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(HaHa!  Maybe you better just click on the sidebar for

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You all are doing great!)

Newest Post:  Gratefulness, Continued!

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

It's finally here!  My first giveaway!  

November is the month of Thanksgiving--which seems to get swallowed up between Halloween and Christmas at the stores---and just as well.   Heaven help us all if they figure out a way to commercialize Thanksgiving!  

So for this giveaway, we will focus on being thankful!

I am giving away a triangular knit shawl made from Lion Brand Homespun yarn in the color "Baroque".

It is plenty wide enough and long enough to wrap up your shoulders and arms on a coolish morning while you have your quiet time, or maybe on a cool evening while reading blogs on the computer!  

Along with the shawl is a lovely bound blank journal (and a pen--not pictured!) so you can create your own gratefulness journal!

But this isn't "just" a gratefulness journal.

About 9 years ago I was challenged to start a Gratefulness Journal about my husband.   A place where I would write down the things I was thankful for in him.   Now at first, that was easy.  But you can only say, "He's such a good husband/father/provider, etc." so many times!   It has been good for me to really think specifically what I am grateful for.

And to be honest, the times when I was a bit upset at him were the very times I needed to be writing in that journal....and I did!  It's amazing how quickly a "big issue" gets scaled down to less-than-a-minor-glitch when you start focusing on what you have to praise God for in your mate!

I had misplaced the journal when we packed up our room for the remodeling, but I'm on a mission to find it and pick up where I left off!

And I challenge you, my readers, even if you don't win this journal, to get one and start it.

"Oh, but I'm not married", you say?

You're not off the hook either!   A young lady can write what she is grateful for in her father, and even her brothers!   It will be a good practice to be in so when you do marry, you'll have a head start on "looking for the good"!  

And if you are a single mom for whatever reason, you can give thanks for perhaps a Godly woman who is your mentor, or for God Himself--specifically how He is helping you as you look to Him to be your all.

How to enter:

NUMBER ONE!  YOU  MUST DO THIS ONE NO MATTER WHAT OTHER WAYS YOU CHOOSE TO ENTER!  AND IF YOU ENTER ON ANOTHER DAY, YOU MUST DO THIS ONE AGAIN!

1.  Tell me one thing you are grateful for today about your husband (or daddy, etc.).    It can be about his character, something wonderful he's done, how he's weathered a trial, his quiet steady support....

2. Tell three friends about this giveaway and let me know that you did.

3. Post about the giveaway and link back here on your blog or facebook or twitter or whatever else is out there that I am so-not-savvy-about!     Just let me know that you did!

4. Tell me that you are going to start a Gratefulness Journal for your husband (or daddy).   And please DO IT!  If you want to wait to see if you win this lovely journal, that's fine, but MAKE SURE YOU DO IT!  It will be an incredible blessing to you, and if/when you choose to share it with your husband or daddy, it will certainly bless him as well!

This giveaway runs from today, Monday, November 2, through Saturday, November 7, at midnight.    I will let Random.org pick the winner and announce it (hopefully!) on Sunday, November 8!

You may enter as many times as you like!   If, for example, you enter today, you will tell me one thing you are grateful for in your husband or daddy, etc., then maybe tell me you told three friends and posted about it on your blog.

If you happen to twitter about it tomorrow, and you want to come tell me, you must tell me another thing you are grateful for in your husband or daddy, etc.!   Does that make sense?  For each day that you comment about something you did, you also share something you're grateful for!   And it counts each time you do it--as long as it's not the same thing!

And please, no generic "He's a good husband/daddy/provider"!   I want specifics! 

Happy "Thanksgiving"! 

I had intended to post yesterday about MY sweet husband, but other things came up!

I am so grateful to still have him with me, as five years ago, I could very easily have lost him.

I am grateful for his hard work to provide for us.

I am grateful for his quiet, steadiness, and that he is so many times my rock.

I am grateful that he is such a good listener.

I am especially grateful that he has never raised his voice at me---in 26 years of marriage.

I am grateful that he has been so patient with me as I continue to "grow up".  

I love you, Dallas!!!

(Note the cool bow tie the girls made him?!     )

(And note how we are a very REAL family by the background?!   LOL!)

Thank you to all who are posting and entering the giveaway!  I love to hear your grateful comments!

