My Walk by Faith

It has been quite a while since I have participated in a FMF link-up. I just haven't been inspired to write anything This week's prompt is: Bury Saying goodbye to and burying my mom over 15 years ago was the hardest thing I ever had to do.  During the last 5 weeks of her life, she was in the hospital, dealing with pneumonia. There was a period of a week or so where she was getting better, but her health went downhill again, and the doctors said she wouldn't get better again. We prepared for the inevitable and said our goodbyes. Family, friends, and neighbors came to the wake, the funeral, or to our house for more goodbyes, and for support. We had to bury her right before Thanksgiving, which made the holidays so hard that year. During Christmas time, I didn't want any presents, I didn't want to put up the tree or decorations, I didn't want to listen to any Christmas music, I just didn't want to celebrate. Things don't hurt as much now, but there is a bitt...

It has been a while since I have participated in Five Minute Friday, but I was inspired to write when I saw this week's prompt. I love to write, but sometimes it's hard to find inspiration.  When I saw this prompt, though, I knew exactly what I wanted to say, and am happy to be participating in this week's link up. This week's FMF prompt is: Without It has been almost 14 1/2 years since my mom passed away And every day without her is bittersweet 14 1/2 years without her voice Without her home cooked meals Without her love Without her comfort Without her We may not have seen eye to eye on some things But I loved her very much I always will She was there for me Whenever I was struggling She was there for me During some of the best days The good things that I have accomplished since she died Were bittersweet without her here to share in the memories I look forward to the day when I get to see her again But until then I will live my life to the best of my ability Knowing t...

I can't believe it's nearly the new year! Why does time go by so fast??? For a while now, I had been thinking about what Christian/faith-based goals I want to do in 2025 and have come up with a good amount of goals that I hope I can achieve in the next year. I do want to deepen my faith and my relationship with God, so hopefully getting to do at least some of these will help with that.  I have found a place in the Christian community that makes me feel like I belong somewhere, and the people in the community are the kind of people that truly care for you, that are there for you as best as they can be, and  In no particular order, here is my 2025 faith goals/bucket list: Be an STM at a Joni and Friends retreat Read the Bible every day Pray every day Make a war binder Memorize 1 bible verse every 1-2 weeks Go to a Christian music concert Go to a Christian/faith-based event Make at least one Christian/faith-based art a month Learn how to play 1 Christian song a month on the violi...

Being able to participate in the last Five Minute Friday, it was awakened my creative writing, and I have decided to participate in this week's FMF. I love to write, so these weekly writing prompts are helping me in figuring out what I want to write. And I love that! This week's Five Minute Friday is: Trade For many years, I have been dealing with depression and anxiety. It has made so many days difficult. It was a struggle to do even the simplest things. It affected my sleep It affected my eating habits It affected my mood It affected my thoughts It affected everything in my life If I could trade it for peace and rest I would in a heartbeat Although Without experiencing depression and anxiety I wouldn't have the compassion, empathy, and understanding Of others who went through similar experiences I still deal with the depression and anxiety (More so with anxiety) But not nearly as bad as in the beginning Trading them for peace now Would mean I can truly rest I wouldn't...

Well, it's the holiday season once again.  Once again, I have decided to make a list of things that I am grateful for. It helps me to see all that I have, and all that I am able to do in my life. For a few years, I struggled with enjoying the holidays, as I was dealing with grief, but now I enjoy the holidays again (albeit still with some grief). I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas this year and can't wait to see what they hold for me and my family and friends. Here is what I am thankful for this year: My family My friends My faith My home My health Joni and Friends My library's creative studio Being able to make a garden flag in my library's creative studio My library's home delivery service Baking Knitting Crocheting Photography A loved one being able to get better after a health scare Audiobooks A librarian at my library doing a presentation on ADHD and autism My library's Library of Things Being able to get a new phone when my old one quit wor...

It has been quite a while since I have participated in a Five-Minute Friday, but I felt inspired by this week's prompt, and decided to join in. I love to write and have missed these weekly prompts, so it feels really good to be back, doing these again. Without further ado, here is my interpretation of this week's prompt . Fight Just over 14 years ago, my mom was fighting for her life, and although the fight ended here on earth, she won when she went to heaven. Her fight has ended, but mine has just begun, fighting depression, anxiety, grief, and all the emotions that come with losing a loved one. My mom was the one I always went to when I needed to talk, especially if I was having a hard time and needed comfort. She was so patient and understanding with me when I was going through the worst of my depression, knowing that I was in a battle with my mind and struggling to overcome the fears and thoughts I was experiencing. I have also been fighting with not speaking up and reachin...