For a very long time now, I was on the fence about getting vaccinated. I waited to see the statistics about all of them before I decided to make the decision to get it. I waited to see if the numbers were going to change here in Texas, and in other places in the world. I waited to see how many people had gotten vaccinated due to the statistics being shown on television and on line. I waited to hear what others had to say about it, and how it made them feel after they were vaccinated. Well, I finally made the decision to get vaccinated. It was a decision about my life that I had to make; I never thought that I would have to make a decision like that in my life. I know I made the right decision. I did not just do it for me though, but I did it to protect others that I am around. Working around many different people on a daily basis is a fifty-fifty chance of COVID being caught or not, so I did what I had to do to be protected.

This is something that I can be proud of doing. I can rest knowing that I made the right decision in my life. I now do not have to worry about not being vaccinated, I also do not have to worry about going out unprotected. I will still wear my mask when I am in large places such as the grocery store, or when I am just out shopping. I can be more comfortable should I decide to go walking, or just going to the park.

The only thing I do not like about it is the side effects. The side effects from it makes you feel weird. It does a number on your body. It is because your body is starting to build the properties to fight COVID should it is ever contacted, your body will be able to fight it off. Everyone’s body is different, so the side effects will be different in each person. Although the side effects has not worn off yet, my body feels different because of it. I do know that once it is all said and done, my body will be back to normal. I will be able to have strength to do some of the things that I normally do, like work again, taste my food again, and have more energy again. I will not have to worry about being weak in my body.

Yes, it is hard right now, but I do know who is keeping me together. I do know who is watching over me through all of this. I do know who will never leave me nor forsake me, and His name is Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour! Even though at moments I feel good, and at moments I do not, I still will find the time to write. Those of you who have been vaccinated, how did you feel after it was all said and done? What were the side effects for you if you had any? When did it pass, and when did your body feel normal again? I just know that I made the right decision to get vaccinated, but I was not expecting to go through all of this afterwards. I have found that fresh air makes me feel better, but it is only for a short time I can go out side. The mosquitos are so bad though. Drinking plenty of water is good to drink to stay hydrated so the body will not become dehydrated. Plenty of rest is good when the body starts to feel weak. Eating light food is good for the stomach when solid food cannot be tolerated because of the side effects. My body will let me know when things are back to normal, because I will feel like I felt before I took the vaccine.

For those of you who have not been vaccinated, get vaccinated to protect yourselves, and others that you are around. Pray about it if you are still on the fence about it like I was. You have to make the decision for yourself. We only get one life in this world, so please consider thinking about it too. It is your own choice. I just hope that all of the new born babies coming into this world are safe from this virus. I pray that all of the new mothers are doing everything to keep themselves protected from this virus.

If you need to know any information about all of the vaccines, contact the CDC. They can answer the questions concerning the Corona Virus that is COVID-19. Let us not forget to pray and ask God to take this from the earth. Let us not forget to thank Him for all that He has done for us, for what He is doing for us, and for what He is going to do for us in the future. If you have not talked to Him today, please take out some time to do so. He is waiting to hear from you today. It does not matter what you have done in your life, He can and will wash you clean when you ask Him to come into your heart to be your Lord and Saviour. His love never fails, it is from everlasting to everlasting. You are not defined by your past, you are who Jesus says you are. Stay blessed. We are all in this together. Thank you for joining me on my journey with Food for the Soul.

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STILL FIGHTING THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 JOHNSON&JOHNSON Vaccine!

It has not been a month yet and I am still fighting these side effects from this vaccine. It has literally cost me my job. I thought I was ready to return to work, but I was not, so I could not work my new schedule. I guess it was for the best. I am now embarking on a new journey in my life. I am getting ready to attend school to obtain my CNA license at Vista College. I am also embarking on the journey to complete my education to finish school. As they always say, things happen for a reason. These days, I wonder if I did the right thing by getting the shot because it has caused me nothing but trouble. It is like it did something to me on the inside that I cannot even explain. All I know is that things has not been the same since. God knows I just want to get back to normal like I was before I took that shot.

