Not Consumed by Fire

I've been reading a Bible study book called No Other gods.

I have read the various Bible stories most of my life... it is crazy how you can read a chapter in the Bible and something pops out at you. 

It said to read Daniel chapter 3. And in the Bible study the author mentions how when King Nebuchadnezzer told the people if anyone doesn't worship his god then they would be thrown in the fire.

Meshac, Shadrach, and Abednego refused to worship his god; they only worshipped the true God. So he ordered them to be thrown in the furnace. 

 Meshac, Shadrach, and Abednego were bound, and tied up and thrown in the fire. It was so hot that the soldiers who were throwing them in the fire, were consumed by the fire. 

 

But when Meshac, Shadrach, and Abednego were in the fire, the king noticed another man in the fire... like the son of God.  The only thing that was consumed by the fire was the rope or the item that bound them.  That's it.  Not them and no other item when they were in the fire was burned.

Remember when we feel tied down such as in sickness or even finances or heaviness in this crazy world we live, keep your faith and trust in God. Dont look to other gods. God will have the fire burn the rope so you won't feel bound and he will protect you. You won't be tied down. You may be in a fiery trial but you won't smell like the smoke, or be singed by the fire.  Trust in God. 

HELP & SUPPORT RESOURCES

 

HELP & SUPPORT RESOURCES

 

 

There are various resources that may be beneficial to you in your time of need.  Many people are trained to help ones who are trying to get out of an abusive situation, need counseling, or even dealing with chronic pain.  If you need help, please contact the organizations below.  They may be able to start you in the right direction by finding more resources in your area; just ask.  If you get a busy signal or are asked to call back later, please do not give up. Call them back!  It may be necessary to leave a message or call during their business office hours.

 

If you feel you are in danger due to domestic violence, or the like, you may want to use another computer, laptop, cell phone or any other technical devices, when contacting certain organizations.  If your life is threatened, or in danger, the person harming you, may keep track of what you are doing online without you being aware of it.  For example, they may be able to look at the links (of the organizations) that you are requesting help from, to find a safe place to escape to.  Please be careful!!! If needed, ask to use a friend's computer, or go to the library and use their computer.  If you contact an organization with your email address, please make sure that it's not shared with your partner, if you are in danger. You may have to make a new email address, or just call the organization.

 

NOTE: If your life is threatened in any way, call 9-1-1 immediately, and go to a safe place.  If you have nowhere to go, contact United Way or Catholic Charities.  They should be able to help you find to a safe place and start you in a new direction. Here are some helpful resources:

 

About.com (various info on Fibromyalgia-ME, Chronic Fatigue-CFS and Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome-CFIDS)

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/

 

American Red Cross (for natural disaster relief)

1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767)

http://www.redcross.org/

 

Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center

1-866-USWOMEN (879-6636) International Toll-Free

For International calls: First dial your AT&T USADirect access number and at the prompt, enter the toll free number 1-866-USWOMEN (879-6636).

For USA and Canada, just dial 1-866-USWOMEN (879-6636).

http://866uswomen.org/

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Annuity.org (Financial abuse articles and helpful tips)

https://www.annuity.org/financial-literacy/financial-abuse/

https://www.annuity.org/financial-literacy/women/

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Answers.Usa.Gov  (for questions about restraining orders, abuse, etc...)

http://answers.usa.gov

Go to their website, and in the search bar, type in what you need.  For example, type in "restraining order" and it will give you information on that topic.

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But You Don't Look Sick (encouragement for people dealing with chronic pain)

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com

 

Catholic Charities (USA) (resources for homeless assistance, social issues, adoption, disaster operations, and more.  Each state is different)

1-916-313-4005

Have questions? Contact them at: info@catholiccharitiesusa.org (email)

http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org (website)

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (teen dating violence and sexual violence)

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teendatingviolence/fastfact.html(Teen dating Violence)

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/index.html(sexual violence)

https://www.cdc.gov/search/index.html (other resources)

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Child Help (National Child Abuse Hotline)

1800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)

www.childhelp.org

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Disability Resource: Americans with Disabilities Act (dealing with disabilities) 

www.dol.gov/dol/topic/disability/ada.htm

www.ada.gov (American Disability Act)

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Focus on the Family (family help resources, prayer, and information on the best way to discipline your child)

1-800-A-FAMILY (1-800-232-6459)

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Email: help@FocusontheFamily.com

 

Focus on the Family - Counseling Department (counseling, prayer, and referrals)

Call for a free over-the-phone consultation for counseling, and referrals for qualified family therapists

1-855-771-HELP (4357) Monday-Friday (6am-8pm) mountain time

Regarding child abuse: if you have questions regarding disciplining your child verses physical abuse, you may request a referral for a qualified family therapist, for your area, who specialize in parenting and disciplinary issues. 

