Valentine’s Day 2019

Today is Valentine’s Day. A day when we as believers understand or should that the greatest love was done for us! He loved us so much, you so much, He laid down His life for YOU, for ME, for US ALL. 

Many of you are alone, sad, and lonely. Many are sick, heartbroken and depressed. Many are suffering in silence, shunned, cast away.. But let me tell you this, He LOVES ❤️ YOU. He wants you. He can heal the broken hearted. He can give you Hope. 

Sometimes we feel like we are wandering in the desert. Dry and parched. Sadness overwhelms us. It says there is no hope. There is no way out. 

I’ve been there. I’m there in some ways currently but this I know, He loves me so much He laid his life down. His love knows no depths, no width. But it knows you. Before you knew Him you were formed in your mother’s womb. He KNOWS YOU. 

Your sadness, your trials, your thorns. He knows. He knew we would not be faithful, He knew we would fall and fail, yet He still laid his life down for you. 

Reach for his garment today. On this day of Love, reach out to him. He is waiting. His hand reaching for you. His love, His blood, His peace... come to Him this day. Sense His Love washing over your dry and parched life. 

Be encouraged. You matter to Him. You have meaning. Your heard. Love to you today! 

Trust

Psalm 23
1. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of Lord Forever.

Trust ~ Trust means that you believe that a person will treat you well. Trust is most easily measured by risk-acceptance. ... If I trust someone, it means I'm willing to deliberately put myself in a situation where that person could hurt me by doing the "wrong" thing.

This last year I dealt with some hard things from my past. I trusted someone who said they would always be there. Someone who I allowed to get very close to me. To walk through some of the things I had not let go of. I allowed myself to trust to much. To believe that person would be there. I shared a lot. I cried a lot. I let myself feel hard things thinking that person was walking beside me.

I know this person was in my life for a reason,  and I’m glad that I was able to deal with some past pain. But you know I see now that I allowed this person to take over a role (maybe out of my own desperation and my own feelings of a desire to have something I’ve never felt I had), that was and is Christ’s alone.

I’ve been incredibly hurt. I thought this person truly got me, loved me and accepted me. That no matter how hard it got or the mistakes I would make they would stand with me and cover me in love and prayer. That didn’t happen. Instead what happened is I had a meltdown, I said things I wasn’t proud of. I reacted to a situation that I shouldn’t have. And when the dust settled they were gone. Not there like was said.

I should’ve stepped back. I should’ve waited on Christ alone to make the crooked path straight. This has been a very hard thing. The difficulty is far reaching. The hurt and sadness causing crippling deep wounds that will be a scar in the quilt of my life forever.

But it won’t destroy me. It will be a time I will forever be reminded of the roles of others. That yes they are here but Christ is the one we must place our full TRUST in, not others. We must see where Christ’s Grace and Love extends. We must decrease for Christ to increase. We must trust to grow. Trust in Christ for he never fails us.

No matter what happens from here on, I will turn to the author and finisher of my Faith in Confidence and Trust with Grace and Truth.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Twists and turns

Sharing from my business page

As we leave 2018 and head into the New Year of 2019, I’d like to share a few thoughts..

Life is filled with turns, twists, bumps and cracks but it still leads you somewhere ~ 

GG (Gma’s Gem’s) aka me

I’ve met some amazing new customers who have become friends. I’ve met some inspiring networking connections who have become friends. I’ve found friends from my past and I’m sure to find friends in my future. 

A few years ago I’d read about picking a word instead of a New Years Resolution. To be honest I never did commit to resolutions. I never even tried. But I did and do like the idea of a word. This year my word will be confidence. I hope 2019 finds you filled with confidence, joy, hope, peace, kindness or compassion or anything that might stretch you on your journey. 

Hebrews 12:2 

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Happy New Year from Tay and I here at Gma's Gem's. Looking forward to the New Year. Do you have a word or New Year’s Resolution? Where are you headed? I know I’m headed towards my God, my savior, the author and finisher of my faith. 

 Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. 

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Old Shoes, New Shoes

There is just something about your favorite shoes. You know. They are worn out, and tired looking. They have walked many miles. Through the dirt, mud and snow. They have been comfortable and your go to. I love my old shoes.

I remember as a kid when I got new shoes. I was so excited to tell my friends. Look I can run faster, I can climb higher. There is just something about new shoes isn’t there? As I got older your shoes defined you. I had Converse All Stars, moccasins and a boot that my friends and I called elephant stompers. I can’t remember why we called them that lol.

My own kids had such a variety. Dress shoes, PE shoes, snow boots, (moon boots, do they still make those even?), and flip flops. But I remember getting new shoes and they had to be broken in. I used to wear my cons and soak them in as hot of water as I could stand. I have no idea why but I did.

My walk is like that too. When I was first saved I would say look what he has done. I’m happier, I know he loves me. I can do anything. My hope is in Christ. He is my new shoe. He is why I can press on. But somewhere along the way I became complacent. Oh I think it comes and goes.

