Please....Are You Driving a Phonebooth or a Vehicle??!

I thought I would title my entry with some silly question. I don't know why I have not written any entries the past several weeks.

April: ACTS Retreat, Easter, job hunting, trip to Denver for niece's First Holy Communion, organizing house, volunteer stuff, Paulie stuff

Paul and I went to Denver the last weekend in April for Lauren's First Communion. Both sets of my parents made the trip too...one set from STL, the other from Crystal Mountain, MI. My step-sister and her family live in Littleton and so we spent the first day with Nikki and the little boys. My Mom and Wayne were there too and we had a fun day! See pictures below....

Grandad with Paul and Jake. Wayne is my Mom's husband (23 years) & we love him! Paul adores him!

Paul and cousin Jake

Friday - we spent the day with my Dad and Jean at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. Paul wanted to ride the sky ride...uh, I am sort of afraid of heights, but I put my big girl panties on and took him. My Dad went too - Jean stayed on the ground! I could tell Paul was not feeling well.....cranky, not eating, lethargic. I dropped my expensive SLR camera twice that day on the concrete (yes, it's broken) and then we had a family dinner at Bucca Di Beppo. Paul was so not feeling well and actually asked me during dinner, "Mommy, can I go to bed?" Awwww, poor baby. Saturday morning was First Communion and Lauren looked beautiful. Another nice family lunch afterwards and then back to my brother's house for Mario Kart action on the Wii. OMG - for those of us who had never done it - it was rather humorous! BIG TIME FUNNY! Sunday was hanging with the family and playing at my brother's house.

Well hello Mrs. Giraffe!!


My Dad and Paul

The next weekend we all went to Houston for our nephew's First Holy Communion. Daniel looked very handsome and we were all so proud. We had a fun time with Danny's brother and his family. Paul did not want to leave on Sunday. He had a wonderful time playing with his cousins. Marisa is almost 13 and Daniel is 8, so there is quite an age difference.

So much more to blog about...this is my therapy! But I will end this entry with some funny Paul stories and some inspiration and His word.

Recently, Paul was upset with me and said (in a calm and assertive voice) "Mom, you go to timeout." Paul has been watching a DVD with animated characters about the bible. Bible stories and now Paul narrates it and loves it!!! One day at school week, Miss Laina said to Paul in the bathroom, "Paul, Jesus would like for you to go tinkle in the potty...." Paul looked at her and said "Jesus is not here!" Miss Laina said "then where is he?" Paul's reply..."He's on TV!" Paul can be somewhat dramatic too - uh, can that be genetic????!!!

On Mother's Day I took Paul to Sea World. Danny stayed home and trimmed trees and bushes. We had a grand time! Paul loves the Shamu roller coaster and so wanted to ride The Journey to Atlantis - but he is one inch too short! UGH!!!

I need this more than ever now and thought I would share with the masses.

Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep them (you and me) in perfect peace whose mind is fixed on You, because they trust You." Each day we struggle to rise above our petty fears and worries, and little by little I am succeeding. Thank you Lord for Your grace.

Repeat:

I am not alone for God is always with me.

I am not afraid for God is always protecting me.

I will bear good fruit for God is helping me.

I will persevere for God is sustaining me.

I will be saved for God is calling me.

Whatever is Lovely....Think About Such Things

So, what came to your mind? A gentle breeze, birds singing, quiet time with God, time alone with your spouse, chocolate, the beach, a sunset, a sunrise, Susan Niño...... :-)

Oh my - it has been ** days since my last post. All I can say is BUSY BUSY and more BUSY!

I am often accused of being all over the place. This is usually true. I think it stems from multi tasking and using lots of energy! So, this post will be about 2 topics...THE LOVE DARE Journey & Brian Mylar's 50th Birthday Bash!

