Tag: God’s love

Journey To Virginia

Well, I made it safely back to Virginia. I arrived Monday afternoon. It was a nice trip across the miles (945 miles and 14 hours – but of course it took longer with the bathroom and food breaks lol). There was no rain, the weather was great. I kept my word to my family and coworkers in Florida that I wouldn’t drive at night, so I took my time and stopped when it got dark. It feels great to see my mom’s smiling face and to be close to family again.

Taken at Virginia welcome center

Upon leaving Florida, I passed through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina before making it to Virginia. Thank you all for your support and prayers. Thanks for leaving encouraging comments to check on me and see how the move and my travels were going. Your love and kindness was a comfort and helped me to stay motivated through this process.

Georgia- the peach state 🍑
Taken at South Carolina welcome center. SC is where my parents were both born and raised. I have a lot of family in this state.
Photo by: fitsnews.com

When I left Florida, it was about 90 degrees, now it’s about 60 degrees in Virginia. Quite the change in temperature. Although part of me will miss the “Miami Heat” another part of me is glad for the change. I believe the cooler weather will be refreshing and help clear my sinuses. The hot, muggy, tropical temps in Miami kept my allergies in an uproar.

My last photo taken in Florida

Originally I was scheduled to stop in North Carolina to see my Uncle Wilt (my Dad’s brother), before returning to Virginia. He had been ill and in the hospital for over a month. I spoke to my cousin LaTasha, (his daughter), on last Thursday morning to say I would be there on Monday. By Thursday afternoon things quickly changed and he passed away. So my mom and I will go to North Carolina on this weekend for the funeral. I have many fond memories of my Uncle Wilt. He came to Virginia from North Carolina to visit us every year when I was growing up.

Here is a picture of my Dad and his brothers. My Dad is on the right end (with the glasses), and Uncle Wilt is the first one on the left end. I’m thankful LaTasha called me a few weeks ago so I could FaceTime him and talk to him. Little did I know he’d be gone before I could make it to North Carolina to visit him. But God knew.

“Brothers”

Now that I’m back in Virginia, my state of birth, I feel like there is a lot to do. Especially since I have to find employment. But I will keep praying, and keep trusting God. If I focus on my to-do-list it gets overwhelming. However if I focus on Jesus, I feel at peace. I know He has an impeccable track record when it comes to moving me around, and getting me settled.

I’m thankful for what my little sister Deandra wrote in her post this week called, “God of TODAY”. She reminded us that, God is a faithful God. So we don’t have to worry about tomorrow…we can just enjoy today.

Matthew 6:34 NIV, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

I’ll keep you posted on this continued journey. Thanks again for your continued prayers.

P. S.

While I was traveling through Jacksonville, Florida I was behind this truck. God used the dirt on the truck for good!

Jesus Saves! My favorite verse – John 3:16

Persecuted For Doing Right

Matthew 5:10 NLT, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

When you are going through persecution you may not always “feel” blessed but God says you are. Standing firm in your faith in Jesus Christ, even when it’s not popular, shows your loyalty to the Savior. In order to go deeper with the Lord and know Him more, we must be willing to make Him a priority, and choose Him regardless of what other people are doing and saying. This often means going in a different direction from where the world is going. It can also mean detouring from our own plans to follow His.

One of the blessings I have personally experienced from following Jesus Christ when it’s not popular, is a deep peace and contentment that comes from knowing I am in His perfect will. It brings satisfaction to know that I am doing what is best for my life because I am obeying God’s Word.

We don’t have to compete with others or work to gain their acceptance and approval, because in Christ we already have been accepted and approved of. He also has a unique plan for our lives, and always has our best interest at heart.

Even though things are not always within our understanding right away, we can completely trust God to work out every single detail and bring the needed blessings into our lives. He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

We’re living in a time where it’s becoming more and more unpopular to follow Jesus, and easier and easier to not follow Jesus. Therefore we have to make a decision and stand firm. When we are persecuted for Him, we are blessed and great is our reward in heaven. However even now on Earth, God will show us His goodness and protect us when we choose Him above all else.

Psalm 27:13 NIV, ”I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

Remain confident in your faith in Jesus, for in Him you are blessed. The persecution you are enduring, may very well be God’s training ground to shape you and mold you so that He can promote you to the next level. Keep your eyes on Him, and stand firm.

Our Refuge and Strength

Psalm 46:1 NIV, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

So often the demands of life can leave us feeling exhausted and worn out in so many ways. With all that’s going on, it’s important to take time out daily to connect with our Heavenly Father. I love that He’s always there with us, no matter where we are. Knowing that He is our refuge and strength, who is ever present, brings hope and peace that is unexplainable. Being able to rely fully on Him in any and every situation brings us comfort. He is our Strength. When we are weak, He is strong.

The other day, I read this post by Chrissy @ Riverside Peace entitled Strength. It is a timely reminder that the Lord cares for us and gives us strength to keep going. (Thank you Chrissy for encouraging us.)

When I think of the blood that Jesus shed so that we could have the strength to persevere, my heart rejoices! I pray that you too would be strengthened, as the Lord’s joy and truth fill your heart.

Photo by: Oladimeji Ajegbile

Yes, God Is Real

When God is real to you, that’s something that no one can take away from you. Nothing compares to knowing Him for yourself. You may not know everything there is to know, however as long you continue to walk by faith, and take one day at a time, you are making progress. Some days we may feel closer to God than others, but nevertheless He is there every step of the way. He never leaves us.

