Charlotte Mae’s Salvation

Over the last several months, our Charlotte has been asking a lot of questions about Salvation and asking Jesus to be her Savior. We’ve had many conversations over the weeks and months. During Mega Camp week, when she was given the opportunity to make a decision, she expressed she was ready to tell others she wanted to accept Jesus to be her Savior and get baptized. A few days later, we were out on the lake and had the opportunity to be alone and have conversation. As we were paddle boarding together, she prayed on her own and ask Jesus to forgive her sin and asked him to be her Savior. What a special moment we will always remember. 

All her grandparents including her Mimi and her Gaga faithfully prayed for their grandchildren to come to know Jesus at a young age…they didn’t get to all physically be there to see her baptism but I just have to believe God gives them a glimpse down to the prayers answered and their legacy continuing. Now begins the life long process of growth…and what a joy and privilege to get to disciple and teach her over the coming years!

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

Early Mornings...

Ok so let’s be honest...with 4 kids and the craziness of life, it can be a challenge to have time together...you know uninterrupted conversation, eye contact, meaningful time...And then as a result the whole family suffers...So we decided to make a change and be intentional to carve out time to connect each day. We just completed our 4th week of starting our days a little earlier together and working out before the kids wake up. And it has been SO good for our bodies, minds, hearts...and family. After 16 years of marriage, we continue to learn that marriage takes work, effort and time...and we all make time for what’s important to us. I pray our marriage & family will always be top on the list. Here’s to many more mornings together!

Thankful for her simple yes 💛

I am so thankful for Mrs Sandy Leonard and that she said “yes” 25 years ago when God prompted her heart. ♥️⠀

I have posted her brief story below if you’d like to hear more of her story...⠀

Her simple “yes” has enabled her to help thousands of moms like myself build a stable income from home. God prompted my heart to say “yes” 2 years ago when I had two toddlers around my ankles all while homeschooling my two bigs....I certainly didn’t have a spare moment in my full days. But I stepped out in faith.  One month after saying yes...my mamma ended her battle with ALS and went to be with Jesus. God was bringing precious, Mrs Sandy, into my life as He was also opening a new chapter for me and our family. Now two years later I am forever thankful I said yes.  I have a wonderful Godly mentor who prays for me and graciously offers her wisdom on all things from family to business. She is a solid rock in which my friends and I can lean our ladder on and build our businesses. I love you, Sandy! ♥️ Thank you for being so faithful to your calling these last 25 years!

What does “Happy Easter” really mean to me?

I was reflecting today on what Easter really means to me....  “Happy Easter” is such a phrase we toss around. Are people just happy it’s Easter? Happy about candy and eggs? Or to dress up for church? Is it all about being “happy”???  With the fullness and distractions of life, it often takes intentionality to really think about the things that matter most and ask why we do what we do.

So what does Easter mean to me? To me it’s all about Jesus and His love for me and what he did for me. And if I was the only one alive....He would have done it for me. What does Jesus mean to me? He means everything to me...I can’t even remember a day with out Him. I am so thankful my parents prayed with me from the day I was born, I’m so thankful for the time they spent teaching me about the peace and purpose that Jesus offers us. I know not everyone has that experience and I count it a treasured gift.  I vividly remember as a 5 year old asking my dad questions about Jesus and as a young child beginning to understand enough to know that I needed His help and I remember praying and putting my faith in Him. That was the beginning of a long and windy Faith journey for me with lots of mountain top experiences as well as deep valleys....I remember turning sweet 16, a sophomore in high school,  and being bombarded by so many social choices. I remember wrestling with my faith....would I pursue the pleasures that surrounded me? Would I explore what seemed so appetizing and satisfying? Or was Jesus better than all that? Was His purpose for my life more fulfilling than what was the most popular way to go? 

In those weeks and months, I had an amazing woman who poured into my life. She was about 10 years older than me and she began asking me the hard questions and listening to me....I knew she loved me and she was praying for me. As I wrestled, I remember laying in bed one night and making the decision that I would make Jesus Lord of my life. Lord....what does that mean? To me, it meant that He would be in charge....that I would lean into His Word and I would make Him most important. That I would trust Him with my life completely. 

