Another Life Gone

 I was reading  facebook this morning and one of our sheriff deputy's had been asked if he had had a good shift. Well, not so much. A 14 year old boy took his own life - no one knows why. People, we must wake up and try to help those who are depressed or talking about taking their life. I know it is hard - we had NO clue when Matthew took his life. Everyday I hear of another person who has taken their life. God is the only one who knows the answers. Pray, ask Him for direction on how to help someone. My book is very informative and has a great resource directory. I thank God for His wisdom and direction to my special friend who was my inspiration in writing my book, A Life Too Short: Matt's Story. All I can do is pray for all and pray that my book will touch someone as soon as it hits the store shelves. God can and will help if you are struggling. All you have to do is accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and then pray for wisdom. He is the only one that will always be there for you.

A Sunny Day

It is a beautiful sunny day, yet very windy. That's ok - It will melt the snow and hopefully warm up as tennis season is right around the corner. I'm already getting the girl's sizes and geting ready for our first meeting February 1. In the meantime my copyeditor is finishing up and I will be meeting my conceptual editor the first week of February. God has blessed me so much. I can't believe this is really happening. I have met so many wonderful and different people through this process. I really have high expectations for myself so please pray for me.

Snow

Well we have certainly been hit with snow the last week or so. Yesterday was beautiful with the sun out and glistening on the snow. I ventured out for a few errands and have done the same today. We are suppose to get 5 more inches today followed by freezing rain. That ought to be interesting. I have several things to do tomorrow - maybe I'll just ice skate my way to town!! God has kept me safe all these years on our crazy driveway. I will just trust him.

Snowed in

With all the snow I don't want to venture out. Our driveway can be nasty and I don't want to get stuck or have to walk. Guess I'm lazy! So today I started working on some photos from Junior High and college. I started Creative Memories scrapbooking several years ago. Instead of going way back to the beginning I started with Tami's birth and moved forward. I recently took photos from old scrapbooks and decided to just put them in small albums rather than all the extra work. I found pictures from 7th grade on through my junior year in college. In particular I found  pictures from my days in the Wenatchee Youth Circus. They brought back fond memories. Some are not the best - dad had most of the pictures on slides which my brother is working on. Anyhow, I have them all organized and ready to put in several small albums. A great day to do this and so many memories.

Winter has Arrived

We made it through November, December and most of January with just a sciff of snow. The Seattle area is getting hit hard today and we are suppose to get it tomorrow. It has tried to snow but just fizzles out. Oh darn. The sun is just know popping out which of course makes me very happy!! I use to ice skate, ski and sled and a little snowmobilling. Now, I am always cold and can hardly stand to go outside, I just get chilled and never warm up. Besides the cold, maybe it is the darkness, the mountains closing in and thinking about the lose of Matthew. He will never have to worry about anything again. He is in Heaven - the best place ever. I need to look on the bright side and know that one day we will reunite. In the meantime the snow will do it's thing and I will pray that it is gone by February 27 when high school tennis begins. Nothing like having to shovel the courts before practice.

Suicide

As each day goes by it seems like more and more people are taking their own life. If you are contemplating taking your life or know of someone who is contemplating it, let me explain a little something to you. Whether you think so or not someone does love you. If you disagree and/or don't believe me stop and think of all those in your life, whether that may be a good friend, family, co-worker,  or neighbor. Maybe I haven't named everyone but you get my point. Think what it would do to them if you were no longer around. Oh, I know you can't think straight, you are in pain, you think no one likes you or would miss you. You are wrong! Those of us who are left after such a tragedy NEVER will get over it. There are people out there who can help you. All you have to do is ask. Save your pride for another day. There is a greater way to find love, support, guidance and eternal life - that is, Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Let me tell you, after Matthew died I didn't want to live either. A mother's love is so strong yet I could not help him. I didn't even know the heartache he was going through. But the Lord was always, and still is, by my side. He will never leave me. Ask Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior. He loves you and me and will never leave us. You will see, I am right.

Who I am

I have been an athlete, a teacher, a coach for gymnastics, cheerleading and tennis, a personal trainer, a parent of three children, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a faith-filled Christian. After Matt's death, I became associated with Concern of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) and I now am the Washington State Concern of Police Survivors Suicide Liaison. I have been assisting other survivors as they work through their shock and grief. I have contributed a biography of Matthew and a mother's letter to him for the newly published book, My Life for Your Life, by Clarke and Tracie Paris of The Pain Behind the Badge,Inc. I know what it takes to succeed in athletics, and in life, and I know the pain a death can cause, so I want to share my experiences with others to save lives. I'm passionate about this process (writing A Life Too Short: Matt's Story) and I am determined that this material will be in print soon to help others.

God is Great

I am so blessed. I received word yesterday that production of A Life Too Short:Matt's Story, has begun. I heard from my director of copyediting and she walked me through the process I will be going through. I sent off my endorsements yesterday and my photos will be sent this week. PRAISE THE LORD

A New Year

I am looking forward to 2012. I am retiring from coaching tennis, effective June 30. My book, A Life Too Short: Matt's Story, should be ready for prelaunch around July.
With retirement my husband and I can do so much more. Promoting my book, travelling, working in the yard, seeing the grandkids more and basically doing what we want without a schedule. My husband wants to do more Men's Ministry. I know he is a bit nervous about the retirement "thing." He knows it's time but has a fear what will "I" do. He will be fine but I guess it can be a little scarey. To tell you the truth I am just plain excited.
God is great and I know with us following His will, Not our own, we will be just fine.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year - 2012. Be sure to checkout my FB Julie Zielinski Author and follow along with little teesers from my up and coming book.
May God Bless You all.