About ME.

HI! My name is Maxine and welcome! About 4 years ago my husband, dog Molly and I moved to the beautiful state of Arizona and we are loving our new retirement home. We have one son, who recently finished Culinary school and starting his career in Colorado. We lived there for 30 wonderful years……it truly is GOD’S country. I am quickly learning however, that the desert has many beautiful treasures; you just need to really look for them……..

My testimony is that I was born and raised in the faith……Mom and Dad went to Church and I have memories sitting between them on a wooden pew scribbling on paper and getting shushed when I would speak. But my Dad was the example for me of someone who loved GOD and lived out his faith every day. He lived out his faith doing for others until the day he passed away. And so did my Mom.

I can remember those talks with Dad about why you go to Church and that GOD was a loving GOD and how what you learn on Sunday is to be lived out every single day of the week.

I also remember, every Thanksgiving we had many faces around our table (we had one of those tables that you could add leaves to, that made it longer) and often as a kid I remember thinking: who is that??! My Dad always invited someone new each Thanksgiving and my Mom being from the south, put on a beautiful table and those were such happy times for me.

They say we all need that one person, to plant the seed for us, to guide us in our faith. My Mom and I used to sit on the couch every day after school having discussions about life…….so I credit both of my parents as examples of living their Christian faith and passing their love for GOD along to me.

My parents sacrificed greatly for me so that I could participate in the sport of Figure Skating…..little did I know then that it would later be a career for me. I coached many skaters through competitions and tests for about 30 years. The skating world is a hard one and for many years I didn’t let GOD into that part of my life. It’s funny how we do that sometimes, let GOD into parts of our lives, but not all of it! We push HIM to the margins of our lives and we are good at it! When I did let GOD in, there were some amazing moments that happened right there on the ice!

I have walked with GOD most of my life, but there were times where I didn’t and I disobeyed and I can see where my choices were not good ones. We all experience those times……times where GOD feels near and times where HE feels so far. But we are the ones who push HIM away, because HE is always there for us…….we just need to reach. And when we do, our GOD is so very faithful!

When my sweet son was about 4 years old and started asking about Christmas and what did it all mean, that is when as a parent you decide how you will live as an example. And so I made a firm commitment to follow CHRIST in April, 1998.

When I did let GOD into every part of my life and now into my current writing, it is amazing to see what HE does. It is like being on a two seat bike with HIM in the front and you in the back. GOD will take you up mountains, and down into valleys, but always guiding and in control. All we need to do is believe and trust and hang on.

I currently dog sit and have 10 wonderful clients here in Arizona. My clients are good to me and I love all the amazing dogs…….I do get attached, so when one dies, it is hard on me too. But I have learned that a broken heart means you have loved much. And isn’t that what Christ teaches us? Let us remember the Great Commission:

MARK 12: 30 “LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH…….LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

I started to blog a few years ago…….and I almost gave it all up. But GOD was so good in guiding me and HE wouldn’t let me quit. Not only did HE in a profound way give me the name……HEAVENSREEF……..but HE continues to give me the ideas and points me into the direction HE wants me to write. I don’t advertise on my blog……that isn’t what HE wants me to do. So through the process of prayer and much reading, I become HIS instrument and just put the words down to make sense for someone. HIS word never comes back void!

If my words here have touched someone or encouraged them to act in some way, or to examine their faith, then I am doing what GOD wants me to do. Even if I touch one heart, I am being obedient in HIS plan for me.

There are many blogs out there and if you have stopped here, I am honored that you took the time and I pray that HIS word of TRUTH will help you and touch you in some way.

Honestly though, I don’t like writing about myself. I would much rather hear about you. So anytime, feel free to leave some thoughts behind. Your comments mean so much!