If you are waiting for a sign, this is it!

Signs are everywhere, they are there for our protection and as reminders. I have a collection of signs at home that serve as reminders to me of things that I believe. I often forget things that I shouldn't and when I place signs around my home I am reminded of what is important to me.

                    

There are also spiritual signs that I receive daily to remind me that the divine Spirit is watching over me. At times I get caught up in worry, or fear and I am reminded that although some things may be in my control most things are not. It is a big, big world out there with tons of factors that play roles in our lives. I didn't always see the signs, even when they were staring me right in the face. When we don't heed the signs to be careful or pay attention to the people and things in our lives, there is a greater likelihood of things taking a turn for the worse. I have learned as I have grown to pay attention to the signs. I pay attention to the signs when there is difficulty in relationships. I pay attention to physical signs that there may be something going on with my body, and I do my best to pay attention to those that I love to see the signs that they are doing okay or they are not. 

As the saying goes, "hindsight is 20/20" meaning when you look back, the signs were probably there,  but there was something keeping you from seeing them. 

Heavenly Spirit,
Thank you for eyes to see, ears to hear
and an open heart to welcome the signs
you place in my life every day,
signs of your gracious love
Amen

May the signs of peace and love from all that is Holy fill your world today and always

Kristyn

Today I would like to remind you that when something doesn't seem quite right, it probably isn't. And when you think you are seeing or feeling a sign, don't ignore it. That is Spirits way of nudging you, that little voice in your head that works to guide you. I have started looking and listening more so that I don't have to look back with regret. 

Luke I am your father.......

The "lighter" side

Everyone in life has "that person" that lives on the dark side and tries to lure you over to join them. (My era) Star Wars, Darth Vader was was that guy. He tries to convince Luke of all the advantages of turning to a life of evil winning over good. He claims to care about his well being although all he really wants is Luke's power. Most of us spend at least a portion of our lives trying to figure out how good we have to be. The inner struggles we face at times can be overwhelming. It is not always easy to take the higher ground. Often, It's a lot easier to go down or stay down  than it is to try to climb back up. Today I am asking you to choose the light side instead of giving in to the dark side. 

The view from higher ground is usually much more enticing than the view from the bottom. You deserve the light, we all do. 

                          

 Photo compliments of Bert's Star Wars album

May the force be with you,

Kristyn

What is my faith? and an invitation to all

The prayers that I and my family hold up for all of you is nondenominational in the sense that I believe that when you send positive messages out to the universe they are heard by the universal God of love. My faith and beliefs are in Jesus Christ and the God of love who sent Him to this life first, as a baby, a reminder of new life and hope. Secondly, to be a teacher of what true love looks like, to show us the ultimate sacrifice of earthly death that was made in this life so that our life will be eternal. Finally, to send out the very spirit of true love into our lives until the end of time. For those of you who don't know Him, it is my prayer that when you finish reading this you will have a better understanding of why I love the divine spirit of God, and Jesus, the Son, who loves me and you just the way we are.

I believe that Jesus was born to teach us all how to love unconditionally and to be a living example of the golden rule; do unto others as you would have others do unto you.  I would like to add that do unto others also means do unto yourself. At times when we fall short and we ALL fall short it is not only in situations that involve others, it is often times in how we treat ourselves. Many of us spend so much time beating ourselves up and feeling unworthy that we do not need anyone else to, we do enough damage on our own. I say again, by the grace of God, I am loved and forgiven always, and so are you. Jesus understands that we are going to fall down, He does not expect perfection, he very simply wants us to look at who we are, what we say, do, don't say, and don't do, and try again. Just don't give up, He has certainly never given up on us. Jesus spent his life spreading love and compassion for all, his love was not simply for the folks that were his followers, He spent his time, and taught his disciples to not only love the people who chose to follow Him but to seek out those whom others would have seen as "unclean", or not good enough. This is the Son of the God of Love and compassion. One of the songs we sing at my church is Awesome God, the main verse in this song is; our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above with wisdom power and love. THIS, is the God whom I sing my praises to, the one who gave up their only Son so that we would all have forgiveness and live eternally in the comfort of the kingdom. The one who knows us better than we know ourselves, the one who wants us to succeed and be happy in this world and beyond.

