The Lighted Path

If have been around since the beginning of my blog, then you may remember that some of my early posts were made about my desire to, and the process of quitting smoking.  If you are new welcome!  I am just writing today to update, since it has been so long since I have updated on this topic, that today marks 28 months since I had my last cigarette!  In the grand scheme of things 2 years and some change isn't a long time but when you started smoking at the age of 13 it is, as Ron Burgundy would say, "kind of a big deal." The one question that I always get asked is how did you do it.  Most of the time this question comes from people who have known me for some time and were witness to numerous attempts and failures, and believe me there were many!  I tried cold turkey, smoking less each day, and the patch but they all attempts...FAIL!  So how was this time different?  How did I go from failure, after failure, after failure?  Simple really, I as...

It is hard to believe that 2013 has come to an end and we are now in 2014.  I don't know if it is me, but the past year flew by way too quickly!  I look forward to this new beginning and fresh start.  I may not know what this year has in store for me, but I know that as long as I move into it with the Lord at the center I know I that there will be nothing that I can't handle... Happy 2014!

It is hard to believe that it has been twelve years since 9/11 attacks.  For the most part things in this country have returned to normal.  While we often say "never forget," it seems that the event is "fading."  I am not saying that the sting of, pain, loss, and death has been lessened, but rather the sense of unity and the sense of pride in being an American.  In the days following the attacks, crime was down and people actually took the time to say hello to that stranger on the street or to help out their neighbor.  People were more concerned with others rather than themselves.  I know of someone else who lived (and died) for others... The cross above was found among the rubble of the towers and served as a sign of promise and hope for the victims, the families, the police officers and firefighters, rescue workers, and most importantly a nation. A lot has changed in twelve years and it seems like the sense of pride and unity we once had as Amer...

Good morning blogger! I want to officially apologize for the temporary leave. I jumped ship the past few months and went over to WordPress. I posted just as much there as I do here, but I guess I am just a sucker for blogger. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? I am on vacation in beautiful Ocean City, New Jersey for the next few days so I am hoping to have a day-to-day shore report. Stay tuned!

I first want to say again, please excuse the mess around here. Since it is springtime again I have decided to do some "housework" around here. I plan on adding further customizations to this template but so far I like it. It is so simple and to the point. Thank you Amanda Kennedy of bloggerbuster . com for creating this awesome template! Now that that is out of the way, we just got back from our service project with our youth and I can not be any happier with them all and the outstanding job these kids did today. They took the whole thing very seriously from start to finish. They were eager to help out with everything from the preparation of the food, organizing clothes items for donations, and serving the actual meal. Everything went so smoothly it was truly a blessing. This was the first time that our youth have Dione something like this, but I can say with certainty that it will not be the last.

" 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ " I ask for prayers today and traveling mercies as we take our youth to the city to prepare breakfast for the homeless. I hope that they understand the importance of what they are doing and the impact that it could have on these people's lives. I thank you Heavenly Father for this d...

As much as I dislike the sound of the alarm each morning I am thankful that I made it through another night. God has given me another chance to enjoy His creation and continue out His will for me here on Earth. Thank you God for the beauty of this new day. I shall rejoice and be glad in it. In Jesus Name...AMEN!