Book

I just wanted to let everyone know that my book is out. The title is: Not Mine Alone. It chronicles my journey through abuse, addiction, mental illness, promiscuity, unplanned pregnancy, redemption and healing.
There is language and some graphic drug usage in the book. It's not gratuitous. It's what was said and what happened during that period of my life.
The ultimate message of the book is that, no matter how deep you are in darkness and despair, hope and healing is possible through Christ.

You can buy the book on Amazon or on the Dorrance publishing website. If you buy through Dorrance, I will receive more of the proceeds.
I will also be having a book signing at Full Circle books on December 15 starting at 3 p.m. I will send out another reminder as it gets closer to the time.

I hope you are blessed by it.
P.S. Please tell anyone that you think may benefit from this book.

I walked into my bedroom to find that Sam had decided to take over my spot on the bed. 😄❤❤

I am reading Gary Comer's book, Soul Whisperer.
In it, he says that we are empowered to do the Lord's work by what we have gone through.
God takes our brokenness, comforts us, and then redeems it for his redemptive plan.
Your life becomes a bridge for the gospel. Do not underestimate the significance of how your story connects.

Identification + Insight = Impact

Juliette

About a month ago, I posted about a girl in France named Juliette. I almost unfollowed her because of some really inappropriate things she was posting on Twitter.

Last night she sent me a direct message asking me about God. She also had questions about sex, and if I think homosexuality is a sin.

I answered her questions the best way I knew how, and when she stopped responding, I didn't pressure her to talk any further. I see God's hand in this, and I will wait on Him to open more doors for further discussion with her.

An important question

I clearly heard God's voice. He asked me a very poignant question:

"Why do you settle for mediocrity when I sent my Son to give you abundant life"?

Very convicting, but what a privilege to have the King of kings speak to you! 🙌🙌

Fellowship

Had a great day of Christian fellowship yesterday.
First, I had lunch with one of my closest friends and accountability partner.

Then, that evening, I went to recovery small group at church. I had a great time connecting with these Christian women who are also in recovery.
We talked and laughed about all the ridiculous things we've done and still do!
Knowing that God's grace covers it all. 🙌🙌

Sometimes there are no words needed between friends.

This little frog merely hanging on to the flower pistil is a good reminder for me to stop complaining about what I don't have, and instead accept, with a grateful heart, what has been given to me!
🙌😁🐸🌹

I had a really difficult time with my OCD today. I had some workers in my house and was in a tailspin for two hours.

What do I do now?
I think Philippians 3:13&14 answers this question:

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what's ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 🙌🙌

I will lie down and sleep in peace. For you alone, Lord make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8.

Contract and book contribution

I received the contract from Dorrance Publishing.
When I saw it was almost 15 pages, I realized that I am smart enough to know that I have no business trying to read and comprehend a 15 page contract! 😂😂

So, I sent it to my financial advisor, who has a meticulous eye for detail. He said it's an excellent contract. I got it signed and sent back to Dorrance!

Today at noon, a lady from the U.K. is going to call me. Her name is Josie Millar and she is a psychologist who specializes in OCD. I am going to be contributing to her book! So excited and grateful for this opportunity! 🙌🙌

Oscar movies

Last night, my friend Amy and I watched I, Tonya. We both thought it was just okay.

Tonight, I'm watching Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri. VERY good!

Excited to watch the Academy awards tomorrow and find out the winners!

Remembering my baptism

Matthew 5:48

Last night, I had a dream about this, and I thought it was significant enough to write about it.

Matthew 5:48 says, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."

I think there are times this verse is taken out of context. It does not mean that we will never sin or that God expects us to never sin. It does not mean that we need to do or not do something in order to be perfect.

What it means is that as soon as we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God sees us through the lens of Christ; therefore He sees us through the perfection of his Son.

We are perfect because that's how God views His children. Hebrews 10:14 says, "because by one sacrifice He has made perfect those who are being made holy."

Perfection is not something we strive for. God's children are perfect because Jesus' sacrifice allows us to share in the perfection and holiness with our heavenly Father.

