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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Angel of Hope

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Last night was the annual Angel of Hope ceremony.  We attend every year, despite the cold temperatures that December brings.  This year was not only cold, but it was raining as well.  We almost did not go because of this.  Although we were late, we went for one reason in particular – to support my dad, who we knew would be there rain or shine.

We lost my sister 12 years ago in the most horrible way possible.  Our hearts were shattered on that day back in 2001, and our lives will never, ever be the same again.   We feel that a part of us died with her.  We lost so much on that day.  She never really and truly knew how much we love her and how much we would miss her.

When we learned that they were erecting an Angel of Hope statue in our beautiful gardens, we gathered information and knew that we needed to have my sister included in this project.   You could purchase bricks on the ground in their memory, or you could purchase a plague on the wall behind the Angel of Hope.  We chose to purchase a plaque in honor and in memory of my sister.   We did this because the Angel of Hope is for children that have gone on to be with the Lord too soon!   Although my sister was an adult, she was still my parent’s child.  Their hearts are no less broken just because she was an adult upon her passing than that of a parent that lost a child under the age of 18.   We get a lot of looks and questions as to why we included my sister in the Angel of Hope because of her age.  She was 32 years old when she passed away.   She is still my parent’s child.     The Angel of Hope garden is a memorial to the children,
gone but forever remembered, not only by parents, but by grandparents,
brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and dear caring friends.

For so long it brought tremendous pain when we would go out to the cemetery.    When we would go to take flowers to place on her grave, the intense and overwhelming grief would hit us, almost crippling us.  Therefore, we decided that another place was needed to honor and pay tribute to my sister for those that just could not bring themselves to visit her grave.   We want to celebrate her life, her beautiful life – not focus on how she died.   The Angel of Hope provides comfort for us, and we feel a sense of peace come over our hurting hearts when we come together with others that have lost their loved ones as we honor them all during this annual ceremony.

The speakers in our town actually lost their daughter at a very young age in an automobile accident.   His little girl and my daughter were in the same class in school.  She was a sweet little blonde haired beauty with an infectious smile.   I could hardly believe the news coming in from other friends when we were all learning of the car accident shortly after it happened.   My daughter lost her precious friend in fifth grade.   This ceremony helps my daughter as well to cope with the loss of her dear friend.    We feel a connection to the speakers – her parents and her sister – and their pain is real.  Her father cries every time he has to read his own daughter’s name out during the ceremony.   We feel his pain, we feel the heart break.  We cry for his daughter, for my sister, for the loss of each and every one listed and those that are not listed for this ceremony.

They usually begin the service with words from her father, a poem read by her sister, beautiful music to honor our loved ones, and then the names are called out for every child that a brick or a plague was included in the Angel of Hope Garden.   The families walk down the path toward the Angel of Hope with her arms stretched out wide as if she is carrying our loved ones up to Heaven to be with our Lord.   There is just something so very comforting about the presence of this angel, and we do feel that there are angels around us and God is with us wrapping His loving arms around us, comforting our hurting hearts as only He can.   It’s such a short path, but in a moment like this, it feels like it is one of the longest, hardest roads we have ever walked.   It seems like it takes forever from the time we begin walking down this path until we reach the end to see the Angel of Hope.  There we either place a flower in her arms, around the base of the statue, or on the brick or plague donated in honor of our loved ones.   We do a combination of placing a flower with the angel and then placing a flower on top of the wall which contains the plague for our angel, my sister, Pamela.   Then we take our places next to those that walked before us, and we silently touch candles together to light a flame as a final song is played in honor of the children.   They have a closing prayer, and everyone extinguishes their candles and turns to walk away.

We were late last night and were not there when my sister’s name was called.  Even though it was raining and bitter cold, we knew my dad would be there, even though my mom had already indicated that she was not going due to the weather conditions.   We knew that my dad would be there, and we tried to get there in time to walk with him.  We missed it by just a few minutes, but the important thing is that we did make it in time for him to be comforted by our presence.  I walked up silently beside him as he held the lit candle, shielding it from the wind and rain with his hat.  The look of sadness on his face is heartbreaking in and of itself.   Without saying a word still, I shielded him, then, from the elements with my already extended umbrella.  He glanced over at me, surprised at first to see me, then a look came over him that let me know he was glad I was there after all.  He told me later that as long as he was able, he would be there each time that her name was called out no matter what.

This is a hard time of year for so many, our family included.  That is why I have been trying so hard to be an encouragement to others with the words I have written on this website.   We hurt.  There is intense pain and grief that we are feeling at this time of year especially, and we miss our loved ones terribly.   We allow the feelings.   We honor my sister in this way each and every year.  It is our way of honoring her life at Christmas time but also honoring her close to her birthday, which is December 13th.   We should be celebrating her birthday this coming week with her here physically with us.   We know that we carry her with us daily as she is always in our hearts.  Love is eternal.  We may be separated for a little while right now, but our love lives on.

Our love lives on.

In honor and memory of Pamela.

We love and miss you so much!

