God is in the DETAILS of our life!

Our son Bradley served a mission for our church in the Phillipines after he graduated from High School. He was our first to serve a mission, and sending him clear across the world was some times worriesome for his Mom :) 

I remember well when we would miss a weekly email from him ( it didn't happen often but when it did, it was hard. We waited all week to get his emails and hear about his life. Those letters was something that were priceless to me, they showed me how much he loved the Lord.  And it showed me how selfless he was becoming as he served and loved the people in the Phillipines. 

 So when I read this article HERE:

by Jason F. Wright about his daughter on her mission and how the he believes the Lord is in the details of our life... I totally agree with that. Many times He has answered my small and maybe even silly prayers, but it just reminds me that I matter, my life matters and my family matters to Him! And that is a really blessing in my life! Hope  you enjoy the article.Good Night dear friends!

Just watched the movie ....heaven is real

What a great movie! I had heard great things about it and I thought they did a great job. I think it is so true, if we pay more attention to our children...we would realize life is pretty simple and beautiful. Watch it for yourself

here:



http://patch.com/georgia/gwinnett/11-years-after-heaven-what-life-is-like-for-the-burpo-family-gwinnett#.U9NBhvldUf0

Here is the story of the real family that it happen to..,watch it here:

Visiting hours in heaven!

I saw this photo quote on a friend's post the other day. What a beautiful thought.
I sometimes wish that were true too, then it wouldn't seem so hard to wait and see
our loved ones in the next life. Just think about if we could have visiting hours!
I would visit my Grandma Johnny and tell her about how my life turned out. I would
tell her about her Great Grandchildren and how fun and sweet they are. I would thank her
for teaching me to sew and tell her that I know work and teach in a Quilt Shop.
I would stop by and see my Aunt Ina and thank her for the incredible influence of LOVE and
Acceptance she was in my life. I knew she loved me and that no matter what she would always
protect me. We were together the first 9 years of my life. I think of the special relationship I have with Angie at the age 8, and so I could only imagine how much closer she and I were, because we lived in the same
home.
I would stop and see my Mom and tell her about all that is going on in my life. I would tell her that Lauren is getting ready to get married soon. I would tell her how well Lee is doing in college. I would tell her about her great grandchildren too. I would check on her and let her know how much I miss her.
There are a ton of other people I would visit. I am just grateful that I know that this life isn't the end. That we can go on through the eternities with our loved ones, if we live worthy to do so.
Knowing that there is life after death;  that are loved ones are ok, and that we will be able to see each other some day, is a knowledge that brings me great peace and joy.
Good night dear friends!

Great story, worth the read!

 My friend sent this great story to me, it is a bit long but worth the read. 

Good night dear friends!

At the prodding of my friends I am writing this story. My name is Mildred Honor and I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines, Iowa .

I have always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons - something I have done for over 30 years.

During those years I found that children have many levels of musical ability, and even though I have never had the pleasure of having a prodigy, I have taught some very talented students.

However, I have also had my share of what I call 'musically challenged' pupils - one such pupil being Robby..

Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano, so I took him as a student.

Well, Robby began his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary piano pieces that I require all my students
to learn. Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him.
At the end of each weekly lesson he
would always say 'My mom's going to hear me play someday'. But to me, it seemed hopeless, he just did not have any inborn ability.

I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled, but never dropped in.

Then one day Robby stopped coming for his
lessons. I thought about calling him, but assumed that because of his lack of ability he had decided to pursue something else. I was also glad that he had stopped coming - he was a bad advertisement for my teaching!

Several weeks later I mailed a flyer recital to the students' homes. To my surprise, Robby (who had received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and that
because he had dropped out, he really did not qualify.
He told me that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to his piano lessons,
but that he had been practicing. 'Please Miss Honor, I've just got to play' he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital - perhaps it was his insistence or maybe something inside of me saying that it would be all right.

The night of the recital came and the high school gymnasium was packed with parents, relatives and friends. I put Robby last in the program, just before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a
finishing piece. I thought that any damage he might do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my 'curtain closer'.

Well, the recital went off without a hitch, the students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on the stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked as though he had run an egg beater through it. 'Why wasn't he dressed up like the other students?' I thought. 'Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this
special night?'
Robby pulled out the piano bench, and I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen to play Mozart's Concerto No.
21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I
heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo, from allegro to virtuoso; his suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent!
Never had I heard Mozart played so well by anyone his age.

