It's Over

I just wanted to let those of you who have been lifting my dear Aunt Linda up in your prayers...praying over her, sending her notes of love and encouragement, thinking of her...and us...it's over. THIS is the day that Aunt Linda has waited for. She is now in the presence of her Lord...standing face-to-face with the Lover of her soul, Jesus! Rejoice for her, but pray for those that are left behind. Thank you all so very, very much for everything!

With All My Heart,
~Rebecca

Today

Today.

Today is one of those hard days. One of those too-little-sleep-the-night-before, haven't-had-a-shower-since-yesterday-morning, am-still-in-yesterday's-dirty-clothes, dirt-in-my-hair-from-cleaning-out-the-chicken-pen, my-family-is-really-hurting kind of days.

But today is also one of the perfectly beautiful, spring days. It's one of those the-sun-is-shining, the-grass-is-green, the-birds-are-singing, the-purple-irises-are-blooming, my-family-is-rejoicing, it's-a-good-day-to-just-go-someplace, kind of days.

I saw her last night...late...9:30...10:00...until around 11:00, I guess. Her face was flushed red, and she lay still in the bed and slept. A deep, restful sleep. I hadn't seen her like that in a long time.  Pain, you know. Pain and restlessness. There was always something else to do. And she had waited on him...for months. And, finally, he had come to see her. She could rest now...and she was doing just that. Resting.

When I got ready to leave I kissed her on the forehead and told her I loved her. Her skin was cool. Really cool. And she didn't stir like she normally did when I got ready to leave. My heart ached just a bit. Oh! To just have her say, in her gentle way, "Good night, Darlin'! I'll see you later!" But, no. She was resting.

I called this morning to see how the night had gone. Not good. She had been unresponsive since about...9:30...last night. Arrangements were being made to take her to the hospital. Still wearing yesterday's clothes...no shower...foul-smelling, I'm sure, and still smelling of fowl...dirty straw and cobwebs in my hair from cleaning out the hen house...I went...grabbing one of those beautiful purple irises from our flower bed on the way. They're her favorites, you know...purple irises are. :)

She was still lying there. Just like I had seen her the night before. Her boys...four of them...all there...another niece from the other side of the family...her closest friend...and others...in and out. Each one talking to her in turn...each hoping for a response...but there was none. I even held the purple iris right close under her nose and told her to drink in the smell of purple. Her breath came faster...deeper...just for a moment. Just like it did in response to each one's offering in turn. We believe she could hear us. But, other than that...no response.

We waited. We waited for the call. Yes, the paperwork was in place, the room readied. An ambulance was on it's way to transport. When they arrived, it wasn't easy. She was unresponsive and could not help at all. One more strong back...just in time...and she was loaded.

Where it goes from here? At this point only God knows. But, be it minutes, hours, days, or weeks, of one thing I am sure...today is a hard day. A beautiful woman that has been a pillar of strength and encouragement to countless others over the years lays silent...hovering somewhere between life and life eternal. No more uplifting words of encouragement to sooth a confused and angry spirit. No more words of good advice from one who's been there my entire life to cheer me up, slap me down when I needed it, and cheer me on when no one else would. No, that beautiful woman is soon to meet the Lover of her soul...face-to-face. Perhaps she is already there with Him...talking things over...making their plans for the rest of eternity.

Yet, today is a perfect day! Because it's one of those the-sun-is-shining, the-grass-is-green, the-birds-are-singing, the-purple-irises-are-blooming, my-family-is-rejoicing, it's-a-good-day-just-to-go-someplace, kind of days.

No matter when you go, my dear, loving, and most precious aunt, remember that I love you with all my heart! And wherever you go...whether it be with Jesus now, or, God-willing, back home to Liberal...wherever your journey takes you...my love travels with you! Pleasant journey, Aunt! I love you!  <3

Please keep my Aunt Linda, her boys, their wives, her grandchildren, and the rest of our family in your prayers. No matter what happens today, I'm sure that more hard, yet perfect, days lie ahead for all of us. God bless all here!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

Free Webcast At (in)courage - Don't Miss It!

Good Afternoon, Sweet Ladies!

I just wanted to take a moment and share this weekend's FREE (in)courage webcast. I have not been this uplifted and encouraged in a long, LONG time! What a blessing! If you get time, please, go over and listen to as many of the webcasts as possible. They're so good! Here's the link: http://www.incourage.me/ Enjoy, Ladies!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

Take A Minute To Think About The Bumblebee

Photo Credit

As part of my training as a Mary Kay representative, I am currently reading "Miracles Happen" by Mary Kay Ash. Thus far, I have only read the first chapter, but am already greatly inspired. I had to share this quote from Chapter 1 with you...

"If you ever come to visit Mary Kay headquarters in Dallas, you may see someone wearing a diamond pin in the shape of a bumblebee. Be assured that she is one of our top performers. Within our organization, the bumblebee has become the ultimate symbol of accomplishment. We selected it because of what the bumblebee represents for all women. You see, years ago, aerodynamic engineers studied this creature and decided that it simply should not be able to fly! Its wings are too weak and its body too heavy for flight. Everything seems to tell the bumblebee, "You'll never get off the ground." But I like to think that maybe -- just maybe -- our Divine Creator whispered, "You can do it!" so it did!"

