Was She An Angel?

Today at church our pastor made a statement. He said, the word of God holds power, and when we tell people about.. say.. like the day we were saved those words still hold the power of God in them. The very thing that drew us to God, can still draw someone else to him. So instantly it came to my mind about the day that I got saved and how it all happened.

I was about 13 yr. Old when it happened. I was going to a church with some friends of mine and their mom played piano and lord could that lady make that piano sing. And I had been going to church with them for some time. Now, I don’t know how I knew there was more to God all my life, I just knew that I knew and that I had to find it. Well, my friends and their mom invited me to a revival that their grandparents was having up in El Dorado, Arkansas. And my mom said I could go. It was going to be several days, and it was my first ever revival to go to. Now, I wasn’t sure what was supposed to happen, but I was so excited and I just knew something exciting was going to happen.

Well, we arrive at their grandparent’s home and that night we got ready and went to the revival. It was being held in a community center type building with stage and all. So when we arrived, there were many other people and teens there. And I was having fun just meeting everyone. There were young and old, middle age and babies.. just all walks of life there. But, not long after I got there, their was this much older lady.. gray hair and she wore those old heavy knit dresses. Now, this was back in the 70’s so many of the older ladies wore stuff like that. But, this lady began to talk to me.

Now, me being a teen, I wanted to socialize with all the other kids, but this one lady kept finding me wherever I would go. I would go to the bathroom and she was there, I would walk around other teens and she would be there right behind me and she would ask, are you going to get saved tonight? I looked at her and said… I don’t know, I love the Lord, but I just didn’t know if I was that night or not. No matter where I went, she was there.

Now after 2 days of this, I’m like, why is this lady following me around? Who is she, what does she want from me? Why is she always there no matter where I turn.. I asked my friends and they would just say.. I don’t know who she is. but somehow I could just feel her around me.. and poof.. there she would be.. right over my shoulder and asking me.. Are you going to get saved tonight? And I would look at her again and say.. I don’t know.

This went on for several days and on the last night of the revival as I listened to the pastor.. God was dealing with me. He was the whole time, but I just had to process it all. And at the end of service, I said Yes Lord, I will accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. And I jumped up and took off to the front. Now, back then when you gave your heart to the lord, they would take you to a room and talk to you, and then pray for you and lead you in the sinners prayer. Well, when I done this I was so excited. Such a joy filled me and all I could do was beam with this wonderful new feeling. Such excitement filled my heart. Well, when I came out from the back I began looking for that lady.

I looked all over the building, I searched the ladies room, I looked outside, and I asked my friends.. hey, where did that gray haired lady go? And they looked at me and said.. what gray haired lady? I said, you know.. that lady that followed me all over the place for the last 4 days. And they looked at me in amazement and said, we didn’t see any gray haired lady.. I said you had too, she was the lady that followed me all over the place, you know that lady who wore that gray dress… with short gray hair. She’s the one that kept asking me, Are you going to get saved tonight? You had to see her, she’s the one I kept asking you about. She stood right here with us? But still they insisted they didn’t know who I was talking about.

Well, I wanted to find her and say.. I did it.. I accepted Jesus tonight.. and I wanted to share my joy with her.. but I never did find her. One minute she was there and the next gone.

Now, over the years I would ponder on this. But one day it hit me.. could God have sent an angel just for me? no one knew her, no one I was with said they seen here.. but yet, every place I went, she was there. And the very second I wanted to rush to her and say.. I did It, I did it.. she was gone.

For me, I say she was. I think God loved me so much, and wanted me so bad, and wanted to change my life that he sent an angel just for me. One who would keep pointing me in the direction that he wanted me to go. One that would stand by me until he knew that I was were I was supposed to be, and that was in the arms of the Lord.

For me, that gray haired lady, in that gray knit dress, was and always will be an angel

Have you seen your angel?

Before, After and Before

**BEFORE **

Strange title I know, but this is a multi purpose post.. so let's start out with the first before. Here in this picture you see me in the "Before" as in, before I gained weight. No fat face, or extra chin haha...back when I was slim and trim and long hair. Ok, that takes care of the first "Before" now to the after part of my story.. and one of my multi purposes for this post.

