My gosh, here it is yet another week nearly past us and the future still beyond our reach, but not our imagination!

I will likely have to check back in later this evening as it is only minutes before I have to leave to pick the kids up for our weekly trip to the greater metropolitan area of Denver...

It's all good though... Today we woke up to early morning snow fall that of course was melting nearly as quickly as it could fall. In all, the ground is dampened and I am so thankful as we have been so terribly dry in our region once more this winter.

I'm quite sure the farmers alike are praying for those spring showers or downpours as the case may be for the amount of moisture it would take to make up for the amount that we have yet to receive. Reminds me of a dear neighboring friend/farmer who once said "I think I might have done things a mite bit different, but I suppose God has his reasons."

It truly made me laugh to hear this God fearing man say this in his laid back tone of bewilderment in the weather patterns that had befallen us so many seasons before. He was right though. We're generally pretty sure we would do a better job in the bigger picture, yet we generally come to understand or at least try to understand what the greater value in God's plan truly is.

So it goes, today is the day of gray, over cast skies and I can rejoice in it, no doubt along with many others!

Chad is on his way to check out a job possibilty today. The one he received last Friday he was awarded the job, but the county now may take a different action for the land owner which will alter the plan after all. I know he was feeling a bit discouraged but today he seemed to be renewed in his optimism. It's so hard starting a new business, but I can only trust that with his solid effort put forth and his sincere effort to visualize it as achieved he will make it.

I appreciate any help in the visualization category that you can offer - sending your good thoughts our direction for "The Big House on the Hill" as well as for his start up business to take off and not slow down... I am going to add a picture of "The Big House on the Hill" for you all to see and help visualize with us!

You're all awesome!
Love,
Sherry

Good Morning to everyone!

Sorry I missed you all here yesterday! Alas, it was the last Tuesday of the month and I was lost in my perception of dread. The dread I experience in having to attend the on going training classes necessary to maintain our foster care license.

It makes me wonder why my perception of these classes is such a negative. After all, I like all the people who are involved and the classes in themselves are no more than two to three hours. Perhaps it is the extra two hours of driving. But then again, this is time for Ron and I alone which I would generally be happy to take any way I can get it.

If that comment raises an eye brow, seriously!!! Consider the fact that we care for four of societies at risk youth. Needless to say, life can be rather tedious at times and certainly all encompassing.

For example, the night before last we had yet another run in. These kids, bless their hearts, have no clue! You want to guide them to follow rules and learn boundaries for their own reasons of success, but when they can or they at least think they can get away with crossing those boundaries they're perception is their reality as well. Then when they are exposed gently they sort of shrug it off and go until the next time. After so many of these gentle exposures, we have to take a harder stand on the violations and point out the obvious.

They don't know how to respond to the gentle exposure, so it's most assuredly they are at a total loss of being called out on their choices in a more assertive manner. But the saddest perception that comes out in these times of heightened awareness is the reality they see themselves so often as hopeless. Sometimes they are no more than hopelessly lost to a society that has deemed them as unworthy.

This brings to mind my own perceptions which have been proven to be reality as a whole across the board. The fact is that most people will think how sad this is when they read it. They will see themselves as not being the member of society who feels this way... But the truth is quite different. I know very few individuals, including foster parents and counselors, who would or are willing to take the likes of many of the youth we have housed and parented over the years.

How do I know this? I know first hand, everyone wants to look to be the good guy, but no one really wants these sorts of problems in their schools, dating their kids, living in their homes, or even in their back yards. The issues if revealed poise fear and isolation. Is it any wonder then that these youth have no belief in themselves?

Their perception is not a reality. We do all we can to protect them from themselves as well as the society as a whole. However, it is not easy, specifically when they tend to be so down on themselves that they nearly refuse to even consider the possibility they could conform to the expectations and boundaries set before them. When they slip up they see themselves as only confirming their perception of their identity as hopeless.

Sometimes we have to challenge them and put the thought right back out there to them. Yet, we have to counter it with the reality of hope for the future. It is not an easy balance to find when holding them accountable, but attempting to lift them up at the same time.

It all drives home the fact, as it is with so many of the youth we work with, perceptions false or not, are a fact of life for everyone.

If our perception is that we are hopeless failures in life, so we will create such a destiny for ourselves. If we see ourselves as happily successful, we will also fulfill that destiny.

