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This is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources with this weeks edition of Words for the Week, Christian Podcast where we bring you hope and encourgement brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

For today's Words for the Week I wanted to share with you a Marriage Covenant that I wrote up for my husband back in 2004 as a special way to renew our vows. Last week was our 10 year anniversary and I was reminded of these marriage vows that I wrote up to encourage my husband at that time.

The last ten years have been challenging as every married couple can understand yet wonderful and has brought two very special people into our lives, our daughter and son who we can't even imagine our lives being without.

But the longer we are with someone, the easier it gets to take for granted those that we love and not express how much they mean to us. I realized I had been taking for granted that my husband knew I loved him and this marriage covenant was a special way for me to tell him just how much I do love him and what he means to me.

I encourage you to do something similar and it doesn't even have to be your anniversary or Valentines day because doing things out of the blue and when it is least expected can make it even more meaningful and special.

Enjoy!

Come on over and join in the discussions at The What If Women Blog, we'd love to have you ponder the possibilities with us.

Also, feel free to join Friday morning's Virtuous Women's Gatherings in Penny Haynes audio conference room. at 9:00 CST / 10:00 EST

Until next week, this is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources, and Words for the Week, Christian Podcast Sponsored by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

This is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources with this weeks edition of Words for the Week, Christian Podcast where we bring you hope and encourgement brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Today you are going to be blessed as you listen to Glenda Watson Hyatt. She is an author of a book titled I’ll Do it Myself. She has been an incredible inspiration to me and I’m sure she will be to you as well learning about her life and all she has been able to accomplish despite living with Cerebral palsy. She is currently on a 40 blogs in 40 business days virtual book tour.

Well Welcome Glenda. I want first start out by saying that it is a great honor to be a part of your virtual book tour and it has been such a blessing to have met you - you truly are an inspiration and I would love to give our listeners a chance to get to know you as well so can you start out by giving our listeners some background information about yourself?

Thank you, Lori. I live in Surrey, just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia. I have cerebral palsy caused by a lack of oxygen at birth. For me, cerebral palsy is mainly a lack of muscle coordination and balance. I am unable to walk without falling every few steps, which doesn't tend to get me very far, very fast, thus I use an electric scooter for mobility. I have limited hand function, relying on only my left thumb to type. However, my biggest frustration is my unclear speech as I speak Glenda-ish, which few people take the time to understand. This is why I’m using Kate, my synthesized voice for this interview.

Despite my cerebral palsy, I have led a fairly normal life, attending regular class in my local high school and then going on to Simon Fraser University. After seven years of living independently on campus and typing all my papers and exams with my left thumb, I graduated with my Bachelors of Arts with a major in psychology and a minor in communications.

I have been married eight years now to a wonderfully supportive man Darrell, who also has cerebral palsy, which makes life twice as interesting!

And, I’ve recently released my autobiography I’ll Do It Myself in which I intimately share my life to show others that cerebral palsy is not a death sentence, but rather a life sentence. I focus on what I can do and what I do have; so many have much less than I do. I believe in possibility thinking and making things happen for myself. I am in a point in my life where life is good and I truly believe the future is mine.

2. And How have you managed to lead a fairly normal life with your disability as you said?

When I was young, my parents' philosophy was to introduce Glenda to the world and the world to Glenda. My parents encouraged me, telling me that I could do anything that I put my mind to. They told me there was no such word as can’t; only try, and to always try my best. They were always supportive no matter what I wanted to try, whether it was going to Brownies, starting horseback riding, leaving for university, getting married or buying a condo. That encouragement and support led me to lead a fairly normal and full life, despite my physical limitations.

3. Your parents philosophy obviously was a good thing in your life and really is a great philosophy all parents should be teaching their children. Can you recall when and how you personally began to get such a fierce determination yourself to accomplish your goals in life? One of course in particular for this blog interview being your book titled "I'll Do It Myself".

I think I have always been determined and fiercely independent, always preferring to do things myself.

I would like to share one story from my autobiography:

At Brownie camp Mom learned an important lesson: to sit on her hands as I tried to do something by myself, even if it took me longer to accomplish. Like most moms, time was in great demand. She worked full-time, raised four kids and kept the household running, and she didn’t always have the luxury of time to allow me to do something myself that she could do more quickly. However, she knew it was critical to allow me to do what I could myself, even if it took longer, in order to develop independence.