Like every teenager out there, I was faced with all the temptations, but I am so thankful by God’s grace, He guided me, He protected me and He gave me strength & confidence to follow His way. As a result of following Him fully, I look back and see His hand was upon on me in the opportunities He gave me to lead others and serve others throughout high school and college. He led me to the college I attended.....He gave me the courage and confidence  to step out and spend a summer far away from my family and all things familiar which is where I met Jeremy on the first day I pulled up. 

Jesus is the one who has led us every step of our marriage....it’s not perfect. It’s hard work.....really hard work. But He continues to guide us. Jesus is the one who met me in my deepest days of grief as I walked through multiple miscarriages and struggled with infertility. He gave me peace that no one else could offer. He gave me hope and assurance that I would see those babies again one day in heaven. Jesus carried my body through the difficult days of pregnancy when my body was so weak. He gave me strength as my body was so fragile and weak during the months of postpartum. Pregnancy & postpartum were difficult for me yet filled with so many answered prayers and the most joyful season of my life. Joy doesn’t often mean happiness....it means peace and a deep joy that comes from faith in what we can not see or understand. 

Jesus blessed us with our four beautiful babies....and I know He has unique purposes for each of their lives. That gives me such gratitude and peace. It also gives me a deep desire to be faithful to the calling of motherhood, to diligently teach them what matters most in life. 

Jesus and I have celebrated the greatest joys together. Falling in love with Jeremy, following His leading through my teaching career, holding my sweet newborn babies and experiencing the fulfillment each and every day of living life with Him. However, Jesus and I have also experienced the deepest of sadness and grief. Walking through my mom’s ALS diagnosis and death a few years ago came with so many questions. Why her? Why my mom? Why someone who was such a selfless kind and Godly woman? I may never get those questions answered. But I can tell you that Jesus walked with me and often carried me every day of that hard journey of grief. He showed me that often when we are walking through our deepest valley, He will use us if we are willing to encourage someone else in a valley. He always is working life for our eternal good and for His glory and we can lean into that promise. 

Jesus gives me faith to trust Him, He gives me hope that He has wonderful plans for my life and he gives me peace that I can rest in Him. 

The death of Jesus long ago was a dark day.....yet His obedience in death.....brought a Resurrection day 3 days later. And that day means everything! My Jesus is alive! He is not dead! He conquered death. He brings peace, hope and purpose. So no matter the depth of grief or the highest of joys, I have full confidence that He will be with me forever. It gives me hope that no matter what happens on this earth that this is not my home! This is not the end......we are here for just a vapor of time. Because of his resurrection, we know He offers eternal  life to all of us and the power of His spirit to walk with us through this life. 

I pray this Easter with all going on in the world, that we will continue to make time to press in and think about what Easter really means to each one of us. Jesus wants a relationship with each of us, He wants to walk with us each day and guide us.....He wants us to share our deepest fears and our greatest joys with Him....He wants us to surrender our lives to him and receive the peace, hope and purpose that His resurrection brings to each one of us .....for us individually....for our children.....and for our families.  May He be the reason we wake up each day....to Love Him, Know Him and Serve Him fully. I’m thankful this Easter weekend....and my heart is full. 

Am I in the game?

I’m so thankful for the life lessons I learn from my sweet kiddos every day.......As I watched Bella play her first soccer game of the season yesterday...I was reminded that you don’t have to be the fastest, most aggressive, or even the girl that’s played the most years.....But, if you are willing to get in the game, hustle, listen to your coach and go for the goal as often as you can, you are more likely to make a goal...or even two. :)

So what is it that God has called me to?? Or you to?? What is it that seems far to difficult for you to do? Or maybe it seems so foreign and you feel more than unqualified.  There have been many times in my life when God has called me to step out in faith and try something new....I remember when He began stirring in my heart to homeschool. To be honest, most all the homeschool kids I knew growing up were weirdos and just way out there. Lol But as I began to sense God calling us down what seemed a different path than most, He began also placing amazing women and families in our path who had paved the way.  Families we loved, respected and looked up to.....God began showing me that with His help, He would guide me one day and often hour but hour. Looking back I see His hand throughout the decision as we embarked on what seemed a foreign unpredictable journey and it become the biggest blessing to our family. Because God led me to homeschool Bella, it set us on a path where we were able to have a flexible school schedule and travel to be with my mom 7 hours away in her final 3 years of life. I had no idea in the beginning that was one of the reasons God was pricking my heart but that was the first confirmation of how His plan and timing is always perfect. 

