I sat outside last night and was on the verge of tears.  To be honest, I did not cry but I think if I had of I would still be sitting there crying.  My heart is so full of hurt  and sadness for so many.  It seems as if the past month has been nothing but pain, hurt, disillusionment, fear, and hopelessness for so many.  People crying out for prayer because they simply do not know how to cope with the rawness of life.  They are so surrounded with bad news that they cannot see even a glimmer of sunshine on their horizon.

I have a very dear friend who is battling bone cancer ... I just read where another person I care about has been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma ... one of my dearest friends lost her dad ... another friend cries out for prayer for her mom ... and, of course, you know of my sister's battle with cancer.  I could take this list even further, but I think you see why I am so downtrodden in heart this morning.  I did not say downtrodden in spirit.  BIG DIFFERENCE!  These situations make me want to just scream.  I have hope ... I have strength ... I have promise for the future ... I have faith!  I have God and, therefore, my eyes stay turned upwards knowing He will deliver.  Where is that for those who have no relationship with Jesus?  I see their hopelessness ... their fear of the unknown ... their lack of faith.  They are frightened with no where to go and no one to turn to. 

Before I go any further, let me reassure you that not all I mentioned are without hope.  You have heard of my sister's undying faith and what God has done for her.  Another of these individuals shared with me how God continues to comfort them.  However, on the flip, not all are where they need to be ... one in particular.  My heart hurts more for their salvation than it does for their situation.  God has showed me that it is my responsibility to reach individuals who are without hope and faith.  It is me that gets fearful when I think of what God needs me to do, but then again it does not.  I know that if God has led me to it, then He will carry me through it ... He will provide the words ... He will provide the opportunity.  I would much rather press forward for God with some trepidation, then to be sick at my stomach and have to live with myself knowing that I did nothing.  People, heaven and hell are very real.  You will spend eternity in one or the other.  If the fate of people's souls do not bother you or you feel you cannot be bothered with it, then you need to re-examine the fate of your soul.  You cannot love Christ and be walking the correct walk and not be concerned about the salvation of others.  Once you truly come to believe and know that hell is for real, you would not desire your worse enemy to go there.  It is FOREVER!

Join me in prayer today.  God knows the desires of our hearts, but He needs to hear us speak to Him.  Do it today for those around you who are suffering silent trials in life ... for those who have lost loved ones ... for those who are enduring pain ... for those who are of lost mind ... for those who battle cancer, depression, or any type of affliction.  Christians, we sincerely need to hold our sisters and brothers up in prayer.  We are all one family and it is our responsibility.

Take the time today to reach out to someone.  They need a hug, a hand to hold, someone to care ... be that hug, that hand, or that someone today.

Morning, Everyone!  I can honestly say that this morning is so much better than yesterday morning.  As I shared on Facebook yesterday, I was having a really 'blah' day.  I was so discouraged about things and wondering if I was truly hearing from God in reference to the direction I was going.  I would go so far as to say I was teetering on being depressed.

Knowing, living, and enduring depression in myself and other individuals over the years, I did not want to succumb to it.  I knew I had to physically pick myself up and do something creative to get pass this.  If not, it would consume me and it would be downhill from there.  God has been way too gracious and giving to me over the years for me to do such a thing. 

My husband, when he realized my plans for the day had failed, suggested we go for a ride.  Though my physical body and my mental being did not want to go for a ride ... I did not want to do ANYTHING ... I gave in and went.  Praise God that I did.  It was exactly what I needed.  Though it was slow to surface, joy interceded and it was a wonderful day.

My husband and I ended up on Skyline Drive.  We enjoyed a nice and relaxing dinner at the Skyland Restaurant.  When we left there, we were happy to see the Blackberry Festival was in full swing, so we ventured up the mountain to the festival.  Again, what a wonderful time we had.  I ate too much and 7.2 went out the window for the day.  But, what the heck ... I will resume again today!

On the way down the mountain, we stopped at yard sales.  I bought a beautiful bowl and pitcher set.  What a relaxing and blessed day it was.

Today I am heading to my niece's bridal shower.  Excited for her!  Hope you all have a truly blessed day.  If today you are feeling downtrodden, pick yourself up and press on.  It takes a lot of energy and drive to push through, but it is so well worth the effort!