Or check out their website

 https://www.focusonthefamily.com/

 

Hidden Hurt (domestic violence in the UK)

0808 2000 247 (UK National Domestic Violence Free phone)

http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/ (UK)

http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/domestic_abuse_helplines.html (for various hotlines - UK)

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Joni and Friends - Joni Eareckson Tada (International Disability Center)

General Info: 1-818-707-5664

Store: 1-800-736-4177

TTY: 1-818-707-9707

http://www.joniandfriends.org

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Invisible Disabilities Association -IDA (literature about living with chronic pain)

http://www.invisibledisabilities.org/

 

Leaving Abuse.com (articles and resources related to abuse: what is abuse, how to get out, how to get help)

0808 2000 247 (UK National Domestic Violence Free phone number)

http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/  (UK)

 

Medic Alert (an organization to help in case of an emergency)

They keep all your updated contact information, plus your emergency contacts, medicines, doctor's information, and other important information in case you have an emergency.

1-888.633-4298.

http://www.medicalert.org/

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline (domestic violence)

1−800−799−SAFE (7233) 

TTY 1−800−787−3224

www.thehotline.org/

 

National Fibromyalgia Association (dealing with Fibromyalgia)

http://www.fmaware.org/
http://fmaware.org/site/PageServer.html

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National Sexual Assault Hotline (sexual abuse/assault)

1-800-656-HOPE (4673) 

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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24-hour crisis counseling)

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

 

New Life Ministries (counseling or prayer)

1-800-NEW LIFE

 https://newlife.com/

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Option Line (find a pregnancy center)

1-800-712-HELP

http://www.optionline.org/

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Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center (info on child bullying)

1-888 248-0822

http://www.pacer.org/bullying/

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(RAINN) Rape, Abuse, and Incent National Network

(anti-sexual violence organization)

or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) National Sexual Assault Hotline in USA

http://www.rainn.org/

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Rest Ministries (various resources regarding chronic pain or illness)

http://restministries.com/

 

Stalking Resource Center (help if someone is stalking you)

1-800-FYI-CALL (M-F 8:30AM - 8:30 P.M. EST) or Email gethelp@ncvc.org

 https://victimconnect.org/learn/types-of-crime/stalking/

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Stop Bullying.gov (child bullying and child cyber bullying)

http://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/

http://www.stopbullying.gov/get-help-now/index.html

 

The Chronic Syndrome Support Association (dealing with chronic pain)

http://www.cssa-inc.org/

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The CFIDS Association of America (info on Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome-CFIDS)

1-704-365-2343

http://www.cfids.org/

cfids@cfids.org

 

United Way (resources for homeless shelters, safe houses, housing, food, clothes, employment, health care, battered women's shelters, and more...)

Call 2-1-1  

www.211.org. or

Call 1-800-272-4630

http://www.unitedway.org/pages/contact-us

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U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy Locator)

http://www.usembassy.gov/

When visiting another country, contact the U.S. embassy before your arrival. Know where they are located, in care of an emergency.

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US Pain Foundation

https://uspainfoundation.org/

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Women's Law (info & support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; rape crisis centers, shelters, and other local programs.)

http://www.womenslaw.org/index.php

http://www.leavingabuse.com(Leaving Domestic Abuse Safely)

creative ways

Hello everyone.  This has been a crazy 5 weeks starting with the knee injury. I had to cancel my in person fibro meeting this month and last because of injury.  Yet through this,  I have understood people more with what they go through with knee or leg problems. I've learned to figure out creative ways of doing things like keeping a bag by the family room so i can carry the cats bowls in the bag back to the kitchen every morning.  I've been keeping a walker by the toilet to help me stand up and sit down.  I've had to keep some dishes on the counter because i can't stand on my tip of toes or step ladder to get to my cupboards.  I've learned to scrub the tub with a sponge mop so i don't bend my knee.  I keep a tv tray by the family room door to put things on it while i use my crutches to get up the one step,  and then grab whatever is on the table to bring into other room.   Yes I've learned to do things differently  and am grateful that God has given me a husband, he's my husband that I've had for 4 years now on Sept 1 😃 😊,  who has been helping me.