Much the same as each person's unique personality and perception as well, is significantly different for each individual. What I may consider successful may be wildly different than the guy up the street. My perception of dreading my Tuesday night classes maybe something that others desperately look forward too in answered questions and adult dialog around fostering.

Therefore, I conclude many times over that our perception rather right or wrong, rather factually based, or erroneously misleading, is our reality.

The only way to change a perception is to change a thought process. Hence, we return once more to "Life after the Secret".

As the clock continues to tick away while we await the banker's word on the lending application for "The Big House on the Hill" I see the hope fade in the eyes of those around me. I see hope replaced with the attempts to begin emotional damage control before the unavoidable disaster hits. The mentality of defeat as it is.

I have not resigned myself to anything one way or the other, but have fought the fight of negative thinking ever since the process began. However, I am still very hopeful and realize that if it were a clear cut "NO", we'd have long since heard it. However, the fact that it is still in process tells me they are working on something. If a negative response is concluded easily, and we have not received a "NO" as of yet; that could only mean they are working on gettng it done. In such thoughts, remains hope!

You see, I too have maintained a misguided perception which has over time become my reality. I have undersold, down played and down right hidden myself and my gifts for the most part for years. At the first sign of defeat I have had a strong tendency to tuck tail and run back to the porch. That is until recently.

I realize from the feed back I have received on the blog that no one really sees what I am doing here as making myself vulnerable. Yet, that is exactly how my mind processes it. What seems like a no brainer to most people, of me sitting at the computer and jotting out a few lines every day on life and thoughts around life is non-evasive and without risk.

However, after being nipped pretty hard a few times in life, I find it incredibly risky. However, I am trusting God and stepping out on the limb at the risk it could break from the weight I am putting on it. I have tested the water and so far it's still feeling pretty good.

Even with this much stated, the reality is there will no doubt come a time that I face the negativity of my assailants. Could it be a negative review to my upcoming book? Or perhaps it might come in a comment challenging my words even here on my blog?

Such attacks have come at many different hands over time. With the horses, perhaps it is someone who set out to destroy a destiny, or our top number one stud dying untimely and for no good reason.

What I'm getting at here, is life deals us so many set backs and what our perception of those set backs is will remain in control of our future and our ultimate destiny.

I for one know I have to fight my perceptions and negative thoughts! It is Satan Poop at it's best! I encourage you today to take a close look at your own perceptions.

Here, I want to mention a little different take on this. I found a comment from my aunt very thought provoking yesterday. She was talking about the promise more or less in visualizing. However, she shared a bit different take on it. Though she did not ask, it made me question such. At what point does visualizing become counter productive?

I want to address this as she brought up a valid point and I have to say, she did not put it the way I just did. She was just sharing how she has a tendency to go into a world of thought that everything is okay even when her body is clearly telling her something different. There is a difference between visualizing and denial!

I can not speak from a perspective other than as a believer in God and in God's promises. As much as I believe in those promises and the value of positive thinking and visualization, I also believe that God speaks to us through a variety of means. He has given us the ability to access help in several areas of our lives. Nonetheless in importance is the area of health and wellness.

When you're body is telling you something, don't pretend it away! If you are meant for divine healing, great! But perhaps you are part of someone else’s journey! Don't stop visualizing and thinking positive, but be sure to seek the assistance that is out there that God has given to you to help achieve the bigger picture!

Life is full of promise and I believe that today is a brand new, wonderful opportunity for all of us! (And this is my reality this morning!)

Have a great spring day!

Happiness to all!

I wanted to mention that I have heard from a few different sources now that they have had some difficulty in the registration process here on this blogging site. With the fact that they offer the free services I know they do the best they can.

Most of those who have been struggling with the registration process have been able to get it done within a few attempts and once registered no one seems to be having any on going problems.

So, I encourage you to keep trying to register until it allows the process to be completed. Be patient!

In the mean time, your comments, suggestions and personal experiences as they relate are most certainly welcome here! Please feel free to comment away!

Yesterday was wonderful and the past several days as you all are aware from my previous blogs. However, today is different. Not in a negative sense of the word, but for the purpose of rejuvination. As if there is so much input the past few weeks that my mind, soul and body just needed to take a moment to process and catch it all up. I sat outside for quite some time today in the sun on the swing, half asleep, half day dreaming but most of all rejuvinating my spirit.

