Hurdles to Success

Do you have those days where you are feeling pressured with agenda’s, responsibilities or commitments? I sure do and it seems the more I try to hurry the more “stuff” keeps me from accomplishing all that needs to be finished or attended to. In years past this would keep me awake tossing and turning, however since I have turned my life over to God I sleep like a baby…I continue to be amazed at the peace one gets when we let go of the control… I am not saying I don’t get somewhat concerned at times, but it is never to the point that I am frantic, overwhelmed or stressed. When situations come to my mind I do the self-talk and let the Lord handle my day. God gives us the power to keep going with a peaceful and joyful heart knowing all will be well. It has taken years of training to let God do what He needs to do…I finally figured out He does not need my help…I need His! Psalm 46: 1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea… What a joy it is to know God clears our path and guides us through each hurdle with strength and success. As we praise His name give thanks for all the gifts we received today. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Dream World

Praying for others bring us closer to God and being closer to God is the ultimate. What a world we would have if we prayed for everyone. There would be no jealousy, dishonesty or unethical behavior. We would have such peace and joy around us. Talk about living in a dream world…but wouldn’t it be a delight! Deciding we want to live in this dream world what would it take? We would need to put others first, be truly happy for someone's success and have a humble heart. It sounds simple enough however we can’t get our fellow countrymen (women) to agree on governmental issues without trashing someone’s name or family. So we have a long way to go; however beginning today let’s fill our hearts and souls with God’s mercy, grace and compassion as we test the advantages of being kind and considerate. Psalm 116:16-17 God, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service~! I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of God. As we go about doing God’s work…praying for others…let’s keep love in our hearts for those we care about and for those who may have a different opinion. We are all God’s children. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Over Scheduled

I saw some photographs the other day that absolutely took my breath away. Our country has such beauty and if it weren’t for the skills of a photographer and the magic of cameras many of us would miss it completely. It reminds me that we need to take a minute and enjoy what is around us…even if it is a quick walk around the block; whether we live in a snow covered area or near a beach with the sunshine gleaming off the ocean let’s celebrate the day. It seems there are days that we become prisoners of work, schedules and meetings and forget that we have family to be with, friends to see and a good book to read. It is with the love of Jesus that helps us make it through these over scheduled days as He reminds us that we need to have balance in our lives. Take time to pray, enjoy your family and friends all the while thanking God for the hectic schedules and opportunities that are before us. Let’s be patient, kind and gracious as we model God’s love and know that we will accomplish our goals as God is in control. Psalm 127: 2 It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know He enjoys giving rest to those He loves? We are blessed with this day…enjoy and celebrate the opportunities! Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

God's Patchwork

When looking at a patchwork quilt I marvel at the beauty…it is made of different colors, patterns and textures; yet the details are organized into an array of shapes and designs that are a delight to look at. Our lives are like a patchwork quilt… We have many experiences and incidents that have created who we are. We have scraped our knees, broken a bone or sprained a muscle that gave us knowledge of our capabilities. During our childhood we made friends or lost them depending on our treatment of others… As we went through school we learned what follow through, determination and perseverance meant; and into our adulthood we found that being a loving spouse, parent and co-worker resulted in rewards that last a life time. God has been with us through all our experiences, challenges and successes. We have been made into a patchwork of beauty with God’s love, mercy and grace. Give glory to His name. Psalm 150:1-2 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Cup that Overflows

When we look at the world do we see the negative…a cup half empty or have a more positive outlook…a cup half full…how about we look at the world through the glory of God…a cup that overflows…Can you imagine how powerful that would be in our everyday life? We would bounce out of bed…give praises to our Lord as we are having some breakfast…loving our family as we get them to school, daycare or work….our day would begin with smiles, joys and laughter. Unfortunately many are struggling with illnesses, financial strife or family relationships which makes it more difficult to enjoy the day. Yet, as we contemplate what needs to be done we are gifted with God’s love, mercy and grace. As we walk through our challenges let’s lean on our Lord for strength and peace of mind as God is our refuge and we will not fear what lies ahead. I pray we are continuing with our daily prayers that bring us closer to Jesus… He hears our prayers and supplications and holds us close. Psalm 124:8 Blessed be God! He didn’t go off and leave us. He didn’t abandon us defenseless…God’s strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth. Know that God is as close as our heart… our cup over flows with His glory. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Showing Favoritism

