Blessings Celebration - 18 Years

The year was 2000. The month, October. I can see the apartment as though I was standing in it right now. The green sofa facing the window. The TV in the far right corner. It was late at night, and I was working on getting a book ready for the printer. The deadline was in the morning. I hadn't been feeling well, as I had bronchitis. Over most of it not, just a deep cough remained.

Uncomfortable, I repositioned myself to sit up more on the sofa so I could continue working. Then I coughed. I felt an explosion in my back. Slowly I rolled off of the sofa, onto the floor. I laid there, trying to get up the strength and courage to move. Finally, I rolled over and crawled back to the sofa and slowly stood up. Gingerly, I walked to the bathroom, to get ready for bed. 

The morning came all too quickly. The pain in the back was intense and that made getting ready and to the Office very difficult. I finished the book and sent the file to the Pre-press department, and I prepared to go home. 

A friend saw me and noticed that I was hurting. She mentioned that she knew a great chiropractor and even had a free first visit coupon. That was the first of MANY blessings that God would provide along this journey. 

Had I known on October 25, 2000, what the next 18 years would hold......well, I don't think I would have made it passed that first night. BUT GOD—He knows when and how to send encouragement along the way! The blessings are abundant and my God is a gracious God who loves me! 

Please join me on this Blessings Celebration day, and take time to thank God for His goodness, and count your blessings! 

You, O Eternal, are the One who lays all good things in the laps

of the right-hearted. Your blessings surround them like a shield.

Psalm 5:12 (VOICE)

Blessings Celebration! 17 Years

It's time to celebrate God's goodness! 

17 years. 
Next week, I'll enjoy my Blessings Celebration day, as I reflect on all the amazing blessings that God has given me over the past 17 years. Why only 17 years? Because it was on Oct 25, 2000, that I injured my back it led to me being given the title of "chronic pain sufferer".

"Create a positive day!" is more than just a by-line. It's a constant frame of mind that reminds me to see God's blessings each and every day. 

17 years.  Each year when I reflect on God's blessings, I'm overwhelmed by His goodness and mercy. I am also amazed at the wonderful surprises that God has given me. 
I enjoyed a ride in the Goodyear Blimp. I was in the pits at 2 NASCAR races, and I was at the Drivers Intro Stage during another race and was able to witness the swearing in of some Military heroes. Oh, and I live in a Castle with a Prince. :-) 
As I reflect on God's blessings, I continue to be amazed at God's creativity in supplying my needs. A pharmacy mistake provided me with a free very expensive medication. Contest wins provided some needs, and just fun encouragement, as well as gifts for others. Refunds that were 5 years in coming (medical bill overpaid). And so many other wonderful and creative ways that God supplied and still does. 

17 years. I'm thankful that God didn't tell me on Oct 25, 2000, that I'd be living in pain for 17 years plus. At that point and time, it would have been too overwhelming. Oh, but God knew that. 
17 years.  God has supplied each need and even wants along the way. And I'm so extremely thankful for His love and care. 

17 years.  "If God really loves you, He'd heal you." Really??! God has the power to heal me, yes. However, sometimes He chooses not to heal. There are many reasons why that I can think of, but God has His own very good reasons! One thing that I do know is that God has allowed my pain so that my faith and trust in Him would grow deeper. He has also allowed my pain so that I can come alongside others and encourage them. God has allowed my pain to put me in places so that I could share God's love. 

17 years.  There is much to celebrate! Please join me in taking time to reflect on God's blessings in your life. 

It's time to celebrate God's goodness!

Blessings Celebration: 15 Years

There are moments in time that are etched into our minds. One of those moments for me happened on October 25, 2000. I remember the dark green sofa on which I was reclining. I remember trying to get work done to meet a deadline, in spite of battling bronchitis. I remember the deep coughing and then a searing burning sharp intense pain. I remember rolling off the sofa onto the floor in pain. I remember trying to get up and realizing that it was just too painful to move. I remember....... 

Over the past 15 years, I remember the numerous tests, procedures, surgeries, visits to specialists and the chronic pain and headaches. 

I also remember the amazing and wonderful blessings that God has showered upon me over the past 15 years. WOW! When I stop to reflect on those blessing, I can't but celebrate God's goodness. 

A few weeks ago I read Psalm 21:1-3.

The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.

