I Can Breathe .... Exhale!

Thank you so my God,

I know this isn't the place to talk about it ... but a major hurdle was met today. The past three years have been a horrific place ... Yet, a place where I've really had to rely on faith and belief.

I know in the deepest place in my heart and conscience, I didn't do anything to deserve what was done to me.

Next month, the next hurdle ... depositions .... First weeks of the new year ..... hearing.

God said He will make you enemies your footstool.

Thank you God :)

Church Suppers, Brunches, Fellowships

Some of the most different, eclectic (I know that an odd word to use to describe food) but you never know what tasties will be at the church's monthly pot luck ... or found in the occasional fundraiser cookbook. I buy them at every opportunity!

I found an odd recipe for pineapple pie! It was such a hit with 44 and his guys at Camp Shelby... I had to post it for prosperity.

Lattice Pineapple Pie
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 30 minues

1 can (20 oz) Dole Crushed Pineapple, undrained 1/2 c. sugar 2 tbl. corsnstarch 3/4 tsp. salt (optional) 1 tbl. butter/margarine 1 tbl. lemon juice Pastry for 9-inch double-crust pie

Combine crushed pineapple, sugar, cornstarch and salt, if desired, in saucepan. Cook, stirring, until thickened and clear. Stir in butter and lemon juice. Cool Slightly. Poor filling into unbaked 9-inch pastry shell. Cut remaining pastry into 1-inch-wide strips for lattice top. Weave strips crisscross over pie to make lattice top. Pinch edges

Bake at 400 degrees F., 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Brushing the crust with egg while will give more sheen to the goldening of the crust.

Enjoy!

Partnership with God

Father,

Thank You for the gift of partnership. Thank You that we can stand together stronger and more effective in building Your kingdom. Your Word says that when we dwell together in unity, You command blessing. Today I receive that blessing as I follow Your commands.

In Jesus’ name. Amen

God,

Dating --- What does it look like?

Maybe more importantly ... what does it feel like? Social activities ... hmmm! Not quite the same as booty calls!!!!

According to Wikipedia:

Dating is a form of courtship consisting of social activities done by two persons with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. While the term has several senses, it usually refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity in public, together, as a couple.

The protocols and practices of dating, and the terms used to describe it, vary considerably from country to country. The most common sense is two people trying out a relationship and exploring whether they're compatible by going out together in public as a couple, and who may or may not yet be having sexual relations, and this period of courtship is sometimes seen as a precursor to engagement or marriage.^[1][2]


Casual Dating according to About.com

An interaction between two people who are looking to get to know one another better, without commitments or promises. Either or both parties can be casually dating other people.
 
Casual dating differs from friends with benefits, in that friends with benefits engage in sexual activity together with no commitments to one another other, whereas casual dating may or may not involve sex, but its primary purpose is to determine what kind, if any, relationship will blossom.

Dating and the Bible
_{Does the Bible say anything about dating?}

No, but it does describe relationships.

If "dating" is defined as two single friends of the opposite sex doing things together for fun without any attraction or romantic desire or intimacy involved at all, there is no issue to discuss regarding dating. They are spending time as friends. The Bible describes and gives directions concerning friendship. But for most, the issue of dating involves "romantic attraction and desire." Therefore "dating" must be approached by what the Scripture says regarding romantic desire and marriage, the only relationship in which romantic desire is to be fully expressed. Also, in our culture, through "dating" people will often find a life partner and marry. How men and women view a "date" and "dating" can have a profound effect on their future. "Dating" is not a relationship, it is a method people employ in our culture to get to know others of the opposite sex that was not employed in Biblical times. The Bible does not talk about "dating," but it does talk about relationships. However, the Bible does describe three kinds of relationships with the opposite sex and gives certain characteristics of each relationship (there are others such as parent/child and sibling, but they don't clarify the issues of dating).

One kind of relationship the Bible describes is friendship.

Proverbs gives several characteristics of friends and friendships. Prov.17: 17 says, “A friend loves at all times.” Prov.18: 24 says, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” Prov.27: 6 says, “When a friend rebukes you, that rebuke can be trusted.” Prov.27: 9 says, “The pleasantness of having a friend springs from his earnest counsel.” Prov.27: 10 says, “Do not forsake your friend.” These verses bring out the fact that the Lord blesses friendship and encourages us to develop them. Friendship involves three foundational elements, commitment to fulfill the responsibility of a friend, care and concern for the welfare of your friend, and affection. The word "friend" means someone you like who also likes you. This liking involves a "friendship kind of" affection based often on personality and common likes and interests.

Hope

Thank you God for bible study yesterday. I am so grateful for First United Methodist Church and the Women's Bible Study group.

I thank you for Beth Moore and her teachings.

HOPE!

I love you so much for confirmation.

Yo

Letting Go-- Thanks Joel Olsteen

In order to move forward in life, we have to “let go of the past.” But have you ever wondered exactly how to do that? First, understand that we take hold of things in our minds with our thoughts. Our thoughts become words and actions that determine the direction of our lives. It’s that simple. If you want to choose a new direction for your life, you have to choose new thoughts. If you want to let go of the past, you have to quit thinking about it, quit talking about it, and quit reliving every negative experience.

Oftentimes, when we see someone who has hurt us, that pain and offense is stirred up, and we start thinking about whatagain. But in that moment, I have a choice to make. One of the best things I can do, instead of rehearsing the hurt, is to pray for that person and speak blessing over them.

This is my strategy with my mom, sister and my sons.

Remembering, forgiveness is for me. Letting go of bitterness is for me. I don’t want the past to hold me back from what God has in store for my future any longer. Get past the past by choosing right thoughts because God has victory and blessing in store for my future!

I praying for guidance and direction. I pray the men in my life.