Pamela2 copyright

Gaithers Homecoming

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My parents have been long time fans of the Gaithers, and when I heard that they were coming to a town near us, I just had to get tickets as an early Christmas present for them!   They do not like crowds and usually will shy away from places such as this extremely large arena.  Last night, though, I was hoping that their discomfort would subside long enough for them to enjoy the beautiful gospel music that the Gaithers Homecoming had to offer.

Boy, oh boy what a treat!  They had so many wonderful artists that performed last night that it is hard to even attempt to name them all.  Just know that they touched a lot of hearts and lives last night in their message through song.

There were traditional hymns for the holiday season to newer ones thrown in the mix for our listening pleasure.  They even had my favorite “Mary Did You Know,” which was written by Mark Lowry who was with the Gaithers from 1988-2001.  Mr. Lowry was not there last night, though, as his mother passed away Monday, and the funeral service was actually held yesterday.  However, they performed this song in his honor and in his absence.

Upon our entrance into the arena, they gave us all little red keychain flash lights.   We thanked them for their gift as we went to our seats not truly realizing what this little light would be used for until the concert began.   Bill Gaither said that he wanted to see all of our little lights shining throughout the concert.  On certain songs they would bring the house lights all the way down, and every where you looked you could see all of the little lights shining all over the arena.   On a few songs, they asked us to blink the little lights on and off for “stars.”   That was a sight to see as well.   It added to the whole concert experience!

The whole musical experience lasted for four hours.  Yes, that’s right.  Four hours.  We were actually surprised when Mr. Gaither laughed and said that he hoped we were comfortable as they planned to go until 11 p.m.  Much to our delight, Mr. Gaither was not joking at all, and the music, laughter, entertainment, and voices lifted up in praise continued for four beautiful hours!  This was, by far, the best musical experience we have ever had!

My parents agreed that they have enjoyed seeing the Gaithers on their television broadcast, but the experience in person was just out of this world goodness!   I can guarantee that if those in attendance last night were not in the Christmas spirit when they arrived, they were by the end of the evening!

What a blessing they were to my heart and to that of my parents.  My precious mother said she couldn’t let herself go completely in this worship experience as if she did she might start shouting and praising the Lord Pentecostal Holiness style.  🙂

Here’s a picture of the entire cast from last night.   If you’re familiar with the Gaithers, you may recognize a few faces.   There are some new faces, but they were all very talented artists!  We are thankful that we were able to be a part of this experience last night celebrating Jesus Christ, Our Lord!

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A Holiday Tradition Continues

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Today I am sharing a guest post from my friend, Greg. He and his sister, Julia, had a holiday tradition of baking cookies together. In the below post, shared with his permission, he tells the story of how this came about and the importance of it today. Sadly, Greg lost his sister earlier this year. His message, which will be included in the tin of cookies to family and friends this year in honor of his sister, is below:

Julia’s Cookies

Traditions are never created out of a plan. They begin as a simple act
or occasion that bring us joy so we wish to recreate that wonderful time
again and again. Celebrating a tradition give us the feeling of belonging
to something special that touches our hearts in a special way.

When Julia and I began baking Christmas cookies for our friends her
Freshman year in high school, I never considered she would take this small gesture of giving and make it an annual affair for all these past years.

It began as a simple way for us to do something special for our friends during the holiday season. We would begin around 6am and work until
10pm or so for three to four days baking seven different types of cookies
from recipes that came from our grandmothers and Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks. In the four years we did this together, we graduated to twelve different cookies and the last year we baked 144 dozen.

During the services for Julia, most everyone made comments about her cookies. Thus, I wanted to continue the tradition she took over and kept going all these past years. With the help of my aunt Jonel, her son Talbot and his girlfriend Karen, we baked these cookies for you in the hope this small gift of cookies will help you remember Julia in your hearts this holiday season.

Merry Christmas,

Greg

 

Greg&Julia

Free – Joel Osteen’s Mini Book & A Holiday Playlist

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Hello again!

December is off to a great start.  I can hardly believe that Christmas will be here in just 21 days!   Then after that, New Years!  As you’re gearing up for the grandest holiday of them all, are you considering what, if any, New Year’s Resolutions you will make come January 1, 2014?   If that’s too far in advance for you to even think about at this point, that’s okay, too!  But, in an effort to help you, we’d like to share a free offer that we came across today of Joel Osteen’s mini-book 30 Thoughts For Victorious Living.   When you click on the link, it will take you to a page where you enter your name and mailing address so that the free mini-book may be sent to you.  That’s it!  No obligation to buy anything.  No strings attached!  Just a free mini-book that will inspire you!   You could wait until the first of the new year to begin changing your thoughts so that you will have victorious living while experiencing more peace and joy, OR you could start today.  The choice is always yours. May it be a blessing to you!

We also have another free offer that we found today courtesy of People.com – they are offering a free Country Holiday Playlist with I-Tunes. When you click on the link, it will reveal a code that you can redeem in I-Tunes. For me, when I clicked on the offer, it asked if I would allow I-Tunes to be opened on my computer. I authorized this, and it took me to sign in to my I-Tunes account. When I logged in there, the download started immediately for me. I hope you’ll have the same luck on your end. These songs will surely get you in the holiday spirit! Enjoy! (The code for this offer ends 1-15-14.)

