What kind of impact will you make on others?

Oct. 19-23, 2017

My Step daughter took me to Georgetown hospital to get the MRI. as a baseline for next yeas follow-up appointment.  I met the technician who was from Ethiopia.  He told me he worked at Georgetown Hospital for 7-8 hours and then went to work at his full-time job at another hospital.  I asked him what was the drive, that caused him to do that.  He said he sends his money home to family in Ethiopia for their schooling.  He was about to have a baby and wanted the Mother to be able stay home with the baby, to bond with her after the baby was born.  He looked like he was about 30 years old and seemed to really appreciate the opportunity to work.  WOW!

I enjoyed visiting with my Step Daughter.  She had just returned from a visit with her son and his wife in Virginia Beach.  They are also with child, and excited about being new parents for the first time, in March.  They are in a Christian parenting class to prepare. 

She also returned from a Women's retreat that she helped to organize.  She said it was awesome and God blessed in amazing ways.

Parking spots are hard to find, especially free ones, but we got a spot, on the street, right outside the entrance!  Praise the Lord!

Oct 20, 2017

 I came back and went to pick up my Hostess's Mother from her Son's house and brought her here.  Then I picked up Sarah, my Hostess from dialysis and brought her back here.  Then I went to my Church to help decorate for a "Pink" banquet they were having on Saturday.  It was a banquet to celebrate the more than 60 Breast Cancer Survivors in the Church.  Wow!  It was amazing to see what was planned.  I worked from 5:30 to 9 PM and they were not finished when I left.  There must have been at least 50 volunteers working like bees to set the place up for a sit down luncheon for over 600 attendees.  I can't wait to see pictures!  Pink drapes in swags, hanging from the ceiling, with lighted chrystal beads cascading down at intervals throughout the hall.  pink spotlights lit up the walls from the floor to the ceiling every 20 feet.  At the entrance was a pink carpet with pink feather boas, draped on each side, leading into the hall.  The center pieces for the tables were pink rose balls about a foot in diameter with chrystals hanging in the center of a 3 foot tall crystal vase.  Awesome!  I didn't see everything as it was not all set up when I left.

Saturday Oct 21, 2017

I went to Waldorf to pick up 2 Shaklee orders that I had shipped there.  Then I came back to pick up Sarah and her Mom from the house and we went to lunch at the Silver Diner.  It is a nice place that has organic food. 

Sunday Oct 22, 2017

I went to church and as soon as I got to my seat, I was presented with a bouquet of flowers in a gift bag by my newest adopted Grandson.  Wow, was that unexpected and so special.  He is so special!  After church, he introduced me to his Father, who I had seen, but not met before.  I invited him to lunch but he was spending the day with his parents, so he couldn't go. I ended up spending a delightful day with Tyrone, another Grandson.  We went back to the Chart House, where I went with Kevin and his Mom, last Sunday.

It was a spectacular day, sunny, warm, with a nice breeze.  We found a free parking spot in Old Alexandria, and walked a bit to the restaurant. Had a wonderful meal outside overlooking the Alexandria Harbor, watching sail boats and the water taxies come and go.  We walked toward the Torpedo Factory (An old Torpedo factory from WWII that has been converted into Artist studios).  On the way were street entertainers.  One we stopped to watch was a thin young man that was double-jointed.  He actually threaded his body through a tennis racket (without strings), it was amazing.  We then strolled around the waterside in the park and then drove to Mt Vernon, just to see where it was.  It was a nice scenic drive.  All in all, a wonderful day!

Oct 23, 2017

Today I took Sarah's Mom to a Memorial Service of a friend of mine, and member of the Church who went home to Jesus at age 86.  She was such a remarkable Woman.  She in a very short time became a "Mother" in the Church, so loving and such an example.  She also gave "Grammy whammies"!

Every time I go to a Service, Celebrating a life, I reflect on how I want my Service to be.  I want my life to make an impact, a difference, cause someone else to maximize their life because of my example.  Our Bishop said at the service, "Are we following her example?  An example is only good, if we follow it."  

How we live our lives, from now on will impact others...how do we want that impact to be?

Tomorrow I plan to take Sarah's Mom back to Pennsylvania.  She has stayed in "my suite" since Friday and I slept on the wonderful couch in the room next door, we shared a bathroom.  She is such a joy and so full of life, I love her!

Are you ready for growth and change?

October 12-18, 2017

Once again I have neglected to keep you up to date with the happenings, Oh, well, here goes.