Here are a few challenges that you might be interested in from Revive Our Hearts (Nancy Leigh DeMoss)-- note the FIRST TWO at the top of the list are a Gratitude Challenge and a Husband Encouragement Challenge! 

You get an e-mail for each day with a challenge.   Small, bite sized pieces, but meaty pieces!

I love Nancy Leigh DeMoss, because, as I like to say, she gets Christianity down where "the rubber meets the road"!

I hope you will take advantage of one or both of these challenges....and some of the things you are to be grateful for for your husband might just prompt you for what you can write in your journal! 

Blessings!

My back aches.    I'm so tired of this job.   Hauling these buckets of slop certainly isn't "fun work"!

How did I get to this place, anyway?   Why did I think this was better?   Why did I leave my father's presence?

The pigs rush to the trough as I pour in their meal of "garbage soup".    Shoving each other out of the way, trying to get it all for themselves......just like my life.

Seems when I thought everything was good, I was pushing and shoving others out of my way to get what I wanted.

Then it all changed.

It ALL changed.

Now *I* was the one being shoved out of the way.   No one had time for me.   No one wanted to help.   I was used up and cast aside like a broken toy.

I'm so hungry!  I haven't had money for food for nearly a week.   I've squeaked by, but now......I'm so tired of the cold and the loneliness and the gnawing hunger.......

I start looking at the slop.   There's some bread and gravy that doesn't look too bad.    Maybe I can snatch it out before one of the pigs gets it......

WHAT AM I DOING?!  I stop myself short.

Slop!  Pig slop!   At home my father's hired hands eat better than this!  Even in a famine, Father wouldn't let them eat pig slop!

I've had enough!   I throw the slop bucket down and start for home.   No need to go back to my "room" and get what I have left.   It isn't worth keeping.  

I have a long trek home.   Lots of time to think.   Thinking about how these pigs shoving each other around to get some morsel of slop......and it's really garbage.    That's what I've been doing.   I left the best, thinking it was restricting me, thinking my father really didn't care, that he favored my older brother......so I come out here and squander my inheritance like I'm really somebody, only to find out like so many before, how easy it is to be used.   Especially when you think you're so great!   Seems fools like me are the biggest fish for the savvy world to catch. 

And throw out the bones when they're done.

Friends!  HA!   Hardly......

And me, shoving others out of my life.   Like my father.....my brother.......

What am I going to tell him?   "I'm sorry" seems a bit trite, considering how I've treated him!    All I can do is humble myself before him, beg him to take me as a hired hand since I am no longer fit to be called his son.   And pray my older brother will have mercy on me.  After all, when Father is gone, my brother will be the one I will depend upon for my daily sustenance.

I've worked slopping those hogs.....I'd rather do anything for my father....no matter how hard or menial or grubby the work, I'd do it for him.    I know I can't earn anything from him, but just to show how wrong I was and how much I appreciate food and a place to stay....I'll do anything he asks, and I sure don't expect him to even talk to me.

Heart heavy.   Feet feel heavier.   I'm looking down, but even so, I can tell I'm getting closer.

There's widow Susana's home.   And there's Simon bar Judah's barley field.   Just a little farther.....

Past the stream where Jehoshua and I used to play.     Around the next bend.....wonder if he'll be at the house or with the workers in the field?  

I finally bring myself to look up.

Total shock!  Could it be?!

Could it really be?!

Yes!  YES!  IT'S FATHER!

I run in spite of myself!    It seems like he is running towards me, too!!!

But I remember where I've been, what I've done.   As I get to him, I fall to my knees.

"Father!  Father!  I am no more fit to be called your son!!!   Please take me as one of your hired men!  I'll do any job, no matter how hard, no matter how menial, no---"

"SON!"  Father falls to his knees beside me and hugs me.

"No, NO, Father!  I'm sweaty and I smell of swine and slop and--"

He's weeping!   Hugging my neck and weeping!

"My son!  My son!  My son who was lost is now FOUND!"

The hired workers all run to see what the commotion is about.  

"Quick!   Bring the robe and the ring!  Kill the fattened calf and make haste!  We are celebrating today!  My son was lost, but now he is HOME!" 

He takes the robe and puts it around my slop stained shoulders.  Shouldn't I bathe first?  Purify myself?

He puts the ring on my finger again......I'm not worthy!  I sob!

