Life With Jules, and other stuff

We are in Election season now. Things are becoming more and more chaotic here. This is the time of year when around the country colors are changing from greens to shades of orange and brown. But what we are witnessing in our politics is shades of darkness. We have a great President in office. I know a lot of people who read this may not agree with me and that's fine. The problem is, in my opinion, we have a person running against him who can be disastrous if elected.  Biden served as Vice President for 8 years under Obama. It has been proven, and continues to be proven that he was in cahoots with Clinton, Obama, and others to undermine the 2016 election. He has selected a running mate who does not like him at all and has her own agenda (which clearly includes making sure she can see he doesn't hold the office very long if they win). He was a senator for more than 30 years and did NOTHING to speak of.  Let me backtrack a little by saying in 2016 I really didn't want to vote ...

Good Grace by Hillsong UNITED live from Passion 2020 Written by Joel Timothy Houston

Recently I was told that I should just accept the fact that I will be single for the rest of my life. That my time to be married and build a life with that someone was when I was younger, say 20 years ago. I'll be 48 in two weeks just to put this in perspective. I was told that at my age, I have too much baggage and no man would want me. I have health issues and no man would want that. When I was told this, which wasn't the first time mind you, I was already having an emotional day; couple of days really. That was the last thing I needed to hear from anyone. I was married. Twice as a matter of fact. In my 20s. Neither lasted the first because I was too young and the second because he was inappropriate with a minor. So yes, I have baggage. But guess what! We all have baggage at this age. What hurts the most is not the words said to me. It's who they came from. Someone who says they are Christian, yet says that maybe God doesn't want me to be married.  When ev...

From time to time I think about my life. I look back on decisions I made. I look back on people I chose to have in my life and wonder why. What drew me to that person? They don't really fit the ideal of "my person," but who is "my person" anyway? So, I came up with a list of characteristics that I would like in "my person:" Characteristics (May 23, 2013; Updated April 20, 2020) God-fearing God-loving Caring Loving Loyal Compassionate Compromising Dependable Intelligent Adventurous Fun Creative Christian Nurturing Appreciative Respectful Best Friend Well groomed (maybe a bit selfish on this one) Committed - wants life long marriage Takes my needs into consideration as I would his Not a player Not controlling Not possessive Able to hold a conversation on any topic Not jealous Doesn't anger easily Loves me as I am as I would him Makes me laugh out loud Will just allow me to be in his ar...

Where has the year gone? I don't get on here nearly as much as I'd like. This year is flying by so quickly. Most days I can't decide if I'm coming or going, lol. Well, last week I was given the option to slow down for a minute. Not an option I would have chosen. Not that I don't want to slow my life down, I do. However, sometimes God intervenes and says "OK, since you won't slow down for yourself, I will give you a reason to." Yea, God, I listened.  On April 29 I went to the local Veteran's Hospital ER with what I thought might be heart issues. While I was getting ready for work I had symptoms of what might have been a heart attack. By the time supper rolled around, I was being admitted for surgery to have my gallbladder removed. So yes, I have had to slow down a little recently. Unfortunately, this also means a serious change in my diet. I really have to limit my sugar, fat, and fried food intake. I had already been working on that when this ca...

But so much on my mind. I get annoyed so easily anymore. Especially when I feel like a bomb is going to drop. I've been untrusting of certain people for a long time now. It's not really their fault. Well, not completely. A few have earned my distrust. Which is truly sad. For them and me. There's a lot about my life I don't divulge easily. More for protection so that kind of hurt can never cross me again. Also because I just don't want to talk about it. When I find myself questioning things, I don't do what I should do: Trust God. Does that make me a hypocrite? I don't know. What I do know is my questions don't seem to get answers until I do turn it over to HIM. And even then I don't always like HIS answer. That makes me human, I suppose. And I don't think I'd want to be anything other than human. Certainly not super-human! I'll leave that to Superman and the like. LOL So where am I going with this post? I don't think far, but we...

