A Friend's Personal Storm

Tomorrow my friend is having surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on her colon. The stage of her cancer and future treatment is unknown until after the surgery. This friend is the most faith driven woman I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She lives and breathes for her God and as confusing as that is for me at times, it's something I've always admired about her.

She wrote this today and I wanted to share her words:  

"YIKES!!! Tomorrow at this time I will be heading into surgery! Not going to lie, I get a little scared when I think about it. But with that being said...My sister and I were talking the other day and I told her, that if something does happen and I don't win this fight, that I don't want anyone to be mad, angry, or upset. You see, I signed up for the army, Jesus's army. As a soldier of His, I must go through battles and circumstances just like my nephews have done and are doing in their service with the military for our country. When there are causalities of war or broken bodies, they are Heroes. They still believe in what they stand/fight for, and they would do it again. It is all for something greater. So, again if I become a casualty of this war, be proud, and know that I gave it my best and I am proud to serve in this army where Jesus is my Commander. He will use this for something greater. As you read in my daughter's post yesterday, I have been through some battles in my life and look at the good I have now.  I love you all soooooo much it makes my heart hurt. I will fight, and I will fight for you! I am strong...I am woman... a woman of God! Now, go make every MINUTE of your life count, be happy, hug more, kiss more, PUT down your PHONES and talk to your family and friends, look in their eyes and tell them you love them!! Thank you all again for being my "army" buddies and being here for me! My "coffee" cup runneth way over the top! Ha! Praise God!"

Wow!!! After reading this I went and sat on my deck crying and listening to the wind and talking with God and then it started to thunder...uhhh...not quite sure what to think about that, but one thing my friend has taught me is a little bit of thunder is nothing to be scared of.

If you're so inclined, please mail her a note of encouragement, a card, or anything to brighten her upcoming days.

J.S.

500 Lincoln Avenue

East Alton, IL 62024

In her words "He brought me to it, He will bring me through it" ❤️

In support of my friend and colon cancer in general, I wore blue today and will continue to wear blue until my closet runs out.  Here's a picture that I snapped this morning (maybe the thunder was God telling me to put down my phone?) and sent to her just after the thunder incident.  She loved it and said she was laughing out loud.  She not only has a strong love for God, but an incredibly great sense of humor.  Just another reason why I love her!

By Jessica Dudley

Random Thought of the Day: Election Day

Today is Election Day!  I love Election Days, but really don’t like that in the primary election I have to choose to be a Democrat or a Republican. I’m such an Independent in more ways than one, but when it comes to politics I vote for the person and NOT their party affiliation.  Nonetheless, I still cast my ballot today, did you?

I recently received some JOY FM stickers in the mail, and I thought about placing one on the back of our truck, but I just couldn’t convince myself that placing it next to my law enforcement husband’s “Glock” sticker didn't totally scream out “I’m a gun-tote'n Christian Republican.”  I had major anxiety over the thought of being stereotyped like that even though I personally believe the stereotype is just plain silly and totally bogus.  In an effort not to box myself in and keep my independence, I suppose the JOY FM sticker will have to go on my car.

Signed:  Miss Independent (a.k.a. Jessica Dudley)

An Investment in Myself

One of the ways I started this new year off was with buying myself a gift!!!

Boldly listed at the top of my 2014 to-do list was to read and write more.  On a trip yesterday to Michael's for some yarn and a new journal, I received one of those "nudges" and just a few moments later I found myself meandering the religious section of Books-a-Million.

What I wanted was a Bible.  I admit; I didn't have one.  My husband has a pocket version that he was given in boot camp.  I knew we had one buried somewhere in a pile of books in my oldest son's room, but I wasn't sure I could even find it.  What I really wanted was a Bible of my very own.  One with meaning.  One that someday has my very own story inside its thin pages.  A tangible version that I could hold, smell, highlight, write in, earmark, whatever my heart desired.  I selfishly wanted it to be ALL MINE.  No sharing!  So, with a house full of boys, I knew it also had to be PINK!!! The options were plenty, but WOW some Bibles sure are expensive!!!  I originally wanted one of the Read the Bible in 365 Day versions, but on my way to the store I heard on Joy FM that they had a checklist available online.  I'm also a realist and didn't want to set myself up for feeling like a failure if I was reading the date of May 2nd on July 16th.  So, I eventually chose the less expensive, just as beautiful, pink and brown leather-like NLT version.  It is now all mine!  