Many years ago, while working in a department store I noticed an older couple looking at some “mother of the bride” dresses. The couple was dressed in sloppy sweat clothes and the gentleman was wearing a reindeer hat. I wondered if I should wait on them or just let them look. It was obvious to me they were not there to buy, but just pass the evening away. It turned out that they were actually the designers of a label they were looking at and were on a road trip throughout our country to see how they were treated, how well the staff knew their product and what type of employees were hired at this particular department store. I am pleased to say I approached them and began talking with them. It was a lesson well learned to “not judge a person by their dress”…but to approach with a smile and be friendly. James 2:8-9 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. Our society has a tendency to treat those in the media or other visible venues differently than we common folk…following God’s law and treating others as we would like to be treated is a gift we give back to God. Let us remember to smile to those around us, open a door for the person behind us and to give that extra when it is needed...kindness is an opportunity to shine for God. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Soothe the Soul

What soothes the soul…Soft music, a good book, or a visit with friends? Many times we look forward to comfort food that just floods the memory with days past. What a joy to know we have somewhere to turn when feeling blue. We know that God is our refuge and we can turn to Him in times of stress…He is there to comfort and encourage through prayer and loving conversation. He is our strength and power to go forward. Knowing we are never alone even when feeling alone…God is there. It is through a daily connection with our faith and God that we automatically rely on His help when feeling down and overwhelmed. With continued prayer and a growing personal relationship with Jesus we are given comfort and knowledge that our prayers are heard. When we reach out to Him he holds our hand…He carries us when we no longer have the strength…what a gift of love. Psalm 107:29 He hushes the storm to a calm and to a gentle whisper, so that the waves of the sea are still. We are blessed as God calms the storm in our lives. Let Him soothe your soul. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Keeping our Balance

As we scurry through our days that turn into weeks we are like the little chipmunks running on the wheel. We are forever running but getting nowhere. We become focused on work, deadlines and family… many times in that order. I am all for careers, new challenges and meeting those deadlines, but I am first and foremost a fan of God, family and careers. It is vital that we keep the balance and know which is first and which is last. God has a plan for each of us and it does not matter how fast we are running to stay on track; as God has a gentle way of guiding us in a new direction. When God lovingly gets our attention and directs our focus we are reminded that He is in control. So let’s allow God to work in us, let’s listen for His voice and respond to His call. When we do this our lives become enriched with His mercy and grace. Worship God, build a personal relationship with Jesus and love the life He has given us. Psalm 119: 32-33 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. What a blessing to know that God is in control and that Jesus goes before us. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Procrastination is a Weed

Life is a series of choices…we are going to finish that project today…clean the house…run those errands and oh so much more. As we contemplate whether to do them or not we are setting a precedent as to how we are going to live. Procrastination is a weed that begins without a thought and before we know it…it has allowed our productivity to dwindle to a very slow drip…We make excuses for our lack of effort, dirty house or unmet deadlines. It can also interfere with our spiritual life…we don’t have enough time, we have too many things to do or we will begin tomorrow. That weed blinds our vision and absorbs useful time. Giving our heart to God is something to rejoice about…giving our heart to God is an opportunity to praise His name and giving our heart to God is an honor…therefore allowing the weed to steal any of our time that keeps us from Him is a choice ignored. Psalm 92:1-2 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. We are blessed with a growing faith and personal relationship with our Lord...share your life with God. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Life in a Fog

Those who live in communities that experience extreme foggy mornings and evenings have an awareness and strategy when driving. They make sure headlights are on low beam, reduce their speed, turn down the radio and open the window when coming to an intersection. While driving on the highway in extreme fog the Highway Patrol lends a hand by pacing the cars. The point is people are to use common sense when facing a situation that may be somewhat challenging, use trustful information and pay attention to our surroundings; it is when life becomes overwhelming that God begins pacing and leads us through a tumultuous or extreme challenge. Our Father loves and cares for us, which enables us to follow our Lord to safe and solid ground. Let’s continue to build our faith with an awareness and strategy that allows us to follow God. We do this by keeping our Lord ever present in our daily lives, praise His name through prayers and Bible study and surround ourselves with family and friends while we enjoy Christian fellowship. Psalm 18:28 Lord, You light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness. With You I can attack a barrier, and with my God I can leap over a wall. We are blessed with God’s pacing and love…go forth today and be aware of His mercy and grace. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Joy & Pleasure

