For those of you that have read my posts on FB, you know that I have been asking for prayer for our youth pastor's 2 month old daughter, Brielle, who was born with several needs, some life-threatening, others critical enough that her only "home" for these two months has been Rainbow's Baby & Children's hospital.
Pastor and Heidi Difrancesca (Brielle's Daddy and Mommy) have an amazing network of Spirit-filled, Christian believers that have bonded together in prayer for Brielle. Prayer warriors from all over the globe (Japan, Italy, Germany, etc.) have diligently and relentlessly been lifting this family up in prayer, and it has shown...her life alone is a miracle, and with each day, there are new miracles that leave even the doctors in awe.
Whether you believe in prayer or not, whether you call yourself a Christian or not, what has been happening in Brielle's short little life has been nothing short of a miracle. She was originally only give a 1% chance to live, and now she is looking at her next step being able to go home....amazing!!!
For many of you, it hasn't mattered that we haven't corresponded much lately, or that you don't know the family, or that you don't attend the same church, or that our beliefs may differ or even that you aren't in the same country/state...you heard of a need and you showed compassion through your "likes" and "comments." For that, I am thankful, it is great to know that the "friends" I have on my list are caring people.
Brielle's family has extended a huge thank you to anyone who supported them with thoughts and prayers, and I will add my thanks to that!
Continuing to pray for her complete and total recovery, but in the meantime...my friends ROCK!!!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day hmmmm...
As I watched Valentine wishes pop up all day on Facebook, it brought me back to thinking about past Valentine's Days and how things are so different now.
I think the first Valentine's Day I can remember was 1st or 2nd grade. Our Valentine "mailboxes" were made out of brown lunch bags and we cut hearts out of red, pink and white construction paper to decorate them. I diligently filled out my Valentine cards (store-bought ones had the To: and From: lines on them), and made sure I made one for each kid in our class, all of my teachers, the cafeteria lady, and probably the janitor too! It was such an exciting time, and when we each emptied our mailboxes, we got excited when someone gave us a Valentine with a red lollipop attached to it. So easily pleased! I've looked back at some of the "treasures" my mom and Grandma have saved through the years, and I still don't know how any of those kids were able to read my writing...LOL!
Fast forward a couple of years to 4th and 5th grades. By then we already had our "cliques," and even though I knew I had to, there were some kids I really did not want to ask to "Be My Valentine!" I sorted through the box of cards, looking for the ones that stated the least sentiment (ones that just said Happy Valentine's Day or something similar), and set those aside for those I didn't deem worthy of my best wishes. I sorted through the ones that had the mushiest sentiment (Be Mine, etc.), and found one to give to that "special" boy (we all had one that we thought was cute). Depositing each card in the respective mailboxes (we moved up from brown bags to shoe boxes by this point), I held my breath, waiting to see what "kind" of card I got from others. Did I get a mushy card from the boy I thought was cute? Did my best friends give me cool cards? At last, it was time to open cards, and yes, I was surprised. I did get a semi-mushy card from the cute boy (it had a heart and said 'I like you'), my friends did give me cool cards, but I was surprised by a really cool card from one of the people I had kind of brushed aside. She was definitely not in the "in" group, and she was really very quiet, but had I missed something? At recess that day, I went over to where she was sitting on a bench and just said, "HI!" She smiled and scooted over. I looked around, I could see my "cool" friends hanging out by the monkey bars, almost wishing they would not see me as I sat down next to her. We spent the entire recess chatting back and forth, and I didn't even think about my other friends. No one mentioned it to me when we went back to class, but I imagined my other friends talking behind my back. By the time school was out, I had myself convinced that my friends didn't want anything to do with me anymore. I asked my new friend if she wanted to walk home with me (she lived in the same direction). As we struck out for our walk home, one of my other friends yelled out and asked why I wasn't waiting on them! They still wanted to be friends! As a group, we all walked home together, laughing and having a good time.
Although there have been MANY Valentine's Days in my life since then, that scenario will always stay with me. I have had other memorable Valentine's Days like Charles' and mine first Valentine's Day, the first Valentine's I received from my boys, etc., but I would have to say that one, long ago, has had a huge impact on my life.
I can't say I have always been as kind as I should be to everyone I have encountered, I can't say that I never jump to conclusions about other people's feelings about me either; but I can say that incident has caused me to try and seek out the one sitting by themselves, make an attempt to get to know them, and try not to assume that others are out to do me wrong.
So, as I reflect on this Hallmark holiday, I can't help but feel for the people who don't have someone to say Happy Valentine's Day to them, and I thank God again and again for my family and friends. May I never take any of them for granted.
For all of you who have given me "cool cards" throughout my life and received the "cold cards" in return, I thank you and I ask your forgiveness... I can only ask God to continue working in me as I strive to make a positive impression on each person I encounter in my life. Please be patient with me, and together we can make our world a better, more positive place! xoxo
Happy Valentine's Day!!!!
