There Is Hope Blog Update

Hi ya all! Are you prepping for summer or just trying to keep your eye on that finish line of the school year? I know there has not been many reasons to visit here over the past year or two. Seasons in life. Changes in life. Road blocks, falls, and victories! Still loving living in the Far South! Loving the warm weather and green outside. A grandson just turned six months, and serves as a reminder of how fast children grow up. Enjoy every day. Celebrate the little and the big things! Sometimes, just pull out the china and eat by candlelight, just because you are worth it. As I journey on a road of a progressive disease, we as a family have learned to make the most of every moment. Realize the value of each heartbeat, every breath, and every decision. Never take anything for granted! These are truths we want to pass on to you. I have been unable to share here but will as I can. I pray that even if it is only spammers that visit, maybe, just maybe, one person's life will be changed. There Is Hope Blog will stay open and up for now. My daughter and I plan to share views from two viewpoints as we walk a new section of the health journey. We also plan to share views on Homeschool and Family life from an older and younger perspective. I hope that if you visit, you find something that helps you. In return, help someone, anyone, anyway you can. We are all in this together! Remember, always remember, we have HOPE!

This Is My Story

Hello Blogger World!

It has been a bit since my last visit. However, I know several have visited from over at Tabers Truths. I had a chance to share m story over there thanks to Mr. Taber and a co-blogger friend who often writes for the site. So far the first two posts of four have gone live. If you have not seen them yet, you can visit Part One at this link. Part two can be read right here at this link! It is my humble prayer that you are encouraged and find HOPE as you read these. Part three will soon be available, Lord willing. I recently suffered another setback which is taking a long time to recover from. Each time there is progression, I have to find the will within me, and hold on to Hope and faith, to press on and overcome whatever skill has been lost, whatever damage has been done. I ask you remember us in prayer. I have so very much I want to share here, as always.Stacks of posts on paper. Maybe one day, someone will be able to type them and share them here for those who need to hear the truth - THERE IS HOPE! John 3:16 God Bless, Becky

Advent Week Two - Precious Gifts

Week two of Advent! How quickly we are marking off those calender days. I am sharing today as part of the "Advent 2012 - 40 Days of Seeking Him" meme sponsored by Trish at "Upon This Rock" and Laura at "Day by Day In Our World". I enjoy being a part of this group each year as it helps me to reflect on what God is doing in our home and through us during this busy time of year. As I have preciously mentioned in posts, it is one of two very busy times for our household as we serve in full-time ministry. My husband has very full days all week. We get little time for family moments during this season, so we grab what we can and partake in the church's activities together. Have you ever stopped and thought about how busy your church's leadership team is during this time? Please take a moment and pray for them and their families. Think about how God might use you to bless them. Think about how God might use you as a volunteer to help spread the Gospel during this season. We find many hearts softened and more open to hearing the message during the Holiday Season. Perhaps it is the baby? "Who can resist a baby", one man said. So with such beautiful outcomes, I find myself cringing of even using the word "busy", because it is really a "surge in activity" that brings about so many gifts for our family. We have witnessed miracles during these first weeks of Advent. We have seen lives changed. A play called "Christmas Comes to Detroit Louie" was performed. The actors were so humble, and felt they were doing so little. God however, took their willingness to share the message in a creative way, to change lives both in the cast and the audience. Glorious choir anthems have been sung and brought shouts of "Hallejuah" for the spirit moved among the hearts of each one present. Band members played new renditions of carols and hymns. Seeds are being planted in the hearts of these young men. Youth gathered for fellowship over some hot pizza. They need time, love and attention from adults not judgement. They are teaching my husband and I so much. It is amazing what can happen if you give the gift of time to a young person! We are watching them grow and change their lives in various areas. It is an awesome gift to us in return for our time. They also attended an Advent Bible Study with us that our Senior Pastor is presenting.It is laid back, and we share and discuss as she leads. This week we discussed the point at which Mary had to decide. Have you ever thought about the fact she could have said "No"? She came to a moment where she presented herself willing and open to the will of God. There was a moment when she fully understood His love and her life was forever changed. Mind knowledge of Christ is not enough. We have to have a heart to heart relationship with Him. We come to a life changing moment when we die to ourselves and accept all that he is, and we offer ourselves as willing servants for His will. Have you had your own Mary turning point? One where God alone transformed your life and you were anew? He is with you, and is waiting.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

