No Fear 2021 is Almost Hear-----Moving Forward

 

We will be wrapping up the epic year of 2020 in a few short weeks! 

Perhaps you didn’t  get the opportunity check off everything you planned to do this year due to various changes, challenges,  and restrictions;  Nonetheless in Hindsight 2020 was a blessed year for me.  In health, Blessed, In strength, Blessed;  The Lord has truly been my Shepperd and I thank God for being so graciously merciful to me and my household.

Perhaps everything was not so bright for you but.....Nevertheless, Have No Fear -- 2021 is Almost Here!  We, are Moving Forward.

 Have an Ama21ng New Year J

Stepping into 2021 I declare.....

                                                               You know my Name

Moving Forward

Book Review~ Unshakable HOPE: Building our lives on the Promises of God

 

Photo Source: Here

I have, without fail, enjoyed EVERY book that I have ever read from (my uncle in my head), Max Lucado. Although this is his 40th book, I have only read four so far including this one.  He is my favorite inspirational author.  Here are links to my reviews of the three other books Here, Here, and Here

He has such a caring, loving, gentle, uncle type sense of humor about writing.  He is so gifted in the way he shares God's word. I am so glad he uses his gift of writing to be such an outpour of blessing. My spirit is always revived, refreshed, and rejuvenated every time I read his books.

This Book, Unshakable hope truly gave me the internal spiritual tune up that I really needed and reminded me about how important it is to know God's promises to his Children and more importantly the value/blessing in believing the promises.

I can attest to these truths and found myself nodding and reflecting on my life journey in agreement.  God's word is TRUE and His Promises does not fail.

What exactly is the concept of hope? 

How does hope work?

Is hope reliable?

Does hoping mean no more trails and hardships in life?

Can we have a better present and future without hope?

This book will answer all these questions and offer so much more! It truly watered MY soul.

Book Review~ Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law

 

Photo Source: Here

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  The title alone is an attention grabber..... The DeafBlind woman who conquered Harvard LAW (yes, you read that correctly).

Haben's parents are from Ethiopia and Eretria, they met in California while attending college as international students.  Haben grew up in America, however she recalls the cultural exposure to visiting her parents countries on summer holidays. She describes all the "sights",  smells, sounds and experiences of her large family and the traditions she was introduced to whenever she visited.

This true life story was nothing short of inspirational.  It also opened my understanding to the struggles people face who have disabilities especially in education.  Imagine being both Deaf AND Blind!!......These limitations did not stop Haben. In school, she was determined to succeed and do whatever she needed to help herself and not just get by as an average student, but a high achiever.

She had a determination that could not be quelled.  Haben even convinced her very reluctant, overprotective and adamant parents to allow her to participated in a youth program trip in High School to help build a school for children in Mali.

Even during her adult life, Haven struggles a lot with loneliness and feeling left out, because of her difficulty hearing and seeing.

Nevertheless, I admire her whit, bravery, and sense of humor as she navigated making friends and fitting in in a society that for the most part caters to seeing and hearing persons.

Now how did Haben become a Lawyer?

How did she navigate education without hearing or sight? (Is that even possible?)

What obstacles did she overcome and perhaps still overcoming?

What methods did she use to make friends?

How did she navigate un accommodating situations for people with her type of disability? 

How did she get to meet President Obama in person?

Check out the book for the answers to these questions and much more!

 

Book Review ~ My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward

My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward is an eye opening, and very good read. The author's writing style captivated my attention immediately; needless to say, this book was a page turner for me.

I mentioned in my previous book review that I really enjoy reading true life stories.  This memoir is a unique selection written from a husband's perspective on his married life. 

The author, Mark Lukach, takes you on a deeply personal journey on discovering after several years of a 'picture perfect' relationship which eventually lead to  marriage until when his wife suddenly begins displaying unstable mental health issues only after a few years of marriage.

It was a heart wrenching realization that his wife was loosing her mind and needed medical help and even more crushing reality that she had to be admitted to a psych ward.

Mark met Giulia in College and he was captivated by her beauty, personality and brilliance. Their young relationship blossomed during college and after graduation. It seemed as if due to several family and personal coincidences they were meant to be together.  After graduation, Giulia worked in her dream job and industry, Mark began a teaching career.  They traveled a lot, enjoyed very close family relationships and great friendships blossomed in their lives. 

Giulia, excelled at work, was highly recognized and was "killing" it in her career.  Their relationship and marriage was like a dream for a while, until it became a nightmare.

One thing this book showed me, was the demonstration of what commitment and love through action looks like ; especially when someone takes a marriage vow of for better or worse.  Well, worse happened in this marriage.  It was extremely emotionally, financially and socially challenging for Mark to face all the challenges that came with his wife's condition.  

