Through Lifes Storms

I’m trying to post from my iPhone & wondering if it will successfully save. So this is somewhat of a test.

But as to not leave you high and dry, I’ll leave you with two things: a) a picture from tonight’s rain (one night in a million, that it’s been wet outside) and b) a thought…

Sometimes its through the storms that we learn how safe God is and will always be…

I’ve got a few things medically going on & although it’s not the most fun dealing with it—I know has me held safe on the center of this whirlwind I’m in at the moment. And I’m already declaring victory through Jesus’ name that my prognosis will be good!!

God is good ALL the time, and through the storms I learn how much more I love Him and am reassured how much more He loves me.

Your dreams vs. God’s dreams

IT seems all self starters or risk takers are met with doubters or insurmountable challenges in life. However the ones willing to take a risk are usually the ones that go where no one else would dare. The clarifying factor though is ‘taking a smart risk’. Is there such a thing? What are your thoughts?

I think there’s a huge difference between a ’smart risk’ and a pipe dream.

A pipe dreamer is someone who always has a new idea every day that doesn’t fit into his abilities. It may be something that sounds fun, so they take off half cocked to pursue their dreams without preparation, planning, or prayer.

Prayer? How can that be a part of a smart risk? Prayer is essential to it! A smart risk in one that you’ve meditated over, asked God guidance for, and when nudged…took the leap of faith into deep waters for your dreams. A smart risk is one that has groundwork lied out in front of you, that is there for your direction. A smart risk is one that has a clear pay off in the end, with end in somewhat immediate sight.

YOU can not risk your time and effort without having a goal/payoff! And that payoff must be reasonable, obtainable, and is that which would make an impact for others. You owe this to the ones who are supporting you through your leap.

I think I fall into the latter category. THROUGH prayer, I’ve felt God’s hand guiding me. Now how can I be sure? Will the final result be a big payoff?

No one knows the answers to these sort of questions. Only God does. My job is to continue making sure that my dreams are in alliance with God’s plan for me/my family, and continue to ask for guidance down the right path.

I’d like your thoughts. When it seems the world would say – don’t jump … it’s too risky. But God’s spirit is nudging you to take a leap — what would you do?

Do you believe in the difference between a smart risk and a pipe dream? Or do you believe they’re the same?

I recently talked with Tam, a fellow blogger, who gave me some inspiring direction. The path to the door of opportunity can be a hard one, but if it’s a door that God wants you to walk through — then you’ll find your payoff when you walk through. And you’ll look back and see how great God’s plan was all along, even through the difficult times in getting there.

Friday’s Reflections

I pulled up to my house after dropping my son to school today, and noticed how gargantuan my flower bed is becoming.  In the last two years I’ve planted a few favorites here and there in small portions.  Some are ground cover that spread, and some are simple flowers that flourish.  I did not know that my soil was so rich as the only thing in this front bed, when I moved in, was big burly bushes that were horrendous.  They were prickly and bushy, and weren’t welcoming at all.  

I never dreamed that my simple ground cover and flowers would dig their roots in and take over, growing like mad!  Even my mother, who is technically a ‘master gardener’, is overwhelmed at the size of my little babies who’ve become montrousities in my garden.

It made me think about the human spirit and how planting such a little seed in such fertile soil can do amazing things.  Just like my flower garden, where I have to divide the plants out and replant in the back yard now, are the many people that started their faith with the littlest of seed and a lot of sun.  God uses that seed and His son, to grow their faith and use their talents.

God uses that fertile field to grow his people and their faith, to the point where they’re growing and reaching so far out that they touch so many other lives.  I know God is continuing to work on my faith.  

My biggest downfall is my laziness.  I know I get lazy sometimes and need to just simply listen and obey.  I visit the same issues with my son.  He has issues with simply listening and doing what is asked of him, instead of doing things his own way.  

I know how frustrated I get with my son, who fights my authority from time to time.  It’s normal for a 5 – 6 year old to find that balance and test his boundaries.  It makes me wonder how frustrated God must get with me sometimes when I get lazy.  

I pray today that He continues to work on me.  I pray He helps me get over myself and just do what is asked of me.  My biggest want is that he gives me the ability to plant the seed for his purposes in other’s lives through this blog and through my books.  

I pray that we all listen, and OBEY  to his call for our lives – because those are two different actions and are equally important.

