Living A Life Of Purpose

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Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life was? If there was a particular cause or reason your are alive for? I've wondered about it from time to time. The thought comes to mind and I think about it a while. Then, as usual, life gets busy and I lay the thought aside, thinking that for now I'll continue my casual, daily Christian walk with no great focus on a "plan" or "mission". But I've come to think about it a lot more lately. And this time I find myself shoving aside some of the things that has distracted me in the past.


I've been talking to God about my purpose for a few days and this devotion was a helpful insight, right in line with my thoughts and prayers.


"If your life was condensed into one short sentence - what would be said of you? How our lives are summarized depends on the choices we make each day. We have the tendency to become distracted with cares and responsibilities. Those distractions keep us from our primary purpose - pleasing God." 


Reflection & Prayer: 
Devotion Focus: PURPOSE


Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6 


How will you be remembered? What is one sentence you could use to summarize your life so far? What might God want to change your life so that your life summary will be different? 


Excerpts taken from Busy Mom's Bible

Two Tickets To The Christmas Ball

I have a fun and cute Christmas story to share with you.

This is a fun book and a quick read. It has a little bit of everything all wrapped up in one... some romance, a Christmas story - that touches on the reason for the season, a little bit of fantasy - the Wizard's Christmas Ball, and a little bit of family dynamics.


Cora is estranged from her family and their never-ending drama. She enjoys her life apart from them and the sanity it provides her. Simon is her boss and has placed himself as caretaker of his family... his child-like sister, Sandy and his mother. This story brings Cora and Simon together in a most unusual way.


Thanks to a mysterious bookstore on a "hidden" street and some holiday matchmakers,  tickets to a secret Wizard's Christmas Ball bring Simon and Cora together... with the prodding of Simon's sister, Sandy.


The story is magical and gives you the fairytale ending we love, but not before facing the troubles with relationships that we all face. Cora's troubled sister returns and threatens to destroy her sister's life in order to satisfy her selfish desires. With love and understanding, Cora and Simon reach out to her, much to Cora's resistance. Cora finds a fun and loving new family that gives this Princess her happily ever after.


If you love laughter, romance and a message of love and forgiveness, then you will love this magical novella by Donita K. Paul.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my review.

After The Last Tear Falls

I was introduced to a great new singer/songwriter this evening. Have you ever heard of Andrew Peterson? Well I hadn't. My aunt Sharon shared a video on Facebook. The song was a wonderful tribute to marriage... all the ups and downs but the wonderful joys that make it all worth it. The song is Dancing In The Minefields. You know me, "the big sap"... I got a little teary-eyed as usual.

Why is it that every time I click on a link that takes me to YouTube that I find myself seeing what else is there by a particular artist, comedian, etc.? So I searched to see what else I could find by Andrew. You need to check him out too. He has a beautifully gifted voice and I'm so glad to have found out about him... Thanks to Sharon and Eric for introducing me to him. :)


One of the videos I found of Andrew's is "After The Last Tear Falls". Yes, again I cried. It reminded me of this passage... 

You keep track of all my sorrows

You have collected all my tears in your bottle

You have recorded each one in your book

~Psalms 56:8 (NLT)

The tears you and I shed are not ignored. God sees every one... those in public or in private. He shares our sorrows. Have you fought with a friend or loved one? Lost someone you love? Maybe things aren't going well at your job... or you have a child who breaks your heart when you see them making all the wrong decisions. You are not alone. God sees your tears and records each one. He sees your hurt. And He's standing there, ready to wipe them away, hold you and to love you. His Love is always there waiting for you to accept and to heal your heart.


I hope you will watch this video and take comfort in His abiding love that is there after the tears.

Pass the Tissues!

I'm a big cry baby! Not only do I cry on sad and sappy-happy movies... I have been known to cry on a few commercials too. You know the ones. It's usually around the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Someone is coming home that's been away. You barely notice the real sales pitch at the end. Here is one I found recently.

