A Normal, Wonderful Day

So yesterday was a pretty normal, before cancer diagnosis, kind of day.  I went to work, Joe left to go out of town on business (insert sad face here...I double hate him being gone these days), and then Kendall, Christian and I got the pleasure of going to a wedding!  Joey Gelaro married his new lovely bride Kyra yesterday.  I have know Joey since he was in his mom's tummy.  Alicia was Danielle's 1st grade teacher the year I was pregnant with Kendall and she with Joey. They grew up together from diapers to high school graduation.  To see him stand up there saying wedding vows as the incredibly handsome, gentleman that his is now was amazing and I can't help but feel Kyra is a very lucky girl!  I also know after meeting Kyra at her bridal shower that he is also pretty darn lucky!  They will have a wonderful life together for certain.  All my love and best to them both.

Blog Alerts

Did you know you can sign up for alerts to know when I post rather than keep checking in? Just type in "Google alerts" into your browser and then click on "create an alert". Then type in Bethsfaithfilledjourney as one word and my blog should pop up. You then choose it and you should get an email to let you know. I am not sure if it only works with gmail or if it also works on other emails addresses as well. 

Blessings/Ups and Downs Explained

I don't know how many of you reading this believe in God or just maybe consider yourself spiritual...either way I think you can take something from this next part and I hope you read it. 

A dear friend describe me as living "open handed" as far as my relationship with God is concerned. This really got me thinking about what all that meant and I came up with this. Yes, she is right.  I do live my life with open hands to God. I always have but must say that it has grown over the last 10 years or so. The more time passes the more that grows. I have been open to what He plans for me and what work I should do for others. It has made me stronger in my faith thus stronger in my life. It has changed the way my eyes "talk" with my heart. I see things through my eyes but my heart steers my brain as to what I think about it more and more.  

When I am at peace and accepting this "new normal," I can feel my hands open and palms up to God. I feel the confidence in His presence and His loving hand on my shoulder. When I feel myself slipping into my dark times I know that my hands are clenched shut into fists. Fists of rage, fists of questioning, fists of what ifs, fists of WHY ME! I make God's work so much harder when I do that. He has to gently pry my hands back open so that I can lift them back up to Him. I can feel it coming most of the time.  It is like the world is whirling around me and closing in.  It becomes very overwhelming and I start detaching and shutting down. I grow dark and feel very alone and frightened.  It has only been a few times and each one seems a bit shorter than the last so I hope it is a progression that I am learning to not let myself go there.  

Here's the amazing part...OPEN YOUR HANDS, PALMS UP and prepare yourself.  Whether it is to the heavens, to the universe or what ever toots your horn you will be AMAZED over what gets placed in them. There are so many gifts that we never receive because our fists are clenched shut. Open them up and live life...a life full of gifts and possibilities. I am amazed over the many gifts I have received since my diagnosis!  

My Challenge to You

Work on how your eyes talk to your heart. Don't let what you see and what you look at go directly to your brain. It is time for a detour everyone! Let it pass through your heart before sending it to your brain and see how it changed the way you see the world. 

Mr. & Mrs. Joey Gelaro