For someone who did not go to bed until after 3:30, I should not be typing you a blog at 7:20.  My body just will not sleep but so late.  I guess it is programmed by our past patterns.  I am a morning person!  How life can change?  I can remember a time when I was not a morning person and, if left to my own resources, I could sleep all day.  Of course, I look back now and can see why.  When you are constantly living a life of turmoil ... depressed, self-centered, insecure, etc. ... your body is carrying around a lot of weight.  Who wants to tote that junk all day ... it is easier to lay down and sleep, then to function throughout daily life?  I will stop here because this could be a book in itself ... lol!

My son and I went to Liberty University on Friday to tour the campus.  It was AMAZING!!  Instead of feeling the fear I always feel when thinking of my son leaving for college, I was so excited for him.  I could see his demeanor changing little by little throughout the day.  You have to understand my son.  He is very calm and does not show emotion much.  Whether he is attending a funeral, a wedding, or something in between, if you did not know him, you could not read how he is feeling emotionally.  He remains the same.  So many people have told me over the years what a wonderful husband and father he will be because of his strength and resilience during hard times.  He will be a stabling force for his family.  Remaining calm during all stages of life but being supportive is a rare quality.   He has been my support system ore than once!  During the tour, you could see the light in his eyes brightening, and at the very end it was so obvious.  My son's map to his soul is in his eyes.  He talked about it all the way home, and we chatted about choices he would make, which dorm he thought he wanted, and so on.  It was a great day.

We then had lunch with a very special lady who was once a very big part of my life.  Reconnecting as we did was wonderful.  I hope to see more of her in the future.

Travelling home I got a bit of disturbing news.  As I have shared, my sister ... my baby sister ... has breast cancer.  She underwent a double mastectomy a little over a week ago.  Her pathology report came back and it showed cancer in two of the three samples they sent off to be tested after surgery.  As throughout this whole ordeal, the initial 'hearing' of it was emotional and scary, but then I relied on my faith in God to take over.  It is then that the peace is restored.  She had a bit of a meltdown the other day, but I think it was more from pain medication withdrawals than anything.  But, hey, she is so deserving of it.  She has been a rock throughout all of this.  Her faith has carried her up to this point, and now it will carry her further.  We do not know what the future holds or what she may still have to endure, but we do know who holds the future.  Knowing that is all we need to get through this or anything in life.  Please continue to hold her up in prayer and speak affirmative words over her. 

So???  How has your weekend been?

"Only Me" is exactly what I thought yesterday.  I was so embarrassed but I had to laugh because it was funny.  But coming so soon on the heels of the eye lash catastrophy just made it seem bigger than I am sure it was.

I had to make a deposit yesterday so I went to the main branch of BB&T.  I normally do not go to this branch as it is always so busy.  I got in the drive-in window, made my deposit, and put the cylinder back into the slot.  As I was pulling my hand away from the cylinder, it fell below my vehicle.  I could not believe I just did that and I had vehicles behind me.  I tried to open my door to reach down and see where it went but no cigar ... I was too close to hardly crack my door just a little much less open it.   I went to pull up a little when the lady came through the speaker and hollered, "Don't move! You may run over it."  She kept going away from the window, then would return, and leave again.  I thought, "What in the world is she doing?"  Finally a man ... white shirt and tie ... came out.  He had to get on all fours and practically crawl under my vehicle.  He was very sweet but I was very embarrassed!  He retrieved the cylinder but said, "Good thing you did not move.  It was situated directly under your tire and you would have shattered it."  I thanked him profusely  and pulled off.  So how was your day?  I know it had to be better!

My sister is improving daily.  Yesterday she slept more than she had been doing.  Over the weekend when she would take her pain medications, she would not sleep a lot because there were people coming and going all day.  It gave her something to focus on and she did not sleep.  Yesterday it was quiet so she gave into the sleep.  I told her to go with it ... her body needs it.

Time to sign off and head to work.  I hope you guys all have a truly blessed day!

Good Morning!  Rise and shine ... if you can't shine, at least rise!  I did not want to shine this morning, but I find I am my most productive during the wee hours of the morning. No one is up and about ... the house is quiet ... my mind is fresh and alert ... well it is fresh but I am not always alert ... and my thought processes are more active.

