Baptism!

This weekend Kevin and I, while at the Alpha retreat, had the opportunity to get baptized. Both of us had been baptized before, but never fully immersed. How awesome it was to do this with my best friend, plus having it done by two wonderful men of God, Pastor Joe Castronova and Joe McCade. You guys are the best and words can't describe what the two of you mean to Kevin and I.

In addition to us getting baptized, 5 out of the 6 people in our group decided to do it as well. 1 of those 6 actually gave his life to Christ the day before. God is so good. This retreat will be one that I will treasure in my heart forever.

Good night everyone and remember to walk in love and speak in peace.

Love,
Anita

Happy Mother's Day!

As I think about Mother's Day, I am reminded of how amazing my Mom is. I truly appreciate all that she does for our family everyday,and what she has done for me all my life and continues to do. I can't help but feel blessed when these things come to mind. She has always given my brother and I nothing but her best and then some. I see her doing the same thing with Dalton, and believe me when I say that she is a proud Grandma! When I need her to help out with Dalton there is no hesitation, or when I simply need someone to talk to, her ears are open. I am also reminded of my Grandma as well. She will be 81 this year and is still more loving than ever. Dalton is her pride and joy and has dinner with both of his Great Grandparents at least once a week.

As a Mom I understand that even the basic day to day things that we provide for our kids show love. A clean home, meals, laundry, help with school work are all done because we love our children. I think it's great, as Dalton is getting older, when he thanks me for doing little things around the house that I didn't expect to get thanked for. As moms we understand that there are a lot of "behind the scenes" planning that has to be done for everything to look perfect on the exterior, and it's nice when it's recognized.

Moms, I encourage you to always enjoy your children right where they are no matter what age or stage they are in. The years go by so quick and you can't get the time back. I also believe it's important for us to thank our Moms often not just on Mother's Day. I know there are many of you that wish you had the opportunity to do so, but can't. I see that with Kevin, and Mother's Day can be difficult for those without their Moms around to thank. The good news is that the memories are always there and are kept alive by those that are without. I love it when Kevin shares stories about Beverly with Dalton and I. He is so enthusiastic making it seem like those memories were just made yesterday. His smile is a reflection of memories made because of a great Mom. I don't know about you, but I want to be that type of Mom who gives so much joy and love to my child that he can't help but smile when he thinks about me.

Happy Mother's Day everyone, and remember to always walk in love and speak in peace.

Love,
Anita

Today Is Yours!

Isn't it something when you think about how today was made just for you? When you get out of bed you are stepping into a new day that was already planned specifically for you. Every morning before I get out of bed, I recite Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." I purposely say this before my feet hit the floor. It's my way of telling God that before I take one step into this new day I am acknowledging that it's by His grace I am here to see another morning He made, and that no matter what happens to me today, He's got me - there's no need to fear or worry.

We were all created for a reason and have a purpose. Every day is a new day to be an encouragement and a blessing to someone else. I love to look for those opportunities. If you noticed, I said I have to look. Opportunities like that don't always jump out at you, so sometimes you have to look on purpose. I know the busyness of life can certainly take our focus off of what's going on around us, but I think it's sad when we just go on day by day not realizing that each day is a gift. I don't want to look back at the days that have gone by and say that I was just busy. I want to remember the "on purpose" opportunities that made a difference in someone else's life. The busyness of life will eventually fade away, but the difference made in someone else's life is forever. In addition to helping and showing love to others, each new day is a brand new start for you to forget the past and move on into a new beginning. Don't beat yourself up when you feel like your day went wrong. We all have those days. Maybe you made the wrong choice or said something you shouldn't have. The best way to get over that is to admit what you've done, ask for forgiveness, take your mind off yourself and go be a blessing. In Lamentations 3:22-23 the Bible tells us how God's great love and compassions are new every morning. I don't know about you, but I am sure glad that it is!

Enjoy YOUR day everyone and remember to always walk in love and speak in peace.

Love,
Anita

In Loving Memory of Beverly Southam

12 years ago today, my husband Kevin, lost his Mom to cancer. When Kevin and I started dating, she was in remission from breast cancer. When Beverly and I first met, we immediately developed a friendship. Not long after Kevin and I were married and expecting a baby, the cancer had come back in her lungs, bones and brain. I was 8 mos. pregnant with Dalton when she called to tell Kevin that she received the report from the doctor and only had a few months to live. I can very clearly remember that evening in Feb'98. It was devastating as you can imagine.