He loves YOU that much! Let's return to looking at some more ways people gave of themselves. Bell Choirs played and sang for those cooped up in Nursing Homes this week. The members of these choirs gave of their afternoons and talents.They were blessed and so were the those who attended the concerts. Those folks were glad to know someone cared. They heard the story from Luke. Reminded that God is still with them. If they did not know Him, they now had the chance to do so. How beautiful these gifts were. Of course, when a gift is selfless and blessed by heaven, it IS going to be beautiful. Men and women gave of their time and talents today to build sets for an upcoming live nativity. Yes, carpenters, woodworkers and artists had gifts to share with their director and for their God, so that again, the Gospel could be shared with the city. I look forward to reporting back to you what God does with what they gave! So I now ask you: "What will YOU bring the Christ Child"?

Seeking him daily, and sharing it here with you as part of the "40 Days of Seeking Him" sponsored by "A Day by Day In Our World" and "A House Upon the Rock". Week One came and went before I even realized it! Our calendar is always full in November and December, but especially more so this year. Much of our time is spent at the Church (Building/Campus), and with our Church Family, as my husband serves them full time as Director of Ministries. However, that is not the only reason. We do so because we are seeking Him, and because we want to offer our worship to the King. During week one, we are preparing the House of God for worship and to welcome the Baby Jesus. We are ministering to others, extending the hand of God, sharing food, clothing, counseling, care, prayer and more. We hold hands weekly and commit to serve Him together, hand in hand, as children of the most High God. We are preparing our hearts, as we celebrate Advent, as a Church Family and at home. We offer much in worship and praise. We, as a couple, are being stretched and grown by Him as we work with the youth of our church/city. They are blessing us in ways they do not even realize. We see God's grace and mercy as these young people teach us, as we humbly try and lead them. He, the Christ Child, our Risen Savior, is the reason for it all. Busy, yes, but busy being about our Father's business. For the chance to be so, we are most thankful.

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jer. 29:13

I have been studying in a book called "All of the Women of the Bible" by Edith Deen. As I read and learn from these amazing women in History, I reflect inward and evaluate myself. I pray and ask my Christ to help me see myself in a way He does. This book is a wonderful resource and will help you to better visualize these women and what God did in their lives, remembering what He has already done in yours. Imagining what He shall do in the days to come...

Lila Rose Flexi Clip Giveaway

I was the blessed receiver of a Lila Rose Flexi-Clip recently. It is beautiful! A dear friend of mine, and her girls, are Consultant's for Lila Rose and do a fantastic job serving their customers. Lila Rose has beautiful hair products that are very feminine. The products range from hairbands, clips and decorative bobby pins to more. The clip I got adds a beautiful classic touch to my hairstyle and outfit. By the way, the best part, my HUSBAND commented how beautiful it was.

I will be giving away one certificate, redeemable for a flexi-clip, or any Lilla Rose item of the winner's choice, valued up to $16. Giveaway will be open to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Not eligible if you have won another Lilla Rose giveaway in the past 6 months.

How do you enter? You have several choices and each will be an entry. Contest is open until Nov. 18, 2012. To enter, you must register at Jennifer's site and let her know which style flexi is your favorite. Just visit HERE. T

hen you may choose from any of the following to earn additional entries. *** Follow my blog and comment on this post, below, that you do so. *** Like our Facebook Page There Is Hope Blog and comment here on the post, letting us know you did! *** Lastly, "LIKE" Jennifer's Lila Rose Facebook Page. and once again, come back here, and let us know you did so! On this page of Jennifer's she posts all the specials and current giveaways, as well as extra pics, videos, and sizing tips that are not available on the website.

