Much needed prayer

I was going to write about myself and what is going on in my own life, but given the many tragedies this nation and other nations have endured in the last few days I cannot justify just sitting here writing about myself. We are a world in need of prayer. I don't know anything more than what I have heard in the news and read online, but I do know that in the midst of this terror and heartbreak there stands a loving and just God who is waiting for us to take His hand. I pray for the salvation of those who have done or will commit a crime like the many we have heard about lately. It is beyond our comprehension as humans to understand how someone can be so hurt or down that they feel a need to take someone else's life. My prayer goes out to these people that God has mercy on them and can bring a sense of peace to them and their families. What this has taught me is that when we feel the least connection to anything right or peaceful or loving...God is right there. He will always be there for us and He WANTS us to go to him in these difficult times and in the easy times. Trust in the Lord and you will never go wrong. Please be in prayer for your loved ones and friends that anyone who is unsaved or even saved but struggling. Please pray for them and know that someone is also praying for you. God Bless, HB

Progress

One week has passed since I last posted about me trying valiantly to get healthy. Progress is being made slowly. I went to the gym 3 times last week and I will go again 3 times this week. I hold out hope that as the semester progresses I will succeed in my goal. Speaking of Goals, remember back when you were a child and you were asked to right down what you wanted to be when you grew up. I think I probably wrote about wanting to be a teacher, which is exactly what I am doing. I remember thinking longingly about the future and what it would be like to buy my first house and settle down in a good neighborhood where I could cultivate new friends. Sometimes it's painful to remember those simpler times. In the current financial state of our nation I'm sure I'm not the only one going through rough times. It is easy to get down and be overwhelmed by the worry. It can really be defeating, but then I remember that God has it all in His hands. He knows exactly how much money we need to pay bills and live every month and He protects us from ourselves. So never give up hope that you can accomplish the goal you set out for yourself. More important is to remember that we are instruments of God and it is His plan and His goal for our lives that we must live up to. God Bless, HB

New Year and New Wishes

So another year has begun and a new start is in front of us. I have started this new year with one resolution to myself....to take care of my body and in doing so, I will lose a little of the pounds I put on in the last few months. I know that everyone seems to make the same promise to themselves and I certainly have in the past. This time I feel differently about it. I don't care about the number on the scale or what size pants I fit into. What I care about most is that I feel healthy and alive and awake in my own life. I have felt that feeling of being awake slowly slip away in the last few years. It's just something that has happened slowly, especially since we moved here. It began as just a nice weekend thing; wake up and make coffee and watch TV all day. I love television and I think it can be a nice way to just relax and turn your brain off, but when you are doing it for hours everyday there is a part of you that forgets how to relate to the people in your life. I'm not saying that everyone goes through this, but what I have noticed is that sometimes when you just take back 30 minutes of your day to just be silent or read a magazine or book, or do anything that doesn't include being entertained by someone else, it can be the best part of your day. For me that time will be spent on the elliptical machine at the gym where I can focus for 30 minutes on how tough it is to be on the elliptical for 30 min. :) I will try to keep regular updates about my progress. I can say one thing; God has really helped my arthritis. My hip is much better now and He has given me an opening to where I can take back my body from this disease and make a change for the better that will effect me later on when I am older. By the way, the holidays were great! Josh and I got to spend a lot of time with our families and it was wonderful. There is nothing like going home again after a long time away. So to everyone; thank you and we will miss you! God Bless, HB

Coming Home Soon

This is a picture is from last Christmas when Josh and I were home in Ohio visiting my mom and sister. You can barely see little Gabriel in the background in his highchair.

In only a few more weeks we will be on the road again on our way to celebrate the holidays with both families. It is always such a great time for reflecting on the past year and catching up on old times.

This time is always fantastic and I wish we could do it more often.

Until then I will be praying for all of you and I can't wait to hug you when I see you.

God Bless,

HB

A welcome cool...

Now I know I don't post every day, but have all of these posts I have been meaning to put up. Soon I will post pics from our vacation to Florida this summer so that all can see how much fun we had.

It is so nice every year at this time when the weather gets cool and you can once again see the leaves change and breathe clean air.

This is going to be a great fall. Both Josh and I are working hard to complete our dissertations and we will both be finished within the school year.

I also am finding that with a little persistence each day, I get closer and closer to my goal.

I wish I figured this out 4 years ago, but better late than never.

I hope that you all will have a wonderful October and enjoy the pumpkin carving and spooky movies and holding close to each other and just loving what God has provided and continues to provide.

God Bless you all,

HB

Healing

Many of you who read this already know that I have arthritis. Sometimes when I say that to someone whom I just met they actually giggle because they can't believe it just by looking at me.

I suppose people with many diseases of this nature get the same response. It does not offend me, if anything it reminds me that this disease does not own me.

I have to admit though, that in the past few weeks I have been struggling very much with regular flare ups in my hip. It is tough, and I can't say that I have been the best servant of God when these tough times come around. I have prayed for many years that the Lord would take this disease completely out of my body, and sometimes he does for years at a time, but I know that when God heals, he does so completely and not just on a part-time basis.

Many people struggle with all kinds of pain, both emotional and physical and I do believe that God can heal. I do believe that He can take all of this away, however for whatever the reason, He has yet to do so with me. I am human in every way. I have fears, I cry, I constantly look for answers, and every time I look for answers I am reminded, once again, that I am not looking in the right place.

My prayer for anyone afflicted with any pain that causes them to lose days and even weeks of their lives is this: May God come upon you like a quiet sunrise; beautiful, warm and silent.

May He speak to you like you've never heard him before and comfort you in this difficult time.

May the Lord touch you and heal you from this pain for the rest of your life here one earth, for we are already healed in heaven. May you cry no more for yourself and this disease, but rejoice in the freedom of God's peace and glory and power.

He is the answer and we must read His word and rely on him. He will take this away... no questions...no doubts....no fear. Be still and know that He is the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers!

God Bless

HB

So much happens in a year....

Well it has officially been a year since I started this blog and so much takes place within that short period of time.

Two of my good friends welcomed new babies that are just too cute. My niece and nephews grow up too fast and are learning things at record speeds.

My sister and father and their families have moved back to Ohio and now can see each other anytime. Sometimes life passes us by so fast it feels like we've been sitting still the entire time.

I have noticed that I have become more patient with God and where he wants us to be.

Josh and I are learning to like the simpler things in life and not everything has to be about getting out of here. Although this town is not where we would like to settle, I know that God has a purpose for us being here and slowly he is revealing that to us.

I miss all of my family and friends. I can't wait to go on our summer vacation with my in-laws.

I will also try to make a trip home in early July to celebrate my mother's belated 60th birthday.

I can't believe it! My mom will be 60, but she doesn't look a day over 45. I can't wait to see everyone. The older I get, the more I want to be with family and friends and just drink them in.

I wish I could I see them anytime I want and it has been difficult living so far away.

One day soon, I hope to be closer, but until then I must continue to rest easy that God has all of us right where he wants us and even if I lived on the other side of the world my love for my family and friends never wains.

God Bless you on this day, May 28, 2008.

HB