Lately When I have been getting the trash ready,  he's been bringing it to the dumpster or outside in trash cans. When I get the laundry ready, he's been carrying it to the washer and dryer and back.  Sunday was the first time he actually let me help him fold them in 5 weeks.  Ha ha. I'm usually the one who does all the laundry in the home. Today I was trying to figure out why I feel like i have nothing to do today.  Then i realized oh yeah i usually do laundry on Mondays but he's been doing it.

My hubby knows me as someone who has fibro and limitations and that's who he married.  So he knows I try to space out my chores and whatever else I need to do. I try to pace myself.  Yet it's been nice and lovely that he's been giving me an extra hand during this time... because he's doing things I couldn't do....and also he always does the main yard work all the time because there's things I can't do with my allergies and fibro.  God had given me a wonderful man and I'm so grateful for him. 

playing musical chairs

Can you believe that someone actually twisted their knee playing musical chairs with other adults? Lol

  Yup I sure did. I was doing good until I collided with a guy as we were trying to get the last seat avaliable. It happened so fast. The next thing I knew was that I was on the ground in excruciating pain.  

The guy felt so bad and kept apologizing but I told him I'll be fine. He said he used to play football and other sports...and the competitiveness got the best of him. Lol I'll be ok. Just can't believe I got injured with a childhood game.

I'm keeping an eye on my knee. It's hard to walk. If it gets worse I'll Probably go to urgent care.

Part 2 of "can you believe someone hurt themselves playing musical chairs?"

Well thankfully my Honey Timothy Carroll took me to Urgent care yesterday  and each receptionist or check-in employee,  doctor, specialists, etc...  all had the same question: " why are you here? And how did you hurt yourself?"

"Yes Doctor (or receptionist,  specialist,  Xray tech,  etc...), I am here because I twisted my knee,  ...umm...eeehh... by playing musical chairs."

... yes everyone laughed and one even asked "well, did you win?"  I said no... so this was funny yet a little embarrassing.  But yes it was funny... I'm still laughing between the moans of pain.

Doctor said the bursa sac in my knee bursted causing major swelling. Also have a torn ligament and a slight tibia lower leg/ knee fracture.

So I have new  accessories that are awkward and trying to get used to.  ..yup crutches that ride my arm pits and a lovely, heavy immobilizer brace for knee and leg all for 4-6 weeks. Oh yeah. 

Please keep me in prayer.  

I have already fell flat on my face once trying to use the crutches, thankfully a couch caught me. I decided I was so worn out and in too much pain  to get up that I just slept.  I did turn over so i could breathe.  Lol

And my fibro is inflamed in different spots due to the crutches and immobilizer.  No fun. I'm trying to find ways to do daily tasks like getting dressed,  or bending down to feed the cats etc... it's weird how we take things for granted and just do things without even thinking how we are doing them until we can't or have to find a different route.

yet I can't wait till this too shall pass.

A letter to anyone dealing with Fibromyalgia

My fibro brothers and sisters. 

Find out what you CAN do in your suffering. What is your purpose? How can God use you through this fibro and all that you go through in your body. I know fibro is hard yet it is harder when you feel there is no purpose for the pain or with the pain.   

First step is usually grieving over having fibro (which may include being angry that you have fibro and can't do what you used to do)... then accepting you have it and trying to live your new life with it.... that includes having boundaries and pacing yourself and taking care of yourself with the pain and symptoms. 

We pray for a healing yet we do live with the pain and suffering and all the symptoms we deal with in our own bodies... so how are you handling it?  How are your living with this fibro?  And what are you doing through the pain?1¹¹

I know my purpose started 10 years ago when God put it on my heart that we who deal with fibromyalgia need more encouragement, prayer and connecting with other fibro brothers and sisters.  The fibro group I started on facebook was because I was in other fb fibro groups and I saw how little encouragement people were getting and when talking about God and prayer,  other fibro members were bashing their faith. I realized it wasn't a place to feel safe,  and to get their spirits lifted.I know Fibro can cause depression and anxiety and when we are in a place like these groups,  it is hard to mentally feel better.  Although I did meet some people in the other groups and there were positivethings in the groups,  I realized there was a need for a Christian fibro group too. And that's how "Fibromyalgia: Fibro brothers and sisters" group started. 

I know someone who her purpose is to help women in prison ministry. I know others who can spread cheer at their work, like at an insurance company to a dog sitting company.  I've seen others who can't do much outside their home,  yet they pray for others and spread encouraging scriptures or posts in the fibro group that encourages me and others.  I've heard of some that love on their grandchildren.  