The Love Dare

Have you seen the movie FIREPROOF yet people?! I have been telling you and others about it for a few months now! And it's not just for marriages on the verge of collapse....for all marriages. And if you sit there and tell me - "please, my marriage is dandy and we have no room for improvement" - yeah, WHATEVER DUDE! Wouldn't you like to enhance your marriage and truly understand unconditional love and fireproof for marriage for the day when you hit a rocky part - cause you will! Unless you are not breathing...... Unconditional Love is eagerly promised at weddings, but rarely practiced in real life. As a result, romantic hopes are often replaced with disappointment. But it does not have to stay that way. Along with the movie, is the book titled....The Love Dare. A 40 day challenge for husbands and wives (and I would say - even those people who are thinking of marriage) to practice unconditional love. Please be aware - this is NOT easy - trust me! I am on day 15 and whew! Each brief chapter has incredible insight and scripture and then the love dare for that day. There are reflection questions and a lines for you to write - or what I call journal. Here are a few things I have read and taken to heart and would like to share with all of you! I suggest reading this stuff over and over and over again! Until you completely understand and go with it!

1. Love is built on two pillars that best define what it is. Those pillars are patience and kindness. One think about Danny that absolutely drives me CRAZY is he is sooooo slow. I often call him Danny the Sloth! I have no patience with him on this.....so I now must have it!

2. Kindness is love in action! There are 4 basic ingredients on kindness.....gentleness, helpfulness, willingness and initiative. Don't wait for your spouse to be kind first - you do it! Love determines to show thoughtful actions even when there seems to be no reward. You will never learn to love until you learn to demonstrate kindness. Personally - this is an area that often baffles me when I hear people talk about the unkind things they say and do to their spouse. What makes you so high and mighty?! Didn't your mother teach you to be kind?!

3. Men - hear this! A woman deeply longs for her husband to be thoughtful. It is a key to helping her feel loved. I do agree with this! Love thinks before speaking. it filters words through a grid of truth and kindness. Uh, Susan often lacks a filters..... do u?!

4. You should constantly look at your spouse as a child of God. God put him/her in your care. Are you doing it? I have been saying over and over..."God gave me Danny & I need to take care of him - always!" And think about this - How does your behavior affect your mate's sense of self worth and self esteem?

5. If you are walking under the influence of love, you will be a joy, not a jerk and annoying to be around. (I have detached myself from people who are not so joyful and oh so negative!) Ask yourself: "Am I the calming breeze, or a storm waiting to happen?" I don't know about you - but I know plenty of people who are the storm...and sometimes it is me!

6. I encourage you to write down positive traits/characteristics of your spouse and keep this in your wallet! When you get annoyed, upset or angry - pull it out and go over it! I bet it changes your state of mind and you get over being angry or hurt quicker!

7. Ok, peeps - hear this one! Have you ever heard someone say......I have fallen out of love with my spouse." What they are really saying is....I never loved them unconditionally to begin with. Love was based on feelings or circumstances rather than true commitment. Unconditional love or AGAPE love - will NOT be swayed by time or circumstance. God loves us no matter what - so, why don't we have that in our marriages?! Practice saying...."I love you period!"

8. Love Fights Fair - I am the master of not doing this. And then I push Danny to his breaking point and he joins in on the whole not fighting fair. Think about this - and do it: deal with your own issues up front. "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (DANG!) from Matthew 7:3 This verse blew me away! Fighting fair means changing your weapons. Disagree with dignity. It should result in building a bridge instead of burning one down. Love is not a fight, but it is always worth fighting for!

9. Love is honorable - your mate should be holy doesn't mean they are perfect. Holiness means they are set apart fro a higher purpose - no longer common or everyday but special and unique. Your spouse is sacred and should be to you! Remember - HOLY MATRIMONY?! We need to honor and respect our spouse. I might be wrong - but I think men really want respect from their wives - am I right men?! This might be in the top 3 things you want from your wife? Of all the sacrifices - we should sacrifice the most for our spouse. With all our spouse's sins, faults, mistakes and failures - we still need to choose to love and honor them. I know - what Susan? How hard is this going to be. But I think that is how we can really create an atmosphere for love to be rekindled. Think about it - really - think about it! Lead your heart to truly love your mate again. It CAN be done - if you think you no longer love him/her.

