by Rosie Moore | Jan 8, 2017 | Blog
Today I started to reflect about baking my favorite pumpkin bread and how nice the house smells of fresh baked pumpkin bread. The loaf pans were ready to be placed in the oven to bake. I slid the pumpkin bread in the oven to bake at 350 degrees for the next hour and a half.
Everything was ready, yet today as I thought about it, a heavy sigh escaped from my lips. I remembered a situation that was troubling me. I remembered a Sunday school teacher in church who once said, start a prayer journal for yourself and others. Write the prayer requests down and when the prayers are answered whether today, tomorrow or years from now, go back and write it next to the prayer requests, You will notice that you have more prayers answered than not answered.
Today I picked up a brand new notebook and started to write as I sat at the kitchen table a letter to God. I wrote about what was on my mind and the hurt that I felt.
\
Before long the timer on the oven went off and the sweet smell of pumpkin bread filled the air. The biggest surprise of all was that after writing what was on my heart, I was not feeling troubled. I felt that the same way I prepared the pumpkin bread and placed it in the hot oven to bake on a set timer that only I knew when it would go off, in the same way God works in our life.
We have concerns in our lives and sometimes we feel our prayers go unanswered, but the reality is that God is the baker and He knows when the timer is supposed to go off for that problem to be resolved. Things may not be answered in our time, but if we write them in our prayer journal and pray over the journal, the Lord will know when it is the right timing to answer them, our job is to trust that the Baker knows when the timer should go off.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Follow author Rosie Moore https://www.facebook.com/author27/
by Rosie Moore | Jan 7, 2017 | Blog
Today as we start to put all the Christmas decorations away, I cannot help but think about the Christmas hustle and bustle that went on a few weeks prior. The house looked beautiful with twinkling lights, presents under the tree, family and friends celebrating Christmas with us sitting at the dining room table enjoying dinner and Christmas stories from our past.
Now we go back to normal. We are getting ready to put away the tree, the ornaments, the things that make Christmas special in our home. The beautiful centerpieces that made our dining room table look elegant. Now all that is left on our table is Christmas cards, store receipts, Christmas Card address book and thoughts of the work upcoming for the year.
As I picked up the Christmas cards and reread some along with the beautiful newsletters attached, I realized how blessed I was. These cards represent people who thought about my family and me during the busy Christmas season. I started to pray for each and every person that sent a card that as the New Year 2017 started, that they would receive health and blessings in the coming year.
As I put things away, I thanked God for the receipts that I had because it signified that I had a job to purchase a gift for someone. I thanked God for my family’s health as I saw an unexpected bill from our son’s pediatrician and pharmacy that set us back Christmas week several hundred dollars. Some may ask, how is that a blessing? It is a blessing because at least I had insurance that covered some of it and also because God gave us this miracle who at that moment had a stomach virus and strep throat. My son was a premature baby and they are more susceptible to illnesses due to their under developed lungs and other health issues. It could have been much worse, but because of His grace it was not as severe. I also thanked God because I have the opportunity to work and do the things that I love while also at the same time helping others in need of support through The Gift of Life charity.
When I first looked at the mess, that is what I looked at it as, a big mess and chore to put it all away. But today as we put away all the things that represent Christmas decorations in our home together as a family, I realize I am truly blessed. I am reminded daily that Christmas is the season of miracles and remembering that beyond Santa Claus, we have a Savior that was born on Christmas day.
Happy New Year!
Follow me on my facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/author27/
by Rosie Moore | Dec 27, 2016 | Blog
This blog comes to you courtesy of Rosie Moore, author for the book a Story of Faith. The story of Faith by Rosie Moore talks about the events preceding the miraculous birth of her son, Kaleb. Barely 1 pound, 10 ounces at birth, Kaleb is a LIVING MIRACLE from God. Readers will enjoy this short story surrounding this love story built on prayer, God’s intervention, and the wonderful gift of faith given to people of ordinary means. How God intervenes in a person’s life and how our current troubles may be a hidden blessing in your life, coming directly from the master planner. The book also shares how a community came together to fulfill a wish for a special young lady and her family.
The book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Tate Publishing and can be purchased as an ebook through Kindle. If you do not have a Kindle, you can download a free app to your ipad, smart phone, Iphone and even your personal computer. Next week it will be available in print so be on the look out for it.