I’m reminded of my life long favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Where is God leading me next? Where is God calling you to take a step of faith? I can assure you that He always equips those He calls. Whether it’s in my homeschooling journey, motherhood, marriage, or even growing a business.  He has always been faithful to send “coaches” my way to guide and direct me and mentor me. So I’ve been reminded this week to get in the game He’s called me to, hustle, listen to His voice and the mentors around me, trust His timing and plan and anticipate all He has in store ahead. He desires to bless His children when we are diligently faithful to His calling! 

My What if Journey...

I was reminded today how deeply thankful I am to be able to be home & present with my kids every day....that’s always been the desire of my heart. I know not every mom desires that and of course I respect others desires & ventures. But for me...that is what I dreamed of.....I am beyond grateful God prompted my heart to pursue a home based business to enable my desire to be home a reality.⠀⠀
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I was the #1 skeptic on direct sales & network marketing for years. But there was something deep inside that kept asking “What if?”.........⠀⠀
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“What if I had a company & product I believed in?”⠀⠀
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“What if it fully lined up with our family’s values & lifestyle?”⠀⠀
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“What if I could weave it into my day & build an income?”⠀⠀
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Two years ago, I stepped out blindly with a curious heart & linked up with a company I can fully stand behind with a product that’s never going out of style. Fruits & Veggies....everyone needs more!! ⠀⠀
⠀⠀My team leader just let me know that January was my biggest business month ever along with my biggest paycheck which has grown to become a full time income for our family. All glory to God...He prompted my heart, He guided my steps. He helped me get over my skepticism. He has stretched me and grown me as a leader. He has guided my every step as I’ve sought to be diligent with my time. He has built my team who have each become dear friends.⠀⠀
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I share this because maybe you are where I was 2 years ago. A desire for something more....a desire for more time freedom & flexibility with your family....a desire to be able to give more to those in need...a desire to build income for your family as you plan for the future. ⠀⠀
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My circle is always open to help new friends...my team has open hearts and hands to link up with you. I often forget this is actually considered “work”....we simply focus on serving the people God places on our path. If you have questions or just want to pick my brain to see if this is a good fit for you, message me I have never been more excited for what’s to come in 2020 and who God is bringing to join us!

Dreams so close to Heaven...

I've been keeping various meaningful experiences over the last 2 years in my notes on my phone....but I just felt the desire to try my best in putting into words in hopes to encourage others of the closeness of Jesus and the nearness of the heavenly realm.  30 months ago, we escorted my precious mamma to heaven's doors.  She so gracefully ended her 3.5 year battle with ALS and her Savior called her home.  The peace I felt during her death far surpasses anything I've ever experienced in my life.  I've walked with the Lord for most of my life, but there is nothing like seeing a loved one suffer and then prepare to leave this earth and pass onto their eternal home.  So much peace....yet along with that came so much grief.  I began to enter in to a spiritual  type tension that I never had experienced before.....on one hand having such peace and joy that comes with the assurance of eternal life yet on the other have such grief and heartache missing my closest friend and mentor.  Yet as I began that grief journey, God has been ever present in meeting me in the deepest of pain and reminding me of His unconditional love and faithfulness.  He carries us in ways that are unfathomable.  He offers such peace, hope and gives us faith when our hearts fail us.  This is what leads to the sequence of events that took place in my mother's first year of absence on earth.

The first experience was at my sister-in-law's home...she and Jeremy's brother were keeping our kids for us one afternoon.  My Charlotte had just turned 1 year old.  We had left them for a few hours and when we returned, Ellen shared with me a picture of the traditional Jesus image....on her refrigerator. I had never shown my kids the picture or talked about that as it relates to my mom.  But, they shared with me that Charlotte kept toddling over to the picture at her eye level, pointing to it and saying, "Mimi...Mimi...Mimi...."  She would say it, go and pay and then go right back to it.  Now I don't know how the heavenly realm works or how God speaks but I know He is all powerful and in that moment I truly believe  that He was reminding me that He has supernatural ways to bring comfort and just reassuring me that he was comforting even my children through the grief process.

