Tag:

Hope

HOPE Found a Way

by Gigi December 21, 2016

written by Gigi

Hi Friend,
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.

December 21, 2016 0 comment

Gigi Journey of HOPE Published Work Recommended Books

Exciting News!

by Gigi December 21, 2015

written by Gigi

We had a fun weekend with my family. Our two grandchildren came over for a visit. There is nothing like Christmas through the eyes of a child.

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

December 21, 2015 0 comment

Gigi Journey of HOPE

Journey of HOPE – First Sunday of Advent

by Gigi November 30, 2015

written by Gigi

Hello beloved one~

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

November 30, 2015 0 comment

Gigi

Journal the Journey

by Gigi November 18, 2015

written by Gigi

Hello Friend,
I’m very excited to share that the first book in my new Journal Series – Journal the Journey of HOPE is about to hit the press. I spent the summer working on this creative journal~coloring book.
I chose the theme HOPE as the first book in this series because I believe we can all use a little HOPE these days.
Throughout this 160 page journal, you’ll find a few stories about how I’ve maintained a HOPE-filled attitude. I will also share some of my journal writing techniques. Quotes and favorite Scriptures that have pointed me to HOPE are found throughout the journal pages. For relaxation and fun, I’ve added a few coloring pages too.
This journal will leave the hands of Dochas Publications and hit Amazon at the end of November.
BUT I have good news for you. If you pre-order from me, you can get the journal for $10.00 vs the $14.95 price at Amazon. (Tax and $5.00 shipping and handling will be added.)

I’m excited for this whole series of journals. In January we will release Journal the Journey of LOVE and in March Journal the Journey of FAITH.

Also, if you order from Amazon, we would appreciate it if you would use the Amazon Smile account that gives a donation to Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE.
This journal will make a great Christmas or Birthday gift for the journaler in your life. It will also be a great tool for learning to keep a journal.
Come back to my website for more details as we get closer to the release date.
Bless you in your journey.
Gigi

November 18, 2015 0 comment

Gigi

Better Not Bitter

by Gigi May 21, 2014

written by Gigi

Hello Friend!
I’ve been away from my blog on a spiritual retreat and getting help for the depression and anxiety I’ve felt on and off for many years.
It was time for me to face it, rather than deny it.
This is my last week at The Center – A Place of HOPE, where I have received wonderful care from my therapists, doctors, nutritionists and a host of new friends.

The best care has been given me by the One and Only who is acquainted with my sorrow – Jesus.
I have so much to tell you.
I hope you’ll come back to my blog in the coming days and weeks where I’ll share some of the amazing revelations I’ve had these past six weeks.
I have turned my trials to triumphs.
I have removed bitter roots and I see sprouts of new growth and a better life.
I have examined every area of my life, like peeling an onion layer by layer.
My faith has been tested and has produced the quality of endurance.
I have asked God for help and received answers to long ago prayers.
Suffering and pain got my attention. It got me to listen to God in a way nothing else could.
I have learned that adversity is the greatest teacher.
When I am weak, Christ is made strong.
My faith has been tested. It is precious to God. It is more precious than gold.
I am more dependent upon the Lord as I have learned to face and embrace adversity.
I am allowing the Holy Spirit to develop Christ’s character in me.
I have learned things by the way of suffering.
This testing of my faith has produced endurance. This endurance has produced perseverance.
I have been pruned.
I have been purified.
I have become better instead of bitter.

God’s grace has been my Divine Anesthetic.
I see the promises and blessings He has had for me all along. But the bitterness in my heart clouded my vision.
I can see clearly now, my pride is gone.
My hope and prayer for you, my friend. Is that you will be able to endure your painful trials and process them to effect real change.
May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Bless you with hope. If you don’t have any today, let me loan you some of mine. It is abundant in my heart this day.
Gigi

May 21, 2014 0 comment

Gigi

As the Earth Brings Forth Sprouts

by Gigi March 15, 2014

written by Gigi

Hello friend.
How are you doing today?
Praise God I am feeling better than I did on my last blog post.
God has met me in my time of need. His light shines in the dark night of my soul. Oh where would I be without my Jesus?
One of the blessings of the past week has been the sun shining after long, dark and rainy days.

