AS I LOOK BACK AT THIS PAST YEAR AND ALL THAT HAS TRANSPIRED, THERE IS MUCH THAT COULD WEIGH ME DOWN AND GIVE ME A HEAVY HEART,YET, I LOOK TO GOD AND HIS MERCIES SCATTERED LIKE DIAMONDS IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL.MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A BAD WRECK,TOTALLING HER BROTHERS TRUCK.BUT SHE SURVIVED WITHOUT A SCRATCH FROM THE TWISTED WRECKAGE.MY BROTHER HAS CHOSEN A GIRLFRIEND WHO IS ONLY WHAT I COULD CALL A PERSON WITH SEVERE MENTAL ISSUES.SHE WANTED TO HAVE MY MOTHER PUT INTO A HOME SO THAT SHE COULD TAKE OVER HER HOUSE.GOD PREVAILED AND MY MOTHER IS HEALTHY,DOING WELL, AND THE GIRLFRIEND HAS BEEN PROHIBITED FROM COMING ON THE LAND MY MOTHER OWNS.MY BROTHER WAS TOLD HE IS LOVED AND IS WELCOME ANYTIME, BUT HE HAS CHOSEN HIS GIRLFRIEND OVER FAMILY.I AM AT PEACE WITH THAT, THOUGH I KEEP HIM IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.THERE IS SO MUCH MORE, BUT I CAN SEE GOD'S HAND LIFTING ME THROUGH IT ALL, GIVING ME PEACE,HOPE,AND REASON TO THANK HIM EACH AND EVERY DAY.AM I THANKFUL? HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU AREN'T WHEN YOU LIVE AND BREATHE AND HAVE A CHANCE EACH DAY TO BEGIN AGAIN AND CREATE A NEW ENDING TO THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE IF YOU WISH?

Since I was a little girl, I wanted to become Catholic. I went to church with a friend of mine, and just fell in love with the church and all that it represents. My mother through a fit and would not listen to me, and kept saying things against the church that were I later found out so untrue and misguided. I believe that everyone has a religion that speaks to them. This one speaks to me, feels right to me, feels like I am home when I am there. It may not be right for some, but after years of reading, digging into the word, and praying for guidance and God's wisdom, at the age of 55 I finally decided to make my dream come true of joining the church and going through the classes to finally become a member of the church. Because I thought, if I displease my mother, I am sorry but it is time to do what I feel in my heart is right for me. It is about dreams and making them come true, especially one that brings me closer to God.I take comfort in that one of my earliest ancestors, Colonel John Fitzgerald, founded one of the first Catholic churches in Virginia with the support of his best friend, President George Washin gton. They used to have to meet in their homes in those days, and Colonel Fitzgerald took it upon himself to put up his own money and gathered the support of his friends to do the same. The church still stands today, a monument to God and to the faith of many. I am not saying this way is right for others, and I am not trying to push this religion on anyone, because I believe we all have our journey and different faiths speak to different people, but in the end, we all wish to see the face of God. I mostly wanted to say, you are never too old to make a long held dream come true. Don't give up, no matter who tries to talk you out of it, and stay the course to your own happiness.

We had a quiet 4th of July due to the fact that there is a burn ban in our area due to drought and high winds. I did my housework, doing laundry, baking some chocolate chip cookies and preparing side dishes for our barbeque later in the day, but my thoughts were on the Casey Anthony trial, and how very much I am praying for justice for that precious little child. My heart hurts for what she went through with that selfish crazy mother of hers. The attorneys said they believed she was killed because she was able to talk better now and could spill the beans on her mother and her wild ways. At what point did Casey  look into those huge beautiful eyes and just want to do away with her? How is your own flesh and blood disposable? And not only that, but look at what her family has had to go through all because of her.I make no judgements on them regarding Jose Baez's claims, because he is a lawyer trying to get his client off with whatever he can say to do so. But to let them be crucified and vilified because she is having a tantrum now that she has been caught in her web, their lives will never be the same. So here I am, praying there will not be another OJ verdict, praying that these jurors really do see the wicked witch sitting in that courtroom and deliver justice for a little angel.