It's Not All Gold That Glitters

I have spent the last five hours painstakingly removing the lights from my previously "pre-lit" Christmas tree. We had a good run, my lovely skinny tree and me. But, all good things must come to an end and it's not all gold that glitters (or burned out Christmas lights for that matter!). It was a wonderful idea at the time, this tree of mine. Pre-lit...what a glorious revelation. No more untangling lights and lassoing them around the tree. It was glorious. Until...one by one the bulbs blew darkening each strand. The last couple years, I just slapped another strand over the "dead" strand. But, this year, all the lights grew dim.

This led to the decision that stole an entire day of my Christmas break. The old lights had to go. When I began this project, I didn't know that each strand was wrapped and attached with a bracket around every single branch of my seven-and-a-half foot tree. So, while I sat for five hours knee-deep in fake pine needles and cut-up strands of Christmas lights, I had plenty of time to reflect on this year's celebration of our Savior's birth.

It has been a lovely time of celebrating and the memories brought a smile to my face (which was really helpful, since I started to think I might hurt someone about two hours into this Christmas tree debacle). We spent Christmas Eve at church singing and focusing on the birth of Jesus. After church, we shared laughs and yummy food at Tim's mom's house. There were other times with Tim's dad and Sarah...my brother and Megan, Tim's grandmothers and aunts. Lots of laughs and lots and lots of yummy food!

But Christmas morning...that was something. I had a nasty bout of bronchitis that made breathing difficult. Preparing Christmas dinners had to be arranged around breathing treatments (something I had given to my kids often in the past sixteen years, but never experienced myself!)

We had purchased a Wii for our children among other gifts. But that was THE big surprise. When they opened it, they were excited and surprised. We took out all the parts and Timothy set them up. We laughed as we designed each character to look like members of our family! Then, when the kids inserted the game that came with the system, it just displayed this error sign. Everything we did...following directions, troubleshooting, etc....the error sign filled the screen. They couldn't play the game on this brand new system!

Next...I burned the cinnamon rolls. They were just the Pillsbury kind, even...nothing great. But, I burned them. Disappointment swept in and I went into the garage for a minute, feeling the frustration rise. Then, it hit me how silly it would be to allow these little things to steal my joy. So, Christmas morning wasn't perfect. So, the game didn't work. We could take it back the next day and get one that worked correctly. So, I burned the cinnamon rolls. There was a plethora of delicious food awaiting our senses and filling my kitchen. So...the things of this world didn't satisfy us. So what?

I walked into the front room, and my kids said, "Mom...thanks so much for the Wii. It will be so fun to play tomorrow! What a great surprise!"

My husband hugged me and said the cinnamon rolls were fine.

They hadn't let these little things steal their joy. And, I wasn't going to either! These were little things compared to the suffering in this world...little, trivial, not-even-worth-mentioning things. They didn't change the reason for our celebration. Jesus came to save us. He came! And He has blessed us greatly with a beautiful family, amazing friends, and love and grace overflowing in our lives.

I did exchange the Wii for one that works the day after Christmas...and it IS way fun! But, it's not nearly as much of a blessing as it has been just to share this precious time with my sweet family. I just love these people...and I can't believe that God has given us to one another to walk through this life with. And...He has given us a Savior who even now prepares a place in eternity for us. What could be better than that?

Merry Christmas 2009

*Music performed by Tim and I along with others on the Harvest worship team (and congregation in the background).

Stopping

There is so much hustle and bustle this time of year. So much to set our eyes upon, so much noise to fill our ears, so many thoughts to clutter our minds.

Don't get me wrong. I love it. I love Christmas and all of it's splendor. Love the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Love the season. Love the time with family and friends. Love the fun and traditions that are passed down in our family from generation to generation. And... love the new traditions we've added to the mix. I even love buying gifts for my children, and those we love.

I don't, however, love the frenzy that overtakes us every year. I say that I will resist it. Annually, in fact, I vow that I will not allow the madness to sweep us into it's clutches. I won't run around missing the joy of what's happening to "get it all done". I won't stress about buying gifts and spending money. I won't burden us with unnecessary obligations and time commitments. I won't miss the beauty of the one True Gift...that Jesus came. I will not miss it.

