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Avis Ward

GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens

Promises: Made and Kept but No One Said It Would be Easy

Posted Friday, October 16, 2009 (35 days 4 hours ago.) Viewed 357 times.

"Live in My sunshine and My Love. Know your lives are full of glad promise." -GOD

There are times when I want to feel sorry for myself. I know when that happens it's because I'm filled to the brim and overflowing with "Avis" and not God, the Word made flesh. I sit and dine at the table of poor me, self-pity, unfairness and all the other things I can think of to plunge into utter despair.

Just when I'm about to go for broke, shame consumes me. Then I become angry for allowing myself (the devil) to go down that road. It could get worse but the Holy Spirit comforts me. I am reminded to be kind to myself as if I were speaking to someone else. In no time at all, I am repenting and admonishing the devil for invading my thoughts. The devil isn't someone or something else all the time. The part of our humanity that we wrestle to slay, day and night, night and day is the devil. To die to the flesh is an ongoing trip that won't end until we've been changed from mortality to immortality. That's why, we must be eager and ready to repent and move on, not linger in what happened.

When I think about all that is written about the suffering of Christ, I feel awful for having had a second of "poor me" thoughts. And, when I think further about how wonderful He is to me, despite my shortcomings, I could feel worse but am reminded of how the enemy attacks our mind. I am assured of God's promises. I take hold of at least one and speak it out loud in praise, adoration and exaltation!

This helps me to get a grip. I know the Father laughs at me when this begins and ends. I can imagine him saying, "Okay, my angelic hosts, Avis is about to go at it again. Let's get ready for this show." I wonder if there's popcorn in heaven?

Things get tough but knowing, remembering and being constantly aware that my God is much tougher than ‘things' gets me through the parts that are not easy.

If you will just hold on to one thing in His word that He said, because all of it is said to you just as it is to me, then you will learn how to wait patiently on the Lord, with expectation of good. He's all about good. Remember in the beginning after He created something, "And God said it was good."

We cannot be good by ourselves so he's there for us. Reach out to him. Run to him. Ease into his embrace. He's waiting to make good on his promises.

2009 by Avis Ward - Moving from Pain to Purpose After Loss

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October 15th - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Posted Wednesday, October 14, 2009 (37 days 6 hours ago.) Viewed 900 times.

October is Awareness Month. To name a few, Domestic Violence, and Breast and Prostate Cancer are observed during the month of October.

The majority of you may wonder what is significant about October 15th. You can easily figure out October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. Not difficult to discover there are 77 days remaining until the end of the year, after October 15th.

October 15th has more significance to many women, men and families who have suffered loss. We have suffered the loss of one or more babies in miscarriage, stillbirth or delivery.

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It also happens to be my birthday. I was filled with emotion when I learned this day was proclaimed by Congress to remember our angels who are with our Father in heaven.

In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan Proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day" is October 15th.

"When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, their isn't a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes."

I haven't wanted to talk about this topic much since losing Chelsea thirteen years ago. I was chastised by the Holy Spirit and here I am in obedience. I can help others and myself. Chelsea was my fifth miscarriage. I didn't want to try again and didn't. A marriage ended and I started afresh. The painful memories were constant but now, I have recognized the purpose for my life from excruciating pain.

You are asked to join in a worldwide candle lighting ceremony at 7pm on October 15th. For additional information on this day of Remembrance, visit: www.October15th.com and iMiscarried.com.

Remembering our angels.

2009 by Avis Ward - Moving from Pain to Purpose After Miscarriage

_______________________________

Writing is very therapeutic no matter what level you begin. Come to a place, a place where you belong. Join us at: http://SearchWarp.com/Register.asp . Registration is free. Not only will you get to meet members of the best Writers' Community on the web but you'll also touch and be touched in ways you never thought possible.

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Chocolate 101

Posted Thursday, October 08, 2009 (43 days 4 hours ago.) Viewed 113 times.

