Summer Vacation

Has been too long since I last posted, but I have good reason. I am on vacation in Ohio, left Texas Aug.7th and have not stopped since I arrived. Drove my Mom and sister to Kansas City for my Nephews wedding on Sat. the 15th. We left a day early and spent some time in St. Louis, touring the Arches and the Cathedral Brasilia where they have some awesome Mosaic Glass Artwork. We drove straight through coming back, a long 13 hours. I am accustomed to long trips, my Mom and Sister were great passengers and we had a great time. Mary is my youngest sister and we have not spent a lot of quality time together as I am 14 yrs older than her and having married young she can not remember when I was at home. I moved to Texas when she was a teenager, she joined the Army after high school and spent many years in Germany. So, we are beginning a relationship as mature adults, one of us almost an elder adult ! As this is Sunday I will be attending church with my Dad today, taking him to lunch after and then a visit to his brothers, who happens to be one of my favorite Uncles. Going to church and praising God together is a very special time for me, there was a time when we spent out time together in a bar. then I met a man named "Jesus" and my life was changed !! for many years I prayed for my Dad and at 65 he too called out that name and became a changed man. my Dad is a true example of what Jesus can do with a life when a person totally surrenders to and allows God to take control. He was an angry, bitter man who did not love himself, therefore could not love his family as he should. He provided for us financially, but there was no emotional stability received from him. I thank God I have had these last 23 years to have good times and make memories to replace those memories of my childhood. I have not forgotten, but I have forgiven! Forgiveness in our lives is SO important, if we do not forgive those who have hurt us in the past and those who still wound us we will become bitter and hard for others to love us. I chose to be BETTER and not BITTER, what about those who have hurt you in the past ? Are you holding grudges ? Do you find fault with family and friends ? Are you always on the defense, knowing someone is always out to get you ? I lived too many years in the self pity victim mode. I am a Survivor !! One day I looked in the mirror and said there has to be a better way than this, Lord help me to be a kinder and more loving person. The Holy Spirit spoke in my inner most self and said, "You must forgive." That was a starting place !! If you can relate to my story, ask Him, you too can receive the peace you seek, God will give you a joy you have never known, that comes from deep within, that only He can give and NO man can take it away, you may give it up, but it is yours as long as you, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus !!"