A few months later, I was walking through my typical week....yet I was really struggling....Just missing my mom....really wanting just assurance of her peace and presence with the Lord.  Reflecting on the final days of her life....and for anyone who has walked that road knows it is peaceful yet heartbreaking as you see them prepare to leave all they know and love here on earth to enter into the unknown.  As believers, we have peace and assurance of heaven but it's still unknown....the process and the presence of being absent from the body but present with the Lord.  It's just hard...the whole thing is hard! In the midst of that hard week....I truly believe God met me in a dream.  It was as vivid as real life.  I was sitting there with my mom in her final hours just as I had.  I saw her final tear fall down her cheek......and in that moment, in my dream....I felt God speak to me.  He told me "that was a tear of relief as she left her sick body and entered my presence....she's at peace and fully restored with me."  I believe the presence of the Lord met with me and the moment I opened my eyes, I felt a peace that surpasses all understanding.  I remember jumping out of bed ready to conquer my day with the Joy of the Lord.  In the depths of grief and despair, God was near to me.

It was months until the latter experience.  But, it was a similar week of just wanting to hear my mamma's voice, wanting to text her or call her....just to get a bit of parenting advice  or encouragement.  A few days of just feeling low and needing to really feel the Lord was near.  And yet once more He met me in that darkest of hours.  I had another vivid dream that was truly as clear as reality.  In my dream, I received a postcard.  On the front, my sweet mamma was sitting in a rocking chair on a beautiful sunny day just rocking away holding two babies, one in each arm, smiling from ear to ear.  I knew in that moment, that she was holding my two babies that I lost in miscarriage 10 years prior.  In my dream, I turned over the postcard and saw her handwriting, "Whit, I'm fine...don't you worry about me."  I know the Lord met with me there...I know it was a message from him.  Once again when I woke, I had the most amazing sense of peace and joy.  It was as if God sent me a direct message from my mom.....She was whole, complete, healthy and filled with joy.....all her needs were met and she was most certainly fine. =)

So, again, I don't have all the answers as to how how God works...I don't know how the spiritual realm works.....or how close the heavenly realm is to us here on earth.  But I do know for certain the peace and the joy that God alone offers and I know for certain I've experienced Him more during my times of grief than ever in my life.  It has built my faith and strengthened me for the days and years ahead and I'm forever grateful.

Tucker's Heart for Jesus...

Our Tucker is the most inquisitive and curious of all the four kiddos.  He's always had a mind for figuring out why things work the way they do and loves to be the investigator.  He is an independent little fella and marches to the beat of his own drum.  He notices others but isn't afraid to blaze a trail for trying something new on his own.  With this said, he's not just going to do something just because the crowd is going one direction.  When he chooses to do something, we can rest assured that he's going to be all and it  will be all on his own initiative.  The last several months, our little Tuck has been asking questions about heaven....about sin, Jesus and how it all fits together.  I've seen his little wheels turning as his simple questions are answered.  This has been a year of growth for Tucker in so many ways.  He's a July birthday so we decided to give him another year of "preschool" before starting Kindergarten....after much prayer, I just felt led to give him a year of growth. He's loved his preschool class 3 days a week, he loves his Community Bible Study class each Thursday, he's loved helping me lead Good News Club in the local public school and of course enjoys his Sunday church friends!  It's brought me such joy to see him thriving in the various environments.  He's had so many wonderful teachers investing into his little heart and mind this year.  Parenting truly is a partnership.....we do our best to diligently invest and then we prayerfully ask the Lord to guide us as to other growth environments with other adults to love and point our children to Jesus.