**AFTER/BEFORE**

As many of you know, this week was my birthday, and for my birthday my sister wanted to treat me to a "Just Patty Day".. She had been praying and asking God what should she do for me, and he told her.. just do for her. Give her a makeover, she needs it, she needs some pick me up and I want to bless her.. So that's what my sister did. She set it up for me to get my hair done, a facial and take me shopping. And I have to say, for me it was hard to receive. I can give much better than I can receive.. but we went and got my hair done, my facial and a new set of clothes. We had a wonderful day and to tell the truth, I told my sister, I don't know what to say other than thank you, and I began to cry in the store.. It touched my heart so that God wanted to bless just me, and used my sister to do it. It was an over-whelming feeling.

But as you can see, I have gained weight, that extra chin haha.. but now with short hair. (and yes, I have had short hair before) and this brings me to my "Before, After and BEFORE

This is now my new Before pic because after looking at myself and seeing how much I have gained, I plan on loosing weight haha.. so this is me BEFORE haha. I am going to go back to the slim person (or as close as I can get) that I once was. I felt better, had more energy and my clothes fit better haha.. so This is me now, but by summer, I'll be a different person.

I'm not planning on any crash diets, or fads, just back to basic good eating, not eating after 5 pm. and back to my walking and exercise. And when summer rolls around, I'll take a new AFTER picture haha.. and post that..

So now, you see me Before, After and Before!

And to my sister, I love you very much and thank God for the blessing you gave me for my birthday and for the fact that you listened to the lord and followed his will!!

Sisters Forever!

Where Did The Time Go?

Where or where did the time go?? She has gone from my curly headed little girl to a young lady and the time has just flew by.

My baby is growing up and today was her very first Valentine date. Yes, that is her guy friend haha.. brad and he is just so nice. So very polite and caring. He treats Jessie like a lady.

Today she went to the movies with Bradly and his mom and dad, and then out to eat. I know she had so much fun and was a bit nervous at first about it.

I just wish I could slow time down and keep her little and with me forever but I know that's not going to happen haha.. I miss the little tiny hands patting my face, giving me kisses and hugging my neck.. but I know as she grows older and we get past that.. mom doesn't know anything stage.. we'll be good friends.

I just stand in amazement at how she's growing and hope and pray all the time that I'm teaching her the very best I can and creating a beautiful young woman.

Happy Valentines Day to Jessie and Bradly.

Love,

Mom

What An Awesome Birthday!

Well, as some of you know, my birthday was Tuesday.. feb. 10th. and I turned 47 yr old!!! Oh man, where did the time go?! Seems just like yesterday I was hitting 20, then 30, then 40 and now bumping that 50 mark! Only thing is, my mind never thinks I am hahaha..

But I had an awesome day... started out with everyone wishing me happy birthday that morning, then my mom and dad came over and brought me a cheese cake!! awesome!! haha.. and got some money too haha.. then, later that day I needed to go to town, so my oldest daughter says... I'll take you, I said ok.. let's go.

So off we go.. and she proceeds to tell me, oh by the way, you have an appointment at 2 pm., I'm like, "what appointment?" She proceeds to tell me, and I'm like OOHHH NOOO haha.. I'm looking at her going.. I didn't shave my legs and I have holes in my socks LOL. So we run through Wal-Mart real quick and I grab razors and stuff, and dry shave my legs in Wal-Mart restroom hahaha.. got my self ready and head off to my appointment.

Now, this was my first ever real professional massage! and all I can say is it's AWESOME!
I was in sheer heaven. One of the best birthday presents I have ever had haha..

Now, I wasn't expecting much at all, cause money is tight, and we have things to take care of, but hubby wanted to treat me. And believe it or not, hubby didn't even tell me about it. He and my daughter set it up for me! Now is that a surprise or what? haha All I could think about while laying there was, thank you god, thank you!

Now to some this may not seem like much, but for me, it was more than I can say. I stay so tense most of the time, and have so much going on that I never seem to just relax and for me, it was just ME time.. time that I could let my mind rest and let go.. and for that one hour I let ME rest and that felt so good.

So to my hubby, I say thank you for the most awesome gift he has ever given me!!
And to God who set one hour aside just for me!
Thank YOU!

A Tuff Time Is A Blessing

I know my SIL loosing his job has been a test for them. But they trust God and know that he's taking care of them. He's watching out for their every need.

