Happy Friday Everyone!
On Thanksgiving Day, I made a little video, just to say thank you and I gave you the opportunity to ask a few questions.
*Vicki would like to know more about my flying.
*I was asked about time management.
*Diane asked about my leaving Texas. She knows that I'm still a Texas girl at heart.
*Joy asked about my husband and if I sew for him.
And finally, I was asked about being a mother...or a grandmother.
I decided to start with the mother/grandmother question, tackle the most difficult first :)
The story is personal, but as I say in the video, I've learned that we need to share our stories, if for nothing more than to let others know that when they are going through similar situations, they are not alone. A warning, the video is long, 16 minutes. But it's from my heart.
In the coming weeks, I will answer the rest of the questions, and I will do my best to keep it a little shorter.
Thanks for stopping by :)
Rhonda
One last thing, please forgive my smeared makeup!!!!
Big ol' HEART goes here! You don't have to publish this comment; I could email but I'm lazy ;-) ..but the very first verse I heard from Rita Springer, back at the first women's conference I attended at our church back in 2001, was Isaiah 54:1 '"Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst in to song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD.'-- and as you were describing your mentorship of so many kids, both the exchange students and the aviation program students, I kept hearing in my spirit, 'more are the children of the desolate woman....more are the children of the desolate woman...' there is no telling how far the seeds you have sown into all of those kids will spread, coming to fruit in their lives and influencing others as well.
ReplyDeleteYou did a fantastic presentation of something very difficult and personal; I want to stand on a chair and cheer you on for your bravery! Not only in sharing your story, but in opening your heart to all of those I'm sure you're already hearing from to encourage them.
More are the children of the desolate woman... that passage goes on to tell the desolate woman to expand her tent pegs, stretch the curtains of the tent, and be ready to spread out; her influence will extend to cities and nations.
Love you!!!!
Wow. Our lives have so many similarities it's uncanny. My best to you, Rhonda. Merry Christmas to you and may the coming year bring many blessings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. It was indeed from your heart. Many blessings to you during this wonderful holiday season. Karen
ReplyDeleteRhonda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. It was very moving & inspirational at the same time.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Janet
Rhonda, it was very sweet of you to share this part of yourself with us all. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJulia
Thank you Rhonda, you are amazing in so many ways :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a moving and very personal story. Thank you so much – it really touched me.
ReplyDeleteOh Rhonda. Very moving video. Thank you for sharing <3
ReplyDeleteDear Rhonda Thanks for your generousity in sharing your story. I am sure that I was not the only person touched, helped and inspired by you even though our paths are very different. I did know you were generous and kind from your blog - very giving of your time and skills - but I did not know you were a pilot. How brave you are!
ReplyDeleteIt is important to share difficulties as well as triumphs. If all those who struggle see are the shiny surfaces of other lives sometimes their troubles are magnified by perceived alone-ness.
You are a gifted, giving person. Thankyou.
Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life. As "older" women I think it's important that we share the highs and lows of our lives for the women following us. We need to be a beacon/light that's standing there to tell them that yes, there are some things in life that will rip your heart out but you can make it through. I know you can make it because I did!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Carolyn
Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet and generous spirit you have. I was deeply touched by your testimony. And what a huge circle of influence. I was reminded of the words on the wall of George Bailey's father's office in "It's a Wonderful Life." "All you can take with you is that which you've given away." Only eternity can tell the blessing you've been to your children bornof other mothers.
*hugs*
Kelley Dibble (of my former blog Kelley Highway and the Pillowcase Project in Manila)
Merry Christmas.
Dear Rhonda, I have listened to your story from a hospital room in a small town in Catalonia, where I am looking after my aging father. Until now I had followedand loved your wonderfulblog and ideas, now I admire you personally. Thank you very much for sharing! I am looking forward to your next video on time management .Best wishes from the Mediterranean and Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteRhonda, I was so touched by your video. I don't know what to add to the comments above as I not very good good with words but you have a greatness of heart and a generosity of spirit that is rare. Thank you for being a guide, mentor, friend and teacher to so many. Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your very personal story - you are a wonderful ,inspiring women & I so look forward to all your posts !!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday !!
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes :)
DeleteTY Rhonda for taking the time to share with us parts of your story. Bless you. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteRhonda thank you for sharing, you are such a gem. I believe things happen for a reason and people cross our path for a reason. So all of the kiddos hearts you have touched, you may not know how you have touched your hearts, but you did. You are a lovely lady inside and out !
ReplyDeleteOh Rhonda!!! What a beautiful, brave woman you are. Your courage in being this vulnerable is an inspiration to all of us. Your priest was right. You DO have the heart of a mother and grandmother. May you continue to be a blessing to every child that God brings into your life and may these words of yours find their way into a broken heart that is in as much need of hope as you once were. God bless you and Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh Rhonda, that was wonderful to hear your story. Its so sad when someone who so wants children can't have them. Eventhough you suffer alone there are many more women who do so as well. I personally know two and their journeys. I love what the priest said and I agree you do have a mothers heart. I think it explains why you share so much here on your blog. I always wondered how you could be bothered (a sign of me - I'm a mother and don't have the same wonderful caring and sharing nature as you!). Being a mother we can sometimes be so wrapped up in our own little world but you have stepped out and touched so many others. You are so interesting and have a wonderful way of telling a story. Really an inspiration. XX
ReplyDeleteChère Rhonda,
ReplyDeletej'étais très touchée par votre histoire, votre générosité et votre courage vont droit au coeur,j'ai fait un réel effort pour comprendre votre récit car c'est plus facile pour moi de lire que d'écouter l'anglais, j'ai perdu ma mère à l'age de 11 ans et c'est l'épouse de mon oncle qui n'a pas d'enfants, qui nous a élevé,moi, mon frére agé de 6 ans et mes deux soeurs agées de 4 et 2 ans, et elle a su comblé ce vide, d'ailleurs on l'appelle maman, c'est un ange comme vous.
Très bonne année et trés bon anniversaire, je suis contente que nous fêtons nos anniversaire le même mois, moi c'était le 6 décembre.
Je prie pour que la joie de vivre et le sourire chaleureux ne quittent jamais notre chère Rhonda.
latifa
Rhonda, thank you for sharing your story. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. You have come through some difficulty and used it to influence so many. Thanks for the reminder that we can come out on the other side and see that life is good.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, thank you for your lovely, touching, personal video. Bless you and may your Christmas be joyous.
ReplyDeleteHow NICE that you are making videos now. We have a 46-year old employee, Larece, who is married to a man 63. They tried and tried and tried to have children, but never could. A few weeks ago, she found out she was pregnant. At first, she was upset because of her age and her husband's age and they don't have a lot of money and other things, but then she got very excited. SADLY, the heart of the baby quit beating only one week later. I have felt so sorry for her. It sure can mess with your mind wondering how things like that can happen. For others, like myself, it was so easy to get pregnant. You have touched HUNDREDS of lives -- probably THOUSANDS. You are very gifted and are such a generous giver. God has used you in many ways other than being a Mother. Thanks for all you do! Hugs, Joy
ReplyDeleteYour story is so very touching and inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing - you are so kind and brave.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.