The Weather and my mood

What was your weekend like? I don't know about you but I thought the weather in South Carolina was just about perfect this past weekend. The only thing that would have made it better was if my hubby had not had to work and could have been awake to enjoy all the sunshine! I did however wake him up early enough on Saturday to enjoy a trip to the farm and 4wheeling! We absolutely love getting outside and riding together. Although we had a short trip, it was just nice to feel the sunshine on our faces. I realized on the way back home, that my mood lately has been alot like the weather - gloomy! However the sunshine seemed to really perk me up .....so much so that I got outside and walked instead of walking on the treadmill. The scenery actually changed and I was even willing to pick up one trillion pine cones in our front yard.


I am ready for spring and warm weather. How about you?

CHD/MOD and Miracles

Two sets of initials (CHD and MOD)! Two terms that have become all too familiar and two terms that I am learning more and more about. First, CHD. It stands for Congenital Heart Disease or Defect. I'll never forget the phone call I got from a dear friend who was in tears trying to attempt to tell me that her precious grandson had been born with a heart problem. I was stunned. I had no words to console her other than I'm sorry and I'm praying. Here they were new parents, their first born, and he was being whisked away to a hospital out of town for heart surgery. Can't imagine, don't like to imagine the fear and anxiousness of those moments! By the grace of God and amazing doctors, that little fellow will turn 2 this month. How ironic he celebrates his birthday in the same month known as "heart month". We heart you Luke Jervey and wish you a Happy Birthday!


MOD - March of Dimes. A cause I am learning more about and becoming very passionate about. So passionate that I am trying to raise money for the cause and trust me I am not a salesman. However if I can raise money and raise awareness for the March of Dimes, I will step out of my box and try! You can make an online contribution for "Team Morgan Kate" as well as sign up to walk with us on April 10. We would love for you to do both. You can also contact folks yourself and raise money on behalf of our team. If you have any questions, post them and I'll try and answer them or get you answers.


Thanks so much for considering a donation. GO TEAM MORGAN KATE!

Amazing

In Philipians 4:13 (a verse near and dear to my heart) it says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Isn't that a comforting thought. God fulfilled this promise this morning and I witnessed it first hand. After a very challenging and sad week for Heather, she got up in front of a group of people and found the strength to deliver a message about prematurity. She spoke from experience and with true conviction. God promised her strength and He delivered. It was amazing and she is amazing! I'm so proud of you Heather!

On a side note, the Orangeburg March of Dimes Walk is Saturday, April 10....please join us as we walk and any contribution you could make would be awesome. More details coming.

Out of my box

Last Sunday I stepped out of my box and did something I was a little apprehensive about. I lead the Children's Moment at church. When I was first asked to do it, I said no problem, glad to help. As the time approached, I asked myself just what was I thinking! Get up in front of our church (luckily it was the 9:00 service) and give a brief summary of the sermon - ha! I looked at reference material, I asked for people's input and finally came up with something. I have to admit the minute I sat down in front of those sweet children, my apprenhension went away and I was in the moment! I just simply told them what was in my heart. Then yesterday in church, the children's moment was about friends and the value of friendship. I thought to myself, man I wish I had the children's moment today because I could speak volumes on friendship and the importance of having a friend.

In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 it states "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up." That scripture sums it up in a nutshell! Two are better than one. Lately it has been my friends who have held me up, who have prayed with me and for me, and who have prayed for me when I couldn't find the words. Friends like that are priceless.

Just this evening, my "buddies" and I went to dinner to celebrate a birthday. This group of ladies know each other so well that we literally could order food for each other, finish sentences that are started and offer hope and encouragement to each other at all times. We hold hands and pray together and the electricity that is felt at those moments is beyond words. I try to convey to them how much I value each one of them and just in case any of them are reading this.....Thank you ever so much for all you do to brighten my day! Thank you for the love and laughter we share and thank you for loving me the way you do!

And by the way, what happens at Chestnut Grill stays at Chestnut Grill :)

The Pain of a Parent

In my last post I talked about a hope filled 2010 however the year has started off with many struggles and today is only January 17! I know if we are breathing we should praise the Lord but sometimes it is just hard to deal with life. And I think one of the hardest things for a parent is to see their child struggle...whether it be emotionally, physically or spiritually. Lately I have witnessed my childen struggling and it is not an easy sight, in fact it is down right painful. I can't find the words for this post much less the words that will bring comfort to the different situations that are taking place in their lives. It's hard for me to be an encourager, an optimist, or a good example of having faith when I struggle myself at times.

I just cling to the fact that the same God who blessed us with the miraculous birth of Morgan Kate is the same God who will walk with us as we face these challenges. May I have faith the size of a mustard seed.

Happy and Hope-Filled

As I read my devotion those two phrases really struck me. Both words can describe our attitudes or our feelings. As we come to the close of another year, I reflected on this year and realized my attitude has not always been happy or hope-filled. At times it has been one of frustration, disappointment, and down right anger. However as I face a new year, I know I can ask God and hope that He will find it His will to help me be happy and hope-filled. I already know of many reasons why I look forward in anticipation to 2010. It is a year that has several milestones....my mom will turn 80, my baby boy, Kyle, will turn 21, my oldest, Heather, will turn 30, my other son Owens is getting settled into his new home, and we look forward to our family growing. Good new stuff on the horizon :)

God has always been in the business of doing new things and I hope each of you enjoys a year of new things and God's blessings! Happy New Year.

Christmas

This past weekend Heather, Trav and MK came for a visit. It was her first time seeing our Christmas tree and boy was it fun! I remember being excited about putting up the tree when our children were young but I think I was so in the moment that I really didn't take the time to step back and take it all in. When MK was here I did step back, I watched her every move, watched her eyes literally sparkle at the lights and I listened as she tried to express her approval of what she saw. She immediately wanted to touch and feel the tree, the ornaments and oh boy, she even got into the gifts. Christmas with a small child is such an amazing thing.....I wish I had taken more time to appreciate the moments when our children were younger. As parents, I think we get so busy that we don't stop and enjoy the holidays like we should. I'm trying this year to do better...to stop and observe and watch the joy of Christmas unfold in the eyes of a child. I can't wait to introduce her to the "traditions" set by our family. Some of our traditions include the annual candlelight service at our church followed by dinner at my mother in law's house for my husband's side of the family. On Christmas morning, we all go in at the same time to see what Santa has brought, then we enjoy a breakfast casserole and coffee ring, we open gifts, enjoy fellowship with one another and then close out Christmas Day with a supper for my side of the family. This year we will introduce having a birthday cake for Jesus so that Morgan Kate can blow out the candle and start her traditions. What are some of your family traditions....please share. Merry Christmas everyone! May we all remember the reason for the season.