Monday, April 27, 2009

Mending a broken heart...

...and that heart is mine.

I lost the friendship of a great friend today. Someone who has been part of my support system for over 6 years. I guess I've been feeling that the friendship was strained lately - drifting apart. Yet I thought we would always been in one another's life.

He ended it with me. Man, that sounds like a break-up, but I guess it is. It's been a long time since I had a friend 'officially' break up with me. Usually they just fizzle. Yet this friendship, maybe because it ended suddenly, is really hurting me. I never thought it would end.

It's a long, drawn-out story; one that I might go into another time. Just pray for me. Pray that God heals my heart. And pray for my friend. He's hurting too. I pray that God gives him peace in life & happiness. I wish him love as our lives move to something new.

I'll nurse my broken heart with prayer & worship.

Many blessings,
Allison

Thursday, April 23, 2009

My mentors

Some of my favorite mentors are people I don't even know. I FEEL like I know them. I've been following their 'stories' for quite some time, but I have never actually met any of them IRL. Wait - I lie. I did meet one.

Anyway, these 3 women have shown me what faith in God is. They have each undergone such heartwrenching situations with their children, yet managed to keep their faith in God. Don't get me wrong - they've asked the 'Why Me' question. But what I love about these women is that not only are they will to share their stories with strangers, but they are also transparent. They are honest about how they are feeling.

A lot of people expect Christians to always be 'Happy'. That no matter what life throws our way, we never get upset or angry or question the 'why'. That couldn't be further from the truth. We all do at some point. The difference is that we have faith in a God that is SO much bigger than what's come our way. That our God is faithful & His will is always done. We rest in the knowledge that HE is in control.

I'll introduce my mentors:

Angie Smith - Angie tells the story of her sweet daughter, Audrey Caroline. Audrey's very short life has brought hope to so many. The story is remarkable. Through it all, Angie keeps her love for her Savior in the forefront of her life.

MckMama - Talk about a miracle! Her youngest child was given a death sentence while still in-utero. The family gave the situation over to God. Now Stellan has a world following his story. While he was born healthy, lately he's been battling a heart condition. MckMama's faith is inspiring.

Michelle - Michelle is telling the story of her sweet boy, Chayton, and his battle with cancer. He's a young man who has battled this TWICE in his short life. Michelle's site is mainly to update family & friends on his condition, but it has become a real testimony of her faith.

These three women chronicle their lives via online. What started out for just friends & family soon became SO much more than that. Each has their own ministry by way of their sites. I am just one person who has been touched by the lives of these 3 strangers. They inspire me. Their stories renew my faith in a loving God.

I hope you take the time to check these ladies out. I promise, you will see such a love of family & God through them.

Many blessings,
Allison

Sunday, April 19, 2009

The Great Date Experiment #2

Ok, so we never actually did the 1st GDE (Great Date Experiment). We meant to. Which means when it was time to participate in GDE #2 we were all over it.

I'm proud of Craig. He went to church to pick up our packet & didn't cheat. Once I got home from work, I changed & we hopped into the car. Off we went - who knows where!

We went to dinner at Applebee's & had the server choose our dinner. THANK YOU MATTHEW! Yummy! Then it was off to the outlet mall to walk around & chat. There were specific questions to answer in the packet. It really helped us communicate - imagine that (did I mention that the theme of GDE #2 was Cultivating Communication?) Anyway, after that we headed to Kroger to choose dessert ~ less than $2 each!! It had to be a surprise to the other person.

When we got home, we needed to permanently mark our date somewhere. We chose to write on the foundation wall of our house. Since our marriage is the foundation of our family we thought writing on the foundation of the house was only fitting.

It was a beautiful evening. We had lots of fun & great conversation. For the 1st time in a LONG time we talked TO one another instead of AT eachother. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Our prayer is that we continue to communicate the way God intends.

Many blessings,
Allison

Friday, April 17, 2009

It's a new day!!

