Let Me Introduce Myself

Salut!!!

Welcome to my new blog!! I have been a blogger for about 10 years and wholeheartedly enjoy expressing myself through the written word. I was born and brought up in a small fishing town on the North East coast of Scotland and later emigrated to the USA. I have three awesome grown up children; the oldest my son John is married to Stephanie. Paul is my second born and is engaged to Sarai, they have a baby daughter called Arya, who is my first grandchild, and is just the most beautiful baby girl in the world, and is slightly over a month old. My youngest, Kathryn went on a DTS (disciple Training School) with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) last year for 6 months, 3 in Australia and 3 in Thailand doing missionary work. She loved it so much and felt the Lord calling her to go into full time missions’ work and left at the end of the summer to work with YWAM in Australia for at least the next 3 years.

My previous blog was called “Reaching for Freedom” and was my thoughts on finding freedom in my walk with God, after my life turned in a entirely altered direction than I had anticipated when my childhood sweetheart and husband had an affair and walk out on us after over 20 years of being together. Over the next 10 years I vented, expressed and shared my struggles, growth and revelations that I absorbed in my walk with God. I transformed significantly throughout that time and came into a new season in my life when after becoming fully healed, fell in love with an old friend so un-expectantly but which I amazingly received with joy and appreciation.

This blog will be about my thoughts, and feelings, about the things I learn, how I grow as a second time newlywed at the young age of 49, and about the blending of two families, two homes and two lives. I have been married for one month, one week being spent on honeymoon, two weeks packing up house, and one week moving into my new home. Today is the beginning of week two in my new home, and month two of my new marriage. I have moved states, away from family, friends and church. I would say I have mixed emotions, I love my husband and I am so happy to be here, but I miss everything else, my family, my new grand daughter, my friends, my church and my job.

I have returned to Lafayette, Louisiana where I lived for nearly 5 years almost 11 years ago.  In that time I have thoroughly transformed into a very changed woman. During my time in Louisiana I immersed my life in church, building relationships with my friends and family, which isn’t distinctive, but in my spare time I worked out, went to lunch and shopped. My values were similar but my thinking of myself was very different. After moving to Texas I returned to school, found my passion and calling and developed a very distinctive life, in that I was happy, healthy, independent and worked. I have always been opinionated, passionate and cared deeply about my relationships. However during my brokenness I developed closeness with God that I had only longed for in the past.  He became my best friend, my husband and the lover of my soul.

I tend to place people that I love on pedestals of perfection. I see them through the eyes of love as better than they probably are. It’s not all bad; I encourage, support and love unconditionally. In the past I didn’t always see the flaws and imperfections as I looked through my rosy colored glasses. Over the last decade I had to learn to trust again. I will always be a wee bit naïve, childlike in that I like people and expect the best and to be treated how I would treat others and I still get shocked, hurt and let down when I am disappointed but I realize I am resilient in that I forgive easily and get over it quickly.  

Moving isn’t anything new to me, I have moved 14 times in the last 31 years, each time I have established new friends and I have loved meeting and building those relationships. I know God is faithful, takes great care of me and loves me. I trust Him to do that this time too. Inside my engagement ring the words “adventures lie ahead” are printed, this new season will have many wonderful adventures. I look forward to sharing them with you as you read my thoughts and share in my joys.

About a year ago the Lord showed me that I resembled a dandelion in that a dandelion has two very altered seasons and that I too had two seasons to my life. The yellow flower of youth and beauty that grew bold and strong but in time withered and then the part that was reborn into the stunning fluffy circular seed head of the dandelion, just as beautiful and with purpose as of the first but in an entirely altered way and dwelling. The flower symbolism associated with the dandelion is: love me, affection returned; desire, sympathy, faithfulness, happiness and wishes come true. I think that describes me and my relationships.

The meaning of defender is protector, supporter, guard, escort, champion, advocate, upholder, and backer, never an opponent or attacker.  My defenders are many. God told me to stop trying to justify myself that he was my defender, my protector, guard, supporter, advocate, and shield.  Another is Cliff, my husband, who also supports, loves and defends me. 

I spent today ruminating over what I would choose to call this new blog, trying to discover what God had to show me in this new season. My desire is to capture your imaginations, reflect my hopes and dreams and express myself.

Therefore I’m naming my new blog “Defending the Dandelion”. I hope you will follow me, return to check me out, comment and share your thoughts on mine and enjoy my new home…