124 ~ Where Are We?

By Kay Heitsch

I had a little routine going. I helped Arlene on Monday. My mother-in-law is on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Bea was on Thursday. On occasion, I helped Twyla on Wednesdays.

Twyla loved to have me drive her around. One day, she wanted me to drive her to her old stomping ground, where she lived in a city when she was young. I had no idea where we were going, but Twyla gave me directions as best as she remembered.

Well, Twyla didn't remember as well as she thought, and we ended up in some rough area. Maybe she had lived in this area years ago, but times had changed, and Twyla didn't recognize where we were.

I had a little flip cell phone. Of course, no GPS. I called a friend and told him we were lost. Gary asked me to find a street sign. When I told him the name on the sign, he said, "Get out of there right now! You're in the red light district!" I stayed on the phone with Gary, and he directed us out, thank the Lord!

Areas in cities undergo changes over time. Bill's grandpa built a beautiful home when he was young. He refused to move when the area of the city began to deteriorate. To make a long story short, he was murdered in his home by a couple of neighbor teenagers. It was a nightmare!

Perhaps this was why I felt so strongly that Twyla and I needed to get out of that area. I was glad to have someone to call for help.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

Believe

By Kay Heitsch

Be Not Afraid. Only Believe. ~ Trusting God Quotes ~

It's remarkable how frequently the word 'believe' appears in the Bible. It may surprise us what we could accomplish in our lives if we would only believe. We may step out more and not be so afraid.

Our Bible verses say. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 Do not be afraid, only believe. Mark 5:36

These verses tell us Christ will give us the strength to do whatever we need to do. We do not need to be afraid; we only need to believe. These verses should provide us with the courage we need.

Be Not Afraid. Only Believe.

123 ~ Bea's Blind Date

By Kay Heitsch

I asked Bea how she met her husband, and she told me this funny story, which wasn't too funny at the time.

Bea was friends with a couple while she was single. One day, they told Bea they had a friend they thought she might like to meet. Everything was arranged for a double blind date.

However, the couple had an argument and decided not to go on the date, but told Bea she should go anyway. So, Bea agreed to go and meet her blind date.

Everything was going well until they were in John's car, on their way home. All of a sudden, the police were pulling them over. They grabbed John out of the car and threw him on the hood. Bea was in shock! Bea didn't know who this guy was and what she had gotten herself into.

After a lot of hoopla, the police decided they had the wrong man and let them go. Just so happened, John was driving a car that resembled a stolen vehicle the police were searching for.

This was quite a blind date and a wild way to meet your husband. Bea always spoke well of John, and they were married for many years.

This seemed like it might be a tragedy, but it turned out to be a triumph for Bea.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

No Matter What!

By Kay Heitsch

No matter what happens...trust God! ~ Trust God Quotes ~

As many of you may have seen on the news, Grand Blanc, Michigan, has been through a horrible situation at a church. Even today, all schools and city offices remain closed. Last night, several churches still had bomb threats.

We are living in some difficult times. That's why it's essential to keep your hope and trust in God! You'd better know what and Who you believe in.

Our Bible verse says. So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD! Psalm 31:24

Now is the time to be strong and courageous! Let's keep our hope in the LORD!

Please pray for the community and the families who have been so hurt by this insanity! Thank you!

No matter what happens...trust God!

122 ~ Another Commitment

By Kay Heitsch

While I was still helping Arlene, one morning a week, Nancy was informed about another woman seeking assistance. Nancy called me, and since I was home alone, I decided to go over and meet her.

Nancy let me know that this was going to be a paid job, so when Bea offered $15.00, I figured that was for an hour, as that was the going rate. I was in for a surprise when Bea meant $15.00 a day. But in fact, it was sometimes $15.00 a week of running back and forth.

Nancy asked how it was going, and I told her about the $ 15.00-a-day situation. Nancy immediately told me I should say something. However, I felt that I had said $15.00 was fine, so it was my fault.

