Merry Christmas!!! This year has truly been a blessing, we can't complain. Our marriage has taking a turn for brighter future and new expectations. I got promoted and increase on my job! my husband will be starting his classes for his Ph.D. in education, soon he will be Dr. O'Connor. Hubby is learning to take pictures see the loving picture! We have moved forward and looking for 2014 to be even better. We have so much to be thankful for and we love life and God has truly blessed us beyond measure, financially, physically and spiritually. So how can we say thank you, by glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this Christmas. We refuse to say we are blessed this season, cause we are blessed every season.

So may your Christmas be bright and shining, may the love of Christ rest in your hearts and minds. God Bless

Love,
Trina.

 

 

 

Hello,
so many new exciting things happening, but I was so blessed when my CEO came to me and asked if I would decorate the new chapel...OMG!! I was so excited I leaped at the opportunity and loved every minute of it. After the completetion when had a Chapel dediction and dedicated it in honour of Sis. Eleanor who has given 30 years of volunteer services to the elderly of Cold Spring Hills Nursing Home. My outstanding husband built the alter, he is such a carpenter takes after our Lord and Saviour! The dedication was great I invited all Clergy including myself, the Pastors, Priest, and the Rabbis that work there daily performing various services. It was beautiful to see Judiasm and Christianity joined together, bought tears to my eyes when we all prayed together and the spirit that was in the chapel, oh! the Lord was there. Now the Chapel has a alter, kneeler, few chairs, Bible and low lighting. Everyone at my job loves it and the room is being used for just taking a breather and praying. The kneeler was donated by the Sister of Mercy and was not in the best of shape, but I took it home varnished it and added a padding for knees and the out come was nice.

My Husband and Kathi Barnutt such a lovely woman she is Sis. Eleanors niece and helped me put this whold thing together.

Hello Bloggers,

It has been awhile, but I have just been so busy planning and planning and more planning. Have a few happy occasions coming up, busy planning my mothers 65th birthday celebration for 2014. My husband is turning 55 in January looking forward to that celebration, but God is good. I really love staying busy keeps your mind going and focused. Also been very busy doing house and my mom kitchen makeover....love it pictures to follow. I have been involved in Leukemia walk light the night with hubby and best friend we have been doing the 5K walk for 2 years now. Enjoyed decorating my job for 1st annual harvest fair which was great. Learned that selfies pictures is actually going to be in the Webster dictionary who knew (see below). Just enjoying my new church family Upper Room Christian church. Lots going on, Although never loosing focus of Gods Love.


So blogger lovelies have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Blessed time with family and friends.

xoxox Trina...

                                         Leukemia light the night walk Eisenhower park.

                                                                  " Selfie"

                                                Decorating Job for Harvest Fair

       Book signing with Melissa Gorga what a great woman so gracious and friendly a true author.

My creative juices are flowing. I was going through items in my home; because I just re-decorated the living room and foyer. I had all these vases and mirrors that I had purchased when I first built the house and they were sitting and not being used. You know how when you first move into a home, apartment, condo and you want to buy everything you see?? but when you have finally come off the roller-coaster and get the décor you really want, guess what your stuck with trinkets....

Here are some creative ideas I did with my trinkets. The candy dish was a matte gray and I spray painted it shiny black, and the mirror was a green color spray painted that a shiny black also, and now they adorn my office at work... So my trinkets became valuable items that everyone who comes in my office now wants....go figure.

all my equipment in my office is black, computer, fax, phone, file cabinets so these precious lovely items blended right in with the décor.

My wonderful husband and I celebrated 4 years of marriage. I know you are probably saying we are still newlyweds, but the past 2 years of our marriage has been amazing. Our relationship has metamorphosed into such a great friendship rather than husband and wife. Of course we are living a blessed married union and loving every minute, but we are best friends. In the 4 years course of our marriage we have planned a wedding, construction on our home, and removed our selves from negative people. Just the construction on the home alone is enough to have a relationship go sour. Making decisions on what is needed and what is not needed for the home you tend to lock horns. But through it all and despite all the set backs, upsets and wrongful talk against us, we are still faithfully and truly in LOVE. I could not have been blessed with a better life, the life that God has blessed us with is truly a gift from God, and we treasure it daily.

