It's Then Sings My Soul Saturday when I link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

I love Kathy Troccoli's voice and music. BTW, she's a Long Island gal too. I grew up with many Italian friends. :)

The Lord has been waking me up this past week to the song "My Life is in Your Hands". How perfect and comforting as I go through this season of challenges.

Life can be so good. Life can be so hard.
Never knowing what each day will bring to where you are.
Sometimes I forget and sometimes I can't see
That whatever comes my way You'll be with me.

My life is in Your hands.
My heart is in Your keeping.
I'm never without hope not when my future is with You.

My life is in Your hands and though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in Your hands.
(refrain)

Nothing is for sure. Nothing is for keeps.
All I know is that Your love will live eternally.
So I will find my way, and I will find my peace
Knowing that You'll meet my every need.

When I'm at my weakest Lord, You carry me.
Then I become my strongest Lord in your hands.

My life is in Your hands and though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in Your hands.
I trust You Lord, my life is in Your hands.

Did you hear the last line of this song?

I TRUST YOU LORD!

Believe me, I'm learning that this is so true. He is trustworthy, no matter what is going on in my life. And I'm so very thankful.

Blessings and love,

I graduated from Lindenhurst High School in 1971. I know that most of you probably weren't even born yet; lol. This is my graduation photo.

The Village of Lindenhurst is located on the south shore of Long Island in New York. I grew up across the street from the canal where the clam boats were lined up ready to take off early every morning.

My Aunt Ruth (dad's sister) taught me how to twirl a baton as a kid. I tried out for cheerleading but didn't get chosen.

Instead of being discouraged, I worked on my twirling. I even attended a summer camp on my own to improve my skills. I made the twirling team as a high school freshman. And in my junior year, I became the Captain of the Lindenhurst High School twirlers.

I love Facebook as I've reconnected with so many of my Lindenhurst High School friends. After 39 years, we've all changed but it's such fun to share memories from those earlier years in our lives.

I've been following a local blogger named Lylah Ledner of Simple Home Living and La Maison Et Le Jardin. She writes about her Phoenix area Cactus Farm and loves all things French. BTW, if you've never visited her blogs ... you must.

We've emailed each other about eventually getting together.

And guess what? Through Facebook, I discovered that I went to high school with her husband Mike and his brother Bob! I was one year behind Mike and two years behind Bob.

It really is becoming a small world after all!

Blessings and happy Friday,

I'm joining Linda of 2nd Cup of Coffee for Random Dozen. I know I'm a little late but life has been very busy lately. This is a fun meme and I love to get to know other bloggers as I read their answers to the questions.

So here are Linda's questions and my answers:

1. If you could compete in one Olympic event (not necessarily winter sports) what would it be? I'd have to say running. I can sprint very quickly.

2. Do you remember a specific Olympic moment from the past? I remember many years ago when the world fell in love with Nadia Comaneci of Romania during the Montreal Olympics. She was 14 years old and she scored the first perfect 10 in women's gymnastics.

3. Have you ever known anyone who competed in the Olympics? No

4. If everyday activities were Olympic-worthy, which activity would you have a gold medal in? Running up and down the stairs in my house

5. Do you know anything about your ethnic heritage? Anyone who reads Heart Choices on a regular basis knows that I am 100% Norwegian. Both my paternal and maternal grandparents are Norwegian but my parents were born in Brooklyn, New York.

6. Do you enjoy sleeping late? No, I'm an early riser. It's a rare occasion that I sleep late and 7:30 am would be late for me.

7. Have you ever performed CPR on anyone? Do you know how? Yes, I've performed CPR during cardiac arrests many times. Working for 25 years as a cardiovascular nurse ...I'd better know how. I've defibrillated many patients too.

8. Name one country you'd like to visit and explain why. Switzerland. I had the opportunity to cross the border into that country once but only spent a day. I'd love to return and explore and take lots of photos of the beautiful mountains. It would be fun to hike too.

9. Have you ever fixed a couple romantically? Yes, I introduced Pat Andrzejewski to Dennis Benatar in high school on a class trip. They eventually got married and then divorced but that's how Pat Benatar got her last name. :)

10. What is the last book you read? The Heavenly Man: the remarkable true story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway.

11. What is the last movie you saw? Julie and Julia ...and I loved it.

12. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant? Since my husband and I rarely go out to eat I'd have to say El Bravo. I love their Navajo Taco. It's not very low cal but once in a while I can't resist.

This quote is perfect for me, especially during this season of my life. After much prayer ...trust and obey is my theme for 2010.

I struggle with trust and I tend to prefer staying in my comfort zone. I've written about this often. I believe the Lord is teaching me life lessons as I learn to walk by faith and not by sight.

I love this photo of my cousin Rod with his baby son. To me it's a picture of total trust. The smile on his son's face shows the freedom of knowing Daddy will not drop him.

That's the kind of freedom I long to live in ...day by day.

But I have a heart choice to make moment by moment. As a believer, I have the promise of God's love. He will never leave me nor forsake me.

The whole chapter of John 15 is devoted to Jesus teaching how to ...abide in Him.

But abiding is a choice. On this side of eternity, we still have our flesh to contend with. But the Lord has provided His Spirit to empower us to overcome the flesh.

I believe it comes down to TRUST.

If I truly believe God's Word, I will obey Him. As Scott Samter of Opening His Word Together teaches ..."abiding manifests itself in obedience".

The only way I can obey is when I abide in Christ and trust Him.

I can then lay down:

• My life
• My fears
• My personal preferences
• My way
• My loved ones
• My desires

I can submit my plans to His since only the Lord knows my deepest desires. He has a plan and a purpose for my life. And He knows what's best for me.

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find out I missed out on His best for me ...because of fear.

How about you? Will you allow God to work in and through you? Do you want to live in true freedom from fear?

Remember that God is love and He is trustworthy and faithful.

Blessings and love,

Valentine's Day is almost over. It's a day to demonstrate love to our special someone. But my heart goes out to the people who don't have a spouse or a special person in their life.

Our culture makes a big deal out of Valentine's Day. I know that selling cards, candy, jewelry and flowers is a business. However, many people who never receive those gifts can feel ...let down and unloved.

On Saturday morning, I had a coffee for a few of my neighbors and this very topic came up in our conversation. One of my friends is a widow who greatly misses her husband.

I mentioned that Mother's Day can still be a bit difficult for me as I was unable to have children and my own mom died five years ago. Of course, life goes on and ...I'm able to be happy for others.

But there can be a hurt in our hearts and in reality no earthly relationship can fully satisfy that piece of our heart.

Sara Dawn, my friend and blogging buddy of Splashin' Glory shared a beautiful message the other day. I added my comment to her post and she wrote back to me such words of blessing and kindness.

I searched on YouTube to find a video of this perfect Love Letter from God so I could share it with you. Sara Dawn has the words and verses written out on her post so I hope you'll also visit her.

May you feel loved perfectly as only your Heavenly Father can love you.

Blessings and love,