After last night's pity party, I'm back! Driving to work, listening to The Fish, one of my favorite Chris Tomlin songs came on ~ I Will Rise(c). Just listening to the lyrics & meditating on them, I was able to focus my joy back on Him. The opening line is classic:

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say 'It is well'



From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive
Lyrics | Chris Tomlin lyrics - I Will Rise lyrics


How true! No matter what I may do or feel, I know that God is in control. He has my family in His loving hands, guiding us every step of the way.

He gently reminds me how blessed I am. I have an adoring husband, 2 beautiful & healthy children, families & friends that love me. I have a decent paying job & a roof over my head. I am blessed!

It is well!!

Many blessings,
Allison

Thursday, April 16, 2009

My heart is breaking...

...and I don't know why!!!

I'm sitting here, watching is silly movie (13 going on 30) and am in near tears. Clearly it isn't the movie that's making me weepy. But if that's not it, then what is it?

I probably should chalk it all up to lack of sleep. Chelsea has been sick for the past 24 hours. She didn't sleep at all last night - maybe a total of 3 hours. She was up all night vomiting & diarrhea. She couldn't even go to school today. She can't keep anything down. We finally called the pediatrician. They called in some meds and, of course, Chelsea is now fast asleep (before taking the meds). I guess we won't wake her.

I know this isn't a serious illness. But she's not acting like herself. I wouldn't really say listless, but she's not her spunky self. My heart breaks for her. I'm worried. Once she takes the meds, if she still can't keep anything down, then she will have to go to the ER. I think that's what has me freaked.

I'm a tired & worried Mom.

He's in control,
Allison

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Today I met my hero

Not exactly today... actually it was this past Sunday. Either way, I got to meet one of my heroes. Maybe I should say THREE of my hereos.

They aren't famous or rich. They're not well known. But they are heroes nonetheless.

I got to meet Chayton!

I've been following Chayton's story for quite a while now. I want to say at least a year, but I really do think it's longer. Doesn't matter. What matters is that I got to meet him & his mom and dad.

Chayton is a beautiful little boy full of life who is battling brain cancer for the 2nd time in his young life (did I mention that he's only in kindergarten). You can catch up on his story HERE.

Meeting Chayton & his parents was outstanding. Seriously, for me it was like meeting a superstar or a president. Here was this family that I've only known online. Mom shares her son's progress, but she also shares the deep, raw emotions that she's going through. To finally put a face with the story - it touched my heart.

Not knowing what to say or do, I quietly leaned over to mom and said 'I've been following Chayton's story & have been praying for your family'. All she said was 'WOW'. I wasn't expecting a thank you or an invite to coffee.. I just wanted her to know that her son is loved by complete strangers and they are prayed for, even when they think no one is.

What's it like to meet a hero? It makes you want to go out into the world & conquer all of the bad.

Many blessings,
Allison

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Jesus paid it all......

Phew! I'm back from vacation. I've got so much to say, but that's another post for another day.

Tonight, we settled in from our trip and gathered together to read the Easter story. No matter how many times I hear this story, it always amazes me. Just how human Jesus was... kneeling in the Garden, praying to his Father. He asked for another way, yet knew that God's will needed to be done.

Easter isn't about the events of Thursday or Friday... it's ultimately about the great event that happened on Sunday morning - Jesus' resurrection. That is what separates Christianity from other world religions. HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!!! Yes, He died on the cross, but He defeated death by rising again!

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

I'm at a loss

I'm on Day Three of The Love Dare and I'm at a loss. How does one go about buying a gift for someone who isn't all that impressed by gifts? It's just supposed to be a small, little something to let him know that I'm thinking of him. But what should that be?

We're about to take a vacation to visit NJ, so I don't want to spend a TON of $$ but I don't want to do nothing (especially since this right up my alley. My love language is gifts). A shirt? CD? Candle? Something kitcheny? UGH!!

Someone help - please!

On a side note, if you haven't watched the movie 'Fireproof' yet - DO IT!! It will change your life & potentially your marriage. Very thought provoking - at least for me.

Send in those ideas!!!

Many blessings,
Allison