We need some holy smiles:)

A Well-Known Monk

A wandering monk walked barefoot everywhere he went, to the point that the soles of his feet eventually became quite thick and leathery. And because he ate very little, he gradually became very frail. Several days often passed between opportunities to brush his teeth, so he usually had bad breath. Therefore, throughout the region, he came to be known as the super-calloused fragile mystic plagued with halitosis.



Don't Pay For Me, Daddy!

A little child in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed the offering plates.

When they neared the pew where he sat, the youngster piped up so that everyone could hear: "Don't pay for me Daddy, I'm under five."


Missing Jesus

It was Palm Sunday, and the family's 6-year old son had to stay home from church because of strep throat. When the rest of the family returned home carrying palm branches, the little boy asked what they were for. His mother explained, "People held them over Jesus' head as he walked by."

"Wouldn't you know it," the boy fumed. "The one Sunday I don't go to church, and Jesus shows up!"

Keep your eyes on the prize :)

Today's Scripture

I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

What are you looking at today? Are there challenges in your life to overcome? Don’t just look at your problems day in and day out, lift up your eyes and look toward heaven. You will naturally move in the direction that your eyes are looking. If you are always looking at your problems—meditating on them, feeling sorry for yourself, telling everybody about them—you will become consumed by them. But when you look up, your life will start to move up. When you keep your eyes on Jesus, it is also a sign of your faith and expectancy. The Bible tells us that faith is what moves the hand of God. When you have an attitude of faith and expectancy, you open the door for His power in your life. Decide today to focus on the goodness of our God. Lift your eyes and heart to Him and begin to praise Him with your words. As you lift your eyes, your help will come, and you will live the victorious life He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, today I choose to lift my eyes to You. I will look to You for my help. Thank You for showing me Your salvation and deliverance. I bless You today in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

keep the attitude

It is attitude, not circumstance, that makes success possible in even the most unlikely conditions.”


the beauty of a lily is amazing, but only certain people are able to see it's beauty behind the frogs;)

the magic of pictures

I hear the doorbell


the happy couple arrives






The surprise banner





the congrats banner









the welcome to the new family member

photos of the thanksgiving holiday:)

The engaged couple





pop 5 tournament

more of the engaged couple













the whole group of crazy kids after lunch it was a little cold:)
we give thanks for smiles and good food and most of all for family that talk too loud, laugh too much and enjoy the moment:)

expendability

do you ever feel as if you were gone would anyone miss you:) they would, I would , then no one would read this post:) smile , after you read this:)




EXPENDABILITY
Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Ensign Ricky are beaming down to the planet. Guess who's not coming back.

get purpose

sometimes we forget that we have a purpose, yes we think I"ll do that soon, or someday, today is someday and soon, so get going on what you want to do for yourself and enjoy the feeling of self actualization :)
Live with purpose
True purpose has no time limit. True purpose has no deadline.

Whether an accomplishment takes fifty years or fifteen minutes, the purpose behind it remains the same. Purpose exists apart from time, space and material artifacts.

Can you feel the real purpose in your life? It is not in any hurry, and it cannot be deterred by anything.

Purpose does not linger, but moves steadily along with you, whatever you do and wherever you go. Purpose has no use for compromise, and finds its way forward in every situation.

When you live from your purpose, you live beyond time. If you feel fear, anxiety or despair, dig deeper, for you have not yet fully connected with true purpose.

Purpose is now and purpose is always. Live with true purpose, and leave the limitations behind.

-- Ralph Marston

Keep your pace

"To get results, start with clear goals, and the courage to follow where they lead."

She said Yes:)

Today we have a new member added to our family, She has accepted his proposal:) and we all cheered:)

welcome to our family M

TMS wins first game:)

Yes the dragons have won a game, first time in two years:) baby girl played in two quarters did not score but assisted in several plays, she is so fast and small that really helps:) enjoy your day, today, is the big day, a new member will be added to our family:) details soon

My Smile was on my phone:)

I get a daily inspiration everyday on the phone:) this was my quote yesterday:)

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you until it seems that you cannot hold on for a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe


So true harriet, so true:)

another smile came from Son # 1 He made probably the most important phone call of his life so far:)
The outcome was great:) and He moves forward on his mission this week:) more to follow on thursday:)

smile it's Monday:)

Mondays are great , why you might be asking yourself, well it indicates that the weekend is just around the corner:)
so enjoy your Monday,, begin you list and remember it could be worse, it could be Sunday:)

have a busy day and enjoy it:)


my homework for today:) take a walk/run with a group and write a small paragraph, so here it is for those who are tracking my progress for the NY marathon:)