A few weeks ago at lunch, the kids and I were having our typical lunch conversation.  Then, Tuck began asking questions about heaven.  We talked about how sin separates us from God but thankfully He sent his Son Jesus to rescue us and save us from our sin!  Tuck finished the story with sharing with us how Jesus died for us but didn't stay in the tomb...He rose again!  This lead into a conversation about our need for a Savior.  We talked about all the Joy that comes when we live a life honoring Jesus and how He wants to guide us every step on earth. We talked about heaven and how we can spend eternity with those we love!  As we ended our brief conversation, Tuck said, "Well I don't need Jesus right now....I will just talk to him before I die and ask him to save me."  Of course that led Bella and Jack into talking about how we don't know when we will die and we need his help on earth as we live.  In which case Tuck responded, "I don't need Jesus's help!"  (A typical Tuck response....remember, he's our independent get the job done alone guy.)  The conversation ended, but I knew he was thinking and I prayed the seeds would grow that were planted.

A week or so later on Friday, February 21, Tuck came and cuddled with me in my chair late one evening.  He began talking to me about how excited he was to see Gaga (Jeremy's dad) and Mimi (my mom) in heaven one day.  I asked him if he was going to heaven one day.....to which he responded, "YES! I am!  I know I need Jesus to help me every day and I want him to help me everyday.  I was thinking "Wait, What?? What did you say??"  (because remember....our Tuck doesn't say or do things just to do them....it is always thought out.)  So I had him talk with me about sin, what it is, what it does.....why he needs Jesus.  He was so adamant...I need Jesus and I need to pray now!  Being that it was 9pm and he was sleepy....we decided to have him think on things and told him if he still felt the same way in the morning to come talk to us.  We put him to bed along with the other kiddos......

To my surprise, in the middle of the night.... a little body crawled in bed with us....which never happens.....ever!!  It was Tuck....I let him snuggle between us and sleep.  At the crack of dawn, I felt a face staring at me, "Mom....Mom.....I want to pray and ask Jesus to save me!"  We knew that this was the Spirit knocking on his heart.....and we layed there together in bed and had him pray.  He talked to Jesus and asked Him to come save Him....to forgive him and that he needed his help.  The sweetest most genuine little prayer.....with as much belief and obedience that a little 5.5 year old can muster.  Sweetest most beautiful moment that we've ever had with our Tuck.

The joy and peace I excperienced that day is hard to explain.....a prayer that I've prayed since my babies were in the womb....that they would come to know Jesus at a young age.  I sure love my Tucky......I pray he runs hard after Jesus and that this is a spiritual marker he will remember for the rest of his life.

So much more...

Many friends have recently asked about our family’s journey with this whole Juice Plus thing so thought I would share a quick update on our journey over the past few years.......it’s been “so much more” than we ever imagined and we are forever thankful...

Ten years ago, I had a very sweet friend with a nursing background who shared this gift with me and  I told her, “thank you but no thank you”......Jeremy and I were healthy marathon runners and didn’t see a need for extra nutrition.....our vitamins were sufficient.....

Well, fast forward 6 years, and we had 2 kiddos that were susceptible, like most kids, to the typical circulating viruses.  Bella was getting 3-4 ear infections a year & Jack struggled with eczema as well as needing daily breathing treatments for asthmatic issues.  Even as “healthy” adults, Jeremy & I were needing seasonal allergy meds as well as susceptible to the annual cold & flu viruses....

I knew in my heart and as a Mamma that our family was not getting the 9-14 recommended servings every day of the fruits & veggies that our bodies each needed......I also knew that God’s gift to us was in plant nutrition.  But, like most people, it’s nearly impossible to eat the quantity and variety of fruits and veggies that our bodies need. I knew that fruits and veggies were essentially the best form of medicine as well as the best form of disease prevention. Meanwhile, I had been praying for my kids’ health to improve and then God sent 2 sweet friends my way who also shared with me the same gift my nursing friend had shared years before.  They shared that this gift of Juice Plus offered 30+ fruits & veggies and how it had transformed their family’s health.  I really was sick and tired of us being sick and tired.....and I knew we needed to make a change.

So, skeptical as I was about those little capsules & gummies, we decided to just give them a “try.” I did some research and found that these little gummies & capsules were backed by some of the most respected research by the most respected institutions (Oxford, Vandy, MD Anderson...) and they were also 3rd party tested for validation of the ingredients. 

Well.....to my surprise, within weeks, my energy was at an all new level with quicker workout recoveries....and over a few months time, our family began to stop getting sick as often, Bella stopped getting ear infections, Jack no longer needed steroid cream for his eczema or inhalers for his asthma. I went on to have 2 more babies.  I took my JP+ though the pregnancies and while breastfeeding.  These last two children have by far been my most healthiest babies & toddlers...