~S

Advent – Offering Hope For Us All

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I trust that you all had a very nice Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. We certainly have a LOT to be thankful for! Often times we take so many things for granted. We woke up this morning, that’s enough right there to sing God’s praises before we ever put our feet on the floor! My children have a prayer that they pray every night before bed. The very end of the prayer says, “See me safely through the night and wake me with the morning light.” God certainly did just that if you’re sitting here reading my blog! 🙂 Have you thanked Him yet? Let’s take a moment right now to say, “Thank you, God, oh how I praise you for waking me with the morning light! Thank you that I have life! Thank you for the gift of another day!”

The last of the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone, and now we enter into the month of December. We enter into Advent. Our family has never really focused on an Advent bible study until now! Today I decided to be disciplined enough to sit down and read the bible along with a bible study guide provided by Good Morning Girls for their first week of Advent. I’m so glad I did! I will discuss the scriptures below. I do not just want to reference the verses for you to look up, although feel free to dive into the Word as well. I am going to reference what message is relayed in the verses and offer my thoughts on them. I find it is more convenient for the reader to have the information being discussed in front of them. This will also hold the reader’s interest as well, which is huge for me. How did I start this? By saying that I disciplined myself to sit down and read the verses in the bible. I will be honest and say that a lot of times if the material is not presented in the discussion, in the past I have not been successful in completing a bible study if I had to actually grab my bible and look up the verses myself. Call me lazy – it’s okay, I can take it – BUT there is also a solution to this as well as Good Morning Girls now has their Advent bible study on YouVersion! Yea!! I can carry this with me on my phone and look up the verses from there. They have thought of everything, and for this, I can’t thank them enough! (No, I am not getting paid to promote their site, their studies, or YouVersion either. I just really, really, really like them both!) My point is that I will discuss the verse in today’s study while providing you what the verses are saying. Feel free to grab your bible and read along with me! I am using the New Living Translation or NLT bible. We could get into a whole debate on which bible is the most accurate or the best version of the bible to use, but for me, I need all the help I can get. I find that the NLT provides the verses in a format that I can actually grasp!

We began with Luke 1:26-38 which almost everyone knows about how the angel, Gabriel, appeared to the virgin Mary to let her know that the Lord was with her. Mary was initially confused and a bit disturbed learning that she, a virgin, would be having a baby. I can imagine that she listened in awe and wonder as Gabriel told her that she would be with child! Can you imagine the shock and disbelief when he told her that the Holy Spirit would come over her and the power of the most High would overshadow her? I can only imagine that she hung on his every word at this point when he said that she would conceive and give birth to a son! The baby to be born would be holy! He would be great and called The Son of The Most High! He would be called The Son of God! Mary’s humble spirit shines through when she responds to Gabriel’s news by saying that she was the Lord’s servant and may all that he said about her come true!

I have heard this story so many times, but today I also gained an insight into this verse that I never had before. The focus is always on Mary, as well it should be since she is going to give birth to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! However, this section in the bible also makes reference to Mary’s relative, Elizabeth, who they once believed was barren. Gabriel told Mary that Elizabeth had become pregnant in her old age, had conceived a son, and was now in her sixth month. Gabriel is saying to Mary in this message about Elizabeth that nothing is impossible with God! Focus on that for a moment. Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing … let it soak in … not one single thing … is impossible with God! I found great comfort in the message of reassurance that Gabriel provided. Nothing is impossible with God! For the word of God will never fail!

The next verse referenced in the bible study is John 1:1-5. I will be honest and say that a lot of times I get confused by bible verses. I had to go back over this one a few times to grasp what it was saying about how in the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God and the Word was God. It talks about how He existed in the beginning with God and goes on to say that God created everything through him and that nothing was created except through him. I paid special attention to the part that says that the Word gave life to everything that was created and his life brought light to everyone. Let’s say that one more time. His LIFE brought LIGHT to EVERYONE! This portion of the verses referenced says that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Christmas will be here before we know it. There is so much to do at this time of year – from putting all the decorations up, to buying those presents, to attending parties and get-togethers – but I encourage you to stop to take time to focus on the real reason of the season. Jesus is truly the reason for the season! It’s not about the presents under the tree! It’s about the birth of Jesus! From the angel, Gabriel, delivering the message to Mary of what was to come, to the moment that Jesus enters this world as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothing lying in the manger, Jesus is the light of the world and with His birth God has brought hope to us all.

I will close with the following verse referenced on the Good Morning Girls page:

Good Morning Girls Advent Memory Verse

Blessings from Light,Love,Hope (Click here to read how this ties in to our “Welcome” section perfectly)

Holiday Joy?

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As the holidays approach, are you finding joy or sadness in this time of the year?   I ask because I was reminded recently that while I have a spirit of Thanksgiving and a joyful heart filled with excitement and Christmas cheer, the holidays are often hard for others.  They, unfortunately, are a sad reminder of family that has gone their separate ways or of loved ones that have passed on and are no longer here to join in on the celebration and festivities that were once a welcomed time in their lives.  When once they looked forward to the holidays, they now dread it and wish it to hurry past so we can move on into the new year.