Decorating your home and life...

Hello Bloggers and viewers,

I have taken sometime off,I lost my beloved father on June 28th, 2013 and have just been reflecting on everything that transpired during my time of bereavement. So I am doing well and blessed, have the peace of God surrounding me and just plan old happy. I recently decided to change a few things in my home, I guess just adding a few pops of color will change your homes decoration theme. My home is my haven of peace and happiness, I love coming home and just relaxing and being with my husband sitting in the livingroom, chillin out in the back yard or taking a stroll through our beautiful neighborhood. So when I started wanting change in my life, i said "Trina change your atmosphere also", don't get me wrong I loved the way my home is decorated, but now I love it even better. It's like being in Love with God, I love him som much that I want more and more of Him, so you start to make changes within yourself. You start with YOU and work from the inside out. Having this great relationship with God has definately taking me to another level in my spiritual walk. I started speaking different, acting different and even looking different, because guess what I love God and myself. Just like my home I loved being with my God and myself. I know that God only wants the best for me and every trial and tribulation took my higher. After my Dad passed I have to admit I was a angry with life, I could not understand why this had to happen, my relationship with my dad had just grown. Why God??? but through it all God blessed me, and through it all God kept me, so I still have a praise inside of me (lyrics from a song), but that's my testimony. So the pictures below are of my "pop" of color in my home, and my "pop" of happiness and peace in my life. Thank you Jesus!!

Thais was the chairs before we sparay painted them to match our patio set, what a great find Home Depot $31.00 each the ugly blue color just didnt go with our decor.

and this is the finish product...the table we spray painted and the umbrella base was an antique find right next door from my neightbor FREE...

This area in my back yard is my Bistro set...Love this area with some coffee and book....

                                   so here is my "pop" of color in my livingroom just added a few differtent pillows and a slip cover over an chair.

 I kept the turgouise color theme in the living room not alot, just a little here and there.

Pops of red in the kitchen...and my home made pasta sauce recipe courtesy of my newest best friend Linda Carullo..Love her and she cooks so darn good.

More color on the fire place.....love ginger jars they are so decorative.

So I did my kitchen island with these great plate settings.....

 Make your home a haven of peace and enjoy every minute of it.

Be Blessed....

Crumbs.

^{My Husband and I were doing our regular feeding of the birds down by the water were we live. So relaxing we visit their every weekend to relax and distress from work week. It’s something about feeding the birds that relaxes us we also pray & spend time together. As we pulled up the birds were resting, but as soon as we got out the car they rose to their feet.  As we were breaking up the bread the birds they flapped their wings with glee. They were eating and enjoying the bread, though some were flying and catching the bread in the air as we threw it to them: the others were waiting for the crumbs to drop. My husband said to me look at the others who are just waiting for the crumbs to drop. I could not believe what I was seeing,  it reminded of the scripture Mark 7:27-28 were the woman spoke to Jesus and replied “even the small pups under the table eat the scraps”.  What an awesome story, to thank God for the crumbs. The story ended with her daughter being healed, because of the mother’s faith. In the woman's reponse we not only see the deepest humility present, but the most amazing faith. She believes that even the smallest of crumbs that falls from God's table is sufficient for her needs. Do we honestly questions ourselves and say "Lord me humble myself and have faith that your will  - will be done in my life; what ever you are standing in need of seek the Lord. There are thigns that my husband and I believed God for; and God moved on the situation. Recently I received an increase at work, though it may not have been six figures it was definately and substantle increase of what I was making 6 months ago. I am happy and I Thank God everyday because it could be worse. I could be looking for a job  or not have employment for sometime but waiting. Sometimes we have to humble ourselves and take the crumbs, have faith that God will give the whole loaf.}

 Mark 7:27-28 And He said to her, First let the children be fed, for it is not becoming or proper or right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the [little house] dogs. But she answered Him, Yes, Lord, yet even the small pups under the table eat the little children’s scraps of food.

