ABBEY'S ROAD

ABBEY IS LISTENING TO . . .

2012-02-13T12:49:00.002-06:00

It's me again, James! Your voice and your music sooth my aching soul .... I love you!

That's all for today .... if you've read the two posts below this one, then I can feel your sigh of relief!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY TO ALL,
Abbey ♥

DEEP THOUGHTS

2012-02-13T12:42:00.001-06:00

There's so much going on around me, in my immediate physical location, and in places near and far. Losing such a talent as Whitney Houston shocks me, but then when I think about it, I recall thinking "they'll find her dead" a while back. I pray for comfort for her family and her fans. But, it's hard when an American Icon passes.

I watched Glen Campbell on the Grammy's knowing he has Alzheimer's Disease, and I recall a young, vibrant and very handsome man with whom I shared an airplane ride from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in 1975. He was tall and he was gorgeous. I recall in my mind looking at his blond wife and thinking to myself "you stole your best friend's wife." Oh what was his name . . . Mac Davis, that's it! Sins of the father . . .

I think about my own life and I cannot help but think "sins of the mother" in certain negative situations with my children. Do they suffer now due to my own iniquities when I was raising them? I would say I was a "better and more conscientious" mother to my son. There was a 12-year difference between my daughter and my son. I regret that I had to work when she was young, and that I was living in California until she was nearly 8 years old. She didn't have "neighborhood friends" or "church friends" - I had turned my back on religion and God. To this day, I cannot forgive myself for what my daughter missed in her early years. All she had was me and my adult friends. At least until I woke up and moved to where most of my family lives. She turned into the most beautiful person, mother, wife, daughter, and friend you could imagine. I am so proud of her and her and her husband's parenting skills. They have been raising three awesome children who excel in everything that they do, and they know God intimately.

My son has gone through a lot of tribulations for the last couple of years, and my worry and broken heart have been in the forefront all of this time. I'm a wimpy weepy; I cry a lot! My grandmother and my aunt were the same way. Our hearts cannot handle much without our bowling up in a good weeping session. It's in the gene pool.

It was recently discussed with me by three different people at different times how I allow my worries about others to affect my close relationships. How do you not worry about your children when they are in need? I have prayed fervently for two years that God would help my son. My son has also prayed, but he doesn't have the faith down like I do. I know God's will takes time, His time. Another broken heart, mine and his.

My sister left her husband of 38 years last September. He has been drowning and from the start, I became his rock. The calls to lean on me became more and more frequent, and I do not fault him. He lost his entire family, the life he'd known for 38 years. My family, my parents, were his family and his parents. My heart aches for what he is going through at age 60. I know my sister reads my blog, so sis, I'm not going to say much more than that.

I'm trying to get to the point that I have had so much negativity in my life that it has been hurting my close relationships. I have a mother and daddy who live 1,000 miles away where I grew up; my mother had a stroke over a year ago and even though she continues in-home therapy, I do not feel she will ever progress any further than she is. Her whole life was baking. She stayed in her kitchen all of the time. She loved what she did, and it's no wonder how much money has been spent in ingredients for her creations that she simply gave away or donated for fundraisers. She cooked many meals for friends or acquaintances who were going through deaths or having sickness in their home. All of this, her life's work, was taken from her. It was God's will, yet I cannot help myself in feeling so very sorry for her. With that is guilt over a lot of things I did when I was young. Yes, all children do things that hurt their parents, but I left and went to California with their only grandchild when I was 19 and my sister left and went east within weeks. Suddenly, my mother and daddy were without the family as they knew it. They never made me feel guilty, but I'm sure they cried a river over their loneliness.

Now, mom and daddy are both 80 years old and mother is a stroke patient. With these type patients, "things happen" with their health, and they've had a couple of things happen already where she was hospitalized and my poor daddy just goes to pieces. I feel so helpless. You have to know from looking at my sidebar that these two people are my heroes. They adopted me out of a dysfunctional and horrible situation, loved me as hard as they could, and like all parents who don't have a handbook, did the best they knew how. How did I repay them? I left them ..... God has forgiven me, but I cannot forgive myself. My trial now is to be in their presence (or not) and look at them and feel such heartache and regret over the times that I hurt them. I want to go back, I want a "do-over", but that's not going to happen, so I continue to beat myself up aboutt his and everything else I've done "wrong". Yes, I am in therapy and I pray it will help me sort this out.

My revelation a few years ago that I had been molested as a toddler by my natural father could have gone one of two ways: I could let it bowl me over and take over my thoughts or I could thank God for the parents who raised me. My daddy said to me when I told him about my revelation: "Honey, you need to just think of your life as beginning when you came to live with us." That was when I was three years old. I took his advice, and I realize suddenly that if I'd taken my daddy's advice over the years, my life would be completely different. You know, how people talk about how a second of change in time could alter your whole life.

My husband's brother worked for Universal Studios and was in Phoenix in August 2006 working on a movie. It was his last day on set, a Friday, and he and his girlfriend were going to ride their Harley's to Las Vegas for a long vacation. As he began to leave, she begged him, "come back to bed and hug me, you didn't hug me and you didn't tell me that you love me." Hesitantly, he relented and went back to hug her and reassure her that he loved her. He was hit on his motorcycle (no helmet) by a kid high on cocaine and having drank a 12-pack of beer. He was very messed up and we were called and urged to come, which we did. We pulled the plug on Sunday, August 13, 2006. So you see, if he'd gone on and not gone back to kiss and hug his girlfriend, he may have been through that intersection and this tragedy may have not happened.

I am a worrier, I pray, I believe, but I cannot stop myself. I am also the Crowd Mother. If someone in need calls on me, I never say "no". I've had a lot thrown at me in the last year, plus I've had emergency appendectomy when I was in Texas taking care of my mother, I had knee surgery only to have to go to a detox unit to get off the pain medication, my brother-in-law is suffering so deeply, my daughter and I hardly see each other anymore and she lives only 3 doors away (??), my husband stays aggravated because I have taken on all the worries of the world on my shoulders.

I see their point. I must let go of the worry, I must somehow, some way, be able to give all of it to God for His keeping, believe in it and let go of all of it. My own health suffers, and I'm sure that if I let go of a lot of this worrying, I'd feel so much better.

My husband keeps saying "just take care of yourself. You say yourself you are not taking care of your own health, so take care of yourself." He loves me; he is an awesome man who has taken such good care of me. He deserves to have me follow what he has asked of me.

Please pray for my worries, pray that God will take them and I will let go of them. Pray for my health, pray that my family issues smooth out for I do care and love all of these people with all of my heart. Pray that I can accept that I am a crowd mother and it is unhealthy. Pray that I can change the way in which I take in these people in need and not become so absorbed in their issues.

These are deep thoughts; thoughts from my heart. I'm honest to a fault, and it may be a fault putting this all out there, but you know? I'm human, I have a huge and tender heart, and I am not ashamed of wanting to help those who need love and care. I just need to learn some tools to handle my own emotional involvements.

If you've gotten this far, God bless you for reading! And God bless you for your prayers.

In Christ,
Abbey ♥

HEARTLIGHT

2012-02-13T10:44:00.004-06:00

Today's Verse...

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

—Joel 2:13 (NIV)Illustrated:

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

One of the most amazing things about our God is that he is so gracious and compassionate. This is true even when we've "blown it big time." In fact, when we sin, he longs to forgive and cleanse, not condemn and punish. His grace rushes to greet our genuine heartbreak and heart-change with forgiveness, cleansing, and redemption.

Prayer...

Dear Father, when I sin, please help me see my sin as you do. Help my heart break over my sin when I've rebelled against you. I don't want to ever become callused or cold to your grace. I want to always appreciate the great cost you paid to redeem, to forgive, and to cleanse me with you grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

~*~

You can find more informational links at the "Heartlight" website.

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-02-13T10:36:00.004-06:00

I am growing very fond of Thomas Kempis . . .

~*~

Set me free from evil passions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections; that being inwardly cured and thoroughly cleansed, I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, steady to persevere.

~Thomas Kempis

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17
The King James Version

Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

Sam Walter Foss

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-02-12T11:12:00.001-06:00

I don't know if you enjoy these as much as I do. They really hit home sometimes and they cause me to smile, or just stop and think for a moment . . . does this apply to me? Am I doing or not doing this? Anyway, love this one . . .

~*~

“Blessing with love.”

How do we love others?

Stop trying to change them. Let them take care of their own growth processes. We can’t learn for another. If their behavior is detrimental to us, then we may choose not to be in their presence—and that is fine. We must love ourselves enough not to be brought down by self-destructive people. If we have many negative people in our lives, then we can look to see what pattern there is in us that attracts these people to us.

When we change, we drop our pattern and we become different, the others will also change in the way they relate to our new personalities, or they will leave our lives so that new people who will appreciate us are then able to enter. Whichever way it happens, it is always a positive move for us when we love and accept ourselves.

Another powerful tool for healing all relationships—family, work, casual, or intimate—is “blessing

with love.” When someone is doing something to disrupt the harmony of your life, bless them with love. You can do it several ways. You can say, “I bless you with love, and I bring harmony to this situation,” or “I bless you with love, and ‘I’ release you and let you go,” or “I release you to your highest good.”

~Louise L. Hay

THINKING OF OTHERS

2012-02-12T10:38:00.000-06:00

Thinking Of Others

Lesson 29 from Romans: Lessons In Renewing Your Mind

By Eric Elder

The story's told of two friends who were walking through a desert together when one of the friends slapped the other in the face. The one who was slapped wrote a note in the sand saying:

"Today my best friend slapped me in the face."

But as they walked further along, the one who had been slapped fell into a pool of water and began to drown. This time, his best friend reached down and pulled him out of the water, saving his life. This time, the friend who was rescued etched a note on a stone saying:

"Today my best friend saved my life."

When asked why he wrote one note in the sand and the other note in stone, the one who had been slapped and then later rescued replied:

"When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone, where no wind can ever erase it."

Too often, we get this backwards: we write people's offenses in stone rather than sand, perhaps because they've hurt us so much, or perhaps to protect ourselves from being hurt again. Then we write the good deeds that people have done for us in sand, forgetting over time just how significant those good deeds have been in our lives.

But according to the Bible, true love keeps no record of people's offenses at all. As Paul said to the Corinthians:

"Love... keeps no record of wrongs" (1 Corinthians 13:5b).

Last week, we looked at the importance of thinking of ourselves properly, without falling into the traps of pride or low self-esteem. This week, we're looking at the importance of thinking of others properly, without falling into the traps of conceit or comparison.

When Paul wrote about love to the Romans, he wrote a simple yet profound statement:

"Love must be sincere" (Romans 12:9a).

While this may seem obvious-that if we love someone we should love them sincerely-it's not so easy to do. For some people, it's easy to fake love.

I know a man who seemed like he was a friend to everyone, describing himself as having "great people skills." Yet in private conversations with him, I discovered that he viewed others with various degrees of disdain, resentment and frustration, often thinking of himself as better than those around him. The love he showed to others was based on keeping up his image in public more so than holding those around him in true esteem.

This is just a shallow imitation of what real love looks like. Real love is sincere. In Latin, the word "sincere" literally means "without wax," (sine meaning without, and cera meaning wax). Apparently, if a craftsman carved a statue in stone and accidentally nicked or chipped the carving along the way, they would fill those spots with wax. For all appearances, the statue looked pure and faultless. But after a while in the hot sun, the wax would melt and the truth would be known: that which appeared pure and faultless at first was in fact quite flawed.

When Paul said that love must be sincere, or without wax, he was saying that love shouldn't be just for show, but for real.

In the past, I used to think that the word "sincerely" was just a formal way of signing off on a business letter, as I learned in business school back in college. But in recent years, and knowing the meaning of the word sincere, I find myself using it more and more often. When I write a note from the depths of my heart, I sign it, "Sincerely, Eric Elder." To me, it's no longer just a formal closing, but a heartfelt statement saying, "I really mean this from the depths of my heart." It's much closer to meaning "Love, Eric Elder" than I ever would have thought. And that's just what Paul said: Love must be sincere.

I find that it's helpful for me to check how sincere I am in my love for others by substituting the words "true affection" for love. I might be able to say that I love someone, whether a friend or a co-worker, or even someone with whom I disagree or who I'm tempted to consider an enemy. But when I ask myself if I have true affection for them, then the flaws in my love for them are revealed.

When this happens, I have to regroup my thinking, and try to see them as God sees them: as beloved children of His, whom He has created for specific plans and purposes here on earth. When I change my thinking, it changes how I view them, and subsequently how I love and interact with them. It doesn't always happen in an instant, but I recognize it much quicker now when I do the "true affection" test!

In Paul's letter to the Romans, he includes more than a dozen statements about what love looks like when it's sincere. Here are a few of those statements:

- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
- Honor one another above yourselves.