"Son, from the day you left I never stopped believing you would come home again.  I have been preparing for this day all along!  I knew you would come back!   Come back to our time together!  You will always be my son!"

I weep upon his shoulder, trembling in his tender embrace.   I can't bring back the inheritance I've squandered.   I can't bring back the years I've wasted.

But I can start over this moment--this day!

He still loves me!  I'm still his son!

He was there, waiting, all along.

I didn't need to get cleaned up first or prove myself.   I only needed to turn....

And go Home!!!!!

But now, because of my father's love for me, I WILL get cleaned up and stay that way.  

What love!

I want to bask in that love for the rest of my days.   I never want to do anything that would bring him shame or break his heart again!

"Thank you, Father!  Oh, thank you!   It's so good to be Home!"

He puts his arm around me as we head into the house for a joyful celebration.....

....a celebration of a love that has called me Home and caused me to long for my father's relationship again.

I'm Home.   I'm HOME!

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

James 4:8     "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

How often do we get this backwards!   We think we have to "get cleaned up to take a bath"!!!

What is the first command?  "Draw nigh".   As we initiate that move towards (or back towards) our Abba Father, He draws near to us.   Actually, He was there all the time!   WE are the ones who moved away, and as we move back towards Him, we see that He is there waiting.....even running to meet us as did the Prodigal Son's father!

THEN we cleanse our hands....our works, deeds, words.......and purify our hearts.......our motives, attitudes....

But really, even that is done by Him.   As we draw near, and see He is there with us, because we love Him so much, we WANT to purge away the dross.   Prune away the dead and diseased branches.   Cleanse our hands and hearts of all that is not pleasing to the Very One Who gave us life and sustains our life.

So again, it's not about US.  It's about HIM.   He loved us before the foundation of the world, had a plan, gave His only Son to fulfill that plan, redeemed us to Himself, paid the bride-price.

How can we want anything less than to please our Heavenly Father?   And our Heavenly Bridegroom and Lover of our souls?!

All that I do, I do because I love Him---not to earn His love or favor!

Even when I stray.....a little..... a lot.......even when I foolishly "charge God" because my heart is hurting....or lonely......or selfish.......

He doesn't let me stay in the muck and mire.

He is patiently waiting to see just a hint......just the tiniest hint.......of turning.......

Then He's there!    Ready to receive me, to hug me, to pick up our relationship.

That's what it's ALL about. 

Relationship with Him.

That's why He died---to restore that Eden relationship He created mankind for.

Oh, won't you come Home?!

Oh, I wish aj was right!  A new baby would be wonderful!

But alas, that's not it!

Jennifer hit it---

IT'S A GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Why should my daughters have all the fun?!   Although I won't be doing FIVE giveaways,   I thought I could do at least ONE!   

So, THAT is what IT is!

Well, but WHAT am I giving away?

You'll have to check back Monday to see!   

I will give you a hint to help prepare you......BE THANKFUL!  

Today's "Thankful Thursday" post is being interrupted to bring you the breaking news--

YOUNGEST T-P-ers IN the COUNTY!!!!!

I was headed back into my room when I saw Noah (4-almost-5-years-old) outside my window.  I heard him laughing and saw tissues on the ground.  I open the window and say,

"WHAT are you doing?!"

He immediately has a sober look on his face, in the sea of tissues AND toilet paper, and says,

"I-yayah is throwing down Kleenexes.  I'm not doing it."

Me: "WHERE is he throwing them down FROM?!" 

I'm already beginning to figure it out, but he answers,

"From up there in the bafroom." 

"Up there" is the upstairs bathroom!  

I tear through the house running upstairs, visions of my 3 year old son falling out of the window (we're kind of partial to head injuries around here, if you remember), yelling,

"GIIIIRRRLLLLSSSS!!!!  WHERE IS ISAIAH!!!!!"

(That is for dramatic effect so they can all be as terrified as me!!!)

I get to the bathroom, and there the tiniest T-P-er in the county stands, aware that he is in trouble.  I notice the bathroom window screen is off.  I holler down to Noah,

"WHERE is the screen?"

Noah answers,

"I don't know.  He didn't throw that down."   

(I'm beginning to have a hard time not cracking a smile---now that I know the T-P-er is not falling out the upstairs window!)

