Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Wednesday, 7/1/09 - "I'M ANSWERING - DAY 2"


"I'M ANSWERING - DAY 2"

To continue my stories:

This happened when I was in my 20s. I was working at the National Institutes of Mental Health on the same grounds as the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. I was part of a team looking at the biochemical basis of various psychiatric disorders such as what was at that time called manic-depression. There were patients on a locked ward, several psychiatrists, and psychology research assistants like me. There was a psychiatrist I did not know personally, knew him only by face and name.

One morning I came to work and rang the bell to be allowed onto the ward where the main office was located. I worked in a laboratory in another part of the building. This particular psychiatrist opened the door to the unit and as I entered, words came out of my mouth that I had not thought of or planned to say. I said to him, "You need to come talk to me." Then I immediately went on about my business. I had no idea why I said this to him and dismissed it as soon as I said it.

Several hours later, this man came to the lab where I was working to talk. He was quite upset and began to tell me of experiences he was having that sounded to me like a psychotic break. I listened, was supportive, and encouraged him to seek help himself and see a psychiatrist. He did. He got help and he later told me he and his family were grateful for the intervention.

I know today that God used me to help him, but at the time and for many years I had no idea how this happened.
______________________
While I was working at this same job, I received a number. I did not understand its significance nor did I discover why this number came to my attention. After 40 years, I always identify this as 'my number' and whenever and wherever I see it, I pause and say, "Hi God".

This is how I came to have my number: 141
Three separate occurrences in one day resulted in the number 141 and I was aware of it.

First, I was in the cafeteria of the hospital where I worked to get a snack and the total I owed was $1.41. I paid it.

A little later, I was in the supply store where common items needed by hospital personnel could be purchased. I was in the store to purchase an item and when I went to ring out, the total cost of the item was $1.41.

Later that day I went to the office to order something I needed in the lab that was not carried in our hospital supply store. I was telling the secretary about the strange circumstance of having two purchases of $1.41 each. I told her what I needed to order and left the office. I was in the hall when she called me back. When I returned to the office, she asked me if I knew what the unit cost of what I had asked her to order was and I said, "$1.41?" and she said, "Yes".

Maybe someday I will find out this number has another meaning, but for now it remains a reminder of a loving God who wanted to get and keep my attention. It has worked all my life. He has my attention.

More tomorrow.

Prayer Girl

Monday, June 29, 2009

Tuesday, 6/30/09 - "I'M ANSWERING!"


"I'M ANSWERING!"

This morning I read Joanne's blog, Blessed.
It was titled

"Aren't you going to answer that?"
and began with the line,
"God's on the Phone and He's Asking For You."

This blog literally yelled at me to respond. And I replied, "I'M ANSWERING". I felt an immediate identification with what she was talking about when she spoke of the nudging of God. Here was the comment I made on her blog:

I could completely relate to this blog. I have so many God nudging me stories - sometimes He's not just nudging, He's just about pushing me over.

I have blogged a few of these in the past, but can't find them in my blog history. I loved your blog so much I may be motivated to combine some of my God stories in a single blog and post them.

(When I was in my 20s, I had no idea where these things came from....UFOs? Spirits of the dead? Some weird ESP or psychic phenomenon?) I didn't know, but I knew the events were beyond special, defied the logical universe, and I held onto them all my life.

Now I know.
________________________
Here are some of my God-nudging and sometimes God-pushing stories. There are a lot of them and I have decided they will need to be written over several blogs.

A lot of God-stuff happened when I was in my 20s and I did not understand where it came from for a long time. Among them were poems that seemed to just "come to me". Each one became a special treasure in my heart, filling me with what I can only term a transcendent feeling. I shared a few of them sparingly with only selected, trusted friends over the years. It has only been in the last 4 years that I became willing to take them out of my desk drawer and share them freely. I have blogged most of them as well as ones I have written more recently. Here is one I wrote a long time ago:

I AM ALONE

I am alone
Amidst a wide expanse
Of flame and frenzy bright
I tower far above
A meadow bursting forth
In wild, profuse delight

I am alone
Yet know a voice
Of petals bending in the breeze
I reach to hear
Yet only catch the wind
I listen past my ears

And I hear the vastness
Of the thousand petals
Stretching out beyond my sight
A feather bed in which to lie
Cascade around my head
A velvet, silk-soft coverlet

And I am not alone
Nor alien in their midst
They offer forth their honey scent,
Show off their coverings bright,
Bend gently to my softest touch,
And whisper we are one

This next one was written around Easter of this year:

BROKEN MAN

Here now stands a broken man - a shell
With countless years strewn wide behind
Of broken vows, banished hopes - he fell
Searching, seeking promise of a better place
- For just another drop his soul he'd sell

Ears ring - he hears an angel's bell
But too much to see, too much to bear
He languishes locked inside his self-made Hell
Yet deep inside that man's thin husk
Dwells the God of all who can make him well

God's eyes weep, His heart breaks
He'd give His life for this man's sake

And He did!

