My book

This past Sunday when I was leaving church a man and lady pulled up to where I was standing. The woman asked me if I was the one who shared the week before and I nodded yes. She told me my story was inspirational  and she really wanted to read my book. ( At church on Mother's Day I shared about my mother starting a fire in our home when I was a senior and the devastating effects that had on me. Then shared about me trying to control others in my life and how that caused chaos and dysfunction. My feedback was very positive. The most common feedback I get is that I am genuine, transparent, and open:) She asked me if she could buy a copy then but I told her it wasn't published yet and that I was really working on that. Her words were very encouraging and the fact that she went out of her way to drive up and speak to me. Honestly I have so much going on right now with my new job I can't focus on the book but once I get settled , begin to experience financial freedom, and adjust to all my new blessings I will see about self publishing the book. God told me one day ( it seemed as if it was audible) that the dreams he placed in my heart ( book and speaking) whould happen in HIS timing. That I was to wait and not try to make it happen in my timing so I am trusting HIM. Looking to see what HE has planned BUT I love that there is interest in my story and a desire for my book. That makes me feel awesome !!

Always Thankful !!!

Today has been 23 months and Alexis is heavy on my heart but I am in a good place because I rely on God and HIS word , I try my best to live by HIS word and although I know I fail everyday I cling to HIM and HIS Living Word : 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  I haven't shared the video in awhile so it thought I would today . This year on the anniversary of her death, June 7 , we are going to replace the cross, the wreath , and the sign to freshen up this beautiful place where ALEXIS ROSE to be with JESUS. I am so very blessed:))

Alexis Rose Washington from Susan DeFace Washington on Vimeo.

Planting seeds while trying on shoes :)

I shared my story today with a man from Bangladesh who is Muslim. I was shopping for a pair of shoes and we began to talk which led me to telling him I was sharing at church this Sunday . He asked me what I share and I told him I usually share my testimony but Sunday I was sharing a story that went along with the series we are doing. He then asked me about my testimony so I told him it all and shared how because I have Jesus I always have hope now no matter what happens . He asked if I had a card and I gave him one telling him to check out my website :)) he thanked me and I thanked God for another opportunity to share who HE is in unexpected situations. Now I'm praying for this man's heart to soften so God can reveal who HE is. Planting seeds while trying on shoes :))

God is Amazing

God is amazing and I love how HE worked powerfully yesterday as I shared my story. I spoke to four classes of 4th graders sharing my life and how it has been transformed. Pointing out that the choices we make can have lifelong consequences both good and bad plus I emphasized the importance of being kind to one another and how you can change a person’s day , even life, by saying an encouraging word, giving someone a genuine smile, and by being a friend because the bottom line is you never know what someone might be going through even if they have a smile on their face and a bounce to their step. The first class I spoke to were moved to tears and while that does happen with my story I felt there was a deeper connection as I spoke . When I got to Alexis dying in a car accident I could see the overwhelming effect but I stressed there was hope and that my God , who has saved me, has seen me through this horrible tragedy and that I have joy even when I am sad. When I finished the teacher came to me in tears and hugged me telling me that just a month ago one of the classmates died in a car accident. His mother had been drinking and the car flipped killing two of her children. It was a horrible tragic story and the students are still in such pain and shock from this loss. The teacher told me my story was perfect and came in perfect timing. Praying for this sweet class of children , praying God will bring healing. God surely sent me there for a reason and what a blessing it was to me to share my hope with these hurting students. He is on HIS throne and in control and that brings me such comfort and peace !!

Dates and Numbers

Dates and numbers have always been important and meaningful in my life. April 24 is no exception. 13 years ago today at about this time I was sitting in a motel room on the edge of the bed crying hysterically because I couldn't see a way out of the mess I had made of mY life . CPS had taken my kids from school days earlier and my husband was in jail and I couldn't talk to any of them. I was too scared to call my dad and I felt so terribly alone , more alone than I had ever felt. The one person I knew I could reach out to because she loved me unconditionally was my sister, but she had died two years earlier. In that desperate moment I made the decision to end my life, to end the pain and shame. I didn't know how I was going to do it but I thought that was my only option . Then God in HIS love and mercy intervened prompting me to make a call to the HR department of Garland ISD. It didn't make sense , but a lot of times God doesn't make sense, because I didn't know anyone there . It was crazy but I called anyway and God placed an angel , named Mary , on the other end of that line who treated me with love and kindness and gave me a plan. The darkness almost won that day but HIS light broke through and the hopelessness left. In that moment I chose life. I have never again gone to that darkest place , not even when I faced prison or when Alexis died , events much more tragic and painful to me. God had me in the palm of HIS hand and since that day there has always been hope , if even just a flicker. So today I praise HIM for saving me that day and never giving up on me . I thank HIM for giving me eyes to see that it wasn't hopeless and that I was stronger than I thought even when I didn't really know HIM. He still loved me when I didn't even recognize who HE was. One of the most powerful moments in my life . Feeling thankful!! Don't forget there is ALWAYS hope!! 

Isaiah 42:3 He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. He will see full justice given to all who have been wronged.