And...

Every year, inevitably, there are potlucks and school/work gift exchanges, family dinners, expectations, baking, cooking, cleaning, shopping, running, millions of things filling my already-quite-scattered mind that quickly come upon us. Before I know it, the frenzy has overtaken us, and I am a very tired mama, wondering how I let this happen again. The excitement is fun. The celebrating with those we love...that is a gift. But, the stress is not.

The reality is that there IS much to do. This past week, I slept little and raced around much. I was feeling especially exhausted and many concerns were heavy on my mind yesterday after our school/work Christmas Party (and incidentally our last day before Christmas break - Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!). James had the cookies for his school party, and his gift exchange, but I forgot to put his homework back into his bag after signing it. I still have gifts to buy for several people on my list. Shipments need to go out again soon for Sufficient Grace - so many grieving hearts. There are scheduling conflicts for some of our family dinners. Who is coming? Who can't make it? When will Tim and I have a minute to sit down and work on songs for Worship? We are out of cereal. A family needs a Dreams of You Basket for their baby girl whose funeral is Sunday. This is the kind of random craziness that was rolling around in my mind. And the ache of tiredness was seeping in.

I pulled into the post office to check the ministry mail and to (finally) send out my Christmas cards. It had been a few days since I stopped. And there were two envelopes in the box.The first one was a Christmas card from sweet Jennifer that held a picture of her beautiful boys. It brought a smile to my weary face.

And, when I opened the second. I finally stopped.





I stopped to let the tears flow...

I stopped to remember them...

I stopped to envision the joy on their faces as they look into the eyes of their Savior...

I stopped to let the gift of it all wash over me...

The gift from Jess, another mom who has said good-bye to her babies, and finds hope in the promise of heaven and comfort in the fact that Jesus holds her babies until she is allowed to hold them once more...

The gift that came in an envelope...

The gift made with the hands of a grieving mother, a mother who took the time to remember the names of three more babies and the years of their first Christmases in heaven, even as she longs for her own little one. She remembers the names of MY babies. She knows that they were here.

And, she knows this...


Better is one day in Your courts, than thousands elsewhere...(Psalm 84:10)

She knows that the greatest gift can't be found in a store...that what He's already given us is more precious than anything on this earth.

The greatest gift came wrapped not in tinsel and shiny paper, but with swaddling clothes and lying in a lowly manger. A Savior who is Christ the Lord.

This morning, I awoke with a song in my heart ("Go Tell it On the Mountain", in case you're wondering.) I looked out the window, and I stopped again.



I closed my eyes and remembered the first snowfall so many years ago...a gift from heaven above, just like the picture before me this morning.

Then, during devotions the Lord whispered this verse to my heart, just in case the frenzy sweeps in once more to steal my peace...

Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. - Matthew 6:8

And...I stopped again. Whatever is on my heart and mind today...God sees and knows, and He will take care of it.

We serve a God who loves us enough to stop our frenzy and make sure that we don't miss the gifts He's given us.

Praying that you will be able to stop this Christmas and that you will not miss one gift sent to you from our Father in Heaven...especially the greatest gift of all...given for you...His precious Son.

Christmas Tour of Homes 2009

Please click here to visit The Nester and view other homes on the tour.

I'm so excited to participate in my second Christmas Tour of Homes. I so enjoyed "visiting" everyone last year on the tour. And, it was nice to get some visits here, as well. Unfortunately, I'm a little rushed this year, so let's get right to it, shall we?



Welcome to our simple little home. Although we love Christmas here at the Gerken residence, we don't have a lot of fancy decorations. Most of what we have has little monetary value, but holds great sentimental value to us. I believe a Christmas tree should tell the story of a family. And, ours certainly does. To read more about some of our ornaments and the meaning behind them, please click here.



Come on in to the kitchen. Things are a little busy here, these days. So, please overlook our dust and crumbs. You'll notice my little Christmas card tree in the corner. I borrowed this idea from our very own BooMama, after I fell in love with hers on last year's tour.



