writing

Advent: Remember, reboot, refocus…

What to write….what to write? Sometimes it feels like different topics are warring in my mind to be what I w whiskey-typewriter-shutterstock-570x380 rite about, but it never really takes shape till my fingers start typing on the keys.

My emotions are in a bit of a roller coaster this morning, and it all started last night. While it was nothing specific, there was a general feeling of anxiety. I would put it in the class of “anxiety attack” although last night’s version was pretty mild. I started to get a little panicky and was feeling hot. I even slept on the couch last night because when I feel this way, I just need a little more space, cooler air and not stressing over waking my hubby.

I have general anxiety like most people do, but a couple of years ago I started having what I call attacks. Immediately stressed, can’t breathe, hot sweaty periods of time where I have to work to bring myself to some kind of control. It is hard, and they are scary. It mostly happened at night, when distractions were taken away and my subconscious could do its worst. So this morning, I was really interested in taking time to spend time with the Big Guy and find some type of peace.

So I was reading about Jesus and his nighttime encounter with this religious leader, Nicodemus. It’s kind of funny how it starts out. Nicodemus comes to Jesus and is like, “hey….we know you are sent by God because you do these great miracles.” And instead of saying something logical like, “thanks….glad to be here,” Jesus gives an answer to a question. The problem is, no question has been asked? What? Now you can go in and check out the answer and what Jesus explains to him, but that is not the point of my little writing this morning.

So what is?

Well, I love the fact that Jesus gave him the answer, before Nicodemus even knew he wanted to ask the question! God knows us, and so does His Son. Jesus knew Nicodemus deepest, darkest, subconscious thoughts, dreams, stress and heart’s desire. He knows mine too.

And in reading that this morning, I realized that even before I knew I would have a night of anxiety, He did. And in what I wrote yesterday, He has already given me the answer for the peace I need today. So this morning, I’m taking the time to remember, reboot and refocus on what is true. The God who provided yesterday is the same one who will continue to do so today and in the future.

What’s going on in your life today? Do you really need an answer to that question, situation or stress? Look back! Remember, reboot and refocus. You might be surprised at what answers you may find!

December 6, 2018 0

Advent: Huh?

So it is only 5:36 this morning, and I am already just amazed where my mind has gone. It started as soon as I woke up. I won’t be saying why I started thinking this morning, due to HIPPA laws, but I am anticipating a more tight month with money, so I was concerned.

As my brain started to kick into gear and see how we can work things to make it all work out. So as I was wondering how this would work out, my mind went from thinking about it, to worrying about it.

3D man near red question mark

It was crazy how fast I went there. I was barely awake and within seconds worry was standing at my doorstep. It was mind boggling! While I lay there trying to work out how we could switch things up to make sure it would all work out, the worry did not go away. It only became worse! And that is when I heard it. NO! It was not a voice, but I knew WHO it was. Again, God reminded me of how He has cared for me and my family. How it has not always been easy, but how in the end He has provided. I was embarrassed, because I know this! But it is amazing how fast worry can grab you! So I got up and started reading again this morning. Today I was at the story of Jesus turning the water into wine at a wedding. I was struck by the craziness of the story. The wine is gone! A serious faux pas! Mary though had a plan. She tells the servants to do whatever Jesus says, and what he asks them to do is weird! Fill up those jars with water, then take a cupful to the “master of ceremonies,” this guy must have been like the DJ(?) When the servant does, the guy is like “yes!! Rombauer!” Sorry for those of you who don’t drink wine, all I can say that is not two buck chuck.

There it is again, Jesus asking us to do something that makes us go…..huh? And we can either go with it in one of two ways. We can either go with worry or with trust. Worry comes with stress and trust comes with….. well trust comes with a lot of things. Sometimes trust looks like peace, joy, feeling tentative or maybe even laughter.

I laugh every time I think of the crazy things I think God is leading me to do, and what people must think. But like the servant knowing that it was water in the cup, I am always excited to see the result of what I offer. He offered water and found it was wine. I offer words and find encouragement.

images-6 So as I’m sitting here, I am shaking my head, not sure of where this day will go. But yes….I’m laughing thinking that it’s going to be a crazy month full of writing, work, doctors, family, love and lots of lights…… Well it is Christmastime you know!

December 5, 2018 0

Seasonal focus….

I needed some focus for the last part of the year, so I am taking a page from Lent. I use Lent as a way to focus and write daily, and this December I really need some focus. Why? Well the Christmas season is upon us, I have a big family celebration at the end of the month that I am in charge of, and I am also studying for a test for work. That is not even the half of it, but I can only say so much. So while I use Lent in the spring to bring focus to my life, I decided that Advent might help me do the same this winter.

dsc_0835-2 So I was thinking, December 1^stI would be on it! But…. I missed the date. Ugh! Needless to say, it is all good, since today is officially the start of Advent. Who knew? Well obviously not me.
So what am I pondering on this first day of Advent? Well, Christmas of course! Specifically what this season means to me and really the effect it has had on my life. I just finished writing a small vignette (?) for lack of a better word. While some of it is fictionalized, it is based on some things that have happened to me. It was like God put them together for me one day, to give me perspective. It helped to remind me that God was with me. And in reminding me of where we have been, He reminds me that He knows where we will go. That gives me hope! And isn’t that what the season is all about? Hope?