I think the first Valentine's Day I can remember was 1st or 2nd grade. Our Valentine "mailboxes" were made out of brown lunch bags and we cut hearts out of red, pink and white construction paper to decorate them. I diligently filled out my Valentine cards (store-bought ones had the To: and From: lines on them), and made sure I made one for each kid in our class, all of my teachers, the cafeteria lady, and probably the janitor too! It was such an exciting time, and when we each emptied our mailboxes, we got excited when someone gave us a Valentine with a red lollipop attached to it. So easily pleased! I've looked back at some of the "treasures" my mom and Grandma have saved through the years, and I still don't know how any of those kids were able to read my writing...LOL!
Fast forward a couple of years to 4th and 5th grades. By then we already had our "cliques," and even though I knew I had to, there were some kids I really did not want to ask to "Be My Valentine!" I sorted through the box of cards, looking for the ones that stated the least sentiment (ones that just said Happy Valentine's Day or something similar), and set those aside for those I didn't deem worthy of my best wishes. I sorted through the ones that had the mushiest sentiment (Be Mine, etc.), and found one to give to that "special" boy (we all had one that we thought was cute). Depositing each card in the respective mailboxes (we moved up from brown bags to shoe boxes by this point), I held my breath, waiting to see what "kind" of card I got from others. Did I get a mushy card from the boy I thought was cute? Did my best friends give me cool cards? At last, it was time to open cards, and yes, I was surprised. I did get a semi-mushy card from the cute boy (it had a heart and said 'I like you'), my friends did give me cool cards, but I was surprised by a really cool card from one of the people I had kind of brushed aside. She was definitely not in the "in" group, and she was really very quiet, but had I missed something? At recess that day, I went over to where she was sitting on a bench and just said, "HI!" She smiled and scooted over. I looked around, I could see my "cool" friends hanging out by the monkey bars, almost wishing they would not see me as I sat down next to her. We spent the entire recess chatting back and forth, and I didn't even think about my other friends. No one mentioned it to me when we went back to class, but I imagined my other friends talking behind my back. By the time school was out, I had myself convinced that my friends didn't want anything to do with me anymore. I asked my new friend if she wanted to walk home with me (she lived in the same direction). As we struck out for our walk home, one of my other friends yelled out and asked why I wasn't waiting on them! They still wanted to be friends! As a group, we all walked home together, laughing and having a good time.
Although there have been MANY Valentine's Days in my life since then, that scenario will always stay with me. I have had other memorable Valentine's Days like Charles' and mine first Valentine's Day, the first Valentine's I received from my boys, etc., but I would have to say that one, long ago, has had a huge impact on my life.
I can't say I have always been as kind as I should be to everyone I have encountered, I can't say that I never jump to conclusions about other people's feelings about me either; but I can say that incident has caused me to try and seek out the one sitting by themselves, make an attempt to get to know them, and try not to assume that others are out to do me wrong.
So, as I reflect on this Hallmark holiday, I can't help but feel for the people who don't have someone to say Happy Valentine's Day to them, and I thank God again and again for my family and friends. May I never take any of them for granted.
For all of you who have given me "cool cards" throughout my life and received the "cold cards" in return, I thank you and I ask your forgiveness... I can only ask God to continue working in me as I strive to make a positive impression on each person I encounter in my life. Please be patient with me, and together we can make our world a better, more positive place! xoxo
Happy Valentine's Day!!!!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Let's get the basics out of the way...
My first attempt at blogging...they say just type what's on your mind, so I figured I would start with the basics...the people in my immediate life...
Let's start with the people I live with...my husband Charles is one-of-a-kind, he is absolutely the balance in my life. Where I am serious, he is light-hearted, where I am driven, he is more carefree. Of course, this can lead to some conflict (of which I am sure will be the content of some future posts); however, in the big picture of life, it works well for us. The main cohesive element in our marriage is that we both love the Lord, and place our marriage in His hands.
I have four wonderful men that I call "son," two I have carried in my womb, and two God blessed our family with through circumstance. Regardless of how they became part of our family, I can't imagine my life without all of them.
First is Jonathan, my firstborn! He is an incredible young man who has a huge heart and an infectious personality. He always has had a lot of friends, and is always busy doing something. He is currently stepping into a managerial position at his place of employment, and I couldn't be prouder of him! He has come a long way in his short life, and I am proud of the man he is becoming! God has a mighty work for him, it's his job to find it!