As we all know now, the Delta Virus is here in all fifty states. Now we have to be even more careful to protect ourselves from this virus. They said that if we were vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus we did not have anything to worry about, because we are protected from that as well. Those who are not vaccinated would have to wear a mask even on the inside of their homes, maybe even two masks just to be protected. It is very crucial if you are not vaccinated, so if you want to be protected from this Delta Virus, it is very important that you get vaccinated. We have gone through so much since 2020, and we are still having to face this new thing that has come upon us. I must ask this question, how many people care about their life? Do you want to continue to walk around unprotected? Do you not care about your family and friends that you socialize with, or those that you work with? What about the new born babies that the doctors and nurses are handling every day? Are they protected? Does anyone even ask if they are protected?

What about the homeless? Is anyone trying to make sure they have been vaccinated so they will be protected from these viruses? What about the people who live in homeless shelters, has anyone made sure they have been vaccinated so they will be protected? This stuff is spreading, and from what I have seen with my own eyes on the map, people should consider getting vaccinated. I know it is the choice of the individual, but why take a chance? Why would anyone not want to protect themselves? I know that there has still been many deaths even when the vaccine is taken, and that is sad…heart breaking. My heart goes out to all of those who have lost loved ones because of the virus, but we must know that God is still on the throne. He is still holding us all together. Yes, we are still facing dark times even though the sun shines. We will get through this together. We just have to keep on praying and having faith. When our faith becomes weak, we have to ask God to give us the strength to carry on one day at a time. We cannot lose hope in God. He is the only One who can bring all of this to an end. He is the Great I AM!

No, we may never understand any of this, but rest assured God will receive the glory from everything that we have had to face, and will face through all of this. Even on grey days the Son is still shining. He is still working miracles just like He did back then. Who is to say that one day we will wake up and this will be all over? I believe that it will happen one day. I believe that this is just another wake up call for us to see who God really is. Sometimes we often forget that He is the creator of this whole universe and everything in it. I know it is hard for us to focus on Him, because we are to busy focusing on the problems that are going on in the world, instead we should be focused on the One who has all of the answers to these problems that are going on in the world.

Trials come to make us strong, but while we are going through these trials, who are we calling on? Are we calling on Jesus to go through these trials with us? What we fail to understand is that He is already going through it with us. We just need to have faith and hold on to His unchanging Hand; never let go of Him, because HE WILL NEVER LET GO OF US! No matter what we are facing in life.

Before all of this came about we lived our lives how we wanted to. We went where we wanted to go without a care in the world, now we have to be careful every where we go. A cough is not just a cough anymore, a sneeze is not just a sneeze anymore, a cold is not just a cold anymore; now we wonder if it is a sign of a virus trying to attack, this is feat at its best. Who would have ever thought that those things that are bodily functions would be something that could really harm us? I for one would have never thought it would be this way.

We cannot let this keep us from being happy. We cannot let this control us for the rest of our God given lives. Will this be our new normal forever? Will things ever go back to the way they were before? To be honest, I am just sick of it all. I just hope that everybody who is in the correctional facilities are vaccinated to. I really do worry about the homeless people, but all I can do is pray for them and hope that they are getting the things that they need to be protected. There’s so much homelessness in the world, and famine in some places in the world, and destruction happening, it is surprising to me that Jesus has not already came back. I often wonder what He thinks about all of this. There is nothing we can do but pray everyday and hope for a better tomorrow. If you have not talked to Jesus today please do so. He is waiting to hear from you. Just know that when you feel that no one loves you, He does.

JULY LOVE

As the heat fills the atmosphere we know Summer is here. What will it bring, what will happen in this Summer heat? Will romance and new love fill the air? Will the sounds of the season radiate to the hearts of young July Love? Thinking of past Summers, days of falling in love in the month of July tingles the heart to make one smile…taking trips down memory lane. Cool beverages dripping with condensation to refresh the throat…to take away the drought thereof.

JULY LOVE, Memories made to last a lifetime…to be shared over and over again…laugh, dance, have fun that will not end. Dreaming through the night when one sleeps…waking up to a new day to make July Love.

Although the sun shines, the stars are still twinkling in the sky…just as the moon shines bright, but to bright to see because of the sunlight. Thinking about the times past, when we thought love would not last. Daydreaming…listening to music to calm the senses of July Love.

