Free Give-Away in memory of Malorie!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN MAL!!!

I have never done a give-away, but here goes!! If you leave a comment after this post, I'll mail you one of the "BUCKLE UP FOR MAL" keychains. Shortly after Mals accident, her older sister Ashleigh started giving talks to schools about the importance of seatbelt safety along with the keychains.


If you would like to visit Malorie's website in her memory, click on:
http://legobeaver.com/malorie/malorie1html

I can't believe it's been 19 years ago you blessed our lives! GOD IS GOOD!!!

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:5

This is the verse I am repeating in my head today as I miss my Angel Malorie. I still sometimes ask why? I don't know why Malorie was killed in a car accident 5 years ago just before her 14th birthday. I do know that is was the best day of her life, because she went home to our Heavenly Father! But oh, what a tragedy, and the worst day of my life!

BUT.... I cling to the factual knowledge that God is good, regadless. Tragedies in this life are beyond our understanding this side of Heaven.

I believe Jesus is good deep in my soul and that's what is so precious to me!

Faith is not something we can see. We have to step out of our comfort zone and trust God, no matter what! "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". Hebrews 11:1

So...

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for letting us be Mal's Parents for almost 14 years! Father, thank you for being good and your love endures forever! Grant me the faith to know that you are good all of the time, even during the most difficult times in this life. When I am weak, lift me up. Let me rely on your everlasting love for me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
And..Dear Father, give Mal a big hug and kiss for me and tell her we love her!!!!!!

I'll end this blog with a quote I truly believe in from David Jeremiah of My Hearts Desire,

"The pursuit of God has no shortcuts.. You simply must keep walking, keep seeking, and keep yearning. Keep at it, and you won't be disappointed!

Love you All,

Happy Sweet 16 Sawyer. My baby is 16 today!!! It's hard to believe, we have gone thru so much with Sawyer. He was very sick when he was born and almost did not make it, has dyslexia which makes learning so difficult for him, and he has ADHD, which makes it difficult for ALL of us to keep up with him!

When we first learned of Sawyer's learning disability, our questions went from why our son God, what did we do wrong, and now we often ask, where do we go from here God?

My life verse, Jer. 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that Ithink toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

With Sawyer being a Sophmore, I often wonder where God will take him after high school. I know our Heavenly Father has a plan for Sawyer, and if you know Sawyer, it has got to be big, he never does anything halfway. So, another lesson we are learning is patience. In time, God will show us His plan for Sawyer.

Sawyer, as you turn 16 today, at exactly 12:37, my prayer for you is,

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that Sawyer will give everything he attempts his best, that he will place your name on whatever he does, and that he will give you all the glory. Dear Father, I pray that Sawyer will see things as you do and be attracted to what pleases and glorifies you, and that he will stay away from things that displease you. Thank you Father for the gift of Sawyer and for everyday you give us with him.

In Your Heavenly Name I Pray,
AMEN

God is amazing! For those who jumped over to visit from Tammy's blog, thank you, and to those who have kept our family in prayer, God Bless You! I am so thankful for the friends God has sent thru this blog.

Oh my, Satan has tried my patience these past few months, he has tried to steal our daughter, and he has tried to make me think God was not the one in control.

God has taught me so much during this difficult time.

Only the power of God, thru prayer, can make a difference! "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God". 1 Cor. 10:31

May prayer has been that everything the Ashleigh and Sawyer do will be done to the Glory of God!!!

Ash has gone thru a rough time. Actually she got mixed up with some kids she met in college. Kids who did not have the same morals and values our kids grew up with. I think she is on the right track. It is so hard for kids today, Satan is always waiting to steal our kids if he gets the chance.
My prayer for Ashleigh is that God would give her "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" Isaiah 61:3

I love each of you and thank God for you. God Bless

Goodness, it's been forever since I've blogged! We just got back from a relaxing week at the Ozarks. Kind of our last "fling" before school starts and I go back to work.

Right now, our family is in a major storm! I know God has a plan, and however much we are hurting, he promises to hold us thru.

Our oldest daughter left home 2 days ago. (since we were out of town, we didn't know right away) It is so scarry not knowing who she is with or where she's at.