See, not every one is the same.  God can use you differently. It doesn't have to be at a job, or even a church. I remember over 10 years ago,  I felt bad because I had to give up ministries I was doing at church because the fibro was so bad and I had to stay home more.  Someone said,  "ministry doesn't have to be at a church. God can use you online too. "   I never would have thought that the ministry of the fb fibro group would reach people all over the USA and all over the world. Through the years, In the fibro group,  I have talked to people in Canada, England, South Africa,  Australia and more countries.... I never thought that would be possible so I continue to thank God for in the internet and Facebook.  

Remember I understand what you go through....I live with fibro too. Find your purpose. 

Here's a link to the fibromyalgia: Fibro Brothers and Sisters group. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fibroBandS/?ref=share

Also add your email in contact section in blog to get updated posts on this blog

God used my Bible to bring through a lot

I have had this Bible for a long time. I have used it almost every morning with my morning devotion for over 21 years.  

I got it when I was in charge of the bookstore at First Assembly of God in San Bernardino before they moved in 2006 and was changed to North Hills.

God has used this Bible to help me for many years. It has brought me through happy times, tough times, joyful times, grieving times, prayerful times, praising times, loving times, hurtful times, where are you God? times, feeling so blessed times, enjoyment times, crazy times, lonely times, heartfelt times, scary world disaster times, pandemic times, having toilet paper shortage times 😃, feeling so blessed times, longing for the love of my life times, accepting I'll be single the rest of my life times, my future husband moving to California and meeting me times, getting married to my Honey times, feeling so loved times.... so blessed. 

I have notes in the Bible and on sticky notes through the years. At sometime I taped it together because it was falling apart. Yet I'm still using it. I took it with me for every place I rented an apartment or rented a room, and 

still have it.  

Merry Christmas from our cats

We came home to an ornament and the star (that was the tree topper) on the ground. If walls could talk. Lol

We are trying to figure out if the cats climbed all the way up the tree to get the Star down or did they violently attack and shake the tree. Seems like they had a lot of fun....we were going to put the cats in another room while we left but we totally forgot.

I just noticed the beaded garland is now dangling, the ornaments are crooked, the ornaments that were in the front are all too the right and there's some spaces where the cats must have jumped in again. All the lower half of the tree looks weighed down as though the cats layed down.... and if a tree could look discombobulated ours is. Lol yet it still makes me laugh. 

( we did not decorate most of the lower half because we knew they would take them off... thankfully I layed rocks on the tree stand and covered it with a box so the tree didn't topple over. Yet Rocky tore one side of the wrapping paper off. So I decorated with more and added books and a huge Bible to add to the side so our cat isn't tempted to rip the paper. Lol

Maybe we should get a real tree and put it in our house so the cats can enjoy it all year long. Lol

Next year maybe we'll lock the Christmas tree in a cage to display it Lol... these are memories that will last a lifetime. Too hilarious.

memories of Grandma Muriel

This was made for my family from my Grandma "Gran" Muriel in Christmas 1985. My mom passed it to me years ago. Gran wrote on the back of it but it was deteriorating.

 I tried to save it by putting the paper in a baggie. 😃 I loved her accent. She was born in England and would always make me laugh. (My mom was born in the USA yet she had siblings who were born in England as well).

Gran passed away when I was in my early 20s in 1993, yet I still remember her sense of humor, the smell of roast she cooked, and her dark apt. She didn't turn on many lights. She was great at crossword puzzles and liked to paint too. I remember her painting of a bird on her wall. And she had a dog named Whiskey. Lol.. I can't remember too much about Grandpa Norman, he died when I was around 11 years old. I just remember his Pachinco machine.

our 3rd year anniversary

My hubby and I had a wonderful time on our 3rd year Anniversary trip.

We spent quality time together, enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery which was breathtaking. 

We saw someone had a pet goat on a leash by our lodge. Also one night 30 bats flew over our heads one by one while we were enjoying chatting, sitting on a bench at night. It was exciting yet creepy at the same time .

When we went shopping at Stater Brothers, the electricity was out because someone hit a pole down the street,  we happened to pass by that area where the accident was.  That was the first time I shopped in mostly the dark. They had a generator that turned on a little bit of dimmed lights.yet it was still funny. Everyone used their phones flashlights.   Yet if It happened where i live,  those stores would have closed the store and told everyone to go home. 