Psalm 106:1 ESV, “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Photo by: Robin McPherson

I woke up this morning with this song in my heart, “Yes, God Is Real”. It was written by Kenneth Morris, and many sang it, but I first heard it sung by Sandi Patti.

There are some things

I may not know

There are some places

Oh Lord, I cannot go

But I am sure

Of this one thing

That God is real

For I can feel

Him in my soul

Yes, God is real

Oh, He’s real in my soul

Yes, God is real

For He has a washed

And made me whole

His love for me

Is just like pure gold, oh Lord

My God is real

For I can feel

Him in my soul

Keep seeking the Lord and keep trusting in Him. His love for you will never change. Have a wonderfully blessed day.

October|“What Kind of Pumpkin Are You?” Tag

Thank you to my brother Stu @ Something To Stu Over for including me in this tag. Follow Stu’s blog to read more about his “thoughts on life, love, marriage, and yes…sex”.

Here are the rules:

  1. Thank the person who tagged you and link their post to yours.
  2. Link the original post so the creators can read them 😊
  3. Use the original featured image and include it in your post.
  4. Copy and paste the meaning of the tag into your post.
  5. Answer the questions.
  6. Tag at least one person.
  7. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your month! ❤ I love the meaning behind this tag…

Here are the questions:

  1. Do you celebrate Halloween? Why or why not?
    I never really gave much thought to Halloween until years ago, when an ex-witch, (who is now an evangelist who preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ) came to my church and taught us the truth about Halloween. I do not celebrate it, but I confess, if the activities committee at work decides to leave candy on my desk, I will eat it! Lol. I think I took my daughter trick or treating once when she was in about 4th grade, but never took her again. She attended the alternative events at church instead. The ex-witch strongly suggested that Christians just shut the church down completely on this night, because she said the witches laugh at us with our “Halloween alternative events”. She said Halloween is their highest holy day. But you know, everyone has to do what they feel lead to do regarding this. As the scripture says let us live up to what we’ve attained (Philippians 3:15-16). If the Holy Spirit has convicted you, don’t celebrate it. If he hasn’t, pray about it, listen for His voice and continue to do what you feel He’s leading you to do.

2. Cookie Monsters!Do you like to watch scary movies? Why or why not?
I used to be a huge fan of horror movies. Watching them was a thrill for me and it didn’t produce fear. But about 11 years ago, God delivered me from my obsession with horror movies. The closer I got to Jesus the more I disliked them. Watching them became scary. I could sense the presence of evil in them. During this time of year they show many horror movies, but I refuse to watch them. In the beginning it was really hard to not be tempted. Even now I have to be on my guard.

3. Name 3 of your greatest fears.

Horror movies lol

Some reptiles

Heights


4. When was the last time you scared someone?

I don’t think I have lately. I walk lightly so sometimes I startle people. They don’t hear me coming.

5. Do you believe in ghosts, angels, and/or demons?

Angels and demons, yes! Ghost, no!

6. Do you ever get déjà vu? What do you think it means?

Yes this has happened to me before. It’s a very strange feeling.

7. What are two of your favorite candies?

Twix and sour patch kids

🍁 🤗🍁 I’m tagging the following. Enjoy this tag, if you choose to participate…

Jesusluvsall

Herry Chic

Great Is God’s Faithfulness

Bukola Orry

Joy Cottage

Becoming the oil and wine

God’s Love

Gaillovesgod

A Happy Life

Beyond Your Limitations

Imago Dei

Mystery Blogger Award

Thank you to my little sister Herry @ Herry Chic Counsels. I appreciate this nomination. Please visit Herry’s blog and you will be uplifted. As she states on her blog, she is…“Redefining Lives in God.”

Mystery Blogger Award is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging, and they do it with so much love and passion. – Okoto Enigma

Here are the rules:
-Put the award logo/image on your blog
-List the rules
-Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog
-Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
-Answer the 5 questions you were asked
-Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
-You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
-Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
-Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question
-Share a link to your best post(s)

Questions to me:
1) What do you love doing at your leisure?

Reading and watching movies on Netflix

2) How has been the faith walk?

I believe my faith is growing. Some seasons of my life have been more difficult than others, but the closer I grow to Christ and His Word the more my faith grows.


3) What would you like to say to your younger self? Things you wish you had known and worked on.

I would tell my younger self to read and obey God’s Word, be a better steward over her finances, and I would also tell her she is valuable in Christ.


4) Tell me anything I don’t know about you.

I used to have pet lizards named Coco and Verde.


5) Your favorite food.

Pizza!!!

Three Facts About Me

1. I consider myself to be a flexitarian.

2. I eat oatmeal and fruit almost every morning for breakfast.

3. I love reading about the universe.

I nominate the following if you choose to participate…❤️

Gifted50

Sarah

Betty

Vanessa

Questions for my nominees

1. What would you say to your younger self?

2. What countries have you visited?

3. What are your hobbies?

4. Why did you start blogging?

5. What is your favorite food?

Surprise Blessing

My last day of work was this past Friday. My coworkers were so kind to surprise me with a farewell dinner at a restaurant. They also gave me cards and a donation to help with my travels. I’m thankful for the employment I had with this company and the people I met. I’m excited to move on to the upcoming things God has planned for me.

Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement, and for leaving comments to ask how my move is coming along. Things have been busy, and I still have a couple of weeks before I leave the area, but everything is coming along well.

I’m sharing a couple of pictures from my farewell dinner. The ladies in the picture represent a variety of countries to include: Bahamas, Dominica, Canada, Jamaica, England, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and America. I think I got them all. The diversity in South Florida is amazing.

Someone wrote a note in one of the cards for me to read Psalm 145. I will share the first three verses with you…

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.