Prayer for today:

Dear Jesus,

You gave us EVERYTHING on that cross.  Thank you.  I can’t believe that you knew all of our sins before they happened and were willing to not only take them for us, but completely absolve us.  That freedom in you and repentance of our sins is your true gift.  I can’t wait to get to heaven, kiss your feet and hug you in ‘person’ for that.

Amen.

Piece’o’Past:

I’m an only child.  Of a single mother.  The first born on our side of the family in 17 years.  The only grand-daughter.  The only niece.  I don’t like to say that I was … spoiled … per se, but I never wanted for much.  My mom cooked for an army, but we never really ate leftovers.  We ate out at least once a week, I had new clothes 3 – 4 times a year.

Present:

Greed and selfishness is something that comes easily to me.  I’m not used to ‘wearing clothes out’.  I’m used to getting what I want when I want.  When you have a house, cars, bills, kids, pets, husband (not in order of importance, of course), and other commitments and priorities (tithing and giving), you have to learn to juggle, prioritize and go without.  I am NOT complaining in the least.  In fact, I’m thankful for having to WORK for things and trust in God’s provision (which has come at the EXACT moment when we need it, not a minute sooner or later).  Included in His provision are my family, my friends, my job and many other countless things that I probably can’t even name that have come into play for me over the years.

After Easter Sunday, I’m feeling amazed and loved and cared for…in a personal and individual way even while knowing that what was done was done for all.

Love,

Chan

Prayer for today:

God,

Help me draw nearer to you.  Use me.

Amen.

Piece’o’Past:

Life isn’t always easy…some of us having it MUCH better than others.  Some of us don’t.  Over the years, I’ve come to not be complacent, but content with where I am, who I’m with and what God has given me.  I haven’t always been this way.  I used to WANT everything that I didn’t have…coveted with envy.  I used to spend money I didn’t have…uselessly and stupidly.

Present:

Today at church, some people who went on a recent missions trip to Nicaragua shared their ‘God moments’ from their trip.  It really pops things into perspective when you’re told about children crying gratitude for fluoride treatments, adults weeping with thanks for finally being able to see “Claro!” with a used pair of glasses, and an intercession happening over a hurt homeless man who was able to hold his head high the next day and be healed through prayer.

If you don’t believe in God or that His Son is THE way to Him, take a moment and look around at everything and its wonder around you and think back to when you were a child and thought you could fly if you climbed high enough and jumped…that sense that you could DO and BE anything that you wanted in life, God GAVE you that will.  Choose Him.  1) Because I want to hang with you in eternity.  2) Because when creating the earth around us, He took the time to create every important cell in your body and count the hairs that you have on your head.  Then, He sent His Son to die for the sins that He knew that you’d make.

These past couples of weeks have been ‘off’, but I know that I have purpose as do each of you.  Pray for me and mine as I pray for you and yours.

Love,

Chan

Prayer for today:

Dear God,

Thank you…for a full belly, a roof over my head, a job to go to in the morning, my 2 sweet children {whether 1 is throwing a temper-tantrum or not}, my loving husband and so many other things that I may not even recognize as something to be thankful for.  In times of trouble, I am comforted and surrounded by you, Jesus.

I love you,

Amen.

Piece’o’Past:

Ashley, Shelby…don’t look at this…I used to box-dye my hair.  A lot.  Like different colors at opposite ends of the spectrum once a month just because.  Like since I was 13.  Anywho, when I lived in the great San Ann, I had a hairdresser friend who taught me the rights and wrongs of hair care and {with a lot of time & $$$} got my hair healthy.  I haven’t touched a box of color since then.  Over 5 years. 

When I moved to MD, I had a hard time finding a place that fit me and my budget…proper hair care can be quite expensive.  I found this AWESOME place about a year and a half ago {shameless plug for Frayedberry} and haven’t strayed once since!

Present:

Piece of past has nothing to do with this…it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve posted and a LOT has happened since then…helped with Tides of Love, got a sinus infection, knee has half-healed, EJ got sick, Evie got sick, Don & I got away, ran into people we knew while away, we came home and this week started.  PHEW!

