I am early but its Hodge Podge Wednesday time

I couldn't wait so here is my Wednesday Hodge Podge!


This is the time when we all get to know each other a tiny bit better thanks to Joyce out Hodge Podge leader. Thank you Joyce!

1. The Hodgepodge falls on the last day of February this year, a leap year. How will you spend that extra day? 

I am hoping I will be helping the movers move my stuff into the house and getting it all set up! I was expecting them on Monday and now they say anytime between Mon and Thursday. So here's me hoping it is tomorrow!!!

2. What has recently required a leap of faith on your part? 

We moved from SC to Ohio. DH got a promotion. I had to look for a job. We had to find a house. (I know I griped and complained along the way; I am sorry patience is not my strong suit). I think we are finally getting everything in order now. Hopefully' now to see what God wants to use us for.

3. We're one week into the season of Lent...are you marking these 40 days in some way? Giving something up or adding something extra to normal life? How's it going so far? 

I am sorry to say i thought about it on Ash Wednesday; actually I thought about it on Fat Tuesday. Being raised a catholic and having to follow all the rituals I rebelled as a teenager and never looked back. Now I am seeing some of the rituals can be a special thing between me and God. To be honest I have not given up anything. I did start a new reading plan in my Bible but I am thinking I will be doing that much longer than the 40 days of Lent. So maybe I will do another just for Lent. I want to be closer to God every day of the year not only when I am told to do something. Ya know?

4. When was the last time you sat beside a fire? 

Long time ago; but I am hoping I will be able to do it soon in my own house by my own fire.

this is the Ben Franklin in my basement/ game room /man cave

my living-room fireplace before we moved in

So I am hoping for some cozy comfy fires soon! We have to get the chimney checked out first.


5. Surf and Turf is on the menu. Do you order as is or do you ask for just the surf (lobster), just the turf (steak), or a menu so you can select another option?

I love surf and turf. I love lobster and I love steak!

6. If you could have any television program back, not in reruns but in new episodes, what program would you choose?

When I read this question the first show that came to mind was ER. I loved ER was a true fan it did get crazy at times but that is what made it a good show.
I am also an avid Seinfeld fan. Still watch re-runs. My kids quote it to me that's how bad I had it no one spoke when Jerry was on.

7. They say an elephant never forgets. These days would you say your memory is more like an elephant or a gnat?

i would have to say gnat! Lol! I have calendars everywhere and still miss stuff. I think because with my job and school I have to remember so much I forget everyday things. Well, it sounded good to me! ha-ha

8. Insert your own random thought here

I am happy; really I am I have a new home and I know I still have loose ends to tie up like the house in SC but I am happy here. I can visit my family and my dad whenever I want even if its for the day. I missed so much with them now I am so much closer. I still have sad times when I miss my kids but that is something the Lord and me have to work on because as much as I would like it; it doesn't look like either of them are gonna move next store. I am happy, even if my furniture does not come tomorrow! LOL!

A Confident heart Chapter 4

I know it is taking me a long time to read this book but much is going on in my life right now and I read it when I can. Now it is time for Reflection and Discussion Questions for Chapter 4.

1. Has the pain of your past ever made it hard for you to believe God's promises and plans for your future? What do you sense He wants to change in your perspective?

I do not remember much of my childhood. My parents had a nasty divorce when I was 11. I have always been close to my dad. So the separation was horrible for me. My mom cried all the time. My mom's family talked about how rotten my dad was all the time. My mission was to get my family back together and it was my prayer for most of my life. I fought for it. I screamed for it. When my dad and mom remarried I was devastated. My step-mom is a wonderful lady whom I love to death; I believe God placed her in our family. I never got along with my step dad. He told me he was my dad after he married my mom and I should address him as such. I never did. We argued; we fought; and really never got along. When I moved away from home I tolerated him because he was my mom's husband and my brother's father. I moved out of my mother's house before I was 18 and moved in with my dad. (My wonderful husband drove me across town back and forth to school until I graduated.) While staying with my dad after I moved out I lost touch with my grandparents. Did not see them for over 6 months. (We were used to seeing them once a week) Christmas day 1979 my grandfather went into the hospital; he died on Jan 5,1980. I had not seen him before he got sick. (I was not a christian at the time) I prayed and prayed for him to get better. He did not! One night before he died he called out my name. (the nurses ask my mom and grandmother who Becky was). I was devastated and turned my back from God. I just knew he did not love or care for me if I prayed for my grandfather to live and he died.
He did change my perspective. years later after becoming a christian. My dad's father lived in a nursing home and I saw him periodically. I got a very strong sense to go see him so I did. I took my kids about 2 at the time to see him also. He died a week later. I think God was letting me know that he had always been there for me and did not want me to suffer with the guilt I carried form my m,om's dad dying years before.