I've been thinking lots today about FAITH. We are in this storm, don't know where we're going, but praying our FAITH will see us thru.

I have no idea where this storm is taking our family God. Heavenly Father, I give Ashleigh over to you completely. Oh God, please don't let her get away. Satan, "I rebuke you, stay away from Ashleigh, you will not win this one because the "King" our Heavenly Father is on our side! God, please, keep tugging at her heart until she comes running back to you. Help Bryan and I to be the parents you want us to be. Please, give us a chance to talk with her and help us to know what to say to her. Father God, thank you for Ashleigh, just help her to see you thru us.

I love you and trust you completely with Ashleigh, even tho we do not know which way this storm will turn, I trust you.

Today in Church, God Spoke to Me, Yes, Me!!!

What an awesome God we serve! Today in church, our youth led the service. As they were all up front leading us in song I looked at Mal's Friends up there, and couldn't help but think, "Malorie should be up there too!" I kept thinking of what all she was missing out on.


NEXT SONG: How Great is Our God, I am trying to sing and at the same time choke back the tears. Then we sang the phrase, "HE conquered the grave".

THEN, JUST THEN, I heard His voice, "Natalie, Malorie is not missing out on a thing, she is right here, with her hands raised high, singing, and praising me, AS SHE STANDS RIGHT NEXT TO ME!"

Thank you Dear Heavenly Father, for always being there just when I think I can't go on.

Lamatations 3:23-24, "Great is His failthfulness, his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!"

Trusting in God's faithfulness day by day makes us confident in his great promises for the future.

Low Fat Smoothie

This is quick I sometimes fix it for me while I fix something else for the kids.

1 cup low fat yogurt (strawberry or raspberry)
2 dips of raspberry sherbet
1/2 cup 1% milk
1 packet splenda
1/2 cup frozen fruit (i use strawberry, raspberry, or blue berry)

mix in blender

Add 1 cup crushed ice
mix in blender again

Enjoy!!! sometimes I make enough for a couple and freeze one for a bedtime snack.

Our Personality Colors Our Attitude!!!

Our attitude colors our whole personality! What a lesson God taught me yesterday at the ball park.

We were in Manhatten, KS all weekend. Our high school boys baseball team won regionals last week which qualified us for the state tournament! My husband Bryan is the assistant coach, and Sawyer, our Fresh. plays for them

We won our first game Friday! We played Sat. afternoon, and lost 12 to 2. Very embarrassing. One of those games where whatever you do, nothing goes right! During that game, I kept noticing the fans for the other team.

Thay were very loud, laughing and really rubbing it in when our boys messed up. I kept thinking they are adults, and they are awful!


Oh Father God, forgive me if I've been the negative fan. I don't want to be that person negative to other fans or the players.

Game #3, we won in extra innings! DC Baseball earned 3rd Place at State!!!!

LESSON #1 After the game, right in the middle of the excitement, the starting pitcher's mom, for the other team, came up to me after the game, hugged me and said what a good game our boys played, and what good sports they were.

Wow, Central Heights Vikings, you have CLASS!!! You taught me a very needed lesson; I know when I have been on the losing end, I have not been the fan that makes a point to congratulate the winning team, and truly mean it.

After that loss, we turned around and had to play the very next game. Our boys decided they did not want their season to end with a loss. Somehow, they got it together, and with extra innings, we came out on top 6 to 5!

LESSON #2 During the game, I did notice the other teams crowd, (i don't usually notice, not sure why i did this weekend) we were up 4 to 0, and their crown continued to yell and cheer and be positive. Even though things weren't going well for them.

Proverbs 15:15 says, For the poor, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

We cannot always choose what happens to us, but....we can choose our attitude toward each situation. The secret to a happy heart is filling our mind with thoughts that are true, pure, and lovely, with thoughts that dwell on the good things in life. This was Paul's secret as he faced imprisonment, and it can be ours as we face the struggles of daily living.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me to remember to look at my attitude and what I choose to dwell on. I pray I can dwell on those things that are pure. I pray Lord, that my attitude will be the same as yours Father God. Help me to see things the way your eyes see them and hear the way you hear. I ask these things in not just the easy times, but in my struggles.

