Life IS Good

Life has not always been kind to me. Much of it was my own fault for making wrong decisions. I still make some wrong choices, but I hope a lot fewer.
Through it all I have been richly blessed by God, who loves me unconditionally.

The greatest gifts He blesses me with are all the wonderful people He puts on this path I walk through my life.

I didn’t ask to be born, and I almost wasn’t. There were times when I wished I wasn’t. Many times I wonder why I was born! I am growing in wisdom. And, glad I was born.

Learning to be grateful for my life, in all its ups and downs has been, and is a blessing. Still not sure what my purpose here is, but I pray I’m doing some things right.

Life IS Good!

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“Likes” and Comments

Is anyone else having trouble with trying to Like and/or Comment on the bloggers’s sites you follow?

When I click a “like” on some blogs it won’t go through even though I’m signed in. And some times my comments won’t connect either!!

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The Greatest Gift…

The greatest gift of all is God’s gift to us, His son Jesus.  Thank you God, and Happy Birthday Jesus.

Remembering that He was born to give the gift of His life for our sins…that we are forgiven…let us give ourselves and others the gift of forgiveness.

It is “Time for Letting Go”   https://amarquette333.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/time-for-letting-go/  and you will be richly blessed.

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The Visitors

Ann Marquette

Image via Wikipedia

Time to share my annual Halloween Story, which I wrote when I lived in Ireland.

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They come in the night, but only once a year…for Halloween.

In Old Ireland…it all began, a long, long time ago, about a century perhaps. It was almost deserted, the countryside. There was a graveyard very near a small thatched cottage. It was nighttime the end of October, and autumn seemed more like winter. The rain and wind began their song and dance as the pitch black of the night descended. The only light in the surrounding countryside came from the little fire and two candles burning in the tiny cottage.

Father settled in his chair in front of the warm crackling fire, with his corncob pipe. Mother was there too, mending old clothes. The children were playing and whispering together. The six year old boy, had fair hair and deep…

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Lessons in PERSEVERANCE

Photo by Carl Attard

Thank you, God, for the life of Bill Sweeney and lessons learned through his blog “Unshakable Hope.”
https://unshakablehope.com/2018/10/05/perseverance/

Thanks for Your answer to my prayer this morning.  When I think of the lessons learned this morning in Bill’s post on October 5^th 2018 “Perseverance” what a blessing.

I’ve been in a weird state lately, with strange bad dreams and so many thoughts/sensations making me think I am nearing closer to death.  Not sure if it is the medications I’ve been taking, the devil messing with my mind, or if there is something wrong with me that I don’t know about.

Maybe it is a continuation of the sudden thoughts about my mortality since the shocking news last April 1, 2017 in the ER that I have AFIB, that I needed a pacemaker and would have to be on 3 drugs the rest of my life.  I thought I had gotten past that!  But…“Really? This is nothing compared to Bill’s 22 years of suffering, and suffering of others.”

I know that death will come eventually to all of us, I am not afraid of it, and will be happy to be at home with Jesus Christ and His Father and ours.  But since I know Jesus is here with me, I can do anything and am eager to stay here as I continue to grow until the time comes.  It really is His will.

I asked Him this morning to help my mind, my thoughts to be in the here and now, to be LIVING JOYFULLY and focusing on what I need to do on this path He has for me. Next thing I know, I see Bill Sweeney’s blog post on 10/5 celebrating his Birthday – even though 22 years ago he was diagnosed with ALS and told he only had 3 to 5 years to live.  He is now 58 years old.

Reading Bill’s post on PERSEVERANCE, and the messages I needed, opened my eyes.  I’m so grateful for the health I have, and may the stumbling block of AFIB keep me reminded of the fact I am so blessed and I need to PERSEVERE in living the rest of my life joyfully and doing what God has told me to do and leave the results to Him.

Belated Happy Birthday Bill and thank you for the gift of God’s messages to us through you.  When I think of your PERSEVERANCE post, and its various messages…I get goosebumps. You have turned my life around for the better.

