gratitude and prayer

My little brother graduated this weekend
He now has his Master's in Occupational Therapy
It was a big time of celebration for my family

David has always taken is own path in life
He was not going to attend college after high school
He got in but just didn't want to go
Got his captain's license instead
Worked in Alaska taking out fishing tour groups
300 lbs halibut and 70 lbs salmon
Came back to the Bay Area and continued fishing
But in his late 20's decided to completely change his direction
Left one career to start a new one
Student

Started in community college
Worked and studied
Moved on to San Jose State
Go Spartans!
First class at SJ state to do the new requirement for occ therapy
Bachelor and Master's all together.
A master's is now required for occ. therapists
HE DID IT!!!
He just has to finish his last internship this summer and take his boards.

I admire his courage more than anything
I know he worked hard, but i think it took more courage to change his life
To say, "No, i don't want to move in this direction any more. I want to go this way!"
And then do it and stick with it.
I'm grateful for my brother and the example he has set.
It's never too late!!!

I also got to see my best buds from high school
So fun to catch up and look back.
One friend is watching her mom struggle with cancer
She is the daughter to do most of the care taking
Odd as she is the youngest but the most responsible.
not the typical youngest.
Mom is not doing well and all signs are pointing to a hard battle.
Parent mortality is something no one is ready for.
Your mom and dad are just supposed to always be there.
How do you prepare yourself for life without them?
How do you deal with all your issues before they are gone?
How are you strong for them ,but also deal with your own sadness and fear?
All questions my friend is dealing with , while still a mother to her kids and working part time.
So my prayers this week have included praises of gratitude
and petitions for healing and strength.

Thank you Lord for David!
Thank you for the lessons you teach me through his life!
Bless him in his new career!
Helo him to realize all good and perfect things come from You!
Continue to work on his heart and bring him to You!

Please Lord!
Spare Mrs. Vanos pain and agony!
Hold this family up with your strength!
Give them joy amidst the suffering.
Help them to open up to one another while there is still time
Give them wisdom and discernment with her care and medical decisions
Heal her if it is Your Will!
I ask all this in Jesus name
AMEN

Worms

nobody likes me
everybody hates me
im going to eat some worms...

remember that song from when we were kids
it was meant to gross people out
but some days i feel like that

i know its not true
and the evil one wants me to doubt my value as a child of God
but i still struggle with feelings of worth

especially when i blow it
or blow up at someone
like i did yesterday

Jesus loves you and im trying
is a favorite saying of mine
funny , yes , but true

its hard to love when your feelings are hurt
its hard to love when someone hurts the ones you love
its hard to love

i cant do it in my own strength
sometimes i can barely do it relying on God
im so weak!!
definitely a sinner saved by grace

so i continue to try
continue to forgive others
continue to forgive myself
continue to press on toward the prize
not yet finished
work in process

oprah is the queen of butt-kissery

i think just about anyone that you talk to would agree that tom cruise and the scientology group are nuts.
there is enough documentation of there crazy beliefs and his crazy antic.
even oprah, at different times has agreed that his behavior was strange ( the couch episode).
Yet today on her show she has her lips making out with his butt.
cover crazy with enough money and interior designing and people will think you are normal.
his home is gorgeous, his wife is gorgeous, he is gorgeous, so it almost lures you into thinking that he is normal.
that believing that we are aliens from another planet and that you can achieve some higher standing in the universe through your deeds , is absolutely normal.
BUT IT IS NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we are a society of spin. not truth.
spin your image
present your own reality
package your product.
scandal conveniently comes out when there is a new movie or book or record
no such thing as bad publicity
not just entertainment
politics, sports, education
dont know if anything that i see is real
its like an never-ending reel of that scene in the wizard of oz
pay no attention to the man behind the screen.
we are being manipulated.
but who is the source?
who has a vested interest in our being deluded?
who doesnt want us to feel absolutes?
sense a truth that is undisputable?
Ok here it comes. my best church lady imitation
SATAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we are being heavily campaigned against to turn from truth.
why now?
why so much more noise?
why is the most powerful woman in tv giving one of the heads of the biggest cults in the world a 1 hour infomercial?
after reading the left behind series i now feel that the anti christ could look a lot like tom cruise
polished, nice, appealing, well groomed and well- off, powerful
so thankful that satan's power is limited
he might have money and power for a time but the clock is ticking.
and it seems to be louder and louder lately.
keep your eyes to the heavens!!!!