AND ANOTHER HOLIDAY IS OVER!

So - here it is Jesus's birthday, right? Aren't we supposed to be saying "I hate to see this holiday over, I love celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

All I can think of, is if i see another piece of candy, cookie, or meal of any kind, I may commit harry-carry! Too many events, too much food, too tired to climb on the scale, but it has got to be bad. Why am I even focusing on that? I sat up straight in the bed last night as I thought about 9 more events and get togethers. We won't be done or I won't be done until January 9th. Oh, that's right, I have choices don't I?" Dang, I could have been making better choices. How are you at choices? I failed.

Well, anyway, it was a nice holiday all in all. But, I am committing to celebrating Jesus every day, changing my self control issues January 2nd, and turning over many new leaves that same day. January 3rd, you will find me in my office and I will be seeking God for some real direction. How about you? Are you asking yourself questions about 2010 and how 2011 should be better on so many levels.

Pray you enjoyed your family, and are in good emotional and physical health.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

As you can see above, we have had our family Christmas. Family has shrunk a little in size, but my goodness Jordan and Em have grown so much taller. We won't talk about which direction I went.

Merry Christmas means - have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He didn't even flinch at such a sacrifice that certainly would be on the journey ahead. He is our real hope for each and every day. Have a great holiday.

CHRISTMAS MEANS WHAT?

Two weeks from today - we will all be celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus in some one way or another. Some of us have already celebrated with family due to schedules and the complexities of family expansion these days.

My grandchildren have at some point over the next two weeks seven places to be for the Holidays. Can you grasp that? We read the story of Christ's birth and I love the solitary - quiet - musical - almost magical, if you will, beauty of the worship. The Three Kings, Shepherds, Joseph and Mary themselves. Wouldn't you love to reenact that. To think about going seven places so deludes what this season is about. How much would I love to take them and go to that quiet still midnight hour with only a candle in my hand. We approach the barn and you would believe no one was there. As we get closer, we see that there are other candles, and the reflection from a bright star in the east shining through the doorway. There are animals, but they make no noise. There are the Three Kings on their knees, but they make no noise. And, there nestled in blankets and hay, is the most awesome King ever to grace our presence. . .Little Baby Jesus! And, Joesph and Mary gazing at his GLOW! Not a pin do we hear drop as we come closer and closer. One is rendered speechless as we look upon what Christmas really means!

There are no gifts to open, no buffet, no cookies, pie, or candy. No one fighting over toys, or wondering - is this all you got me?

We JUST know that we have the greatest gift of all times. A baby came in the flesh from our God, His Son. His Son became Uncompromisingly Righteous for our freedom from sin. He died on a terrible cross so we could reach eternity.

So what does Christmas mean to you? What to take a magic carpet ride back in time?

I sure would.

My commitment this Holiday - to study the Uncompromisingly Righteous way we should always have for the Baby - the King Jesus - who chose each one of us as a gift to Himself.

PERFECT DAY FOR A CHRISTMAS CONCERT!

It is snowing and a lazy Sunday. Perfect to kick-off Christmas season with a Choir Concert at County Line church - this evening at 6:30 p.m. I like this year, for some reason. There is less shopping and more celebrations of the reason for our season. When I look back at all the company Christmas parties that were held at Orchard Ridge, Summitt Club and even the Coliseum, I am amazed I survived. I remember those times as too much shopping, lunches every week, at least 6 Christmas parties, and that didn't even count the family Christmas get together's, which numbered four. It was maddening, and I usually came down with a sinus infection, cold, or the flu. I always wondered what it would be like to focus and think about the sacrifice our God made when He sent His only Son to gift us with freedom from sin. We had no idea. We still don't get it, do you think?

Thirty-Seven Years ago Christmas Eve, I came face to face with that Jesus Christ. It was a series of events too long to go in right now, but I finally decided I needed Him in my life. And, between the Holidays and March, I gave Him my entire being. Yet, each Christmas I still got so caught up in all that "stuff". I love that the stuff is NOT so much right now, and I look forward to this evening by closing my eyes and taking in the music of Christmas worship. Absorbing it into my entire being and praising God for the greatest gift ever documented in time.

My prayer for you, is that you will take a moment and absorb the reality of this Gift!

PREPARING FOR HOLIDAY SPIRIT!

Preparation has always been something I was wired for. My mother did it, and she either did a great job of teaching or it is THOROUGHLY in my genes. Now, I don't want to say that I can tend to go over the top, but when I look around I see - "Shirley, you not only go over the top, you have become your mother." Ix Nay on the other-may. Okay, so I always put too many spring and summer flowers out. I could save work and money. The same for Thanksgiving (fall) and Christmas. I don't know how to NOT do it. To lay back. A friend of ours, put up and tree and a wreath on the front and back door. That is it. I nearly fell into the huge box of lights I was untangling. No! No! No! Three things.

Well, you have to just let people be who they are, I guess. I so enjoy thinking up new places to put a silly festive scarf that is different from last year. Or I compete with myself to see how many different ways I can decorate the front stoop. What I am trying to get at here is, each to our own. The real spirit, is the feeling you have about this time of year. Whether there are family dynamics, tragedy, financial issues, or anything; we need to have the spirit of Jesus in our hearts. To give and know why we give. Pastor Dane talked about that today. Why do you give? Give as on to eternity. That it is from your heart. Decorate with heart, give help to others, donate gifts, give special surprises. Tell people about the real gift from God. Jesus gave of himself to come here. There is no other thing that can motivate us more. If there is pain in this season, then go to God to give you strength. If there is a new baby (or babies - we have two sets of twins in our life)then celebrate new life. If there are people in need - give. Even if it is just your time to go run errands for them. Just GIVE! As Jesus gives to us. Prepared or not, organized or not, decorated or not! GIVE as He gave!

