God's Power

As the hawk flew over me, I could almost feel his wings flapping across my face.  The hawk wasn't aware of the "social distancing".

Day 6 of "stay at home".  It is the last day of March and we have the next 30 days of "social distancing".  It is almost as if "time has stood still" and everything is moving at a slower pace.  I will say it has been nice not having a thousand things to do.  I do a list for each day so that I can feel as if I am accomplishing something on a daily basis.

The weather is gorgeous today.  It is sunny with some wind and very low humidity.  With the 70 degrees weather, people definitely wanted to be out.

There is beauty all around you.  You just have to open up your eyes and look around you.  My husband and I headed out on our daily walk and as we approached one of the streets, we could see a hawk sitting on top of the light post.

As we walked towards it, I had my phone/camera ready to capture the hawk as he flew off.  The hawk finally saw me coming towards him and he took off.  The wind lifted his wings as he begin to fly towards me.  Have you ever looked at a hawk?  The beak is so unique.  God designed it to be shaped like a hook so he is able to capture his food.

Reading about the hawk, I read that the hawk symbolizes "the ability to use intuition and higher vision in order to complete tasks or make important decisions".  Once again I am reminded of God's power and how He is going to take care of us.

Job 39:26 says "Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south?"  In chapter 39 of Job, God asks Job several questions about the animals.  Job's knowledge was limited.  God wanted Job to think about God's power and His sovereignty.  He needed to recognize that he(Job) needed to be still and listen to Him(God).

Are we listening?  Has God gotten our attention?  He is saying "hello" and I am here with you during this time of the coronavirus.

May today be your day of really listening to what God wants to say to you!

As the hawk flew over my head.

Hawk sitting on the lamp post.

Wind beneath his wings.

Assurance & Hope

One of the great things about living in Colorado is that every time that look I to the west I see the Rocky Mountains.  The mountains are so majestic and powerful.  Looking at the mountains, I always wonder what the settlers heading west thought when they had their first glimpse of the massive mountains before them.  I am always in awe of the shape and beauty. 

On my fifth day of "stay at home", I enjoyed the morning with my devotional time as well as getting out and stretching and walking for about 3 miles.  I needed to be mentally ready to tackle the computer and some of the real estate transactions that I needed to deal with.

My walk around the neighborhood, I have areas where I can see Longs Peak.  Even though it is March, the mountains are still getting lots of snow.  Seeing the peaks covered with snow always puts a smile on my face.

Psalms 121:1-2 says "I lift up my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."  God not only made the mountains, but He also made heaven and earth.  God gives me protection day and night, as well as assurance and hope.  He is all powerful and watches over us at all times.

During this time of the coronavirus, I know that I am safe and I never outgrow knowing that I always need God's protection.

Day 4-Praying For An Easter Miracle

Day 4 of my new norm.  It is Sunday and praise God for technology.  It is wonderful to know that I can worship God with other believers via my phone or computer.  The service is live and the pastors brought music and a sermon to encourage others during this time of the COVID-19.

After the service, my husband and I, enjoyed a walk in the neighborhood.  Fortunately we are able to get outside.  I received an email from my friend in France and they are only allowed one hour a day outside and it has to be within their area and they have to carry a signed permission slip.  I hope we don't get to that point.  People need to understand if they would control their outings and their social circle, we would then have a better chance of controlling this situation.

On our walks, my husband and I sometimes have some deep conversations.  Today, we were discussing how Easter is in two weeks and we will still be under the guidelines of "stay at home".  Our church is already planning the service for that day and it will be "livestream".

We both agreed that we need an "Easter Miracle".  We know the miracle has already happened and that is the miracle of the resurrection.  Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the first Easter morning.  My prayer is that others will come to believe in the hope that He promised.  With hope, stress, anxiety and depression is taken away.  A peace is given to each of us as we handled life's situations.

The Jews will be celebrating Passover, a time of the Jews being freed from Egypt, known as the Exodus.  This will be a time that they will also be praying for a miracle.

