Poem For Grandma Tudor's Service

There’s a special place in my childhood
That felt so far away.
The drive was about 3 hours,
But always worth the wait.

This place was tucked away,
In the mountains full of snow.
One of my favorite dogs was there,
We called him Mo!

We were always greeted,
With kisses and hugs.
At bedtime we were tucked in,
With the warmth of hugs.

There was a special closet,
Filled with all our toys.
Puzzles, games and coloring books,
We made lots of noise.

The morning smell of cinnamon,
Filled the air in the house.
My favorite stuffed animal was there,
It was the cotton stuffed mouse.

We’d sneak a piece of gum,
From the secret kitchen drawer.
There was never a dull moment;
This place was not a bore.

Outside on the deck,
The humming birds were near.
The feeder was sweet and red,
They fluttered with such cheer.

During Christmas,
There was magic in the air.
I remember the Christmas tree and village,
Nothing could compare.

The house was filled
With warmth and love.
A wonderfully special place,
We never got sick of.

This safe place exists,
Without any flaws.

It’s one of my favorite places,
I call it grandmas.

Poem For Grandma Cameron's Service

HEAVEN

I took a trip to heaven I hope you all don’t mind.
It was time for me to go, so I left the world behind.

I closed my eyes and began to see,
Just how beautiful heaven can be.

I could see the pearly gates, they were so white,
and behind them was a brilliant light.

I saw an angel as she was passing by.
So beautiful I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Everything was perfect, there’s nothing you can bring.
There are no words to describe these beautiful things.

I sat with the Lord on a bench in a garden.
God is so good, my sins He pardoned.

I took a look at the beauty around.
But most of all, it was peace I found.

There is nothing here to cause me fear,

So please don’t cry for me my dear.

Please know I am happy now.

I’ll ask the Lord to comfort you somehow.

Believe when I tell you, my loving family/friends,
You cannot die, life never ends!

Coincidence/Devine

My husband and I were driving in the car one day having a casual conversation. We were discussing our plans for Memorial Day and agreed that we would go with my family to visit my grandpa. My grandma recently passed away so our pan is to clean out their house to help my grandpa move on. Not only did I lose my grandma on my dad’s side this year, but I also lost my grandma on my mom side. Its been a tough start to the year. 

My birthday was this past Friday and I can expect like clockwork to receive a birthday card from both my grandmothers. It made me sad to realize that I would never receive a birthday card from either of them again. It made me sad to know certain traditions are over. There’s something special about grandmothers and as the months pass little things happen that make me sad. I try to be grateful that I was able to have 2 of the most wonderful grandmothers and some people never get that experience.

Just as I was feeling sorry for myself and wondering “why”… a car switched lanes right in front of us and in big bold letters the words “TRUST GOD” was on the back of the window. Tears immediately well up in my eyes. I began crying not tears of sadness but tears of peace and joy. Call it a coincidence if you will, but I truly believe this was Gods way of comforting me. How blessed are we to have a God who comforts us in such unique ways! My heart is full!

Thrive 2012

If your looking for growth, energy, inspiration, knowledge, faith, love, compassion, hope, confidence, truth, belief, conviction, encouragement, motivation, vision...I found it!

 However, sometimes we need support to keep it alive in our lives.

 Mike and I attended our first ever Christian conference called THRIVE! A life changing experience that not only supported our relationship with the all mighty, but also with each other!

 A truly indescribable impact was made on our marriage and we are forever changed!

 If you every have the opportunity to attend I would highly suggest it!

 Here's a little bit of what you can expect!

 

The Case for Christ

I just started reading a new book called The Case for Christ. The author Lee Strobel, former editor of the Chicago Tribune, retraces his journey from atheism to faith. Just a few pages in and this is my favorite part:

"For much of my life I was a skeptic. In fact I considered myself and atheist. To me, there was far too much evidence that God was merely a product of wishful thinking, of ancient mythology, of primitive superstition. How could there be a loving God if he consigned people to hell just for not believing in him? How could miracles contravene the basic laws of nature? Didn't evolution satisfactorily explain how life originated? Doesn't scientific reasoning dispel belief in the supernatural?