Is that not lovely? It made me cry. How many people (including myself) have been told over and over that they can't do something...something, perhaps, that God created them to do? Perhaps it's time for us to take a lesson from the bumblebee and, despite weak wings and a body too heavy (or weary) for flight, we should just spread our wings and do it anyway!

Five Minute Friday - Jump

Photo Credit

It's FRIDAY! That means it's time for another Five Minute Friday where, as our hostess and inspiration, Lisa-Jo Baker, puts it, we write "For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not." 

Today's topic is jump. So...here...we...

Go!

All too often people jump to conclusions. They see or hear something and, quick as a flash, they're off and running, reacting in word, action, and/or deed, to what they THINK is going on, rather than taking the time to find out the facts, or reality, of the situation first. Are you one of those people? I imagine that, at one time or another, we've all been guilty of it, but there are some people that that is their norm...and it's not a quality to be admired. In fact, it can be quite frustrating when you continually have to deal with someone who refuses to listen, and/or chooses to only hear in part, before speaking, or acting, out before hearing the whole of a matter. Bearing that in mind, let us remember these words from scripture...

 

"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." (Proverbs 18:13)

Stop!

Five Minute Friday - After

Doren and Silas After The Concert

It's Friday! No! Wait! Actually, it's Saturday!

In all honesty, I had so much to do yesterday that when I got Lisa Jo's e-mail...after taking one look at this week's assigned word...I thought, "Oh! I don't have time for this this week. I'm just going to skip it. And besides...'after'? What would I write about the word 'after'?" Absolutely nothing came to mind, so I completely dismissed the idea of participating in this week's Five Minute Friday and promptly deleted the e-mail. But God had other plans...and this might actually take more than five minutes to write, but it's definitely worth sharing...so...here goes!

(And for those of you who are wondering "What's Five Minute Friday?", please, visit Lisa Jo's page to find out more. Normally I share all that here, but not this time.)

Okay...long story short...there is a singing group here in Missouri that is fairly well-known called the Calvarymen and we've known these guys for, going on, 25 years. We first got to know them when they visited our church in Blue Springs (several times over the years), then, since we've moved to Liberal we've seen them a few times, too.

Well, last night, they were going to be performing in Joplin at Neosho radio station KNEO's annual 'Listener Appreciation' night. Our daughter and son-in-law and their family was going and they invited Nana and Papa along for an evening out...dinner and a concert. So...we went and had a wonderful time!

But what I want to share with you happened toward the end of and AFTER the concert. Toward the end of the concert Doren Keeler (tenor for the Calvarymen) gave his testimony...which John and I and our daughter and son-in-law have heard many times over the years and never get tired of hearing....BUT this was our grandchildren's first time of hearing it.

Okay...so Doren gave his testimony. The man had a near death experience when he was struck by lightening and it just gives you goose pimples whenever you realize what a miracle it truly is that he's standing there...alive...and able to tell you all about it. After Doren shared his awesome testimony, the group sang a couple more songs, then the concert was over.

During those last couple of songs, our 5-year-old grandson, Silas, was sitting there at the table just SOBBING. His mom had taken his baby brother to the back because he was getting tired and cranky and, at first I thought that that was why Silas was crying...maybe he wanted his mom?...but his daddy, nor I, neither one, knew what was wrong. The poor boy seemed just heart-broken!

When the concert ended I said, "Silas, why were you crying? What was wrong?" And he said something about crying over "that sad thing."

Sad thing? We finally figured out that Silas had been crying over Doren's testimony. All that time he had been sitting there being a typical little boy...playing with his airplane and cars...drawing and coloring pictures...seeming not to pay any attention at all...and all that time he was listening...not only with his ears, but with his heart. I was practically moved to tears myself.

I asked Silas if he would like to meet Doren and, of course, he did. As a family we went back to the sales table where Doren was talking with a man. When the opportunity presented itself, Silas and Doren were introduced and they had themselves quite a little visit. Silas presented Doren with a picture that he had drawn for him, and on which he written the words "I love you." Doren had Silas write his name on the back of the picture, then Doren explained to Silas what a great miracle it was that God had wrought the day he saved his live, but what a greater miracle it was the day that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour and God had saved his soul. It was so touching! The two of them became fast friends and I hope that it's a friendship that will be revisited over the years just as it has been for us. This makes four generations of our family that has been touched by the ministry of the Calvarymen!

The Calvarymen

So...after not being able to think of thing to write about the word 'after' on Friday morning, I think God provided quite an opportunity AFTER the concert Friday night! And I'm glad I was there to see it! :)

 

Reopening The Proverbs 31 Woman (2) Group

I have decided to reopen my Proverbs 31 Woman Group (2) on Yahoo Groups. It's an extension of the original Proverbs 31 Woman Yahoo Club that I was asked to take ownership of in 1998 and operated until Yahoo Clubs closed and went to groups in the early 2000's. The current Proverbs 31 Woman Group (2) is a private group that has been closed to the public since it's opening in 2002. While the group is still there, due to circumstances beyond my control, there has been very little activity in it in recent years. I have decided to, once again, take on the responsibility of reforming the group and am opening it up to others who might be interested. The group is for women only and is based on the teachings found in Proverbs 31:10-31. It's purpose is to offer Christ-centered encouragement and accountability to those that are seriously seeking to fulfill the unique role that God created for us as women. If you think you might be interested in joining such a group, please, contact me privately at proverbs31heart@yahoo.com and I will send you an application for consideration. Thank you so much! And God bless!