JUST JULIANA

Installing Love

2011-03-07T14:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a beautiful email I got from my friend in India. Thank you Sarika :)

Installing Love

Tech Support: Yes, how can I help you?

Customer: Well , after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are Running?

Tech Support: What programs are running?

Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

TechSupport: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer Disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?

Customer: I don't Know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not running on internal components." What should I do?

Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

Customer: So, what should I do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.

Customer: Okay, done.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before We hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

(The Tech Support was nobody, but GOD Himself)

Just Juliana

What A Difference A Year Makes

2011-01-04T14:06:00.001-08:00

What a difference a year makes. Last year was a little challenging, but throughout those challenges I was able to see how God’s plan was working in my life and my family. I admitted, I didn’t always see His work/plan right away, and sometimes I wondered why us? but as the year passed I saw His answers more clearly and learned to understand why. He has a perfect plan for me and my family.

Earlier last year we were faced with one of those, wonderful, curved balls life throws at you. We had to pull together as a family, made hard decisions and moved on. One year later, and I can honestly say that, personally, I am almost healed; I know the scars are there, but the pain is finally gone. I had a lot of support, starting with my husband, he was my rock. My 8 year old son who made me laugh all the time, my family, my friends, a very special family (our friends whom I am eternally grateful for) that opened their home to us, that same day, and guided us, my Wild Wacky Women’s community bible group and the example of an amazing young girl’s strength and faith.

What can I say about this wonderful young girl… she is an amazing, smart, loving, sweet, normal 13 year old girl, with a little attitude and all. Earlier last year, she was faced with that curved ball thrown straight at her. She struggled for some time. She fought, and fought hard. She worked and worked hard. Her life changed and she embraced the change. She saw the light, she kept her faith, she stayed true to herself and she forgave. She freed herself, and she became a warrior. This precious young girl was such an example to me…and I am so proud and honor to be… her mother. I love you Cassidy, you rock!!!! You amazed me every day….I know that God has something very special planned for her life.

Here I am, in my office, thinking what a difference a year makes. How far she has come in 12 months and how far we have come as a family. I feel so very blessed. I have a wonderful husband, two amazing kids, great family, health, some great new friendships, reconnected with some old friends and an awesome church family.

Time does heal!!! Have faith.

Just Juliana

Take Time

2010-11-24T07:41:00.000-08:00

Take time to think; it is the source of power.
Take Time to read: is the foundation of wisdom
Take time to play; it is the secret of staying young.
Take time to be quiet; it is the opportunity to seek God.
Take time to be aware; it is the opportunity to help others.
Take time to love and be loved; it is God's greatest gift.
Take time to laugh; it is the music of the soul.
Take time to be friendly; it is the road to happiness.
Take time to dream; it is what the future is made of.
Take time to PRAY, it is the greatest power on earth.

Author Unknown

Just Juliana

Knowlton's Journey for the Cure: Day 98: Steve is in North Miami, Florida

2010-11-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Check out this story. It really touches our hearts. Some of you know that my husband, Joe, suffers from this desease. Joe was diagnosed 8 years ago, he has some good days and some bad days, but we hope and pray that they do more research and find the cure.

Here is Steve's journey, you can check his blog too.

Steve Knowlton , 44, of Prior Lake is about halfway through his run from Seattle, Wa. to Key Largo, Fla., aimed at raising money for Crohn’s disease research. A marathon runner since age 13, Knowlton was diagnosed with the chronic gastrointestinal disease in his first year of college. The money he raises will go to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.

On Tuesday this week, Knowlton answered his cell phone while running down a highway and pushing his gear in a baby stroller just outside of Clinton, Mo. He stopped to sit down and chat, not at all fazed about having a phone conversation while cars and trucks whizzed past him.

“I’m on a good highway today,” he said. “It has a nice, wide shoulder.”
That wasn’t the case in Kansas, where Knowlton – a longtime Prior Lake resident and a graduate of Prior Lake High School – said he hit the most difficult stretch of his journey so far.

“I had a really rough time going through Kansas,” he said. “There were no shoulders on the roads. It wasn’t flat – it was very hilly. There was a lot of traffic and a lot of wind.”

As evidenced by his back-of-the-squad-car experience, Knowlton has attracted the attention of locals in towns he passes through, including some strange looks – and calls to police. Though he initially carried a backpack, he ditched that plan and bought a baby stroller at a store in Yakima, Wa. six days into the run.

