Goodbye 2015

   Wow how time flies. Doesn't it seem like just yesterday that we were ringing in the 2015 New Year and now we are about to say goodbye to it? It certainly does for me. It doesn't seem to amaze me how fast time flies. I know a lot has go on for all of us this past year, we all have had our ups and downs. I know that when it seems like when we go to close one door and turn around to start walking toward the next door to open it, that it is already right there opened for us. Sometimes that is a good thing, but the other times makes us wonder, 'what the hell just happened and how did it happen so quickly.'
    Like for me I know that the end of January I was packing my stuff and moving it to a new home with a friend. And I had pretty had gotten all my stuff unpacked and placed where I wanted it and was getting comfortable and the next thing I know I had to pack my stuff up again and find a new place to live. Yeah when I had to pack my stuff up and find a new place to live that that was the moment that the Lord had said that I want you to move out of state. I will admit that I moved to Arkansas a little sooner than I thought I was going to, but like I said in the moment of having to move once again I know it was the Lords way of saying you are moving on my terms and not yours, which is fine by me. I let the Lord take me where he sees fit and where he can use me the most.
  With all that has changed for me this year, I can say that I am looking forward to what the 2016 will bring me. I hope you all have a very safe New Years Eve tonight. Love you all.

 

Merry Christmas

    Merry Christmas Everyone. I hope you all had a blessed day today. I know I did. After finally moving into an actual house with my parents instead of being in two different apartments, it was surely a great day. And I am glad to be under one roof with both of my parents and celebrating the holidays with them.
   I know that this time of year is always a bit stressful for everyone in some way. There is always the stress of everyday work life, the decorating of the house (inside and out), making sure that the tree is up and decorated, taking the kids to see Santa, Shopping for the gifts and the ingredients for Christmas dinner, and last but not least making the Christmas dinner. There is a lot of preparation for this time of year. Let's just not forget the real reason for this time of year, the birth of our Lord and Savior. John 3:16, "For God so love the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
   Again Merry Christmas. Hope you all enjoyed the day. Love you all.

Advent Season

     Can you believe that we are twelve days away from Christmas? Twelve days away from the most glorious das of the year. Twelve days from when God sent his one and only Son. Twelve days from when the start of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace become true. I know a lot of you know that we are in the advent season and know about the advent wreath and each candle that is associated with it. Let me give those who may not be familiar with the advent wreath a little bit of an overview of it.

Advent Wreath

    The advent wreath is made up with the five candles and the evergreen wreath. The circle reminds us of God himself, his eternity and endless mercy. The green of the evergreen speaks of Hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, renewal, and eternal life. The candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His Son.

Candle of Hope.

    The first candle of the which is called the Prophecy Candle/ Candle of Hope. The hope candle is represented by a purple colored candle. It is in remembrance of the prophets who foretold the birth of Christ. It also represents the hope in anticipation of the coming Messiah. "And again, Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.' May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:12-13.

Candle of Peace

     The second candle of which is called the Bethlehem Candle/ Candle of peace. The peace candle is represented by second purple colored candle. The Bethlehem candle is symbolizes Christ's manger. It shows that the promise that a Savior would be born in Bethlehem was in fact kept. "As it is written in the book of the words of Esaisas the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his path straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Luke 3:4-6.

Candle of Joy

     The third candle of which is called the Shepard Candle/ Candle of Joy. The joy candle is represented by the pink/rose colored candle. When the Lord was born the angles had sang a message of Joy for his birth. We light this candle to show that with he who was born in Bethlehem has brought a great deal of Joy to spread across the land. "and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel f the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of he heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rest.' When the angels left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and  see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Luke 2"7-15.

Candle of Love

   The fourth candle of which is called the Angel Candle/Candle of Love. The love candle is represented by the last purple colored candle. When the angels came before the shepherds who were watching over their flocks by night they came with good news. "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11. Due to the abundance of love God has sent his one and only son. John 3:16-17, "For God so love the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Christ Candle

    The fifth and final candle is called the Christ Candle. The Christ candle is represented by the white candle for its purity due to Christ being the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. This candle is t o remind us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God who was sent to wash away our sins. Jesus' born to die for us so that we can be reborn again. "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29.
    Just remember this Christmas Season the one who was sent to wash away our sins and give us the chance to be born again. I hope you all have a very blessed Christmas this year and remember that you are loved dearly.

