Monthly Archives: August 2022

Vacation 2022: Renewed with Passion

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I’m so thankful for the many years God has blessed me with the opportunity to get together for a time of fun in sun with extended family. It’s easy to allow the busyness of life to overwhelm us and keep us from truly enjoying our life.

I don’t want to look back at the end of my life and regret not focusing on what really matters … my relationship with God and others. Even though I am semi-retired, I have a busy schedule between church, my part-time job, writing and ministry. I love my life! Even so, there are times I need to take a break and just chill.

The beach and the mountains are two of my favorite places to seek out for a time of refreshing and renewal. At home I am usually awake by 6:00 a.m. The past two weeks I’ve given myself permission to turn off the alarm clock and wake up when my body wants to. I missed a lot of beautiful sunrises over the beach, but thankfully friends and family captured what I missed.

My typical morning ritual is to wake up, fix my coffee and begin my day with time in worship, the Word and prayer. I have relished my time with God these past few weeks and to my delight God has blessed me with a renewed desire to press forward with many of the dreams He planted in my heart years ago. My intent in retirement was always to use it serving the Lord.

Last week, I got my website updated; something I have needed to do for a couple of years. Yesterday I scheduled a speaking engagement with Teen Challenge in November. While these might not sound like typical vacation activities, they are life giving to me. My heart is filled with joyful expectation.

Today is our last day. I had hoped to get my feet in the sand or relax in the pool; instead God treated us to a beautiful thunderstorm with a majestic view of a waterspout. I’ll take it! Perfect nap weather. See you soon friends.

Blessings🌻 Deb

Blow off the Proverbial Dust

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If I were writing with a typewriter, I’d be blowing off the proverbial dust about now. It’s been a while. A long while. So much has happened since I last connected with you. I could say I’ve been busy, but honestly that would just be an excuse. We make time for what we prioritize, right? So, please forgive me.

Part of my excuse is it took me FOREVER to adapt to the WordPress changes. I hate to admit that, but as the old saying goes, “It is what it is.” The older I get the more difficult it becomes to adjust to change. So …what have I been up to the last two years?

  • In 2019 I took on a part time, which turned into a full time, caregiving role for one of my aunts as she struggled with Dementia. I wouldn’t wish that disease on anyone. It’s very difficult to watch someone you love suffer. My aunt passed away peacefully in April of this year.
  • In 2020 I wrote and published my second book, BREAKTHROUGH: Prepare for Battle.
  • Of course, we all know what happened in January 2020 … COVID-19 turned our lives upside down. I never thought I’d live to see the day America would shut down. Most of us know someone who was deeply impacted by this pandemic. If you lost a loved one, my condolences.
  • Last year I created a Facebook Group called TRANSFORMED. For nine solid months God gave me a word each morning on the transforming power of the Word of God. The subtitle was, “One Word From God Can Change Your Life.” It was an amazing experience for me. Then one day, the inspiration suddenly stopped. Since September 2021 I have prayed for God to show me how He wants to use the material developed over those nine months. I’m still not sure if it will be a book, or a course, but I’m learning to patiently wait on the Lord for direction.
  • At the end of May 2022, I did something I never thought I’d want to do again; I bought a new home. A new townhouse to be more precise. A new subdivision was being developed and I passed it on the way to visit a family member. I was drawn to it, and just thought, I’d go check it out. I fell in love and it’s been home now for three months.
  • Another door the Lord opened for me was to take online classes to be come a certified Mental Health Coach. Needless to say, it’s been a very long time since I was in school, but I’m pleased to say, so far I have a 97% average. I have always had an interest in mental health and I’m excited to see how God uses this. I will not be a licensed counselor so my coaching will be free, and I have a feeling the Lord will use this more for video content and online interaction. We’ll see. I am hoping to complete the courses by the end of this year.
  • Also jail ministry reopened in 2022 at the Duval County jail. As some of you may remember, this ministry is near and dear to my heart. Last month we had 15 inmates and six of them committed to follow Jesus!!! Praise His name!
  • One of the things I am prayerfully considering is starting a YouTube channel where I could post “Just a minute” segments and monthly video messages. Please join me in praying for God’s will and timing on this. The past few months the Lord has been rebirthing old dreams within me. I’m so thankful He finishes the work He starts within us.

GOD IS GOOD! Now, it’s your turn. What’s been happening in your world? Share your highlights in the comments. Moving forward I am hoping to post a monthly update here.

Blessings 🌻 Deb