But for me, it's been a blessing. Sometimes I think God done this just for me. Strange I know, but at times looking around, I see him blessing me through this.

For some time I had health issues and unable to get many things done that I wanted and needed to do. Things that need to be fixed, or cleaned out.. work done in my yard. So I would just have to do what I could and let the rest go. Well, after awhile it would get to me. Seeing everything and knowing that it had gotten to large for me to do. I would just say.. ok Lord, you're gonna have to help me with this.. cause it's more than I can handle. And he has.

Since Melissa and Brian have been here, they have helped me so much on getting things organized, moved around, cleaning out our old travel trailer and getting it ready to have hauled off. Brian has done work in the yard that I had a hard time doing like trimming trees, bushes, and such. He woke up one morning and said God talked to him about idle hands and from that point on he's been working so hard.

There have been so many things that they have helped me with. When I set here and look around, it just touches my heart. It's like getting your life back again. Things that seem so over whelming to me, things I thought would take forever.. are now dwindling away. A huge weight has been lifted off me.

I am just so amazed at how God works, how he can take a time like this and turn it into such a blessing. I know that God will bless them for this. I know he will continue to take care of them and I believe when God is finished here, Brian's new job will fall right into place. But in the mean time, I am thanking God for blessing me, for helping me like he has.. See, God cares about all those things in our lives. God knows what a weight it has been on me, and he wanted to take that off me... and I thank him for that.

So no matter what the enemy has thrown at us, God has taken it and turned it to good. And all I can say is..
Thank You Lord!

I Needed To See.

Ok, many people don’t even know that at times I struggle with fears. As I’m sure most of us do. But at times they try to hit me pretty hard. And the last few weeks It’s tried to break me down.

For several years I suffered from sever acid reflux and other stomach troubles. And with this come many pains and pains in the chest. And at times can make you feel like your going to die. And trust me, at that point you start praying and praying hard. With all this, it had begun working on me… or should say the enemy was working on me… and at times it can cause panic attacks. And those are no fun too.

Every one that knows me knows I am a born again Christian, that I love the lord and do my very best for him. So with this said, how can I, a child of god have these fears? Fears that have been tormenting me day and night. Fears that can grab me so hard and cause sheer panic in me? And to top that off, my family and friends diden't even know it most of the time. I never say anything.. I just get up and walk around the house a lot, or keep my mind busy on the computer setting here thinking, and most of all praying. How can I, Gods child; have this? It has been a struggle in my mind and spirit. Asking God all the time, Lord, what is wrong with me? I’m yours; I shouldn’t even be feeling this way. I of all people should know better? I’m speaking your word, I’m praying, I’m doing all that I know to do… so why?

As I began reading a book the other day.. “Curing the Incurable – How to receive healing in hopeless situations” forward by R.W. Shambach, book by Jack Coe. God showed me some things. There are 5 keys to healing in the book, but what God began to reveal to my heart was this… he said.. you know how you set and see yourself sick? You know how you see yourself afraid to even go to town alone, or even go into the bathroom without your cell phone when home alone?… god said, you see these things in your minds eye.. You see the fear, you see things happening to you… you SEE the bad but pray for the Good.. and I had to stop in my tracks and say…. Oh lord, you are right!! I SEE these things in my mind. Oh Lord, I am so sorry! I felt so bad. Why? Because I’m always telling others.. you have to SEE what God is doing in YOUR life.. and here I was not even seeing my own!! It sadden my heart to the point of crying.

God said, Patty… remember your favorite verse in the bible? The one you named Jessie after? I said, yes.. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen… He said, Patty… say this with me.. NOW, Faith is the substance of THINGS HOPED FOR!!… and I did, and he said… what do you hope for? What you HOPE for, you SEE. When you set and dream of things.. you see them in your minds eye… your heart.. you see yourself going places that you dream of, or buying something you would love to own.. you see yourself driving that new car, or spending your life with that one you love.. you SEE these things… you HOPE these things. And God said…….. Patty….. SEE yourself healed.. see yourself with NO Fear.. see yourself doing and going where I send you.. SEE yourself the way you pray. I said…Oh Lord, I understand… I must SEE myself as YOU say I am!!