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND - SURPRISE PARTY!

At this age, your parents are most likely gone. And, I don't have brothers or sisters.
All my related family lives out west, so you go into 2010 thinking, oh well, I will just have a nice little dinner for John Saturday night and we will go to the movie on Sunday.
John's birthday is November 20th and mine November 21st. For 40 years we have shared this celebration with all kinds of get together's. Our parents always took us out, our friends always took us out and by Thanksgiving we were full and miserable. But happy.

Another tradition is that my friend Anna takes me out for lunch and open presents. I do the same for her in March. And, so it was set up that for my 70th she would take me to Bridgewater Restaurant. Usually very observant, I certainly didn't see all kinds of cars in the parking lot that I should recognize. I was blabbing about the weather and suddenly inside the dining room door came " S U R P R I S E "!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU SHOULD NEVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SOMEONE MY AGE. Ha. Anyway, it was FABULOUS!
Most of my friends there around a huge table. Balloon, Cake, presents, lots of cards. I felt 7. Yep! I had at that time never had a surprise Birthday Party. I did remember that early this summer Anna had asked if I had ever had birthday party growing up. Nope!

Those who could not get off work sent cards. It was surreal. I thank you Anna, and also Delice who made the birthday cake for making my year. I thank all of you who were there and sent cards. You have no idea what that meant to me, what it means to me. I thank you for all your special comments and tributes. It was embarrassing, but it made my year.

Friendship is important. At Thanksgiving this year I will be thinking of you and how blessed I am. God talks a lot about friendship in His Word. As I told the gals Friday, I grew up without family and all my friends have been from coming to Auburn 40 years ago. I couldn't do it without you. You are my sisters. This is what sisters do.

Love
Shirley Faith 11-21-10

MEET DAVE!

Couldn't resist sharing this picture with you. Can you believe this animal is 80 lbs, and just barely a year old. Darrell and Kathy Douglas, lost their beloved Murphy a year ago. He wasn't just another Golden and their certified nursing home King!. He was just one special animal that always brought so much character to any site. It was like he was this old, wise, calm and assertive gentleman. He was not only their best friend, he was everyone's best friend. I could stay gone for two months or more, and I always got this special greeting at the door. He would actually get so excited he would sing. I loved it. I loved Murphy. The nursing home residents loved Murphy. Kathy's elementary school class at Hamilton loved him. She would have him come to story time.

You can't imagine what it was like to go through October and part of November last year watching Murphy leave us. I got some really neat pictures just before he passed from our vision. But he stays in our hearts forever.

So, now Dave! You always say, well, no other dog could be better then this one. And, isn't it just like God, to make each animal different. They bring new color and drama to the new life and relationship. Dave is completely different. Even his coloring. They will love him and experience him completely different. Some would say, I just won't do this again. I can't take it. Well, we take it, because without those differences, color and change, we would be dull and listless. Once you meet Dave, you know why he is here, and at their house, and for all of us to enjoy. He brings great high energy, love, sensitivity and character. Welcome Dave to the rest of your life.

Aunt Shirley

BIRTHDAY KICK-OFF FOR HOLIDAYS!

Do you remember when you were 13. I am afraid I do for a little bit. It was miserable and I ran away from home twice that year. I went over to friends houses. I think my dad turned white that year. And, as for me I just turned into an angry teen.

Jordan, our 13 year old grandson is taller then me and experiencing the whoa's of Saturday School. I just smile.

Isn't it interesting that those two glorious years - 7th and 8th grade when we need to really communicate and talk out our issues, we only get belligerent and arrogant. WE know everything.

I just find it amusing. Good luck and welcome to the real world, Jordan Ross.

HOLIDAYS HERE WE COME,

READY OR NOT!

Are you thinking about the holidays 2010. I have gotten some gifts, written the Christmas letter and then thinking, geesh, I don't even have the summer flowers and pots all put away. We still have beautiful pots still going. Yes, I am weird, what can I say.

Here is what I want for the holidays. Jobs for everyone that needs them. Families that forgive and come back together in love. Political miracles. No terrorists or plots to think and worry about. Tall order isn't it? But, I am going to pray for that. In fact spend a lot more time praying these next two months then ever before.

It is still Deut. 31: 8 for me. God goes before me, walks with me, never forsakes, leaves behind or abandons me (us). So, what do I need to worry or be unnerved about. What do I need to be depressed about?

Hang on and in there! Pray - Pray - Pray!

HOLIDAY'S HERE WE COME,

AND THE BEAT GOES ON!

Can you believe I am still writing about what a gorgeous day! Gorgeous week!

According to the woolie worms, we are speculating now on a very hard wet winter. We will see won't we.

Signs of the "Land of the Black Sticks" is seen every day now. While we still see some pretty maples that have not dropped their leaves, out here in the country, leaves are at a premium. Oh well, it is now time for me to put on my thinking cap and share some insightful thoughts that I have been mulling over.

On a warm 73 degree day like this, it is hard to believe Thanksgiving is one month away.

Time change is two weeks from today. Wow.

Have a great week, look to God and seek Him first.

AND, ANOTHER GORGEOUS FALL WEEKEND!

I hate to change my pictures, and letting go of summer/fall weather is so hard!
We sure have been blessed. Every year I take a picture of a day like this and how the sun falls on the lake. Then I blow it up and frame it. I sit it carefully on the entertainment center to help me remember this day, in order to help with those snowy ice-caked winter days. Ha! It does not help at all. But, I do it anyway.

We all have those days don't we, we wish we could capture it, make a movie, and savor it for later. If I figure out how to do that, I will share that with you. Lots of things going on this weekend. Look on Facebook - Faith Souder to see our adventure to Win Shulers restaurant in Marshall Weekend. We met a a woman celebrating her 24th anniversary and Joyce and I order her "Egyptian arm braclet". It was a real hoot.

