ME-as I go through this zany, marvelous, difficult experience called: "LIFE"!

          Thought for the Day May your coffee be stro ng Your socks not have holes in them Your shoes match Your shirt not be inside out And when you leave your home May you not have forgotten to put your pants on!             Evelyn Pinto     March 30, 2017

Our church group, Experience Life Group, routinely go out to a restaurant together. Tonight, we got into cars and voyaged to Jimmy’s Steak House. There, at this restaurant, we shared a meal and conversation(s). More than two thousand years ago, Jesus walked the Earth and lived among us as fully human. Jesus frequently ate with His disciples, his friends and others, while talking to them, conversing with them and teaching them. I’d like to think we all were doing just as when Jesus lived among us. We were practicing fellowship with each other, while breaking bread together. Tonight was a night of fellowship as Christians, enjoying good food with great friends!           Evelyn Pinto          March 29, 2017

I I have very visible illnesses that sometimes hide, both, the invisible scars inside me and the person I am. I need oxygen to breathe and I use a wheelchair and a walker. I am “not” the wheelchair! I dislike it immensely when people refer to me as “the girl in the wheelchair”. Please don't ignore me. People sometimes pretend I don't exist, like I’m invisible. I am here and very much alive! I do need help, yes, and I very much appreciate the help people give me. Please don't, though, rob me of my independence, pride and dignity in the process. I am a competent person, capable of making   my own decisions. Don't make my decisions for me. Please, do “not” talk to me like I’m a child. I am an adult and immensely dislike condescending behavior aimed at me. Please, get to know me before you even begin to judge me or label me. Seriously, don’t judge me or label me. I hate labels and being labeled! Don't be afraid of me because of...

In the journey of my life, I always tended to be different. I really had no interest to be like everyone else. I certainly did not follow the crowd! When I was much younger, and not acting like the rest of my peers, there tended to be some bullying. There has also been a mad rush, by professionals, to label me. Did I tell you, I really, really dislike labels? I don't understand why, when I just want to be myself, people have to put a label on me! Let me sing in the hallways! Let me laugh when I think it’s funny! Let me dance in the streets, even if it’s just doing wheelies in my wheelchair! Please, allow me to be that person God intended me to be! I may be a bit weird but, I’m real and somewhat unique! Let me be who I am! Let me be “ME”!                 Evelyn Pinto                 June 22, 2016 ...

Winter made its’ majestic presence known, as the blizzard raged outside. Adventurous as I was, I sought to experience firsthand the fury of nature, by going outside into this winter storm. The air was cold but, brisk and refreshing. The wind wailed loudly in a wild, ferocious manner! I decided, after 10 minutes of testing winter’s fury, it was definitely a day to be inside!             Evelyn Pinto            March 14, 2017

This event happened in an earlier time of my life. This memory came to my mind in an earlier writng. I hope you can see a bit of your own experience from this memory of mine. It was a very, very emotionally charged time for me last night. I found myself outside gazing at the night sky. I figured it would be the fastest way to reach God, to desperately ask Him for help. A kind soul reached out to me, guiding me inside, out of the cold winter night. This person, with an investment in wisdom, told me that God was already in me and I did not have to go outside to reach Him. Another concerned person cuddled me in a soft, comforting hug. Totally exhausted. I moved to the nearest lounge chair and slipped into a much needed sleep, for hours. If you're thinking that God doesn't answer prayers, I am a testimony that he most definitely does answer our prayers, in His way, His Time. We humans may think may think our way is better but, God's way is ...

Dear Friends, You never know what the future will hold. From one day to the next (one moment to the next), our life can change dramatically. Yesterday, I began feeling sick. My body began hurting so much, I could barely move. Pain, excruciating pain, has plagued my body since yesterday. I could not even lift a coffee pot at breakfast. This morning, I am having a difficult time breathing. I also have the chills. I have an appointment with my primary care physician this morning. I am hoping, and I’m passionately praying, for a remedy (or remedies) to what is happening in my body. I don’t know what is going to happen form this day on. I do know I am in “The Arms of God!” You know, my dear friends, there is no place I would rather be than in God’s protection! Love, peace and with gracious gratitude to my God,                      Evelyn Pinto                ...

Dear Friends, I have great news! I have been walking more. I have been a prisoner of a wheelchair long enough! With the aid of a walker, “I am walking!” I am careful to listen to my body. When I need a break, I take it! When I need to rest, I rest! I use supplementary oxygen to breathe adequately. As with most people with respiratory illness and who also use supplementary oxygen, my oxygen saturation goes down with exertion. That is why I’m extra careful when moving. After I master walking, my friends, I’ll commence my flying! As you see me zipping   by, please bellow words of encouragement. Your reassuring words inspire me to move forward. Thank you! With sincerity, hope, love, prayers and dreams,                         Evelyn Pinto                ...

One of Maplewood Baptist Church's Experience Life Groups had a party. Our pastor and group leader, Pastor Gary McClenthen, is now a proud grandfather. So, we had a party! We enjoyed cake, ice cream and fellowship with one another. It was also a time of fun and laughte! Thank you,Barbara, Judy, Bonnie, Rosanne and David for organizing this special time! And thank you, Pastor Gary! Evelyn Pinto March 1, 2017

I was taking a walk one Sunday recently. The sun was so bright that morning, the trees looked orange This is how I saw the world on that day: _Evelyn All Photos were taken by Evelyn Pinto