Christmas Season

     The Christmas season is upon us. We all know that the moment that Thanksgiving dinner is done and Black Friday sales begin then all hell breaks loose. Left and right you see people out shopping for gifts for their loved ones and you see the Christmas lights being hung with care. I love this time of year, not for the presents that are neatly wrapped with love and care under the Christmas tree, or the decorating of the house to make it more festive, but the being with those who love and truly matter to me the most. Yes the presents are great and viewing the decorations are sometimes spectacular, but what is the true meaning of Christmas?

       Christmas' true meaning is not that of selfishness, but that of love. It says in John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." We all gather together to share love, laughter, joy and many other feeling this time of year brings, but we also gather to remember that we are set from sin and that the price of our sin has been paid in full by our Lord and savior. This marvelous act of love that God has displayed to us is the true reason we take time each December to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

    Like I said before, I love this time of year. Yeah, I haven't seen the first snow fall like others have, but you know what I don't need snow to enjoy the holiday season. I don't need to have a Christmas tree or decorate the house or bake cookies and pies and all the other festive goodies that always seem to come around this time of year. But I do know one thing I do need this time of year and all year long for that matter, that is to have those who love me and care for me either in my heart or right by my side. I couldn't see spending this time of year without those who truly mean the most to me.

     May you all have a Very Merry Christmas and I hope you all are safe where ever you are spending this time of year. May the Lord bless your heart and your family with Love, Hope, Peace, Joy, and lots of Laughter this Christmas Season. I love you all and have a safe Christmas.

Life Saver

    Have any of you ever thought about life savers? And no I do not mean the candy life savers, I mean the life savers as in those people who come into your life and change your life for the better? Those people who come into your life when you least expect it and just make the biggest difference and you can't quite describe how much things have changed for you since they walked into your life, but you know that thing have changed. Well I know the feeling.
     I hadn't really thought about calling those people life savers until I was talking to both my parents tonight and my dad had made the comment that my mom was his life saver. I know my mom had made the comment in the past that my dad was her life saver and to hear my dad say that she was his life saver, in a way it just melted my heart with joy. I have hear stories from my mom about her past and how she met my dad and to see them today I can definitely see why my dad is her life saver. Yeah I haven't heard many stories from my dad's past, but just seeing both of them together and know the little I do know about my dad's past, I can surely see why my mom is his life saver.
    Throughout my 22 years of life, yes I have seen and experienced things that no person my age should ever have to see or experience, but I know that I have had many people come into my life who have help change my life for the better. I can't even begin to say how grateful I am to have certain people in my life. I know that throughout many things in my life there have been many people in my life that have made the biggest difference in the world to me. I do have to say thank you to my Theta Kappa Gamma Sisters for helping me through the last year of high school and helping come to know the Lord even more, the members of TOPS #CO 620, Aurora for being there for me when I began my weight loss journey, you all have been the biggest lifesavers to me because you all came into my life and made the most impact in my life and helped make a big difference in my life.
      But the two people who truly came into my life who have made the biggest difference in my life and continue to make a difference in my life are my parents. I couldn't begin to express how much of a difference you have made in my life, the both of you have helped change my life in ways that I couldn't have ever imagined and I know you will continue to help me grow in so many ways. I thank God that you both were placed into my life to help show me what true love towards family is really about.
   Thank God for the life savers in our lives. Remember to never take those for granted because the have helped make a big difference in your life. There is always room for more life savers in the world.

How time flies

    Wow, how time flies around here. It seems like just yesterday that we were leaving 2014 behind and welcoming 2015 with open arms. Now we are inching closer to saying goodbye to this year and welcoming another year.