My plants are poking through the ground reminding me that spring is around the corner.
The daffodils are bloomed at the entry to our neighborhood.

The rhodedendrums that bloom early are full of pink flowers.

I wonder if the primroses that brighten my planters know how they brighten my spirit?

This week I’ve been journaling through a blessing from My Father’s Business. It came to me at the perfect time. I plan to share more about that with you this week.
I have found in my experience that God is never early. He is never late. He meets me at just the right time. He did that this week.
As I write this I am preparing to travel with my son, Gabe.
Sunday morning he will be speaking at a youth group event in Ellensburg, WA.
Monday he will inspire a Christian school.
Right after his assembly, we head to Helena, MT where he will be the keynote speaker at the Montana Association of School Superintendents on Tuesday afternoon.
My heart swells with joy to watch God use Gabe to touch thousands of lives.
Thank You Jesus for lighting my world with the reminder of hope for the way you intend to use my family.
At the end of the week I’m excited to meet my writer friends at the Inland Northwest Writer’s Conference.
Here again, I am reminded of His plan. He has called me to write. Even through my troubled times.
I prayed for you today. I asked that God would shine His light on your life.
I asked Him to help us both remember that He never leaves us or forsakes us.
I praised Him for the Scriptures that remind me that He is sent to bind up my broken heart. Isaiah 61 resonates with me.

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ²to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; ³to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
⁴They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities,  the devastations of many generations.

⁵Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; ⁶but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations,  and in their glory you shall boast.
⁷Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;  instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;  they shall have everlasting joy.

⁸For I the Lord love justice;  I hate robbery and wrong;I will faithfully give them their recompense,  and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
⁹Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed.

¹⁰I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
¹¹For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.

For whatever you are going through, I pray for peace to sprout a garden of praise.
Let me know how I can pray.
God’s blessing on your life.
Gigi

March 15, 2014 0 comment

Gigi Lenten Love Letters

Though You Slay Me

by Gigi March 8, 2014

written by Gigi

Hi Friend!
Although I’ve not posted a blog each week, I’ve been thinking of you.
I’ve been praying for you.
I wonder if you ever have days when you just want to give up?
Do you ever feel like you are at the end of your rope?
I’ve been there lately. I’m hanging on for dear life.
But God continues to remind me that He was sent to bind up the broken hearted and set the captive free.
I love this quote.

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” – Thomas Jefferson.

It reminds me to hold on.
And I’m so glad I have friends to support me when I can’t hold on any longer.
One such friend sent me this link to a beautiful song by Shane and Shane titled “Though You Slay Me”

I hope you’ll listen to this YouTube rendition of the song. It spoke to my troubled heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyUPz6_TciY
Smack dab in the middle of the song (At 3 minutes and 24 seconds) are the words I needed to hear spoken by John Piper
I heard clearly from the Lord today.
All that is going on in my life is not in vain.
My affliction is light in comparison to the Glory of God.
Every millisecond of my misery is producing a peculiar glory.
Do not lose heart, dear friend. There IS hope.
Get alone with God every morning until you preach the Word into your mind and soul.
And then you will sing with confidence as you trust Him to bring you HOPE.
He is with me….

Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

Oh how I needed this today.
Do you?
How can I pray for you?
Tell me your story and we will hold on together.
Gigi

March 8, 2014 0 comment

Gigi

My HOPE Tree

by Gigi December 26, 2011

written by Gigi

: My HOPE Tree

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
I love the lights on our Christmas tree.
We have two trees in our home but I’ve especially enjoyed my HOPE tree.