Of ALL of that, can I say that the 2 biggest blessings that God revealed to me were that 1) there truly are some homeless and helpless people out there that will sit and have a meal and thank you profusely for it and 2) being in a loving, respectful, FUN marriage is AWESOME?  I guess so...I just said it!  BOOM-shacka!

The big goose bumps & tears moment at Tides of Love {which if you don’t know about it, search it on Facebook & if you do know about it, devote a Saturday and serve…you’ll be humbled & awe-struck at God’s provisions in your own life…} happened when one of the first guests came out of the bathroom with a wide-eyed and scared expression on his face.  He was middle-aged with blue eyes, a silver ponytail and a worn jean jacket over a red plaid flannel shirt that had seen better days.  He walked up to me and handed me a wallet while saying, “Ma’am, I found this in the bathroom, I didn’t open it and I don’t know whose it is.”  I thanked him, took the wallet and found its owner {one of the other volunteers}.  Well, the man in the jean jacket came back up to me, pulled me aside and said with earnest, “Ma’am, I’m really worried about the wallet.  Please, if something was taken, hold me responsible.  I’d hate for something like missing money to end such a blessing as is put on like this.”  I could barely hold back my tears to nod, smile & tell him not to worry.  He was a pure example of God’s love for the world.  He was willing to sacrifice himself so that others wouldn’t suffer.  When the volunteer who owned the wallet got it back, I told him about it and he was able to go sit with the man in the jean jacket for the meal.  Just think…we’re all just walking around with lost wallets.  God gives us our treasures in heaven and we get to sit at His table because we weren’t just invited, we were SOUGHT after and BOUGHT with His own blood.

Have an amazing evening...surround yourselves with family and friends.

Love,

Chan

Prayer for today:

Jesus,

In less than 40 days, we will be mourning Your ‘loss’ and celebrating Your supreme victory over death.  Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice to save us.  While not deserving in the least, Your righteousness gave the most.  ‘I stand in awe of the One who gave it all’…

Amen.

Piece’o’Past:

Lent has always been confusing to me.  First, we didn’t GO to church.  THEN, I was in Catholic school for 4^th and 5^th grade, so Lent was HUGE…Ash Wednesday mass, fish every Friday, proclaiming what you were giving up to glorify God & thus glorifying you, stations of the cross and wafers & wine.  (Not trying to be judgmental, but that was my 8 & 9 year old impression.)  After I started insisting on rosary beads & Hail Mary’s at the dinner table, Mom promptly removed me from that ‘unstable environment’.  (Her words, not mine!)  So, back to a public school and off to Sunday services at the local First Christian Church with weekly communion it was for us. 

Present:

I am a firm believer in doing things for Christ with a joyful and humble heart.  SO, instead of giving something up and grumbling about it for the next month, I’m going to work on my spiritual – and faithfulness. 

Going to bed without Percocet and praying that I am able to get a good night’s sleep without it.

Love,

Chan

Old habits and beautiful prayer no matter what religion you are...

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Lord Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners...now and at the hour of our death.

Prayer for today:

Father God,

I love you.  Thank you for loving me SO much. 

Amen.

Piece’o’Past:

I remember when I spent Valentine’s alone and wishing that someone would come along and do something straight out of a rom-com to win my heart over?  GOD, those were lonely days.  I had NO clue of what love was in its true form.  & this was less than a decade ago for me.

Present:

Even with a bum leg, my (not so constant thanks to the pain meds for my leg) abdominal pain, sinus pressure ready to crack my skull, a full day of work and 2 sweet babies to care for…this has been one of the BEST Valentine’s Days that I have EVER had in my LIFE.  Another great one was when Don and I were still “talking” and he sent me my first ever received bouquet of flowers.  The love that God gave me through my amazing husband is overwhelming and sweet and perfect in all ways (even the ways when we argue and have issues).

First, Don surprised me by stopping by my work after lunch on his way back into town from a meeting with 2 chocolate dipped and vanilla ganache strawberries for us to share and a single red rose for me to keep on my desk for the afternoon.  Once home w/kiddos, we decided to grab Five Guys and he ran out to get after we exchanged cards.  All in all, most awesome.  Another plus – We had the besties over for dinner last night and I was feeling bakey, so I made some uber delish cupcakes and had enough to take into work today and got high praise for them!

