When your heart is heavy and you cannot find words to express your feelings, what do you do?
Praying
Last night, a tornado destroyed a small town outside of where I was born. I was on the phone with my dad as the tornado sirens were going off. Minor damage was done to our town; however, the little town of Silver City – mostly rural, population around 200 – is basically gone.
Y’all, I watched it all play out on Facebook. People were begging for help. So many families were trapped under debris. Some couldn’t find family members. One young lady posted that her dad was running out of oxygen. Talk about devastating!
The saddest part is there aren’t any medical facilities nearby. Several years ago, the local hospital closed leaving the rural communities in that area without access to medical care and emergency services. Then, last year one of the largest hospitals in that area closed. Last night local nurses, first responders (significantly understaffed) and community members pooled resources together to provide assistance.
This morning, I am praying for everyone in pain– physically and/or mentally. Lord, we need Your help.🙏🏽
That was one of the quotes under today’s Facebook memories. As usual, I’m in tears (always emotional).
Several blogs ago, I mentioned that it had dawned on me that I am actually living in my dreams. That, in my 20s, I was too naive to recognize it and took so many opportunities for granted. Do y’all know I could have traveled all of Europe at the drop of a hat and didn’t because 1) I did not want to be there, 2) I didn’t want to travel alone (my boyfriend didn’t want to go anywhere) and 3) I always believed I would have other opportunities. Just reminiscing about how I so carelessly disregarded my blessings and opportunities makes me cringe. I had the world in my hands and didn’t even recognize it. Y’all, I had been given what I asked for – to work for an international company and travel the world – and because it did not come the way I envisioned, I blew it off.
Side Note: So I saw myself at the United Nations. Even saw myself in the Peace Corp. But I never ever considered that the Air Force would provide some of the same experiences. I mean, two weeks after basic training I was in Germany. When I tell you God will give you what you ask for! Whew! It was just a little too much. (Laughing)
Okay… Back to my story.
I will say that my life changed after I found out I was pregnant. It was the strangest feeling (I can still feel it now). It was like the blinders fell off and everything was new. By then, I only had a little over two months left in Germany. I booked two weekend tours – one was a tour along the Rhein River and the other was a tour of the Black Forest. I so vividly remember holding my stomach, which was still flat as a rock, and saying, “Now I have someone to travel with.” And I did.
Wish I could say that after I left Germany I readily embraced my blessings and opportunities, but I would be lying. Three years later, almost to the date, God dropped me in Turkey for two years. One of my dreams was to visit the Mediterranean region. And I was there! Receipts of how God works in my life.
Well, while I was in Germany, there were weekly tours to Cyprus and Greece, but I never went. Sadly, I was placed right there in the area – only a few hours away – and still did not go!! Y’all, I was there two whole years and made up excuses of why I couldn’t go. I did travel to a few places in Turkey, though. However, I didn’t take advantage of all of those opportunities either. I was near most places I had read about in the Bible and acted like it was a common thing to be so close. UGH!!
Okay…
I’m seeing a pattern here…
“Aha” moments all over the place!
I hate that it has taken me so long to recognize I am absolutely blessed. No, nothing has ever happened the way I imagined, but it has and is happening right before my very eyes. This time, I’m living in it!! I’m taking it all in. I will admit, I have missed some great opportunities, but it’s okay. Just like God dropped me in Turkey, He’ll send more opportunities and blessings. However, THIS TIME I’m embracing EVERYTHING!
I am actually living in my dreams! Blessed♥️
Y’all, this is all I have for you today. I pray you are living in your dreams. One way to know is to block out all distractions… you know, the worries, lack of, and negative energy… and only focus on the precious things you have (opportunities, health, family, love, etc.). Are you living in your dreams? I bet you are!
Hold on. God is working. He’s already set things in motion. Listen, you cannot afford to give up now.♥️ ~ Shaun
Don’t give up. It’s already yours.
It’s been two years since I took my amazing leap of faith. Truthfully, I have zero regrets. However, I have found myself at a crossroads. I’m at a point where part of me wants to go back to what’s familiar, to what is safe and comfortable; while the other part wants to ride this thing out and see where it takes me. I keep hearing, “Hold on,” and “You are sooo close.” But reality is staring me in the face saying, “Girl, get your head out the clouds! Try again later when you’re better equipped.”
It’s a lot.
I feel like if I do not see this thing through, I will always turn back when things get hard. I know God’s got me. This is just one of those hurdles I have to face.
Embrace where you are at this current moment. No, it’s not where you are meant to stay. It’s where you need to be for a specific purpose as well as for growth. Find out what you can glean from this experience.♥️ ~ Shaun
Stand still and take it all in.
There are so many things I’m still perplexed about after so many years. I’m finally learning that I do not have to have all of the answers right now. That it’s okay not knowing it all or seeing the full picture. My job right now is to make the best of where I am and be of service to others. I also understand that my current experiences are fuel for growth. Yes, I’m learning.
On another note:
I tweeted last night during the season finale of one of my favorite shows, Tyler Perry’s The Oval. It felt so good to tweet again. However, my experience wasn’t the same as before. Y’all, it was better! You see, I used to tweet to make sure the show trended. Not sure why I felt it was my responsibility to do that, but I did. Crazy, huh?! This time it was about chatting and enjoying conversations with fellow watchers.
Tonight, I have another season finale to watch, Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Now y’all know this one’s my favorite! No, I’m not going to tweet during this one. I have found my place and space for chatting in our We Are Sistas group. Don’t have to worry about trends, numbers, etc. It’s my happy space on Sistas Wednesdays. By the way, that guy Aaron – the accountant/preacher – has a few skeletons in his closet, and I love it! He was just a tad bit too clean… too nice… too perfect. With that being said, I do believe people can change, and maybe he has; but, you can’t tell me he’s been squeaky clean his entire life. There had to be some drama at some point in his life. Ain’t nobody that perfect!
Anyhoo… Let me get my day started. Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday and a fabulous rest of the week.
It’s Shaun’s World 
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