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The Hough Family

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Prayer Warriors

Romans 8:31 says,

If God be for us who can be against us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall TRIBULATION or DISTRESS or PERSECUTION or FAMINE or NAKEDNESS or PERIL or SWORD? NAY, (  No way!) But in ALL these things we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.

The people of Joplin, Mo. need our prayers and assistance. If you find it in your heart to donate please e-mail me and I will get you in contact with a local friend who is assisting in a relief fund. If you can't donate, please PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!

Also, Oklahoma and Arkansas are expecting a HUGE tornado outbreak tonight... so PLEASE pray for them!

Blessings to all!

Attitude

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.

~Author Unknown

I was asked today about my positive attitude and if life was REALLY that good (something like that- can't remember exact words). I gave an answer at that moment... but thought about it some more after... and thought, and thought... my answer after all the thinking?

Life really isn't that bad!

Is it perfect? Uhm, no, far from it.

Do I have bad days, moments... more than I care to admit.

Truth is...

I still have my moments when my disability still hurts- emotionally... and yes, even physically.

I still have my moments when my job is TOUGH - an incident happended a few weeks ago that I only shared with Michael, my birth board, a few teachers at work and one administrator. It hurt- but it showed me my strength- strength I didn't have before. 

I still have my moments when I am not such a great mommy.

I still have my moments when I am not a great wife.

I still have my moments when I am not a great daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, friend... etc.

I still have my moments when I tell God... "you know dude- THAT hurt my feelings, why did you let that happen to me?" Seriously - He understands... I may think about using the dude part again though... just sayin'...

I still hurt, cry, yell, scream... but in the end I remind myself- life is NOT that bad. Really.

I wasted a huge part of my life feeling sorry for myself. Dwelling on all the things I couldn't do. I needed to just get over it. And I made the decision to do just that. I got over it. And now, yes, life IS that good. And I am blessed beyond belief.  It was all in my attitude. 

Agape

Agape... Love...

Love is my baby girl introducing me to her class proudly as ... her mommy that has one leg that doesn't work right... with love.

Love is the pride I felt watching my baby walk down the auditorium aisle for her graduation... yes kinder... but still proud nonetheless... I love her.

Love is listening to her happiness as she proudly yells, "goodbye kindergarten HELLO 1st grade"... I loved that.

Love is family...

Love is ... sisters.

Love is watching her with her friends...

Love is appreciating every single person that helped shape her this past year... with love.

Love... Agape...

Thank you Lord for blessing me with this feeling... Love.

Flipped

You are wearing your favorite blouse, having a good day... then...

Flip... your blouse tears.

You are on your way to have a great evening with the family... then...

Flip... you are involved in a hit and run car accident.

You just got a great promotion at work... then...

Flip... a family member is diagnosed with cancer.

You are having a great family vacation... then...

Flip... you suffer a major injury.

You are an amazing athlete... then...

Flip... you are involved in an accident that leaves you paralyzed.

You just found out you were pregnant... then...

Flip... you miscarry.

Life is perfect... then...

Flip... now it's not.

Are you ready for the flips?

How will you land?

Flat on your face?

Will you fall to your knees?

Will your faith stay strong?

 Will your faith grow?

Will your faith be lost?

Are you prepared to flip? It is not a question of WILL you flip... but when...

Be ready. Build your faith. Know He is still there... He is there in the midst of your flip.

He wants you to focus on what He is doing in your life in the midst of all the flips... He wants you to trust in Him.

Can you? Will you?

**********

We often wonder why God allows bad things to happen to good people.  We question Him.  Some tell try to instill in our minds negative thoughts.  They tell us if our God was so powerful He would not have "allowed" the bad things to occur.  You see, God sees the bad things that happen - He knows they are going to happen way before they actually happen- they are all part of "our" story.  The story that He wrote.  They happen to us to shape us to who we need to be.  Who He needs us to be. 

We need to trust Him...

Job 1:21

The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Direction... the Answer to my "Where to?"

About two years ago we (Michael and I) decided to try to have another baby.  We had our concerns such as...

my disabilty...

money...

daycare...

money...

Michael's age...

money...

starting over with a diaper bag, formula, sleepless nights...

money...

But we also felt the desire to have another... a boy- maybe?  But a little sister for Jayda would be great too... Jayda wanted a baby too... But...

Money? (was slightly on our mind- slightly)

*Sigh* We went back and forth... yes... no... maybe... no, yes... ugh, maybe we shouldn't because you know... the money thing...

Ok... here is the deal... let's leave it up to God...

"God, we are going to try... but you decide...ok?" 

 "OK..." (He didn't really say OK... but yeah, you get the picture). 

