jjohnson

With Faith at the heart of our lives, we are truly blessed. As pure as a rushing stream.. as dazzling as sunshine..as solid as a mounain..our belief will guide us, no matter where life may lead. If we have faith we know God's miracles have touched our hearts in times of trouble. God's beauty in our lives is that our Faith is at the center of our life having him there. He is pure love "Believe all things are possible with God." In the worst moments in my life, I know friends will disappoint me but the one who never does is God. I know he gives me lessons in my life and a journey to travel. Along the way of my journey there are road blocks. But, it is in those times, that I seem to grow the most. Life would be rather boring if everything was perfect. I have learned so much these past five years since my Brain Stem Stroke. I am learning more about myself. I know one thing I can count on God 24/7/ 365 days a year. He is always there, He will never leave nor forsake me. Gosh, what a blessing that is, I have one person I can count on .... What a comforting thought. He never puts me on call waiting or have to leave a message on his answering machine, text him, etc. He is the real deal. I am one lucky gal. He loves me.......

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its trouble, It empties today of its strength." What makes me weak? My fears..... What makes me whole? My God. What keeps me standing? My faith. What makes me compassionate? My selflessness.. What makes me honest? My integrity. What sustains my mind? My quest for knowledge. What teaches me all lessons? My mistakes. What lift's my head high? My pride, not arrogance. What if I can't go on? Not an option. What makes me victorious? My courage to climb. What makes me competent? My confidence . What makes me sensual? My insatiable essence.. What makes me beautiful? My everything. What makes me a woman? My heart . Who says I need love? I do. What empowers me? My God & Me. Who am I? I AM A PROUD STRONG WOMAN! I am Jan, a Brain Stem Stroke Survivor who Believes in Miracles and SOARS

Wes: I am sorry you had to experience that from your co-workers. What goes around, comes around, their day will come. But, I am proud of you that you held you head high even though you were upset and hurt. No one deserves to be treated with no respect. It was vey kind and considerate of you to bring in that gift basket and card. Even though you said it was from all of them, that gal will know deep in her heart it is from you and with you not being at lunch with her, she's no dummy, she will know. I am proud you didn't make a scene, etc. You are the bigger person. Getting your tatoo made you a tough, strong dude now. They best watch their step. Just because they were rude and ignorant doesn't mean you have to step down to their level. You have more important things to do. Life is too precious Wes, you have worked and fought far to long and hard to get where you are today. Don't let them stress you out. If I lived closer to you, we could go out to lunch and I would even treat you. I am happy you got your tatoo, I don't think I would ever get one, as you stated the date of your stroke is forever with you. I don't need one as I will never forget that date or the date I had my two TIA's. Every morning where I see all the scars is a constant reminder, my neck from the two trachs, my bypass scars on over the chest, feeding tube scars from three surgeries, etc. I am like a darn roadmap. I can take memory lane journeys. But, I am happy you got it if it is something you really wanted. Different strokes for different folks. oops, don't mean it as strokes, We each have ideas for ourselves. Wes, I am happy you came to update, I have missed you. I am praying for you and I am going to pray that all those people who hurt you look back and realize how their actions hurt you. People need to learn to love one another and be kind. God Bless, Jan Believe In Miracles and SOAR

"A pearl is a beautiful thing that is produced by an injured life. It is the tear [that results] from the injury of the oyster. The treasure of our being in this world is also produced by an injured life. If we had not been wounded, if we had not been injured, then we will not produce the pearl." "Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy." Thich Nhat Hanh Stephan Hoeller "Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keep friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment." Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." Helen Keller

:friends: What's In A Name? She was born Priscilla so she told me, however, to all of us here on StrokeNet she is known as Joy Her actions, her dealings with others besides showing her caring nature she spreads her "Joy" to one and all Her giving to others and the patients she has worked with as a Nurse are very blessed. God sure gave the world his best when he put Joy in our lives Now, it is her time for us to give back to her Saying a daily prayer is a good place to start She is being carried in God's loving arms and he loves her so very much I can never thank him enough for sending her our way right here on StrokeNet that day She is a friend, a mother, all mixed up in one and now she is a Host to help out in another way Joy, just take things slow and before you know it you will be just fine Prayers are being answered in His Timing not ours Written with Love, Jan 4/20/09

Clay Balls A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone! Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away! It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person. There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth. May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them. I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with the friends I have found here at StrokeNet. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel. APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS! LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW! Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footsteps if you are not willing to MOVE your Feet.

Bart: I am so sorry for what you are going through. I will keep you in my prayers and send you positive energy and thoughts. I pray that ssdi goes through and you get the help you need. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Know you are not alone, we are here for you. God Bless, Jan

Phil, You are a very dear friend.... We are Brain Stem Stroke Survivors together and I hope you realize how awesome it is to walk my journey with someone like you. You add so much to this family. I hope you realize that. Take care my friend and know I keep you in my prayers always. You are a good Mate. Hugs, Jan

Received an SOS from Sammie, she needs our help, she needs us to Bust her loose from her Hospital Bed. The plan is set, Easter Bunnies we shall be and carry our baskets which will hold the necessary tools to do the task. Stu's Basket will carry the files, Gary's Basket will carry the Jelly Beans to throw at people if they get in our way, Brian's Basket will carry the Easter Peeps that people of all ages just love and he can keep them yaking and keep their minds off of what their duties are, cuz Brian has the gift of GAB, Sue and Asha will keep post at the doors to let us know if people are coming our way, Maria can keep the people off our our trail with her beauty in her Easter Bunny costume as she will be dressed as A Hugh Heffner Bunny, Lenny, MC, Tinker all know just what to do. Sammie, hold on dear friend, Just keep singing, Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail, hippity hippity hop here we come to bust you loose. You just call and we are there, a promise we will always keep. OK gang, our mission is clear and we are ready. We are on a mission for Sammie. We have Gary, Sue, Brian, Asha, Mary, Pam, Joy, Maria, Lenny, Mc, Stu Donna, Kimmie, Phil and Tinker along with Plan Master Jan all set in place Sammie knows what she is to do For this is a plan that is sure to work The Foot Loose Bustin Out Plan is to begin. :friends:

Bustin Sammie Out The StrokeNet Gang had their meeting scheduled for late last night and the plans are all set in motion We have Gary, Sue, Brian, Asha, Mary, Maria, Lenny, Mc, Stu and Tinker along with Plan Master Jan all set in place Sammie knows what she is to do For this is a plan that is sure to work The Foot Loose Bustin Out Plan is to begin Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 and everyone's watches are all set in tune No One is to be late as they must all be in place For they know what they need to do They must be quiet as a Church Mouse and not a squeak can be heard or the plan will not be carried out and we can't leave Sammie in a lurch The feeling is mutual we have Sammie first and foremost in our minds She has her part memorized and down pat Everyone else was left on their own There will be great anticipation when we get started this morning We all have our common goal to lift Sammie's spirits and let her know we are here for her We mastered our plan last night we put her first and tried to get the surgery off of her mind We replaced it with love and kindness and understanding as we planned her welcome home party We need to get Denny on board as she requested good food and coffee and who is better for that task than our very own Chef Denny Games are planned and our judge will be Brian with his gavel Limbo, Break Dancing, Hula Dancing and so much more anything to bring smiles on her face The Master Of Ceremonies was none other than God He ended our meeting with a prayer for Sammie to feel him there He will be holding her through it all and before she knows it this will all be a distant memory except the part that she has new friends who were willing to bust her outta the hospital and organize a Welcome Home party all just for her. Written with Love, Jan Johnson 4/7/09 :hug: