Destined for His Glory

I am strong, resilient and worthy.  My voice matters.  I see those many don’t see. I hear those whose hearts are longing to be heard. I hold space and care for those who come under my care. I am a therapist  All my experiences The joys, the triumphs, the heartaches the Dark Night of the Souls. My fears, insecurities and anxiety My friendships and those within my community Empower me to sit with those who seek Their own healing journey. I am competent I have been given the skills, ability and talent To humbly and confidently stand In my role as a Therapist  As a Student. My love of learning overrides the untruth of being labeled unacademic. I am strong, and I choose today not to give my own power where it is undeserving. I choose to no longer belittle or dismiss my own worth and value. I choose to stand in the truth of Who I was and am created to be. The Maker Holds me close in His Hands. Whispers, “Beloved, you are i...

The very definition of grief depicts the image of deep suffering. The Latin word “gwere” means, “ mental pain, or sorrow.” When a loved one passes away, its not just an emotional suffering that on e experiences, but it also is felt physically in the body. Studies show the impact grief and sorrow has on both our mind and bodies. Grief is EXHAUSTING. As much as we try to prepare for grief, there is a chaotic and often unnatural feel to the process of deep loss. The cost of loving someone is often the deep pain we feel when sorrow comes in massive waves, and never at the times we want them to come. Flashes of memories, and words that were shared, and what it feels like to be in the presence of our most loved and dear hit us when we are least expecting them to come. At the grocery store, filling up the car with gas, someone is talking and somehow what they say reminds you of your loss. At night when all is quiet and there is a moment to reflect and remember, when no one else will ...

I 've been reading a book lately called " The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brene Brown. It challenges me on pretty much every level and makes me really think about how I am choosing to go through life and whether I am claiming shame or authenticity,  or living in love and belonging. She goes on to talk about how choosing a life of authenticity is a   choice   and in today's world- that can pose a threat to many as our society has become all about appearances, having it all together, striving to look like everything is working as it should be, while meanwhile feeling like you don't belong or aren't good enough.  To be honest I would think that more often than not I would say I live in the opposite of authenticity, and perfectionism is a real struggle. Yet I know I am not alone in this struggle. I desire to be authentic, but that means choosing to be real, genuine and open and not allowing shame to overide true feelings of love and belonging. As a Christian, I wou...

Let me tell you what beauty is, it’s not what you see on television, it’s not found in the magazines or on the clothes rack at the trendiest store in town.  Real beauty is not defined by what many people see on the outside for we are a shallow people and rarely do we look deeper than paper thin. We   take a glance, perhaps but a moment, but do we wonder what lies beneath, what story holds beneath the surface? For if we did then we would discover where true beauty lies within the hearts of women who have endured much suffering and hardship and even trauma. Commercials won’t tell you the real story; they don’t give a clear picture of the years she sought to be perfect, to have it all together. They don’t tell you a story ofthe abuse she endured silently waiting to be rescued, how she raised her children on her own while the man she thought she was going to marry went onto the next woman. If you looked in her eyes, you would see a story of resiliency,of courage and bravery...

Here are a few pictures of me in Romania. My time in Bucharest Romania was an amazing time one in which I will cherish for the rest of my life. I was able to be reunited with my bioligical family and it was an amazing reunion. I have known all my life that I was loved and had a family in Romania who loved me immensly and gave me up for adopted because of their great love for me and I saw firsthand how much of a sacrifice it was to give me up because they love me immensely. M y family ( which included all of Marianna,s family, and my brother and sisters) ended up coming to church with me which I was totally amazed by and know that God is working in my family's life. Not only does He love me, but He loves them and desires that they would all come to know Him. Roman Orthodox religion is very strong in Romania,which is grounded by many rituals. The fact they wanted to come to church was so amazing to me and I never asked them to come and they had decided they wanted to come even before...

 Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken by the right hand, To subdue nations before him And ] to loose the loins of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: “I will go before you and make the [ b ] rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. “I will give you the [ c ] treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. “For the sake of Jacob My servant, And Israel My chosen one, I have also called you by your name; I have given you a title of honor Though you have not known Me. “I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will ] gird you, though you have not known Me;   That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other,       -Isaiah 45:1-6 You know God's ...