Brian Mylar's 50th Surprise Birthday Bash - planned and hosted by his lovely bride and my sweet friend ZZ. This past Saturday @ The Holiday Inn Select. Great food, great friends and when Brian arrived - I think he was taken back by all of us! I would say about 75 people were in attendance. The food was oh so yummy!!!! Drinks - shots, mariachi band..the works! Kudos to ZZ for pulling it off! You can be my party planner any time sister! My shoes were a hit too - they usually are. I am known for cute, super cool and sexy shoes! See below.....these are by Carlos Santana and I love them!! I usually do not take part in tequila shots - but I was coerced by my ACTS brothers and sisters - we are Catholic! I only did 2 though.....yuck!! You should have seen my face and body shiver after each one -- apparently it made everyone laugh! I bet! One gal commented.."Susan, even though you did a tequila shot, ate Mexican food and danced with the mariachis--you are still WHITE - yeah, we know!! Below are several pictures from the evening. Danny and I had a wonderful time! We love our church family and are blessed to have so many couples who share our faith and love and support us - no matter what! Thank you friends - we appreciate you!

Danny and Billy Johnson above and Kathy and Bill Johnson below.

Birthday Boy - Brian Mylar

The donkey became very thirsty around 9pm - so we gave her some drinks!

TGIF

Good morning!

I am the busiest unemployed person I know! I am still job hunting and am getting close to possibly applying at HEB, Target, Best Buy or Hobby Lobby. The only potential problem I see with those places - is working weekends and evenings. Time with Paul and Danny are so important. I am plugging away at securing a teaching position in the Catholic Schools for this next school year. I have not been able to shake the idea for a couple of years now and feel it is God's will. So, we shall see! I am at peace with the fact it may not happen this year and it may take another year to accomplish my goal. God throws all these detours my way....I guess I have to take them so I can get there! :-)

We go next week to the neurologist to find out the results of Paul's sleep study. We took Paul in again to the Kids Express lab this week where they took urine and oh, 6 tubes of blood. Poor baby - his arm is badly bruised this time b/c they had a hard time getting it this time around.

Why it is every time Obama talks to the nation - the market drops?! I know why..... Can you believe he said on national TV that the market is not that important. Ummmm, ok - tell that to all the people who have lost value on their retirement and pension funds. Way to go America - electing this man. UGH!

There is so much to blog about, but I have limited time right now. We have a new edition to the Niño family - my sister and brother in law had Esteban Andres on Feb. 26. He was 1 oz shy of 9lbs. He is a cutie boy and I can't wait to see him! They live in Friendswood, TX and so it is some distance.

The women's ACTS retreat is fast approaching. We are on the home stretch in our preparation! The retreat weekend is April 2-5. It will be rockin and spirit filled weekend! There is room for 42 women to attend I so far we have 37 or 38. It will fill up and many will be on the waiting list.

I am headed to Chuck E Cheese today for a 12:30 birthday party for Miss Anissa. She turns 4! Her Daddy is a childhood friend of Danny's. Paul is at school, so I am going alone. But that's ok - more freedom for me to play with the other kiddos & play games!! Woo Hoo!!

I finish this brief entry with this.....

Jesus is the light of the world. He is the truth, the way and the light. He sanctifies our spirit and sets our heart on fire!

I heard this scripture last night at my Stephen Ministry meeting and it spoke directly to me.....maybe it will do the same for you!
From James 1:2-6.... "Consider it all joy, my brothers (& sisters) when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. "

Susan Ran a 5K on Saturday and Didn't Puke!

I began working out again in January. I was going along well and then WHAM-- little Paulie got really sick for 12 days and I did not make it to the gym. Then WHAM - I got sick. So, the two weeks before this 5K run--Susan did not exercise and boy was I worried about Saturday. My worries proved true as I had a difficult time running the 5K at UTSA. So, I had to walk and run. It was a really good morning though - cloudy....slight breeze at times...and 62ish. I picked up my pal Julie and off we went. Her husband and kids came later to see us off and then wait the "blank" minutes for our return over the finish line. It was awesome! I was keyed up afterwards. I talked to a few nice people on the course - who were struggling like me. Now, Julie and I are going to run the SPURS/CASA Speak Out for Kids 5K on March 21 at the AT&T Center. And we're off.....
I am getting back to the gym this week! Julie and I have a goal to do the Rock n Roll half marathon in Nov - so we have some time - but we have a lot of training to do!

Paul had a sleep study done recently and we go next month to the neurologist for the results. He and I suspect Paul has sleep apnea. Danny has it..and I know his brother and Mom probably have it too..as well as my Dad. Did u know babies and kids can have it?! I bet you didn't know....
I reminded Danny we have to take Paulie in for more blood work this week. But this time he has to fast. Danny has a busy week so I need to find someone to go with me. I don't do needles well and will cry when my baby has to lie on the hospital bed and get 7 tubes of blood drawn. Any takers on going with us???? Please....!!! Pretty Please with sugar and a cherry on top!