So anyway... I was focused this weekend on getting a lot done on my school work. I took two Business Math chapter exams yesterday with my proctor at the library. It went well. I was on a time limit of 70 minutes per exam. I completed BOTH exams in an hour. 


Today, after some domestic duties... cleaning the living room, kitchen and doing two loads of laundry... I settled in to work on some Psychology assignments. I finished about a third of the new chapter for the week - on developmental psychology - and watch 8 videos assigned to go along with the chapter.


It was a PBS link actually... video series on "Life's Greatest Miracle" (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/miracle/program.html). I saved the link to my favorites titled "Where Babies Come From". Why you ask? If you are a parent, you have no doubt heard that question asked... and find yourself dumbfound on how to explain it. Granted this set of videos isn't for a pre-schooler but does explain the scientific aspect of it all to a pre-teen who can understand it and take it all in. I just wanted to have the link handy in case I'm ever asked that in the future. :)


The videos cover from conception or egg fertilization through birth... the stages, changes, growth, etc. Very well done and even at age 42 I managed to learn a thing or two. :)
At the very end, when the couple they followed through the video gave birth... I CRIED! Can you believe it? Sitting here on the couch, doing a Pshychology assignment... I got all teary-eyed. The video series is correctly named because bringing new life into the world truly IS Life's Greatest Miracle.


Now I can't wait to watch an up coming movie on the list for my Psychology class, called  "Charly" The YouTube clip is almost 9 minutes long but if you're a sucker for a sappy movie, and I enjoy them as much as a good comedy, then you'll enjoy the time spent watching the clip. If you're not interested, then don't click on the video. But feel free to leave a comment. =)




Anybody else out there a sap like me? 

Gifts of Wisdom

This week I'm dedicating the Gifts of Wisdom post to my good friend, Lori.

As a single mother, she works hard to raise her young 5 year old son, help her older son (23) get through college and her young daughter (19) to raise the beautiful granddaughter she's given her as her daughter works and goes to college as well. You know with this kind of load there are many days when everything isn't a bed of roses... to say the least. But as I listen to Lori as she talks I pray for her and encourage her to trust God and keep believing that whatever she needs, He will provide.

This week's Gift of Wisdom from the Treasure Box is

Most of us, at some time or other, has had the wish... even if for only a moment... to 'win the lottery' right? To just be handed the answer to all of the problems and frustrations we are dealing with. There would be no bills to worry about, no scraping to buy groceries or put gas in the car just to get to work. All of our problems would disappear!

Have you ever faced a time in your life when you were down to your last dime? You worried how you were going to feed your family their next meal? Keep the bare necessary utilities paid, such as electric or gas? I have. I was once a single mother as well. I did a lot of worrying but I also did a lot of praying. I was blessed with a wonderful Christian Mother who taught me how to pray and how to trust God for the things I need. If we never had to face hard times, we would never learn to trust God and depend on Him to meet all our needs. If we came into this world and started out with all we would ever need in this life, we would have no reason to trust God. He provides just what we need, but in His timing.

"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who have been called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28 

The next time you are facing a situation you see no way out of, pray in faith, believing that God will provide all your needs. 

Gifts of Wisdom

I'm sharing another piece of God's Wisdom from my Treasure Box.

Today's Words of Wisdom are:

Have you ever wondered exactly what you were doing here? Ever felt unsure of your path or decisions? Or maybe you have prayed and believe you are making the right decisions, but with each step you are fearful.


I have always been close to my family and never wanted to move away from them. In fact, I said I never would. This is one of those "never say never" moments. When my husband and I married in January 2003, I was living in Kentucky and he was living in Oklahoma. That's quite a distance away. Though I knew at the time it was the right decision to move halfway across the country, I was fearful of doing it. I worried about getting my things moved such a great distance, worried about finding a job, and hated the thought of leaving my parents and siblings behind... not knowing when I'd get to be with them again. But God was with me and gave me peace. 

When you feel afraid of the road before you... of the future that feels uncertain... remember God's promise to go before you. 

