Gathering, Learning, Giving, & Letting Go

Well after a busy last couple of months, I am back…told you I
would be terrible at keeping this up…but life happens…and we move forward with
new things on our mind…trying to find that one moment in our daily walk where
all is right with the world and we can breathe again.
For me that is my hearts devotion. To find my time with the
Lord, center myself, and claim my space in His vast universe. 
This Fall 2018, this beautiful season that we are heading into…it
is a time for reflection…gathering, learning, giving, and letting go.
Gathering of the memories I’ve garnered over this past year
and making sure that I won’t forget the lessons I’ve learned about myself.
Learning to complete the task that has been given to me. Even
though the process may be hard it is going to be worth it in the end.
Giving of my time to my family, my church, and my community.
Making an effort to be present in each situation. To be that listening ear, to give
my advice when it is asked for…and to make others know that their lives matter.
Letting go…boy this is my struggle…daily, weekly, monthly,
yearly…etc. Let go and Let God is the big one that is said…but in reality, is
it really done? Because…me, myself and I…stew on things, knit pick, try to find
a way around or thru…and place myself where God should be. Lord have mercy, I
really am trying to be better in this. 
I’ve been working through the book of Colossians these last
couple of weeks. And really have come to respect what the Apostle Paul was trying to say to
this city church. I’ve garnered a new sense on what God has given me to do, for
His Kingdom. That this season will not only be one of harvest but planting in
different ways. 
He is writing to the church he planted in Colossae,
wrote unflinchingly to remind the parishioners of their need to get back to
what they have learned. Reminding them all of the Father and the Son have done
for us, and what they deserve in kind from us.
Colossians 3:12-15 ~ Good News Translation
“12 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for
his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with one another and forgive
one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must
forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14 And to all these
qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. 15 The
peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to
this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.”
May we all be thankful that we are given time to be with our
loved ones and our community. May we
all find ways to gather, learn, give and let go.
God bless,
Lea Marian

WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART

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there’s a secular song called “Waiting is the Hardest Part” and that is so true. 
the thing is joy can be found in the waiting. 
healing can happen in the waiting. rest can be gained in the waiting. 
hope can be realized in the waiting. 
faith will become fully realized in the waiting. 
and God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit will be with you in the waiting.
 isn’t that a great set of promises. 
and aren’t we lucky to know there is someone we can turn to when we feel we are in the hardest part of our lives. 
because believe me…there are many others including myself that can tell you the hardest part is being separated from our Lord in our frustration. 
so how do we move past this feeling…it may sound cliché…but… look to the Lord, read His word, breath, get out among community and be with like minded individuals.

WELCOME JULY 2018…

I love it when it is July…middle of the summer, sunshine, thunderstorms, lemonade, roses, daisies, and birthdays (these are a few of my favorite things). 


At one time in my life within 3 weeks there were 12 birthdays in July. Now I’m down to about 7 within that same time span. I have lost a few of my July birthday family members. But I know that someday we will be celebrating together again soon. 


So enjoy the month ahead. God bless.

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Psalm 40 ~ NET

Psalm 40 {New English Translation}
For the music director; By David, a psalm.
1 I relied completely on the Lord,
and he turned toward me
and heard my cry for help.
2 He lifted me out of the watery pit,
out of the slimy mud.
He placed my feet on a rock
and gave me secure footing.
3 He gave me reason to sing a new song,
praising our God.
May many see what God has done,
so that they might swear allegiance to him and trust in the Lord!
4 How blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord
and does not seek help from the proud or from liars!
5 O Lord, my God, you have accomplished many things;
you have done amazing things and carried out your purposes for us.
No one can thwart you!
I want to declare them and talk about them,
but they are too numerous to recount!
6 Receiving sacrifices and offerings are not your primary concern.
You make that quite clear to me!
You do not ask for burnt sacrifices and sin offerings.
7 Then I say,
“Look! I come!
What is written in the scroll pertains to me.
8 I want to do what pleases you, my God.
Your law dominates my thoughts.”
9 I have told the great assembly about your justice.
Look! I spare no words!
O Lord, you know this is true.
10 I have not failed to tell about your justice;
I spoke about your reliability and deliverance;
I have not neglected to tell the great assembly about your loyal love and faithfulness.
11 O Lord, you do not withhold your compassion from me.
May your loyal love and faithfulness continually protect me!
12 For innumerable dangers surround me.
My sins overtake me
so I am unable to see;
they outnumber the hairs of my head
so my strength fails me.
13 Please be willing, O Lord, to rescue me!
O Lord, hurry and help me!
14 May those who are trying to snatch away my life
be totally embarrassed and ashamed!
May those who want to harm me
be turned back and ashamed!
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be humiliated and disgraced!
16 May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you!
May those who love to experience your deliverance say continually,
“May the Lord be praised!”
17 I am oppressed and needy!
May the Lord pay attention to me!
You are my helper and my deliverer!
O my God, do not delay!