Thanks also to your lovely wife and Angel, Mary for her special loving care.

God’s blessings to you both, with love and hugs.

Readers, do yourself a favor and read Bill’s post https://unshakablehope.com/2018/10/05/perseverance/

Believe by Ann Marquette

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Born to…

Recently I  read a question starting with “Born to…” and leaving the rest blank for our imaginations to fill in.  Another was of seeking our purpose while here; and beyond.

So here goes for my thoughts for me personally.BORN TO…

• Be kind and loving
• Serve God by serving others
• Learn
• Be encouraging
• Inspire
• Write
• Connect
• Walk God’s path for me now and forever

I would love to hear from you, with what you believe your were
Born to….

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Life is Good!

Life has not always been kind to me. Much of it was my own fault for making wrong decisions. I still make some wrong choices, but hope a lot fewer.

Through it all I have been richly blessed by God, who loves me unconditionally. The greatest gifts He blesses me with are all the wonderful people He puts on this path I walk through this life.

I didn’t ask to be born and I almost wasn’t. There were times when I wished I wasn’t. Many times I wonder why I was born! I am growing in wisdom. And, glad I was born.

Learning to be grateful for my life, in all its ups and downs has been, and is a blessing. Still not sure what my purpose here is, but I pray I’m doing some things right.

Life IS Good!

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Random Thoughts Journal

Friday Afternoon, September 15, 2017

It might be necessary to give up the quality time I currently have to read, watch, listen, daydream and write. I need the means for a supplemental income. My dream is to have enough temp/contract work, some full time some part time to bring in the finances needed, but still have plenty of free quality time for me and my dreams. None of my friends believe that is possible.  I believe it is, if it is God’s will it will happen.  Anyway, I am happy and grateful for my blessings.

I love meeting new people, and that also happens at the BN Cafes. It often begins by just seeing some of the same people over and over again, then we smile and say hello to each other. Eventually a time comes when one of us starts a conversation. It becomes a community, even if never socializing outside of here. Yet Greenville is still small enough to occasionally run into someone at another location, like a grocery store, at church etc.

Yesterday I watched a couple UTube posts about being grateful and saying thank you to others. It is a great reminder. I do thank God, at least most every day and sometimes more than once a day. But sometimes I forget to tell others thank you. It doesn’t matter if it is for something big or small. Too many times we take things for granted i.e. someone holding a door open for us, providing service with a smile, the gift of a handwritten message sent by snail mail, even a short kind text message. How many times a day do we miss saying thank you to someone, and brightening their day? How many things, a day can we be grateful for…especially the people in our lives.

Have you ever thought of being grateful for those things you are not even aware of, like being protected from an accident you might not have noticed while driving on our roads these days!

I love daydreaming as I look out the window wall I sit next to in the Café.  I watch the white fluffy clouds in the blue sky. I remember the time I saw one which looked like an island, My Island in the Sky
https://amarquette333.wordpress.com/?s=my+island+in+the+sky

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Labor Day 2017

My Thoughts on this Labor Day 2017 as I am happily spending time in my local BN Café.

The only men in my life who really loved me. My Dad, and my high school boyfriend Johnny. And, the one who is alive…my brother, John who is also a best friend.
Johnny and I met through our church youth group while in high school. We became fast friends. He had asthma, and this was back in the 60s when there was no medicine for it like there is now.

He lived, probably a good 5 miles from where I lived. Usually one of his parents would drop him off at my house so he could spend time with us (me). When they couldn’t he would walk the miles to come see me; one day even in the rain without an umbrella! Some times when he could not come because of his asthma he would call and we would talk a long time on the phone. And, he would often play the piano for me over the phone. He was an amazing pianist and even wrote a beautiful piece which was going to be recorded! It reminded me of a beautiful waterfall. It was never recorded because the next summer Johnny died. I was devastated.
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Each time I come to BN Café lately I read a few pages of the latest issue of BELLA GRACE. Right now I can’t afford to buy it. I just turned the page to the next article “You are Loved!” Recently I have been sensing a feeling of what it might be like to have God’s best man for me in my life; almost as if it could actually happen. I don’t feel any need to have one, and definitely not looking. So it is strange to get this feeling just out of the blue.