Bea and I spent a lot of time together. She would often say she wished I were her daughter. I enjoyed spending time with her. I learned a lot about her life.

Bea never had any children. Her parents came to the USA from another country. Bea had a brother and a sister, whom I met over the years. Bea's husband had died before I met her.

Bea had a vision problem and was unable to drive. For some reason, she kept her old Cadillac, and she insisted I drive it whenever we went anywhere. I'll share a story later about being rear-ended at a stoplight. Wow!

I drove Bea all over. She liked to shop at Meijer, so I got online and made sure she got all her coupons. I had coupons to eat lunch, so in reality, I saved her over $15.00 a week. I got a kick out of it.

Life with Bea was, to say the least, interesting. I never mentioned anything to Bea about the $15.00 despite helping her for six years.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

Don't Be Pushed Around

By Kay Heitsch

Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind! ~ Motivational Quotes ~

I hadn't thought about fears in my mind, pushing me around. But at one time or another, we have all been through this. We shrink back from doing something because of fearful thoughts in our minds.

Personally, I dislike being pushed around. When fear thoughts arise, we need to recognize their origin and stand up against them.

Our Bible verse says. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

This verse tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear! Pay attention to that! God gives us power, love, and a sound mind!

Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind!

121 ~ I Learned To Adjust

By Kay Heitsch

Actually, I should have been used to Bill being gone. We had moved many times between 4 states. As I mentioned, Todd had attended eight different schools when we moved to Dover, where he was in the 7th grade. However, this time all the kids were gone.

One night, I was on FB and somehow mentioned being alone. A friend who knew nothing about what was going on gently reminded me that I was never alone because the Lord was with me. Sometimes people have no idea what their gentle words can mean to another person.

I found myself staying very busy. I enjoyed doing all the yard work and shoveling snow in the winter with Little Red. As some of you may remember, my pictures were taken during the worst winter we had in many years in Michigan. I wore out a few Little RED shovels.

I won't lie; for the most part, I did enjoy being outside, but at times it was overwhelming because of the tremendous amount of snow. I found myself coming in the house sobbing my eyes out.

You will discover that you can accomplish a lot more than you think if you maintain the right mindset. You sometimes need to talk to yourself to stay positive and keep moving forward when times get rough.

The good Lord brought friends to keep me company. For one, I reconnected with a girl who attended the same school I did on Facebook. We liked the same TV shows and chatted through several in the evening. I loved that!

Life was going to be different. Bill was gone for about 9 years on the road, but it was okay. I learned to adjust with God's help.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

Never Alone

By Kay Heitsch

You Are Not Alone. ~ Not Alone Quotes ~

Sometimes we need a gentle reminder that we are not alone. Sometimes we can be in a room full of people and feel alone. However, when we recognize that God is always with us, we realize we are not alone.

Our Bible verse says. This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

There we have it! The LORD our God is with us wherever we go. We just need to be brave, strong, and not be afraid or discouraged. We can do it because we can do all things through Christ, who will give us His strength to do it!

You are never alone!

120 ~ I Wasn't Expecting This

By Kay Heitsch

I have experienced some unexpected events in my life, but I was not expecting to hear what Bill had decided to do next for a job.

I don't know how long he had been thinking about this new adventure, but I was only told about it on a Thursday, and he was gone by Monday. Bill had decided he wanted to try over-the-road truck driving.

When Bill told me, I was shocked! For most of our married life, Bill left for work in a suit and tie or a sports coat and tie. I remember saying, "You don't even know how to drive a truck!" He said he knew that, so that's why he was going to go to truck driving school.

Over that weekend, we shopped for all the things he thought he would need for this new job adventure. He said he would be training in another state. I was still on tilt as he packed up. I didn't know what to think.

Monday came, and I drove Bill over to meet his new trainer. I was feeling emotional about this, but the Lord knew this was coming.

It wasn't long after I got home when Dom, a good friend of Todd's and now mine, came for a visit before he headed up north for hunting.

I needed a friend, and the good Lord knew it!

