Wow, is all I have to say... I had a great time in Hawaii. It was a much needed break from the real world! My tank was filled up with a new energy to do what I do each day, mommy, sister, daughter, friend, all that! The people of Hawaii, the ocean, the 4 mile walk every morning on Kailua beach, it all did me well! The awesome wave that I jumped on a jet ski totally helped too!
My friends Sherry and Dave looked great, they were so beautiful. Sherry looked so gorgeous, she was a beautiful bride! The ceremony, weather, family, all involved was fun and amazing! Glad I could join them! Wish I would've got married there, maybe for my ten year!
Ahh.. Aloha, Mahalo, Hawaii for your spirit. :) Got to go back in a few years, my parents want to go for their 25th anniversary to renew their vows, it will be a family affair, cannot wait to go back!
When I told you earlier that I have really been thinking about inspiration lately, I have really been seeking it out more, just talking to others more openly and free. I even just ask people, what inspires you? I have had some interesting conversations to say the least! One person even asked me if I was trying to find myself, like through others? In all actuality, no way. I feel that I finally have found myself at this time in life. I am 30 (woohoo!), have two passionate and amazing children, I serve an amazing God (the God of the universe!), and I have an amazing, supportive, and gracious group of family and friends in my life, what more could I really ask for? In my qwest to seek out inspiration I just want to see others lives, their strength, character, and perspective. Then I can learn from it, be inspired in my life through their lives. It comes down to seeing that I can go through anything this life throws at me with grace! With God's strength and mercy, my family and friends by my side, I will make it.
I love these verses in Phillipians 4:10-14, in the Message translation:
I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.
I can make it in the One who makes me who I am... amen!
I want to share some of the really cool conversations that I have had lately:
One was with this guy on the flight back from Hawaii, he was my age, single, a real free spirit if you know what I mean! I asked him where he was traveling to and wow, did I get a story... His father had a stroke 7 months ago and since then he has been working on getting his life wrapped up in Hawaii to move back to the mainland to be with him. He had been in Hawaii for 8 years and felt he needed to go back for his dad. Get this, the same week that his father had the stroke THREE of his closest lifelong friends died... he said that the universe took a sh** on him. With all that this guy had been through, jail (long rap sheet), drugs (like heavy), alcohol (alcoholic) and a crazy childhood, he had decided to straighten up when he moved to Hawaii, get clean on his own and change for the better. He loved Hawaii, it was good for him and to him. At one point in our conversation he even admitted he hated his dad but he felt he should do the right thing and go help him, be close to him, to be there for him. I was blown away. Leave Hawaii and his really cool life there to go be with this man who had been horrible to him? Wow, his story hit me so hard. First off, I am drawn to forgiveness in others. When I see people who can forgive like that, (his father and mother were really brutal people) it strikes a chord in myself because I have had to forgive some hard core crap myself and I relate to that. You just make this choice... let them make you ugly inside or forgive them every time you think about them and the hurt that they have caused you and others.
My sister is in the hospital right now. She had an appendectomy surgery yesterday and she is recovering well, she is at Good Sam in Portland, if you can, please lift her up in your prayers. Tiel is actually going through a divorce right now which has been trying on her. Her husband left her on Valentines Day morning and hasn't looked back. She and her little boy moved back to Scappoose to be closer to us all, which is so awesome. I totally get inspired by my sister. She is one of the strongest people on this planet that I know of. My family suffers from a blood vessel disorder called HHT and she suffers right along with them everyday with no complaints, no why-me, poor me attitude, she rocks! Right now she is working as an RN, supporting herself and her son, going through this divorce, having health issues all the time, and having a great attitude. I do not tell you any of these stories to say, oh these poor people, no... I tell you that I get totally inspired by their attitudes in the face of their storms. My sister was so down yesterday after her surgery. She hasn't seen her son for days as he is with his daddy. He just came home Monday and she started getting sick. She saw him for two hours and then was in the ER, awaiting surgery. She had an emotional time to say the least. She loves her son more than anything, she is such a good mommy. When we spoke yesterday, she told me that the chaplain had come by and just spoke with her. Tiel is not one to sit and have a pity party, or get down, or ask for your help, she is a fortress~! But when the chaplain came by Tiel said she completely unloaded on her and cried and talked for like half hour, maybe it was the drugs, but she said she felt much better after that. She hasn't broke down much since her seperation from her husband. Here is someone who could have a horrible attitude about their circumstances and life situation, but no, she just keeps going, hardly ever complaining or whining and has a great attitude and spirit. What an inspiration. :) I love you sis!
Please share the stories with me of people who inspire you... it is a great thing to reflect on...
Till next time, God bless, love you lots,
Sharrie
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