I do understand heartache and pain.  I understand the loss of cherished loved ones and the pain that is left behind.  I understand full well about the emptiness that can be felt at this time of year and of the traditions of past that are now no more.  I can sympathize with you.  I have several of my beloved family members that are in Heaven celebrating with Jesus this holiday season.  I lost my grandmother in March of this year, and prior to that, I lost my sister and Granddaddy.  While it has been several years since their passing, it does not mean that the pain of our separation is non existent.  No, I still feel the sting of not having them here with me at this time … a time of Thanksgiving that was once filled with their laughter around the table, their stories of days gone by, their memories … they are all a part of MY treasured memories now.

Oh what I wouldn’t give to see them one more time, to have everyone gathered around the table with heads bowed, holding hands as we blessed the food and asked for God’s ultimate hand of protection to be over all of our family during the holiday season and for all time.  Oh to see their faces light up again as they are given a Christmas present while gathered around the tree, to see their excitement as they open the gift and to see the expression of gratitude and thankfulness on their faces as they appreciated each and every gift given to them, no matter how big or how small.

You see, my holidays are filled with longing, too, but I am choosing NOT to wallow in “what could have been” … “what should be” … “oh why aren’t they here” … “lost traditions” … I could go on and on, but … I choose to reminisce about times we DID have together, all of the memories we made when they were here on this earth … all of the precious times we greeted each other at the door upon their arrival with hugs, beautiful hugs!   It would feel wonderful to be able to hug my loved ones just one more time, to spend just one more day with them, one more hour, one more minute … just one more any thing with them.   But, just as the song by Diamond Rio says, “It would leave me wishing still for one more day with you …”

While I don’t have my sister, Grandma or Granddaddy here with me physically any longer, they are FOREVER in my heart.  I carry them with me each and every day.  There are reminders of them every where I turn, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I save messages on my answering machine because I’m so afraid of losing yet another loved one and never hearing their voices again!   I have messages saved from my grandmother, and oh how I treasure and cherish hearing her voice any time I want to now with just a press of a button on my machine.  I have her with me in my heart, in my soul, in every fiber of my being, just as I have my sister and Granddaddy … I do not, however, have their voices to play back as I wish I had.  Occasionally I will find an old video of my daughter as a baby and be granted the gift of seeing and hearing my sister once again as she holds and cradles my daughter, looking down into her precious little face so lovingly.  Those are memories ingrained into my being, and yet tears fill my eyes when I find these precious moments on the video – to remember what it felt like having her there, hearing her laughter, I get the gift of hearing it once more on those videos.  I get the gift of seeing my granddaddy in old pictures laughing, smiling, and being healthy!

So you see, my heart aches just like yours does!   I hurt, too!  Hear me – I HURT, TOO!

~BUT~

This holiday season I still have other family members that will surround me on this day, and I live for those people.  I get the honor and privilege of sharing the holidays with my two beautiful girls, my parents, and my husband!  I smile.  I join in on the laughter around the table.  I hold their hands tightly in my own as we say the blessing.  I choose to be happy, all while holding those loved ones that have gone on to Heaven close to my heart!  I know that our loved ones are looking down upon us in Heaven with love, such love, for us all.

Having a good time with the family that IS with you physically is not dishonoring to our loved ones that have passed on or their memories … they wouldn’t want us sitting around sad and gloomy on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time for that matter.  They want us to be happy and enjoy, to celebrate, to live life to the fullest.

Can you sit around and mope all throughout the holidays and wish them away?  Sure you can!  You have that right.  However, it will be miserable doing that – for yourself and any one else that is around you during this time of year.   Happiness comes from within.  It is a choice.  If you are choosing to be sad this time of year, that is your choice.  I am choosing to find happiness and joy in the season with the family that is still here with me.  I am choosing to make memories with them that they will look back on fondly and with love.   I still feel the feelings that rush in from time to time, and I will be true to myself and allow those feelings to come.  I will NOT, however, crawl into a hole or into a fetal position and cry throughout the entire holiday season.  I will NOT wish it away.  I will, instead, embrace it!  It’s here!!!   Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day!!  In less than a month, it will be Christmas!!   Then ushering in a new year!   It IS a time for celebration.

I encourage you to do something to honor and pay tribute to your loved ones this holiday season.  Whatever you do – whether it be taking fresh flowers to their grave, baking cookies which was a tradition of this precious loved one, lighting a candle and saying a prayer, playing their favorite song, having their favorite meal, or releasing balloons or butterflies – DO something to honor and celebrate them.  They are there with you.  I promise you … more than you even realize.  They are there … and they love you!

Here’s to hoping that you can find holiday joy!

I Am Thankful For …

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My friend and I started out with our “I am thankful for …” posts on Facebook together on November 1st.  Being that Facebook will not allow us to befriend each other, we have been sharing in emails as we have for many, many years now (approximately 16 years!!).   She asked if I had continued my list on Facebook, and in fact, I have!  Below is my list … some are very serious posts … and some not so much!  🙂   Today, November 25th, is on top, with them going down by date order to the very first one posted on November 1st!

