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 - 16 years.

As I was reflecting on the past 16 years..... Wow. There were disappointments, frustrations, discouragements, and pain (lots of that), BUT..... there were also amazing experiences, overwhelming blessings, great encouragement, and still pain. 

However, as bad as the pain gets, the joy never diminishes. The joy is always there supplied by God! 

As I read through the Psalms, I love how David tells God how bad things are.... then David changes his focus to how good God is and who God is, and the characteristics of God. 

In reality bad things happen, and we can acknowledge them when they do happen. But we can't stop there. We need to remember to turn our focus back to God and in doing so, will open our hearts to God's amazing joy! 

16 years. Looking forward to all that God has planned for this next year and what wonderful blessings I'll celebrate on October 25, 2017. 

Thanks Living! Making sure that I don't lose focus of who God is and all that He is doing in my life.

Blessings Celebration Day!

This morning, I was thinking back over the past 16 years, and one thing that I LOVE is remembering the creativity of God in suppling each and every need and the fun surprises along the way. 

The details that God orchestrated to make sure everything was in place at just the exact moment it was needed. From places to stay, to Drs, to paying for medications, to the much needed fun adventures — including a ride in the Goodyear Blimp! (Yes, that REALLY happened!), to friends who came along side to support, encourage, and one very special friend who drove me to appointments whether in state or out of state. Just when I thought that God couldn't surprise me ..... He would! 

Only God could take a "grand stand" ticket and make it into a HOT PASS at a NASCAR race. (That was just awesome!) Only God could make a pharmacy pay for my medication. (YEP! And it was an EXPENSIVE one too.) Only God ......... 

so many cool and amazing gifts, adventures, and wonderful ways God each and every need.

I love taking time each year to reflect on God's amazing goodness. Each year, I continue to be overwhelmed the blessings that God has given me. I am a Princess of the King of kings, and I am blessed abundantly!

Thanks Living. Taking time to remember all that God has done. 

Thanks Living. Taking time to praise God for His goodness and blessings.

Today is the 16 Anniversary of my back injury. Today is not a day to focus on the pain, rather a day to focus on all the amazing and wonderful blessings God has given me over the past 16 years.

Please join me in my Blessings Celebration! Let's count our blessings... name them one by one!

Blessing Celebration 2016!

Blessings Celebration! 

Thanks Living! 

October 25, 2000. 

A day that changed my life in more ways than I can count. A day that began a journey filled with twists and turns. A day that  started me on a journey that God designed to accomplish His purpose in and through me. 

October 25, 2000 I coughed and felt a searing hot pain in my lower back. A pain so intense it literally put me on the floor. 

Now it's October 2016—12 surgeries and too many injections, treatments, and other medical procedures to count later — the pain remains. 

BUT—during these past 16 years God has showered me with the most amazing blessings! I stand in awe of His goodness to me. 

Each year, in October I enjoy a BLESSING CELEBRATION! It's a time to reflect, not on the pain, but rather what God is doing because of the pain. It's a time to reflect on God's outpouring of blessings! 

Psalm 21:1-3 sums it up! (Replace "king" with "princess", for I am a child of the King of kings! I am God's princess—who is wonderfully blessed!) 

Psalm 21:1-3 (VOICE)

The king {princess} is glad because You, O Eternal, are strong. In light of Your salvation, he is singing Your name. You have given him {the princess} all he {she} could wish for. After hearing his {her} prayer, You withheld nothing. [pause] True blessings You lavished upon the king {princess}; a crown of precious gold You placed upon his {her} head.

Thanks Living! Noticing God's blessings.

Thanks Living! Praising and giving thanks for who God is, and all He is doing in my life. 

Blessing Celebration 16 years!

Thanks Living. 

Each year in October I take time to reflect and focus on all the blessings that God has given me. This October 25 will be the 16th anniversary of my back injury. Sixteen years. 

I remember Oct 25, 2000 very clearly. Although at times it would have been nice to know the future God had planned for me, God in His wisdom, knew it was best I didn't know. I needed to trust Him daily and rely on Him. 

As I was thinking back this morning and studying Psalm 30:5 "joy comes in the morning." I remember so clearly those dark painful times—and thinking, "would morning ever come again?" Where is the joy? Will I ever know joy again? Or has the all-consuming-pain robbed me of joy forever? 

I realized I had a choice to make. The pain wasn't going away. But I could escape the dark, lonely, despair of the night! How? By making a choice — by choosing to remember the facts I know about God Almighty. By understanding who God is and that He really is in control and He has a plan and purpose for me—I could begin to see the dawning of the morning. The plan and purpose of my life—to glorify Him in all I do, say, think, and how I live my life—would allow the morning to dawn and bring with it God's joy. 

Thanks Living. Taking time in the midst of the dark times of pain and despair to remember who God Almighty is and His plan of my life. 

Thanks Living. That even in the midst of pain, God really does give joy and peace. 

Thanks Living. Taking the time to celebrate God and His amazing goodness toward me. 

