The Chick-Fil-a Cow

It was a very stormy Tuesday night here in Georgia back a few months ago. I usually met my friend Reneyda at the McDonalds in Snellville to ride to our Griefshare class in Conyers. This particular night the storms were so bad we almost decided not to go, but we pressed on…

McDonalds was closed due to loss of electricity…so I called Reneyda and told her I would meet her at the Chick fil a a little further down the road.

I got something to eat and sat down…not long after... this funny little Cow sat down with me.

I ask if he could talk…He shook his head no…so I said "Lord, we have a one sided conversation here…what do you want me to say?" I proceded with "What do you think happens to you after you die?" He put his hands in the air as to say "I haven't a clue" I proceded to tell him of Mell's death and my story and about the Mark Cahill book Mell and I were giving away when he died.

I had one in my bag so I gave it to him…he just kept thanking me with his hand signals. I left to see if Reneyda was there to pick me up yet and noticed a Barrow County School Bus in the parking lot. I didn't think much about it as I had just started working for them and didn't really know anyone.

Before I go on…the past month or so has been really difficult and I have been discouraged in sharing my faith with others….which is what my new purpose in life is supposed to be.

A few weeks ago we had a meeting at work…the director of Transportation said" If you are getting sleepy get up and go to the back wall" I just knew she was talking to me, because I was quickly nodding out...so I got up and went and stood in the back.

After the meeting a lady came up to me and said" You are the lady who was sharing your faith in Jesus Christ with the Chick fila Cow in Snellville!" I was shocked to say the least. She was the driver of that Barrow County School Bus in the parking lot and overheard me talking to the Cow!

I walked away from that meeting in Awe of my God…I felt he was saying to me "If a Barrow County School Bus Driver sees your good works …what about me?"

I am encouraged today…that the God I serve will give me strength to go on…

We never know who's watching….

Proverbs 8:33-34

³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise;

do not disregard it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
³⁵ For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the LORD.

www.Oneheartbeataway.org for a free copy of the book by Mark Cahill

Another Birthday… Another Spring...

I believe that faith means something when you don't understand the whys. I don't think God ever condemns you for asking why. The question is not why but it is Who?

God calls on you to believe in Him who said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me. I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live again' [John 14:6, 11:25]. Ultimately you must trust in that."

Lord God, I have so many questions and doubts. Where do I go from here? Lead me in Your way, truth, and life. Amen.

I'm going to stop asking You why, and I will begin asking You how. How can I use this in my life so that it will glorify You? I want to be able to use this to witness to others and encourage them through this.
.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. . . . Live in peace with each other . . . warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 13-24)

Even as spring is upon us…and I have anxiety in my heart…Still I will trust in my God…

He will do it…He will see me through…this coming year!

It's Been A Year

It's been a year by Kristen Maholland

It's been a year since you left the ones you love

It's been a year that youve been looking down

on us from above.

It's been a year of memories, sorrow and fear.

It's been a year since that horrible night.

It's been a year fropm when you walked into the light.

It's been a year from where I had to be strong everyday.

It's been a year of uynspoken sords I need to say.

I'ts been a year since I had to say goodbye.

Where is the good in goodbye when all I do is cry?

It's been a year that has changed all my days.

It's been a year, and I've grown strong in so many ways.

It's been a year where I know you're in a better place.

It's been a year, and I still haven't forgotten your face.

It's been a year of just imagining what it's like up there.

It's been a year since he took you, it just seems so unfair.

It's been a year, but I know you're doing alright.

It's been a year of only seein you in my dreams at night.

It's been a year, and I want you to know that I love you,

Mary

Poem... thanks to Liz Perry

and thanks to all who remembered Mell

by calling, texting or sending cards.

I had a virus yesterday and all you did

helped in every way possible.

Much love to all of you!

My Rescuer

Feb 1, 2011

I feel like everything is closing in on me...the tunnel has collapsed and I am trapped in my grief once again.

I cannot see light anymore...I must once again try to dig myself out... back into the light of my Gods face...I know He is behind all this rubble that has enclosed me and with His help I can dig my way out, one rock at a time...its like being trapped in a mine miles below the earth...knowing that those on the outside are trying to get you out...but you must wait and try to survive until they get to you.

February is upon me and I have a huge list of things that normally I could handle. I think because of the anxiety of the one year anniversary of Mell’s home going...I just can’t cope with big or little small things right now...

So this past weekend I took off for the mountains...the first part of our trip was uphill and very difficult because of the snow and Ice that we encountered. We made it to the top of an observation deck with a beautiful view and a beautiful day to say the least.

We went down to Wilson Gap and camped for the night.

Then the unexpected happened...warm weather...that was the mercy and grace of my God!

That night it was cold but I was ready for it...so I kept very warm.

But are we ever ready for the things that come unexpectedly ?

No we are not...but I believe we can be somewhat ready for them...

We can know God and know His word...so when the storms of life come we have Him to hold on to! Like I feel I am trapped in a mine...but I also know He is there digging with me to get me out!

This is how I believe we can be ready for the storms of Life:

Matthew 13:23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it.

He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Matthew 7:24-27

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Know Him and know His word...Hear His words and put them to practice...build your house upon the ROCK!

