Hello friends! I hope you are enjoying the summer months, which are flying by too fast for me. I absolutely love the summertime and am no longer a fan of the cold season; It goes right through my bones! Before I go on, I must say thank you again to my spiritual mentors, Pastor Joe Rodriguez and my sweet sister Maribel Rodriguez. You are both angels in my life. I love you two very much. You guys are the reason I started this blog. PJ, I wouldn’t be doing this without your help, prayers, and encouragement all through this year. Every story has your hand and heart in them as well.

Today is a beautiful day, although my back is acting up again! Nevertheless, I’ve been able to push through a good walk in my favorite park while talking to my beautiful sister Marybeth💙. I love her so much. She’s sweet, loves God, and her faith has always inspired me! She’s one of the reasons I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. When I was very young, I would follow her to church😇. She’s also extremely funny and a joy to be around.

Over the years, our family has had the best times together because of her and Angelo’s (brother in law) kindness in always having Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings at their beautiful home. She has always kept us together and I’m thankful for all the great blessings my sons had growing up around them.

These are some of the people in our lives that have been an extension of God’s love toward us. I’ve learned so many different lessons from all who are in my life.

Every relationship brings a different lesson right? It’s a beautiful thing to experience, if you allow it. It’s not looking to take from people, but to learn from them and see how God works behind the scenes. He uses each and every situation and person we encounter to teach us something about ourselves and how we can change for the better.

Some people help us see whom we are inside too, like pastors, teachers, bosses and coworkers, friends, and even those we thought were our friends! If we let them, it’s the challenging relationships that cause us to grow and mature the quickest. But, sometimes they can also keep us holding on to offense and bitterness (in our hearts) and it can take years for us to learn from them. So, the best way to handle a tough relationship is to be humble. We must guard our hearts from getting bitter and we must seek God to reveal what’s going on in them before we try to figure out someone else’s.

 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”

Psalm 139:23,24

I’m excited to say that this week is my 1 year Anniversary since I began sharing this Journal Blog! It’s been so wonderful walking through this season. I’m praying for more insight for the next years of writings. I never saw this coming, so who knows what God has for me going forward! I pray that people are being encouraged to seek Him from reading what He has done and is still doing in my life.

I could not end this post without thanking the strongest pillar in my earthly life, my husband Mike, who is truly my best friend too. I know without a shadow of a doubt that he was sent to care for me through this life. If you call Mike a friend, you are blessed!

My testimonial stories are what I have to give and I love sharing them with all of you. Thank you for spending time with me on this journaling journey. I pray that you all have greater peace, direction, wisdom, and good health in the coming year ahead.