Sickness Stinks, but Healing is SWEET

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I type this blog post from the beautiful Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. This unexpected, perfectly timed, all-expenses paid trip to celebrate the professional success of a loved one has been nothing short of amazing. It truly has been inspiring, eye-opening, refreshing, filled with gratitude and FUN all in one!!!! I’m truly grateful to be here as a guest.
Thankful
The six+ hours to get here from Birmingham, with a running through the Houston airport “layover” which only lasted about 20 minutes and a delicious turkey and fig with cream cheese sandwich on the United flight was memorable to say the least. The high elevation on the flight to Cali was also a reminder that I have Lymphedema, but God is still good.
Any person with Lymphedema knows that we should wear our garments on flights because of the change in air pressure. Well, since I haven’t worn a sleeve or glove in a couple of years, I forgot to put one on pre-flight. As the plane rose, I could feel my arm’s lymphatic fluid doing the same. I panicked! My mind immediately went back to the big, fat hurting (and expensive) arm I’d dealt with for years, thinking that my trip to “the greatest place on earth” would be marred by pain. Well, it wasn’t and it isn’t. I massaged my arm, as I’ve been accustomed to doing since my diagnosis in 2011. I didn’t lay on it while sleeping. I shook my hand when feeling it become full and I MOVED ON! God is good. There were days, not too long ago, where this would not have happened. But God is good! He’s a healer on His on terms, in His own time and in His on way. Now, will I immediately get a soft- tissue massage when I get back home to make sure all which is well stays well with my lymphatic system?. Yes! But will I declare without reservation that by His stripes we are healed? YES!
For all who are going through matters regarding health, be it physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional, whether it’s yours to carry or pertaining to someone for which you care, just know that HEALING is in the house! You must believe that! For God’s children sickness can not show up without healing chasing it down and run it over at its heels.
We have to do our part in the Lord’s plans toward our healing. That means seeing a doctor, seeking therapy and staying with it, taking medications, changing our habits, getting rid of fear, revising our routines, and first and foremost knowing what the Bible says about healing, reading it, praying it, rehearsing it and looking for it. Have faith, my friends and hold to it tightly. Then be prepared to celebrate and share what He’s done as you see healing in action through epic displays. #Matthew813
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@AngelaMMoore316

I’m Onboard with My Vision Board

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I’ll admit. I like to party. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the kind of partying that was partly responsible for my 1.8 GPA my first semester in college, but the kind that brings great people, even better food, and some super cool celebrations together no matter how grand or how much grander. So when the thought of a Vision Board Party came to mind I was excited. I admitted to my guests that I’d actually placed more thought in the menu than actually what my vision board would represent, but once I set my mind to it, in the midst of scissors, glue, glitter, stickers, card board, poster board and magazine madness it was like I’d been transported to another world…the future, my future that is. To say the Vision Board Party was fun would be an understatement! There was just something special about being bold enough to put my “bees-wax” on display for others to see. I was shocked I was brave enough to include this:

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As much of a romantic, “I believe in love, I know I’m meant to be some Heaven-sent husband’s wonderful wife” I’m focused on a few more important things right now and I don’t want to find a man. He has to find me. So I resisted posting this (even though I was truly tempted…LOL!):

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I muddled through the mess that evolved from my dining room floor slightly surprised that there was no mention of material things on my board. Yes, there is an entire section devoted to vacation and travel (a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do), and the word “home” is spotlighted as I’m in need of getting rid of one and securing another quickly and miraculously, but not a mention of cars, purses, shoes, shopping, jewelry or any of the other things the old me would have been pasting like a 4th grader with unlimited glue and glitter gone wild. Instead I was surprisingly focused on things more spiritual, social and physical (like faith, Jesus, healthier food, inspiring quotes and the aforementioned “thighs and butt”), dreams I’ve had and sat on (sometimes nearly suffocating them) like being an author and inspiration, and achieving wealth to receive and share.

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Let me tell you how much I was into this party. I was so engrossed with my vision board coming to life that I sat down on the floor. Yikes! Those of you who know me know I’m a girly girl in every sense of the word, opting against things remotely related to being on the floor, being surrounded by clutter, and traipsing back and forth through glitter on the ground and ultimately in my hair. With the blaring background sounds of the Prince station on Pandora not only did I do it, but I didn’t regret it a bit. Since we’re on the subject of your purple highness, if you haven’t listened to the Prince station on Pandora you need to do yourself a favor and listen.  I digress.

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I was pleased with my finished product and the finished product of the finished product that I tweaked after all of the guests and chicken wings were gone. Her next step? To hang in my office, in all her neon green glory, as a daily reminder of what my dreams look like so that when I finally see them I’ll know it’s partly because I dared to do so.

