Crossing the Bar Ministries

12/31/2025

Reflection- what does it mean to you? For me it means that I am looking either back on a situation or I am looking in a mirror at myself but either way, I am reflecting on a situation from the past or looking at the present. If we could only see the future!! But today, reflection means replaying a year of TRANSITION and NEW BEGINNINGS. In January I was in the hospital for 3 days thinking I had heart issues and thank God I was okay after all the tests had been done. January and February had us live through some of the coldest and most snow totals I had ever seen. We would wake up days and it would be less than 50 degrees in our camper. March began the transition to where we are today. We had hoped to go to Arkansas and live off the land and help farm but soon found out we are not the farmer types. We loved being within 100 feet from our dear friends and family but again God had something different for us. In May just before I was graduating with a CollegeDegree, I had a minor (thank God) stroke on the way to NC while I was in SC , It did not stop me though and I walked across a stage to get my degree. June and July God began making it more clear that we would be leaving Arkansas to move to Texas and so at the end of July we packed up again and sold our camper and we were at the mercy of friends over the next 3 months while we looked for our next home. The really cool thing in all of this year is that when we walk in obedience (whether we want to or not) we open the doors for blessing upon blessing and that is what God did for us when we said yes to another move. We had not been home owners for almost 15 years and God allowed us to purchase a home and it is so wonderful. We are 2 hours away from my siblings and little did I know that we would get moved in at the start of November only to have to make a LOT of trips back and forth to DFW area over the first part of December as my brother had double by pass surgery and spent most of December in the hospital. This month our 16 year old dog crossed the Rainbow bridge and on Christmas Day a dear friend died but I can honestly say that in my reflecting back, the good has for sure outweighed the bad ! GRATITUDE WILL CAUSE YOU TO LOOK AT LIFE DIFFERENTLY AND FOR ME, WILL ALWAYS PUT IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

12/29/2025

As this year comes to an end and we look back on all we have walked through I want to encourage you that if you have gone through some hard times and you are still standing there is a reason! Ask God to show you. I believe if you are still alive there is still stuff for you ( and only you) to do here. Ask God why. HE can handle your questions and HE wants to show you.
If you are looking for a place to make a year end contribution we would love for you to choose Crossing the Bar Ministries. People contact us all the time for help and many simply do not have the finances to get the help they need to get unstuck from their trauma. You can donate through our website at www. crossingthebar.org . No gift is to small to help someone in need
Happy and Blessed New Year to each of you. Stay safe

Navigating life is difficult under the best of times. When life throws curves that overwhelm you, Crossing the Bar is here to help. There is life after PTSD.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Crossing the Bar. Please don’t stay stuck in your trauma. We are here to help if we can

12/23/2025

This is worth the read!

One Positive Action
Lower the Bar on One Holiday Moment
Stress often shows up because everything feels like it has to go a certain way. The pressure builds long before the moment even arrives. A lot of tension comes from expectations we never question. We assume every interaction needs to be meaningful, every plan needs to go well, and every moment needs to be managed. When reality does not cooperate, frustration takes over fast. But often that tension is because the standard started out too high.
Lowering the bar is a way of choosing realism over perfection. You can decide that not every moment needs to be fixed, enjoyed, or explained. Some moments are allowed to be awkward, quiet, or simply get through. When you allow that, your nervous system relaxes because it is no longer bracing for disappointment.
This is especially useful during high stress seasons when emotions are already running close to the surface. You do not need to solve every tension or carry every mood in the room. You are allowed to let moments pass without turning them into problems.
Identify one upcoming situation this week that feels stressful. Choose one expectation you can release ahead of time. Decide in advance that it is enough to simply show up and let the moment be imperfect. Take note of how much lighter it feels when you stop asking so much of one moment.

12/23/2025

This is so worth the long read!

One Positive Action
Lower the Bar on One Holiday Moment
Stress often shows up because everything feels like it has to go a certain way. The pressure builds long before the moment even arrives. A lot of tension comes from expectations we never question. We assume every interaction needs to be meaningful, every plan needs to go well, and every moment needs to be managed. When reality does not cooperate, frustration takes over fast. But often that tension is because the standard started out too high.
Lowering the bar is a way of choosing realism over perfection. You can decide that not every moment needs to be fixed, enjoyed, or explained. Some moments are allowed to be awkward, quiet, or simply get through. When you allow that, your nervous system relaxes because it is no longer bracing for disappointment.
This is especially useful during high stress seasons when emotions are already running close to the surface. You do not need to solve every tension or carry every mood in the room. You are allowed to let moments pass without turning them into problems.
Identify one upcoming situation this week that feels stressful. Choose one expectation you can release ahead of time. Decide in advance that it is enough to simply show up and let the moment be imperfect. Take note of how much lighter it feels when you stop asking so much of one moment.

12/23/2025

This says it all!!! So very true

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and wonderful God filled 2026

12/18/2025

This is a good reminder when you are with family this holiday

Avoid the Controversial - While with family and friends this season, eliminate talk of politics, favorite sports teams, anything that might create angst in yourself or your family

12/16/2025

Something that is really big for us to remember this time of year! Our loved ones who are no longer physically here on Earth.

Seasonal Loss - The passing of loved ones is difficult any time of year, but it always seems to hit harder during the holidays. I suggest remembering your loved ones would not want you to spend the holidays gripped by depression. One of the healthiest things you could do would be to remember past holidays spent with those loved ones and the memories they generated, while moving forward and determining to create new memories.

I was reminded today that this week in Advent is the season of joy! Think on the joy your loved ones brought you!

12/15/2025

We are called to love everyone but not everyone needs access!!

12/13/2025

Tip for the holidays
2. If your family gathering starts to rob you of your peace , give yourself permission to leave. You do NOT have to subject yourself to drama even if it is your own family.

12/11/2025

This is a check in to see how you are doing this holiday season.
1. Have you over committed yourself for all the holiday activities?
It is important to know your limitations and to guard them and more than anything it is okay to say NO!!

12/06/2025

check this out and hopefully it will be as valuable to you as it has been to us over the years.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17QVV7ncXZ/