Facing Fears

Saturday  a friend on facebook posted on her status, "Good morning friends! It's Scary Saturday! :D Do ONE thing today that scares you! And tell me what it is! I'll share too..."


The one thing that I have been scared of doing, since I acquired my driver's license, is to drive on highways. I would drive to my destinations on the streets only. Occasionally I will drive on a highway but for a very short distance.  My mother lives an hour away from me.  It was always my dream, to drive by myself, to visit my mother.


Over the past ten years, never had I driven by myself to visit my Mom.  A few years ago, I drove from Tracy CA, to my Mom's  house after a family event.  That was just 20 minutes. It was late at night and Mom and husband were with me in the car.

Saturday, after teaching at the Church's faith formation program.  I told my kids to get there things ready that we will go to visit grandma.  My daughter was very excited but my son was not to happy about the idea. "Who is going to drive us there?" he asked. "Mom is going to drive.", daughter replied.

We did not leave Saturday.  I did not feel 100% sure that I could do this on my own.

I told them, to place their things in the car, and on Sunday after Church we will be leaving.

I prayed at night before I went to sleep.  I asked God to help me in facing this fear.  During Mass, I kept asking God for strength and courage to do it.  There was one song that said that God is in control.  I knew that this was God's way of telling me that he was with me and nothing will go wrong.

After Mass, I got more nervous.  But once I was in my car and merging into the highway, I began praying to God for safety.  I did not call my Mom or let anyone else know.  Just in case I got nervous, I could always get down at the next exit and head back home.  But that did not happen.

My daughter called my younger sister to let them know we were half way there.  I kept driving. Praying all the way.  My kids helping me as my co-pilots. I kept an eye in front of me, and occasionally browsed at the rear view mirrors.

An hour passed since I left my home, and I was now reaching my destination.  That's when my daughter called my Mother that we will be there soon.  I felt like if I had been running a marathon. My family praying and cheering for me all the way.  Everyone cheering at the finish line.  Happy and thankful to God for keeping us safe.

I had conquered my fear! To God be the glory for this great accomplishment.

And today, I drove back home. Another victory!

Here is a post on FEAR that I wrote in September, 2011.

Earthquake!

Very common to us in the Bay Area of California, to have this sudden movements.  Today was a big one to me, compared to the ones I have felt recently in this area.

Now for someone that experienced the 1989 quake, I can't tell you that I know what a small earthquake is compared to a big one.

My first thought was to get as quickly as possible to the kids school.  I was just a few blocks away, so I got there in less than two minutes.  

All of the children were gathered in front of the school.  School gets out at 1:30 PM, so only the music students were at the school at that time and it was easy for administrators to gather them all and take them outside for safety.

As soon as my son saw me he hug me and began to cry.  Yes, my 9 year old.  Very emotional, just like his Mom.  Some girls started to giggle, but others were also scared like him and wished their parents were with them.

The school, call the other parents to let them know that music class will be canceled until the proper authorities authorize that it was safe to enter the school.  Since its an old building the administrators thought it was not safe to be in the building.

I took my children home, including my two nieces who were also at the school.

Tomorrow's chapter discussion on What Women Fear is the Fear of Death.  I can definately tell you this is a big one for me.  I am terrified of sudden death.  Or that something might happen to any of my children.  I have not yet finished the chapter yet, so I will be waiting until tomorrow to write a post about it.

I thank God that my children are ok, and that no one got hurt.  None of my relatives that live in the area, got hurt either.  I have not seen the news yet, but I'm thinking not much damage was reported, because when we got home they just had an alert message and quickly resumed their regular broadcasts.

Have a nice night, I pray that I will be able to sleep, without having nightmares.

My Fears

As a child of God we should be confident that we are protected and no worry or anxieties overwhelm us.  I wish I could testify to this.  But I can't.  I have fears, and some fears keep me paralized at times.  I have tried to deal with some of my fears.  I have asked God to help me.

You have read my recent posts and know what kind of fears overwhelm me.

God knows too, and he is so wonderful that he led me to a blog, where I knew I will get some inspiration and encouragement.  @ A Holy Experience, there is a link party on Wednesday.   Walking with Him Wednesdays. 

As I was browsing through the links.  One caught my attention.  Lisa's post on Fear.

At the end of Lisa's post, she mentions where she  shared her post. That link led me to another favorite place of mine.  Incourage.

All of these posts brought me to write my own post on Fear.  So here we are.

There are so many things I'm afraid of, but today I will like to talk to you about my fear of driving on freeways.  I drive.  I have been driving since I was in college.  I had a professional driving school instructor teach me how to drive.  And my second lesson was to get on one of the most traveled freeways in the Bay Area, highway  880.   Now at that time, I did well.  According to my instructor. 

So where did my fear begin.  I have never been in an accident. Thanks to God.  I have seen accidents on the road, TV,and on movies.  But I have not been involved personally in one.  I also thank God that no one in my family has ever been in a terrible accident.  Only my brother's recent accident, which I thank God for protecting him.

So why do I have this fear or anxiety?  Can't I  just trust God that he will protect me.  Yes, I can.  And I've driven on the freeways, but for short distances and with someone guiding me.  The times I have been on my own, I driven less than 15 miles distance.

When I first got my driver's licence,  I will plan my trips through the streets.  Avoiding the freeway.  It will take  forever to get to my destination.  So little by little, I have made myself, get on the freeway in order to get to places quicker.  But like I said, for short distance trips only.

My parents live an hour away from my house.  In order for me to go see them.  They have to either come and get me, or I take the train (Amtrak).  Occasionally, my husband takes me to go see my parents.  I want,  not to be depending on others, when I want to go see my parents or when I'm invited to events that require me to drive on the freeway.

So what should I do?  How do I get over this Fear? 

Do you have any fears of your own?  Or something similar? How have you overcomed your fear?

Please help me by praying for me.  Thanks

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