MIA

So some of you may have wondered if I fell off the planet lately. I haven’t. I promise.

I’ve just been caught up and have neglected my blog. Well and the fact that I’m slightly addicted to facebook doesn’t help!

Today I feel pretty overwhelmed. Although I still count my blessings every day…the daily grind is just getting to me.

Today’s sermon was a powerful one. It was one that I had no choice but to stop and let go of myself for. It was like the Holy Spirit was just saturating the room, and most were weeping at the mood in there.

Marty, my pastor, made it a point to ask us to let go of what we wanted for our lives and to ask God for direction in what HE desires for our lives. He said giving God the control is the most freeing thing we’d experience. And for those that ‘needed’ the control of their own lives…well they could have it. But God gives us a choice. We can work our own future and control our own destiny…our we can fully give our lives over to Him in faith that He has our future.

I don’t know about you, but I need that reminder once in a while. He asked that we lay our burdens down, lay down whatever was holding us back from a real relationship with Christ.

To me, there are those that talk to God. There are those that believe in Him. There are those that even do both.

BUT I truly believe that one can’t experience God’s full capacity for our lives until we let go of our own will and submit to His for our lives.

SO if I’ve been MIA for a while. I apologize. I’m just in transition mode, trying to truly figure out what God’s will is for my life. How am I to make an impact in my world? Is it by being a friend, a listening ear to someone in my real and daily life? Is it by blogging or writing books to reaching out for Christ and hopefully planting a seed? Is it by being a ‘there for my son’ in realtime mommy?

It’s hard to fit all that in – in one day. (plus facebook) LOL.

Know that God is working in my life right now and I feel completely helpless and a little overwhelmed, but I know God will guide and instruct me. And having that faith is what gets me from day to day….that and counting the many blessings he places in my path.

Pics that made my week

This week has been a very eventful one in our home, and I have a couple pics to share.

This first one is from my friend, John, who was traveling for business. I’ve asked all my friends and readers to send me pics of them with my book. John took it one step further and had Rupert pose with ‘Finding Kylie’. Thanks John for your creative genius! You made my week!

I think Rupert looks funny holding this!

The second pic: (drum roll)
Introducing ROXY! She’s our new doggie, who has captured all our hearts. Although I miss my Hershey, and no pet could ever take his place, it’s time for a four legged member of our family to have a place here.

This week has started off with a bang! Happy Spring Break to you all!

Just another reason…

For those of you who read my book, you know I’m a fan of Oklahoma. I’m going to start listing things to do here…different venues or entertainment ideas. Here’s one for starters. Go check out the link…and here’s their web page: RedPin Restaurant and Bowling Lounge.

Have a great weekend and spring break!!!

Friday Blessings

Spring is almost here.  You can feel the warmth creeping in and see the flowers start to barely bloom, as they test wether they can spread their petals wide reaching to bask in the sun.  I don’t know about  you but this winter, although a very busy one, has been a very cold one.  

For some cold dark weather equates to a cold dark spirituality or mental space they feel trapped in.  Sometimes just that little bit of sunshine goodness is all they need to feel hope again.

I know many people like this, who suffer in silence through the winter … not able to see all of God’s goodness even through the cold dark winters in life.  This is why it’s so severely important to count your blessings every single day!  

In times of darkeness, through winter’s cold, during rain or shine, God’s goodness and love for us is always there!  Sometimes we just have our emotional blinders on or too many layers piled on to see or feel His goodness.

Today when I know it’s probably too early for all the redbud trees in my neighborhood to bloom, I’m glad for it’s welcome sight of rebirth.  That tiny boldness of pink represents hope for spring not only for our state but our state of mind.  

So today, like all days, I count my blessings so that even through life’s winters, I have the peace of Jesus’ goodness and love in my heart.  

*My son is turning 6 this month, and every day I know how blessed I am to be his mommy.  This month especially I’m blessed that he’s growing into a fine young man.  They say ‘you are who you are by the time your six’.  Well if he’s at his core personality now, than this world will be blessed by what he’s going to do in God’s name real soon.  My son’s future is bright, and I’m blessed to have had anything to do with it.

*We’ve been sick but are finally on the mend.  I’m blessed just be able to breathe today…and what a day it is.  It’s only 8:45 a.m. and it’s already a warm 53 degrees.  Thank you Lord for blessing this day.

