One final spiritual question: When were you the most happy spiritually? How does this help you through life?

The moments spent with my loved ones and my friends who have come to mean more to me than my real sibs

I try to make every moment as happy as possible.

**Edit** This helps me get through daily life because I vow to try my best to make a difference and touch as many lives as possible the way that you have touched mine..I owe that to you

(((Debra)))

Dear Debra... I hope these cheer your heart..... you are such a gentle soul...and I have always enjoyed your posts since I came to R&S.

A mile in life...by me

Just like the picture of spring in bloom

that hangs upon my wall

two roads that meet

come together for a mile.

All throught the sunshine and flowers

the road is golden smooth

but somewhere in the distance

you seem to lose the view.

Off before the darkness of the forest

this one road divides

a lake will come between them

and further on some miles.

And you can not see beyond the trees

to what lies ahead

but I will choose to believe

they meet again instead.

Somewhere beyond the darkness

these paths cross again

and two people walk, another mile

around that bend......together, as friends.

A doves song of hope...by ME

There is a dove, singing in my soul

when it hears the name of Jesus

it sings this song of hope.

many times this bird has been crushed

but its song remains strong

though satan does push

for it is the song of love, of strength and of hope

and undying dream of someday seeing home

It is the hope of heaven and eternal bliss

the reason for living eternities kiss.

so let the winds come against it

and the storm clouds do rage

but it holds to a promise

forever age to age.

and it sings of a day when trials have past

when the Father has spoken

it spreads its wings at last

and fly from the prison that caged up its song

and soar to the Master and its eternal home.

and sing through the ages, this one eternal song

the promise of Heaven,

the place from which hope comes.

My dearest Debra, like you, I have so many "gems" it would be impossible to pick only one.

Of course there are the family moments, seeing your first newborn child, your first true love. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. All of these are precious.

This is one special Christmas memory: Bear and I attended a Christmas party at the home of one of my girlfriends. The evening was perfect. Her home was warm and cheerful. Her daughter played Christmas carols on her harp.

As we stepped outside to drive home, the air was cold and crisp. It was snowing lightly. For some reason that year there was a star that appeared very large and bright. When we looked upward towards the heaven's, the star was bright and shimmering, it was breathtaking.

What a perfect symbol for the Christmas season. In my heart, I felt this was the same vision many witnessed when Christ was born. For me, this moment was not only spiritual, it was magical. If I live to be old and gray, this is a memory I will forever hold dear in my heart. When feeling blue, it lifts my spirits to remember this enchanted, holy night.

Debra, May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Love and heartfelt prayers from Kentucky

((((Debra)))))

When I am alone, I am never lonely. Life has a pulse that can never be extinguished.

I realized this a long time ago, that whatever your beliefs are, life is energy and can never die, only be transformed.

My happiest spiritual moment is when Nature spoke through me and I had an epiphany. I just knew things.

It has never failed me. I take unadulterated joy in the things Nature provides me with.

A simple butterfly on the wind pleases me to no end.

Every day, I see something that Nature provides me with the oppurtunity to see, and I am thankful.

I was the happiest spiritually as a child.

I would have to say that celebrating Shabbat in the past with my family and absolutely NO distractions, was a very good thing for me.

My father would take out the weekly portion of text discussed and read it with me; then elaborate with wonderful allegories and stories to every major concept.

It was time spent with my parents that was always appreciative.

As for helping with my life?

I don't see my father much these days, and he's getting very old. These are some of the best memories I have of him. :)

Debra, I would have to say that it was on an early summer morning on the banks of a river that runs through a beautiful cedar woods. I went out fishing early and as I sat there the sun slanted though the trees and the birds sang and the river babbled past with the light rippling on the little waves. An early dew rose through the woods like a mist and I swear you could hear music in the gentle breeze as it rustled through the trees. It was like the whole world was holding it's breath. In that moment I knew that I was closer to understanding spirituality than at any time before or after that day. That has been my touch-stone ever since. Peace to you, my dearest Debra.

May your God hold you lightly in his hand.

Wow! Too many good things, so I'm trying to think of the most memorable.

I think it was when the darkest time was over with.

My husband had a tumor in his head, and I prayed for his healing. God told me that he was going to answer my prayer. I was 14 weeks pregnant with my youngest daughter, and I kept thinking that I would be faced with raising my children alone.

My husband got through the surgery, and I was told they had removed more of the tumor than expected and he was acting very normal. At that point, I felt God proving to me, his grace and mercy.

9 years later my husband never had to go back for the second surgery (the tumor removal was to be in two separate surgeries because the tumor was the size of a compressed racquetball). The MRI last year showed that the tumor has never regrown, and he is a walking miracle. He should be paralyzed in the face and he has absolutely no paralysis. God led us to the pioneer surgeon in this type of surgical procedure. The doctor cannot explain medically why my husband came through this surgery without the paralysis or the problems other patients have after this surgery. That's when God proved to me his grace and mercy.

1. When my best friend Brian drove 200 miles on a work night to bring me roses and take me to dinner after my ex-boyfriend had just completely crushed my heart. I felt loved at that moment, and that has always been the only way to happiness for me.

2. When I arrived in California and everything I had been dreaming of for months finally all came to life. Eyes I had anticipated gazing into for months...bright smiles of friends I had been waiting to meet...tree-lined streets I had been waiting to see. And to top it all: standing at the edge of a cliff, gazing down at the Pacific Ocean.

I spent a few summers raising money for environmental causes. I felt happy then because I was surrounded by people I liked. I also felt fulfilled because I felt like the work I was doing was important.

Probably when I lost over a hundred pounds.It helped me through life because it taught me that if I want something bad enough I can make it happen. Peace be with you.

Once I was sitting in a movie theater waiting for the movie to start. I was with my child and some others. All of a sudden I got a rush come over me of pure love. It was like a head rush and it was intense. I could feel the love of God and it was overpowering. It brought tears to my eyes and I prayed for no one to talk to me and no one did. I could almost not bear that much love.

It lasted about 30 seconds and seemed longer. I believe this is what we feel in heaven.

Why did God do this for me? I wasn't praying, I was just sitting there eating popcorn...

God is really really good and there will be NO boredom in heaven.

†