Things I have learned during my 55th year on this Earth

It's that time of year again. It is my birth month. So I'll start off by recapping the year, and then I'll list the 10 things that I learned this year. 

In January I was working in the Dallas area, in a rental vehicle that I was paying $350 a week on just so I can make a few bucks to pay towards my bills which had mounted up to $3,500 a month, due to the situation with my car during 2023. 

Needless to say it wasn't enough. 

In February I learned that I had congestive heart failure, my mom died, and I got a little bit of help from my inheritance from my dad who had died about 7 months before. 

I was able to catch up on my bills, and take a rest from all the stress, frustration, heartbreak, and illness that had struck me throughout the year. 

I paid back a bunch of people who helped me out in 2023, blessed my mechanic who had kept me on the road with a little bit of it, and invested what I had left after catching up on my bills. 

I use some of it to pay for a couple of months rent on a room at a local motel. 

The memory popped up on Facebook of the dream that I had of God telling me that he wanted me to travel. And how he wanted me to do it.

In March, I bought another car. I had to do some initial work on it to make sure it was Uber ready. And then I went back to the Dallas area, where I stayed with my cousin until the weather cooled off in September. 

I set out to see every city in the state of Texas. 

While I was in the Dallas area, I was able to see the Mary Kay building (which I expected to be pink but it wasn't), the Dallas Baptist University, The Potter's House, traders village in Grand Prairie, hurricane harbor and six flags and the Arlington AT&T stadium.

I tried a lot of new foods. 

I tried Thai food in Sherman, Korean food in Denton, Vietnamese food in Garland, Indian Pakistan food in Frisco, where I also saw the Ghostbusters car on July 4th, Salvadorian food in Irving, and I had the best Mexican buffet I've ever had in my life in Grand Prairie, and the best burger I ever had in my life in Fort Worth. 

In Fort Worth I also was introduced to the 11 lb burrito challenge at Badazz Burrito, which I declined to try to do. 

When I left Dallas, I went to Lubbock. 

I fell in love with Lubbock. 

I saw the prairie dog town, Lubbock lake, the windmill museum. 

I went to Amarillo and ate at The Big Texan where the 72 oz steak challenge is housed. I declined that as well. 

I saw the Helium Monument, and on the way to Amarillo I got to see the Palo Duro Canyon.

I slept at truck stops, and got a planet fitness membership so I could take showers for $25 a month instead of $18 every 2 or 3 days. I did laundry at the laundromat, paid all my bills online, and learned that there was nothing I can do in an apartment that I couldn't do in my car. 

It was not without its challenges, though.

When I bought the car, I had put spark plugs, cabin air filter, new tires, brakes, rotors, tie rod and control arms on it. 

I also replace the tire pressure monitoring system.

I had to replace the control arms on my car again, and the tires, then the cluster went out. Later I had to replace the transmission, the camshaft positioning sensor and exhaust solenoid.

God pulled me out of a very stuck situation. Just when I thought I was done for, again!

I paid off four of the loans that I had taken out the year before. 

And by the end of my 55th year, the God account started growing again. 

Even with some struggles, this year has been so much better than last year! 

Last year was a nightmare! This year I feel blessed. I know that 95% of the people that I know have not experienced and will not experience all I have experienced so far in my 55th year! 

Top 10 things I learned this year: 

1) God is always on time. 

2) When God wants you to do something, He will give you no choice.

3) When Satan slams a door shut, God opens a window.

4) People who try to talk you out of what God is calling you to do are not your friend.

5) Fear is not an option. 365 times in the Bible God said do not fear, and I will be with you. 

6) You don't have to have a lot of stuff to live in abundant life.

7) Forgiveness does not mean giving someone else permission to cross your boundaries again.

8) Once you realize that you are exactly where God wants you to be, it's easy to be thankful.

9) It's not your job to change the world. It is only your job to change your little piece of it for the better.

And finally, 

10) You are the church. You are not a religion. Each person you encounter on this journey of life is just as important as the next person you run into. What you say and do makes a difference in that person's life at that moment. Remember that.

TAKING IT ALL BACK

This is for all of you out there who have been following my story on Facebook and here at this blog for the past few years.

You guys know how I have come out on top over and over again. I have been knocked down by some really hard blows, especially over the last year.

I have had everything, and I have had nothing in this life. Over the past year I've lost everything I had again. Not the first time. Probably not the last time, but guess what?

I told you guys 2 years ago that God wanted me out here, travelling, to give up all I had and get a mailbox and storage unit and travel on the road talking to people.

Ninety percent of you said I was crazy and that God wouldn't ask me to do that. So, I hung back, unsure. Uncertain. Did God really want me doing what He told me He wanted me to do? What I thought I heard?

Circumstances last year made it impossible for me to do anything other than what got me where I am today - with a storage unit, a mailbox and living in my car, travelling, talking to people every day.

