"Trey Tuesday" - October 29, 2019

Like Who?

Trey was silly and smart, gentle and resilient, musical and active, he loved Jesus and he loved EVERYBODY! (especially his girlfriends)  I wonder where he got those traits?  I wonder where he learned how to be Trey Douglas Mitlo?   Actually, I don't really wonder a bit!  :)

I know God crafted Trey to be uniquely Trey.

Anddddddddd I know Trey learned how to live and love by watching his family and friends around him.

What have you learned from those closest to you?

What are you passing on to those around you?

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers."  Acts 20:28

"Trey Tuesday" - October 22, 2019

Special Coffee

I had a coffee with a friend today.  You see, I drink coffee every day.  Each cup I drink is not "Special" because I have it often.  I call it "Another" cup of coffee!  :)  However, I call today's coffee, "Special" because this was a very rare opportunity to sit down together with this friend and talk about great things over coffee.  Very special indeed.

Trey had a very "Special" security blanket aka Taggie.  Believe you me, he would NOT have wanted "Another" blanket!

Have you gone out to eat lately?  Was it "Special"?  Or was it "Another"?

Do you have a "Special" pen?  Or shirt?  Or song?  Can you imagine wearing your "Special" cozy tshirt to a job interview!?  OR what would happen if you and your loved one heard your "Special" song while on a crowded elevator!?  :)

May I challenge you this week to differentiate between "Special" and "Another" in all aspects of your life?  Let's not confuse the two.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Matthew 6:21

"Trey Tuesday" - October 15, 2019

New Math

Our Father

Give Us This Day

Our Daily Bread

Forgive Us Our Debts

We Forgive Our Debtors

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Deliver Us from Evil

Do you see what I see?  In the words of the familiar and comforting Lord's Prayer, I see a lot of togetherness.  That word 'together' just made some of you squirm!  Togetherness is messy!  And loud!  And unpredictable!  But it's true!  God designed us for togetherness!

If you are struggling....or celebrating....or wondering....or studying....or busy....or sad.....or happy.....or frustrated.....or lost.....or unsure...get together with a friend or a group of friends.  Find encouragement, direction, camaraderie, accountability, support, and joy by sharing life's journeys!

It's like the new math:  Division equals minus plus multiplication!

"Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

"Trey Tuesday" - October 8, 2019

If the Shoe Fits....

And if you like it and if it's the right size!
Then wear it!  :)

Vans or Stride Rite or Clark's or Skechers - or a million other brands in between!  Shoes come in all shapes and sizes and colors and fits and purposes!  And we enjoy them - we accept them!  Some of us actually accept LOTS of them!  :)

Rachel has been known to sport a fancy heel - OK an extraordinarily fancy heel!  Me?  Not so much!  And that's OK!  And Joe? - officially a "Giant man size 12" is a perfect fit....for him!  

What kind of shoes did Trey wear?  The same as his dress code often = nothing!   That style would not be appropriate for most of us, thank God, but it worked for Trey!

This message isn't too difficult to understand, right?  IF we are talking about shoes.....But what about understanding and accepting someone's personality?  Or music style?  Car type?  Sports team?  Tomorrow, try and find someone different than you are.  Spend some time getting to know the other person.  Don't judge.  Respect.  And enjoy!

"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."  Romans 12:3-5

"Trey Tuesday" - October 1, 2019

Trees

Wow!  The colors are finally beginning to let us know that summertime really truly is over.  Reds and yellows and oranges speak of Autumn even more clearly than pumpkin spice everything!

From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 - and many, many times in between - God has used trees to tell His story, and we can consider trees as an encouragement to us and our story.

This passage reminds me of Trey.  He lived well, safely connected to the care of his parents, family, friends, and medical team.  He was refreshed by their love and attention.  He did not fear.  He lived a summer-like life with "green leaves" and no worries.  Even when the heat was on!  And thank You God, Trey's life continues to bear fruit for Christ - every season of his life!

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8

"Trey Tuesday" - September 24, 2019

Represent

Co-ops, Co-signers, Co-sleeping

We all get by with a little help from our friends!

Team Mitlo One is just like that for Trey's family.  They continue to pray and support and love out loud.  The red wrist bands still shine a bit of compassion every time I see one....even though Trey ended his battle almost 5 (five!?!) years ago!

Have you ever noticed the instant bond you have with someone wearing the same logo on a college hoodie?  Or sports jersey?  Barriers fall down and a spirit of community blossoms just by the symbols we cherish and the memories they represent.  We know the other person shares a little bit about their journey if we just make the time to notice.

Have you seen someone wearing a cross necklace at the store lately?
Does your friend's tattoo tell their story just like your tattoo tells your story?

What t-shirt did you wear today that represents a sweet memory?

"to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be His holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."  I Corinthians 1:1,2

"Trey Tuesday" - September 17, 2019

Beauty from Ashes

Beauty from Ashes?  Joe and Bella!!!  :)

God has raised these 2 beautiful (and handsome) siblings of Trey from little children watching their baby brother battle cancer to 2 AMAZING teenagers taking their worlds by storm!  We are so thankful for the countless ways God has provided for them....through the tremendous love and support by MANY surrounding them throughout their lives!

Joe and Bella are both stellar students shining brightly with the love of Jesus, serving others using their unique giftings, enjoying life with their extraordinary personalities, surrounded with the fierce love of family!  As a proud aunt I could list their many, MANY recent accomplishments, but I will sum up these great "kids" in Bible verses chosen for them long ago by their parents:

Joe - "Praise be to the Lord my Rock,

who trains my hands for war,

my fingers for battle."  Psalm 144:1

Bella - "She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come."  Proverbs 31:25