Casini, Dorian and Isaac guidance, discernment and protection.

I pray for healing for Sean.

I pray for 44-year old's heart desires be granted.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I humbly come to You today. I choose to let go of the past. I choose to release those who have hurt me so I can embrace the best that you have for me. Help me to forgive, help me to love, and help me to stay on the good path You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Best Weekend!

Good Morning God,

Of course You know ... had the best weekend.

44-year old took me to the Hard Rock as payoff to the Jets/Ravens game. Got my sexy dress on! He likes a vixen :) He invited another couple to join us. That's a good sign. Steve Harvey suggests that you get to know the person's friends and family ... that's when you get a true picture of who this person is.

Kayaking this weekend with Ree was fabulous! I always love our mother/daughter time. Thank you so much God for making that happen. The weather was perfect .. the water was tolerable. NO SNAKES! Just turtles!

I love you so much God. I love you so much Jesus!
Yo

And the Doorbell Rang .... and Rang!!!

Hey God,

Just wanted to say Thank you. Thank you to my 44-year old giving me a call the other day giving me a chance to talk out my feelings. And of course, my perception was totally off. I am trying to just enjoy the budding friendship and the opportunity and journey of getting to know him. Sometimes, we get so caught up trying to fortune tellers that we miss what we have in front of us today!

One of my favorite childhood stories is Aesop's Fable of the the Wolf and the Sour Grapes. I don't want to be that. He's really cool, no drama.

You know, God, I do so much enjoy cooking dinner for him. He seems so content, AND APPRECIATIVE. He knows he has to go to pt! His body is SO fine! Calendar FINE!

Thank you for 44's intervention with Isaac. It felt good to have him, not once but three times put his arm up to keep me from going to the door. I didn't understand until 44 had a conversation with me later in the evening. All the boys and Ree are well aware of what pushes my buttons. Isaac's continuing escalating disrespectful behavior was off the charts .... He came to the house even after I told him that I had company. Isaac laid on the bell and wouldn't let up! As if to say, I know you're in there and I don't care what you're doing, come to the door NOW! Eventually, 44 went to the door, told Isaac I wasn't coming to the door until he was gone. Isaac continued to be disrespectful and 44 shut the door.

I've never experienced someone getting in between one of my children and me. Normally, the stance had taken the form of behind the scenes advice or in the background presence without any type of verbal or physical involvement.

44 going to the door, now I know ... not ever experiencing this before .... His putting his arm up, not once, not twice but three times to keep me from answering the door ... and then, 44, himself, went to the door. All 6'4'' and 260 lbs of sold muscle all packed neatly in Army fatigues. (Nothing more sexy than a man in a uniform ... Yummy) You will not be disrespectful to her tonight, not while I'm here. 44 put himself, voluntarily, as a shield of protection for me. I've never felt that before from ANYONE in all my life. Didn't recognize it as the events were unfolding. Wow. This is what that feels like. Finally, someone had my back. At least last tonight. ~smile~ Someone that I can trust and share ... the beginning of a friendship. Thank you God :)

God, Isaac, Dorian and Casini .... please continue to cover them. Please open their eyes.

Thank you for breakfast with Linda today.

Love you,
Yolanda

What's Up???

God,

I've tried not to rush to judgement, give things a chance to grow .... evolve, naturally-without undue pressure.

Today, I am feeling a little queasy in my stomach.

44-year old and I went canoeing Saturday. His thank-you to me for helping with last semester's class.

After we arrived back to his truck ... his phone was ringing off the hook. He answered it and told whoever it was that he was back at his apt. (LIE). If you have to lie to the person ... then don't answer the phone. Or, at least, take care to insure your conversation isn't overheard.

Later, back at his apt. while working on this semester's work. The phone was again, ringing. He kept pushing the button to send the call to voicemail.

A short-while later, he said he had to step out but that I could stay. I stayed to finish working on the math problems ... but I can feel that uneasiness in the pit of my stomach.

I asked all the questions, the day we met at Hooters. I don't want to become the police trying to figure it all out. Too much work .... Too much drama associated with that.

Sunday night, the Jets played the Ravens. That's us. Made a bet: the winner gets to design a nite out. I won. There was a fantastic fumble in the last two minutes of the game. He was suppose to call back later that evening because a posting was needed that evening for class. I was working on one of the problems while he was watching the game.

I called him after the game to tell him the status of the problem I working on so that he could go ahead with his posting. No answer. Knowing what I've seen, I left a message and didn't call again. He didn't call back.

Yesterday evening, he left a message for me to return his call after I get in from work. Basically, he said that he was returning my call for the night before. 24 hours later, I said. Basically, he blew it off ... blew me off. I simply replied he's cool and later.

Seeing what I seen, hearing what I've heard ... the last couple of times ... I know that I've been holding back. He knows that I've been holding back. So, has our status changed???? I'm really unsure where I stand with him. It will be three months soon. I suppose, technically, we are still in the "get-to-know you" stage.

He's been married before ... not sure if he wants to do it again. Not even sure, if he wants a committed, monogamous relationship ... I just know that when we first spoke ... he wasn't involved with anyone, not seeing anyone.

Outside of the experiences mentioned, I have really enjoyed him company. He has a great sense of humor. From what I can tell, a strong sense of integrity. He adores and protects the women in his life ... daughter, ex-wife, mom, aunts, grandma .... So, playing games really doesn't seem like his mo.

I tried to say something to him Saturday but I wasn't making sense.

And of course, it could all be in my head! OM! Alot of times we write out the script and the dialogue before we even had an opportunity to speak to the person. My perception could be totally off.

I'm going to finish working on this week's assignment. Whether he shows up for dinner on Wednesday is an unknown ... we will see.

God, continue to keep me from hurt, harm and danger,
I love you always,
Yo