http://www.southeastchristian.org/Default.aspx?page=4754&sermon=164
Craig was a part of another sermon this past weekend. (link above)
More to come, I just wanted to go ahead and get this posted for the out-of-town blog followers.
Lots of tears this weekend, thankful, heartbroken hurting, just tears. I think I am all out of tears.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
My Morgan turns 6
Morgan Elizabeth turned 6 on Friday. She had some trouble thinking about her birthday this year without her daddy being here. She remembered he was here last year and even the year before he could swim with her to celebrate but this year he was going to be absent. For the past couple weeks we have worked through some of the questions she had about what Craig is doing in heaven and really coming to terms with where we are without him. One discussion at bedtime was what was he doing. We came up with several scenios on how he could be celebrating Morgan's birthday there while celebrate it here on earth. We came to the conclusion that we still have a good time with all that we have going in our house and he has a good time where he is then it was "okay". We would rather be together but we are happy for him and we are still happy here so we were "okay". These things don't come easy as I type that paragraph there is a lot more to it than one conversation at bedtime. But that was the overall conclusion after much discussion with art therapist, reading through scriptures about heaven, emails with teachers, etc etc. It is a lot for all of us to work through but we are committed to it and each time we do we are a little closer and are a little more healed than the day before.
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| I made the girls a "Daddy book" it is full of picture of them and Craig through the years. She got the first look for her birthday. They love it. |
Morgan did enjoy her birthday. I came down with a stomach bug the night before but slept most of the day on Friday so by the time they got home from school I could rally and make it a special occasion for Morgan.
Morgan Elizabeth has been a fun-loving, hard-working, busy-bee from the get-go. She was in a hurry to get here (and landed me on bed-rest at 32 weeks pregnant) and hasn't slowed down since. She keeps me on my toes but is always willing to use the energy that God gave her to help others (especially her mom). She has made a ton of friends this year in school and she is a natural leader.
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| She was a tough baby but a really fun toddler. :) |
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| I love this picture. You can tell they are polar opposites but the best of friends. |
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| Happy 6th Birthday Morgan! Love you. |
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentine's Day
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| Hannah was not happy she had to wait for a chocolate muffin for a picture. |
Happy Valentine's Day!
1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us."
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thankful Thursday
The little things:
1. A new YMCA opened close to our house and we joined! The girls LOVE the indoor water park and I am really enjoying some of the classes as well as the walking track. It has been really good for us on those cold days where we need to get out of the house but it is still too cold to play in the backyard or go to the park.
2. NUTELLA. hello.sweet.goodness. We just discovered this dream.
All joking aside we have so much to be thankful for and we are moving forward and growing as time moves on. We seem to have gotten into a good grove around here. There are always a few hiccups through the day where it is very evident there is only one of me and three of them but for the most part we are doing great as a family unit. Getting through the holidays was a huge hurdle. January was a month of growth and set the tone of a new year and a new beginning. Emily doesn't look the same kid that she did in December. Morgan is reading more and more. I see a desire in her to learn more than I have in the past and a new confidence in herself. Hannah is getting bigger and bigger everyday. She literally grows overnight. One day she couldn't reach the water in the sink to wash her hands and I swear the next morning she could.
I feel like I am growing as well. It has been a challenge and I can see where some widow(er)s get "stuck" in grief for years. There are times that I wish I had the "luxury" to sit in a puddle of my own tears for days/week/months/years missing Craig. I feel closer to him when I am down about him not being here but I know I have to continue to learn who I am without Craig. I just don't have the time to sit and cry. The other day I took 10 minutes to sit in my closet and cry that Craig wasn't coming home from work. In that time Hannah had somehow busted out of her bed that she was supposed to be napping in and Emily and Morgan tried face timing my brother in the middle of the day while he was at work a couple times. Image if I stayed in the closet crying for weeks... for as sweet and wonderful as they are, they could do some real damage if I decided to fall apart for an extended amount of time.
There was a night that I was driving home and a rap song came on the radio. It was sooo old-school and it brought back so many great memories. I was crying and smiling through the whole song. I think I am the only widow that might cry and laugh through "No Diggity," "Biggie Big Poppa," "Hypnotize," or Flo Rida's "Low." We had fun in college and had plenty of dance parties with the old school hits with the girls. Craig knew all the words to every song (seriously, it was ridiculous). He was a fun rapping banker...can't find those around every corner. :) It is an awesome gift to miss someone so much that you can cry and laugh at the same time when thinking about memories shared together. And above all the silliness and goofy fun Craig wanted the best for us. He helped make this house as strong as it is so that we could move forward each day. The more that I put one foot in front of the other the more I am growing and even becoming a different person. Cancer changes perspective and it has been difficult to work through those bad memories but as we continue to walk through the fire we are blessed with rays of hope. We have settled into new normal and embracing each day.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Craig, if there are blogs in Heaven, we love you, we miss you and we will see you again.
1. A new YMCA opened close to our house and we joined! The girls LOVE the indoor water park and I am really enjoying some of the classes as well as the walking track. It has been really good for us on those cold days where we need to get out of the house but it is still too cold to play in the backyard or go to the park.
