This season can be crazy at times. Although there is much joy in seeing friends and family, for some, this is a difficult season.
The news around the world brings little hope for peace.
The crazy weather brings little hope for warmth and safety.
However you feel today, I want to bring you a little HOPE.
Our nonprofit organization is Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE. For the past nine years since we started our 501(c)3, I have collected HOPE ornaments.
Today I’ll share some photos of my new HOPE tree.
I had so many ornaments that the tree I had last year fell over. I’ve been looking for the perfect tree for my office where I can share my HOPE ornaments year round.
I found just the tree and I am delighted with how it carries these meaningful ornaments.
HOPE Tree 2016
HOPE has been a theme in my heart these days as I’ve been reading one of my favorite books by Ron Mehl titled Love Found a Way. It was written in 1999 as a collection of Christmas stories. I love to read it each year. Pastor Ron died in 2003 after a long battle with leukemia, but his books will speak his message for many years.
He reminded me that HOPE is a Christmas word because Christ came to bring us HOPE.
We think of the word in many different ways.
My granddaughter Avery hopes she gets a volcano for Christmas.
As many people travel, they hope for safe flights and clear roads.
Young moms hope for some sleep.
The unemployed hope for a job.
As school wound down last week, teachers told students they hoped they would have a great vacation.
But I think the HOPE that Jesus brought isn’t such a watered down version of that wonderful word.
I love how Ron Mehl puts it in his Love Finds a Way book,
“No, the Bible’s brand of hope is very different. This is hope shot through with confidence. This is hope so muscular it can pull you out of a deep pit. This is hope so powerful it can anchor your life–keeping you secure in the highest waves and strongest storms. This is hope stronger than death–a hope upon which you’d state your life…and your eternity.”
Why is this hope so strong? It is because of the object of our hope. This isn’t hoped just for hope’s sake. It is hope fixed on the Almighty Lord who loves each of us as his own precious child.
Hope Ornaments 2016
Hope is what connects us to God and to heaven.
Hope tells us that no matter our situation, we can rest in the hands of a sovereign God who loves us very much.
More HOPE Ornaments 2016
I love how David puts it in Psalm 62:5-6
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. he alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Maybe today you are not feeling so hopeful. It is my prayer that you will find the hope that found a way to completely change my life.
In my next blog post, I’ll be sharing some of the reasons I put my HOPE in Him.
Until then, be blessed knowing I think of you and pray for you often.
Gigi
My books are available at www.DochasPublications.com You can use the code HOPE to get a $5 discount off the $14.95 price of my FAITH, HOPE, LOVE journals.
I hope you have had a fun summer.
I had a great summer and I’m sad to see it end. It is hard to believe we are nearing the end as fall begins in just a few days.
Over the summer, I made a list of books recommended by Michael Hyatt and started reading. The first book I picked up was Donald Miller’s, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story.
Where was I when this book was published in 2011? Somehow I missed this gem until now.
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is a book about taking action to edit the scenes in our life stories. Donald Miller found himself in a funk after writing several books including his best seller, Blue Like Jazz .
As he created a screen-play for Blue Like Jazz, Miller was challenged to look at the structure of his own story and decided to make some changes in his life.
This book includes many personal stories from Donald Miller’s life as he made the choice to live differently. He got off the couch and started riding his bike. It wasn’t a ride down the street, but a ride across America raising money for water wells in Africa.
He rode miles with friends in kayaks and unexpectedly met Bob Goff (author of Love Does – Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World.) Donald and his friends spent eight hours with the Goff’s in a life changing experience of irresistible love.
One touching story relates to his struggle to decide whether to contact his father who abandoned him when he was young. He shares the real ebbs and flows of choosing to do the difficult things that might just change the trajectory of our lives.
As an author, I also related to this book because the elements of story are used to help Miller look at scenes from his life and determine to make some changes. I enjoyed his reference to story structure.
I was definitely challenged by this book to take a look at the story of my own life. Am I living he story I want to live? I want to put myself in more situations that require me to get out of my comfort zone.
The timing of this book coming to my attention was perfect. Last week we moved our son Gabe to his own apartment two hours away. And he took his service dog Ruth with him. The house is so quiet. A new chapter of my story begins.
This Thursday I will get to meet my new granddaughter who will join Avery and Ellison. I can hardly wait for this exciting part of the story.