This is a bit early, but Happy Thanksgiving!  Blessings to you and your family!  May we keep that attitude of gratitude all year long for God doesn’t just bless us during the month of Thanksgiving – He blesses us each and every day with His goodness, mercy, and love!

 

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for the gift of another day. God has richly blessed me and my family, and although today is Monday, a day that a lot of people often grumble about, I will be the exception to this for I am grateful to be alive!

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful that although our tradition is to decorate the day after Thanksgiving for Christmas, my husband felt inspired today and brought the inside decorations down from the attic. I’m typing this in my beautifully decorated living room by the white lights from the Christmas tree while watching classic Christmas movies with my babies in warm fleece jammies … this is the life!

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful that God truly has provided all that I have ever needed …

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for books of all kind, from encouraging and inspirational, to self help types and how-to, to devotionals, true stories … I love a good book! My Nook Color rocks! I love real books for bubble baths, but otherwise I’m hanging with my Nook Color in hand.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for good music! It just makes you feel good – no matter what! It is a mood enhancer! If you’re having a bad day, put on some much needed music – it lifts you up! If you’re already happy, music makes it all the more enjoyable just to “rock out” and have a “dance party” even in your car! My girls never know when it’ll hit me, but when they see that look in my eye, they just smile and join right on in! I love it! Unless we’re in public, and then they act like they’re totally embarrassed … so I do it even MORE! muuu haaa haaaa haaaaaa

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am so thankful for the true friends that my daughter has, that look out for her and have her best interest in their hearts and minds, that stick by her side no matter what. True friends are hard to find so that is what makes this gift all the more special.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for Dove Dark Chocolate. I could eat my weight in that stuff. Is that a bad thing? Ohhhh!! My Dove message for today … Do what feels right. Hmmm ok … eat more chocolate! Lol

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for seeing all of the wonders of the seasons through the eyes of my children. They are just in awe at this time of year, with my youngest, especially, enjoying all of the beautiful decorations this weekend at Tammy Hill’s house – from the ribbons and bows, to the villages, she loved them all and has talked about it since we left. I’m thankful for a wonderful evening around the fire with friends and an awesome pound cake, too!

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for still quiet moments, soaking in a beautiful sunrise, appreciating all of God’s creations.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for comedians, comedy, anything that makes me laugh! We enjoyed the laughs last night!

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful that my girls do not have school on Fridays! It’s a three day weekend EVERY weekend for us!

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for cameras that capture those sweet and special moments with and of your family so those moments live on even after they have passed to be treasured and cherished for all time.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for the time I got to spend with my grandma. She suffered for two years before she passed away in March of this year. We became closer during this time, and I miss her. I would have given anything to have been able to take away her pain and suffering. It was hard seeing her like this, and I still cry thinking about such a strong woman who was so weak and frail at the end. She had such strong faith and love for her Lord and Savior, and I have no doubt that she’s dancing with Jesus, tending to all of the beautiful flowers in Heaven’s gardens as she loved to do here on earth. I love you, Grandma.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for my good health and that of my family. I pray that God will keep His hands upon my family and that He will protect and shelter them from all harm.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for all of our Veterans! I am proud to be an American and am thankful for the freedom that we have. We salute you and honor you.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for good friends, skeet shooting, and four wheeling!

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for classic cars, trucks, and airplanes! Enjoyed the fly-in and cruise-in today with the club members! Great way to spend the day!

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for all four of my fur babies. They have their own personality and ways about them, they make me laugh so hard at times, and they provide so much comfort, peace, and unconditional love! They are *always* happy to see me no matter if I am gone 5 hours or 5 minutes. They are so excited to see me and can’t wait for me to pet them and play with them, then just curl up in my lap and go to sleep! They are more than just dogs. They are family!!!

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆. I am thankful for good friends – old and new – who live near and far – face to face and internet friends as well. I am especially thankful for a dear lady that has shared her heart with me recently and has allowed me to share mine as well. It has been wonderful having these talks. Thank you, my sweet, special friend! She knows who she is.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆ I am thankful for parents that gave me the best that they possibly could growing up. We didn’t have a lot of money or the best of every material thing, but we had strong faith in God, which is what truly matters most. They took us to church every time the doors were open. I am thankful for the beliefs and faith as we were clinging to God to see us through all of the hard times that we have had to face. He has truly carried us through the storms of life.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆ I am thankful for the time I had with my sister growing up, and while we may not have been extremely close in our childhood, we became best friends as adults. I treasure and cherish the moments I shared with her and am thankful for the pictures to reflect back on where she was smiling, happy, and cutting up with me – I hold those memories very near and dear to my heart.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆ I am thankful for my husband and all of the ways he loves, supports, and encourages me.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆ I am thankful for days like today spent with my family snuggling, watching movies, cooking together, and just enjoying each other’s company! I am truly blessed in this life! Thank you God.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆ I am thankful that we were able to help restore a classic car that has so many memories of my sister attached to it, and after 30 years of sitting, my dad is enjoying driving the 57 Chevy Bel-air! Although he never thought it possible, he’s not only driving it but is able to “show” it and won 1st place in his class AND Best of Show today at the Norway Cotton Festival.