Sooo, I go for my yearly check up... the fun one that makes you absolutely hate uhm, I mean, LOVE being a woman and have the privilege to bring a miracle into the world... yeah, that visit.  And to make it even more enjoyable, they weigh you.  I won't enlighten you with numbers, but let's just say - I weighed more than I weighed when I was 9 months pregnant with Jayda.  Uhm, yeah.  And I wish I could say I was one of those blessed pregnant girls that only gained the amount that the baby weighed... yeah, maybe Jayda's weight at the age of 5.  Anyhoo...so I don't think I need to REALLY tell you what the doctor told me... do I?

Yeah... something about losingweight.1200caloriediet.workout... it was all such a blur...

so yeah...

I went to workout out with Leah Wells that very same day... seriously.

All to have another baby... IF God wanted us too... (can't leave that out- it's important... really).

So that was the plan... I had a year to lose the weight- then we'd try to get pregnant... in that order.  (I was sure God would say yes... really).

Well, a year later (I do have a point- promise)... I lost some of the weight... enough in my opinion to try...

We tried.

God said no.

Surprisingly...

I was OK with that.

But, what now God?  Is this it? 

"HA, HA, HA... is this it? Of course THIS is not it." God replied (no, really, He did). 

He went on to say...

Don't you feel your confidence?  Don't you feel stronger?  Aren't you liking your results?  Don't you feel like YOU can do things now?  You CAN... you CAN... you.. you - meaning ME?? 

I can. 

You see, God knew that the only way He would get me to commit to the weight loss was the idea of possibly having another baby. And He knew that I needed to lose the weight to gain my confidence.  And I needed my confidence to do what He needed me to do.  So, He went with that.  I lost the weight... but He had a better plan.  A plan for me to get physically stronger, mentally stronger, become confident, feel so good about myself, accept my disablity, follow dreams, accomplish goals...

He found a way to show me that I was worth so much.  He knew it... but He needed me to know it. 

I found my value, I showed my daughter things that her mommy could do instead of focusing on what mommy couldn't do...

I found me. 

 That was His plan all along.

So, ok, He was done... right?

Uh, NO! 

He has been speaking to me.

He wants me to follow His plan. I had so many questions for Him the other day and I found myself with some down time, on my own, so I opened up my bible and was led to to the following scriptures:

Luke 1:45

Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be fulfillment of the things which have been spoken.

OK, God... I believe... but what... what do I do?

So He then led me to:

Luke 1:79

To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

OK, you want me to help others, others who are hurt, suffering... disabilites, illnesses, perhaps?  But how Lord?  How?

Revelation 1:19

WRITE... write therefore the things which thou sewest and the things which are and the things which shall come to pass hereafter. 

But, Lord... I have VERY limited knowledge on YOUR words... I am knew to scripture... How can I really do this and be successful?  Where do I start?  Who can guide me? 

I closed my bible at this point... not sure on what was next.

Went to service this morning to listen to this:

"Use what you've been given." 

Serve the Lord with what YOU can do.  And if you are not sure what it is exactly that YOU can do... just start with something... experiment. 

And this is where my committment to our Lord begins...

With my God... I can do all things... with my God... I will do what He wants me to do.

I'm on a journey... and I am ready.

Be blessed my friends. 

MommyHood

Celebrating Mother's Day this past Sunday got me to thinking of my role as a mommy... Jayda's Mommy... and the thought of the 3 women before me who are my role models... leaving a legacy for all to see.

What can I say? She is my life. I adore her. Her happiness & and her success is important to me. I can't thank the Lord enough for allowing me to be Jayda's Mommy... Jayda's Mommy... I love it... it defines me. Before you tell me that it shouldn't be the only defining  role in life - it isn't... it has helped me find myself. It has led me to love me as well. It has gotten me to be the best I could be for myself and to become a better mommy.

She saved me.

While I want to get her the best in life, make sure she gets all she needs, a few of her wants... what scares me the most is... will I raise her to know Him? He who allowed me to borrow her... He who loves her MORE than I do. Am I doing right by Him with her? All I can do is pray for His continued guidance. I know He has BIG plans for this sweet little girl with a BIG heart... I can't wait to see what her story is. It is going to be a good one. I just know it.

For now, she knows she is beautiful... on the outside, but I have truly emphasized to her the beauty she holds within. THAT makes her my pageant queen... her beauty within.

Everything to Me

Listen to song - Everything to Me- HERE!

I knew the stories. Christmas time was about His birth and Easter was about His resurection. They were neat stories... I believed them. I knew He, without a doubt, existed.

 I prayed, sometimes, OK, so it was "Our Father" during an occassional church service.

 I DID talk to Him though... OK, OK... I yelled at Him when things felt wrong, when things went wrong. But when things were going MY way... He never had a place in my thoughts.