Almost 3 years ago, I went cage diving and saw lots of Great White sharks, but unfortunately, I never saw this! 🦈🦈

God envisions me as whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

Billy Graham

I saw Billy Graham when he came to Oklahoma City in 2003. I was astounded, that night, by the number of people who answered the altar call to receive Jesus Christ.

"Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now.  I will have just have changed my address. I will have gone into the
presence of God." Billy Graham

I can't believe there is even one of these gorgeous birds let alone two! 💜💜

Juliette

A young lady and I followed each other on Twitter. I thought she was really cute and funny, and we both share a mutual fondness for pop culture.

I almost unfollowed her. She was posting some really inappropriate things about her sexuality. But something kept me from unfollowing her.

The last couple of days, that reason has come to light.

First of all, she posted that she is ugly, when in reality she is beautiful. Second, she posted a picture of herself when she was about 4 years old, and the caption said, "I was already a whore."

Then today, she posted about being terrified of the Exorcist. She stills hears the theme music and the voice of the possessed girl in her head and she is scared all the time.

I realized why I wasn't suppose to unfollow her. For 20 plus years I was terrorized by that movie. I couldn't even look at the name or say it out loud without a wave of unspeakable fear consuming me. And I was constantly terrified that I was going to see the girl standing in front of me.

We had a long private Twitter conversation. I asked her if she had ever been sexually abused. She said, "I really don't like to talk about it. But, if I am being honest, I come from a very wealthy family so I have no reason to complain. But one unlucky day, I was sexually abused, and everything has been f***ed up since then. I am really sick and I feel like a failure all the time."

I encouraged her to talk to a pastor, so she could get wise godly counsel. I even asked her where she lived so I could call some churches in her area and find out which would be the best one for her to call. But she lives in France.

She said she has a shrink (her words) and I told her to please tell her everything that is going on, and to find a a clergy member to talk about her fears with. I told her I take medication and go to counseling every week, but Jesus is the only One who can heal our brokenness.

The best thing I can do is pray for her and keep checking in with her on a daily basis; to offer her hope and encouragement.

Please join me and pray for her. Her name is Juliette and she is 18 years old.

We should all be this happy to see our friends! ❤❤

Love

Happy Valentine's Day! 💟💟💟

New Bible Study

I started a new bible study this evening.
It is called Pneumanetics, which I took about 11 years ago. But this is the extended version,  with several new lessons, such as:
The Self-Life
It Took a Miracle
Candidate For a Miracle
Living on the Cutting Edge

We have a nice size class of about 8. We had  great interaction. There are two semesters and each last ten weeks.
I think this is going to be a great study!

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times. 💝💝

Susie

We all need at least one friend who comforts and encourages us when we are hurting; speaks the truth to us in love; imparts godly wisdom; and is our biggest fan.

I found that in Susie Howell! 💜💜 She radiates Jesus Christ!

Invite these people into your life!

My day with Josh

I had a great time today with Josh.
I ended up by going to Shawnee because he had to work at 2. We went out to lunch and tlked for a long time. It was the first time I had spent time with him without the adoptive parents.  He is such a sweetheart, and so easy to talk to

But for some reason it still emotionally drains me and I always think I'm done grieving, but right now I'm in tears.

I think God just uncovers different layers in His timing and when He knows we are ready.

Looking forward to finding out God's plan for this relationship! 💝💝

It's time

One of my twins, Josh will be at my house tomorrow at noon! We are going out to lunch to talk and spend time together!

I'm SO excited but also nervous! I know God is in this! 🙌🙌

I love this family! 💞💞💞

Rosalie

I had dinner tonight with my friend Rosalie. Her family was killed by a drunk driver.

She is doing well, but is still working on getting everything settled with probate and she needs to take the NClex so she will be able to practice nursing in the United States.

Please pray for her in whatever way you feel led.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Only God could create a purple and green baboon! 😊

How many owls do you see?

I got this on Twitter.

