To The Praise of His Glory!

Without sorrow, how can we know joy?  Without loss, how can we know gain? 

On January 8, 2011 we lost baby Lucas unexpectedly after only seeing his little face for thirty-one hours.  This was the deepest sorrow we could ever have in our hearts.  The last twenty two months have been a journey of learning to believe and trust that God is still there and that He will heal and comfort and continue to love us. 

On October 20, 2012 Gabrielle Elise was given to us and our sorrow was turned into joy and our previous loss helped us to truly know and understand our gain.  There will always be sorrow in our hearts for our loss, but there is also now new joy!

I was so pleased to learn that the beautiful name of Gabrielle means "God's Strength" and Elise means "Consecrated".  Such promise and such hope her little life is bringing to us.  God has a wonderful plan for each life, no matter the number of days.  Our precious Lucas blessed our lives in so many ways and he will always be a treasure in our hearts.  

                                                                             Ephesians 1:12
                  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

My precious "Ellie" is to me a "Praise To His Glory", as we have from the very beginning put our trust in Jesus Christ.  How can I look at her and not praise His Holy Name?  She will always be to me a reminder of how precious life is and to be thankful for each moment that we have together.  She is to the praise of His glory, because she reminds me of how God has been faithful to lead us through a path of healing and restoration. 

I pray that all of our lives will be a "Praise To His Glory" as we trust in Him and reflect His goodness and mercy and love.  Amen ~

Above all else . . . .

"Lord,
    Help me to bless others today, especially with my prayers."  Amen ~

These are the words I wrote in my journal this morning and then I began to list the names of my family and friends and their needs for physical healing and circumstances.

                                                       Family Member .... "Mind"
                                                       Family Member  ... "Legs"
                                                       Family Member ... "Ears"
                                                       Family Member ... "Heart"
                                                       Friend ... "Eyes"
                                                       Family Member .... "Circumstances"
                                                       Friends .... "Retreat"

                        After looking at this list, this prayer came to my heart,

Lord,   
Above all else . . . may they have a closer walk with You.
           May their minds be renewed in You.
           May their legs carry them to the path you have called.
           May their ears hear your voice calling to them.
           May their heart be sensitive to anything that pulls them from you.
           May their eyes be focused on You alone for their needs.
           May they know that the circumstances in their life are stepping stones to You.
           May they daily choose to retreat with You.
                                       Amen ~

                                                                    Jeremiah 42:3
Pray for us unto the Lord thy God . . . that the Lord thy God may show us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.

                                                                    Ephesians 3:19
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.  Amen ~

Always know . . . my love.

Dear Kimberly,
   I cannot allow another day to slip by without telling you how much I love you.  My heart is so sad, that our relationship has been broken for so long.  I never dreamed as a mother, that so much time would slip by without speaking to my daughter.  I will never understand how this happened?  We will both have our own perspective and I'm sure it won't be the same, however we must remember that tomorrow is now gone and we only have today. 
   Every morning I pray about many things and for many people, but God knows my prayers for you have been at the top of my list. 
   I pray that you are just where the Lord wants you to be and your heart is joyful in Him.  I pray that no matter what. . .  you will always know my love for you and that I will always have you in my heart.  You will always be my precious daughter.
   Forgiveness is the purest reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ and I pray that we may someday walk hand-in-hand as well as heart-to-heart because we chose to forgive.

Love,
   Mom

I chose this venue to write you only because I didn't know any other way.  I will not "publish" this on FB or E-mail.  Just praying that you might be lead to pull up my blog and read it. 

  
  

Lord, Please Turn Her Around . . .

Everyday I am saying a prayer for precious little "Ellie" to turn around in her Mommy's womb.  My daughter recently had an ultra-sound done and it showed that the baby is busy discovering all the different positions possible!  LOL  Of course, this is kind of scary for us as we would desire that the delivery be natural and as God intended.  Katie still has a few weeks left in her pregnancy and we will continue to pray, "Lord, please turn her around."

                                                                  The Acts 26:18
                                                                  (Paul speaking)
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Everyday I have precious people that I am praying for.  I ask God to draw them to Himself and turn their hearts around.  They are out there in this dark world discovering all the different possibilities Satan has for them.  This is so scary for me to think about as each day is so precious and we never know how much time we have left in this world.  God has such a wonderful plan for us and the greatest tragedy is for us to have hearts that are turned the wrong direction and away from Him.  "Lord, please turn them around." 

