#Sunday’s Thought: What’s Up with 1022?

photo above courtesy of flickr

Have you ever, no matter what you did or how your day progressed – seemed to always find yourself looking at your clock at exactly the same time everyday or maybe another day, just out of the blue?

I know I’ve heard people say that they’d dream about certain numbers in which would either be good power-ball plays that resulted in them winning the lottery (might I take a break for a quick second and say, when I would play – THAT NEVER HAPPENED TO ME!) I mean, I tried it – even used a fortune cookie one time, after watching the movie Lottery Ticket, and still – NO WIN! guess it only happens to whom it’s supposed to happen too, huh. Well anyway…….

Programming

People attribute numbers to many different meanings, just this week I was speaking to a friend of whom stated that she needed to talk to me about something – soon after, my message box became filled with pictures, all showing the number 222. She began to explain how these numbers kept popping up, from her daughters surgery date, her first hospital room, to the date in which she renewed her license, her score in scrabble, her office number and quite a few other occurrences in which all involved those three numbers. I was amazed as I had been having the same issue with seeing specific numbers. She attributed hers to angels and began to talk about angel numbers in which resulted in specific meanings.

I honestly don’t know anything about the angel terminology when it comes to numbers but all I knew was that I couldn’t seem to shake….1022. The backstory to this situation started about 4 months ago, I had been consulting the Lord about a choice I had to make concerning this really good exercise class or should I say (boot camp) that I had become a part of. I really needed to get in shape, so when a friend invited me to go to this exercise program that was being held in a local park for FREE, I was all ears.

The program started in the park but soon got transitioned into a facility. Anyone whom joined them in the park, was immediately entered to get their first 30 days free. I was stock’d about it and continued on throughout the process that is, until my 30 days came to an end; now comes the part in which they want you to pay full price……..crickets……..I knew the day was coming but I also knew that I didn’t have that type of money to continue. Once everything was over, I prayed about it and decided to leave it in God’s hands, I wanted to join so bad; I had even thought about doing a salary advance to get locked in. Once I prayed and asked the Lord to give me a sign, he didn’t right away but about a week or so later – the gym held a promotion to pay $99 for 6 weeks! I quickly jumped on board – Thank you God!

However, in the midst of all of this – I kept seeing the numbers 1022, not knowing what it meant; I was wondering if maybe my mom was trying to tell me something beyond the grave, as those numbers were the month and day of her birthday. No matter what I was doing day or night – every time I looked at the clock….there it was looking back at me, 1022.

Proverbs 10-22.2

In the meantime, the promotion with the gym was coming to an end and there I was faced to make a decision – should I or shouldn’t I join. I really wanted too, because after all I had lost some weight and was seeing a drastic improvement in my health; even my doctor told me to stick with the program, but what he didn’t know was that it was quite expensive and I while I wanted to join and stick to it – financially, it was impossible.

Again, I talked to the Lord about it and asked him to give me a sign – two weeks past by and there I was looking at the last day of the workout, bittersweet it was…but I just didn’t want to make a decision without hearing God’s voice. That night while sitting up in my bed, I haphazardly opened my bible and it opened up to this…

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Proverbs 10:22

It was like God had opened up the bible himself and directed my eyes to this scripture. When I opened the bible, my eyes hit the verse 22 first and when I looked up to see the chapter number, it was 10. God was letting me know all that time, that he had me and yes, while this opportunity seemed like the way to go; his word revealed that (paraphrasing) he had my back and that whatever blessing he provides or allowed to come my way, would bring peace and not disturbance – whether to our life or our finances.

After I received that confirmation, I felt at peace about leaving. I knew that God had something better for me and all I had to do was be patient and wait. The week following after I left the gym, I worked out at home – just as I would have, had I been at the gym – I wanted to remain faithful despite the fact of not being there. Before the week ended; one of the young ladies I worked out with; called me another friend of mine out on Facebook to participate in a fitness challenge (another boot camp) that was being held in town for 4 weeks! I immediately went to the link that was provided and sure enough, there was another challenge – sign up was free and guess what, it only cost $10 for the WHOLE FOUR WEEKS!

