laughter – Page 30 – hugsnblessings

alley-oop!

Published on October 26, 2015October 26, 2015 by Dawn Marie2 Comments

it’s the monday giggles…

Life isn’t just about keeping score.
It’s not about how many people call you
And it’s not about who you’ve dated or haven’t dated at all.
It isn’t about who you’ve kissed,
What sport you play,
Or which guy or girl likes you.
It’s not about your shoes or your hair
Or the color of your skin,
Or where you live or go to school.
In fact it’s not about money,
Clothes, or colleges that accept you or not.
Life isn’t about if you have lots of friends or if you are alone,
And it’s not about how accepted or unaccepted you are.
Life isn’t about that.
But life is about who you love and who you hurt.
It’s about how you feel about yourself.
It’s about trust, happiness, and compassion.
It’s about avoiding jealousy, overcoming ignorance
And building confidence.
It’s about what you say and what you mean.
It’s about seeing people for who they are and not for what they have.
Most of all it is choosing to use your life.
In a way that could have never been achieved otherwise.
These choices are what life’s about.
– Nike

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

May you find a special way to alley-oop your love ‘into action’ today…and may it have a giggle attached with it!

hugs n’ slam-dunked blessings filled with love for (all of) you !

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

Published on October 20, 2015October 20, 2015 by Dawn Marie4 Comments

“SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!”

No seriously, would SOMEONE please “SHUT the front door?!?!?!!”

I remember shouting this, as if it were just yesterday, exactly one year ago. It was moving day into our New Home, North Star, and I needed to dash off (once again) to go get yet another car load of items from the home we were about to let go of.

My hands were full, the warm autumn sun had brought the bees outside to try to collect the last of the pollen they could find, and I could not manage to close the door behind me as I was exiting. I knew if it remained open a few bees would welcome the idea to take up residence in our new abode along with us!

I summoned twice, to no avail, so my third & final plea turned into a shout and although I meant it to sound URGENT it probably did end up sounding ANGRY, (which tends to mistakenly happen when the soft tone of my voice tries to be taken seriously!) I am so glad God understands my heart! And then it happened…

Yes, the door was finally closed (by a nearby helper who obviously didn’t hear me either because his final words before he shut the door were “Who left the door open??“) But it was what I saw next as I walked toward my car parked at the edge of the curb that made me drop everything I was holding,

IT WAS MY FAVORITE TEACHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!

There she was waving at me while shouting, “Hello, Neighbor!”

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! I now lived by Mrs. B!!

(And who knew we both enjoyed shouting???)

Words cannot explain how much I adore her! She was, and continues to be, one of the women I have looked up to and admired as a “Strong-Thinking-Woman.” Besides my god-mother, I had not met another like her! And she took such a kind, personal, interest in me back then, that it helped me to find courage & belief in myself I never may have found without her.

And she was to be one of my new neighbors!

So many wonderful surprises like this have continued throughout this first year at North Star.

We love our new home (and have heard those who purchased our former home feel the same about True North!)

God has a wonderful way of surprising us in life. When we trust in His guidance great grace is given. We are grateful for all the many ways we have experienced this in our relocation.

Today Cuppycake & I will be taking a drive together and I am sure it will feel reminiscent of a drive we took just a year ago. It feels good to be looking out the front window as we drive…and yet I’m grateful for the rear-view one too; as we take stock & appreciate what has led us to this new road we are now on, still led by Christ. And I’m sure before we walk toward the car & pull away we will be certain to…

“Shut the front door!”

hugs n’ blessings to everyone enjoying surprises in their life!

Cool Kids

Published on September 15, 2015 by Dawn Marie4 Comments

romans_001 — Photo courtesy of Brent Hamilton on google.

“Romans One. First of all, the letter is written by the apostle Paul and is addressed to “God’s beloved in Rome.” (Romans 1:7) It’s to my understanding that Paul wrote the book of Romans when he was in the Greek City of Corinth during the winter of 57-58 A.D. Paul starts off his letter by first saying how he thanks God through Jesus Christ for all of them, because their faith is begin reported all over the world. He says he wishes that he could visit them so they can encourage each other in the faith and he hopes one day that will be made possible. Then comes my favorite section of scripture: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.”” (Romans 1:16-17) I love that verse, because it is pretty point blank…Paul is saying “I am NOT ashamed of the Gospel!” This is exactly how I feel and that is exactly why I share the gospel & the Lords love with people every day. I feel that too many Christians live their day to day lives being secretive about their love for Jesus and their faith in Him. They tend to hide the fact that they even go to church as if they are afraid or think they will be judged or looked at as uncool. It’s time to STOP being afraid and STOP worrying about what people think. Reality is, the eternal salvation in Christ Jesus is the greatest gift you could ever receive.” ~ James Ellis

I’ve decided…

I’m hangin’ with the cool kids;

maybe not of this world,

but most certainly the next!

Here’s just a few of those cool Ironmen (Proverbs 27:17) below! Each helping to raise funds for our Church, St. Joseph Bread of Life Community, at our annual Oktoberfest this year!