Words

I've been so focused on the what ifs that I'm not living. Acceptance is the one beast I've yet to tame. It's the elephant, the albatross. The more I live, the more I see that I've not mastered one thing. I can't fix everything. I just lost the words.
God Bless

Pick

Puzzle
Word search
Number

Confessions

Confessions

Let me seek joy
Seek You

Truth

I can't fight the season of life. I just have to ride the waves. I'm not God. I will make it. I used to hate being told I'm strong, but right now I claim it. Life is hard, but worthwhile.

Pick

Gucci bag
Manolo heels
Tory dress

Favorite

Favorite cookie
Favorite drink
Favorite Christmas jingle

Love

Christmas bring me back
A joy, real kindler gentler
Bring me to my knees
Tears to eyes
Redemption
Restoration

Thank you Lord for Your Grace and Forgiveness. May my want for You be greater than my need.

Prayer request

I've let fear reign and faith flee. You are reading it correctly. I'm not living. I'm existing. Anxiety has been normal for me. Growing has more pain than I thought. I'm not joyful. So when I ask if you have prayer requests, I'm making mine now. Would you pray that God rules and faith reigns in my heart. May I have faith to believe in the One who gave me hope over 10 years ago.
Thank you.
Regine Karpel

Receive

A kind word
Gift
Hug

Set me free

I've been grinchy. I've not been in the Christmas spirit. I've not been in the Jesus spirit. I've had a pity party. I've had a comparison is the theif of joy battle. And the Biblical principles I try to remind myself of are a momentary salve not a permanent balm. I'm having to remember the covenant I made with Him is a lifetime commitment.

Pray

Any prayer requests

Pick

Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie
Cake

Truth

Surrender

Control

One I haven't fully committed to. The other I want. 

Trust. 

I don't fully have it. 

Pick

Coffee
Tea
Peppermint schnapps

Pray

Prayer requests?

Would you rather

Eat Halloween candy or veggies
Drink Coke or eggnog
Rake leaves or sit and read
Massage or manicure
Visit Grand Canyon or live in Australia

Jesus

I'm thinking. As I Christian, how can I improve?  Am I displaying the love of our Lord?   Do you see Jesus in me?  Am I not loving people even when it doesn't seem I'm being loved back?  Jesus, let me love You like you deserve.

Be nice

The sadness I feel is something I can't explain without crying.
Pray. Be kind.

Pick

Turkey and dressing
Pizza and beer
Peanut butter and jelly

Charlotte

Help me if you can. A sweet girl has been fighting cancer for five years. She is struggling but still fighting. Her family is asking for cards.
Would you send a card to Charlotte?
Charlotte Young
73/7 Giosam Street
Richlands QLD 4077
Australia

Grateful

What are you grateful for?

love each other

How will you serve today?

Love

How well do we serve others?

Would you rather

Eat cake or cookies
Drink juice or wine
Smile or wink
Rain or shine
Stay home or visit another

Why

Billion dollar question.
Do you want to win?

Would you rather

Eat Mounds or candy corn
Drink carrot juice or seltzer
Cuddle or sleep
Shop or skip
Visit California or live in Cincinnati

Kind

Leave kind thoughts to another person.

Prayer requests

Any prayer requests?

Share the good

Share the good

Would you rather

Eat beef jerky or turkey
Drink Sunny Delight or Perrier
Shopping high end or thrifting
Smile or high five
Visit Mexico or live in Alaska

Can you help me?

Challenge
Coming into the season of thankfulness and in an effort to practice what I preach. Thirty days of seeking out people who don't agree with me. Politics are not on the table. You are. Jesus doesn't care about my politics. He wants to know my heart. Will you join me?

Think

My soul needs to believe that justice still exists. I need to have faith that good overcomes evil. I can only change the way in which I see the world. Any prayer requests?

Is it necessary?

I feel like I need to address this. My desire is that we humans learn to communicate in a manner that is kind. We've lost our ability to listen then speak. I'm realizing my words have more power when I'm not self-seeking in response. The only way I can grow is to challenge my preconceived notions. I will not suppress your voices within reason. We have different life experiences, and your views are shaped by it. Love is hard. Understanding takes time. Kindness is easy.

