A little about me...
First of all, let me start by telling you how happy I am that you have found my little blog in this
great big world!
First of all, let me start by telling you how happy I am that you have found my little blog in this
great big world!
I am a child of God, a wife and a mother. Some of my professional experiences include: owning a Christian bookstore, working as a hospital Chaplain, Outreach Pastor at a large church, and planting a church in 2005. I have worked extensively with the indigent community and with the help of a loving Creator, provided food, clothing and shelter to thousands of men, women and children. My career path has allowed me extensive experience in crisis care. During my pastorate, I counseled men and women searching for spiritual direction and helped guide them through crisis situations and decision making-life choices.
As a working Chaplain, I ministered to individuals and families during death, illness, and life threatening situations in a hospital setting. During my rounds I visited with and prayed with patients and their families. I worked in the dialysis unit, covered several emergency rooms, rehab center and surgical units. During my tenure as a Chaplain, I witnessed many answers to prayer and miracles.
As a working Chaplain, I ministered to individuals and families during death, illness, and life threatening situations in a hospital setting. During my rounds I visited with and prayed with patients and their families. I worked in the dialysis unit, covered several emergency rooms, rehab center and surgical units. During my tenure as a Chaplain, I witnessed many answers to prayer and miracles.
One of my primary passions throughout my career has been the building up and encouragement of other women, as I counseled so many who were hurting and suffering with low-self esteem, stressing the importance of a relationship with a loving God.
I love to lead seminars, which have proven to be highly popular and encouraging.
One of my typical half-day workshops may focus on the following:
- Self-esteem: where is it derived?
- What is Self-Care?
- Why do we do Self-Care?
- What does the bible say about Self-Care?
- What are some ways we can care about ourselves?
- Words of Affirmation
- Imagination Exercise
I LOVE what I do because I see the God-given beauty in each individual and it is simply a gift to see women smiling by the end of the day, feeling renewed, affirmed and hopeful...leaving with a sense of purpose.
I am working on several books based upon my experience in the pastorate, in relationship to the spiritual, physical, and emotional health and wellness of women, but my biggest dream at this time is to open a retreat center/spiritual renewal center.
I have also suffered with a debilitating illness for many years, called Interstitial Cystitis, or IC. Learning to cope with the ups and downs of a chronic illness led me to write a workbook entitled, "Chronic Illness: Your Journey Toward Balance, Wellness and Empowerment", which is available on my website: Hope-Filled Living.
I have also suffered with a debilitating illness for many years, called Interstitial Cystitis, or IC. Learning to cope with the ups and downs of a chronic illness led me to write a workbook entitled, "Chronic Illness: Your Journey Toward Balance, Wellness and Empowerment", which is available on my website: Hope-Filled Living.
I can relate to anyone who suffers with a physical handicap or chronic pain, due to my illness, and have great compassion for individuals living under those circumstances. My workbook is a compilation of coping techniques and practices as well as my journey, told through personal experiences. I pray that it will be a helpful resource and offer hope to those who are struggling with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness due to an illness.
I wrote this book in an effort to come to terms with the day-to-day reality of living with an incurable illness; not only the physical havoc but also the emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual toll that chronic illness plays on those struggling to survive it. The book began as a journal, a place to write my deepest feelings about my journey, before and after my diagnosis, because I was unwilling to expose my family to the full extent of my pain. After journaling over two hundred pages, I began to realize that it would aid me in my own struggle with deep hopelessness if I could help others facing the same issues. Writing each day, working toward something, gave me courage. While visualizing the completed project, my thoughts centered around bringing hope, and I focused on writing from the heart and teaching what I have learned about coping with a chronic illness and the many facets of our daily living that can adversely affect our well being. It was my goal to give those living with chronic illness the same emotional, spiritual and intellectual outlet through journaling that I had found to be so helpful along my own journey, and to offer them a book in which their private health and emotional struggles, brought about as a result of illness, were intuitively understood and intrinsically addressed. It is my hope that by reading what I have written and completing the exercises I have included, the reader would grasp a better understanding of the fact that our thoughts, actions and perceptions have the ability to either handicap or empower.
In my spare time, I love gardening of any sort, antiques, water color painting, mixed media, and home decor in addition to reading and studying God's word and prayer journaling.
I am honored that you have taken the time to stop by for a visit, and love to hear from my readers. I welcome your comments and feedback.
I believe in the Apostle's Creed:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.
I believe in the Apostle's Creed:
Apostles' Creed
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.
I believe in the Nicene Creed:
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Blessings,
Mary
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