Just Keep Swimming

Do you ever feel that sometimes you were dropped into the ocean? You look around and there is nothing but miles and miles of water. You know that in order to survive you must start swimming to protect yourself from dangers that lie in the sea. At first, the swimming seems easy but after hours of swimming you are extremely tired and exhausted. You look around and there seems to be no hope, you feel like you have made no progress and it seems that you have a way to go before you reach the shore. You think I can't do this anymore and might perhaps feel that it may be easier to just sink than it is to swim. However this is the time you need to just keep swimming and give it everything you got. Yes, it is exhausting and at times may even be painful, but everything that you are feeling now will be worth it!  Not only will you have reached the shore but you will also discover that you were given strength to swim!

I know that at times in our life we will face trials and hardships,we feel like giving up but that is where faith comes in. What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 says, " Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." You may not be able to see the shore at the moment but keep the faith and just keep swimming!

Happy Birthday Danielle

Happy 17th Birthday Danielle!

I am so thankful that God put you into my life. He knew that I would need you. It has been a blessing seeing you mature from a little girl to a beautiful young lady. From Barney, Winnie the Pooh, horses and cowgirls to Japan, anime, writing and hanging out with friends. We have had many great memories so far and I can't wait to see what kind of adventures we will have together in the future! My favorite memory of us, hmm, let me think! There are so many! So I'll guess I will just name a few! ;) Remember that wonderful delicious healthy dinner we have while it was just you, me and Luke at the house when my parents where in Hawaii? A nice big homemade waffle topped with ice cream, doughnuts, oreos, m&ms and whipped cream! ;) So yummy! Well until our tummies got upset! Did I ever apologize for the time I accidentally hit the game controller on your head? If not, I am really sorry! LOL. The moment we went to Uncle Devery's house and we had grapefruit and while Grandma was napping we poured sugar on it to get rid of the bitter taste! Sitting in my small bathroom, holding each other and crying, giving each other comfort and encouragement because we both were facing some hard times. Girl, I could go on and on about my favorite memories, but then it would be your 18th birthday before this video would be done!

Danielle, "you were meant to be touching the lives that you touch and meant to be here making this world so much more than it would be without you in it. You were meant to be bringing the gifts that you bring and singing the songs you've been giving to sing. You are perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully meant to be, you were meant to be." "You're a masterpiece that all creation quietly applauds and you're covered with the fingerprints of God." "A beautiful life is unfolding before my eyes, just like the sun you'll rise to fill the empty sky, so shine!" Danielle, "my wish for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small, you never need to carry more than you can hold, and while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, yeah, this is my wish." "And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance. I hope you dance."

I believe with all of my heart that God has wonderful plans for your future. I hope that all of your dreams come true and that God blesses you more than you can imagine. Oh, and when you move to Japan and get your dream job, please buy a house that has an extra bedroom! Lucy can't be thousands of miles away from her Ethel!

One of the many things I admire about you is your heart! You have a heart of gold. You are kind, considerate, honest, sweet, funny, loving, genuine and respectful. You are a rare treasure! You are a real prize! You are a Proverbs 31 woman! You are also courageous, noble, creative, smart, loyal, trust-worthy, passionate and real. Another thing that I admire is that you have many dreams and aspirations and even now are working extremely hard to make those dreams become reality! You are beautiful! There could never be a more beautiful you. No matter how far apart in life we are, I will always have your back.

             So Danielle, I hope that you have a very blessed and wonderful day! I love you!

The Book of Ruth

Ever read a book of the Bible and thought you knew the whole story, but then you "discovered" a new verse? I did, and it brought joy to my heart tonight! And it just so happens I was reading one of the top books in the Bible and that is the book of Ruth!

The verses that God spoke to me were found in : Ruth 2:10, Ruth 2:12,  Ruth 2:13, Ruth 2:19, Ruth 3:9, Ruth 3:10-11 and Ruth 4:14-15.

Ruth 2:10 says, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me - a foreigner?"

Ruth 2:12 says, "May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have to take refuge."

Ruth 2:13 says, "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord.", she said. "You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant - though I do not have the standing of one of your servants."

Ruth 2:19 says, "Her mother-in-law asked her, Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!"

Ruth 3:9 says, "Spread the corner of your garmet over me since you are a guardian redeemer of our family."

Ruth 3:10-11 says, "The LORD bless you, my daughter, he replied. This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the perople of my town know that you are a woman of noble character."

Ruth 4:14-15 says, "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian redeemer. May he be come famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."

Wow, I am very honored to share a name with such a humble beautiful woman of the Bible! Why do I love this book? One of the reasons is that Boaz is the guardian-redeemer in his family. When Ruth asks him why would he find favor in the eyes of a foreigner, it reminded me of Jesus! He is our Guardian-Redeemer! When we were sinners or "foreigners", He found favor in each and everyone of us! When Ruth also asked Boaz to "spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer", that reminded me of why Jesus came! He came to die and to cover us with His blood and grace. Ruth also tells Naomi, that her guardian-redeemer "will renew your life and sustain you in your old age." Jesus came to renew and give us life and to strengthen us!

Also another reason why I love the book of Ruth, is that to me it honors purity. Boaz tells Ruth, "This kindness is greater than that which you showered earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all that you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character." Ruth wasn't running and hunting down guys, instead she was waiting on God to bring him to her. She was trusting God to write her love story. Because she kept pure and trusted God, she was know as the woman of noble character! In the Message version of the Bible, it says, she was known for being a courageous woman-a real prize! The love Boaz had for Ruth was so true, genuine and beautiful!

Girls, be a Ruth! Be a woman of noble character! Let God write your love story! Wait for your Boaz so that you can experience the true love that was meant for you and you alone!