I am the busiest unemployed person I know..... along with getting things lined up for subbing in NEISD and working on getting a job in the Catholic Schools..here are other things going on in my life....

Monday: ARD/IEP for Paul 8am & ACTS meeting from 7-9pm.
Tuesday: Breakfast with Tina & Digital Photography Class with Rhonda 7:30 - 9pm
Wednesday: The South Texas Pediatric Stroke Stroll Committee meeting - 5:30pm
Thursday: Lunch with my Spiritual Mentor & Book Club at 7:30pm

This is also the last week for me to raise money for my Queen of the Vine Campaign. I fell so short of my original goal, but I will continue to raise money and awareness for Brighton forever!

On Friday is a very special birthday - my best friend Stacey! I met her my senior year at KU. My sweetie pie boyfriend Ace was shaking a rug over the balcony and the dirt was falling...on her head as she came up the stairs. What a first meeting indeed! She was in grad school and even though she did her undergrad work at Kansas State, we became fast friends and remain close. We are so much alike-it is scary at times. She lives in Edwardsville, IL with her husband and 2 boys. Something funny --she and a high school classmate were in my first wedding in 1992. And during our class reunion - learned Elaine lives in Edwardsville and went to MOPS with Stacey. But neither of them remembered one another or the Susan connection. How bizarre is that?!

Danny and Master Paul went to Houston yesterday/today to surprise his Mom for her 85th birthday. Mary Esther moved to Houston and moved in with Danny's brother and his family a few years ago. I understand Paul had a great time with everyone and played hard. Uh, what's new?! He had so much fun that apparently he did not wish to leave and would not give anyone a hug today - b/c he knew that meant he was leaving. I was anxious for them to return today. I was a little sad when Danny called at 3pm to let me know they just left. I was hoping they would be home around 4...but instead it was 6:30.

I read a cute phrase today -- "Good Moms bake..Smart Moms outsource!"

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in that secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16

Ok peeps--just because you accept Christ, life is not in an instant completely bearable. It isn't daisy's and roses. There are still hard times. There is still the pain. Yet along with that pain there is hope. And peace. And a better tomorrow because Christ claims you as His own. I am blessed to have Danny as a husband so many friends who really know me - and love and support me anyway. :-) Danny & I have each other...and we have Christ. If I had real faith and trust in the Lord, much of my pain might have been easier to bear. These past five years have been awesome and I now cannot imagine going through any pain and hardships not knowing Jesus. The peace He has given me... and will give me. The hope and comfort He has offered... and will always offer - one word...OUTSTANDING.

My wish & prayer for the coming month - that all the people I know...and those who I don't know..will watch the movie FIREPROOF. Whether you are married or not - you MUST view this incredible movie. Watch it alone - with your spouse - with a friend. I don't care - but watch it. Not only do we need to fireproof our marriages, but simply put - we need to fireproof our lives from Satan. He will keep coming after us and if we don't have the faith and trust in God--he just might win! And bottom line peeps - Satan Sucks! Tell him to GO TO HELL!

Hugs to all!

By Your Side

This song - By Your Side - is one that I have been listening to a lot the past few weeks. I encourage you to listen to it on ITUNES or FB ILike. It is by Tenth Avenue North. The lyrics are very powerful is you listen closely and take them to heart. I agree that too many people fight God - they don't allow Him to guide them or His hands to hold them.

Today is my friend Paul's 40th birthday. He and I went to elementary school together in Southfield, MI ( a suburb of Detroit). I lived on Red Maple Lane and he lived on Oldstream..one street over. He was the only boy at my 7th bday party - which of course was a swim party in our backyard. He and I and our brothers and Tom Harm and many others would play kickball, kick the can, ghost in the graveyard and football. I wonder if he remembers this - our two homes had the same floor plan. I just realized and remembered that myself. We had so much fun in that neighborhood. We lived near a creek that would freeze in the winter and we would all go down there and ice skate and goof around. Danny had a cousin named Paul - he was tall, handsome, cool and fun to be around; and we would describe my friend Paul in the same manner. Danny's cousin Paul drowned at Lake Amistad in 1992. So in honor of him and my childhood friend--we named our son Paul.

