Sunday, February 19, 2012

Two beginnings…

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It was after the wedding rehearsal dinner, the night before the wedding.

The phone rang, my heart dropped when I saw the name.

I knew it was the call to tell us she was gone,

our long time church member, our friend,

had gone to heaven.

We attended the wedding the next day,

a beautiful, joyous celebration of a dear young couple from our church,

while heaven celebrated the homecoming of one of God’s precious ones.

The beginning of a life together.

The beginning of life eternal.

At all times,

in all things,

blessed be the name of the Lord.

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I’ve taken the Joy Dare.

I’m counting one thousand thanks in one year.

I hunt for thanksgiving using the prompts Ann gives us each month.

If you are interested in joining in, click the link above or at the bottom of this post.

I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little green journal…

#1655-1675

3 gifts found behind a closed door

-a closet full of clothes and shoes

-a bathtub full of hot water

-a pantry and refrigerator full of food

3 ways you feel the love of God

-because He says so and He cannot lie

-on my walk – His Presence with me as I walk, worship playing on my iPhone

-His love flowing through others to me

a gift in losing something

-free time lost, but so much gained as I visit my sick friend

a gift in finding something

-the presence of Jesus there in the room with us as I prayed with her

a gift in making something

-the joy in making my husband a special meal

3 gifts in shadows

-during a “dark”, hard week, the long awaited final approval from the county for our church building project!

-the quiet of the house before the sun is fully up

-safe travels on a very dark, stormy night

3 gifts found in giving/serving

-the joy of encouragement received when it’s given out

-the joy of teaching God’s Word

-the strength God gives us when we walk with others through their dark days

3 gifts found on paper

-Valentine cards still perched on the mantel

-journals past and present

-God’s Word

3 gifts that were plan Bs

-two of our three daughters not “planned” by us, but definitely they were God’s wonderful plan A!

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-merging with another church 3 years ago, not something we planned, but definitely God’s amazing plan

-youngest granddaughter, a blessed “surprise” to her Mama and Daddy, (who suffered 10 years of infertility and 3 miscarriages before having her big sister), and to us all, but wonderfully planned by God

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Gratefully yours,

Elizabeth


10 comments:

  1. Ack! The littles in the last photo are soooo gorgeous!

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  2. I've so often seen two beginnings - the beginning of a dear saint in Heaven's glory and the beginning of a new life. Within hours of each other. Such joy for each. One in the presence of the Father - the other in the presence of those who have waited for the arrival of their little one. God has a way of bringing things full circle, doesn't He?
    ~Adrienne~

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  3. What a sweet post. I'm blessed for having read it this morning.
    T

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  4. What a weekend for you. I know well the feeling of sadness followed by celebration when an old saint has finally entered the gates of heaven.

    Of all your list topics this week, I loved the "Plan B" one the most of all. Maybe it was that picture which accompanied your response.

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  5. I loved this writing. The stages of our time on this earth. I want to restart my gratitude list. I discovered my page was dropping them off. But I know it's made a difference in who I am. :)

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  6. Popped over here from Ann's ~ that last pic is just full of sweetness!

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  7. Two beginnings, what a special way to think about that time. So sorry for your loss. Your family is beautiful. What wonderful plans HE has had for your family. Precious photos!

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  8. oh...such precious little ones...we seemed to have had a little of the same experience...mourning with a friend in her husbands tragic death...and my new grandlove coming to bring all the love a baby gives...death and life mingled together...
    so sorry for your loss...blessings to you...

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  9. Two beginnings; a wedding and a funeral. What a difference it makes when one is a Christian!

    I love your photos and your joy list.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  10. what a wonderful post! your list is lovely and those grandbabies are gorgeous!

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