Hello Bloggers, readers and followers. I have not blogged in a few, because I have been just busy busy. Excited about what God is doing in our lives my Husband and I have enrolled in Bible Institute we will be earning our Bachelor Degree in Theology. We have also been re-deocrating our home, looks fabulous and just went head first church. It is so important to be amongest loving, caring people who just love the Lord. We have definately had our spirutual eyes open and our walk with the Lord is awesome. Why? because we only listen the the voice of the Lord. I know as Christians we can get so caught up in someone elses revelation and teaching asauming this is correct. Never really seek God for what He is saying concerning you. It's wonderful to hear awesome preached word, lifts the spirit right, but it's even better when you search the scripture yourself and God gives you a good word. The journey myself and husband are encoutering is refreshing. We are just enjoying being married and knowing we are free "cause whom the Son sets free is free indeed" (John 8:36).

Also lately my husband and myself have been wanting a child and after careful studies and going back and forth to doctors, I sought God and he spoke to me showed me when woman in the Bible were bearen they laid on their faces and prayed like Hannah for instance. Hannah was married to a man named Elkanah who dearly loved her but he also had another wife. The other wife, Pininnah, had children but not Hannah - "the Lord had closed her womb." (1 Samuel 1:5) All of Hannah's thoughts centered on being childless and her husband could not comfort her. She endured great provocation and ridicule from Pininnah for her barrenness and she continually sought the Lord to remove her reproach and give her a male child.

One year during a trip Hannah had a divine appointment with her God. She entered into the Lord's tabernacle to pray once again for her deepest need.
"And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, 'O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head" (1 Samuel 1:10-11).

Long story short Eli the priest saw Hannah praying and thought the was drunk, she explained her story, and Eli said "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." (I Samuel 1:17). Well when I sought the Lord about me, I asked him why must woman go through so much to conceive, their is so many medicines one must take and $5000.00 injections, have surgery. I laid on my face and trusted God and said "Lord if you dont do it for me, do it for someone else" my unselfish prayers were sent to any other woman who is barren or struggling trying to conceive. My prayer is that woman would not have to struggle in that area and become lab mice doing all kinds of test and surgary. Stand in prayer with me and let's see the manifestaton of God's hand move. I truly Thank you for reading my blog and I love sharing with my followers God Bless you all.

Trina

“The Lost Coin.’ In Luke 15:8-10 Jesus said, “Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

This story reminded me of the one soul that came to Christ on Sunday morning and how the church rejoiced because the one soul found what he was looking for. Jesus reveals a picture of an ongoing event in Heaven. He said, “In the same way,” (speaking of the found coin,) “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10) I could just imagine there is a continuous rejoicing of the angels that ripples through Heaven because there are always people being saved. Could it be like the sound of an excited crowd in a full 100,000 seat stadium only at a volume level so high? I’m sure the joy in Heaven is probably beyond what we could picture. Every single person matters. We should never bring someone to Christ and then not help them along the way, turn your back on them, and or treat them bad why? because every person matters. Jesus taught us that the first thing in ‘caring for the lost’ is to pray! “These were Jesus’ instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Luke 10:2)

I thank God for the praying Christians at Upper Room Church they have such a heart for people. In the church today it’s not about how many seats you can fill, but how many communities that need Christ. God will fill his church we should be winning souls to Christ. If we develop the heart of God for the lost like Jesus showed us, we’ll be that prayer covering for them while God works to reach their hearts and draw them unto Himself. And the angels will rejoice….

Peace and Blessings.

Make the right decision.

