Diana + Theresa = Hope

Jesus is the TRUTH to be told;

Jesus is the LIFE to be lived;

Jesus is the LOVE to be loved;

Jesus is the LIGHT to be lit.

Let us love Jesus

with an undivided LOVE,

and others, as He

LOVES

you and me.

(Mother Theresa 1992)

The prayer book and tiara are a few of the pieces of memorabilia in the exhibit called:

"Diana:  a Celebration!"

I can't help but wonder if Diana, in reading Mother Theresa's inscribed words to her 

or in spending time with her,

ever accepted the TRUTH of Jesus' love...

...ever truly became a Princess, being a Daughter of the TRUE KING.

One can HOPE.

Since they both died within the same week, in my hope-filled, romanticized notions... 

 perhaps God planned for them to be on a "special assignment" together.

 

....in heaven, as it was on earth.

Hope so.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
I Timothy 2:  1-4

Joy in the Journey

"It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the End of our journey, He is also at every stopping place." Elisabeth Elliot

I am going on a long journey with lots of stopping places, and may not be able to post for awhile. The next few weeks I will be feverishly trying to get everything done that needs to be done when one is gone for a month's time. I also have a HUGE project at church that takes place shortly after I get back, so I am trying to accomplish as much as possible on that before I leave.

Now, this journey is a JOYOUS one ~ praise God. It is one of His lavish gifts for which I am extremely grateful. I will join my daughters for their Spring Breaks in Europe. Since they are not scheduled at the same time, nor are they concurrent; the four-week time span comes into play.

My daughters are graduating from college, and moving on into a more mature place in their lives....one of commitment and responsibility (read: jobs, with limited vacation time.)

So, this is a perfect opportunity to spend quality, unfettered time with them while visiting exotic locations. How wonderful is that?-

Sara Beth chose Turkey for her destination.  We will spend time in Istanbul.  I am very excited because I get to go back to one of my FAVORITE places I have ever been ~ Ephesus. OH.MY.WORD. To be able to see where Paul lived and preached ~ to walk the same streets!!! Incredible. And, by the way, those streets upon which I will tread once again, are MOSAIC. Yep, mosaic! The accoustics in the amphitheater in which he preached are phenomenal. You can whisper, and still hear. We will also visit Capedoccia. Capedoccia from what I've read is very interesting.

I will then spend some down-time on my own in Italy ~ visting Ariccia (Sara Beth's town, and visiting my friend, Anne in Assisi.  Assisi has been on my Bucket List because of Francis.

Then, Meg has chosen Greece for her destination. We will be staying in Santorini for a few days and then some friends have graciously and generously offered us their home on the island of Naxos ~ about two hours ferry ride from Santorini. Wonder of wonders ~ EASTER in Greece is HUGE....bigger than Christmas, and Orthodox Greek Easter falls while we are there. So, I am very excited to see what that experience is like.

Now, here is an interesting side note. I have loved traveling all my life. However, a few years ago....I felt like I was putting it too high on my "Priority List," and it was interfering with my Top Priority ~ my relationship with God, because it was taking up too much time ~ planning and thoughts. So, instead of 'me' being my travel agent....I made God my Travel Agent. (Duh ~ He's my Travel Agent anyway, but I wasn't letting Him plan my itinerary ~ forcing my plans on Him, instead of the other way around. Not the way to go.
So, He has taken away my desire to travel. Which is sort of weird and sad, but 1,000% OK.

Though I am THRILLED to be able to travel with my girls...being gone for a month is a bit daunting to me. I am a HOMEBODY.

Like everything, I just want this trip to glorify my Father in heaven. With so many spiritual elements involved, I think He will show us some great and mighty things. I am praying so.

So, although I hope to post on my trip....can't promise between available Internet access and such.

So, hang in there with me.  I'll be back.  God and I are traveling.

True Victory!

As I watched the Winter Olympics, and witnessed the palpable, exuberant, overflowing JOY of those who DID their personal best ~ it was a reminder that we, too, are in the Olympics.

Our performance may not be televised, but we certainly have an audience of ONE.

As followers of Christ, our "sport" is to run the race He has set before us with endurance and excellence.

Each of us have our very own unique race that God has designed, but the "game plan" is the same:

* "Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might." And love your neighbor as yourself."

* Be humble

* Be obedient

* Be surrendered

Athletes must be humble, odedient and surrendered to their Coach, in order to be the best that they can be.  In order to be a champion.  In order to be victorious.

As a Christian, God is our coach. And He guarantees the victory.

"But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 15:57

Are we listening to our Coach?

Are we being the athlete God called us to be?

Are we being victorious?

Oh, to have that joy of winning the "gold"....but for an audience of  "ONE."

"But He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."  Job 23:10

Whose Your Valentine?

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.


She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.
Beautiful Love by Jô Angel div>

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

Love Vintage by Jô Angel
She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

Beautiful love 02 by Jô Angel on Polyvore.com

The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

Vintage Princess by Jô Angel featuring Disney Couture jewelry

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.'




Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No way!', replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend,'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No!', replied the third boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!'

Her heart sank and turned cold.

Love 02 by Jô Angel featuring Juicy Couture accessories

She then asked the second boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and
you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'I'm sorry , I can't help you out this time!', replied the second boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.'

His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.'

The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as
he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when
I had the chance!'

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives:

Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you wherever you go.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish your spirit now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

Which boyfriend do you LOVE the most? Nurture? Spend time with? Lavish upon?

Your heavenly Father so longs for your spirit to be one with His. He never loses His vision for whom He designed you to be, even if you have fed the wrong boyfriends, and starved the right one.

So, in this season when we celebrate love, give your spirit the greatest gift of all ~ you!

The throne of God, full of mercy, grace, love, goodness, compassion, kindness and forgiveness, will seem closer than you think ~ for eternity is now.

The Holy Spirit is waiting for yours....the PERFECT LOVE, the PERFECT VALENTINE!