"Clean it up NOW!"  I holler.

I come down to the sunroom to report to my older daughters who have wondered what in the world is going on, and then I lose it.

No, not crying, hysterical laughter!

"Quick, quick!  Get the camera!  Take a picture!!!"    

As my dear friend, Heather, said, they did this just so I could post about it on my blog!

And I guess I AM thankful--that my son did NOT fall out of the window, and that they only emptied the upstairs trash, one box of Kleenex and 1 roll of toilet paper!!!!

Of course you want to see pictures, right?!

The small window upstairs is the one Isaiah

was throwing them down from!

Even little T-P-ers have to clean up

after themselves!!!

And now, life is back to normal.....well, for a little while! 

P.S.  Don't forget to check back tomorrow for a NICE surprise---no T-P-ers! 

Could it be a blog makeover? 

New avatar picture? 

A wonderfully super-duper post that is just going to inspire the socks off everyone?!

THE answer to all your problems?! 

ALL or NONE of the above??!! 

Don't you just hate it when people tease like this?! 

Announcement coming Friday! 

Something neat is coming here........

At least I think it is neat....

And others have told me it is....

What is it?!

Stay tuned!   

It's been a topsy-turvy few weeks.  My mother-in-law had a mild heart attack, but kept having "episodes".  They were going to have to do a heart catheterization to see what was going on.  Problem with that was, her kidneys are only at 20% and the heart cath was going to further compromise them, meaning she'd be on dialysis for life afterwards.

Praise the Lord that a change in medication stopped the "episodes", so no heart cath!   She is now in a nursing home near us rehabbing and hopefully will go home in a few weeks.

Added to that, my dear and only grandmother that was left continually worsened.  She pretty much gave up after Grandpa died 6 weeks ago.  Last Wednesday she finished the course, fought the  good fight and laid her burden down in exchange for the Crown of Life.

Today was the funeral.

How do you encapsulate nearly 93 years of life in a short, one hour service?

The pastor who did it did the best job he could.  He's known her since she and my grandpa got saved 50+ years ago.

My grandma left a legacy.   

A legacy of Christianity. 

Of Godliness.  

Of Servanthood. 

Of sweetness and caring.  I never heard her put anyone down.

Of prayer.

Oh, was she a prayer warrior!

Earth is bereft of a Godly saint.

Big shoes to fill.

I can't do it alone.

I challenged all there--friends, family, lots of my cousins......I said we need to pick up the baton, and carry her legacy on. 

That is the most beautiful heritage a person can leave.

I am far richer than if she had left billions to us all.

I know her prayers are a BIG reason I am a Christian today.

And, like her, I don't want my Christianity to be a "religion".  Something I put on, wear for awhile, and take off.  

But something I am.  Faith that shines through all I am and do.   For all to know that Jesus lives in the smack dab center of my heart, and all else is subject to Him and radiates from Him.

No one was around Grandma long without knowing she loved Jesus and she wanted you to, too!

May that be true of me.   May it be true of me.

May others see only Jesus in me.

In light of Eternity, all the petty little things we get our feathers ruffled about, all the things we deem so important (and really aren't), all the stuff we think we have to have.......well, it's just not important.

I want to take this day, these memories, this legacy, and keep it close.   I can't let the tyranny of the urgent snatch relationships out of my hand.

Relationship with Jesus.

Relationship with my dear, sweet husband.

Relationship with my beautiful children.

Relationship with my extended family--may it not take another death to bring us all together!

Relationship with others--friends, church, even the strangers we cross paths with.....

After all that, what else matters?

I've decided it's time to let go of the garbage.  No need to hang onto hurts, to "he saids, she saids", to lies and exaggerations, to the selfish things we all tend to do that hurt one another....

...let go.

Just let it all go.

Because in the end, it won't matter.

But it will matter that I let it rob me of precious relationships.

They won't be with us forever.

I choose to focus on the good.

I choose love which "covers a multitude of sins". 

And pray others would choose that for me, too.

Time is short.

What will you choose?

Will you please choose to forgive? To forget?  To move on? 

To love?

Please do.

Ann Voskamp has a beautiful and challenging post that is worth reading (all of hers are)--

fine art of subtraction: shift to see

I had a FANTASTIC time at Safety Harbor!   It was beautiful and warm!  I left 80 degree weather for 40s here at home!     Too bad I couldn't pack some in my suitcase!

