Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Most Beautiful Flower


The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read,
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren’t enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down,
And said with great excitement, “Look what I found!”

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With it’s petals all warn down-not enough rain, or to little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat next to my side,
And placed the flower to his nose and declared
with overacted surprise,
“It smells pretty and it’s beautiful too.
That’s why I picked it; here it’s for you!”

The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower and replied, “Just what I need.”

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time,
That the weed-toting boy could not see, he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun,
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
“You’re welcome” he smiled and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he’s had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see,
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know about my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he’d been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see,
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life, & appreciate
Every second that’s mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose.
And I smiled as I watched that young boy,
Another weed in his hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.

~By Cheryl Costello- Forshey~



I know that 2008 has been a very difficult year for many of us. Many times when problems come our way, it is so easy to lose focus. We get wrapped up in the situation that is plaguing us and we can’t seem to see anything else around us. Before you know it, we have lost sight of what is really important and that is doing God’s work, winning souls, and pressing towards the mark, which is Heaven. We must remind ourselves that it is the devil’s business to turn our minds away from the things of God and what better way of doing this than through affliction? We, as the children of God need to learn that when problems come our way, we don’t focus on the problems, but we focus on the problem solver, which is JESUS.

As we leave 2008 behind and move forward into 2009 I would like to leave you with something I read…

When affliction refuses to let up, perseverance refuses to give up.
When perseverance refuses to give up, character continues to build up.
When character continues to build up, hope begins to rise up.
When hope begins to rise up, disappointment can no longer speak up.
When disappointment can no longer speak up, vision begins to grow up.

Remember, Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:5

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas Everyone


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I pray we never forget the true reason for the season. May you have a wonderful day full of joy, laughter, peace and love. God bless you and your families and keep you all safe through out this holiday season and the up coming year. Merry Christmas everyone!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Caleb's Gingerbread House


My daughter's class made Gingerbread houses at school today and there was enough supplies left over for her to bring home for Caleb to make one. As you can see he enjoyed that task very much. It's amazing how the simple things in life brings joy to the heart and a smile to the face of a child. We could learn so much from these children if we would let ourselves.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Christmas Banquet 2008



There is nothing like getting together with friends and family to enjoy the special occasion of celebrating Christmas. Christmas is the most joyous season of the year. It seems everyone is full of joy, laughter, a giving spirit, and love towards others. It's to bad that people won't let that spirit carry over through out the entire year.

When I attended this Christmas banquet, just being with my children and my church family, friends, and the presence of the Lord did so much to lift my spirit. I enjoyed the laughter, the singing, the conversations, every one's smiles, the FOOD, and just being in good, clean, Godly fellowship. I went home that night refreshed. I love my family, my church family and most of all, my God. I couldn't make it without them.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Happy Birthday!

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I Love You!!! Your #1 Daughter - Kerrie




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I Love You!!! Your grandson, Caleb




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We love you Mom! Mark, Amalia, Abelardo, and Evelardo




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Love you Mom! Your #2 Daughter - Kellie


Thank you my precious family! Because of you, today is a Happy Birthday! I love you ALL so very, very much. :o)

Monday, December 8, 2008

Trusting In Him

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I know I haven't posted in a while but I have taken much needed time to be alone with my God. Time to just focus on my relationship with HIM. Time to make sure that all is well with my soul. Time to just walk hand in hand with HIM. To talk to HIM and let HIM know just how much I love HIM and need HIM in my life. To let HIM know that HE is my EVERYTHING. Time to make sure that the path that I am taking is the right one. That I am walking in step with my Lord. Time to make sure that I am following after HIS will and not mine.

All of this has not been in vain. God in turn has spoken to my heart. HE has let me know that HE loves me too. Oh, I knew this already but there are times that it is nice to be reassured. It is beautiful when I feel HIS loving arms wrap around me and comfort me and let me know that HE is there right by my side and that HE will never leave me nor forsake me. In the midnight hour I can rest assured that MY GOD WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR ME.

I want to say thank you to my Pastor, Brian Allard for a beautiful message a week ago this past Sunday Morning. I have heard the story of Job many times but the way you presented it that morning, was a way like I had never heard before. It was just what my soul needed. I know my son and Amalia were very touched by it as well. Thank you for being sensitive to the Holy Ghost and letting God use you in such a beautiful way.

Bryce, I love you! That same Sunday, in the evening, you ministered to my soul in song. This path I have been traveling on for the past two months have been a rough one. At times I have been a little fearful of taking the wrong steps. Only because I was afraid that I was leading and not God. But the words you spoke before you sang and then the song that you sang were from God to me. I had just told God that afternoon that I needed an answer. I needed to hear from Him. He used you to speak to me and calm my weary soul. Bryce, do me a favor please. Don't ever get weary in well doing. When it seems as though others are mocking or laughing at what you are saying or doing, rest assured you are in the will of God. That when this is happening, there is someone out there that you are ministering to. The devil knows this and that is why he is trying to discourage you by using others to make you lose focus. Shut them out and keep on doing the will of God in your life because there are those of us who are definitely being blessed by what God is doing through you.

Here is the song that Bryce sang that evening. I just wish I had a way to play it instead of just putting the words down. It may not do that much for you but it did so much for my soul and for that I thank God and Bryce for letting God use him to speak to my soul.


In this life we live
Sometimes the storm clouds gather,
And they hide the sun,
My heart’s as dark as the weather,
But if I can look through the eyes of faith,
I’ll follow where He leads,
I’ve gotta keep trustin in Him
To take me where he wants me to be

I’ll just keep trusting in Him,
When I’m blinded by all the confusion,
I’ll just keep trusting in Him
To see what I cannot see,
Through every choice I make,
The direction I take,
He knows what’s best for me,
I’ve gotta keep trusting in Him
To take me where He wants me to be

I know the wisdom of God,
He can see tomorrow,
And he knows every turn
And curve in the road that I follow,
He knows what it takes
To help me make it through
And He’ll give me what I need
I’ve gotta keep trusting in Him
To take me where He wants me to be

I’ll just keep trusting in Him,
When I’m blinded by all the confusion,
I’ll just keep trusting in Him
To see what I cannot see,
Through every choice I make,
The direction I take,
He knows what’s best for me,
I’ve gotta keep trusting in Him
To take me where He wants me to be

If I have child-like faith,
To trust in the Father’s wisdom,
I know I’ll never fail to walk
The path he’s chosen

I’ll just keep trusting in Him,
When I’m blinded by all the confusion,
I’ll just keep trusting in Him
To see what I cannot see,
Through every choice I make,
The direction I take,
He knows what’s best for me,
I’ve gotta keep trusting in Him
To take me where He wants me to be

Here is the part where God spoke to me:

If I have child-like faith,
To trust in the Father’s wisdom,
I know I’ll never fail to walk
The path he’s chosen

I know now that I am not leading but I am walking hand in hand with God and He is guiding my steps. I have nothing to fear for I have His word to stand upon and "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalms 119:105 And He knows what's best for me.