As my printer buttons blink letting me know that something just isn’t right I am perplexed as to why it won’t print or copy. I have turned it upside down, turned it off, looked for a paper that might be caught but to no avail…it will not work. I have emailed the Epson support group and now I wait…and wait…and wait…it gives me time to reflect on my computer knowledge or lack of, time wasted trying to do it myself and prayers for God’s quick intervention :) It reminds me of our lives. When things begin to go wrong we decide to check out all avenues so we can fix it ourselves. We can turn our lives upside down looking for that magic formula that allows all the conflict, problems or dilemmas to dissolve so we can return to that angelic life. Of course the only answer is God and Jesus Christ. When we turn to our Lord with a humble and contrite heart God hears our call. He is our comfort, our strength and our power as we walk through our challenges. We are blessed with His love, mercy and grace. I pray we continue to turn to God, trust His word and accept His open arms. Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever. Call out to God and know that He hears your voice. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Turst and Be Thankful

When we have good friends, family or acquaintances suffering due to health or personal reasons our heart aches and we feel helpless. Many times we pray for that miracle, new beginning or resolved issues that dampen the spirit. It makes it more difficult for the joy in our hearts to soar and the smile on our face to light up. Yet, trusting in God and following Jesus is still the only answer. We become strong, our convictions do not waver and our burden lessens. Today as we prepare to do the job God has given us to do let us go forth with the full knowledge that God is in control and He has a plan for all. Knowing and trusting in our Lord allows peace to filter into our souls. Psalm 20:4 May he give you what you desire and make all your plans succeed. What a joy to thank God for all He has given, to praise Jesus for His love and to be filled with the Holy Spirit as our soul is rejuvenated. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Give Praise

Following the love of Jesus is such a gift…we are given this choice on a daily basis…when we are having a tough day and all seems to crumble around us…God and Jesus are there…when we are blessed with good news or given fresh opportunities to grow we can thank God. Throughout our day let’s give praise to our Lord for helping us through the struggles, the lost opportunities or broken relationships. It is by His love, compassion and mercy that fill our hearts and souls. Reach out to Him, glorify His name and trust that all will be as He has planned. Let us continue growing in faith as we pray for strength, courage and confidence to walk through the next challenge. God is there for us. Psalm 59:9-10 O my Strength, I watch for you; O God, are my fortress, my loving God. God will go before me. Walking in faith is showing our love for God. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Know What To Do

When feeling overwhelmed and or stressed… to whom should we turn…To God and Jesus Christ…it seems so simple and for many of us it is…but at times we become so bogged down with “stuff” that we have trouble seeing blue sky. When living our lives with constant and daily prayers and conversations with God it becomes as routine as beginning our day. That is our key…begin the day with God and Jesus Christ. Whether we are beginning with meditation or a simple prayer our routine dictates our level of stress and endurance. The more time we give to God the less stress we have to deal with; we know that God is in control and He will alleviate those feelings of “treading water” or “going down for the second time”… Psalm 25:4-5 Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long. God will open our eyes and reveal the path…He will guide and teach us…let us praise His name. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Sins are Forgiven

Life is all about opportunities…the decisions we make every hour of every day will affect not only ourselves but the people around us. We are given so many choices… we can lighten someone’s burden, encourage spiritual growth or enhance our life by being faithful to God and following His commands. We are challenged by the outside world to do as society does, but we are given the strength and wisdom to do as God wills, however when we stumble and disappoint God He is our Father who forever forgives. We are blessed with our Lord’s love, compassion and mercy…He forgives us our sins and washes us clean with His grace. Let us continue to develop our faith through Bible studies, humble and sincere prayers and share the joy of Christian fellowship. Psalm 86:5 You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive (our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever); and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You. Thank you Lord for the love and mercy we receive each day. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Live Life to the Fullest

Living life to the fullest can be as simple as enjoying a walk with friends or a family member…reading a good book and then sharing it with someone…or making dinner for family and friends, however no matter what your choice would be…living life to the fullest is all about helping others, growing in faith and giving unconditional love to our families. God blesses each of us with His unconditional love and we accept His love by sharing our lives with those around us. We are given opportunities to go out of our way for someone, give a smile and a listening ear to those with needs or show our love by just being there… We receive these gifts of love from God…many times He is just there with us, while other times He listens as He is preparing the answer. Our Lord has enriched our lives through the strength and courage of Jesus and we inherited our Salvation through His love. Psalm 37: 4 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Find the joy in the day and live life to the fullest. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

He is the Answer

In the midst of tragedies, extreme health issues and problematic economic crisis’s we are promised life…we don’t know how long, how healthy or how financially stable…But the joy is we have our life to live, to share and to love. As we go through our days we have the pleasure of helping others, encouraging others and praying for others. Unfortunately there is not a time when someone you know or hear about that does not need help, encouragement or prayers. God lifts us up, renews our strength and heals our bodies. He will care for us and supply our needs. Trusting in Jesus enables us to receive His love and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a blessing to know God hears our petitions and comforts our souls. Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers elsewhere. Let us praise God in all His Holiness…He is the answer when struggling with life issues and He is the answer when we receive joy through good health, financial stability and family and friends. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Twists & Turns

Life can have those twists and turns that shake, disturb or raise the stress level in our lives; however it is all about trusting in God. We are going to have those days of unwanted doctor’s reports, past bills that crept upon us or a disappointing relationship. When walking with God and knowing He has our life handled and all will turn out the way it is supposed to is such a gift. We can marvel at all the negative comments of…Why did this happen to me…I don’t disserve this…or Why now… But instead of the negative let’s state the positive…All things will turn out better than before…God is in control why worry or I am in good hands therefore, I will not waste the day stressing. There is a condition we must work toward if we are negative with new or old stressors. The condition is full of love, compassion and mercy…it is called “God’s Condition”…what a joy to be diagnosed with this condition. Can you imagine how peaceful and serene our world be if we leaned on God and trusted Him? Today begin accepting “God’s Condition”…I pray we allow our Lord to lead us through the muck and mire of stressors and negativity; which brings peace and joy into our life as it seeps into our souls. No pill can duplicate the freedom and serenity we receive from God’s love. James 1:15 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Let’s not fret over the twists and turns as God has it handled… Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Healthy Heart

When exercising or beginning to think about exercising we want to not only tone our body but we want a “healthy heart”. It made me think about all the ways we improve our heart and body…treadmill, weights, bikes, swimming and the list continues… Yet, naming all the ways to heal, strengthen and improve our heart one never sees God on the list; however when following God we are living the life that increase our heart muscle that enables us to live life to the fullest. Our Lord brings us the joy of everyday opportunities and enables us to endure the challenges. Having a strong heart not only depends on exercising the body but more importantly a strong heart requires exercising our spiritual soul. We accomplish this through a minimum of daily prayers, Bible studies and increasing our Christian fellowship. Enjoying, laughing and sharing our lives with loving and giving friends encourages us and strengthens our mind, body and soul as we grow in faith. Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. Begin to strengthen your heart and rejoice in the gift that follows. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Guide and Lead Us

Well the day is coming to an end and I am reviewing my activities and hoping I gave part of the day to our Lord. Many times we get on that merry-g0-round and just keep circling. We forget to take a breath, bow our heads and talk to God. If your day was so consumed with schedules, timetables and agenda’s where you were rushing from place to place and appointment to appointment I hope tonight you give some time to God. He is our reason for being…let’s give thanks to God…Lets praise His name for all our opportunities and lean on Him when life gets too hectic. We become strong and able when trusting God; therefore reach out and give praise for your careers, your skills and abilities. Psalm 73:24 You guide me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Remember God is in control, follow His guidance and enjoy the results (whether small or large). Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors.

Honor Life Honor God

Today is a gray bone chilling day…yet it is the day the Lord has made therefore we rejoice and be glad. We honor the day and honor our lives. When doing this we honor God. How many times do you hear negative rhetoric and complaints? When hearing this we make two choices… We agree with the negativity or decide life is good amidst the challenges. When going through these trials we are growing and God is opening opportunities and making plans for our lives. Many times it is difficult to smile while treading water, however when we turn our life over to Jesus our trust becomes the lifesaving vessel needed. So as we go about our day we are blessed with God’s love and the future plans He has laid out for us. Take every opportunity to grow in faith, reach our spiritual potential and make a difference in the lives around you. Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well –watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Whatever the opportunities that await you make it happen. Go forward knowing that if it is God’s will we will accomplish the goal. The path has already been cleared with a light that directs our steps. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

God Believes in Us

Life can be a joy or it can be a struggle…life can be an adventure or it can be disappointing. Who is the one organizing and arranging your life or are you just going through the motions day in and day out? It is amazing how the attitude of a small child changes from positive to negative as the child grows…before anyone has the opportunity to doubt the abilities of the child…the child when asked, what he/she wants to be when they grow up will confidently say... A fireman, a teacher, a doctor, a dancer etc… They have no doubt what they want. Some will continue with their dreams, work hard and focus on that goal. Most others become less confident in their abilities or lose the dream all together. As we go through our lives let’s hold tight to our Lord who allows us the strength, courage and confidence to attain our goals. He alone gives us the creativity, the wisdom and knowledge to accomplish what is in our hearts. When walking with God and Jesus Christ we have the power, energy and excitement that drive our determination to accomplish those desires. I pray we replace any self-doubt or negative feelings we have with the love and guidance that comes from God. Isaiah 32:17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. As we focus on our dreams and goals let’s believe in ourselves as God believes in us. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Don't Be Discouraged