Well, all I could do was cry.. and I began to speak out.. Lord, your word says… now FAITH is the substance of things HOPE FOR.. And with my heart, my minds eye… I HOPE, I SEE myself healed.. I see myself going each day with NO FEAR, I SEE myself walking again with JOY, no pain, no fear, I SEE myself doing the work that you set me here for!! Thank you Lord, that I Can SEE.. I SEE what I HOPE for!!

I have been doing this every day now, and when those fears, those panic attacks, that pain comes, when the enemy says.. you’ll never be better, you’ll never go and be normal again, you’ll always feel this way… I say NO, my God says HOPE, SEE… and I SEE ALL that He has for me, and I walk in that! I no longer SEE what you are trying to show me, I SEE what MY God says I am!! I SEE it in Jesus Name!!

What happens when we do this.. God has made a way of escape for me, he has set me free from the chains that try to hold me back.. He makes the enemy flee from me. And Gives me hope!!

What do you SEE in your life? What pictures play over and over in your minds eye? Do you see endless doom and gloom? Never having enough? Always being sick? always fallings short? Well stop… and say NO, this is what I SEE, and begin to say it out loud and cause the enemy to flee from your life. And walk where God wants you to walk.

Why did I poor my heart out here? Why did I put myself out there for all to see? Why did I show a side that know one sees? Because God is using me to be a witness to all, and that means that I’m walking where HE wants me too and that those fears have no hold on me!

Open your heart today and begin to SEE!

Oh what to write..

well, so much has been going on here the past few weeks, not sure where to begin haha
but I'll give it a shot.

First, my oldest daughter and SIL are staying with us for awhile. My SIL lost his job that he has had for 6 years or so.. it was a blow, but we have been knowing that change was coming. How? well.. God had been revealing things to us and showing us things were about to change.

They come and stay with us and I love when they are here. Seeing they live 2 hr. away from me, and I would much rather keep them close to me haha.. it's a mother thing haha. But we know everything will turn out just fine because we know God has his hand on their lives. We have a lot of fun when all of us are together and it just makes me feel complete having them here.

Second, Jessie has a new guy-friend haha.. I know, she's 13 and boys are starting to really look at her. This is her second guy-friend in her life LOL.. now you would have to know jessie. She's not one for drama at all. If all the girls are having the normal girl drama things going on.. she just walks off haha.. and she doesn't like all the boy friend - girl friend dram too. She's kinda like me, talk to me normal, tell me straight up front and don't play games haha. Now, can she be a dram queen when she wants....... oh yes, you bet!! Don't get her started.. and hubby knows just how to push those buttons haha. but as for others drama.. she's not into that. But, back to the new guy-friend... he's so nice and polite and loves going to church with us. She's walking on cloud nine! haha.. and so am I, being I ALWAYS pray for christian friends, boyfriends and husbands for my daughters. So yes, I'm pretty happy! Next time he's over i'll get a pic of them and post.

As for me, I have been busy working on a new website, getting that ready and up on the net. I feel better now that I have that done. Just have to work on tweaking it some, but I like it. haha..

Plus I had to make a trip to the doctor Tuesday.. I know my shoulder and back is healed, but I had to go ahead and keep my appointment cause they were taking me as a new patient and didn't want to miss out getting set in there haha.. but they checked me out, and gave me stuff for swelling.. so I feel better now.

So life around here has been pretty normal with the things that keep you busy like, cleaning, cooking, running, kids, husband, church and all that stuff... not to much of that - things that make you go hmmm....? well, I have had a few haha.. and will take time soon to write about that haha.. but for today, it's just a normal day at the Dooley's home haha.. and to tell the truth.. It feels good.

So for me, I just wish you a blessed day and pray that your life is just as normal as ours.
ohhh and if you want to check out my new site.. you can haha it's http://www.21naturalhealthcds.com/

Patty

I Feel So Much Better!

Well, as most didn't even know, I had been having problems with my left shoulder, arm, neck and chest. Some time ago I had a muscle pop in my shoulder blade and man..if felt like someone took a rubber band and just hit me.

Well, I went to the doctor about a year ago.. they gave me some meds and I took a few. Now, I'm not real big on taking any meds if I can get away with it. I try more natural ways when I can... well.. the last few months it has steady gotten worse. So much so that I couldn't turn my head, I had to turn my whole body.. and the last month or so has been real bad. So I had started taking the meds cause of the pain.