I thought it was so fascinating and kind of creepy looking also! 😁

Rules bring out the flesh

What is it that causes the Christian to still act out in ungodly ways: Law, legalism and standards.
The law was meant to lead us to Christ, not to be the means for salvation.

God declared Abraham righteous (established His covenant) 430 years before God gave His commandments (law) to Moses. So, the law can't be the basis for salvation. Salvation is solely by grace through faith.

Why both Abortion and Racism are Blasphemous

"You cannot worship and glorify the majesty of God or embrace his redemptive purposes in Christ

while treating his supreme creation with contempt-whatever color or whatever age that certain

creation might be."

Pastor Sam Storms

Jeremy

My other biological child, Jeremy texted me yesterday!

We are going out to lunch next week!

Wow! God is so good!

Love those ears!

Our God creates the most beautiful and unique creatures! 🐰🐰

What a lovely little family! 😍

Dorrance Publishing

I am so excited! Dorrance Publishing has picked up my book to be published.

So, not it will not only be self published,  but it will also be published by a national book publishing company!

So grateful!!

Hitting your pause button

Even as Jesus lived fully as a human being, He lived every day and every moment fully dependent upon the Father for direction and provision. He didn't do a thing without Him. And so, no matter how briefly, Jesus paused. And in the moments of delay, the Father communicated with the Son.

We would do well to live after the same manner as Jesus did; hitting our own personal pause button in the face of urgent needs and desires means we believe something else defines reality and that Someone else may well have something He'd like to do.That's faith!

While it can be very difficult in the face of pressing needs and desires, pausing on purpose is a significant point of faith.

By a simple delay, we can know God and follow His leading, whether that's to say something, say nothing, do something, do nothing, or simply hear Him or share in His feelings.

God's Astounding Opinion of You by Ralph Harris

Sugar Street Sweets

This is a cake my friend Amy Crisp made for Christmas.
If anyone is interested in beautiful home baked goodies for events, parties, or holidays go to Sugar Street Sweets!

Sugar Street Sweets is also on Facebook and Twitter!

All of God's colors

Here are all the colors of the rainbow in, of all things, a lizard!! Gorgeous!

Another one of God's majestic creations!

No life sentence

When you have the Holy Spirit residing inside of you, struggles and strongholds need not be a life sentence.
Whether it's addiction, mental illness, or even gossip and envy, real freedom is possible this side of the cross!

We have incomparably great power because we believe. That power is like the work of His mighty strength when He raised Christ from the dead. Ephesians 1:19&20

So excited!

One of my biological children texted me yesterday. He told me he will be back at OBU on the 26th and asked if I want to have lunch with him!

I am so excited for the opportunity to connect with him!

Giving my children up for adoption was the hardest thing I have ever done, but God, in his infinite grace provided the perfect family to adopt and raise my children.  I am so grateful for God's abundant blessings!

Neighbor Blessings

I spent the evening with my neighbors Sally and Connie.
We were working on paperwork for the home owners association.

It made me think about how God has used the neighborhood I live in to build solid friendships. God has also taught me how to resolve conflict and how to glorify Him in the midst of conflict.

God will use whatever situation or environment that you are in to teach you biblical truths so that you can grow in intimacy with Him.
Our part is to have a willing heart and mind. He will take care of the rest! 😊💕

The Holy Spirit and the Law

The ministry of the law, which rightly condemned me, brought out my failures.
But the ministry of the Spirit brings out His success.
The good work of the law was always to condemn and bring death.
The work of the Holy Spirit is always to convince believers of our complete and eternal righteousness in Christ.
The law brought imprisonment.
But the Holy Spirit convicts us that we have been made free from sin through one final sacrifice and been given the righteousness of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

God's Astounding Opinion of You by Ralph Harris

Lee Strobel quote

Here is a quote from former atheist, now world renown  Christian apologist, Lee Strobel:

"To continue in atheism, I'd need to believe that nothing produces everything, non-life produces life, randomness produces fine-tuning, chaos produces information, unconsciousness produces consciousness and non-reason produces reason.
I didn't have that much faith."