Inside the front cover I filled in the blanks: 

There are so many reasons that I wanted this Bible, but the one reason that sticks out beyond all the others is THE INVESTMENT IN MYSELF.  I'm worth it.  I deserve it.  ❤️
 

Jessica Dudley

Living Simply

John 10:7-10

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

In the event you missed church this past Sunday at Troy United Methodist Church, Pastor Dennis Price delivered a sermon entitled "Simple:  Life."  The overall theme as I understood it was the need to simplify our lives and make Jesus our number one priority.  One of the examples Pastor Dennis used to demonstrate his point was, "What did you do with that extra hour last week?"  Did you use that extra hour to fit in three more items on a to-do list?  Did you use the hour to sleep?  Did you use the hour to replenish yourself by reading the Bible or praying?

Today being Veteran's Day, my two girls were off of school.  Although sleeping in was on my to-do list, it was not on theirs.  Instead of running errands or taking in an activity outside the home, we decided to simplify our lives today.  Opting to stay in our pajamas for the duration, a leisurely (not necessarily healthful) breakfast of homemade Nutella waffles started our day.  My oldest daughter had written a thank-you letter to a Veteran for a school assignment, so we folded said letter after the breakfast plates were cleared and addressed it to her Great Grandpa O., a radio operator on a B-17 during World War II.  In the meantime, my youngest daughter dug in our craft box and found a soap making kit given to us by our thirteen-year-old neighbor.  We proceeded to create soap (for the first time) and then wrapped it in order to gift it to the same thirteeen-year-old neighbor.  Even I managed to walk a mile with Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home video;  yes, I should have walked the 5 Really Big Miles  as the subtitle suggests, but, hey, one is better than nothing.  After a stint in the kitchen making cake balls out of bundt cake which failed to fully release from the pan, the three of us snuggled in and watched a movie. 

While the hub was downstairs directing the girls in clean-up duties, I took an Epsom salt tub (suggested long ago by woman blessing Jessica Dudley via Faithful Fitness Friends) by candlelight and prayed for some women blessing friends.  

After I finish this post, I plan to load the dishes before the hub and I catch up on a missed episode of Homeland. Then, I am off to bed with a novel I have been meaning to finish for a few weeks now.  Although my family and I spent the day living simply, I feel as if this kind of simplicity allowed me to appreciate the richness of my life.

By Courtney Winkler 

Just a Blubbery Blurb

Around 3:45 this morning I violently jumped out of what I wished was a nice deep sleep.  I don't typically remember my dreams, a lot is going on in my life right now and I suppose my subconscious is telling to slow down a bit. 

Like I said, I don't usually remember my dreams, but when I do they are normally just silly, random dreams.  Not this morning though.  As I'm writing this, just over an hour ago I was ripped from sleep with the vivid images of my youngest son taking off on his bike really fast when a car turns the corner.  I see the car and yell "STOP!!!" And before his little bobbly helmet head could maneuver out of the way he was being slung up in the air, over the hood, and into the ditch.  

I'm still shaking.  I'm still drying my eyes.  I'm still trying to erase the images from my mind because I know they are not real.  I tend to overanalyze things so I'm refraining from turning to Google and explaining what this nightmare means.  Mainly because I already know what it means.  Ya see, just before I thrashed out from under my covers I saw myself drop to my knees and pray.  I didn't run to help my son.  I ran to God for help instead.  He would help my son.

I admit that I'm not sure how I would handle that situation in real life.  The thought of not running to my son is confusing, but the thought of knowing God was going to help us is comforting.

Now, maybe I can drift off to a more pleasant dream.  I've got a fun filled four day weekend ahead.  Until then...

by Jessica Dudley 

The Waiting Game

Last Sunday in church I was introduced to the story of Elkanah, his barren wife Hannah, and the taunting that she had endured from Elkanah’s second wife, Peninnah. 

