I believe, I trust, I love! Do you?

Hi all,

I hope you're all having a good Memorial Day weekend.  It's a bit chilly and windy outside for me, so I've been hanging indoors.  It has warmed up a bit since this morning, but not enough for me to want to be outside.  It just seems like the cold goes straight through to my bones.  I suppose that's because they keep my blood pressure very low.  I do hope you have been doing something that makes you happy and gets you outside for a while.  I understand the weather is to get a little warmer, without all the wind, tomorrow and Monday. 

What do you do when someone you love is hurting and there's nothing you can do to help them, except to be there as moral support?  The answer, obviously, is that there's really not much you can do.  This I do know:  I believe and trust in God to help them to get through these hard times.  I also know that God's love is with them every minute of the day.  More than that, there's not much we can do to help those we love, who are suffering emotionally or physically.  But, that doesn't mean we don't feel their pain deep inside of us.  I surely do and it hurts me greatly. 

We are all children of God.  It you trust in Him and love Him unconditionally, He will always be right there by your side.  I know this to be true, because God's always been right here, helping me through all the bad times of my life, as well as, rejoicing with me during the joyous times. 

If you are in a bad way, emotionally or physically, please reach out to God.  He will not disappoint you.  This I promise you.  You need to turn over all your problems to Him and then trust that whatever happens is the will of God.  It may not be the answer you want, but He does know what's better for us than we do.  Believe!  Trust!  Love!

I suppose I'm being a little melancholy today.  Someone I love is hurting and I wish I could make the pain go away, but I can't.  I'm sure you've all been in this situation during your life time.  It's the feeling of being helpless and I don't handle those feelings very well.  But, I have turned this situation over to God.  Now, to just stop trying to take it back.

This is the time of the year when we need to be thinking about all our military men and women out there, who are currently fighting for our freedom.  Also, for all those who fought and served in any of our military branches over the past generations.  So many died trying to fight for our country's freedom.  We honor them as we celebrate Memorial Day on Monday.  Please take a few minutes during this long weekend to remember all of them.  Say a prayer for all those who are currently serving and for all the families of those who have died during military service.  

If you have time, please check out the novels I've put on sale on Amazon.  You can access them by going to www.amazon.com.  Then fill my name in the search block (Susan Lapp Mellott) and all my books will come up.  There are both books for children and adults.

I wish everyone a good and safe holiday weekend.  Please have fun and stay safe. 
Susan

Books on Sale, Now!

Hi all,

I just wanted to let everyone know that I've put some of my short stories on sale.  You can go to: 
www.amazon.com, to access which ones they are.  All you have to do is get onto Amazon, then put my name (Susan Lapp Mellott) in the search block and click search.  All of my books should come up so you will be able to decide which ones you'd like to read. 

These can be purchased for any reading device, Pad, or computer.  You don't have to have a Kindle to purchase and read them.  I hope you'll take advantage of this sale.  With the long weekend approaching, you may have some time for yourself to sit and enjoy reading a book.

Here are just a few of the books on sale.  Some are for children and some for adults.  Enjoy!
Thanks in advance for any support you can give me.
Susan

What do I do with the rest of my life?

Hi all,

I suppose for many of you, the above question does not apply.  Your life is probably so full already, you certainly don't need another responsibility in it.  But, that doesn't hold true for many older folks.  Old age has been always labeled as "The Golden Years", but for many of us, there's nothing golden about them. 

I'm not speaking about myself, as I have found my niche in life and that would be writing, creating handmade greeting cards and a few other things.  But, this isn't true for all older people. What does one do when they can no longer do the things they used to do.  The things that made them happy and gave them self-esteem.  Usually this occurs when an older person becomes sickly from one medical condition or from a series of illnesses.  This illness prevents them from doing the routine things they used to do.  It lets them feeling bored and they often fall into a depression. 

I believe you have to pick yourself up, over and over again, and keep on plugging away at living.  First of all, I found that one needs to embrace their illnesses and accept that their life has changed.  Once you've accepted this, you are able to find something to do with your time, which will enrich your life. 