                                                                 Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
   On behalf of precious baby "Ellie" I ask that you turn her around and may she be in her rightful place.  Thank you for the gift of life!  Lord, I also have loved ones that I pray will turn their hearts to you.  I pray that they will choose to walk in your light and not darkness.  I pray that your plan and purpose for their life will be fulfilled.  "Lord, please turn them around."  Amen ~ 

Clothing Me In Garments . . .

My sister, Karen loves to go shopping at The GW Boutique!  (Goodwill)  She delights in clothing me with garments from her favorite store!  She knows my size and my personal taste and always has her eye out for a great bargain!  I can't begin to tell you how much she has blessed me with surprise boxes in the mail just filled with fabulous finds!  I love to look over each garment and marvel over her selections and her sacrifice of money and time. If you took a tour of my closet, you would discover that the majority of my clothes are from "The GW Boutique".  She always makes sure I have everything I need.  When I receive a compliment on a blouse or jacket, I am not at all ashamed to tell them, "This came from my loving sister, Karen who shops at GW."  She has blessed me so much! 

                                                                    Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.


My Lord, Jesus Christ loves to clothe my soul with the garments of salvation that He purchased Himself for me (and you) on the cross.  He loves to deck me all out with His jewels and gems.  I love to visit The WG Boutique (Word of God) and discover all that He has given to me!  If you were able to tour my soul, you would discover that my garments of Praise all came from Him.  He sees that my soul has everything it needs.  When I receive a compliment on the love, joy and peace in my soul, I am not at all ashamed to tell them, "This came from my loving savior, Jesus Christ.  He has blessed me so much! 

                                                                      Isaiah 61:3
To appoint unto those who mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

                                                                    Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
   Thank you for making my soul joyful and for clothing me in beautiful garments that come from my salvation that You purchased for me.  I pray I will wear them well today.  Amen~

Shower Of Blessings . . . .

Today I will be preparing the invitations for the "Baby Shoe Shower" we are having for my little granddaughter.  I have been trying to make up my mind which ribbon and buttons will go on the invitations.  My mind is racing and I am flooded with all kinds of creative ideas how we can bless Katie and the baby.  We are asking everyone to come and shower her with a little pair of shoes!  We are preparing little "Shoe Favors" and of course "Shoe cupcakes" will be served.  Ask me. . . .  if you will. . . . . am I blessed?   

                                                                    Matthew 7:7
                                                     Ask, and it shall be given you;
                                                         seek and you shall find;
                                             knock, and it shall be opened unto you;

Today before I begin preparing for my day I will accept God's invitation to come to Him and ask on behalf of others for His blessings upon their lives.  Some truly need a new pair of shoes for their feet, that they may walk closer to God and in His footsteps.  May they hear His knock on the door of their heart and come to His table and feast on the delights He has prepared for them.   Ask Him . . . . if you will . . . . you will be blessed!

                                                                    Morning Prayer

Dear Lord,
    I'm asking that each reader today will receive a new pair of shoes from You.  That they will walk closer to You than ever before and they will open the door and invite You to come in.  Amen ~ 

                                                                   Revelation 3:20
Behold I stand at the door and knock; If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me.

My Inspiration

For the last couple years, I have looked to a website called "Pinterest" for my creative inspiration.  Here, you have people from all over the world pinning pictures, recipes, music, art and everything you can imagine!  I love to just sit and scroll up and down at all the postings and dream and imagine.  If I come across something I can put into my real world, I will pin it onto my own personal board and keep it for reference.  Often, I will pin a picture or idea and I will get a message from another pinterest poster that they "liked" what I pinned and saved it to their board as well.  It's like sharing back and forth with friends that you have never met that share the same interests.  It's totally awesome! 

                                                                     Psalm 119:9-16
Wherewithal shall a young woman cleanse her way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.  With my whole heart have I sought thee; oh , let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O Lord; teach me thy statutes.  With my lips have I declared all the ordinances of my mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statues.  I will not forget thy word.


For over thirty years, I have looked to God's Word for my heart's inspiration.  I have read books and articles published by Christians all over the world.  I listen intently to the Godly teaching of others, hoping to hear something that will be put into practice in my own life.  Once in awhile I will share a message or word that will inspire someone else and they will receive it and keep it in their own heart.  I take such delight in reading God's Word and to hear His voice encouraging me and inspiring me in a very personal way is so totally awesome!  

                                                                    Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
   Each day you simply delight my heart with your presence and with your encouraging word.  You also bless me with marvelous ways to be creative with my hands.  May I be an inspiration to others in both ways.  I love you Jesus!  Amen ~