- Share with God's people who are in need.

- Practice hospitality.

- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

- Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

- Live in harmony with one another.

- Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.

- Do not be conceited.

- Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

- Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

- If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

- Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath

- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

If you reframe each of these as a question, you'll get some good ideas for what you might do this week, this month, or this year to show more love to those around you. For instance:

- What can you do to show your devotion to another brother or sister in Christ?
- What can you do to honor someone else above yourself?

- What can you do to share with other Christians who are in need?

- What can you do to practice hospitality towards someone you know?

- What can you do to bless someone who is persecuting you?

- What can you do to rejoice with someone as they rejoice, or to mourn with someone as they mourn?

- What can you do to live in harmony with others, rather than provoking continual discord?

- What can you do to be humble instead of proud, and to associate with people of low position?

- What can you do to avoid being conceited?

- What can you do to refrain from repaying anyone evil for evil?

- What can you do to do what is right in the eyes of everybody?

- What can you do to live at peace with everyone, as far as it depends on you?

- What can you do to not take revenge on someone else, but leave room for God's wrath?

- What can you do to avoid being overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good?

I know that I want to keep my love for others sincere, without wax, as pure and flawless as possible. I want to have true affection for others, whether they're close friends and family or just casual acquaintances or strangers or even enemies.

I want to think of others as God thinks of them: as children of His, created by Him for specific plans and purposes here on earth.

I don't want to be the kind of person who etches in stone those things that others have done wrong. I don't even want to write them in sand. I want to be able to keep no record of wrongs, recalling instead only the good that others have done for me in my life.

But I know that to do all of this it will take more than what I can do on my own. It will take the love of Christ, living in me and working through me, to think of others the way God wants me to think of them. If you want that, too, I hope you'll pray with me today. Pray that God will help you to love others in ways you could never have done on your own. With His help, you'll be able to express love to others as the Apostle Paul encouraged the Romans to do, saying:

"Love must be sincere."

Will you pray with me?

Father, thank You for loving each one of us and giving each one of us a purpose and a plan for our lives. Help us to think of others in the same way that You think of them. And help us to treat them with the love and honor that is due them. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Kindness to Strangers Is A Core Christian Value

2012-02-11T09:51:00.001-06:00

Kindness toward strangers, and not just to our friends and neighbors, is a core Christian value. To extend to newcomers a warm welcome is to be open, to make room in our lives, to acknowledge all we have has been given to us to share.

When we say, "Come on in!" to immigrants, refugees, and victims of natural disasters . . .when we say "Help yourself!" to the people in line at a homeless shelter or at a food bank. . .we are sewing the seeds of faith.

“And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go forth.” (Matthew 10:11)
Jesus sent His apostles out on their first mission as penniless, jobless, homeless itinerant beggars, They had no means of support other than the hospitality of strangers.

From the very beginning of Christianity, hospitality has been the seed bed of faith.

Jesus knew that His apostles would receive a warm welcome in most places because devout Jews believed it was an honor to serve strangers.

Abraham was the first to set an example when he extended hospitality to three strangers, who were God's messengers.

Moses told the Israelites, "You shall not oppress a stranger...for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 23:9).

Jesus Himself is often portrayed as a stranger. At His birth in Bethlehem, he was a stranger far from His home. As a young boy growing up in Nazareth, He must have felt like a stranger at times because He called the Temple in Jerusalem His "Father's home." Once He began His ministry, traveling up and down the length and breadth of the land, He was dependent on the hospitality of strangers.

"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." (Luke 9: 58)Hospitality toward strangers, not just to our friends and neighbors, is a core Christian value. To extend a warm welcome is to be open, to make room in our lives, to acknowledge all we have has been given to us to share.

When we say, "Come on in!" to immigrants, refugees, and victims of natural disasters . . .when we say "Help yourself!" to the people in line at a homeless shelter or at a food bank. . .we are sewing the seeds of faith.

Much of what Jesus taught His apostles was shared while breaking bread with them. In each case, someone behind the scenes had opened his or her home to Christ and His disciples. When Jesus sends out His invitation to the heavenly banquet, the card will read, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.”(Matthew 25:34-36)

CORRECT ANSWERS, BUT "ZERO" GRADE

2012-02-10T18:59:00.001-06:00

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-02-10T10:01:00.001-06:00

Half the people who have ever lived are alive today, and most of them do not know Christ.

The Life Application Study Bible

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12
The New Living Translation

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WHAT HAPPENED IN THE UPPER ROOM?

2012-02-08T19:24:00.002-06:00

Repost from October 10, 2010:

The Upper Room is perhaps best known as the location of Jesus' last supper with His disciples. But something else happened in the Upper Room just fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead, something Jesus told them to expect and to wait for.

So what happened at the Upper Room? That's where the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. God's Spirit flowed into the people gathered there, causing them to praise God in all kinds of languages. As a result of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit, over 3,000 people put their faith in Christ.

It wasn't something that Peter and the other disciples could have done on their own, but God used their voices to reach out to people, who came from all over the world at the time, so that they could hear all that Christ had done for them.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared again to the disciples and over five hundred others throughout Jerusalem for a period of forty days. On one of these occasions, Jesus said:

"Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. ... You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:4-5, 8).

So when Jesus went up into heaven, the disciples went back to the room where they were staying. Luke called it an "upper room" (Acts 1:13, KJV), just as he had done when describing the place where they ate their last supper (Luke 22:12). It was here, apparently, that:

"They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Acts 1:14).

About ten days later, on the fiftieth day since Jesus rose from the dead (the day of Pentecost, which comes from the Greek word for "fifty"), God sent His Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised:

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:1).

As they spoke, others began to hear them praising God in their own languages, people from all different parts of the world who had come to Jerusalem for the festivals. Some were amazed, but others thought they had just been drinking too much wine.

Peter, who had denied Jesus just a few weeks earlier, stood up with the other disciples, and spoke to the crowd:

"Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!" (Acts 2:14-15).

He went on to say that this was the work of the Holy Spirit, whom the prophet Joel said would be poured out on the people in the last days.

Peter spoke about Jesus and how, even though Jesus had done many signs and wonders and miracles in their presence, they still handed Him over to be crucified. After telling them at length from the Scriptures who Jesus was and what they had done to Him, they were all cut to the heart. They cried out to Peter and the other apostles:

"Brothers, what shall we do?"

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day (Acts 2:37-41).

It's a powerful story on many fronts:

- What Jesus said would happen did happen,

- The same Peter who denied Jesus earlier now proclaimed His name to thousands,

- The Spirit came in a way that was both astounding and perplexing to those who saw it,

- About 3,000 put their faith in Christ and were baptized in a single day.

And that was just the beginning. In the days that followed, the disciples continued to do more wonders and miraculous signs:

"And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47b).

Soon, those who followed Christ were taking the gospel beyond Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth, just as Jesus said they would.

What does this all mean to you? Well, if you've never put your faith in Christ, do it today, just like those who heard the message on the day of Pentecost did! And if you've already put your faith in Christ, tell others about it so they can put their faith in Christ, too!

When we were in Israel, we had a local Israeli guide who took us from place to place and told us so many things that we had never known before. On the final day, our guide said, "Today, my job is finished. Tomorrow, yours begins. Your job now is to go back and tell others what you have learned."

Isn't that the way God loves to work? God could, if He wanted to, put some kind of cosmic loud speakers in the sky, telling everyone that He exists, that He loves them, and that He wants them to leave their sins and come back into a relationship with Him. (And in many ways, He has already done this--see Psalm 19:1-4 or Romans 1:18-20.)

But God's preferred method is to use the voices of people--yours and mine--to tell others about His love for them, and to share with them everything they have heard and learned and known to be true.

As we near the end of this devotional tour of Israel (next week will be the concluding message), I wanted to remind you of why God wanted to teach you all that you've learned about Him so far. First of all, it's for you, so that You will know Him better and fall in love with Him more deeply. But secondly, it's for you to share with others, so they may do the same.

As our Israeli guide said to us, I want to say to you: "Today, my job ends. Tomorrow, yours begins!"

Let's pray:

Father, thank You for pouring out Your Holy Spirit on those who gathered together for prayer in Jerusalem. We pray that You will pour out Your Holy Spirit on us again today so that we may lead others into a deeper relationship with You as well. Give us the wisdom to do it, the courage to do it, and the way to do it. Then help us take the steps of faith we need to proclaim your name throughout the earth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

From: The Ranch Fellowship

DEEP THOUGHTS . . .

2012-02-08T12:24:00.000-06:00

OBAMACARE AWAKENS A SLEEPING GIANT

2012-02-08T11:39:00.001-06:00

Morning Bell: Obamacare Awakens a Sleeping Giant

Mike Brownfield

February 7, 2012 at 10:06 am

It is a rare moment indeed when faith denominations of all stripes unite together in common cause, and it is rarer still when that cause is a political one, with a sole piece of legislation as its principal target. But when that law eviscerates the very foundation of religious liberty in America as protected under the First Amendment, it should not be surprising that Catholics and Jews, evangelical Christians, and mainline Lutherans alike find common cause in defense of their liberties.

Such is the case with the firestorm of opposition to Obamacare and the Obama Administration’s attack on religious liberty. Under a new Obamacare mandate issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the White House is mandating that virtually all religious employers, with the exception of churches, provide health care coverage for contraception — including abortion-inducing drugs — thereby trampling upon their constitutionally guaranteed free exercise of religion. And it is this mandate that has caused a vehement response in churches and synagogues across the country.

Yesterday, the head of the Catholic League, Bill Donohue, warned that the nation’s 70 million Catholics are ready to go to war with the Administration’s dictates, saying “Never before, unprecedented in American history, for the federal government to line up against the Roman Catholic Church. This is going to be fought out with lawsuits, with court decisions, and, dare I say it, maybe even in the streets.”

Donohue’s remarks follow those of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and at least 153 Catholic bishops across the country who have weighed in with opposition to the mandate. “We Catholics will be compelled to either violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees and suffer the penalties for doing so,” wrote Bishop Alexander Sample of Marquette, Michigan. Those penalties include fines imposed by the federal government that could cost larger organizations millions of dollars per year.

The Catholic Church is not alone in its opposition to Obamacare’s onslaught against religious freedom. David Addington, The Heritage Foundation’s vice president of Domestic and Economic Policy, details the growing ranks of the faithful who say the Obama Administration has crossed a very dangerous line. The National Association of Evangelicals commented that “The HHS rules trample on our most cherished freedoms and set a dangerous precedent” and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America stated, “In declining to expand the religious exemption within the healthcare reform law, the Obama Administration has disappointingly failed to respect the needs of religious organizations such as hospitals, social welfare organizations and more.” The Agudath Israel of America stated its opposition, as did the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America.

The Obama Administration is beginning to feel the pressure. On Sunday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius authored an op-ed in USA Today defending the Obama Administration’s actions, claiming that a very narrow exemption to the mandate is evidence that the White House is “working to strike the right balance between respecting religious beliefs and increasing women’s access to critical preventive health services.” That exemption, though, does not apply to institutions like religious schools and hospitals. Sebelius might claim the Administration is offering grace to people of faith, but in fact it is not. In an editorial that ran the same day as Sebelius,’ USA Today agreed with those standing on the side of religious liberty, writing that “in drawing up the rules that will govern health care reform” the Obama Administration “galloped over” the line and violated the “simple proposition that the government should steer away from meddling in church affairs.”

The Obama Administration’s actions, though entirely counter to the freedom of religion, should not be surprising given the nature of the President’s health care law. Obamacare has given the federal government broad power over one-sixth of the American economy and thereby purports to grant Washington the power to force religious institutions to take actions contrary to their faith. Addington writes that this kind of concentration of power “has proved to be a drastic and dangerous experiment.” America’s religious leaders and the faithful have awoken to this wolf at their door and are lashing out in defense of their freedoms. Congress, too, should act now by repealing Obamacare and restoring the religious liberty that is so central to our way of life.

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-02-08T11:31:00.003-06:00

Take full responsibility for your life.

Stop blaming others.
See yourself as the cause of what happens to you.

Do things you like to do.
Don't stay in a job you don't like.
Participate in life at the highest level you can.

Stop terrorising yourself with your thoughts.
Be gentle and kind and patient with yourself.

Give yourself the simple pleasures of life abundantly.
Wear clothes you feel good in, get a massage etc.

Watch what you say. Avoid self put-downs.
Stop being critical of yourself and others.

Take care of your body.
Give it exercise and good food.

Be willing to create a life-style that generates and nourishes self-esteem.
Associate with others with high esteem.

Acknowledge yourself frequently.
Keep a diary of your successes and accomplishments.

Avoid comparing yourself with others.
Remember that it's who we are, not what we do, that's important

Give yourself permission to do nothing periodically.
Schedule time by yourself.