A beautiful Saturday Morning for a walk, this is my second attempt at participating in a group walk. My first try was not very successful. I arrived to my first walk at 9:00 am, who knew that runners complete their task so fast. My husband and I arrived an hour after it started and it was over, so I did not think that disqualified as my group walk, because my husband and I do not qualify as a group, well if you weigh us maybe, but that would be bad for my ego.
My second attempt was a bit more successful. On Saturday morning November 17 I attended the YMCA walk/run. This event was well-attended and fast pace. I waited for all the fast runners to go first; I am in no way a show off so I did not attempt to show them up. I enjoyed the energy that this walk had everyone was full of smiles and speed. I followed the crowed and ventured into a neighborhood I did not know existed. I was doing well when it came to speed, and I knew that because I was not last. My time for 2 miles was 32 minutes, it was nice that there was someone there telling you how slow you were, wait, I bet they were there for the fast people too. There was also a gentleman on a bicycle who would ride by us and say things like” feel the burn” or “ doesn’t it feel good’ ok so I could of done it without him, because it just made me laugh every time I saw him. I enjoyed this walk very much it reminded me of the volksmarches in Germany we use to take every weekend, back in the day. It really made time fly going on a walk with over 50 people, and being on the phone with my personal trainer, QBF she enable me to overcome my fears and out walk the 105 year old woman, thanks QBF, in no time I had arrived at the finish line, 48 minutes and I had completed the 5k walk, yes even I can do this walk and like it.

keep hope alive

Hope

"Each day offers the promise of new possibilities. Rise confidently and embrace them wholeheartedly. They hold great power."


my dreams and promises are not base on Hope, but on the ability of accomplish them. my inner voice must stand fast,

creativity , prosperity , faithfulness, peace and joy, are the words for today and I will step forward in faith:)

this for Affable Imp

Hey Imp
just wanted to share a Lawyer smile:), enjoy your day:)



The Driver, the Priest, and the Lawyer

A truck driver was driving down the highway when he saw a priest at the side of the road. He stopped to pick up the priest and give him a ride.

A ways down the road the driver saw a lawyer on the side of the road. He turned the truck to steer directly toward the lawyer. Then he remembered, "I have a priest in the truck. I can't run down this lawyer," and at the last second he swerved to miss the lawyer.

But he heard a thump outside anyway. He looked in his rear-view mirror but didn't see anything.

He turned to the priest and said, "Sorry Father, I just missed that lawyer at the side of the road."

And the priest said, "Don't worry son, I got him with my door."

new beginning

we often forget that when something ends, a new beginning is just around the corner:)
remember to keep your eyes open for what's coming:)


Live on a higher level

When you're constantly on the lookout for limitations, you invite those limitations into your life. Choose instead to allow more of the goodness and wholeness that make life so beautiful and miraculous.
Keep your focus on the positive possibilities, and put your energy into bringing those possibilities to life. When you're busy with creative accomplishment, fewer troubles will be able to find you.

Allow your thoughts and actions to be in harmony with your most cherished values. Fill your moments with sincere expressions of love, gratitude and creativity.

If you see yourself as struggling and striving, you give power to fear, pain and despair. Choose instead to see yourself as making a positive difference, and give your power to the very best things you can imagine.

You never have to live on the level at which everything is a problem or a conflict. You can decide to live on a higher level at which every situation is an opportunity to invoke and to express life's goodness.

In each moment, allow that goodness to stream into your world. With each day, lovingly bring to life the value that is yours to create.

-- Ralph Marston

I was right about curves:

when I say curves, I don't mean the place where you go to sweat:) I mean the curves I spoke about just a few blogs ago:) so I will enjoy one more serving of turkey next week:)


Women with curves are cleverer: Study


London: Curvy women have been admired for their sensual figures. But, a new study has found that ladies with large hips and small waists are cleverer too, than those with apple-shapped bodies.

In fact, according to international researchers, women with an hourglass figure are not only intelligent, they also give birth to brighter children, The Sunday Times reported.

“The fat around fuller hips and thighs holds higher levels of omega3 fatty acids which are essential for the growth of the brain during pregnancy,” the researchers were quoted as saying.

The scientists at the Universities of Pittsburgh and California came to the conclusion after analysing data from a study of 16,000 women and girls, which collected details of their body measurements and their scores in cognitive tests.

The team found that those women with a greater difference between the waist and hips scored significantly higher on the tests, as did their children — “possibly a result of higher levels of Omega3 fatty acids on the hips”.

The research has explained why children born to teenage mothers do worse in cognitive tests: Their mothers may have had insufficient stores of the best fatty acids.

“The cognitive development of their children is reduced, and their own cognitive development is impaired compared with those mothers with a later first birth,” the researchers were quoted as saying. The study also noted, however, that children born to teenage girls with traditional hourglass figures seemed to be protected from this phenomenon and did better in tests.

dream today

Dreams are like rainbows. only idiots chase them


believe in your dreams even when others look at you as if you are crazy:)

add spice to it and enjoy your ride:) remember your self talk takes you where you want to go, so watch what you are thinking about yourself:) smile today:)

My mission for myself:)

so as I plan my day I have almost mastered my wardrobe , yes you read right, I have decided that now that I am trying to develop myself into a total package:) I have cleaned my closet , I have cleared out all of those clothes that I keep around hoping to one day fit into:) well after so many years of keeping them in my closet, they are back in style, now you know that is a long time:) here is why I am doing this, I looked in the mirror and saw a tired soul, but on the inside I don't feel tired, so I touched up the roots and put on some hose:) and watch out world, I am going to look good , so I was the only person standing in my way:) so go to your closet, give your old or new things to a soup kitchen, or a women's home:) and look fabulous , we big women need to show the skinny women, we enjoy our food and clothes too and smile more, because we are not hungry:)




"True creativity is a series of acts, each dependent upon one another."