The Guiders taught Mom to sit on her hands whenever possible rather than rushing in to do things for me, but reality meant some compromises. On school day mornings, when timing was down to the minute, she dressed me. But, on weekends when we didn’t have to be anywhere early, I dressed myself, even though it could take half an hour or more. Who invented socks anyway? They were always a struggle, but I managed to get them on eventually. Because I preferred doing things myself rather than having others do them for me, I was nicknamed the “I’ll-do-it-myself” girl.

I have no doubt that that strong sense of independence has helped me get to where I am today. When it came time to decide upon a title for my book, I’ll Do It Myself was the obvious choice.

3. You sure have had to overcome some big obstacles in your life in order to achieve what others can do more easily but many don't because they allow excuses and circumstances to keep them from achieving their goals.

What inspirational Word for the Week can you give to our listeners in order to encourage them to stop making excuses and to just be determined to make it happen regardless of their circumstances and how things may look?

Perseverance. To me, perseverance means to keep going, no matter what. To do whatever it take to complete a task, to accomplish a goal or to reach a dream. To ignore naysayers and negative attitudes. To find creative solutions to navigate around barriers and obstacles.

When circumstances seem tough, remember Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." And Luke 1:37, which says, "For nothing will be impossible with God."

I would have to say Perseverance is a great Word for this Weeks Word for the Week. We all could use more perseverance in our lives and to stand on the promises of God in Phil. 4:13 and Luke 1:37 as you have shared in order to help us accomplish our goals and make sure we don’t give up on them when things get tough. Thank you so much Glenda for allowing us to be a part of your virtual book tour, it has truly been a blessing.

Lori, thank you so much for hosting today’s appearance of my virtual book tour. I would like to invite your listeners to join me for the last week of the virtual tour by visiting www.doitmyselfblog.com

Yes, be sure to visit www.doitmyselfblog.com to learn more about her, the virtual blog tour and/or get a copy of her book titled “I’ll do it myself”.

Be sure to join us each Friday at 9:00 am CST 10:00 am EST for our Virtuous Women's Gatherings in Penny Haynes audio conference room. Each month we will have a themed topic to discuss where women fellowship and share with one another what God is doing in their lives.

Until next week, this is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources, and Words for the Week, Christian Podcast Sponsored by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

This is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources with this weeks edition of Words for the Week, Christian Podcast where we bring you hope and encourgement brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Today I wanted to share with you Psalm 118. The reason I chose to share this scripture with you is because I received an email from Penny with a wonderful message with some beautiful pictures of God's creation called the Center of the Bible which I put into a powerpoint presentation and to which Penny added music as well.

I pray it is a blessing to you and that you have a wonderful week filled with God's blessings and have confidence that God is in the center of it all.

Be sure to join us each Friday at 9:00 am CST 10:00 am EST for our Virtuous Women's Gatherings in Penny Haynes audio conference room. Each month we will have a themed topic to discuss where women fellowship and share with one another what God is doing in their lives.

Until next week, this is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources, and Words for the Week, Christian Podcast Sponsored by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

This is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources with this weeks edition of Words for the Week, Christian Podcast where we bring you hope and encourgement brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Today I wanted to share with you some of my personal prayers for my marriage and family. I love to pray the scriptures so you will find this prayer to be filled with many wonderful scriptures that have been a great blessing to me and I hope to you as well.

As we commit to God in His ultimate covenant of love by spending time in His Word and prayer, He will do wonders in our marriage and family.

Be sure to join us each Friday at 9:00 am CST 10:00 am EST for our Virtuous Women's Gatherings in Penny Haynes audio conference room. Each month we will have a themed topic to discuss where women fellowship and share with one another what God is doing in their lives.

Until next week, this is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources, and Words for the Week, Christian Podcast Sponsored by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

This is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources with this weeks edition of Words for the Week, Christian Podcast brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Be sure to join us Friday January 5th at 9:00 am CST 10:00 am EST in Penny Haynes audio conference room.

With everyone making their new years resolutions, I wanted to share one of mine with you which is to read the bible from cover to cover and record them in order to be able to bless others with it. From time to time I will be posting them up here at Words for the Week, Christian Podcast but they will all be available to listen to from my website at Christian Women's Resources.

My first reading is Genesis 1-2:4 In the Beginning...

Also, be sure to join us tomorrow as Angela Willingham of www.mynewtemple.org will be talking about new beginnings and help us start the new year from the inside out with time afterwards for prayer, praise and fellowship.

