thanks for the reminder...

Always remember:

#1. When God puts something in your heart to do, do it ❣

#2.  People around you will not always show the same enthusiasm.

#3.  Do It Anyway ❣❣❣❣

sammie jean

you will always have my heart...

Looking down the road, there it was, right in front of me...

couldn't help but think of the five "M's" in my life. You will always have my 💕

Symbolically, you will have the mountain top experiences, and they will be wonderful; but it's the valley in the middle where you really learn the love of  Father God. Jesus is and always will be the greatest gift of your life.

 trusting you Father,
sammie jean

your words are life...

LORD, HELP ME SPEAK WORDS OF LIFE TODAY IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE...

bald eagle in the tree top

So is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

in the sunshine state?

FROZEN SHUT...

     

best way I know to start the day...

take a different path...

AS THE SUN SETS ON 2017...   

                           

                                                 what a fantastic year!!!!!!!

I was thinking...how can I best describe this year?  It would just have to be, don't be afraid to take a different path. Sounds brave doesn't it? But, for almost the first time in my life, I can say... I did that. It was not easy. I'm not good with changes. Territorial changes especially.  I don't know if growing up in the same house for 18 years; with same school, same grocery store, same friends, had anything to do with it or not. I do like variety in my daily life however.  I cook different things; make up my own recipes. I like spur of the moment trips. I love surprises. Small kinds like that. But, big changes...I haven't been as flexible. I don't really like to make decisions. I don't know if that stems from being afraid of making mistakes or what. Well this year...we made a change. A huge change. We had no idea that when we made the first little move how quickly everything else would start to move; selling our house weeks after putting it on the market. I've learned a lesson in control. To let go a little. For me...it's really difficult. I think when you have made so many mistakes in your life you try so hard to control the little bit you have left. We all know what that is though. Fear.  I love how Jesus taught this to his disciples. "Step out of the boat," he told them. Well, guess what? It was nothing like they thought it would be. Just like they had to learn, we had to learn too. So, that's what we did. We stepped out of the boat. We took a different path this year. One I have never known before. The surroundings were different. Everything was different. We downsized. We sold everything. Well almost everything. We went from a 1400 sq. foot home to a small camper trailer. Yet it feels like we are living bigger than ever before. We are having so many new experiences. A new church. New friends. Involved with work in Uganda and other parts of Africa. Prayerfully a mission trip in 2018. Involved in a local pregnancy center. Bought a cabin in North Carolina, sweet, christian, friends there. And as if that wasn't enough new for one year, we just found out that we are going to be grandparents again after 12 years (by the time the baby comes.)  It is absolutely mind-boggling. Only God could have done all this! I have really learned this year that He does expect us to take the first step. You and I both know that the first step is the hardest one to take. I'm praying that I have grown enough that the next step I take won't be as difficult.That this measure of faith that I have, will carry me through to the next step....wherever that might be. I love the analogy of "taking a different path". It has been so relevant in my physical and spiritual walk this year. I have taken so many new paths. I have thought about it often. In fact, all year long. It all started this year on my walk every morning down the little dirt path to and from my new house. Or I should say my little camper in the woods. This path has been very peaceful. Peace like I haven't known in a very long time. We found a new path while we were in North Carolina. It led us to a beautiful river, flowing over rocks along its way. There I found a rock with "forgive" written on it. It was a reminder to me of Jesus' grace and mercy in my life. Because of His great love for me, I can forgive others. My family has been down the path of forgiveness this year. Like the river that we saw, it has been so refreshing.  I really have learned this year that there are special treasures down paths that I take. I am so grateful for the gifts that I found down each one. I know now that I will never know what is down the path unless I go looking. I also know that chances are slim that someone will push me out of the boat. I have to step out intentionally.  Jesus promises, He will always be with me. He will never leave or forsake me. What else do I need?

Here's to "new paths" in 2018,     
sammie jean

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

My "new" path in North Carolina