Confession

After the last post I'm realizing some things
We will rise or fall together.
Jesus, help me display your essence and love to a grieving world. We are devoid of Who You Are. You are so good to me. The best thing about me is You. Help me to love people I don't agree with or like. When I'm seen, the Gospel Proclaimed. The best life lessons I've learned have come from the least of these. The unbeliever and oppressed are some of the most impactful teachers.
My words aren't flowing like I'd like.
I'm grateful.

Do your part

This post may not be popular. Last week I did something I thought I would never do again. I actively participated in our democracy. I have become so enraged yet full of despair due to America's division and lack of civility. This is not a political discussion, because that notion seems nonexistent. I just urge you if you feel this nation is worth fighting for, do your part.

Pick

Twizzlers
Red Vines
Candy corn

Would you rather

Eat rye or wheat
Drink vodka or tea
Swim or swing
Cook or eat
Visit France or live in USA

Share

Give me some good news

Pick

❤️
😀
🐩

Jesus

Romans 8:28
Love Him. Love one another.

8:36

Fight 

If I don't 

I won't complain 

There is a God

He is righteous 

And just. 

The patriarchy

Means nothing 

to Him

He rules

And His ways reign

Hi

My soul aches.
Mark 8:36

Trust

I saw another blogger post on something I've tried to not think about, and now I'm thinking about it. Denial. It's a word I am very familiar with in conjunction with what ifs. I've had what ifs lately. And it's not pleasant. What ifs are akin to doubt. Doubt leads to regret. This leads to trusting God. Do I trust Him?  Just some thoughts.

MASH

Mansion
Apartment
Shack
House

Pick

Connecticut beach house
Vermont cabin
Rhode Island mansion

Would you rather

Eat sushi or a burger
Drink Yerba Mate or wine
Pick apples or pumpkins
Hay rides or cider donuts
Visit Vietnam or Live in the Azors

Prayer requests

After reading Ashley and Paige's posts, I realize some things.
I'm inspired by their joy and faith.
I realize we all fight battles some are known others are not.
God used others so I would make mine known. I couldn't suffer alone. I couldn't flounder in doubt when Hope is found.
I ask you to pray for Ashley, Paige and myself as I continue to share the story God has given me.

Pick

Salami
Prosciutto
Ham

❤️

Laying it all down
The cross
Mine no longer to bear

Prayer requests?

Pick

Paris
Greece
Colombo

Fight

Fight the fight
Surrender to Him
Live
Battle

Chips

Doritos Cool Ranch
Doritos Nacho Cheese
Cheetos

Hurricane Florence.

Pray. Be safe.

pick

Popcorn
Cheese and crackers
Chocolate

Thank you.

Thank you for your response to yesterday's post. I want to share more, but am afraid. Afraid of what you may think. Pray for courage.

Share

What do you show the world?
I stopped posting about my pain. I thought I'd give it a rest. I thought I had what I wanted. I was happy. God again said not so much. At the end of the day, if I need to post the pain, I have to be brave and share. Not so easy. Necessary

Rise up

Love myself
Like He loves me
CP be darned
Straighten the crown
Right the ship
Rise up

Would you rather

Eat hot dogs or pizza
Drink coffee or tea
Water slide or water ski
Shop or sporting event
Visit Mumbai or live in Spain

Prayer requests

Prayer requests?

Pick

Hotdogs and fries
Hamburgers and chips
Bratwurst and cheese

love

When you can't sleep
And wonder why
The Beatles come to mind
Let it be

Coffee

Latte
Cappuccino
Iced coffee

Confessions

Joy is a daily choice. Faith is one too. 

Things are taking longer than I'd like. 

Working on God's timeline is hard. 

I know He's good, and yet I still question. 

Prayer requests

Any prayer requests?

Pick

Paris
Positano
Prague

Truth

God is using discomfort to have me face what I've always never properly dealt with. I'm very uncomfortable. I haven't noticed how absolutely out of sorts I've been. My soul is weary. I often wonder how strong God thinks I am. When saying Let Go and Let God actually means just that.

Grateful

Grateful for simple pleasures.

Pick

Peanut Butter and Jelly
Tuna
Ham and Cheese

Prayer

God be with me.

