TOP's Tuesday: Emotions on High...Writing Productivity on Low

"The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy."~Jim Rohn

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

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"If you don't manage 
your emotions, then your emotions will manage you."  ~Doc Childre and Deborah Rozman, 
 Transforming Anxiety

As I got up earlier this morning to be sure my TOP's Tuesday blog was written and posted, I realized something - I only blogged once since last week's TOP's Tuesday. And last week's blog was short, sweet, and a little dancing, rather than blogging. The week before, there were only a couple blogs. One a tribute to my friend Laurie and all she does to encourage the families of the missing. Why haven't I blogged daily? Where are the daily posts of encouragement?

A friend once told me, "You can't trust emotions." She is correct, yet when life gets crazy, it seems the emotions take the forefront and start to determine the direction of my days and evenings. As I wake in the morning, I start with a little prayer, "Lord, give me the strength for this new day. Let my thoughts, words, and actions reflect You and not my reactions to the world's going ons. Amen." This may not sound like much of a prayer, yet it helps to get my mind focused on what and Who is important in the midst of the storm. 

The past few months have been a challenge and difficult for me and my family as a whole. Our summer went from relaxing to chaotic in the matter of one newspaper article.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are already challenging holidays to transition through, remembering the times with Heidi while praying not to focus on the memories we/she were denied when she was kidnapped on April 3, 1994. A factor many might not realize, something usually happens during the holidays to intensify the raw emotions of loss and grief. Sometimes they are in the news and other times they are not. Regardless, our loss of Heidi, only increases our sensitivity to others and makes us stronger each day. 

Facts are facts though:
Fact One:
Heidi Allen was abducted on April 3, 1994, Easter Sunday and remains missing today! Her parents, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, family, and community remember her smile and pray for her return daily

Fact Two:
A hearing is scheduled for January, and we (Heidi's family, friends, community, and prayer warriors) have a choice - focus on Hope for Heidi Allen or be swallowed in the drama of life

Fact Three:
Heidi Allen is STILL missing! Her parents, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, family, and community remember her smile and pray for her return daily. 

I don't know about you but I MUST choose HOPE and PRAYERS for my sweet sister, Heidi Allen. I choose to FOCUS on my parents. It's the deep pain in their eyes again that weighs on my heart, no one can take this pain away, as they relive losing their youngest daughter all over again. 

If you think of it, would you join me in prayer...
- for Heidi to be found - this was the goal in April 94' and the goal still today...to find Heidi
- for the strength necessary to move forward each day
- for the words and ability to encourage, inspire, and help others
- to spend time daily in the Word and with the Only One strong enough to carry through this
- for truth, justice, understanding, and compassion for all involved
- for a joyful Thanksgiving and Christmas season - may our grief not consume us but be a springboard to make hope, love, and joy the focus and one we share

"Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God 
will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9 NIV

Pardon the ramblings on this TOP's Tuesday, keeping it real.
TOP's Tuesday is about Heidi Allen...Still missing, 7,521 days later

Choosing Hope, Joy, and Love...