What A Beautiful Day!

The sky is blue. Everything is covered with a soft blanket of six inches of pure, white snow.

It's the day after Christmas.

We celebrated Christmas with my two sisters and their families.

I want to encourage you.

The Lord has a wonderful plan for your life.

You may feel happy or sad or hopeful or discouraged or even deeply depressed. Feelings come and go.

One Person doesn't ever change. Listen to His Voice in Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

He is the Christ of Christmas. He is waiting for You to come to Him.

He loves you and wants to strengthen and encourage you.

An Awesome Approval!

I just received an awesome approval for my research project. I am in a doctoral degree program in L.A. even though I live in Boise, ID. This experience is so far out of the box for me that many times I have had a complete meltdown. I completed my Masters degree 30 (yes, that is t-h-i-r-t-y) years ago! So I am experiencing growth!

Now that I am a candidate for the doctorate degree in which I am specializing in leadership and creative conflict management, I must complete Chapter Three by September 1st. I will do it. By February 1st next year I must have the complete rough draft completed. This is a huge commitment!

There are many lessons that I am learning that apply to all of us:

1. As we launch into uncharted waters, we all have anxiety about the unknown.

2. Overcoming fear is rewarded with increased confidence and courage.

3. We become stronger mentally, emotionally and socially as we stretch beyond our comfort zones.

4. Growth occurs when we move beyond where we are to where we want to be.

5. We need to encourage each other to break through our barriers.

6. We are created to not live for love, but from love.

7. We all grow together as members one of another in our community!

All of us are needed to be all we can be!

Giving Out of Your Need

I feel that one way to overcome disappointment and discouragement is to help someone in a way that you enjoy.

When we give encouragement and hope to people in a way that is enjoyable, we always receive more than we give.

Why not take action and do something opposite of the way you feel?

If you are emotionally down, lift someone up who needs to be encouraged. If you are struggling physically or relationally, give some words of encouragement to someone who is hurting in the same way!

I am a candidate in our local police department Volunteer Academy. Our first class was last night. I was very encouraged! I want to help solve problems in our community. I am meeting some wonderful people who want to help solve problems!

Why not try something that you enjoy to encourage someone? You may be surprised at the result! I am!