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I tell you, the bible says I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalms 40:1 (NLT). I promise, I don’t know what you may be going through today or what signs or “numbers =)” that God may be showing you but take note that God does hear your every prayer. We can’t expect God to come down off his throne and speak directly to us (although sometimes I do wish that would happen) but he sends confirmation through others in which sometimes comes in the most unusual ways. Once you put something at God’s feet – just sit back, wait and watch – You just never know how he’ll show up on your behalf and it may not be in the way that you think.

Isaiah 55 8-9

 

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

 

 

 

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EnSpired: God’s Garage of Texas Is Fixing Cars For Free & A Good Cause

photo above courtesy of bing

Every person that drives on a daily basis knows that when your car is down, so is everything else in your life and in most cases the cost to get it fixed can also be another downer especially, If you’re a woman like me and know very little about a car as it is; except when it needs an oil change – then like me you pray everyday that nothing major happens to it because if so, then that could lead to major problems; problems that you don’t need,  especially when the money is already tight!

Well, at God’s Garage located in Conroe, Texas they know all too well what that situation is like and therefore started a mission to help single mothers, widows and wives of deployed military veterans keep those cars up and running all “FREE OF CHARGE!”

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God’s Garage – Conroe, Texas

Chris Williams, Pastor & Founder of God’s Garage works on the cars along with volunteers within the community whom donate their time to this inspiring effort. Chris and his team not only fix cars that are down but they also give cars away as well. According to NBC4i, the non-profit organization’s cars as well as money is donated by individuals and/or businesses. Cars that are donated that need little cost repair ($500 – $1000) of work, are repaired and given away.

And what does God’s Garage’s special customers have to say about it?

“I’m thrilled to be a recipient of one of their cars. They are the nicest people ever. I love it.” Jeanne McCowan

After becoming ill and losing her car due to not working, Jeanne will receive one of God’s Garage cars very soon.

“The women when they come to get the cars, you see the old guys, the tears start flowing and just the reactions to those ladies getting the car, that’s what keep you coming back,” Harvey Yaw (God’s Garage volunteer)

Just in case you seen the news today and thought “Is there anything good happening in the world?” Let this story prove that there really is, right there in Conroe, Texas.

Watch the inspiring video here:

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire More & Love Harder!

EnSpired: Hairdresser Spends Well Over 8 hours on Depressed Teens Hair

picture above and below courtesy of Daily Mail UK

This month as we talk about having an Attitude of Gratitude, there’s a 16yr old teenager who’s ever grateful for the time and patience a hairdresser took in taking care of her distressed locks. 20yr old student hairdresser Kayley Olsson of Waterloo, Iowa must have seen many clients and completed many hair transformations but none of them could compare to the client in which she was about to see on a Tuesday morning.

Probably thinking her day was going to be a breeze; it quickly turned into a tornado when a depressed 16yr old young lady (name withheld) sat in her chair to get her hair done, the teen’s hair was so matted and damaged – Kayley had to clear her schedule for the next day and a half.

According to media site Daily Mail UK the teen whom had been battling depression, was so depressed she couldn’t even brush her own hair and came to the salon to intentionally ask for her hair to be cut off.  But Olsson wouldn’t have it and decided to spend the hours needed (13 to be exact) to fix the teens hair whom also had picture day coming up at her school.

‘It honestly broke my heart and we tried everything we could to keep this child’s hair for her! At the end of the day I want this to be a lesson to people.Kayley Olsson

After spending a full 8 hours one day and 5 hours the next day – Kayley was able to turn the teens stressed tresses into a Cinderella story that had a very happy ending. So happy until it even surprised the teen, whom stated:

I will actually smile for my schools pictures today, you made me feel like me again“.’ 

The picture above is the before and below is the after transformation!

Teen girl1Teen girl2

 

Kayley, touched by the incident in regards to the teen – shared her story on her Facebook page in hopes that the situation would raise eyebrows about mental illness and how it affects our children, at the end of the day – Olsson just wanted to make the teen feel special again, stating:

A CHILD should NEVER feel so worthless to not even want to brush their hair. After being here 8 hours yesterday and 5 hours today we finally made this beautiful girl smile and feel like she IS worth something! 