Oct 14, 2017

I was invited to a Wedding of two remarkable young people.  The bride is the daughter of one of the Ministers at my Church and the Groom is a long-time Member.  They presented themselves to God and each other, Holy and Chaste.  It is so common at our Church to attend Weddings like that, but I realize that in the World, it isn't like that.  It was a beautiful wedding and reception.  Instead of a toast, the Bride's parents presented a "Marriage formula of success", presenting phrases that every successful Marriage should include.  I didn't have my note pad, but some of them I remember.

"I'm sorry", "Please forgive me", "I love you", "Let's pray about that together".  It was well done and well received.

After the Wedding, I was abel to spend some fellowship time with my Grandson.

Sunday, Oct 15, 2017

Went to Church and heard another awesome message.  God is putting the Church in position for what He will do next.  He is growing us up Spiritually so that our relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ is stable, settled and unshakable, and that we can hear from God for ourselves and know what His plan is for our lives. 

After Church, I had planned to take one of the Retiring Pastors from Cincinnati to lunch but they weren't at Church .  I ask one of my adopted daughters and her 38 year old son (my Grandson), if they wanted to go to lunch.  They did, we did and it was wonderful.  We went to the Chart House in Alexandria, Va. right on the water.  We could watch the water taxies, and boats come and go.  There were two wedding receptions there, one on a boat, so it was fun to watch.  But the greatest thing was the fellowship.  I had not been able to spend much time with them before and we are knitted together more closely than ever.  They are incredible and God is not finished with us.  

Oct 16, 2017

I had a follow-up appointment with a Doctor at the liver center in Georgetown Hospital.  I had blood work done and a check up to see how I was doing.  The Doctor said she specialized in the Liver, because usually liver issues made very sick people and she wanted to make a difference.  She also said I was probably the healthiest patient she had ever seen.  All my blood work was good, and I am to have an MRI on Thursday to use as a base line for next year's check-up.

Oct 26, 2017

I drove my Hostess to Pennsylvania to pick up her 86 year old Mom and bring her back to the area for a week.  Her Mom has two Son's she will be visiting with.  I was so impressed with her, she worked her way from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane and can navigate steps without a problem.  We left at 9:30 AM and got back at 6 PM, after stopping for lunch at Timbuktu for crab cakes.   We arrived back with just enough time to get ready for Bible Study.  Bible Study was actually the opening session of the Pastors Conference of our Church.  All of the Pastors from all over the world were there and I got to greet most of them.  It was good to see those that I stayed with and visited their Churches on my journeys.

The direction that God has for us, as a Church, is becoming clearer.  The Episcopal Pastor gave us a charge and shared how important we all are in the plan of God.  He talked about how down through the Bible, God had a plan for each dispensation of time.  He has a dispensation for each of our lives to do His will.  It is already planned out, we must be sensitive to it, not be distracted by the things that distract us and move when it is time to move.  Growth doesn't happen unless change takes place, are we ready for change and growth?

I sat by a young man I had not met before, although he had been at our Church for eight years.  I asked him if he needed a Grandma, and that, I was up for adoption, he said YES!  He was so excited because he didn't have a Grandma.  We connected and exchanged information and it was official!

What would you have done in my place?

Oct 1-Oct 12, 2017

I guess I don't have to report everything in my life, but I have been doing a lot of self examination and self development in order to be the best that I can be as a Christian, a Mother/Grandma, a Friend, a Leader, an Example and an Influence.  I want so much, to make a difference to others in my lifetime.  I want others to know the peace, comfort and Joy that a close intimate relationship with Jesus brings.  I also want others to know that this World's system doesn't work, only Gods system works and it always has and always will and that Love never fails.

Oct 6, 2017

Meeting of "Grandson", Bertrand at Aldi's, this is his version that he placed on facebook.

So, I'm in Aldi's GROCERY (Waldorf) and this nice lady ( looking like Paula Dean) says to me, "I know that look" you go ahead of me because you are a man with a plan and I don't want to get in the way (jokingly). I actually went in for 2 food items to cook for Ashley Adams, so the lady was right, I had a plan.lol! 

She began to talk to me and asked the cashier if he knew Jesus? And he didn't claim it but explained he was raised in a Christian home. The lady didn't like his answer but I respected his answer and shine some light on the subject. The lady then turned to me and asked if I would help her pick up the heavy water bottles and Of course I did and the cashier was like cool he got you ma'am. I did more than just handled her water, I did all the groceries. My motto in life and still is, was to help any mother or daughter without expecting anything in return in hope that if my mom (R.I.P) or sisters Tammy Lee Cassie Spann Miller would ever need help some young man would and not expect anything in return. I truly believe you get back what you put out... I say and share all this to say, the lady asked if she could adopt me as her Grandson and I was amazed with a smile on my face because she made my day when I was only trying to make her day. She sent me this text today:

***Hi Grandson, Thank you so much for helping me with my groceries yesterday. You are so special. Our meeting was not accidental.  God has something in mind. We will just have to play it out. I have a question for you. (Grandma's  can ask, it's a rule I made up 

Q. On a scale of one to ten, what is your stress level?  Are you trusting God for/with everything?  You don't have to respond to me, I don't think the Q. was from me.