Keep Shinning bright:)

With open hearts and minds, we become an inspiring light to which others are drawn. Shine brightly."


have a great Friday:) and spread the smiles

I conquer darkness daily

I suffer from darkness yes even me, a gift from my mother who lives her entire life in darkness and motionless. the worse day is my birthday, I'm not sure why, but it is probably because even thought I have two living parents I am orphaned, they do not have any contact with me unless it comes from me to them:) a true blessing for me are the friends and family I have made in my life, and when I say family I mean family which I have acquired via marriage, the big G was the father I never had and a a true role model of what true dads should be like we all miss him. a big thank you to all who help the darkness part on this day:)


Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” Stephen King



in the darkness monsters and ghost do seem real, but the light always wins:) the fight is real but the battles get shorter:)



To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest”

Birthday smile:)

Yes today is my birthday, and I anticipate that 46 is going to be the biggest year yet:) yes I will finally finish my degree, I will begin my masters and I will conquer more demons:) biggest smile ever:) I will begin the process of writing,

you might think you are crazy, I might be crazy and I might not be able to spell:) but let me dream:)

I might be growing out of my mold:)




Step back. Imagine the possibilities. Create the plan. Enjoy the process. Relish the outcome.”

believe it : say it : and enjoy it with confidence:)

believe and it becomes:) keep saying it and you will have confidence in it:) and if you are confident in it you will do it more:) so believe it, say it and enjoy it with confidence:) not that everything is easy to accomplish, but I know that if you can see it in your dreams it will come to you:) I celebrate my life daily, I am very blessed and grateful for it daily, who would have seen my life decades ago, homeless child living on federal assistance without parental support of any kind. today I am blessed beyond my prayers, the deepest fears gone and comfort and joy abundant:) pass on the ability to believe to others today, keep sharing the smile:) it changes lives.




some praises for some stuff going on here:) QBF and QBF daughter and I went shopping yesterday, probably the most important purchase in years. we ordered a special item for son #1, we are so excited about the upcoming special event:)

also the small fry made the basketball team :) 40 girls started the process and only 13 made it, only 3 6th graders:) we are so excited for her, it is her passion to play this game:) she is playing point guard:)

in both of these blessings, they both believed, and so it is:)

start right now

the journey sometimes seems longer than it should be, and I believe that when you are reaching your goal you begin to encounter some stumbling stones. just an emotional roller coaster. you must continue to use your self talk and know deep down inside that the prize is just around the corner, a Monday thought, keep on smiling and remember to enjoy the journey, since this is the story you will tell.




“When the path appears, don’t hesitate. Start where you are and take what you have. Though you may not know exactly where the road will lead, be assured that you are already prepared for the journey.”

Home sweet home

we are back from our Joyce Myers conference we had a great time, we prayed, ate and laughed, a great combination:) a great birthday present:)
I am now in search of balance:)
I will let you know how that goes as I figure it out.
enjoy your sunday



Who you are


Who do you think you are? Your perception of yourself becomes reality through the thoughts, decisions and actions of every moment. Are you kind? Are you loving? Are you honest? Are you successful? Are you wealthy? You are when you truly think you are.

Every day a thousand decisions greet you. They overflow with opportunity. They can take you to any place imaginable. How do you choose? How do you decide? You do so based on who you think you are.

What do others think of you? It depends on who you think you are. What will you become? That depends entirely on who you think you will become.

Who do you think you are? It is revealed in every moment, in every action, in every decision, in every thought and opinion. The great thing is that you can be whomever you decide you will be. It is your choice. It is your life. So who do you think you are?

enjoy your friday

Day two of Joyce Myer day one was funny and insightful, all the time I have this morning to write, so enjoy your friday:)

The best day you have ever known

Instead of waiting and looking back on your life and realizing how great it was, realize how great it is while you're living it. These are the good old days.
This is the time to treasure right now. Don't put off your appreciation for today until some time when all you have of it is a faded memory and a photograph.

You are swimming in a thick sea of overwhelming richness that is this moment. Wake up to how truly blessed you are to be right where you happen to be.

Sure there are frustrations and annoyances, challenges, pains and disappointments. And you have the good fortune of being in a position to transcend every one of them.

Stop wondering what life is all about and start choosing what you are going to make it become. Stop waiting for someone else to make it all better and start taking your own steps to make it uniquely great.

This can be the best day you have ever known. All it takes is for you to decide to make it so.

-- Ralph Marston