After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo, and everyone was on their feet in wild applause! Overcome and in tears, I ran up onstage and put my arms around Robby in joy. 'I have never heard you play like that Robby, how did you do it?
' Through the microphone Robby explained: 'Well, Miss Honor .... remember I told you that my mom was sick? Well, she actually had cancer and passed away this morning. And well ...... she was born deaf, so tonight was the first time she had ever heard me play, and I wanted to make it special.'

There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed in to foster care, I noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy. I thought to myself then how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.

No, I have never had a prodigy, but that night I became a prodigy ....... of Robby. He was the teacher and I was the pupil, for he had taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself, and may be
even taking a chance on someone and you didn't know why.

Robby was killed years later in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murray Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April, 1995.

Tough day!

 Today was the funeral for my girlfriend's little baby.  I knew the funeral would be hard and yet very sweet and tender, and it was. I am still tear up when I think of it, so I won't talk a lot about it. Let's just say this little baby boy had some incredible parents with great faith, and that is what will see them through the days and years ahead.
Here is his sweet eulogy...

Isaac Bryant Anderson Casteel

Though he never was able to feel the sun on his skin or the kiss of his parent's lips upon his cheek, though he never heard the sound of his own voice or saw a bird alight on a tree branch beyond his window, Isaac Bryant Anderson Casteel has marked this world with his presence, he has claimed his place as part of an eternal family, and he has changed the lives of those who love him.

Isaac passed from his mother's womb to his Heavenly Parent's arms on Sunday, May 20th, 2012, after 35 weeks of growing with his earthly family. While he was never to look on his parents during this life, they were able to hold him in their arms and look upon his face after a labor of love on Tuesday, May 22nd.

Isaac's presence here on Earth, his existence, will never be forgotten. 

 
On the table right beside the casket was a photo of my friend, her husband and their sweet little Isaac, it was beautiful and touching. We found out that an organization called "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" is the charity that provides these professional remembrance photography for the families. What an amazing gift!
You can check out their website here:

 "How very softly you tiptoed into my world  Almost silently; Only a moment you stayed  But what an imprint your footprints have left on my heart"

" A life may last just for a moment, but memory can make that moment last forever."

Keep your fork!

---

I have probably used this story before... but I love it and believe it!

"Keep your fork. The best is yet to come."

A woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. She asked her Pastor to come to her home to discuss her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral, and what scriptures she wanted read, and which outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Then she said, "One more thing... I want to be buried with a fork in my hand."
The pastor was surprised.
The woman explained, "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably say to everyone, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite time of the dinner, because I knew something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie - something wonderful. So, I want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and wonder, ' What's with the fork?' Then, I want you to tell them, ' Keep your fork, because the best is yet to come.' "
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he bid the woman goodbye. He realized she had a better grasp of heaven than he did, and knew something better was coming.
At the funeral, when people asked him why she was holding a fork, the pastor told them of the conversation he had with the woman before she died. He said he could not stop thinking about the fork, and knew they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
Attributed to Roger William Thomas
Submitted to Ann Landers by Kay in California
I found this story here:

Found the photo here:
"The best way to get to heaven is to take it with you. " --Henry Drummond

Sending prayers

Today, I found out about a young couple's loss of their little boy yesterday.  I know the family a little, but can't even imagine how they must be feeling. I just have been teary eyed all day about it. I think in times like these, all we can do is really pray and pray hard for them. No words can express how sorry we feel and yet we struggle to even find words of comfort to send to them. I just realized some times the best thing really is prayer. Trusting our Heavenly Father to keep them in His arms during this time is what can give them peace, healing and comfort.
How grateful I am to know that God lives. I have watched throughout the years, many people who have had tremendous trials and hardships in their lives but never believed that there was anything or anyone out there to help them. They truly believed that this life is it, that there is no life after this...no hope of ever seeing their loved ones again. How comforting it is, to know that there is a life after this, to know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and will take care of our loved ones until we can see them again. As one sweet Mom ( who lost a child also ) told me, "every day I get up and try to live my very best, so we will be able to see our sweet child again". Families can be forever, what comfort that knowledge brings.
My prayers go out to all who are struggling and hurting tonight, please know you are not alone!
Good night dear friends!

The Cord

We are connected,
My child and I, by
An invisible cord
Not seen by the eye.