Apparently they have an annual Labor day weekend yardsales through out that city. We went to tons of yardsales.  Even the thrift stores had half off on some of them.  We love to go to thrift stores and find good deals.  The cool thing was we found a lot of neat stuff that would have been expensive in the regular stores. We even found an antique clock for $8 when it was actually worth 70.  Both my hubby and i love to go thrifting. So we had lots of fun. 

 it was a memorable funny and fun loving time.we also ate out too much. There were times for dinner we stayed in our lodge and ate regular food in our room.  It was a challenge to find foods at restuarants that I could eat.

I have been recuperating for the past 3 days and trying to get back on track.  I have been sleeping a lot. Yet the trip was so worth it to have time with my hubby and I. Just the 2 of us was what we needed.  

The weather was perfect in the mountains at an average of 84 degrees. (it was around 105 degrees where we live and 109 where my hubby worked so we were grateful to get out of the heat). 

 The tap water was so pure tasting.  It didn't have a bitter taste nor did it taste like chlorine. I was amazed. 

The air even seemed cleaner.  I felt like I could breathe freely. The nature including the trees was beautiful. The funny thing was every time we drove on 2 certain streets, my eyes started tearing up.  I don't know if there were particular trees or an allergy that I had,  but it was funny, too me.  We drove on those streets every day we were there and each time,  my eyes got watery. Lol

There was another funny moment when we were looking for a street,  we took a wrong turn and turned around in someone's drive way. Then the next day we were following gps again and we took a wrong turn and somehow ended up in the same drive way. So crazy since it was at 2 different destinations.  Lol

The locals were friendly.  We had several conversations with people who lived up in the mountains. 

I was hoping to see many critters on the ground.  I did see a pretty brown squirrel with a white chest and neck and looked like a white stripe of fur around his torso.  

There were so many trees.  Such breathtaking views. Oh and there was a lake yet it was not as big as it used to be. There were cute cabins  everywhere.

We will definetly go back.  

Oops I wrote a book.  Lol

Bread for your thoughts

We bought a bread maker for $5 at a yard sale. 

We have been wanting a bread maker. They are pricey so I figured what do we have to lose for $5. 

I used it for the first time last night.  I wasn't quite sure if i was making it right because it didn't come with a manual. I looked up recipes online and bought all the ingredients to make the bread. I followed the recipe and pushed start.  We jumped a couple times because it goes silent and then makes noises and even beeps suddenly.  We enjoyed watching the motions through its window to see how it works. It amazed me how good it works. ( I know this isn't a new thing for all you foodies out there, but it's newer to me. )

 

By the time it was done,  3 1/2 hours later, Tim was asleep.  I asked if he wanted to try it since it was my first batch and I was going to make him a sandwich for work with this new bread.  He mumbled that he trusted me. 

But i wasn't sure since it was my first batch.  So I cut the heel off and took some fluff from the center of it.  It was so yummy, fluffy and warm.  I ate the whole slice.  Lol I usually hate eating the heel but wow this was so different. I put butter on it and oh so yummy.  I was even dipping the bread in the almost gone butter. Thankfully we have another container of butter   That huge slice was all gone.  

It was not gluten free and I have sensitivies to gluten so I took some extra meds so i wouldn't have stomach trouble.  Lol...ok i better buy me some gluten free bread flour because this will be too tempting. Lol

It came out so good and it was only my first batch.

I also air fryed meatballs in the new air fryer oven we bought.  I love the crispy outside crust.  And earlier I baked cookies in the air fryer oven.  I was just trying different things last night.  It all came out good. Yum

just for thought

Can flies smell? 

Is there plastic in heaven? 

Is there building supplies in hell? 

When does a worm know when he's reached his destination? 

Since God rested on the 7th day of creation, will we rest in heaven at all? 

Does it rain in heaven? 

Does a snail have a nose? 

Can you smell the inside of your nose? 

Can you taste your tongue? 

Can you taste a snowflake? 

Is there a snowflake that has always existed?

How long is eternity? 

What's the beginning of eternity?

How old is the oldest angel? 

How young is the youngest angel?

Do they ever age?

Has there been angels that were created recently? 

Some people in the world seem to choose what beauty looks like yet who does God say is the most beautiful person in the world?

Our earthly bodies are so intricate. Will our heavenly bodies be intricate too? 

Just for thought

Me with Covid

Today is July 5, I'm on my 13th day of covid symptoms. Can't seem to get rid of the cough, congestion and low energy. I can't wait to go back to grocery stores or my friend's homes,  etc...

Well at least I have more energy than I initially had. The first week of my covid symptoms, I felt like I had a strep throat, sinus infection, allergy attack, flu, migraine, tmj jaw flare up, bad cold, and fibromyalgia flare up all rolled up into one sickness.  