Next is Jamie, my second-born! Jamie has known he has had a calling on his life to be in the ministry since before he was in grade school, and he has lived his entire life to that end. God has blessed him with a beautiful voice and an incredibly complex mind, both of which I enjoy! I am currently watching him grow as he is mentored in an intership program at our church. He has a wonderful girlfriend who has aspirations for her life that compliment the calling on Jamie's life. They spend junior high as boyfriend/girlfriend, split up through high school, and are now back together. She is a blessing to not only Jamie, but our family as well. Looking foward to what God has planned for both of them!
The third son is Jimmy. His dad and I have been friends for over 30 years, so he was pretty much raised as part of our family. In fact, I am Aunt Jodi to all of his siblings. He is married to an amazing wife, Mindy, and they have two children that have completely stolen my heart. Jimmy and Mindy do a great job balancing work, school, raising kids and marriage. They are great role models to other young couples, and I can't wait to see how God is going to use them for His kingdom!
Last, but certainly not least, is my "1+3"... my fourth son., Donnie. Donnie is married to Aimee, one of the youth I worked with many years ago. God brought Aimee back into my life through circumstances a little over a year ago, and thus, Donnie entered as well. Although I haven't been his "mama" for all that long, we have come a long way, and I really can't imagine life without him. Donnie has 3 beautiful children: Gianna, Vinnie and Nikolas. Knowing that God put us together for a reason, and looking foward to seeing where He takes us in the future.
Outside of my home, I have two amazing parents that just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have been incredibly supportive, and I have no idea where I would be today without them. I have two younger brothers, both of whom are married and both of whom I am extremely proud to call brother. My brother Patric and his wife have my only biological niece and nephew, Isabella and Enzo...beautiful children who I love beyond words. My Grandma, who is in her 90's, has had a huge impact on my life, and a big hand in shaping me into the person I am today. I have not always made her proud, but I have always known she supported and prayed for me.
So, for my first post, I have introduced you to my immediate family, the next, I will introduce you to some friends of mine...LOL...don't panic, I will keep some things out of here! LOL!
Let's start with the people I live with...my husband Charles is one-of-a-kind, he is absolutely the balance in my life. Where I am serious, he is light-hearted, where I am driven, he is more carefree. Of course, this can lead to some conflict (of which I am sure will be the content of some future posts); however, in the big picture of life, it works well for us. The main cohesive element in our marriage is that we both love the Lord, and place our marriage in His hands.
I have four wonderful men that I call "son," two I have carried in my womb, and two God blessed our family with through circumstance. Regardless of how they became part of our family, I can't imagine my life without all of them.
First is Jonathan, my firstborn! He is an incredible young man who has a huge heart and an infectious personality. He always has had a lot of friends, and is always busy doing something. He is currently stepping into a managerial position at his place of employment, and I couldn't be prouder of him! He has come a long way in his short life, and I am proud of the man he is becoming! God has a mighty work for him, it's his job to find it!
Next is Jamie, my second-born! Jamie has known he has had a calling on his life to be in the ministry since before he was in grade school, and he has lived his entire life to that end. God has blessed him with a beautiful voice and an incredibly complex mind, both of which I enjoy! I am currently watching him grow as he is mentored in an intership program at our church. He has a wonderful girlfriend who has aspirations for her life that compliment the calling on Jamie's life. They spend junior high as boyfriend/girlfriend, split up through high school, and are now back together. She is a blessing to not only Jamie, but our family as well. Looking foward to what God has planned for both of them!
The third son is Jimmy. His dad and I have been friends for over 30 years, so he was pretty much raised as part of our family. In fact, I am Aunt Jodi to all of his siblings. He is married to an amazing wife, Mindy, and they have two children that have completely stolen my heart. Jimmy and Mindy do a great job balancing work, school, raising kids and marriage. They are great role models to other young couples, and I can't wait to see how God is going to use them for His kingdom!
Last, but certainly not least, is my "1+3"... my fourth son., Donnie. Donnie is married to Aimee, one of the youth I worked with many years ago. God brought Aimee back into my life through circumstances a little over a year ago, and thus, Donnie entered as well. Although I haven't been his "mama" for all that long, we have come a long way, and I really can't imagine life without him. Donnie has 3 beautiful children: Gianna, Vinnie and Nikolas. Knowing that God put us together for a reason, and looking foward to seeing where He takes us in the future.
Outside of my home, I have two amazing parents that just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have been incredibly supportive, and I have no idea where I would be today without them. I have two younger brothers, both of whom are married and both of whom I am extremely proud to call brother. My brother Patric and his wife have my only biological niece and nephew, Isabella and Enzo...beautiful children who I love beyond words. My Grandma, who is in her 90's, has had a huge impact on my life, and a big hand in shaping me into the person I am today. I have not always made her proud, but I have always known she supported and prayed for me.
So, for my first post, I have introduced you to my immediate family, the next, I will introduce you to some friends of mine...LOL...don't panic, I will keep some things out of here! LOL!
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