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

Special Forces

By Kay Heitsch

I like the show Special Forces. This show pushes people to their limits! It boggles my mind that people will put themselves through all these challenges when they do not have to. However, each person has their own reason for wanting to take part.

Last night, Johnny, one of the contestants, mentioned that he was blessed with talent, but he always quit. For some reason, he wouldn't push himself, and he was suffering from the shame of it.

Now Johnny was there to prove to himself that he was not a quitter, no matter how complex the challenges were.

In life, we all have many challenges. We can slack off or even just quit. But when we do, we may suffer just as this young man has, and now lives in shame and regret. I hope Johnny can persevere and complete this course.

As for the rest of us, let's never quit and live the life Jesus died to give us.

Don't Give Up

By Kay Heitsch

Don't give up before the miracle. That blessing with your name on it may be a whole lot closer than you think. ~ Don't Give Up And Be Blessed Quotes ~

How many people give up and never get the blessing of finishing what they started? It's easy to quit, but finishing what we start comes with the miracle of being able to endure our trials.

Our Bible verse says. God will bless you if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. James 1:12

When we face difficulties, it's easy to give up, and even to abandon our faith in being able to press forward. But God will bless us if we do not give up.

Remember, one step at a time and one day at a time. God will always help you.

Don't give up before the miracle. That blessing with your name on it may be a whole lot closer than you think.

119 ~ Can You Help?

By Kay Heitsch

I wasn't used to being at home, so it wasn't too long before I was ready to get out again.

My friend, Nancy, sells Avon, and she knows a lot of people. Somehow, Nancy heard of an older lady who needed a little help. Nancy did work like this, but she didn't have time to do any more, so she called to see if I could help Arlene.

Arlene was a spunky little lady. She lived in an apartment close to our home. Her family did live in town, but Arlene was independent. She preferred to handle her own affairs.

Once a week, I would go over and pick Arlene up and take her to the grocery store. Sometimes she would walk around the store, but other times she would sit, and I would shop. If I had a question, I could always ask her if this was what she wanted. Two things Arlene always bought were fresh flowers and Port wine.

Arlene's family had moved her to our area. However, she was from a little town up north. Every so often, we would take a trip north and meet up with her old friends. It was interesting because Arlene was the oldest of her friends, so I'm sure everyone thought this would be the last time they saw her. Wouldn't you know, she outlived everyone except one person.

Arlene moved to a new apartment. I tried to help her do some cleaning because her eyesight was not good. I would tell her that the throw rugs were dangerous, given her failing eyesight. She always agreed, and I would put them away. But when I came back, the throw rugs were back down.

After much encouragement from Arlene's family and me, she finally got a Life Alert button. Wouldn't you know, she did fall, and she activated the Life Alert button.

Arlene ended up in a nursing home. I would visit her, do her hair, and spend time with her. She was in a wheelchair, so I'd take her outside, and we even went to Goodwill a couple of times.

I had the cell phone numbers of her friends I had met. I would call them, and Arlene could chat for a while. Arlene's mind was pretty sharp until the end. She died at the ripe old age of 99.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

Condemnation Vs. Conviction

By Kay Heitsch

There is a vast difference between condemnation and conviction.

Years ago, I learned the difference, and it set me free!

Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit, is specific in nature, and aims to lead a person to repentance, restoration, and a closer relationship with God. You have a desire to change.

In contrast, condemnation originates from the devil or negative self-talk, is general and attacks a person's identity, and leads to shame, guilt, hopelessness, and separation from God.

Jesus already paid the price for all of our sins. Never forget that!

Our Bible verses say. But if we confess our sins to God, He can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away. 1 John 1:9

As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our sins from us. Psalm 103:12 "I, I am the one who blots out your transgression for My own sake, and I'll remember your sins no more. Isaiah 43:25. “I (Jesus) tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” John 5:24

Our sins are forgiven for God's sake. He wants us to live freely. We won't live this free life if we are always feeling guilty. Remember where guilt comes from! Jesus paid for us to live an abundant life.