We have been a given a new day…what are we going to do with it? Let us surround ourselves with God. If facing major challenges, health issues and economic struggles it is imperative we lean on our Lord; on the other hand if our lives have settled into a quiet, serene and comfortable living again let us lean on our Lord. He has blessed us with life and no matter the circumstances He will lead us through the day. I marvel at His love and compassion…just when we are at a breaking point He lifts us up with a phone call, a new job or clean bill of health that had been prayed for. When raised up and given renewed strength sometimes it is to face another challenge or battle. As we prepare for the next encounter remember to put on the armor of God. No matter the situation He will bring us through the fire. Through our trials and hardships we are given an opportunity to show those around us our love, trust and faith in God. It is easy to smile and rejoice when things are going as planned; however when struggling with life I pray we display our love for God with joy in our heart, an attitude of sunshine and a day at the beach. Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Walk in love with continued prayers for family and friends, enrich your life with Bible studies and grow in faith and joy with Christian fellowship. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Praise His Name

Well, we are five days into the New Year and quite possibly have already broken or not begun that resolution we confidently made. Isn’t it amazing how easily we slip back into those bad habits? Let’s commit to either beginning fresh or just begin to improve our lives physically, spiritually and emotionally. When we make the effort to reach out to God for help in our daily lives He hears our call and answers. As we approach this new beginning we shall receive all the energy, motivation and excitement that is needed to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and growing spiritually in our daily walk with God Living life and praising our Lord for all that encompasses our lives is a gift we are able to give back to God. So as we enjoy this day let us praise His name and let God lead us to success in our new ventures. Lean on Him when discouraged or forlorn and know that He is a prayer away. Lamentations 3:25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the ones who seeks Him. Enjoy the day, seek and love our God... as He delights in our faithfulness. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Shine for God

Rejoice we have received a new day! The sun is shining although cool in the San Joaquin Valley it is great day. We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters; whether it is health issues, economic struggles, grief or disappointing relationships. No day is perfect but our relationship with God is…“Perfect.” As we work or play let us turn our eyes to God. He is our source of strength, endurance and jubilation. Our Lord supplies us with the wisdom needed to accomplish all that He has laid out for us. It is with a joyful heart that we turn to God as we succeed in our service of the day. What a gift we are given…to work for our Lord. Let us remember to be kind, compassionate, honest and merciful. We share the gift of joy displayed through our behavior and attitude. Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. Let us shine for God and reflect His love. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Centered & Focused

When feeling troubled…concerned…or frustrated…what soothes your soul? For we Christians the love of God comforts and calms our fears. It is amazing how easily we are cared for when we allow God into our inner world where we can hear Him. It is a matter of being quiet…time to meditate and patiently wait…God reveals Himself to us when we are centered and focused. What a joy to receive His love…He builds us up with the power only He can give. Bring joy into your life today by sitting quietly (if only for a few moments) and talk with our Lord. He knows our needs. Let’s remember to open our hearts to God’s mercy, the love of Jesus and the miracles of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 94:19 When I felt my feet slipping, you came with your love and kept me steady. And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure. I pray we spend some quiet time with our Lord and receive His blessings, comfort and love through prayers, continued Bible study and the gift of Christian fellowship. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors

Happy New Year

It is always great to have a new beginning…many times it feels fresh…hopeful and exciting after all it is the next chapter of our lives. However for some it is a continuance of struggles, challenges and health issues. Whether we are being tested or finally see blue sky we are blessed. Let us use this new beginning to renew our aspirations that improve our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. It is amazing to feel His closeness and love. As we connect through prayers and quiet conversations open your heart and hear His call. God knows the plans He has for us…let’s listen and continue to do the work He has given us to do. As we allow our relationship to grow it will increase our opportunities to serve our Lord. What a joy to be a member of the most incredible family. Psalm 97:11-12 Light shines on those who do right; joy belongs to those who are honest. Rejoice in the LORD, you who do right. Praise His holy name. Let us live by the commands of God and treat others with love, kindness and forgiveness. I pray God’s light shines through each of us as we begin this New Year. Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors