Lent

Lil' Mama has some friends that are Catholic and have told her what they are giving up for Lent. Last night she said that she was giving up something for Lent - sweet tea. At first it was coke which wouldn't be a huge sacrifice but sweet tea is another story.

I think it's great she is giving up something this year, but this got me to thinking "why wasn't I giving up anything?" At first I thought about giving up sweet tea with her but since I started this diet with The Hubs I have cut by on having sweet tea. I felt this had to be something that would be a sacrifice - something I would definitely miss. So after giving it some thought this afternoon, I have decided to give up coffee. This should be interesting since I have 2-3 cups a day. If my Lord can sacrifice for me, I can give up coffee for a little bit.

Two Years Ago

Today two years ago as I sat in the waiting room outside the ICU unit at the hospital I knew my worst nightmare was about to begin. I knew that I would be saying goodbye or see you later alligator to my hero. There would be no more phone calls when the weather was bad, no more finding candy wrappers laying where ever he decided to put them, no more hugs, no more kisses, no more hearing him tell me that he loved me, no more holding that hand of his that had held me when I needed him. I had just prayed a few days before that day that if God was ready for him to come home that I trusted Him with His plan for our lives. See learning to trust God was something that he had shown me through his life and taught me that life was much easier when you trust God. I didn't like the plan but I knew that with everything God has a purpose. It was a rainy day just like it is today. We had spent the night in the waiting room because he was just not doing well. His best friend had stayed with us too. Life was passing before my eyes and I was numb.

At 5 that afternoon, he went to be with the Lord. When he did, the sun finally came out at that very moment. I won't ever forget looking out the window to see the sunshine. It was God saying "He's' home. He doesn't hurt anymore. Don't worry I have this and I will take care of you." I still miss him but I am so thankful I have the hope and the promise I will see him again one day. When it is my time to go home to be with God, he will be there waiting on me and will once again wrap his loving arms around me. What a glorious day that will be when I can see my Lord face to face and be with my Daddy again. If it were not for the peace and assurance that only God can give to His children, I don't know how my family and I would have ever made it that day and the days to follow.

It is my prayer that if you are reading this and you don't have that peace and relationship that I have with God that you will seek Him while He can be found. It says in the Bible "For God so loved the world that He gave His only beloved Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." Without Him, life is so much harder and has no hope. I pray that today you will believe in Him just like my Daddy and I did and that you will have a new life in Him that only God can give.

I love you Daddy.

A Good Valentine's Day

Today I am thankful. Thankful for a day that was uneventful. For you see the last two Valentine's Day haven't been the best. Two years ago we were losing Daddy and our hearts were breaking. Last year the Hubs and I spent the night in the ER with Sweet Pea. She ended up spending two days in there. She and I walked out of the hospital at the exact time just a year before when my Daddy had died.

But today, well today was very uneventful. The older ones had basketball practice and the little ones had a party at daycare. While others got baby sitters and spent the night kid free, we were content and happy staying at home with ours.

I pray the rest of the month is an uneventful as today was. Still hard to believe in two days it will be two years since I lost my first Valentine. But that is another post for another day,

Hope in Dark Times

As I sit here tonight my heart is heavy. My thoughts go to many that are hurting. This world is a fallen world - full of temptations and things. We are all human and at anytime can succumb to these temptations. The choices we makes are like a small stone being dropped into the water. At first there is no big splash and therefore we think the effect will not be great. Yet we see the waves spread out over the water and are amazed at the amount of space that is affected. So is it with life. 

To those affected by the waves of life and those who have or will drop the small stone into the water, we feel at times there is no hope. All around is judgement and hatred being spewed onto you and many others. Often the ones affected the most are the innocent. But there is a hope. We have a God that is greater than anything that can come our way. It's the same God that created the earth, parted the Red Sea, performed countless miracles - that God is the same God that cares for each of us. No matter what you have done or what you are going thru, He will always be there.

It's my prayer tonight that through this tragic event that has come to my small town God will receive all the glory. That He will be made known to those who do not know Him and those who do know Him will be brought closer to Him. May we not judge for we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. But praise be to God that we can find hope and answers in Him. For He holds all the answers in time of trouble.

The Simple Things in Life

The simple things in life are sometimes right in front of us and we don't even see them. We get so focused on the worldly things and forget to see the blessings from God right in front of us. I know with me that I get focused on schedules, work, trying to sell a house - basically all the things that one day won't matter. Now that I have challenged myself to take a picture everyday, it has forced me to see the little things. To pay attention to those things that I take for granted everyday - like a game of toss between brothers. I believe this photo challenge is going to be a blssed thing.

A Little Girl and Her Puzzle

When Little Mama was a toddler, she got a Winnie-the-Pooh puzzle that she and I would do for hours. While in the attic one day, she and I found it. It was a precious memory for me and I wanted to keep it. I brought it downstairs and the little ones loved it. Sweet Pea loves to do puzzles and can do it all by herself now.

As I watch her I can see her sister at the same age doing the puzzle and then I wonder where all the years have gone. I wish I had pictures of her doing this when she was little. But at least I have a way to remember these little hands doing exactly what her big sister many years ago.

A New Year, A New Project

This year I have challenged myself to take a picture everyday and document it. Some days will be easy while other days will be very difficult. I am excited about this challenge and hope to learn more about photography along the way. Here are the first three days:

Another challenge is to write a post on my blog about the picture and get back to blogging. I have missed it. It will be a challenge too but one I know that I can beat.