Wake Up

So I'm sitting here this afternoon, after having what seems to be quite a lengthy time of prayer over some very serious situations those I care about dearly are having in their lives.  And the outpouring of my heart for these friends and family swells up to overflowing and falls out of my eyes.  The tears fall down my face as I cry out to the Lord for each one.  For healing, understanding, miracles, and strength.  So much hardship, pain, confusion, exhaustion, hurting in their lives.  My chest is heavy and my face soaked.
Yet as I get updates on each situation, the strength of each person is coupled with their belief that our heavenly Father God has everything under control.  While they each face life-changing, life-threatening, forever life-altering situations, the common bond of each one is that they know Jesus Christ is there with them.  That God is right there with them.  That they carry the load with the help of the Holy Spirit, Who has taken up residence in their lives, in their homes, in their minds, and in their words.
While the memories of how God carried me through every rough situation I've endured come back to me, I want to be right there with each and every one of these dear ones.  The reality is that I can't be with each one.  They are spread out too far for me to physically be there.  So I make it a point to be with them in prayer.  That's my duty and my privilege.  To let them know that they are being remembered, thought of, prayed over.  I remind them in the tough times when they feel that they can hardly bear their own situations, that the Lord is with them.  That there are those who love them lifting them before the throne of the One Most High, Almighty God, and even those they don't know who care enough to do the same, near and far.
Their response is gratefulness for my simple prayers and the prayers of others.  When I communicate with them my desire for God's mighty hand in each situation, another common bond is found with them.  Though they know each other not, the common bond of knowing Christ as their Savior is what must bring this common response.  While their flesh (and mine) cries out for healing and for miracles, and while they all agree with me that they wish their situations had never come upon them, they each respond with: "Whatever Your will is, Lord, we will endure.  With You carrying us through, we will make it.  Whatever the outcome."
Talk about strength!  Talk about trust!  Talk about faith!  There is no certainty in the situations of any of my friends and family who are battling for their health, their futures, some for their very lives.  And yet they stand boldly, proclaiming God is in control and they will join with Him to face what is ahead.  What is it other than the certainty of living forever in God's Holy Kingdom that enables them to say these things?  They, in the midst of their trials and burdens, have taken up their cross, have cried out to me and others around them, to trust in the Lord with all our hearts.
The song I've copied below is one I listened to today as I reflected on my loved ones.  It is by the group "All Sons & Daughters", called 'Wake Up'.  It says it all, and speaks of the testimonies of those I hold in prayer so fervently.  While they are seeking God's healing, while they are awake, standing up, hands up, carrying their cross, their hearts are God's, and they boldly say "not our will but Yours be done, Lord".
Lord, may my faith and trust in You be strong enough, my walk with You sure enough in every circumstance to say "not my will but Yours be done, Lord", and if You want it to, may my life be the reflection that brings others to You so they can say the same.  Amen.

Listen Here - Wake Up

Lyrics
We have seen the pain
that shaped our hearts
And in our shame
We're still breathing, 'cause

We have seen the hope
of your healing
Rising from our souls
is the feeling
We are drawing close
Your light is shining through


Wake up, wake up,
wake up all you sleepers
Stand up, stand up
stand up all you dreamers
Hands up, hands up
hands up all believers
Take up your cross, carry it on

all that you reveal
with light in us
will come to life
and start breathing, 'cause

We have seen the hope
of your healing
Rising from our souls
is the feeling
We are drawing close
Your light is shining through

Wake up, wake up,
wake up all you sleepers
Stand up, stand up
stand up all you dreamers
Hands up, hands up
hands up all believers
Take up your cross, carry it on


here we stand our hearts are yours,
not our will but yours be done,
here we stand our hearts are yours,
not our will but yours be done,
here we stand our hearts are yours,
not our will but yours be done,
here we stand our hearts are yours,
not our will but yours be done,

Wake up, wake up, wake up
wake up all you sleepers
Stand up, stand up
stand up all you dreamers
Hands up, hands up
hands up all believers
Take up your cross, carry it on
Carry it on

When You're Smiling

So the winter has come and gone, and I left this poor little blog to the barren cold, much like the snow and bitter cold we had over the winter months. While the nation's winter was declared stricken by the "polar vortex", we were hunkered down in the safety and warmth of our home, privileged to have electricity and all the modern conveniences up and running the entire time. While we didn't see the extreme snow everyone else in the country saw, we did have our share of snow and below zero temperatures, the likes of which we've not seen in our 9 years living here in Arkansas. Alas, as time passed, snow melted, and life began it's routine once again.

In the midst of all of the hullabaloo, my husband and I decided to continue on our journey to live a more healthy lifestyle. We joined an amazing health and wellness company called Xyngular (check it out here), and did an 8-day challenge to detox our bodies and begin our new journey. My husband lost 20 pounds and 8 inches, and I lost 8 pounds and 6 inches. (Before and after pictures are available upon request.) More than losing weight, we're happy knowing that we have restored energy, and are getting all the nutrients we need each day to help keep us healthy and boost our immune systems. It helps that it's all-natural, and we have several friends that are being helped in so many different ways with so many different conditions. Feel free to ask me about it at any time. I'd love to see you jump on board to a healthier lifestyle!

Enter Musica here!

Now, having said that, I'll give you an update on my health overall, being off the prescription medications now for several months. The new supplements have been helping greatly with my energy level, and as long as I continue to use them I no longer need a nap during the day. They've helped my chronic fatigue so much!

As for my energy level, I've tested the energy-boosting supplement by taking it as suggested, then going off of it for a week. Let me tell you...this stuff really makes a difference in my energy and focus! I'm admittedly ADD, and there are times when my mind goes so fast with so many ideas and thoughts that I can't focus on anything and am completely nonproductive. It's been so bad at times that I can't decide what to act on and find myself sitting on the couch staring out the window in a daze totally non-functional. When I take the energy supplement my mind stops racing, I can focus, I have sustained energy, and can actually get stuff done! This is something I want to be sure I take every day so I can stop wasting time spacing out.

I usually smile through everything, good and bad, and try not to let people know when the day is bad. I don't want to bring others sorrow. I want to spread joy, hope, fun and laughter. When I can feel this good, I can keep smiling and stop lamenting over the havoc life throws at me. Because we all know that "when you're smiling the whole world smiles with you".

Here's to smiling!

When You're Smiling 

"When You're Smiling" was written by Goodwin, Joe / Shay, Larry / Fisher, Mark.
When you're smiling
When you're smiling
The whole world smiles with you
When you're laughing
When you're laughing
The sun comes shining through
But when you're crying
You bring on the rain
So stop your sighing, be happy again
Keep on smiling
'Cause when you're smiling
The whole world smiles with you

Songwriters
Goodwin, Joe / Shay, Larry / Fisher, Mark
Published by
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, THE SONGWRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA