Well, here it is Christmas Eve, the 24th, can you believe it? So many thoughts I have experienced ... joy, peace, I have made some good choices which is a good thing for me. I decided not to have expectations as I would stop in my tracks and think to myself, pre stroke I would have everything done, this and that. Then the inner voice came to the forefront and said: STOP THIS THINKING... YOU ARE A BRAIN STEM STROKE SURVIVOR plus you have MD.... you aren't that same person any longer. Don't set yourself up for failure. Do what you can and enjoy life. Stop stressing over the little things. It is what it is. You want to be healthy so you can enjoy the wonder of this beautiful season.

The end of 2008 and the cold winter season serve to remind me to focus on what really matters in life. I create lasting memories as I spend unforgettable moments with family and loved ones. Ireflect on all that God has done in my life over the past year. And I look forward to an even greater level of the promises of God in the year to come! I look forward to 2009 because I will be doing FINE and I look forward to each day I am given.

More than any other time, Christmas, My Birthday, and New Year's are filled with hope, love, joy, peace and promise. There's a life lesson for me to learn in all of this. During the holiday season, challenges, difficulty and problems may still surround me, but if I take a moment every day to focus on God and all the ways He's blessed me, I can take my life to a new level, higher than ever before.

In 2003 no one thought I would ever live to see another day ... another Christmas. I am here ....

Isaiah 61:7 promises that instead of shame and trouble, God will double the inheritance of His people and they'll be filled with everlasting joy. I need to remember to be silent so I can hear the whisper of GOD.

It's time to trust God for the destiny that the enemy has tried so hard to convince me was impossible. It's time to continue to believe God for the unimaginable. It's time to move beyond my past. My Brain Stem Stroke was five years ago, If I've been hurt, it's time to forgive. If I've been discouraged, it's time to put on a garment of praise and experience the joy of the Lord. If I've been worried and afraid, it's time to have faith like never before in the provision and purposes of God. It's time to live with confidence that God wants to give me a blessed and prosperous future in every area of my life! When I was learning to stand up and take baby steps, I would always say: I walk by FAITH not by site. I was so empowered and so blessed to be able to make great strides in doing just that.

The power of God's promises and His love for me is so much stronger than the pain of my past. I was chosen for that journey. I have many more journeys, roads to travel. I am never alone, as God is right there beside me. God wants me to use my troubles as a springboard into my future. My troubles are what God often uses to take me to a new, higher level of living. This is what is so great about my God. He takes any trouble I have and says, "I will give you double the inheritance for your trouble." Twice the joy, twice the fulfillment, twice the impact . .

. twice the life!" Today I am living my life and so appreciate it. I am making new friends that I have grown to love and enjoy. Today I am making good choices. There is so much I could say, however, this would be a BIG Blog Entry and I know how busy everyone is with getting ready for the Holiday season. I am so joyful and looking forward to 2009. I am looking forward to each day for what and how will I fill those 24 hours? This is my life, not a dress rehearsal. I am, dare I say it? HAPPY, at PEACE,

GREATFUL that I survived my Brain Stem Stroke.

Life is good, I have worked on forgiving myself, and I'm looking forward to my new tomorrow. Each morning I have a new canvas, how will I fill mine out? Yesterday, God painted a beautiful Ice Sculpture .... the trees all had ice on them and it was so beautiful. The simple things in life are great. I remember in rehab and the hospital, the first time I got to look out the window.... so many months before I got to do that and it was such a treat for me. When I was transferred by ambulance from the hospital to rehab I got to breath the fresh cold air and it was such a gift. The little things.... I want to wish you all a very blessed holiday season. Let there be peace on earth and good will towards all. Steve Mallory, thank you so much for the gift of this awesome site.

Special prayers go out to Fate's family, Cathy and Holly love to you, and Nancy and Joe Farrell, I keep you all in my prayers and Amy is a beautiful Christmas Angel enjoying Christmas with GOD .... she and Fate are singing their hearts out up in Heaven. You all are so special to me.

My five grandchildren and step children will be here on the 27th so I will hopefully have pics for you to enjoy and many a story to share with you.

God Bless, Love n Hugs, Jan

:artist: How will you paint your canvas for the day? :tshirt: Let's all put our Happy shirts on in the am

Believe in Miracles and SOAR