There are many stories and some I have forgotten, but I will start with one that also happened when I was in my 20s. This experience was life-changing and it's power has never left my mind.

I will begin it tomorrow.

Thank you for reading dear fellow bloggers,
Prayer Girl

(Photo credit: Fresh Start by Joy Cobb)


Sunday, June 28, 2009

Monday 6/29/09 - "GRATITUDE TODAY"


"GRATITUDE TODAY"

It's been a while since I have posted a gratitude list. I am very grateful and this is why.

I am grateful for all the wildflowers I saw along the side of the highways and byways as we traveled to Illinois, North Carolina, West Virginia, and back to Florida. As I've described before, I am a very visual person and sights such as wildflowers on the road or in the meadows and mountains, fill my heart to overflowing. I see God in every petal.

I am grateful for the two sponsees I met with today. One I sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon and the other in Al-Anon. They are both such a joy to me. It is wonderful to be able to listen, to speak, and to connect with God together.

I am grateful for the lady in Al-Anon who is lonely, has lived a life of despair in the past and desires to move to a more positive place in her life who called me yesterday. I was sitting in church several hours after her call and she came and sat with me. Today she was at a meeting I attended, approached me with a hug to say hello, and told me what she felt when we were together was that I loved her. My response was immediate. I told her, "I do love you." I then added, "The God in me loves the God in you." It doesn't get much better than that.

I am grateful that my toe no longer hurts, only 'bothers' me at times. The black and blue or purple has faded and time will tell whether I will lose the nail.

I am grateful that my friend Elizabeth that I have blogged about and asked your prayers for has gotten some current results of her chemotherapy. Her liver tumors are shrinking. She had appearance of more blood and had a colonoscopy to see if that cancer had returned. Thank God it was negative for recurrence of tumors.

I am grateful that I am growing in my trust and faith in my God. I believe I have only begun to scratch the surface of what God can and will do in my life.

I am grateful for every opportunity God gives me to be of use to others.

I am grateful for my belief that my daughter will find a job soon.

I am grateful that the 4th of July is approaching and I am beginning that annual joyful anticipation of another AA anniversary - 24th coming up.

I am grateful for Mr. Steveroni and for each day God has blessed us with continued sobriety and life together.

I am grateful for the bloggers that I am getting to know through reading, commenting on, receiving comments from, and actually meeting some face to face.

I am grateful beyond description for God's mysteries being revealed to me. I am filled with delight and it leaves me feeling very humble.

I am grateful that God hears and cares about my prayers.

I am grateful to be,
Prayer Girl

(Photo credit: Wildflowers 101 by RevMac)

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Sunday 6/28/09 - "SIX WORD SATURDAY ON SUNDAY"



"SIX WORD SATURDAY
ON SUNDAY"



I got this idea for my blog from Hope.

I instantly liked it and felt challenged to think about how I would describe my life today. Here it is.


God's mysteries revealed
fill my life!



I would love to see how others describe their lives.

Prayer Girl

Saturday 6/27/09 - "THE GOOD FEELINGS"

Elation!

Peace and joy!

Tenderness!

"THE GOOD FEELINGS"

"The Good Feelings"
"Let yourself feel the good feelings too.
Yes, sometimes good feelings can be as distracting as the painful, more difficult ones. Yes, good feelings can be anxiety producing to those of us unaccustomed to them. But go ahead and feel the good feelings anyway.

Feel and accept the joy. The love. The warmth. The excitement. The pleasure.The satisfaction. The elation. The tenderness. The comfort.

Let yourself feel the victory, the delight.

Let yourself feel cared for.
Let yourself feel respected, important, and special.

These are only feelings, but they feel good. They are full of positive, upbeat energy - and we deserve to feel that when it comes our way.

We don't have to repress. We don't have to talk ourselves out of feeling good - not for a moment.
If we feel it, it's ours for the moment. Own it. If it's good, enjoy it.
Today, God, help me be open to the joy and good feelings available to me.
"

(From:"The Language of Letting Go" by Melody Beattie,
June 21, pp. 171-172)


I did not arrive at the door of Alcoholics Anonymous with a bundle of positive feelings. In fact, I was Ms. Negativity - depression, sadness, emptiness, loneliness, listlessness, whipped, and beaten. It has been so many years since then that if I didn't go to meetings regularly and work with others I might not be able to remember how truly horrible I felt.

That was many years ago and I have spent all the intervening years working the 12 steps, living the 12 steps and the principles of the program, passing it on to others, and continuing to grow along spiritual lines.

Today I value myself and I value you - all of you - those who are still lost and hurting, those who have found recovery, and those who have never experienced these terrible lows of life - everyone. The God in me recognizes the God in you.

Today I believe we all deserve to feel love, joy, peace, serenity, and all the other feelings mentioned in the reading I chose. I am so grateful there is a program that will allow our lives to change and make it possible to feel the joy of living.