In my opinion, the worst thing you can do is to keep on pushing yourself to do something, which you know darn well, you can't do anymore.  Most times when you do this, it ends with you making yourself more ill than you were before you chose to do it.  I have done that a time or two,  in the past, but stopped a few years ago.  I am living each day of my life for me, first, and then for my husband and family. After all, if I am too ill to do anything for myself, then what good am I to any of them? 

I suppose what I'm saying is this:  each of us knows our limits.  So, stop pushing yourself to do something which will, surely, compound your health.  I will say to every person out there who suffers from any type of chronic illness, that you need to accept and embrace that illness.  Stop pushing yourself to do things which you know will do you more harm than good, just because you want things to be the way they were.  In all probability they will never be that way again.  Just accept it and move on.  Stop feeling sorry for yourself because you're life has changed due to health reasons. 

You don't have to like it, but fighting it only makes it worse.  Why?  Because each time you push to make your life the way it was, it fails and sets you back further.  Move on to something else, but what?  I'm sure you're asking that question right now.  I believe that when you embrace your limitations and accept them, your life will change.  You will find something that you are able to do.  Something to make you feel good about yourself.  It doesn't have to be something that you are doing for someone else.  Just do it for yourself, you do deserve it! 

If the truth be told, you've probably done for others all your life.  These are your golden years, make this time about you for a change!  I believe that there is not one person out there who can't find something to do with themselves, if they really open themselves up to God's soft nudging. 

I personally thank God every day for what He's put in my life.  Growing old is not always easy, but if we try very hard, we can find something to make our lives worthwhile.  Old age is the time for each person to start taking care of themselves and to put themselves first, most of the time.   If you don't do it now, you never will.  Your time on this earth will not last forever.

I am sorry if this sounds like a lecture, because it certainly was not meant that way.  Life is so precious and we never know what day will be our last on this earth.  God bless you and stay safe.
Susan

It's the first day of the rest of my life!

Hi all,

Always remember that each new day is the first day of the rest of your life.  A life that may be short or may be very long.  We just never know when our lives will be over.  Every human likes to think that they'll go from toddlers, to teens, to young adults, to middle aged adults and then on into old age.  That's the way we'd like our lives to go.  Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out the way we want.  In fact, life very seldom ever ends up the way we plan it to go.

There's a lot we can do to make our lives work out well.  We can trust in God and  work hard every day to succeed at whatever we choose to do.  We can grow up and accept the consequences of all our bad choices, as well as the good ones we make.  We can love with all our heart and soul.  We can be truthful and honest and try our best to be good and faithful spouses, parents and friends.

.

I'd like to believe that most of us choose to try our best to accomplish all the things I mentioned above.  Sometimes, as hard as we try, things just don't work out the way we'd like.  Don't let this get you down.  Stay strong and keep doing what you know is right. 

Many times in life, God sets us on a path, without us even knowing it.  I've had many experiences during my lifetime which were extremely painful and hurtful for me.  But, I choose not to dwell on those times.  I prefer to remember the good times, the learning times, the loving times, and the growing times in my life. 

Because of my chronic illness, my lifestyle has changed drastically.  Don't misunderstand me, I am not complaining in any way.  I am so thankful that God had plans for me yet, on this earth.  That, of course, is why I write.  It's the only way I can give back. 

If even one person reads something I've written and smiles, learns somethings, or is helped in any way, then I've succeeded in my endeavor.  How about you?  What are you hoping to accomplish with your life?

Note:  If anyone is interested in a hard copy of my novel, "Crafty-Cruise" With A Capital "C", I have fifteen copies left.  Please let me know, as they will go quickly.  The cost is $11.00, plus shipping.

I hope this first day of the rest of your life is a great one.  This photo is a picture of the flowers my husband gave me almost two weeks ago.  I can't believe how beautiful they still are.
Susan

I just can't figure it out!

Hi all,

How's your weekend going?  Mine is going okay.  Nothing special going on with me.  I've been doing some writing today.  I've been revamping some of my short stories by making them a bit longer or adding two together.  I'm just not ready to start on another sequel adult novel yet.  Maybe sometime over the summer or early fall.  We'll see how things go with me.

What have you been up to?  The weather here today wasn't really very nice.  It was a bit chilly outside.  I didn't stay outside for very long.  Maybe it's just me, since my blood pressure is kept so low.  I don't know, but I thought it was chilly and damp. 

