I Love God Winks!!

I was inspired to write this blog posting today while enjoying my day off from work. I work weekends with Monday and Tuesdays off, which works great for me. Looking at my title, I am sure you are all wondering what a "God wink" is, so let me explain. I read a book last year that was titled "When God Winks", and it was a collection of stories from different people of how things happened in their lives that most people would call coincidences. However, the timing and circumstances surrounding those occurrences left the individuals with the concrete belief that it was not a coincidence, but indeed was a "wink" from the Creator. I could definitely relate because I have had things happen in my life the timing was so perfect, I knew it could only have been orchestrated by my Higher Power. Let me give you an example. Last year, after having triple bypass surgery, I found myself with no job, no income and no idea how I would pay my bills. I had sent my resume in for several job positions but had not received any replies. It seemed strange because since I obtained my license in chemical dependency four years ago, finding a job had been pretty easy. However, at this particular time, I got no responses from the positions that I applied for in my field. I even put in applications at Walmart and other retailers, because I was at a point where I just needed income! Now a month before my surgery, I had applied with a program and had heard back from them but only to say they had positions coming up in the future. So it had been 6 months since I heard anything from them.

Ok, here is the God wink! I was sitting on the sofa asking God what was I going to do? I was about to lose my car, all my bills were behind and I had tapped all the resources that I could tap into. I was feeling pretty hopeless, but still believed that everything would be okay. At that moment, my cell phone rang, and it was the people from the program I had applied to 6 months before, asking me if I was still interested in a position! I was so amazed and knew that it was no coincidence that they called at that very moment. I knew it was God, and now after reading that book, I know He winked at me and said " here ya go!". I have had other "God winks" in my life and I am sure you have all had some too. So today take the time to think back on those incidents that you now know were "God winks", and count all your blessings!!

(Just in case you're wondering, I did get that job and relocated to South Padre Island to work with Origins Recovery Centers Hannah's House Women's Program! It is truly one of the best winks I have ever received:)

Peace & Love

New Chapters

I was motivated to write this post because it is actually happening in my life right now. New chapters happen all the time, most times when we do not expect them. We never know when they will happen, but it has been my experience that they will if we just keep living. Five months ago I began a new chapter when I relocated to South Padre Island to live and work. That has turned out to be a growing and beneficial change in my life with lots of other blessings. I do have my moments of being homesick, but just recently relieved that by taking some time off and spending it in my hometown of Houston. Funny how we don't appreciate home and family until we move away from it; guess that saying is true "absence makes the heart grow fonder". I am so grateful that today I have learned the importance of the relationships in my life and will never take them for granted again. Upon my return from vacation, I was presented with the closure of another chapter in my life. It was, of course, unexpected, but I believe that nothing happens in God's world by mistake. The truth is that this particular change only creates a minor inconvenience in my life, and it could have been worse. Life is gracious enough to allow me the opportunity to grow from these closures, and I choose to do just that. I feel the feelings that come along with them, then move on with excitement and anticipation to the next chapter.

I must pay brief homage to my singing idol Whitney Houston, who experienced the ultimate closure and is enjoying the ultimate new chapter. Today I am extremely grateful for new chapters, and as long as I have my health and strength, I know I can look forward to more. And I am always anxious to see what God has in store for me in the next chapter! I encourage you all to embrace change and appreciate all you new chapters in life, because there is a blessing in each one.

Peace & Blessings

On a Mission!

Well, I was blessed to see 2012 come in and I have begun a mission to make it the best year yet for me healthwise. God allowed me to survive open-heart surgery in 2011, and other health-related conditions before that. He blessed me to survive an addiction and all the life-threatening events that came along with it. Then he blessed me to relocate to one of the most scenic and beautiful spots in the state of Texas to live and do His work. So now, I have made a resolve to get busy changing my patterns of eating and exercise. I have taken a serious look at them and know that it's time out for taking this part of my life for granted. It is time for me to make the changes necessary for me to take better care of myself and that means eliminating "bad" foods from my diet and including more movement in the form of exercise. I have to admit that I have had some fear about getting back to regular exercise since my surgery, but it will be one year in April, and I'm trusting God. I have learned how to listen to my body and will use that to help me not overdo, but it's time for me to get busy! I encourage anyone who is ready to come on this mission with me, to clean up this temple that we are stewards of, and to live life in a healthier and more God-inspired way.

Peace & Blessings

Be Happy in this New Year!!

I have not posted since Oct but that's okay, better now than never:) Since then I have continued to be truly blessed in both my professional and personal lives. The job is going great and I am more in love with what I do than every! The best thing that happened in my life since then was celebrating Christmas with four of my children and six of my grandchildren here on the island. It was a true family Christmas in all the ways that count, and I felt absolutely blessed. It was the first one with just me and them, which made it very, very special. We abandoned the commercialism and enjoyed being together as a family. We played games, watched movies, ate good food, and just relished in the company and love of one another. I pray that all families have the opportunity to experience what we had, because it is the stuff that real families are made of. My grandchildren said it was the "best Christmas they had ever had", and that for me, was proof that God had blessed us indeed. In 2012, we will come together even more as a family unit and work together to build something for our children's future. All I know is, I have a ton of gratitude for having experienced this first real family Christmas, and look forward to many more! Thank you God