Happy reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Rosie Moore | Dec 25, 2016 | Blog
It’s been a year since my twin girls were born, and as strangers ask me their age, I hesitate. Do I tell them their real age or adjusted age? Depending on my mood, I often will say, “they are one, but they were born at 28 weeks.”
That’s usually met with, “little miracles!” or “they look healthy now.”
Now? That word always bothers me, though I understand where the stranger is coming from, but the term now, takes on a different meaning and feel. My girls were born in late October at 28 weeks, and one NICU nurse told me, that probably would be home by Christmas. While another NICU nurse told me that they’d be home probably by their due date. Yet another nurse said, maybe spring.
As Thanksgiving came and went, and as Christmas approached, I knew they wouldn’t be home and as I begrudgingly put up a small Christmas tree and felt a twinge of sadness at every happy family going Christmas shopping, I told myself that I was lucky that my girls were ok. I’d witnessed enough so far with other NICU babies, that I felt that even though I wouldn’t have them this Christmas, at least I still had them.
The NICU nurses had a crafty staff, with ornament making, footprint items, Santa hat photos of the girls. As we got ready for the long day we’d be at the NICU, I was mentally preparing myself not to make this a somber moment, next year, I told myself, would be different.
We arrived at the NICU to sleeping babies, but we had quite the list of to-do’s — bathe the twins, feed them, and kangaroo care. We decided to have our Christmas meal at the hospital, and as we were given free hard as a rock Christmas cookies, I told myself, next year, this will be different.
It never really occurred to me, that besides my somber attitude that was hidden by a smile, that the NICU nurses had to do this every year. My next year would be different, but their next year would be the same – dealing with concerned parents and watching over preemies.
While you’re in the NICU with your baby(ies) it’s easy to have tunnel vision. It’s easy to not pay attention to the world outside and though your focus is your babies health, you have to remember that there are other things, bigger things happening around you.
So, this Christmas my girls are now one, crawling and trying to stand on wobbly legs, I feel blessed at their growth and continually impressed by them. They struggled into this world and now they fight to catch up. The new normal – was a phase that I used a lot when I would see the girls in the NICU, our new normal is constantly changing. My life is busy, chaotic, and sometimes frustrating, but when it comes to Christmas, I always take a moment to think of the NICU nurses. To remind myself, there are bigger things happening, there are people who are in my shoes from last year.
At Christmas time, it’s a great time to take a step away from yourself and look at the world around you. You don’t need to give money or presents, but simply by giving your time or lending an ear to someone, helps you take a step back and reevaluate your current situation. I’ll never forget the kindness and patience of the NICU nurses and as Christmas approaches I strive to be uplifting to someone who may be stuck in their own tunnel vision or struggling silently.
Guest Blogger Jen Labriola/Graphic artist for The Gift of Life
Follow author Rosie Moore https://www.facebook.com/author27/
Merry Christmas!
by Rosie Moore | Dec 24, 2016 | Blog
As we bring the countdown to an end. Let us all reflect on what we have to be thankful for this year. Some of us have lost jobs, relationships with significant others, friends, financial turmoil or health, but one thing remains, if you are able to read this last countdown right now, then you are blessed. Why you may ask? Because we live in a country where we can access the internet freely, we have our eyes to read and our hands to type to search for an article. That is the beginning, we are breathing and alive!
So today make it special, tell someone that you are blessed today because you know them and that makes you feel great. Share the Christmas cheer not just today but every day to come.
We hope that you have enjoyed these 24 days of Countdown to Christmas.
Come back on Christmas day for a very special article written by a guest blogger, you don’t want to miss this story.
Follow author Rosie Moore https://www.facebook.com/author27/
Merry Christmas from our house to yours. May you always remember that the reason for the season is the birth of the baby Jesus.
by Rosie Moore | Dec 23, 2016 | Blog
As things begin to wind down, take a moment to grab the kids and the dog and walk around the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights instead of driving. This will get you out of the house, allow you to see neighbors that you may have never met and had some fresh air to breathe and establish family memories.
Follow author Rosie Moore https://www.facebook.com/author27/
Merry Christmas!
\
