31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Scared

The word prompt for day eleven of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Scared.

"GO..." 

Even the word for today scared me!

Some words come easy to write about. Some take me back to where my journey with Jesus began, Some take me back to a time I was scared to death. So, of course, it would be challenging to write about it. 

It's scary when something happens, especially as a child, you have no idea how to deal with it or make it go away. I was so young and did what any child would do, sought out comfort. Only the adults she would turn to didn't believe her. They would tell her she didn't know what she was talking about, didn't feel what she had, or seen that the touching wasn't inappropriate. You're over-reacting and not to speak of it again. 

After a few years, actions like that were becoming a usual way of life. Everything began to feel like a lie, even what I was taught about Jesus.

I began to rebel. 

Everything I had felt during a time I loved worshipping Him as an innocent young child was taken away by the power of Satan. At one point, he even said, "The devil made me do it!" Seriously!

Instead of feeling God's love like I used to during those years, this devil twisted everything around. And it scared me to know I would never be able to trust my earthly father ever again!

As long as I can remember, prayers were always being said daily by my mother. While in her bedroom, she would read the Bible and spend time with God. I often wondered what she was saying to Him.

Until I became a mother, did I truly understand the power of a mother's love? She was protecting us in the only way she knew how. Her faith would someday become my first stepping stone toward the life I have today.

I realized it scared me more not to have God's love flow through me...

"STOP!"

...and I remained silent long enough.

It took years for me to be able to open up about that time. I soon felt the gift of the Holy Spirit I had received as a teen, and it was still inside me, and it began shinning again. 

The journey continues... 

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

31-Days of Five-Minutes Free Writes Challenge ~ Join

No. 4014 - The Big Boy

The word prompt for day eleven of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Join.

"GO..."

Since a little girl, I have been fascinated with trains. My Godfather worked for Southern Pacific for fifty years, maybe more. I remember he would come home very dirty, but I never really asked him about his job back then. At an aunt's house in Vallejo, train tracks ran past her backyard. I remember while visiting the rumbling of the ground as I stood by the fence watching it chug by. 

We took our children to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento when they were young, earning their Junior Engineer Badge. Other train journeys included the Sonoma Traintown Railroad, a few times and then again when our daughter became a parent. Watching our grandchildren experience something our kids had was such a blessing. Hubby and I have also been on the Napa Valley Wine Train a few times, the most recent being for our 40th Anniversary on the day of our first date forty-three years earlier. Along our journey, I have captured so many trains along the way. Our bucket list even has a few more train adventures that we hope to take as well.

When I put together our first ever family reunion back in 2005, for my mom's side of the family, some of us met up at the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City, CA. My mom's brother's family shared their memories...

"STOP!"

...of when their dad worked for the rail as well.  My aunt had a great time sharing her stories as much as I loved hearing them. I also learned other ancestors were a part of the railways as well. I had no idea, it was like trains were in some of our blood.  

I recently learned that the 4014 Big Boy was coming through town. I instantly joined this FaceBook group for daily, even hourly reports of its were about. The photos shared have me so excited!

Next week, I plan to join other enthusiasts as it rolls into town. The Experience The Union Pacific Rail Car won't be available, but the opportunity to get some phots will be. 

Wednesday's Grandma Day is going to be a blast. I'm picking the youngest "Grand" up at 7:00 AM to watch it depart. I'm so excited to share this experience with him. 

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Gather

The word prompt for day eight of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Gather.

"GO..."

A day I will never forget!

Cousins who had only met once before, with other children on the beach, came together to dig and gather sand crabs. 

It all began with an adult in our group showing the youngest grand what can be found in the sand along this beachfront. When his cousin arrived, he loved being the older person, showing him what he had learned. For the rest of the day, these two kept digging, getting excited when one became the biggest they had found, or when a shovel full had found multiples. When other kids came over to see what they were so excited about, they shared the knowledge with the new friends. 

Even if for just this day, these six children gathered together, creating memories they will never forget and will more than likely share this day later in life.

Seeds were planted that will grow as they do, that...

"For where there are two or three gathered in my name, there I am among them."

(Matthew 18:20)

They had no clue He was with them, not yet, but someday they will.

For me, as I gazed upon their playing, my heart became so full, and I knew He was among us! 

"STOP!"

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

Simple Women's Daybook ~ October

For this month, October 2019...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window...the cooler weather we patiently wait for is here!

Let the outdoor project begin, while others are completed. 

31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Same

The word prompt for day seven of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...Same.

"GO..."

There are times our journeys might appear the same, simply because we have annual trips to the same places. Though the roads might be the same, the route along them might not be. One time the drive north to visit family and friends might include action along the highways, nasty weather, or construction and detours. Then other times, the same roads are clear, the scenery colorful, and the drive can be ever so pleasant. 

Other trips, like to the races, are consistently the same. Same with the doctors that include driving the same way. We usually have the same stops for stops. Yes, it can be boring driving through the desert, where the scenery is almost always the same. Weather can break up the repetitiveness sometimes. Hubby comments ofter how a self-driving car would be nice on those trips. I remind him that taking a nap wouldn't be an option!

Over the last couple of years, there were adventures to places we hadn't been in a long time, to some we have never been. Regardless, some things do stay the same. Like the hundreds of photos I take, what is packed in our ice-chest, the tunes we listen to, and places we prefer to eat along the way. 

I guess we have just become set in our ways, where the same things are comforting or expected. Next year, we are going outside the same boundaries and taking our first ever cruise. There will be nothing the same about this trip. 

We have never been to Alaska!

"STOP!"

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.

31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes Challenge ~ Notice

The word prompt for day six of the 31-Days of Five-Minute Free Writes...NOTICE.

"GO..."

I tend to notice just about everything! 

I love God's hand in our world. I love it when the sun rises and sunsets. The hummingbirds that fly around my home. The grandchildren that fill my heart. The wildflowers that spread across a field. An old barn in a field. Ocean waves. The rainbows after storms and the ones made by the prisms in my window.

I love capturing as much of it as I can!

I also notice our world of today. More and more, it reminds me of the Babylon era. Where kingdoms rose and fell as God had said they would. Only now, those kingdoms are worldwide! The kings then, who lived lavishly upon the works of the people, are now some of the most prominent CEOs of the world today. 

Will their kingdoms fall as well?

Did anyone notice what was happening around them before Babylon fell? Were they blinded by all the bobbles and festivities? 

I loved the Bible Study I did a while back with Beth Moore's, Daniel. I walked away, wanting to be a Daniel. 

If there is someone like him today, I wonder what dreams God would be showing our kings for him to solve? Who would he pick to go into the lion's den of today? 

God is faithful to keep his word, even when it’s a warning! He continues to warn us. 

Who is listening? 

Would anyone notice? 

I am. I would.

"STOP!"

For October, I'm participating in Kate's 31 Days of Five-Minute Free Writes. I will be sharing our journey through life, one day at a time using the prompts provided.