The art of a good decision-making process is being willing or rightly motivated and obedient. Isaiah 1:19. It says “If you are willing and obedient.” Neither of these words can stand alone. In the gospels we read when Jesus was asking Peter to pray with Him. He told Peter to pray because “Satan desires to sift you like wheat.” Peter was very willing to do what was right. He couldn’t believe that He would ever betray or disobey the Lord. He was willing. He said to Jesus, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” (Mat 26:33)Peter was willing but not obedient. He did not pray. Why? We can only surmise? To tired, to busy, late for work. I make it a commitment to pray everyday. Take some time out of your busy schedule to be obedient to the will of God. What a great feeling you will knowing you made the right decision to pray. You have set the atmosphere for a great day. When you learn to develop the instincts of consistently building your decisions, you will exalt your decision-making processes to the highest and most fruitful level possible and you will “eat from the best of the land.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Peace and Blessing!!! 

It is a good thing to desire to grow in wisdom. It is wisdom that helps us consistently make good decisions and live our life reverently before the Lord. Wisdom ultimately comes from God. Because people want to grow in wisdom and make wise decisions, so they seek advice. Seeking advice is advisable but especially from the right persons. Taking advice from people that are not doing right can lead you wrong. Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool utters his entire mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards.”And Proverbs 26:12 says “See a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.”

It seems like you can always find someone to tell you what to do. That is not the purpose of advice. Advice is to help you gather facts, information, insights, and the wisdom of others so that you can pray before the Lord and let Him lead you into good and wise decisions.

God has people to give you advice. That advice will come in various forms.  It could be through your Pastor message in church, through a book you read, through a trusted friend over coffee, or through someone or somebody you least expect, suddenly! We need to really think about who we take advice from. Be very careful!! Make sure you are being lead by God when listening to people. I always say how can one advise if their life is full of lies, deciet, stealing, anger, jealousy and unforgiveness. Those people you run to hills from! 

Godly counsel and advice that imparts wisdom from God’s word is the backbone of wisdom building. Wisdom is the product of the following: the getting of knowledge, the getting of understanding of that knowledge, 

the experiential understanding that comes from putting what you’ve learned to work, and the continued growth of knowledge and experience over that seasons of your life. This is the primary way wisdom is gained. But, there is another way wisdom can be gained. It is supernatural and comes from the heart of God as a gift – This is the operation of the gift of the Spirit called the word of wisdom. 1 Corinthians 12:8 reveals this saying, “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom…”   

What's been happening everyone!!

Business is doing exceptionally well and married life is awesome. This year I celebrated 20 years of service on my job. I started there at the tender age of 22 working part-time as a nursing assistant. I was fresh out of school and my teacher knew someone who knew someone and their I am. Working at Cold Spring Hills has been rewarding, I have learned, matured and grew in my skills. Since working their I gave my life to Christ and became a faithful servant of The Lord. I know God has placed me on my job for a reason. In 2008 I got promoted to Director of Purchasing which I made a decision to leave 1199 Union and engulf in a managerial position. Once I took the position which meant a huge promotion and more responsibility I knew God had a plan for me.  Often I get the opportunity to minister amongst men and woman when the Holy Spirit allows; God uses me at His will and I love it.  Recently I got another promotion and more responsibility with more pay to Accounts Payable!!! Who would have ever thought that a tender 22 year old fresh out of nursing school God would keep moving in her life so much. Often we never stop to look at the bigger picture of things, I used to be the person never paying her bills and now look at God he taught my how to pay my bills on time, He showed me how to clean my credit up, and I married  the best husband who has stood beside me and showed me how to be a good steward over my finances. So God promoted me to Director of Purchasing/Accounts payable, me paying all the bills and that something. So that is what I mean that we don't look at the bigger picture of things. I am so grateful and I love The Lord so yes I celebrated 20 years of service at Cold Spring Hills with Gods Grace and Mercy.

This is something that we all fall victim to, no matter our spiritual beliefs. We want what we want now and we want it to satisfy our own indulgences. Do you want that brand new sports car to improve your status and feel luxurious? Or do you want that car to help you serve others. 

