Us The Duo - Take Me Home / Finding God In The Ruins

Trina won her heavenly reward today - cancer lost its battle against her body. 

This is a GREAT video for anyone who is hurting, who needs encouragement or wants to provide encouragement, etc.  Make sure to read the script that goes along with the video.

Home is where the heart is... God will take you home to His arms.

RIP Trina! Prayers covering your loved one who are grieving your presence in this earthly world.

From Death Into Life

Today I, along with many in my corner of the world, will celebrate yet another wonderful, loving woman who has stepped from death into life. As I was talking last night with the LOML (aka my hubby) about her, I told him:

"The wonderful things that I could stand up & proclaim about Karen as we celebrate her life are the very same words I would have stood up & proclaimed years ago & throughout the years that I knew her. She was a remarkable woman."

Today... It Should Be Snowing...

The emotions were too raw the day I wrote this. I could not bear to publish it on that day. But, today I find myself missing & thinking about that friend who went HOME on December 6th... and is now made whole...

Today is cool & rainy. But, given my mood... it should be snowing today. It feels like winter. I feel like I need to hibernate in my home and come back out in the spring. My heart is full of emotions as I just learned from a dear friend that she will be turned over to hospice care next week.

First Monday In Heaven

My "JoyDare" from
a few weeks back.

This morning I awoke with the thought... "Yep! This is her first Monday in Heaven!" Why my mind works like that is a mystery to me. But, it was how I greeted the day in my mind. And, the thought made me smile AND yet feel a little lost at the same time.

Today will be the first weekday in quite awhile that I won't be getting ready to drive over to my friends house to keep her company as she prepares to meet the Lord. She went to be in His arms early Saturday evening. Her diagnosis 5 months ago took us all by surprise. But, she didn't seem to skip a beat as she put everything in place for her passing. If this was her time to leave this earth in God's plan, she was okay with that. She didn't want to die. She'd leave a grieving husband & many grieving friends. But, she had a peace about whatever God's plan was. And, she wanted to

In A Moment

Today I awoke with a yearning to be by myself - just me & God for some quiet time. I imagined myself looking out from the side of a tall mountain - just admiring God's beauty from that perch. I opted to miss a wonderful weekly gathering of women at our church - a Bible study called RefresHer. I'm ministered to by being there. But, the yearning to be silent won out. And, I began to talk with God... and write.

I'm feeling a bit withdrawn today... thinking about friends with whom I've lost touch... some due to long distances between us in location... others due to reasons I do not understand. I'm missing ones who've gone on to be with God.

I've begun 4 posts already today -- each with words spilling out from my heart almost faster than I can type them. I've limited my time online and checked only from time to time for specific things. As I hopped over to Facebook to copy one of my pics to use for a post I'd begun, the top status in the feed was from a young woman of God in our church...

California Baptist sang this song at my church two years ago. Gives me chills every time! He's making all things new!

I clicked on the YouTube link provided. I listened and, I worshiped. I was refreshed, renewed, encouraged. I was challenged to let people see my story... to proclaim where I find my strength & hope.

It's a 6-minute video. But, if you're weary, hurting or seeking help today, take a listen. If you long to be with loved ones who've gone on, take a listen. If you want to be reminded of His promises, take a listen. If you want to be reminded of that day when all things are made new, take a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO2vFbYY8qw

Here are the lyrics taken from In A Moment by Rebecca St. James & as it's sung by the California Baptist University choir:

In a moment everyone falls silent to hear the mighty trumpet split the eastern sky.
Just imagine, the King of all creation riding through the heavens returning for His bride.

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring.
Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

All the broken, they're no longer broken as they dance before Him a radiant debut. 
And the lion walks beside the lamb and all is well again. He's making all things new. 

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring. 

Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

Gloria, Gloria, Gloria!

Sing Glory, Sing Glory, Sing Gloria!

Gloria, Sing Gloria!
Hear the sound of the crowd sing Gloria!

Face down, on the ground, sing Gloria! 

Gloria! Gloria! Hear the sound of heaven ring. 

Gloria! Gloria! All the earth will bow & sing. 

In a moment everyone falls silent.

All is well again.

He's making all things new.

I'm encouraged by this song & God's Word... promising brokenness being replaced with dancing... promising the lion & the lamb walking side by side... promising overwhelming awe, JOY & celebration!