Last year I didn't know if I was Job or Jonah...but this year, I look back and realize that I am EXACTLY WHERE GOD WANTS ME TO BE!

On this road, as I was getting where I am, I found out who my real friends were, and which family members would treat me like family. I met some REALLY special people who are still in my circle today. People who helped me get where I am so I could give all the Glory to God.

And, I found out that God doesn't take "no" for an answer. He doesn't take, "give me time", or "wait..." unless HE is the one who is saying it. He's the boss.

When God wants you to do something, He will put you where He wants you so you can, or be miserable trying to get back to where you were.

I'm out here, now. The way I see it, I'm where God wants me to be. I might as well embrace it and enjoy it, rather than do like Jonah did and sit and pout under a tree until it dries up and still leaves me with no shade to enjoy.

Bless Her Heart

I am not about rituals. I don't pray all the time before I eat, because I talk to God all day and I eat with Him. He knows how grateful I am.

I don't go to church every Sunday, because I have church every day; either alone, or with a passenger. I read the Bible every day. I search for truths through the Word of God.

Jesus and I have a relationship. That means that sometimes I want to shake my fist at the heavens and scream at Him. It also means that sometimes I want to cuddle with His presence. Sometimes I want my space, but just like any marriage relationship, I always want Him within reach - whether my door is shut so I can enjoy my time or not.

And, just like any other relationship, when He wants to communicate with me, He's not going to respect that closed door.

Especially when He knows I'll listen to Him, because what He has to say is important to me.

I am not the perfect marriage partner; but, God is.

He created that old southern saying, "Bless her heart..." ... and the meaning behind it.

I'm sure He says it a lot!

Assembling

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

It does not mean go to church, I don't care who said it from the pulpit today.

It means to assemble yourselves with other Christians, no matter where you are.

Church is just a good place to be to do that.

I'm not saying that people shouldn't go to church. I'm saying that Sunday meeting at a church building is not the end all be all to being a good Christian.

If I hang around with people on a regular basis, it's going to be with people who believe and trust God as I do. It's going to be with people who can edify me and encourage me and constructively criticize me when needed in love and protection of what belongs to God.

But I find it offensive for anyone to stand up at the pulpit and say that if you don't come to church you're not doing what God told you to do. That is so wrong! That is not what the Bible says.

It is not offensive because I don't want to go to church. It is offensive because it is not what the word of God says. And to say that God's word says something that it doesn't is offensive.

If I ever go to church, it is going to be to a church that does not think I am sinning if I don't go to church on Sunday every Sunday. And it's going to be with people who will reach out and pull me out of the fire if I happen to fall in, not with people who will pray over me while they watch me burn.

I really doubt that God is going to close the gates of heaven in my face because I didn't go to church every Sunday. If He closes the Gates of heaven in my face it's going to be because I denied Him in front of my brothers and sisters. I denied the power that He has over your life and mine. I denied that He is everything and without Him we are nothing. And I denied having faith that tomorrow is going to be a better day because the Lord said so.

Praise God I would never do that!

He is my provision, my protector, and my best friend. He is my husband, my parent, and my advocate! He is everything to me. I don't need to go to church in order to tell everybody what a great God I have! I do that in my car everyday as an Uber driver!

According to my Bible, which is the same one that is preached from that pulpit in error, I am the church. My body is the Temple of Christ. Just as is everyone else's who believes and trusts in Him.

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

Taxes

Good morning, World!

I have finished my daily Bible Reading.

Today, I will be gathering all of my tax information. It's time I go and get this taken care of, and start paying on what I owe.

I won't have much to work with, seeing as I couldn't work much in 2023. Just Uber, Lyft and Spark.

I did so little on Grub Hub and Door Dash, they didn't even prepare me any information.

Other than that, I'm sitting around eating broccoli and cheese cake all day. LOL. I did eat a sausage sandwich for breakfast, though.

I've been taking my medication religiously. I am actually starting to feel better. I wonder if the infection in my leg wasn't spreading and that is why I felt so bad. The antibiotics are helping.

I had a good day yesterday. I worked a full 8 hours. And, I emptied my storage unit and closed out my storage account to save money. I paid my insurance, my snap bill, my mailbox, and part of a personal loan given by a friend.

I could go in and pay off all my loans, but then I wouldn't have money to make money with, so I will continue to pay them until they are paid off. It looks better on my credit that way, anyway, and if I need the money from any of those accounts for any reason until they are paid off, I can still use those accounts.

Of course, I'm not going to use any of them...except my big Elastic loan. I plan on using THAT one to help me pay off the other loans.

Next month about this time, I should have at least one loan paid off.

Everything is working as planned. I'm so de-stressed right now! (Except for my health).

Which reminds me...I need to call Wadley to see what kind of program they have for me that they offered me in the mail to day to help pay my bill.

