Even though much is missing, I HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

Today, even though the pain of Malorie not being here with us on Thanksgiving is there, I am choosing to be thankful for the "MUCH" the my Heavenly Father has blessed me with.

I am thankful that Sawyer, my 17 year old will still talk to me about his girlfriend and what's going on in his life. Ashleigh is back home for 5 days from college! I am married to my best friend, Bryan! I am thankful for the memories I have of the great times we had with Malorie and that I can smile when I think of her!

I am thankful for my Bible which I have really been getting into these past few months and am finally learning how to "be still and listen for his voice!"

I'm thankful for my mom and dad, my inlaws and my brother and 2 sisters. I love being an aunt to my niece and nephews!

I'm thankful for my home, our church family, girls bible study, and my job.

MOST IMPORTANT: I am thankful that because Christ gave up his only son for us, one day, I will get to spend eternity with my Heavenly Father!

"HEAVEN IS ROCKIN!!!"

Today, Nov. 4th, our Angel, Malorie is celebrating her birthday in Heaven. If you knew Mal, she always loved to celebrate in a big way. So....today, on Malorie's Birthday, I am sure Heaven is Rockin!

Somedays, I miss Mal so much, it's hard to believe she has been gone for 6 years. I never thought I would survive. God is good. Yes, bad things happen, we still have lots of unanswered questions, the pain is still there, but God is good.

Thank you Heavenly Father for the gift of letting me be Malorie's Mom. Thank you for letting us have her for almost 14 awesome years. I never thought I would be able to smile as I woul

think back to the happy times with Mal. I can do that now so thank you for letting me smile as I remember my angel.

I know Mal is having the time of her life and I would not wish her back here for anything. Father God, what an amazing day it will be when we get to spend every holiday and birthday together as a family!

Heavenly Father, hug Mal for me, give her a birthday kiss and tell her we love her and think of her every day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART

LOVE YOU,

MOM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAWYER! 17, wow, I can not believe how fast time flies!!! Just last week we were teaching you to ride your bike without training wheels! REALLY!!! Remember, you were just 2 1/2, we couldn't find a bike small enough without trainers except for the little pink one. You loved it because you could keep up with your sisters, no matter that it was HOT PINK!!!

Thank you Dear Heavenly Father for letting me be Sawyer's Mom. I pray Father that you will protect him, continue to bless him, guard his heart, and help him to grow in You everyday.

In Jesus Name,

AMEN

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO TELL YOU......DANIEL 4:2

Oct. 2, 2004, it was this day, 6 years ago, our lives were forever changed. Our family began a journey that I truly never thought I would survive for even 6 months, let alone 6 years! God is still good, even in my darkest days.

Malorie, just 13, our middle child, entered into Heaven. She was with friends and a friends mom was driving.

Let me share what I have learned;

1st- "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God...Isaiah 43:2-3

Thru the darkest days, when I felt I couldn't get up, God was with me every step.

2nd Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

I have no idea why The Lord gave this story to our family. It is not one I would wish on anyone. But.....I choose to TRUST HIM, God can see much further down the road, Heavenly Father, I trust you no matter where you lead, I will follow.

3rd- FORGIVE- Shew, this word, God, has been a challenge to say the least! The car accident that took Malorie from us was just that, an accident. No ones' fault. No one's fault. I have chosen not to hold a grudge, to forgive the driver, she never intended for the accident to happen and would change it in a heartbeat if she could I have no doubt. But....this has been a constant struggle daily for me to forgive. I have learned that forgiving someone is a choice I have to make everyday. "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-16

4th- AND......I was reading in my Bible a few weeks ago and came upon this verse, IT'S KIND OF BECOME MY NEW FAVORITE VERSE; I don't remember seeing it before, I probably have, but God just now opened my eyes to it! Daniel 4:2 "It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that God has performed for me."

I just love this verse; I still miss Malorie so so much, it still hurts everyday, but, I know with God, I can do "hard", as long as my Heavenly Father is beside me!!!!

So....."It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that MY God has performed for me." More to come......

God Bless You

Welome back!!!! I just love new beginnings! The beginning of a new school year; the kids are excited, new shoes, new clothes, new supplies, new goals; this year, I won't miss as much school, this year, I will try not to get in as much trouble, I will do all of my homework.......etc.

A fresh start; as a middle school counselor, my prayer is that God will not let me overlook a single child. Father, help me to always see the good in each child's eyes, give me the right words to say to a broken spirit, keep each child and teacher safe, and bless each one.

Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been since I last blogged! I still check in with many blogger friends but just hadn't posted for awhile. I am off for the summer. I love it because I have more time to read my Bible and to spend time with our Heavenly Father.

This summer has been quieter than most. This is the first summer our oldest, Ashleigh, did not come home. She got an internship where she goes to college and also has a job so she has been super busy. She has been home a few times, gosh, we miss her lots!

Sawyer will be a jr. in high school and I am trying to not panic that he is growing up so fast! He is constantly on the go, either playing ball or hanging with his girlfriend. (that is also taking me some time to get used to!)

Bryan and I will be celebrating our 23rd anniversary in a few weeks. Wow, we have been thru sooo much. I wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone else! Thank you God for giving me an awesome husband!

I began running in May. Actually, my kids call it a slow trot! I run about 3 miles a day and feel much better. And...I have lost about 20 lbs. in the last 6 months. I am hoping to get to run in a 5K in Sept., God's Will, that is.