Saturday morning I set out for Friendswood, TX - just a little south of Houston. Danny's brother's wife is having their third child in 4 weeks and there was a baby shower in her honor at 2pm. Hi Chris and Veronica! My bil mentioned he has never been written about in my blog. All went well with traffic and weather UNTIL - the dreaded 45 South (to Galveston) near Hobby Airport. It was a parking lot and I had a few more miles to go but could see it could take an hour or more. Chris called it the Bataan Death March and if you know history - you will get that comment! Good thing I have a good sense of direction and I knew I could go west.....then south and get to their house. I took an exit with Chris' help and made it to their home with about 20 min to change and get ready to leave for the shower. Three aunts from SA were stuck on I-45 and having a meltdown. So, we had to get them off the highway and east of I-45 to a landmark so we could go there and get them. We did so and they followed us to the baby shower. Whew! I had my 12 year old niece in my car with me - and we were jammin out to The PussyCat Dolls - I Hate This Part. The music was loud and we were dancing as we drove along Space Center......we listened to that song about 5 times on that trip! She kept saying.."play it again Aunt Susan." She told me..."you are still fun Aunt Susan!" Yeah, I know girl!

Oh, my brother in law has started is own business - Tejas IT Solutions..or TITS for short. lol His website is still in progress; his email address is chris.nino@tejasitsolutions.com

The shower was nice -a ton of people. I of course was the official picture taker. And given that hell on I-45, I had to have a cold beer! Below are a few pics from the event.

My Mother in Law, Veronica and her Mom Gloria (above).

Danny's cousin Liza and her little boy Will - they traveled from SA too and were stuck on I-45!

After the shower, we went back to Chris and Veronica's house to relax and visit. Then around 10 - Veronica, Marisa and I went to Friday's and had some appetizers. Back at the house later - I was in the study watching Daniel - my 7 year old nephew - play Clone Wars on the laptop. WOW - impressive! At midnight - we sent him to bed. I wanted to use the laptop to do some FB stuff. Chris was on his computer and we hung out for an hour I think. Chatting about music and FB stuff and work issues. My trip home on Sunday was not as crazy. Although it did rain some on I-10. I do have to write about the Sunday morning activity at the house and all its craziness..but another time.

Paul had been sick since Thursday with a fever and a bad cough. He still has the cough and probably will for another week, but the fever is finally gone. He went back to school yesterday!

I am headed to the gym in about an hour. And then home to make dinner for my boys!

My advice for today - It's not too late to be what you might have been! From Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past...I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

This is a book Santa gave Paul for Christmas. It is a lovely hardback with beautiful pictures. We read it this morning before school - and last night before bed. Paul went to sleep last night with no protest and stayed in his room asleep until 2amish. Then he came in our room and tapped me on the arm and said, "Mama, snuggle with you?" "Oh sure," I said - Danny is in Dallas. Paul is so sweet - he kissed me a few times on my arm and head before drifting off to sleep. At 7:05 I was awakened by a little voice asking for juice and a cereal bar..and to watch The Little Einsteins. The routine was off this morning as Danny always takes Paul to school. So, we had a little meltdown in his classroom when I was leaving....but I know it only last a few minutes. It was mostly for show and for my benefit. Kids are funny that way right?!

My monthly book club meeting last Thursday was a good one. We discussed The Shack. People either loved it or not so much. I was in between really. It is a fictional book - so remember that! Adrianna made a very nice spread and I of course took a bottle of wine. I had prepared discussion questions ahead of time and sent them to all the gals. We had a huge turnout with about 13 people! This month's book is Waiting for Morning by Karen Kingsbury. I went and bought it today and will start reading it this tomorrow. It looks to be a book on forgiveness..something every Christian is called to do..no matter what! Lamentations 1:20 says, "I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed." And Lamentations 5:21-22 says, "Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return, renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure." I ask you to consider this....who in your life has weighed you down with chains? Have you forgiven them? If not - why? Ask God to help you do so.