Mark struggled a lot but navigated these unchartered waters with such resilience and grace, trying to be strong for his wife until he himself became exhausted and wasn't sure if he could continue. He became tired and wanted to give up, but his love would not allow him to.

If there is anything this book revealed to me, it is what TRUE LOVE looks like.

How did Mark find out about his Wife's mental decline?

What was it like to navigate Health care?

What was it like to be the care taker of a Mentally ill spouse?

Did they have children?

What difference does it make to have supportive family and friends?

How important is self care as a care taker?

You will have to read to find out. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!!

Photo Source :Here

Book Review~ Salt In My Soul-An Unfinished Life

I have read a lot of interesting books over the past several months.  It seems like my favorite category of books are memoirs, bios.  I enjoy reading about peoples life story and experiences.  This is evident in 98% of the book reviews I have shared here so far.  I have read some really good ones and compelled to share.

I just got finished reading Salt in My Soul.  If there is any thing this book drove home to me is to be GRATEFUL for health.  I mean, I found my self pausing several times while reading to thank God for the blessing of health.

Mallory Smith had enormous health complications with a progressively debilitating disease in her lungs called Cystic Fibrosis (CF) ever since she was a young girl.  She had rigorous routines to keep up with and mountains of medications and unexpected, inconvenient hospitalizations throughout her 24 years of life.  

What struck me most was that despite ALL the challenges she faced daily, this girl LIVED.  She played volley ball, water polo, swam, and enjoyed surfing.  She went to College and found her niche although she was battling an invisible disease.   It was invisible because to the average person she looked healthy and normal and in some cases very active.  But far from it. 

Prior to reading this book, I had no knowledge of Cystic Fibrosis. She also battled an incurable super bug bacteria that could not be cured even with robust antibiotic treatments that also made her often more sick. 

I can't begin to relay all that Mallory endured and experienced, but this book was in no way a downer to read by any means, Mallory LIVED and that is the beauty in this story to me.  She had many friends who loved her and a beautiful support system from her immediate family. It was beautiful to read and experience her many highs and unfortunate lows.

Also, health insurance is a big unfortunate scam most times. It is ridiculous how much a suffering person has to fight to get what they need....the lies and run around from the industry is too much.

Mallory met a charming guy even though battling for health.  Did her their love survive?

Mallory eventually needed a lung transplant.  Did she get one?  Did she survive?

Check out the Book to find out🙂

Interesting Times

Hello Friends,

How are you doing?  It is no secret we are living in interesting times with what has been classified as COVID19 pandemic sweeping across the World.

My heart and prayers are for every one of us who have been impacted one way or the other by this strange plague virus that has proven to be lethal to so many and has turned daily life upside down for many others.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to work from home and continue to receive a pay check and buy groceries and meet my various obligations.  My heart hurts so deeply for those who's financial well being are hanging in the balance; for those who are still employed but required to interact personally with the public like all spectrum of employees that keep the healthcare system afloat and grocery store workers etc.

My heart aches for those who's loved ones who have died but they could not be there with them; for those who can't have friends and family around to grieve and comfort them.

My heart grieves for parents, students, leaders, our world.

While medical professionals scramble to find vaccines, cures etc. I wonder, can this health crisis ever be eradicated?  Will we ever be able to do life as "normal" again?  I know only God has the answers and certainly knows the future. I know that God is able to intervene if he chooses to.

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Will leaders of  "Leading/Powerful" Nations humble themselves now that they realize that money, status, economics, will and has failed? Publicly call on God? repent for moving away from God's moral standards?  Seek God's will and make changes?

That remains to be seen. However, while we have no control over our leaders of Government we do have control over our own actions.

Are you feeling Anxious about it all?  I recommend a very encouraging and timely book titled Anxious for Nothing by my favorite Author Max Lucado.  I wrote a book review Here

I recently felt the need to re-read this book, and it was such a blessing to my soul again.  I am doing okay though, trying not to eat too much.  

I have a milestone birth day on Monday...40 years of God's goodness, mercy, provision, and favor.  I really have so much to be thankful for.  My life's journey could be a good movie script or book.  So many miraculous twists and turns some pleasant and others not so much.  Through it all, God remains Faithful to me, I really don't deserve it because I am far from perfect but I thank God for looking past my faults and meeting my needs and the Greatest gift of all has been Salvation.  Thank you Lord.

Take Care,
~Highly Favored

In Focus: My 2020 Vision

I have decided to keep it very simple....

My Focus,

 My Prayer, 

My Vision, 

My Heart 

Expressed though song....

One of my long time favorites and life anthem The Lord is My Shepherd

(My Focus & Prayer)

Close To You (My Vision)

If It's Not You (My Heart)