Sara Evans - A Little Bit Stronger

Every Storm (Runs out of Rain); Gary Allan [ON-SCREEN LYRICS]

Love this....
 .

Stand Beside Me-Jo Dee Messina Lyrics

This is my song right now along with a couple others I will post in a few...... :)

Pink - Just Give Me a Reason LYRICS

Thompson Square - Glass

getting real

I have always been an upbeat happy person but the last two years have taken a toll on me and my family.  The last four months have been the worst I have ever experienced yet. I have never really experienced real depression or understood it but I believe have been experiencing it. I have been doing a lot of thinking  in the last year I have made some mistakes and some of those have been do to denial and depression. trying to fill a void. I'm not making excuses but coming to a conclusion that I need to to something. I need to do it for me, my family and my relationship. It is really hard and overwhelming to make the changes I want to make because I limited and powerless by my circumstances. Don't know really where to even begin. All I know is that if I am going to get out of this it is up me and fight to do so.
  I refuse to give up. I found a site gives a test to gauge where you are you are in terms of depression:
http://www.depressedtest.com/
 Also this sites gives some different therapies.


http://www.livestrong.com/article/107080-different-types-therapy-depression/

It times for me to live up to my favorite saying and take a stand:

Gun control?

I have been seeing a lot of posts about gun control on face book A lot for and even more against. While I believe that we have the right bear arms, I also believe that guns don't kill people. It is acts and decisions of people to kill. I understand there are moments of self defense and accidents do happen but for the moment it happens it is decision none the less. I am for protecting yourself but with that comes responsibility.  I think that for the most part gun owners are responsible and those who own and register them are responsible. the whole gun control issue is the government scrambling to push an agenda in response to the tragedy in Connecticut.  Responsible gun owners are the ones being punished out of the deal. i don't understand why the guns are the focus and not the regulations of whom is and how to be licensed and maybe give harsher laws on those who violate the regulations. Increase education and awareness.  The statistics are there but the problem is people don't look to really find them and believe the media as is.  I posted the picture above just cause of the statement it makes. The 60 minutes on 4-7-13 talks about some of these points. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50144358n

Relationships

   I have been through a lot since my divorce and I have learned a lot about myself and what is important.  Most of all I have learned that the things I thought were important are not.  The things we take for granted are the same things we should cherish. At the moment I am missing my kids and all the moments I should be having. I have made mistakes and and realize the true relationships in your life will look past them and lift you up while being brutally honest and hold your hand through those times that are good and not so pretty. The superficial will fade away and run at the first moment of trouble. As of right now I am with someone that I truly care about and even though we are going through a rough time and I'm not sure we are gonna work it out I am in it for real and want more than anything to take those things that I  need to work on and honestly give it my all. I don't want to take anything for granted and give everything I have so that in the end I know I gave it my all. It is also interesting to me how we have turned our relationships into a media based superficial platform and communicate through the computer or text. I understand they are tools and with our bust lives it is easy to get caught up in the this form of communication but I also think that we have to make an effort to make real connections in our relationships. Although I do admit I am just as guilty as the next person in this area, I also am realizing that I am taking certain things for granted and making an effort to take time for the people and relationships that mean the most to me.

Beautiful life!!!!

So love my girls... they are growing up way too fast.......

So many changes........

I had debated about talking about the recent happenings in my family but I feel like can share some things In hopes to heal and maybe help someone else. Our lives have become ever so complicated to the point that Terry and I have gone our separate ways and even though I did not make the choice it does hurt and the kids hurt even more. I don't understand but even more I feel like God must have something in the works, new lessons, adventures, a new refined heart. I am being ever so careful not to give personal details in the reasons why and i don't ever want to further scars or cause hurt or make accusations in this format because it would dishonoring to God and everyone involved and completely inappropriate. I do however want to be an encouragement to others and share the lessons and hopes that are found as I go through this new chapter in life with my beautiful family.

I heard this on the radio the other day and found it to be quite encouraging especially in late of my life as it now and will be in the future..........

The pencil Maker taught the pencil 5 important lessons:

1. Everything you do will always leave a mark

2. But you can always correct the mistakes you make

3. What is important is what is inside you

4. In life you will undergo painful sharpening which will make you a better pencil

5. To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the Hand that holds you.

powerful prayer

Children

Lord, You have said in Your Word that whatever we ask in Your name, You will do it. I pray that You will break the barrier in between me and my children. Grant me the skills and ability to communicate, to teach, and to nurture children. I pray that they will love to listen to Your Word and believes in Your truth and Your purpose in their life. Increase my faith to believe that You will establish all my prayers concerning my children.

God's Promise

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:13-14

was taken from my pocket prayer app on my ipod..

wow its beeen awhile.

Wow I cant believe I have been so neglectful on here again. Lots has happened in the last few months, not all has been good but I feel like God must have something big for me because I have a whole lot of learning and of heart refining going on at the moment. I am doing a lot of reexamining of my life and I am making them both forcibly and out of necessity.

I'm still going to school and i am taking a philosophy class, and with that i am actually enjoying it.
One thing that has resignated with me and it kind of goes with how i have bee feeling.

"The unexamined life is not worth living" Socrates

I have had a lot of questions lately this class is actually helping......Yea God!!

Praise....

If you have noticed the Believing God for section on my blog then you have seen that have been for a new job for Terry. I am happy to say that we can remove that because he has a new job. Thank You Jesus!!!!!!!

plain and simple

Scripture Tuesday

I my devotion today I was challenged to say I trust you Jesus before every situation. wow that is a challenge but what a an awesome faith builder....