Hey, take time to view the sun on the leaves, and water, if you can. Smell the balmy air. Thank God for His beautiful creations, even though the heat drove the beauty of the leaves to brown too soon. Thankfulness takes time off from the real stuff going on around us. God did Spring and Fall to give us new birth and a season of true elegance and color to celebrate Him.

ENJOY!

Summer on October 10th?

86 degrees, are you kidding us?

Goodness. I looked back in my journal from last year. John had just gotten home from surgery on his knee. We drove in the rain all the way back from Indianapolis. 50 degrees. Saturday it was all the way up to 54. I surely hope you had a good week. I can look back on October 4th through October 9th and say to you. . .What a fabulous bold, stunning week. On every perspective. Break throughs in family situations. Learning new things from friends, spending a day at Pokagon with Dakota, getting an unexpected doctor appointment for a family member and having it turn out GREAT!
On top of that you go see Secretariat at the movies. It just doesn't any better then that. Oh and its 86 degrees!

I am thankful for friends that pray - it has been a great physical week for me as well. The Bio-Identicals are finally kicking in, I got a lot done, and felt like doing it.

Have a blessed week, whoever you are that gets this.

FALL SEASON 2010!

I don't know about you, but I see some rather odd and unusual things this fall. The picture before this, was of our traditional Ash tree. Traditional in the aspect that it goes red about October 4th through the 10th. And finally blows away by October 17th.

With all the dryness this year, a phenomenon has taken place. It topped out red on September 17th, and as you see here on October 1st, is about to finish. In 40 years, I have never seen that tree do that. Funny about being obsessed with the fall trees and how they differ each year, or are the same. We are a little that way, aren't we? We are full, green, flush and lush. Then all of a sudden we drop our leaves, turn and blow away. The odd thing this year for me, was that, I didn't notice or pay attention to when that process started to go away too quickly. It was a shock to have missed each day of it's change. Let us always keep in mind, that every day is important, and to live it to it's fullness and glory. That way we will not miss anything. God's Word, not mine. Col. 3: 17

FALLING FORWARD!

What a gorgeous fall day - really cool, crisp and DRY!

When I think about falling forward, I remember Sandy Patti's book and talk she gave at Women of Faith. I can't get it out of my head right now. She shared the story of how she and her brother would be on the small shed roof top. Her dad would coax them to fall forward and he would catch them. "Trust me" he said. Patti kept backing up. Her dad kept coaxing until she finally fell forward into the safety of his arms. She then talked about how she soon related that to Falling Forward into the arms of God. Sometimes we have to just let what is tugging us backward GO. We just need to inch forward trusting that God will catch us in the safety of His plan.

I look at all those leaves that are falling and I think about a situation I am in right now. So, it is time for me to inch my way down the roof and Fall Forward! Jeremiah 29: 11/14. And, of course Deut. 31: 8.

Have a wonderful Fall!

NEW SEASONS BRING NEW EXPERIENCES!

Fall begins tomorrow! Are you ready?

Actually I got the bug during Labor Day weekend. It just seemed like the thing to do. Go pull down all the bags of silk flowers for fall. Obsessive-Compulsives have everything in black bags for each season. Fully labeled and ready to go when each season comes along! Are you laughing or appauled?

I am going to work diligently to change pictures for a little while. It is my favorite time of year. The flowers and leaves have such gorgeous warm but vivid colors. My scarecrows number (five) and they are all sizes placed appropriately. What is my point, you ask?

Each one of us is unique and fearfully/wonderfully made. Psalm 139. It is to my utter enjoyment to decorate for the season. I used to think it was for everyone's enjoyment. Whoever came here would enjoy the season to the ultimate that I do. It was a very disappointing moment when I realized that most friends or clients come here and maybe one out of 25 see the Disney world of country decoration. And, so I decided that I was doing it for me. Because thinking about NOT doing it because after all, no one cared, that just didn't work either. So, until my next literary sharing, enjoy some season beauty. I want to share a time with you that brings me great a ha's, peace, and aesthetic beauty! Enjoy your Fall!

EMBRACING ACCEPTANCE!

by Charles L. Allen:

One of the important things about marriage is to be accepted. Love is the basis of marriage, but there are many married people who have never felt accepted. Marriage is not a reformatory, and spouses need to reach out to each other without criticism or reservations. To live with a wife or a husband who does not accept you is a dark valley to walk through. from - Victory in the Valleys of Life (Revell)

A very good friend wants me to write about acceptance. How do you get your partner to accept you for who you are and let you be who you are! Another gal within the same time frame gave me a picture of how she feels after 25 years of marriage. It comes from Joyce Meyer's publications. It shows a woman in a jar with the lid on it and she is looking out.

I do aspire to Dr. Phil's statement. . ."that we teach people how to treat us!" Acceptance for me means that I must communicate well who I am and what I need. Through out my practice of 30 years, I have tried to impart that as women, we need to teach that we do want to be a partner. The trick is, that sometimes we don't act equal and expect respect. We assume that you will respect us, and then we defensively detach emotionally when we see that it is not happening. So many women don't feel right or whole being who they are. They aren't anything without their spouse or significant other telling them they are accepted.

This topic can be a real can of worms. I see it as a necessary personal part of being accepted. Examples: I can't go anywhere unless he says I can or he thinks it is important enough to go. i.e. groceries, hair cuts, take kids to school, pick them up.
He doesn't think I should belong to this woman's club, or go to college, or joing an art club. He pouts when I do something great and get attention. He sulks when I want to go camping with my sisters for the weekend to get away and have girl time. He says, you don't need all those things, you have me. So what have most of us done? WE back down, detach, and become seethers on the inside.

