Dear friends,

It is my hope that all is well with you. My last four weeks have been full and hectic. I thought of sharing with you some of the things that have happened. Early in June I visited California, USA, and had a wonderful time with my family, and I have also had book signings. The day of my departure from the Los Angeles airport, a highway criminal chase had caused the roads to be closed for over 2 hours which in turn caused me to miss my return flight. While waiting in the traffic jam and knowing I had an early appointment I needed to be at upon my return, all I could do was pray and seek for another option plan. With my plan “B” unfolding, I found I had an overnight unplanned trip to Chicago in view. I used the unexpected opportunity that evening to visit my high school friend and his family. Early the following morning, I took another flight with a different airline, and I was able to make it on time for my appointment. My luggage however arrived later in the day on the first airline. The whole flight situation was a challenge for me and while I was disappointed running around both airports looking for options, I didn’t let any of it stop me from focusing on what I needed to do.

No present challenge should ever stop you from focusing on your priorities. Try to explore all possibilities instead of giving up. Somehow you will find a way to get you through the challenge….It is said, “Where’s a will, there’s a way”. I told the same sentence to a young lady that I helped while visiting in California. She had lost her hope in life and now is addicted to alcohol. This beautiful and smart young lady who once had a wonderful life and family turned to alcohol after her dreams were shattered and her marriage ended in divorce. She is now living in divorce, self judgment and judgments from others. As I was talking to her, all she could do was cry and hold me close. I quoted for her, encouraging Bible verses and I prayed with her. I told her to seek help, change her life and focus on a will to live again. The next step was for her to throw away all the bottles of alcohol that she thought were a release for her pain, and to get around positive people who will be willing to help her. Also, to begin to write down what she needs to do with her life, and finally take steps to move towards a healthier mind and body. As we rushed to the place where she hides her bottles of alcohol in order to destroy them as the first positive step, I told her that she has the power to change her life, but she has to have the will to do so. I also told her she needed to reclaim the dreams and hopes she once possessed and to never again look to that life of misery as an answer.

Are you living in a dark hole that you think you can’t get out of or change? Good news…There is always a way to conquer all challenges. Once you acknowledge you have a problem then be ready to solve it and work hard to improve your situation....awareness creates options. This might mean getting a professional help, changing your circle of friends, and joining a church or other institutions that has programs to bring positive changes. If you are abusing your body with alcohol (alcoholism), addictive drugs or any other addiction as a way to escape problems, you are just adding problems and destroying yourself. Maybe your problem isn’t addiction but another unhealthy destructive habit, or perhaps you know somebody with those problems; you can help yourself or lead someone else to a positive corner with a promising future. Hope will lead to a better tomorrow. My hope is my faith. Through my faith in Jesus my dreams are being fulfilled and I know where to turn to when I seek answers or when I’m attacked with challenges. Where’s your hope? Whom or what are you holding on to when you feel like stumbling down or helpless? Our days are numbered on this earth and we need to make the best out of them. Enjoy living your life….fulfilling your purpose and reach for others that need encouragement desperately.

My next book signing will be Louisville, KY on July 3rd at Peace Presbyterian Church 4210 E Indian Trl at 11:00am. My next life paths is taking me Japan...how exciting!!

Peace and purpose.