There were days where I had to lay down on couch and only could sit up for 15 minutes at a time.

My highest recorded fever was 102.6 degrees.  And the body aches were horrendous. So glad they were only there a couple days.  The sore throat burned horribly. And the strange, different kind of headache, jaw pain,  and swollen glands, were no joke. The weird thing was when I thought the covid was getting better,  I would get new symptoms like nausea, stomach pains, and bitter taste in my mouth to not being able to taste certain foods. It was weird.  Thankfully those were short lived.
The blessing in disguise was that my hubby had covid at the same time so we weren't alone through the covid experience.  Plus we didn't have to wear masks around each other which probably would have been harder to deal with.
I'm thanking God that the covid isn't as bad as it could have been and thankful for God helping us through this. 
Also grateful we have hand sanitizer, lysol wipes and lysol in every room.

Thankful for friends and family that dropped off items we needed, and the neighbor who took our trash to the dumpster and watered our garden a few times.  Plus thankful for instacart that delivered our groceries a few times.  So grateful for all of these.

Looking forward to being over this covid soon and getting back to "my normal self " 

The Rainbow of Love

 🌈 I have always loved the rainbow. It's beautiful colors of purple, blue, green, orange, yellow and red.  

🌈 It always puts a smile on my face and peace in my heart.

  🌈 I remember over 40 years ago when I was in children's church they would teach that God made a promise to man. God would not destroy the earth with a flood again so he sent a rainbow 🌈 as a reminder to us of his promise. He sent these beautiful colors in the sky that are so breathtaking and are a creation by God himself.

🌈 Sometimes we need reminders of God and his love for us. Every time you see a rainbow, may you be reminded of God and his love for you. 

🌈  Genesis 9:8-17 🌈

New International Version

"Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him:  'I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.  I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.'"

"And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.  Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.'”

"So God said to Noah, 'This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.'”

Incident with UBER DRIVER. (Safety is the key)

Two weeks ago I took an uber on the way back from an appointment. I always check the license plate and the person to see if they match the uber app. On this day,  the car matched but the license plate didn't. When I saw the Uber driver pull up,  I stood away from the car.  After I questioned him about the plate,  he rudely said,  "it doesn't matter" and started yelling at me to get in the car. Well actually it does matter.  Their policy is to match the driver with their correct profile 

I didn't feel safe with him so I told him I'm not going into his car.  That made him even more irritated and started yelling continually.  I stepped away, got his license plate number and reported him to UBER. Then I called another uber driver. The Uber safety personnel said I did the right thing by not getting in the car and they made sure I was ok. They said they would take actions against him. That was just horrible. I'm so glad I didn't get in the car with him. I don't even want to think about what could have happened if I got in his car.

If you catch a ride with Uber, Lyft or even a taxi,  make sure the information matches what is on their App or what they tell you over the phone.  SAFETY IS THE KEY.  Always check the license plate and the picture of the person driving to see if it matches the app. Is the car the same one on the app too?  I know this takes longer but it's for your own safety. If you don't feel safe,  don't go in the vehicle. Use your intuition.  It is good to go back inside the store or where there is other people. If needed, grab another ride by using the app or call a close friend or family member.  When you are in a safe place,  Make sure to report the incident to the safety issue by calling their customer service or call 911, if in immediate danger. 

it's been a crazy couple of months

My hubby and I have had some crazy months.
On April 1 we noticed a small flood In our bedroom carpet when we woke up. Turned out to be a water leak in the water heater. We had water damage in main bedroom, bathroom,  and water heater closet.
We slept in the living room for a week waiting for home insurance to do their thing but that was hard on the back so we, with our 2 cats, were finally  approved to stay at a hotel until the repairs were done. I packed thinking it may be 3-4 weeks. I was in contact with home insurance,  plus their claim adjuster, then the home warranty, and a company that tested for lead and asbestos (since our mobile home was built in the 60s). That came back negative thankfully.
Then there's the field adjuster, and the company that dries out the flooring and takes it all out. There's another company that replaced the water heater, and then the contractor team that worked on repairing and rebuilding the home. Then there's the company that we had to be in contact with that provides the hotel stay that the claim adjuster approves, plus the hotel person. 10 people I had to be in contact with on a regular basis. It was alot of stress and frustration; we couldn't get things done because they wouldn't  approve things until each company had information from the other companies findings of our mobile home . ... but then the right hand didn't seem to know what the left hand was doing. So instead of them communicating,  I had to be  in constant communication to get things done daily.