Thanks Living. Celebrate God's blessings in my life and give Him the praise and honor for who He is and all He does. 

Psalm 30:5 (VOICE): His wrath, you see, is fleeting, but His grace lasts a lifetime. The deepest pains may linger through the night, but joy greets the soul with the smile of morning.

Psalm 30:5 (GW): His anger lasts only a moment. His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may last for the night, but there is a song of joy in the morning.

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! 

Blessings Celebration Day 2014!

There are some days that we never forget. One of those days for me is Oct 25, 2000. That was the day I injured my back. At the time, little did I know all that God had planned as He started me on a new journey. It is now Oct 25, 2014...12 back surgeries and too many to count procedures and treatments later. 

Chronic pain demands attention. By that I mean it makes you change the way you live. Because pain demands attention, I knew that I would have to work hard to keep my focus on the positive. Thus, my philosophy, "Create a Positive Day!".

Each year on the anniversary of my injury, I take time to CELEBRATE the blessings God has given me over the past year. Each year, I am amazed and overwhelmed by God kindness and the creative ways He takes care of me. I highly recommend having a Blessings Celebration! 

Please join me today in thanking God for all the blessings.

It's Blessings Celebration Day!

12th Annual Blessings Celebration Day!

Twelve years ago today, I injured my back. Each year on the anniversary of my injury I take time to count my Blessings. When living with chronic pain, it's easier at times, to allow the pain to become the main focus. My philosophy is "CREATE A POSITIVE DAY!" That means each day I focus on the positive aspects of my life and what God is doing in my life. 

Each year on the anniversary of my back injury, I have my BLESSINGS CELEBRATION DAY! I take time to count all the AMAZING blessings God has given me over the past year. It's fun and encouraging!

Each year I am OVERWHELMED by God's GREAT goodness. He takes care of me in the most creative ways and allows me the most amazing opportunities. 

Please join me in my BLESSINGS CELEBRATION DAY and count your blessings. I would love to hear about some of your blessings, simply comment on this post.

Thanks for joining in my
BLESSINGS CELEBRATION! 

LET'S CELEBRATE!

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!

2010 Blessings Celebration Day!

O LORD, the king rejoices
in your strength.
How great is his joy
in the victories you give!
Surely you have granted him

eternal blessings
and made him glad with

the joy of your presence.
Be exalted, O LORD,
in your strength; we will sing
and praise your might.
Psalm 21:1, 6, 13

CELEBRATING GOD’S

BLESSINGS TODAY!

Counting Blessings!

Last year, I posted the poem below on my Blessings Celebration date. I'm posting it again, because it is that time of year for me to specifically focus on God's wonderful blessings. 

If you want to create a positive day, week, year... just take some time to notice God's blessings, and then thank Him for each one. I guarantee that each day you do this, you won't have any trouble creating a positive day! 

(Click on the image for a larger view.)

10th Anniversary Blessings Celebration!

Oct 25, 2000, I injured my back. Each year in October, I celebrate God's amazing blessings. This year, I wasn't sure what I was going to do for my

"Blessings Celebration" 

—but God took care of it.
in some AMAZING ways!

Last week, I was searching for events which I could attend to "Celebrate". However, each event was either too expensive, or would cause too much pain. So, I took some time to discuss my "Blessings Celebration" with God again. Since I am celebrating HIM and HIS GOODNESS... I wanted Him to have a say in what I did. 

As I was praying the phone rang... I didn't recognize the name or number, but I answered it.... good thing I did! I won a contest!
(Actually, I was the runner-up; however the Grand Prize winner never contacted the station, so I was given the GRAND PRIZE! But that was a GOD thing too! If they had called me first, I would have missed the call too...since I was in Macon visiting family! When God sends a gift, He takes care of ALL the details!)

The grand prize is a HUGE GRILL, a grill pack fit for a cowboy and a music CD. WOW! God gave me a small grill a few months ago... but this new grill will make it easier for me to grill—no bending over.

Love those surprise gifts from God! 

(I'll post pictures of my prizes when I receive them.)

I was rejoicing over the gift of my new grill...

But God wasn't done yet!

A friend called me and invited me to attend a Damaris Carbaugh concert! (Her CD,  "Not Ashamed" has been a blessing in my life for several years.) 

On Friday, Oct 15th, I attended the concert. It was a WONDERFUL night of praising and worshiping God. The concert was great, and Damaris sang my favorite song, "He's Been Faithful". Another added blessing from God!

BUT He still wasn't done! 

God arranged it so that I could meet Damaris! What BLESSING that was. The JOY of the evening

will last in my heart forever. 

I don't post many pictures...okay, I don't post any pictures of me.. but this is an exception. Here is a picture of Damaris and me after the concert. 

"I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus!" Philippians 4:19 (Contemporary English Version)

Over the past 10 years, God has taken care of my needs with WONDERFUL BLESSINGS! And the past few days, God has created the most amazing and positive days for me as I celebrate Him and His goodness!

And His positive days

are well worth

remembering forever!