My title statement has to do with the weather.  I truly can't figure out what's going on with it.  One day it's nice and fairly warm and the next, it's cold and chilly.  We're on the short side of May, but it doesn't seem like it.  We've had eighty degrees one day and sixty degrees the next.  I'm sorry, but that just isn't normal.  Also, it's been so rainy and damp, that I just can't seem to kick this allergy problem or whatever it is.  I just have so much drainage all the time.  At least my sore throat finally went away.    Oh, well, there's no use complaining, because there's nothing any of us can do about the weather.  We just have to take whatever comes our way.

Have you gotten to spend any of the weekend doing something for yourself?  I hope you have and if not, please try to make time tomorrow to do so.  It's important to your health. 

I'm not doing anything special this weekend.  Just the same old thing.  I did spend some time today with a lady that I didn't know very well.  She's very nice.  I think we may be friends, at least I hope so.  It looks like I'll be spending the evening alone, but that's okay.  I really don't mind.  I do cherish my alone time.  I wouldn't like it if it was an all the time thing, but once and awhile is okay with me.

Nothing really going on in my life, except writing, laundry and preparing meals.  What an exciting life I lead now.  Oh, I'm really not complaining, just making an observation about my life.  I'll take whatever God has in store for me.  How about you?  Do you need to improve your lifestyle, or do you need to slow things up a bit.  Either way, just do it.  You only live one lifetime and those years go by so swiftly.  Take it from me, I know first hand how quickly they pass.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.  Take a few minutes tomorrow to give thanks to God for all He's done for you and for all He's given you. 
Susan

Can you believe it?

Hi all,

Another one just about bites the dust...  We're on the downward slope of the week now.  Tomorrow is Friday and, once again, the weekend will be upon us.  It still amazes me how fast the week passes by, even without me doing much of anything.  I do hope you week has been a good one.  I'm sure there are many of you out there, who will be glad to see the week end, for a variety of reasons. 

The thing is, that for many of you, the weekend is filled with running around, doing laundry, grocery shopping and social activities.  If that sounds like your life, then I hope, for your sake, that you will try to slip in some time for yourself to just relax.  Find a nice quiet spot, kick off your shoes, lay your head back, close your eyes and just relax!  Even if it's only for a half hour.  That's better than nothing.  Believe me, I remember those days very well.  I raised three daughters, who were all busy with sports, dancing, friends and many other things.  Maybe that's why, I now love it when I can just sit quietly, with my eyes closed and let me mind must wander.  I enjoy those times, at least for awhile.  The peace and tranquillity feel so great to me.

Well, I'm still writing.  I just rewrote another of my short stories and put it up on Amazon.  It's titled:  Sleepless Nights.  I wrote it some time ago.  So, I just made it longer and cleaned it up a bit.  Then all I had to do was create the cover.  You can check it, plus eleven other of my books, by going to: 
www.amazon.com.  Enter my name (Susan Lapp Mellott) in the search space and click on the word search.  All twelve of my comes should come up.

I'd like to take the time to plug my three daughters web sites.  Two of them are sales consultants for At Home, which is a web site that sells beautiful home wares of all sorts.  The other daughter is a sales consultant for Tastefully Simply.  If you haven't heard of that before, it's a gourmet food business.  Below is the links to all three of their sites, plus my grandson's site.  I love the laundry and cleaning products he sells.

http://marlenaebersole.athome.com
http://angiealbright.athome.com
www.tsbycandice.com
www.amway.com/coriebersole

Well, that's about all for today.  Just try to get through tomorrow and then you'll have the weekend upon you!  God bless...
Susan

Sleepless Nights

I just uploaded my newest short story, fiction book at www.amazon.com.  It's the story of Molly, who lost her husband of many years, four years ago to cancer.  These days, or shall I say, nights, she lay awake in the very early hours of the morning, unable to fall back to sleep.  What does she do?  What does she think about? What memories help her to get through those long lonely hours?  Go to amazon, enter my name 'Susan Lapp Mellott' into the search bar and purchase the book, to get all the answers. 

The book will be available first thing tomorrow (Thursday) morning, or if you are one who has  sleepless nights, it will be available around 2:00 am.  Let me know what you think of it.
Susan