Lets face it: even a cursory examination of the evidence demonstrates convincingly that Jesus had only been a human being just like you and me, although with unusual gifts of kindness and wisdom. But that's all I had ever really given the evidence: a cursory look. I had read just enough philosophy and history to find support for my skepticism- a fact here, a scientific theory there, a pithy quote, a clever argument. Sure, I could see some gaps and inconsistencies, but I had a strong motivation to ignore them: a self serving and immoral life style that I would be compelled to abandon if I were ever to change my views and become a follower of Jesus.

As far as i was concerned, the case was closed. There was enough proof for me to rest easy with the conclusion that the divinity of Jesus was nothing more than the fanciful invention of superstitions people.

Or so I thought..."

I cant wait to read what happens next in his journey!

Lean on Me

We all experience difficulties, problems, and trials throughout life. We also look for ways to solve those problems. One basic question we all ask is "What can I do to solve this?" Rather we should ask "What can God do to solve this?"

In my experience I’ve found, the more I try to take control of a situation (and not pray about it or involve God in it), the more the situation seems to fall apart or not go as planned. Not only do I feel like I’m losing control, I feel afraid and worried.

I found this really wonderful explanation of how we can handle problems throughout life. I hope it helps you as much as it helps me.

Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him.

This is such an awesome scripture. It says that the way we are saved is the way we should live.
-We didn't get saved by trying and struggling; it’s free! Likewise, you don’t have to live your life on your own strength by trying and struggling.
-Help from the Lord is free. We just have to receive it.

Every believer is saved simply by believing (and receiving) God's love, grace, and mercy. We are not required to quote ‘clean house’ to receive His forgiveness. We simply need to receive a free gift. Pastor Ray Johnston at Bayside Church tells a really funny example that I know my family and friends can relate to. Of course his explanation is much more entertaining than mine, but I’ll try.

Ray compares receiving Gods grace to cleaning your house. For example, many people hire a cleaning lady to clean their house. We feel embarrassed by our messes so we actually straighten up before the cleaning lady come…which is silly. That’s what the cleaning lady is for!

Likewise, many of us think that in order to have a relationship with God we have to ‘clean house’. Many of us think God won’t be interested in a relationship with us because we’re not good enough. We think we need to become ‘religious’ or do certain things and act a certain way and only then will God consider a relationship with us. In truth, we don’t need to ‘fix our selves’ to have a relationship with God. He simply accepts us as we are.

Similarly, we don’t have to solve our problems on our own. We don’t have to fight and struggle to get by. We simply need to lean on him and He will carry our burdens.

-1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

-Psalms 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.

-Psalm 37:24 though he stumble, he will not fall, the LORD upholds him with his hand.

-Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

With all that being said, trust the Lord God in every area of your life, even during problems, because every problem He gives you an opportunity to strengthen your faith and trust Him.

Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:4

<3

Inspiration for Life!

One of my moms friends husband was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. He is currently in the hospital recovering. My mom's friend (Jessica) posts updates on facebook every few days with her husbands status. Jessica's posts are so incredibly encouraging and positive and faithful and brilliant all at the same time! Im so inspired I couldn't help but to share one of her posts. It's listed below:

"I want my husband back. Body and mind, I want him back. I am contending today for his speedy and FULL recovery. He'll be undergoing PEG placement procedure at some point in the day (stomach feeding tube)which should help him regain his strength and muscle mass more quickly. The goal is to have him off the monitors and taking baby steps by next week. If all goes well, he will be transferred to the full-time rehabilitation unit at Mercy General Hospital for about 5-6 weeks.

Chris really challenged me last night. He told me his goal was to be out of the hospital and at the Steelers vs. 49ers game on December 19th. I poo-pooed him. How ridiculous! With weeks of recovery and months of healing ahead of him, what an absurd plan! But God put a check in my heart! "You think I can do this?" I heard him say. "But God! It's ridiculous! I know You CAN do it, but I just don't think You WILL!" Then i realized where Chris is putting his faith. He is simply thinking and living Phillipians 4:13! "I can do all things through Him who GIVES ME STRENGTH!"

True, God is famous for making rules for our own good and benefit, but God is also desperate for a RELATIONSHIP with us. Not A one sided affair where He does all the work or we live by our won strength only, but a give and take relationship where BOTH are involved. Chris knows that he can get up and out of the hospital bed because Chris knows God. He knows who God IS. They are friends! They have been in a relationship for years.

My prayer today is that you experience the God of RELATIONSHIP, who gives you strength to do ALL THINGS. Lean on Him. Trust Him. Talk to Him. And let Him give you HIS strength TODAY!"