create the life you love

Birthdays

Celebrating my sweet momma's 1st Birthday in heaven today.

I miss her so, but know that she is dancing with the angels on this special day .. both her birthday and mine!

 

{ me-me with 3 of her grandsons .. Bear, Connor and Jordan }

 

"Happy Birthday Mother"
It's sure to be the best one yet,
Though you left me here behind.
Did you think that I'd forget?
Your cake this year, will surely be,
A beauty to behold.
With the icing made of Silver,
And the candles made of Gold.
Yes your birthday in Heaven,
Will be such a grand affair. 
And I know you'll look so lovely,
With a halo in your hair. 
The Angels will come from everywhere,
To sing your birthday song.
And I know they'll be so happy,
That you've joined, God's Happy Throng.
No I can't send a card this year,
Or give a gift so fine.
So I'll just send a special prayer,
To that wonderful mother of mine.

 

Lent

Yet even now, says the Lord,
Return to me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
Rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
for the Lord, your God?

Joel 2:12-14

I have struggled a bit this year in my decision for my lenten sacrifice. Last year, I gave up shopping! 40 days of no shopping for myself, except for the essentials (groceries, etc.). 

Lent is the season when Christians prepare their hearts for Easter with reflection, repentance and prayer. This year I have decided rather than giving up something, I am focusing on devoting myself more to God through prayer, devotional readings and continuing my daily bible readings. My new year's resolution was to read the entire bible in a year and while I have been doing this, it has been a struggle, and I am behind. I am not a tv watcher, but do read every single night. Lately, I have been jumping right into reading my current novel instead of doing my bible readings first, thus getting way behind. I need to change my priorities and put the bible and devotionals first every single night.

I am hoping that I can make God my primary focus as I reflect of His love and prepare for Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday.

 

"People do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" Deuteronomy 8:3

 

 

 

Please keep my dear friend, Diane in you prayers.

Diane lost her son in a tragic death last week. My heart just aches for her. I have cried buckets .. and no words can express the sympathy and sorrow I feel for her and her family.

May the unfailing love of Jesus to bring peace, strength and comfort to my sweet friend.

Much Love to you, Diane

 

 

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

A Love Prayer

For those that asked .. here is the devotional written by Holley Gerth

 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seekinf, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres"  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

LORD,

Because love is patient ...

                               Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen. Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with me.

 

Because love is kind ...

                           Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say "Please" and "Thank YOu" because those litle things still matter so much.

 

Because love does not envy or boast, and is not proud ...

                                                 Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.

 

Because love is not rude or self-seeking ...

                                                Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I'm tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there's a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.

 

Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs ...

                                             Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.

 

Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth ...

                                              Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.

 

Because love always protects and always trusts ...

                                           Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.

 

Finally, because love always perseveres ...

                                          Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what that word really means. Amen.

 

 

Blessings!

mcc

Makes a Mother Proud

Griff has been attending a new youth group at a new church (new church for us). He initiated going and of course, we were thrilled (not always a priority for teenagers!). One of his school football coaches is the leader, which makes it all the better.

I was so pleased to see this hanging on his bulletin board in his room, amongst his sports stuff.

 

This brick was just installed at the FSU fountain. Barret worked for the president of FSU during his last year of college. He was given this as a graduation gift, along with a beautiful card.

A friend of his took the picture and sent it, but we hope to see it in person too. Bear choose the inscription, 'scalp 'em'!

Btw, he has a job!! Started this past week ... ahhh, big sigh of relief and we are very grateful!

 

And, not to leave out Connor, of course I am proud of him too .. just don't have anything particular to share at the moment! He's busy being a Rebel (Ole Miss!). I'll share this picture he sent me of the snow in Oxford 2 weeks ago (outside his apartment) .. 

Bible Reading .. New's Year Goal!

 

One of my goals for 2011 is to read the entire bible this year. I'll be quite honest and admit that I have tried this a few times in the past and have failed. But, this time I am using The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan and it makes all the difference (in the past, I just started reading from the beginning of the bible with no outline or plan). I started my reading  on 1.1.11 and am going strong. This plan is very do-able .. thank you Kim for recommending it! Also, I am doing my bible reading on my ipad, which I love. I read every single night (not a tv watcher), most nights I go to bed at 9pm and read for an hour or more .. but reading my bible in bed has always been difficult for me .. finding the correct pages, verses, etc. and being able to see! (even with reading glasses). Reading on the ipad is a breeze and I am able to bookmark pages and make highlights. By using the Discipleship plan, I spend about 15-20 minutes a night (5 nights a week) reading. I am making sure that I always do my bible reading first each night and then move on to my current book reading (just started reading 'A Land Remembered').

 

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

(Psalm 37:4)

…He has our best interest at heart…He is always with us…He never fails us…Delight yourself in the Lord…He will lead you…He will guide you…He will direct you…He will enlightened you…"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."(Prov.3:6)…If you are looking for direction in your life…acknowledge Him…He gives good counsel…God is our delight…He loves us…He protects us…If you are going through a rough place…call on Him…don't aimlessly seek direction…call on Him…don't dwell on hurts…dwell on the all encompassing power of God…choose to be happy…make it a definite choice…dwell on His provision…dwell on His help…dwell on His promises…delight yourself in Him…Let these thoughts sink into your being…remember He is on our side…rejoice…we can not lose..He sees us through…When you feel a wave of despair approaching…call on Him…He will lift you up…whenever you are afraid…put your trust in Him…Jesus is able to turn things around…He tells us over and over again in His word to fear not…He tells us He is with us…He tells us the enemy can't triumph over us…God is our defense…Trust God with your life…watch what He is doing in your life…You will cry as the psalmist did in Psalm66:5 "Come and see the works of God,He is awesome in His doing towards the sons of men."…Nothing is to hard for the Lord…His power is truly awesome…Amen

 

Better than a Hallelujah!

I LOVE this song!

Many, Many Thanks

 

{ my dear parents  }

 

I can not begin to express my gratitude for all the kind words of comfort, thoughts and prayers.

I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful, caring friends and I appreciated each and every one of you. 

My mother's funeral visitation, mass and luncheon was this past Tuesday in Clearwater, Florida, where she lived for the past 30+ years. The entire day was a beautiful and touching celebration of her life and the wonderful woman she was. Although she will be dearly missed by many, I am comforted in knowing she is finally home with her eternal Father in heaven.

I am also at peace with her passing on my birthday. I know the day of my birth was a very happy and special day for her and am blessed that she entered into the arms of God on this day ... which will be all the more special to me now.

I am also so proud of my boys. This was very hard on all three of them. Their 'MeMe' was the only grandmother they ever had (as was my father, their one and only 'PaPa'). She was the world to them and they, along with her other 4 grandchild, her everything.

 

 

{ MeMe and 3 of her grandsons ... Barret, Connor & baby Jordan }

A cute story about the name 'MeMe' ... my mom's first 2 grandchildren (Michael & Meghann) always called her "Gram', but when Barret, the 3rd grandchild came along, he called her "MiMi', as did Connor, Jordan and Allie. Then came the last grandchild, Griff and once he was old enough to write, he insisted that MiMi's name should be spelled 'MeMe'. He would write her notes and draw pictures and always wrote MeMe. She always though he was so smart for being phonetically correct.

{ Mom - Gram - MeMe } 

"Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die"

John 11:26

 

 

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Psalm 23

My heart is aching and I am saddened so.

My dear mother has passed away ... she is home with our Father in heaven.

Eleven days ago, while in her sleep, she suffered a massive stroke to the brain, and had been in a coma since. 

Early this morning at 1 am she went peacefully into the arm's of God.

Her passing on my birthday has a reason, and I pray that God will help me to accept and understand His timing.

Although I am so heart broken, my faith gives me the assurance and comfort in knowing my beloved mother is at home with her love ones who have gone before her, and she is finally at peace.