Grace, is another priceless gift that God, through Jesus gives us. Favor, good will, kindness, love, mercifulness, charity and forgiveness are the words that you will find in the dictionary when you look up grace. Grace is not given because it has been earned, grace is intended for all people, including those that have not necessarily earned it at all, which is all of us. When I fall down, which is often, I know that God's Holy Spirit is hovering right over me with arms outstretched saying take my hand, I will help you up, always.

                 

The Bible and its teaching are way more complicated than this; as a child, I did not have religion, yet I did have faith. As an adult I found the love Of God, through Jesus and have done my best to share that love with others throughout my life because how could I not? This love that says you are special, you are worthy, I love you unconditionally forever and for always. This is the love we all deserve or don't necessarily deserve but the love we receive anyhow. My God loves me and my God loves all of you, all that is asked is to believe and no matter how many times you fall down, please, get back up. How could I not believe, how could you?

This is why I believe what I do, however I am certain there are many of you reading this that share these same types of beliefs, only in the form of a different higher power. That is because the similarities in faiths that honor love and compassion have very similar "golden rules". I am certain that there are many of you who share a belief in Jesus and yet do not see Him the way I do, that is the beauty of faith, it can be and is a little different for everyone. This is why I believe what I believe and yet I am able to believe that what you believe is just as important and true, (be on the look out for that post).

Here's the disclaimer part; There is WAY more to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that I am still learning about, however for now, knowing this God by love and grace will get me by as I continue to grow in my faith. God is God, is God; one God showing love, compassion, and support to all people, period.

This Sunday, June 26th at 9:00am, I will be offering our SOS message to my congregation. My church is Grace (Yes, Grace) Lutheran on 222 Farmington Ave. In Plainville, CT. We will be holding up all who are affected by this disease in thought and prayer and I want to extend a personal invitation for you to join us. You do not have to have any understanding of Christianity to attend, simply a desire to enjoy a time filled with uplifting  messages through word, song, and fellowship with the God of love and healing. We welcome everyone always!

Hope to see you there; until then and for always, I will be holding each and every one of you in my heart and soul, lifting you up in prayer for a lifetime and beyond filled with peace and comfort

God Bless,
Kristyn

A message of hope from my sister who is working her recovery, with a little help from my mom

This Tattoo is from the book Hope For The Flowers, by,  Trina Paulus. I read this book sitting next to Grammy (my husband Todd's mother) minutes before she left this world to travel to the next to join Todd, Hank, her husband and all of her loved ones that passed before her.

 I knew this book was special as its message was unique to all that read it. I passed this book along to my children because I was so moved by it.  For me, because my daughter struggles with addiction  it meant there was hope for her recovery and I wouldn't lose her to this disease as so many have.  After one time in a recovery program she and I decided to get a tattoo to commemorate her recovery.  We decided on this tattoo of a caterpillar and butterfly from the book. I thought that she had made it. I was wrong; three times again in programs I wondered if it would ever get better. This last time she entered a program all I could do is pray this time would be different. She is now living in a sober house and just recently got her first job on her own. I am very proud of her. Her first day on the job this is what happened in her words.

So this guy came in and ordered a bagel and coffee, sat down and ate his meal. At one point he got up to refill his coffee but the half and half was empty so I went over and took the container from him and brought it back. Then it was time for me to go on my 30 minute break so I went outside for a few minutes and went to go back inside and he was standing outside in front of the store and he was like, "can I see your tattoo?" So I showed him and he said,"what would you say if I said I saw that in my dream last night?" I just kinda laughed and said ok. Then he was like,"I don't know what your faith is or anything but it's a message from the lord, and its specifically for you. He wants me to tell you aren't alone and that things will be ok and what you are going through right now is just a stepping stone he has bigger plans for you and I think you know that." And I kinda stood there and said ok...... I can only imagine what my face looked like at this point and he just continued to say God wants me to know that I have an angel watching over me and if anything ever happens in life that I can just pray and God will help me through it and just remember all of this is only a stepping stone, you were meant for so much more.  Then he said he knows it's a lot to take in and shook my hand then asked if he could say a prayer for me and he did and then said it was nice to meet me, told me to have a good day and God bless then I went back to work.