Let the melodies take you on a cruse, let the breeze take you to an island so far and free. Free of the Summer heat of July, chilling on a beach with black sand with that special something in your hand. When reality sets in, you realize that it was only just a dream while thinking about July Love. ©2021

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.34.18.KJV

Help me draw near to You, Father, and please draw near to me. Let me feel Your presence today. Renew my strength, renew my mind, and renew a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Please fill my heart with joy, and let the fruits of love and peace from Your Spirit overflow in my life. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Where Was God In All Of This? • Devotional https://bible.com/reading-plans/16327/day/5?segment=0

Oftentimes we have things come upon us that we just do not understand. We wonder why things happen to us…we wonder when will God make a way to get us out of the things that plague us. From time to time we think just because we do not see a way out of something, there is no way out of it, but we also forget about the One who can make a way out of no way.

Storms come in our lives and shake things up. They make us trust God, and hold on to our faith. We should understand and realise that God is very powerful. He knows about all of the things we will go through in our lives, and He will be there to see us through them all. Sometimes distractions takes us away from the most important things we need to focus on, and that is our soul. Not only that,but the decisions we will make in our lives. When we stop and think about the choices we make in our lives, we should know about the ramifications of them. Good brings good, and bad brings bad. We are old enough to know right from wrong, but do we always do what is right all of the time like we should? Whether we do or we don’t God is watching.

When God makes a way out of no way for us, we should be more than grateful to Him for what He does for us. Do we praise and thank Him like we should? He deserves all of our praise and worship. When Jesus fed the multitudes of people, they were grateful for what He did for them. When the disciples were fishing all night long before they became Disciples of Jesus, they caught nothing, but when Jesus told them to throw the net out on the right side of the boat, they caught fish,multitudes of fish and did not lose any. They were more than grateful. When we obey God just as they did, He will make ways for us in our lives that we could never imagine. Obeying God brings blessings beyond compare. Doors are opened that no man can shut no matter how the enemy tries to destroy things. God is a way maker. He has been since the beginning of time, since He said,”Let There Be Light”. That is why I love reading Genesis, because that is where everything begins, it is where we see God use His power for the first time! It is where we see the first humans created, all of the creation of the earth and the beauty of it. Sin came in and destroyed it all…nothing has been the same since.

When Jesus returns, He is going to make all things new again. The world will be a better place for the coming generations. Even though times are still dark, Jesus is still shining through all of this darkness. His love is still changing lives every day. He is still working miracles seen and unseen on this earth. I am glad that I serve a God who holds everything in the palm of His hands. Where would we be if we did not have Jesus? How would we live and be happy if He did not die for our sins? God made a way for us when He sent His one and only Son to this earth to teach us the way to live, and how to love others.

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

When I think about Love, I think about what God did for us. I think about how He sent His One and Only Son into this world to die for our sins. I think about how He had to turn His head away from His Son when He took all of our sins upon Himself so we could be forgiven of our sins. I think about how He was tortured all night long because of us. I think about how He will never leave us nor forsake us. I think about how He will be with us even until the end of the age. Are we equipped to love like that? Do we ever think about loving someone like that, the way Jesus loves us? Do we ever really think about the importance of what he did for us? Do we ever think about how it must have made our Heavenly Father feel to see His Son go through what HE went through for us? Jesus was not proud, He was a person of love and peace, but He did get HIS point across to those who questioned Him about things. He did not bite His tongue about anything. Jesus does not look at people differently, He looks at all of us the same way…we are children created by God, our Heavenly Father. He loves us all the same. He is no respecter of persons. What He does for one, He will do for the other. His love never fails, and it is the Greatest Love of All.

If you have not talked to Jesus today, take out some time to do so. He is waiting ti hear from you. He wants to hear all about your problems, all about your fears, and all about your heart desires. He wants to wash you clean, and forgive you of your sins. Do it while it is called today, while the blood is still running warm in your veins, because tomorrow is not promised to anyone. We are all in this together, stay safe, and God bless. Thank you for coming along with me on my journey with Food for the Soul.

DELIVERANCE

In Psalm 40:1-David’s faith and experience of deliverance from deep depression were personal, and also prophetic of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ after Gethsemane and the cross. This has become the Christian’s experience and praise when he or she is born again.

FACING ANGUISH

In Psalm 40:12, Though David is speaking of his own experience when he was a fugitive during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15-17), the words are prophetic of Christ’s deeper anguish when He hung on the cross to become sin for us (see Isaiah 53:3-7).

