Closing Blog

My blog will no longer be active by Tuesday. I have been blogging for five years and never encountered problems like this before....after five years of "auto-renewal" of my domain name, blogger has made it virtually impossible for me to renew my blog domain. I blogged about it here...

At this point, I have spent many, many hours trying to renew with no success. I hope you will all come to visit me at:

 Hope-Filled Living 

or  

Facebook 

or

 Pinterest...

or

drop me a line at:

hopefilledliving(at)gmail.com

Perhaps I will have a new blog up and running by autumn. Until then, I will be working on some projects and get back to the place I began--and have forgotten during my years as 

a social butterfly on Blogger... my website. 

Look for a couple of my books in the bookstores this fall!

 We must all be busy doing what we LOVE. 

XOXO.

Mary

Hope-Filled Living Blog Going Away

After spending three hours on the computer this morning, attempting to figure out how to renew my blog domain--with no success, I have decided to let my blog expire on May 21st. I have been blogging since 2008 and have met some really great friends. I hope you will keep in touch with me through my website, Hope-Filled Living.

The writing schedule I have set for myself as well as continuing my education are helping me prioritize my time. I will miss you, however, I will continue to write weekly updates on my website and all the information, articles, book reviews and classes will be available on my website too! Since I began blogging in 2008, I have put my website to the wayside and have not updated it as I should. When you come to visit, please know that I am a work in progress and so is my website. It takes me a little while to do anything technical.....

You can also connect with me on Pinterest and Facebook...there are links on the sidebar of my blog...
I pray that as I make this transition, you will continue to connect and tune in with my life and work. My goal is always to be a blessing and bring you inspiration.

I will try to get an RSS feed up on my site for those of you who want updates via e-mail.
You can contact me at: hopefilledliving(at)gmail.com.

Love, Hope and Inspiration!
Mary

I was reading through some of your posts this morning, trying to get caught up 

after taking time off to finish up some projects

and ...

 

 

to nurse my furbaby, Cleo--who suddenly became ill last weekend

and will be having surgery on Monday. It has been a difficult week

for mommy and Cleo...I can't stop crying at the thought of losing her.

During my visits to some of your blogs, I noticed that some of you are going

through your own personal trials. 

Here are some prayers and affirmations to consider--

and that I will be praying for you today.

Be a light in a dark world

Prayer:  Dear Father, I desire to be a light in the dark paths of this world. If my thoughts grow dark for a season, send someone with a spark of light to turn me back on the right path. Amen.

Affirmation:  I have deep gratitude that God has put a light inside of me to share with the world. I will share my light.

 

Offer hope to someone else today by doing simple things

Prayer:  Dear Lord, give me creative ideas to be an inspiration in the life of someone else. Give me encouraging words that speak of hope to others. Show me simple ways to be kind and to enrich the lives of those around me. I want to be Your hands, Your feet and Your mouth today. Amen.

Affirmation:  I will make a difference in the life of someone else today. My life has special meaning. I have the confidence to reach out to hurting people today. 

List the things you worry about constantly, study and recognize those things you can control

Prayer:  Dear God, thank You for helping me see that worry is not productive or healthy. I release all of my worries to You today. I rest in the comfort that no matter what comes, You will never leave me or forsake me. You are my refuge in the storm. I know You will see me through. Amen.

Affirmation:  Today I will give myself permission to break free from worry. I will hand my worries over to a higher power and recognize those things I cannot change.

Hope and Love to You...

Spa Goodies

 

Celia had read my post Recovery and Post-Op Activities ...

and out of the kindness of her heart went out and got me some special bath goodies.

She is one of my dearest blogger friends and is known to write a beautifully written letter

just when I need it most. When our daughter made her first trip to Mayo Clinic because she was

sick--Celia sent us numerous messages to ask how we were doing. I have never forgotten that.

She continually exemplifies inspiration, as her kindness 

and compassion breathe on everyone she comes to know. 

Although it is always a lovely surprise to receive gifts from our friends and loved ones, the greatest gifts

we can give to another person are kindness and presence in our sufferings. Celia thought about my situation and her heart led her to find special things for me--because she was PRESENT...(attentive, understanding, listening) to me in my time of struggles.

For instance, when came home from one of my numerous hospital stays in the past two years, my brother had sent me a beautiful white teddy bear. I had not expected it, but it meant so much to me that he cared enough about what was happening in my life that he bestowed upon me this lovely gesture. That teddy bear brought me great comfort after my recent surgery and he sits on my dresser as a lovely reminder of my sweet brother and his love for me.

In addition, my sister sent me a gift box full of hand picked munchies to let me know that although she lives

1400 miles away, she was with me in her heart. Again, it was an unexpected gift, but one that made

me feel valued and loved.

If you would like to visit sweet Celia's blog, you can find her at High-Heeled Life...

I encourage you to hop over there and say hello and read her story.

It will touch your heart. If she is not in her writing studio, she will pop her head

out to say hello to you too!

Meanwhile, I will be in my clawfoot bathtub enjoying my spa treatments!

And as usual....Celia's gift came right in time---a busy weekend of final edits on my book!

XOXO.