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(¸☆´ (¸.☼´´¯`•.¸¸.❉☆ I am truly thankful to God for my beautiful daughters. I love them with all of my heart and soul!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

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I have been humming and singing this hymn to myself all day.  Have you ever really stopped to think about the words in this song?

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Morning by morning

New mercies I see

All that I needed

Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Lord until me

How truly powerful!  Great is Thy faithfulness, oh Lord … how you have been so faithful to me to look after me and provide all that I have ever needed in this life.  Notice that it does not say, “All I have ever wanted,” but instead, “All I have ever NEEDED.”  Big difference!  God truly knows our every need and provides for us with His strong, mighty, powerful, all-knowing, glorious hand!

There have been times in my life when I have wondered how I would make it from day to day, some times from minute to minute, but God has always been faithful and true.  He has always reached down at just the right moment and provided exactly what I needed right when I needed it.

Oh how thankful I am to you, dear Lord, for Thy faithfulness.

 

 

 

 

An Attitude of Gratitude

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An Attitude of Gratitude

I have seen a lot of “I am thankful for …” posts on Facebook this month.  The idea was to begin on November 1st and write every day, all month long, on the things that you are thankful for.  I thought this was a wonderful idea and have joined in!   Much to my surprise, I have just recently seen negative comments in regards to people posting what they are thankful for.   I guess the poster had a problem with otherwise negative people posting these things just for the month.  In my opinion, though, isn’t it better to have an attitude of gratitude?  I would like to think so!

I posted in response to this person who was finding fault on the 30 days of thankfulness that maybe the person was making a conscious effort to become more positive, and this was their starting point!  I don’t see a thing in the world wrong with this, and hopefully, their attitude of gratitude will carry over past the Thanksgiving holidays into Christmas, the New Year and beyond!  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!

Everyone has to start some where, so why NOT start at the beginning of November?  What better time?   As we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving in the next few weeks, take a moment to think of all that you’re thankful for.  Whether you write them all out on your Facebook status daily or write in your blog, or if you choose not to do any of those things but quietly meditate on these thoughts.  I just don’t see that as a bad thing of putting on an attitude of gratitude.   Maybe if more people did this, it would be contagious and more people would catch on resulting in happier people!

Instead of grumbling, which results in bad feelings as we dwell on negative things that are often times beyond our control, shift the focus to something that you are thankful for!  I bet you will have a more positive outlook after these 30 days if you will just shift your thinking and try to find one thing each and every day that you’re truly thankful for.  Whether it’s just that you woke up that morning and were able to see the sunlight pouring in your window, you did wake up … and you were able to see whereas there are some people that would give anything in the world to be able to soak up that sight of the sunlight pouring into their room first thing in the morning.   We take so many things for granted that others would love to have, even a small glimpse of the sunlight that you would otherwise grumble about spilling into the room, waking you from a deep sleep … or even something as simple as the alarm clock buzzing as it insists that you get up to greet the day.  Instead of viewing it as a nuisance that you “have” to get up, consider it a blessing and a privilege that God has given you the gift of another day!    Appreciate that you were able to hear the buzzing of the alarm clock this morning as there are some that cannot hear.

My point in all of this is to choose to turn your otherwise negative thoughts into positives, and I will bet that your day will start off better!    You have a choice.  You can be negative, unappreciative, complaining and grumbling.  OR you can choose to put on an attitude of gratitude and appreciate even the little things in your day.   I choose to be thankful and to write those out each day for the month of November on my Facebook status.  While I may not continue writing them as my status updates beyond November 30th, I will continue to choose the attitude of gratitude.

Join me?

Blessings to you and yours!

~S

 

 

To my baby girl … with all my love, always!

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Dear sweet baby girl,

You are very near and dear to my heart, little one.   Oh if you could only know the many times we cried out to God begging and pleading with Him to let us have another little baby.  Our hearts ached for a little bundle of joy to make our family complete.   We had little Brittney, and our hearts were filled with so much love that we were bursting at the seams and wanting to share this love with another little angel from above.   Having lost a baby and half of my chances of becoming a mother again after having a ruptured ectopic pregnancy followed by emergency surgery, I knew I was lucky to be alive although I was told I may not be able to have another baby after losing a tube when it ruptured.  I was beyond devastated, depressed and distraught at this point.  I begged God to please allow a little miracle to happen, please dear God bless me with another little one for my heart longed to cradle you in my arms, to shower you with so much love, to care for you, nurture you … oh the heart break we felt when being told that we may not be able to have another baby.   We held fast to God’s hand, shedding many tears along the way as I endured one painful procedure after another to increase my chances of conceiving.   After failed attempts, there was one procedure left that we were going to try before we folded and said okay, God … and then would begin praying for peace and acceptance of our current situation if it just was not in the cards for us to have another little baby.  Ah, but God was not finished yet, dear one.  Praise God, He was NOT finished yet.  God is still in the miracle making business, and He proved that to us, oh precious little angel from above, our gift from God Himself – you ARE our miracle!    After picking myself up off of the bathroom floor one day after a very painful procedure and just crying and calling out to God – after crying like I have never cried before, begging, and pleading with every thing in me, I can honestly say that God answered our prayer!   We were trying one more time to conceive after this procedure, and God came in riding on wings of love and answered our prayer – we were pregnant with you, sweet little miracle child!   We heard the news we had been longing for – we were having another baby!!!   Oh the joy that filled our hearts!   Then along came moments of fear as we had to be strictly monitored, precious one.  I was in and out of the doctor’s office so much being poked and prodded even more than before, but I welcomed it if it meant that I would hold my miracle baby in my arms – if it meant that you would be safe and sound, I would walk through fire, move Heaven and Earth, just to make sure that you were okay and protected.  And you know what?  You were … God wrapped His loving arms around you and shielded the pregnancy, shielded you in my womb, and I carried you nine glorious months living for the moment that I would finally hold you in my arms!   Oh when that day arrived, I did not care what I had to endure to bring you into this world, I just wanted you here with me, to look at you, to hold you, to love you, to have you next to me …