When she told me her story I cried because  I believe in angels and visits from loved ones that have passed. I have had them.  I truly believe my daughter has angels watching over her.

This is what she experienced I hope it gives hope to someone who needs to believe it can get better.

Dear Ben, Happy Father's Day.......

Dear Ben,

Happy Father's Day, Today the kids and I visited your final resting place. Although you are with us all the time in our hearts and we each have a little bit of you to have and to hold; it is the place for generations to come, to visit and remember you. Last year on father’s day I was very sad, I had a hard time finding joy knowing that Lin would not have the chance to meet you and that Cam might have a hard time remembering you. I could not have been more wrong. Lincoln was born as the sun rose and there was a bird that appeared right outside the window as Grammie and Uncle Matt took a photo (We all knew instantly that you would never miss his birth). That precious little man was a gift from God and we are certain you knew him before he arrived here. From the moment Lincoln was born he’s been smiling, he watches over Hill’s shoulder and smiles as if he is looking at someone and Hill gets chills in that spot; again, you. On YOUR birthday, Cam woke up and said happy birthday, that it was his birthday and that you told him that.  Cam does like for everything to be about him ;) such a little cutie pie! I know you think I talk too much so I will keep this short. Today when we visited the cemetery, we left you a couple treats and said a prayer just as a butterfly flew by, which we all figured was a message from you. We were in a circle and it flew right through us, we laughed at how obvious and then a dragonfly landed on the grass next to your stone. We all said, “okay we get it” We all miss you terribly and that never changes; however, you are still here. You are still a part of our lives in one way or another every day and I know I can speak for all of us that we take comfort and have hope for the future because you and Hill gave us those incredible boys (who by the way look so much like you) to have, to hold, to love and to watch over from this life while you watch over all of us from above. Happy Father’s Day to a super dad, until we meet again.

                     

With love always,

Kristyn-Nena

My rainbow SOS

This is my Stone of Support created by Annie ❤️🌈

Why rainbows? remembering our LGBTQ friends

Rainbows represent many different things. For me rainbows are a symbol of hope because they generally appear after a storm and they are beautiful because they are inclusive of all colors which shows unity.

I started this prayer chain offering support to people who may feel disconnected and alone that they would have a safe place to be reminded that in fact they are not. Since the anniversary of Ben's leaving this life, sharing the first post and delivering the first stones; the outpouring of support for the messages of love and healing has been seen and shared by thousands of folks out in world, yes world. There have been many folks in other countries that have viewed and shared these messages. I share these numbers with you today to remind each and every one of you that you are indeed not alone and it remains my hope and prayer to continue to share these messages and images with all of you.

All I have asked is that if you are able to please share your own prayers of peace and comfort with those that we remember in our hearts to increase our chain of support.

Back to rainbows; rainbows are also a symbol of the LGBTQ community and the representation of beauty and love for all people without  bias. Our friends in this community of folks have often been the victims of the same lack of kindness from others because of stigmas that have been laid on them in part due to the lack of knowledge and the preconceived notions of people who have different lives from our own.

I believe all people are exactly how they were intended to be by the Divine Spirit that created and watches over our world. It is not our place to judge, and sometimes even to understand; however it is our responsibility to show acceptance, love and compassion to all.

Today I am asking that those within our family of support reach out with offerings of love, peace, and healing to those within the LGBTQ family. Remind them that they are not alone and we stand with them as a family of people who want compassion, equality and kindness for all. I will not focus on recent tragic events, which gives those that choose to hurt others more power; I will only focus on the love and beauty of those that we have lost, been hurt and those that love them.
Please give more energy to loving than to those that choose not to, and pray that their hearts be softened to a place of greater understanding.

