Boldly Facing Any New Challenge

Many times we are far too fearful of trials and trouble. At the first sign of trouble, we begin to shrink back in fear. The believers who lived in past centuries seemed to display a different strength than most do today. We are rather accustomed to convenience and usually don’t do well with suffering of any type; it frightens us.

Let’s remember how David faced the giant Goliath and be joyful and thankful that we can defeat our enemies too. We can attack fear rather than letting it rule us. You are much more than your feelings. You are a powerful, wise, beloved child of God, and you can do whatever you need to do in life through Christ, who is your strength (see Philippians 4:13).~~ JoyceMeyer

Prayer of Thanks: Thank You, Father, for the strength that I have because You are with me. No matter how difficult a challenge may seem, I will attack it with boldness because I know that nothing is impossible for You.

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David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (1 Samuel 17:45 NLT)

I am the worst blogger ever ...

I am the worst blogger ever because I get so busy living life that I fail to come here and record moments that I am don't want memory to steal from me.  So many little things that I don't want to forget like how much I love the moments every morning when my husband holds me as we listen to the birds chirping outside our window, or when I savor every note that my son plays on his guitar, or when I literally almost cry when I notice my beautiful daughter has grown up, or even as trod around the neighborhood with my loyal companion, Coco.  Last night, during a conversation with a young man that is seeking God's purpose in his life, he asked, "Why do you do nice things for people?" I had to think for a minute.  My response was that I do it because God and so many others have done it for me. 

As I watched this video, I am reminded that there still exists much good in world, and each one of us can do something--no matter how small that something may seem.  May you never tire in giving kindness. It matters:)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/cZGghmwUcbQ

Strawberry Fields to MIT

http://latinoleaders.com/from-strawberry-fields-to-mit-diana-albarran-chicas/

Seeking to Find Pablo Lopez

Seeking to Find Pablo Lopez-

Friends, below is an excerpt from an email I received regarding my book, Dulcified. The author of the email is named, T. Hoskins.  I have contacted him to get his approval before sending this message out.  As you will read below, he would very much appreciate being reconnected to the Pablo Lopez family that worked in West Texas many years ago.  We both know it's a long shot but stranger things have happened in my lifetimeJ If you know this individual or someone in his family, please Inbox me and we will see if we can’t make this connection. 

Lifetime friendships are a beautiful thing—thanks for your help!

Your book is an honest and heartfelt account of growing up in Lynn County. I appreciate your honesty. I grew up there too. I was born in 1944.  My dad had a not too good sandy land cotton farm west of Tahoka about 20 miles in the New Moore community. In the 50's and 60's I hoed cotton and pulled cotton with a Mexican family from the "valley", who came up each year to work for my dad. The Lopez's had 7 children. (We had six).  They would live in an old shack on our place. Our house was not much better. My best friend became Pablo Lopez who was about 5 when we first began hoeing together. We worked together each year for about 10 years. He taught me Spanish and I taught him English. He made my hoeing days, which I hated, fun. I can't tell you how much I loved Pablo. He was such a good guy. His mom made tortillas on a piece of tin and I would stay at their house more than ours. I loved to eat their food. It is the most pleasant memory I have of growing up. Pablo had sisters that were absolutely beautiful, like you. (Your photo is on your book).  On Saturday afternoon they would all bathe and wear bright dresses and go to O'Donnell for groceries at Mansell's or Blocker groceries. They played Mexican music on their radio in the yard. Everyone sat in the shade. My sister was friends with the girls and they hoed together too…I would give anything to talk again to my friend Pablo. He would be 70 now also.

This Incredible Kid Figured Out How To Feed Needy Children In His Community For A Year

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/18/william-winslow-food-drive-child-hunger_n_5161443.html

The Simple Path to Retiring Rich (AGG, EEM, VIG, VTI, VWO)

The Simple Path to Retiring Rich (AGG, EEM, VIG, VTI, VWO)

8 Fascinating Reads

8 Fascinating Reads

Do you?

Random Acts of Kindness

Submitted by Gina

Growing up small town west Texas, I never really understood the meaning in random acts kindness, you just be kind all the time, right? It was not until I got older, in the career driven world, and traveling did I really start to see the kind and unkind. I can tell you there is kindness beyond small town west Texas, as well as the unkind. I have seen random acts of kindness from someone paying for the person behind them in line groceries, picking up a strangers meal tab, saying things like “have a nice day” . . . to just a simple random smile. 

Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see… 

The quote above has always been a favorite of mine. I can remember thinking about this quote one time when I was in the midst of one of the worst days of my life… a random stranger stopped & smiled at me. That person didn’t know me or what I was going through and I am pretty sure I looked a little scary at the moment but that smile just seem to say… hang in there, it’s going to be okay.

During this time in my life my teenage son was very troubled. He had been hospitalized and kindness was something that had not been in his heart for a while. When I went to pick him up I noticed that a pair of his favorite pants that cost $89 was not in his bag. When I asked him where they were, he replied “I gave them away”; I was shocked and at the time not too happy. As a single working mother I had paid for these “had to have” pants, & he just gave them away! I asked for an explanation, his reply: 

“mom, my roommate is a foster kid, his foster parents don’t want to take care of him anymore because of his problems, and his parents are incarcerated. He wants to grow up to be a preacher, he says that is his dream. He tried on my pants because he never had any other pants except from Walmart. He was so excited to try them on . . . I just gave them to him. All I asked in return was to follow his dream.”

Although my son had many struggles after this. . . I held onto these acts of kindness in my heart as a sign of hope.

 Gina~

The Student Loan Crisis Is Here, and It's Pretty Scary (JPM)

The Student Loan Crisis Is Here, and It's Pretty Scary (JPM)

In Search of Kindness

In Search of Kindness

Thanks to my friend , Rene Bradford Garcia, I have been motivated to declare a word for 2014. The word I have chosen is KINDNESS.  Right now, the kindness I have in mind includes being kind to others, the environment, and especially to myself. If you know me, you know that I am extremely hard on myself. So one thing I want to include in my quest for kindness in 2014 is reaching out. Reaching out to others for help, encouragement, reflection, rejuvenation and inspiration. 

The photo above reminds me of a beautiful  evening with lovely, gracious people that demonstrated kindness and sincerity. The photo also reminds me that God has placed some amazing people in my life  and that I don't spend enough time truly appreciating them.  I am looking forward to many more moments of sincere gratitude as I find it very therapeutic and kind to my soul. If you come across any quotes, photos or stories regarding KINDNESS , please share. As always, I invite you to submit pieces for this blog. May God bless you and may you be reaffirmed of your purpose--for you do have one and it IS important!