     So much has happened throughout the year for all of us. The things that definitely have stuck in my mind that have happened across the U.S. are definitely the sad moments, of all the shootings and attacks that went on. Makes you wonder sometimes what goes through those peoples minds that causes them to act upon such violence, but I guess we may never know that. I know the one thing that truly hits home is hearing that the Aurora theater shooter had been found guilty of taking the lives of 12 innocent people and wounding 70 others. It was a relief to hear that news. What things do you remember that hit you the most?
     Personally, so much has happened as well. The end of January I moved into a new home with a friend and spent nine months there. Then the end of October I really did a drastic change (as some might say), I moved 800 miles away from the place I once called home to a small town in the northwest corner of Arkansas. As many of my closest friends know that moving in with a friend and out of my "parents" house was definitely a change for me, but to move 800 miles away from the place I use to call home was a real change for me. I am surely glad that I had made that move to be closer to the ones I love. I know that I will continue to love this small town life and that the Lord will show me things that I never thought possible. This year has brought a lot of new twist and turns into my life that I don't think I will ever be able to figure out and that I know I wouldn't want to change. The Lord has done so much for me, that I can't wait to see what comes next in this journey of mine and to see what else the Lord has in store for me and where he leads me.
    May this next month bring many joys to you all and that the Lord shows you many things that change your lives for the better. Welcome December and the holidays to come. Love you all with all my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving

Definition from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thanksgiving

Noun
1. the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgement of benefits or favors
2. an expression of thanks
3. a public celebration in acknowledgement of devine favor or kindness
4. a day set apart for giving thanks to God

        Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope everyone is being safe this Thanksgiving. I know that this is the first Thanksgiving that I am actually able to semi help cook thanksgiving dinner, but then again there is only three of us having thanksgiving dinner together unlike the past. I was looking up online a couple days ago on the history of Thanksgiving and I had read that Thanksgiving had been scheduled on the last Thursday of the month and then in 1941 there was a bill that had been signed making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of the month.
        What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? This year I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to experience new things and to have been able to move to Arkansas to be closer to family. I am thankful for having such loving parents, who love me more than anything else, I don't know where I would be without the love of my mom and dad. I am also thankful that the Lord hasn't called my mom home just yet and that he has given me another day with her and her love and wisdom. I love you so much mommy.
       Happy Thanksgiving again everyone. Stay safe.

Congestive Heart Failure

             Do you know someone who lives with Congestive Heart Failure? Or known anyone who has? Well I can say that until my mom and one of my friends, I knew no one who lived with it, or at least to my knowledge I didn’t know anyone. I have decided to do some research to get myself aquatinted with Congestive Heart Failure also known as CHF, so let me pass my findings on to you all you might not know it.

          Congestive Heart Failure “affects nearly six million Americans”. Every year nearly 670,000 people are diagnosed per year (Web-MD). In 2009, there was one in nine deaths that included heart failure as contributing cause. Within 5 years of diagnosis, about ½ of those who developed heart failure had died (CDC). Under the age of 60 there were 1.4 million people, between the ages of 60 and 69 there is more 5% of people, and between the age of 40 and 59 are present 2% of people who have CHF (Emory Health).

          Congestive Heart Failure is when “the heart’s pumping power is weaker than normal” and the pressure in the heart increases when the blood moves at a slower speed throughout the body and heart. Also the hearts chamber may stretch and become stiff. Fluid may be retained as a result of the muscles in the heart soon weakening and not allowing adequate blood to be pumped. Heart Failure becomes congested once fluid builds up in the arms, legs, lungs and other organs.

          The causes of heart failure are consisting of many conditions that damage the heart muscles. Like coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and conditions that over work the heart. Congested lungs, fluid/water retention, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, and rapid or irregular heartbeats are the symptoms of CHF. There are two types of heart failure; Systolic dysfunction and Diastolic dysfunction. Systolic dysfunction occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t contract with enough force. Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the heart contracts normally, but the ventricles do not relax properly or are stiff.

          The normal physical exam by a doctor can help diagnose someone with heart failure. Other test that the doctor my order to help determine heart failure are as follow: Blood tests, B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) blood tests, chest x-ray, echocardiogram ,the ejection fraction (EF), stress test, electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), or a cardio catheterization. The treatments required after being diagnosed with CHF are a tight control over medication and your lifestyle and careful monitoring by your doctor. There are four stages of heart failure.

