Diamonds are made under pressure

 

Which is really to say – no pressure, no diamonds.  

No Diamonds??!!  Frankly just typing the words “no diamonds” makes me break into a cold sweat… A world without Diamonds is unimaginable!  Because Diamonds make this world a more beautiful place!  They are so beautiful, and sparkly, and shiny, and you can’t help but love the way the light dances off of them…they are spectacular!

But it’s important for each of us to remember that diamonds didn’t start as beautiful, sparkly, shiny objects.  They started as carbon atoms in nature buried 100 miles deep into the earth’s surface.  They are subjected to a crazy amount of heat (about 2,200 degree Fahrenheit), and insane amounts of pressure (something around 725,000 pounds per square inch!).  Because of the heat and pressure the carbon atoms begin to bond to one another in groups of billions and billions in order to form a single one carat crystal. 

Then through violent eruptions they travel extremely fast to the surface of the earth, causing them to cool quickly enough to surface as diamonds. But even after enduring all of that their journey still isn’t over yet.  They still have to go through being polished and facetted before they finally achieve their full glory.  It is only AFTER they have endured all of those hardships that they finally become those glorious, sparkly, brilliant stones…

Each of us are like diamonds in the way we evolve throughout our own lives. We start small and we slowly grow through time and daily life experiences. Then we go through major struggles and difficult challenges and intense trials, each of which mold us into a stronger and better person. Then over time as we endure those trials and overcome our challenges, we surface as a more mature and refined person. But our journey still isn’t finished yet…we still have to go through polishing and small adjustments in order to reach our full glory.  It’s going through all of that and enduring it well that will give us our ultimate sparkle and shine.

When we long for a life without difficulties we are selling ourselves short. What we need to be longing for is the faith to see the end beauty of that will result if we endure our difficulties well.  The most beautiful things in the world result from the most difficult of circumstances. So when times are tough and we are feeling the pressure, just remember that God is just making you into a perfect diamond, so hang in there, endure it well, and just see that sparkle appear…it’s going to be SPECTACULAR!

Con amor,

Vero

 

I am glad my husband left

 I found out my husband was having an affair.

 

I gave him exactly one hour to gather his things and say goodbye to twenty who years of marriage. 

 

My heart was hit hard by the news on April 27^th, 2004 

 

...and my daughter at home was stressed to the breaking point.  Wondering what would happen next?  The world she knew had collapse. 

 

We knew of so many people around us dealing with divorce but when our turn came, we sobbed just like everyone else.

 

But unlike most people, my tears turned to laughter. Within the hour, I had made the decision that changed the course of my life forever.  In fact, as I walked out of my house and got in my car headed to downtown Salt Lake City, I was screaming Nooooo and crying...but by the time I turned around and made it back home, I was already laughing!

 

Anyone seeing me at that moment would have thought I was insane.  Crying and laughing at the same time. But the Lord had turned my tears of sorrow into tears of laughter as I realized He had just set me free.  He had done me a huge favor.  He immediately reminded me of my dream of going back to school.  And I decided THIS was my moment. THIS was my chance to finally go after finishing my degree. 

 

If He hadn't intervened, I'm not sure when I would have escaped the unhappy marriage treadmill I was on.  Not sure I ever would have the time to start fresh and to step into my true destiny with someone who values me for who I am inside. 

 

Now, after years of a meaningful relationship with someone who truly matters, I can tell you the truth from my heart:

I'M GLAD MY HUSBAND LEFT 

 

It changed the course of my life.  Because it forced me to re-evaluate the path I was on. 

 

Then it set me on the path to a new me.  And within a few years, it led me into an adventure living abroad. 

 

You've heard this before, I'm sure.  But sometimes...what feels like a setback is really a set up.

 

You see, I was letting the "security" of a stale marriage stand in between me and who God had called me to be.

 

What are YOU letting stand in your way?

 

Take a deep breath, pray for guidance and step in the direction of your dreams.  

 

 Con amor,
 

Veronica 

 

 

A day with Bianca

A day with Bianca in New York

Bianca and I are spending our day doing chores. Yes, is sounds tedious but cleaning and washing clothes is what we are doing today. We were both commenting that It seems that everything is harder to do in New York, from driving to parking to buying food to washing clothes. I could probably do it for a short time but I am amazed at people who live here all their lives and how they cope with so much inconvenience but not everyone lives in apartments, if you have enough money there are some very nice suburbs with beautiful homes where it is so peaceful if you had a few million dollars.