God bless you,
Prayer Girl

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Friday 6/26/09 - "THE BOX - REMEMBERING"


(DEDICATED TO
FARRAH FAWCETT)


My Flash Fiction Friday 55 is dedicated to Farrah Fawcett. I felt the desire to dedicate this week's serialized segment to her not because I was a particularly wild fan of hers (although I always thought she was gorgeous - full of light with a radiant smile that dazzled), but for a more personal reason.

The diagnosis and course of Farrah's illness is being mirrored in a woman I was introduced to last summer by a sponsee. I have placed my hands on her and this always creates a very special bond. I have blogged about her before. She is a single mother with a 4 year old son. She is vivacious, lovely, full of life, but slowly being beaten down by cancer.

I ask everyone who reads this installment of "THE BOX" to, at the same time, say a prayer for Elizabeth.


FLASH FICTION FRIDAY 55
Friday Flash 55 is a story
written in exactly 55 words.
Let the G-Man know if you write one
and read the ones of your fellow writers.


"THE BOX - REMEMBERING"

She is remembering her confusion feeling so uncomfortable with his concern over where she was going, who with, and when she would be back. These were signs he loved her. Weren't they?

Why did it feel wrong?

She continues, "he hit me the first time about a year after we were married. I returned late.”

Prayer Girl
___________________________
Note: The following was LAST WEEK's
"55 Flash Fiction Friday":

"THE BOX - STEP 3"

Fear that has sewn her lips together so long is dissolved.

She asks, "What's your name?" The counselor says, "Cindy. Tell me about yourself."

Darlene decides to trust and says, "After eight years of marriage, I can now admit my husband's over attentiveness at the beginning of our marriage has progressed into constant abuse and"

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wednesday, 6/24/09 - "THIS IS WHAT I AM ABOUT TODAY"

This first picture is an update at noon on Thursday 6/25
Daddy says, "Move over mama, I'm coming in."


(Today's picture offering - 9 duck eggs - all covered up)

"THIS IS WHAT I AM ABOUT TODAY"

I got this idea for my blog from Syd who got it from Mama PJ. The plan is to just list without analyzing things to death what comes to mind as I think about who I am. So....that's just what I'll do.

Today, I'm about:

1. Being a productive member of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon and sharing my experience, strength, and hope with others in and outside of the meeting rooms.

2. Being a very visual person and loving the beauty of meadows, mountains, all bodies of water, flowers, animals, people, landscapes, vibrant colors, etc. etc.

3. Discovering and living out God's will for me in all areas of my life.

4. Being in the best possible health.

5. Being in tune closely enough with myself to know what I need to take care of myself and then doing it.

6. Being as real, genuine, and honest as I can be.

7. Following the process of creation happening at my front door as a mama duck lays, sets, and eventually hatches ducklings.

8. Being the best channel for God to use that I can be. Loving my sponsees and allowing God to help them through me.

9. Living a life of prayer.

10. Trusting God for financial health and stability.

11. Enjoying my espresso passion.

12. Cherishing and fostering the friendships I have.

13. Being willing and open to God using my healing touch.

14. Being grateful for all the past, present, and future events, circumstances, and relationships of my life.

15. Setting boundaries that are clear, good for me, and cause no harm.

16. Finding avenues to express the love of life and of others that God has placed in my soul.

17. Being in ever growing conscious contact with God.

18. Having the best quality relationships possible with my husband and children.

19. Being able to touch others through what I write and say using my God-given sensitivity.

20. Meeting other bloggers face-to-face.

21. Smiling and laughing more.



Prayer Girl

Monday, June 22, 2009

Tuesday 6/23/09 - "THIS AND THAT"

(Mountain Meadow)


(Mountain Scene)


(Mountain Sunset)

(9 'down' protected Duck Eggs)


"THIS AND THAT"

Y'all will have to forgive me for arriving home, having every intention to blog last night, and then "wiping out" before I could get the first line written.

A little description of my choice of pictures. The first two were taken on Friday night when our gracious hostess in North Carolina took us to a high up a mountain ranch type restaurant. The pictures depict the scene from the lawn. The evening was beautiful and the meal was a cook-out served outdoors - ribs and chicken and all the fixings. The meadow, pond, and general view from our picnic table was breathtaking. A picture can only approximate the beauty I saw. I was in ecstasy - and I don't mean drugs - I mean my spirit was singing loudly.

The third picture was a scene from the porch where we stayed looking at the beauty of the sunset. As you can imagine, it was hard for me to say "good-bye" to all the nature that surrounded us the days we spent atop that mountain. God blessed me so much with this beautiful friend who opened her heart and home to us. I am truly grateful. The fruits of this life my Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon programs have given me are sweet indeed.

This morning I discovered Mrs. Duck had left her nest temporarily. While she was gone I got a shot of her treasure. There are 9 eggs being kept warm either by her body or the 'down' she has carefully arranged around them.