Well, last Friday I called into our local radio station at the prayer hour. It's hosted by my pastor.. so I called in and told him, Pastor Ben, this time it's me that needs prayer.. so we prayed. I was still in pain, but I knew God was healing me.

Well, Monday night I went to Monday Night Prayer and they asked who needs prayer.. well, I ran down from my sound board and said.. me, me! haha.. Pastor Ben said ok patty, we'll pray for you again at the end of service.

Well, I took my keyboard downstairs and left it in the sound with Bonnie and I sat with my hubby in the back. While setting there I was in so much pain and couldn't set still. So at the end of service, Pastor Ben said.. patty, come up here and we're going to pray. So I got up and went.

He called me and another member and we both stood there.. he began to laugh.. and kept saying, ok, this is strange.. but I'm gonna do it.. and kept asking me, are you ready?? I'm like...well yes haha. So he says, raise your hands to the lord, and I did, and I closed my eyes praying. Well, the next thing I know Pastor Ben was putting a bear hug on me, picked me up and jerked me and set me back down! haha

Well, I couldn't do anything but laugh! LOL.. I thought I was going to roll on the floor laughing haha.. I sat back down by Pastor Tammie, (his wife) and we, as the whole church was just laughing. hahaha We have never seen Pastor Ben do anything like that hahaha.. and then it hit me, Oh God, I hope he didn't himself picking me up that way.. and I'm still just laughing haha

Well, about 10 min. later I'm setting there and I realized that I had NO Pain!! My shoulder wasn't burning, my neck wasn't hurting, I could move my shoulder.. it was AWESOME!! And to this day all I have is like bruised muscles.. but getting better. I have been able to get up and do what I need to do, drive to town with no pain and it's wonderful!!

But every time I think about it, I still laugh.. it was so funny but truly amazing at how God works to heal us. All I can say is...

Thank you Lord for healing me
and
Thank you Pastor Ben for doing what God tells you to do!!

Always let God do what he wants in your life, you never know how he will do it.. but he will!

Blessings,
Patty

What's My New Years Resolution For 2009?

Ok, so I have been asked, what’s your New Year’s resolution? And to tell the truth, I didn’t have one. Now I had been thinking about it, but nothing just jumped out at me. I had tried them all in the past.. loosing weight, staying In shape, get organized and so on. But each year life would get in and have a way of changing everything I said I would do.

So, as I stood on the porch today I said.. God, what do I need to do this year?
I want these things In my life,
Health
Prosperity
Wisdom
Peace
Favor
And god said; “Trust in me with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge me, and I will direct your paths”

where does this come from? Proverbs 3: 5-6

As I read through Proverbs 3, God began to show me all the things he has for me.

If I keep his commands on my heart he will give me long life and peace he will add to me.

If I did not forsake mercy and truth but write them on my heart I would find favor with God and man

If I was not wise in my own eyes and fear the Lord and depart from evil, it would be health to my flesh and strength to my bones.

If I honored god with all my possessions and with my Firstfruits of ALL my increase, my barns would be filled with plenty and my vats would over flow with new wine.

As it goes on in Proverbs 3, God tells me how much he wants for me.. what he says I can have if I will only acknowledge HIM in All that I do.

I find that I want things different this year; I want more of what He wants for me, and not just what I want for myself. I want to Be, Do and Have ALL that God says I can Have, BE and Do. So for me, I have to say when people ask me.. What’s your New Years resolution? I have to say.. well, I, myself have tried in the past to set my own resolutions but this year I would rather do what God wants me to do.. So this year my New Years Resolution is...

I will trust in the lord with all my heart, and lean not to my own understanding. I will acknowledge Him in all that I do and HE will direct my paths. With Him I can’t go wrong.

All I have to do each day when I get up is say.. Lord, I give you this day.. I acknowledge that You are LORD over me and my life.. and in you today Lord, YOU will direct my paths. You will direct my life, you will direct my business, you will direct my family, you will direct my health, my peace, my joy.. In you will I trust.

So in 2009 I know it will hold the BEST that God has for me and no other resolution I could ever make could ever compare with that.

Proverbs 3: 1- 35