"Trey Tuesday" - May 15, 2018

Don't Wait!

Trey's birthday was a few days ago.  He would have been 10 years old!  My heart just can't handle imagining Trey as a 10 year old!  He will forever be a spunky 6 year old in my heart!  My mom often says that Trey packed a LOT in to his 6 short years.  He didn't wait.

Life is hard.  Life is short.  Aaaaaaand life is long.  Too long to wait until one day....

So, in honor of Trey's birthday, go ahead....don't wait!

Eat dessert first!

Laugh til you cry!

Pray boldly!

Sing out loud!

Give a BIG gift!

Think deep!

Work hard!

Rest harder!

Daydream!

Take a long walk!

Have a long talk!

Whisper secrets!

Get a new pet!

Do a huge favor!

Create with courage!

Hug harder!

Dance longer!

And always love more!

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."  John 10:10

"Trey Tuesday" - May 8, 2018

What's the Difference?

Coke or Pepsi?

Vegetarian or Vegan?

Ford or Dodge?

What's the difference anyway?
(There are PLENTY of differences to those who care deeply about their choices!)

God has created a beautiful world filled with extraordinary people who make up a unique mosaic!  Where would we be if we all made the same exact choices?  What would we look like?  What we would sound like?  How would we ever learn!?  (Please note:  I am not bringing sports teams in to this analogy!)  :)

I was talking with a friend the other day about how much I love the Psalms.  Through the years, the poetry, the flow, the comfort, the guidance of God written in the Psalms has taught me so much about Jesus and His love for me!  My friend, a business executive, laughed and told me that the Psalms were a little too soft for her!  She preferred Proverbs - filled with warnings and consequences, cause and effect, helping her to understand how Jesus wants her to live!

I LOVE IT!  Even in God's Word we can learn and grow according to the way God has created each one of us!

So...what's the difference?  Everything about us is different - just as God intended us to be!

"For there is no difference...—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  Romans 10:12-13

"Trey Tuesday" - May 1, 2018

Baby Birds

We have a finch nest built in our front door wreath.  The birds carefully crafted the nest, laid the eggs, and then patiently sat and waited.

Well, the baby birds are born!  :)  I see their little fuzzy heads and yellow beaks begging for food whenever Daddy or Mommy visit......which.....isn't often!  Well, it isn't often enough for me!  Most of the day the nest sits unattended.  (by the parent birds)  I, however, pace and peek, making sure the babies are OK.  I worry, too.  Yes, the parents bring food many times throughout the day, but shouldn't the parents be protecting the babies?  Keeping them warm?  Sheltering them from predators?  (shielding them from the crazed homeowner taking endless pictures?!)  :)

Somehow, without my help, the baby finches are juuuuuuuuuuuuust fine.  The parents are doing what God created them to do.  I don't need to worry.  Or watch.  Or wait.  I just need to trust God's design.

I watched a video of Trey today.  Silly, resilient, strong Trey, stricken with cancer.  I watched.  I worried.  I laughed.  I cried.  Trey was just doing what God created him to do.  I just need to trust God's design.

Take today's verse to heart in your life.  And in the lives God brings to your front door!  <3

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"  Matthew 6:26

"Trey Tuesday" - April 24, 2018

Let's Go Team!

The fields are alive....with the sounds of soccer and t-ball and baseball and softball!  As spring is springing, teams are springing up everywhere! 

Tshirts, hats, minivan stickers - there are lots of ways to unite as a team.

We need teams.

We need each other.

We need those who complement us....those who can do what we can't...when we can't....Those who hold us accountable...and hold us up....hold our hands...and hold our mouths shut.

Team Mitlo One has been a bond across time and miles, supporting Jay and Rachel and Joe and Bella and Trey since the devastating news on that Christmas Eve.  But you know what else?  Being on Team Mitlo One has helped me to be a better team player on other teams.  Teams that noone ever wanted to be on....teams that are still fighting for an earthly win, and teams that mourn an earthly loss, but celebrate a heavenly win!  Sometimes I wonder why God would choose to use me on those teams, but I always find peace and encouragement in knowing that with a Coach like Jesus, we are guaranteed that He will provide a win!  :)

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,"  Colossians 2:2

"Trey Tuesday" - April 17, 2018

Like a Brother

Do you have a friend who rides this roller coaster called, "Life" with you?

Someone who loves you even when you are unlovable?
Someone you can lean on - sometimes literally?

Someone who is so close you can talk 24/7?

Friends can be so close we call them brother. Siblings, of course, can be brothers.  The Bible tells us that, "there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother."  Proverbs 18:24  

Imagine Joe and Bella having Trey as a brother.  A little brother.  A typical little brother to play with, fight, with, laugh with, live with....until one day....cancer takes your little brother away.  Where do you turn?   "there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother."  Proverbs 18:24   

Maybe God has allowed your sibling, spouse, parent, job, health, house, comfort to be taken away... Where do you turn?  "there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother."  Proverbs 18:24  

Jesus loves you even when you are unlovable.

Jesus is ready for you to lean on Him.

Jesus is listening to you 24/7.

Jesus is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Always.

"Trey Tuesday" - April 10, 2018

Have You Heard?

Have you listened outside your door lately?  Have you heard the birds singing?

Despite the dreary weather we've been having, the birds are doing what God created them to do!  They are singing!  :)

Trey battled cancer, but Trey never knew it.  He laughed and played and flirted every time he visited his girlfriends/the nurses at Children's Hospital!  He was just doing what God created him to do!  :)

Are you singing?  Are you doing what God created you to do?

"Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord."  Psalm 150:6

"Trey Tuesday" - April 3, 2018

Gold Star!

"You did a great job today!  I am so proud of you!"

When was the last time you heard those words?  How does it make you feel to hear them?  I think we can all use some good news this week....Here is a Gold Star for perseverance, commitment, good attitude, willingness, and team spirit!  :)

Optimism is contagious.  Smiles beget smiles.  And laughter begets laughter.  Just ask Trey's family!  Trey's endless jokes and "deals" and smiles brought such joy to our family!  And the memories and videos carry on that joy!

You may not be a cute, charming, lovable, irresistible, handsome little 5 year old boy, but God has given you YOUR joy to share!  What are you waiting for? :)

"shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the Word of life... So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. "  Philippians 2:15,16,18