We Are Where We Are Suppose To Be!

Since the New Year bells have rang, I have found myself on several occasions saying with much conviction, "Thank God 2009 is over!!!!" It was definitely a year of mountains for me personally, and I have eagerly awaited the beginning of something new....a chance to start over, as many of us do. I have a great feeling about this year!!! I hear many predict it will be a year of spiritual outpouring and a shift toward people finding their higher purpose. I pray they are right!!!

However, I have to admit that it wasn't until today that I was able to clearly see how each little event from the past year has shaped my journey, especially many that I would have liked to forgotten. A friend sent me a New Years Prayer from Father Rohr that in one part said......

We now hand over to you the blessed year, 2009, with all that it gave us and all that it took from us, knowing that both are necessary, just like our breath.

I was thinking about this so much today.... the idea that all are necessary, and everything started fitting together for me. Just to touch the surface on a few things that come to mind........One thing I don't like about traveling for work is having to leave my kids for days at a time, and honestly at times is is very distressful for both me and my children. Thinking back I realized that the two trips that I had the hardest time dealing with last year both brought me life changing relationships that I would not have had had I not traveled. I met one person on a plane and the other on a balcony, and even today I look to them both for inspiration and spiritual guidance and there is no question God put them in my life and I am so very grateful for them both!!!!!

Secondly, without going in to too much detail, I had one of if not my toughest battle this year personally. It has been something that I have struggled with for almost the entire year, and I could not understand how or why I would have to experience so much hurt or anyone should. However, over the holidays I met someone who was experiencing the same "battle" and needed support and hope and understanding, and I knew at that moment that it was no coincidence we had met. I knew then that I had to experience what I did to be there for her and for the many others that shared our hurt. Beth Moore echoes again with ....you are more useful healed than you ever were well!!!!

One last example.... I have had the misfortune of dealing with Chinese Drywall this year which has caused a tremendous amount of financial burden for our family, but it has taught us all to be content with less and ultimately more grateful! This also changed many of my plans for this year with Sweeteas and my children, and so I have had to practice patience and divine timing. I guess after looking back today, I felt this great peace that we are where we are suppose to be and God truly has a plan and purpose and there is always some good that will come even if at that moment we can't see it.

I have always been one of great faith in knowing that God is who he says he is, but I think a huge part of faith is knowing God can do what he says he can do (again taken from Beth Moore), and that requires letting go and allowing him to work in our lives......this I am not so good at, but I do have good intention. So today I turn everything over to God........my journey, my home, my finances, Sweeteas, my relationships, and my career. I entrust him with the safety and health of myself and my children. This year will be an amazing year......one of great JOY!!!!!!

"No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor human heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." Corinthians 2:9

Blessings,
Ro

The Sweeteas Blog!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Sweeteas!!!

So I suppose a day of Thanksgiving is the perfect day to begin my blog....A Spoonful of Sugar!! I have been traveling the past few months visiting such great cities to share my "Sweetea Story," and hopefully spread a lil' Southern Grace, and I am truly grateful for the reception from Austin, Texas to Raleigh, North Carolina!! It is has truly been a blessing to meet so many fabulous Southern Women along the way. No matter where I go, I always meet someone that assures me that this is where I am suppose to be......Sweeteas!!!!

If you have read my story, you know that my path has been one with many mountains the last few years. I have read a ton!!! I have cried a ton!!! However, through it all, I have found joy!!! Maybe my theme in life is to help others find Joy through their suffering, as well. So while I write for children, this blog will be for the mothers, aunts, grandmothers and girlfriends that love them. I have found great power in leaning on scriptures and motivational quotes from the books that have strengthened me these last few years. I decorate my world with them...my bathroom mirror, my closet, my pantry, my back door, my car visor, my day timer etc... I know that this is a journey that can easily be swayed by the demands of playing the many roles of a woman today, so I shield myself with the positive words to keep me focused. There is great power in speaking them out loud too.My name, Rochelle, means from the Rock. Beth Moore says that sometimes we are more useful healed than we ever were well, so my journey is to the Rock. so that I too will be more useful healed. I hope you will check in with me and maybe find a Spoonful of Sugar that makes your day!!! I have found joy and I would love to share it with you!!!!

Today is a day for thankfulness, so let us count our blessings! I was listening to Martina McBride last night, Blessed!! If you have it, it's a great way to start your day!!

The quote that I loved that started this Sweetea Journey was from the book

Captivating by Stasi Eldredge (I highly recommend!!!!), so it is appropriate that I start here with you.

Then the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was far greater than it was to blossom!!!!

Change is sometimes necessary, but often it is surprisingly wonderful!!!

Blessings,
Ro