I really like that phrase, "meet him with blessings of goodness." As I reflect back over the past 15 years on all the blessings of goodness that God has given me, I can't help but praise Him. 

A few highlights of the Blessings of Goodness that God has given over the past 15 years. 

• 1. Awesome Doctors.
• 2. A friend who gracious opened her home to me, so that I could live within 5 min of a Dr. who would see me twice a day for a few weeks. And she has continued to be an encouragement to me over the years. 
• 3. Spending time at my Sister's home following surgery and rehab. (God even made sure I was at the same rehab center that my sister would spend time at years later. That allowed me to know what my sister would be doing and experiencing.) 
• 4. A ride in the Good Year Blimp. (Yep, really!)
• 5. Introduction to an amazing FRIEND! And the friendship as grown stronger over the years. Truly a blessing from God. 
• 6. A pharmacy mistake that led to them paying for an expensive medication! (A total God thing!)
• 7. Contest wins..... oh so many! Some I enjoyed, some I passed along as gifts and some I was able to sell to help pay bills. Some of the highlights include: a bike, a HUGE grill, NASCAR grandstand tickets (which God changed to PIT Passes), tickets to a musical show, gift cards to restaurants, grocery stores, online shops, t-shirts, hats, autographed items... the list goes on and on!
• 8. Timing. God's timing is always perfect. From using geese to keep me from leaving (that delay kept me from an accident), or car repairs delaying a car purchase until the right one was ready. To me moving to Florida and getting settled-in so that I could be here to help my parents during my Mom's hospitalization. To leading me to a different vehicle as I'll be driving my parents around. God is always on time, never late! 
• 9. The Castle. I still am in awe that God made way to provide this awesome home for my parents and I. As I think through the details that God worked through and all that God taught me, all I can say is... "Thank you, Lord!" (Read about it here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html.)
• 10. And I can't forget Max, my parakeet. God gave him to me on April 2003 for my birthday. Max provided many laughs and silly companionship over the years. Max died on August 28, 2015 of a heart attack. I'm so thankful for all the fun memories I have of that silly little bird.

Meet him with Blessings of Goodness. 

I can honestly say, that God has met me with MANY blessings of goodness over the past 15 years. Very thankful for God's blessings of goodness! 

2011 Blessings Celebration!

Wow! Where did the past year go? It seems like I was JUST writing about all the awesome things God planned for my 2010 Blessings Celebration—the Damaris Carbaugh concert and the Grill prize pack.
 

This year, my celebration started early. On Sept 28th, a friend and I attended "My Fair Lady" at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL.

As I was planning this part of my Blessings Celebration, once again God sent His special blessings! First, the Theatre was able to accommodate my need to stand. Secondly, they gave me a great deal on the tickets. I thought it would be nice to enjoy something to eat before our show, I went online and found the River's Edge Cafe. They graciously responded to my email concerning my diet (vegan, gluten-free) with, "yes, we have several vegan and gluten-free options!". YEAH! God is so good at taking care of ALL the details!

So, the Blessings Celebration was set. 

On Sept 28th, my friend and I arrived in Aurora and the first thing God provided was the PERFECT parking spot! It was as close as you could get to the theatre, and just a short block from the Cafe. And since it was a Handicap spot, we didn't have a meter to feed.

We parked and enjoyed the short walk to River's Edge Cafe. What a wonderful place to enjoy a meal! I highly recommend it. Their hummus is the best I've tasted. WOW— what a great meal. And yes, there was even a "high" table for me. God doesn't miss a single detail.

After we ate, we walked over to the Theatre and picked up our tickets at the box office. 

"My Fair Lady" was amazing. The live orchestra, the set design, and the performers all did such a professional, and "spot on" job. WOW!

Pictures courtesy of Paramount Theatre.

I couldn't think of a better way to Celebrate God's wonderful blessings—great company, yummy food, and an awesome (& I mean AWESOME) performance of "My Fair Lady". Pain level was extreme by the end of the day, but it was so much fun celebrating!

Can't believe that was already a month ago. Now that it is Oct 25th and as I reflect over this past year, there have been times of pain & sadness, but there have also been times of overwhelming joy because of God's amazing blessings. Watch for a post soon with more details.

Take a moment to reflect on God's blessings in your life—you may actually be surprised at how many He has sent your way! There is no better way to create a positive day, than to praise God for His goodness to you!