I also owe $26 for the labs they did.

Never-the-less, life is looking up right now.

Oh, and I got my yearly 1099 form from Spark. Did you know I made about $8700 on Spark alone last year? That's not counting all the other apps I did. I sure wish I could see some of that money....it all went down the drain on this car.

Tomorrow is the Sabbath.

I bought a cheesecake to snack on tomorrow. I don't plan on getting out of my pajamas all day.

Ya'll have a blessed day!

Doctor's Visit

Good morning, World!

I couldn't sleep after that long nap I took last night, and didn't get to sleep until about 5 AM this morning. Then, I had to wake up and rush to get ready to go to the doctor, so I am posting this late.

The doctor told me that Wadley ER would not send her the records she requested, so she had some more labs done on me today. I have another appointment on April 1 at 8 AM.

My doctor's visits are covered with the sliding scale through the program Genesis Primecare has set up for the uninsured. But, I have to pay for my labs and my prescriptions.

My doctor gave me another prescription for some antibiotics. I'm getting another small blister on my leg. But, my previous sore is finally healing, slowly.

It itched so bad last night, I picked the scab off...but at least there was a scab; and, itching means that it is healing.

I'm going to try to work some today before it starts raining.

Have a blessed day!

Growing Old

Good morning, World!

It's a new day.

Yesterday, I came back to my room early because I don't like twiddling my thumbs.

I decided to pick up an old hobby and start posting the news again. I broke out my old source list and started updating it.

A lot of the sources I have for news are outdated and no longer useable. There are new ones in their places. So, I am having to go through, one by one, and check them from A-Z.

Politics is like that. Every day, new people come on the scene to offer current news. Every day, people drop out, or get voted out.

Also, I have debated what to write my book about. I don't think I am going to write a book about my life. There is too much to tell, and not enough time or pages could cover it all, and I am too much of a detail freak. So, I think I'm just going to stick with my blog and Facebook for that.

I'll just stay online.

I might change my mind later.

I feel my body changing daily. The health I once enjoyed seems to be going downhill, fast. It frightens me...

But, I know God is in control, and I am looking forward to the end result.

I am just not looking forward to the process of getting there.

Ya'll have a blessed day!

Jesus, Fried Chicken and Good Earnings

Good evening, World!

There was a gentleman that walked up from his wife's rehab to get a cup of coffee at the EZ Mart. The lady at the counter had already run off one guy who came to loiter.

So when he sat down at the door to rest before he went in, he was warned by another customer. He explained that he was coming from the rehab and he would be walking back he just wanted to rest before he got a cup of coffee.

I went in to use the restroom.

When I came back I told him that if he would get his cup of coffee I would take him back to the rehab and he wouldn't have to walk. I explained that I was an Uber driver.

He went in and got his coffee and came back and asked me if I minded. I told him no, that's what I'm out here for. I'm doing the Lord's work.

I gave him the number to go go grandparent so that he would be able to get a ride anytime he needed it.

The conversation in the car was worth having. All the way around.

This is why I do what I do.

I learned, years ago, that we should LOOK FOR opportunities to serve Jesus. We shouldn't just hope something lands in our lap. That rarely happens.

So, I saw this gentleman as an opportunity, and I took it. I'm glad I did.

I also bought a microwavable bowl, a paring knife, a big spoon to stir my tea with, and three spoons for just $5.51 at the Dollar tree.

I had an awesome day driving for Uber and Lyft today. I made about $150 in less than eight hours.

And, I ordered some fried chicken for supper tonight.

I know I shouldn't have it, but after yesterday...well, I caved.

I did good in the stock market today. I pray every day is at least as good. That is what is paying my bills right now, and helping me save for a new car eventually.

Now, I'm fixing to turn on some TV, eat my chicken and relax the rest of the night!

THIS is the abundant life!

Ya'll have a blessed night!

The Mouths of Babes

Good evening, World!

I had a good day.

I woke up at 9 AM, bathed, fixed myself something to eat, then I went to work until about 10:30 a.m..

Then, I went to Liberty Ministries International Church (used to be Flower Acres Baptist). Brother Johnny Murphy was the pastor there.

He preached on "end results" (consequences) of decision making, one way or the other.

But, before he preached today, there was a little boy, about 5 years old that walked into Brother Johnny's office and said he wanted to preach today.

Brother Johnny couldn't say no to him, because the little boy was carrying his Bible. His mother heartily assured Brother Johnny that she had NOTHING to do with it.

So, before Brother Johnny preached this morning, this little boy stood up there and preached about Daniel in the lion's den. His message was about being courageous and not having anger in our hearts. It did me more good today than what Brother Johnny preached about, to tell you the truth! Because, after all, I am already saved! That little boy did and AWESOME job! He even had his verses memorized!