I told John from day one what I needed. And, even though I left for days at a time to go to Miss Indiana, did he like it. No. But, he accepted my need to do and be who I am. It has been like that for 40 years. He put aside his need for me to be cloned to his side and the perks of doing that have been; I learned to manage my emotions when he needed to be who he is. Sure, we can get carried away being who we are. God promotes balance and moderation in all things. He demands love and acceptance. He teaches respect and integrity. So, is there any button we can push here for instant answers? Probably not! As women we need to KNOW that we are ACCEPTED by Jesus Christ. Psalm 139. Read that whole chapter if you need convincing.

As for the men in our lives. I still say, communication - Telling someone the truth without hurting them is the communication teaching tool.

"Honey, when you insist that I don't need to do things that I believe are good for me, I feel like you don't know me, trust me, or love me unconditionally. Do you really mean you don't think I need that art class because "what will I do with it after all?"

"Help me understand, what is going on when you need to know every minute where I am?"

I could go on and on about samples of how to teach someone how to treat you.

Pray - seek God and ask Him to give you the emotional strength to talk about how much you need to be accepted for who you are. It may mean sitting down and actually interviewing each other. "What do you mean, I don't know who you are?"

Just some thoughts here - girls. What do you think? Should I write more about it?

CHANGE CAN BE GOOD!

They always say change is harder as we grow older!

I used to laugh at my parents when they said that. I don't laugh anymore. It really is true. We had no idea months ago how Labor Day would play out? Would there be no auction and only ACD Festival events? No poster, or would there be a poster? The weekend was shortened by the new Auburn Auction people. Different auctioneers, lots of vendor changes, physical renovations, and new faces. It was hard to not have free passes for all our friends, as well as the fact that we had to pay to get through the Park. However, they always say "It is What It is, Deal With It!" So we did.

I think it will take me a couple times to get used to not seeing the family of Kruse out there. It felt down home. It felt friendlier. Even though there were financial problems and things that happened. I like down home.

Hope you all had a good weekend and I will be working on excerpts from some thoughts and writings coming up.

Shirley Faith

CREATIVITY SHOWCASE!

It is quite surreal to stand in the middle of the Garrett Museum of Art and see all of your husband's ACD poster art for 30 years. And, included were his Years of Water Color Art. Story is, the one picture upstairs in the museum of the couple walking along, was rejected from the Dekalb County Fair when he was 19 years of age. It was too professional.


Where does all that come from. Where is it stored? What would have happened to all that had there been no ACD Festival or Kruse Auctions. He is a true artist. And, his work will go on through history. What an honor.

It is quite a treat to have ridden in Oscar and Bonita's 1935 Auburn - dressed in 30's period clothing. There were classic cars parked all around the museum.

It is quite an honor to get to tell such a great artist, the trash needs carried out!

Thursday, we are escorted to the Museum to meet up with Hoosier Tour (Acd CLub Members who have been on tour to Plymouth for two days. After they have gone through the museum we will ride over to the ACD Automobile Museum for the kick-off luncheon.

Have a safe and wonderful Labor Day weekend.

A MUST READ TO ADOPT FOR LIFE!!!

My husband says, I read a lot of books. When I was in the early grades, I won award after award for reading the most books in a short period of time. I give my mother and dad the credit. They started me on phonics when I was 5. The rest is history. I only wish that I had made a list of every book - ever read. Even though I have been writing a lot this summer, I probably could have been done with "The Book", but instead, I took time out to read some favorite Mary Higgens Clark books, as well as self help authors.

Last weekend I attended Women of Faith Conference in Indianapolis. On Friday night they introduced Andy Andrews and he was a riot. Very funny and entertaining with impact of words. So as I was wondering around the book tables, I felt the urge to buy a set of two books offered by Andy Andrews. The impulse has turned out to be "mouth dropping", "eye twitching", and "mind blowing" AHA moments!

You owe yourself the time of your life to read. . .The "Traveler's Gift" by Andy Andrews. Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success.

It is about a 46-year-old man with a wife and daughter, who looses his big time job and completely looses it. He drives his car off the road into a bridge and wakes up in the oval office of the president of the United States. Harry Truman! What? Yes, and his message to David Ponder was the first step to personal success. He had a special written out message and knew he was coming. He talked at length about how he was having to make a very difficult decision. The decision to drop a bomb that will change the course of everyone's life across the world. His message to David. "The Buck Stops Here!" How sometimes you have to make a choice in life, whether right or wrong and do the best job with the resources you have to know you did it. Take the responsibility for it.

Just as a teaser - he next ends up in Solomon's Court during Biblical times. The decision that Solomon had to make between the two women who were fighting over a baby.

He will talk with Christopher Columbus, Anne Frank and learn all the decisions about how to seek wisdom, and live his life by choosing to live to the fullest.

I will share more with you, but I challenge you to get this book and experience your own epiphany's.

What I learned was a personal need to make a future of seeking wisdom, choosing to be happy instead of wanting circumstances to be right, so I can be happy. Amazing information on each page of this book. This economic and political time is very scary and managing our emotions is not a walk in the park anymore. As I said, I choose to process and manage how to do that all to the glory of God and for my own health as well.

Have a good week.

Deut. 31: 8

Shirl

Happy 75th Dr. Jack Covell!

Surprise! Surprise!

Don't you love getting someone's goat? I do. Especially when they hate it sooooooo much!

Joyce and I had been planning for two weeks to go out for Jack's birthday. And, so on Monday - yesterday, I called to wish him a happy birthday. He fell for it hook, line and sinker. Something about how he didn't know for sure where she was taking him, and how she really wanted to cut back on going out and played it down. So when they left their drive way, he asked which way to go, and suddenly they were picking us up. We went to Chappell's for his favorite breaded shrimp. And, yes, he grumbled here and there about how sneaky we were, but secretly loving all the food. Afterwards we surprised him with a cake and ice cream "gala" at our place.