Praying for individuals who have this virus and that they will be miraculously cured.  Praying for a vaccine to stop the spread of this virus.

I was going through some boxes this afternoon and I came across an article that was written during the Christmas season, three months after September 11th.  The article was titled "The Courage to Live".  The author stated "I think of the serenity of the traditional Nativity scene, or lighting the menorah with a prayer, and wonder if we dare dream of such serenity in our lives again?" 

Yes, we can have courage and we will all walk away with a story of how we survived during this time.

The question is "what will your story be?"  My story will be that I prayed for an Easter Miracle and God provided.

Normalcy

Day 3 of "Stay At Home".  I was up by six this morning as I was going to get to the grocery store by 7 am (when the doors opened).  I pulled up to King Sooper at 6:50 am and there was already a line of about 15 people people.  And yes, everybody was obeying "social distancing" (6 feet of space between people to reduce the spread of the coronavirus).

The doors opened at exactly 7 am and the first group of 20 were able to enter the store.  I had my plan all figured out.  I would enter into the produce area and get the 7 items that I needed and then rush over to the chicken area.  The store did not have the chicken breast that my husband and I like, but they did have chicken strips.  Each customer had a limit of 2 packages of chicken.  I grabbed my chicken and then rushed over to the other area of the store getting bread, some Tostitos chips, milk and eggs.  There were only about 4 trays of brown caged eggs.  So I grabbed one and off to the self-checkout.  I was in and out in about 35 minutes.  Not bad.

As I was pushing my buggy in the store, I almost collided with another man.  He stopped and let me by, making sure I had my six feet.  I acknowledged him and told him "thank you" and said "this is the new norm".  He laughed and off he went.

Today I made sure that I had some normalcy happening at the house.  I washed sheets and cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed, etc.  Right now every one needs to keep as close as they can to a normal routine even thought right now, life is not normal.

Normalcy is so important for everyone.  As I have read several history books, especially regarding prisoner of wars and people that were in concentration camps, they all stressed that they had to have some normalcy to survive. 

As I enjoyed my walk this afternoon with the bright sun shining down on me, I enjoyed seeing more and more plants popping up from the ground.  This is definitely a sign of springtime and this is normal.   Once again God provided a flower to show me that life will be back to normalcy.  He didn't say when, but it is coming.

A Rainy Day

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain."

This says it all.  Today is day 2 of the "Stay At Home".  I woke up to a cloudy, drizzly day.  A day that you definitely wanted to stay in.  A day that you wanted to snuggle up with a pint of Blue Bell, Bride Cake Ice Cream and a good book.

I didn't snuggle up with a good book, but I did eat the pint of Blue Bell ice cream.  I do believe it helped with the stress.

Also I worked at home, talked with a good friend, did the elliptical for about 30 minutes and was able to get out for about 30 minutes on my bike before the downpour.

Not bad for a rainy day!

Just remember life is all about how you look at it!

Enjoyed watching the mallards fly into their nested area.

You Are Loved!

Today was our first official mandatory day of "Stay At Home" order in Colorado and it will last through April 11 unless rescinded or modified.  There are guidelines of "essential" reasons for leaving their homes.  "Essential" are going to get groceries, liquor, gas, medical reasons, banking and other concerns. 

Knowing that people are going to be bound to their homes, they are encouraging people to get out and take walks and ride their bikes, as long as everyone complies with the social distancing guidelines.  

My husband and I have worked out of our homes for over 30+ years.  With other businesses not able to meet for meetings, we have had more time on our hands.  We work on our computers and participate in zoom meetings and webinars.  After spending several hours looking at our computers, our eyes and brain need a rest.  It was time to walk and refresh(just like you do on your computer), our souls.

It was a beautiful day with sunshine and a cool breeze coming from the south.  There did not seem to be as many people out for walks today.  On our walk, I noticed several homes where children and adults had taken colored chalk and had drawn pictures or wrote phrases.  There was one particular one that caught my eye.  The family had drawn a rainbow with the words "You've Got This" and "You Are Loved".  