A moment ago inside of a bubble of sensing something wonderful there was a hint of a tear in my soul. Don’t know if a sad tear or a happy one.
Even with my headphones on listening to music from Pandora I love watching the variety of people who come to this popular café and vaguely watch and listen to life going on around me.

Couples sitting together, but doing their own thing i.e. reading by whatever means they have chosen, doing crosswords etc. Some writing, working on a laptop or tablet, daydreaming, or chatting with others. Such an interesting mix of people. I love it all.

I like sitting next to the window wall. Often when a parent is walking past with their children, a child will look at me and smile as she is passing. Of course I smile back. It warms my spirit.

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INSPIRATION FROM BELLA GRACE Issue 12

Reading the Touchstones of Happiness, 75 of them from various individuals reminds me of some of my own.

My morning cup of French Press coffee with Jesus.

The day my brother came to us, only a few days old as a foster child. And again, when our parents brought him back home from a hospital in Virginia where is biological mother had left him, then decided to let us adopt him. We got him back before his first birthday. Thinking of him makes me smile.

A sweatshirt he gave me which I wore until it was nearly in tatters. I was able to save the front of it and a friend made it into a small pillow cover. Now I can hug it lovingly, like I am hugging him.

Fresh flowers bring me joy, especially tulips, calilies, and daisies.

Books, books, books.

My Tiffany Bracelet from Becky. And remembering how I met her…at my Tiffany Reception hosted by the Regional VP of Tiffany’s for my newly published book.

Walks along a sandy beach at the ocean.

A fresh new legal pad of paper, a favorite pen…and the beginning of a new writing.

Or a clean white Word doc writing with the keys on my tablet as I sit in the Barnes and Noble Café.

Quality time with friends, face to face.

What are some of your touchstones of happiness?  Would love to read yours.

http://bellagracemagazine.com

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LETTING NEVERLAND NOURISH YOUR SOUL ~ Bella Grace magazine

As I read this article in Bella Grace, I made a few notes for myself.

As Peter’s emotions brought on different seasons allow mine to do the same: dress for the season I want to be in, whether actual clothes or colors i.e. no black but spring colors when feeling it.

Create a Fairy Garden, on my porch or inside.

Settle in for Neverland inspired movies.

Step out of my color comfort zone and buy some Tiger Lilies and other colors of flowers.

Become a Fairy for a time by imagining being so tiny that I can contain only ONE emotion and FEEL it.  Write words that reflect that feeling, think of anything that is a part of those words/sensations etc.

Take myself to a Neverland – feel it, go there, be there, see it…

I love Bella Grace.  It encourages and inspires reflection within; and the journal pages gives me the place to write my thoughts.

Check out Bella Grace for yourself  http://bellagracemagazine.com/

Wishing everyone a Neverland of your own.

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Sharing ~ Bella Grace & Love Letter to a Single Friend

A couple months ago I opened a current issue of Bella Grace, a magazine of inspiration and part journal.  Love this publication. It is only three years old, but it will be around for a very long time.  Wish I would have noticed it much sooner.  It inspires and encourages calm, peaceful, simpler living; and appreciation, respect, and love of others.

I also receive the blog Grace Notes, and today read an awesome post by Elle Harris “Love Letter to a Single Friend.”  It can be for someone who never found that special someONE, or did but lost them, even anyone to realize the importance of the gift of them to others who love them.  It is beautifully written and I hope you will take a few minutes to read it then pass it on to others in your life.

http://bellagracemagazine.com/blog/love-letter-to-a-single-friend/

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Dad ~ We Miss You

Peace in the Garden by ann marquette

It has been 40 years this month since you left us.
John and I miss you. We can still see your face in our minds, and we keep you lovingly in our hearts.

