Thanks...

We celebrated Mama's life yesterday morning at her church, Fairforest Baptist. Years ago, she had chosen her music and Scripture verses. It was simple, yet very meaningful. I couldn't have agreed with the pastor more when, at the end, he said with every confidence that the first words she heard was "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Many lives were blessed by hers.

Thanks to everyone for your cards, well wishes, and especially your prayers this week. Thank you Steve & Angie for the beautiful flowers that arrived this afternoon. Its fragrance is amazing and it's a sweet reminder of our friendship. :)

I purposefully had not shared the funeral information with my different email groups because I didn't want anyone to feel that I was expecting them to make the trip to Spartanburg for her funeral. So, imagine my surprise when I looked up and saw my friend Lesa, aka "Fruity" Frady, coming through the doors with another friend, Shay, from First Baptist. Shay had worked with my dad years ago and now she and Lesa (friend of almost 20 years!) are neighbors. It's a small world!

I had just recovered from that surprise when another friend, Sandra, walked through the doors. Sandra was in the Ladies' Class at Temple Baptist and now she's in our class at First Baptist. She's a single woman who works for a not-so-nice law firm in Greenville. Because I was aware of her delicate work situation, I kept asking her how she had managed to take time off to drive over for the visitation/funeral. She finally shared, with a smile on her face, that she had worked overtime the night before, would work overtime that night, and again tonight to make up for the time lost. I was overwhelmed by her sacrifice... and still am.

It was nice gathering with the entire family for lunch after the graveside service, but I left wondering why in the world families rarely gather like that anymore unless there's a funeral. I'm hoping that will change.

Life truly does fly by.

I Can Only Imagine

That was the song playing on the radio as I drove home from the assisted living place where my sweet grandmother passed away this morning.

The station was on 96.7, usually known for playing the more progressive type Christian music, so when this older song came on (only minutes away from my home), I sensed the Lord's presence and above all, His comfort.

Our prayers were answered! Mama quietly slipped from the temporary bed holding her weak and frail body to the eternal lap of her heavenly Father.

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in honour of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine


"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him..."
1 Corinthians 2:9

I can only imagine.

Behold the Lamb

This morning, our C4 group studied the Passover, found in Exodus 12. In past years, when studying the Passover, we've darkened the room and set it up with long white tables, candles, juice, bread, juice, etc.

This year, it was very simple. Our group celebrated with unleavened bread and juice -- bookended with Andrew Peterson's, "Deliver Us" and "Behold the Lamb of God". The latter took on a deeper meaning for me this time even though I've listened to it numerous times. With my grandmother only hours or days (from all indications) away from seeing Jesus face to face, the words "behold the Lamb" reminded me of what she has to look forward to very soon.

As my last surviving grandparent, and a very special one at that, I'm going to miss her terribly. All four of my grandparents have (had) a personal relationship with Christ and I have no doubt that the daily prayers of both grandmothers played a vital role in my journey with Christ today.

I would appreciate your prayers for my grandmother, Alberta, in the coming days. I'm obviously praying that she will not suffer in her final moments, but will be ushered quietly in to her Passover Lamb's arms.

Mid-Week Snippets

It seems like a Friday to me. It's been a full, but fun week so far:

Sunday - it's always interesting to see who sets their clocks the night before. I think there's a reason why this is done on Saturday nights and not Sunday nights. So many would miss work. Really? :) We had a good crowd and great conversation nevertheless.

Monday - our Sunday morning C4 Group gathered at the LivNNside Out Cafe, located here in Simpsonville. It's a relatively new athletic facility with its own cafe tucked inside. The chef, Kevin, is in our group -- so we were treated like royalty. It was a lot of fun eating while everyone else was working out. ha! We had a great time. If you ever want a delicious, healthy, and reasonable meal, stop by the cafe. You don't have to be a member of the facility to enjoy a meal or smoothie. Or one of Kevin's homemade double chocolate pumpkin cupcakes (well worth the points!).