PS…If you’ve never had or attended a Vision Board Party I would definitely recommend you do so. I can host it, or be your guest. Because after all, I do like to party, especially when it’s with a purpose.

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@AngelaMichele316

We Made It

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Wow! 2014 was an amazing year, about as joyous as a toddler on Christmas morning, and about as choked full of stomach turning ups and downs as a that granted by a ginormous roller coaster at Six Flags. Through all that happened to those I know and me, and all I heard of happening around the world, if you’re reading this post that means We Made It!
Forced career transitions (known as loss of jobs), emotional, mental, spiritual and health challenges (known as real-live miracles in the making), fiscal development mechanisms (known as money woes), and strengthening of social strategies (known as human being issues) may have accompanied 2014, and some may have snuck into 2015, but we still made it and that, my loves, is worth celebrating all year.

December 31, 2014, on the last day of the year I took my first vacation of the year with friends to New Orleans, Louisiana. Day one was fabulous! Day two did not disappoint (except for my team losing). I am SO grateful for God honoring my heart’s desire to simply refresh and have a bit (actually more than a bit) of joy and laughter more than 200 miles from home. I’d lamented all year about wanting, no, needing a vacation. And I got one. Not only did I get one but it was on a budget, part of a gift, with amazing friends, full of good food, with a refund from the hotel and to celebrate my team (Roll Tide Roll!!!! We’re still THAT team!) While my humble vacation may not seem much to many, to me it’s a sign that the Lord is right on time. I’d petitioned God so many times in 2014 for a vacation because I knew I needed it for the road ahead and to be rested for the rewards on the way. He heard and answered.
As we start 2015 with a bang let us all always know that God’s love, joy, peace and promises never, ever fail….even if they come at what seems to be the last minute (the last day of the year) then simultaneously starts the year off right spilling over into a new era (the first day of the year).
See a sneak peek of pictures from my promise fulfilled😄 And the best for me…and for you is yet to come!!! Happy New Year to each of you.

@AngelaMMoore316

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Gimme a Break!

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The wonderfully talented and sassy Nell Carter belted out the following lyrics on her hit television show in the 80s: Gimme a Break Theme Song

Gimme a break I sure deserve it It’s time I made it to the top Gimme a break I’m looking forward Get behind me Pull out every stop

Matthew 7:7 says “Ask and it shall be received”. James 4:2 says “You have not because you ask not”. So taking a cue from God and Ms. Carter (RIP) I’m asking for this simple request….”Gimme a Break”.

Nell Carter in Gimme a Break.

You know it’s time for a vacation, a respite or reprieve when your two-year-old niece interrupts her own car seat serenade with Justin Timberlake to yell out emphatically and with authority, “Sweet Tee (that’s what she calls me), WE need a vacation!” I humbly agreed as if she were the adult and I were the toddler. Not that anything has to go on or wrong in life to need a break or a breather, but simply by default of living we all need a healthy escape. Being human requires rest, fun, adventure, and new memories. I’m talking about the kind of break that doesn’t have to cost a lot (unless you can afford it) but that’s so good, and so relaxing, and so invigorating, and so exciting and fantastically whatever you need it to be that you talk about it and thrive from it for years after it’s over. People often comment on how “nice” I am. And for the most part I am (or try my best to be), but that’s due in LARGE part to me being able to get myself in check and keep myself in check through regularly scheduled rest and relaxation, otherwise I’d be…well, I won’t even give my doubters or the devil any room there. So, I’m waiting on, praying for, looking forward to, and receiving any ways God desires for me to catch a break (meaning I’m very selective about who I share my spare time with, what I do and where:). But if the Lord prefers I enjoy a gift of a Groupon vacation. I’ll take it! A free trip from some contest I’ve entered? I’ll be present and accounted for! A trip to the spa or several spas? I’ll go! Some serious outlet shopping? Yes, ma’am or sir, I’m available! A girlfriend getaway? Pass my new luggage please! A four or five-day escape with money to spare? Count me in! A rainy Saturday with all day Food Network “Chopped”, “Restaurant Impossible”, ” The Pioneer Woman” and “Barefoot Contessa”? Remote, pizza and popcorn please! A daycation or quick retreat? Yep, I’m down. I’ve learned that knowing what it takes to keep you going is just as important as the act of keeping going. For me, that’s a break (or two or three or more) each year. I need breaks. I depend on breaks. I like breaks. I expect breaks and I don’t feel bad at all by admitting any of the above. So for now, I’ll enjoy some photos of breaks-of-old, hum along to Nell’s sweet song and make myself ready for the adventures ahead. And when it happens new posts and pics will follow!!!!

@AngelaMMoore316