Gig Harbor Washington USA

                                    A group of fishing boats. For many years Gig Harbor was
                                    known for being a fishing town. Many of them still go fish
                                    up in Alaska or off the Washington Coast. They are on their
                                    way right now.

                                       
                                         See East Gig Harbor my neighborhood growing up
                                         with Mount Rainier in the background.

We are all called for a purpose in a place we call home. I fortunately, live in a small town around ten thousand in the top western part of The United States.

Gig Harbor has grown about three times from what it was when I was a child. There are areas where land is now developed with homes when there were none when I was a child.

Gig Harbor is on the east end of the Kitsap-Olympic Peninsula. Looking east, when it isn’t cloudy, we can see Mount Rainier which is the second largest mountain in the United States. So blessed to have beautiful scenery; looking west is another group of mountains called the Olympic Mountains.

Being on a Peninsula, not only is Gig Harbor situated with water; it is surrounded by it.

Just outside of Gig Harbor is Commencement Bay, where Tacoma, Washington the second largest city in the state is. The population is around 250,000 in the city limits and over half a million in the surrounding area. To get to Tacoma by car you have to cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. When I was growing up there was only one bridge now there is two. A major reason the population has increased. Also, there is a toll on the bridge; just the direction to Tacoma only.

Seattle, Washington the largest city in the state takes about an hour to drive to depending on traffic which can be very busy at times. There is an interstate freeway that runs through Tacoma and Seattle. Gig Harbor is south and west of Seattle. Whenever I go to Seattle which isn’t often I feel I go into a whole new world.

Right now Tacoma is where more real estate is being sold than anywhere in the United States. Along with Gig Harbor and the surrounding area; the major reason is Seattle has become very expensive to buy property; however, it is getting more expensive in Tacoma and Gig Harbor.

I grew up on water property in the east end of Gig Harbor. There are many more homes there. My old house is one of three or four that are still around. The rest have been torn down and replaced with larger homes. The water property is very expensive so most of the homes and land are valued over a million dollars. The other day I viewed online a home that is up for sale going for over two million dollars. So you see Gig Harbor is an expensive place to live.

So now you know where my world is and the people I get to know, serve, and love as my purpose. Have yourself a wonderful and blessed weekend.  

It Is All About You

When it comes to our life purpose; though God gave us the tools which  another name for talents he has given us free will to go after our purpose or not.

I figure the answer should be yes when it comes to your life purpose because you will be the happiest when doing so but again it is still up to you.

I have mentioned before that distractions can get in the way as well but we must decide this is the road we want to walk on instead of letting the distractions get the best of us.

I can say that I am not perfect when leading my life of purpose. In fact, I have to say I am imperfect though I try to do so every day to follow my purpose.

I have given advice here to and probably will continue to but the important thing is for you to get your answers on your own whether it is listening to me, a friend or mentor.

We can be someone who does great things as well. It depends on our faith whether we can or not. Often we are told that we won’t make it even by those closest to us but we can overcome the obstacles that get in the way.

I say the best to you on your journey working things out. I know you can do it too.

Love Always

Jesus commanded that we love one another. We know that it isn’t always easy to follow.

There are those who may seem to us not to be loveable or hard to love anyway. These are the ones we have to go out and love the most.

I believe there are those who have the gift of loving others that the normal human being would have a hard time to do so. We should ask God for this gift for those times we need to do so.

May your love for others turn the corner today. When you see someone that you have had trouble loving in the past say I love that person in your heart. Amen!

Distractions

Often distractions get us off from completing what we need to get done. It can be a phone call or kids for that matter.

Today I have a distraction we may say and that is a cold. I have to either not do something or put it off for a little while since I will need to have some rest.

We can’t avoid distractions but we can solve those we can in a timely manner. I hope your day will be good and you will be able to avoid distractions.

Peace To You

We all need to have peace in our lives as time sometimes gives us trouble.

Sunday night ministry time I was surprised to see an old friend who had come for prayer. Not only was I surprised to see him he was surprised to see me too. He didn’t expect me to be there as much I did him. After it was good to catch up more with him; I told him where I hang out a lot so ever have the time to stop by. He is possibly going to come for a visit during church service too.

Life can bring sadness well as joy; however, the surprises can be the best gift of all. May you have a wonderful week and peace that is beyond all understanding be in your heart. Amen!

Shocking News

On Saturday I read news about a couple ladies that I was in school with passed away. I don’t know the details on their deaths but both too young to die.

One of the gals was in my class and I hadn’t seen here in years though still lived in the area. Her older brother passed away a couple or so years ago to. I would say probably at the same age; sadness for their families.

The other gal is a couple years younger than me. I didn’t know as well though I knew who she was. I knew her husband who is a year younger than me much better. I have seen them both around town over the years. He is running a business that his father started. I am so sorry for his loss and their family.

It shows we have to do the best we can today because tomorrow is never promised. We should never put off or on hold our purpose in our lives. Not just because of us but those around us.

I am sure both of these ladies had an impact on their families and friends. I will surely miss them to though as I said I didn’t see much of them over the years.

Saturday night I went to a retirement and wedding anniversary party for a couple I know. We are the same age though I didn’t grow up with either one. They came to Washington State 22 years ago from California. I consider them good friends.

The party was much fun hearing from their children about the impact they were on them. It will be interesting to see where their lives go and what their purposes are during this next chapter of life.

He and I have plans to go to a Seattle Mariners game in late July. In fact, we plan to go to a day game which we have never done together before. The week before the game he will be biking with his son from Seattle to Portland. This is an event they have participated together for several years. The ride takes two days and covers 200 miles. His wife or one of his daughters will drive and pick them up in Portland to return home.  In August he and his wife will take a trip to California to see family and old friends. This time he doesn’t have to worry how much vacation time it will take.