What fearful or uncertain times have you faced, that you received peace from God about your decisions?

I'm linking up my post today to...

I Found A Treasure!

And I want to share the gifts I found inside with you!

I was looking in a box yesterday morning before work and found this box that belonged to my Grandma Bell.

The words carved into the top say "God's Gifts". 

And inside this box are little "gifts", words of wisdom printed on small 1" X 3" cards. On the back of each card is a scripture reference for each piece of wisdom.

When I found the box, I placed it in my purse and headed out to work. As soon as I got there I opened the box and took out the card in front which read:

"Thank you, God, for people who help with no thought of recognition or reward. Help me to be one of those people."

Have you ever worked with someone who seems to always announce all the "above and beyond" things they have done? I have/do/and will work with people like this. It's just one of things you expect. Their efforts seem to be in the spotlight and make the rest of the team's work seem less significant. It can be frustrating. But I know that if my intentions are not for the attention and public recognition I would receive, then I know that, in time, my hard work will pay off and my rewards will be great.


Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~ Galatians 6:9


When you are faced with someone who might seem to sabotage your efforts, whether at work, or even a friend or family member, to make their (so-called) good deeds shine... just remember that if you do what you do out of the goodness of your heart and not for the recognition it will bring you, then YOU will soon be outshining them.


Have you experienced something like this? Do you work with someone who strives to draw attention to themselves?

My Grandma, Virginia Bell. Thank you for sharing your box of wisdom, God's GIfts with me. I love and miss you!

Video of the Week - by Kutless

This is one of my favorite songs these days. No matter what you're facing & dealing with... problems at home or work, maybe a rocky relationship, and even through sickness and the loss of someone... these words are SO true. This particular song portrays the message in the Book of Matthew, that if we have faith the size if a mustard seed, we can move mountains. And if we put our faith and trust in God, He will do more than we could ever think or imagine. I apologize for the quality of this video. The Official Music Video isn't available to embed here (not without cheating, so I won't), so just focus on the words (lyrics below). I hope you find faith to believe for whatever it is you need in your life right now.

What Faith Can Do

by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes

Gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it’s more than you can take

But you're stronger, stronger than you know

Don’t you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds

To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard

Impossible is not a word

It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death

When they decide to take that step

Out on the water

It’ll be alright

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds

You don't have a chance

(That’s what faith can do)

When the world says you can’t

It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

And I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

That's what faith can do!

Even if you fall sometimes

You will have the strength to rise

Video of the Week - Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you are all enjoying a
relaxing holiday with family and friends.

This is a time for reflection and thanks.

It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with the war.

It doesn't matter if you like or dislike the Commander in Chief's decisions.

All that matters is that those away from home, serving our country are doing so with much sacrifice for our freedoms.

I love this video and the reminder that we are fortunate, blessed!

to be living in the United States.

Thank you to all of my family that made the choice to serve our country. I love you.

Video of the Week & Daffy's Loss

This video is a special one to me. "Save A Place For Me" by Matthew West. I think about those I've lost and the memories that come to mind put a smile on my face.




Even though we miss them, thinking of them can warm our hearts. For all of you who have recently lost someone, and the pain is still fresh. I pray you can find peace and are comforted by your memories.

I know that Daffy's Loss is something I can't imagine. She lost her sister this week. My heart aches for you and I hope this can help you find comfort. I have two sisters and we are the best of friends. I can't imagine my life without either of them. Praying you and your family are comforted during this difficult time.

Mission Monkey Day with Friday Follow

Hello blog-world!  I am participating in what's known around the world as Mission Monkey day!  What is Mission Monkey you ask?  Well, there's this blogger friend of ours known as Pixie Momma, aka Michelle.  Michelle has a little girl, or Monkey as she's known by who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.  To learn more about it, click here. Monkey is a sweet little 16 month old girl.  She doesn't deserve this.  Nobody deserves this.