2. Can you think of a time when you asked if God loved me then why...? If so what happened that led you to that question? 
The above situation with my mom's dad was such a situation. I remember praying and crying my heart out asking God to please spare my grandfather's life. When he died I felt alone and betrayed by God for not answering my prayers.

3. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. How has God comforted you in your troubles so that you can comfort others with the same hope He has given you?
I believe when years later I felt like I should go to see my dad's father it was God speaking to my heart letting me know I needed to go now because He was going to call him home. his comforted me immensely. It was God was lifting me out of my lonely pit of guilt and letting me know. He knew my pain. I am a nurse now I believe this helps me in every way as I encounter families who are suffering and feeling guilty.

4. How have past hurts robbed you of hope and affected your relationships today.
I do not open myself up to many. I do not allow people to get close to me. I think it is because of feelings of insecurity and feeling like they would leave me when I open up.

5. Read Isaiah 61:1-3. What are some things God promises in these verses that you are asking him to fulfill in your life?
To give me joy, gladness, and a song of praise in my heart.

6. Describe how forgiveness can hold you hostage and keep you from moving forward in hope. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from?
I was raised mostly hanging around with my mom's family. My grandmother was Italian and we were raise that way. In this culture family is family; if you go against the family you are out.  I watched the family be torn apart by grudges. It is ugly and hurtful to all involved; and to those stuck in the middle. I realized something last year after my beloved grandmother died. There was animosity between my mom and her sister; which trickled to my sisters, brothers and I also. Someone said something that really made me rethink the situation. By holding a grudge and being angry with my aunt and her family I was choosing every day to hate and be angry with them and spending all my energy on that while they were just living their lives. I prayed for her, my aunt, I do not hate her but I can't say I still love her like I did when I was a child. Maybe I need to pray some more about this one.

7. Have you ever run from the story God has written for your life? Do you sense Him inviting you, like Sam, (the woman at the well) to share from "broken to beautiful" pieces with someone who needs hope? Will you?
I have to be honest at this point I am not really sure where the story of my life is going. I am at a cross road now with the new move and new job. I do sense God around me and guiding me and nudging me from time to time to do this or that. When the time comes I think I will share what He has done for me and my story.

Photo Challenge day 24

bathroom medicine cabinet

A statement that made my heart hurt

Yesterday evening I was sitting in Apple-bee's restaurant in town in the both behind me I over heard a woman on the phone talking about her brother that had just died. She talked about his eye color and how close they were. Then she said something that just really hurt my heart. She said she believed that we just get recycled over and over again. Someone dies; someone is born. The person she was talking to on the phone must have started to talk to her about eternal life and Jesus Christ because I heard her say "Jesus was a great man." I am telling you I wanted to jump up from my booth and give her a sermon on who He was and how he had died for her and her brother and all she had to do was except the gift he wanted to give her and on and on.  But I did not. She hung up the phone then told the person she was with she really did not want to talk to the person on the phone but she was being nice and she did not need to be preached too.  WOW!

There are so many lost people out there who do not know that Jesus Christ is Lord and wants to GIVE them the gift of eternal life.    I did not do this last night but tonight I am going to say a prayer for this woman and for her salvation.

Should I have said something to her?
Was I there to speak?
Was I there to pray for her?

I do not know but I do know I can still hear her conversation play over and over in my head.
Would you have done anything different?
HMMM! I am really going to have to pray about this and seek God's guidance in situations like this I run into in the future.

Photo Challenge

shoes. I have several here a few summer shoes waiting for a permanent home