For in the velvety darkness of winter, a star is seen and hope is born. The hope that the separation between us and God is about to be put to an end. That the love of God is brought to earth as a baby. To start the transition from separation to reconciliation.

December 3, 2018 0

Book Review: Shine; Stepping into the Role You Were Made for

So when I received, Shine; STEPPING INTO THE ROLE YOU WERE MADE FOR, I immediately wondered what I had gotten myself into. I really felt like I had just stepped into an Andy Hardy movie and was being told that we were going to “put on a show”. As I read further, I understood why. Allison Allen is an actress who has been on Broadway, and even a featured performer on the Women of Faith tours. Now if you’ve never been in drama or wanted to be an actor, don’t worry, the analogies that she uses are so clearly presented that you don’t have to have a theater degree to understand.

What comes through in the retelling of her own journey, is an encouraging, challenging and perspective changing book. She so clearly brings examples of the “who” she was and how that person reacted, with the “what” she has learned from it. Her observations bring clarity in who we are in relationship to God, and even how we are all a part of this magnificent story, that belongs to Him only. Easy to understand, engaging and so encouraging that it was hard to put down. Shine was a great read!

October 12, 2017 0

A Study in Pink – Michelle

So you know when you think you know someone, and then you realize that you’ve just scratched the surface? Well, that’s what happened when I got together with Michelle for another entry in “A Study in Pink”.

Michelle Dove is the Head Start/Child Development Director for Kings Community Action Organization. While her title sounds pretty fancy, it all started in the simplest of ways. She was a mom, coming to a new town when her husband was stationed at NAS Lemoore. She was a stay at home mom, but soon she started watching children from other families. It was then she pursued being certified as a family childcare provider. That simple step, was the beginning of a path that would see her change her educational focus and eventually bring her to something that is so much more than a just a career.

Continue reading “A Study in Pink – Michelle “ →

September 8, 2017 0

A Study in Pink – Ericka

**While she is technically still on the path to her profession, I felt her story was worth telling. For some of it is more of a journey to find our place than for others.

Ericka “It was my goal in life to be beautiful,” she told me. Well my friend, I couldn’t help but think, you have reached your goal. Ericka Vega is a buddy that I’ve known for a couple of years now, and I wondered what she was up to these days. I messaged her on FaceBook and invited myself over for an interrogation… I mean an interview.

We sat in her backyard and relaxed as we talked. I asked her what work she was doing now and did I get an answer! She started off by telling me about her Mr. Dave. Years ago she started to clean his home a couple of times a month, for some extra income. That all changed when his physical needs changed. When he needed more of a caregiver, Ericka stepped up to the plate. “God is pretty amazing,” she told me. What started off as a cleaning job, had turned into much more for her. Since she grew up without a dad, she feels blessed to have in Mr. Dave in her life as a bit of a father figure. Now, she takes him to appointments at Stanford, and gets him out of the house. She also is getting him involved in another area of her life, weight training. Continue reading “A Study in Pink – Ericka” →

August 2, 2017 0

Book Review: I Didn’t Sign Up for This

So as I was reading John F. Westfall’s new release, I Didn’t Sign Up for This (Finding Hope When Everything is Going Wrong), I kept looking back at the cover to confirm I was reading a book about hope. If you are in the midst of a tough situation, I am not sure this is the book for you. It is not a quick shot of that “instant relief” type of hope for those in the midst of the storm, but more like lessons to be reflected on and tucked away for future use. The author takes both scripture, along with a lifetime of experiences and connects them to their effect on hope. It is not a simple equation where A + B = HOPE, but more like a recipe where all the ingredients combine to make the environment for hope possible.

July 31, 2017 0

A Study in Pink

So how do you keep a group of 5 and 6 year olds under control? You ask them a question, and let them all take turns answering. So what was the question?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

bb73ca0e95c8c25876df1f408c0afb0d As I called on the kids and got various answers, I heard something curious from our girls. They tended to follow what their friends wanted to do. Our first girl wanted to be a mermaid, and all of a sudden we had five who wanted to be mermaids. The interesting thing was when other professions were brought up, some changed their mind and many of them chose to be something different. Oh except for the one who wanted to be a doctor AND a mermaid.

It got me thinking…. Not so much about these young ones, but about the young women in our area. Do they know the thousands of opportunities that are in their own future? Many moons ago, I know I didn’t!

That is where a “Study in Pink” comes in. It was something that I thought would be fun to explore. Women of all ages, backgrounds and the different types of work they do. To showcase the possibilities that are out there!

So I hope you join me and Mike, (who will be playing Jimmy Olsen to my Lois Lane) as we set out to uncover the many shades in this “Study in Pink”. Continue reading “A Study in Pink” →

July 21, 2017 1

Little trip down the middle

I live in California. Now before you get all excited, I am not blonde, and I do not have a tan. I feel lucky to live here though. The natural beauty in this state is astounding. I love our mountains, forests and beaches. All of those picturesque places that draw people from all around the world, are wonderful, but I have grown to love our flat, hot and dry central valley. Continue reading “Little trip down the middle” →

June 23, 2017 1

Cheryl Mendoza

How He speaks to me…..Or… can't He just call my cell when He wants to talk?

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