Saying Goodbye . . . For Now

On Friday, August 24, 2012, we said goodbye to Lisa Albritton Agee, our sister-in-law.

Thankfully, it won't be long in Heaven's view of time before she will welcome us into that glorious place beside her.

In the meantime, we will miss her--her love of life and the joy she shared with us.

She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, daughter-in law, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

I don't have the words, I just know that my heart hurts and I already know that there will be a void where there once was laughter.

Yesterday in church we sang, "Worthy is the Lamb" and tears started flowing--tears mixed with sadness and envy in some ways.  I realized that Lisa was probably in Heaven singing similar songs herself.  She has a whole new perspective on God's glory and his worthy lamb--Jesus.  And while I know she was fighting with all she had left before she passed, I know that she must be rejoicing in her new cancer free body in the presence of the almighty, the creator of life.

And that is where I will have to focus--on the Truths.

1) Before she was born, her number of days were ordained by the same Creator who created her.

2) That God created her to bring glory to Him.  What a testimony of that at her funeral.

3) That while we will mourn for the loss, we will not grieve as those who have no hope.  We know that at the moment she had her last breath, she was ushered into the presence of God.

Here are some pictures of Lisa--full of life on this earth.

Aunt Chee Chee and Leighanne
(Leighanne renamed Aunt Lisa)

Our trip to Tennessee and white water rafting

Another trip to the mountains

Our most recent picture--at Austin's Graduation in May 2012



I don't know what she is up to in Heaven, but I bet she is having a great time.



Julie

The Reveal!

Okay--I promised I would tell the name of the book that I have been reading . . .

AND--I WILL!

But FIRST THINGS FIRST!

It's our 1st Day of School for 2012-2013!

Zach, Jordan (back)
Hannah, Leighanne, and Sara (front)

YAY!  This mom is doing the happy dance!  And the kids are too!  They are so excited to be going to school.

Ok--so now for the Reveal.

I've been reading the book, Missing Pieces by Jennifer Rothschild.

It is FAN--TAB--U--LOUS!  I recommend it wholeheartedly!

I have learned so much in just the last few days that my heart is full of a new knowledge about God.  I'm getting to see a part of his character that I have never seen before.

Notice I didn't say that it was an easy read--it's not.  It makes you think and it stays focused on what the Bible has to say for it's answers!  Love that!

So if you are going through a difficult time in your life and you want a fresh perspective--then I recommend this Bible Study to you!

Note: Amazon has it for $12.98 with free shipping if you are a prime member.  Just saying!

Many hugs today and a special thanks to all of the teachers out there who love on our kids and help them learn.  Blessings on a new school year!

Julie

I Almost Missed It!

Really!  I can't believe I almost missed the opportunity to read this workbook!

I just finished Day 2--and let me tell you--I am writing this with little tears in my eyes.

WOW!

I have never thought of looking at my situation from the viewpoint that the author gave.  I have read the passage (Mark 4: 35-39) that she shared today many times before.  But today--I had a fresh encounter with these words from the Bible.

Today's question was "Do You Not Care?"  a completely different question than yesterday's "Do You Care?"

"Do You Not Care?" is negative--it assumes the one being questioned is guilty of Not caring.  The author established yesterday that God cares and will never forget us or our situations, so we KNOW that GOD CARES!

BUT--sometimes we find ourselves doubting--in a state of unbelief--and then the author threw out this question, "Do you take God "just as He is"?  And that's the question that made me STOP and THINK!  And when I was faced with the truth of my answer--I thought--forgive me God, sometimes I don't!  Help me to take you just as you are--even when I don't understand your ways.

I am going to stop right there--and let that question really sink in.  Do you take God "just as He is"?


I'm not going to share any more of the wisdom from this workbook today--I want you to read the words, then dig deep within yourself and let the Holy Spirit lead you to the truth.

And I know you are asking, "But how can I do that--you haven't told us the name of the book or the author?"

I promise I will after I finish Day 5--so just 3 more days!

And then--I want you to get this Bible Study. 

Just an FYI--I'm not being paid to review this--it a totally volunteer thing! 

A Break in My Crazy life!

I found a few quiet minutes today.

I've been meaning to blog--but you have to be at home in front of a computer, or have a notebook (hint hint) to blog when you are sitting in doctor's offices, or waiting in countless other places.  But enough, of that!

I'm excited--I have something to share!

I've been given the opportunity to preview a workbook that's about to be released.  I get the chance to read the first chapter and write a review.  I almost passed on this opportunity--I thought I'm too busy to blog write now, how can I even begin to commit to that?  But that small little voice inside of me said, "Take the time--this is something you need."

And you know what--I just finished Day 1 and this book is exactly what I need.  In fact, our Bible study at church last night mirrored the same thoughts behind today's study.

Being Content in God.  Letting God be enough for you even when things are not easy, you're in a trial, or even when your life is just LIFE.

The verses that the author used to begin the study come from Habakkuk 3: 17-18.  Read this-- "Though the fig tree does not bud  and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no feed though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!"

Though everything around Habakkuk was failing, he was choosing to be content in God and His provisions.  And basically, that's what we have to do everyday--we have to choose to be content in God and with how He provides within our circumstances. 

I love how the author humbly asked God questions when her life was falling apart.  "God, Do you Care?  This is the first question in the Bible study.  How many times have we asked that ourselves?  "God do you know that _______________ is going on in my life?  God do you Care?" 

There is a struggle within because we find ourselves taking on a victim mentality--this is not fair, I don't want this, why did that have to happen to me?  I know this from experience--I've said these very words.  But if we stay in this place, then we lose the joy of finding contentment in God.  How do we know that God cares about us and our situations?  Think on this-- Isaiah 49:15 " Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?  But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" 

The God of this universe--THE CREATOR will NEVER forget us!

Even when we can't see his work in our lives--It's there!  Even when we doubt that God is concerned--He IS!  He cares about us and everything that is going on in our life.

Today I challenge you to find contentment in God.  He is enough!

Julie

P.S. Yes, I know I didn't name the book--but I will.  Come back and find out!