You came into this world on a sweltering September day, at 2:44 p.m. weighing in at 6 lbs. 3 oz.   I watched you in the mirror as you entered this world and was absolutely in awe of God knowing that He did this – He gave me my miracle baby!!    They placed you in my arms, and I had tears of pure joy streaming down my face.  The moment had finally arrived, and I was soaking in all of your beauty!  My miracle baby was finally here!!!  Your dad was so moved with emotion also as he watched you come into this world and take your very first breath.

Your sister was there to greet you moments after your birth.  Oh little Brittney was so proud, standing there with this huge smile on her face, just as precious as you, with her “I’m The Big Sister” shirt on.  What you should know is that Brittney also prayed for you, dear one.  Brittney actually asked me if I would give her a little sister.  I told her that we’d pray about it and ask God for this, and I believe God heard little Brittney’s prayer and answered them also!   He gave Brittney the little sister that her heart longed for.   You were an answer to many, many prayers, dear heart.

Both sets of your grandparents were there moments after your birth as well to soak in these happy times with us, to share in the miracle of your birth!

So much time has passed now, with lots of memories that we hold very near and dear to our hearts.   From all of your precious moments, being there to share all of the “firsts” with you – enjoying all of the sweet baby sounds that you’d make, taking your first step, saying “Mama” for the very first time … playing in your curly blonde hair and putting beautiful bows in your hair … oh my God wrapped you in His love and delivered you to us – there are no words to express how thankful we are for you and your sister – both miracle babies … both precious gifts from God above … both loved more than either of you can ever imagine in this lifetime or the next!  For all eternity!

Time has gone by so very fast as you’re nine years old now. Nine … it’s going way too fast!   I find myself holding on as tight as I can as you are slowly slipping from a toddler to a little blonde hair, blue eyed Princess bouncing around with those curls, oh those beautiful curls that you used to have before you made me brush them out as you tried to look more grown up … please, dear heart … precious miracle from God above, please stay little for just a little while longer … let me hold you in my arms, shower you with my love … both you and your sister are growing so fast, time has slipped away and whereas once it may have seemed like time was crawling by … now it seems like the hands of time are speeding around the clock as hours turn into days and days turn into years … and my babies are growing up …

As I’ve said to your sister many times before, and I know this won’t be the first time you’ve heard it, and you’ll probably hear it a million times more … but no matter how old you get, you will always – ALWAYS – be my baby!

I love you to the moon and stars!

Forever & Always,

~Mama~

To my first born … with all my love, always!

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My beautiful, beautiful girl … where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was praying asking God to bless me with a sweet little bundle of joy. I prayed so hard for you. I asked God to please let me have a healthy little baby, my heart’s desire. Nothing else mattered in the world when I became a mother – only you, sweet baby girl. My heart soared with excitement when I found out I was pregnant, and I loved you from that moment on! I talked to you, read to you, sang to you – all before you were ever born. I was so proud to walk around holding my belly knowing that my precious little one was kicking and turning inside of me. I felt every ripple, every elbow, every foot under the rib, and I loved every single minute of it. I had this precious tiny little life growing inside of me – a precious gift that God above entrusted me with. My only purpose in life was to be the best mother I could possibly be for you.

The day of your arrival could not get here fast enough. I wanted so badly to hold you in my arms, to cradle you with my love. You came into this world so quietly, not a single peep out of you – my heart fell out of my chest with worry at that moment. It took a few minutes before you squeaked and grunted, but you did not cry. I begged to hold you, to have you near me. Tears streaming down my face as they finally laid you in my arms. I held you so close to me, and you looked up at me with your beautiful, perfect features. Your beautiful blue eyes sparkling back at me. You were absolutely perfect. Ten sweet little finger and ten sweet little toes … you had my heart before you were ever born, but that moment when I held you in my arms, I knew I would do anything and everything for you – I would die for you, I would lay down my life for you, dear one.

I did not want to let you out of my sight. They had to take you to the nursery to weigh you and clean you, but they could not bring you back quick enough for me. I was chomping at the bit waiting for my baby to return to my room. When they brought you back to me, I held you for hours, looking at your beautiful skin, my very own little miracle baby sent from Heaven above. God truly did give me my heart’s desire.