Aren't these wreaths cute? My boys each had the same wonderful second grade teacher. Although they are many years apart in age, they both made a wreath for me for Christmas when they were seven. These are two of my favorite Christmas decorations. Things are just all the more special when made with the hands of those we love.




"What is that on the table, looking so yummy?" you ask.




Why that's just a few goodies left over from Gerken Baking Day 2009. Please have one... or two even. We have plenty! Chocolate really does make everything better...at least for a few minutes! =) And, if that doesn't cure it, some laughter and fellowship with dear friends takes care of the rest.




I'm so glad you stopped by for a little visit, but I really can't let you go without sharing the reason for the joy in my heart during this season of celebration. I'll leave you with the Willow Tree nativity set given to me by my sweet mother on our last Christmas together, and the reason it means so much to me.



For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end...
Isaiah 9:6-7a

Some of you may have read this before. I've shared it here more than once... but I'm so grateful Jesus came for us, I just want to share it again and again and again. I'll post the end below, but I encourage you to click here to read Because He Came in it's entirety. It tells our story, a picture of His grace and evidence that He makes beauty from ashes.

From Because He Came...
More than two thousand years ago, the world ached for salvation, swelled with yearning for deliverance, redemption, restoration...for a Savior to rescue from sin and death. And He came...a baby King, born in a lowly stable on a quiet night to a peasant girl and her betrothed...a carpenter. He was in the still, small voice when He whispered past Elijah. And He was in the quiet stable birth when He came to rescue us and sent His angels to tell the lowly shepherds the good news.

His name is Jesus...and He came for me.

His name is Jesus...and He came for you.

And Because He came...there is hope for tomorrow and a promise of a joyful, forever reunion. He will wipe away all of the tears and wash away the loss and regret. He will cleanse and forgive and clothe us in robes of white. The empty arms will be filled. The hungry hearts will be fed. Brokenness will be restored. Mourning will be turned to dancing. And sin and death will be no more.

Because He came...He will carry us through this life.

And because He came...He will come again...in all His glory...to take us home.

© Kelly Gerken, Sufficient Grace Ministries 2008-2009

That, my friends, is the reason for my joy. Thanks for stopping by...

A Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to you!

Happy touring...

SURPRISE ~ WINNER(S) ANNOUNCED

You know, I used to teach preschool (well, maybe you didn't know that, but you do now!)

Anyhoo...

Do you know what's great about playing games in preschool?

EVERYONE WINS!!!!!!!!!

So....

I've decided, that every boy-mama who commented on my last post will receive one of these beautiful Hallmark ornaments in memory of her baby boy!

SOOOO....

If you are one of the boy-mamas who commented here, email me your address at: sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com and I will ship your ornament this weekend.


Christmas blessings to all of you...may you find comfort and peace as the Lord carries you in His loving arms this Christmas and in the coming year.

Walking With You Winners...AND Another Giveaway!!!

COMMENTS CLOSED: WINNER WILL BE POSTED SOON

Hello...just thought I'd take a minute to announce the winners of our Walking With You Christmas Giveaway. Whew...by the time I counted those who commented, those who participated, and those who encouraged others on their blogs (after stopping here first) there were more than 140 entries in our Walking With You Giveaway! I was so blessed to visit each of you on this walk, to read the ways you remember your loved ones in heaven, and to pray for you. Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us.

And the Winners are...

Jess - the Beauty Will Rise CD
Kimberly - the Beauty Will Rise CD
Holly - Creations from the Heart Bracelet
Kathryn - Someday Heaven
Caroline - Mommy, Please Don't Cry
Debbie - Memorial Ornament (will be purchasing this week, so it may be a surprise - ordered one has not yet arrived.)

Congratulations...I hope these gifts are a blessing to you! If your name was written above, please email me: sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com with your address so that I can ship your gift.

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That was fun...so much fun, in fact that I thought we'd just keep on giving! Remember my mommy-guilt? Well, I was looking for an ornament today for sweet Thomas and I found the sweetest one at the Hallmark store. I just fell in love with it. So, I purchased one for Thomas... and one for you!


(Please disregard the golf ball in the picture. Those pesky golf balls are everywhere! I think I even have at least one in my purse!)

It's hard to see in the picture, but, on the base of the candle above where the baby is laying, it says: Sleep in Heavenly Peace. I thought it was just right!