Unless you want it otherwise, you are officially adopted (I have you in my phone and my life.♥ 🏼 

Grandma Swann.

PS. thanks again for your help.

Oct. 9, 2017

In my pursuit of a better me, I have made some discoveries.

1.  I don't "let sleeping dogs lie".

          One of the meanings of this saying is: " let well enough alone" .

          Many of my friends and my many "Children" and "Grandchildren",      already know that about me.  I don't believe in "well enough" is good enough when excellent and reaching our full potential is better.  God   has made us in His image and His likeness and so our potential is

          far beyond what we have accepted as "well enough".  We have set our          limiting beliefs, and our boundaries, our possibilities, based on       how   we were raised, our experiences and how we perceive things. But    while it seems true to us, and what we believe, we act on, it is not           God's truth about us.  Psalms 139:14, "I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well."  We are like fleas in a jar:

         

          Put fleas n a jar with a lid on it, they jump and hit their heads so many      times that, finially, they figure out that if they don't jump quite as high,     they won't bump their heads.  You can then take the lid off the jar,          they have limitless freedom BUT, they don't jump out!

How about you? What is your "lid" in your mind,  that limits yoiu?

2.  You "can't teach an old dog new tricks."

          I am here to tell you, an old "dog" can learn new things!  That is          a limiting belief that stops us "old" folks from continuing to use        our brains, skills, talents and wisdom, just because we have an "old folks" excuse not to do what we can do, because we are        "retired" and we don't have to, any more.  NONSENSE! Do you          think an intellegent God would store up all this stuff over the          years, in us "old folks" to waste it on retirement?

          OK,OK enough ranting for now, but I do want to share this with you.

I have had a cold/flu for a week (over it now) but had scheduled a Zoom meeting (Computer video conferencing presentation) for last Tuesday at 4 PM.  Since it was a new thing for me and I was in charge of it, I had studied, listened to tutorials etc. to be prepared.  I woke up that morning, feeling like(not so good) but "The show must go on".  I did a "dry run" with Sallie at 1 PM to test everything to make sure it worked, it did, but I still felt bad and was coughing.  The miracle was, that at 3:55 PM, I felt great. I did the Meeting although their was no one at the meeting.  I  thought I had recorded it (NOT) and right after I finished the last word, and turned the meeting off, I had a coughing spell. 

          Sallie had called me on my phone while I was doing the presentation, to tell me she had tried to get on the meeting  but couldn't.  I was in the middle of the presentation so I couldn't talk to her, but I put the phone on speaker, so she would know, and she  could listen.  Well, she was the only one who heard me.  I had committed an operator error and gave out the wrong connection number for the meeting, when I sent the invitations!

 What would you have done in my place?

I could have:

                   1.  Cancelled the meeting because I had the flu. (Given up)

                   2.  Given up, or not done my best, during the presentation,                            because no one was attending. (Compromised my standards based on others perceived response)

                   3.   Got hurt and angry because no one "cared enough" to in the meeting. (Assume something, and take it personally)

                   4.  Got upset at the Zoom people because their                                   instructions were unclear. (Blame someone else)

We all have choices as to how we perceive and handle situations.  I believe that with every "failure", there is an opportunity.  And our assumptions are usually wrong, and there is usually another way of looking at it.

                  

          The opportunity:

                   1.  I learned to trust God, even when it appears as if it will                                        not work, (the flu), if you know you are doing the right thing, (In God's will) it will always work to your good.(If you love God and are called according to His purpose

                   2.  I learned how to not make the same mistakes again.

                   3.  I got a more thorough training by experience.

                   4.  I learned that following instructions work!

                   5.  I learned to take responsibility for my mistakes and not                                       blame others.

                   6. I learned that how things turn out immediately does not                                        determine the real outcome, that is to come.

How is your life, on a scale of 1-10?

Sept 29, 2017

Saturday, Sept 23, I attended an outreach training at my Church, which was awesome!  My hostess went with me and she enjoyed it too.  I was reminded that our Ministry, as Christians, is Reconciliation.  That is reconciling others to God, by Christ Jesus.  I learned that our lives should be the example to draw others to Jesus.  That our unconditional love should be the motivation for our encounters and that the Word of God, used appropriately will plant seeds.  Sometimes we plant, sometimes we water, but God gives the increase in His season, in His time.  One thing every Christian believer should know, is the sinners prayer, so that we can lead others to Jesus when they are ready.  If we have eternal life, we should share it with others.  We are God's plan to spread the gospel!  We share other things with people, why not Jesus? 