After 3 years of sending my friends to others who could distribute these gummies and capsules, I decided I should at least make myself available to connect those I love with this gift.  SO, a year ago, I followed God’s leading and did just that....paid $50 so I could distribute these gummies to my friends who were in need!  

And one of the most amazing and unexpected gifts that God gave our family on this health journey was a business.  I was not looking for a business but God gave me a business and a ministry.  He has opened doors for me to inspire, educate, encourage and pray for those I love.  Over the last year, He’s reconnected me to past friends, opened doors for new friendships and strengthened current friendships as we link arms to share this gift.  God has used this journey as only He could by blessing our family financially as well as with our health and I’m now able to contribute to our family’s income doing everything I love!

Looking back over the year, I’ve now seen close to 300 lives changed just bc they made a simple change for their health.  I’ve seen a diabetic no longer a diabetic.....an anemic friend no longer have anemia.....friends losing weight bc their bodies are now satisfied and they don’t crave junk, precious  children having less sick visits and many no longer getting sick, eczema & allergies clearing up, friends with low energy now having more energy, friends without hope now having vitality in every way.  I’ve seen dear friends having renewed confidence for their health and future. 

All this is simply because a few friends shared their story with me......and I took a chance to make a change for my family’s health. So, now I feel that I’ve been entrusted a very special gift and I will continue to be a good steward of this gift as I love those in my path, share as God leads and give Him all the glory along the way! 

With that said, I totally understand if your family is healthy and doing well and if your finances are exactly where you’d like for them to be..... I also totally get it if you are needing a change BUT totally skeptical like I was about how 30+ plants could really be in tiny gummies and capsules.......trust me that was ME for years!!! 

However.....for those of who need hope and want change, I would love to connect your family to this simple gift of 30+ fruits & veggies.  Whether health or financially as well....I’m always here to be a resource for you, my friends!

Lots of friends asking us...."SO what is this Juice thing??? Is it better than my Vitamin???"

So.....I typed this up to help you and others understand 😍🍒🥑🍇🍎🥕🌰😍

JP+ is the only whole food supplement that I’m aware of — it carries a Nutrition Facts label rather than a Supplement Label. So, it is different from a vitamin supplement in three ways: 1. Bioavailable 2. Provides thousands of nutrients compared to 100 or less in a vitamin and 3. Nutrients work together. They are made to need each other. 

So to explain it a little more:

Juice Plus has had research studies done that have confirmed that it is Bio-available meaning that it is absorbed fully into the bloodstream.  Our bodies recognize the "vehicle" that is carrying the phytonutrients and therefore it is able to process it and use what it needs and discard what it doesn't need.  "Phyto" meaning plant.  Unfortunately, most vitamins are not fully absorbed into the bloodstream. 

Also, since Juice Plus is made from food (it has a nutrition label not a supplement label), it contains all of the thousands and thousands of phytonutrients.  Scientists just choose the top 100 or so to put into Vitamins. Whereas, Juice Plus has 30 fruits and veggies so it contains all of each fruit & veggie's phytonutrients.  

Also, fruits and veggies are intended to work together like an "orchestra" to play a "concert" meaning they work off each other.  They need each other to trigger various nutrients once in the body.  So we need the variety. Unfortunately, most people are unable to eat the variety and quantity of fruits and vegetables that our bodies need to function at optimal levels. (fight disease, prevent infection, reduce oxidative stress, protect DNA and the list goes on...)

Sweet Mamma....

I wanted to post what I shared at my precious mom's celebration of life service....I will be posting more from her battle with ALS and her transition to heaven in the near future...

Celebration of Life Service...shared by a Whitney...

As I reflect on the past 35 years of my life with my precious mother, words cannot begin to describe my respect for her or my complete gratitude...how do I use just a few short minutes here to express words to adequately honor her or describe her to you? As I look at this gathering of people, I’m reminded that there isn’t a need to explain my respect for her or why I loved my mom because each of you are here because you knew her. Andyou too have that same respect and gratitude and love for who she was and the legacy she left.