It was sad when you were so sick for so long. I know you were in a coma the last several days of your time here on earth, and I’m sorry I was not there with you at the end. It was midnight in Ireland where I had been for three weeks with my company, when John called to say you were gone.

We knew your cancer wasn’t curable, but we hoped and prayed for a miracle. But God knew it was time for you to go home. We were happy for you to be at peace and pain free, but we do miss you.

Some months later I woke in the night and swore you stood at the foot of my bed. I had the sense you were trying to take me out of that place.
A couple years later I had a dream that was so real. You and I were talking, face to face, and it was wonderful. Then you began to disappear and left me. I woke sobbing.

You were a good Dad to us, and we are grateful for you in our lives, our hearts.

Love You Dad.

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A “Broken” Heart!

Recently I was reading my devotionals and a key word kept coming up…HEART, and I began to think of broken hearts.

A Broken Heart is usually thought of regarding the emotion of love lost…either through a breakup or death. But what about a physically broken heart, one that cannot beat properly and needs a pacemaker, a defibrillator, or even a surgical bypass.

Over the years I’ve had many of the emotional kind.

Some years ago after being hospitalized for tests to check my heart after an anxiety episode the cardiologist informed me my heart was that of a 16 year old. So, this recent ambulance trip to the ER, even though I thought I was having a major anxiety attach, brought shocking news that my heart was in Afib (atrial fibrilation), and after being moved to the hospital’s other campus to its cardiology unit I was informed I would need a pacemaker. I now have a physically broken heart, and internal scars wrapped around the wires to the pacemaker all to keep my heart beating properly. After several years the little mechanical device will wear out and the doctor will have to replace it with a new one.

How do we heal the emotional broken heart! Time and prayer. God is the only one who can heal that brokenness, and He may do so in a variety of ways. But first He will help us to healing within ourselves. We do need to love ourselves before we can truly love others.

My big question is, where is our emotional heart. Surely those “heartfelt” feelings don’t actually come from the physical heart in our bodies. Where did the idea of the emotional heart come from. So I Googled the question.

https://www.heartmath.org/articles-of-the-heart/science-of-the-heart/making-emotions/ 
“McCraty explains that research has shown changes in heart-rhythm patterns clearly reflect when an individual is experiencing positive or negative emotions. For example, the research shows, sustained positive emotions are associated with a noticeably coherent, smooth and balanced heart-rhythm pattern. In contrast, negative emotions are reflected by a jagged, erratic pattern.”

Hmm! So, was my physical heart broken after too many sad and stressful times? Maybe. But, now I am in this place in my life and I must do what I can, with God’s help, to continue working on healing me, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. I continue to be a work in progress 

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April 1st ~ HEART continued

The great blessing during the first four days of April and after are the people who were and are there for me. As I lay in the first ER, before hearing the shocking news of being in afib I had texted my friend and neighbor Catherine, and a friend from church, Philomena. They both arrived quickly and almost the same time. What a comfort and help they were; and still a comfort by being my good friends.
During my stay in the Telemetry area of the other hospital several others came to see me. All offered to help in any way I needed. Thank you Paula, Ann, Ed and Carolyn, Tammy and David, Carole and Dan. My friend Judy came to spend time with me, especially the day of the procedure to connect the pacemaker to my heart’s electrical system! And she came the next morning to be with me until I was discharged, then drove me home making sure I was ok before she left.
My brother arrived from Michigan a few hours after I got home, and he stayed with me for two weeks. I wasn’t able to drive that first two weeks so he drove. As he was there over Easter we had a lovely Easter brunch at a nice local restaurant. I love him so much, and thank God for bringing him into my life.
I went back to work part time the week after I got home from hospital and the staff were awesome and caring. It did me good to get back, even part time to have my mind on something else. Between that and my brother being here with me those first two weeks I know it helped my recovery.
It is 3 months since and I am doing good. Feeling like a new person and in wonderment each day as I feel and think differently. Amazing how something that seems so bad can turn out to be so good.
Thank you God.

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