Frequently take deep breaths.
Discover the benefit and pleasure of breathing fully.

Eat first class frequently.
Don't look at the right side of the menu.

Stop trying to change others.
Focus your attention on being the way you want others to be.

Look into a mirror regularly
and say "I love you, I really love you".

Stop feeling guilty and saying "I'm sorry".
See mistakes as valuable lessons and avoid judging yourself.

Consciously generate positive thoughts and feelings of self-love
in place of old thoughts of inadequacy.

Be willing to laugh at yourself and at life.
Stop taking yourself so seriously.

Accept compliments from others without embarrassment.
Don't invalidate their positive thoughts and feelings about you.

Be kind to your mind.
Don't hate yourself for having negative thoughts.
Gently change your thoughts.

Keep your awareness and your thoughts focused in present time
instead of living in the past or future.

Acknowledge others frequently.
Tell them what you like and appreciate in them.

Invest money in yourself.
Go to seminars, workshops and courses that develop your talents.

Make a list of 10 things
you love doing and do them frequently.

Treat yourself as you would treat someone you really loved.

THOUGHT . . .

2012-02-07T10:25:00.002-06:00

Thank you Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Blessed Mother, St. Therese, and all the Angels and Saints for prayers answered and for your intercessions on my behalf. I am full of love for all things of God.

POSTIVE THOUGHT

2012-02-07T10:14:00.000-06:00

Bring your best possibilities to life.

You are right where you should be at this moment. Now it is time to move on to what is next.

Whether your life up to this point has been easy or whether it has been difficult, you are here just the same. And your destiny does not care about your past.

There are plenty of reasons why you find yourself here at this time. What matter much more, though, are the reasons you now have for moving forward.

As good as they have been, your triumphs of the past are now little more than pleasant memories. As painful as they once were, your past failures are now behind you.

Do you realize how completely free you are at this very moment? Do you understand that the main thing holding you back is your belief that something is holding you back?

Today is your opportunity to fully taste that freedom and to finally get beyond the limits you've imposed on yourself. Reach inside, touch your most compelling purpose, and bring your best possibilities to life.

~ Ralph Marston

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-02-06T11:29:00.002-06:00

Joy is not gush; joy is not jolliness. Joy is just perfect acquiescence in God's will because the soul delights itself in God Himself.

~Hammer William Webb-Peploe

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

~Philippians 1:6
The English Standard Version

People who wrestle with their consciences usually go for two falls out of three.

~Los Angeles Times Syndicate

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-02-05T08:46:00.001-06:00

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good-night, and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

GIVING THANKS

2012-02-05T08:36:00.000-06:00

Thank each of you who prayed for my special intention. I am so very happy to report that prayer works! My special intention is being fulfilled at this very moment, and will continue with your prayers and mine! I humble myself before the Father and the Son and give thanks for mercy and healing. Thank all of you who prayed for me.

Lovingly,
Abbey ♥

"DETOX - Come Out On Top" - Part Four

2012-02-04T14:04:00.001-06:00

As Saturday evening darkens and my husband leaves promptly at 8:30, I am happy that he has brought me "People" and another magazine. I stay on the the opposite side of the great divide (tiled hallway), but it is an open area and everyone can see everyone. There is the game of Spades going on and another girl has been admitted and is boldly in the middle of it all, even though she just arrived. She looks untrustworthy, as her attitude is cocky, like this is just any other day with a group of friends playing Spades. She is confident in her pretty looks and long hair, flirting with the males playing with them.

There is another girl (when I say "girl", I'm guessing they are in their early 20's in age) who is equally bold in her behavior playing with them. I'm studying everyone, but this has my attention as I try to ready my magazine. It's a lively game and I wish I could play, but I am too insecure to walk over and say "yes, I'll play" when a couple of the guys drop out and they need more players. So the second girl satisfies herself to play Solitaire.

I decided around 8:00 to ask the nurse at the desk if they have pulled my meds. She directs me to a divided door, the top being open and a nurse is pulling meds. I give her my name, she gives me my meds for the night and I am off to bed. Oh, not to forget, I also have blood drawn and this time it is six vials. The nurse comments "I don't know why he has asked for so much ....".

I made my way to my room and I end of reading my People under the bright neon lighting. But, the new sleeping pills is kicking my behind, so I change into my pajamas FINALLY and get into bed. I slept SOLID that night, until the very LOUD speaker above me calls the doctor is in and needs to see me. Here we go again. I'm in the last room and as I exit, I can hear the voice as it calls each person who is under the care of my doctor is called to the conference room. The zombies shuffle their feet, hair matted or with noticeable bird's nest in the back, yawning, tired, we all go to the area of the day room outside the conference room. I'm determined I'm going to be first today, but a guy just steps up to the door and in he goes. So, I stand in the hallway outside the door and soon as he exits, I enter.

My doctor greets me with the normal handshake as his head is down and he is looking through my chart. He is flipping pages, initialing, and talking to me at the same time. "So, how are you feeling?" "GREAT! I can't believe how good I feel." "So are you ready to go home tomorrow?" "Yes!" "We will decrease and eliminate the drugs that we used to help keep you comfortable and if there are no complications overnight, you will be released tomorrow morning." "Thank you, Dr. S. You are so great and have taken such great care of me, I appreciate it." "I'm happy that you are doing so well, so see you tomorrow."

I am so excited, I cannot wait to tell my husband that I am going to be released Monday morning. I walk out expecting it to be around 7am, which time they turn on the phones for one hour in the morning, and I look at the clock and find that it is 5:30am!!! I hear the doctor tell someone, "well, I was awake so I just decided to come on in." To heck with the sleeping patients? I'm not angry, just thinking how crazy it is.

On Sunday, beginning with breakfast, I am interacting with people and no longer sit by myself, avoiding eye contact. One of the girls who was playing cards strikes up a conversation with me. "So you didn't talk to anybody yesterday." And so, what's your point? I tell her I love Spades and when they play, I'd like to play also. When breakfast is over, she, who has been in total possession of the deck of cards provided in the games cabinet, asks me and several others if we'd like to play. We engage in playing two full games and I do pretty well, but my partner, the young girl (let's call her Annie) is really sharp. I've watched her for two full days. She wears "leggings" like they are pants. Yesterday, they were black, hung on her hips and her belly was showing beneath her top. She wears these crazy boots and walks like a duck, swinging her behind and saddlebags all together at once from side to side. Her hair is dark and matted; I don't think it's been brushed since she's been there. Her eye make-up is worse than yesterday, forming dark circles under and around her eyelids. Her father brought her young son to visit her. It was difficult to watch as she admonished him loudly so everyone could hear. I am thinking "that poor baby, he is not old enough for this kind of admonishment; it was too 'adult' and she needed to explain to him what he was doing and why he should not do it." She turns to look at me and says "he's such a smart-ass". Why am I not surprised. I never do find out why Annie is in the brown unit, but she remarks, "hey Bailey, on Tuesday, I'll be an old-timer like you!"

Bailey is a man in his 60's. He smells and wears the same clothing every day. His hair is a mess and he constantly runs his hand back and forth from front to back as he sits in silence and stares into nothingness. What are his thoughts? He look like an eccentric genius, and somehow, I think I am correct in this resolution. Annie seems quite fond of Bailey and when a game is beginning, she hollers, "Bailey, do you want to play with us?" "No." The answer is always "No." Annie says, "Bailey, did you eat your breakfast?", and "Bailey! I have an extra roll; do you want it?" Annie has taken poor Bailey, who I find out has been in the brown unit for 46 days! Wow, I wonder how a person qualifies for such a long stay in the brown unit.

Then there is "Mike" - a younger guy and he reminds me of a relative by marriage. He always wears a ballcap, but he takes a shower every day, you can tell because he has fresh jogging pants and tee-shirt on every day, as well as the sweet smell of cologne as he walks by. Mike is pretty laid back and all he wants to do today is watch the Patriots game. He and Annie argue for an hour because she wants to watch the special on one of the channels, the last episodes where the male detective in Law & Order SUV appears. I go back and forth and I'm not really trying to cause a problem, but I take her side and then I really want to watch the game, so I take his side. Finally, I realize that the episodes are going to play all day and all night, so I tell Annie, "you can watch them later, after the game, and you can watch them up til the game begins, so that is a good compromise, right?" This, we do.

I end up sitting next to a female who has been wearing "paper" (hospital provided) clothing ever since I've been there. Let's call her Lisa. In my observation, Lisa is so loaded (over-medicated) that she can hardly function. Watching her is almost frustrating because it's like watching a slow-motion movie and you're waiting for her to complete her thought, her expression, her task. As I talk to Lisa, who talks V-E-R-Y slowly (again, I think"she is way over-medicated"), and ask why she is wearing the hospital paper clothing. She ways "my husband and my son just dropped me off out front and I didn't bring any clothes." I tell her that there is a washer and dryer on the unit and she could wash her clothes (the ones she arrived in) but it doesn't register, so I don't push. She tells me how much she loves her son and that her husband is always riding her son, so soon as she gets out of here (and I'm thinking "no time soon"), she is going to get rid of the husband. I'm thinking a small child as she speaks of her son; but, I find out that he is actually 17 years old. She is so "fragile" and I feel so sorry for her. I tell her, "Lisa, pardon me for saying this, but do you think you are over-medicated?" She looks at me like she is not grasping my question, "huh?". I ask her again, and she says she is taking what they give her. Again, the speech is terribly slow.

One of the male nurses brings his Xbox and sets it up for us to play bowling. We divide into two groups. Poor Lisa is on the other side. When it is her turn, she holds the "remote" and people, just about everybody is "no, Lisa, just do it this way" and I'm thinking that all of this is a wash because this girl is loaded! Finally, she makes a throw - in the gutter. When we sit her in a chair and move her arm and tell her what to do, she does it and knocks down a few. Everybody cheers for poor Lisa.

Later that afternoon, I find Lisa rolling out of the nurses area in a wheelchair with a bag on her lap. "Are you going home?", I asked. "No, they're moving me into that unit," she motions toward the double doors where the fight had broken out the first night I was there. "But why?", I ask. "I don't know." I'm so sad I could cry. What is warranting this change? I feel awful for her, she is in such bad shape.

Then there is "Donna". Donna has stood next to me and been on a tirade that eventually lasts about thirty minutes. She knows everything; there's nothing you can say that she doesn't interrupt and know more about it. She says she is married, 10 years, and they've never had sex. They live in the same house; he downstairs and she upstairs. I press about the sex and the separate lives, as she has stated that they rarely see each other, but on the other hand, she says he has always been there for her and takes really good care of her. To me, these two statements don't jibe. The nurse with the clipboard is watching, making his notes. She speaks loudly and I cannot imagine that there is anybody in the day room who cannot hear her, "I've told my doctor, if you release me, I'm going to kill myself. I've told him and I mean it. I need to stay her because I'm going to kill myself if they release me" Later that afternoon, her psychiatrist arrives to see his patients on the ward. When Donna comes out of her meeting, she is crying. She walks with the force of a power-walker in the midst of exercise. She's all over the place and eventually, "he's making me go home!" I asked her, "did you tell him you are suicidal and are in danger of carrying it out?" "Yes!" I'm flabbergasted. One does not know what goes on behind four walls except the people in there.

Donna waits around the conference room door and when another patient exits, she goes back in and is in heated conversation with her doctor. Apparently, it does no good. Later, I see Donna at the nurses' desk and they are giving her the things that were locked up when she was admitted. My heart sinks.

Throughout the day and night of two full days, I have observed all of the patients on the brown unit. I've talked with others, but the above are just a few examples. I am a crowd mother, which is one of my problems. My heart goes out to each and every person that I have talked with and heard their "story". Trust me, there are people out there who are in real trouble; they have major problems with people in their lives and are unable to deal with them rationally; they have problems with children, spouses, boyfriends, violence, and I am truly stunned to think how good I have it.

I have a new-found appreciation for my husband and my marriage; for my children and grandchildren; my parents; my friends and family; and I know that I will leave the brown unit and never see these poor, lost souls again. But, I cannot help them and in fact, we are all admonished to not "get close" with anyone and not give out our personal information to anyone.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." ~Matthrew 5:3 I pray it is true for these few souls whom I have spent these last 60 or so hours.

The football games wins out and we watch. People come and go to and f (rom their rooms, time passes, and I am writing about my experience in the brown unit. I never want to forget it. Promptly at 7:30pm, my husband and my daughter arrive. I am so, so happy to see them. My daughter is obviously checking everything around her and has that look of "oh wow" disbelief. We visit for our hour, and I receive some great words from her: "Mom, you are so brave to do this; I am so proud of you." THAT is worth all the tea in China!

They leave at 8:30 and once I get my meds from the nurse, I return to my room and go to bed. I am going home tomorrow, and if I go to sleep, it will be here before you know it.