The rainbow reminded me of Noah and the flood.  After the flood, God said "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth......Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."  Genesis 9:13-16

The earth's order and seasons are still preserved, and rainbows still remind us of God's faithfulness and love.  "You are loved" and God is with us through this season of the coronavirus.

As you are out on your walks continue to look at the bright side.  There is a silver lining, even though you may not see it now.  That pot of gold is waiting for you.  You just have to look for it!

The Beauty We See

I have been watching the "Outlander".  The novel series was made into a television series.  The main character, Claire, a married former WWII nurse who in 1946 finds herself transported back to Scotland in 1743.  Two hundred years in the past.  I also am feeling that I am in the past.

With the coronavirus pandemic, I feel as if I am in a "dream" or as some people have stated a "nightmare".  Each morning that I wake up I lay there and begin to replay the past few days and weeks.  If I hear one more time all the guidelines for "Social Distancing Requirements", I feel as if I am going to scream.  I do understand why these guidelines are in place.  We are trying to prevent this virus from spreading.  But I also know, the majority of these guidelines I have practiced for years.  I have practiced everything except the hand-shaking and the six-foot social distancing from others.  I am a hugger and hand-shaker.  After all this is over, watch out, because I am going to be "hugging" and "handshaking" everybody.  There is something about the touch of others.

As I respect these rules, I am taking the time to be outside and to enjoy the spring weather.  Thankfully it is spring and not the middle of winter.  We would all be going stir-crazy.

As I take my daily walks, I am in awe of the bulbs peeping out of the ground.  The purple crocus remind that there is a season for everything.  Song of Solomon says "Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land."  Do not allow problems, conflicts or the situation of the virus ruin your ability to enjoy God's gifts of springtime.  Take the time to enjoy the world God has created.

Trusting in God's Faithfulness

A new day dawning as the puffy white clouds with a hint of pink filled the sky to the west.  Another day of the unknown.  I wondered what today will hold. 

Fortunately, I don't turn the television on as it seems that the reporters all want to talk about the doom and gloom of the corona virus.  It is serious and the numbers continue to grow.  The public needs information, but they also need to know that there is hope.

In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah talked about God's faithfulness.  God is with us through all situations and I believe that there will be a rainbow at the end.  As we walk through the valley, we will come out stronger and more confident in who we are.

Each morning as I rise, I will remember the verse "They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness."

He Is With Me

Another day of the unknown.  But there is one thing that I do know, "He is With Me".  I am thankful for my spiritual upbringing in knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  I have such a peace with the unknown.

I am thankful that I can get out and smell the freshness of the air and to feel the cool wind as it hits my face and to see the blue sky before me.  These senses let me know that He is here among myself and this whole situation of the corona virus.

""The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

The eternal God is my refuge and He is holding me and you in His arms.

Today is a day to reflect on our senses.  How often do you really stop and think about the food that you eat or the smell of food or the outdoor fragrances?  We take so much for granted in touching someone or something.  If you can be outside, stop and listen to the birds chirping.  God has given them a voice to share joy and to put a smile on your face.  Open your eyes and see all the wonderful things that God has provided to you and your family.

Today is a new day of discovering who you are.

A New Day

As Kenny and I went on our walk throughout the neighborhood, we made sure that we kept our social distancing with others in the area.  With everyone self-quarantined, it is interesting to see so many people outside and enjoying the fresh, cool weather.  You notice more families out on a stroll.  Parents pushing their babies in their strollers, children riding bicycles or skate boards and kids running through the parks screaming and yelling.  There is only so much of being indoors.  No one is rushing here or there.  Families are back to being families.

It is springtime.  Even though, we had eight inches of snow on Thursday, the robins are singing and the bulbs are pushing through the dirt and mulch.  I am thankful that the days are longer so that I can get outside several times during the day to feel the warmth of the sun.