Phil. 2:5, Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.

This I know for sure...

It is 2 days after what should have been Malorie's Sr. Graduation. I think I can now write about it now and maybe not fall apart!

This is what I know for sure:

Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Since our Heavenly Father "knows" the plan He has for us, He has walked before us, and He will be with us in the tough times.

"I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in who I trust." Psm. 91:2

Psm. 141:8, "But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge..."

The seniors did a beautiful tribute to our Angel, Malorie. They donated a new score table for the gym, with "In Loving Memory of Malorie" on it. They had an awesome Sr. Video with several pictures of Mal in it! I love how her friends still remember her. Of course we cried, it was very bittersweet.

As much as I dreaded the day, I wouldn't have missed it. And...God was with us, every step of the way Sunday.

Dear Father,
Thank you for seeing us thru those very tough difficult times. Please give me the faith to trust you, even in those difficult times.

Lord, you are good, your love endures forever; your faithfulness continues through all generations. Psm. 100:5

"My eyes are fixed on you"

Its 3:07, a.m., once again this week I find myself laying in bed thinking of this weekend. Sunday should be our Angel Malorie's Graduation. Tonight, we have 2 receptions to go to. One being her best friend, Jills.

While I am so thankful her friends and classmates have not forgotten her, all of the reminders of the things Mal is missing breaks my heart. I know that is just me being selfish, Mal is having the time of her life in Heaven, sometimes, I just miss her sooo much!

"My eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge-do not give me over to death." Psm 141:8 This is the verse I have found myself saying over and over this week.

O Sovereign Lord, I pray you will give me a peace this weekend. God, I want your Spirit to shine thru me, oh I so want to be like you. Heavenly Father, be with my husband, Bryan, Ashleigh, Sawyer, and me, we need you God, "in you, we take refuge."

At times, the fire gets hotter!

Tonite was the athletic banquet for our Seniors. My husband is the baseball coach, Sawyer, our freshman, played football, basketball, and baseball, and this would be our Angel, Malorie's Sr. Year. I thought I had prepared myself for this. Sawyer lettered in baseball, which really surprised him, only 3 freshman lettered so we were thrilled for him!
As I watched all of Mal's classmates go up for their awards, I did ok, actually, I was very proud of her friends and how much they have grown up.

But then, after the banquet, several of Malorie's friends wanted us to take their picture with them. Then the tears came. I couldn't do the picture, I had to get out of there before I fell apart! My wonderful husband covered for me and he was in the picture with them.

They are so sweet to always remember Mal. They had a Sr. poster made with all of the kids in their sports uniform, in each corner were pictures of Mal in her basketball and cheerleading uniforms and it said at the top; SENIORS REMEMBERING MAL.

All the way home I was talking to God, "when is it not gonna hurt so bad? I opened my laptop and up came a post from a lady I have met while blogging. Jenifer, I hope you don't mind me using your life verse. I read one of your blog entries on grief, it was such a blessing at just the perfect time Jenifer.

1 Peter 1:7, "These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold.

So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

Jenifer, like you said, we have definitely been thru the fire. I am much closer to God, my faith is stronger than ever, I think now more than ever, everything I do has a purpose;

"For HIS Glory!" Yes, sometimes the fire gets hotter, and, I have also learned that I can't take on this grief myself. I have to cry out to God, really cry out! And just like over the past 5 years, our Heavenly Father will carry us thru.

Malorie, I am forever greatful for the lessons you continue to teach us from Heaven. We love and miss you sweetheart.

The trials we face now are nothing compared to the joy when we are in Heaven! What a day, we can only "IMAGINE".

Jennifer, thanks again, you have truly been a blessing to me.

God's Gift to Me!

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Yesterday my daughter told her dad not to worry, she and her brother had Mother's Day all taken care of! With Ashleigh, you never know what that could mean. One year she bought me 4 pairs of house slippers, all alike only different colors. Once she picked out 4 bottles of lotion, don't know what she meant by that! And then there for awhile she was stuck on the one size fits all night gowns! I have loved everything she ever bought!