Coffee

Starbucks
Dunkin Donuts
home

Music

Mozart
Aretha
Cardi B

Brits

Burberry

Tea

Biscuits

Play

Swing
Seesaw
Slide

Joy

What makes your heart smile?

Pick

Pear
Orange
Strawberry banana

Fruit

Cantaloupe
Grape
Cherry

Favorite

Favorites.
Chocolate
Cooking
Cake

Pray

Pray for Charlotte Robson.

Pray

Prayer requests

Beverage

Coffee
tea
Cola

Eat

Lunch?

Eat

Breakfast?
Coffee and berries

Grateful

Grateful for all of you.

Please

Return to me the joy of my salvation

Real

I don't want to write this. I've been struggling for a long time. I post posts to lighten mood, but I'm tired. Reading the Bible, wondering if it works. I'm just wondering if I'm the only lost soul. If my shame has made me feel like four lettered expletives. My soul wants to post happy, not right this moment

NSALE

Five minute shopping spree at NSALE.
What are you buying?

Pick

Cupcake
Brownie
Coffee

Pick

Soccer
Football
Basketball

Pick

Hugs
Wink
Smile

Pick

England
Ireland
Scotland

Would you rather

Eat caviar or foie gras
Drink Pellegrino or Propel
Soak in a hot tub or get a spa treatment
Swim or watch a movie
Visit Jamaica or live in Italy

Pick

Fruity Pebbles
Reeses
Life

Questions

Last thing you ate?
Last thing you drank?
Last thing you bought someone?

Pick

Checkers

Chess

Sorry

CP

CP, the source of my greatest shame, gives me today hope. It's something I hid, until I could no longer. When I refuse, God says enough with your disobedience, and ruins my plans. I heard something today to change me. I'm the perfect instrument to use. Whether I listen or not matters not. He will do His will, I just need to participate.

Would you rather

Eat chocolate or chips
Drink water or Coke
Eat or drive
Shop or skip
Visit Brazil or live in USA

Pick

Swiss Alps
Amalfi Coast
Napa

Love.

My soul hurts, my heart heavy. Love one another.

Question

Any unexpected gifts?

Pray

Could use prayers for myself and the world.

Would you rather

Eat gummy bears or chocolate
Drink kool aid or lemonade
Shop a sale or skydive
Buy books or library
Visit Thailand or live in Japan

Confessions

I'm disheartened about what happened yesterday, I have to forgive. It's not my job to ask.  I hope all have a blessed day.

Be kind, Don't assume.

I had an experience today that left me mad and sad. Racial profiling is no fun. I'm American. Born here. Be kind.

Pick

500 dollars to Wal Mart
500 to Target
Cash

You

In silence
I seek the
Only voice
Who calms
And leaves my body
awed by Your reverence
Give my soul
What it needs

Pick

La Fontellina Capri
Ritz Paris
Hotel Sacher Vienna

Confessions

Some days leave you lost.
Some days a walk outside cures what ails
I'd love a leisurely breakfast

Praying

Today calls for prayers, if you would oblige me. Need them. Could use them

Pick

Aston Martin
Ferrari
BMW

Thought

Comparison is the thief of joy. How may I pray for you? Bring you joy?

Would you rather

Eat gummy bears or a salad
Drink sparkling water or iced tea
Slide or swing
Eat or shop
Visit Copenhagen or live in Sweden

Pick

Pizza and beer
Twizzler and wine
Cacio e pepe

Pick

Nantucket
East Hampton
Greenwich

Seek it out

Listening to Elevation Church, I realize some things. God gives me what I need. My life with Cerebral Palsy is great. He gives me what I want when I need it. He gives it when I need it. He knows me too well. I defy logic. Weeks prior I had the chance to walk the CliffWalk in Newport, I pushed my body with each step. I took time to remember the joy of dreams coming to pass. I couldn't have imagined the joy and relief. I was grateful for the braces, no twisted ankles. As I sat in the empty basilica, I was reminded of Assisi all those years past praying I would travel overseas again. I was grateful for Canadians who would make sure my cookie never got cold, water to drink when I couldn't move another inch. I remember the Québécois pushing the wheelchair in the airport conversing with me in my incoherent high school French. The Jamaican woman in Toronto who lifted my spirits with her cheerful voice. The Australian at the Ocean Race whose joie de vivre was lovely. When I feel low I have to remember, the world is good, seek it out.