Seeing the beautiful colors of yellow and purple flowers, I am reminded that God is here.  He has created the seasons and we are now embarking into the spring season.  Spring brings new birth and new beginnings.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."  As God was with the Israelites in Egypt, He will also be with us during this time.

There will be a new Exodus, as He takes us through the valley.  Take this time to reflect on what you need to be learning.  We all need to be learning something.

We will see the miracles that God will perform.  Keep your eyes on Him and not the media.  The media only reports what they see.  They are not God and they do not know the future.  Only God does!

Don't lose HOPE!  Think back on the POWs and the ones that survived.  Those were the ones who kept getting up each day and focused on that day!  Make the most of today!

Rejoice!

This morning as I laid in bed hidden under the covers, I wonder what today would hold.  Ever since the corona virus has become a pandemic, life has been changing rapidly.  Businesses are temporarily closing due to the crowd control; the government is asking that people would stay at home; schools are shutting down for the rest of the semester and so on.  With all of this chaos, who would want to get out of bed?

I finally pulled myself together and faced the new day.  As I looked out of my window into the wetland area and saw the white snow and the sunlight hitting it to form little white crystals, I knew that this was a day to rejoice.  With the 19 degree temperature nothing was moving except for the great horned owl.  I was in awe as I watched him fly from one roof to another.

Feeling the stillness around me the verse that came to mind was "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"  Those words say a lot.  What is there to rejoice, when I don't know what is going to happen each day?

Getting up each day is all about our attitude.  How are we going to look at life?  Is is half-full or half-empty?  I am going to say that it is half-full and it is up to me how I am going to fill it.  I could feel it with negativity or I could feel it with love and positive outlooks.

As I talked with God this morning and prayed for the world situation, I began to reflect on what have I been learning from this whole situation.  For one thing, I will not take a handshake or hug for granted.  I will treasure my time with family and friends.

So today will be a day of rejoicing and praising God for what I have taken for granted all these years!  The Lord has given me a reason to live and to serve Him.  How will I serve Him today?  Take some time today and as we all know the one thing that we do have now is "TIME"and reach out to family and friends with a phone call or text.  Use today to bring joy to someone else.

Today is a new day "rejoice and be glad in it"!

Holding everyone close to my heart during these times!

Life at "66"

As I am at 35,000 feet in the air traveling to Colorado from Texas, I look out of the window to everything below.  I can see miles and miles and miles of land and mountains.  There is a saying "the sky is the limit".  There is nothing to prevent someone from being successful in salary and career.

So often we are the ones who box ourselves in and put boundaries around ourselves.  We think "small".

At the age of "66", I feel as if I have a lot of opportunities ahead of me.  I could say "I'm too old", "no one wants me", "I have worked for 46 years, I don't need to do anything", etc.  All of those phrases are true, but that is not me.

Retirement has never been in my vocabulary.  For some reason, when people ask me "are you retired", it makes me angry.  I am not really sure why, but I guess I have seen so many people "retire" and it is as if they have given up on life.  I am not retiring, I am re-evaluating my life and the direction that I am going.

Being "66" is so different than turning "26".  At twenty-six, I knew that there were so many more years ahead.  Turning "66", I realize that my years ahead are shorter.  I am thankful that physically, mentally and emotionally, I am still at a good place in life.  Life is about taking care of yourself.

I recently read about Joan Lunden.  She definitely is a woman who has navigated the bends in life.  She will be 70 in September.  She is a cancer survivor, has had two marriages and seven children.  "She has lived her life without regrets because she's been able to recognize the importance of letting go and learning from the past in order to embrace the future."  Even Joan has said "'retirement' is not a word I ever plan to use."