 Really.

Wow. I just typed that out and admitted it.

 And that lasted for quite a long time. In fact, I can honestly say it wasn't until recently that I truly started talking to him. Like, real, one on one converstations.

 It wasn't until recently that I started listening to Him.

 It wasn't until recently that I knew He had BIG plans for me... LIKE REAL big plans... I am talking about "wow, Lord, really, you think *I* can do that?" type of plans.

It wasn't until recently that I realized I was meant to have cancer, I was meant to walk with a limp, I was meant to be Jayda's mommy, I was meant to be a teacher...

But, it wasn't until today that I realized EXACTLY what HE did for me...

it wasn't until today that I realized the pain, the hurt, the discomfort, the ridicule, the anguish that He went through for ME... yes, ME.

It wasn't until today, that I realized that He is everything to Me... because I am everything to Him... and, yes, REALLY, He KNOWS I can do what He has been talking to me about these past couple of months. He knows I can, and when I get startled, scared, or nervous... He will be right there... He will remind me that I can do it... because HE already saw the end result... He knows what I am capable of. Thank you Lord, thank you.

*********

My Easter was wonderful today.
We first went to church and got to see a very touching drama on the Crucifixion... very powerful.
Then we went and spent some time with My brother Jaime and sister-in-law Jessica... where we ate a lot!! Everything was so good! I am extremely blessed to have an amazing family. After that celebration we went over to see my grandparents. It was a quick visit, but I am glad I got to see them and wish them a Happy Easter. My grandma is one of the women in my life that I look up to. She is loving, giving and so, so strong! I love both of them very much... and I thank them for being in my life and teaching me what true, unconditional love is.
Here I am with them...

And of course no Easter is complete without JAYDA pictures ;-)...

Have a blessed week!

There Had to Be a Last Time...

There had to be a last time...

I told Juan to take a break from studying... in high school that is.

There had to be a last time...

Jazmine spent her lunch period with me.

There had to be a last time...

Sam and Benny helped me with something.

There had to be a last time...

Benny realized just how well I knew him.

There had to be a last time...

Yoli got "shhhhsed" during lunch.

There had to be a last time...

I read Ale's facebook status during school... or I should say, status(es).

There had to be a last time...

We laughed the entire lunch period.

There had to be a last time...

I hurt with them.

There had to be a last time...

I did what I could for them.

There had to be a last time...

I cried with them.

There had to be a last time...

I celebrated with them.

There had to be a last time...

They hurt for ME.

There had to be a last time...

They came to my defense.

There had to be a last time...

I called them MY seniors.

Why did there have to be a last time?

So we could begin our next time's...

Love you guys! And for all the times I've helped you all... you all helped me in return. Thank you for the memories.

Things My Mother Taught Me

My mother taught me...

The importance of persistence. Through her persistence, my cancer was found and I was healed.

My mother taught me...

The importance of faith. Through her faith she accepted God's plan for our journey in life. And because of her faith, my faith grew.

My mother taught me...

The importance of strength.

The importance of forgiveness.

The importance of loving unconditionally.

The importance of strength during heart-ache.

The importance of family and family values.

The importance of rules - because nothing good is happening after midnight- so be home!

The importance of being honest... nothing ever gets by her-- EVER.

My mother taught me how to...

love

cherish

pray

believe

endure

persist

forgive

honor

respect

value

But, most importantly, my mother taught me...

how to be a mother.

Thank you mom for being my prayer warrior through it all...

the battle with cancer.

the battle with living with a disability.

the tears, the heartache, the fears, the joys, the successes, my marriage, and

my journey as a mommy. 

Thank you for the unconditional love.

Thank you for the forgiveness.

Thank you for the support.

Thank you for the guidance.

Thank you for being my best friend through the times that I felt all alone. 

Simply, Thank You Mom, for EVERYTHING. 

You are truly my angel sent from heaven.  God knew what He was doing when he paired us up- he knew your strength.  He knew we needed each other.

  He just knew.

All I am, I owe to YOU. 

Loving you always & forever. 

Happy Birthday Mom!! 

~Myra~

My "Why"...

I had already read the book, So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore, but something got me to re-read it. And I am learning so much more this second time around… the following caught my attention because it seems to be an answer to my question of “why did you make me this way God?” All the ideas that have started floating in my head recently are God’s callings for me… my purpose… my “why”…

Here is the excerpt from the book that truly spoke to me… or rather… here is the message that God spoke to me…

Personal Limitations:

Attitude is everything when it comes to limitations, and the way you view yourself will acutley shape how others view you. Nothing is more impressinve than a person who is secure in the unique way God made her.