But the good news is that Monkey only has Stage 1 (low risk).  The bad news is the medical bills are mounting and the Physical Therapy (starts today) isn't covered by insurance.  Michelle is using the donated money to offset medical bills.  She will donate and unused portion to another family dealing with the same issue.

This is why the blogging universe is banning together like never before to rally around Michelle and Monkey to provide support.  In addition to further entice you to lend your hand, and donate to the cause, we have over 50 items that have been donated.  Many bloggers are hosting these fabulous giveaways and all you need to win one of these items is just one raffle ticket.

Donation pages:
Princess of Sarcasm - http://bit.ly/9nUmBp
The One and Only Oka - http://bit.ly/9KZSOG
SupahMommy - http://bit.ly/bSMrGw
Jenn B Says #1 - http://bit.ly/bYzHAH
Jenn B Says #2 - http://bit.ly/bej01D
Amber - http://bit.ly/cTGq29
Two Little Monkeys - http://bit.ly/cZKjzK
Mommy's Nest - http://bit.ly/9tLjoy
Chief's Hiding From the Kids - http://bit.ly/cfKIiO
Jenny - http://bit.ly/dftIS2
Jana - http://bit.ly/aUKVjM

You may donate any amount of money via PayPal as it's linked directly to Michelle's bank account.  However, in order to be a part of the raffle, this is how that's going to go.  If you donate the following, you get the subsequent number of entries:

• $10 - 2 entries
• $20 - 5 entries
• $30 - 10 entries
• $40 - 15 entries
• $50 - 20 entries
• $75 - 35 entries
• $100 - 50 entries
• $200 - 125 entries

 The raffles for each item will start on or around July 1st.

Click on monkey to donate!

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If you are donating money via PayPal, I need to know who it's coming from.  For example, look at the first picture below.  The link takes to you this screen.  Press the plus sign and then indicate your blog name/blog email address so I can track you accordingly.

And, here's the thing: this could be any of our kids.  Thank you for your time and thank you for your donation.

There are also a few other things going on to celebrate Mission Monkey please visit them all!






Twitter party!
More info can be found here - CASH PRIZES!!!!!!


Kerri over at Kerri's Klutter is donating $1 for each and every linkup she receives for her weekly meme, Comment Love Letters.  In addition, Adrienne is matching Kerri's donation dollar for dollar!  Go and link up and support Mission Monkey!

ZGirl and Travis are participating in a weight loss challenge and they are asking for your sponsorship.  Please visit them and lend your support!

Jenn over at BabyStepsInHighHeels has a challenge where she's going to donate $1 for every comment/new follower from now until the end of May.  Please visit her!

★ Follow Me Fridays Blog Hop ★

Follow and Be Followed Here at Trendy Treehouse! 

Enter your link below &  follow the blogs you love.
It's that simple. Have fun!

  

I am also very excited to share with you....another great blogger at "the girl creative" who has a fun Friday Link Party!"New Friend Friday"We will be linking up together every Friday. So be sure to go by and check out this fun link party!If you would like to share this blog hop, just go to the link below and grab the code

Mother's Day & Memories

It seems like everyone is doing a blog post about Mother's Day. Those of us who still have our mothers here to spend the day with are so blessed. I can't imagine not having her.

We spent some time with mom today. My sisters were both there with their families. Being the scrapbooker and blogger that I am, I insisted on pictures. Here is a group photo taken today at mom's with my sisters and I standing behind mom.

 Pictured are my older sister, Bev, my younger sister, Sonya and myself

with our mother.

I love the time we spend together. You can usually find mom with me every weekend when I have to make my routine trip the ever-growing Wal-Mart list... which it seems is never completed.

We shared some memories today. One I had forgotten that my little sister, Sonya told. We were discussing "whippins"... remember, we're country people in Kentucky. Some people spank their kids. Parents in Kentucky (if they have to and still believe in it) WHIP their kids. My younger sister and I were trying to recall getting one of these whippins. I can't recall a single one. Honest! I was a good kid!! Either that or I was beat half to death and have blocked those memories from my brain completely to keep myself from expensive therapy sessions.

