You will find below my first video blog. I just wanted to share what God has been showing me as I journey with my Father. May you be blessed by it and have a very merry CHRISTmas.
Blessings,
Lee Ann
12.22.11 Merry CHRISTmas!
Tomi Foust wrote:
What a blessing for you and for your father. Merry CHRISTmas, Lee Ann.
Tomi Ann Foust
Lee Ann, You are an inspiration! May God Bless you as you continue.
Thanks so much, Jason. God is doing a work in my heart, and it has great potential if I would just let Him! I have been enjoying seeing you on FB and watching Buddy the elf delight your children! Blessings, Lee Ann
God is so good! What a huge weight has been lifted from you, and peace and joy has replaced it. You are such a delight! Love you! Debbie
Linda Swank wrote:
Lee Ann
I just listened to your video as I am at airport 3 hrs. Early!
It was VERY encouraging. My struggle and I think some of my sisters’ struggles with our mother not choosing us to help her but rather choosing a brother who has caused us pain to help her made me realize that his helping her may be his redemption.
Thank you for reminding me that God’s plan is always better. Praise God for your peace! Linda
Thanks, Linda.
The more I have been sharing my story, the more I am learning from those who have already been down this path that God has done miraculous things in these relationships through the caretaking role. I think your view of your brother experiencing redemption is a beautiful picture of Christ’s ongoing work in our lives. I loved seeing you a couple of weeks ago. You have a very merry CHRISTmas!
Love,
Lee Ann
Kathryn Powell wrote:
One of my favorite sayings: “Do your duty that is best: Leave unto thy Lord the rest!”
Dana Hood wrote:
love the video blog! Keep doing it!
Thank you for your insight, and know that you are not alone. Many of us are struggling with the same issues and you are helping us to sort thru it all.
Thanks, Leslie:
I definitely know I am not alone because I feel the prayer support of so many, including you! Thank you for taking the time to even comment. You have a very merry CHRISTmas!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Thank you for the wonderful message that we all need to hear & learn. Merry Christmas & have a Happy New Year!
Thanks so much, Karen. You have a very merry CHRISTmas yourself and keep posting the fun pics of you and your grandchildren. Your quiver of “arrows” keep growing!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
You are such a strong, beautiful, woman warrior of God Almighty! Thank so much for being brave enough to show us how to truly ask for the Father’s leadership in EVERYTHING we do, even if it is wrong. He is always faithful. Love you and miss you so much. Merry Christmas to you my sister.
Mary,
You are loved and missed greatly! Thank you for your words of affirmation. These responses help strengthen me as I go along. You have a very merry CHRISTmas!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Linda Tegethoff wrote:
Lee Ann,
Here’s a poem that reminds me that “it’s not mine and to let go and let God.”
Letting Go Poem
To let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off, it is the realization that I cannot control another.
To let go is not to do for others, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit some powerlessness and to recognize that the outcome is not in my hands alone.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another, it is to make the most of myself.
To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix but to be supportive.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to effect their own destinies.
To let go is not to be protective, it is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.
To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more.
Christmas blessings to you as you continue your journey of faith and love.
Linda
Linda,
That is a beautiful poem! Thanks so much for sharing it with me. I am going to share this in the comment section of my blog so others can benefit from this as well. CHRISTmas blessings to you as well.
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Jody Feltis Walker commented on your link:
“Thanks for sharing your heart, your experiences, and your wisdom. We can all benefit from knowing about the “savior” complex. May your CHRISTmas be blessed and may you rest in the abiding love of our one and only TRUE Savior (not a savior wanna be…).”
Jeff Cokely commented on your link:
“Lee Ann, what a special Christian woman/servant you are to everyone. A very powerful and timely message for us all. I am praying with you on this journey you are undertaking with your father. May God continue to bless you as you continue to bless others. Merry Christmas from the Cokelys!”
Pamela Grossman wrote:
Dear Lee Ann,
Thank you very much for sharing your CHRISTmas video. Was very touched, enlightened and encouraged. Blessings to you and your father. Merry CHRISTmas to you.
Pamela
Deb Baymiller wrote:
“Hugs to you and many thanks for a very timely reminder. His peace is indeed truly amazing and beyond understanding — and is there for everyone who will accept Him. A very MERRY Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for continuing to share your journey as it helps us with ours . . . miss ya!”
Bonnie Mikes wrote:
Loved the video blog! Praise God for the revelation!!!
