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Do You Feel Loved Like This?

Great Grandsons

Children and pets have a way of showing God’s love like no other. We can learn volumes from them.

#1 Do you feel wonderfully made? Or does the reflection in your mirror set the tone for your day? Your own negative talk can pull you under the rug before you leave the house.

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139: 14

HINT: Before looking in the mirror or replaying bad thoughts in your head, work up a great big smile and repeat the verse above. Remind yourself you are God’s child and He loves you more than you can ever know. Trust me, it works!

Here are some inspiring verses about God’s love for you.

#2 Do you love others unconditionally?

“This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you…you are my friends if you do whatever I command you.” John 15:12,14

HINT: Give your world a smile. Seriously! It is free to give. Very few will not return it. For many, your smile will make their day; they need to know someone cares.

Two precious friends’ funerals were this week. One lady in her 90’s and a man in his 50’s. Both lived for Jesus through hardships and blessed times as well. Their influences will endure for years. They felt loved by Jesus; they gave His love to others.

Do you always greet others with a smile? Only through Jesus’ love in our hearts can we touch our world.

#3 Are you learning to be thankful in all things?

“Thank God in everything (no matter what the circumstances). Be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Amplified

Are you in the throes of an illness, dealing with work or social issues, the heartbreak of relationships, family problems? We each are facing real issues today, God’s love is the only cure. Ask God to restore the love He has put in you. He wants to help you trust Him, forgive, heal physically and spiritually.

HINT: You cannot do this by yourself. There is only one solution. We need God to work in and through us every day.

. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24

As I close this note, I am praying this prayer above for you (and myself). I hope you feel God’s love for you. It cannot be measured. It is always available.

Sending you love as I look forward to hearing from you this week.

Who Will Get Your Stuff or Make Decisions for You?

“ To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die;” Ecclesiastes 1:

We can be sure each of us will leave our worldly possessions behind; perhaps even lose the ability to make decisions on our own. Are you prepared for that? Is your family? (All ages!) Are you sure?

Three families very close to me were not. PLEASE, think about yourself and your family as I tell you about them. (Names changed). Important resources will be at the end of the article.

#1 Joe & Jane worked hard to raise several children and grandchildren. Their well-kept home and properties were filled with heirlooms and fine furnishings. After Jane died, a family member moved in to provide care for Joe.

When Joe passed away, it was discovered there was no will, trust, or any other end-of-life preparations made. The caring family member had to find a place to live; the home and properties had to go into probate. No one was prepared to take care of end-of-life expenses or monthly bills. Numerous vehicles were now titled to the deceased only.

#2. I am praying for and helping two other families who have lost their parents and are now in turmoil with siblings who are demanding possession of more than they are entitled to. Without signed, documented papers to support decisions, it is left up to the courts to determine who gets what. In other words, the one affording the best attorney is often the winner. Please do not let this happen in your family.

If you (or family member) lose the ability to make decisions on your own; including health and well-being, who will do it for you? Will that person have the legal right to make those decisions? How will your assets and healthcare be handled?

For more information on Living Wills and Health Care Directives from Mayo Clinic, click here.

#2. My mother was very proud to still be in her home into her 80s. However, a sudden illness put her in the hospital a few weeks before coming to live with us. Mother had all her end-of-life paperwork in order, or so we thought. As the years passed, her memory loss became serious, While in a short-term care facility, an alert nurse encouraged us to help Mother get a Living Will or a Health Care Directive while she could still make decisions on her own. It was very, very helpful for us to know exactly what she wanted and have the authority to take care of her until she passed away at 90.

You can learn more about my care for Mother in my book, My Mother My Child. Click here for more information.

#3. I am praying for and helping two other families who have lost their parents and are now in turmoil with siblings who are demanding possession of more than they are entitled to. Without signed, documented papers to support decisions, it is left up to the courts to determine who gets what. In other words, the one affording the best attorney is often the winner. Please do not let this happen in your family.

If you lose the ability to make decisions on your own; including health and well-being, who will do it for you? Do they have the legal right to make those decisions? How will our assets and healthcare be handled?

In our culture with so many blended families, health issues, varying state and federal laws, it is imperative that you be prepared.

Certainly, I do look forward to that time when my hubby and I are reunited with Jesus! In the meantime, I want to leave only peace and contentment behind for my family and loved ones. I am doing all I can to keep each of them informed on my needs and wants. How about you and your family?

Please let me hear from you. Below are some more great links.

Hugs,

There is a wealth of information in this Hospic e link:

Dealing with emotions:

AARP Website also has valuable information for you to consider.

You can Accomplish More with Less Stress

8.5 qt Paula Deen Air Fryer from My Family

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Do you make resolutions? Keep them? I have so many things I’m gonna do, people I’m gonna visit, calls…you get the picture.

I can proudly say I have made and kept mine! Okay, so I know the year is young. But, seriously, for me this is life-changing. I believe these tips will help you, too. Trust me. I do NOT want you to make a year’s resolutions. This is far better and more fun! (Wait ’til you see what takes priority in my weekly schedule! This is more than doing everyday chores.)

There are legitimate reasons our plans go awry. Schedules are interrupted, health and finances change, priorities change. Let’s face it, we simply forget them in a week or so.

Are you ready for my secret? First, I must tell you, my kids sent me a Paula Deen 8.5 qt Air Fryer for Christmas. So my first priority had to be to clean and clear my small countertop to give it a proper home.

Here is the bottom line. I am able to do more with less stress this year one week at a time! Seriously. With a blank page for each week in January, I first listed my daily priorities: Bible study, prayer time, preparing to lead lessons. Then things I should be doing each week such as healthier eating habits and a reasonable exercise routing. Finally I choose two or three mor major things I would like to accomplish.

IMPORTANT: High on my list are people. Russell and I “meant” to visit so many, yet somehow never “find” the time. I determined to choose one person/family each week to visit. Into the fourth week, I have had three amazing visits. Two are homebound and were elated to show their family photos and memorabilia. This, for me, will be a priority each week.

I ADDED DOLLARS TO MY BANK ACCOUNT. For over a year when we got our satellite provider bill, we talked about calling them. It seemed to get higher every few months. Because I put their number on my list of projects for last week, I made myself take the time to call them. I now have an extra $30 a month to pay on bills (or lunch out). It only happened because I had it scheduled.

A PERSONAL NOTE HERE. Russell has been gone for over five months. I do not have more time than those working outside the home. I manage DCASB office in my home, plus I have my writing schedules. I actually have less time. Scheduling myself one small week at a time has made life so much easier. I have peace and contentment even though there are a plethora of projects that I may never finish. To be sure, I will do the most pressing first and what isn’t done is okay.

Your list will look different from mine. Daily I have Bible reading, prayer, study lessons I am to lead. I list calls I need to make to banks, companies, etc. I chose one (only ONE) cleaning project. Cabinets the first week. In the second week, organize my desk.

I schedule exercises I need to do for strength and mobility. Not every day for me right now, but say three times this week. For the correspondence, I write down a few names I want to send cards to this week. If too many, I move some to next week; the same with any unfinished projects. As those get done, I can add more.

God has enriched our lives with families, friends, homes and jobs. Whatever our physical or financial situation is, we have much to praise Him for. Pray with me that we make sharing Jesus our number one priority; Heaven awaits.

Hugs,