“My backpack got to be too much for my knees and ankles,” he said. “The only thing I could find was this kids’ stroller. So I bungee-corded my backpack to it, and the stroller has some baskets to carry some of my supplies. It works out perfectly.
“The only setback is, I’ve been pulled over by about 20 different policemen. People call and say, ‘There’s a crazy guy pushing a kid in a stroller down the highway.’”
Knowlton understands the curiosity, but he admits the stops are frustrating because they slow him down. Running an average of 36 miles per day (and some days more than 50 miles), he’s hoping to reach Key Largo by early November.

Though his spirits were low throughout his time in Kansas, a visit from his parents earlier this week rejuvenated him. It was the first time he’d seen anyone he knows since his run started in Seattle on July 30.

“It really pumped up my spirits to see my parents,” he said. “The hardest part of this has been missing my girlfriend, my family and friends.”

His parents, Gary and Mary Knowlton, flew to Clinton, Mo. and had dinner with their son on Monday. Gary has been tracking every town and hotel his son stays at, and he’s keeping track of how many miles per day Steve runs.

“I’m so glad we went – he said it really made a difference to him,” said Mary Knowlton, who brought her son some nutritional products donated by a local resident, as well as shirts and caps donated by the Prior Lake business T-shirts and More.
Knowlton’s parents also brought him a new pair of shoes.
“I’m on my fourth and fifth pairs now,” Knowlton said.

The runner also has gone through a whole lot of food. He mostly drinks Gatorade or powder-based Propel mixed with water. He buys nutrition bars, oatmeal cookies and other “simple things I can eat real quick during the day,” he said.

“I eat a lot. My appetite is huge. I ate three Subway 12-inch sandwiches in one night,” he said, laughing.

Despite his caloric intake, Knowlton, who weighed 185 pounds when he left Seattle, is down to 168 pounds.

“Steve is so slim and looks fit,” his dad wrote on his blog, at www.knowltesrun.blogspot.com. Gary frequently updates the blog, but his son also contributes whenever he can find a computer at a hotel.

On his journey, Knowlton has run into both the good and bad of the human condition. Some people, including several pastors and hotel owners, have taken him in, given him a place to stay and fed him.
Some drivers move over politely for him. Others actually try to run him off the road.

“Hills, I can handle. It’s when there’s no shoulder that I get nervous,” he said. “Fearing for my life makes for a long day.”

On the flip side, Knowlton had his best experience at Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, named for the mineral springs that boil out of lava rocks at the base of cliffs along the Portneuf River. Indian tribes regard the site as sacred.

Not only did the springs relax his muscles, but Knowlton also is convinced they made his hair less gray.

“If they could bottle that water and ship it, I’d buy it,” he said.

But he might have gotten a few gray hairs back the next day in Soda Springs, Idaho. As he ran down the highway in the early morning hours, a huge wolf ran across the highway, just 50 yards in front of him.

Knowlton, who has gotten a smattering of media coverage as he runs across the country, wants to bring more attention to the cause. So far, he’s raised just $3,000 of the $100,000 he hopes to gather for Crohn’s disease causes.

Still, calls and visits from loved ones, and the kindness of strangers, have kept him going.

“I remember sitting in the airport in Seattle going, ‘What am I doing?’” he said. “It was the fear of the unknown. I feel like I’ve changed a lot and gotten a lot stronger through this. There are many challenges ahead for me, but I don’t fear them.”

Lori Carlson can be reached at (952) 345-6378 or editor@plamerican.com.

Donate
Steve Knowlton hopes to increase donations to his run for Crohn’s disease causes. So far, he’s raised about $3,000 of the $100,000 goal he hopes to reach.
To donate, visit www.knowltesrun.com or send donations to Steve Knowlton, 14977 Manitou Road, Prior Lake, MN, 55372.

Just Juliana

Knowlton's Journey for the Cure: Day 98: Steve is in North Miami, Florida: "Steve ran thirty-six miles to North Miami, Florida today. As he was running through Fort Lauderdale, he had an hour and one-half interview,..."

The Wilderness

2010-08-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks I have been doing a ladies Bible study in how to get to the Promise Land. I have learned that in order to get there I will be faced with challenges that will allow me to grow spiritually. In the study these very special times are called “The Wilderness”.

