Cherished Memories of a Life Well Lived
A week tomorrow my girl will be 8 years old. I miss her so much!
It seems like just yesterday we were on this walk. She ran ahead and when yelled her name to look back she flashed me this smile. Such a perfect little smile on a perfect little face.
My girl ~ so blessed that she is my girl.
This time last year all the leaves had already fallen.
Everyday I walk outside to this beautiful rainbow of color that Anna and Abby’s Tree, and neighboring trees, provide.
It’s just another way of God letting me know that all is good in Heaven.
As the leaves have slowly fallen this year a team of people, organized by my dear friend, have made sure that there are no leaves under the tree. We are so grateful for this gesture of love and feel very blessed by everyone who has helped our hearts in this way.
Thank you and we love you all so much!!!
I couldn’t believe that after so many years we were sitting across from one another chatting as though no time had passed at all. We were so young when she moved away with her family and so much of our lives needed to be caught up on. We went back and forth, asking questions, sharing details and laughing at memories of our childhood.
My trip to California last week was not only about keeping my promise to the girls; I think God also wanted me to reconnect with my friend Julie, whom I hadn’t seen in over 25 years.
She had sent me an email a couple of weeks ago and I asked if she lived close to Disneyland ~ yes, only 10 minutes away.
As we sat across the table we connected in ways we never did in our care-free youth. For the first hour we caught up on college, relationships, marriages and having our kids. Of course I wanted to know about her older brother, my childhood crush. I still have my diary from that time, his name is written a hundred plus times with lots and lots of hearts.
She told me how her heart grieves for my loss, she has a daughter a year younger than Anna. She said that she has been praying for Tom and I, I told her that we have definitely been feeling those prayers. I believe that somedays that is how I get out of bed in the morning – the prayers of many lifting me up.
She shared with me about her walk with God and how my circumstances impacted that walk greatly. She said God had been knocking at her door for awhile and on October 20th she heard Him loud and clear. The next day, unable to go to work, she found herself at a church she had been thinking about going to. She was holding her daughter tightly as she walked through the doors unable to make sense of Anna and Abigail going to Heaven. The pastors prayed with her ~ God wrapped his loving arms around her and she let Him. I am so happy she let Him.
I am so blessed to have Julie in my life and to have had this opportunity to catch up with her. I can’t wait for many more visits and memories that we will share and I love that our friendship has been renewed by God.
Julie is now, not only my friend, but my sister in Christ. We will be in eternity together one day, and there she will get to meet my girls.
Today in church our amazing worship team lead us in “Lord I Need You” by Matt Maher. As I stood singing I realized that every word in this song is exactly how I feel ~ I was overcome with emotion.
The transition from Africa, to Anna and Abigail’s Heaven Day, to a spontaneous promised trip to Disneyland and now back at home has been very emotional ~ from being filled with extreme joy to being filled with deep deep sorrow. These feelings are very overwhelming and often take my breath away.
I have no idea where I would be without Him. He fills my heart with a peace that only He can provide and without Him I would fall apart.
These words are so simple, perfect and singing them mean so much to me. I am so grateful for His love and kindness He provides every second of every day!
“Lord, I Need You”
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You’re my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Home!
This weekend I will be off the computer and spending time with Tom and Linus. I missed them both so much while I was away.
As we prepare for this evening, and all the visitors we hope to have, we can’t help but think of how much our girls LOVED this holiday!
I smile thinking about the excitement they would have from just getting back from Disney and then going right into Halloween fun!
I miss them so much!
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!!!!
He was such a nice mouse.
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