*I’ve been in touch with so many wonderful long lost’s on facebook.  Being a military brat, I moved every two to four years of my life, so I had many sad goodbyes.  The upside I had many wonderful hello’s … but the goodbye’s were mostly final, and held long lost friendships.  Through wonderful technology, like facebook, I’m able to reconnect with so many dear friends, that I’ve always wondered what happened to.  It’s a huge blessing to be friends again and have the simple blessing of being able to pick up a phone to talk to my best friends.

Although we all have winter in life, as seasons keep turning…environmentally and spiritually…we have to keep looking for the blessings.  Because trust me – there are plenty to be found.  

God loves us more than we can possibly imagine, and seeing the blessings and thanking Him for them, sometimes, is the only way to get through it all.  You’d be surprised just how much it helps.

Thanks to you Mike

You know the many things I love about blogging is the people you meet.

I’ve made very good friends through surfing certain blogs and reading particular posts.  You all know I love my girls, Terri and Tam.  Well, I have to give a big shout out to Mike.  He’s a guy that I know I’d consider like a little brother if he were in Oklahoma.  He’s a true guy’s guy, humor and all, but compassionate enough to go to Amazon and buy my book…and sensitive to completely delve into it and love it.  Now that’s what I’d call one amazing dude!

Today he forwarded me this link!  He wrote an amazing book review for me and I’m blessed by every word.  GO check his blog out and leave him some nice comments please! 

Thank you to all of you who have read my book.  A big thanks for your feedback.  And for those who haven’t yet … what are you waiting for?  :) LOL!

Your Votes Needed Please

Here is a link where you can go vote for ‘Finding Kylie’ for best fiction.  There are a list of a few books to choose from, but I’m hoping you’ll support my book.

I put it here in long form too – just in case:

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1425?al=MTI5MTg1MQ==-4e3a6e7e4c5022b22518c5c9b59aaf7ff20e9137&i=LTM2MDU3MzU2NzA6MzY3 &utm_medium=email&utm_source=list

 

I hope you’re all doing well.  I’ve not had much time to blog lately and I apologize.  I’m in the process of working on so many projects, which has kept me pretty occupied.  Leave me a message and let me know if you’re able to access this link.

 

Thank you!

 

Kim

Faithful Fridays

This has been an amazing week for the little things…

I’m still somewhat unemployed. I had to leave the restaurant because it started causing some minor health problems, due to my little to no time to actually eat. You’d think working with food I’d get to do that…but no. So I’m in the process of trying to find a part time job that will allow me to work around my son’s school schedule, which has been more than challenging as most PT jobs want you to work nights and weekends. This is not when I can work as I have a child at home.

What’s good about that? Well – I’m completely and utterly reliant on God to 100% provide for us as I look for a PT job. And so far my photography business has given us enough to get by in the last month and a half. Whew! This is a big blessing. And I just got hired for another wedding for this summer. Jobs are consistently rolling in…

The weather has warmed up to reach the 60’s and even 70 today. This has given me spring fever and isn’t it wonderful to have a warm breeze in the middle of winter?

I got to spend some time with both my mom and dad, at separate times, yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t get to see them much anymore, and it was nice just to be in their presence.

I met with a pastor at church this week to go over some ideas for my sequel…as one part of it has a sermon involved in it. I need to know I’m on the right track, and it was a big blessing just to sit and have him impart his wisdom on me.

I got a phone call from the Mayor’s office today. He’s granted me a phone interview to discuss sequel. One of my characters in ‘Finding Kylie’, is Jesse Mikale, who is a former Mayor of OKC…turned economic developer. As I delve into more of his work side in the sequel, I’ll need some input from someone who has lived or is living that role. Who better than Mayor Mick Cornett? His office said his Chief of Staff would most likely be the one to visit with me, but imagine my surprise when they called me on my cell yesterday to say he was taking time to visit with me. I was humbled and grateful.

My son tickles my funny bone every day…there’s just too much to catalogue in his daily stand up. But you can get a glimpse of something here that made laugh till I cried – on Wednesday.

My son’s also very excited about Papa John’s new heart shaped Pizza. This will be an economic way I can give him something nice this year…with something he loves most…PIZZA served with love.

Last but not least…I’m being blessed daily by comments left by readers of Finding Kylie. I’m blown away at what they’re taking away from it and what is left with them, from reading it. Thank you to all of you who have emailed me or left me comments on my blog.