 

So instead I want to share with you a glimpse into her heart and how she was able to face each day of the past 3.5 years of her life. Our family heard a sermon this summer, which truly put into words the actions, and emotions that we have been living through these last few years. The sermon re-affirmed for my mom as well as each of us God’s plans for suffering. I want to share part of this message given by Levi Lusco who lost his little girl from an acute asthma attack.  

 

As we listened to Levi’s message this summer on seeing suffering through the eyes of a lion, we realized that mom always had the eyes of a Lion.  You see, Lions have extraordinary vision, they can see far away.  Their eyes are created to see and God made them to have night vision.  They have a white strip under each eye, which maximizes glare and even with the tiniest bit of moonlight, it will shine enough for them to see.  The lion is able to take advantage of the light that’s there to see and they can see 6 times better than humans.

 

We often see the world as we are but in reality we cannot fully live what God wants us to live until we see what He sees as He sees it.  So the question my mom had to answer early on in her illness was what lense would she look through?  Would she choose to have anger that she was losing the ability to go on walks and runs with her children and grandchildren?  Would she sit at home bitter when she couldn’t drive and was losing her independence?  Absolutely not, she put on the correct lense and began to see life through God’s eyes. If God was allowing this cruel disease into her life then He must have a purpose for it.  Did she grieve?  Yes, we all grieved each stage and loss this disease caused.  But, with the grief, she always modeled hope.

 

She used the lense of faith to see her difficulties. We’ve learned that faith is like a telescope lense, it brings close what seems far away. Faith changes the way we face grief, face loss and look at death.  

 

My mom always taught us to prioritize time in the Word, to train for the trial that is going to comebecause its just a matter of time before our trial comes and storms reveal our foundation.  When the storm hits, that is not the time to build the foundation.  I remember as a young girl waking up to find my sweet mom sitting on the couch with her Bible and with her prayer journal and she would be writing her prayers for each of us.

 

In the sermon we heard this summer, Levi shared these 4 statements, and I want to briefly share them with you because they truly describe how my mom and our family have faced this time of pain and suffering.

 

First, We have learned to Look Beyond –Mom always wanted to live til she was old and gray.  She dreamed of seeing my Bella get married and watching the boys grow up and play all their sports.  But, my mom taught us to look beyond the present circumstances in order to hear and seeGod. She focused on the promises that He is theway the truth and the life, and that He is the resurrection and the life.  She looked beyond.

 

Second, We have learned to live with a spirit of earnest expectation.  Mimi focused on the fact God is going to come back to this planet and re-set it.  There will be a New Earth.  She taught us to live with earnest expectation and a longing for heaven.

 

Third, we all had to all constantly adjust to thenew normal – It seemed that every day, she was losing her independence or losing an ability such as walking, holding a baby, grasping, eating, swallowing or at the end breathing.  But amidst hersuffering, my mom adjusted and continued to look for opportunities to spend time ministering to others. Charles Spurgeon said - God gives his most difficult assignments to his most trusted soliderand my mom was indeed a trusted soldier.

 

Finally, we have learned as a family that weneed to be prepared for when suffering comes –We will all face trouble so we must take heart for He has overcome the world.  

We as a family learned even more the importance of sticking together!  Lions are the only social cat.   Lions live in prides. Nothing messes with the pride of lions.  We have learned to be there for each other especially on our worst days. Every time I see a lion, I’m going to be reminded ofmy precious mother who was a tiny woman yet was as fierce as a lion.

 

Mom was a prayer warrior. She was praying for our Salvation and for our future husbands salvationfrom the time we were born.  As soon as we had grandbabies, she began praying for their salvation and she did everything she could to instruct them and show them Jesus.   Such a blessing that Mimi was able to be a part of Bella accepting Jesus and her baptism 2 years ago.  She wrote in Bella’s new Bible that she wants Bella to memorize, 2 Peter 3:18 “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  She said, “I pray you learn to love and praise Jesus.” On August 12,just a few weeks ago, my Jackson accepted Jesus as his Savior and within a week of his decision, Houston and Sadie both made the decisionindividually to accept Jesus as well. We told Mimi on her final days that she can trust us to be faithful parents as we take the baton she has given us and run the race set before us to carry on her legacy and train these children to love and praise Jesus.