Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. You are in my thoughts as I get ready to bring a close to Christmas 2012.  This year has been one filled with challenges and great joy.  Side by side.  Pain and healing.  Tough times and times so wonderful they take your breath away.  Isn’t life like that?  A study in contrasts.

Yet through it all,  whether your Christmas has been peaceful or beautiful or tough, there is always hope.  Hope is what sustains us when the going gets tough; it can energize us when we are exhausted; it can motivate us to try to get it better next time.  My prayer for you this Christmas is Hope; always Hope that God will show Himself faithful to you and to your life and to the challenges you are facing.

Today, after a Christmas meal, and opening of presents, a group of us went to see Le Miserables.  This may be my fifth or sixth time to see either a live performance or a movie of this book, and it never fails to move me.  Tears flowed, and my heart responded to the idea that life is about second chances and new beginnings and hope.  At the end of the movie, redemption and peace is found, and this remarkable truth is shared,  “To love another person is to see the face of God.” 

Praying that you will love those that God has placed in your life in 2012. Thankful for you and for every moment we have shared this year.

Merry Christmas from the heart.

Susie

Note: We will be working this Saturday, December 29th from 9-6 p.m., and will reopen for 2013 on Wednesday, January 2nd. Happy New Year!

Give Thanks

 

What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?
 

As we approach Thanksgiving, a few words to think about from Journey to Hope.  We are very thankful for each of you and for God allowing our paths to cross for a season.  Your struggles, and your problems and your journey is very important to us. We care about you very much. 

Many of you have met Israel in my office these past two weeks.  Israel is here for 3 months visiting from India and Bombay Teen Challenge, and he is spending time at Journey to Hope during his stay here, and is praying for the counseling work that is being done, and for every person that comes through our doors.  He is a prayer warrior, but also wants to be a pastor/preacher. One of the things he is most passionate about is giving thanks, which is perfect for this season.  Here are some words from Israel about Thanksgiving.

“We need to always remember that we cannot live without saying thanks. We can give thanks because God gives us everything. Everyday when we wake up,  we need to give thanks because God gives us life.  Every morning, we need to start our day by giving thanks for the good sleep, for the good hope, for the good life, for our families and loved ones.  When God gives something to us, we have to respond. And our response needs to be thanks."

You cannot pray without thanks.  An example is when we pray at mealtime.  We give thanks because God gives us the food.  Think about the birds of the air; they do not worry about their food. God gives to them, and they wake up each morning singing thanks to God for taking care of them. Giving thanks is the most natural thing for them to do.

 Problems in life?  So many times when we have problems, we feel scared. We must always remember that God is always with us. Can you thank God for your problem?  Can you then fight with your problem knowing that God is with you? God knows your problems and your hurts; your tears are not wasted.  God sees your tears; He cares for you”

Praying for a blessed Thanksgiving for all of you.  Thankful for you, for your life, for your journey.

Blessings,

Susie

Thankful

As we prepare to start a new week, I find myself feeling in a moment of thankfulnesss. Thankful to be able to have a practice like Journey to Hope and to be able to invest my life into so many incredible and unique people.  You need to know that you matter very much; your issues matter; your life matters.  Hang on to that important truth that your life is of infinite value when times are challenging and painful.  Life is a journey, and the chapter you are in may not be your favorite, but there is more to come.  There is always hope. Always. Remember that.

Susie

Closed Monday, October 29

Journey to Hope Counseling has just made the decision to close today, October 29th, 2012. We want to always be on the side of safety where you are concerned. The worst of the storm is scheduled to hit during our regular appointment schedule today. Praying for you. I am available by cell Phone; Feel free to reach out.  Please check back on the website for updates.

Thanks,

Susie Walden

Issues of Life Group

Our Issues of Life process therapy group for women runs throughout the calendar year, typically in 6 week intervals, with a 2 week break before restarting.  The most current Issues of Life Group began on Thursday, September 6^th, 2012, and will run for the next 6 weeks.  The theme for this chapter of Issues of Life is Brokenness.

If you were a part of our previous groups, we would be honored to have you join us again.   If you were not able to make the last group, this is a great time to start.

We would love to have you.