So, as I think about this Mother's Day, I want to thank my Heavenly Father for the 3 special gifts he gave me that made me a mom. Even though Malorie was only here 13 years, I am so thankful God shared her with us, even for a short time!

My prayer today, as a mom, is for Ashleigh and Sawyer to;

love the Lord with all their heart,

put Him above all else

to really "know" Him personally

walk in faith

trust in Him always

see miracles

and to just be safe and walk with the Lord daily.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sharing Ashleigh and Sawyer with me. Help me to be the mom you want me to be, teach me to be patient and to know that all things work for the good, and Lord, I want your spirit to shine thru me.

Our God always comes thru! Sunday our family was getting ready for church. Ashleigh, our oldest, is a soph. in college, was grumbling because finals were to begin for her Monday.

Of course she had tons of studying to do. She kept saying, " I really should just stay home and study!" I ignored her complaints and continued to say,"I'll pray you do well on your finals." She then reminded me she had to work that same nite from 4:00 to 11:30 so she would only have a few hours to study.
We all prayed in church God would show her what to study and be with her for her finals on Monday. She studied in the afternoon before work.

Proverbs 16:20 "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord."

It's now 7:30p.m. and Ash is walking in the door. She says with a smile, "God does work things out, the lights went out at work, so they sent us all home!" "Thank you God" was the last we heard from her as she went to her room to study!

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart: I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you: I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2

Dear Father,
Thank you for showing Ashleigh that you knew she needed to study. Thank you for showing her that as she put you first Sun. morning, you would take care of her.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Wow, sometimes I have to say this verse outloud to myself in order for me to remember that our Heavenly Father's ways may not be the same as mine! He can see much further down the road than we can.

I pray for both of our kids daily. But, lately, I have been thinking so much about Sawyer's future. Even though he is only 15, I often worry about what he will do after high school.

Sawyer has dsylexia and school has always been hard for him. He has to work twice as hard as most students, and still "just gets barely by".

In my mind, I have said, "God, it's not fair". My plan for him when he was born was for him to make good grades in school, go to college, and get a good job.

Well, college probably isn't in his future. Forever, I have prayed to God, make him better, please make school and learning easier for him. I have asked God Why he made Sawyer this way over and over.

I guess I have been in kind of a panic lately as I think about what he will do after high school. I have been praying for God to give me peace over this. As I was reading my Bible, the verse in Isaiah came to me. Then I went to read Jer. 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

So, again, God is telling me he has a plan for Sawyer, in fact, he had that plan for him even before he was born!

Sawyer has a good friend who is kind of homeless, he and his mom live with another family. This friend is not treated very well where he lives, and has very little. His birthday was last week. Sawyer came home and wanted to take money out of his own savings account to give to his friend for his birthday.

Ok, God, I think I finally get it! I would so much rather have a son with the compassion for others much more than straight A's! I know God will provide Sawyer.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I surrender Sawyer to you completely. Help me to trust your plan, and have faith, even though I do not know how his story will turn out. Thank you for entrusting him to his dad and I. Thank you for giving him such a giving spirit and for his fun sense of humor.

Love,
natalie

My, it's been awhile since I have blogged. This has been a rough couple weeks for me. This should be Malorie, our angel's Sr. Year. With all of the events I see her friends doing, it just makes me miss her soooo much.

Tonight is prom. The kids always go downtown and have prom pictures taken in front of our city hall. I wanted to go see all of her friends dressed up, but when the time came, I couldn't do it. I hated to be there and them see me cry. I don't want them to be sad on what is a happy day for them.

2 of Mal's best friends stopped by on their way to prom and gave me a beautiful pink rose. Of course I had a few tears, but was so happy they thought of me. I know her friends haven't forgotten her.

So, as I sit here tonight, in my quiet time with God, I know in my heart Mal is having the time of her life, and the prom she is at tonight, is more elegant than we could ever imagine!

I am off to read my Bible, talk to my Heavenly Father, cry to him and ask for his peace to help me thru until we see our Angel Mal again.

Grace 2 U,
natalie

It is ALL Worth it!!!

