There is never a dull moment with this group! It is always full of laughter. Who know this little van would have so many adventures and be such a blessing to us all :)
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A friend is there on your good days and the rough ones, when you are feeling fabulous and frumpy, when you need to laugh and cry. I could not have imagined how richly the Lord would bless me with friends like these. Thank you for your encouragement and constantly turning me to Christ! "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ...So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Gal 6:2, 10 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Prov. 27:17 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Rom. 16:9-10 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Prov 27:9 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Rom 15:5-7 For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another…. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abideth in death. ...Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and sees his brother hath need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him? My little children, let us now love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1 Jn. 3:11-18 Love this little cousin ~ Eliana 2015
Lord, I want to be a spatula - a tool to be used in your hand. There is nothing special about the tool itself, it is just used to spread and stir. I cannot take credit for the wonderful analogy - but I will never forget it. I always loved object lessons :) This is how Mrs. Rossiter described Mrs. Black in the memorial service today. It was beautiful. The testimonies of her life, the stories, the evidences of her touch in the lives of all that came - revealed her passion for serving the Lord.
Seeing her - so still - reminded me that everything is ok; she is not there! She is absent from the body and present with the Lord. This is just her shell; who she really was will always be treasured in our memories. Knowing someone in heaven makes heaven seem all the more real. I know she is there with Mr. Derek, with Grandpa, and one day we will all be together again. We are just pilgrims; we don't have to be afraid to die. Mr. Derek is there building mansions and Mrs. Black is singing in the choir. Ps. 40:1-3
I have been thinking about when I had Mrs. Black for prayer-share my senior year. I remember her encouraging me when I asked for prayer not knowing where I was going to go to college or how I was going to pay for it. She told me about the Israelites when they left Egypt and were crossing the Red Sea. The Lord did not part the waters as soon as they were approaching the Red Sea; they camped at the water's edge as they heard the Egyptians getting closer. It was not until God told Moses to put his staff in the water that the sea parted. She told me "God is never late." And I have never forgotten that. When I cannot understand a situation or how the outcome could possibly be good - I remember "God is never late." During the funeral today, we sang each of the kids selections for "Mommy's favorite". Just walking in, realizing the fact that I am really standing here for the memorial service of these children's mother - made afresh the wave of emotions. The auditorium was packed with people even sitting in the back in chairs. So many who were her students came. The choir led the congregation in singing "It is Well" - Kyla's choice. I mouthed the words with tears streaming down my face. Then Josh's choice was "Complete in Thee" brought back memories of when I sang it for the first time when we were still visiting Bible, and I joined the teen choir/assemble. "Beneath the Cross" "God and I" and many others, each song spoke directly to our hearts. Mr. Black shared the stories behind their choices, and each one described a part of her. While I do not pretend to understand what they are feeling, I know what God's peace past understanding feels like. Kyla told me how they laughed at funny pictures while picking out ones for the slideshow with her siblings. You hold on to each memory, but then it hits you how short life is. We are not promised tomorrow. What legacy am I creating? What is really important in life? Do I take the opportunities I have to tell family how much I love them or others why I have hope? Mrs. Rossiter shared how Mrs. Black had "spread" and "stirred" up others' lives like a spatula. She spread her love for music, art, family and stirred others to be genuine, speak kindly, express loyal devotion, love family, challenge potential, encourage others, live simply & smile. How can we say that our God is good when things like this happen? Because of the verse she had in her living room painted on the wall "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe". God does nothing unkind, nothing is a surprise to Him; instead, He opened His arms and told her "welcome home". Why would God take a mommy from her four children? As Mr. Black said, "We are not asking why. We are just trusting God, and He is good". Our hearts also ache for the grieving family she left behind. We sang song after song - the Lord knew that it was what we needed. He knows our pain. He feels our burdens and wants to carry us through every trial, every day. He loves us deeper than we can comprehend. It is all easy to say, but when our feelings falter and emotions are confusing - these are the truths we must remind ourselves of. When all else is unknown, and when the world feels like it is turned upside down, we cling to the Rock of our Foundation. He is the comfort to the hurting, the peace that passeth understanding, the joy that follows mourning.
http://www.bbchampton.org/donations-for-the-black-family.html
A good friend shared this quote with me this week... Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Ps. 66:20 I surrender my anxiety and my sense of urgency. I allow God to guide me in the pacing of my life. I open my heart to God's timing. I release deadlines, agendas, and stridency, to the gentle yet often swift pacing of God. As I open my heart to God's unfoldings, my heart attains peace. As I relax into God's timing, my heart contains comfort. As I allow God to set the tone and schedule of my days, I find myself in the right time and place, open and available to God's opportunities. ~ Julia Cameron |
AuthorI will be the first to admit that I am not a writer, but have a sincere aspiration to articulate Truth with grace, in love, seasoned with salt. Here is a journal of sorts, or photo documentations of a journey - one currently around the world in Papua New Guinea working at the Kunai Health Center. Thanks for visiting and your support! Archives
May 2019
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