So much is going on in my life right now. If I were to try and blog about it, I'm afraid that the posts would go on forever and be a jumbled mess. For now, I am going to say that I have a much deeper understanding of "battered woman syndrome". I put it in quotes because I'm not sure if I can classify myself as such, but I have been in a somewhat volatile at times relationship for two years, until last week. Unfortunately, I had to call for help for him. I wasn't going to let him die, if indeed that's what he was trying to do. I'm not necessarily afraid of him, when he's sober. He's a lot of fun to be around, half the time. Sometimes he's a bit frustrating. And when he drinks...let's just say alcohol and uncontrolled diabetes DON'T MIX! Now, he's in a safer place where he can't really harm himself, or me for that matter. As for me, I am trying to just pick up the pieces and keep him in my prayers to God. I pray that God gives...

A question was posed to me recently that has been weighing on me a little bit. "Where has that woman gone?" To put it in perspective, I was speaking with a colleague about various things and one of the topics that came up was my life in the Navy. Primarily, the responsibilities I held and who I was in those roles. So he asked me where that person has gone and how do I get her back? The simple answer is "I don't know." You see, when a person lives with depression, in any form, they tend to lose a part of themselves. I have battled this ugly disease for years and years. I have asked myself on numerous occasions "When did I become this person?" in varying forms. I lost a lot of my spirit. A lot of my life, over the years. I sometimes look at pictures of myself and don't recognize the woman in them. It's truly sad! I'm not looking for sympathy or empathy in writing this post. I am simply putting it out there. For the world to see. To read...

 

I began reading Exodus again yesterday. Yes, again! I lost my place so I started over. Is that silly or what? Nah!! Anyway, I didn't make it past verse 5 in the first chapter! D'oh!! I couldn't get past the names for some reason. So it made me think "Why are names so important in the Bible anyway?" I began to do a little research on each of the names of Jacob's sons. There was: "Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin; Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher." (Exodus 1:2-4, NKJV). I looked up the meanings of each name. Reuben = behold, a son Simeon = obedient; listening Levi = attached or pledged Judah = praised Issachar = reward; recompense Zebulun = to honour; to dwell (zaval) or gift; dowry (zeved) Benjamin (hebrew: Binyamin)= "son of the right hand" or "son of the south"           (this one is interesting because he was originally named Ben-oni, which means "son or my             pain") ...

I've been on vacation for the past week and it's been somewhat refreshing. Somewhat emotional. My niece graduated high school, magna cum laude, and I couldn't be more proud of her! Michael (the proud papa), Ariel, and me. Now she has a few weeks before she heads off to college. I went to church with one of my aunts on Sunday. I enjoy going with her. Although I do feel like I am at a concert during their worship service, lol. I have been reading I Peter; well my church is doing a series on it this month and I am reading it on my own in addition... The letters are interesting indeed. One thing that struck me in my reading this week is the following verse: "...you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house,  a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices  acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:5 - I like to think that as I continue to grow I am being built up in Christ. I find that I am able to better speak about the Word, as was ...

I have read through Chapter 3 in the book of Job so far. I am taking part in a Bible Study through Good Morning Girls . If you're not familiar, click on the button to the left or on the link in this post. So, as I said, I have read through chapter 3. Normally when I read Job I just plow right through it. I have read it several times in my life. It is my all time favorite book. This time, however, I am reading it in a different manner. I am taking my time, moving at the pace of the Bible Study, and reflecting on what I read. So far, I feel like I am getting more out of it than I did in previous reads. This book is primarily about suffering and what we do in difficult times. Namely, how we handle the storms in life. I know I need a lot of work in this area. I think that's why Job appeals to me so much: I can relate. I just wish I would allow these teachings to sink in; like the phrase "Storms in life" referring to Peter walking on water and keeping his eyes on Jesus. On...