Example of a Sinners prayer: Romans 10:9

"Dear Lord, I am sorry for my sins, I believe in my heart, that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for my sins, and rose from the dead, so that I may be saved.  Thank you Lord Jesus, for saving me and giving me eternal life.  In Jesus name, Amen."

Sunday, Sept 24th

I attended Church today, it was great to see my church family again.

I am feeling great!  Still no pain, no medications and no issues.  I am moving well but not overdoing as I know I am still healing from the surgery.  I went to church Sunday and had a wonderful lunch at Ruby Tuesday's, with a Rev. and his wife at the church. We had a good fellowship.  I then took my "Grandson's" little girls back to their Grandparents house after they attended church with him.

Monday, Sept 25th

I got the oil changes in my car and they vacuumed and washed the windows which was badly needed. The "Hum" that I got for my car (that tells me what is wrong with it) has let me know that I need the catalytic converter needs replacing but my mechanic said it could wait, 

Tuesday-Wed, Sept 26th-27th

Still feeling great.

Thursday, Sept 28th

My car (CRV) hood latch was broken since this Spring and I went to the "Used Parts" store to get another one.  This Spring they couldn't find one but now they found one and I got it installed.  I could close tthe hood but it wouldn't go all the way down until now.  It cost me $79 for the part and $60 to have it installed.  Not bad for peace of mind and knowing that the hood won't fly up, when I am going lickety-split down the road.

Later, I went to TGIF Friday's, where my Step Granddaughter is the manager to have dinner.  It was good and Vegan, except I succumbed to

an Oreo Cookie Ice Cream desert.  I asked if I could have a candle on it adn if he could sing Happy Birthday to me.  Well, he said they didn't have a candle and he couldn't sing the Happy Birthday song because it was copyrighted.  WHAT?!  So much for justifying my desert.  I ate it anyway, unjustified!

Friday, Sept 29

My Step daughter took me out for my Birthday dinner to a Japanese Restaurant.  We had a great time fellowshipping. 

Saturday, Sept 30

THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE!

I received a call from Eric Worre's Coaching team.  I had signed up last year for a 45 minute Coaching call, as a part of a promotion they had, and now, which is the perfect timing, they called.  WOW!  I now know my next assignment!

Sometimes in life we just go along, go along, go along and suddenly, something happens to make us aware of where we are, what we know, our value, our purpose, our dreams, our possibilities, how we can impact others, God's plan for our lives.  It usually begins with the awareness that we already possess what we need.  We already have the seeds of greatness in us, it is usually not perfected yet.  Just like most of us are born with the ability to walk.  With patience and perseverance and strength, we eventually actualize what was in us all along.  WE CAN DO THIS! 

We often spend (waste) a lot of time, energy and strength comparing ourselves to others, looking at the past, (and judging our future based on it), trusting our "feelings" (which always change), and not trusting God, (who never changes).  We don't trust the Holy Spirit to be our helper and we make a royal mess of our lives, trying to do it ourselves.  THAT CAN CHANGE!

OK, that was the "Grammy Whammy" of the day!!

Getting back to the Coaching call.  I was asked a series of questions that made me realize that I already had the answers.  The Word of God has it all, the answer to every question, every challenge, every issue in our life,  We just need to trust it and walk in it. 

Here were some of the questions I am asking based on their questions.

On a scale of 1-10, (10 being the greatest level)

1.  How would you rate your relationships? _____

2.  How would you rate your level of peace?_____

3.  How would you rate your level of financial balance?_____

4.  How would you rate the level of love you give to others?_____

5.  Rate your level of Contentment?_____ Comfort?____ and Joy?____

6.  How would you rate your level of sacrifice for others?______

7.  How would you rate your level of giving to others?______

8.  How would you rate your time spent helping others?______

9   How would you rate your forgiveness level?______

10.How would you rate your level of gratitude?______

11.What is your level of real productivity?____

12.How would you rate your stress level?_____

13.How would you rate your level of fear?______

14.How would you rate your level of worry?_____

15.How close are you to your goals?____desires?___purpose?_____

16.How satisfied are you with what you are doing?____

17.How would you rate yourself, as a good example to others?_____

18.How well do you control your thoughts?______

19. Rate your level of mental stability_______

20. Rate your physical health._______

Essay questions:

A.  What would you desire to accomplish in your lifetime?

B.  What would you desire to accomplish in the next 10 years?

C.  What are you doing NOW that will make it happen?

D.  What are your hindrances, obstacles, barriers, that keep you from moving ahead?

You can print this out and fill it out for your own personal benefit. 

To be continued...