Lately I’ve been thinking about my old shoes. I think it’s time to get rid of them. I used to say they smelled like cinnamon. It was my way of being comfortable in them. But they are falling apart. They are not as useful as they once were. They don’t keep out the wet weather. They don’t protect my feet like they once did.

Christ tells us in him we are a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Sometimes we have to get out of our comfortable shoes (spaces) into the new life Christ has called us to. Let me be honest, the old shoes are great. They are broke in. They are comfortable yet they now stink. It’s time to move towards Christ. The author and finisher of my faith. The one who I can be comfortable with and in. But no I can’t do this alone.

I need Christ to break the shoes in for me. To make them bearable. To show me his mercies are new every morning. To remind me of the hope I have in him. To help me find the right shoes. The ones that are uniquely mine. I can’t live in the past. But I am also forgiven and under no condemnation in Christ. His mercies are new every morning. When I repent, ask for forgiveness he can give me that peace and joy that I am comfortable in him with.

Thank you Lord that in you I’m forgiven and free. In you my life can be like the new shoes. Uncomfortable at first but nothing you can’t help me become comfortable in you in. Here is to new shoes and new mercies in Christ!

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

He Counts My Tears

I am a child of God. I’ve been redeemed. I’m not perfect but I follow the one who is. My life is one that has many imperfections and so many flaws. I struggle, I cry, I get down. But I also laugh, smile and see the good.

Who I am in Christ though it’s where I am. My life is mine to live and chose or not. Everyday I get up, I must make choices. To get up or not, to eat or not, to trust or not.

Today I’ve been thinking a lot about that. Trusting. Do I trust Christ with everything? Do I trust him in the dark places as well as when it’s easier? I’ve had people tell me it’s easy to trust in the mountaintops. Others who say it’s in the valleys where you learn to trust.

Guess what it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s a choice. When things are going well I throw my prayers out and say I trust you and I go on. When I’m in the valleys I cry out to the Lord. Oh Lord I need you.

Well today it’s a choice. I want my words to be meaningful no matter if it’s a mountain or valley I’m in. I’ve prayed you know and I’ve been careless or careful with my prayers. I want to be bold. I want to be sincere. I want to pray for not just my own life, or those close to me but to whomever God brings to my mind.

My oldest granddaughter and I have been praying every morning on the way to school. We pray for her day, my day and our family. We pray for some very dear friends (let’s be honest, they are our family). They are grafted in our tree. Because our tree is the Tree of Life, Christ. We pray for other friends, teachers, and things that come up.

Prayer is changing my heart. It’s giving me a sense of direction. Do I still struggle? Yes everyday, every hour and even sometimes minute to minute. I’m going through something very hard and personal right now.

But in the morning I seek his face through my prayers and my words. During the day I find myself praying more and more. Lifting things to my Saviour  and Friend, Jesus. At night I get to pray with said sister. Those prayers... well I’m reminded of these scriptures;

Psalm 56:8-11

8 You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
9 When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
10 In God (I will praise His word),
In the Lord (I will praise His word),
11 In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

*New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

I’ve been working on this picture. Oh I know it’s not perfect but it is mine.

Pray for me. If you need prayer message me. I’m willing to pray for you. God Bless And Keep You Today.  Much Love
~ Dawn

Chugwater ~

Family Adventure ~

Finally on our way. Heading through Wyoming. We stop in Chugwater. Chugwater is famous for their chili. But since we started so late we are going to eat breakfast/lunch. Stop at The Chugwater Soda Fountain. It’s in the heart of this small town. We have never been through here only the outskirts of town.

At the rest stop the kids found some Casper Rocks. For those of you not familiar with them they were originally a way to spread kindness. Leaving an inspirational message and if you find one take a picture and rehide it. By the way this rest stop is one of the nicest ones I’ve ever been to. 

I ordered ham and cheese, the kids ordered grilled cheese and Tay had breakfast smothered burrito with chili. I actually tried the chili it was tasty. We ordered the shakes. Wow so good! This was a fun stop over. Here are some of the pictures from our stop in Chugwater, Wyoming. 

It’s early and we get in and head out. Lots of open road to travel through today. Because we are behind I google to find the fastest route and it changes our original route. Now we are headed through Nebraska ... 

Let God direct your steps. 

Proverbs 16:9 

A man’s heart plans his way, 

But the Lord directs his steps.

Scripture is taken from the New King James Version Copyright @ 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

My Bags Are Packed

The next stage of our Family Adventure was waiting on certain things to fall into place. Number one was A ~ A car, B ~ A great price for a rental or C ~ A loaner car..

We had looked and looked, prayed and prayed, found several and they all fell through. About 2 weeks before we were to go.. my friends found a minivan that exceeded all we thought.

Bought the minivan. The kids are loving it. It’s got a DVD player, it’s got leather seats, it’s nice. Plenty of room. The ideal traveling vehicle.

Let me tell you, I believe in the power of Prayer. We had several friends pray. We had a few doubters who questioned if we should travel. But at the end of the day my (our) God provided. One more thing to check off our list.

Matthew 10:29 - 31
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Scripture is taken from the New King James Version Copyright @ 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.