[Salvation]

Thanks, Aquamarine. I had lots of help along the way from good people like you.

I remember on lady coming back to my door after about one year after I had been on that first Beginning Experience weekend to encourage me to go back for another weekend.

Bingo! That was the weekend that I could see that God was not punishing me, that I was not responsible for by husband's death (he smoked 3 packs a day and had smoked since he had been 12), and taught me that I needed to forgive myself, my husband and God before I could move on with my life.

[Aquamarine]

I tried to post this inspirational this morning, had typed it all up then when I hit post the whole screen froze and I had to reboot and lost it...but anyway the trials in your life made me thimk of this poem that I saved during a difficult time in my life that helped me cope at the time.

Our Father tests us often
With suffering and sorrow-
He tests us not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow-
For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of the chisel
Gives the marble grace and form-
God never hurts us needlessly
And He never wastes our pain,
For every loss He sends to us
Is followed by rich gain.

Helen Steiner Rice