In two weeks I will finish my seventeen year stint working at D+H (originally EZTeller, then Harland Financial Solutions, then purchased by D+H.) I will be laid off on October 1, 2016 as a part of a reorganization of our company. I will miss the people who were part of that story but I’m excited to swee what’s next.
Some of my life adventures are completely out of my control but I’m sure they will bring a spark into the new season ahead of me.
Steve and I are on a new adventure of living in an empty next. I hope to write and speak more. I want to spend more time with my grandchildren. I’d like to travel and enjoy the beauty of God’s country. I hope to go on a mission trip.
What bucket list items are you ready to check off?
Is there something about your life your’d like to edit?
I pray for you as God directs your path for whatever is around the corner. I know I’m listening closely for directions and I know it will be a great adventure!
Bless you friend as you edit the story of your life. Make it beautiful!
Gigi
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Photo Courtesty of www.Marvelsflowers.com
There is nothing like the giggle of my granddaughter as she hunts for hidden plastic eggs throughout our home. In Seattle, sometimes the egg hunts don’t make it outside. Yesterday was one of those days because of the rain.
But we all had a great time despite the rainy weather.
Avery excitedly searched in every room to find the many eggs hidden earlier in the day. She opened each egg carefully to see the surprise inside.
These are the lessons we can teach our children and grandchildren as they open each egg:
When the egg is empty, it is a reminder of the empty tomb, and the resurrection life we receive because of Easter.
When the egg is filled with candy, it reminds us that God is the giver of good gifts, the best gift given to us on Easter – life everlasting.
When the egg has a coin in it, we are reminded that God is our provider. He knows our needs and provides the way to meet them. (And Disneyland is one quarter closer!)
Yes, Easter is so much more than egg hunts, bunnies, candy and gifts. It is about the gift of life everafter given to each of us as we trust in the One and Only, Jesus Christ.
Not because we did anything to earn this gift, but just because he Loves us. It is about HOPE and LOVE for today and tomorrow.
It was a doubly special day for my family because we also celebrated our oldest son, Zane’s, birthday. He is another reminder of God’s good gifts. I am beyond blessed to be his mom.
On this Easter Monday, my heart is full of HOPE and LOVE. I hope yours is too.
My prayer for you, dear friend, is that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can HOPE in God’s LOVE for all of your todays and tomorrows. He loves you more than you know.
I do too!
Be Blessed.
Gigi ]]>
I felt like a kid when the UPS man showed up at our door late Sunday afternoon. The journal I’ve been creating since mid summer arrived hot off the press.
It is beautiful! I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it.
This is not only a journal. I share a bit of my story of HOPE. You’ll learn about my mom’s journal that is now seventy-eight years old. Interspersed throughout are inspiring quotes and Scriptures to point you to hope.
There is plenty of space to write your thoughts, hopes and dreams. (And frustrations too – I journal it all!)
A separate section to track prayer requests helps you remember the prayers of your heart. Updates help you see the hand of God at work. The gratitude section is a great place to record thanks each day.
And, just for fun, I’ve added some coloring pages. The coloring pages are floral or abstract designs – mostly tulips. I tell you the tulips story to explain my love for the beautiful flower.
It is available here on my website NOW. It will be up on Amazon in the next few days.
I hope you’ll consider joining me to journal the journey.
We’ve discounted the book through December 31st. The retail price is $14.95 but we are offering it here for $10.00. Click on the book section to order. Purchase Here
The proceeds from this book benefits Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE – a 501(c)3 nonprofit established to bring encouragement and hope to those we serve.
I pray you will find HOPE in the manger this Christmas. He came to earth as a baby…just for you and for me. Bless you with encouragement today.
Gigi ]]>
Light a candle and let it shine as a reminder of the HOPE available to all of us.
This week is the first week of Advent. As we count down to Christmas let us remember where our HOPE comes from.
THE CANDLE OF HOPE
Charles Colson said it best:
“Where is the hope? The hope that each of us have, is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. And that’s where our hope is in this country. And that’s where our hope is in this life.”
I shared in a previous post that my new Journal the Journey — HOPE book is about to hit the press. I am delighted to share a few stories of how HOPE has kept me going during challenging times of life.
My prayer for you today, as we end November, is that you will know where your hope comes from.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 (ESV)
Bless you with HOPE today,
Gigi