The point here is, celebrating someone's life is a high priority. John and I celebrate good friends like Jack and Joyce Covell who add so much to our lives we can't even measure it. Happy Life to you, Jack and Joyce.

John and Shirley

YEP! 1985 - Colwell Christmas Party!

August 11th, John and I had the privilege to attend a casual 80th birthday celebration for Tom Colwell of Colwell Industries. John's former employer of 40 years. Tom was in Kendallville (the main plant) for other meetings and we all congregated at Brian Fosters lake house at Sylvan Lake. Tom had been looking through the archives and fished this picture out. I will be putting some of those pictures on Facebook where you can see them instead of one picture at a time here. Facebook: Faith Souder

Anyway, what a neat time with several oldies but goodies that evening. Got time to catch up and spend time with Tom. Hard to believe he will be 80 the end of this month.

Do you ever get your pictures out from years ago? Why don't we? I have over 40 years of memories taken on film, video and digital, yet, very seldom bring them back out to look at. Those parties at Christmas time and the sales conventions in Reno, Chicago, Orlando, and Bermuda are forever memories. It is good to go back and thank a man like Tom Colwell for providing that rich history career wise and how he celebrated his people through get togethers. Thank you for a blast from the past!

ARE YOU BLOOMING OR FIZZLING?

Yep, this is our sixth week of trying not to fizzle in this heat! So, I am blessed to be sitting inside an air conditioned home, and I have a fan blowing on me. Makes me feel like I am outside.

But back to the question. I am quite taken with the Proverbs conception of living life. We need to guard our heart above all else, for it determines the course of our life. What does that mean? When you look at the most beautiful Hibiscus blooms, I always marvel at how they just GO FOR IT, but then over night they fizzle out. Yet, in the morning there they are with new blooms, just waiting to burst through and live the day or two which is their destiny.

Guarding is a lot of things. It means I am in charge of something, and I need to be responsible for it. I take good care of it. Watch it, feed it, nurture it, protect it.

The entire book of Proverbs indicates we need to Guard, Stay Smart, and Always Protect in God's Wisdom. In order to have God's wisdom, we have to know it. He makes it very clear that we must Bloom right where we are each and every minute of the day. We must protect, guard, nurture, regenerate, rest, know, and apply.

If you need to bloom or bless people right where you are, then take heed. Let God feed, water, fertilize, protect, and start all over again tomorrow.

No problem, just remember, YOU can do all things in Him who strengthens you. No matter what crisis, family dynamic, or economical woe you have, He sustains. He goes before you, He walks with you, He protects you, He loves you. Regenerate, bloom right where you are.

August!

What can I say, it is August already. Whew! It is flying by everyone.

This is a short note today - to let you know, I have a website now. Will be working on it for awhile. Bringing the information parts up to par etc.

Any feedback is welcome!

www.faith2enterprises.com

emails: shirley@Faith2Enterprises.com and or counselor@Faith2Enterprises.com

Eph 4: 23:

And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude)

COMFORT ZONES! CHANGE EM' UP!

Besides a need to get a new attitude periodically, which I hope you all know how to do; it helps get your mojo back! If you don't know how, read on! I have been working on that whole prospect of "IT IS WHAT IT IS - DEAL WITH IT!"

It takes in Attitude, Distorted Thinking, Humidity/Irritability Syndrome (New coined phrase - originated by yours truly) and getting out of your comfort zone. Change it up once in awhile.

When I taught Stress Management at IPFW, I got lots of looks from students when I said, take lots of mini vacations. When I finally got their attention and now yours, I went on to advise that it can be anything. It needs to be something you can do whatever place in life you are. Can you walk out on your pier and go fishing, maybe some can. Take a walk around the block, go get a yogurt, swing on your porch, go to a $1.00 movie, take the boat out with friends and eat snacks. When my mother was in the nursing home, I would take a walk around the block there when I couldn't take the smells or sounds.

It is something so many of us don't regulate. We just take in the stress, take in the comments, take in the stuff.

Friday, I got to take a day out. I had gone on a mental cruise, but now physically, I went to my friend's camper site at Grass Lake. We talked, played with Rudy, ate, and paddled around on a float. Now watching "older" women get in and out of float is quite a mini vacation by itself. Don't try this at home. They aren't kidding.

Then John and I got out of our COMFORT ZONES and went to the Tin Caps Baseball Extravaganza in Ft. Wayne. Neither one of us avid Baseball fans, but we wanted to try something new. Our other COMFORT ZONE trial was getting on a train shuttle at Atlanta to go downtown, and couldn't even figure out how to pay to get on, let alone where to get off. What an experience at the Tin Caps - Parkview Field. If you haven't been there, you need to go. They have a Disneyworld experience waiting for you all.

ALL kinds of food vendors. Games and areas for kids. Picnic areas for families. Fund Raiser - Silent Auction for the Boys and Girls Club. Carl Erskine was featured speaker, and singer. Fireworks. Games and entertainment between each inning. We sat by the TC's dug out and so we interacted with the players which were a eyeball away at all times. I felt rested and that I had accomplished something I never do. And, I did it without one complaint. Ha. So, that is how you get your MOJO back. Do something, create something to take you off task for a bit. Something new. Pray lots!

Have a good week and remember - IT IS WHAT IT IS - DEAL WITH IT!

NOT BACK YET!

STILL OUT TO SEA! SORRY!

IT IS TAKING JUST A LITTLE LONGER THEN I THOUGHT IT WOULD.

SOON THOUGH, I WILL BE BACK TO PICK UP THE REST OF YOU WHO NEED TO GO OUT!