I am currently in the wilderness, I am facing a challenge that is very dear to my heart, but I am being still, and I am listening. These are not two of my biggest qualities when I am under emotional stress…. Yes, I am in a very uncomfortable place in my life at this moment, but I have God's promise and I know that HE will deliver. I need to stay firm and no matter what kind of attacks I get on the way, I am ready, bring it on. I am standing strong, strong in my faith and ready to fight.

My life is in His hands and I am ready to continue my walk and grow!!!!

Just Juliana

I am a Proud Woman

2009-08-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent me this from across the world (India). What an encouragement to all woman. Enjoy it...

Juliana

"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its trouble, It empties today of its strength."

Just Beautiful!!
What makes me weak? My fears.....
What makes me whole? My God.
What keeps me standing? My faith.
What makes me compassionate? My selflessness..
What makes me honest? My integrity.
What sustains my mind? My quest for knowledge.
What teaches me all lessons? My mistakes.
What lift's my head high? My pride, not arrogance.
What if I can't go on? Not an option.
What makes me victorious? My courage to climb.
What makes me competent? My confidence .
What makes me sensual? My insatiable essence..
What makes me beautiful? My everything.
What makes me a woman? My heart ..
Who says I need love? I do.
What empowers me? My God & Me.
Who am I? I AM A PROUD STRONG WOMAN!

South Carolina

2009-07-22T12:56:00.001-07:00

We finally made it to South Carolina on Sunday evening. We are having a terrific time with our friends and their kids. They are amazing.

Monday we enjoyed boating in the lake doing some knee boarding and tubing. We stopped at a place called the waterfall and stopped to eat lunch there. We also visited another place called the “Rock”. People jumped from the rock to the lake. The rock is about three- story high…Scary, but my hubby did it…not me!!!

Our children are loving all the water sports activities. The weather is incredible sunny, Mid 80’s low humidity …beautiful

Check out our day at the lake.

Hola amigos. Finalmente llegamos a Las Carolinas del Sur. Llegamos a la casa de unos amigos de mi esposo y la estamos pasando de maravilla con ellos y sus hijos. Son una familia encantadora.

El Lunes disfrutamos el dia paseando en el bote y esquiando. Paramos a descanzar y almorzar en la cascada, Y luego nos fuimos para un lugar llamado “La Piedra”. La Piedra es in sitio que es mas o menos de la altura de un edificio de tres pisos y la genta salta de la piedra al lago….para mi fue un poco miedoso, pero mi esposo si s alto…ahhhh!!!!

Nuestros hijos estan disfrutanto las actividades acuaticas al maximo… aqui estan algunas fotos.

Father and daughter knee boarding for the first time

Waterfall

First time knee boarding....he was having a blast

He still got it!!!!!

Juliana

Daytona Beach - Day 2

2009-07-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

Once again we had a good day here at Daytona Beach. We enjoyed a great morning at the beach before a thunderstorm made us go inside. We enjoyed a walk to the pier and a little shopping... :-)

Sitting at the beach watching my husband and kids enjoying the waves and laughingI felt so blessed. I felt full of peace and happiness. I was thankful for the time we got to get away and spend together. I was thankful for our family, for our marriage, and our children.

Right now we are relaxing after a fun day.

Tomorrow we are going to have a long day driving to South Carolina...

Have a great Sunday...will be checking soon

Juliana

Vacation

2009-07-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family, here I am again ...blogging!!!!! Well, today we started our vacation. We are at Daytona Beach and are having a great time.

I have to confess... I was coming to the vacation with a negative attitude, but after getting here and really puting things into prespective my attitude changed completely. We had a great time earlier at the beach, and we are currently watching Disney chanel with the kids....I am so relax that decided to blog again and share some of our vacation with you guys...

I'll be back soon :)

Check out some of the pictures from today

View from our apartment

What a view....rainbow

Hanging out

Check out Joe and the kids boogie boarding

We love the beach

Here I am Again

2008-11-11T19:14:00.000-08:00

Here I am again.

I originally started writing for fun, writing to keep in touch with love ones that live far away.

I closed my other blog because I thought..."I have no time to write, I have no idea what I want to write about and the truth is....it became a chore.

During these past couple of months I have been sort of re-organizing my life, my thoughts..finding Juliana again, and decided that I want it to start writing again. I might not write every day, but I will come to my blog to share with you whatever comes to my mind...silly, crazy, interesting, not so interesting....who knows....most likely will be about my family.

It is good to be back writing and sharing some of my crazy-normal life with all of you.

Have a great one

Juliana