You were born on an extremely cold Winter’s night in January, at 10:26 p.m., weighing in at 5 lbs. 15 ½ ounces. We brought you home from the hospital where you were quiet for a few nights, and I did not sleep for I was up watching over you to make sure you were safe all through the night. On the third day, you decided to exercise your lungs good fashion, and as colic set in, you let us hear you quite a bit after that. My heart went out to you as your little tummy was hurting, and we tried going from breast milk to the best formula money could buy. We finally found the right combination, and you settled down after a few weeks and all was right in the world again.

I treasure each and every moment as your mother – I cherish the time I have had to witness your growth, from the miracle of feeling life inside of my tummy, to the tantrums, to the laughter, through the tears, the growing pains – life as your mother has been a perfect journey because I have been allowed the ultimate gift of being YOUR mother.

I enjoy reflecting back on the times we have had together – from the times you screamed at the top of your lungs, to the times you laughed until your little face turned red as you threw your head back and laughed so hard you almost didn’t have any more air in your lungs to make a sound, and yet more laughter would come from my beautiful blonde hair, blue eyed Princess. I remember having “silly time” and running down the hall with a tutu on our heads pretending we were all getting married – even Dusty participating in this event with his very own tu-tu with matching lipstick. You were there the day he proposed to me at the Battery in Charleston along the harbor. Your eyes lit up when you realized what he held in his hand, a sparkling ring, as he kneeled down in front of us to ask for my hand in marriage, and your approval, asking you to become his daughter as well. You were included in the wedding ceremony as my Maid of Honor. You wore a flowing white dress with matching shoes, and a bouquet of flowers that were beautiful in and of itself but could not compare to the beauty of the one holding it – that person being you, my dear Brittney. That day we became a family. You were not only with me on that very special day, but you were very much a part of the wedding ceremony and have been an important part of my life – you are the very reason that I have life in me to this day. You are and always have been my reason to live. My sole purpose in life is not to be a worker, an employee, a manager … not one of those things matter at all. My sole purpose in this life is to be your mother. You are my reason to live. You are the air I breathe.

You have grown so much through the years. From toddler giggles and playing dress up in my shoes and make up, to a gorgeous 16 year old beauty queen that is preparing for her high school ring ceremony, Junior/Senior prom; from discovering lipstick for the first time to your first date, from pronouncing words such as “slip-lie” and “frid-er-frader” to studying for your SAT and preparing for college! Where, oh where has the time gone? It has gone way too fast, this I know for sure.

As much as I wish I could still fit you in my lap, holding you tightly as I rock you and sing “Jesus Loves Me” and “You Are My Sunshine,” I know that you have to grow, to flourish, to become your own independent person. This process has not been easy on your ole mom over here, but I am trying to let you be your own person … I am trying to give you some freedom, but please, dear God, I beg, please don’t let these next few years go by so fast. I want to savor every moment. My little girl is growing up way too fast, and all I can do is watch her go … love her, allow her to be her own person … help her along the way, but watch her spread her wings and fly … please don’t fly too far away, dear Brittney …

I love you more than words could ever say, more than you’ll ever know in this lifetime … and no matter how old you get, you will always … ALWAYS … be my “little girl.”

I am so proud of you. I love you to the moon and stars.

Always & Forever,

~Mama~

Seeking Approval?

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How many of us would willingly admit that we are approval addicts?  Let’s be honest with each other.  Do we seek to please others and have them place their stamp of approval on our choices, our lives … on us, in general?   If so, we can be referred to as “People Pleasers … or called “Approval Addicts.”   I know.  I have been there, and if I am completely honest, I am there right this very minute as I tap these words out on the computer … hoping that you’ll approve of my site, that you’ll like my writings and you’ll come back to visit.  I am seeking to please you and to have you approve of me … right … this … very … minute.

We ALL want approval.  We attempt to please people and hope to “fit in” with them.  We all want people to like us, and it hurts when people reject us, don’t welcome us with open arms, or say bad things about us.   It is hard to not have the approval that we seek from others around us and to not be included.  But, the truth is that we do not need the approval of others because we already have the approval of the only one that really, truly matters any way – God Almighty.   Believe me, I have struggled with this very thing.  I know how hard it is to break the cycle and accept yourself, accept where you are, accept your walk, and accept, most importantly, that you do NOT need to seek to get from others what GOD freely gives us!  We have His approval.  We have His love.    If God is for us, who could possibly be against us?

There will certainly be people in this life that won’t be on our side.   They won’t like us, and they won’t include us.  We will be rejected more times than we care to remember or than we can keep up with.  It’s just a fact of life.  Don’t lose hope, though, and don’t stop putting yourself out there.

I have a book that I’d like to recommend to you on this subject.  I am not getting paid to promote this book or the author, but I’m doing so simply because I read the book and I could identify with the content.   I was an approval addict if there ever was one.   I could see myself in the words she’s written in this book in certain situations – not all of them – but I could see myself as a “People Pleaser” or an “Approval Addict.”     I am a lot better about this than I used to be, thank God.

This is me … admitting that I am a recovering “Approval Addict.”

If you have the opportunity, check out Joyce Meyer’s book Approval Addiction.    You’ll be glad you did!

~S

 

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