I think it may take me a few days to recuperate from all the traveling we have done. It's time for a nap. When I'm back up, I'll try to get to reading and commenting. I miss it.

Oh, and one more thing. I need your help - all you blogger friends. I believe in the power of your prayers. Please pray for my daughter. She lost her job last fall, has been looking since with no success at all. She has the possibility of a job interview for something that looks like it might suit her. It is a position as an executive secretary to a CEO of a marketing and design company. Please pray that God's will be done.

Thank you,
Prayer Girl

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Monday 6/22/09 - "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY & HAPPY CHARLESTON, W.VA.




"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY"

My father died in January, 2000. I wish to pay tribute to him on this special day. My dad was always there for me, for the family, for anyone in need of a caring hand and open heart. He was a wonderful, loving father, husband, grandfather, man....

My dad was not healthy as I grew up and it affected me greatly. He had asthma, ulcers, and had a heart attack when I was in high school. I was always sure he was going to die and I was filled with fear. As is so often the case with fear, it was "false evidence appearing real". He outlived the poor prognoses over the years many times over and lived to the age of 86.

My father was active in his church, involved in scouting with my brother, was a ham radio operator, did fly tying as a hobby, and participated in many other activities. He loved fishing and we spent many hours over many years sitting in boats and by lake sides fishing. He taught me how to bait, cast, and reel in a fish on the rare occasion I actually caught anything. Dad and my brother and I caught fish and mom pan fried them. So good!!!

I remember the model railroad set up in the basement of the house where I grew up as a child. I loved going down there with him and my brother to set up the scenes, run the train, and generally have a great time.

Dad was an electrical engineer and had a very mathematical mind. I remember him "trying" as best he could to help me with math homework - me frustrated and him as patient as possible.

My father's patience was tested as my mother developed Alzheimer's and the descent into that disease was a very difficult thing to deal with. My father cared for her long beyond the time he probably should have. It is a wonder to me that he survived her.

I love my Dad. I loved him then and I love him still. So, I am saying to him right now, "Happy Father's Day, Dad".

"HAPPY CHARLESTON,
WEST VIRGINIA"


Short, but so very sweet and very happy - our visit with Kristin and Gabriella in Charleston on Saturday evening. It is beyond fun to actually meet the personalities that you come to know through blogging. These two wonderful women were just so full of life, full of vibrant personality, honesty, openness - very refreshing. They have a wonderful friendship that is truly a gift from God.

Every mile that we drove to meet with them was worth it for each moment we had together that night. Our dinner was full of lively conversation and great food. They took us to an AA meeting that was as good a meeting as I have been to anywhere. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. Thank you Kristin and Gabriella for a wonderful visit.

Today we drove for 10 hours and I am beat. My toe is beat too. There is time for this blog and little else. We should be able to get home by tomorrow afternoon. If we arrive early enough, I'll be able to pick up Mr. Kitty - Bert! I know he'll be so very happy to see us and I will be glad to have him in my arms again.

God bless and good-night,
Prayer Girl

Friday, June 19, 2009

Saturday 6/20/09 - "THE BEAUTIFUL, THE CUTE, AND THE UGLY"

(The beautiful!)

(The cute: Peek-a-boo, the squirrel sees you!)

(...and the Ugly!)


"THE BEAUTIFUL, THE CUTE,
AND THE UGLY"

Thanks so much to all of you who commented on my serialized Flash Fiction Friday 55. It is so much fun and I'm as excited to know what will happen next and how things will develop as you are.

Yesterday was a piece of proof that I can be a "klutz" with little "memory power" at times. There is a step up in one area of the wrap-around porch here and I no sooner came down yesterday morning in flip flops rather than my tennis shoes than I forgot about the step up and walked right into it with my big toe taking the lead in my open-toed shoe. Ouch, darn, #@%**!

The result is as pictured. This toe throbbed like an aching tooth or ear ache all day, all night. Our gracious hostess prayed over my toe and brought an Epsom Salts soak. I wondered if I would be able to sleep, but the bed is so comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud and I had a huge pillow to put the foot up on and I again slept like a baby.

This morning - throbbing gone....thank you God. It's still painful, but not the pounding. Now, I just need to be careful. I'll probably loose the nail. I'm not young and have never had anything like this happen, never lost a nail. Well, maybe it won't happen.

Despite this mishap, the beauty of the woods, clouds, home, animals, total surroundings cannot be dimmed. The experience of making an AA meeting yesterday and another today where my sponsee attends regularly remains as wonderful no matter the mishap. The working of God between myself, my sponsee, and one of her sponsees can not be minimized by any toe problem.

On a walk yesterday before I realized walking in the mountains was no longer on my menu of activities, we took a walk and on the way back saw the little guy (the squirrel) peeking out of the opening where water comes out to turn the wheel on this decorative waterfall out front of the home.

Well - enough for today. I have an 11th step to do with my sponsee, a toe to take care of, an AA meeting to attend, and more beauty to drink in.