It's not like the cord
That connects us 'til birth
This cord can't been seen
By any on Earth.

This cord does it's work
Right from the start.
It binds us together
Attached to my heart.

I know that it's there
Though no one can see
The invisible cord
From my child to me.

The strength of this cord
Is hard to describe.
It can't be destroyed
It can't be denied.

It's stronger than any cord
Man could create
It withstands the test
Can hold any weight.

And though you are gone,
Though you're not here with me,
The cord is still there
But no one can see.

It pulls at my heart
I am bruised...I am sore,
But this cord is my lifeline
As never before.

I am thankful that God
Connects us this way
A mother and child
Death can't take it away!

Author Unknown

 

If Only

If only, my child, I could send,
A basket filled with love,
And pretty blue forget-me-not’s
To your new home above.

If only I could send a hug
Past every twinkling star,
And a suitcase filled with kisses
Up to heaven where you are.

If only I could rock you
As I did not long ago,
And sing you one more lullaby
Before you had to go.

If only’s fill my every thoughts
As my heart is aching for you.
With faith, I’ll wait until the time
“If only’s” all come true.

By Ron Tranmer ©  found poems here:

Eskimo Proverb

 "Perhaps they are not stars,
but rather openings in heaven
where the love of our lost ones
pours through and shines down upon us
to let us know they're happy."

What's on the other side?

   Today is Sunday, I love Sundays. It is the only day of the week that we completely just do things as a family and  relax, go to church and to just do things that normally you wouldn't or don't take the time to do... like write cards to loved ones, call family and friends and so on. I was hoping tonight to share with you a few things I learned today but instead, my son is sick and I only have a few minutes to write.
    I found this little story and thought it was worth passing on. I have always said that Knowledge is Power, just like this story puts it. When you have a knowledge that your Heavenly Father lives and that He is in control of our lives, then you put fear away and trust that He knows what to do and will tell you what to do. For that knowledge, I am extremely grateful.

   Good night dear friends!

 

That Is Enough 

  A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room with his tail wagging and an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside... He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing. I know my Master is there and that is enough."  ~Unknown

http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/stories.cgi?record=110

"God understands our prayers even when we can't find the words to say them."  ~Author Unknown

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live."  ~ Norman Cousins

 

Together at last!

Today has been a very long day. My sister-in-law and I drove to the air port and picked up Jeff and the kids. We headed to Idaho right away. The weather was terrible, and we had snow and slush for the first couple hours of the trip. How fun it was though by 7:30 p.m. to finally see all my kids together at one time. I have missed seeing them interact with each other. They are so fun.
As a Mom, it is a real treat to get your adult kids together, that is hard to do... when they are married and going off to college. So I am  a happy Mom tonight!

"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together."   ~ Erma Bombeck

"Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing."  ~ Jim Rohn

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven."   ~John Bowring

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."  ~Jane Howard

Mothers

---

Ok, I am going to leave you tonight with this sweet article written by Erma Bombeck on mothers. I would write more but my heart is still hurting, Lauren left back for college this morning. It is a weird feeling, watching your kids grow up and call somewhere else home. I mean it is exactly what we want ( as parents ) but... it still is tough on the heart. The good thing is that Brad and Krystal are there and for that we are grateful. So here Jeff, Lee and I sit, here wondering what to do with ourselves. I guess we will figure it out? :)Good night dear friends.

A Child's Angel

by Erma Bombeck

Once upon a time, there was a child ready to be born.

He asked God:

"They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going
to live there being so small and helpless?"

God: "Among the many angels, I chose one especially for you. She will
be waiting for you and will take care of you."

Child: "But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing
and smile, and that's enough for me to be happy. Will I be happy
there?"

God: "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every
day.
You will feel your angel's love and be happy."

Child: "How am I going to be able to understand when people talk to
me if I don't know the language that men talk?"

God: "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you
will ever hear.
With much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

Child: "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God: "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

Child: "I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?"

God: "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking her own life."

Child: "But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God: "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth
could already be heard.
The child, in a hurry, asked softly:

"Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God: "Your angel's name is of no importance.
You will call your angel ... Mommy."

“Motherhood …is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels."  ~James R. Clark

"We know that birth takes a woman from one place in her life to another. The birth of a child certainly does change her viewpoint of herself and I believe her viewpoint of the world."  ~ Sameerah Shareef