DESIRING A NEW HEART ATTITUDE?

It would be so FABULOUS and DELICIOUS to gather up everyone and just sail away for a few weeks. The Princess Emerald in Jekyll Island looks just like the Odyssey up at Navy Pier. Every so many years, John and I take that 4-hour cruise and come back so refreshed from a great dinner and some dancing past the Chicago sky-line.

Ah! Oh Well! But, here we are, trapped in our houses next to the air conditioner, praying for fall and cooler weather. Then in March we pray for warmer weather. What we really need is a new attitude!!!! Some of us have lots more serious things on our mind, don't we. I have been processing a multitude of heavy things. Counselee's, family, politics, etc. What is life going to be like for us down the road?

Then I picked up Joyce Meyers monthly magazine. Oops! Most of it has to do with our attitudes, distorted thinking, and heart attitude. So, I am going to sum it up here as best I can. Nothing too original, but the current times bring such distractions and worries. Even the most studious can get blindsided. And, I did this past week get blindsided. It has been glorious to process my journey back and Turn My Eyes Upon Jesus. That song came to me this morning as I was preparing for church. Pastor Stuart talked about FEAR and that "God does not have SWEAT on His brow!" Then we sang Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.

So, here are some questions and scriptures you could think about and perhaps journal this week:

Proverbs 4: 23 Guard Your Heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

1. What do you think it means by "heart" in Prov.4: 23


2. Name some of the things that are distracting you or have distracted you from guarding your Heart!

"You are blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world." Matthew 5: 8 (MSG)

Guarding your Heart, watching out for distorted thinking, and keeping a right heart attitude today seems to be a 24/7 job. I get it when people say to me, they get tired fighting the good fight. The temptations to just abandon God's Word and flop down in the mud puddle gets overwhelming.

3. What are you willing to do to stay the course. Psalm 25: 15. For my eyes are ever on the Lord, for He alone releases my feet from the snare.

Write a prayer about what you want to give up worrying about, being irritated about
and focus on the only person with the keys to get out of jail. Jesus Christ.

It takes Conviction, Commitment, and Change. He loves a willing lover of His heart!

Have a wonderful week.

INCEPTION and a NEW APPLICATION!

This past Sunday, we and some friends went to see Leonard De Caprio's movie INCEPTION.

It is a theory about how to place a thought in someone's mind while they are sleeping to change their mind or perceptions about a specific event. The idea was to help a specific corporate mogul to understand his now deceased father. To bring about a different emotional result and ideally bring peace to his mind. The secondary theme was to also help Leonard break free from his own perception that he could join his dead wife by going to a stream of consciousness and make restitution. He was sure he had given her an idea that created her choice to die. Now the majority of people watching this movie probably were entertained by its intensity and state of the art special affects.

My point and take on what I watched needed to have a spiritual reason for being. So let me give you my idea of Inception. Here is what I saw, limited as I am perhaps, but still I drew a perception that is cleverly housed in this theory, Hollywood style.

PROVERBS 23: 7 - For as he (or she) thinks in his (her) heart, SO IS HE (SHE)!

II COR. 10: 5 - (inasmuch as we) refute arguments and theories and reasoning's and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

PSALM 25: 15 - My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

And, there you have it a small nutshell. I suppose I could really explore and analyze all the necessary scriptures we need to be sure - WE ONLY TAKE IN THE INCEPTION OF GOD'S WORD.

"TAKE IN THE INCEPTION OF GOD'S WORD"

Guard your heart, your mind, your actions. It all starts with a thought, the thought turns into a perception and that perception will manifest itself into an action.
Not all perceptions are bad, not all thoughts are bad. I know you know what I mean.

We get ideas about people, perceptions and beliefs that we have had for years. Our enemy loves to flick inceptions into our personalities. I am just saying - Watch what you treasure in your mind. Guard it, prove it by God's Word and Truth. Ask Him to show you the Truth in all thoughts, Words and Actions. Easier said then done, but trust me, after all these many years, I have experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly. Whether, in your immediate family, career, friends, or church. We must always watch the inception of any thought.

HOT! HOT! HOT!

What a Hot Week!

How are you holding up in this heat. I am not even going to talk about all the ridiculous things I have done this week. It is embarrassing. Ha. Anyway, hope your week was calm and cool.

Had a wonderful visit with long time friend Joell Prether from Seattle area of Washington state. A year ago I was sweating it out in Portland, Oregon at my cousin's Gwen and Doug VanZanten. Naturally, it is cooler there this year. Joell had flown out out to see her mom a year ago while I was out there. This year, she came up to see us today. It has been 21 years since she was here. Way too long. It sure didn't seem like it had been that long.

Have a wonderful weekend, and talk to you later.

I will be processing this week and trying to make sense of it. Let you know what I come up with.

Shirl

HOT!

WHAT A WEEK!

I CAN SEE IT NOW! Shih'Tzu Arrested for Huffing Grass!

Isn't it good we just keep learning new things. Cause when we're done, we're done.

My ten-year-old Shih'Tzu has a sensitive digestion system, and long story short, we ended up at the vet twice this week, and she and I both were up all night two of those days. It ended up on Thursday at 3:30 with violent sneezing when blades of grass began to emit from her nose, with intermittent sprays of blood. Scared doesn't cover the emotions I felt. No one had ever seen this happen before. Upset stomach, brings on eating grass, eating grass brings on gagging and throwing up, only it aspirated and lodged in her sinus cavity. It could be a funny story, and I suggest you go right ahead and laugh. I don't ever want to see that again. Even the vet learned a new thing from this event. I do not like setting precedents. By Friday I was glad to have noted TGIF.