Favorite

Favorite candy
Favorite chips
Favorite ice cream

Favorite American blogger?
Favorite international blogger?

Thankful

Thankful
That people wonder if I have Cerebral Palsy
It means I'm thriving thanks to God and medical science. I never thought I could successfully travel overseas with my baclofen pump. I'm grateful that my body has held up. It's hard for me to remember life before the pump. I'm grateful. This doesn't mean I don't get tired. I get tired. I'm just having to focus on the blessings.

Vacation

A week in the Cotswolds
unlimited tea and rose
endless walks in gardens

Week on a yacht in Capri
Negronis and gnocchi
Swims abound

Staycation
Grilling out
Getting caught up

Pick

Montreal
Newport
Boston

The truth

The truth is this post may not put me in the best light. These past few weeks have been an eye opener even when I've wanted to keep my eyes closed. I've conquered some fears, consumed by others. I spent vacation in Montreal and Newport RI. I throughly felt the love of the Canadian people. Newport, I loved every minute. I learned that I'm capable of a lot of things. I realize I take stock of what others say versus God's. I realize I battle my flesh daily. God worked miracles to make this trip happen. And even when He works miracles I doubt He will do it again. I wrestle with God over what I wants and what He wants for me.

Pick

Grand Prix of Monaco
French Open
Coca Cola 600

Pick

BBQ with friends
Pool day
Beach swim

Would you rather

Eat escargot or caviar
Drink bellinis or beer
Read Hemingway or write a letter
Sail or sunbathe
Visit Positano or live in St. Barts

Confessions

I feel most peaceful in an empty church.
I may do a no holds barred disability post.
I want a cookie.

Pick

Chipotle
McDonalds
Chick fil A

Questions

Last thing you bought?
Last thing you ate?
Last thing you drank?

Thoughts

It's Sunday. I'm thinking. Sometimes it's a good thing, and vice versa. I've come back from vacation grateful yet tired. Accepting life for what it is, is hard. Waiting is hard. Not having answers is hard. Going on vacation doesn't get rid of the problem. I'm seeing that only God can change anything. Are there other things on my mind?  Yes. Will I disclose them?  No.

Thoughts

Life is beautiful yet utterly exhausting. It takes everything I have to not lose faith. Have to trust God that my life will work out.

Royal Wedding

Royal Wedding: yes or no

Yanny or Laurel

Yanny or Laurel

Truth

The beautiful blessing of life is that God in His omnipotence never leaves me.

Pick

Cannes
Nice
Monaco

Thought

I took a week off. I went on vacation.  I had the best time. I had time to appreciate blessings, and get new ones.
There is nothing like sitting in an empty church.
I have never had such an appreciation for my mother.
God is so faithful.
You will teach and you will learn.

Pick

Berries
Water
Chips

Dogs

Poodle
Husky
Yorkie

Confession

I worry about everything.
Prayer request?

Pick

One piece
Bikini
Tankini

Pick

Mexico
Canada
US

Pick

Glamour
Understated
Classic

Prayer requests

Prayer requests?

Thought

Faith. Its been put to the fire.
You won't grow
You won't live

Faith is more than talk.
Learning the lesson.

Pick

Thai or Chinese
American or Mexican
Japanese or Korean

Confessions

Confessions

Faith is a choice.
I am human, not God.
Sometimes easy choices can be hard.

Pick

Comedy
Horror
Fantasy

Question

What is making you smile?

Questions

Last thing you ordered?
Last thing you ate?
Last thing you drank?

Let it Rain

God works in mysterious ways. God knew I needed to hear the song that was playing when I decided to give my life to Christ. Sometimes you need those reminders.

Pick

Bazooka or Bubble Yum
Big League Chew or Lucky Stripe
Double Bubble or Bubble Tape

Questions

What have you bought recently?
What have you given away?

Praying

I've been wrapped up in me, and what I want that the amount of suffering in the world shocks me. Send me any prayer requests.