But Bianca is a special girl. She finds a way to enjoy the moment even in the saddest times. She is amazing. I was looking at her and for a moment I literally felt as if I was in the presence of an angel. She reminded me of this quote:

"The most beautiful people I know are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.  These people have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion and a deep loving concern.”   -author unknown

People who have been through hard times are truly beautiful.  They are inspiring for the rest of us when we hear of their hardships and see them come out on the other side of them.  They have a grace and a humility and a wisdom about them.  They have more tender hearts, more empathy, and a softness about them that can only come from having been through difficulties.  Those people make others feel like things can, and will, all turn out okay for the rest of us, because, if they could survive what they have, then so should all of us.

The next time you yourself are going through something difficult, just keep in mind that your ability to endure it and get through it to the other side, will someday serve as an inspiration to someone else heading into tough times.  To them it is you who will be seen as the most beautiful person they know….so hang in there for both your sakes.

My sweet Bianca is hanging in there, making life the best she can with what has been handed to her. She is a strong woman, I am deeply proud of my girl and know that one day, she will be rewarded for her deep faith and trust in the Lord.

Con amor,

mama

The Trouble Tree

The carpenter who was hired to help a man restore an old farmhouse had just finished his first day on the job and everything that could possibly go wrong went wrong. First of all, on his way to work he had a flat tire that cost him an hour’s worth of pay, then his electric saw broke, and after work his old pickup truck refused to start.

 

His new boss volunteered to give him a lift home and the whole way to his house the carpenter sat in stone silence as he stared out his window. Yet on arriving, he invited his boss in for a few minutes to meet his family. As they walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When he opened the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was one big smile as he hugged his two small children and kissed his wife.

 

Afterwards, the man walked his boss to his car to say thank you. Now on their way out of the house, the boss’ curiosity got the best of him so he had to ask the man about the tree on the front porch. He said, I noticed when you came up on the porch before going into your house you stopped and touched the tree, why?

 

“Oh, that’s my trouble tree,” he replied. “I know I can’t stop from having troubles out on the job, but one thing’s for sure – my troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again.”

 

“Funny thing is,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, they aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.”

 

———–

 

What a great idea!  We should all come up with our own symbolic “Trouble Tree” to drop our problems off at night before we enter our homes. 

Con amor,

Vero

El Salvador visit March 2013

I went to El Salvador to participate in a clean up of a lake. The picture there is one a borrowed but it does show how people are willing to give up a Saturday to do good. In El Salvador some 2000 members came to the Helping Hands activity. Liz was busy getting the event promoted on the news. It was also a good time to be with my mom who is spending a few weeks there.

10 ways to be happy

I came across this list of 10 ways to be HAPPY and I loved it!  My challenge to everyone today is to try and implement at least 5 of them in your life today! They are not difficult and they will definitely help you feel HAPPY and who doesn’t want to be HAPPY??!!??  

1. Accept the things you can’t change. If you can and want to change them,  do it. 

2. Let go of the people who are holding you down. If you considered them, you already know who these people are. 

3. Blast your favorite upbeat song and sing at the top of your lungs, dancing as you go.

4. Go for a run. A nice long run. Run until you feel good; at the very least, you’ll be tired enough that the feeling will seem less major. 

5. Call someone you love. Just hearing their voice can make your day better. 

6. Smile at a stranger. It will make both of you smile. 

7. Send an anonymous compliment

8. Write down everything you don’t like about yourself. Rip it up. Burn it 

9. Watch your favorite movie. 

10. Realize that you are your own biggest critic. People do not see the faults in yourself that you do; So realize that they are not faults, not imperfections. They make you, you. 

Con amor,

Vero

Let's celebrate Valentines

Valentines

When you wake and your eyes meet for the first light of Valentine’s day, give your partner a kiss (or whatever you fancy hehe) and then prepare a special Valentine’s day breakfast.

Now the cute Valentine’s Day go-to is a delicious stack of pancakes with all the toppings. Shape the pancakes in hearts, cut the strawberries in hearts and drizzle on all of your partner’s favorite things. Mine is dulce de leche. However, if they don’t like pancakes just prepare their favorite breakfast, perhaps something they never have the time to make themselves and show them that you’ve been listening to their favorite things (winner).

What’s most important with this one is that you are showing you care, showing you listen and showing your appreciation for their existence. Top up the breakfast tray with their favorite drink and maybe a little note to say I love you or some special words of your choice.

the other breakfast option (seeing as you can’t take them to their favorite local cafe right now) is to make a meal out of it, literally, and invite your partner downstairs to experience breakfast at your home cafe.