I love handkerchiefs ("hankys") and I got one out of the drawer the previous Friday when I headed to the doctor's office initially for my pre-scheduled appointment. By the time I leave the brown unit on Monday morning, it look at it and it is soiled with tears, eye makeup, blowing of my nose. I have it neatly folded and I tell my husband, "I'm never going to wash this hanky. I'm going to put it in a plastic bag and label it "The Trail of Tears". And when I write about this experience, I am going to put that in there also." So now, I have written it and I will print it and put it inside the bag with the hanky. When I am gone, one of my legacy will find it among my things, open it and read my story. I was 57 years old when this tragic fluke happened to me. The first week was filled with self-doubt, cold sweats, insomnia, muscles hurting, and the endless, endless crying and for what reason I do not know except I could not help it. Perhaps it was a release valve, but then, I never felt better having cried. When I would finally get to sleep, I would awake at daylight and instantly, my stomach sunk; "I don't want the day to come; please let it stay dark so I can sleep. I want to wake up and feel better." But that doesn't happen until I consent to be admitted to a detox unit at the hospital.
My trail of tears didn't begin, nor end with this experience. This is one of a lifetime of tears over lost loves, friends, hurtful experiences, longings that did not come to pass . . . I have never held back much when the tears came. I'm a sappy one, just like my grandmother, and my aunt, too, come to think of it, one of my Aunts, too. I think people in the family sometimes referred to her as Wimpy (i.e., weepy). It's part of my genes, I guess, and it's hard toy control when it's in your gene pool.

This is the end of the "Detox" series. I hope that it has been insightful, educational, and even perhaps helpful to some who have a dependency problem on one thing or another. It could be a co-dependency problem, a social problem, etc. There are a lot of psychological paths to maneuver in this life of ours, and they are not getting any easier. I was the lucky one; I came out on top and ever since this experience, I feel GREAT, I have energy, ambition, and find my days are so much happier now that my system has been cleansed! I want YOU to COME OUT ON TOP!

I am a huge proponent of therapy and psychiatric medication where warranted. There is NO SHAME in getting help if you find yourself continually in situations in which you are unable to live comfortably - that could be friends, relatives, co-workers and the like. Don't be afraid to get help sorting things out. I've been in therapy off and on for over 25 years, and it has made a huge, positive difference in the way I look at life and live it!

I want to leave you with this amazing observation by Abraham Lincoln:

It is said an eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him with the words, "And this, too, shall pass away." How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!

~Abraham Lincoln

WHAT PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTUALLY DOES

2012-02-04T12:29:00.001-06:00

[DELETED due to conflict over subject matter.]

MAY I HAVE YOUR PRAYERS?

2012-02-03T20:27:00.001-06:00

Please, pray for a VERY special intention. Pray to Jesus, the Blessed Mother, and my patron Saint, St. Theresa of Lisieux. They all know what is on my heart, and wherever two or three are gathered in His name, there He will be.

PEACE, LOVE, JOY & A HEART FULL OF THANKS!

Abbey ♥

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-02-03T20:11:00.000-06:00

Let Your Positive Side Shine

Always hold honor as a high virtue. Despite how the world may be ; rise above.

Always speak the truth , because others will hold you in high esteem as a person who can be trusted.

Never lose faith in your fellow human beings , despite times when they may let you down.

Believe in hard work. No one will hand you the future you want. The ladder to success is steep , but take one step at a time and you'll get to the top.

Always believe in yourself . Your happiness depends on no one else but you. If there is something that you are unhappy about, you must change it.

Always hold love close to you . When you make a commitment , cherish it for the rest of your life.

~Sherrie L. Householder.

THIS DAY'S ....

2012-02-03T20:07:00.003-06:00

This Day's Smile is pretty awesome!

Our future is not about what we have or don't have, or about what might happen or what might not happen. Our future is all about Who we know and how well we know Him.

~Cindi McMenamin

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

~Psalm 133
The English Standard Version

~Abraham Lincoln

URGENT MESSAGE FROM OUR LADY!

2012-02-02T16:39:00.001-06:00

Today, February 2, 2012, Our Lady appeared to the visionary Mirjana among a huge crowd of people and clergy in Italy and delivered the following message:

"Dear children; I am with you for so much time and already for so long I have been pointing you to God’s presence and His infinite love, which I desire for all of you to come to know. And you, my children? You continue to be deaf and blind as you look at the world around you and do not want to see where it is going without my Son. You are renouncing Him - and He is the source of all graces. You listen to me while I am speaking to you, but your hearts are closed and you are not hearing me. You are not praying to the Holy Spirit to illuminate you. My children, pride has come to rule. I am pointing out humility to you. My children, remember that only a humble soul shines with purity and beauty because it has come to know the love of God. Only a humble soul becomes heaven, because my Son is in it. Thank you. Again I implore you to pray for those whom my Son has chosen - those are your shepherds."

Top Ten Grammar Peeves

2012-02-02T11:04:00.000-06:00

"DETOX" - Part Three

2012-01-31T18:25:00.000-06:00

I digressed a bit in Part Two by not filling in fully the events of the prior evening: I had finally settled into this hard bed with the harsh feeling sheets and blankets that are laundered in bulk and smell, well, like a hospital. I was still wearing my clothes; I had not felt secure enough to put on pajamas. As I said, I had propped open the bathroom door with a garbage can and turned off the bright, harsh lighting overhead.

The door opens and a young nurse says "I need to draw blood, I'll be down the hall." I slowly drag myself out of bed wondering "what is this? why doesn't she just come in here and get it?" This was the second notification that there are no conveniences or frills. YOU GO for everything. I walked out of the room and didn't see her in the long hallway. As I made my way down, a door was open toward the end of the hallway and there she was, getting all the needles and vials ready to take my deep, red blood to be analyzed by strangers who will notify the doctors what is in my system, anything and everything. Well, of course, I had not had a pain pill in a week, which is why I was in this jail of a place. But I am certain that since the orthopedic had given me a new knee some six weeks earlier and I had been on a pain drip in my IV, and then sent home with more pain medication, the stuff was embedded in my system and therefore, easily detectable.

There are no conveniences or frills in "the brown unit". Each patient is responsible for coming to eat when it is announced on the loud speaker above your bed, come to take your meds, come to see your doctor - come, come, come - for this, for that, for everything, YOU GO!

Other than the nurse opening my door every hour to check on me, I slept relatively well. I was exhausted. It had been one week of hell that I never again want to experience. I guess I know how a horribly addicted person feels they get addicted to street drugs and even prescribed medication and they are suddenly without them. It is a living horror

At 6:00a.m. sharp, the loud speaker jars me announcing that the doctor is in and wants to see me! This is when we all shuffle one by one down the hallway to the day room, each waiting for the doctor to see them. By the time this process if finished, it's time for breakfast.

Feeling very anxious, I chose a seat at a table by myself. I kept my head down as I buttered the cold biscuit and ate the cold scrambled eggs, and suddenly as lady sits down across from me. She chatters away about the food, her family, her daughter's 50 year old black boyfriend who has moved in with them and shoved her up against the wall demanding money for his drugs. Her daughter, who is Caucasian, has two children by the man. She says when she gets out of here, she is going to find an apartment by herself, that her monthly check is not going to this man anymore. She distresses "I've only stayed this long for the sake of the children." I am thinking "Oh my God, how awful, but she is talking non-stop and I wish she would just shut up and leave me be."

I eat quickly and tell this woman that it was nice to meet her and I get up and put my tray in the bin. Her problems could very well become my problem because I am a nurturer and I felt to sorry for her. I recognized that I cannot take on another problem, so I hurry away from her, feeling slightly guilty because I feel "she needs someone" and that someone at the moment was ME. Ironically, on the last day I am in the brown unit, the nurse reminds everyone not to get "close" to each other, or give out our personal information to another patient in the unit.

I am a Crowd Mother; I try to make everybody happy to the degree that I forget to take care of my own needs. This is ite clear to me.

A "nurse" appears and says, "it's time for Group!" People begin to slowly rise from their chairs and I make a bee-line to my room. I close the door, lay on the bed and began to cry. I am crying out my prayers to Jesus, Mary and St. Therese. All I can say is that my prayer, my conversation with Jesus this time was unlike any I had ever had with Him. I felt His Presence and knew He was acknowledging me. "Please, Jesus, put your arms around me and make me feel safe." At that moment, I felt something completely envelope me and I had chills all over. I felt secure, comforted, and my crying stopped. I knew Jesus was with me, and His Angels were giving me love and hope. The Blessed Mother interceded for me, as well as St. Theresa in my prayers. I asked the Lord for two miracles. One, I found out on the way home from the hospital, was already in the works! Praise God! He is real and He loves me, He loves us all, and I'm seeing my prayer working at that very moment.

Anyway, I actually slept for two hours after that, and I really needed it. I then decided to take a shower, but I realize I forgot my blow dryer. Oh well, we'll leave the hair and bathe the rest. My huspud is coming to see me at 7:30 on the dot and I want to be ready for him. I bathe, put on clean clothing, socks and shoes and go to the small area of chairs where the telephones are to await his arrival. I pick up a magazine and feign looking through it, but I'm checking out every person, every nuance, every word spoken in the day room.

The day room is full of people, maybe 15 or so? There is a large-screen television and the same damn show has been running all day. A group is playing "Spades" at a table. I love Spades and I'd love to play, but I don't dare approach. I suddenly realize that different "nurses" (I say that because I really don't know what they are) sit in the day room with a clipboard, and the light suddenly came on and said "they keep track of who is in the room, what times, what they are doing, what their mood is, etc." Ohhhhh, now I see. Well, I missed group, slept in my room for two hours and I am totally anti-social. This is Saturday. I eat my lunch and my dinner not speaking to anyone. Funny, in hindsight, the next day, Sunday, a girl that I "made friends" with said "you didn't speak to anyone yesterday". I just chuckle .............

Huspud arrives and we settle in chairs facing one another. We kiss a lot and perhaps the medication caused it, but I felt euphoric. "Perhaps the medication caused it?" Geez, of course it did, Abbey! But in any event, he is loving and kind and our hour together is wonderful. It relieves him to see me in such good spirits. He tells me he didn't sleep a wink the night before because he was so worried about me, not know what I was doing or how I was doing in the brown unit. The next day, several of the female "inmates" tell me that my husband is really handsome, and I am proud!

When he is about to leave, I tell him that I forgot my Rosary, so I had to say it by counting on my fingers. He has a pocket Rosary and it fit perfectly on my pointing finger. We ask the nurse if I can keep it and she admonishes me, "Only if you promise you will keep in on your person at all times!" As I fall asleep that night, I have the Rosary safe on my finger and I play with it and say my Rosary and my prayers.

I hope that Part Four will be all of this series. I want to talk about the people and my life since leaving the hospital. Thank you for hanging with me through this process. It is really cathartic, and though some (I know who you arrrrre!!!) may laugh and call me a "nut", well, pity on you! It takes a VERY STRONG individual and BRAVERY to go through this process, much less, writing it all down in the hope that it will tell SOMEONE out there that there is nothing to fear. Getting well is the best thing I ever did, even though this "addiction" was "prescribed" drugs and I was an innocent and naive patient, or else I would have chosen to discuss other options. I wear the armour of God and HE is my Protector 24/7 I was allowed this experience, as I have been allowed, I sometimes feel, a lot more than some, for His purpose. Thanks be to God! May I say, "LIFE IS GOOD, REALLY GOOD!"

Peace, Love & Joy for All,
Abbey ♥

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-01-31T10:48:00.000-06:00

Remember that Forgiveness is
Primarily For You!

Grudges take up brain capacity and prevent us from performing at our very best. What we focus our minds upon grows; this is true of hatred too. Therefore, it is impossible to truly achieve great things for ourselves when we have a lot of our energetic capacity tied up in negativity. To Forgive one another is probably one of the most difficult things that God asks of us

Remember that forgiveness is primarily for YOU. It free up your energy tremendously. So forgive all grudges, no matter how old they may be, and seek reconciliation. If you find this hard, begin with the easiest ones first. Then gradually work up to the harder ones.

All the years you have waited for them to "make it up to you" and all the energy you expended trying to make them change (or make them pay) kept the old wounds from healing and gave pain from the past free rein to shape and even damage your life.

And still they may not have changed.

Nothing you have done has made them change.

Indeed, they may never change. Inner peace is found by changing yourself, not the people who hurt you.

And you change yourself for yourself, for the joy, serenity, peace of mind, understanding, compassion, laughter, and bright future that you get."

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-01-31T10:42:00.005-06:00

It is an unhappy division that has been made between faith and works, though in my intellect I may divide them, just as in a candle I know there is both light and heat; but yet, put out the candle and they are both gone; one remains not without the other. So it is betwixt faith and works.