Praying for you to have a blessed and prosperous new year.

From Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources, and Words for the Week, Christian Podcast Sponsored by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

This is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources with this weeks edition of Words for the Week brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

With many of us reflecting back at the year. I pray that our reflection is of gratitude even with the trials and mistakes that may have been made because it is through them that we learn to better ourselves. Choose to learn from them to make 2007 a better year. Don’t let the enemy keep you in past regrets and guilt, move forward towards God’s best for you.

With many people making new years resolutions and many of them being health or diet related, I thought I’d share with you a recording from the Virtuous Womens Retreat where Angela Willingham of MyNewTemple.org spoke on Holistic fitness from the inside out. I pray you will be blessed as you listen to her.

Be sure to also join us next Friday January 5th at 9:00 am CST 10:00 am EST in Penny Haynes audio conference room where Angela will be joining us once again to help us start the new year from the inside out with time afterwards for prayer, praise and fellowship.

Praying for you to have a blessed and prosperous new year.

From Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources, and Words for the Week, Christian Podcast Sponsored by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Hi, this is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources with this weeks edition of Words for the Week brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Today was the last day of our Virtuous Women's Retreat and I wanted to do something a little different at Words for the Week by sharing with you one of the inspirational workshops that was titled "A Christians Response to Halloween" since Halloween is next week in hopes to make it a holiday where you can take advantage of this opportunity we have as Christians to Witness for Jesus.

It was an incredible blessing to listen to all the wonderful speakers we had at the Virtuous Women's Retreat and I look forward to seeing what God is going to do next year. For those of you that have missed the women's retreat, you will still be able to access all the inspirational workshops as an mp3 download. I will be sure to let you know when they are available for you to access.

Be blessed as you listen to Bill Keller of www.liveprayer.com as he shared with us at the retreat and I pray that you will begin to use this holiday as a great way to Witness for Jesus as he talks about in his message and hopefully by next Spring it will be made into a legal Christian holiday.

This is Lori Arriaga of Christian Women's Resources and the Virtuous Women's Retreat, signing off now with this weeks edition of Words for the Week, brought to you by Encouraging Audiobooks.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Hi, this is Lori Arriaga with this weeks edition of Words for the Week, the Christian Podcast brought to you by the Virtuous Women’s Retreat and Encouraging Audiobooks.

I am going to continue on the theme of confidence this week. Today I want to talk about the 7 characteristics of a confident woman that I read about in Joyce Meyers book “The Confident Woman”. I believe it is good to remind ourselves of these 7 characteristics in order to better walk in Gods total confidence in all situations in our lives.

The 1st and foremost characteristic of a confident woman is that she knows she is loved by God unconditionally. She is rooted and established in love…she grasps how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ as it says in Eph. 3:17-18

The 2nd characteristic is she refuses to live in fear. She knows God did not give her a spirit of fear but of power of love and of a sound mind as it says in 2 Tim. 1:7

The 3rd characteristic is she is positive. She thinks about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, she thinks about such things as it says in Phil. 4:8.

The 4th characteristic is she recovers from setbacks. She learns from them and presses on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called her heavenward in Christ Jesus as it says in Phil. 3:14.

The 5th characteristic is she avoids comparisons. She knows God does not show favoritism as it says in Rom. 2:11 and that she is fearfully and wonderfully made.

The 6th characteristic is she is a woman who takes action. Once again, she presses on toward the goal, not just the goal of making it to heaven, but the goal of living the full life in Christ God has called her to live in the here and now with the spirit of power, of love and a sound mind.

The 7th characteristic of a confident woman is she doesn’t live in “if only” or “what if”. Just as the boy gave his five small loaves of bread and two fish to Jesus and he multiplied it to feed 5,000, Jesus can do the same with our lives if we just give him what we have.

Whether you are a confident person or not, I pray that you have been blessed by these Words for the Week. God has given us his life giving Word that we can meditate on and stand on to claim as our own, giving us the confidence to be the women he has called us to be. Go now and be the woman of God He has called you to be this week.

This is Lori Arriaga signing off now with this weeks Words for the Week.

Sponsored by the Virtuous Women’s Retreat and Encouraging Audio Books.

Donna Shepard

Well listeners, we have a new contributor this week and her name is Donna Shepard. She is a listener that volunteered to share her writing with you. Listen as she brings the word of God to life through one of her writings entitled "Devotionals by Donna: Living with expectancy". [Read More!]