God bless all of you.

Prayer Girl

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Friday 6/19/09 - "THE BOX - STEP 3

(fear has sewn her lips together)

(fear has dissolved)


FLASH FICTION FRIDAY 55
Friday Flash 55 is a story
written in exactly 55 words.
Let the G-Man know if you write one
and read the ones of your fellow writers.



"THE BOX - STEP 3"

Fear that has sewn her lips together so long is dissolved.

She asks, "What's your name?" The counselor says, "Cindy. Tell me about yourself."

Darlene decides to trust and says, "After eight years of marriage, I can now admit my husband's over attentiveness at the beginning of our marriage has progressed into constant abuse and "

Prayer Girl

_________________________________
Note: The following was LAST WEEK's
"55 Flash Fiction Friday":

THE BOX - STEPS 1 & 2

This voice she hears sounds so caring, loving, inviting, and at the same time, strong. It reminds her of Lucy.

She'll be able to speak. Hesitantly she replies, "I'm Darlene".

In the speaking of just those two words she realizes she will be able to ask for help and she believes things will change.

Somehow.....

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Thursday 6/18/09 - "MORE TRAVEL PICTURES"

Annunciation Garden

Four large bells in a reflection pool
located in the Annunciation Garden
toll the arrival of each hour


Sacred Heart

My nature trail
(I actually climbed over the trees)


A hummingbird on the porch
of the home I'm visiting in N.C.


The view from the top of the
mountain looking down on the town



"MORE TRAVEL PICTURES"

This blog will need to be quite short. We arrived at the top of this mountain where my sponsee lives this afternoon. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is. My friend is such a gracious hostess. We dined on potato crusted cod, Brussels sprouts, little potatoes, and a delicious salad. It was the healthiest meal I've had in a while and I loved every bite.

I am afraid of heights so being on the top of a mountain is a little strange. There is a porch running around most of the house and I just stay away from the edge. It is a spectacular view. The breeze outside was delightful. Now, a rain has begun to fall and I am sitting in a gigantic main room with glass windows all around me, watching lightening flash as the night grows darker. The only sound is the tapping on my keyboard as I blog. This is an unreal experience.

Tomorrow, we'll be going to a noon AA meeting with my friend and I'm truly looking forward to that. Later in the afternoon hubby and I will be off to Asheville, N.C. to meet up with another blogger.

My day has been a very long one and my head is pounding. I think it's time to put up the keyboard and mouse and say, "good-night".

Good-night from,
Prayer Girl

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Wednesday 6/17/09 - "THE SHRINE IN PICTURES"

The Millennium Spire

Our Lady of Guadalupe Hill

The natural beauty of the surroundings

The main shrine/amphitheater

On the stage of the amphitheater


"THE SHRINE IN PICTURES"

These are some of the sights I saw in the two days we spent at the Our Lady of the Snows Shrine.

It rained like crazy the second morning and early afternoon, but I just waited till it ended about 2 p.m. While waiting, I did some shopping for a few needed items and went to a great AA meeting. Then with the rain over, I went out to do some more touring of the grounds. I went for a nature walk on a trail I had seen the times we had visited before, but had never had the chance to walk. It was wet. I was totally alone. It was wonderful.


I had almost the entire place to myself. There were very few people in any of the shrine areas I visited that Monday. I can't describe how it felt to be in such total solitude in the center of all that beauty, peace, and tranquility. Priceless. No words can describe it. ...What a lucky, lucky lady I am, a lucky lady indeed.... (That line is a modification of one that comes from a children's book that was one of my favorites when I was very little. I would have my mother read it over and over till I was able to read it over and over myself - "Mrs. Ticklefeather" was the name.)

Well, I'm tickled pink that the blogger picture function is up and running today. I have more for another time. I'll try to be discriminating in choosing.

Love you all,

Prayer Girl

Monday, June 15, 2009

Tuesday 6/16/09 - "SILENCE"


"S I L E N C E"


Today I read Colleen's blog, Thoughts on Grace. It began with these words:

"I am called to silence. I do not get enough of it."


These words struck a chord with me. I think this is why I love the Shrine we are visiting so much. It gives plenty of opportunity for "Silence".

So....I contemplated that word:


S - Spirit, Soul, Special, Sight, Spirited, Spiritual, Spirituality

I - Intimate, Internal, Inspirational, Insight, Intelligence

L - Love, Longing, Laughter, Light-hearted, Lilting, Language

E - Eternal, Ethereal, Earth, Early, Effervescent (high-spirited)

N - Nascent (new birth), New, Natural, Nature, Nativity

C - Charisma, Charity, Christ, Clarity, Calm, Cosmos

E - Everything, Everyone, Everywhere, Elevated, Elation



These are only a few of the thoughts that came to me 'about silence' or what comes to mind 'in the silence'. I'm sure you will more.

