"Trey Tuesday" - January 30, 2018

Just Saying, "Hi!"

Facebook shared a memory with me today that has made me laugh and cry and laugh and cry!  Seven years ago - 7!!! - Jay and Trey made a video while Trey was in the hospital, just 1 month after his stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

Trey, even in the midst of his battle, shared so much love and joy!  :)  In this video, Jay and Trey greet each family member one at a time, and simply say, "Hi!"  Each giggle and antic warms my heart!  <3

Be encouraged:  Your small words, simple gestures, and smiling face bring joy in ways you could never imagine every day!

"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."  2 Thessalonians 2:16,17

"Trey Tuesday" - January 23, 2018

Bumps and lumps

Bumps and lumps and crinkles and wrinkles.  Guess what I'm talking about....you guessed it....stained glass!  :)

I took a moment to look closely at our church's stained glass windows on Sunday.

I have always admired the artwork from a distance, but it wasn't until I was a few feet away that I could see each piece more clearly.  I was shocked!  How can a bunch of random triangles and rectangles and bits and pieces make such beautiful pictures?  And looking even closer I see that these random shapes are seemingly terribly marred.  Jagged edges.  Uneven surfaces.  Lumps and crinkles everywhere!

What a beautiful illustration of the Body of Christ, His Church, His people, you and me!  :)  Yes, some of us have more bumps and wrinkles than we care to admit - or acknowledge - but our special features are not errors or blemishes. God loves each one of us and puts us together to create His precious masterpiece!  His picture isn't complete without each one of you!  <3  Thank you, Team Mitlo One, for your ongoing love and prayers!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time"  Ecclesiastes 3:11

"Trey Tuesday" - January 16, 2018

Good News!!!! Wait right there!  Don't read ahead!  How do you feel right now after reading that title?  The thought of good news cheers us up - lightens our step - brightens our day!  :) I talk to my mom on the phone every night.  We tell lots of current event stories and reminisce over days gone by.  Regardless of where our times together takes us, we always end our phone calls with good news.  We try to end our conversations finding something good to share.  Sometimes it is a stretch.  We get creative, but we can always find a good angle in our messy lives. Jay and I were talking the other night.  Believe it or not, we were praising God for how/when Trey died.  We found good news in a heart wrenching situation.  Trust me - the tears still flow - but God's love and mercy remain my plumb line in trying to understand that which is understandable. What do you have on your plate today?  Can you find something - anything - that you can consider good news?  Where do you see God's love and power shining through your situation?  The lens of gratitude gives thanks to God! "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  I Thessalonians 5:18

"Trey Tuesday" - January 9, 2018

You're Invited!  :)

You are cordially invited on a wonderful journey! 
- as challenging as Amazing Race!
- as transforming as Fixer Upper!

- and a better (more real!) love story than The Bachelor!  :)

The journey is called becoming a Christian.....knowing Jesus, desiring to be made better by Jesus, and following Him for the rest of your life!  :)  

- Are there obstacles, detours, and roadblocks once you become a Christian?  Absolutely!  But the prize for persevering is better than a million dollars!!!

- Does following Christ mean your old life can be transformed to something new?
Absolutely!  Except God doesn't typically use shiplap!  :)

- Is there a promise of Paradise if you give your heart to Jesus?
Absolutely!  Endless roses, streets of gold, and face to face with God forever!  :)

I find great comfort in God's promise and hope of eternal Paradise forever...especially recently.  A precious little friend of mine passed in to Paradise this past week after an 18 month battle with cancer.  I am so quickly taken back to the day Trey died.  "Cancer lost.  Trey won," brought so much comfort in those early days.  Why?  Because at some point in their little lives, Trey and my little friend, accepted God's invitation to the most Amazing/Fixer Upper/Love Story ever!  I, and many, many others have, too! 

Will you please accept God's invitation to join Him on the journey?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."  John 3:16,17

"Trey Tuesday" - January 2, 2018

The Jays and Rachels

I have dear friends going through some heart wrenching trials these days.

I'm sure you do, too.

You know full well that we're not talking post-holiday/pre-bills arriving blues.

These are life altering issues.

Like when Jay and Rachel fought Trey's battle 24 hours a day.  On behalf of their little boy.

On behalf of their other children.  On behalf of their marriage.

To each of you weary warriors in the thick of your battles:
I am in awe of each one of you, my Super Heroes!  You who fight and stand strong for your children.  For your families.  For your marriages.  For justice.  For safety.  For the right thing.  For the victim.  For the sick.  For the poor.  For love.  For Jesus.
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6