~John Selden

~*~

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:34-35
The English Standard Version

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-01-30T11:47:00.001-06:00

I receive this Positive Thought today and when read it, I thought, "this would be a great thing for my husband and I to pledge to each other!" But it also applies to other relationships, like your friends. I am hoping is it helpful to someone out there reading this!

~*~

A Credo For My
Relationship With Others

You and I are in a relationship, which I value and want to keep. Yet each of us is a separate person with unique needs and the right to meet those needs.

When you are having problems meeting your needs I will listen with genuine acceptance so as to facilitate your finding your own solutions instead of depending on mine. I also will respect your right to choose your own beliefs and develop your own values, different though they may be from mine.

However, when your behavior interferes with what I must do to get my own needs met, I will tell you openly and honestly how your behavior affects me, trusting that you respect my needs and feelings enough to try to change the behavior that is unacceptable to me. Also, whenever some behavior of mine is unacceptable to you, I hope you will tell me openly and honestly so I can change my behavior.

At those times when one of us cannot change to meet the other's needs, let us acknowledge that we have a conflict and commit ourselves to resolve each such conflict without either of us resorting to the use of power to win at the expense of the other's losing. I respect your needs, but I also must respect my own. So let us always strive to search for a solution that will be acceptable to both of us. Your needs will be met, and so will mine - neither will lose, both will win.

In this way, you can continue to develop as a person through satisfying your needs, and so can I. Thus, ours can be a healthy relationship in which both of us can strive to become what we are capable of being. And we can continue to relate to each other with mutual respect, love and peace.

~Dr. Thomas Gordon

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-01-30T10:14:00.001-06:00

Christ has no body on earth now but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ's compassion to the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good, and yours are the hands with which he is to bless us now.

~Teresa of Avila

My son, do not despise the LORD'S discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

~Proverbs 3:11-12
The Revised Standard Version

The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises.

~Leo Buscaglia

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-01-29T11:27:00.001-06:00

I love today's Positive Thought. I'll have a few comments afterward .....

You have to be happy to receive
the happy versions of other people !

With every single person you come into contact, you are either giving love or you're not.And based on what you give, that is what you receive.

Give love to others through kindness,encouragement,support,gratitude,or any good feeling , and it comes back to you multiplied in every area of your life.

Look for the things you love in a relationship more than you notice negative things and it will appear as if something incredible has happened to the other person.

You have to be happy to receive the happy versions of other people !

The force of love presents you with a whole array of Personal Emotional Trainers, disguised as everyday people, but they are all training you to choose love !

Life is presenting every person and circumstance to you so you can choose what you love and what you don't love.When you react to anything you are reacting with your feelings, and as you do,you are choosing it !

Changing the way you feel is easy compared to running around trying to change the circumstances of the outside world. Change your feelings and the outside circumstances will change !

~ by Rhonda Byrne

~*~

There is not a human being alive that has not been faced with circumstances of upheaval and/or adversity. There are, unfortunately, those in this world who thrive on negativity and because of their own unhappiness, they try to bring others (you) down with them. Don't be fooled by Satan's lairs; he sets many for those who are the most devoted to the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It is his goal to steal as many of God's people as he can. Changing your ways and how you think is the first step to healing, and with that, confessing your sins openly and giving your whole heart and soul to Jesus. These are all CHOICES! You cannot blame anyone for your circumstances (waste of time anyway) and since YOU have a choice, only you can make positive changes in your life. When you wear the armour of Jesus Christ, no matter what falls to your feet, you will win the battle and in the end, the war is won when you enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

God be with each of you this Sabbath day. Make a choice to shake off those negative people in your lives, make a choice to keep your eye on the prize - Your Salvation Through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and to live with Him for all eternity in the Kingdom of God.

PEACE, LOVE & JOY

ABBEY ♥

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-01-27T13:37:00.001-06:00

Find out what making your wishes come true really feels like.

You're good, but you're going to be great.

You're the best, but you're going to get better.

Sometimes the paths we take are long and hard, but remember: those are always the ones that lead to the most beautiful views.

Challenges come along inevitably: how you respond to them determines who you are - deep down inside - and everything you're going to be.

Increase the chances of reaching your goals by working at them gradually. The very best you can do is all that is asked of you.

Realize that you are capable of working miracles of your own making. Remember that opportunities have a reason for knocking on your door, and the right ones are there for the taking.

You don't always have to win, but you do need to know what it takes to be a winner.

It's up to you to find the key that unlocks the door to a more fulfilling life.

Understand that increased difficulty brings you nearer to the truth of how to survive it - and get beyond it.

Cross your bridges.
Meet your challenges.
Reach out for your dreams, and bring them closer and closer to your heart.
Get rid of the "if only's" and get on with whatever you need to do to get things right.
Go after what you want in life, with all the blessings of all the people who care about you. And find out what making your wishes come true really feels like.

~ Collin McCarty ~

ABBEY IS LISTENING TO . . .

2012-01-27T12:15:00.000-06:00

I download often from iTunes and make my own custom mixes. This song came to my mind the other night and I had no idea who sang it, I only knew the words "stay the night" .... I found it under Benjamin Orr. A little history, Ben Orr was a member of The Cars, which I didn't know. I'm not sure of the date of this solo work of Orr's, but I found that he died from pancreatic cancer, tragically, at age 53 in October 2000, just days after his last appearance with The Cars in Atlanta. My musical taste varies, I know, but I'm a huge nostalgia nut and if I like a song, I like the song. There are great songs from my whole life that I recall and love; you know, how you recall where you were, certain people in your circle at the time the song was popular, etc.? This one made it to No. 6 on Billboard. It's just a musically and lyrically beautiful song.

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-01-27T09:44:00.003-06:00

Faith is obscure. By faith a man moves through darkness; but he moves securely, his hand in the hand of God. He is literally seeing through the eyes of God.

Walter Farrell

"So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you."

Exodus 23:25
The New King James Version

We need to learn to set our course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship.

Omar N. Bradley

VISITORS

2012-01-26T16:19:00.002-06:00

I am so excited about all of the visitors to Abbey's Road. I just have to list a few and let you know how much your patronage means to me. Thank you to:

Terre Haute, Indiana
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey (You've been very loyal for a long time!)
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Love you, my friend!)
Columbus, Ohio
Brighton, England, UK
London, England
Plano, Texas
Mountain View, California
Fontana, California
Herndon, Virginia (another very loyal follower!)
Sheffield, England
Cave Creek, California
Killeen, Texas
Atlanta, Georgia
Germany
Belgium
Phillipines

and not to forget my very long friendship with Theresa in Adelaide, Australia ♥

and many more. God bless you all and I pray you will always find something of God's Goodness in all that you read here!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY
ABBEY ♥

"DETOX" - PART TWO

2012-01-26T13:51:00.001-06:00

Once it was decided that I would enterdetox at a hospital under the care of “experts”, I packed a bag to take withme. The doctor said “just a couple ofchanges of clothes”. I packed thingsthat were comfortable, like sweat pants and pullover tops. I packed my toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo,but managed to forget a hair dryer. Ihad pajamas as I didn’t feel comfortable dressing in a “nightgown”, assuch. Then I sat in my living area andwaited. We were told that we would becontacted “when a bed was available”. Icried, and then I cried some more. Iwanted to go, I didn’t ask for these hard medications, but I had to have helpgetting them out of my system. That wasa certainty.

The call finally came around 4:00pm thatI was to report to Room 2, Bed 1 at the hospital. I was told to enter throughthe main entrance and go to the info desk, which I did. I was told there to walk down this longhallway, to which the information desk person pointed, to the double doors atthe end. Oh my God, help me, my legs arehurting, I am weak and I have to walk this very long hallway to the unit. This was the beginning of “The Trail of Tears”,which I will expound on later.

We arrived at the double doors, whichare locked, and my husband pressed the button and announced my name. We were given access and a nurse unlocked avery small “conference room” for us to use. We sat there, looking through the window blinds at the nurses’ stationfor what seemed like forever. Someone finally told us that they were puttingtogether my chart and it would be ready soon.

While sitting there, I looked at myhusband, “I don’t like this place; I feel like I am going to jail.” I criedmore and he comforted me and assured me that I was very brave and doing theright thing to get through this process safely.

Finally, two nurses enter the room. Without asking, they picked up my suitcase,opened it and began going through its contents. “You cannot have these pants with drawstrings.” I cried, “Just cut themoff”. They opened my shampoo and smelledit to be sure it was shampoo. They tookmy telephone charger and I was hanging onto my cell phone for dear life. Once they finished going through my suitcase,the nurse turned to me, “no cell phones are allow.” “You mean I can’t even keep my phone?” Thetears came hard and heavy as I put my head down on the table. “No telephones are allowed. There are threephones in the day room and they are turned on twice a day for an hour and youare limited to 10 minutes per call.” “Youmean I cannot talk to my family but once in the morning and once at night?” “That’s right,” she said. Then she hit me with the big one, “you areallowed only two visitors, once a day between 7:30-8:30pm!”

“You mean I won’t see my husband untiltomorrow night and I cannot call him during the day?” Oh how I cried andcried. “I feel like I am going to jail .. .” My husband does his best to comfort me, but I am going through withdrawaland I feel as though I am going to die before I get better. My body aches all over (part of withdrawal, Iam told), the huge hole in my stomach hurts and I feel doom and gloom to theinth degree! I am scared out of my witsof what is to come.

The unit is called the “brown unit”. I’m sure the entire hospital knows what thisplace is if they hear a call on the intercom from “the brown unit”. However, there is another unit through thedouble doors next to the day room which is another unit; a unit for violent andhighly addicted people. The first nightthere, there was a call on the intercom; I could tell it was an emergency.Suddenly, three men run past me and through the double doors. I hear yelling and scuffling, “you took mymoney, I want my money” and it alarms me. I stopped in my tracks, stunned, listening to the scuffle and yelling onthe other side of those doors. I keepthinking, “The doctor told me I’d be safe.”

A nurse with ratty red hair, and whoreminded me of Bette Midler in “The Rose” comes in with my GIANT chart. She begins going through pages and asks meevery question under the sun. As I answer her, I notice her eyes are quicklyshifting side to side, to my husband and me, to my husband and me . . . she iswanting to see his response to my answers to see if I am telling the truth. AndI am quite truthful about everything; I want to get well. She comes to a page and says, “It says thatyou told your doctor that you are thinking of suicide and that you have themeans to do it and intend to carry it out.” I AM SHOCKED! I ask, “Who said that? I never said that. Honey, tell her,I never said that.” She looks verysuspicious.

I hold in my hand a white handkerchiefthat I started using that day at home when I knew I was headed to the hospital.My crying spells were frequent. I cried all the way on the drive to thehospital and kept telling myself “you can do this! You have to do this! SweetJesus, please go with me, hold me up and stay with me through this process.”

Once the very long interview is over, weall get out of our chairs and make our way out the door and stop at the nurses’station that is right across from the conference room. I am pulling my littlesuitcase on rollers and I’m sure I looked a mess. I WAS a mess! The nurse guided me to the left and showed methe three telephones and the “day room” where there was a large television.There were all kinds of people there, people of all ages, maybe 20 ofthem. I don’t focus on anyone; I’m toolost to focus. When we turn around, myhusband is gone. I find out later that while my back was turned, they told himit was the best time to leave, so I cried, “I didn’t get to tell him good-bye!”

The nurse walks me down a very longhallway and my room is the very last one on the right. The walls are painted apeanut butter and yellow color. It issickening to me. As we walk, I noticerooms on both sides and I glance curiously inside as we walk past. The first thing I note is that there is notelevision. When we arrive at my room, Ienter and notice the putrid paint scheme, a mattress on a “box” of the samesize, a nightstand with a washcloth and towel, a small closet that contains ajersey shirt left by a prior tenant. Thebathroom light is on. The mirror isactually a very polished metal. There isno stopper in the tub; wouldn’t want anyone to try and hurt themselves. Basically, the room has been made totally “safe”from anyone harming themselves. “Youmean I don’t even have a television?” “No,”the nurse says. “There is a large television in the day room.” Here I go again crying. I feel as if I am in prison. I am at the lowest point of despair that Ican remember ever being in my entire life.

The nurse leaves, and I sit down on thebed and cry hard into my hanky so as no one will hear me. I cried a long time, I could not stop. I thought of my youngest grandson, who istwo, telling me on the phone that very afternoon as I was on my way to thehospital, “I wuv you, Mimi.” I say it aloud and it brings on a wash oftears. “I want to go home. Jesus, I wantto go home! Please Jesus, help me to be strong!”

