Tag Archive for: God

Happy New Year 2022

The Best of 2021 – A New Year’s Tradition

/in

A tradition my husband and I started years ago was to sit down either on New Year’s Eve or New Years Day and reflect on all the blessings we’ve experienced throughout the year. I document this all in my journal. Reliving these events is what fills our hearts and helps us to focus on what’s really important in life. We typically make a meal together on New Year’s Eve and then reflect on the blessings of the year. It’s quite easy to focus on the bad especially during the insanity of the past two years. It was and continues to be like watching a tennis match bouncing back and forth from open to close, mandates or not!

One thing the shutdown taught us was to value time with family and friends. We took so much for granted like travel, vacations, concerts, or spending quality time with loved ones. As you read my list, you’ll see only one of the bulleted lists is a material item.

  1. We found a great deal on a hybrid car in February. This was a blessing to help us save money on fuel for my husband’s daily commute.
  2. Also in February, I added a new clean product line with Modere and experienced the amazing benefits of liquid collagen, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. I had tried powder collagen’s with no success so grateful that I gave this one a try. Not only did it transform our health, but it literally saved our Baylee’s (bulldog) life. In less than 60 days, she went from hips collapsing and not being able to use her back leg to being completely mobile and active. We are forever grateful.
  3. In March, our Governor lifted the mask mandates. It felt like freedom and pray we don’t go back.
  4. My husband and I started reading Revelations in Through the Word app. I highly recommend this app created by Kris Langham. He and his team explain every chapter and verse in everyday terms. He also has a great sense of humor which helps when trying to understand sometimes challenging information.
  5. In July, my mom felt comfortable enough to have me come home (Michigan)! It was a glorious time after almost 2 years apart.
  6. Our son Wes was married in October. The wedding took place on October 2 in a beautiful wooded area in rural Indiana.  His wife is a beautiful young woman who has a strong faith in God. We flew home from the wedding on my husband’s birthday so I surprised him with a first-class ticket!
  7. My best friend came to visit in September. Vicky has been a dear friend for years and was my rock when my husband left for South Carolina to start his new job. It was a stressful time and it was great to reconnect.
  8. My sister Carolyn came to visit in August and we experienced a culinary tour in downtown Charleston. Another reason I’ll be looking to drop a few pounds in 2022.
  9. My brother Dennis came to visit in November and we took a History of Charleston walking tour. Charleston is rich in its culture and beautiful architecture.
  10. Early December I flew to Michigan to spend time with my 98-year-old mother and siblings. It was an early Christmas gift to myself.

I truly believe 2022 will only be better. I pick a word each year to live by and this year it is Courageous.  Every day is a choice to live life the way God intended. We will not die one day sooner or later than what God planned for us so why live in fear.  God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love.  (2 Timothy 1:7) So promise me, you will continue to live your best life.

Towels rolled into I Love (shape of heart) and letter U at omni hilton head hotel

Taking Life for Granted

/in

My husband and I recently enjoyed our annual vacation at the Omni Hilton Head Resort. It didn’t take long to realize how we are taking life for granted.

A few inconveniences happened during our trip, which left me a bit frustrated, and truly perturbed (this had nothing to do with the hotel or service because the staff is amazing).

It was no sooner than this happened that God created an opportunity to help me put life into perspective.  I was exiting our room and saw our room attendant.  She saw me take our dog out and asked if she could clean now. I said yes please, as our room was starting to feel like a sandbox! She had already progressed to the next floor, so stated that she had to go grab her cart. I told her I really didn’t want to inconvenience her but she insisted it was not a problem.  A few minutes later I realized I forgot something and went back to the room.

Now if you know me, I’m usually in a hurry. However, this time I stopped to talk to her. I asked her name, which was Novia (quite a beautiful name!). I if she was full-time or seasonal. She shared that she was seasonal and would be going back to Jamaica in February. I asked her if she was excited to go home and if she had any family here or if they were all in Jamaica.  I saw her light up as she expressed excitement to return to her husband and 10-year-old daughter.

Everything about my mood changed at that moment. I forgot about all my superficial concerns and inconveniences immediately as I was overcome with sadness to the point of immediate tears. I was choked up and struggling to speak. I expressed how difficult that must be. We are staying at a 5-star hotel and being pampered while a mom and wife are separated 10 months out of the year from her family, to make a living for them.  I felt sad, as we as Americans take so many things for granted

I asked her what could be done and if her daughter and/or husband could come to visit at least while she was here working. She mentioned looking into getting a Visa for her daughter. I told her I wanted to help. I didn’t know what that would look like or what I could even do but God had put it on my heart to offer. She was moved and asked if she could give me a hug. I eagerly accepted it. She also agreed that God brought her down to our floor for this reason. (She was working another floor and stopped there, went up, and got her cart to service our room). I searched frantically for a business card, which I never leave home without, but couldn’t find one. I finally found my business brochure that had my contact info and gave it to her. I asked her to please keep in touch and let me know what she found out and how I could help.

I came back to my room to find this on our bed.

towels rolled into I love (shape of heart) the letter U left by our room attendant at omni hotel

It brought tears to my eyes again.  I pray that she will keep in touch and/or allow me to help her. I can’t imagine a better gift that I could give than to reunite a family, especially a mother and her daughter. I told myself that when I went home I was going to make it more of a priority to help those who aren’t as blessed as I am.  I now remotely understand how when people go on a mission trip they come back changed.

Although the Omni Resort was far from the mission field, I was given an opportunity to serve someone who is far less fortunate than I. I left a generous tip in the room with a note encouraging her to keep in touch. I can’t wait to write the happy ending to this story. I have a few ideas on how I am going to make it work so stay tuned for future posts.

And a couple of things we can all do is number one, appreciate how good of a life we have in the United States. Second, slow down to connect with people and learn about their lives. Last, but most importantly, we can pray for others. I didn’t hear from her and I know the hotel couldn’t provide her contact information, but I pray for her and her family often, especially her daughter.