Prayers for a Friend

Dear Sweet Blog Friends

Sometimes there are few words

That can express our pain

We've all felt it and been there

But I cannot imagine the pain

My Dear Friend Leah is feeling today

Leah became widowed about the same time I did

That is how we met

She was very blessed to find true love again

She married Joel and together they blended their families

Within the past 2 years they have

Added 3 siblings fro Bulgaria to their family

As well as a child they had been fostering

Together, in a few short years

They have 9 children

4 of whom were orphaned and still young

Last night

My Dear Leah

Became a widow again

Joel succumbed to complications after emergency surgery

I am at a total loss for words

And especially for understanding

Here are Leah's words:

There are no words to express my thanks for the outpouring of love and prayers concerning my precious Joel! He is now in the arms of Jesus! We hurt so badly but are so thankful this "goodbye" is only temporary until we will one day be reunited in Heaven. We will still need your prayers for a long time to come but especially in a few hours when I have to share this heartbreaking news with his 4 youngest babies. #Godisstillgood

Please, if you are so inclined,

Pray for and remember Leah and her family

In the days and weeks ahead!

God Be With Them

GOD had a Plan

Hello Sweet Blog Friends


Although I've been fairly sporadic in blogland of late
I have a little anniversary memory to share

10 years ago today, I announced and acted on
The most difficult decision I had ever made
Up until that point in my life

Although settling on that decision was a
Long and arduous process
I knew it was the right decision

After spending 11 years at our home church
Working as the Church Administrator for 7 years
Serving as the Women's Ministries Director for 4 years
And spending about 80% of my waking hours at the
Church for many years
The Lord directed me to quit my job

On this date 10 years ago
I thought that was all the decision would entail
I would quit my job and continue the rest of life
However, others also get to make decisions
Once I announced that I was quitting my job
Everything else was taken from me

I was asked to step down from Women's Ministries
Within 12 hours my family and I were no longer members
Of the church we had loved and served for 11 years

I spent a week in bed
Cried for hours and days
Didn't answer or take calls
This isn't the way it was supposed to be

BUT GOD
Had a Plan

'For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD.
'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you.
I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.'
Jeremiah 29:11

YES!
His plan walked out over the past 10 years was
Definitely filled with hope.
Heartache and loss as well, but I see His hand in it all.

The future was not clear to us 10 years ago
The perfect job opportunity that would open up for me
Which allowed me time to truly enjoy life with Mark
Our sons and our oldest granddaughter

We didn't see the weeks and months that
Mark would spend in the hospital
My ability to be with him so much of that time
Never would have happened had the changes not been made

God had a Plan that we could not see
But stepping out in Faith solidified our walk with HIM
And strengthened our commitment to each other

Yes, there have been some very difficult and life altering
Moments in the past 10 years
Moments I'd love to change or forget
I've faced loss, sadness, loneliness
And washed my fair share of tear stained pillowcases

Yet, I would not change a moment of it
To go back to where I was 10 years ago

Being married to your job,
Your church, your ministry or
Anything else that pulls you away from
God's heart and His Plan
Is not healthy or beneficial

My heart and life are more balanced today
Because
God Had a Plan
Even though I couldn't see it at the time

Be Blessed My Friends
Enjoy 'Heart' Month



We Need To Remember ...

That's All ...