I laid in a fetal position and had acompletely new type of prayer/conversation with the Lord Jesus. I cried the whole time, my tears and suchgoing into my hanky. I was concentratingso hard on my talk with Jesus and I asked him, “please put your arms around meand hold me so I will not be afraid.” Atthat moment, I felt “something” completely surround me and it gave megoose-bumps. It was something good and comforting. Jesus was there with me, or else he had hisangels surround me and comfort me. Whatever it was, it came from the divine nature of heaven

I eventually dry up and turn down theblanket and sheet. “This is not enoughto keep me warm. Oh dear, I have to walkout of this room, go to the nurses’ station and ask for another blanket.” I amfrightened and trepid, but as I slowly make my way down the hall, that is whenthe three men run past me in answer to the call regarding the scuffle going onin the next ward. I stopped in front ofthe nurses’ station, alarmed at what I witnessed and heard. “Am I going to be safe here?” I asked a nurse if I could close mydoor. Yes, good! She shows me where the linens are and I grabanother blanket. I brought my pillowfrom home and was glad I did.

I returned to my room with its brightoverhead lighting and I just look around for a moment and then decided to openmy suitcase and get my toiletries. I take them to the bathroom and I leave thelight on inside. I had to prop the doorwith the garbage can to keep it open just a few inches. I turned off the brightlights and I got into bed with my clothes on. In a few moments, I was alarmed by a loud speaker just above my head andam called to the nurses’ station. Iwalked down the long hallway again and when I arrive at my destination, I amgiven my night medication.

One thing about “the brown unit”, thereare zero thrills and frills. You arecalled to come for everything – nothing is brought to you! I managed to go to sleep and I am awakenedhourly when I hear someone opening my door. It is the night nurse doing bed checks every hour. This makes me feel better. I am so tired, I have been going throughwithdrawal for a week and I am a ragdoll. There’s nothing left in me to fight, and I sleep until the loud speakercalls me at 6:00am and says the doctor is in and wants to see me. As I drag my feet down the hallway (my kneesare killing me – arthritis and new knee replacement is still sore), I hear thenurse calling other people and we are like zombies in “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’sNest”, emerging from our rooms, still half-asleep and completely unenthused.

This is the end of Part Two. I will post Part Three as soon as I can getit down on “paper”.

What I want to impart to you all is thatI was an innocent, yet suspicious, patient who had never had drugs likeOxycotin and Oxycodone. The psychiatrist says “the doctors do the surgery andthey give you medicines to make you comfortable, and then you end up like you.” He was right. I’ve been told things I saidand did that I cannot recall. That’s upsetting! I know I said mean things to my best friendwho came to care for me and also to my husband. I don’t recall much, and that’s the problem. I don’t like not remembering. It’s horrid. But they forgave me …..

If not for my very sincere and closerelationship to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, I do not know ifI could have mustered the strength to do the right thing, as I did. Jesus was with me every moment. By the next morning, my fear was gone, but Iwas still leery of what the next day held for me.

The only way, the only path to live isthe one where you are walking hand-in-hand with Christ. I praise His Holy Name,His Works are wondrous. Lord, you aremine and I am yours.

PEACE, JOY & LOVE,
Abbey

Medjugorje Message of January 25, 2012

2012-01-26T09:28:00.001-06:00

Today, January 25, 2012, Our Lady appeared to the Medjugorje visionary Marija and gave the following message:

"Dear children! With joy, also today I call you to open your hearts and to listen to my call. Anew, I desire to draw you closer to my Immaculate Heart, where you will find refuge and peace. Open yourselves to prayer, until it becomes a joy for you. Through prayer, the Most High will give you an abundance of grace and you will become my extended hands in this restless world which longs for peace. Little children, with your lives witness faith and pray that faith may grow day by day in your hearts. I am with you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

"DETOX"

2012-01-25T09:43:00.003-06:00

I'm going to try very hard to get the rest of this story posted later this afternoon! Everyone have a very blessed day, and be thankful unto Him for giving you another day to live your life in His Service!!

Love all,
Abbey ♥

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-01-25T08:33:00.005-06:00

I'VE LEARNED

I've learned that it's never too late to improve yourself. -age 85
I've learned that position can be bought, but respect must be earned. -age 51
I've learned that the best tranquilizer is a clear conscience. -age 76
I've learned that if I want the circumstances in my life to change for the better, I must change for the better. - age 42
I've learned that warmth, kindness, and friendship are the most yearned-for commodities in the world. The persons who can provide them will never be lonely. -age 79
I've learned that beyond a certain comfortable style of living, the more material things you have, the less freedom you have. -age 62
I've learned that attractiveness is a positive, caring attitude and has nothing to do with face lifts or nose jobs. -age 56
I've learned that ...you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I've learned that ... no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back
I've learned that ...it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that ...it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.age 85

I've learned that if I want the circumstances in my life to change for the better, I must change for the better. - age 42
I've learned that warmth, kindness, and friendship are the most yearned-for commodities in the world. The persons who can provide them will never be lonely. -age 79

I've learned that beyond a certain comfortable style of living, the more material things you have, the less freedom you have. -age 62

I've learned that attractiveness is a positive, caring attitude and has nothing to do with face lifts or nose jobs. -age 56
I've learned that ...you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I've learned that ... no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back
I've learned that ...it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that ...it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-01-25T08:31:00.002-06:00

Forgiveness means the offense is gone. I may remember the offense, but I will "remember it against them no more!"

David Stoop

Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill, For the LORD our God is holy.

Psalm 99:9
The New King James Version

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.

Betty Smith

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-01-23T09:59:00.001-06:00

May all beings have forgiveness
in their hearts!

May I have forgiveness in my heart for anything I think I've done wrong.

May I forgive myself for what I think were all my past omissions and commissions. They are long gone. I understand that I was a different person then and this one is forgiving the one that I was. May I feel the forgiveness filling me and enveloping me with a sense of warmth and ease.

May I forgive my parents for anything I have ever blamed them for. May I understand that they, too, are different now. May this forgiveness fill them and surround them, and may I know in my heart that this is my most wonderful way of togetherness.

May I forgive my nearest and dearest people for anything that I think they have done wrong or are doing wrong at this time. May they feel that I accept them. May that forgiveness fill them, realizing that this is my expression of love. May I forgive my friends for anything I have disliked about them. May my forgiveness reach out to them so that they can be filled with it and embraced by it.

May I forgive the people I know, whoever they might be, for whatever it is that I have blamed them for, for what I have judged them for, or for what I have disliked. May my forgiveness fill their hearts, and surround and envelope them with it, and let it be my expression of love for them.

May I forgive fully any special person towards whom I still have resentment, rejection, or dislike. May I remember that everyone is suffering. May this forgiveness come from my heart and reach out to that person completely and totally. May I forgive any one person, or any situation, or any group of people, whom I am condemning, blaming, or disliking. May my forgiveness be my expression of unconditional love. They may not do what I think are the right things.

May I remember that all human beings are suffering and that my heart needs forgiveness in order to have purity of love. May I look again and see whether there's still anyone or anything anywhere in the world that I blame or condemn. May I forgive them so that there is no separation in my heart.
May I put my attention back on myself and recognize the goodness in me and the effort I am making. May I feel the warmth and ease that comes from my forgiveness. May all beings have forgiveness in their hearts!

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND CONTRACEPTION

2012-01-23T09:49:00.001-06:00

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MANDATE FOR CONTRACEPTIVE/STERILIZATION COVERAGE

In probably the most expansive decision on the part of the US Federal government ever, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued an "interim final rule" to require virtually all private health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptives, female sterilization procedures, and related "patient education and counseling for all women with reproductive capacity."

These are listed among "preventive services for women" that all health plans will have to include without co-pays or other cost sharing--even if the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or the woman herself object to such coverage.

This decision from the Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] is from the highest level of Federal government, and I cannot imagine that this decision was released without the explicit knowledge and approval of President Barack Obama.

And I cannot imagine a more direct and frontal attack on freedom of conscience than this ruling today. This decision must be fought against with all the energies the Catholic Community can muster.

For full information on this issue, please go to the website of the U.S. Catholic Bishops: http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-013.cfm

For me there is no other fundamental issue as important as this one as we enter into the Presidential and Congressional campaigns. Every candidate must be pressed to declare his/her position on all of the fundamental life issues, especially the role of government to determine what conscience decision must be followed: either the person's own moral and conscience decision, or that dictated/enforced by the Federal government. For me the answer is clear: we stand with our moral principles and heritage over the centuries, not what a particular Federal government agency determines.

As Bishops we do not recommend candidates for any elected office. My vote on November 6 will be for the candidate for President of the United States and members of Congress who intend to recognize the full spectrum of rights under the many conscience clauses of morality and public policy. If any candidate refuses to acknowledge and to promote those rights, then that candidate will not receive my vote.

This is a sad moment in the life of our country where religious freedom and freedom of conscience led to the formation of this new Nation under God.

Let us all pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon all elected officials of our country, and that all will make decisions based upon God's revealed truth.

~ Cardinal Roger Mahony

Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-01-23T09:38:00.000-06:00

Failure is often God's own tool for carving some of the finest outlines in the character of His children; and even in this life, bitter and crushing failures have often in them the germs of new and quite unimagined happiness.

Thomas Hodgkin

Surely, thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children."

Isaiah 49:25
The Revised Standard Version

My friends are my estate.

Emily Dickinson

Also, if you have not read the first part of "DETOX" posted a couple of days ago, scroll down and read it so you will be caught up for Part Two!

Blessings,
Abbey ♥

THE BIG "C"

2012-01-22T19:48:00.000-06:00

In remembrance of my cousin, Audie, who died April 30, 2010 from a Grade III Astrocytoma tumor. I still miss you cuz, and I hope you're praying for me like I asked when I last saw you! It will never be the same without you! All my love to you!

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

2012-01-22T08:53:00.000-06:00

YOU'LL BE HAPPY WHEN?

Happiness is your nature. It is not the fruit of something you do; it is the essence of who you are.
Discovering your innate happiness and well-being is the key to creating what you really want in the world around you.

Most people’s goals in life are made up of the things they believe will “make” them happy. But , “If the bottom line is so important, why is it at the bottom?”

In other words, if what we really want is happiness, why don’t we start there?

Having now asked this question of thousands of people, the answers generally come down to what I consider to be one of the greatest myths in Western civilization…

I’ll be happy when I get what I want.

This idea has been with us for thousands of years and is endemic throughout all mythology, ancient and modern—that when you battle with a dragon and win, you get the princess and you live happily ever after. Or if you are the princess, you just need to be patient long enough and someday your prince will come and then you’ll live happily ever after.

To give yourself a sense of how this myth might be active in your own life, think about three or four ways you could finish this sentence:

I’ll be happy when...
I’ll be happy when I’ve got enough money.
I’ll be happy when I’m in a loving relationship.

Whatever you’re putting between you and being happy in this very moment is a by-product of the myth of happiness: the idea that when you finally sort out your outer life, your inner life will take care of itself.

But the truth beyond the myth is simple yet profound: If you’re doing things in order to be happy, you’re doing them in the wrong order!

When you make happiness your number one priority and allow yourself to follow your “happy wanting,” success is not only more likely, attaining it is much more fun.

As Albert Schweitzer said: "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

Does this mean you need to put your life on hold while you go looking for happiness?

Absolutely not. In fact, it's in the midst of the noise of your life that you're most likely to discover your own inner quiet. And isn't it nice to know that no matter how crazy things seem right now, you're only ever one thought away from peace? Just remember that:

Happiness leads to success a heck of a lot more often than success leads to happiness!

~By Michael Neill

"DETOX" - From The Beginning

2012-01-21T20:04:00.000-06:00

Today is my birthday! YAY ME!

For some time, I have known that I have osteoarthritis, and that my knees were deteriorating quickly. Specifically, the meniscus disc, which is the "pad" between the bottom half of your leg and the top half, located behind the knee-cap, was slowly dissipating. I have experienced a lot of pain for several years, and if not for the most wonderful Rheumatologist around, I could not have lasted this long.

However, as fate would have it, my knees pained me pretty much all the time. I had muscle relaxers (but didn't take them for failing to see what they could do for a knee) and pain medication, Lortab, along with a topical cream that was a pain reliever that goes through the skin and muscle tissue and thereby, avoids the blood stream and the liver! I've used it liberally for a couple of years now.

Last October, I came to the conclusion that surgery and knee replacement was inevitable. I visited my orthopedist for a consult, and he concurred that there was nothing more that he could do for me other than total knee replacement on both knees, one at a time. When he asked which knee was worse, at the time, the right knee was worse. Isn't it odd how life throws you a curveball? After deciding on surgery for the right knee, my left knee grew worse and the pain was crippling at times.

I did, however, go through with the right knee replacement. Prior to surgery, I told my doctor that morphine makes me itch, unless accompanied by a dose of Benadryl. Surgery went perfect and I was put on a drip of "something", at the time, I didn't know where I was, much less what pain medication I was using. And true, I don't recall much about those few days. I do not recall one of my bestest friends, Kathy, coming to see me. I only remember another dear love of mine, Mellisa, coming and for some reason, I kept thinking "gosh, it's so late, should she be out this late at night? How nice of her to come, but I am worried for her safety!" I think it was about 6:00 p.m.