          The first stage of heart failure is Stage A. It is when people are at a high risk of heart failure, which includes people with high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, and family history of cardiomyopathy. The usual treatments required are to exercise regularly, quit smoking, treat high blood pressure, and to discontinue alcohol or illegal drug use. Stage B heart failure is the second stage. It is when people are diagnosed with systolic left ventricular dysfunction, but don’t have symptoms of heart failure, including people with prior heart attacks, valve disease, or cardiomyopathy. The usual treatments for this stage are the same as stage a, plus one should take ACE inhibitors. Stage C of heart failure is when patients with known systolic heart failure and current or prior symptoms that include shortness of breath, fatigue, reduced ability to exercise. The usual treatment for stage c is having stage treatments apply, and should take ACE inhibitor and beta-blockers, restrict dietary of sodium, and monitor weight. Stage D, the final stage of heart failure, is patients with systolic heart failure and presence of advanced symptoms after receiving optimum medical care. The treatments from stages A, B, and C all apply.

          How to prevent heart failure from getting worse? Well to start off take the prescribed medications. You should always schedule regular doctor appointments. Keep your blood pressure low, monitor symptoms and weight, maintain fluid balance, and limit how much sodium intake. To prevent further heart damage one should stop smoking, control high blood pressure and excise regularly. To maintain a quality of life with heart failure is to eat a healthy diet, regular exercise, don’t overdo it, prevent respiratory infection and take medication as prescribed.

          Remember that no matter what happens and what things we go through and what things affect us, we are all important to someone. Having seen one go through having CHF and seen how bad things can get, allows me to love her so much more than anything in the world.

References

Web-MD

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide-heart-failure

CDC facts

http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_heart_failure.htm

Emory Health

http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/heart-failure/learn-about-heart-failure/statistics.html

Sulphur Springs, Arkansas

         Nine hundred and nine feet above sea level in Benton County lay Sulphur Springs, Arkansas. It was home to 576 people back in 2013; 52.5% of which were males and 47.5% female. The town was laid out in 1885. It was known as an important spa and resort center in the late 1800s; since it was incorporated on August 26, 1980. Having the first bank open in September of 1906 and the Post Office in April of 1978. At a conference in the late 1950s, a comment was made that the town could have African American people working and being a part of the town during the day, but could not stay overnight. In which caused the town to be known as “sundown town”, where African Americans weren’t allow to live.

              In 1924, a school that is now called the “Old School” Complex was built with help of the Works Progress Administration (WTA) at 512 Black Street. It was used as a school until 1965 when it joined with those in a town about five miles south of town. The architectural style is late 19^th and early 20^th Century American Movements and sits on three acres of land. That complex is now used for the local police station, history museum, public library and city hall and was added to the National Register of Historic Place on February 16, 2001(Old School Complex Historic District).

             May of 1909, the Kihlberg Hotel was opened and was built from native limestone and was five stories high, but was unsuccessful.  When the hotel was built it was built with the mindset of attracting people from the upper-class. Due to the fact that it was so unsuccessful it was later bought by John Brown in 1924, in which was turned into a university for the children of Brown’s wealthiest donors. And of course that was another fail after never being able to turn a profit. Six years after John Brown bought the hotel it became the Julia A. Brown School for Children. In 1937, the Julia A. Brown School for Children was replaced by a military academy named Brown Academy. Three years after the academy burnt down; which was later rebuilt, but was only two stories instead of five stories like it was built originally.

          In 1968, a religious intentional community called the Shiloh Community (Shiloh meaning peace) restored the former Kihlberg Hotel, the Livingston Hotel (which had thirty rooms), and another property and created the Shiloh House Parsonage. The Shiloh Community needed a more centralized place for their Christian ministry that they started in 1942 in Sherman, New York. The only reason they moved to Sulphur Spring, Arkansas was due the fact that they were in awe with “the pastoral beauty and inspirational nature of the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas” (History of the Shiloh Community).  Their property in Sulphur Spring is “adjacent to the city park.”

 

            I have spent a lot of time just seeing the town of Sulphur Springs, Arkansas and just getting settled here. Also have been able to do quite a bit of research for this entry. So I hope you all enjoyed getting to know the town of Sulphur Springs, as I have gotten to know it and see it. Much love until next time.

