Celebrate My Birthday - $5.40 or more!

On April 18, 2018, I'll be celebrating my 54th Birthday! This year, I'd really like to do something very special. My friend Jami is battling Lyme Disease. Her medical treatments are not covered by insurance so are very costly. To help her take a bite out of Lyme disease and her treatment costs, I'd like to ask for a donation of $5.40 or more! 

$5.40 isn't much. Just a specialty coffee drink, or a fast-food meal. But working together, we can make those $5.40 donations add up to make a difference for Jami! 

Please mail your donation to:
Rhonda Sawtelle
Attn: Jami's Battle
2048 Kings Xing SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

If you have any questions, please email me at createpositive@att.net. 

Thank you so much for your donation and spreading the word. I'll be collecting donations through April 30, 2018. 

Thank you! 

Happy First Birthday, Prince!

On Feb. 14, 2017, I met a charming kitty. His name was Prince and he needed a castle to call home. I knew of a nice castle that needed a Prince! So, I invited Prince to come live at The Castle. He has settled in very nicely and has made it his home. 
Today, Oct. 14, 2017, Prince celebrates his first birthday! Happy Birthday, Prince!

Very Blessed!

Intimately and Fully Acquainted

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 1. Here is what I learned.

For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought). Psalm 1:6 (AMP)

God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row. Psalm 1:6 (MSG)

The Lord is intimately acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is destroyed. Psalm 1:6 (CEB)

As the Hebrew hath it yet more fully, "The Lord is knowing the way of the righteous." He is constantly looking on their way, and though it may be often in mist and darkness, yet the Lord knoweth it. If it be in the clouds and tempest of affliction, he understandeth it. He numbereth the hairs of our head; he wilt not Suffer any evil to befall us. "He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10. The Treasury of David

Intimately and fully acquainted. Constantly looking on their way. God knows exactly what is happening in my life, nothing comes as a surprise to God. He knew me before I was born.... 49 years ago today! 

God knew about me and He knows about me... but more than just knowing ABOUT me, He wants to KNOW me. He wants to get acquainted with me. And I can have a relationship with God because of His gift of salvation. Since I placed my trust and faith in God I am His child. 

God knows about me. God knows me. God has a plan specifically designed for me. 

God is intimately and fully acquainted with me—that FACT makes my day positive—indeed! 

Celebrating my Birthday!

Today is my birthday!

The celebration has been wonderful.

This year, God gave me a new Don Moen CD! Last night, I learned that I won a contest for his newest CD—Uncharted Territory! How cool! I have a few of Don's CDs and enjoy them very much. So, I'm excited about receiving his newest CD.

I also received several cards from family and friends—love the variety of the cards and the encouraging notes. Many friends posted greetings on FaceBook. And I also received several gifts. One gift is a framed art work of Proverbs 3:5-6 created by Timothy Botts. Mr. Botts is an amazing and very talented artist.

Today, I was able to enjoy time and lunch with a great friend. God even provided a restaurant where I could enjoy a good meal without cheating on my diet! (That was very important to me, since I've lost a total of 20 lb so far. I still have more weight to lose, but since the Moore Health Ideal Weight Loss program is working, I really didn't want to cheat and delay my progress.)

(The last picture is Jake, my server, and me. Jake did a superb job of making sure our meal was very enjoyable.) 

And of course, Max provided some extra laughs today. It was 9 years ago that God gave me Max as my birthday gift. Max has learned a new sound. It's a soft and sweet whistle. When I say, "Pretty whistle", Max will whistle this new sound. I love it.

As I think back over today, I am truly blessed by God. It's so very special to be His child. Creating a positive day is very enjoyable when I'm counting my blessings!

Happy 9th Birthday Max!

Happy 9th birthday, Max!

God gave Max to me for my birthday in 2003. Max, even though a little bird, provides many laughs. He is also a great reminder how much God cares for me.

Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than bird? Matthew 6:26 (Contemporary English Version)

So, as I celebrate Max's birthday today, I'll also celebrate God's amazing love. And a day that is focused on God's unconditional love for me, is a positive day!

Isn't every day special?

Tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be 46-years-old. I've had many well wishes for a "special day". (Thank you for each of them!)

That made me realize

that every day can be special.

Yesterday, the weather was BEAUTIFUL. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping (including Max). As I went about my day, saw my Chiropractor and then enjoyed a lunch at Red Robin, I was greeted with many smiles. It was nice to share smiles and even a few laughs with other customers at Red Robin.

Reflecting back on the day, 

I'd have to say it was a special day. 

Today, is another Spring day. Although a bit cooler, the sun is shining. Several people went out of their way to help me today. A stranger knew I needed boxes, so went out of his way to save them at his place of work. When I arrived at the store, he even brought them out to my car. Another person ran after a box that went flying across the parking lot! Another held open a door. It's amazing how special a day is when others reach out to help (and I let them; but that's another topic). When the tasks at hand were done, we shared some smiles and thanks and went our separate ways each a bit happier. 

So, will Sunday, April 18 be special? Yes, I think.....no.....I KNOW it will be. No matter the weather. No matter what I do. No matter my pain level. No matter the circumstances I find myself.

The day will be special because
I can reflect on God's goodness. 

He has showered me with blessings and just reflecting on them makes any day special.

Creating a positive day, on April 18th, should be easy! However, often on the "planned special days", Satan works over time trying to discourage me. The best way to make the "special days" really special is to make God a BIG part of the day—including watching for those special blessings from God! He has ways of sending blessings which are all to often missed because of my preconceived expectations.

As I enjoy my birthday...MY SPECIAL day....

I want to create habits

to make every day SPECIAL!

And I hope you will join me!