Merry Christmas!
Bonnie
Thanks so much, Bonnie! I had no idea how it would go and whether or not I could keep my thoughts organized, but I just asked the Lord to anoint it and to give me the words, and it came out just fine. Thanks so much for your prayer support and your friendship. I have already missed our prayer times and am looking forward to reconnecting with you in January.
You have a very merry CHRISTmas yourself!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Shari Mennig wrote:
I loved seeing you ‘live’. Thanks for sharing the good news of letting go and letting God. I hope I can learn from you. Having mom living here is a major challenge and the end is weeks away.
I look forward to hopefully catching up with you in Austin next week.
Have a merry Christmas!
Hi, Shari:
Thanks for your feedback on the video blog. That was a positive first experience for me, so I hope to sprinkle them in more with my writing! I would love to see you next week if you have some time. I have a light work schedule next week, so I should be able to flex with you as needed.
You have a very merry CHRISTmas!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Debbie Mielke wrote:
Lee Ann,
I just loved the video! You certainly have had your hands tied but I think you have figured it out that you can let him go freely. You have been trying too hard to fix him and he doesn’t want to be fixed (in his mental state). It must be so hard to NOT want to control his debt issues. I can see me doing the exact same thing you have done with your Dad. Why does he not want to listen,…as I would mumble to myself…. I want to fix the entire family too lecturing each one, giving advice on divorce, financial dealings, job opportunities, on and on and on. I am always disappointed! So, I have tried to say what I feel,.. then back off. I don’t call to follow up on jobs, or put myself in the middle because I always get disappointment too. It is best to keep at arms distance so we can continue to love them. We would NEVER put ourselves in their positions but letting go is such a free feeling. We can actually give our love totally accepting them as they are (in the jumbled state of mind and all).
YOU have done such a great job handling your Father and you have helped me see myself overstepping my limits with my own family! I thank you for sharing your Heart so openly and helping us at the same time.
God bless you sweet precious Lee Ann. Your heart is so pure and sweet. We all just love you soooo much! Hope you truly have a Merry Merry Christmas for God’s lesson to all of us!!!
Lots of love,
Debbie
(& Allen)
😀
Debbie:
I am ALWAYS encouraged by your sweet words and thoughts. Letting go is very freeing, and now I don’t feel an ounce of tension with him, or anger, or resentment, or anything along those lines. You put it very truthfully: when we let go we are free to LOVE them freely and unconditionally regardless of our opinions about the choices they may make. God’s revelation to me was so timely, and the next greatest gift next to Jesus himself is having peace in my heart that allows me to give to others without any emotional hindrances.
It has been a beautiful day with family and friends and has truly been a merry CHRISTmas for me. I trust that is true for you and Allen. I love you, Debbie, and I love your spirit and your strong faith in God. It is so inspirational!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Linda Dill wrote:
Your first video blog is a huge success and so timely for me. I loved your message and you gave me much “food for thought”. I spent Christmas with my children and grandchildren which was wonderful!!! However, my son and his wife are troubled about the relationship that their two teenage daughters have with each other (sibling rivalry). As a retired school administrator, I was sure I could help improve the situation but your message reminded me that all they (parents and granddaughters) need from me is my love and understanding!!! What a relief – I did not have to get involved in the issue!!! Thanks for sharing this message. Have a very happy 2012!!! Linda
Dear Linda:
Thanks so much for your feedback on the video blog! It always touches me when it is evident that God is using this blog to bless and encourage others. I, like you, found that once we can let go of issues that don’t really belong to us, we are truly FREE to love our loved ones unconditionally and let God work out the rest. It has been an awesome Christmas for me as the peace and joy was there. I am so glad you had a wonderful Christmas with your family! May 2012 bring you many blessings and many memories filled with joy!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Abby Hurst wrote:
Wow! This is so powerful and full of love from your heart. Thank you for sharing this message of peace.
Happy New Year!
Thanks so much, Abby! Thanks for taking an interest in my blog and what is going on in my world! You have a Happy New Year’s as well!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
I am so happy you’ve taken the step to love your father even more deeply. Some of us have to learn “to let go and let God” through many difficult steps. Isn’t it wonderful when the yolk is lifted and the eyes are opened. I know your heart is lighter because of your experience. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for your thoughts, Letty. My heart is much lighter, and it is so good to have His peace about this whole situation. It is a wonderful thing! May 2012 bring you much joy and peace.
Blessings,
Lee Ann