Here Beth Moore speaks about a man she met who produced ove a hundred biblical video series and traveled ALL over- up Mount of Olives and down the streets of Old Jerusalem and across a boat ramp to Greece, Turkey… all from his wheelchair.

She says “his mind and vision went as far and wide as they did because his body was trapped in that chair. His disability was his freedom…. His wheelchair took him somewhere the strongest legs never could have carried him."

God can bring freedom and vision to your life because of those limitations that you would have never discovered without them. You can let your limitations make you either insecure or unstoppable.

I'm hoping to accomplish BIG things... If it is His will... they WILL happen! 

Let's Party

BLOG PARTY

Welcome to the party!!
This is my blog Dancing with Cinderella. Here I share all about me and my family-- mainly about the journey I am on as being Jayda's Mommy. Jayda is my 5 year old daughter who is my world! Look around! I hope you like it...

Jayda & The Beauty Within Our Hearts

A blessing.

That is what our kids are.

That is what Jayda is for me.

I am glad that through the journey that I began 2 years ago I have been able to become a better mommy- not perfect, but better.

And it has been a result of

 my faith increasing,

 my self-confidence increasing,

my self-worth being discovered

.

 I have become the mother I've wanted my daughter to have...

the mother that my child deserved,

one that she can look at and be proud of.

One that can show her that nothing is impossible.

One that can help her find the beauty within her heart.

And although rough patches in our future are certainly guaranteed...

I know through faith... 

and through our hearts...

and our God...

we will be ok...

Will WE fall? Definitely.

 Will SHE fall? Most certainly.

 But, the job of a parent is not to make sure our kids don't fall

or to expect that they never fall or fail us.

 It is to make sure that we gave them the purpose and the ability to get back up and keep moving forward.

That is ALL we can do.

Bungee Cords

You take the risk... it looks fun... a leap of FAITH... why not? It'll be alright... you take the leap, the jump... you go for it... after all... the cord is there... the bungee cord will hold you... it makes you feel secure... it will keep you from falling flat on the ground... it will hold you up.

That is how a bungee cord works. They can secure just about anything. It can withstand a lot of pulling of force.

It has a strong looking exterior. It is strong. It will HOLD you. It will NOT let you fall. It allows you to take risks...

Do you have a bungee cord?

I do.

3 as a matter a fact.

Michael, he hold me up always.  Never thinks my crazy ideas are out of reach... always encourages me... always fights for me, defends me... motivates me... and my biggest fan. 

My other two cords... my behind-the-scenes cords...

They are what I like to refer to as the reinforcements.  I love them so... and I know they will always be there to keep me from ever completely falling head first.

My bungee cords...

The Story Behind Every Story...

"But there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin."

— Mitch Albom

 

I am so blessed to have my life story originate from such strong and wonderful women. I can only pray that I can be to Jayda what they have been to me.

I recently read The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom and it made me realize how many questions I will have for my great-grandma when I get to see her again. I had a special bond with her when I was younger, she was a huge part of my life at a very young age, sadly she passed when I still a young age... and I didn't physically have her around as a teen or an adult... but I know she's been around in other ways.

I know, without a doubt, she and Jayda have a very special connection. I know they "know" each other. I believe in my heart that she held Jayda before I ever did. Since Jayda was a very "planned" baby (IUI)- I know exactly when she was conceived-- Mami Jesusita's birthday- November 7. It was through a procedure that usually isn't successful until the 3rd attempt... we got pregnant on our first attempt. Coincidence? I think not. Jayda also has shared strong desires  to visit her grave. She has this connection. Too strong of a connection to not believe that they know each other. And I can't wait to see my great-grandma and hear all about it when that time comes. It is a true blessing!

But, we all have great stories to tell... and yes, they have all started out from our mother's...

wonderful, God fearing women!

Do Not Fear; He Will Help You

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

It took me a long time to realize that I wasn't alone. I mean, I always knew I had my mom and dad, Michael... my entire family, but yet many times weakness would hit, the "this is too hard" mentality would take over. The "I can't do it" syndrome would strike, and believe me, it would knock me down hard. Then, through many trials, many tears, many frusterations... I realized... I am not alone... I am never alone...

He, my God...

 is with me...

He holds my hand...

always...

and He helps me.

As I teach my class... He helps me.

As I raise my daughter... He helps me.

As I strive to be a good wife... He helps me.

As I strive to be a good daughter, sister, niece, aunt and friend... He helps me.

As I work towards goals... He helps me.

As I completed my first half-marathon... He helped me.

As I lift more weight I ever thought possible... He helps me.

As I continue to reach for what many think as impossible... He will help me... when I get weak and grow tired... He will help me...

He will always help me... because I am worth it to Him... and His greatest desire is for me to be worth it to myself... We are all worth it.  So need to be scared...

Believe that.