MORE THAN Survive but THRIVE - Five Years

I woke up today feeling blessed as I thought of you. A dear friend of mine reminded me that my days of weaknesses lend more compassion toward you during the challenges you face. I know some of you are facing a difficult day. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Perhaps my weakness can become your strength. I sure hope so, because you really do matter to me.

Today my share is about - MORE THAN Survive - THRIVE - the past Five Years! No, Greg and I have not been married for FIVE years and Greg certainly has not complicated my life. However, FIVE years ago, I left my position as a school psychologist and FIVE Years ago a very special little girl entered into our world, Emma Lou Rose Foster. She was born on February 11th, 2010. This when I began the blog - WHEN LIFE GETS COMPLICATED.

I can not believe it has been FIVE years since her birth at UCSF. Since her birth, she has endured and recovered from several surgeries due to Spina Bifida. We have seen many miracles in her life! Please continue to pray for Emma as she is scheduled for another surgery on March 19. > I am praying for her complete ability to stand and walk with minimal support. She is one amazing little girl.

After leaving my position, using FMLA family leave from work to support my daughter, Lexi, I applied for Long-Term-Disability due to fatigue and complications from Multiple Sclerosis. Four years ago, I moved to the beautiful city of Rancho Santa Margarita located in Orange County. RSM is where I found an enjoyable life in the cooler moist air. On a path of health and healing, 3 years ago, I obtained my real estate license. As you probably know, I love Home and Garden channel and can watch Property Brothers 24 - 7! Since obtaining my license, I developed my name and marketing materials. My web pages are complete - YES - web pages! I have 6 of them if you count Facebook business pages.

I am DREAMING BIG! I hope someday in the near future to have my own brokerage in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. I believe every day we can rely on the resurrection power through Jesus Christ, I ask the Holy Spirit to bring healing strength with wisdom and direction to your life as well as my life and my real estate business. Currently, I am working toward my certificate as a Global Property Specialist. I am expecting to see amazing miracles in 2015. Thank you again for your friendship, time to read my story, prayers and faith. I truly value you. TODAY I stand in faith believing and working to keep all my promises to you and my amazing clients.

Truly Inspired - Thriving as a Real Estate Agent diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

WELCOME to my blog... You are receiving this private blog because you are one of the select few in my life who have inspired me to maintain my hope for healing and reach all the blessings God has for me. I ask for your daily prayers over the next 60 days to receive God's blessings in HEALTH, FAMILY SUPPORT and INCREASE in my REAL ESTATE BUSINESS! The purpose for this blog to keep you informed so you will know how to pray for me and Together we can celebrate God's answered prayers.

Please stand in faith with me believing God for an immediate increase in listings and closed sales - with 3 listings in the next three months. I am asking for God to bring those into my circle who will value my wisdom, skills and expertise in real estate and refer clients to me. I am asking for daily resurrection power with healing and energy to go beyond meeting client expectations, manage home life, enjoying friends and be a part of ministry in Saddleback CR.

I Choose to be Dancing

Lately, my favorite song is by Donnie McClirkin.... I Choose to be Dancing is on his CD, We All Are One.

reflections

Life... has ups ... and Life has downs... Life has a beginning ... Life has an end... There are times full of joy fun and surprises Full of LOVE. Today, I am reflecting... I am more confident, knowing that no matter what challenge I face, the situation will change. For the past two years, I enjoyed the peaceful place of refuge at 2 Via Esperanza in RSM. The mornings with cool breezes, chirping birds and beaches were my favorie. Now is the time to move on. Packing and reflecting. Thankful 4 family and friends. Thankful to have a home in AZ. Life can get complicated but each time we rise to meet the challenge. .. or oportunity to move into a new space, a new place and gain a new perspective. As Dad (aka PaPa) says, Life IS Good. May you rise to your challenge, gain a fresh perspective and LOVE your life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

This year I am celebrating Christmas with mom, dad, my brother David and his family, Mario Anthony, Amber and her family.

Today, I drove Mario Anthony around for his last minute shopping since he is still in a cast on his left arm / hand. I thought about posting a picture of the pins and stitches - but it looks really ugly - it looks like a shark bite!

Tiffaney and her family are in Utah celebrating Christmas with Justin's family. I miss our Meia and little Cason. Getting them to the airport was quite the experience as Meia could not find her Nintendo DS - she sobbed saying we are supposed to be leaving to go to the airport and I can't find it - (of course her Christmas gifts are games that she can play on the hand held system). So we all searched the house while considering a quick trip to the store to buy another! Thank God - Justin found it!


Oliver is working (Southwest Ambulance - transporting). Angela and kids are celebrating with her family. On Sunday, Oliver, Angela, and I will continue to look for a home in Augusta Ranch so Lissy can continue to attend the same school.

I feel blessed to belong to my family!
May your Christmas be filled with fun, joy, and peace.

Discouraged

Unpleasant and unplanned things continue to happen - Usually this conversation is about my health BUT not today. I am trying to follow my budget ... and SNAPFU the unexpected happens requiring another revision. Some of the SNFU's are small but $100 here and another there add up quickly. This series of unexpected things - uggh - (UNITED HEALTHCARE personnel) stressed me out today.

I need to relax and return to my pleasant self - so I'm going to Amber's for birthday cake... yummmm AND maybe the Suns game! - oops - another $15 for parking... maybe not - hmmm - I will get back to you on that one.

Learning to Live Within the Parameters I Have Been Given

My reality is knowing my limits and appreciating my resources - including my family and friends. Over the past 8 months I have had some amazing faith building experiences. This morning the scripture, ‘I can do all things in Christ’ comes to my mind. Yes, I have managed to accomplish many things over the past 8 months while experiencing health problems and lacking the benefits of working (pay checks).

I am profoundly aware that my ability to be who I am and do the things I have done is not only because of My Creator but because of my family and friends who encourage and assist me. Because of you, the past 8 months of my life have been very fulfilling.

Thank you for making the following experiences possible:

* Staying in San Francisco for Emma’s birth for a total of 5 weeks.
* Going to Kentucky to support Cassie and Marty in their sobriety.
* Purchasing and moving into a lovely condo that is in a great location.
* Taking a mini vacation after my move,
* A day at the beach with Payton, Emma, Amber and Nick’s family.
* Living in the cooler temperatures of Southern California during August.

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A very Big THANK YOU to my

mother, Barbara Swartwout.
Her encouragement and assistance have exceeded my expectations. I am so very lucky to have my mom!

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Another really Big Thank You to Tiffaney and Justin for taking care of my dog, Sierra during all the different times I was not home or not able to get out and walk her!

I am very appreciative of all my family and friends who have blessed me!

A special thank you to Mario Anthony, Amber, Nick, Cassie, Oliver and Angela; my friends Lee, Mark and Mary; my father Bill Karstadt and Ken Swartwout; my cousins Laura, Ben and Katrina; my nephew Christian and niece Alicia.

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I Know that you all made a positive difference in my life!