It was awesome!

Then, I went back to work. I made $100 today before I decided to call it day. I took a lady to KFC, then picked her up from McD's and took her home. The smell of the food in the car made me crave fried chicken, and I know I am not supposed to have that right now. I decided it was time to go back to my room and fix me something to eat. So, I called it a day.

It's depressing when I can't just get what I want anymore.

I guess God is trying to teach me something. After all, I usually do get what I want...eventually.

I am fixing to turn on "Ancient Aliens". I broke down and subscribed to HULU.

Have a blessed day!

P.S. I included this video below to show you how powerful a child preacher is!

My Nails

Good morning, World!

Today is the Sabbath.

Now that I am able to, I see no reason to not obey God's command to set aside this day for rest and reflection.

So, that is what I am going to do.

I may venture out today, but I will not be working. (As much as I would like to).

I figure it like this: God has answered my prayer and given me the break that I have been hoping for during the last couple of years. It is time that honor Him and do according to His Will, as He has made me able to do so.

I have failed Him so many times over the past couple of years. But, God is a merciful God. He sent Jesus to pay for my shortcomings. I am ashamed that Jesus had to pay for my sins the way He did, but I am grateful that it means I can have a second chance...or a third one. (Because God knows that I am going to fail again).

Anyway, I'll be here all day. Just a finger tap away on Facebook.

Have a blessed day!

Spaghetti and sleep

Good morning, World!

I slept until 9 AM this morning. Much later than I had intended to sleep, but it felt good.

Right now I am eating a spaghetti frozen dinner for breakfast. Then, I will start my day.

Yesterday, I didn't get started until around noon, due to the phone outage. I was so glad when it finally came back up!

Today, I will only have to make $60 in order to have enough to pay my Capital One bill on the 27th, because I was able to transfer some of my earnings into my bank account from my brokerage account. That is my goal.

Ya'll have a blessed day!

Power outage

Good morning, World! I woke up at 7 AM this morning. I made tea for the day and ate a meatball bowl for breakfast. Then, I tried to turn on the computer so I can do my daily Bible reading. I couldn't get signed in because it required my phone to authenticate my signing in and the internet was out on the phone. I couldn't even turn my phone on or off without service.

It was strange.

I understand there was a major power outage.

But, now I am back online and getting ready for the day ahead.

Yesterday, I worked the whole day on Lyft and Uber. Lyft sent me to Atlanta 3 times yesterday. The first time, I got there and the customer cancelled and I only got paid $4.50. I was not a happy camper.

But, I ended the day nearly making $100. I also made about $140 in my brokerage account. But, then I spent it all when I paid my ticket I got last week when I was going to turn my rental car in. I got a ticket for not stopping at a stop sign that I didn't see.

With all the construction going on in Dallas, it's easy to do.

I'm glad I am back home now, though.

I also bought a coffeemaker so I could make tea again, and save some money.

Ya'll have a blessed day!

Blackout Curtain

Good morning, World!

I woke up at 9:30 AM this morning because I stayed up late last night watching "Outlander". It's nice to be able to watch my shows again. Today is going to be a repeat of yesterday, but hopefully, I'll be able to work more with Uber and Lyft. Yesterday, I picked up my prescription and did some grocery shopping so I could eat without having to spend money eating high sodium foods at restaurants.

One of the housekeepers came knocking at my door yesterday to tell me how to pull the black-out curtain so I wouldn't be tying my curtains together in my room. I had no idea I had a blackout curtain. I am so glad she showed it to me! She was really sweet about it, too!

Now I can sleep without the sun shining in my face in the morning!

Not sure if that is good or bad, but it doesn't matter. I am in my home town, so I can work after dark more, if I need to.

Have a blessed day!

Following His Lead.

Good morning, World!

This morning, I will be working inside my room, buying and selling stocks until around 3 PM, then I will venture out to do some Uber and Lyft, and get something to eat.

I didn't make as much this week as I did last week, but at least my bills are covered for now.

I have been praying, and I think that it is now time that I start visiting different churches in the area throughout the week.

God has given me the talent of sharing information, and sometimes information is how we help others. It is time I start gathering information, in order to share and encourage others into the involvement in the community around us.

With my health the way it is right now, I think God has finished with my traveling for a little while. Maybe I'll get back on that horse later. For now, as disappointed as I am that I can't continue, God is not finished with me yet. And, I will continue to follow His lead.

Ya'll have a blessed day!

Genesis 1:6-8

Genesis 1:6-8

6And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
8And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

God created every part of me. And, I am a part of the body of Christ. Each part in the body has a purpose.

If I choose not to do God's will, then I am but a dead limb on the tree that get pruned and cast aside.

John 15:1-2

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

According to the Oxford Languages Dictionary, the word "purge" means

"rid (someone or something) of an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling"

So, all the parts of me that are not useful for God's purposes are slowly being torn away...