My little sister did come up with a memory though. She remembers the time we BOTH got one for the same time. I still didn't recall it when she told this story but I'm sure it must have happened. When we were little... I don't think Sonya had even started school yet... my dad had built the house we lived in and it was still not completely finished. We took our baths next door at my Granny's house. "Next" didn't mean 20 feet from our front door. "Next door" was down a LONG dirt driveway that ran beside my granny's pond and across the road to her house. So my mom left us there to get our baths while she walked to our house. I was the older one and evidently capable but that wasn't enough for Sonya. She wasn't staying with only ME to walk her home and it was getting dark fast! So she rushed through a quick bath, probably only hitting highlights. I was FORCED to do the same to get her safely home since she wasn't waiting for me. Sonya recalls us BOTH getting a whippin' because mom was SURE we couldn't have both bathed that fast! And I'm sure she would have been right. I don't remember any of that. :o)

But I will always remember the beautiful person my mother has always been, and has taught me to be. I get my strong emotional side from her. Thank you mom for teaching me to love with my whole heart, and to laugh deeply when something is funny. Thank you for teaching me that it's okay to cry when I hurt. And thank you for being the best Christian mother anyone could have and for teaching me the importance of prayer, faith, unconditional love, trust and forgiveness. I love you mom!

As we were leaving mom's today I grabbed my camera and snapped this pic

of mom standing in front of her climbing rose bush.

Giveaway Winner and Awards

It's time to announce the Giveaway Winner!

 Congratulations to the #5 post...

I hope you enjoy your goodies as much as I enjoyed making them.

Thanks to all that posted and to ALL that follow!
While this is a creative outlet for me and my thoughts and experiences,
if there is anything that anyone else can get out of it, then it's even more worth it. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I also have a couple of award I've received and need to pass on.

I received this award from Angie @ In My Own Little Corner.
Thanks so much Angie! Your blog is a joy to read!

The official rules for this award are that you list 6 things that you are a master of
and pass it on to 6 other blogs.
(In case I'm passing this to you and you like to follow rules.)

I'll tell you instead of 6 things I am NOT a Master of...

1. Well, just from the award picture I can tell you, I am not a master of Karate. I can do a few yoga moves but that's about it.
2. I am not a master of a perfect home. Is my house trashed? No. But I do still have those new pictures sitting in the spare room that have been needing hung for ummm well, since just before Christmas. But with work at day, college evenings, a hubs/son/cat/dog to cook and care for, I just haven't gotten to this yet.
3. I need to work on my relationship skills. Not hubs and I. But I tend to let people run over me. I am getting better though with the influence and encouragement of Hubs and and a dear friend. (Thanks L).
4. I am working on my 'kitchen skills'. I CAN cook but my creativity is challenged right now and a busy work/home/college life drains my creative processes there. I am just getting tired of the same ole things. But thankful that Hubs and Son don't complain. :) I have a new resource though that I can relate to and am anxious to start using.
5. I really want to blow the dust of my sewing machine. It's still almost like new after my dad bought it for me about 6 years ago. I have used it for small things... repair projects, paper crafting sewing. I just am ready to really put it to use. Maybe a Rag Quilt first then something more complicated?
6. Lastly, I am NOT a master (YET) of my exercise/workout plan. It's fairly regular. My friend L and I have been walking together for the last week. And I've incorporated my Wii Fit Plus (love those fun games that don't make it seem like exercising!) into some of my evenings as well. Love the tracking that shows the BMI and Weight levels and tells me that even though the numbers don't change as fast as I'd like, they are making a slow, steady decline. :)

Sometimes I follow the rules... sometimes I don't. I can be a rebel *wink*. I pass this award on to anyone who has commented on this blog in the last week. You deserve this Master of Friendship award.

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I received this Attitude and Gratitude award from Kel @ Between The Lines. 

Thank you so much Kel! Those Chicken Pesto Pizza  & Banana Crumb Muffins recipes look yummy!