Since I have ended the week by entertaining yours, I would like to say goodbye to my Uncle Arthur "Bud" Grande. He passed away on July 4th and as I look back on what part he played in my life, I honor his work ethic and family ethic. Family was everything. Every night after picking and hauling huge mountain stones away in California, he would arrive home to his "Rosy Riveter" wife, Marie. She really was one of those women during World War II. They would have cheese and crackers and their little cocktails. Talk over the day and exchange funny stories. I got to watch that in 2001 when I was there. He is walking with God tonight. The last of the Old Time Grande's. As I mentioned, just us cousins left. So, I repeat some of that, only to add that in any given week, we gain some, we lose some, but WE ALWAYS LEARN. Always look for what you can learn. What does God want me to get this week and how can I apply it and teach it to someone else. Am I blessing someone today by what I say, smile or pray?

Isaiah 41: 10
Amplified

"Fear Not. . .for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you (to difficulties); yes, I will hold you up and retain you with my victorious right hand of rightness and justice"

Lord, I choose to live my life by walking with You. I trust You with everything in my life. (From: Hinds Feet on High Places - must reading)

A new week is coming tomorrow. We never know on Saturday night what the next week can bring any of us. Fear Not!

HOT! HOT! HOT!

Goodness:

Just like that we went from wet, storms, and cool to HOT-HOT-HOT!

I don't know about you, but I had to hunker down a little this noon. Did not feel good at all. John and I went swimming and then I felt much better. Just got off skype with my favorite cousin Gwen in Portland. It hardly seems real, it has already been a year since I traveled to Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Wish I could do that again. Her husband does the books for different business men and they then, let Gwen and Doug stay in their mansions on the coast. How fantastic. It is currently 65 degrees in Portland. I could not believe it. We talked about the passing of our Uncle Bud Grande in California. My mom's brother, her now deceased - father's brother. The last Grande standing. He passed away at age 88, yesterday, July 4th at 3AM. When I traveled to Portland last year, it would be the last time I saw Aunt Ruthie alive (Gwen's mother) and her brother Denny. They have since passed on as of last August 21st, and April 15th of this year. Way too much loss in the last few years. Even though they are now present with the Lord, I missed out on spending time with everyone in my family. So I believe we need to utilize every moment of life and cherish family as they say.

So, how was your holiday weekend. We enjoyed the Holiday Pops Philharmonic at the outdoor theatre with the Covells, Friday night. Saturday was date day, and we shopped, ate at Granite City and saw "Karate Kid". What a fabulous movie full of great acting and a touching story. The fourth was spent with Ellen and her two children Jordan and Emily. Jordan set off Fireworks for us at 9:30 and then we later watched the Boston Fireworks on TV - which were the great end to a very patriotic weekend.

It is good to celebrate our heritage. In God We Trust! Joyce and Jack Covell stopped in last night for the fireworks and she mentioned that at church, they heard a lot about In God We Trust! Or do we? And, what has happened to our nation? Another topic at another time.

Hope you are all well and truly celebrating coolness.

IRON SHARPENS IRON!

It is that time of night, I should be in the bathtub soaking out the Max Walk-Off Class I went to at 4:15. Whoa! What women subject themselves to in order to fit into their clothes. Like they say, "I bit off more than I could chew." Actually, I am not sure I could walk all the way to the bathtub right now. You laugh, I am not!!

What a beautiful day. On days when it is 75 and no humidity, I can't experience enough. I want to work out, work in the garden, fly to Chicago for lunch, go shopping, do it all.
Hope it was good for you, whether inside or out. Each day I gain a little more towards getting my blog straightened up, facebook knowledge, and now we are launching a website. New Logo, mission statement, new photos, mission statement and design of the actual website are in the works. All thanks to my friend, Lori DeWitt, my personal graphic artist - John, and putting all our ideas together - Faith2Enterprises.com is arriving.

IRON SHARPENS IRON - PROVERBS 27: 17

"Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (to show rage or worthy purpose).

In sharing this concept with you, I would have to start with how that intrigued me and why?

A morning this spring I was reading a devotion from Joyce Meyer. It took me aback when I realized what she was saying about what this means. When I read that many other times over the last 37 years, I visualized the obvious. A thick, heavy club of iron that would be used in old time shaping of horse hooves or oxen memorabilia.

You may have had the right vision. And, I finally got it penetrated through my thick skull that this is really about each one of us being that instrument of God that hones and shapes our friends. Or not! It is our challenge, therefore to be that image and God-like challenge in the people (friends and family). It is imperative, as I see it, that we evaluate each and every day. . .are we being that good influence in those around us. Praying for them, checking on them, confronting when necessary, teaching, loving them to be motivated to be more like Christ each day. AND. . .are they sharpening us? It gets tricky here. God wants us to always be on the look out for those who need to hear about the Way, The Truth, and the Life!

Therefore, the challenge really is - If I am being pulled down, walking around in a toxic emotional drain pool, and pulled into a whirlpool of evil; it is not workable. Iron does not sharpen iron. If this is how you evaluate it, then you must think seriously about how to distance yourself from that situation (person). Yes, I realize what I am saying. Sound judgmental? Let me assure you, 7X 70 does apply. But, even Jesus shook his sandals outside his own home town because it became too toxic and hard hearted.

It takes a lot of prayer and seeking God for the truth. I have had to ask myself some very important questions this year about several situations. I believe God has released me from those situations. You need to consider all aspects. How long have you been involved with this person or situation even a job? Have I tried everything?
Confronting, praying, fasting, gotten counsel. If you have, then seek God for release. I believe this verse proves that He will show you.

You are all welcomed to make comments. I am sure there could be some raised eyebrows here.

It will be another gorgeous day tomorrow. Carpe Dium!

AFTER THE PARTY GLOW!