And, no one said it would be painless.

God divides the good from the bad.

Genesis Chapter 1:4-5

Genesis Chapter 1:4-5

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

God divided me from those who chose not to be called His. He set me aside. He sanctified me.

This means, I am special. I am somebody. I am worth it, in His eyes.

Genesis 1:1-3

Genesis chapter 1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the Earth.

A new beginning deserves a new beginning.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Today is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

In the beginning, God created me.

It was a different beginning than the one in the Bible, but it was a beginning, nonetheless.

I've started over so many times in my life. The one thing that all those things have in common is that I carried parts of my old self into them. I am sure that this time will not be any different; but, I'm going to try.

I start with nothing. Everything I have is a gift from God.

My health has taken a turn for the worst, and right now I am praying for healing that only He can provide, in a myriad of ways.

God gave me a story to tell. I want to tell that story.

Genesis chapter 1 verse 2

The Earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

The darkness tried to overtake me. It surrounded me on all sides. I felt as if I was going through a dark tunnel, grasping for anything I could hold on to to help pull me through.

I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I knew it was there. But this long dark tunnel was so lonely and desolate.

By the time I got to the end of the tunnel, I had been beaten and battered in my heart. My health had taken a downturn and I had no way of knowing if I would ever get better.

Congestive heart failure is not curable. It is only manageable. 

Genesis chapter 1 verse 3

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Sometimes the struggles we have in life scar us. I had spent the last 2 years begging for help from people who were supposed to be the face of Jesus.

Aside from a few people who said they would pray for me, help was very hard to get.

It made the face of Jesus look useless.

If I had not been as strongly grounded in my faith, if I hadn't known the power of my God and understood that ultimately His plan would prevail, I probably would have thrown Christianity away.

I can understand the anger some people feel towards Him and what He stands for. It doesn't make that anger justified - only understood.

Avocados, Tires, Cigarettes, and Back Seat Drivers

Good evening, World!

I got this rental car so that I wouldn't be as stressed as I have been over working.

However, today was probably the most stressful day I've had in a while!

I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning, and the gauge was reading that I needed a tire rotation. I thought to myself, that can't be right because I just got the vehicle! And I don't even have a voucher yet.

I reset the gauge so that it reads that a tire rotation isn't due for another 5,000 MI.

Then the little exclamation light came on and said that my tires were low on pressure.

Crap!

I found the nearest discount Tire and went to go get my tires aired up and had them check the tires while they were at it. They informed me that I needed two new tires on the front. The reading for the tires was in the red. It was way past time and nearing the danger level.

I am 40 miles away from the Hertz rental car center. So I tried to call them, but I was told that the number did not exist. I was not going to pay for two new tires out of my own pocket, and I needed a voucher to get it done. So, I drove there, praying the whole way.

I got to the rental office, and all of their computer systems were down, and they had no idea when it was going to come back up. But I was assured that it usually doesn't take more than an hour or so. So I waited around.

After about an hour, the young man at the desk came over to me and told me that truthfully they just don't know when it's going to come back up and he can't give out any vouchers until it does, but, I could call this number that he gave me and they could fix one up and email it to me.

He could have told me that an hour before that!

So I called the number and I got the voucher and I went back to Denton to the Discount Tire that had told me I needed two new tires.

It took about an hour and a half for them to finally get me serviced. By then it was about 1:00 p.m.

Once again, half of my day had been wasted on maintenance. This time on a vehicle that I didn't even own. LOL

Once the tires were fixed, I drove to Walmart because I was out of tea. I had to park quite a ways away because the parking lot was so full. I got my tea, which was regular sweet tea and not extra sweet tea because they didn't have the extra sweet tea. But any tea is good tea, as long as it's sweet, in my book. LOL

I got a phone call from a bill collector, who is wanting me to pay a past due medical bill. It was only $60 and they had been trying to call me for a while. So I went ahead and paid it since I have the money. She asked me if there was anything she could help me with after that, I said, "nope. Except, I would like for you to stop calling me. LOL" and yes, she laughed.

I also bought some basic necessities that I was out of that I didn't get the other day. Hopefully I'm fixed up for a while.

Then I went and ate at the Cotton patch. It was really good food. I was especially impressed with their fried Green tomatoes. But, I had asked for an avocado bacon cheeseburger that was on the menu. When I got the burger it had no avocado on it. When I told the waiter, he said the avocado only comes on it if you request it.

Duh! Did I not ask for an avocado bacon cheeseburger? Is that not requesting avocado? He only got a dollar tip.

Then I finally went to work. There were back to back Lyft rides. Half of them canceled on me before I could get to them. And I kept working myself closer and closer to the Dallas area. 