How was your weekend?  Mine was good!  I spent time on Saturday and Sunday with my sister, Cathy.  She is doing great.  We even walked up and down the driveway twice on Sunday.  To look at her it would be hard to guess she just had major surgery.  She is still struggling with pain somewhat and the inability to be able to raise her arms much ... which disables her from doing a lot of things she would like to do ... but believe me when I tell you that she is exceptional!  God is so good and continues to be!  Her faith in Him is making her whole!

Do you have much of a day scheduled for today?  Mine is not that busy.  Of course, I can say that now and then get to work to fine out it is just the opposite.  We have a senior closer leaving us a week from Wednesday and it is really going to throw a wrench into our daily operations.  Do you know of anyone who needs a job?  Get them to private message me as we are in need of two real estate closers.

I am excited about my son and I going to visit Liberty University this week.  As much as it saddens me to have him leave home because we are so close, it makes me happy to see him grow into the man he is becoming.  I can remember like yesterday the day we took my daughter to decorate her dorm and leave her at college.  It is a day filled with mixed emotions. As much as you want to see them grow and become their own person, your heart is breaking that they are no longer your little child.  Sure they still need you to a certain extent, but they no longer need you as you desire to be needed.  I am so not ready for the empty-nest syndrome.  Maybe if I lived closer to my three grandsons it would be different as that could fill some of the emptiness I know I will fill, but that is not the case.   I would love to hear from some of you about how leaving your child at college effected you and your life?  It would certainly help me to hear of how others dealt with it.

Morning!  I hope everyone is looking forward to going to church this morning!  We all need that lift to get us through the week.  But before I decide where I am going this morning, let me tell you what I did yesterday.  Try not to laugh too hard.  As I titled this, it was all for fun!

After I left my sister's yesterday morning, I had to go get my hair done and get my nails done.  Both were in pretty bad shape.  Being I did not have money to get my toes done, I knew I would not be there long.  As I was sitting there, I kept hearing people talk about eye lash extensions ... ok, maintain the laughter until you hear it all!  I had always been curious about it so I inquired about it.  BIG MISTAKE! 

The next thing I knew I was lying on my back and this lady was doing something with my face.  It did not hurt.  I looked at the pictures and the extensions looked so beautiful and natural.  Being one who has never ever had eyelashes, I so dreamed of having them.  My hair is very white on my face and always has been.  On top of that my eyelashes are almost non-existent, especially now that I am older.  Having extensions would be great.

They have short and medium lengths for the extensions.  Of course I want medium ... the longer the better!  OMG, you should have seen me.  The first person I thought of was Tammy Faye Baker.  I am not poking fun at anyone, but if you are of my age, then you know EXACTLY what I am talking about.  They felt funny too!  But I graciously said thank you and left.

As I ran the other errands I had to do, I just knew that people were pointing at me or whispering.  I felt like my eyes were standing out as if in a magnifying glass.  Oh my, what have I done now?

I stopped and picked up dinner for my son and I.  My husband I knew would not be home for awhile, so I could test my son.  Maybe them standing out as I felt they did was all in my head.  Maybe my son will not even notice them.  After all, how much does a 17 year old boy really pay to his mom anyway?

My son, bless his heart, failed not ... he was just as attentive as he is in daily life with me.  One look when I called him out of his bedroom, mouth flew open, eyes become bigger, and he said, "Mom, what have you done?"  Then he commenced to laughing.  Yep, just the confirmation I needed that my eyes were beautiful and I had most definitely did the right thing ... WRONG!  After the joke was over, he thought he had hurt my feelings so he began with how good they looked!  Really Christopher?  The moment has passed but I so love him for trying.  We ate together and he returned to his room.  Now I can wait for the reaction that will matter the most ... my husband!