 

 

History of the Shiloh Community

          http://www.users.nwark.com/~shilohf/history.htm

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture

          http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=6176

Old School Complex Historic District

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulphur_Springs_Old_School_Complex_Historic_District

 









Life's Update #1

      Well I have been in the state of Arkansas for a little while now and I am loving being here. It is so calm and peaceful. Yes, I love and miss my friends in Colorado, but I am so not missing the noise. Yes, I will say that I did miss seeing the first snow fall of the year that happened a few days ago, but it is nice that I don't have to worry about getting around in the snow how ever small the amount was or not.

       But back to being in Arkansas. I have definitely loving being here and seeing the town of Sulphur Springs. Have done a little walking around town the last few days and know for a fact that as time goes on I will continue to love being here. Yeah I know that once the winter season gets here and once the snow and ice gets here then I might not enjoy that so much.

       Since I have been here I have been so happy with life and have definitely learned not only how to love myself more, but to love and enjoy everything that God has given me.

       Thank you Lord for everything you have given me since I  have moved. I love you all.

What special love then one between mom and daughter

       Mommy and Daughter bonding time... Such a sweet sweet time. No matter how young or how old, spending time with your mom or your daughter is so precious. I know I never did get that time when I was younger and I sure do wish I was able to. But now that I finally have someone who I can have that bond with, I am grateful.
       It is sweet to look around and see mom's spending time with their beautiful daughters, doing things with them that they want to do and making memories with them that they will cherish for a lifetime. It is also bitter sweet when you see the daughters (of any age) dropping what they are doing to go spend some time with mom. I know that in the little time I have spent with my mom we have spent time just chit chatting mostly, but also have watched a play that I was in back when I was in seventh grade, we even have went out taking pictures together.

 

 

        I am grateful that I have such an amazing mom in my life and that I can now get to know her and spend time with her. I can't wait to see what the future holds and how many more adventures we will be on from this day forward. To all the wonderful mom's out there, don't ever stop loving us daughters and helping us grow into beautiful women and to all the beautiful daughters out there, don't ever take your mom for granted, you never know how long you have them around for. A shout out to my own mom, I love you with all my heart and I am grateful that I have you in my life.

Family

 

Family:

              Noun, 1) a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not: (the traditional family). 2) a social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for: (a single-parent family). (http://dictionary.referance.com/browse/family)

 

      Has any ever thought about the meaning of a family? I know I hadn't really sat down and thought about the true meaning of family or really got a good look at what it may look like until I met my family here in Arkansas. I have asked a few of my friends on what the number one thing of importance was to them on relating family. These were the two things of importance to them; one was togetherness and wanting to be together and love each other and second was interaction with each other. I agree with both that family true does need the togetherness and that the need interaction; where else would we be if we didn't have family who wants to stick together through thick and thin and who doesn't have any interaction with each other? I know a lot of families really don't have that togetherness and interaction with each other and I know it is sometimes difficult to have them both.

      I have been doing a lot of thinking lately and I know that if I didn't have the family I have now and I didn't feel the love I feel from them, then I would be miserable and my life would be in this very very dark place. I know I have been to a few dark places in my life(as short as it has been) and I know if I didn't have the family I have then I probably wouldn't have made it out of those places by myself. Family to me is have parents, siblings, extended family behind me no matter what life tends to through at me and having those family members be loving and compassionate towards me as I am towards them. I couldn't be more blessed to have such an amazing behind me and to feel as loved as I do.

    To my family I love you all

 

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween Everyone,

              I hope you all are having a good Halloween. I know I am. It has been a week since I finally got to my new home and I am loving every minute of it. Yeah it is a bit different being in a new state and being in a new atmosphere, but it is so peaceful and quiet here compared to Colorado. It is nice not hearing all the damn sirens for law enforcement, fire and paramedic personal. I am enjoying the calm, cool, and collected environment, yes I will admit I do miss my friends back in Colorado, but not to much I can do now.
               Even though it was foggy and a bit chilly out today, was able to get out and take some pictures with my mom. I really enjoyed getting out and taking pictures and spending quality time with my mama. I am glad I live closer to her and my dad now. I love you both so much.

I hope you all have a great Halloween. And be safe everyone. Love you all.