By the time I got halfway to Dallas, Lyft navigation went crazy. I'm in a town that I do not know the roads, and I have to listen to her. But she was so confusing! I could be sitting there at the light and she would tell me, "turn right. Go 150 ft turn left. Turn right, then turn left", and I hadn't even moved yet. I had no idea which way to go! And the passengers I had in my backseat did not speak English.

I finally got them where they wanted to go and then I picked up a guy going to Love Field airport. When he got in the car I told him I was so glad that he spoke English because I needed a backseat driver! I explained to him why it took me so long to find him, and asked him to help me with navigation.

He pulled out his Google. He was telling me what Lane to go into and where to turn, warning me not to listen to her on the app, and then he said, "I am so sorry for being a backseat driver! I know I'm bad!"

I exclaimed, "No! Don't apologize! I need you to be a backseat driver! You hear what I'm going through? LOL"

Normally I hate backseat drivers. But I really appreciated him. And he even tipped me $10.

After I dropped him off I came back to Denton. It was an hour drive. How did I end up that far away so quick?

I'm done for the day. You'll be glad to know that I did not break down and buy a pack of cigarettes, even though I wanted to really bad.

So I think I'm going to sit here for the rest of the night and just relax.

I've made all but $77 that I need to pay for my rental. 

Y'all have a blessed night!

Birds and Rentals

I was really nervous today.

But everything turned out a whole lot easier than I thought it was going to be. All I did was go in, present my insurance, my driver's license, and my Lyft app on my phone, and they gave me the keys and told me to make sure that I do whatever maintenance is needed.

By the way, I don't have to pay for the maintenance. I just have to make sure it's done.

I had to find a storage unit that would house my car for me while I'm out on the road in a rental. You would think that they would let me park it on their lot since I'm driving their car. But, I was able to find one approximately a mile away from the rental company, which was convenient.

I went and ate, and then I started my day after I drove to Denton, Texas.

It was only a 35 mile drive.

Then I turned the apps on.

I really like working in Denton.

It's so much busier than Texarkana! And, there is so many more new things to do and see!

Eventually I'll have to go back to Texarkana to check my mail. I'll do that at the end of the month. I have to pay for my mailbox anyway. I also need to grab my suitcase. I grabbed about three changes of clothes and put them in a garbage bag, because I figured it would take less room. I think the suitcase probably would have been a better idea. LOL

My plan is to get some of these bills paid off, and then get a room.

Y'all have a blessed night!

P.S.

Check out these birds at the Love's where I'm sleeping tonight! It reminds me of something out of a Stephen King novel.

Following God's Calling

Good morning, World!

I just paid off my revolving Reli loan at my bank. Now I have another $1,500 available when I need it. I still have $1,100 in my bank account. I transferred $100 to my brokerage account last night. I got gas in my car.

I'm going by Walmart to buy some basic necessities that I'm out of. Then I've got to go buy a vape.

Then I'm going to go get something to eat. All I had to eat all day yesterday was a bag of chips and some bean dip. Believe it or not!

Then I've got to go by my storage unit and pack up for my trip.

After that, I'm headed to Bedford, Texas to pick up my rental car. None too soon, I might add. When I filled up my car this morning it said I only had 285 MI in my tank. Something ain't right there. It's usually 100 mi more than that.

I'll probably end up getting a storage unit to house my car while I am driving the rental. That's going to cost me another $75.

At least I don't have to pay my Reli loan, and my Elastic isn't due until February. I figured I should pay off my revolving loans first, that way if I need the money I have it. Elastic and Reli are my two revolving loans. Those two will help me stay caught up on my bills until pay them off.

I'll have gas and food money until I get paid again, after I get all my bills caught up to the present. I'll only be paid once a week so I have to prepare.

It feels good to be caught up on most of my bills.

I have one bill I haven't paid anything on that I'm just going to pay off as soon as I get the money.

That's going to take work. But I'm not worried about it.

This Year is off to a great start! Just knowing that my bills are caught up and that I have a foothold, finally, really makes a difference! And, God has placed me in the position to do what it is He is calling me to do!

That is the best thing of all! I will finally get to start doing what I want to do for the Lord, using my occupation in which to do it!

All of those naysayers who told me that God was not calling me to do what I was planning on doing can eat crow now! He has led me to this place in the way that He wanted me to be there. He gave me no choice in the matter! When I was having doubts, He picked me up and threw me into it! I have learned some valuable lessons through all of this struggle. And I will need it on my journey!

Y'all have a blessed day! And, pray for me!

Church versus Church Building

I just got blocked on somebody's website who is telling them that they need to go to church in order to be a good Christian.

She accused me of having a hard heart. Anyone who knows me knows that I do not have a hard heart.

If I did I wouldn't have taken offense at that.

But, I simply reminded her that going to church does not make you a Christian. My God is not displeased with me when I don't go to church. He is displeased with me when I don't act like I am a part of the church.