The Retreat was Thursday through Sunday, then Trainer Certifications were Sunday through Wednesday.  First of all, the ride down was a HOOT with my two "adopted" sisters!   We had a great time!  

I am amazed to have gotten through FIFTEEN workouts over the course of the week!  I have not had the stamina until very recently to do more than 3-4 workouts a week and I did 15 all in less than a week's time!  It was really neat Monday, when Teresa did the straight through review workout for the trainers who had not been at the Retreat, that afterward I didn't feel sore at all. In fact, I felt very limber! 

I didn't lose oodles of inches (yet!), but some things definitely reshaped, my stamina obviously improved, and best of all, a lump under my arm (which had reduced by half when I started T-Tapp) reduced another 1/3.  Then I got a light massage, and it is now smaller than it has been in TEN years!  THAT is worth losing 40 inches to me! 

It was fun eating at the local restaurants and having the waitresses ask about a "fitness retreat where everyone gets together"!   T-Tapp is so much more than just inch loss and looking good.  It's about total health and balance.  Teresa's heart is more about health, and the "inch loss" is often the open door that many have found leads to MUCH more.  So many of the testimonies on Thursday night included health improvements, hormonal improvements, getting off meds......isn't feeling better more important, after all?

Even one of the guys on the camera crew commented about how nice all the ladies were!  I think meeting so many of the ladies, putting faces with forum names--that was so neat!  There was such a camaraderie and everyone was supportive of everyone.  No one's there to show off or toot their own horn but we're all there to encourage and cheer each other on!

A little sadness during my time there--I found out our beloved shih-tsu, Pooh, passed away on Monday.  Teresa has two furbabies, Buddy and Mitzi (Bichons).  Now Mitzi is more sociable as Buddy is "Teresa's"!   I went downstairs after talking to my daughter and asked if I could hold Mitzi for awhile.   Everyone was so sweet and sympathetic--if I had to be away from home when this happened, I couldn't have been in a better place!

Here's a picture with Teresa and Mitzi.

There is just NO program out there like this where everyone truly cares about you.  Where you gain not only a better figure (however long it might take!   ) but better health and better body balance.  Where the inventor of the program remembers your name from a year and a half ago, is down to earth and really cares about you as a person.  I'm not saying there's not nice people out there in the fitness world, but I truly believe Tappers are the bestest! 

Where else would I have met my "triplet" sisters, who are crazy enough with me to do Hoedowns at a gas station somewhere in Kentucky?

At 2:30 a.m.?!

If you haven't checked T-Tapp out, I encourage you to.  You get lifetime support from the office when you purchase from them, the forums offer loads of encouragement and information, and you are doing something wonderful for yourself that far outweighs inch loss. 

I loved the Retreat, and my last morning there I was blessed to see a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l sunrise over the harbor.  I'll close with a few pictures (I only have 318 total from my trip!  HaHa!)

I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse into my trip---I'm sure I'll have more to share in the days to come!

 Here's a "picture perfect" sunrise!

            After a while you may be wondering why it is so quiet on here.  It's because...

  ... Mommy is currently in Atlanta, Georgia---on her way to Safety Harbor, Florida for the annual T-Tapp reteat!!!!!

   We girls have been partying---I mean behaving   since she left .  Actually, we've been good girls so far .   We've cleaned up two of the messiest rooms in the house, and actually dusted them!  And when I say clean, that means clean-under-the-couches-and-in-the-corners kind of clean : D  One of the younger girls asked "Is someone coming over, or are we just cleaning to be cleaning?"  : D  We older girls laughed because it is kind of a joke that we never dust unless someone is coming over (and usually not even then!)

  Daddy said if we get all our work done the first part of the nine days that she's gone, we can "party" (or maybe I should say do fun stuff) the last part : D  I'm not sure yet what fun stuff we're going to do, but I'm sure we'll find some somewhere!

  Anyways, now you have the reason for her quiet blog : )  I have a very strong feeling that it isn't near as quiet in that van!  She's riding with two other friends, and from what I hear, when put together, they must be a riot : D

Cassia has posted her giveaway at Seven Sisters!   It is a sweet, size 10 girls' jumper in a beautiful navy fabric with golden sunflowers and brown leaves--just right for Autumn!

