Learning from the little ones and seeing everything through their eyes

It hardly seems possible that so much time has passed since this picture was taken in April 2011. Yet it has....The little girl in this picture has a sister who is now about the same age as she was in this picture. Visiting them is always a joy. It was a very special joy this time especially when I heard the good news about her accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

I remembered vividly the first time I heard the good news about the Lord and his redeeming love. I was six...the same age as this little girl. It didn't "take" then because I went back to my old ways soon afterwards. I didn't understand what it was I was committing to...It was a spur of the moment reaction. Yet when I reflect back I realize that it was a true reaction to the news I received. I couldn't understand what it truly meant to commit my life to the One who had my life in his hands. It was a child's reaction of complete and total acceptance. Sometimes I long to go back to that feeling of complete abandonment to my heavenly father...I want to become the child I once was...utterly dependent on my Father. Other times I struggle because I can't accept what's right before my eyes. I tune out to the young voices that have so much to teach me about life and love. It's only when I look into the faces of my precious nieces that I realize how very blessed I am.

I do pray for Aydia. It will not be an easy path for her to travel. She will be tempted as I was to turn away and go back to my old ways. I did, a couple years later, make a solid commitment to the Lord and have been following him ever since.

Working for the long term and thanking God for each day

It has been a really exhilarating and crazy week for me. I learned about the power of the press in regards to a historic building that was set to be demolished. We got a reprieve from demolition, but the hard work begins now. This is getting the word out that we need the support of the entire community in order to make something beautiful happen. I smile when I see my father excited about what potentially could happen here. I know that it will take a lot of work to get anywhere near our ultimate goal of saving the building.

Yet I feel it can be done. We just have to keep talking about our vision, garner enough support from everyone and work together to reach the goals we've set. I tell myself that this is what I have to do in order to find that elusive job...I need to set goals. I need to write down the accomplishments I've done over the past two years, even though I haven't gotten paid for them.

I do thank God for each day. I know that I do have to stop hiding myself away and move forward. Yes, it is scary to expose yourself. I tell myself that I'm not doing it for me....I'm doing it for my family...I'm doing it for my community and I'm doing for the generations that come after me. I am working for the long term. I want young people to feel that they are making a mark in this world, and that their contributions will be remembered. I also want them to know of the contributions their parents, grandparents and others have made.

If saving one historic building will do that, then there is hope.

Pressing forward towards the high goal

Yup....I've stopped obsessing about my situation, and I've stopped focusing on myself. My high goal is to reach out and love others as Jesus does. Only when I stop focusing on myself and my problems can I begin to see everything in a new light. Yes, I do have issues that seem insurmountable now. They are not going to go away on their own, yet by obsessing about them and hoping against hope that a light will break in this current darkness isn't going to help me or the people around me. In fact by obsessing over the facts that are staring me in the face about my current monetary and support issues will deter the very ones who are still willing to help.

I am unique. I do have some unique qualities, but if I'm misusing those qualities then I am doing a disservice to myself and to the people around me. I press forward daily by:

1) Avoiding negative stories and not listening to those people who only want to tear you and others down.

2)Looking for the positive in everyone. You can find one positive thing about everyone if you think about it long enough.

3)Listening and learning. By focusing on what others are saying, you can better help them. This also is good because it takes the focus off of you.

4)Praying and asking God for direction. Sometimes, as it has in my situation, it brings you in an entirely different direction from what you've known in the past.

5) Starting each day by thanking God for what you have. I am amazed when I stop to think about God's provision for my every need. He knows what you need and when you need it.

6) Learning a new skill and using it frequently. Right now I'm slowly but surely learning more about Social Media, am focusing on a Marketing Campaign and working on Public Relations pieces...None of these skills are skills I possessed before.

7) Remaining open to opportunities to help. People tell me all the time that you never know what may happen. I'm praying for steady employment right now, but also hope to start a club for young people in the area.

8) Being creative. In other words changing up what you do each day in some small way. I have to work on this myself as I am a very structured person with certain times to do each task. Yet I'm finding that it's more freeing to let myself go and explore different options. I tell everyone that you really shouldn't depend on the Internet for everything...and this is a good lesson for young people to learn now.

9) Setting up projects with specific and measurable goals. When you have something to look forward to and accomplish, you tend to be more enthusiastic about life. I know that I have set some goals for myself to accomplish within the next six months or so. Some of these goals I'll have to reevaluate soon.

10) Accepting and knowing that you can't do it in your own strength and that you will fail sooner or later. I'm learning this lesson the hard way. I am stubborn, and I can admit that...but not so stubborn that I won't accept help. Some things are still hard for me to accept. I failed a couple of times.

Some days it is hard to press on. You feel very pressured by forces beyond your control. This is when you need God's love and support the most. He is there. Remember his love for you and press on!

Not letting Fame go to My Head or Stepping back to re-evaluate

Hi, Yes....that's my smiling face in front of the camera
.http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/wpvi/images/cms/156923_300x169.jpg I'm the one holding the umbrella. I can't let that fame get to me though. I've been through a lot these past two years with starting up the society and before that putting together the "Images of America-Collingdale Borough book. There are some days I just have to stand back and marvel at how much I've grown as a person. I know it's not me or my own strength that has brought me here. I know that God does have a purpose for me to fulfill.

Yes, I'm still in dire straits in some ways. I've been here so long that sometimes it feels normal. Other times I almost feel like I'm struggling in a thick quagmire of mud up to my ankles not knowing if my next steps will be fatal. That's almost what fame can do to you if you're not careful. Even the rich and famous can fall in those quagmires....not that I'm that at all. I'm just an ordinary person trying to do extraordinary things in my community.

Yes, sometimes I have to step back and re-evaluate where I'm going. I have to take a deep breath, stop stressing about things I can't do anything about and move forward in the path. I know I can't do this alone. No man is an island. I have to remind myself that God is in control. Only then can I step forward and rejoice in what he's doing in my life.

Are we really independent or dependent?

I've had somewhat of a "wake-up" call again this week about my current situation. I am learning that some have may gone to great lengths trying to silence me. They think wrongly that my views shouldn't be aired in the public eye. I am sorry that I may have offended someone. I never meant to do that. It's just that I'd rather be honest about things so someone else might learn from my mistakes.

It has got me to thinking about how independent we really are when we are afraid to speak up. We shouldn't be if it's the right thing to do or we see something that needs to be changed. People want to assume the worst sometimes. Their perception is distorted by the acts of enemies who want nothing more than to drag you and your name down in the mud with them. It is hard to fight those perceptions, especially when someone wants for some unknown reason to destroy you. Time is on your side. You can't be afraid to speak up.

This being said, I am grateful for all those who are standing with me. Admittedly I am a bit dependent on the love and support I've received. I know that it's not a easy road I'm traveling now. No one ever told me that living the Christian live would be....yet I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know my Lord loves me. I know that he has great plans for me. I can stand tall and pray for strength knowing that all will be revealed in the end.