I will never tell anyone that they have to go to church in order to be a Christian. I will tell them they have to follow Jesus. I will never tell someone they have to go to church in order to learn God's word. I will, however, tell them that they have to read the Bible to learn God's word.

The church building is for those who need extra counseling. Some people do not like continuing their week without at least one day at the church in worship and praise alongside others who are there for the same reason. It is also for those who have questions that need answers about the Bible. The best place to get those answers is a Bible believing Church.

Some people are called to work inside the church building for that purpose. But not all people are called to the same. Everyone has a different calling.

Jesus said "Where two or more gathered together in my name there will I be also." Assembling with others does not have to be 100 people. It can only be you and one person in the car who are glorifying and praising the Lord together. It can be me and my passengers stopping to pray over their needs when they ask for it.

My church is wherever Jesus is. And He is not trapped in a church building.

Not one time in the whole Bible did Jesus ever say to go to church. His ministry was based on teaching believers how to BE the church.

I will never tell anyone not to go to church. But I will never tell them that going to church is the mark of a good christian.

And I am very appalled at the number of so-called Christians out there who are very adamant that if you are not going to church you are not a true Christian.

Happy Friday, January 5, 2024

Good morning, World!

I slept at the Flying J last night in Mandeville. It was really peaceful, and I actually found a place where the light wasn't shining in my eyes all night so I could sleep better.

Normally, I would try to wear a scarf over my eyes, but that gets old.

The bathroom was fairly close to the parking spot.

And it didn't start raining until after I went to the restroom about 3:00 this morning.

Apparently somehow, my trunk was opened after that, and when it started raining it rained inside my trunk. My suitcase was in my trunk. Luckily it was closed.

Everything got wet. I don't think the rain got through my suitcase though. And I had everything else in my car in the backseat. So no damage done there.

I don't know how the trunk was opened. I might have accidentally pushed the button when I tried to lock my door. If it was a burglar, he didn't find anything to steal, apparently.

In my dream last night, I believe that God was telling me that my situation is nearly over. That I will experience new things and certain problems will be resolved.

I was told to search within myself and make necessary changes that will be beneficial to my future.

I was told that all of what is happening and what will happen is a part of God's plan.

I was told that I need to diligently search for answers to my questions. And I need to be true to my boundaries and confident that God is in control.

Very soon, I will be in a position where I can make a difference in other people's lives, and I need to be careful how I handle the power that is going to be given me. 

The days of oppression are nearly over.

I pray that all of this is true!

I'm not going to be able to work much today if it keeps raining.

Y'all have a blessed day!

Trying to get my insurance paid

Good morning, World!

I'm on my way to my storage unit. I just got freshened up at the E-Z Mart down the road from the rest area.

Tonight is laundry night. I have to do laundry tonight.

And today my focus is going to be on putting money in my bank account so that whenever my insurance comes out in a few days it will go through.

I don't have a backup balance to pay anymore, and I actually have a few bucks on my card now.

I'm looking for a better day today than I had yesterday, even though yesterday was really good. I want it to be at least as good.

I uninstalled all of the games on my phone. I just think that I need to start looking around instead of down at my phone all the time.

I had a dream last night. I had asked God to speak to me before I went to sleep. He sent me a message through imagery in my dream. I know it was prophetic because it was clear.

It was a picture of a king dressed in purple and green, and the message was,

"You are not in control, I am."

I don't know why he thought he had to tell me that. As if I didn't already know it. But I'll take it!

Y'all have a blessed day!

At 9:00 a.m., I went ahead and paid for my storage unit. That left me about $4 that I have to pay back to my Uber backup balance because I didn't quite have the money in my Uber card. But at least it's paid.

greetings on January 4th

2023 Recap

The year, 2023, began with me waiting on tags for my car.

The dealership had bought the car from a guy who used to live in California. When they sent to California for the title so that I could get the tags, California sent it to the previous owners old address in California instead of to the dealership.

The dealership had to file for a lost title. It took them nearly 5 months to get me my tags.

In the meanwhile, I could not drive for Uber or Lyft, because they require that a car that I am driving be registered in my name. I could have rented a car from Lyft, but it would have cost me too much compared to what I was making. I was already losing money by not being able to drive for Uber or Lyft.

I was allowed to do deliveries, however. Unfortunately, on all the apps put together even, it was only half of my regular salary. I ended up having to spend all of my money that I had saved up during the previous year to try to keep up with my bills. I even ended up having to take out a loan to help.

The dealership was willing to pay the car payment. But even just paying the car payment I was still behind on my bills. I threw a fit and told them they were ruining my life! They didn't believe me and they laughed at me.

I finally got my tags in February. During this time I had to get a fuel injector put into my car because the check engine light kept coming on.