Shortly after we heard the news, we went to visit Kevin's parents in Lebanon. There was a time during the visit when Kevin went outside with his dad, and it was just Beverly and I along with the neighbor lady sitting in the living room. I won't ever forget when Beverly came over to me and put her hand on my stomach for just a moment. She then turned around and sat back down on the sofa and said, "I don't want to go, but I'm ready to go. It's just with the baby...." She didn't say anymore after that. I knew she was thinking that she may not make it to see her new grandchild. On March 24, 1998 Dalton arrived and I am happy to say that she did get to see him and hold him. Dalton had to be in the NICU for a little while and we could only have 4 people on our visitor's list. We of course included Beverly. Due to her condition she was told not to walk long distances, but one day while coming back to the hospital to see Dalton, she had to park pretty far away in an overflow parking lot (this was before Women and Babies of Lancaster existed). Although she knew how far she had to go that didn't stop her! She walked as far as she possibly could before collapsing in the lobby. She was given a wheelchair and then she continued on to get to Dalton. I thank God for letting her see her grandson. An example of how caring and unselfish she was, she actually said that my brother could take her place on the list since she may not be able to come back to see Dalton again. I believe that would have been an extremely difficult decision for her to make especially since she knew her time with Dalton was limited and she was concerned for his medical condition. All she wanted was to make sure he came out of the NICU as a healthy baby. He did come out of the NICU healthy and strong on April 4, 1998. Beverly was made aware of this, and 3 days later she passed away at home. We were later told that one of the reasons she hung on so long was to make sure Dalton had a clean bill of health and was able to come home.

I wanted to honor Beverly's life today by writing about how amazing she was. She was a very determined, independent woman who loved her 4 children and grandchildren. I see that determination every time I look at my sister-in-law, Liz. Another thing I know for sure is that Beverly loved the Lord. I don't have the answers as to why she had to leave this earth so soon, but I do know that she is not gone from us forever. Her suffering is over and she is in Heaven where we will meet again.

Author unknown, "Christians don't die, they just say goodbye."

Love,
Anita

He is Risen!

What great news! Yesterday on Easter Sunday, I was thinking about how Jesus came to earth, sacrificed His life, and saved us from eternal condemnation. During that time I was reminded how Jesus "freely" gave His life. To freely give means that you give on purpose. Even though Jesus could have stopped what was happening to Him, He purposely didn't because He decided that we were worth it even though we were yet sinners. He saw what we could be and looked past the darkness we were displaying.

It's easy to give to those that are good to us, but I wonder how many of us "freely" give to that person who isn't very kind, or the person that we think doesn't deserve a blessing because they are always in trouble, or not going in the right direction we think they should be going in? The Bible tells us in Mark 2:17 that Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." It's those people that you need to say a kind word to or give a listening ear. They have been put in your path for a reason, and what you sow in their lives could be life changing. Don't look the other way when you see them in need, or ask how they are doing and walk away before you hear their answer. Make a difference by being the light in their lives. No matter what you think about them, they are God's creation and He loves them. We all have value and a purpose.

I hope you all had a Happy Easter! Remember to walk in love and speak in peace.

Love,
~Anita

We are more than conquerors!

The battle can be won no matter what you are facing today, or what you know you may be facing tomorrow. Romans 8:37 tell us that WE are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Being a conqueror means that you can overcome and win the battle you are in whether it's physical, emotional or spiritual.

I was reminded of this yesterday when I was thinking about how far I have come with the anxiety and panic that I used to suffer with. It was pretty bad and to the point where sitting in a restaurant, being at a social event, or going to the mall was a big deal. The fear of the panic attacks kept me home and the daily feeling of being anxious was awful. I began to explore the Word to find out what God had to say about being anxious and fearful, and it was there in the Word, that I found freedom. When I began to understand that I am what the Word says I am, I became a conqueror. That doesn't mean I don't deal with things, but it does mean that the paralyzing fear that kept me from enjoying my life is gone. Praise God!

Friends you may not deal with the whole anxiety/panic issues, but no matter what situation you are dealing with or facing, God is with you. Don't let stress and worry have the upper hand in your life. Remember that it's because of Christ who loved us enough to give His life for you and me, that we have the power to be conquerors in every obstacle that comes our way! Have a Happy Easter everyone and remember to always walk in love and speak in peace.

Love,
Anita

He is with us!

Isn't it a great thing to know that no matter where you are, what you do, or what you are going through, God is with you! I have always had a general sense of this, but I was pleasantly reminded of this last week during a pretty overwhelming time. It was going to be an incredibly busy week for me, and I remember waking up one morning thinking about all the things I needed to have done by the weeks end. I was mainly wondering how I will get everything done. As I laid in bed trying to figure this out, I could feel the tension starting to build on my shoulders. I guess somewhere in between the thoughts of "What am I going to do, and how will I do this?" I heard something. I heard birds singing. I immediately thought about one of my favorite verses. Matthew 6:26 reads, "Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they?" It was then that I realized that if God can take care of the birds and supply all of their needs, then He can do the same for me. It's such an awesome thing to know that no matter what is ahead, you are not alone. God can meet you right where you're at and He delights in doing so.

