Who Are You?

 I am not being defined by what is happening to me, but how I am getting through it. That will be the person I become tomorrow.  I intentionally have rephrased this to the present for you to see what it is saying with different eyes. 

We can be going along just fine in our ordinary lives until the extraordinary happens.  It's unexplainable and unimaginable. It's not going to go away by wishing you could start the day over again.  There typically will be no redo's in life. 

In the flash of a second you will choose.  There is no time to think or form a plan.  This choice will be automatic.  It could bring life or it could bring death.

What is the foundation of your life built on?  Who can you go to and trust with your most intimate secrets?  Who fills your empty spots?  Who are you?  I  think these are some very good questions to think about.  
  
If you are walking through life thinking nothing will ever happen to you.  Then you need a back up plan with that one, because life happens in the blink of an eye.  I know because that is what happened to me.

One moment I'm at work where finishing a project was the main thing on my mind.  Seven miles away a trigger is pulled on a high powered gun.  In the blink of an eye a life is taken.  My daughter is gone.   There will be no more   swinging on the tire swing at school with her best friend Summyr.  There will be no more rocking in the rocking chair with my daughter on my lap enjoying a moment in time.

I am so thankful that I don't just have a religion with God.  I have a relationship with God.  I talk to him every day.  He is my refuge, strength, faith and hope.  He is oxygen to me.  I just call on his name and he hears me and covers me with his grace and mercy in to another day.

Another day begins and joy comes with the sunrise.



Walking By Faith,

Deb 

 

Experiencing ”Aislinn Hair Boutique”



Escape with me to a place where you can indulge yourself with a unique cut, style, color, or perm.  It’s a place where your stress fades away into a distant memory.  Comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation takes its place.

 

Allow me to introduce to you my friend Trish Gamez, with her daughter, Gabby.  For 27 years Trish has been dedicated to giving the utmost attention, courtesy, and high level of service to her clients.  Trish has been praying for some time for God to bless her heart’s desire to have her own shop. 

In time, God has not only blessed Trish with the perfect space for a new shop; He gave her the name.  As Trish was dreaming one day about what the name of this special gift from God would be she was curious about how the name “Beauty” would be described. 

As Trish typed out b-e-a-u-t-y, what followed left Trish speechless.  The word “Aislinn” popped up, (in Ireland it's pronounced as "ASH-lin").  To most of us that wouldn’t mean anything, but to Trish, what came next left her with no doubt whatsoever that now was the time to boldly and confidently begin designing her life-long dream. 

 

Aislinn is Irish for Dream, Vision, and Beauty.  Trish was born on Saint Patrick’s Day and Trish had a dream and a vision for a beautiful place where everyone who entered through her door would feel the presence of God.

On July third,  I had the honor of being Trish’s first "Client" to walk through her door.  I instantly felt at peace as I entered. My eyes traveled around the room trying to take everything in.  I was instantly drawn to this elegant red couch and had a strong desire to sit there a while and enjoy a cup of coffee.

The Shop is elegantly and tastefully decorated. It invites you in to have a seat and be pampered.   Aislinn Hair Boutique is truly a beautiful reflection of who Trish is, and gives testimony that you are never too old to have a dream come true.

May I present to you, Aislinn Hair Boutique, located at 900 E. Florence Blvd., Suite D3, Casa Grande, AZ   85122.  Hours are: Tuesday and Thursday 9AM-6or7PM, Wednesday and Friday 9AM-2:30PM, Saturday by appointment.  Although walk-ins are welcome, for your convenience, it is best to call for an appointment.  To reserve your time with Trish call 520-252-9655 (Cell).                                                                                                                              

 

 

I'd like to express my appreciation to my son, Paul Holway of "Holway Images" for presenting me with such lovely pictures to share.

 

 

 

 

 

Walking By Faith,

Deb



 

 

Learn How to Pass Your Tests In Life

I have just finished reading an article by Joyce Meyer that has given me a lot to think about.  John 16:33 it says, "In the world you have tribulation and trials"............reading the rest of the verse you get to the best part where Jesus says, He has overcome the world!!

Sometimes God allows or even arranges for us to go through difficult times in this life because it's during those times that we grow in our faith and develop more of the character of Christ.  Trials reveal what we really believe and what's really inside our hearts.  They test us.

As I have walked through some tough trials I had a choice to make in every single one.  Did I want to feel joyful as it says in James 1:2, "we should consider it wholly joyful when we experience a trial or face a temptation?"  Verse 3 goes on to say that "the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience." 

Do you all remember being told NOT to pray for patience?  I still have my training wheels on with that one!!  LOL!!!  BUT........my mind is recalling a saying......."when the going gets tough......the tough get going!!"  Now that spells steadfastness to me, which is a friend of patience!!  I don't have to like it.  I just have to do it.  Without the whining is always good!

I continue to be a work in progress........yes, I am progressing!!  To have more of the character of Christ takes lots of practice.  Some repeat testing is also normal so quitting is not an option, because the outcome will not be pretty!!  Temptations will visit us during our journey, so how do we pass our tests?  Here are some temptations that can come along where Joyce offers some great defense plans:

1.  We can be tempted to go back to an old habit or addiction, even though we've been set free.  If we  submit ourselves to God, humble ourselves before Him He will give you the strength to resist the temptation.

2.  We can be tempted to be angry with God and resent people who don't have the same problems we have or who have things we want.  When tempted, set your minds to praise Him instead and thank Him for His goodness in our lives.

3.  Trials can tempt us to become indignant and say things like, "Why is this happening to me?  I don't understand?!"  instead of wondering why and feeling sorry for ourselves, we need to say, "Don't panic...this is only a test!"  Because the truth is, this too will pass and we'll get through it with more peace and stability if we trust God.

4.  We can also be tempted to take matters into our own hands.  If you've ever thought, "I'm not going to put up with this any more!  I'm going to do something about this!"  When we take matters into our own hands, we delay or miss the blessing that God wants to give us.  Instead, we need to trust God and wait on Him to work things out. 

Walking through the days after the tragedy of losing our daughter Bethany at the age of 8 and all that followed was harder then anything I've ever gone through.  I went through yelling and being mad at God to coming right back to Him asking His forgiveness.  As I voiced my anger and I heard my words I realized right away just where I would be without God in my life. 

I realized that I don't have to "understand" the whys.........I just have to "Trust In God......"  This was my time of  testing of my faith and belief for me.  If what I believe is true then I need to walk in what I believe......."But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am.  And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste........"  I Corinthians 15:10 (Message Bible)



Walking by Faith...............Deb