I heart family

(Another old picture of Meghan's 1st Communion)

52). family, family, family... MY FAMILY
53). having family visit us
54). kids in their 1st Communion dresses and suits
55). Italian food
56). left-overs
57). rainy Sundays
58). talking about a big vacation to Italy for 10th Anniversary
59). the reminder to wait on Him
60). "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)
61). my health... feeling like I am 18 years old
62). Spring blossoms
63). the music at our church
64). choices

Welcome to my blog... :)

38). a patient (John C.) sharing his favorite music with me
39). my visit with Lizz in Grand Rapids & Joyce M.'s message
40). the first mowing of the season & freshly cut grass
41). the most amazing sunrise yesterday
42). working right next to Sheila for all of those years
43). God's forgiveness... again
44). authentic friends
45). angel food cake, strawberries & cool whip
46). all the facebook messages for Vic yesterday
47). Becky Jo's text today
48). my conversation this morning with John
49). my mom having plans with her friend, Donna today
50). that my relationship with Jesus helps me feel good
51). my brother, Dave calling me one of his 5 "lovely sisters"

well-rested

23). an evening at Sue & Pat's for dinner & games
24). watching over 100 people get baptized today
25). tears for total strangers
26). "An eye for an eye" makes everybody blind
27). "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Ro 12:21)
28). new jeans that fit better
29). a weekend to recover and rest
30). someone asking me to share my favorite music
31). having friends who "get it"
32). Meghan's fashion tips
33). John calling me
34). my quiet time alone
35). a new recipe
36). laughing with my husband
37). an early night

22).

1000 more starting today!

There is someone very special out there who has inspired me to begin another list of 1000 gifts. You know who you are, and I am blessed! Thank you!

1). a precious friend's inspiration to begin another 1000.

2). a friend who will help ... "just for me"

3). having our taxes done on-time and the money to pay

4). my job being somewhat stable for today

5). my friend completing her radiation treatments

6). eye contact from people letting me know they understand

7). having the knot in my stomach relieved by laughter

8). my new nickname, "The Queen"

9). new-found unity

10). the bond between dental hygienists in our office

11). Fr. Bob's perfect Homily for a 23-yr-old who took his life

12). the text from John

13). many family members on facebook

14). calls from my siblings at home & my cell at the same time

15). God's healing touch on my friend recovering from major surgery

16). a friend's concern for others in the midst of her own problems

17). a day off to recover from the craziness

18). the deer right outside our window

19). "taking it personal"

20). caring more about the people than the job

21). being on the same page as the people who really matter

Dr. Tom Hopcian had the best staff!

Dr. Tom Hopcian

Check out the video I put together. Click on Dr. Tom Hopcian and it will take you to it.

As I spent some time this afternoon trying to find some pictures of my co-workers and friends, it was emotional to say the least. These women have been like family to me for my entire career as a dental hygienist. They were with me through all of the ups and downs in life... my first marriage, my divorce... my second marriage... the birth of my kids... sending my kids to kindergarten... middle school... high school... graduation parties, birthday parties, sending them off to college and moving out of the state.... the birth of children, twins, grandchildren... losing our parents. We were there for each other when we had sick kids, kids in trouble, kids with hurt feelings, troubled relationships and the list goes on and on! I worked in the best dental office until my boss sold his practice recently. God blessed me with many wonderful years. This was not your typical office. We treated all of our patients as if they were our very own family. This chapter of life is over. God only knows how our future looks, and I'm positive that His plans are best. He knows them and they are good.

With much love, gratitude and mixed feelings,

Angie xoxo

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men," (Colossians 3:23)

... He calms the waves of insecurity

I love a vacation where my agenda is simple. I love to walk the beach more than anything else in the world. For some reason God seems to show off in the form of bright blue water and waves. It's hard to explain, but it's true. I also love to read a good book (or two).

I brought Beth Moore's book So Long Insecurity and Same Kind of Different As me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. God taught me a lesson as I read both of these books at the same time. He showed me that I have a lot in common with a homeless man.

In the story Denver shares his fear with Ron...

"I heard that when white folks go fishin they do somethin called 'catch and release,'" ... "I just can't figure it out. 'Cause when colored folks go fishin, we really proud of what we catch, and we take it and show it off to everybody that'll look. Then we eat what we catch... in other words, we use it to sustain us. So it really bothers me that white folks would go to all that trouble to catch a fish, then when they done caught it, just throw it back in the water." ..."So Mr. Ron, it occurred to me: If you is fishin for a friend you just gon' catch and release, then I ain't got no desire to be your friend." ..."But if you is lookin for a real friend, then I'll be one. Forever."

So there you have it. Then God brought a Word to me. I wrote it on the inside back cover of my Insecurity book so I'll never forget. I'll cherish the memory of my long walks on the beach where He calmed my fears.

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8) I've heard this verse so many times, but this time I heard it a little differently.

I feel so refreshed, so very blessed ... and hoping I'm a real friend!

Check out this water!

Happy Easter!

xoxo