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight

Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

1 john 2:6

new outlook....

God has been dealing with me about several things and Sunday p. Jim and every preacher I turned to on tv said pretty much the same things. One of the biggest areas that are screaming at me right now is the phrase out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks....... I have been very emotional and angry ask me why I don't know why and seems to come in like a flood and overtake me to the point i have to go by myself and cool off. I have been taken inventory of my day to day activities, what i listen to what i watch who i talk to even. I find myself feeling weak in my walk and then condemnation sets in. I have even been having my only personal pity party. Here are the ridiculous thoughts that have come over me, i am too fat to do anything, I should find another church cuz no one really wants me there and i am one those that everyone just tolerates anyway, I am not wanted or needed, I have failed as a mom because of somes behavior issues, my marriage will never be like those of my church members, crazy right............ after week or so of all that i was reminded that if i do not take my thoughts captive this is the result. If we live in negativity then guess we will be negative speak negative and every situation will be negative and hopeless. We need to live in an intentional positive and hopeful way then everything we endeavor will be happy positive and hopeful. This is why it is important to put God in every aspect of your life....
I posted my new years resolution earlier but it was the result in the above.

James 1:19 ¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Psalm 139:23 ²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Proverbs 4:4
Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.

beautiful.....

I just saw this posted facebook and it touched my heart. I have several loved ones who are expecting and i think of those out there that are faced with a decision. If you read this or see this elsewhere please know that God loves you and life is so precious.

Here is they caption that was posted by the picture:

A picture began circulating in November. It should be "The Picture of
the Year,"...... or perhaps, "Picture of the Decade." It won't be. In fact,
unless you obtained a copy of the U.S. paper which published it, you
probably would never have seen it.

The picture is that of a
21-week-old unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being
operated on by surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagnosed with
spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother's womb.
Little Samuel's mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta.
She knew of Dr. Bruner's remarkable surgical procedure. Practicing at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, he performs these
special operations while the baby is still in the womb.

During
the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a
small incision to operate on the baby. As Dr. Bruner completed the
surgery on Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed
hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon's finger. Dr.
Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was
the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during
the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile.

The
photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity. The editors
titled the picture, "Hand of Hope." The text explaining the picture
begins, "The tiny hand of 21-week-old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas
emerges from the mother's uterus to grasp the finger of Dr. Joseph
Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life."

Little
Samuel's mother said they "wept for days" when they saw the picture. She
said, "The photo reminds us pregnancy isn't about disability or an
illness, it's about a little person" Samuel was born in perfect health,
the operation 100 percent successful. Now see the actual picture, and it
is awesome...incredible....and hey, pass it on! The world needs to see
this one See More time.......

resolution 2011

Resolution 2011: Take the Love God. Love His People and the love to serve him beyond anything we could dream think or imagine. Live purposely and intentionally in every action deed and word spoken. Lift up and speak life into every situation. Be grateful in every endeavor whether cleaning toilets or doing the dishes.
53 minutes ago ·

spoken right to me....

I got this Daily Devotional called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Oh my everyday i read it I just melt because it ministers so much to me.
Here is today's:Rest in the deep assurance of My unfailing love. Let your body,mind, and spirit relax in My Presence. Release in My care anything that is troubling you, so that you can focus your full attention on Me.Be awed by the vast dimensions of My Love for you; wider,longer,higher and deeperthan anything that you know. Rejoice that this marvelous Love is yours forever!
The best response to this glorious gift is a life steeped in thankfulness. Every time you thank Me, you acknowledge that I am your Lord and Provider. This is the proper stance for a child of God: receiving with thanksgiving. Bring Me the sacrifice of gratitude, and watch to see how much I bless you.
-------Sarah Young

Good to Remember...

Love Never Fails....
Joy Cometh...
Peace Rules....
Patience Waits....
Kindness Tenders...
Goodness Does...
Faith Fights......
Gentleness Bows...
Self Control Stops.......
.......adapted From Beth Moore

updates....

Ok here i go again neglecting the blog i keep saying i am going to keep up.....well i guess i will just blame it on priorities. There are a lot of things going on but not all i can say on this blog because of the nature of the issues. What I can tell you is that The McDonnell Family is going through a season of financial hardship and God is teaching and refining our hearts. This is difficult but so exciting to see how He is teaching us and the blessing that will be on the other side will be amazing. I personally am learning how to balance and say no even though my heart breaks sometimes to do it. I also have had the opportunity to volunteer at a agency in downtown Flint that serves the homeless and close to homeless. Wow what a blessing it is to serve and to have my eyes opened to a ministry i never really thought about. I have taken so much for granted and even in hard times i am so blessed!!!! I am also going to school still and loving well except for the writing papers part lol

Can't Smile Without You- this just makes me laugh....

family fun idea

This is a special savings for the Veggie Tales Live show coming to Detroit on 11/9 from 4 the 1 Ministries & Michigan Christian Events. In addition I encourage people to also "friend" these two on facebook because we will be having ticket giveaways to these shows soon.
Here's the show info:
Veggie Tales Live "Sing Yourself Silly"
The event will entertain with larger than life characters and WOW moments that guarantee fun for the whole family!
Grace Community Church - Detroit
21001 Moross Rd
November 9th, Shows at 11 AM, 2 PM & 6 PM
SAVE $3 PER TICKETS BY USING CODE: veggies4the1 when you checkout at www.itickets.com.
More info at: www.bigidea.com/live OR on Facebook- VeggieTales LIVE

Please feel free to repost

quote for the day.................

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.”
~george iles