I'll have to try them out. :)

The "official rules" are:

 

For the nominees: these are the rules... pass it on!
- Put the Lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
- Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
- Link to the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award

 

I pass this award on to the following bloggers who've captured my attention lately. Check them out! Thanks for entertaining me. :)

1. JAM's Own Reality
2. Kristy @ Learning As They Grow
3. Keely @ MannLand5
4. Arizona Mamma @ Our Daze in the Desert
5. Momma Such @ RaisingMy4Sons
6. Steph @ Sharing the Pages of Life
7. Stephanie @ The Blue Zoo 
8. Ian @ The Daily Dose of Reality
9. The Girl @ The Girl Next Door Grows Up
10. Shel @ Things I Can't Say

Pay It Forward Friday

As mentioned earlier this week, I have been inspired by a couple of people... one, a total stranger in the drive-thru and two, Ian (from The Daily Dose of Reality). I am making a conscious, intentional effort to do at least one (though more acts would be even better) Random Act of Kindness once a week. I don't mean just being a "nice person". A Random Act of Kindness... Paying It Forward is a step above, and even a GREAT thing if it's something they cannot do for themselves... just like the movie suggests. And if you haven't watched the movie you SHOULD! Here is a brief clip...

Nothing I post is ever intended for self-glory. In fact, I'd much rather read what YOU have done for someone else. Be proud of the fact that you are making someone's life better, that you are GIVING instead of receiving. Although by Paying It Forward you will be receiving a better outlook and feeling about your worth.

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I was moved with the appreciation of a friend this week. I was sharing with my dear friend "L" the awesome cookbook I got last weekend (Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman Cooks). She loves to cook and is a great one and loves to share her goodies with her friends. She had commented more than once that she'd  wanted to get that cookbook. I knew it wasn't possible for her to do right now. She's a single mother and one of those children is also a young single mother & college student. They both do a wonderful job of mothering and give it their all. I stopped on the way home from work a couple of days ago for a few things and without having her or that book on my mind, the minute my feet stepped inside the store, I heard the words in my head, "buy L that book". It was clear to me and I never questioned the thought.

The next day I presented my friend L with this book and she was moved to tears, stating "no one ever buys anything for me". Her tears and the hug with thanks that I received made me a little emotional as well. I can't describe how it made me feel to do something that seemed so small to me, but seemed so great to her. It's a euphoria that makes you feel, even for just a short while, that this world is not hopeless. That each of us CAN make a difference in the lives of those within our reach.

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I hope you are encouraged to seek out an act of kindness. And I'd love to read about it. Feel free to grab the button and link up to share with us how you have made a difference. No kind gesture to another is too small.

Hold to Reset

School is officially back in session for me. I know that means busier evenings/weekends but this semester should be easier than the previous ones. I'm just going part time this go around. I was almost meeting myself coming and going before. Full time work, school and not to mention full time wife and mom. I had a non existent social life (though I enjoy being at home with my family). As I headed into this newest phase I was silently praying and hoping the lighter load would pay off and I wouldn't feel the stress that had been there over the last year. Work is very busy right now too and with audits approaching fast, everyone is feeling the stress and tensions are clearly visible. During my 'quiet time' driving home from work this evening (because that's about the only time I am alone and not needed to go somewhere and/or do something for someone) I was thinking positively and tried to focus on keeping myself focused and not letting things overwhelm me... although I know there will be times when I will feel that way. I got a little encouragement when, at a stop light, my eyes dropped down and I saw on the control panel beside the odometer a little button and the words beside it said 'Hold to Reset'. When things get too tough and I can't see that light at the end of the tunnel, may I be reminded that I am being held and if I close my eyes I can see that all the stress, tension and frustrations can be reset, if I just sit quietly and allow myself to just be held in the arms of the Comforter. When I lay my head on my pillow tonight and close my eyes, I will rest in the arms of the only one who can reset my mind and spirit to start tomorrow fresh and ready to face a new day.