Whenever I read the Psalms, I find a since of comfort and peace. I can know that everything I am facing in my life is just something to endure. It is something that will make me stronger. It is something that will bring me closer to God. I know that no matter what I face God is with me just as He was with King David. He was a man after God’s own heart. What is our hearts after? Could something like that be said about us? David made his fair share of mistakes just as we all do today, but God forgave him just as He forgives us today. God loved David just as He loves us. There is nothing we could ever do to stop God from loving us. His love is forever eternal. It is wonderful to know that we have a God who never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

HERE COMES SUMMER

Here we are in the month of June, and it already feels like Summer. Even though it is not officially Summer yet, the weather does. It is as if it is bullying Spring to leave. Yes, this is the time of year when the pits come out and are lit with fire to smoke meat. It is the time for up do hairstyles, getting our nails done, and dressing for the occasion of the season. This is the time of year when the pools will be filled with those who enjoy being in the water to cool off. This is the time of the year when all pf the insects come out to worry us with their swarming and biting. Trees and flowers give off the fragrance of perfume in the air to let the birds know that it is time to start gathering food for the Fall season that will be soon on the way. This is the season for dancing and having fun with friends and family partying the night away. This is the season of new friendships and new romances making memories that will last a lifetime. Summer is fun when you know what to do to make it fun. It does not have to be drab and quiet because of the heat. We pull out the ice chests and fill them with all of our tasty drinks to keep us cooled off. We listen to our music turned up loud just to pass the time away. We sit and talk about the good old days when everything was normal, and we laugh about all of the things we did when we were children. This is the time of year when vacations are being taken, road trips, Summer weddings, Summer births, and just doing what we want to do to enjoy ourselves.

We may even talk about the Summers of the past. Our first time we fell in love. Who knows what this Summer is going to bring for us? Who is to say what is going to happen this Summer? We can only wait and see as the days come and go. I hope it rain to cool everything off. Summer rain smells so good, it is cool and refreshing to play in as it falls from the sky. Rainbows appear in the sky to make it pretty after the rain has fallen. The atmosphere smells so good after a good rain in the Summer. I hope this Summer brings great joy to everyone who enjoys this season of the year.

NIGHT TIME FUN IN THE SUMMER

Cool breeze in the night as the Summer heat subsides behind the clouds and trees to end the day that was… Hot, sticky, muggy, and frustrating. Now it is time to get showered, suited and booted to go out and have fun. It is time to call up friends to meet at that favourite place where it all goes down until morning. Twisting and twirling and spinning around on the dance floor, dancing to all of the new jams that make you want to move. Listening to those soft slow jams dancing cheek to cheek, falling in love all over again. Sitting and sipping on that special beverage talking about whatever makes you smile. Now that the night is over, the music is off, the sun is up meeting and greeting you as you walk through your front door, landing on the couch, falling asleep until you awake to do it all over again.

SILENTLY SLEEPING

As you are sleeping silently, dreaming of the night you had, you are awakened by the smooth sounds of Jazz playing in the nearby distance. Not realising it, you are tapping your fingers to the beat. You began to hum the tune you hear and starts to smile. You think about the wonderful time you had out having fun with your friends. Getting up, you go to the bathroom to get fresh again. As the morning sun beams through the window, the birds are singing, and the smell of Summer is in the air. Morning dew is glistening on the grass, and all is well. Breakfast is made and eaten, dishes are washed, house is cleaned, and now it is time to take a nap until you are ready to wake up again to start your evening to get ready to go out again to have fun. As evening approaches, you are awakened by the loud music of a vehicle passing by. Getting up, you get ready, do your hair and nails to match your outfit you are wearing. Looking in the mirror, you smile at yourself knowing that you are looking your very best. When it is all said and done, you drive up to that favourite hangout spot and chill with your friends. All eyes on you, all smiles on you. Car clean as you lean back to stretch and take a selfie to remember the day, nothing will take this memory away. As night approaches and the music starts to play, everyone hits the dance floor to dance the night away. Sounds of laughter fills the night air as everyone gets ready to leave. It has been great, you had the best time of your life. Memories were made to talk about later. As you drive home in silence thinking about the fun you had, you pull in your driveway, turn off the engine, and just take in a deep breath knowing it was all worth while. You close your eyes and drift off again, but when you awake, you find yourself on your couch only to realise it all was just a dream while you were silently sleeping.©2021