Kind

I learned again today.  Never underestimate the power of kindness. How can you be kind?

Confessions

Being still is very hard.
I love unexpected gifts.
My joy is not always seen. I don't give God the credit.

Question

If somebody sent you a care package what would be in it?

Teach

When God says He can use anybody, I never really believed He could or would use me. Why me?  What's so special about me?  The question is will I allow Him to use me?  The only way for me to affirm this is surrender. When you don't like giving up on the illusion of control, surrender is impossible. If I'm honest, I know I'm special. He uses me even when I can't see it. I can't deny what I know. I hope it doesn't take you as long as it took me to be ok with God's truth.

Pick

Trip around the world
Cash
Pay off your home

Faith

I'm having to have a faith to the depth I've not known before. I'm not used to the level the faith I say I have is having to be used. I'm having to put in all in Jesus. I do not like losing the illusion of control.

Grateful

Grateful for Jesus. Sunday is around the corner. I'm blessed because of your Sacrifice.
My loving family
A good meal at Waffle House this morning.

What are you grateful for?

Praying

Any prayers?

Memory

Best Easter memory?

Wishlist

Anything on your Wishlist?

Questions

What's for breakfast?
What's in your Amazon cart?
Last thing you baked?

What CP gives me

The thing I hate most has given me so much.
Purpose
Drive
Ambition
Compassion still working on this.

The thing I hate the most God is using. He will use anybody and anything. He validates me in a way that the world can't or won't.  I'm not cookie cutter. I don't fit into boxes. I don't fit in labels. God knows I still have lapses in faith, and he knows that. When others question my purpose, question it, just not to me. I know I'm blessed. I don't need to question it, or flaunt it. The I Am knows all, and that's all I need to know.

Being taught

Watching the movie "Temple Grandin", and I'm reminded about something very key. Disabled people's success is greater when people realize that what we need is a patient heart. One who can help us unlock the gifts that are locked within us. We are intelligent, we just haven't figured out how to use it.
A thought.

Questions

How are you?
Any prayer requests?

Gifts

last thing you gave?
Last thing you received?

Pick

Gummies
Sours
Chocolate

Questions

Last thing you ate?
Last thing you drank?
Last thing you bought?

Confessions

I have to keep my heart on God every day. The brokenness of the world would break me. 

I am eating too much chocolate. 

I purchased new items yesterday which made me happy

Tell me yours. 

Share the good

Share the good.

Pick

Gum or mints
Spring or summer
Pretzels or chocolate
St.Patrick's Day or Easter

Thank you Stephen

Stephen Hawking, Sir, I thank you. You showed the world how to succeed despite the circumstances. You showed us true grit and determination. You showed that disability does not define the man. This next point is the one that has brought me comfort. Your disability doesn't have to affect your intelligence. You can make a difference. You can be the change.

Be kind

Facebook is not a good place for me. Remember we are all humans. Love one another. Be kind. Have a blessed day.

Fun

Last dessert you made
Last dessert you ate
Last thing you mailed

Monday

Share the good.

Questions

What kind of purse do you use?
What's in it?
Last splurge?

ice cream

Raspberry
Strawberry
Black cherry

Education

I can't tell you how God is using me to speak on Cerebral Palsy, and it hasn't happened until I got comfortable with the fact that I would be uncomfortable.  Change means being uncomfortable.

Share the good

Share the good.

Pick

Gummy Bears
Popcorn
Pima Colada

Thank you.

Sometimes you just need to stop and say Thank you. Thank you.

Pray

Prayer requests?

Share the good

Any good news to share?

The call

I listened to a sermon by Steven Furtick today titled "Embracing Limitation". All I can say is that the health of my mind is directly correlated with my willingness to share my battle with Cerebral Palsy. As I was reminded today God has stripped me of the luxury to be silent. I was reminded today that my very life is dependent upon my willingness to share. "Normal" is gone. The truth unedited is here. If I want change, I must the agent. In making myself uncomfortable, you may be uncomfortable. This is your disclaimer. CP almost killed me because I let it. I don't have able body privilege. If you do, count your blessings. I may look perfect on the outside, but there is nothing perfect here.
God, I'm accepting the call I have denied.

Teachable moments.