Skipping through things, my best friend ever and whom I consider my sister, Fannie (not her real name, but a name of endearment) came to stay with me the first week I was home. Again, it's all a fog. I do remember being really rude to her, "this is my house and that's the way I want it done!", I chided her one day. I still feel awful about that. She is a very wise woman, but still has feelings, and I am sure that I hurt them. I'm still so very sorry, my dear sister friend!

Facts: I was taking PRESCRIBED Oxycotin every 12 hours and Oxycodone every 4-6 hours. Well, I have never taken "Oxy-" anything and was quite fearful of it. Incidentally, it is also known as Percaset. But, I was the patient and I assumed the doctor knew what he was doing. After a month, the scripts ran out and I called the doctor's assistant. To avoid having to send Lee downtown for a paper script, we changed over to Lortab since we had become fast friends over the previous few years.

I admit, I was reckless; however (and not looking for any excuse b/c there is none), I did rely on the doctor to take care of me. After about 10 days on the Lortab, I just didn't feel well. I reduced the intake to two pills per 24-hour period and eventually just stopped taking them. The result was a total tailspin and crashed hard. I now know how an addict feels because, technically, that's what I had become unbeknown to me. After a week of constant cold sweats, insomnia, depressing, crying spells that went on forever, and trying to drink as much Gatorade as I could to wash my system clean, I gained no ground on battling the crippling result of prescription pain medication.

I had an appointment with my psychiatrist on the Friday of this week, and all I wanted to do was hold on until I could see him. I see him every few months for a med check, to see how I'm doing, etc. He, in no way, expected what I had to tell him. I thought "he'll give me something that will help", but what he said was, "you have two options. You can check into the hospital and detox, which might take 2-3 days or you can continue like you're doing for another 2 weeks." I was STUNNED! He told us to let him know what we decided. We made the decision on the way home that I would check into the minimally secured "brown unit" at a local hospital that afternoon.

I cried all the way to the hospital, and I cried even more when I got there. Part Two of this story will be posted SOON! There IS a spiritual message here, so stay with me. I've been to hell and back, and I have a lot to say that MIGHT help someone else.

I'm doing "okay" right now. The detox of your body actually takes months to complete, but I am not crazy, manic, climbing the walls sick. I am getting well, and I would never have made it if not for my best friend, Jesus. He has had His hand on my shoulder the whole way, but I'm getting off point again. Tune in sometime int he next couple of days for the rest of this story. I feel you will take something from this experience of mine, something good and positive!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY,

Abbey ♥

P.S. To my friend J.W., please leave me a comment when you visit! I had no idea you were reading and I was really pleased to learn this! God bless you and your sweetest lady!

RECLAIM YOUR POWER & LEARN THE TRUTH

2012-01-20T13:53:00.001-06:00

Lie of Attraction

If you want good things to happen to you, you must use correct language and watch everything you say.

Truth about Attraction

When you live from the heart and consistently come from a place of love and honor for yourself and others, it simply won’t matter what words you use.

When you hear yourself judging or condemning yourself, it’s a major red flag that your thoughts must be changed. Reversing consistent patterns of self-negation is far more important than worrying about fleeting negative ideas or using words such as hope or want instead of believe. It’s your self-perception and your self-love that will bring real energetic harmony and guide your life force forward. This core truth not only determines the quality of your life, it also influences the results of your dreams and desires.

Don’t obsess over your “attraction language.” The most important language is that of self-love.

When you’re continually using words that don’t honor you, then that’s the stuff you really need to change. When you recognize the language of the old lies you were taught—phrases such as I’m a failure, I don’t deserve, and I don’t believe in myself—take a deep breath and affirm: I release that. I bless myself and live in the beauty and truth of my eternal worth. I am free. I am deserving, and I am filled with value just as I am.

A big part of the power of attraction comes from your peace of mind, so don’t panic over every negative response. And since no random thought can ruin things for you, don’t make yourself crazy scrutinizing every word you think and say. When you recognize a persistent pattern of fear or self-judgment, simply make it your highest priority to change that habit.

The intention to bring healing, trust, and love to your own heart will ignite your life force with brilliant energy. In the deepest understanding of consciousness-created reality, it’s your pervasive peace and gentle self-care that make your life magnetic. All attraction starts with this truth: You are worthy of your own love.

~Sandra Anne Taylor

THIS DAY'S

2012-01-20T11:46:00.002-06:00

It is very important that children learn from their fathers and mothers how to love one another- not in the school, not from the teacher, but from you. It is very important that you share with your children the joy of that smile. There will be misunderstandings; every family has its cross, its suffering. Always be the first to forgive with a smile. Be cheerful, be happy.

Mother Teresa

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5
The English Standard Version

Pulling weeds and planting seeds. That's the story of life. We are individual lots on which either weeds of selfishness or fruit of the Holy Spirit grows and flourishes.

Dennis and Barbara Rainey

WHOOPS!

2012-01-20T10:15:00.001-06:00

I just noticed that my "Friends" are missing. Please be patient while I try to reload each of your blog pages.

Abbey ♥

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-01-16T10:32:00.003-06:00

We need to arrange a servanthood conference, with workshops in love, forgiveness, feet-washing, cross bearing- in short, workshops in Christlikeness. God is not waiting for people to get big enough to use, but to get small enough in their own eyes for Him to entrust with His mission and Spirit. Christ cannot be represented by swaggering leaders who "lord it over" the flock of God. He cannot be represented by puffed-up laymen who nominate themselves as church bosses. He can be honestly manifested only in the lives of those who feel, as did Paul, that they are "less than the least of all the saints."

W. E. McCumber

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Proverbs 17:22
The New King James Version

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.

Peter Ustinov

HEARTLIGHT

2012-01-16T10:27:00.001-06:00

VERSE:
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from
following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where
thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God:
-- Ruth 1:16

THOUGHT:
This beautiful statement of loyalty makes its way into thousands
of weddings each year. Incredibly, this wasn't originally a pledge
of a bride or groom. Instead, it was the pledge of Ruth to her
mother-in-law -- some would call her an ex-mother-in-law since
Ruth's husband, Naomi's son, had died, but Ruth never treats Naomi
as an "ex" of any kind. God loves loyalty and bestows his blessing
and favor when we are loyal to others. In an era where people are
thrown away as readily as paper plates and napkins, let's remember
that loyalty is a quality that God not only loves, but it is also a
quality that he defines for us in Jesus. So let's see loyalty to
friends, to family, and to other followers of Jesus as a crucial
commitment.

PRAYER:
Almighty and faithful God, thank you for your loyalty to your
covenant promises to Israel. Thank you for not giving up on your
people or your promises despite the fickleness and unfaithfulness
of your people. Bless us today as we seek to be a loyal and
honorable people, your true children in a turbulent and treacherous
world. May the light of faithfulness that is seen through us beckon
others to find stability and hope in your grace and in your people.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

THIS DAY'S . . .

2012-01-11T15:15:00.001-06:00

If envy was not such a tearing thing to feel it would be the most comic of sins. It is usually, if not always, based on a complete misunderstanding of another person's situation.

Monica Furlong

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:18
The New King James Version

If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.

Haim Ginott

HEARTLIGHT

2012-01-11T15:04:00.001-06:00

VERSE:

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased.
~Mark 1:11

THOUGHT:

Shortly after Jesus' baptism, he went to face Satan in a
grueling 40 days of temptation. Remember what Satan's opening words
were? "If you are the Son of God..." Wasn't it great that God had
already reassured him of his relationship before it was questioned?
What do those you love need to hear from you today? You don't know
when their time of trial will come; you just know it will, so go
ahead and reassure them before it's necessary!

PRAYER:

Almighty and loving Father, please help me to say the right
words of love and affection to those whom I love so that when
temptation comes, or when others try to draw them away from me,
they will not doubt my love for them. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A HEART LIKE MINE

2012-01-10T16:58:00.001-06:00

WISDOM FROM HEARTLIGHT

2012-01-10T12:51:00.001-06:00

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is
the sum of them!

Psalm 139:17, King James Version

"DETOX" - PART ONE

2012-01-10T12:48:00.001-06:00

Home, sweet home! We arrived home this past Sunday evening and none too soon. I always become distressed at leaving Mother and Daddy, but I was in such bad shape myself that I hugged and kissed said "I love you", and off we went to board our fight home.

On the second day of our vacation, I decided to steam clean mom and dad's carpet, and thus I did. On the third day of our vacation, I chose to begin in their enormous dining room and clean it from top to bottom. Accomplished! BUT, my back began hurting and only grew worse over the next few days, in spite of my treating with medication and trying to rest it as much as possible. You see, I was in the hospital briefly December 16-19, 2011, and damned if I did not fall playing a "group" game on the ward. The back that I suffered over so much in 2005 following a double-level lumbar fusion is now hurting again. I haven't had this pain in years, but now it is back. I was just beginning to feel really good about my right knee surgery, my left knee is giving me a lot of trouble and is next in line for surgery, and what do you know? I fell face down in the hospital and re-injured my lumbar spine.

I usually sleep very well when I am at mom and dad's, but even with a sleeping pill, I could not sleep to save my soul. It's a long story that I will try to capsulize.

When I had knee surgery, I was given Oxycotin and Oxycodone for pain. I took as directed for one month. Then I was given Lortab, which I took minimally for about 10 days. When I decided to get ride of the opiates, I went into a tailspin. After about six or seven days, I was in a serious withdrawal situation. I saw my doctor who recommended admission to the hospital for a "safe" detox that would last 2-3 days. I was already a mess, so what they hey?

When I arrived at the "Brown Unit" (??) I was ushered with my husband into a conference room. Two nurses proceeded to go through ALL my things, removing what I could not have. I cried every time they took something away from me. They cut the draw strings on my lounging pants, and when they took away my cell phone, I was in a full-fledged BOO-HOO!! I cried throughout the admission process.

Another nurse came in with my "chart" and proceeded with an interview. She asked me every question under the sun, as her beady eyes moved back and forth quickly between my husband and me. I guess she wanted to see what his reaction was to my answers.

Then the biggie! "It says here that you admit that you are suicidal, you have the means to do it, and you intend to carry it out!" There go those beady eyes again. Well, I freaked out! "NO, NO, THAT'S WRONG. WHO WROTE THAT, I NEVER SAID THAT!" My husband backed me up 100%. The nurse grinned and it meant "yeah, right!"

I was taken to see the day room and while I was 20 feet away from my huspud, they showed him the door. When I turned around, I was alone in a very strange place that felt more like a jail than a minimally locked down detox unit at the hospital. I was shown to my room, the last one on the right of a very long hallway. As I walked along the hallway, I glanced into every room and noted NO TELEVISION! When I arrived at my room, it was a putrid tan and yellow paint scheme, as if this place isn't depressing enough. The curtains were a pink pattern. New Age Art? The bed was a mattress atop a wooden box and it sucked! Thank God I brought my own pillow! The nurse left me there and I sat on the bed and had the biggest pity party you ever saw.

I cried and cried, which was nothing new. I'd been crying all week at home. After a while, I lay down on the bed and continued to cry. When I stopped, I just laid there with the bright light above me illuminating every corner of this .... room!

Can I close my door? Is that okay? So, I got up and walked all the way to the nurses desk and asked if I could close my door. On the way, there was a "Code [something]" repeated twice and three men came flying by me past the nurses station and entered the double doors past the day room. I could hear fighting and hollering, "where's my money, I know you took it, I want my money" and it was alarming to say the very least! Apparently, that "unit" is a place for very severe cases of drug addiction. It was scary.

In the day room there were three phones. They were turned on for one hour, twice a day and limit per phone call was 10 minutes. Visitation was for one hour a day - 7:30-8:30pm!

In short, my doctor does rounds about 6am, and you are called via a loud speaker just above your head in the bed. I learned quickly, no frills in the "brown unit". You are summoned when it's time to eat, you are summoned when it's time to take your meds, whatever is needed, you are called to go to them. Nothing is brought to you!!

I felt 100% better after 24 hours. My husband came to see me Saturday night and it was wonderful!

I got to go home on Monday morning, but I witnessed some really sad cases in detox unit that I will never forget and I will write more about them later. I didn't socialize or speak to anyone on Saturday, but on Sunday, I made fast friends with these broken people. Mother comes out and I want to nurture. I am warned to not get closed to anyone; not in my nature.

Oh, and by the way, the doctor said the "suicide" information in my file was removed and that they had only said that to get me into the hospital quickly on a Friday afternoon, one week before Christmas. He tore the paper out of my file in my presence.