This story personally struck me in many ways. I have two children so it was not in a childbearing way, but in the fact that Hannah waited out her storm. My personal storms of weight loss struggles, relationship issues, and harboring ill feelings towards those who do “wrong” have really taken a toll on me in recent years. Often at times one storm rolls right smack dab into another storm, snowballing, and creating even further havoc.

It is daunting. I often feel alone. I feel defeated and that is why Hannah’s story is so comforting. She waited out her storm. She was perseverant. She never gave up on God, and in the end He blessed her with Samuel. She was NEVER alone even when her husband was away with his other wife and children, because she had God. She never lost faith.

We all want something. Sometimes we want many things, but far too often we become impatient while we wait. We lose faith.

So today, I am stepping back from the worries and into my own personal waiting zone. I am stepping back from the bitterness towards those who find comfort in taunting others, and I will even say a prayer for them. I am taking comfort in the many positive relationships I have established and not focusing on the negative ones. I am going to obediently wait for God to select the proper time to reap my harvest. Until then…. 

PS. I suppose I will have to continue reading, but I wonder? Did Hannah say “Neener, neener, neener” to Peninnah when Samuel ended up being the only child of Elkanah’s whose name appears in The Bible?? I am going to guess not, and I will chalk that up to another life lesson learned from The Bible.

by Jessica Dudley

God Bought Me Breakfast

I’m a what you would call a realist. Which is really just a nice way of saying, “I’m cynical.” Not just about God, but everything. If it's not logical then it is just not logical, and that is that. By knowing this small detail about me, you can probably understand why it's been so tough for me to secure a solid relationship with God. It is all so terribly confusing to me. So many things just don’t make sense.

Well on August 29th, 2013, God "bought" me breakfast, and my life has been changing ever since. I was in the McDonald's drive-thru line feeling guilty for just ordering the ENTIRE burrito meal. While waiting in line, I was reading on my iPhone a RUBY Magazine blog post titled "Run for God" by Beth Miramonti. She was blogging about a recent trip her and Masja LaRue had spontaneously taken to Tennessee. A trip where Beth ran her personal best 5K, they enjoyed white water rafting…blah, blah, blah. I hope Beth and Masja both know that I mean “blah, blah, blah” in the most pleasant way possible. I’m fairly certain I’m not alone when I admit that sometimes hearing about others accomplishments is motivating, but then sometimes we find ourselves being selfish and turning their joys into our sorrows because we haven’t been able to accomplish those same things. So while I’m truly very proud of Beth’s accomplishments, the truth was that on that particular morning I was reading about them while sitting in a drive-thru line waiting for a 1000 calorie breakfast to be handed to me through a window in a paper bag. You can imagine the guilt consuming me.

Just then, I looked up from my phone to creep up a bit further in line. My eyes zeroed in on a SUV with a proudly displayed Joy 99.1 sticker. The thought of God himself didn't really enter my mind, but I did feel what one may call a "nudge" suggesting that I should pay for the woman's bill that was behind me driving a minivan. I instantly started contemplating with myself on what I should do with the only $5 in cash I had on me. Should I use my debit card instead? Should I cancel my order and just pay for hers? What if she has five kids in the backseat of that minivan and her order ends up being really expensive? Hmmm??? So I did the "logical" thing and moved forward in line preparing to pay for my own bill at the same time promising to “pay it forward” some other time really, really soon. Logical, right?

Well, when I got to the window...it turns out that the SUV with the Joy 99.1 sticker had paid for MY meal. Wow! For this lifelong skeptic, THAT small gesture was huge!!! I told a few friends who are full of faith, and they, of course, confirmed their love for Him, but I still didn't quite "get it." Why can't I just GET IT?!?!

It wasn't until after finishing the book Waking Up In Heaven by Crystal McVea and after talking with a friend at church last Sunday that I realized. . . GOD bought me breakfast!!! Me!!! He bought someone breakfast who doubts Him on a daily basis.

Since then it has occurred to me that I guess I’m now a believer. I still have so many other questions to be answered, but my new found faith is comforting. Maybe next time He will buy me a healthy salad instead. Until then . . .

by Jessica Dudley