My Journey: One of Faith and Hope

By Donna Hare

A life story is unique to each one. My journey's story is one of faith and hope instilled years ago in the heart of a young girl. In the twist and turns of life, this inspirational memoir is written in such a way that there is no question of God's penning. To tell my story is to tell of Jesus. It is my heart's desire that what is written will encourage you in your life's journey. A journey where your dreams are inspired and your soul is fed.

About the Author Donna Hare is a wife, mother, grandmother, and businesswoman. She is the author of Donna's Diner at JoinWithMe.life, a Christian website, which was cofounded with her husband, Rayburn Hare. It gives her a platform to write. She loves and lives with family in the beautiful state of Missouri.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098036454

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My Journey

One of Faith and Hope

Donna Hare

Copyright © 2020 by Donna Hare

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Cover and author photography by Annette Hare, H & H Photography

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

God’s Amazing Grace

Momma, I Want toBe Saved

Little Miss Robin

A Good Name

A Game of Ping-pong

My Path to Love

Mrs. Degree

Gifts from Above

A Change of Heart

A New Address

Bed of Roses?

Prayer of Jabez

A New Church Home

Date of Death

A Snake and aTrench Coat

An Update

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Before you begin this journey with me, I must convey a few thoughts to each of my family; without them, the pages of my life would have been written differently. They know me best and yet still love me. I am blessed beyond measure to dedicate this book to them.

Rayburn, my gift

It was not long after we had been married that a man at church publicly stated that you were a godly man. You were twenty-six years of age. I never forgot that and tucked it away in my heart reserved for you. You are my consistent, disciplined, God-seeking adventurer. Fearless in your dreams and godly in your walk. You are my gift!

We have walked life’s road together for forty years. Our love nest has grown, we are now grandparents, and our initial nest is empty. I am so thankful that instead of growing apart, we have grown together. I love you more with each passing day and fully understand that today is a gift and our tomorrows together are not guaranteed. So, with that stated, I will love you with endless love. The journey of our life is amazing, and I pray will take us long into our golden years. But until then, I will forever love you and know that you are God’s perfect gift to me.

Carmen, our strong one

You were our first born. I know I have apologized many times that you had the privilege to teach us to be parents. Life has had many hurdles for you, some with only enough strength to crawl through, but your strong will and determination and your faith carried you, when most people would have given up. You have a gift to read people, and with that, you have been an encourager, a listener, a shoulder to cry on and have done so from within. Your gift of friendship makes people feel special and enjoy immensely being in your presence. You are the mother of two precious gifts, Carter and Grace. Recently, the gift of Jason, his two sons, Nicolas and Jadon, a sweet addition to our family.

Your chapters of life are still being written, and I know with God writing them, it will be good.

Chris, our sweet soul

There is this incredible sweetness that freely flows from your heart—a heart that, at the age of five, was touched by Jesus, under a starlit morning, in a cornfield, dove hunting with your dad. Your heart was poured into by many people, especially your sweet Papa Hare. Oh, how he loved life with you.

You not only have this sweetness about you, but you are a man of your word. This conveyed to me when I woke you on your fifth birthday, an agreement between the two of us, and you held true to your word. Now a man we are so very proud of. A man who loves his family and loves big, being blessed with Annette, Houston, Hazel, and Henry. A businessman who works hard taking care of others with your State Farm Insurance. You are a man of character and integrity and one that continues to seek the Father. Seeking him, in your life, in your dreams…He will never fail you!

Kaylan, our ray of sunshine

It is only by God’s grace that you lived past the age of one. Your independent spirit showed up early. Walking at seven and half months, you took on the world and never looked back. Many times, in those early years instilling fear into our hearts, but no fear in you. You were our No Fear Kaylan. Your happy spirit brought many rays of sunshine into our family. You were our gift from above that Dad and I almost chose not to receive. So very thankful that God worked in our hearts to have more children. We could not imagine life without you.

Your beautiful, contagious smile is a gift to you and to others. You never meet a stranger and give from your heart. Even though many chapters of your life are not written, one thing is for sure, God knows the plan He has for you. Trust Him, my precious Kaylan!

Corbin, our determined one

I chose those words to describe you because I feel you were determined even while in my womb. You were a fighter then, a strong heartbeat, the doctor stated. So fearful we would lose you as we had lost the two previous babies. But, oh, how I love that word, especially when the next word is God. But God had a plan for you to be born, and we were the chosen ones to be your family.

You are a young man of many talents. Extremely smart, a hard worker proven with your academic and baseball scholarship to Rockhurst University. A college graduate, a job secured as head of marketing in a medical corporation. You have a sweetheart, a tenderness in your walk with Jesus. You are gracious yet very strong. You use your positive spirit to touch lives, and, yes, we will always be cheering you on!

Be wise, my son, wiser than your years!

God Almighty, my sustainer and giver of life. Your love for me knows no end, and your grace has no measure. May the words written, from my heart, bring you honor and glory. I know your plan for my journey is one of faith and hope. A journey planned long before time began.

Acknowledgments

It is stated that we all have a story to tell. The chapter titles, different for each one. This story, my story, is special to me. It is one of faith and hope. It is a story that does not have an end, because it has not been written yet.

In the writing of this story, there are those whom God has used, and I pray will continue to use in my life. I humbly, with great appreciation, shout out a big thank-you, to those who have inspired me, encouraged me, and have prayed.

Marie Lewis, my special contact with Christian Faith Publishing, your assuring words, spoken from your heart, eased my heart. A heart that was filled with waves of emotions over the unknown. We connected like we were old friends, reuniting after many years. Thank you for answering my call!

Chris Cummings, our website designer for JoinWithMe.life, you were an answer to prayer. You came to our rescue as Rayburn and I struggled with the technology. We were clueless, and you, with patience of soul, assisted. Your guidance and knowledge so appreciated and so needed. You were the first one to read my first post ever written. Your e-mail reply to me, the encouraging words, I know designed by God, were a flame that lit a passion inside my soul. I remember after reading, getting on my knees, and claiming all my writings to honor and glorify my heavenly Father. Even though we have never met, I will always be indebted to you for those encouraging words written to me.

To my family, words, though try as I may, cannot convey my love and appreciation for you. Rayburn, my life’s mate, by God’s design, you are a dreamer and in dreaming include me. One whose walk with God is so evident in the love shown to me, our family, and others. My precious children, Carmen, Chris, Kaylan and Corbin, Carmen’s Jason, and Chris’ Annette, I am one proud momma but humbled as well knowing that we are not perfect but so perfect for one another. My grandgifts—Carter, Grace, Houston, Hazel, Henry, Nicolas, and Jadon—you fill my heart to overflowing. Being wrapped in your arms as you exclaim, Grandma! sends my soul to heights only a grandparent knows. Your little ways that you show love, true genuine love, I tuck away in your special place, that is known to me, my heart. My deepest desire is