Contemplating and Praying

Over the last few weeks I have been seriously contemplating and wondering if I want to go on with my Master’s. Wondering if God really wants me to be in this direction. Thinking that I should begin working outside the home again. Wondering what would happen if I came out of remission with my Chron’s/Colitis. Thinking about the whats, the ifs, the whys, and therefores.

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Here’s the thing. This contemplating is leading me to doubt. Doubt is from the enemy. Who is the stealer of dreams and does not want you to work in God’s plan. The enemy wants me to be out of sync with what my Creator wants for me. 

God has a plan for your life!
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So, the best thing to do…renew my prayer life…to be in prayer and ask for prayer. Every day and every hour (if need be). Read the Bible daily and concentrate on God’s plan, not the enemy’s words.  To keep me on goal. To know that the end of the Bachelor’s is not very far. (Only 4 more classes) Master’s of Healthcare Chaplaincy is applied for. 

Praying that everything will align so that I can go into Clinical Pastoral Education program at St. Mary’s during the time I am working on my Master’s of Chaplaincy (Healthcare). 

Praying that I might have the chance to use my voice and efforts in a productive manner. To be an advocate for those who face the decisions of end of life alone. Especially, adults with special needs and Veterans. That they will not be bullyed, neglected, or abused in any way.  That my voice for their voice matters. 

God has given me a path and a vision. It is up to me to trust in the promises of God.  To know that He is in control. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Elisabeth Elliot. #faith #peony #dontdoubt
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MEMORIAL DAY 2018

As I sit here thinking of all the men and women who have died so that I may be free. 

I realize that I am truly blessed to live in a nation where I have the freedom to just even write this blog, or go to any university I choose, or allow my adult-child with a disablity live at home with me. 

Here I am sitting here in the sunshine waiting for my veteran husband to return home with some extra groceries for dinner, and I wonder about the husband and wives whose spouse is not around to run errands for them. I wonder about the mothers and fathers who do have the support of their children’s other parent anymore.

These soldiers, sailors, and airmen chose to enter into a service where they knew they were going to be called up at anytime to go anywhere because their government asked them too. They willing walked into harms way so that we may be free.

From Concord and Lexington to Falujah and Kandahar. From 1775 to 2018.

Memorial Day means so much more than just a three day weekend. So take a moment and think of them before you open that cabin door, or go boating or canoeing, or grill that brat or burger, or play in the yard with your kids.

It should be our honor to acknowledge them for all they have done. I hope that I will always be able to stand for the national anthem, that I will proudly fly the American Flag, and thank God for them everyday.

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Galatians

GALATIANS 1:10-12 ~ ESV ~
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
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Wrapping up Spring Semester 2018

TWO MORE WEEKS:
Just two more weeks … and then Spring 2018 will be in the books … and I will be moving on into my last five classes and final two semesters for my Bachelor’s…
AACCKKK! Excited, nervous, ready to be done…
Here’s the thing…
I am so blessed to be going to a University that is God-fearing, Bible believing, and willing to help when I have even the silliest of questions.
When I started this renewed journey to finish my education in the Fall of 2015 I never thought that this would be the time I would be done…
But it has, and I want to thank all who are praying for me, loving me, supporting me, and pushing me through.


#Spring2018 #Summer2018 #Fall2018 #Friends #GodIsGood #BlessedAssurance #ButGod #ThankYouJesus #OnToTheNext

First Days of May 2018

Here we are into the first days of May 2018.
Every now and then I find that I need to give some inspirational advice, especially in today’s world of negativity, not only from the outside, but a battle within. 
And one of the best places to find it is on Pinterest. You could say I’m a bit obsessed with the site. (Yeah, I am one of those with over 45,000 pins.) 
We are so blessed to live in an age when what we want to impart is already written out for us. 
So, I hope that part or all of what is conveyed below will inspire and motivate you to find out who you are and do it on purpose. (Dolly Parton)
And a special one for all the girls in my life and those reading this post…we are so lucky to be a girl today. 

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