October 6,2000. My cousin Diana’s son Jeffrey was at the farm for the weekend. I knew in my spirit, the following: As I took him home to Cincinnati, I was supposed to meet her at All Saints Catholic Church for 4:00pm mass. This church was my home parish in my youth. I attended All Saints Elementary, and was married there also. I knew that I was called there for a reason. I responded to the call as I knelt there prior to mass. “Lord, whatever it is that you want me to do, anoint me to fulfill…

              God has an amazing sense of humor. Once I relay the occurrence of that eve, in April of ’99, you’ll see what I mean.         The evening began as usual. There was a team of prayer leaders that again lay hands on each member, and speak blessings over them. Linda (Extravagant Grace) was now the leader. Along with her, an attorney named Harry was also a leader. He neither had a clue who I was, nor did he know anything about me.        The following thing were spoken over me: *My roots reach the Living Water. Job 29:21-25. * I…

  _      From 1999-2004 I worked for The Communicate Institute. During the summers, I taught seminars to teachers earning credit hours through Walsh College.  I taught the course entitled “Effective Instruction,” which was based on the philosophy of Harry Wong.  The course was all about how to structure your classroom and delete behavior issues.        I not only learned how to restructure my classroom, but also realized that I had become a true professional.        In 1998, I took 3 courses from the company in order to receive my Masters Degree plus 15.hrs. For 2 of the courses, I had…

Everyone is an artist in his own way. Find your talent, your skill, and create. Self- expression is vital to our well being. I have friends that create in all different venues. Having been a former art teacher, I love to paint, draw, create etc. However, blogging has not allowed a lot of time for that. So, until I put aside special time to dabble in my colors, my writing is my creation. My good friend Di never picked up a brush in her life. She could sew and had somewhat of a creative side. She worked in the medical…

From Jan. of 99 until the end of Feb., we attended the second session of Weigh Down Workshop. Again, the Blessing Night was greatly anticipated. Trust me friends, it did not prove to fail! What was spoken over me was the following: *I am one whose heart truly seeks God. *I have a heart of gold. *The woman spoke this scripture over me. *Isaiah58:11-12 The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your need in a sun- scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a    spring whose waters…

I surround myself with people who make me laugh. OMG! When I think of the zaniness of my girlfriends…. It’s over the top. Here’s some of the things…crazy things we’ve done: Went to many events and teas wearing red hats. Celebrate birthdays together. Went to Myrtle Beach. We had our pics taken, wearing long shirts. While walking together we all looked as if we had our 20-year-old bodies wearing bikinis. Christmas shopping trips Movies and dinner. Unconditional love and support for one another. Bible studies and Women of Faith Events However, within all of…

One week after The Women of Faith Convention, I got an amazing phone call from Linda Grace. “I have a scripture that I’m supposed to give you. Habakkuk 1:5 Look at the nations and watch, and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Hab 2: 2-3 Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets, so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false…

Good Lord, I love to laugh! I spend a lot of playtime with my grandkids, girlfriends, family, former students and parents. First thing in the morning, before my feet hit the floor, I pray. I praise God for my blessings, and ask Him to walk with me through the day. As Granny always taught me, ”Laughter is the best medicine!” How right she was. I love to surround myself with people with a great sense of humor. Recently, I went to The Black Hills with 3 friends. We drove 2 days out and back. Trust me friends, next vacation, we…

The Weigh Down Group decided to attend The Women of Faith Convention in Cincinnati. I was honored, due to the fact that the first convention I attended was in my hometown. I took a Friday off and we headed to the Queen City. We attended a smaller preconference the day before the convention. The speaker was Becky Terribassi. The format of her presentation revolved around her book entitled, ”Change Your Life.” The premise of the book was how to change your mind/life by reading The Word an hour per day. As the day progressed, in my spirit I kept…

In case you haven’t figured it out by now, I absolutely love looking up quotes of wisdom. One sentence, or just a few words, can alter someone’s life. There comes a time in our life, when struggles seem overwhelming. If you are a Christian, you realize that struggles form our characters. It’s God’s way of molding us. Quite often when I give my testimony, I begin with the following sentence: God took me apart, and put me together the way He wanted me to be. It was anything but a fun ride. However, now I bear…

On Sept. 28, 1998 I went with Gracie to Columbus Vineyard to attend a Weigh Down Workshop. I had attended a few services prior to this event, and was very fulfilled with its format. Therefore, I was going with great expectations. There were a series of three classes that year. I didn’t lose a lot of weight. However, I lost a ton of baggage. One eve in November, during the last class, we had a Blessing Night. During this event, attending members call upon The Holy Spirit to speak blessings upon one another. As a catholic, I’d never…

Well, here I go! God has told me to put myself out there! I will reveal my story in sections with small bits and pieces. Whatever God does with this, is totally His job, not mine. I’m just being obedient. Twenty years ago I had a very defining conversation with Col. Grandpa. While standing under our 400 year old Burr Oak tree in our barn lot I told him, ”Someday, this tree is going to tell a story.” He answered, “Honey, for what it’s worth, entitle it The Erstwhile Acorn.”   The following is the preface of my…

Wow! Now that’s a tough one, in this day and age. If ever I would say, ”I’m bored,” Granny came forward with her favorite quote. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop, Little One. Get Busy.” That didn’t often happen. During the summer, I was a “playin outside sorta kid!” During the school years, it was schoolwork or playing with the little cousins next door. Recently, I was on a trip with close friends. One of the prominent discussions that always occurs is the following: *Sue:Before technology, I was on my bike all day. I…

        Two years ago, at the invitation of a friend, I joined a Bible Study at a local church. I had been welcomed in by a wonderful group of women from a different denomination. In case you haven’t figured it out, as of yet, my Jesus has no denomination!        Last year, in our first week of study, one of the women brought up the topic of “Praying in the Spirit.”  She was unfamiliar with the topic so many of us chimed in, on the explanation.      God brought to mind my dear friend, Jean.  We had taught preschool together years ago…

       The above quote was reiterated to me a zillion times, whenever I displayed despair. Granny heard it from my great-grandparents and passed it on. It wasn’t a soothing quote. If fact, it tended to tick me off more times than not. I was young. No one was going to tell me what to do.     One day, and God spoke to my heart quite clearly. After all of the mountains that He helped me climb, and all of the storms that He pulled me through, I had been given incredible spiritual strength.  “I can do all things through Christ…