What a beautiful crisp sunny fall day we are blessed to enjoy in the South Carolina Upstate. Fall is my favorite time of year. The SC Upstate boasts of excellent institutions of higher learning such as Furman and Clemson Universities and the lovely foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a beautiful place to live with its close proximity to two metro-Cosmo cities, Charlotte and Atlanta.

Cooler temperatures are welcomed by Chocolatier's. They're busy preparing for Halloween to Valentine's Day sales. As connoisseurs anticipate homemade treats made of unsweetened, semisweet, sweetened, milk and white chocolates, Chocolate 101 will guide you through any confusion you may have about chocolate.

1. Unsweetened Chocolate

Unsweetened chocolate, sometimes called baking or bitter chocolate is pure chocolate without added sugar. It has an intense, bitter taste and is used almost exclusively for baking.

2. Sweet Baking Chocolate

Sweet baking chocolate is pure chocolate with added cocoa butter and sugar. It is sweeter than unsweetened chocolate but less so than semisweet chocolate. Used primarily for baking, it is stocked in the baking section.

3. Semisweet Chocolate

Semisweet chocolate is pure chocolate with added cocoa butter and sugar. The most versatile chocolate, it's available in many forms and is used in baking and making garnishes.

4. Milk Chocolate

Milk chocolate is pure chocolate with added cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids. Most milk chocolates contain less pure chocolate than semisweet or bittersweet chocolates, so the flavor is milder. Look for milk chocolate in the candy aisle.

5. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Unsweetened cocoa powder is pure chocolate with most of the cocoa butter removed. Cocoa powders labeled "Dutch-process" or "European-style" have been treated to neutralize the naturally occurring acids, giving them a mellower flavor and redder color.

6. White Chocolate

White chocolate is made by combining cocoa butter with sugar, milk solids, and flavoring, usually vanilla. Although it is commonly called a chocolate, it's not a true one. Try different brands to find one you like; formulas-and tastes-vary by manufacturer.

Shopping for chocolate doesn't need to be confusing. Refer to your recipe if you're the baker or refer to your palate if you're the connoisseur. No matter where you fit, just enjoy!

Resource: Publix Supermarkets in Lakeland, Florida

2009 October by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for New Life

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Through the Valley into Victory

Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2009 (59 days 2 hours ago.) Viewed 683 times.

Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death,
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4

When we are annoyed and aggravated because things are not going as we thought, we become frustrated. We know we are not suppose to lean on our own understanding but acknowledge Him so that our paths will be directed but we allow frustration to settle in and delay our breakthrough. I'm guilty and thank God for His love and grace. I ask forgiveness. I repent. He knows I'm a work in progress. I pray that I do not have to repent over that again.

I want to help you by sharing what the Lord spoke to me last week. He told me that He will carry me through whatever is unfolding in my life but only when I need to be carried. As in Footprints in the Sand, there will be times when only one set of footprints will be seen, they will be His. But there are some trials that I will have to "walk" through myself. He will not walk for me. "I will never leave or forsake you, I'll even carry you but I won't take one step for you when you can walk for yourself."

Can you understand the inspiration and revelation in His words to me? I abide in Christ and his word abides in me, all I need to do is ask. He has given us power to do greater works than His disciples did. Surely, I can walk - standing on His word without expecting Him to carry me ALL the time! Where is my faith? Oh what confidence we can have in Jesus Christ!

When we are walking through the valley, He won't change His mind and abandon us! We have nothing to fear because He is with us. The Comforter is there to comfort us. We must be still, quiet 'our' thoughts and just speak the Word of God in praise. This will enable us to walk through the valley into victory! We must be relentless no matter how tumultuous the storms. Like the Shunamite woman said, "it is well."

2009 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
__________________________

Writing is very therapeutic no matter what level you begin. Come to a place, a place where you belong. Join us at: http://SearchWarp.com/Register.asp . Registration is free. Not only will you get to meet members of the best Writers' Community on the web but you'll also touch and be touched in ways you never thought possible.

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All Posts by Avis Ward

Facts, Opinions, Thoughts and Inspiration

Promises: Made and Kept but No One Said It Would be Easy

October 15th - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Chocolate 101

Through the Valley into Victory

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