You Are Special

I am proud of: 

1. Joy, Chris, Jeannie and the grandchildren that call me Nana Jojo
2. That I was a part of James Caldwell’s life and helped to ensure his mark was left upon this world through the above mentioned children and grandchildren – he mattered!
3. Of my entire family; right, wrong, related or not, adopted or not, I love them all whether they like it or not!
4. To have been the daughter of Ilene Thrift Manes
5. That even though I may have been abandoned at times during my childhood that I had family that swooped in to save me from ending up in the foster care system
6. That I no longer have abandonment issues
7. That by watching mama get thrown around, I was determined that no man would ever do that to me
8. That I didn’t kill those that tried to use me as a punching bag…even though it came close 
9. That I didn’t go to jail for “assault with deadly weapons” that were in my reach as I defended myself from the above offenders
10. That my Mexican family that took me in, wanted to keep me when mama showed up wanting me back and that to this day they still love me and consider me one of their own
11. That I have a husband that loves me and even though I have doubled in size since he met me he still considers me beautiful
12. That I am an extrovert that does enjoy being alone having “me” times
13. That even though I only have a high school diploma I have a decent job with decent pay
14. That I had enough credits to finish high school 2 months early, being in the graduation ceremony with my class of 1984, receiving my high school diploma even though I got married at 16
15. That I was not pregnant when I got married at 16
16. That I am loyal…at times I am even loyal to those that don’t deserve my loyalty
17. That I no longer host Pity Parties with the theme of “Why Me”
18. That I am an encourager of those who need lifting up
19. To have been brought up with the mindset, you are never too poor to help others
20. That I am a giver…sometimes to a fault
21. That I am a child of God
22. That I am bold about my faith
23. That I know my calling and I am fulfilling God’s plan for my life
24. That my personal motto is: I am blessed, not just to say I am blessed but to be a blessing
25. That I am sensitive, you will not cry alone in my presence
26. That I am still a kid at heart
27. That I am not embarrassed to get into the floor to play with children and be one of them, after all they are my people!
28. That I am organized
29. That I am no longer ashamed of “me”
30. That I am no longer a migraine sufferer – I am well in Jesus Name!
31. That I am a writer and soon an author!
32. That I am a sewist (I am not a sewer) S E W E R is something gross that my plumbers have to deal with and what I do with fabric is not POOP
33. That I am the queen of copying
34. That I am a teacher of my passions - whether it is card making, scrapbooking, sewing, computer basics, organizing, Sunday school, Bible Study or even how to make enchiladas from scratch, I will teach anyone who wants to learn.  Male, Female from 2 to 102 – I love teaching others that they can do it too
35. That I strive to make ordinary things pretty
36. That my bosses think I am invaluable
37. That I am a quick study
38. That I have manners…for the most part
39. That I get excited over the littlest things
40. I am passionate and love deeply
41. That I try to make everyone feel loved and welcomed where ever I am
42. That I am willing to change things that God needs me to change about myself.  Thank God He only asks one thing at a time to change.  I am a work in progress and making progress everyday!
43. That when I am committed to something, you can either help or get out of my way, I need see it through, not only correctly but in a timely manner
44. That I can admit when I am wrong or have done something wrong and not be ashamed to ask how you would like for me to remedy my blonde blunder
45. That I can clean up your mess and not rub your face in it, I don’t need to point fingers of blame.  If I see a consistency I will pull you aside in private to let you know how not to create the mess without bruising your ego
46. That I am funny and fun to be around
47. That I can drive a stick and that back in the day I have worked on my own cars, you know before the computer era.  I have even worked on cars while wearing a dress looking good while I was doing it.  I have rebuilt a 350 transmission; change all fluids, filters, replaced alternators, starters, spark plugs, points, wires and the like.  Thanking God that I have never needed to change a tire!
48. Of my name Joela
49. That I love and obey God, without Him this list would be empty
50. Most of all that I am proud that I am ME, the best ME that I can possibly BE!!
51. and number 51, that in my 50's list that I didn't mention my overzealous love and enthusiasm for Snoopy and the Doobie Brothers!

In my writing class we were challenged with writing 50 things about our life that we are proud of.  Not really things that we have accomplished but what in our life we are proud of.   This was not a “Narcissistic” assignment – this was discovering how wonderful and special we are. 

I would like to ask you all to do this about you/your life.  50 is a lot especially for those that are all about others.  If you have trouble getting started, ask those that love you most, “What is the first thing that pops into your head when you think of me?”

I know this is not an easy task.  You wouldn't be doing this for me or anyone else, this is for you.  You don't have to share with anyone what you come up with on the list, again this is for you.

Always remember and never forget Psalm 139:14 "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." and Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." 

You may have made mistakes, but God doesn't and He thinks you are pretty awesome.  So awesome that He sent His Son to die for you.  Chew on that for a bit and let it resonate in your spirit.  

I pray that you do this and God reveals to you everything wonderful that He created in you that make you, the you that everyone around you, loves about you!

Until Next Time, God Bless!!!

Head Over Heels in Love

I remember the day like it was yesterday…the first time I went to a Sunday Evening Service at church.  I was in the 6^th grade.  The music director got up in front of the congregation greeted us with his big smile and asked us to turn to page 36 of our hymnals for the singing of “There is a Name I Love to Hear”.  We started singing and something happened inside of me.  I can’t really explain it but I was so overcome with joy as we sung that simple hymn. 

There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in mine ear,
The sweetest name on earth.

Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

It tells me of a Savior's love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood,
The sinner's perfect plea.

Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

It tells of One whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe,
Who in each sorrow bears a part
That none can bear below.

Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

Before I knew it the song was over…NO I wanted more.  I wanted to sing more about my love for my Jesus!!  I love(d) my Jesus!!  That was the moment I fell for Jesus, I fell hopelessly in love with Him.  There I was, a 12 year old girl and in that moment, I knew that I loved Him, I loved Jesus!

A year earlier I had been saved in Sunday school, and soon I would be baptized, however that was the moment that I truly felt something for the Jesus I had given my life to.

Every time I saw the music director before service I would request #36.  He would smile at me and tell me that he would try as there are so many great songs that God loves to hear us sing to Him. 

At that time I didn’t know that the song list had been picked out the week before.  The choir and pianist had practiced what was going to be sung at the different church services.

Whenever the music director would tell us to turn to page 36 of our hymnals he would turn to me and smile.  I always sat in the same place in church so he knew where I was, the 2^nd row on the left hand side of the church.  I was once teased that is where Jesus was so I always sat there to be with Him.  I knew that He was everywhere but that was my way of telling Jesus, “I am sitting here to be with You, my loving Jesus.”

If you know me or my story at all, you know that I love music.  I love to sing and dance.  I haven’t been given those talents, however that doesn’t stop me from giving it my all!  I have come to love WORSHIP music.  I love to sing and dance for my Jesus.

Back in the day I would sing and dance at clubs rockin’ out enjoying the music.  I would scream and jump up and down for my favorite bands at concerts.  I would yell and dance with jubilant victory at sporting events.  So why wouldn’t I show as much love and enthusiasm (if not more so) for my Jesus?!?!

The name Jesus is such a beautiful name.  His name in Hebrew is Yeshua and it means Salvation.  Wow, what a wonderful name.  Is it any wonder that I love to hear that name?  Is it any wonder why I love to sing its worth?  The name Jesus sounds like music in my ear, it is the sweetest name on earth!  It tells me of my Savior’s love, who died to set me free.  It tells me of His precious blood, the powerful blood that washed away my sins…the sinner’s perfect plea.  Oh how I love Jesus, because HE first loved ME!!!

Even though my taste in worship music has changed over the years, hearing that simple old hymn takes me back to the beginning of my love for my Jesus.  His love has never diminished even when I drifted away.  His arms were waiting for me when I woke up and realized that I couldn’t live another minute more without Him.  As I begged for forgiveness He wrapped me in His arms telling me that He never stopped loving me.   Oh how I love my Jesus!

The most magnificent thing about my Jesus, is that He can be your Jesus too!  He loves us all.  All we have to do is ask Him into our hearts and lives.  

It’s as simple as ABC…

ACCEPT Jesus into your heart;

BELIEVE that Jesus died on the cross for your sins;

CONFESS that you are a sinner. 

Now that you have invited Jesus into your heart move on to D, E, F and G…

Dig into the word to find out more about Jesus / God / Holy Spirit

Enrich it by finding yourself a good Bible based / Bible teaching church

Fellowship with other believers for support, guidance and revelations etc

God wants a relationship with you, talk to Him, daily as you would your best friend, parent, child..etc.  Nothing fancy, just talk to Him.

There is nothing in this world that can even compare to living for Jesus!  You just have to choose Him – He already chose you and is waiting.

Until Next Time, God Bless!