Re: Believe... (OT--sharing my faith a bit)

[Guest guest]

Dear Judi -

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story.

For many years before RA caught me, I had some wonderful opportunities

to be involved with interfaith programs. Whatever one's religion or

belief, I feel we can all meet in the heart (while still honoring our

different faiths).

Anyway, this lovely story from your very real life is the kind that can

inspire and bring hope to all of us.

I, too, have had times when everything just seemed dark and despairing.

Yet, in the midst of that darkness, light will shine. Sometimes, for

me, it's like a flashlight on a dark, moonless night. Walking (or

limping!) along the path on a night like that, one can't see very far,

can't see what's ahead; but, with the little flashlight there's just

enough to see the path itself. And sometimes that's all I need to keep

going. Of course, once in a while a big, bright beam of light

illuminates the whole thing. That's always nice! ;-)

Hmmm. I got a little sidetracked there! But I just wanted to say that I

really appreciated and was inspired by this message. Thanks, Judi.

Prakasha

On Dec 19, 2005, at 6:56 PM, nonny46 wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I just thought I'd stop by and share something special that happened

> today.  I have been very stressed, taking care of my daughter's kids

> the past 2 weeks, long days, 2-year old attitudes, depressed

> daughter, confused 5-year old, plus a fall on the ice which gave me

> some dandy bruises, and a case of the stomach flu.  In the middle of

> the night the other night I was ready to say " What God? "   It seemed

> He had forgotten all about me, and I was having a hard time getting

> excited about Christmas.

>

> Last night Ron and I watched " Polar Express " on video, and if you

> have never seen it, I hope you have the chance.  Faced with deciding

> to either believe or not believe in Santa, a boy finds out about

> taking things on faith.  Suddenly it clicked--that's all I have to

> do, is believe, and not try to make everything better for everyone. 

> I prayed and asked to have some sign that would make my early morning

> (5 AM) trips every day seem more special.  This morning as I was

> driving, suddenly there was a HUGE flash of light, and a meteorite

> came streaking across the sky directly in front of me, headed for the

> ground!  Talk about an answer!  Then, a little farther on, as I drove

> up daughter's gravel road which was covered in new snow, the light

> from the full moon caused the snow to sparkle like a bazillion

> diamonds.

>

> I hope I don't offend anyone but I know we all get so down at times

> dealing with our illnesses and pain and burdens, and I just wanted to

> let you know that things can change, in a flash and a twinkle.  And

> with that, I wish you all a joyous Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah,

> whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate at this time of year.

>

> peace,

> Judi

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thats wonderful Judi. I find myself getting down at these holiday times every

year. I try to make it a good christmas, as good as I can, but sometimes (well,

usually) I don't feel like I can. I forget to believe... when I'm feeling that

way.. I think back on one occasion when I was a child, we had no food in the

house on christmas eve. no tree, no presents, my mother had gone to the bakery

outlet earlier in the day to buy animal feed pastries so we could have something

special to eat. Of course we were saddened by the state of things that year, we

went to bed early. When I woke up the next morning there was a christmas card

underneath the front door, I bent to pick it up and opened it. inside there was

$500 and a card that simply said " yes virginia, there is a santa claus " I didn't

know then and still don't know now, who left that there... but it reminds me to

believe.

kerri sue

nonny46 <nonny46@...> wrote:

Hi everyone,

I just thought I'd stop by and share something special that happened

today. I have been very stressed, taking care of my daughter's kids

the past 2 weeks, long days, 2-year old attitudes, depressed

daughter, confused 5-year old, plus a fall on the ice which gave me

some dandy bruises, and a case of the stomach flu. In the middle of

the night the other night I was ready to say " What God? " It seemed

He had forgotten all about me, and I was having a hard time getting

excited about Christmas.

Last night Ron and I watched " Polar Express " on video, and if you

have never seen it, I hope you have the chance. Faced with deciding

to either believe or not believe in Santa, a boy finds out about

taking things on faith. Suddenly it clicked--that's all I have to

do, is believe, and not try to make everything better for everyone.

I prayed and asked to have some sign that would make my early morning

(5 AM) trips every day seem more special. This morning as I was

driving, suddenly there was a HUGE flash of light, and a meteorite

came streaking across the sky directly in front of me, headed for the

ground! Talk about an answer! Then, a little farther on, as I drove

up daughter's gravel road which was covered in new snow, the light

from the full moon caused the snow to sparkle like a bazillion

diamonds.

I hope I don't offend anyone but I know we all get so down at times

dealing with our illnesses and pain and burdens, and I just wanted to

let you know that things can change, in a flash and a twinkle. And

with that, I wish you all a joyous Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah,

whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate at this time of year.

peace,

Judi

[Guest guest]

Judi,

I hope that you are ok after your fall. That is so

true we just have to keep the faith that god will look

out for us. Everything happens for a reason. I always

tell myself that when something bad happens. Take care

of those precious grand kids. I hope you have a very

Merry Christmas.

