Encouragement : Another song of the day

Dear Friends,

Over the past few weeks, I have learned a lot about perseverance and what a true commitment to God really looks like. Recently, my church did a sermon that caused me to re-examine the direction my life was going: the sermon was entitled "Recalculating" using the metaphor of a GPS as its focus. The main question, if memory serves, was something as follows: What will people remember about you 10 years after your death? That question really sinks to the bottom of the issue, who are you living for and does it in fact show in the markings of your daily life?

My dad has more notes written on the sermon, but that's all I could remember from memory. Still, it really makes someone wonder.. If I am truly the Christian I say I am, am I truly using the gifts to give God the glory in my life?

I'll be honest, it's hard to answer yes to that question all the time . But remember God is controlling all the events of the day and he prepared works for his faithful to do. That being said, I was reminded of an old gospel song by Steve Green "He who began a good work in you" based on scriptures (Philippians 1:6) and I thought I would pass this along.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNjZlHARnEk
Debbie

Motivational Speaking: Another Career Option for Me!

Okay~

Over the last couple weeks, my struggle in search for therapy has come to an end; in reality, it's more like two weeks since I'm writing this post early October. It took us going to another hospital, but the work has now begun. I'm now adjusting to a night splint which stretches my arm out in a extended position. I wear that brace primarily at night, although occasionally spasms wake me up from a sound sleep, so you can imagine I don't sleep well. Most recently, I have been told to start wearing my wrist brace as often as possible to prepare myself for using my joystick. My dad is going to replace the doul in my tray like I had in college so my arm will get used to being in that position again. So we're on our way, I guess.. But I can't help but wonder. Why can't I just stay positive like the rest of my family?

Anyway, I've always considered motivational speaking a second career alternative for me. If writing doesn't work out, then is. I want to inspire others to overcome obstacles in order to achieve their dreams. That being said, I've had this link for a while and it fits in perfectly with this idea. This kid's story is amazing!
Please check it out
http://cancertype.me/child-with-cerebral-palsy-doing-inspirational-speaking.html

America's Got Talent winner, Michael Grimm

Okay~
In the midst of all this chaos, I just realized I forgot to announce the winner of America's Got Talent. I'll have to admit I was a little surprised by the outcome myself. But I can't help but think his background story had something to do with it. Either way, both Jackie E. and him are sure to get contracts. Still, I'm happy that he was able to finally propose to his girlfriend!

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2010/09/americas_got_talent_winner_mic.html

Encouragement:Haylee

Hello everyone,

My apologies for not keeping this website up to date on my surgery or up-to-date in general. It's been a very frustrating past few weeks as I have encountered some more health issues in this journey called life. Wheelchair users can probably understand my situation, sitting up in a chair for eight hours a day trying to get done and the problems that that may cause. Not to mention, the difficulty we are having trying to get me in for therapy one month AFTER my surgery! The hospital I normally would go to put me on a waiting list and we are still waiting. We are still looking into other hospital alternatives.

Meanwhile, I have seen increased use of the sites sides of my fingers: I am functioning well, but can't wait to get my arm feeling normal again with exercises and movement through therapy. Honestly, I don't know why it's taking this long to get me in anywhere. Oh well.. I know I should be grateful for this time, and I will probably be complaining after therapy begins.. But I just can't wait to see the full impact of the surgery.

Anyway, here is an encouraging article that I found a while back. It shows the kindness of strangers who believed that people with disabilities have the right to live a normal life, outside that of a nursing home.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/10/haylee-cain-21-year-old-w_n_677203.html

Karen Kingsbury's "Life-Changing Fiction" gets a makeover!

Welcome back~



Well, friends.. Like Dandelion Dust opens nationwide this Thursday. Based on the Karen Kingsbury's best-selling novel, this movie tells the story of one family's search for redemption and the dilemma of right and wrong. Which one will conquer all? For more information regarding the movie itself, it's rating or the book, please go to one of the following webpages:


http://www.likedandeliondust.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0981042/
http://www.amazon.com/Like-Dandelion-Dust-Karen-Kingsbury/dp/1931722854

Friday: Song of the Day

So,

It's the weekend and I can't really think of anything to say to you guys. My healing is going well, but I am on the waiting list for therapy because the hospital has a lot of patients. That being said, I am left to my own devices when my parents using some of the old exercises until they call us. I have seen a lot of progress with me getting increasing use of my fingers back. But not like I used to- and my thumb is still numb. That being said, I thought these two songs were perfect to summarize the last few weeks of my journey.

The first song is Never Give up On Me by Josh Bates

The Second Song (I'm not sure if I posted this one already or not) is While I'm Waiting by John Walke

Encouragement::Tennis proves once again its heart over dominance with wheelchair bound champion Esther

Hey Guys,
I found this article yesterday via Top AOL articles; I think it fits the category of "encouragement" will, don't you?

Please take a look...

http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/09/12/esther-vergeers-dominance-transcends-her-wheelchair/?ncid=webmail

The Battle Wages On..

Hey Guys,




As I'm sure all of you know, this weekend marked the ninth anniversary of the fall of the Twin Towers in New York City. For many of us, this tragedy is an outward symbol of the ongoing struggle in this world. Every day, the news is plagued by some type of death and destruction, political imbalance or neighborhood tragedy. At first glance, these subjects may have nothing in common; but they only could mean one thing. In the midst of all this chaos, it is obvious that people are searching... for answers, for purpose, and for God.




A closer look at Ephesians 6 not only acknowledges the physical tensions going on today, but focuses our attention on the spiritual battle going on in the human soul. According to the King James version, it reads as follows: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. "

These are scary words for anyone, including Christians. That is, until we remember the assurance of God in our lives. It comes in remembering the solid foundation of God's promises for all who believe in him as well as living in the assurance of His Presence in Our Lives (Psalms 99:1). Too often, we get caught up in the things of this world and forget God's Power; after all, he is in control and protects His Children. Like Psalms 55: 22 lovingly reminds us to, we should "cast our cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall".
At some point, we all feel under attack- beaten down by our circumstances, persecuted for our beliefs, or simply disliked because we are different. In all of this, we have a choice to make. We can either let our struggles define us as a person or we can rise above them in order to find the lesson. Who knows we might even find God in the midst of it all!

I certainly felt this way this week...

Getting Back to the Basics

Dear Friends,


This video seems like an appropriate way to summarize my journey towards recovery. A week after my surgery, the splint came off as well as the stitches. A first, my pain was managed by a doctor's prescription of oxycodone and Valium for the spasms. Thankfully, though, I didn't have to take that for long because of the way it upset my stomach and such. I have a long way to go for sure with upcoming therapy and splinting to regain the use of my fingers and hand. But God has seen me this far, I have no reason to believe that he won't see it through its completion. Please forgive my sparse postings as I go through this difficult transition time in my life

Thanks,

Debbie