This is my least favorite week of the month, every month. It is the week when all the paperwork is due; we have to attend on-going training courses for fostering; and coming off a holdiay seems in some strange way to add to it. I had thought of starting on the endless paperwork that will have to be ready by the first of next week, but opted otherwise.

No, instead I have spent the day conversing breifly with a friend, enjoying the spring sunshine, listening to the birds sing God's song and considering where I would place the swings on the new property.

Do we know anything definitive as of yet? Can you believe we are still awaiting? Everything is in God's time and one way or the other I know that God is in this process as well. However, I am still feeding the mind and soul positive affirmations regarding the house, the move, the horses, the kids, and all that my life implies.

I have had so many thoughts on what to blog today but for the life of me, here I sit not recalling even one of them. However, it isn't forgetfulness today. It is more or less as if I rebooted all systems and those thoughts were simply unsaved when the system shut down.

I've got it - I ran a scan, eliminated the cookies and defragmented the disk of my soul today. I should feel much lighter! LOL In any event the process appears to still be under way as I am feeling the compulsion to leave the office cubicle and head out to the rays of the sun once more.

However, the boys will soon be home and that will set me apart from the perfect balance of the outdoor and the animals as they remain in such perfect balance with all that surrounds them as well today. So, rather I will busy myself with thoughts of what to fix for dinner.

I dare say that I am looking forward to the word from the banker. He said perhaps as soon as today or tomorrow morning. Waiting!!! I have never been good at waiting. In addition, the news reports on prime time TV tend to work on one's affirmations. There is no doubt the economy isn't helping any of this get done any sooner. However, I still feel good about my positive thougths and I know there are so many things in the works right now that this is just a formality of life. However, I sure do hope that there is not someone else out there sending positive wave lengths to the Universe beyond on the same property...



So, on that note, the school bus just rolled to a stop and in only seconds I will be bombarded by news of the day. Better sign off here!

In closing - I am continuing to "Trust the process", and though todays journey has been over all uneventful thus far, it's still been absorbing in the renewal of my mind, heart and soul.

Love to all!

Here it is, one of the most sacred days of the entire year! He is risen, he is risen indeed! But best of all as Pastor Shorty reminded us today -the significant difference in his rising and his ascending. He rose and defeated death which is awesome! However, the fact that he ascended to prepare a place for us to be with him in Eternity is nearly beyond comprehension! If I give it ample time and thought I feel like I am ten years old and awaiting Christmas morning one more, but ten fold greater than any nominal gift of choice I may have requested back then!

God is beyond great, beyond awesome, generally beyond words!

We had a great day - truly! Sharell was so upset last night when she called to find out if it was snowing here, dashing her considerations for a moment at least, to getting to make it up in time for sunrise service at our church home which was once her home church before moving nearly two hours away. They made it.

I tend to believe the Lord may be calling her and her family back to this area... Home to a church family that is familiar and beloved to her and to a Christian community of believers where her boys, our grandchildren can thrive in God's word and promise for their future. Not that they can't find a community of believers where they are, but the burden appears to be upon her to return to this area where they can be with family and around the rural farm life that they are currently so far removed from.

I have accepted her decisions to spread her wings and fly, as difficult as it may be to watch from the distance. We have no choice but to allow our adult children to set out on their own chartered course and many times the most and the least we can do is pray! If it is God's will they will return, then so be it. However, if his plan is different then what we may hope for, so it seems, we have to let go and trust God to watch over them for us. Back to trusting the process!

However, when the course turns back to the possibility of their moving back and the potential is there, one can't help but embrace the considerations! It would be wonderful to be near the grandchildren again. I spent the better part of a couple years with her in my life before she was pregnant with the twins and the first couple years of their lives. I counted on her, as she did me... So when her life started dissolving before her eyes and out of her control, I could only stand back and let her do what she had to do in her process.

Today we took them over to see "The Big House on the Hill". She loved it and the kids had a wonderful time running around the yard, harmless for the limited time we were there. Brisket was in the pot so we couldn't be gone too long. However, I think she is ready to move to the house on 2 1/2 acres that nearly adjoins the Big House property that is for sale. Would I mind? Nope - not at all! The biggest problem would be the fact she could simply come find me when I don't answer my telephone. LOL

However, that may be no more than wishful thinking - to have the family so close once more... It is not impossible for her to begin her own process of visualizing and believing. It has to start somewhere and why not here?

