Dad's bible!

I just received another book in the mail to review for Thomas Nelson Publishers.  This is a bible specifically designed for Dad's.  It's the bible in the New Century Version, which I have not heard of yet but what makes it special is throughout the bible there are little tidbits of information here and there and the best part of it is in the back of the bible.  They have 30 pages of questions and answers that dads might hear from their children.  They give answers that might help be a base for Dad to go off of with truth to explain and talk to their children.  They also have a neat topical index.  They have a section on God's word that gives many verses for various subjects or things you or your children might be going through.  For instance say your child is worrying about something they have lots of verses on worrying.  They have a section on other dads in the bible.  The bible is hardback and has a nice finish but my husband prefers soft cover.  The pages are kind of neat, they have a look to them that makes them look older than they are!  Overall, I think it's a nice bible with lots of helpful information to help be a base for fathers! 

Absent from the body...PRESENT WITH THE LORD!!!

As I write this, I know I am only able to do this because of the amazing grace and strength of God.  Tonight I found out that my grandpa Ken and grandma Annie (my dads parents) have passed away.  When I got the call from my mom and hung up from her, I tried to go upstairs to tell Jim but I collapsed halfway up and was sobbing to the point where I truly was having trouble breathing.  I was crying out for God to help me.  I didn't realize how hard losing a grandparent would have hit me.  I think it might have hit me so hard because it was both of them at the same time, unexpected and to know they would never get to see our baby that we are hopefully soon adopting!  Also to hear that both passed away on the same day almost seemed not even real.  Jim woke up and came to my rescue and held me as he tried to understand what I was saying.  I can tell you this, I don't know if I have EVER felt this way.  The way I griefed at first was a TOTAL shock to me.  I realized though I could not keep sobbing to the point of no breath because it would accomplish nothing and I needed to be there for my dad and my family.  So at one point I fell to the ground and I laid face down on the ground and started crying out to God that He would pull me together, give me strength, peace and comfort so that I could then be there for my family.

On the way to my grandparents house, I talked with God the whole way and thanked Him for my grandparents and asked Him if He could have Jim and I's children that are in heaven give them a big hug.  I was sad that I didn't get to say goodbye to them on earth but I know I will see them again!   That's when God's OVERWHELMING peace and strength came over me and helped me to relax enough and breathe normal and so I realized I needed to start singing.  We are suppose to rejoice and praise God through ALL circumstances because He is worthy so I started to sing "Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name...You give and take away, You give and take away, but my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name".  Then I sang "Shout to the Lord" to my Savior because no matter what He deserves to be praised.  This situation is just a reminder that our lives here on this earth are just a vapor, we are just a speck in God's BIG picture.  I am forever thankful that my grandparents knew the Lord so I have hope and I can praise and sing my Father knowing they are with Him and yes they left their body here on earth, but it's just a shell.  Their soul is in eternity now and they are home!  I will see them again one day!  Through Christ and His death on the cross and rising from the dead and defeating death, we have the gift of eternal life if we just receive and accept it and with it, we have hope knowing we will see our loved ones who are believers, again!

I will miss my grandparents.  I now wish I would have went and saw them more but I don't think its something we think about as much until it's too late.  I will miss my grandma's adorable german accent, her beautiful white braided to the side hair and how precious and optimistic she was no matter how bad she felt.  Every time we would go visit her, she would ask how our trying to conceive was going or now, how our adoption was going and she would say how she is praying for us for a baby and she always said such sweet things.  It now breaks my heart knowing she won't be here when we bring our baby home but I know she now has seen our other four children that are in eternity and so she can talk and be with them until we are all together again one day.  It truly seems almost unreal, it really makes you remember how any of us could die any second, we are not guaranteed tomorrow!  I know this definitely makes me want to go see my other grandparents more and hug them and let them know how much I love them!   

My precious God,

I thank you for Your strength, peace & comfort you have given me and my family tonight and I pray you would continue to give this to us as we walk this new journey.  I am forever grateful that you put my grandparents in my life, because even though they were human, they loved you and raised my dad up in a home that knew about you and I have been blessed with family that love you and follow you!  I thank you for the hope I have in You, knowing I will see them again one day!  I love you so much!  I praise Your name for You are so worthy, so holy and You give and You take away but BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!

1 Corinthians 15:55~"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

I WILL RISE ~ Chris Tomlin

There's a peace i've come to know, though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an echo in my soul, I can sing, It is well
Jesus, has overcome and the grave is overwelmed
The victory is won He is risen from the dead

And I Will Rise when he calls my name
No more sorrow,No more pain
I Will Rise,on Eagle's wings
Before my God fall on my kness,and rise
I Will Rise

There's a day that's drawing near
when the darkness breaks to light
and the shadow's disappear
and my faith shall be my eye's

In His amazing grip,

God's promises for girls...

I just got the book God's promises in the mail and oh what a darling little book!  First off, I notice the hard cover with beautiful colors and the artwork of the little girl and other characters including her kitty in the book are beautiful and whimsical!  I really like all the different themes they have for God's promises in the book and I especially am excited to hopefully use this soon as we are adopting!  I think its a wonderful companion to read with your child every day about the promises in God's word that God has given us!  I think from the very beginning of our childrens life, we need to tell them about these beautiful promises that God has given us!  I recommend this book and of course if you have a boy, I recommend getting the God's promises for little boys!