Here's the link-- Seven Sister's 4th Giveaway.      Head on over and enter!   They just keep getting better and there's one more to go!  

I might have to do one of my own here soon--they're catching up to me on the visitor counter! 

Today starts the third giveaway at Seven Sisters!  It's a beautiful Edwardian Apron--I know you'll love it!

Head on over to their blog and enter as many times as you want, following Leah's rules!   And yes, she made it!

Hey!  *I* haven't gotten one for Christmas or my birthday yet.....maybe I better put in an order for one this year!  

Have fun!

Every August, you see back-to-school sales.  Everywhere from Wal-Mart to the car dealerships.  (Hey, I'm not sure why you need a "back-to-school" car, but I'm sure the saleman there will be glad to enlighten me!   )

Wal-Mart and Meijer's have lists from the local schools.  Pencils. Pens.  Compass.  Crayons.  Scissors.  Glue.  Calculator.  College ruled paper and notebooks.   Binders.  Organizers.  School boxes.  Backpacks.

And the list goes on!

Not only that, but there are back-to-school sales on clothing and shoes.  Don't new clothes and August go together?

We can't forget snacks!  Especially for the college students! 

But what about the poor, deprived homeschoolers?

I confess I used to stock up on "school supplies" every August.  After all, there was an abundance, and sometimes you couldn't find certain things later in the year!  And there are always good sales--Meijer especially is good about having something really super duper cheap each week.    

But not anymore.  I usually am still letting the budget recover from 4-H fair time by August!  Then there's fruit to buy for canning and canning supplies.   Plus, we seem to have amassed most of the gadgets we need and lots more we don't need!   I buy more paper and clear-view binders and page protectors than anything, and the stores always have those now.

So what do homeschoolers do?

They ask for it all for Christmas!!!  

At least that's what my younger children are doing!!!

I mean, think about it---pencils, pens, crayons, calculators......aren't they the perfect stocking stuffers?!

And just wrap up some snacks, some new clothes (my littles are asking for homemade blouses, jumpers, slips...!), and voilà!

Christmas on a Back-to-School budget! 

It's easier to talk than to pray.  

It's easier to talk, talk, talk to others about problems, situations, circumstances, crises, relationship issues, than it is to pray, pray, pray to the Only One Who can do anything about it all anyway.

And the more we talk, talk, talk about these things to others, the less we pray, pray, pray and the more we start thinking things depend on "us" doing this or that or saying this or that or fretting about this or that and making sure "we" do/say the right thing.....

All the while, the one thing we really could do, and it would be THE right thing.....we don't do.

Because we've expended all that energy talking.

And maybe, just maybe, we've believed a lie that praying isn't really going to solve the problem anyway.

What a tragedy--and what a lie!

It isn't wrong to talk to others or pray with others.....but first we should talk to the Lord.  And realize that nothing "depends all on me".   Nothing.  He is in control.  I am His channel, His hands, feet and mouth on this earth.

But I have to be in communion with Him to see what HE would have me do or say. 

My heart should be full of Him.  Then my mouth will speak sweet words that have far more effect than my fretting, anxious heart could produce.  That would only produce fretting, anxious "it depends on me" words that only alienate.

Talk.

Or pray.

It's our choice.

But only one brings peace.  

Only one brings true resolutions.

What a privilege to be able to talk with THE King of Kings about anything and everything.

Will you exercise that privilege today?

Will you talk......or pray?

Well, I'm a day late here, but Susannah has posted her giveaway at Seven Sisters blog!

It's a beautiful hand needle-tatted bookmark--I know you'll love it!   Head on over there and see what you need to do to enter!  Her giveaway goes through Saturday night, September 19, and the winner will be announced sometime Sunday the 20th.  (We have a wedding that afternoon, so you might not see it posted until later in the day--I know, I know!  The suspense will be killing you!   )

Have fun!  Two more giveaways to go!

My mom called this morning to tell me my step-grandpa passed away early this morning.

It was expected....yet not.

Are we ever really ready to let go?

He was 91 and had Alzheimers.  He didn't know any of us for the past 3-4 years.

He knew the Lord, so I know he is in a better place now.

But he sure leaves a big hole here.

