New blog title!

Vicki's voice is the new name for my blog. I will be posting positive daily affirmations and an overall message of hope and inspiration!

The blessings of the holiday

Christmas is over but the memories we created will remain in our hearts forever. Aiden had the idea this year that we should sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before opening presents. It was just thing that was missing all those years before. You get a sense that even though the kids were opening presents that they were going to enjoy, the real JOY is knowing God and knowing the story of his birth.
I am so, so thankful for my little family. I am looking forward to 2011 being another great year for us. I know that whatever happens, whatever struggles, conflicts, or disappointments we may face - we face them together and with our Faith in Jesus. He is always here with us, to guide us and provide us with strength and grace along the way. Happy New Year 2011 to our friends and family!!

Hope!

With the upcoming anniversary of my mother's suicide, one word has been weighing heavy on my mind. That word is Hope. When a person becomes so saddened, depressed, and hopeless, they feel that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. You may have heard of the term tunnel vision. The person can only focus on their deep, extreme hopelessness. If there is no hope that tomorrow will be better and bring some sort of answer to your problems, then what do you do? You become hopeless, helpless, and lose your way.

There is hope in Jesus Christ. Once you have a relationship with Him and know, that you know, that you know that He SAVES! He will and CAN bring you through whatever the problem may be. There is No problem or struggle that Faith cannot see you through. I have lived that and my life is a living testimony of what faith in Jesus Christ can see you through.

October 9, 1992 was the worst day of my life. This day changed the course of my life forever. God has given me a heart to help others. He has given me a message of HOPE. He has given me a kind heart and an ear ready to listen to other's problems and guide them through life's struggles. Jesus walks beside us, at times he carries us, but he is always, always there.

What I learned from my first 5K

On Sept. 4, 2010 I set a goal to run a 5K. I started walking and jogging in my neighborhood a few days a week. I found a 5K towards the end of October that I planned to sign up for. However, Ryan had read that there was going to be one held in Abita Springs to support mental illness awareness. Jackpot!!! There is no cause closer to my heart. So, I signed up for it and it was Sat. Sept. 25th. What a great day and a wonderful experience. My friend, Amber, decided to join me at the last minute and I was SO happy she did. Having a running partner was a God-send. I ran the race in 37:55. More importantly, I ran the entire time which was one of my goals.

The race taught me:
1) I can set a goal and accomplish it.
2) All things are possible with God's strength and love (okay, I already knew that)!
3) I am much stronger and capable of doing things than I think I am.
4) I can run!
5) People of all shapes and sizes can walk or run a race.
6) Running with a friend is more fun than running alone.
7) I want to keep running!

My next goal will be to run another 5K and then a 10K before the year is over. I then would like to train for a half-marathon for Spring/Summer 2011!!!!

I am Blessed!

I posted this on my facebook earlier this week but it really made me think of a child's innocence. I asked my four year old daughter, Cami, why she was just SO sweet. She instantly replied, "because God made me...Cami!" I thought this was the most delightful and touching answer she could have given. We are all sweet and special because we are God's children. God made us in His image. Once we stop striving for "perfection" according to the world's standards, we can see the true beauty that lies inside us. I am so glad that my children know Jesus and are being raised in a wonderful church family! I think the best gift we can give our children is the gift of knowing God!

My Chains are Gone!

Last nights bible study really struck a chord with me and I feel strongly to share what I learned! I am in a women's bible study. This is a 12 week class studying the book of Daniel with Beth Moore. Last night we covered chapter 3. Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego stand up for their God and will not bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar and his image of gold. In doing so their hands are bound and they are escorted to their fiery death. Even the men that escorted them to the fire were burned to death because the fire was that hot. Nebuchadnezzar watched in amazement as the men were dropped into the fire only to see FOUR figures rising from it and walking out. (Daniel 3: 25) Do you know who it is said the fourth was - The son of God!! They came out of the fire unharmed and did not even smell of smoke! The implications of this to our own lives and our own "fires" are simply amazing.
Our God can free us from the bonds of fire. To me, this hit me in the very pit of my stomach. This released me - released any bonds I had tied to my family's history of suicide. Just because I have "come through" these fires does NOT mean I am bound to them! Do you see what I mean? It is the same for suicide as it is for substance abuse, divorce, cycles of abuse, etc. Just because we have lived through something like this does not mean we are bound to it! Tears roll down my face as this sets in for me! How many nights and days did I go through life with no hope, feeling the weight and burdens of this world on my shoulders - thinking one day it was all going to be too much for me to bear. NO! I am not alone. We are not alone. God is here with us!
And this is why I am a positive and happy spirit! As the songs says, "My chains are gone, I've been set free"! Amazing love, Amazing Grace!!

Do you have an Attitude of Gratitude?

I do! And it will change your life! Having an grateful heart is being thankful for the things you do have instead of being bitter for the things you do not. It is focusing on what is good and positive in your life. Too many times, our minds become cluttered with negativity. We want more money, we try to keep up with the Jones' and all it leaves us is feeling empty inside.

A very easy way to get rid of a negative attitude is to be grateful. Every day start with keeping a journal of Gratitude. List 5 things each day you are thankful for. Is it hard to come up with 5? Soon, you could come up with a list of 100!! I promise. The more you start to focus and think on all things positive, the quieter the negative voice will become. You will become more optimistic instead of pessimistic. You will see the good in the bad. You will see that even through a time of heartache, God can be glorified.

Today I am thankful for:

my life
my spouse
my children
my cozy home
God's grace