So enjoy today as it is and I hope you have many tomorrows ahead as well. God bless you!

Set People Free

Social media seems less friendly to me these days. Some people are mean or they continue to write about politics they agree on.

I have found myself hiding a lot of posts that are related to politics regardless if I favor their side or not. Also, there are posts that people try to be funny as well.

Most of my friends I already know how they feel about politics but they continue to feed the same info. I even mentioned that I was going to hide their posts. They were fine with it though they continue to say the same thing over and over again. I don’t really get it.

They say that since there is freedom of speech they can say whatever they want to which is true, but don’t they know they are getting people more upset.

So I say set people free. Let people know what your life is like and not just how you feel about something. I am fine with people’s opinion but to repeat it over and over again is tiresome. I prefer encouraging people in a positive way.

At least here you know what I am posting. I appreciate it when you read my post whenever you can. Thank you!

Living Your Life Purpose

I really hope that you have discovered your life purpose while reading my blog and posts.

You still question what your purpose is then I have a suggestion. Ask your family and friend what they think of you and what is different from you from other people. I am no expert but I do think this will help you out a whole lot.

What your passions in life will help direct you on the right path as well. Talk to someone who you feel is a mentor for you too. Also, someone you feel is doing what you like to do too.

None of us have to do what others are doing but we can follow their direction. Asking these people questions will help you too.

I have had people say who are writers the best way to become a good one is to start writing. I believe that is good advice in whatever we do. We can find out by doing and it will give us the answer to whether we are right for it or not.

When I was a kid I wanted to be a sportscaster. I was good at sports but I felt I wasn’t good enough to play the sport as a professional. Out of high school, I went to broadcasting school. I took a job as well but I realized I didn’t have the talent like so many others in the field.

Now that I am writing about sports besides this blog I have come to the conclusion that writing is what I should have gone into in the first place. There are times though where the talent may come through later.

At least now I know that I am good at writing and the more I do write the better I get at it. This is the answer to anything we have a talent we love.

Besides writing I know that I am a person who can encourage others. I am getting better at it all the time. I am sure both writing and encouraging I will see a big difference in five years than right now. I know doing this for already five years my writing has gotten better.

I know too that readership is changing too. Sometimes I have a lot of readers while other times not so many. I know to never to give up and I do know that you are all busy with your own life. Also, Google made some changes and no longer have google plus.

I would like for you to comment here if you would like a subject or you have a question that I can answer for you too. I just added a page on Facebook too. I figure the more other people can see my posts the better.

I have my website herbnightingale.com too. I haven’t written a lot there but I hope to in the future. In fact, if it is easier I will post this blog there as well.

On Sunday afternoon my church our freedom ministry team is going to ministry to the middle and high school students who are going on a mission’s trip in three weeks to Mexico. It will be fun to discover their life purpose as well as destiny. Another word being used is the original design God created for them in the first place. Often circumstances can get in the way of us living in our original design. Also, people often can tell us untruths that keep us away from our original design.

Until next time have yourself a wonderful weekend. Amen!

Having a Good May!

Now that May is coming to a close I hope you all have had a good month.

I know that there are always ups and downs as we know because of circumstance but hopefully the positive overshadowed the negative.

May is when I have my birthday. May hopefully is when the flowers come out. May having good weather whether it is spring or fall where you are at.

Here in Western Washington, we have had some really good weather as well as some rain as well. The month is expected to end with nice weather. The temperatures expected in the 70s. Much better in my mind than last year when it got up to the mid-90s; I am not a fan of hot weather. I prefer the 70s  with an occasional day in the 80s. The importance is how much we see the sun. Yesterday here it was cloudy most of the day, however, the sun did make an appearance in the late afternoon so people could enjoy it when they got off work.

I hope you have some great plans for June. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of May especially today. Amen!

Telling The Truth

Since I realized a few years ago one of my purposes in life is to encourage others the more I am learning it is important in telling the truth as well.

We actually encourage others by telling the truth. We don’t do with harsh words, however, compassion should be included too.

The reason I think what I am going to say or write before anything else.  It is important they know the truth but not with harsh words.

There is a time and place to say the truth as well. It should never be in a time when emotions are running high.

So we should all sit back and ponder what we may want to say to someone that is the truth. Will the other person accept the truth or not. Also, what is the solution that goes with the truth? This is where encourage comes in too.

So on this note of encouragement have a wonderful and awesome day.

A Helping Hand

These days a lot of organizations can use volunteers to help out.

A good way to use your talents and gifts; also, enjoying those you love.

When you are out grocery shopping or out for a walk look to see who may need a friend.

We all need someone at some point so we are the someone for another.

A word of encouragement for today; may you be blessed mightily.

Excitement

Whether it has to do with our purpose or life in general excitement should be an important part of our lives.

I would not call it an easy task but something to pursue. Actually, it is a choice we can make just like joy and laughter.

Life being a challenge as it is excitement is not easy to obtain but I am sure something we would like to have. Certainly is better than the alternative would you think.

Like everything else in life it is something to try to pursue on a daily basis. We have only today because tomorrow isn’t promised. So let’s take the challenge and have an exciting day.

A Connection

I feel one of the most important keys for living a life of purpose is having a connection with others.

We are not going to have a connection with everyone but still really important.

Those we don’t connect with which I hope is a minimum amount we should help them connect with another.

Even if we don’t connect with them we can still be friends in other ways.

I hope you are having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and enjoying as many people as possible.