I have always felt that I was a late "bloomer".  When I graduated from high school, I attended the Community College in my hometown and received my Associate Degree.  I started college, but due to various reasons, I needed to go to work.  I took a few classes and then I quit going for a while.  Every time I moved to a new city, I would take a course or two.  Deep down, I knew I would graduate from college one day.  I just didn't know when.  Eighteen years after I graduated from high school, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

In the years after obtaining my degree, I worked at several different jobs.  At the age of 45, I began my career with a cosmetic company as an Account Executive(AE).  As I looked around the corporation there were so many people that had began their career as an AE in their twenties..  But here I was, beginning a career at 45.  For the next twenty years, I had the time of my life.  I grew my accounts by double digits.  I was asked to move to New York City to work with the company's largest account.  With my age and maturity, I felt that I had a lot to offer.

I have never allowed age to define me in who I am and what I can do.

The company that I was working with was purchased and there were many changes.  My husband had a job opportunity to move to Colorado, so we felt that this would be a great time to pack up and move.  Being in your 60's and moving 1,600 miles does put a different spin on your life.  You are suddenly aware that you are re-locating and you are finding new doctors, dentists, a church home, grocery stores, etc.  We have moved a lot during our thirty-four years of marriage, but this time it was different.  As you get older, you do look at things differently.  I decided not to rush in finding my place in a new surrounding.

A few years later at the age of "66", I wanted to find something that would stretch me.  It has taken me a couple years to figure out what I wanted to do.  Sometimes, I don't do things the easy way.  This was one of those times.  At "66", I went back to school to get my real estate license.  The school that offered the classes was 70 miles from my home.  So I decided to do the course on-line.  For those who don't know me, the computer and I are not the best of friends.  I do emails, but that is about it.  So here I was tackling a 168 hour course all through the computer.  There were videos, quizzes and assignments.  The quizzes were what got to me.  The exams were all multiple choice.  Throughout my life, multiple choice have always been a challenge.  My tenth grade geometry teacher told me if I could not do multiple choice, I would never make it through college.  Those words have always stayed with me.  Here I was thirty years later(after graduating from college) and I was tackling another degree.

After obtaining the Real Estate Degree, then you are eligible to take the Colorado National/State Exam.  Trying to pass the real estate exam to get my degree was my thorn.  I kept failing by 1 to 2 points.  Each time, I failed the school's exam, I had to re-listen to several hours of the videos.  I remembered that John F. Kennedy, Jr. at the age of 29, finally passed the New York State bar exam on his third try.  He said he would keep taking it even if he was in his 90s.

Each time that I took the school exam and failed, I kept asking myself "why am I doing this?"  I just knew I had come so far and I couldn't give up.  There are so many people that I have talked with that lack only "3" hours to have graduated with their college degree.

I persevered.  After the third time, I finally passed the school's National exam.  I still needed to pass the school's State exam.  So back to the videos and studying.  Fourth time is a charm.  I was finally eligible to take Colorado National/State Exam.

I am happy to say that on Friday, February 14th, I walked into the Colorado State Exam Room and I passed the National/State on the first try.  The school had prepared me to pass on the first try.

I am beginning a new career at "66".  There will be definitely some days of stretching.  Isn't stretching what you do before you exercise?  I want to keep my mind growing.  Everyone says learn a new "language".  Well, I have learned a new language with real estate.

I want to encourage each person out there.  Allow yourself to do something.  You only live once.  How will you embrace the day?  What is your attitude?  I always remind everyone of the verse Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you."  Another verse that keeps me moving forward is Psalms 139:15, "When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there--you saw me before I was born."

There verses encourage me to step-out and to do something.  If it isn't in God's plan, then He will put a halt to it.  Everything that I do only helps me.  The situations, tribulations and the determination only helps me to become a better person.  A person who is wise, understanding, sympathetic and loving towards others.

Everyone has their own journey, their own story.  None of us have the same DNA.  Do what you feel led to do?  Just don't give up.  Take a chance.  Don't miss out on something beautiful happening. Put your dreams in action. There is a reason for those dreams.  The choice is yours.

As Nike always says "Just Do It!"