May you cherish and love those around you…Happy Valentine’s Day…XOXO!

Love,

Chan

Prayer for today:

Jesus,

THANK YOU…thank you for friends who pray for me and friends for me to pray for.  Thank you for the love and care of a man that you designed me to be with that takes care of our family and me when I can’t.  Thank you for pain meds and the doctors that prescribe them.  Thank you for providing me with a sturdy job that makes ME a priority.

With a week like I’ve had, I really just wanted to thank you and be conscious of your workings in my life Lord.

Amen.

Piece’o’Past:

I have been accident prone my entire life.  My first ‘memorable’ trip to the ER was when I was at my uncle’s house and he was chasing me around his octagonal coffee table and I fell on a corner and my bottom teeth went through my bottom lip.  Not TOO long after that I received my ‘chin scar’ (almost everybody has one BTW…) when I was tap-dancing on our neighbor’s tile floor and slipped.  In 6^th grade, I was riding my bike to school and my backpack was slung over the handlebar and I took a corner, the bag went into the wheel, the wheel (and bike) stopped, I didn’t.  Braces ended up imbedded in my lips.  Had to go to ER, dentist & ortho only to be sent to school afterwards.  ALSO in 6^th grade, mom took me to one of the TX battlefields (Goliad to be exact) and they had stone benches that I just HAD to hop over (like hurdles) and I tripped over one and fractured my right (write) wrist.  In high-school, it became the joke that I was so good at falling that I could make it look like I was sitting down.  Klutz-hood, I pray that I don’t pass you on to either of my children…

Present:

Last week I started physical therapy for my abdominal pain.  Lady asked me the same questions that have already been asked.  She poked and prodded in the same places that have already been poked and prodded.  I was then put through a series of ‘tests’ to determine my abdominal strength (weak) and my back strength (VERY strong).  So, I was started on a series of abdominal exercises to be completed a few times a day and follow up PT appointments twice this week.  One of which was Monday morning and it went smoothly and resulted in an additional few exercises that I can add to my repertoire.

And that’s about where my good week ended.

As I was heading out for lunch Monday afternoon from work, I decided that sky diving would be something I should try right then and there…off of a curb.  Somehow, stepping down off the curb into the parking lot between mine and a coworker’s car, my brain stopped signaling to my feet what should actually happen, so I fell…HARD…and landed on my left knee w/minor support from my left palm/wrist.  Thankfully, I have big enough lungs that people in the surrounding offices were able to hear my screams of painful agony and double thankfully, I work right next to an urgent care that they were able to cart me into.  Crying hysterically and grimacing in pain.  I was given ibuprofen, x-rays (nothing broken) and Neosporin and an ace bandage.

Well, 2 days later, I was still a’hurting, so I gave my PCP a call and they saw me this afternoon, said that if I’m still in this much pain next week, that we’ll MRI for a torn ligament or something and she prescribed me Percocet.  SO…GOOD night to you all…may you rest as well as I will be!

Love,

Chan

Prayer for today:

Father God,

Be with the family of Beth Ann Faulder as they mourn her loss.

Amen.

Piece’o’Past:

I came home from a Brownie lock-in when I was 11 and puked all over our living room floor.  My mom was pretty upset b/c of the mess that she had to clean up, but it turned out that I had laryngitis, bronchitis and tonsillitis all together.  That was the year that I had my tonsils removed.  I haven’t really ‘caught’ all that many colds since then…

Present:

BUT – it seems that I definitely have one.  Cotton ball ears, Niagara Nose, Itchy eyes, Sore Throat & tired and achy all over.  UGH – give me some Mucinex!

Had my first Physical Therapy appointment today and the lady seemed hopeful for being able to help me out.  Although I am still in pain (and even more so b/c of poking, prodding and moving unused muscles), hope on the horizon is way better than ‘I don’t know’s and other non-helpful answers

I hope this finds you all healthy and happy and appreciative of your family and loved ones this evening.

Love,

Chan