Well, the year is coming to a close and I really haven't done much on this blog. I feel somewhat ashamed of that, but I must press forward. 2015 began on a sour note for me, personally. Spiritually, I have found that I am taking baby steps, STILL . When will I finally have total discipline to my walk with Christ? I ask for guidance, His plan for my life, on a fairly regular basis. Sometimes I feel like He's there, and others not so much. I know that I have made mistakes this year; who hasn't. I'd like to think I have learned from some of them anyway. So here I sit with 2016 looming around the corner and the only thing I can say is I'm thankful! Yes, I am thankful for the life I have. I have come a long way over the past 12 months in my mental health. Oh, I still have up's and down's. But I am learning to handle them a little better, S.L.O.W.L.Y . I spent much of the first couple of months hiding from the world. I would go to my appointments, work, church, et...

I haven’t finished Acts yet and I haven’t started with the Good Morning Girls readings in Proverbs. I am a bad, lazy Christian, lol. I have been keeping up with “A.D. The Bible Continues” on NBC though. I think tonight is the final episode in the series, but not certain. What have I been up to, you may wonder, since I have been neglecting my reading. Well, I was in Denver for a week for another class at NVTI, UC Denver. I had a good time, as I always do out there. Spent much of my free time wishing I didn’t have to leave there but alas my job was waiting. This coming week I am heading out again. This time to visit family and friends for a couple of weeks. It’s a long overdue, much needed vacation. Here are some pictures from my trip west. Denver VIEW SLIDE SHOW ...

…not the redundant life. In church this morning our Pastor made this statement based on the readings. We started a new series simply titled “Go!” As Christians, we are commanded to love one another. We are also commanded to “Go and make disciples” in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).

I began reading the Book of Acts a couple of weeks ago mainly because of the show “A.D.: the Bible Continues” on NBC. I realized that this show is covering the Acts of the Apostles and wanted to felt the need to read it. I guess that would be the Spirit nudging me. Anyway, last week our church held a workshop over a couple of evenings and the presenter kept bringing up the Book of Acts. I thought that was a pretty powerful sign as well. Sunday, the pastor ended a series with Acts 2. Hmmmmm, another sign! I promise I am getting somewhere! Sooo, I am now in Chapter 3 and find myself wanting to re-read what I’ve read in order to continue on into the next chapter. After discussing my struggle with the cares pastor, I find her suggestion to be more helpful: just read it through like a story the first time then go back and read it more in depth. What I can say with some certainty is that it is in chapter 2 where we find the founding of the church. It amazes me every single day how prof...

I noticed something the other day as I was heading out to work. A little back story: John planted some crocus the weekend before he left. This was a little more than a month ago. Well, the other day I noticed something poking through the soil in the pots. Crocus VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL While I miss him greatly and know that he may not be back (that is up to God), I am grateful for all he did for me while in my li...

God’s timing is perfect. There are reasons He makes us wait. He is trying to prepare us for all He has in store for us. God’s Timing VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL Ok, so I am impatient in many ways. I am learning to find myself again after what can only be described as the best and not quite worst 5 months of my life. I had love, or so I thought, from a great guy. At first he treated me well. Took care of our home...

I just want to start by saying I hate Windows 8 and have a strong dislike for Microsoft Office 365 right now. I am back in the world of Windows OS. I am excited to get back to using Windows Live Writer for my blogging. I have missed that application so much. Right now, however, I am using the Blogger platform to write this post as I can't get my log-in correct (even after changing my password) on Live Writer to connect it to this blog. Grrr! Additionally, I keep thinking about all of the things I need to do around the house so that I can get back into my stitching. I have missed doing that as well. Unfortunately, the ex BF (recent development) packed away all of my hoops somewhere. This means I have to go through boxes in the front bedroom to find them. Oh well! Weekend project!! So, as you may have figured out, I have gone through a break-up recently. No, I am not looking for sympathy or "I'm sorry" from anyone. Just stating facts. His loss! He chose to leave. As for...

Last week I dealt with some major heartbreak. This week I am healing thanks to God! It's gonna be a long road though. I can only keep my eyes focused on God.