I went home as planned and I was so happy to be here. I feel wonderful, except that in "Group" on Sunday, we played a game with a woof-ball and when it was thrown to me, I fell out of my chair trying to catch it. And now, my lumbar is all messed up AGAIN! I have an appointment with my orthopedist tomorrow about my left knee and now my back, too.

Not the least of this story is the fact that I began an entirely different way of talking with God and Jesus. It is a wonderful change. I even asked for two miracles; one of which is in the works now.

Also, my husband removed all opiate pain killers from the medicine cabinet before I came home. I know that there are reasons why I am not sleeping, and as soon as that part of my body heals, I will be doing well. I've eliminated non-toxic drugs as well. My family has convinced me that I have been overly-medicated for a long time. Doctors ask on their "new patient form" what drugs you are taking; however, I have decided that they don't even look at it. I am taking the minimum as of now and perhaps the sleep will work itself out in time. I have faith.

God is so great, and Jesus loves me and I could feel His presence with me throughout this ordeal. There are a lot of truly broken people and I was privy to see just about 10 over a two-day period. If I had one thing to ask of you, it is to remember that there are people who are suffering addiction and they cannot get off these horrible drugs alone. I was doing what my doctor told me to do, and my "addiction" was scary, depressing, frightening, it felt like being in hell. I became addicted by no fault of my own and I have sworn that I will never take any PRESCRIPTION drugs that are opiates again!! Thank you Lord, for saving me and for making me go through that detox so that I could see how good I have it, how blessed I am, and now, how much closer I could be to You than I already was. Jesus loves me, this I know .............

Love and Peace for 2012,
Abbey ♥

THIS DAY'S

2012-01-05T10:40:00.001-06:00

Hello dear ones. I am on. Vacation and thus not posting much or haven't changed my Christmas motif. But I will be back SOON!

The life of faith does not earn eternal life; it is eternal life; and Christ is its vehicle.

William Temple

O God, I beg two favors from you before I die: First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs! For if I grow rich, I may become content without God. And if I am too poor, I may steal, and thus insult God's holy name.

Proverbs 30:7-9
The Living Bible

Medjugorje Christmas Day Messages

2011-12-25T19:28:00.001-06:00

Today, December 25, 2011, Our Lady appeard to the visionary Marija for her regulard monthly message, and also to Jakov for his annual apparition. The following message was given to Marija:

"Dear children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Pray, little children, and witness so that in every heart, not human but God's peace may prevail, which no one can destroy. It is peace in the heart which God gives to those whom He loves. By your baptism you are all, in a special way called and loved, therefore witness and pray that you may be my extended hands to this world which yearns for God and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

At the last daily apparition to Jakov Colo in 1998, Our Lady told him that from then on he would have one apparition a year, every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This Christmas, Jakov'sapparition began at 3:30 pm and lasted 11 minutes. Our Lady delivered the following message:

"Dear children! Today, in a special way, I desire to take you to and give you over to my Son. Little children, open your hearts and permit Jesus to be born in you, because only in this way, little children, you yourselves will be able to experience your new birth and set out with Jesus in your hearts towards the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call."

HEARTLIGHT

2011-12-24T09:23:00.005-06:00

VERSE:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.

~ John 3:16

THOUGHT:

God wants us to have life! Real life. Life that lasts forever
with him! That's why he sent Jesus, so we could have life. That is
why Jesus left him and came to earth. That is why Jesus endured the
Cross and its humiliation. That's why Jesus rose from the dead. God
loves us with an everlasting love in Jesus! What other Christmas
gift can compare? "O come, let us adore him!"

PRAYER:

Of all your gifts, loving Father, none can compare to Jesus. You
are worthy of praise simply because of who you are. You are worthy
of honor because of all that you have done. You are worthy of
praise because of your mighty acts. Most of all, you are worthy of
my heart, soul, mind, and strength because of your love
demonstrated in Jesus. Thank you for the greatest gift of all! In
Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.

WHERE IS ABBEY?.

2011-12-23T09:03:00.000-06:00

Dear Ones,

O how I have missed you! I had a little health thing going on and I HAD to take care of it, but I am well and feeling so positive and EXCITED about tomorrow's evening's Mass. There are Masses that are just so very special, and this is THE most special one of all for me. Without the birth of of God's Son, we would all be doomed to the fires of hell. We are each given free will, and we are free to choose. With Jesus, we have the choice of eternal life with Him, in a place that Jesus called "paradise" when he was dying on the cross.

I CHOOSE everlasting life with Jesus. And with this choice, my human life here on earth is richly blessed every day; I have safety and security knowing that Jesus has his hand on my shoulder, gently guiding me and helping me up if I should fall.

My life was, I thought, "fun" and carefree, with some problems thrown in along the way which caused many tears. I had no one to call on but myself to survive these trials; or didn't I? YES! He has always been there for me, but I did not think of Him or ask His help.

Confession is a very powerful thing. I have confessed my sins against Him and asked His forgiveness and received this most beautiful Grace. Won't you share in the life of love and joy with Jesus Christ as your healer, master, confidante, friend, and unconditional loving Savior? You will never be sorry, I bet my life on it!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY to each of you this Christmas. And please, take a few minutes to close your eyes in the quiet of your space and meditate on the Blessed Mary making that long journey atop a donkey to Bethlehem. They have two more days of this before they reach Bethlehem. Imagine yourself within hours of birth and riding a donkey for days! She is strong and she is our Heavenly Mother, loving and caring for us, sending us her pleas to come to conversion. See? Mary loves us all and is vigilante in interceding for us.

With much love and peace,
Abbey ♥

O HOLY NIGHT ~Celine Dion

2011-12-22T19:59:00.001-06:00

THIS DAY'S

2011-12-21T08:13:00.003-06:00

Then let every heart keep Christmas within:
Christ's pity for sorrow,
Christ's hatred for sin,
Christ's care for the weakest,
Christ's courage for right.
Everywhere, everywhere,
Christmas tonight!

Phillips Brooks

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7
The New International Version

An attorney I very much admired once said that the greatest gift he ever received in his life was a note his dad gave him on Christmas. It read, "Son, this year I will give you 365 hours. An hour every day after dinner. We'll talk about whatever you want to talk about. We'll go wherever you want to go, play whatever you want to play. It will be your hour." That dad kept his promise and renewed it every year.

Ann Landers

MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT!

2011-12-20T18:23:00.001-06:00

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high.

Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, Injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create who you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to. If someone loves you, love them back, unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things.

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

2011-12-20T17:49:00.001-06:00

A NEW MEANING FOR THE MANGER

2011-12-12T19:42:00.000-06:00

A new meaning for the manger

by Melissa Musick Nussbaum on Dec. 12, 2011

My Table Is Spread

In my memory, the Arnett aunts, my grandmother's sisters, are all dressed in pastels -- suits with jeweled pins on the collars -- and wearing hats and kid gloves. A patent leather handbag hangs over each aunt's arm.

There was a rhythm to the attire (suits, hats, gloves, nylons, heels for Sundays and family gatherings) and to the conversation. My father would always inquire after their health.

And one of the aunts (in my memory, it is always Nell Ruth) would place her gloved hand on my father's suit sleeve and say, "Honey, we have problems no lady can discuss."

As I grew older, the memory of that exchange made me smile. It made me smile until I realized I had become an Arnett aunt (albeit one dressed in packable, washable knits and leather flats for Sundays and family gatherings.) I realized it when a friend climbed into my car and had to move a bowel prep kit in order to sit down.

I've had two bouts of an ongoing, and increasingly, bothersome problem this fall. I will have surgery in the winter. Honey, trust me, it's a problem no lady can discuss.

To enter the ranks of the Arnett aunts is to acknowledge one's age. To acknowledge advancing age is to acknowledge weakness, and to acknowledge weakness is to acknowledge death. I'm not being very good about it.

I don't want to answer the phone and explain (again) how I'm feeling (like death warmed over, as my mother would say) or what I need (to have the phone line cut.)

I never want to see or taste another clear liquid, unless it is served in a martini glass and garnished with an olive.
I do not want to be in bed.

I want to be in charge.

When my daughter came to the house to check on me because I wasn't answering the phone, I believe I told her, in response to an act of human kindness on the part of a woman with many and varied and pressing responsibilities, "You're gonna drive me crazy." I saw quick tears fill her eyes and I watched as she suppressed the urge to explain toward just what I was driving her.

I realized as she left the house that it was the gradual (one hopes) turning over of authority, with my children caring for me rather than I caring for them, that pains worse than the physical problem. One can be excised. The other must be borne.

That's what I'm thinking about this Advent season each time I pass the crèche. There is the bed of straw, ready for the baby to be placed inside on Christmas Eve. I have always seen it as a crib or bassinet, that happiest of beds, made up with the highest of hopes.

Now I see it as a sickbed, that place from which we hope, and long, to rise. The one who lies in a sickbed must relinquish power and privacy and will. The one who lies in a sickbed must accept the care of others.

"No, you have to drink this. Take this. Get up and walk. Lie down and sleep. Let me look. You're going to feel a deep burn. This will sting. Let me know if this hurts." They are orders given kindly, for one's own good, but they are still orders.

I wonder again at God-made-flesh, at the One who created the universe, the One who raised the mountains and filled the seas, lying prone and helpless on a bed of barn straw. Did he know he was helpless to clean himself, that he had to wait for someone to notice the dampness and the odor and come to his aid? Did he know that he could, and would, eat only if someone heard his cry and responded? Did he know he would eat only what others chose to feed him? That he could change positions only if someone chose to move him? Did he know that he would be taken up without consultation and removed to Egypt, a land of his own making, but not, in his weakness, of his own choosing?

We reflect in Lent and during Holy Week on the debasement of the cross, but what of the humiliation of the crib? I wonder again that the Lord of the Universe would, in his coming to earth and his going from it, share all our deaths, all the little ones leading to that final breath, the last closing of our eyes.

Now I learn I need a second surgery. This problem, while inconvenient, is not urgent. That surgery will have to wait. I will have to live with the discomfort while I wait. I am being taken to a country I do not know, a country I did not choose. I am a stranger there. But Jesus goes with me. We will cross the border into Egypt together.

[Melissa Musick Nussbaum is an NCR columnist who lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.]

Melissa Musick Nussbaum's blog

WHERE IS ABBEY?

2011-12-12T19:11:00.000-06:00

I know, I know, I said I'd do better and get back to posting regularly. I apologize if there's actually anyone out there who really depends on my scripture, advice, etc., hopefully there is at least one of you. As you know, I had a complete knee replacement on November 1, 2011. Exactly four weeks to the day, I was walking freely and on my own. Now, the other knee is blazing saddles! The pain feels like razors inside my knee. My doctor tried a cortisone shot but when the meniscus is gone and it's bone-on-bone, there's only one remedy. I had planned to wait until February, but I believe I'll have to have this procedure done on the left knee sometime in January.

I am trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but I'm having such a difficult time. I have my Daily Devotional that I picked up in the Narthex at Mass and I love the prayers and readings, but I have prayed for my son for more than a year and one bad thing after another befalls him. All things are a result of his own behavior, and God knows that he knows it. He has promised that he will return to his walking the straight and narrow line, putting God and Jesus Christ first, and now, we await good news. He lost his job two weeks ago and is sinking daily. Please, please pray for him. The only thing left that has not been taken from him is his home. He would be so devastated if he lost his home. Dear God, please, find a way for him soon.

I hope you enjoy the old Christmas tunes, but if they get on your nerves, just scroll to the bottom and click on the "pause" bars and turn it off.

Oh, one more thing, I've lost over 20 pounds and I feel so good. I have 30 more to go. Please pray for me to keep with it. I am unable to exercise, but I think having the surgery was a big part of losing some of the weight. My depression has helped in this area only! Grrrr......

God bless you and keep you. Wishing you a continuing joyful journey through Advent up to the celebration of the birth of our one and only Savior. No one will see the face of God except through a relationship with Jesus Christ. He's our Savior, and our brother.

PEACE, LOVE & JOY,
Abbey ♥

THIS DAY'S

2011-12-12T19:01:00.001-06:00

Prayer Requests

Doth not all nature around me praise God? If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe. Doth not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Does not the lightning write His name in letters of fire? Hath not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, silent be?

Charles H. Spurgeon

Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33
The New International Version

Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.

Jess Lair

THIS DAY'S

2011-12-06T10:32:00.001-06:00

We live charmed lives if we are living in the center of God's will. All the attacks that Satan can hurl against us are not only powerless to harm us, but are turned into blessing on the way.

Charles H. Spurgeon

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:9-10
The English Standard Version

ROLL TIDE, ROLL!

2011-12-05T16:45:00.002-06:00

Okay, I live in the South and we are hard core Alabama Crimson Tide fans, so I have a message from my good friend, Tom Cat, to all you LSU fans out there!