I drove the car for about a month and a half, and then the transmission went out. I took it back to the dealership. After a week of waiting for them to fix it, I was told that the transmission was on back order. I told them I had to go to work! I couldn't afford not to work! I had to take out another loan to help me pay my bills.

They sent me out with a loaner vehicle, through a rental company, and I had to pay $30 a day to drive it with the deal that they set up, after the first 5 days. So now I could only do deliveries and I had to pay $30 a day on top of that. I ended up having to take out another credit card and a few more loans before I finally got my car back a month and a half later, with a used transmission.

I drove the car for about a month and a half, and the transmission went out again.

This time, they told me that there was nothing they could do because I drove too many miles and the warranty was no longer valid. Now I was without a car, and a way to pay my bills.

At this point I tried to trade in my car for a better one, but they told me that the car had too much negative equity due to the mileage that I drove. And I didn't have the money to pay a down payment on another one.

I took the car to J&R automotive and they helped me get set up with financing to get another transmission. I was out of work for 3 weeks, constantly getting more behind on my rent. And I didn't see myself coming back from this.

I was going to get a storage unit and move into my car at this point, and I begged people to help me move.

No one stepped up to help.

A cousin offered me a place to stay until I could get my car fixed. I moved what I could to his house. He was disabled so he was limited and how he could help me move. At this point, I hadn't even gotten a storage yet.

I waited 2 weeks for my car to be fixed, and finally someone offered me their van to drive while I was waiting to get it fixed.

My cousin started gaslighting me and making things difficult for me, so I left his house with nothing but my clothes and computers.

Another friend offered me a place to stay until I could secure myself.

I stayed with her family for a week, but extended circumstances forced me to have to leave her home. It was nothing personal. But I couldn't stay there.

I finally got my storage unit, and I went to Randy Sam's for about a week. It was hard for me to work the hours that I could work, once I got my car back, due to the hours that they require you to be checked in, and the chores that they require you to do as a part of staying there. Not to mention, the cots were not comfortable, and the showers had no water pressure. I have very thick hair.

So I checked out of Randy Sam's and I went to Dallas for about a week to try to work and make more money.

After about a week, my transmission failed again. I ended up having to take it back to Texarkana, back to J&R automotive, and I barely got it on to the shop's property when it finally stopped going. It refused to move. I needed another transmission.

They sent me up with more financing. By this time I had five loan accounts and three credit cards that I was paying on.

This time, they also had to replace the starter and a sensor as well as the transmission.

During this time, my dad died. A week later, two of my best and closest friends died. A week later, one of them moved away.

I got the car back, and a month later, I was putting a water pump, thermostat and housing in it. My water pump went out on me.

A month later, apparently some water got into my transmission fluid and I ended up having to do three transmission flushes. I had to take out another loan to pay for this. I also had a leaky radiator.

My windshield wipers had failed me at some point during all that time and I had to get to windshield wiper motors. I had to replace three brake lights and one headlight, and a tire or two about every month.

I've lost my health insurance, so I couldn't even get my arthritis medicine. At the end of the year I'm depending on aspirin.

At this point, at the end of the year, I am homeless, broke, and in debt.

And I still owe $3,200 in Taxes from the previous year.

The apartment complex I used to stay at, at this point, slapped me with a $5,046 clean up fee, since I had to leave everything behind. If I had $5,000 I would not have had to move.

I can't stand on my feet more than 20 or 30 minutes at a time, so getting another job is not an option for me. My only hope is to keep this car going until I can come up with the money to get another one.

There have been a lot of good points this year, though. I have made new friends.

Some have reached out and offered me a little bit of help here and there. I have received blankets, and pillows and gift cards. Some have uploaded money onto my cash app and venmo to help me out.

The last thing I ever wanted to be doing was asking people to help. I am someone who likes to work for what I get, so I don't feel like I owe anyone. And now I owe a slew of people for helping me.

2023 has proven to be the worst year of my entire life. 2024 has to be much better!

Throughout all of this, I have praised God with a "hallelujah, anyway."I know He's got something planned. And I know He's preparing me for work that I am going to be doing in 2024!

There were times that I didn't know if I was Job, or Jonah. I tried to maintain my stance and posture to resemble Jesus. It was hard, and I know I failed at times, but I never stopped believing that God has a plan for me and that God is using this for a purpose!

hallelujah anyhow

Happy 2024

Good morning, and happy New Year!

My New Year's resolutions this year is to keep receipts of everything and that this year is going to be better than last year.

It is 804 a.m. and I am currently sitting at the EZ Mart on Summerhill Road, after filling my car up with gas, and my yeti cup up with ice.

I slept at a friend's house last night. It was really nice to be able to sleep in a bed instead of my car.

There is a light at the end of this long dark tunnel. I'm looking at it. I'm walking toward it.

Y'all have a blessed day and a Happy New Year!