When he got home it was past dark, so it was safe to walk outside and greet him.  He can't see me then and I can sort of work up to this moment.  Here was how the conversation went after I welcomed him home, etc.:

Me:  Honey (as I lean into him like a baby), I did something really stupid today.
Donnie:  (As he sort of chuckles) What did you buy now?
Me:  Well let's go in the house and I will show you.  (I entered the house and put on the big ceiling light in the living room.)
Donnie:  (He is staring me straight on at this point)  Ok, what did you do?
Me:   What do you see different?  (He is steadily focusing on my hair but occasionally looking me in the fact.  I am thinking to myself, "Really!  My son comes out of his room and first glance is thrown for a loop, and here is my husband staring at me head on and sees nothing!"  How observant is he?)
Donnie:  Honey, I don't see anything (as he is staring at my hair again ... until the eyes move a bit south and our eyes lock AGAIN!)  Laughter is now prevalent as he has FINALLY made the mark. 

The first words out of his mouth ... after he contains the laughing ... is, "You look like Tammy Faye Baker!"  I KNEW IT!  We both started to laugh.  Then, of course, him laughing was not enough.  He had to go get Christopher so they could laugh together.

We all had a good laugh.  This morning first thing, while everyone is still asleep, I sought the Vaseline and a hot clothe.  Needless to say, those eyelashes are gone.  I feel back to normal.  I lost what few real eyelashes I had in the removal procedure, but they will grow back, and if not, so be it.  Lesson learned!  No harm done!  We all had a good laugh, which we always need, and life moves on.

So tell me ... what stupid thing have you done lately?  I would love to hear it so I can stop feeling so stupid!  Just kidding when I say I feel stupid.  I think we only live once and there comes occasion when you just have to live and try new things.   It can be both fun and rejuvenating.  Try something new today!

I received an email today from a person who is trying out 7.2.  She said she has been on it for 3 days, but already she can feel a difference in her energy levels and she is sleeping better.  She does weigh in until next week so I am anxious to hear her great news!  Keep up the good work!

Her mother has also started 7.2 as of yesterday for pain management.  I will keep you posted on her progress.  I know 7.2 is working big time I a lot of lives.  Give it a shot today and check it out at janetnicholson.sevenpoint2.com.  You won't regret it!

I have not been writing as I should these past few days but I have had a lot on my plate ... you know that thing called 'life', well it sort of crept up on me!

I just wanted to say "Good Morning".  I am feeling so great this morning physically, and it still amazes me how 7.2 is and has effected my life.  WOW is all I can think of to say.  With that being said, I have lots of plans for new articles in the coming days, lots of blog posts, and I am embarking on yet another journey!  God will certainly keep one busy if you open your heart and allow Him to lead you.  This new journey is totally between God and I for now, but it will not be an easy journey.  HOWEVER, it will be a very fulfilling and rewarding journey.  God's Word is true and He is not a man that He should lie.  Based on that statement alone, I am both excited and fearful (in a good way and not in a condemning way) of what lies ahead.  Needless to say, it will be an interesting few months.

I also have 2 new pages on my website that I want to attempt to get up and running today.  One is a Memorial Page where I want to remember and honor those I have lost over my lifetime.  I think of them all so often, and I just think it would be nice to have this page.  You can comment if you know the individuals and share your stories of them.

The other is my Prayer Wall!  I am most excited about this new page.  I have some awesome and wonderful prayer warriors standing by to pray for your daily needs.  Knowing sincere people are standing with you in agreement during difficult times is enough during periods of your trials to give you the power and encouragement you may need to press through.  These ladies will pray for you, maybe share a similar story to give you the lift you need, or simply embrace you during your journey!  They are STRONG PRAYER WARRIORS and you are blessed to have them at your disposal.  Stay tuned ...

You guys have a great time today.  I hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July.  I hung around the house.  My husband doesn't do fireworks well, so we gave it up years ago.  It was not much of a sacrifice since my children are grown, but I wish the weather would have held off to do a family cookout or something.  Of course, even that is a challenge these days with everyone going in their own direction and having their own families to care for.  Growing old is nice, rewarding, peaceful, but more difficult to get quality time with family.  In my finite mind this doesn't make much sense to me, but it has been that way the last few years.  I just pray that life gets more relaxing for everyone so we can spend time with one another before there is no time left.

Ok, I have to run as I am heading out to my most favorite place ... a place to worship God and spend time with life-minded Christians.  The Christians I have been hanging with over the past month or so have been so awesome.  They are so caring of one another, and you truly get the sense of what church family means.  Find a good place today and spend some quality time with God.  He is waiting!