Once more if we can control our thoughts, fill ourselves with more positives, and find ourselves walking in Gods will for our lives, our joy can conquer the pain life deals us.

The long and the short of it, the snow stopped, they took their chances with the slick roadways at 4:30 a.m., braved the fog on the way and arrived to church 20 minutes early, even after missing their turn off the highway due to the dense fog! Of course, they had to travel nearly two hours and were early... We had to travel ten minutes and guess what? You know it... We were late! Oh well, the church family seems to know this about us and loves us anyway...

I'm pretty sure it would be unfashionable at this point to show up to my own memorial service without being fashionably late... I just don't want to miss any of the singing! I love the singing! My favorite song I'm pretty sure is "I'll Fly Away” What a great old song!

Here I have to toot my sister-in-law’s horn a little! She wrote yet another absolutely beautiful song of which she sang at church today. You see, she’s the music director of our church. Her along with the Taylor family, who is also incredibly musically blessed, is a wonderful team and has become much like family! So when she sang her song of which she called “Through the Eyes of Love” backed up by the Taylor’s, it was beautiful and meaningful! I wish she could get her songs into the hands of some of these big name singers who could make them known, the songs at that point would make themselves popular!

I truly feel like I'm rambling here tonight - and should probably bring this thing to a close! But there is one more thing that has occurred to me today. It has become more apparent to me over time, but today it really hit me!

I have had several people ask me about my up-coming book which is currently in book cover design. The format and text is done as I have previously reported. However, today I had someone who I would not have guessed ask me about it at church. Boy, did it make me feel good, once I got past the initial surprise. LOL But then I hear from Sharell that ALL the girls she works with can hardly wait for it to come out, with plans of buying it and having me personally sign it via Sharell's visiting me. This made me feel so special and blessed beyond belief! But in any event, it appears there is a bit of curiosity stirred up over my book’s arrival to the market place. How exciting is that?

And too boot, my husband, apparently of late having been abducted by aliens, has been so wonderful! Not that he isn’t always wonderful in his own regard, which goes without saying by the fact we’ve been married going on 28 years. However, he has my new vehicle in tip-top shape to make my trip up to the Wyoming/Montana region where the book is based, for my anticipated book signings up there, hopefully this summer sometime! I can hardly wait! God is so faithful!

I have known that I know that this would be a great year and so far it appears to be one of the best...again, not because life as we know it isn't occurring all around me every day. Take for example, I have a kiddo who appears to come up with the best timing to be up-set about something, or a head ache, or... or... You guessed it, tonight he got to go to bed without enjoying the treats of his Easter bag since he was apparently too consumed by a head ache that didn't seem to get worse until it was time to do chores which should have been done earlier... Oh well... And there are always those little disturbances that get you. Mom made a yummy desert that is served frozen, like an ice cream cake sort of thing. It went into the freezer yesterday; so you can only imagine my concern when tonight it wasn't frozen yet! The freezer has since been turned up and the desert was not served tonight. Fortunately we made two different deserts! Oh well... And I could go on....

However, all in all, my mind set and thoughts are so much improved as I have recently been speaking of – that apparently everything can't help but be better. I have before stated that if I died tomorrow that I would die very happy and content. I am not afraid of dying, as I see that as the promise that we have in this life if we have accepted Christ as our Savior. So, there you have it! Life is going to be what I am going to make of it. I haven't done half bad to this point, but I sure feel like the cake is being iced of late.

I wish the same joy, fulfillment and happiness for each and every one of you as I am experiencing in my life right now! And I pray that I am guided to continue to embrace his word and his promises to seek his will and purpose in my life for not just this phase or stage of my time on earth; but from now forward! And I hope to share such with all that I come in contact with!

Life is a journey - embrace it! Embrace the good and the not so good and be content in all things, finding joy from within. After all, we truly are blessed, just so often we take the obvious for granted! I encourage you to find the lessons in all; and as a little reminder, remember: "God is in the process - therefore trust the process!"

Again - we celebrate that he has risen and ascended and thank him for the gift, the price he paid and the promise not only for eternity but for each day of our earthly lives as well!