What Cerebral Palsy still teaches me.
You will have setbacks.
The simpler a process seems, the harder it is.
Conquering mental demons will deter you more than physical ones.
Your prayers will become more fervent.
The dreams are what keep me going.
Every time I want to give up, God says no.

My faith has to be bigger than my fear

Questions

What's for breakfast?
Pizza topping?
Last splurge?

Education part deux

Disability makes you vigilant. It makes you dot every I. It makes you cross every T. It makes you hesitant. I wish I knew that my physical disability would cause me more mental anguish. The physical discomfort I learned to handle, the pain in my heart, not so much. I wish a lot of things, but I discuss this now because maybe it could save you some pain. Truth is the bitter pill, but once you learn to swallow it, freedom comes. I never liked what I needed. As I get older, I realize the disservice I did to myself and others. The cry of our hearts is to be loved. The world will never remember my net worth, but how I loved.

Fashion

Gucci purse
Chanel jacket
Repetto flats

Shopping spree

If you could have five minutes on the clock, two carts, and put anything in a cart where would you choose to have the shopping spree?

Thoughts

Thoughts.
Serenity Prayer
Pray for Florida, our nation, our world
Spread some kindness today

Jesus

On this day, Jesus may I leave all I am with you. You bless me. Happy Valentines Day. Love each other as He loved us.

Receive

which would you choose
Margarita
Chocolate
Flowers

Share

Rough weekend. Any good news?

Teach

I've gone back to what I need to do. I'm going to talk about my uncomfortable reality. If I want understanding, I must first teach. I'm getting off my high horse. My feet either hurt or suffer discomfort at some point each day. Most ladies have a collection of heels, I have one for braces. Botox hurts like heck. I've not found needles that don't hurt yet. Doctors numbers are on speed dial. You will become accustomed to ignorance. You will know a pain greater than physical. Living is my testimony.

Share

It's been a stressful week, so if you have good news share it.

Keeping the good.

Life is hard. I don't want to make it anything that it is not. I'm finding the good, it's keeping it that is hard. I have to choose joy every second.

Feedback

I'm wondering. Someone once said I made CP look easy. Is it hard for people to see the pain and discover if I mask it well..almost too well. And I really never gave it too much thought. I'm trying to live, and not think too much. Thinking can send me into a place I really don't want to go. Is it that I make CP look easy?  Thoughts?

Food

Favorite breakfast food
Favorite quick lunch
Best dinner

Hash browns
Mashed avocado
Coq au vin

Questions

Last splurge?
Last thing you ate?
Last thing you drank?
Last website you checked?
Last random act of kindness?

Would you rather

Eat lox or beef
Drink Sweet tea or cranberry juice
Play Candy Crush or baseball
Shop in New York or swim in the Bahamas
Visit Montenegro or live in Ottawa

Wishlist

Wishlist
Stamps
Chocolate
Snail mail

Yours?

A little education

A post courtesy of Instagram. Irony isn't lost on me. I saw a quote that God put there for my consumption. "Once you accept your limits, you go beyond them." Albert Einstein. I finally get it. Cerebral Palsy has done the biggest damage on my head. Folks, my mindset was beyond skewed. I've been my own worst enemy. It's only very recently that once I started accepting my limits, that I'm seeing what is possible. I've spent my life conforming to the world knowing it could never understand me. I don't come perfectly packaged in a bow tied box. I spent my life praying for something God would never give me. Life is uncomfortable. It's messy. Everyday is an exercise in knowing the fight will continue for basic decency. Fighting to see the good and choose joy.

Be kind

Disability prepares you for the cruelest of life lessons. 

Your body will betray you well before gray hairs appear. 

The simple tasks will be the hardest to perform

Your worth will always be questioned

You will need help...ask for it sooner

Your pride will take more hits than a boxer's right hook

There are more...but there not fit for publish. 

Be kind. There are battles I never wished to fight. 

My faves

My favorites

Unexpected gifts
Snail mail
Instagram
Argyle
Traveling

Yours?

Favorite

Random act of Kindness?
Cereal?
Beach?

Quote and Scripture

From error to error one discovers the entire truth.
Sigmund Freud

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Philippians 4:13

Have a blessed day filled with joy.