And half the time, the insurance wouldn't return my calls, texts or emails. Then their phone was down for 4 days.  So I had to be persistent and not give up to get approved what we needed. It finally paid off and we got the needed money from insurance  to get it all done. 

Even though the water intrusion and other factors took a toll on me physically and mentally,  my Honey and I agree it was a blessing from God.   I've learned that sometimes you have to work hard even when things are a blessing.

Now we have a brand new bathroom with new tub, shower doors, walls,  built in cabinets, vanity, sink etc... which we love.  Plus new subflooring, flooring in the bedroom and bathroom, etc.. And new flooring in hallway.

I was secluded a lot at the hotel during the day because my Honey had to work and I didn't know anyone. I'm used to visiting my neighbors.  Yet I was able to do things like memorizing scriptures and I had previously started reading each verse in the Bible.  So many times I started but never finished. So I got my mom's Bible out that was hers that she gave me years ago and read each verse.  When I was done with each Book of the Bible I put a check mark on that Book until I read each and every book in the Bible  And I finally finished it at the hotel. I started years ago  because I wasn't consistent but I finally did it because I had nothing to distract me!!!  It was nice to finally say that I've read every verse in the Bible. Although it won't stop me from reading and studying more of the Bible. I did work on other projects too. There were times I would take a walk around the hotels in the area and focus on Jesus and take a deep breath and look at all the creation around me.  God's breathtaking mountains and variety of beautiful flowers.  

I also tried to go out of my way to say hi to people and got to know the personnel at the front desk.  I met a guest with her beautiful dog that came out to this city to place her dog in a dog show. I also met and saw a lot of people who came from other states who were on business trips. Hey I even tried a veggie burger in the Free burgers night. No I didn't care for it.  Lol.
My husband and I also encountered an alligator lizard that came into the hotel door we were about to go out of.  I about jumped out of my skin.  Lol.
While at hotel,  we had my hubby's birthday, my  birthday,  a couple family members birthdays,  Easter, Mother's Day, and our nephew's graduation, etc...For Memorial day,  we visited our home and worked on our garden which was fun and relaxing..  

Several days my Honey was sick but he received much needed rest.  Then a bunch of my health problems were aggravated and inflamed including 8 days of migraine like headaches. It felt like my body was in a war for 30 days.  No fun.  I knew it started from being stressed.

For each holiday,  I tried to make it fun.  I hid hotwheels and an Easter basket around the hotel room so my Hubby had to find them. Note: he collects hot wheels.   For my birthday, we couldn't go out because he was sick so we ordered my favorite,  Chinese food from Door Dash.   For his birthday I decorated the hotel room with steamers but had to take them down soon after because the cats were attacking them.  Lol We enjoyed celebrating his birthday. 

 I was so grateful that we had a small kitchenette with a full size fridge.  We did have to invent ways to cook meals because of the 2 small burners. And boy oh boy did I love the dishwasher.... but there is nothing like home sweet home.  We love being home and even we can tell our cats Rocky and Adrian are excited to be home.  My hubby and I can go back to our garden any time we want... which we did start pruning our plants at 10 pm the other night.  And I took down our Easter decorations I had up and  we put out 4th of July decor. It's so good to be home. I wake up every morning and here the birds chirping outside. It is so beautiful. We are glad to be home and thank Jesus for helping us through this ordeal.  Now we get to enjoy our place with new improvements. The cool thing is that the things we were going to eventually change in our bathroom we don't have to now.  The contractors did the hard work for us. 

It's funny that our wooden block calendar still has the day of April 8th. That was the day we moved into the hotel.. That's 76 days of craziness, although 69 of them were at the hotel. 

Be Clean

I have read the scripture many times about the lady who went into a home and washed Jesus' feet with her hair and tears. Also she poured her perfume on him. I just thought of something. 

 After she washed his feet she probably had a lot of dirt and dust in her hair because in those days, they most likely wore sandals. She took on the dirt of Jesus' feet.  

It made me think of Jesus. When He died on the cross, he took on the dirt and filth, the sins of all of us. It was like it was all over him, spiritually... billions of people's sins all over him.  Yet when he rose from the grave,  he was cleansed.... our sin and filth is gone. 

Jesus did this for us...

Reference Luke 7:36-50

www.biblegateway.com

a spoken tongue

When I moved to Japan with my family, I was a shy, 11 year old girl and I only knew the English language. I went to a school where they spoke English and everyone on the military base spoke English. When I stepped off the base to go downtown,  I visited the stores and enjoyed the culture. Yet everyone mostly spoke Japanese.  Yes I was a foreigner in the land.  When I would hear someone talk in the English language I could immediately understand it and I would perk up and listen. I knew exactly what they were saying. 