After we established Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE (www.GabesHOPE.org), we let people know of our desire to bring HOPE to individuals and families living with the effects of disability.
As a kind gesture of support, we began to receive ornaments and other gifts displaying the word HOPE.
I created this tree to display the gifts and it remains in my formal living room all year long.
I also decorated my cubicle at work with the overflow of gifts.
Now, four years later, we have quite a collection of HOPE objects.
Why HOPE?
Because HOPE gets me through the difficult times in my life.

Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so powerful as hope. With hope, one can think, one can work, one can dream. If you have hope, you have everything.” Sloan Kettering Memorial

My hope is found in Jesus.

the one we are celebrating each Christmas.
the one who came as a baby
the one who broke the chains that held me bondage to ugly sin
the one who gives me life everlasting
the one and only

Hope lights up the horizon in my dark nights.
Where would I be without HOPE?
I took photos of the ornaments on my HOPE tree as well as the gifts I have displayed throughout my home and at work too.
I added them to my photo share site. Enjoy!

Click here to view these pictures larger

HOPE reigns in my heart. HOPE shines in my home. HOPE defines my eternal destiny.
God Bless your heart with HOPE
Gigi

December 26, 2011 0 comment

Gigi

I Can Share My Hope With You

by Gigi May 3, 2011

written by Gigi

There isn’t much that I can do. But I can share my hopes with you. And I can share my life with you. And oftentimes share a prayer with you as on our way we go. Author unknown

Hope on the Horizon

When I read this quote on my 365 Days of HOPE calendar, it reminded me of the desire of my heart for my writing.
As I write, I pray for ways to share how God has given me hope in the midst of difficult trials of life.
My current work in progress is the completion of a book I’m writing with my son, Gabe.
My Message is C.L.E.A.R. – Hope and Strength in the Face of Life’s Greatest Adversities is the story of Gabe’s triumph over trials.
Every chapter tells of God’s goodness and kindness in the face of sometimes overwhelming circumstances.
But in the midst of the challenges, I have never lost hope.
So I will share my hopes with you as I share my life with you.
I will many times share a prayer with you as on our way we go.
Have a blessed day knowing that in all things we can find HOPE on the horizon.
God Bless Your Heart with HOPE.
Gigi
Please join me in prayer that I can carve out more time to finalize this project and continue with my book too.

May 3, 2011 0 comment

Gigi

Why I Write

by Gigi March 15, 2009

written by Gigi

Last month during an author’s training session I was struck by a comment Jean Ann Duckworth made when describing her One Person. This is the person you are writing to when you consider your audience. She said something like “Every day that I don’t write is one more night she lays in bed and cries because she needs to hear what I have to say so she doesn’t feel alone.”
This thought has been resonating in my head all month. There are so many hurting people who may need to hear our story. A few weeks ago at my home group we went around the room and shared what is going on in each of our lives. There is so much grieving and pain in this world that it can be overwhelming sometimes. But I have a secret – there IS hope!
So I write. I write in order to give hope to mom’s who have babies born with severe birth defects to tell them that there is hope in tomorrow.
I write in order to help people understand that even though these kids look different, they are really more like you than you think.
I write to share with moms of sons so we can learn from each other’s stories. I love to write about my two boys.
I write in order to share the things I’ve learned along the twenty-two year journey I’ve traveled as a mom.
I write to encourage others.
I write every day in my journal to document the happenings of my life because I cherish the 74 year old journal my mom wrote in when she was a teen. I learned so much about her from what she wrote. Now that she’s dancing in heaven I hear her voice in the written words. I miss her.
I write with the hope that the people who read my work will be blessed.
I can’t get that One Woman out of my mind. Who is she? Will I ever meet her face to face? I sure hope so.
She needs to know she is not alone in feeling forgiven for the stupid decisions she made in college.
She needs to know that the rocky times in her marriage will get better.
She needs to know that grace for the moment comes when we ask for it.
I write so I can help young teen women stay off the ugly detour I took in my youth.
Mostly, I write to point to the HOPE of Jesus.
Really, He’s the only answer. 🙂 So I write…

March 15, 2009 0 comment