It is worth your time getting connected. The winner will be announced here and on each Facebook page on Nov. 26, 2012. Enter today! Good luck and Best wishes!

** I was given a Lila Rose Flexi Clip for Review and offered this opportunity for a giveaway in return for my honest review and participation. *** Should links fail to work, these will be corrected asap*** Thank you for your participation and understanding.

Five Little Peppers on TV

I often see the series of books about the "Five Little Peppers" listed on book lists for Homeschool. This series of books was authored by was created by Margaret Sidney from 1881 to 1916. The stories center around "Mamsie" and her five children born into poverty in rural America, in a little brown house. We learned how the lived, learned, and played in the "little brown house". Their Father, Mister Pepper, had passed on. The series spans seventeen years, and Mamsie remarries during this time, with full approval of her children. One will also visit school and travel abroad with the Pepper family. Our family has never read this series of books. I recently became interested in them and was so excited when I learned that TCM (Turner Classic Movies) on Cable, would be airing the movie versions throughout November! I am anxious to watch and admire Mamsie who surely seems to be the moral backbone of her family. She longs to provide happiness and a good education for her children, just as you and I, in such difficult economic times. The first in the series, aired this morning and we DVR'd it for later viewing. It was made in 1939 and is titled "Five Little Peppers and How they Grew". A case of measles gets this working class family mixed up with a blustering businessman's clan. "Five Little Peppers At Home" , made in 1940, will air November 10th at 10:45 am. TCM stated that this one will be about the five siblings enlisting a crusty old businessman to help save their mother from bankruptcy. This movie is based on the book "Five Little Peppers Midway". On November 17 at 10:45 am, tune into TCM for "Out West With the Peppers". This is based upon the book, "Five Little Peppers Abroad". The working class family moves West in search of better fortune! Should be an adventure! For a nice treat during Thanksgiving week, check out on November 24 at 10:45 am, the showing of "Five Little Peppers In Trouble", also known as, "Five Little Peppers At School". The story is about the five siblings possibly facing boarding school when their working mother can not hold a job and care for them. Each of the movies are about an hour long in length. Most reviews state that viewers enjoyed these classics, and especially enjoyed watching them with their children. A few mentioned they got a good laugh from the cute stories. We look forward to watching all of these and sharing our own thoughts. Be sure and leave your own review here, if you and your family also join in on watching these classics. Be sure and let channels like TCM know that we families enjoy having such viewing choices!

Raising Dysautonomia Awareness -Cast Your Vote

Dysautonomia - a word you may have never heard before. Well, unless you have been following my blog that is. Wikipedia defines it as:

Dysautonomia (or autonomic dysfunction) is a broad term that describes any disease or malfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The autonomic nervous system controls a number of functions in the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestive tract peristalsis, sweating, amongst others. Dysfunction of the ANS can involve any of these functions.A number of conditions are forms of dysautonomia.

October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month. A friend of mine is in a contest with The Children's Place and is using it as a platform to raise awareness about Dysautonomia, something both she and I deal with daily. Please take a moment to read below. Visit the information site to learn more about the many forms of Dysautonomia and how it effects people and their families. Then, visit the contest site and cast your vote!Thank you and God bless! Way to go Chloe! We are so proud of you! From Chloe's family:

She doesn't look sick! Please help spread Dysautonomia Awareness by voting & sharing. I'm praying this will spark a campaign, or at least donations for research by major retailers like "The Children's Place". It would be such a blessing for everyone suffering from this illness to receive support & understanding, as opposed to the lack of compassion because it's mostly an invisible illness (hence the "she doesn't look sick" opening sentence)...except when they're passed out on the floor, or can't get out of bed. Chloe is my youngest of 3 daughters....all affected by this horrible illness. They have had so much of their lives taken from them, as have so many. Please vote, share, pin, and tweet! Thank you!

Dysautonomia Awareness: www.dinet.org Children's Place Contest: Click here!