October 10, 2026

What a difference 2 years makes.

2 years ago today, I returned home after Hurricane Milton hit Sarasota to find my carport, roof, back patio all gone. What was protection was now just mangled metal.

Devastated is an understatement, I was traumatized.

Where would I go? Where would I live?

Where was I going to sleep that night?

The shelter was closing, the storm was over, I could not go home. There was water damage, and no electricity.

I remember falling to the ground, just feeling so defeated.

Looking back, even though it was a very difficult time in my life, I know it's what brought me here, today, in Winter Park. Finally, after 2 years, meeting like mined women. Taking control of my health and finances.

So many beautiful things came out of something so messy and devastating, I am learning, there are so many things in this life we can't control. What we can do is control how we respond to those things.

As humans, we want to fix everything. We want to be in control of everything. News flash -

THAT NEVER WORKS.

As Christ followers, we need to keep our eyes on the One who is holding the pen and writing our story. We can't control everything that happens to us, but we can choose how we respond.

We can choose faith over fear, gratitude over bitterness, and forgiveness over resentment. Just as Jesus taught us to forgive seventy times seven, we keep choosing Him, even when life doesn't go the way we planned.”

Happy Hurricane Milton Day - remember,

Keep it Simple,

God Loves you, and so do I!

P.S. Check out this week’s episode on the Mighty Caregivers Circle YouTube channel. Jeremy and I sat down with Maria D. as she shared the ups and downs of life and how she’s overcome some pretty difficult challenges. After 15 years with the same company, she lost her job. She’s also facing a diagnosis of glaucoma that may leave her permanently blind, and most recently, she became a victim of real estate fraud.

Life doesn’t always go the way we planned. But how we respond, where we put our faith, and how we keep moving forward matter.

You can watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/INSYMWh4WGg?si=iEzUi8O7bJjpbFNJ

Join Maria D's Community here: https://www.skool.com/rise-and-thrive-with-success-8099/about?ref=8c01eb577816475f8ad152bef223daa1