May start with a cup of tea (and a biscuit if they are hungry already) and then have them come downstairs to a gorgeous Valentine’s Day lockdown breakfast.

My adventurous friend Sue, went to Bali with her better-half  and she collected a bag of fresh rose petals and used them to lead him to breakfast and then filled the table with them and all of his favorite things.

Here are some Valentine’s Day breakfast ideas:

·       Use fairy lights and create some sexy lighting

·       Use rose petals or similar to lead them down to the breakfast spot

·       Leave a note with a time to come down if you wake up first

·       Leave post it notes with memories / love notes on their way down to breakfast

·       Create a handwritten menu for the breakfast

·       Make fresh croissants / pastries or bread to fill the house with a yummy smell

 

 know this one seems so straight forward and obvious, but flowers are just the loveliest thing to receive. They don’t need to be expensive, even just one rose or a little bouquet, it’s more the thought.

This goes beyond Valentine’s day, as a female, I can confirm that it’s so lovely to receive flowers, particularly when they are a surprise or a ‘just because I love you’.

Here are some other ideas from bloggers. 

I love inexpensive but truly thoughtful Valentine’s Day ideas like this one. I mentioned it in my Ways to show the person you love that you love them blog post.

Buy a sharpie, a post-it pack and go crazy. You could do memories, body parts, things you love about them. Whatever comes to mind. Leave them in places along their routine path e.g. on their bathroom mirror, on the toilet roll, on their make up bag etc.

Give them as many reasons as you can think of to light up with love.

Another one that I mentioned it in my Ways to show the person you love that you love them blog post.

In this one, instead of post-it notes, buy a pack of cards and write down 52 (or however many) things you love about them / want to remind them of and then hide them around the house. This can work as an activity where they know they have to find a certain amount and they have the search the house looking for them. You could even leave little gifts with some of them as an added treat.

Let’s go old school. Pen to paper.

Honestly, in a day and age where a text is all to easy to send, the time it takes to write a letter means the whole world.

It might not seem a big deal to you but knowing someone has taken the time to sit and write such beautiful things warms the soul up like no other. In a world that demands our time in so many ways, the gift of time is just the most precious of all. 

Buy a scrapbook and begin a little memory book for your relationship.

Creating a scrapbook is something that takes time but I know my scrapbooks are the most precious thing I have. You’re in lockdown after all, so if you’ve got time on your hands a scrapbook is a really special thing to bring to life.

Get a little hamper/basket/wicker box in your house, empty it out and fill it with all the things your partner loves. This could be anything! From favourite teas, body lotions and treats to new… sex toys, gadgets on their wish list and more.

You know what I’m going to say… be sure to add some thoughtful notes and bits in there too along with the ‘more expensive’ ‘wanted’ gifts.

These matches are a really cute idea to inspire some activities. I love these love tokens too.

·       love letter

·       a banana with 'i'm bananas about you' in sharpie pen!

·       personalised gifts (e.g. his and hers pilllowcases)

 

Get yourself some heart-shaped cookie cutters / heart-shaped silicone moulds and get baking!

You could make some biscuits and write little love notes in icing on them, you could do brownie popsicles, you could do a rocky road cake in a heart silicone mould. Valentine’s day baking options are endless, just choose your partner’s favourite treats and shape it / decorate it with a heart in some way!

See the best cookie recipes on the internet here.

See my love heart blueberry and banana oat bites recipe here.

You can even take the love heart theme through the day and go to town with this love heart casserole dish (use it all year round too for date nights!)

Depending on where you’re doing your Valentine’s Day lockdown, this is a great way to get outside and change up the scenery whilst doing something for Valentine’s Day.

If lockdown restrictions in your area don’t allow you to go out for anything but the essential exercise you could do a morning coffee walk and then set up a picnic in your back garden. Get creative but the emphasis on this one is to combine your Valentine’s Day in lockdown with some fresh air and outdoor activity.

Notice a pattern here? Bring back the old school loving! Love letters and films on projectors.

Having a projector at home is a game-changer for movie night. I have this portable Apeman one which I use in my van too.

Invest in one, not only for Valentine’s Day but for year-round date nights.

All you then need is to connect to your phone / laptop, bring up Netflix or a streaming platform of your choice and then buy your partners favorite treats.

Go to town and buy some cute popcorn holders too!

Con amor,

Vero