me right back to the time when I had an open wound. My heart was broken in a million pieces. It seems there is always a song and this one ("Call the Man" by Celine Dion) turns out was my prayer and I didn't even know it at the time. I just remember listening to it over and over again, through many tears. God heard my prayer and captured my heart. I'd do it all over again since it ignited the fire and started my relationship with Jesus Christ. It was worth every tear.

We sang until we lost our voices. Mom kept asking me to turn it up louder. (It was beginning to hurt my ears-- no kidding!) We made a precious memory!

xoxo

vines

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ~John 15:5

Lord, please invade my life! Give me the desire to want to abide in You! Take it over because I so want to bear more fruit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

With love,
Angie xoxo

No More Tears

No More Tears by David Phelps


The timeless theme, Earth and Heaven will pass away.
It’s not a dream, God will make all things new that day.
Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell.
Evil is banished to eternal hell.

No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

See all around, now the nations bow down to sing.
The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King.
Slowly the names from the book are read.
I know the King, so there’s no need to dread.

No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

See over there, there’s a mansion, oh, that’s prepared just for me,
Where I will live with my savior eternally.

No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

All praises to the great "I AM."
We’re gonna live in the light of the risen Lamb.

I "heart" Summer in Michigan

Susie saves the day!

Meg & Paula's first golf sramble :)

Kathie finally found our 1st treasure

I left my new business card. :)

228).  Hearts of Hope golf outing with Susie, Meg & Paula
229).  team Annika
230).  remembering our friend, Hannah's baby
231).  watching the meteor shower (wish I had a picture)
232).  seeing the best shooting stars of our lives
233).  friends, friends, friends... "Clarkston Heart 16"
234).  sandy beaches
235).  walks along the beach
236).  fans to keep us cool
237).  rollerblading
238).  swimming in the Great Lake
239).  boat rides with a breeze
240).  learning a new game (geocaching)
241).  finding treasures and leaving some of our own
242).  very generous friends who share their cottage
243).  those cold nasty Winter days that help me appreciate these nice ones

<3
Angie xoxo

it's okay

221). 8 out of 9 patients being sweet today
222). not taking it personally when someone acts ugly (most times)
223). being quickly convicted that I am spoiled and very fortunate.
224). very thoughtful friends
225). being included
226). Summer weekends
227). knowing without a shadow of doubt that He knows what He is doing when He says no

only God

206).  hearing my sister, Naze describing her brand new grandson's "buttery" cheeks
207).  not having this poison ivy all over my face last weekend for my reunion
208).  make-up & medication
209).  the compliment from our homecoming queen
210).  pajama party with my old friends & picking right up where we left off
211).  the dock down at our "beach club"
212).  the excitement & appreciation in Dave's voice about the BMW
213).  hot, humid days
214).  picture text messages
215).  timely clicks on the computer
216).  my brother-in-law, Larry's generosity & caring way
217).  the fact that I can't pull weeds anymore
218).  a new favorite song
219).  the fact that I'm not going through this life "solo"
220).  my husband who has a birthday tomorrow

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

what's making me smile right now

195).  not getting the cottage we wanted & being okay with it
196).  feeling free to share my insecurities with a trusted friend
197).  anticipating celebrating my 30 year high school reunion this weekend
198).  the excitement of a new great nephew this week
199).  my sister becoming a new grandma
200).  my other sisters being there to share in the excitement
201).  time flying on the elliptical machine while talking on the phone
202).  competed house projects
203).  the best Summer I can remember in a long time
204).  having my old boss back for a couple of weeks
205).  the kids being very supportive & excited

Beloved... the message is clear

193).  Going to church for the first time in awhile and sitting with my mom on one side of me and my brother and brother-in-law on the other.  Such a timely, unexpected gift!
194).  Dreaming about buying a cottage on Case's Island. Still waiting to see if it's in His plan.

The pastor asked us to rate where we feel our relationship with God is right now with ten being the best and one being the worst.  Think about it. Where do you rate yours? To be honest, I gave myself a two. He went on to remind us that we should raise our expectations since we are His Beloved.  It doesn't matter if we think we have disappointed Him with our lives.  He believes in us! We don't have to do anything... just accept His love.

Why?

Because He loves us...

Because HE loves me...
Because He LOVES me...
Because He loves ME...

He loves you!




What a great day!
xoxo