2. NUTELLA. hello.sweet.goodness. We just discovered this dream.
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| Hannah loves Nutella. |
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| Emily's new glasses and missing her front teeth |
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| Miss Morgan |
I feel like I am growing as well. It has been a challenge and I can see where some widow(er)s get "stuck" in grief for years. There are times that I wish I had the "luxury" to sit in a puddle of my own tears for days/week/months/years missing Craig. I feel closer to him when I am down about him not being here but I know I have to continue to learn who I am without Craig. I just don't have the time to sit and cry. The other day I took 10 minutes to sit in my closet and cry that Craig wasn't coming home from work. In that time Hannah had somehow busted out of her bed that she was supposed to be napping in and Emily and Morgan tried face timing my brother in the middle of the day while he was at work a couple times. Image if I stayed in the closet crying for weeks... for as sweet and wonderful as they are, they could do some real damage if I decided to fall apart for an extended amount of time.
There was a night that I was driving home and a rap song came on the radio. It was sooo old-school and it brought back so many great memories. I was crying and smiling through the whole song. I think I am the only widow that might cry and laugh through "No Diggity," "Biggie Big Poppa," "Hypnotize," or Flo Rida's "Low." We had fun in college and had plenty of dance parties with the old school hits with the girls. Craig knew all the words to every song (seriously, it was ridiculous). He was a fun rapping banker...can't find those around every corner. :) It is an awesome gift to miss someone so much that you can cry and laugh at the same time when thinking about memories shared together. And above all the silliness and goofy fun Craig wanted the best for us. He helped make this house as strong as it is so that we could move forward each day. The more that I put one foot in front of the other the more I am growing and even becoming a different person. Cancer changes perspective and it has been difficult to work through those bad memories but as we continue to walk through the fire we are blessed with rays of hope. We have settled into new normal and embracing each day.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Craig, if there are blogs in Heaven, we love you, we miss you and we will see you again.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Widows with babies Prayer
http://www.widowschristianplace.com/2013/01/pray-for-widows-with-babies.html
Lord God,
I pray for widows with babies and young children today. I never knew of such a tragedy before--even pregnant women can become widows--yet now I now of several, and how my heart goes out to them.
First, I pray for these young mothers. Please strengthen them through your servants in their church, through their family and through their friends.
Make these people sensitive to their needs. Give them eyes to see, ears to hear, and a sensitive spirit that can tune in to the needs of a widow and her children.
Burden them to pick up an extra gallon of milk and package of diapers when they're in the grocery store. Burden them to pray for her as they shovel the snow from their driveway, replace the brakes of their car, fill their gas tank or grocery cart---may they go do the same for the widow in her time of need.
And, Lord, your Word says that you gently lead those who have young. This is for all moms, but I pray you'd especially fulfill this promise for the widowed mom with little ones. Guide her to green pastures where she will find peace. Give her income, and the wisdom to manage it well. Give her kindness from her employer, kindness from strangers and rest from her worries.
I also want to pray for her children. May you be a father to the fatherless. Rest your Spirit upon her children, that they may grow strong in their convictions and leadership. May they know your holy power and love with great certainty and honor. Give them a love for their mother; protect them from bitterness and selfishness; grant them a heart of gratitude and the ability to see your generosity and goodness to them.
Now, Lord, encourage these widows with babies and little ones. Encourage them with your presence. May they each see your fingerprints over all the circumstances of life--not only the miraculous, but also the mundane. May they sense your love and watch care over them and their babies this very day and everyday.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
This prayer touched my heart and I do hope that people pray like this for us. Ferrees is a former widow and has recently written a book. I follow her blog from time to time. It is rich with resources and support. Thanks Ferree for being obedient to God's calling to you and keeping up the blog and being such an encouragement.
Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Lord God,
I pray for widows with babies and young children today. I never knew of such a tragedy before--even pregnant women can become widows--yet now I now of several, and how my heart goes out to them.
First, I pray for these young mothers. Please strengthen them through your servants in their church, through their family and through their friends.
Make these people sensitive to their needs. Give them eyes to see, ears to hear, and a sensitive spirit that can tune in to the needs of a widow and her children.
Burden them to pick up an extra gallon of milk and package of diapers when they're in the grocery store. Burden them to pray for her as they shovel the snow from their driveway, replace the brakes of their car, fill their gas tank or grocery cart---may they go do the same for the widow in her time of need.
And, Lord, your Word says that you gently lead those who have young. This is for all moms, but I pray you'd especially fulfill this promise for the widowed mom with little ones. Guide her to green pastures where she will find peace. Give her income, and the wisdom to manage it well. Give her kindness from her employer, kindness from strangers and rest from her worries.
I also want to pray for her children. May you be a father to the fatherless. Rest your Spirit upon her children, that they may grow strong in their convictions and leadership. May they know your holy power and love with great certainty and honor. Give them a love for their mother; protect them from bitterness and selfishness; grant them a heart of gratitude and the ability to see your generosity and goodness to them.
Now, Lord, encourage these widows with babies and little ones. Encourage them with your presence. May they each see your fingerprints over all the circumstances of life--not only the miraculous, but also the mundane. May they sense your love and watch care over them and their babies this very day and everyday.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
This prayer touched my heart and I do hope that people pray like this for us. Ferrees is a former widow and has recently written a book. I follow her blog from time to time. It is rich with resources and support. Thanks Ferree for being obedient to God's calling to you and keeping up the blog and being such an encouragement.
Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
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