Flush Out Infections

by Kay Heitsch

Today I heard a message that certainly rang true to living a peace filled life. If we want to be peaceful, loving, and filled with joy we can not be filled with bitterness, hatred, unforgiveness, and holding a grudge. These negative emotions are 'infections' that will sour your life.

I hadn't thought of these negative emotions as infections. But it's true. Go ahead and think about what someone has done to you in a negative way. Are you feeling happy, joyful, or at peace? No you're not! And neither am I!

If we want to be filled with love, joy, and peace we need to flush out the negative thoughts and emotions that come to us. I like the analogy of bait hanging on a trap for animals. Don't take the bait! The bait is there, but we don't need to take it!

When we drop it, leave it, let it go we are flushing out the offense. We aren't taking the bait.

I want to live a positive, loving, joy filled life. After thinking about how negative thoughts are 'infections' I know what I can do to be rid of those. Drop it! Leave it! Let it go! I can flush these out by forgiving, thinking of something positive, and not taking the bait!

Peace In The Storm

by Kay Heitsch

I've been through a few storms in my life. Some are weather related, but most are not.

I've learned a lot by going through each storm. One of the biggest lessons has been to keep in mind that "This too shall pass." Storms don't last forever, even though at the time, it seems like they are.

Keeping calm isn't always easy. What I've learned from this is that it's easier to keep calm than to calm myself down after I've gotten upset.

"Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine." has been a quote by Dr Peale that I've said over and over through the years. When Dr Peale spoke this he'd reiterate , "Rise above it! Rise above it!" Those words have stuck in my mind.

How I 'rise above it' is to keep in mind that God is in control. I know He has a good plan for my life and a few storms are not going to stop that! As I keep my mind on this I have 'peace in the storm.'

Life Is A Circle

by Kay Heitsch

Today's quote "Life is a circle of happiness, sadness, hard times, and good times. If you are going through hard times have faith that good times are on their way!" certainly describes life.

Life isn't all sunshine and roses. We all go through tough times. The quote, "Tough times don't last. Tough people do." has been a favorite of mine for many years.

Sometimes when you are dealing with something for several years you may feel frustrated. You've tried everything anyone has suggested. You've done anything and everything you know to do, to no avail. You may even feel like you're dancing on the head of a pin. Hold on! You never know when things are about to change!

I'm very thankful that when I go through tough times I have a main line to heaven. I can talk to the Lord and feel His unconditional love surrounding me. I also have very caring and loving people who I can ask to pray and I know they will.

Sometimes we may need to tough something out for a long time. I don't know why, but it doesn't matter. It's a part of the circle of life. We have happiness, sadness, hard times, and good times. When we're in a hard time we can have faith that good times are on their way!

Side Trip

by Kay Heitsch

I could see the sky was very black up ahead as I came back from a visit up north. I thought if I stopped maybe I'd stay behind it.

I was nearing the Clare exit where Cop's & Doughnuts is located. Cops & Doughnuts is a bakery that was taken over by a group of police officers when the owners decided to close. They bought the bakery and all the recipes. At first it was just a bakery, but now the guys had made it into a tourist attraction as well. C&D are open 24-7.

It was evening when I stopped. Usually the place is bustling with guests. I'm sure regulars are there bright and early, but only a few people were around. I ordered my raspberry bismarck from a girl wearing an "Inmate" shirt. I knew it would be worth the calories.

I walked to the next room where the tables and souvenirs were located. A couple minutes later a nice young guy walked in. He was cute as he smiled looking about the room. He introduced himself as Dave. He told me that he was on a bike (bicycle) trip. He started in Akron, Ohio and was going to Traverse City, Michigan. He asked, "Is this place famous?" I told him it kinda was. I'd seen a special on TV talking about it.

Cop's & Doughnuts had places in this room to stand behind bars to have your picture taken with a sign, "Wish you were here." There was a place to stand for a "Mug" shot. I asked Dave if he wanted me to take his picture. Of course he did. I showed Dave a cup I'd bought that had written on the front. D W I (Doughnuts Were Involved.)

I was happy I had stopped and met Dave, but now I was on my way again. At first I thought I had stayed behind the storm, but a few miles down the road I knew I was right in the middle of it. The wind was fierce and the rain was so heavy I could hardly see. All of a sudden I saw the car up ahead put on the brake lights, I did the same. As I got closer I noticed 2 cars had hydroplaned and were now crossways on I-75. I wasn't sure what to do so I drove over on the shoulder and went around.

When I was about 10 miles from home it was barely raining. In fact, the driveway was completely dry when I pulled in. I was very thankful to be home and also happy I had met Dave. I hope I helped make a good memory for him on his trip. I know this was a side trip I won't forget for a long time.

Who Am I?

by Kay Heitsch

Have you ever wondered who you really were or why you were born? This isn't something I have thought about much, but I have wondered about it over the years.

Ever since I was born I remember my parents telling me that I was mostly German in my heritage. After all my Grandpa Kurtz had come directly from Germany. He lived with us off and on and I spoke German before I spoke English. We talked about my Mom's family heritage, but not much. My Mom did put names on the 'family tree' in my baby book, but I didn't pay too much attention to it.

What was talked about were "behaviors" of past relatives. I was told to be careful to stay away from certain things because there was a family history of people who had issues with these things. Alcohol being one. For the most part I listened. I'll admit I did several things that I was told might be an issue. I was thankful I was warned because when I started to SEE I was having a problem; I did my best to quit! I knew I didn't want to go down that road.

I've wondered why I was very driven to do what I really believed I was suppose to do. I cared what people thought to a degree, but even when I received discouragement from people, I still was driven to pursue what I believed I was suppose to do. If people were happy that was fine, but if they weren't, I didn't let that bother me. I love people, but I'm not a "people pleaser."

This past week I found out more about my family history. I'd had my DNA done and I was shocked to find out I was 75% Great Britain. At first I was upset. I was sure there must be some mistake. I thought it would come back that I was mostly German. Oh I had some German in me, but it wasn't anything close to the GB.

What really was an eye opener was a note I received from a second cousin I have never met. Megan told me that she had done a lot research on my Mom's side of the family. Lo and behold one of our ancestors, Rev William Brewster, had come over on the Mayflower. Megan also informed me that we were Daughter's of the American Revolution. WOW!

This information answered a lot of questions about why I am driven to do what I truly believe I'm suppose to do. And why I do not let others discourage me. It's in my DNA I'm sure my Great.......Grandpa Rev. William Brewster who came over on the Mayflower had a lot of people who tried to discourage him too, but he stood his ground.

Knowing this past history is cool, but the best thing I learned is that I am a "Child of God." Being related to William Brewster is one thing, but knowing who I am in the long run, is the coolest!

Love, Peace & Freedom

by Kay Heitsch

I grew up in the 60's. During that time there was a lot of talk about Love, Peace, and Freedom. Quite honestly, there really wasn't much of any of these things. There was a lot of lust not love, war not peace and turmoil not freedom.

I wanted these things in my life like everyone else did. But talk is cheap and in reality life in the 60's was more talk than reality.

It wasn't until many years later that I found Love, Peace, and Freedom. It took looking for love in all the wrong places first to actually find unconditional love. To find peace, I had to look within for inner peace. And true freedom came when I really understood, "The truth will set you free." John 8:32

This 4th of July weekend I hope you all enjoy Love, Peace, and Freedom.

God bless you and God bless America!