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

A dear friend will be going thru their 5th "Heavenversary" tomorrow. Exactly 6 months after our Malorie went to Heaven, our friend's son, 7 year old Collin was killed in an ATV Accident. I know just 6 months ago, as we went thru the 5th year anniversary of Malorie going to Heaven, oh my goodness, It was so difficult for me. I could not believe it had been 5 years since I last heard Mal's laugh, saw her roll those big brown eyes, or heard her and her sister and brother fight. gosh I miss that!

Is it worth it? Oh yes! It's more than worth it. We can't begin to imagine the glory God has in store for us! No matter how hard, bad or painful our trip through this world may be, our future with God holds something incomparably better.
Our future glory with God does mean that it is more than worth it to hang in, to be faithful, and to receive his glorious reward!

Father,
I confess that I don't like suffering, pain, dissappointment, or sorrow. I do, however, believe that your promises are true. I pray that you will wrap your arms around Danny and Pam as they are missing their dear little boy. I pray that you would give them a peace and understanding that this suffering will 1 day be worth it all as they once again will get to wrap their arms around Collin again.

I hold on to the promise that the glory you have in store for us is far greater than any pain or suffering we face.

Strengthen Pam and Danny for the days ahead and use them to bring you glory no matter what.

In your sweet name,
natalie

Prayer Lives are Powerful Lives

Part of our relationship with God is to experience his peace.





Phil. 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anyting, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,presentyour requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.



Many times I find myself in a difficult situation, I am upset, angry, or something, and I am ashamed to say but at times what do I do in those situations, pick up the phone to call my sister, mom, daughter, or friend for advice.



This week, I am praying that when those situations arise, my first thought will be on my knees. As the verse says, in everything, be in prayer, present my requests to Him. And, His peace will guard my heart and mind in Christ.



Beth Moore states that to experience the kind of peace that covers all circumstances, the Bible challenges us to develop active, authentic prayer lives. Prayer with real substance to it- personal and intimate.





The better we know God, the more we trust Him.



The more we trust Him, the more we sense His peace when the wintry winds blow against us.



Dear Father,

Help me to walk wisely, to walk in step with you. I want a personal and intimate relationship with you. I put you first today, and trust you Father.



I lift Ashleigh up in prayer to you, I give her to you. I know you have big plans for her God. Help her to hear you, to feel you, and God, whatever you have to do, I trust you to make those situations happen in her life to get her attention. PLease keep her safe until she comes back to you.



By your grace,

natalie

TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!!!

I absolutely love this verse; "Taste and see that the Lord is g00d." Psalm 34:8

We are huge K.U. Jayhawk Fans! Those darn Jayhawks went out the first game of the Big 12 Tournament! We had planned on a weekend full of cheering for our Jayhawks, but....that did not work out as planned. So, now I have kind of a bad taste in my mouth for basketball. Didn't even care to watch MU. take on Baylor in the championship.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8 I am so glad that we can always count on our Heavenly Father to always have that same sweet taste, God is so good!

Even when our plans do not line up with His, even when I "think" I know best, we can always know that God has a plan for us, he will work things out to be good,

yes, He has a purpose for us,

a plan for a future, with Him in eternity,

a plan for us, yes, our hope is in Him!

Sometimes that "hope" in Him is the only thing that helps me make it to the next day!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving me a hope and a future, thank you for being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, thank you for always "tasting so good".

Bless those who are hurting today, help them to see that thru you, there is a hope and a future.

He will satisfy that void.....

Oh my! I posted last nite, where did it go? Thought I had this blog-stuff figured out!!!
I am so thankful, one of my students I work with moved last week to a new school. Im notthakful she moved, thankful she is in a better place! Amanda had been in a very abusive home. 2 weeks ago she told me she would be moving to live with her dad. While I hate to let her go, her home now is so bad, I just prayed for her to end up in a better place. She does not know her dad very well. I spoke with her new stepmom today and they are thrilled to have her! They let her buy new things to decorate her room and she is getting her hair done this afternoon. (mom shaved it due to headlice) Amanda will begin her new school tomorrow. Please Lord, give her a caring, compassionate teacher.

