" Tuesday" - August 30, 2016

Anyone...

Willy Wonka dies and newsfeeds are buzzing.

Thousands of men and women, boys and girls, silently pass away every day without news headlines. What's the difference?  There should be no difference.
Thousands of tiny babies are born each day.  To each set of parents and grandparents, that child is rockstar famous, special, extraordinary, a miracle.  But then what happens?  At some point a switch is flipped and we grow discontent with just "being" and we start striving for achievement, notoriety, fame, fortune, etc.

Yes, Trey was a sweet and charming little boy, but that doesn't make him more important than anyone else who is struggling, worrying, striving, living, dying.  And so this "Trey Tuesday"

we honor YOU!  :) We pray for YOU!  :)  We ask the Lord to bless you and encourage you; protect you and guide you; clearly and personally speak to you.
You are important!  You are loved!  You are cherished!

"But now, this is what the Lord says—He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...
Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you"  Isaiah 43:1-5

"Trey Tuesday" - August 23, 2016

Day is Done?

You know the old campfire song, "Day is Done."  I think that's how most of us view each day:

Work?  Check.

School?  Check.

Family?  Check.

Meals?  Check.

Pets?  Check.

Sports?  Check.

Facebook?  Check.

Bed?  Check (eventually.)

Whew!  Day, indeed, is done!

...Until you meet a precious little girl named Molly, who is a new victim of the dreaded

diagnosis of stage 4 cancer.  Like Trey, Molly is a peaceful, faithful fighter.  God's protective shield is all over Molly as her family prays for a miracle.

Molly's mom recently wrote after a long day of doctor appointments and treatment:
"Another day is....gone."  No checklist.  No to-do list accomplished.  Another day with Molly is gone.  As we all know too well, days with Trey were precious!  We treasured them!  We still cling to the memories of them as gifts directly from God!

God gives us right here, right now.  What will you do with it?
Look at your calendar with a new perspective this week....before today is gone....

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  John 10:10

"Trey Tuesday" - August 16, 2016

Team Time!

Where do you spend your time and energy?  What clubs or groups are you in?  A popular saying goes something like this:  You become who you hang out with.

Do a quick scan of your Facebook groups.  Who are you?
Starbucks or DD?
Steelers or...never mind!  :)
Microbrewery or traditional beer?
Organic or fast food?
Republican or...never mind!  :)
Runner or walker?
Beach bum or mountain man?
Kindle or paperback?
Team Mitlo One?

It was true "then" and it is still true now:  We are so very thankful to have you in the lives of the Mitlo family!  :) The Mitlos aren't the only ones who need your love and prayers, though.  Look around.  Listen to those close to you.  Find a cause and join the team. You will be a blessing, and you will be blessed!

"do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."  Philippians 2:4

"Trey Tuesday" - August 9, 2016

Crayons

Back to school shopping time brings the beautiful sights and scents of unsharpened pencils, crisp, clean notebooks and crayons.  Ahhhh, the glorious artistic potential encased in that yellow/orange/dandelion (what color is that anyway?) box.  Take one crayon out and while it has great potential on its own, combined together with an array of complementing and contrasting colors they create a masterpiece!

Trey lived in a town filled with a variety of people.  Trey loved them all!  And they all loved Trey!  :)  Literally.  Trey knew no boundaries of race or color or lifestyle...although...Trey was partial to the girls!  Every young lady was his girlfriend!  :)

What about you?
Can you get along with/appreciate your:
neighbor?
coworker?
sibling?
roommate?

Imagine opening a brand new box of crayons and seeing 64 manatee (who knew?) colored crayons.  Pretty dull, right?.  God, the artist, has better plans!  :)

"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."  Psalm 139:13,14

"Trey Tuesday" - August 2, 2016

Multiplication

What do you do with the lessons you learn?  The gifts that you have?  The skills that you master?  Even the (clean!) jokes that you hear?  Are you a hoarder?  Or do you share?

Trey's journey continues to bless and encourage people.  We know that because Jay and Rachel share their story.  And friends, family and strangers share their stories. As Jay always says, "Everybody has a story."

We need to multiply this one life that God has given to each of us.  Share the lessons.  Give the gifts.  Teach the skills.  And yes, tell the (clean!) jokes!  :)

"You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."  2 Corinthians 9:11