Have a great day everyone and remember to walk in love and speak in peace.

Love,
~Anita

BE A BLESSING!

It amazes me how our little acts of kindness to others, can make a huge impact in their lives. A few days ago my mom shared a really powerful story that reminded me of how important it is to be a blessing to all that come my way. My mom owns a gift shop in town and about a year ago, there was a lady that walked in and wanted to buy a pink hat. As this lady was looking at the item, she said to my mom that she normally doesn't wear hats, but she is soon going to need it. Mom could have easily ignored her, but instead she asked her why she would be needing it soon. This opened up the opportunity for this lady to explain that she had cancer and was going to start treatments, which would make her lose her hair. Filled with compassion for this woman, mom wouldn't allow her to pay for the hat and just gave it to her. The lady was so touched that a total stranger would do this for her. After speaking with mom for awhile, she left the store. Even though mom didn't know if she would ever see her again or ever know the turnout, she went home that day and prayed for this woman. She actually prayed for her several different times.

Well, about 5 days ago as mom was working a woman walked up to her and said, "Hi, honey do you remember me?" Mom didn't know who she was, so the lady said, "It's me, I was in your store a year ago and you gave me a free hat." Mom then knew exactly who she was. This lady was so excited to tell mom that she is now cancer free, and to show her that she has all of her beautiful hair back! She even pulled on her hair and said, "Look, it's mine." The main reason she came into the store was because she remembered mom's kindness to her. She told mom over and over again how she is her "guardian angel" and that she tells everyone how her "guardian angel" has been with her through her whole journey. She also said, "I remember when you told me that you would pray for me. I knew that you were because I could feel it." She then blew mom a kiss and left. What an amazing story!

It's so important to realize that being a blessing to someone doesn't have to be about money. Sometimes it's your smile, your time or in this case a listening ear and a $6 hat. The cool thing with blessings is that they don't only impact the person who receives the blessing, but it also changes the life of the person who gave it, when they see the difference they made. May God Bless you and keep showing you how to BE the difference.

Love,
Anita

ATTITUDE!

How it makes a difference in your life and in the world! I decided a little while back that I am not going to let the negative attitudes of others ruin any of my days. It’s so easy to let another person’s attitude affect your happiness. I can remember times I would start off my day in a happy mood and I would be thinking about different things I want to do or get involved in, and then something negative would come along and steal my joy. For example, every once in awhile at work I will take a call from a customer who is not very friendly, or there are times when a friend or family member may be in a bad mood and they call me up telling me how wrong everything is. Now if a friend wants to vent to me, fine. I am here to listen, and I love to be an encouragement; however, I realized that if I got too emotionally attached to the matter, I began to not only fuel their fire by speaking negatively with them, but I started one of my own inside. I started to notice that after hearing upsetting news from others, or speaking to the not so friendly customer on the phone, that I would immediately think, “Well they just took away my moment of happiness.” Truth is no one steals your happiness or your joy at any time unless you let them. Now I know it’s not always easy depending on the situation of course, and we all have emotions which we’re allowed; however, I began to understand that I can choose whether or not to react to those emotions.

I look at it like this, if I don’t have a responsibility in the matter then I don’t need to have or express my opinion, or carry a burden that is not mine. When a difficult person that you interact with at the grocery store, mall, work, etc. comes your way and they are acting up, just let them be them. Don’t take part in their bitter and brokenness because first, there is a reason they are that way, and second, by you treating them the same way how is your light shining? Actually your kindness will sow a seed in their lives, which is far better for them and you, instead of petty words that are worthless in the end. I can tell you that when you hold your tongue, even when it’s difficult, you will look back at the end of the day, thankful, that you kept the right attitude. Furthermore, we can make a decision that our happiness is not dependent upon other people and their mood for the day. It’s our decision as to whether we are going to keep our joy and for how long.

One of my favorite quotes by Helen Keller is, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.”

Have a great day everyone!

~Anita

New Post!

Hello everyone,

This is my first post on my new blog. I have been wanting to do this for a long time, and am glad to have finally started. Can't promise how frequently I will post, but it is my goal to post as much as possible. As you all know, life can be pretty busy at times, but I am determined to find a healthy balance.

Ever have one of those days where it seems more went wrong then right? I hear you loud and clear. Today I was reminded that even though everything in my day wasn't perfect, I can still choose to reflect on the positive things that happened. My light will still shine and a smile will be upon my face whether sharing it with a friend or a stranger. I believe it is so important, no matter how small, to always focus on the good things that happen in our daily walk. The negative always leads us astray and takes the focus away from the good things we have now, and what could be.

~Anita