A Journey Home

I came across this in an AFA (American Family Association) email and I thought I'd check it out. I started watching and wasn't sure if I would continue, it didn't seem like my thing... and 45 minutes!

After the first couple minutes I was hooked, it drew me in! I found it fascinating... a hard life, but a loving and worthy life. To give up a life that you had known and move your family to begin a new and unfamiliar life. What courage! It is worth watching.


A 45-minute inspirational movie.

"Winner of the Jubilee Award for Best Documentary at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, A Journey Home tells the story of the extraordinary path traveled by Tommy Waller, his wife Sherri, and their 11 children."

http://www.afa.net/journeyhome/index.htm

A Father's Decision

My mom sent me an email this morning. Usually I don't get on my computer before I go to work, but I wanted to check the weather and I saw mom had sent an email so I looked real quick. Wrong move!


A Father's Decision

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and before he gave his sermon for the evening, he briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service.

With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak. "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the pacific coast," he began. “When a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.”

The old man hesitated for a moment; making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story.

The aged minister continued with his story, “grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the other end of the lifeline. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw out the lifeline to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered.”

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister's mouth.

'The father,” he continued, “knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus... Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend.”

“How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us. Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take a hold of the lifeline He is throwing out to you in this service.”

With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. “That was a nice story,” politely stated one of them, “but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian.”

“Well, you've got a point there,” the old man replied, glancing down at his worn bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face. He once again looked up at the boys and said, “It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But, I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up his Son for me. You see... I was that father and your pastor is my son's friend.”


Now dry YOUR eyes and get yourself back together. I know I didn't need a cry before I had to drive to work. Thanks mom! But what an amazing and moving story.

The "W" in Christmas

My mom forwarded this to me... I thought it was such a good story to share.

The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six-year-old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row-center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -- totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W."

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W..." Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:


"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"


And, I believe, He still is. Amazed in His presence... Humbled by His love. May each of you have a Merry Christmas as you reflect on His Amazing Love for us... Have a blessed day!

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith SEES the invisible, BELIEVES the incredible and RECEIVES the impossible!

I hope each and every one of you have a very Merry Christmas... and remember, Jesus IS the reason for the season. Keep Christ in Christmas. Christ was love... and still is!

It Figures...

Right now I'm eating lunch at work...

Yesterday was my boss's (and owner of the company) birthday, he took the day off, but, as he was going out the door Monday, said he was going to be back in Wednesday. So the birthday lunch party we were planning would be postponed 'til then.

I had my nephew's birthday party last night and didn't get out of there until after 8 pm. I had to stop at the store to pick a few things up, then get things ready for the lunch. I had to get the meatballs & sausage done, doctor the tomato sauce, put together a salad, and make the dressing, and get it all packaged for travel. It was a late night, needless to say.

The Menu:
- Meatballs & Italian Sausage in tomato sauce (w/my home grown & dried basil)
- Ceasar/Spinach Salad (w/homemade ceasar dressing)
- Italian Bread
- Baked Potato Salad (compliments of my mom & sister)
- Cake

I got to work today and got the crockpot of meat heating up, was waiting until just before lunch to put the salad together (it's sooo much better fresh). Then I got a call from Ron, the Sales Manager, he was calling off sick. Good grief!

It was nearing lunch and still no David... I had an excuse to call him, so I thought I'd casually ask when he thought he'd be in. Got voicemail. I left him a message asking him a work question and then bluntly asked if he was going to be in anytime soon because I had brought lunch in, had expected him to be in by now, and lunch is ready. I soon received a call back... He had told Ron yesterday that he probably wouldn't be in today, if he did make it in, it wouldn't be until late afternoon. He was currently on his way to a lunch meeting. Ron never told me. It figures... so I told him there should be leftovers for tomorrow! We three girls ate without them!

It is terrific, if I do say so myself!

We did save the cake for tomorrow, we aren't heartless.

Excuse Me, Your Cart Is Ringing...

Last night I had to stop at Wal-Mart to pick a few things up. When I got home, I turned to grab my purse and immediately noticed my cell phone was missing. OH CRAP!!! That's the only phone I have since I had my home phone disconnected to save money. I really don't need THIS!

I took the groceries in and got a flashlight to search my car, hoping and praying that it had just fallen out onto the floor or under the seat. No luck. Oh man! Crap, crap, crap! I know the last time I saw it was at Wal-Mart when I checked the time. So either I lost it somewhere or someone lifted it from my purse pocket.

So I got in the car and drove to my mom's house. Told her I needed her help... and her phone. I took the house phone and called my number to see if I could hear the ringing in my car... you know, to definitely rule that out. No ringing.

Then we go down to Wal-Mart with mom's cell phone. I stopped where I had been parked and tried calling again... no ringing heard. So I went inside to where the carts were lined up... tried calling again while intently listening for the ringing. Nothing.

I couldn't remember what register I had been at so I just started asking every cashier in the general area I had been. Not there. I went to customer service... no one had turned one in. So I tried calling again to see if I could hear it.

Whoa! Someone answered!

He said he was trying to call back "mom". I asked him where he was, he said by the produce aisle near register 1. I told him I was at Wal-Mart, what was he dressed as? LOL, I don't know why I stated it like that. He said he was wearing a brown jacket. I practically ran over to produce, saw him immediately. Thank you, Lord!

He said he kept hearing a ringing, then some lady told him it was his cell phone that was ringing. He said he didn't have a cell phone. That's when they saw it in the cart. Excuse me, your cart is ringing! LOL

I thanked him profusely! I was lucky a nice guy like him got my cart.

Another God-Thing!!!

Thank you, mom, for dashing out at a moments notice at 9:00 PM to rush down to Wal-Mart for another "Shelly Crisis". I very much appreciate it!

One Of My Dreams...

I've always dreamed of being able to have a refuge for cats... Here is someone that is living what I've dreamed.


Cat House On The Kings




http://www.cathouseonthekings.com/

Tony Melendez - Guitar Player w/No Arms

Gives you a new perspective on your own life.

Meredith's Letter To God

I've seen this before, but it touches my heart and tears me up each time I see it.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

This is one of the kindest things I've ever heard. I have no way to know who originally sent it out, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.


Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her, you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.





We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' ....in an unfamiliar hand writing. Meredith open ed it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies'. Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God