I am reading a new book, Breaking Free, by Beth Moore. I love her books and always learn lots from her! She talks about how God wants us to find our satisfaction in Him rather than waste our time and effort on things that cannot satisfy.

Is. 55:6 tells us that "Those who are spiritually thirsty and hungry need only do do this; "Seek the Lord while he may be found;/ call on him while he is near."

Moore also says that she believes that God creates in us a nagging dissatisfaction in every person. He doesn't want anyone to perish. He wants everyone to repent. God purposely created us with a need that only He can meet.

While salvation will save us, we are not completely satisfied unless we have a daily relationship with Christ.

Isa. 55:1 - Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

Dear Father,
My prayer to you today is that I will experience a relationship with you daily. Lord, help me to see you, to feel you, and help me to hear your voice God. Help me to be a blessing to others God.

Lord, please be with Ash, keep her safe, and God, help her to see you thru me. I ask that you begin to change her heart's desires so that she will want you for herself.

Bless Sawyer as he begins baseball and keep him safe.

Help Bryan to minister to all the boys he is coaching. Thank you God for giving me such a wonderful husband!

In your name, Amen

Sissy's Song

I heard a new song on the radio the other day titled Sissy's Song by Alan Jackson. As I listened, the song talks about a little girl who had to leave too soon but she is telling her family "don't worry about me, I'm ok, up here walking with Jesus." She sings about how she just flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels.

After missing Malorie for 5 years, I've been thinking lots about her and if she were here how we would be visiting different colleges and making plans for her future. Gosh, sometimes it's hard to see how different our plans are from our Father's Plans for us. I've just been missing Malorie so much lately, and.....so very homesick I guess.

As I listened to Sissy's Song, thinking about how we used to call our Malorie Sissy, I know God let me hear it, at just the perfect time he new I really needed to.


She flew up to Heaven on the wings of Angels,

Don't worry bout me,

I'm doin alright,

Thank you Father, for the joy I have in the memories of Malorie, for letting me smile as I think of her, and for giving me a hope and a future and of spending eternity with you one day.

I can do all things thru Christ...Phil.4:13

I have been so looking forward to getting my blog up and going and to begin posting, now that the blog is ready, I have had the flu! This is the first day I've had my computer on in 3 days.
So, not much going on with the Adkins this weekend.

Fri. we did watch my son's last game of the year. It was parents night too. On Thurs. I began to think about if Malorie were here with us, we would have gotten to go down on the floor with her since this would be her Sr. Year. All day Fri.I couldn't help but think about how things would be if Mal were here with us today. Gosh, I miss her sooo much! It's so hard to see her friends excited to move on to their next adventure after highschool and wonder what she would be looking forward to if she were here.

Phil. 4:13, "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me." At the start of the home basketball games, as the starters names are called, each player throws a small basketball out to the crowd. Bryce, a dear friend to Mal., thru his ball to our oldest daughter, Ashleigh. He had written on the ball, the above verse, Phi. 4:13 and then had Mal's Name written on the ball. I absolutely love how Malorie's Friends still remember her!

Two of my dear friends also sent me flowers at work Fri. to let me know they were thinking of me and knew Fri. Nite would be difficult. It's awesome how God knows exactly when we need that "pick-me-up".

Since I have been under the weather these past few days, I have gotten to read more of my Bible and talk with our Heavenly Father. I have to say, one of my favorite things to do is to go to my bedroom, close the door, and move inside with God.

Since Mal went to Heaven, she has taught me, and continues to teach me so much still today. I think I finally realize that praying is praising God in ALL circumstances.

Dear Father,
Forgive me for not always praising you during the storms. Just as you say in Jer. 29:11, I know you have a plan for each of us, I am so thankful that because of you, we have a hope and a future. And because of you, one day, I will get to hold Malorie in my arms again!

Numbers 6:24-26

Thanks to a dear friend, Edie, I have my own blog up and going! After several weeks of attempting to create my own blog, Edie finally came to my rescue. Edie, I am forever grateful to you, my prayer for you today is, The Lord bless you and protect you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace Edie Numbers 6:24-26