Hard to believe isn't it? A 55th High School Reunion. John's that is! Friday night Jim Covell threw a catered meal - free to everyone at Eckhart Park. The Class of 1955, Auburn High School. About 40 came. Some brought spouses. I mention that, because it is really surreal to watch all these 70 something people always act like they just saw each other the other day. 55 years ago. I have never seen such unity of spirit. I enjoy all of them. That was my 8th visit to their class reunion. They laugh, they never get bored of sharing stories, and are always interested in each others lives. Many have lost spouses to cancer, or illnesses. The new spouse is as welcomed as the first or second one.

Today, we seem to be better at accepting changes in life. We are exposed to so many different paths in today's world. Some voluntary and others involuntary. In my book Fretting, Fussing, Stewing, & Steering I wrote a chapter on "Getting Up to the Resurrection or Getting Up to the Tomb! We have a choice every day to suck a lemon or make lemonade. Many times I wonder what happened to the days of sitting on the pier, or porch and drinking lemonade, reading a book, thinking about what to have for supper. Not today. I don't have major answers about why it has changed, we just have a lot of input from outside sources. Ex-wives, blended family problems, changing jobs, changing generations. There is probably the biggest part of it all. Changing generations. And, so, I am impressed with the "Builders" (Pre-war - World WarII The Greatest Generation. They are making lemonade.

Topics to be discussed ahead:

Changing Generations: Whats up with Generation Y and X
Iron Sharping Iron
Proverbs 27: 17

Remember our God is an awesome God. Enjoy your day Sunday!

"WHEN YOU CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK. . .

AT THINGS, THE THINGS YOU LOOK AT . . .CHANGE!" Dr. Wayne Dwyer

It's Thursday - TGIT'S almost FRIDAY! That is one way to look at things isn't it?
I have a theory about Thursdays. Thursday is a teaser night, you know? You have been going like a crazy person all week keeping up with each "tyranny of the urgent". You are pretty sure you don't have enough to go one more minute, yet the weekend is almost here. You can see the mirage way off in the distance, and you keep crawling towards the hope that maybe, just maybe the weekend is not going to be at all like the week was.

So, how do I change the way I look at Thursdays, so when I get there - hmmm! It's not so
bad. You perk up and get excited about Friday. On a serious note, I love this saying, it has a lot to consider. Perspective, perspective, perspective! You can get up to the Tomb or you can can get up to the Resurrection each morning. We all have that choice.
Think about that tomorrow morning, or any morning. I can change the way I look at things, or I can grit my teeth and scowl till I get through the day.

It's been a mixed bag all day today. So when I woke up, I wanted to cover my head up and choose to stay hidden. I chose to change the way I looked at that. I wanted the instructor at Fitzone during Walk-Off to DISAPPEAR! Man that was hard today! It is Thursday you know. I am loosing energy. But, I survived. And, then after a very powerful prayer time with two of my good friends, I knew. . .choice to change the way I look at things. God's wonderful plan, after all. That we get it. That we apply all these wonderful truth's. Don't you just love how He uses The Word and people like Dr. Wayne. Live Laugh Love. Learn - Apply - Breathe.

Good night and enjoy your weekend!

I get to go to two Class reunion get togethers with John and listen to all the operations, and Dr. appointments everyone has had over the last five years. Oh yeah, I forgot, I can choose to change how I look at that. Ha. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE DAY!

Hot days can be productive! Dakota got to go to the Pet Lodge today to visit her friends and get lots of long walks. I hurried on to Fitzone for a round of cardio fitness. I mention all these trivial pursuits, because sometimes we just need to love doing them. And, I did today. Right down to getting new frames for a pair of broken glasses, shopping for Dakota at Pet Supplies Plus, getting an iced coffee and picking up some Mary Higgens Clark books at the Novel Bookstore at Northcrest. If that wasn't fun all by itself, I picked up Emily and Jordan and we headed for the country. Jordan helped John refurbish our tired old screen door and Emily and began our book project.

WHISPERING WOODS: THE TALE OF MORGAN AND THE BULLY
written and illustrated by E.M. Ross
co-authored / photography by Faith

AN EXCERPT JUST FOR YOU:

(First page - Chapter one - "Wondering" (picture of little girl looking at the woods)

"Go outdoors Morgan, her mother began, explore and get some fresh air."
"Oh, alright mother, can I take Chevy with me?" asked Morgan
"Yes, of course," said her mom
Morgan smiled and marched out the door with her beloved doll, Chevy. She stared across the lake and started wondering if she should follow her instincts and go explore the woods. Just then, she heard a faint humming in the distance. Still clutching her doll, she began to walk slowly towards the woods. The humming got louder and it rang in her ears. She wondered again, 'who was there with her?'


to be continued -

What fun we had just getting that far. I do have to point out that today, when you work with a 10 year-old, you do things in between phone calls and texting.

My book project begins tomorrow as I retool 6 chapters in particular. The title of the book is "Fretting, Fussing, Stewing, and Steering" Celebrating Victory through the Pain. After talking with an agent for Believers Press-Bethany House, I am going to focus on those chapters. I will be interweaving my story and others about how you can achieve victory over stinkin' thinkin'.

Spending time with the Lord last Thursday on the trails at Pokagon, it became clear that I also wanted women to know HOW to declare Forgiveness and learn how to declare Spiritual Warfare. So, more on that later. How many ways can I say God is awesome and I am humbled by His plan for my life. The challenge for us all, people, is we need to be open to His plan, see it, and then do it.

Goodnight

from Faithvoice

WELCOME TO MY FIRST VOICE!

Hello out there!

This is my first attempt at my own blog. Hang in there with me, as I explore how it should look, what pictures, and what voice.

I will want to share my heart for the times we are in, sharing hinds feet on hinds places with you, and some exerts from my writings.

God Bless and talk to you later.

FaithVoiceTwo!