I remember when he married my grandma--the day after we got married!   He took such good care of my grandma.  They traveled and did many things she couldn't do the last 10 years of my biological grandfather's life due to his illness.  They worked on the crisis prayer line at their church for years.  They often took people in, helping them out.  Most never came back to do anything for them, but they didn't care.  They were investing in God's Kingdom.

I remember when I was down with one of my miscarriages, Grandpa and Grandma came down to my home, visited with me, brought me food, and cleaned my house.  I mean they cleaned my house!  I distinctly remember Grandpa taking a pen with a cloth over it and going over ALL the baseboards in my living room, dining room and the stairway to dust it!  This is old woodwork with all the nooks and crannies that it's famous for!

It was probably the first time it had been done in 40 years, and it hasn't been done since!!! 

Servant-hearted.  God-loving.  Prayer Warriors.  That's how I'd describe both my grandparents.

I've missed him, as he hasn't been himself for the past 4 years.  And I'll miss him more. 

Life.

People get older, pass on. 

Sometimes, they don't get a chance to get older.   They go straight to the arms of Jesus from the womb.

That happened 19 years ago today.

Our firstborn son, Noah Ross, went from my womb to Heaven sometime between September 6-7, 1990. 

He was born into this world, in body, on September 8.

On his grave marker, no dash.

No memories, but those of flutters and kicks and flips in the womb.

No pictures of birthdays or holidays or just-goofing-around days.   Just an ultrasound picture from early on.   And some pictures after he came into this world, although they are not good enough to hang on the wall, to commemorate that a son was born.

How my arms ached to hold him then!  I held him just a short little while before giving him up, but the days, the weeks that followed were so hard.

But my Jesus walked with me through that valley.

Then "birthdays" would come.  Sometimes I'd bake a cake, other times just go to the cemetery.  I know exactly where he is buried behind that stone.  Even now.

Yet....he isn't there!   He is with my Savior--the One Who died for me....for Noah Ross....so he could go straight to Heaven. 

Now I think....a 19 year old young man....he would have graduated this year....probably be working with his daddy......what would he be like?

Many times since I have been in the Bubble of His Grace.....and He carries me now. 

Carry me, carry me, won't You carry me now

I'm too weak, and fragile, to walk on my own.

I'll rest in Your love until once more I can stand

To journey beside You, and follow You home.

~Carry Me by Christine Wyrtzen

Today.  A day of memories.   A day of good-byes....for now. 

But also, a day of Eternity.   Today great-grandson welcomes great-grandfather Home.  Step-son-in-law welcomes step-dad Home.  Jesus welcoming His servant Home with a "Well done, My good and faithful servant."

Life.

It ebbs.  It flows.  Like a river, it never stops.  It may slow for awhile, but then it rushes on.

We dip our feet into it, trail our fingers in it, willing it to wait for us.....to savor these moments just a bit longer.

But it pays us no heed. 

We take the memory of it with us, holding it close to our hearts until that day when we never have to part again.

Thank You, Sweet Jesus, for the hope of Eternity....the hope of seeing our loved ones again, both young and old.

My daughters, the farmgirls, are hosting a blog giveaway this week and the next four weeks.  Each week will be something different, make by each of my oldest four daughters!  Believe me--all four prizes are very neat and sweet!    You'll love them!

So head on over there and read the rules and comment if you want to enter!   The first on is up here:  Embroidered Cloth Journal Giveaway and will be open through Saturday, September 12.  The winner will be announced sometime Sunday, then the next giveaway announced next Monday!

Have fun!

That isn't original with me.  But it really caught my eye.....and my heart.  I've been reading over at Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience.   The actual post where she shared this thought is "A Place for Everything".

And I found that as a link from another good post, which I highly recommend:  "How to Build a House of Prayer" (today's post).

And I got the link to that (don't you love it?!) from:  "Prayer: Why We Struggle (and How Not To) " Warning!  It is very convicting!  (But very, very needful and true!)

"Walk With Him Wednesday" is what she is calling this meme.

I'm going back to slowly soak in more.   Won't you join me?

Won't you make a place for God, in your life, your home, your day.......so that your life, your family, your home-- your heart--becomes.......

"A place for God and God spilling into every place."

It's been one year since my daughters, Seven Sisters, started their blog!

They have a BIG surprise, and even more surprises---you might want to head over there and take a look! 

Happy Blogoversary, Farmgirls!