Please understand I am in no way comparing addiction to a persons choice of who they choose to share their lives with, I am merely making the connection that both families of folks are often treated as if they are less than other people because of who they are.

                             

True beauty is a kaleidoscope

Divine loving Spirit,

I thank you for

creating all people in your image.

You are loving and compassionate

and I am grateful that you love me

just the way I am.

Please place in me a gentle heart

that seeks more unity

and the strength to be compassionate

and loving to others.

In peace, love and hope for a brighter future

for all whom we pray

Amen

K

*There are many in my circle who are part of the LGBTQ community, however I personally have not been treated unkindly because of my choice of life partner. I hope that I have not offended anyone by my statements. My only intention is to include all of those within  the LGBTQ community in my hopes and prayers for a world that is more accepting of everyone and ask that all of those within our community do the same.

TOAST ❤️

Love can be found everywhere, 

simply be open to seeing it 

Breakfast this morning rye toast with strawberry jelly

Stages of change (Psych Central)

This weekend Annie and I attended the annual CAP (Clergy Assistance Program) conference that focused on support for those helping people with issues related to addiction. One of the speakers spoke of the stages of change. These stages were initially related to addiction/alcoholism, however, they would seem to be  grounds for any behavior/habit that needs to be modified.

The six stages are:

• precontemplation (not thinking about change, don't see a problem, people are exaggerating)
• contemplation (consider the possibility of a problem, however still 'on the fence')
• determination (problem is recognized, pros and cons have been weighed and a decision is made to change)
• action (public commitment to change, put plan for recovery and change into action)
• maintenance (building new patterns of behavior, successful change)
• termination (destructive behavior/addiction, less of a threat of relapse)

This is a super simplified way of looking a theory that researchers studied for a long time, although the idea of breaking it down into steps makes complete sense. Annie and I both thought it was interesting enough to write down the steps for those that are working towards recovery and those that love them.

At times we are quick to say "just stop", you know it is wrong; without the understanding that change is a process and generally does not occur over night.

Today my prayer is that each and every person who is touched by this disease find a place in their hearts for patience. Patience with themselves and patience with those who are trying to change their lives, one step at a time.

I loved you then,

I love you still,

I always have,

I always will!

Peace be with you,

Kristyn
*Today's pics are from a memorial garden at a facility I work at

Sink or swim: Another post from Izabel

Izabel took these photos and wanted to share them with all of you. She knew, although the water looked a little treacherous; it was beautiful and there was something to be learned from it. Nature has a way of reminding that challenges are worth the reward.

 A time of calm to prepare for what lies ahead

A time to sink or swim

The reward of still waters after a challenging journey

There is a phrase I think of often

and seems appropriate here:

When you are going through hell, keep going! 

(A simple idea but makes complete sense)

Peace be with you, Kristyn

Around the bend

The track disappears rounding the bend. Although I can not see what is around that bend I know I have to keep moving forward. Stopping is not an option, I must continue on my journey. I have made it this far, my fear of remaining where I am has made me strong enough to move further along the track. I have seen these bends before and somehow someway they don't end simply because I can not see beyond them. I start off slow, I inch my way toward the bend and there it is; the next piece of track....just as I knew it my heart it would be.  I pick up speed, and I am on my way again, slowly but surely my journey continues.

                             

Heavenly Divine Spirit

Thank you for showing me

the power I have

in my soul to continue

this journey. 

It is not easy and

at times I am afraid.

I am grateful for the

signs of  your

love and compassion.

When my journey is hard,

I think of you and the people

you have placed in my life

to support and guide me

and I am less afraid.

God of love and light 

With a grateful heart I ask 

That you offer signs of your love and support
to all those that fear the bend. Show them the peace
that can be found if they simply keep moving.

In love & gratitude, Kristyn