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

White as Snow

I was in Cincinnati for the Christmas snow…so this is my first snow at the house since the memorial service for Mell…11 months ago…being shut in without Mell is very sad for me…

I can't help but think of how things would be different and what we would be doing together if he were here…but he is not here…He has gone Home…and I will join him one day… I have that hope !

Mell has been home with the Lord for 11 months! Its hard to believe its almost been a year.

This snow has reminded me of the night of Mell's memorial service and how they made us leave early because of the snow…as we left the building my son, Graham, made a snow ball and threw it at me square in the back of my head! I in turn made one and threw it back…then Robert began to throw …before you knew it the whole parking lot was in a war!

This year has been a series of battles for me…and I think the Lord is making me white as snow,

purifying me…helping me to settle into my "New Normal" He is opening new doors for me…

as we are starting the new "Grief Share" group at church. I am anticipating what He is going to do in my life and the life of others who are to be part of this group.

Battle after battle…I feel the Lord is winning the battles for me…and the WAR is definitely

won!

Psalm 61:7

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, let us settle the matter, "says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; thought they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Losing the love of my life has shown me the worst in me. The ugly things that come out during this kind of loss…Things you don't think are even in you!

But the Lord is faithful and is washing me with his "Word" The Bible, and is making me white as snow! I feel his healing power in my life and as I look at this snow outside my window…I am looking back at what the power of God has done in my life this past year…as I walked down the driveway with Avi and Lynn last night…the snow was reflecting light and it was really bright enough to see without a flashlight…I can see brighter days ahead for me in the Lord!

All of us are sinners…we are in need…we have an empty place in our hearts without God…but God has sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins…that we may all be with him in heaven…Mell wants all of us there with him…

So let Him wash you and make you as white as the snow outside your window!

www.oneheartbeataway.org

The Finishing Touches

It was a very uplifting Christmas Eve…All the family participated in bringing an ornament for

Mell's Memory Tree and I will cherish all of the ornaments until I get to go home with Mell !

I must say the family was very creative…from ski's for all the skiing trips Mell took them on….to Lighthouses and Moose for another trip…

How about the red striped swim suit, Joyce said Mell used to wear some just like them!

Mell's mom brought the angel with Mell #1 on it she has been putting this on her Christmas tree since Mell was a little boy.

The Little Red Cabin with the trees on the sides is from Helen and Paul …we stayed in their cabin the last summer we were in Alaska.

Our first grandbaby, Lexi she is so cute!

Footballs and Falcons! Airplanes and Lovebirds and butterflies…all of the ornaments hold a special place in my heart and the hearts of the family…we truly were blessed to have been a part in Mell's life and I am forever grateful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

My son Robert shared a scripture out of Revelation for us, and how the accidental death of Mell

got him rethinking about his walk with God…His life has truly been changed!

Revelation 21

¹ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

This we have hope in…HIS WORDS ARE TRUSTWORTHY AND TRUE!...our real home is in heaven…this place is temporary!

He awaits his bride and that is His church…THAT IS Us who believe...Everything shall be made new! No more tears!…No more mourning or crying or Pain! Wow!

This is what keeps me going…I look forward to "Everything Made New"!

If you are not sure that heaven will be your eternal home…check out Mell's favorite book to give away…"You gotta read this book" Quote from Mell

go to: www.oneheartbeataway.org

you can give your address and receive your free copy! I KNOW MELL WANTS TO SEE YOU ALL IN HEAVEN!

Memory Ornaments

Already I have received many ornaments for my memory tree…The Star at the top of the tree is to remember how Mell shown bright….and the Snowman from my friend Debbie…who didn't know Mell but we say that her husband, Clyde, and Mell prayed us together, is to remind me of his gift of love to me….she said she wanted a snow angel…this was the closest she could find! I had to put this one on the tree because Avi thought it was hers!

A blown glass airplane from

my neighbor Lynn who did not know Mell but wanted to contribute…we met one day when I was

walking Avi and have become good friends.

The Alaska Bell is from out real-estate Lady Janice…what a blessing!

The Santa Airplane and the Moose and the bear came from Patty and Eric who bought our first

airplane we flew to Alaska…Patty and Eric said "In our hearts we know Mell would not want you

to be sad. So here are some happy reminders of the good times you & Mell had in Alaska!

Pauline who was in our small group at church sent the snowflake…she said"Mell like a snowflake

fallen and quickly gone, But also unique and beautiful, he was a precious perfect snowflake.

Gone but never forgotten, until we are together again in heaven!

and I add…Mell was one of a kind !

The brown cross is from Nancy and Russell from our small group …they shared that Mell's desire

was for his son and others to know the message of the cross…and just as Jesus laid his life down

for us all, Mell laid down his life for his son and the others on the plane.

Be reminded of Mell's presence with the Lord and the joy he is experiencing today and everyday!

Whoever gave me the white cross…?…"Believe says it all" Mell believed!

The next one is from Bill and Diane from our small group…they said " This would have been the first thing Mell would have stated to anyone so that they might share in the Lord's gift of salvation.

added by me….and you gotta read this book ! www.oneheartbeataway.org

Our friends Winnie and Leroy ….we met in Alaska…sent the angel….Mell has his new wings!