Prayer Girl

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Monday 6/15/09 - "OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS"


"OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS"

We arrived in Belleville, Illinois at "Our Lady of the Snows Shrine" Sunday afternoon. The forecast was for rain Monday so I'm really glad that I chose to hop in the car and make a tour of my favorite shrine spots as soon as I arrived.....a ride around the loop with the "Stations of the Cross", a drive around and stop at the gigantic and beautiful amphitheater that houses underneath it a very lovely and spiritual chapel. I also parked at several other sites and walked up to them...."Our Lady of Guadalupe Hill" and the "Millennium Spire". These are all 'DEVOTIONAL AREAS'.

There is a restaurant here and we lucked out with a Sunday fried chicken buffet. It was delicious and in keeping with my pattern so far on this trip, I ate more than I probably needed to, but surely exactly what I wanted. There was a wonderful bread pudding with lots of peaches and sweet sauce on top. Delightful.

We drove down to the "Lourdes Grotto" after dinner before it got dark. This is a replica in about quarter size of the grotto in Lourdes, France. I'm so glad we did this. Today looks like rain, lots of rain, all day.

I've called the AA central office here and have a fistfull of meetings with addresses. Thank God for the new GPS. I think we'll have little trouble finding a meeting.

For some reason blogger wouldn't upload images. I took some pictures yesterday before the clouds and rain arrived, but they'll have to wait for publishing at a later date.

In the meantime - love to all you bloggers,
Prayer Girl

Sunday 6/14/09 - "ANOTHER DAY ON THE ROAD"


"ANOTHER DAY ON THE ROAD"

Hi everyone,

Well, it's "day 5" of our road trip. What a wonderful time I've had since arriving here in the "Land of Lincoln". Meeting bloggers and lots of other AA folk at a wonderful outdoor barbecue at the home of friend and fellow blogger, AKAnnie, was worth the 1200 mile trip. Met a fellow blogger from Canada who traveled more than twice that far to attend this sober gathering. The plan is to meet him this Sunday morning at a small little Catholic Church in town before leaving for our next stop.


After mass we'll be on our way to about 30 miles from here to visit "Our Lady of the Snows Shrine" in Belleville, Illinois. We've been there twice before over the last few years and it has become a very special destination. I'll try to get some pictures, but I know they will not be able to fully capture the beauty, peace and serenity of the place.


We've found several AA meetings in the area during past visits. I'm sure we'll make our way to a meeting today, tomorrow, or both....looking forward to that feeling of "being at home" that always happens in an AA room no matter where it is being held.

We'll be staying at the Shrine Hotel right on the shrine grounds with a restaurant and church within walking distance just across the road.
We'll be there till Tuesday when we'll be back on the road and headed to stay with one of my sponsees for a few days. She and her husband have a newly built home on the top of a mountain in the Smoky Mountains of N.C. What a gracious offer for us to visit. God is good.

Signing off from our Super 8 motel in the middle of the corn fields,


Prayer Girl

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Saturday 6/13/09 - "A FEW THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW"


"A FEW THINGS YOU
MIGHT NOT KNOW"


#1 - I have proven to myself that I can negotiate our brand new Toyota RAV4 on very small, winding, hilly, pot-holed,country roads in Southern Illinois. I was motivated by the fact that our destination was to meet a gracious blogger friend, her dear husband, and other friends on their lovely little piece of property in the woods off the main roads. In fact the setting reminded me of Robert Frost....."The woods are lovely, dark and deep."

#2 - I have written the "Final Scene" of my Flash Fiction Friday 55 serialized story blog. (It will be in waiting till I arrive at the end.) An author recently told my book club that when writing a story, the beginning and end should be written first and then everything in between.

#3 - I probably slept about 3 hours last night and had a full day today of driving from Paducah, Kentucky to a small town in Southern Illinois. We got settled in and I had about a half hour nap. We were then off to meet a blogger friend, AKAnnie, then to dinner at a wonderful buffet where I sampled more items than I could count, and went to a great meeting at which Annie received a 19 year medallion. What a wonderful day. And now I am dead tired.


#4 - The topic of the AA meeting tonight was change. If I'm going one way for too long, I best contemplate what might be possible by going another way.


#5 - I'm going to post this short blog and then hopefully sleep!!!


#6 - I still believe in the power of prayer and if I say I'll pray for you, I mean it.
I'll pray for you!

Prayer Girl

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Friday 6/11/09 - "THE BOX - STEPS 1 & 2"


FLASH FICTION FRIDAY 55
Friday Flash 55 is a story

written in exactly 55 words.

Let the G-Man know if you write one
and read the ones of your fellow writers.



"THE BOX - STEPS 1 & 2"

This voice she hears sounds so caring, loving, inviting, and at the same time, strong. It reminds her of Lucy.

She'll be able to speak. Hesitantly she replies, "I'm Darlene".


In the speaking of just those two words she realizes she will be able to ask for help and she believes things will change.


Somehow.....