Tuesday - our Women in the Word group celebrated the Passover Tuesday evening. It was a special time together. The only thing that would have made it better was if my friend, Shari, had been there participating and/or leading it -- but she is in the very presence of her Passover Lamb, Jesus. Neither of us would want it any other way.

Wednesday - on a much lighter note (needed today) - I finally received my Zumba DVD's!

I have a feeling I'm going to discover muscles I never knew existed by the time I learn this dance. One of my favorite lines in the Leslie Sansone DVD's is how our bodies are surprised when we use "new" muscles. My body hasn't recovered from the first surprise (walking regularly) -- it has no idea what surprises are in store for it this week! ha...

Thursday, here I come!

A Proverb A Day

I'm not sure about you, but I desperately need a daily outpouring of God's wisdom, so it comes as no surprise to me that there "just happens to be" thirty-one Proverbs!

This week, Proverbs 12:16 grabbed my attention for all it was worth.

"A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult."

In the twenty years since becoming a Christ-follower, I've heard many excuses as to why a person would never return to church. A few of my "favorites" include:

• "I can worship at home just as well as I can at church."

• "It's a breeding ground for hypocrites."

• "The pastor is boring."(I haven't heard this one since joining FBC!)
  

But the one excuse I hear most? "Someone hurt my feelings!" Perhaps that's why verse 16 immediately quickened in my spirit. It's one excuse that rattles my cage. With all the love of Christ I can muster, I want to grab hold of the person and ask them when it has ever been about them? Christ followers should have the thickest skin around!

Ephesians 6 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (hypocrites included!), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. When we give in to the "me, me, me" pity parties (please don't send me an invitation to yours and I'll spare you one to mine!), we are doing exactly as the enemy desires us to do -- we are turning the attention towards ourselves and away from the very One we come together to worship.

It's no coincidence that the verses on the full armor of God immediately follow those above in Ephesians 6. When we put on (it's a choice!) the full armor of God, insults cannot penetrate our heart, mind, and especially our faith.

We've all heard the old adage "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

To this I say -- a Proverb a day keeps the devil away.

A New Appreciation for Normal

Just a quick posting to say I have a whole new appreciation for the normality of life. I came down with a sinus infection late Monday night and have yet to feel "normal". I've been sticking to my WW points, but exercising hasn't been daily -- or even enjoyable this week.

Speaking of the two "E's" (exercising & enjoyable), I ordered a set of Zumba DVD's this week! My mom takes a Zumba class here in Simpsonville and my cousin, Angie, actually teaches one of the Zumba classes near Baltimore. I've always enjoyed dancing and look forward to seeing how this adds a bit of variety to my exercise plan!

I'm glad I have a couple of more days to recover before the Zumba DVD's arrive... I'm going to need them. :)

No Excuses!

New walking shoes.... check!
New walking socks... check!
New walking sandals (for summer)... check!
New walking clothes... check!
New mindset... check!
Healthy foods in the fridge... check!

No excuses -- but none are necessary. What began as a necessity has now become a routine I actually enjoy.

The first week of Weight Watchers went well. Let's just say I maxed out every point possible. ha! In all honesty, I think I could lose about the same amount of weight exercising and simply watching what I eat -- but WW has raised my awareness of what I'm eating. I realized that the Starbucks Frappes, although very enjoyable, had become more of a habit than a treat. If I really want it, I'll allow for it -- but at least now I'm pausing long enough to analyze how badly I want it instead of automatically wolfing it down.

And speaking of which.....

Zach and Sarah came over this afternoon. After a yummy meal at Joy of Tokyo, Zach suggested Brian and I give Bojangles Bo-Berry biscuit a try. Have mercy! I should have paused a little longer. ha! It was worth every point -- especially since they were hot right out of the oven. (I feel like I should add a point to my daily diary just for thinking about them again.)

But no excuses... and none are needed!