The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8

Here are some promises that will NEVER be broken:

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21:5

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life." Revelation 22:17

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

HOPE, Destination Heaven 10-31-13

Yesterday, I was honored to attend the life celebration of a man from my church whom I'd known for quite a few years. I'd sat in the same room with him at church council meetings. I'd sung beside him & his wife in choir. I'd kidded back & forth with him - enjoying his great sense of humor. Dave was a wonderful man & a genuine man of God. He & his wife were great role models for a loving marriage centered on Christ. My life is richer having known him.

As I hugged Dave's wife beside the coffin... As I heard the words spoken by mutual friends remembering & honoring Dave... As I heard songs Dave had chosen to be sung by another dear friend of mine (named Dave also)...  

I was reminded about the promises of heaven. I was reminded of my earthly father waiting at heaven's gate for a hug. And, I felt an affirmation in my spirit that I would one day share in this joy. My main goal in life is to honor God by living a life pointing others toward Christ. I want go to heaven -- bringing as many people with me as possible.

Dave fought a tough battle with cancer. With my father's battle with cancer in 2002, his body became a shell of what he'd been. Yet, Dad's hope remained to the end. Toward the end of Dave's battle, his body was worn. But, his hope was not diminished. It was strengthened by the relationship he had with God over the years & in those last days. A scripture that was shared yesterday resonates with my heart...

"And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us." Romans 8:23 NLT

As I drove home later in the afternoon, my co-pilot slept peacefully in her car seat in the back seat of DeeDee's little yellow car. It was the perfect time to take the long way home. Close to my home is a tiny graveyard with graves from the 1800's to the present day. I couldn't help but notice a fresh grave site along the north side of the graveyard on the river's edge. I drove in & snapped a few pictures. The lighting was gorgeous... and, the baby snored.

Because of my beliefs, graveyards have never been a fearful place for me. Only in the moments of losing a loved one have they been a place of mourning - but, only for a moment & only for those left behind. They've always been a place of peace and a place to celebrate people I've known or my parents & family knew. I spent about 40 minutes taking in the beauty yesterday. As I pulled out, I noticed a small marker on the side of a hill which reminded me of what I wrote yesterday. All night, all day... angels watching over us!

I'm on a journey. And, my destination is heaven. Can anything prevent me from experiencing the love of God? My HOPE is in the Lord - the Maker of the heavens & the earth.

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have troubles or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?" Romans 8:35 

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in creation will ever separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

Linking October 2013 with The Nesting Place

 for the 31-day Challenge

HOPE, Days of Remembrance 10-20-13

October 20th. That will always be a day of remembrance for me. It will be a day to celebrate the birthday of my aunt Iona (my dad's little sister). And, it will be a day to remember & celebrate the wonderful legacy left by my father. 

On Sunday, October 20, 2002, just a few minutes past noon, I sat perched on a kitchen stool on my father's left side as he laid in the raised hospital bed which hospice had set up by the family room bay window. I spoke words of promise from God's Word... whispered words of comfort & assurance in Dad's ear... kissed him gently on the forehead... and heard his last breath slowly leave his earthly body. I don't know if it was just my mind but, I remember the sun streaming through the window at that very moment, warming my back. I was alone with him there in that moment but, never felt less alone.

I've written about this day before and will write of it again. It's a day that was planted in my heart at the age of 4 or 5 - put there with a very detailed & confusing, yet peaceful & reassuring, dream. An elaborate story has been in my heart & mind for more years than I care to say. Few of my friends have heard the story. I'm not ready to share all those wonderful details with the world. It was a loving hug from my Lord before I even grew to the age to truly understand & know Him and accept Him as my own.

About the age I had my dream...
My dad & I after making our way
down the Indiana Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Oh, it was very fashionable to do SEPIA pics back then :)

During the entire dream (or was it a vision?), a song played in the background. It was a song I'd probably heard numerous times at church as a tiny child. Throughout my life, every time I've heard that song, I've been taken back to that dream. When I can't seem to find sleep at night, I will often sing the song in my mind. A peace comes over me and, I always fall asleep as though held in the arms of God Himself (or Herself - there's another blog post!) The song was written in 1895 by Clara H. Scott. The scripture given as the basis of the song is:

Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18

The lyrics of Open My Eyes, That I May See are as follows:

Open my eyes, that I may see 

Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;

Place in my hands the wonderful key

That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine! 