Prayer Girl
_____________________________
Note: The following was LAST WEEK's

"55 Flash Fiction Friday":


"THE BOX -

BREAKING THE SILENCE"


Silence.

She can hear the ticking of the clock hanging above her writing table. Oh, God, what now? What if the woman on the other end hangs up? Maybe she should hang up.


"Help me. He hits me. I'm afraid. I drink. I'm worthless. What should I do? Please help me."

"What's your first name?"

Monday, June 8, 2009

Tuesday 6/9/09 - "THE MIRACLE OF NEW LIFE"

(OMG - a nursery right outside my front door!)

(Papa standing guard over mama!)

(These arrived one-a-day!)

"THE MIRACLE OF NEW LIFE"

For some reason I feel that what is happening on my front porch is a big deal.

I am a city girl, not a country girl so the fact that my front porch has turned into a nursery or hatching station is just really exciting and "weird" to me. (Remember whenever I say "weird", it always means God is involved somehow.) There must be some lesson or message in what's happening.

This is a first and I feel like I am participating in some voyeuristic way in "THE MIRACLE OF NEW LIFE" - albeit duck life - in fact - ugly Muscovy duck life, but new life none the less.

We are leaving on a nearly two week vacation tomorrow morning so I may miss the main event whatever that will be. I guess, ducklings.


Hubby says he discovered ducks trying to find a nesting place in our garage too. The garage door will need to remain shut or we'll have a second nursery happening.


I went online to find out about Muscovy duck eggs and discovered there are businesses selling duck eggs. Who would have thought? Maybe God wants us to go into the duck egg business...... :)
JUST KIDDING!!!

We are both taking our laptops so I will blog when I'm able. God bless all you bloggers.


Prayer Girl

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Monday 6/8/09 - THAT "AHA" MOMENT

THAT "AHA" MOMENT

I can't count or even remember now all the "AHA" moments I have had since getting sober, but they are many. I also know that almost everyone who has been sober for any length of time has experienced them. These moments of revelation have a way of bringing the goose bumps (also called "God bumps") up all over me.

My latest "AHA" moment came as a result of something I read coupled with some things I heard people say and my own experiences to date and all of a sudden - voila - I had a realization. This latest one was a sudden awareness that my spiritual and other gifts have been within me for a very long time, but I was unable to recognize them. They were buried under years of character defects - fear, envy, jealousy, lack of self-confidence to name only a few.

Through the grace of God I was brought to my knees by alcoholism and He brought me to Alcoholics Anonymous and later to Al-Anon. It is there that I discovered the truth about myself. I became able to see my shortcomings by working the 12 steps, sharing myself with trusted AA and Al-Anon friends, attending meetings, and the practice of prayer and meditation.

What I found beneath all that negativity and self loathing were the beautiful gifts God had given me from the beginning that I had lost. This discovery has not been a short trip, but a very long one arriving at that "AHA" moment.

As beautiful as my "
AHA" moments are, even more wonderful is the joy of playing a part in such a moment of a sponsee or other loved one. Being in conversation with someone and suddenly seeing the awe and wonder in their eyes, watching their face light up as they experience their own moment when the "light bulb comes on" is priceless .

I had such a moment recently when I was meeting with a brand new person in Alcoholics Anonymous who was having difficulty identifying her powerlessness over alcohol. I was listening to everything she was telling me about recent events in her life. At the time we were reading from the Big Book, "Alcoholics Anonymous", in "The Doctor's Opinion", p. xxvi:

"They are restless, irritable and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks-drinks which they see others taking with impunity. After they have succumbed to the desire again, as so many do, and the phenomenon of craving develops, they pass through the well-known stages of a spree, emerging remorseful, with a firm resolution not to drink again. This is repeated over and over unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of his recovery."

I pointed out something she had just said, this reading, and the consequences of her drinking and suddenly she "saw the light" and she understood what had been hidden from her understanding just a moment before. She could see how she was powerless when she took a drink.

This is God in action. It is humbling to be used by God to bring someone out of darkness and into light in such an "
AHA" instant. Truly priceless!

It just doesn't get much better than that. Thank you God.

Prayer Girl

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Saturday 6/6/09 - "JUNE - JOY - LOVE"






























"JUNE - JOY - LOVE"


Love still flourishes forever fresh
Brides still burst with joy divine

Grooms still say oh yes, I do

The marriage day a hope that's new


Hearts may be changed by circumstance

And dreams be turned in unknown ways

But there are loves that do survive

Through work and prayer they stay alive


My heart needs hope of future love
That stands against life's endless pace

The union may not look the same

But still it nurtures passion's flame


Create that bond in June or May

Or on a cold and snowy day

It matters not one bit
Save that ember lit

Prayer Girl


Thursday, June 4, 2009

Friday 6/5/09 - "THE BOX - BREAKING THE SILENCE"


FLASH FICTION FRIDAY 55


"THE BOX -
BREAKING THE SILENCE"


Silence.

