Power of Prayer

When you feel that you have done all you can...pray.
When you feel that the cards are stacked against you...pray.
When you feel exhausted, defeated, and lost...pray.
When you feel alone...pray.

You don't need to recite words from the Bible or say 10 Hail Marys...just speak from your heart and have faith that you being heard.

Now I don't go to church and I don't read the Bible but I know that there is a power higher than myself and I believe that there is a path that we have for our lives here on Earth. I don't believe it is an easy path but it is one that we chose to experience and there is a tremendous amount for us to learn on our journeys. But we are never alone. We may have times when we lose everything but we still have each other and we are still in the company of angels and guides and positive, encouraging, supportive energy that is always there but that we have to choose to allow into our lives.

Every day I pray that my family (here and elsewhere, human and animal) is protected from negative energy and danger. I believe that, no matter what, we will be okay. I invite positive energy into my life and I work hard to make sure that my part is done.

Sure I have great moments of anxiety and fear, frustration and pain...but I always come back to the realization that I have the power to create great opportunities for myself and family. I have the ability to make sure that my home is a safe resting place and that if my children need to talk about something...even embarrassing, growing up things...that they can come to me because they will not feel like they should be embarrassed. I have the ability be an example by exercising the laws of attraction and the power of positive thinking and prayer. I have the ability to teach lessons that what we think that we want, what we think we need, may not be what we truly need in our lives to be happy. Even the most miserable experiences are opportunities to learn new strategies, skills, and lessons for our life. We cannot learn if we don't make mistakes. By working through the mistakes, there is opportunity for tremendous growth.

Everyone is feeling the the floor cracking right now...even if you still have your job and home. But, in times when we feel the most insecure, there is strangely a sense of security...it is just deeper. By asking those hard "what if" questions, we find that our foundation in each other is solid. That if we lose everything, we still have a safe place to go and love to share. We see what is truly important and realize we have our limits and can only do what we can do.

In times like these, it seems like people reconnect or turn to their faith. I encourage everyone to do the same. By welcoming positive thoughts into your life you really have nothing to lose but the negativity. Who knows what challenging, scary, and rewarding opportunity may present itself if you are open to the possibilities.

Update

I just looked at this blog for the first time in a month and thought I would update some things.

First, my hand is doing very very well. After 4 doctor visits to make sure it was healing correctly, I have all my function back but the skin in still hyper sensitive in areas and I can't extend my pinky with too much pressure because the skin feels very tight. A few more months and I should be good as new with very little scarring.

Other stuff....

I am applying for some full-time counselor positions in Sacramento. For all of those that read this (I think only my parents actually do but whatever), say a little prayer, think a positive thought, or send us some good vibrations. "Home" has been calling me back and I would love to get out of Fresno. Matt is all on board for moving because it is just too unhealthy here and he is tired of feeling like crap physically. Our desire to move doesn't have anything to do with my inlaws either. Matt's family is great and it is nice to know that we have people around us here in Fresno. I know some people really hate being close to their spouse's family and would move for that reason...I just wanted to put that out there because that is not the case for us. Even though I would rather not live in Fresno any longer, I certainly would not force my family to move. This is something Matt and I are looking into together. Every job opportunity that I see, I discuss with him before I even apply. It usually goes something like this:

Me: "Honey, there are 4 counselor positions open in Sacramento..."

Matt: "Well, apply."

We never know what will happen but, at some point, I am bound to get a hit on the numerous applications I submit. We will see...I am thinking positively.

Matt is unhappy at his job. They laid off 17 people on Monday (1/5)...happy new year...not so much. Matt wasn't laid off because he is far to valuable to the company (I'm not just saying that either). I am also hopeful that an employer out there (in the Sac area, haha) will give Matt a chance to show them what an asset he would be to their company.

In other news, Matt is starting school on Monday (1/12). He is taking classes toward a Mechanical Engineering degree. This will be challenging on everyone but I support him 150% because it is an investment in our future and I know that he will find it rewarding. This is something he really wants and I am happy that he is getting started. It will be an interesting transition but we will get through it and it feel very normal after a little while. I will certainly need to pick up the slack because he will be in class Mon-Wed from around 6pm-830pm. I do most of the inside stuff anyway but I will need to help out with some more of the outside stuff. This is something I do not have a problem doing. Matt will have work and school and homework so I can do my part helping out in areas that he may not have the time for. That's what partners do and I know he would do it for me if the tables were turned.

My parents are coming to visit from today until Sunday (I think). I usually try to sick Courtney on my mom to squeeze out another day or so. The kids get excited when my parents come to visit…especially Courtney because she has someone to talk to who talks just as much as she does. Haha. If you haven’t watched TV with my mom and Courtney together, it is an experience…you may not be able to hear half of the program due to the chatter. I really am starting to understand my dad more now that I am married to Matt. I am jealous of the way they can block things out.

And finally, my cousin and his wife had a baby girl, Eva, on new year's eve. I can't wait to see her.

I think that is all the bigger stuff going on right now.