Open my ears, that I may hear

Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;

And while the wave notes fall on my ear,

Everything false will disappear. 

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine! 

Open my mouth, and let me bear,

Gladly the warm truth everywhere;

Open my heart and let me prepare

Love with Thy children thus to share. 

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

I believe that God sees ahead each & every one of us AND will give each & every one of us glimpses of just what we need daily... or will need in the years to come. Open your eyes to what God is showing you. He is preparing a future of hope & promise for YOU! 

The last "church directory pic" of my parents
before Dad went home with God on 10-20-01.

PS Guess what song just happened to be sung today at my church today? Yep, you got it. In my mind, that is no coincidence. It's just one more hug from a Loving Father! I love you Earthly Daddy in Heaven! I love you Heavenly Father!!

Linking October 2013 with The Nesting Place

 for the 31-day Challenge

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...

Birthday Thoughts...

March 8, 2013

While writing a note of birthday greetings on my niece's Facebook wall today...

Ashley, I could write a BOOK about how blessed I am to have you & the other girls for nieces... and Shaney & Kevin for nephews. God has blessed our family with some WONDERFUL young people. May you seek Him more & more each day. Your birthday is being celebrated here on earth & in heaven, as well. We love you!! Uncle B & Aunt C

I was instantly filled with a sense of JOY & thoughts of heaven. Man has not seen nor can comprehend what WONDERFUL things are in store in heaven for those who give their hearts to God here on earth. The thought came to my mind, "I want to die."

I immediately thought, how morose!  But, the truth is that my work here on earth should be completed focused on the prize ahead of me. Showing others the Jesus I know should be my main goal. Bringing others to the saving knowledge of Christ should be my focus.

Yes, I look forward to being in heaven. Yes, I look forward to no more pain, no more heartache, no more sadness, etc. I can't wait to see my father & to meet a sister whom I never met. I long to say thanks to Kate Powell & Hazel Paige Settlemyer & Louise Sain who modeled Godly women for me in my early years. I yearn for hugs & conversations with girlfriends who have become like sisters... and sisters who are dear friends.

Happy Birthday Ashley!
SEEK HIM IN ALL YOU DO :)

I know that my life here is like a vapor in comparison with eternity. But, I know & I am at peace with what God has for me to do... and for what I may need to endure here on earth... to further the kingdom of God.

Each day brings blessings in the good times, as well as the bad. I am thankful for that. I thank God for placing wonderful people in my life.

Crazy Connection! - 31 DAYS OF CRAZY - 20 October 2012

My mom & I miss my dad
but, we still feel connected to
him by LOVE!!

I woke up this morning thinking about my dad.  He went to be with Lord ten years ago today.  

Although he's not been with us these past years, I feel a connection to him.  He was a gentle & compassionate man. He didn't have a bad word to say about anyone. The worse thing I ever heard him say about anyone was, "That person must really be going through something rough to act like that." I hope I've taken on some of his admirable qualities.  Below are a few excerpts from a post I wrote about him & the connection we continue to share...

My dad was born to a steel mill worker & a lifelong stay-at-home mom... born in a little white house perched on a small hill on a street lined with a dozen or two nearly identical homes. He led a simple, conservative life, born & raised in that Ohio town. Most of his entertainment consisted of listening to the radio. Music was how he learned of the world beyond his own. I remember him referencing songs & books from his lifetime in his sermons. And, I remember one of his sermons entitled, "What's It All About?" I wonder if it had anything to do with the old song? 

I've learned that while we're here on earth, we won't be able to answer that question about most situations we face. For me, life's answers often aren't clear... the road is frequently steep & winding... the "why's" are many. Yet, for me, my faith holds strong in the One who hung the stars in space, spoke music to life & loves each one of us like a long, long awaited child.

Sometimes, in the wee small hours of the night, I weep over disappointments & losses in my life.  Although there's a profound sense of loss with my father not here any more, his life & his love have helped me to answer many of the "What's It All About?" questions in my life.  I feel a special connection with my father.  I believe that he is somehow in that huge crowd of witnesses to my life of faith.  I can't wait to give him a HUGE hug when I get to heaven :)

His Words: 

(got this idea from Chase Tibbs' blog; because i love the words of God)

• "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1
• "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
• "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

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