Sunday, August 12, 2012

On Your Wedding Day...

(From a letter written to RandiLyn on August 3, 2012) Dear RandiLyn, This morning i peeked in on you sleeping and realized that a new chapter in our lives is about to begin. As i sit here writing, memories of so many beautiful days are filling my head You are so precious to me and i knew the very first minute i held you in my arms that i could never love anyone or anything the way i love you. Our life has been an amazing journey, and although its taking a different path, i am so excited! I have enjoyed experiencing every part of your life - good times and not so good, happy and not so happy. I am looking forward to experiencing whats ahead and watching you discover a new life as a wife. I will no doubt miss you, but i will be here for you always. You will be prayed for every day as i cheer you on in every new adventure that comes your way. I love you more than anything and i am more than proud of you. God Blessed me beyond measure when He gave me you. I love you, Mom XOXOXO

A LOT HAPPENS IN A YEAR AND A HALF! . . .Good Things!

(Written June 13, 2012) Obviously, blogging isn’t my thing! A year and a half since I last wrote . . . (sigh) I should try harder. So here we are a year and a half older, a year and a half of so much “stuff” – some great, some good, some only so-so, and maybe a little bit of bad. But we are here and we venture onward, and we grow each and every step of the journey. In only 7 weeks my precious baby girl will become a wife. August 4, 2012 at 2pm. my little girl begins a new journey with the love of her life, Ben. I am looking forward to this new road and am so happy to share in it with her. That’s not to say that during the last year there haven’t been moments of doubt, but I did what I learned is best – I prayed! I put it in the loving hands of Jesus and told him that I was fully comfortable with letting him take care of things. I really believe he has and im looking forward to watching these two precious young adults grow as husband and wife, and grow in their walk with the Lord – wherever he takes them on this new journey in life. I pray that our Precious Jesus will watch over and protect them, bless them with health, children, success in their occupations, and much joy over many, many years. I am so proud to be walking my precious RandiLyn down the aisle. I will hold tightly to her hand – not wanting to let go – but knowing that I have to. My comfort is that she knows how much I love her and will always stand by her . My hand will always be there for her to reach out and hold – any time she wants to or needs to. She is my pride and joy, an amazing gift from God, and I am so proud of who she has grown up to be. God blessed me beyond measure the day she was born, and I look forward to all the blessings he has in store for her life.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

So Randi has been home now for a bit over a week and it has been so great! We are adjusting things in the house to accomodate all of us and getting to know each other again - not that we were ever strangers, but living in the same household is so much more intimate. There have been a few moments that have been tense as we all try to understand and work through things, but for the most part it has just been great! Im learning to prepare meals for 3 again and there are all kinds of different food items around. Seems that our schedules all work well together.





It was 1 year and 8 months that she left home and it was the worst and longest year and 8 months ever. What was learned and experienced during this time though, was probably the most valuable lesson i have ever learned and lived. In the beginning i tried everything i could think of to steer the ship in the direction i wanted it to go, and nothing would make it budge. My husbands support, patience and encouragement were the stepping stone to me connecting with the only one who could help - the only one who could control the situation. Only my God - the Gentle Shepard, my most loving Father, my help in time of need - My Lord, Jesus Christ could ever work this all out for His good and His Glory. I cried out to Him, i prayed to Him, i help tight to His hand, and when i finally gave in and completely trusted in Him to work through all this i found peace in my heart, and the avenues began to open up for Randi.





I began to sense some changes in Randi around the beginning of August. I couldnt really pinpoint anything specific, but i guess moms intuition just sensed something. Still i held tightly to Jesus, and let Him do his work. In early September Randi called me one day and asked me what the name of Jill Kelly's new book was. I mentioned to her that Jill was going to be speaking at church on Sunday for the women's groups big kickoff and that i had an extra ticket (when i went to pick up tickets i asked for 2, hoping that Randi would join me, but realizing she already had plans - but just in case). She told me that she would like to but confirmed that she had other plans. Then 10 minutes later she called me back and said she changed her mind and wanted to go (thank you God for answered prayer number one). The day of the event came and Randi met me shortly before i had to be there. I was working at a table and when i got there a young lady named Britney was also working at the table. She was representing a ministry called Refined. I started talking to her about it and she told me that it was a group of girls in their 20's that were too young to really enjoy the womens ministry group and didnt really feel "fed" by the college age ministry. Randi was away from us buying Jill Kelly's book and when she came back she and Britney began talking - for like a half hour. When we left to go into the church to hear Jill Kelly Randi told me that she was going to go to Refined and check it out. Then later in the week she made arrangements at work to get Tuesday nights off so she can go to Vintage (the college ministry). She didnt believe they would give her the day off, but God had different plans. And i love His plan!

Thank you God, for helping me to see that i needed to put this all in your hands and stop trying to steer the ship myself. I am confident that Randi is firmly in your hands and that you will lead her in the ways she should go. I know there will be difficult days, but i know you have it under control. I know the plans you have for my precious daughter are far better than any plan i could ever imagine for her.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Song of Praise and Thanks

Today, October 3, 2010 my precious daughter returned home!



There is not enough i can say to attest to the faithfulness and love of our God - to the truth of His Word that He will answer our prayers, He does love all of us, and we need to wait on His perfect timing. There were days i questioned, days i was so frustrated i couldnt talk to my loving Father, days i had hope, and then days it was dashed. But i will tell you that through it all, if i hadnt had my heavenly Daddy to lean on i would never have survived a day.



I know that this road will have bumps and turns for you, Randi, and also for us, but i also know that you are seated right in the middle of Gods hands and He will lead you along the way. The journey will have many different views - some beautiful, some not so beautiful. There will be times when the Lord will make it so clear the direction you should take, and there will be days that are full of frustration. But He will be there, right in the middle of it all. He will lead the way and He will never, ever let you down, my precious daughter. So hold His hand, grow to love and depend on Him for everything. He will give you all the riches in this life that He can alone can give.



The most important thing to always remember is that God loves you (remember that from one of our favorite TV shows - Touched by an Angel). He has perfectly and wonderfully created you and has a plan for your life. Trust Him, follow Him, and love Him with all your heart and soul and you will see amazing things take place in your life.



Welcome home and enjoy the new path your life is moving on right now. Im here with you and am looking forward to the journey. I love you so much.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Maybe i get it . . . finally!

Answered questions, answered prayers . . . they seem to come at times least expected and they are sometimes so subtle that you could miss them if you breathe too fast. I wonder how many i have missed . . . makes me sad :(

I think i will try to pay attention from now on!