Thought

Thank you Steven Furtick. Getting real honest. I am wondering if the "normal" image I so sought to project as a child was the right move. Because now I am dealing with Cerebral Palsy rearing its ugly head in more ways than one. And when you have tried to be normal for so long, now asking for help has been more frustrating than ever.  And when you feel like when one can't see your disability it gets harder to explain why you need help.
Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's there.

Pick

Great Barrier Reef
Masai Mara
Angkor Wat

Kindness

Day by day, my faith in humanity erodes. I know there are good people, but I encounter some humans who make me question. Please show some kindness today.

Question

Last thing you bought
Last thing you ate
Last thing you drank
Last person you spoke to
Last person you emailed

Valentines dessert

Conversation hearts
Chocolate covered strawberries
Cheesecake

Pray for me.

Confession:  I thought I could do it on my own. I really thought. I tried so hard. Maybe that's the problem. I let my pride show. I thought needing help was a crutch. I equated help with dependence. I see it now. Pray that God will restore what I lost. Thank you.

Revelation

This morning I listened to Elevation Church's Steven Furtick sermon, and my soul cried. I've always known. I always knew I'd be different.  I always knew I'd face obstacles. I always knew I'd always have to make lemonade. Today I learned that my perspective was as wrong as my perception. A pastor once told me "you're special, God is all over you. You know your calling, it's just not the one you want."  I surrender.  God, here I am. Cerebral Palsy, I surrender. You are the gate. This statement of definitity says it all. "It was determined before it was discovered."  The light bulb has gone off. "In every purpose is a promise". Cerebral Palsy has been and will always be a part of my story, but it doesn't have to be my story. I have let the world determine everything about me thinking God had stopped. God didn't stop. I did. I stopped believing the purpose and the promise. I waved the white flag of surrender, but the wrong one. I let my joy be robbed. I let my faith bend. I let it go. I prayed, but those prayers had no faith. Folks, I'm flawed, but my God is not.

Appetizers

Stuffed mushrooms
Buffalo chicken dip
Brie bites

Question

Why do you blog?  I will answer in a follow up post, but I'm curious.

Tell me

What are you reading?
Blogs? Books? Magazines?

What are you eating? Drinking? Cooking?

Any trips?

Favorite

Favorite Valentine gifts?

Truth

Telling the truth. I didn't want to write this. It keeps showing up. I will keep teaching basic humanity. God has given me an opportunity. You by reading give me an opportunity. My greatest wish as a child would be that you couldn't see my Cerebral Palsy, and now I see the error of my way. People need to learn. And God keeps telling me, YOU are going to teach them.

Pick

Greece
Turkey
Israel

Drink

Coconut La Croix
Diet Pepsi
Coffee

How are you?

How are you today?  Prayer requests?

Eat

Deli sandwich
Taco
Slice of pizza

Eat

Poppyseed bagel with lox
Eggs Bendict
Belgian waffle with strawberry

Dinner

Steak with green beans and mashed potatoes
Chicken tenders and fries
Eggplant Parmesan

Gift.

Be kind. It's the one gift we all can give.

Eat

Granola
Blueberry waffles
Blueberry belvita crackers

Would you rather

Eat fried chicken or lobster
Drink beer or soda
Watch TV or cuddle
Meet Hoda or sing with Justin
Visit Berlin or live in Ukraine

Hope

One of my biggest struggles is being patient, and not assuming the worst. It's something I've done for so long, it's routine for me. The strongest people have weakness. Being content is a constant job. I'm having to pray with tears and a conviction. I'm having to learn to savor small wins. I've had to confront a lot of issues within myself and the ones I have with the world. The world owes you nothing. I may have grievances, but I realize that they are not for here. I'm not saying life is perfect, but as long as I live, I am to love, learn and hope.
Love,
R

Favorite

Favorite candle?
Favorite blanket?
Favorite book?

Pick

Christian Louboutin heels
Patagonia fleece
Michael Kors purse

Weather

What's the temperature where you are?

New Year

Happy New Year.
Goals:  Be willing to pray hard prayers.
             Don't be afraid.
             Love people even if they don't deserve it.
             Give myself grace.
             Be content.