Since posting the occurrence, Kayley has been praised by many for her tremendous sacrifice and work, the post has been viewed over 1.9K times and has also been shared by millions. Way to Go Kayley! What a great way to show and spread gratitude ~

 

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire Often & Love Hard!

EnSpired: Barber Goes Beyond the Chair to Lay Down on Floor for 6yr Old with Autism…

photo above courtesy of Good News Network

If you have children or son’s that is and have experienced a trip to the local barbershop, you’ll know that it’s not a fun experience for the parent, child or the barber, given your child’s hair needs and their reaction to the clippers or scissors near their head; I know my experience with taking my son to the barbershop has not been good, the barbers always seem to be in some sort of hurry and the atmosphere sometimes can feel a little – let’s just say, not kid friendly but I bear through it as all parents dreadfully do.

While I hate barbershop trips, Franz Jacob has restored my hope that their are not only good barbershops but good, kind, friendly and PATIENT barbers as well. Known as the “good-natured” barber, Jacobs makes getting a haircut a breeze, even if the child wants to sit on the floor – just as Wyatt does, a 6yr old client of Jacobs whom has autism. According to Fauve Lafrenier, Wyatt’s mom, the 6yr old is both hypo-sensitive and hypersensitive so a day at the barber shop can be not only uncomfortable but very unbearable having his hair constantly touched, but that’s not a problem for Canadian Franz Jacobs who patiently gets the job done, even if it’s on the floor.

According to the Good News Network, Jacob’s Salon Authentischen Barbier is the only shop in Quebec where Wyatt’s mom can take him in which not only gives him a warm welcome but aids to her sons sensitive care needs. A place where Wyatt knows his barber will go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure he gets the best hair cut.

See the amazing video below courtesy of Inside Edition of how Jacob uses his tools and kind nature to cut Wyatt’s hair…

Other suggested inspirational post to check out:

Life of an Autism Mom by blogger Liv Sampson/Life According to Liv

Autism, Irony & the Self-Esteem Movement – The Silent Wave Blog

 

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Inspire Often & Love Hard!

 

Bride Brings Tears of Joy to her Grandma, Wearing her Gown from 1962

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Is the famous quote that many eager brides try to obtain for the most important and special day of their lives – marriage, and one brides garment clearly fit the bill of “something old and borrowed.”

For Jordyn Jensen-Cleverly‘s wedding day, her dress wasn’t something new as most brides dresses usually are, Cleverly, however wanted her something borrowed and old to come from someone she truly adored, her grandmother. 23yr old Jordyn decided to wear her grandmothers wedding gown down the aisle, the same one her grandmother wore when she married her sweetheart back in 1962. The dress had not been worn in 55 years until now.

Penny Jensen, Jordyn’s grandmother had no idea that her grand-daughter had chosen to revive the gown she wore many years ago until the bride’s “first look” photo shoot in which Jordyn and her photographer Kortney Peterson surprised Penny.

Bride and Grandma2
Photo courtesy of Kourtney J. Photography & HuffPost

“I didn’t want her to see the dress for the first time walking down the aisle and just start sobbing and have all those memories come back to her,” Jordyn Jensen

In memories, Jordyn was referring to Penny’s own wedding and her husband, whom passed away before Jordyn was born. According to the HUFFPOST, Jordyn stated that she blacked out for a moment due to the emotional excitement of seeing her grandmother face as she wore her gown, the only words she remembered her grandmother saying was “Wow, Wow, Wow”. The photo shoot was quiet as everyone stood in silence and tears began to express the emotion of how everyone felt that beautiful day.

Bride and Grandma3
Photo courtesy of Kourtney J. Photography & HuffPost

And as the tears flowed, so did the rain as the once clear skies began to open up in expression as well. Photographer Kortney Peterson stated that it was as if Jordyn’s grandfather, Penny’s late husband also sealed the day with his approval as well. Such a beautiful occasion. And when Penny was finally able to speak, her words to her granddaughter became the cherry that topped off the day as she whispered in her ear:

“I married my high school sweetheart in this dress and so will you.” – Penny Jensen

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud, Love Hard & Inspire Often!