I was watching a show and the wife of Aaron Spelling had a home the size of 2 football fields. This woman had so much STUFF. Why do we get caught up in stuff? Why do we have to have the latest car and cutest outfit and just stuff. The car you drive does not define you, frankly some people don't even car that you drive a Mercedes Benz, Lexus or Rolls Royce. Those are items that don't make you better in actuality if you can't afford it then you shouldn't even be driving it. I have learned over the past year in my walk with God that I am not defined by my stuff. I spend more time now giving away stuff then keeping stuff. So do you want that car to help you serve others, or that home to house someone who just needs a warm place to lay their head. Do you want all the suits, coats and shoes to give to someone who needs it. Lets go through all our stuff this year and bless someone else, you will make someone very happy because its STUFF they don't have.

1 John 3:17 But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him ?

Hello!!! 2012 was amazing. Some how the years keep getting better and better so it won't surprise me if 2013 brings more fun and excitement than 2012. I have a amazing husband that I  get to spend everyday with; my awesome hubby who makes ordinary life so much better.

We made some changes in our lives and listening to God they have been the correct decisions. Ready! lets look at what 2012 has bought..

Here are our highlights from 2012. We ended 2011 with a powerful Christmas Dinner at my home we had everyone over cooked breakfast and Lunch, we BBQ outside and had a blast.   

 

Switching churches this year well actually 10/11...a huge leap of faith that was led by prayer, we could not be happier!

We started a new church and rang in the new year with the most loving people. Sang with Choir and performed in several singing engagements.

Celebrated my husbands 53rd Birthday with a lovely dinner and romance.

Celebrated with some dear friends weddings and Birthdays, anniversary always fun. We did several 5k walks for different charities - Every woman matters at Jones Beach, Leukemia walk at Cantigue Park, and light the night walk Eisenhower Park all with friends and families.

My father and my step-brother are back in our lives what a blessing we are all together now.

Always fun when new babys enter families, this year my brother had a bouncing baby boy, my friends Kiesha had a beautiful baby girl.  

My Niece was selected by her school to go visit President Obama in a leadrship program down in washington yeah!!! so proud of her. She also won first place in the NYSSMA nationals for singing.

Party like a rock start with my niece Imani sweet sixteen, she is getting ready for college so proud of her. 

Had the pleasure of being a planner to several weddings and parties this year always fun I know God has so much more in store for me.  My best friend son graduated so proud of Davonte'.

Started my Lia Sophia business selling jewelry. Went to Key West on a fabulous vacation in August. Also had some sad days our beloved dog Cas passed away June 30th, 2012.

Over the summer we linked up with friends from our former church and God restored friendships in 2012 such a blessing. Celebrated my 42nd birthday in Manhattan with Cirque desoiel Zarkana, wax museum and dinner at serendipity. Anniversay we went to see Mary Poppins on broadway so much fun.

Fall 2012 I celebrated my Gods sons 3rd Birthday party @ Whitepost farms with hay rides, singing, animals, corn ummm...good!      

Winter 2012 my Floral business took off with big accounts that paid very well ok! I had someone prophecy to me and my husband back in 2009 and said she saw a business with trucks and delivery. I delivered all my floral arrangments that were ordred in my new 2012 truck and smiled all the way to the bank. There is more to come stay tuned.

Promotion on my Job and big raise, Thank you Jesus...

Had a blessed visit with my in-laws, some said it could never happen, but God said different, we are forming a loving relationship with my mother in-law and I love it!

Rang in 2013 with Hubby and looking forward to what God is going to do excited. This year God blessed, healed, united and delivered what a mighty God we serve.

 

We are so excited for what 2013 has in store for the O'Connor family! We already have vacations planned and ideas. We celebrated our 3rd year of marriage in September. Thank you so much to each of my readers for loving us and supporting us through 2012, can't wait for a new year with you!

      Peace and blessings my friends......