I did take Japanese language and Japanese culture classes in school, which I enjoyed.  Yet there is always something familiar when someone speaks your own language. It's comforting and it gets your attention when you aren't in your own place of living. 

Acts 2:1-11 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: 'Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!'"

Can you imagine you hear something extraordinary? Something you will remember the rest of your life?  Say you are visiting a conference with like- minded individuals. There is only one person,  in this gathering, from each of the nations. You all hear sounds coming from a building. The sounds are of loud chattering.  Then you recognize someone is speaking your language and you understand what they are saying amongst other people.  You listen closely yet you are amazed.  Other people around you, who are from different places in the nation are stopping in the streets too,  doing the same thing, as you.  They are listening closely because they are hearing someone speak their language too. But it's not in your language,  it's from their own home town. Each one hears his own dialect.

Acts 2:16-21 "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd...this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

''''In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.''''"

God has got everyone's attention after they heard things in their own language.  Now He's using Peter to witness to them and say:  "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Now everyone goes back to their hometown and this news spreads to each country. 

Jesus wants you to know, if you call on his name, you WILL be saved. 

  

Traveling with pain

Here's a little bit of what I did to help me on my travels on a trip I recently took. You may not understand it unless you deal with daily chronic pain. If you deal with pain,  maybe some of this will be helpful to you. 

I went on a trip which was 2 hours ahead of California time. I was getting up earlier each day,  about 4 hours or more than usual.  Some days I felt like a zombie.  Yet there was a couple days I spent time resting. I spent some alone time, just resting, which I needed to keep going. We did  2 weeks of stuff in one week. So I basically had to pack 3 different times for traveling throughout one state.  And I tried to keep eating foods that kept my irritable bowl syndrome in check and didn't eat foods that would cause a fibromyalgia flare up.  My health was good there mostly and yet the humidity caused pain in the mornings. Thankfully hot massage showers took edge off and I kept biofreeze with me. I made sure I had a microwave and fridge in each hotel I stayed at.

I did take an egg crate cushion section that I cut enough to lay my body on, when I go to sleep.   Plus I brought my special pillow with me so that I could be comfortable in each bed.  My pain was so bad with first plane trip,  so on the way back I sat on the egg crate foam cushion which helped a lot.  I had originally packed it on the check-in luggage.  

Both ways I brought a tiny pillow with me on plane to help my back pain and posture. I didn't want any more new pain brought on by not sitting correctly on the plane. 

Plus I brought my regular mypillow with me in check-in luggage. I brought my ice and heat packs too. Each night I used my hot, moist pack that I could microwave to heat up and wrapped it around my shoulders and head. It all helped. I wish I could have traveled lighter but I knew what I needed to make the trip better for my body.  I have learned to do this and I even have a check list I keep in my computer so I know when I go out of town,  I don't forget my important medical stuff. 

Transform pain?

I was reading and something struck me. I know we live in our bodies and that we deal with groanings, burdens, and pain.... but sometimes I forget that our earthly tent (our physical body) so longs for our heavenly dwelling. 

We may deal with physical pain and suffering on earth yet we will be free from all of that when we are in our spiritual body, in heaven, if we are believers of Him,  Jesus. Our spirit may groan and be so desiring of our heavenly bodies.  I look forward to that day in heaven when my physical body is transformed into something new and am grateful, and find peace and joy when looking forward to eternity, forever, when we will no longer have a physical body that feels pain and suffering.

"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,  because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

thanks to these guys

To the men in different stages of my life,  thank you for treating me with love and respect like a father or big brother would.  I appreciate you for looking out for me when my father and family didn't.  Bob Boartfield Sr.  Marlin Hines. Rob Hodson  ,  Rick Pena (husband of Mary Pena ), the late Bill Thornburg, Daniel Cardenas,  Terry Henderson And big brothers Jon Llera, and the late Roy Vasquez (husband of Virginia Vasquez ), Joe Zichichi (husband of Lisa Zichichi ), Nick Thouas . And for the rest I forgot to mention. 

Happy Father's Day and Happy Big Brother's Day. (I know I made up the last one).

And to my husband Timothy Carroll  thanks for all you do. I appreciate your hard work and how you look out for me. We don't have a human flesh baby,  yet we have one well-fed fur baby cat named after your Rocky. Lol 

And thank you God for everything.  For showing me what unconditional fatherly love is and for bringing me people in my life the last 30 years to help mold me into what I am today. Thanks God.