I finally watched the inspirational movie FIREPROOF..with the handsome Kirk Cameron. He is a doll!!! OMG - incredible movie!! Danny then watched it Monday evening and we talked about it for a while--until the wee hours of the morning. If I had all the money in the world, I would purchase the bundle for all married people. There is a DVD, guidebook and the 40 day Love Dare Journal. Go here for the info on the material. Go here for the primary site of the movie.
Forgiveness and unconditional love are important and real messages in this movie.

Pull out your bible and read these passages........and reflect and act on them!
Proverbs 15:1; James 1:19–20; Matthew 5:21–26; Romans 12:17–21; Galatians 5:19–21; Isaiah 55:5–7; Psalm 130:3–4; John 15:5–7; Matthew 11:28–30.

Tonight I am attending a meeting for the planning of the inaugural Pediatric Stroke Awareness Walk-A-Thon. My friend Julie has a young son/toddler who suffered a stroke when he was only a couple months old. She wishes to start a chapter here in San Antonio for Pediatric Stroke Awareness and I am going to help!

And for the ladies..........these Lancome beauty products ROCK my world - get them!
*Absolue Powder - gives u a younger, softer face! Oh and it sparkles a little. :-)
*Maquicomplet coverup - conditions too! I of course use a light shade...ivoire
*CILS lash conditioner - love it!!!!
Thanks to Robyn for helping me look more glamorous and vibrant!

Jonah's Prayer

Good morning peeps! For some reason I was ready to rise at 5:30am today. Danny, Paul and Oreo were all still asleep. I had some quiet time and did a reflection. It is very nice to start the day doing this. Do you think I can get up everyday at 5:30 and do this? Maybe...

Ok, at my ACTS meeting on Monday night, we heard the story of Jonah - his prayer..from CH 2. The prayer teaches us many things: 1. obedience to God 2. willingness of spirit 3. gratitude 4. compassion 5. God's mercy 6. God's patience

From the book of Jonah 2: 1-10
"But the LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah; and he remained in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. From the belly of the fish Jonah said this prayer to the LORD, his God: Out of my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me; From the midst of the nether world I cried for help, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea, and the flood enveloped me; All your breakers and your billows passed over me. Then I said, "I am banished from your sight! yet would I again look upon your holy temple." The waters swirled about me, threatening my life; the abyss enveloped me; seaweed clung about my head. Down I went to the roots of the mountains; the bars of the nether world were closing behind me forever, But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD, my God.
When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; My prayer reached you in your holy temple. Those who worship vain idols forsake their source of mercy. But I, with resounding praise, will sacrifice to you; What I have vowed I will pay: deliverance is from the LORD. Then the LORD commanded the fish to spew Jonah upon the shore."

One thing that came to my mind is where Jonah prayed...in the belly of a whale! How crazy is that really?! This shows us no place is amiss for prayer. AMEN? AMEN!
So, you can pray anytime, anywhere.....amidst the chaos of 3, 4 or 5 children....stuck in traffic.....on an airplane....in the public restroom....in a restaurant....in a bar....at a sports event.....at a concert.....in the car while your son is visiting the horse.....at the office....and even while on Facebook. Go for it!

To quote a commercial and cell phone ad.....Can you hear me now? Do you ever feel that your situation is so hopeless and entangled that God could never bail you out? The belly of the fish is a lot safer place than the depths of the sea. God is moving Jonah through various stages on the way back to following Him.

My thought: as long as you can still pray there is still hope.

Another lesson we can learn from Jonah's prayer is the God of the second chance hears our desperate cries despite the depths of our distress. GOD’S DELIVERANCE IS NOT CONSTRAINED BY THE DEPTHS OF OUR DISTRESS! I have been what I call "down deep in the pit" and every single time...God has delivered me out of it!

And I believe the Lord wants to train us to be merciful instead of judgmental and prideful. Do you agree?

Here are some questions to reflect on...if u are so inclined as to share your answers with me..I would love that! You can do so here...make a comment or to be more private..email me.

1. When have we felt disconnected from God? How have we seen Him still respond to our prayers and pleas for help?
2. How have we learned to be merciful to others from God showing us mercy?
3. What vain idols have we had to turn away from in order to faithfully maintain our loyalty to our God?
4. How are we encouraged by resting in the sovereignty of God – "Salvation is from the Lord"?

Oh my...my cardio class is in one hour.....wish me luck!