Life With Jules, and other stuff

And what a journey it has been! I am in the process of applying to graduate school...again! This time for a terminal degree. That's right! I want to earn a PhD in History. That has been the goal all along. I knew from the start that I really can't get anywhere in my field without it and I figure now is as good a time as any. I'm not getting any younger. I'll be 50 in less than 2 years. OMG! I created another blog devoted to that journey: https://julesdoctoraljourney.blogspot.com/ It will be a slow start as I go through the application process, but I hope it takes off once I actually begin school again. Picture it: Dr. Julie Hayes. Has a nice ring to it!

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...

This year will be a year of deepening my relationship with Jesus! This morning, we had a wonderful worship service at church with a guest sitting in on the drums. He is 9 years old - and man can he play drums! Unfortunately, the video file size is too big to include on this post. Anyway, this evening, my other half and I sat around the dining room table indulging in a little sparkly. I kept my limit to 2 glasses. While I was hesitant to try it because it's a red, Cold Duck is actually not that bad. Mind you, I don't really drink alcoholic beverages often and when I do it's typically just a glass or 2 of wine. Here's a couple snaps of of the flutes filled. I looked in several stores for flutes with New Year's designs already on them to no avail so I made my own. I used Puffy 3D Glitter Paint. It served it's purpose! Enough about the alcoholic beverage. On to more important things: Jesus! So after I finished my 2nd glass, we continued our discussion on Jesus but d...

What is the best way to read the Bible? Do you start at Genesis and read through Revelation? Or do you follow a specific plan such as Matthew 24, Daniel and Revelation to understand better End Times? Maybe there's a better way. No matter how you read the Bible, you should do just that: read the Bible. Study the Bible. Learn the origins of words that may have been taken slightly out of context through several translations. Oh, and find the Bible version that best works for you. Personally, I enjoy the New International Version (NIV) and the King James Version (KJV). The KJV because I love the sound of the words in old English. We don't speak with thou's, thy's and thine's anymore, so it can be a bit more challenging at first. Have you ever read Shakespeare? Yeah, it's something like that. I also am prone to read the New King James Version (NKJV). The idea is to find a version that hasn't removed verses because we have to face it, some versions are incomplete....

What things do the angels long to look into according to 1 Peter 1:12b? "Even the angels long to look into these things." There are many things I long to look into. Especially things pertaining to my salvation and eternal home in heaven. I fall short on a daily basis. Something I am all too aware of. Yet no matter how short I fall, Jesus is right there to pick me up. So, I wonder if all of the things I suffer in life are preparing me for that life. It seems like a lot when I am going through the storm, but I have to stop and remember what Jesus did, on that day, on the cross, for me.

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 ...

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 am trying to get myself back into the world of blogging. It helps that a friend of mine is interested in starting her own blog and she's been asking questions. I am so happy to help her in her new adventure! So, now for an update... I have been going to a Discipleship study group at church for several weeks now. We are doing the Navigator 2:7 Series. I am really learning a lot; but not doing nearly enough reading. I know the discipline will come. I need to push myself to actually spend time in the Word. I don't understand why this aspect has been so difficult for me. Anyway, I am working on growing my discipline and relationship with God. It's important to me. Christmas is just around the corner and then the New Year. I don't know what 2016 will bring for me. I can only pray that God blesses me and my BF and helps us to continue to grow in our relationship with Him and one another. It's been a long and difficult journey together. Enough about that. As for my cross...

…of the brave little donkey? “Once there lived a little donkey whose owner beat him daily. A gentle man named Joseph felt sorry for the donkey and paid a high price for him. Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, were kind to the donkey, who felt happy again. Joseph told the donkey he needed his help for a very important journey to a town called Bethlehem. The donkey proudly carried Mary and waited while Joseph tried to find lodging. Upset that there was no room, the little donkey brayed so loudly that the innkeeper sent them to a stable where the woman gave birth to her baby, Jesus, whom the donkey kept warm with his soft breath. A brave little donkey carried Mary and her babe. That night was born our Savior, in a manger now he lay. God bless the little donkey and the journey that he made.” *Taken from http://www.stjames-liberty.org/stjames2/2015-advent-calendar/legend-of-the-christmas-donkey/ ********************************** Here is the true story of the Birth of Jesus (...

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 ...

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.

Have you ever read this verse and wondered what does this mean? The more I read and study the Bible, the more questions I have. Especially as I find myself lacking patience waiting on the Lord to show me His will for my life. I was told that one way to study is to break down each verse. Chew on the adjectives, if you will. Like the word "patient" describing "love". What I have found is interesting in and of itself. I first looked up the terms for the different forms of "love" as found in the Bible. There is "agape" which is the very nature of God - an action, "phileo" or having affection for (not to be confused with "eros"), and "storge" which is familial love & affection. Understanding that this verse is speaking more to the action of love, I moved on to understand the word "patient". This is what I found. Patient, or hupomone (hoop-om-o-nay) in Greek, is being willing to wait. Another term used in the...

Throughout the New Testament, we are given lots of commands from Jesus. One of them is "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13: 34, NIV). Another command is for us to go and make disciples as referenced above in the image.  What does this mean to "go and make disciples"? It means that we, as Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, are to go out into the world and spread His good news! We are not to just merely go to our family and friends; our immediate circle. No, we are to go up to strangers when we see them in need and share the gospel.  Jesus had 12 disciples - in his inner circle - however, He virtually has millions of disciples in today's world.  Let me put it to you another way: A disciple is not just a follower of Jesus Christ. A disciple is also a student of Jesus Christ and his teachings.  Does that make more sense? I sure hope so... I may delve into this at a later date, after further study and reflection. Othe...

Do you take communion in church? Growing up, I always equated this with the Catholic church. I remember going to mass with my aunt, uncle and cousins one Sunday as a kid and going up for communion. One of my cousins got really upset because I was not a practicing Catholic nor was I confirmed. The priest didn't seem to mind though. And I think my aunt and uncle secretly hoped I would become Catholic. Anyway, today was Communion in church. I am always perplexed about receiving the communion. Even when I repent my sins and ask forgiveness I still sometimes feel I shouldn't receive it. Today was one of those days for me, but I repented and took communion. The Lord gave us very valuable tools in his teachings. I feel this one is probably one of the most valuable after Love God and Love your neighbor. It reminds us of his sacrifice for us.

Forgiveness is a difficult concept to grasp for many people. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, online, to forgive means: : to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong) : to stop blaming (someone) : to stop feeling anger about (something) : to forgive someone for (something wrong) : to stop requiring payment of (money that is owed) I recently was reading in Matthew and came across a verse the spoke to me; 18:26 "At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'" ( NIV ) To explain a little, when a family  member is in need and I am able to help, I will help them. One of my family members needed said help. This family member is going through some pretty rough times and while the debt was owed I tried to be patient. When I read this verse, the first thing the servant said is exactly what the family member said. I read on: I felt a tugging at my heart and knew what...

I love waking up to the smell of ba'con in the morning, don't you? Why the apostrophe you might ask. Well, if you're familiar with "That 70s Show", the character Eric Foreman teased his father after Red's heart attack and he could no longer have certain foods. Ba'con was one of them. And that's how Eric would say the word in this phrase: "Mmm, ba'con!" Another thing I am beginning to love first thing in the morning is speaking with the Lord. It's a habit I once had and am getting back into. It seems whenever something bad happens in my life I backslide. The last time I backslid BIG time. I read a verse in the Bible (Parable of the Four Soils) recently that speaks to this: The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ~ Matthew 13:20-21 You se...