Beth in AR

--- nonny46 <nonny46@...> wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I just thought I'd stop by and share something

> special that happened

> today. I have been very stressed, taking care of my

> daughter's kids

> the past 2 weeks, long days, 2-year old attitudes,

> depressed

> daughter, confused 5-year old, plus a fall on the

> ice which gave me

> some dandy bruises, and a case of the stomach flu.

> In the middle of

> the night the other night I was ready to say " What

> God? " It seemed

> He had forgotten all about me, and I was having a

> hard time getting

> excited about Christmas.

>

> Last night Ron and I watched " Polar Express " on

> video, and if you

> have never seen it, I hope you have the chance.

> Faced with deciding

> to either believe or not believe in Santa, a boy

> finds out about

> taking things on faith. Suddenly it clicked--that's

> all I have to

> do, is believe, and not try to make everything

> better for everyone.

> I prayed and asked to have some sign that would make

> my early morning

> (5 AM) trips every day seem more special. This

> morning as I was

> driving, suddenly there was a HUGE flash of light,

> and a meteorite

> came streaking across the sky directly in front of

> me, headed for the

> ground! Talk about an answer! Then, a little

> farther on, as I drove

> up daughter's gravel road which was covered in new

> snow, the light

> from the full moon caused the snow to sparkle like a

> bazillion

> diamonds.

>

> I hope I don't offend anyone but I know we all get

> so down at times

> dealing with our illnesses and pain and burdens, and

> I just wanted to

> let you know that things can change, in a flash and

> a twinkle. And

> with that, I wish you all a joyous Christmas,

> Kwanzaa, Chanukah,

> whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate at this

> time of year.

>

> peace,

> Judi

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Judi, that was beautiful. I've had many such experiences and they

really keep you going.

laura

nonny46 <nonny46@...> wrote: Hi everyone,

I just thought I'd stop by and share something special that happened

today. I have been very stressed, taking care of my daughter's kids

the past 2 weeks, long days, 2-year old attitudes, depressed

daughter, confused 5-year old, plus a fall on the ice which gave me

some dandy bruises, and a case of the stomach flu. In the middle of

the night the other night I was ready to say " What God? " It seemed

He had forgotten all about me, and I was having a hard time getting

excited about Christmas.

Last night Ron and I watched " Polar Express " on video, and if you

have never seen it, I hope you have the chance. Faced with deciding

to either believe or not believe in Santa, a boy finds out about

taking things on faith. Suddenly it clicked--that's all I have to

do, is believe, and not try to make everything better for everyone.

I prayed and asked to have some sign that would make my early morning

(5 AM) trips every day seem more special. This morning as I was

driving, suddenly there was a HUGE flash of light, and a meteorite

came streaking across the sky directly in front of me, headed for the

ground! Talk about an answer! Then, a little farther on, as I drove

up daughter's gravel road which was covered in new snow, the light

from the full moon caused the snow to sparkle like a bazillion

diamonds.

I hope I don't offend anyone but I know we all get so down at times

dealing with our illnesses and pain and burdens, and I just wanted to

let you know that things can change, in a flash and a twinkle. And

with that, I wish you all a joyous Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah,

whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate at this time of year.

peace,

Judi

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. You have such a great

attitude and somehow you seem to

get stronger when things get rough. I admire you for all that you do,

especially taking care of

your grandkids even though it's so hard on you. I hope you and your

family have a wonderful

Christmas.

a

On Dec 19, 2005, at 6:56 PM, nonny46 wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I just thought I'd stop by and share something special that happened

> today. I have been very stressed, taking care of my daughter's kids

> the past 2 weeks, long days, 2-year old attitudes, depressed

> daughter, confused 5-year old, plus a fall on the ice which gave me

> some dandy bruises, and a case of the stomach flu. In the middle of

> the night the other night I was ready to say " What God? " It seemed

> He had forgotten all about me, and I was having a hard time getting

> excited about Christmas.

>

> Last night Ron and I watched " Polar Express " on video, and if you

> have never seen it, I hope you have the chance. Faced with deciding

> to either believe or not believe in Santa, a boy finds out about

> taking things on faith. Suddenly it clicked--that's all I have to

> do, is believe, and not try to make everything better for everyone.

> I prayed and asked to have some sign that would make my early morning

> (5 AM) trips every day seem more special. This morning as I was

> driving, suddenly there was a HUGE flash of light, and a meteorite

> came streaking across the sky directly in front of me, headed for the

> ground! Talk about an answer! Then, a little farther on, as I drove

> up daughter's gravel road which was covered in new snow, the light

> from the full moon caused the snow to sparkle like a bazillion

> diamonds.

>

> I hope I don't offend anyone but I know we all get so down at times

> dealing with our illnesses and pain and burdens, and I just wanted to

> let you know that things can change, in a flash and a twinkle. And

> with that, I wish you all a joyous Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah,

> whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate at this time of year.

>

> peace,

> Judi

>

>

>

>

>

>