The Gift of Love

Life has been unusual. I was raised by my grandmother (my dad's mom) and I grew up with my dad's brothers and sisters. I have a half-sister and a half-brother and for the last 22 1/2 years I was given the gift of being a step-mom.  It seems like I've had half of everything and sometimes it seems like my life is all fragments. However, when I look at Chris and Frank my hearts leaps with happiness; they fill my whole heart!.

These two young men make me soo happy.  They are good looking, smart, funny, well mannered; they have a good heart and they are the joy of my life. (For all of you ladies who may be interested..... yes they are single!!!)

Often times I share with my boys that if there was such a thing as re-incarnation.... I would ask God to let me have them again as my children. That's how much I love them and I am happy to share our lifes together.

You have heard is said, that we do not get to choose our family, but we get to choose our friends. However, I know God chose this family for me and I love it! 

Last week Chris and Frank came to visit, and we celebrated Nick's and Chris' birthdays.  We went to 2 baseball games to see the National play against the Florida Marlins and the Arizona Diamond Backs . 

On our way to the Baseball stadium we had  a chance to walk in the city and take this picture of Capitol Building. Both days we took the subway to go to the game.  Parking in D.C. is as bad as in any city.  Whether you are in San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York, parking is always a problem.  So we had an adventure traveling with what seemed to be the whole world!  Let me tell you, after being on the back roads of America.... being among all those people made me feel like fish out of the water.  It was a bit nerve racking.

The last day Frank and Chris were with us, they took us to a fabulous crab fest and it was great.  We ate, and ate and ate some more.  I don't have to tell you Nick is a pro at this crab eating business, however, the boys and I were total rookies. However none of those babies got away! Memories, good times and blessings is what it's all about. Count your blessings and see the Gift of Love in your own family.  Family and friends, are a beautiful gift from God.

When HE Whispers

Last Monday I was having a problem with my right hip.  For some reason it was hurting and I was very uncomfortable.

Nick was walking through town and he called me to come and get him for his 2nd meal break.  He mentioned that he was walking by a church with a big parking lot.  Hurting,  I got into the driver side and I said to God:  "OK, You and me, Lord."  So I drove to where Nick was;maybe about 4 miles from where we had  met before. 

When I got there Nick was talking to a man, so I pulled over the parking lot, made a U turn to position myself for a quick exit.  Nick came over, had his meal and I was able to share with him about the pain I had on my hip. As we were getting ready for him to leave, a lady stopped by to check on us.  She mentioned that she had met Nick a bit earlier while he was talking with the other guy.

We both stepped out of the RV and chatted with her for a while. We were talking about the goodness of God and she said: "Oh I know of His goodness, He healed me of cancer several years ago and I am doing better and better."

Then I heard Nick said, "My wife has been having a problem with her right hip, and since God healed you, could you  pray for her so God can heal her too?" She replied "Sure" and with that, the three of us held hands and she started to pray. 

We had just finished praying and I was still holding my hand up and a butterfly landed on my thumb. I did not want to move because I did not want her to go away.  Nick said, "God really loves you, you do know that!"  Then the butterfly went away and it returned to place herself on the edge of my shorts.  Our lady friend said, "I have never seen anything like that!"  Then Nick replied, "As I am walking down the road I always ask God for one of these to land on my hand, but it has not happened." 

As the butterfly went away, our lady friend also left.  Then Nick got on his walking attire and left me too.  I was there just looking at all the yellow butterflies and  the secretary from the church came to see if I was ok.  I talked to her about our walk and I gave her one of our DVDs and a card.  She said I could stay there and long as I needed to.

An hour and a half went by and Nick called me again.  I went to get him and we were done for the day. By the way,  God removed the pain from my hip....there was any doubt???  HE is soooo GOOOD.

The roads in Virginia had been very interesting.  They do not have much shoulder and in between the road I travel on and the road Nick walks on, there is a medium and it's full of trees.  So I have to drive for a while to be able to see him.  The good part is that he always calls me and gives me some markers so I know how to look for the area that he is walking by.

A few days ago the heat index got very high very quickly.  It was about 9:30 or so and it was already in the 90's.  So I said to God, by now Nick should have walked about 4 miles, I guess I need to go get him so he is not out there in that heat.  So I drove and I saw an opening on the side of the road.

I put my emergency lights on and I pulled over on the right hand side in a  decent shoulder.  I looked at the speedometer and I noticed that I was 3 tenths of a mile short of 4 miles.  So I asked God, "Should I go ahead or should I wait." I do not know if Nick is behind me or a head of me.  I do not know if he has been talking to anyone.  I looked at the clock and it was 9:45.  I heard God say:  "Wait until 10:00 am."  

I did reminded Him that I did not know if Nick had been talking to people, which it would mean that he was behind me.  And I did not not know if Nick was ahead of me because I was short of 4 miles. Again He said: "Wait until 10:00 am."  When I heard that, I just walked towards the kitchen and I got myself a water.

In the area that I was parked there was a cross over, ( a space which makes it easy for Nick to cross over toward me) and not too many trees.  I was able to look at the traffic behind me on Nick's side of the road. So I could take a good look if Nick was coming. 

I glanced at the clock and it was 5 minutes to 10.  So I sat on the driver's side of the RV and as I looked behind me..... and there was Nick... walking towards me!!  Yea God!  He knew it all along;  Nick was behind me and I needed to wait.  I love His whispers of love and care.

As soon as Nick walked in the RV, I mentioned to him that the heat index was rising to 90% and I suggested that we needed to stop.  He was ready.  Then as he changed his clothes I told him my God experience.  I was sooo excited and thankful.  God cares all the time.  No matter how small or big our concern is.  If it is important to us.... it is important to HIM!