She can hear the ticking of the clock hanging above her writing table. Oh, God, what now? What if the woman on the other end hangs up? Maybe she should hang up.

"Help me. He hits me. I'm afraid. I drink. I'm worthless. What should I do? Please help me."

"What's your first name?"

Prayer Girl

______________________________________
Note: The following was LAST WEEK's
"55 Flash Fiction Friday"
"THE BOX - ACTION"

No! Wait! Before she dials, she'll pour a drink. She thinks about how she's been hiding the scars and bruises and drinking takes the pain away.

The drinking worries her. She'll ask Lucy to take her to another meeting.

She dials, it's ringing, and then she hears, "Hello, abuse hotline. Can I help you?

"Yes!..."
___________________________________

Every Friday, compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you want to join in the fun and games and give it a try...post your story and report to the boss G-Man!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Thursday, 6/4/09 - "FINAL RETREAT THOUGHTS"


"FINAL RETREAT THOUGHTS"
(Please permit a blong!)

A few more things I remember from the weekend retreat....

What I am seeking is already within me. I just haven't become aware of its presence yet. To become aware...slow down in the care of God - meditate - be in the moment.

The life of spirituality is always inviting us to change.

On becoming whole:
1. Dare to be different. Speak your truth.

2. Become a creator. What is your passion? Be creative. Honor it and allow it to be seen.

3. Forgiveness.
4. Trust yourself. Allow divine intuition. Trust genuine motives.
5. Accept reality.

"AN IRRESISTIBLE URGE"

A RETREAT STORY:

The best moments in any experience I have are those when God reaches into my life and connects me to another in need of a "healing touch".


More often than not, I am not looking for these types of interactions anymore. However, I do try to maintain as constant a contact with God as I can allowing them to happen spontaneously. If my mind gets too involved, I can miss the urging or I can think my way out of acting on it when I hear that call.


The final morning of our retreat produced such a moment filling me with wonder, awe, joy, and love. Those desiring morning meditation met in the chapel early before breakfast. I was sitting in the second row of seats on the left side of the very small and intimate chapel. Ahead of me in the first row sat two girls, one a little to my left and one to my right. I had a few short conversations with one of them the day before, but I did not really know either of them.


Suddenly, that irresistible urge came into my mind, into my spirit, to reach out and place my hands on them. I resisted for a few moments, then reached out. Both girls quickly put one of their hands over my hand resting on their back and shoulder. We remained that way for several minutes. As the girl on the right and I left the chapel, she said to me, "You're a healer. I could feel it. Your hand was hot." I answered, "Yes, I am." I have become more comfortable responding to such statements as time has passed since the first time I experienced the "healing touch". I used to hem and haw and not really know what to say.

I don't know what God had in mind that morning, but I am sure He always has His purposes.
Later at breakfast the other girl came up to me to tell me she had been suffering with neck, shoulder and back pains all weekend, finding it hard to sit for long periods. She began to move her head and shoulders to show me and said, "Your hand was as hot as an oven and ever since you put it on me, my pains are lessened." She then asked if I would help with pain she still had in her hips. I immediately told her we should go outside and we sat on a bench where I could place my hands on her hips. We parted and later before we left she told me she had returned to her room, fell right to sleep and when she awoke her hips were better.

These kinds of events are always my deepest spiritual experiences. An extraordinary connection is always formed, even with strangers, at these moments of God's urging.


I remember always the following:

It is not about me.

God has His purposes.

Don't limit God.

Thank you God.

Thank you bloggers for reading such a long 'blong'.

Prayer Girl

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Wednesday 6/3/09-"MORE SPIRITUAL RETREAT"

(A place of peace, prayer, and power)

(A meditation spot)


"MORE SPIRITUAL RETREAT"

Thinking it over, I believe that it was the environment, the spiritual aura that surrounded the weekend more than the words that were said that made it so special. That isn't to say that there weren't a lot of really good things said.
Here are some of them:

When the direction you are going finds you meeting lights that stay green, then keep going that way.

Let go the control of your heart so there is enough room for God to get in.

If more than one person is saying the same thing, you should listen.


I can render God powerless by saying, "No". He allows free will.

God is always creating something new. Every moment is new. Every experience is new.

I was a person of extremes. I need to stay balanced between the extremes.


When 'need' shows itself, you'll have everything you 'need'.


The following was a guide to meditation:

Ask yourself what message is it that you most need to hear today? (Which message has been lost that you need to retrieve?)


1. You are wanted.

2. You are loved for yourself.
3. You are safe.

4. You will be taken care of.

5. You will not be betrayed.

6. Your presence matters.


I am at a place where I usually feel wanted, loved, safe, and cared for. I never feel like I will be betrayed.
The one I chose to focus on was, "Your presence matters."


God is in the ordinary and the extraordinary.

We can't listen well when we are talking.


I hope these thoughts bring a sense of peace and serenity to you as they have done for me.

God bless all you bloggers,

Prayer Girl