(The light from the candle blurred the picture a little when I hung it on the tree.But, it's beautiful "in real life".)
I only found a little boy ornament today, so this giveaway is just for mamas who have a baby boy in heaven. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment here letting me know you'd like one. (Sorry about that. A baby girl ornament would have been lovely too!)

Introducing... One Way

Finally...

after months of agonizing...

prayerfully considering...

wanting to choose just the right name for our little band...

it has been settled.

We have a name.

It may or may not be just the right name...

but it is the one we finally decided on.

Drum roll please...

Ladies and Gentleman...Without further adieu, I give you...

One Way



I wanted to share a picture from last night's Christmas Praise Night at Harvest. But, sadly I forgot my camera. I am hoping someone else took pictures because I did see some flashes. If so, I'll share it here. Even better, if someone recorded a portion of our little performance, that would be great. We really need to get a camcorder (or whatever they call those fancy digital thingys they have now!). The above picture is from our performance this summer at the Corn City Festival.

So...about last night. It was amazing. I love listening to Christmas songs, singing Christmas songs, listening to my husband as he sings Christmas songs. It was a beautiful time of worship as the choir sang, soloists sang, children played piano, guitar, and other instruments. It was just good and lovely and all about the celebrating the glorious fact that Jesus came for us.

This morning, I awakened with thoughts about last night, as I often do. I don't like that I'm a replayer of events, but I am. I replay things, and wonder if I should've said this or that. This is something God's working on in me...urging me to give it over to Him, and not worry about my own "performance". This morning, I'm not really wallowing in regret or anything. Mostly, I'm just thinking with a smile how awesome and full of grace God is. And, I'm kind of wishing I would have shared that last night.

We did three songs last night: God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, O Come All Ye Faithful, and O Holy Night. For God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, we used the folksy-rock sounding version of the Sarah McLaughlin (and a band whose name I'd rather not mention, because their name sounds less than holy and pure... =), with our own twist of course. And the last two Tim played the electric guitar with an upbeat rock tempo. When Tim changed guitars in between songs, I was supposed to fill the space by talking a little.

Well, I forgot to bring the poem and scripture that I was going to share in that little time-filler. So, I was left instead to try and fill the space, with the stuff rolling around in my scattered brain. Even though I'm quite a talker...I drew a blank. So... I just kind of stood there talking about how I couldn't really think of much to say, so I'd just ramble on about nothing for a minute!

This morning when I woke up, I was thinking about that...thinking about the amazing things God has done in our lives. And, I thought of what I should've said in those couple minutes of rambling. And...since I have a blog, I thought I'd share it here.

What I should've said:

We have been having way too much fun playing together the past several months! It has been such a blessing. And...can I just say this? The four of us standing here together...this is a picture of grace. We've known each other since we were kids...and we were ornery kids. We loved music and have played/sang since we were kids. (Tim and Dave even played together in the "famous", Stage Fright and BAB!). Back then, we played and sang for our own glory...but today we play and sing for His glory. Each one of us has a story of sin and redemption, of brokenness and restoration. Not every part of every story has to be told...and that's how it should be. What matters in this one, is that it ends with redeeming grace. Or maybe that's just the beginning of the story.

We named our little group One Way, because there is only one way toward redemption, only one way for salvation...and that path is through Jesus Christ. One of our favorite verses is John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." Jesus made a way for us...and I'm so grateful that He came to save us on that holy night.

Then, we would've closed with O Holy Night...wouldn't that have been just right? Maybe, but it didn't happen that way. Instead, I stood there while crickets chirped as Tim tuned his guitar. That's O.K., though. Because, as I said...it's not about my glory...not about me doing it just right, or saying it just right. It's about His glory...and man is it just a humbling, unspeakable gift to be allowed to be used by the Lord at all. The truth is, if I would've said all of that, I would've probably collapsed into a puddle, because the grace covering us just means more than I can even say. The places we have walked to get to this place of standing beside each other, lifting our voices in worship to our God...thinking of it melts me. Maybe, I didn't need to say it. Maybe, just the picture was enough. And, hopefully...whenever anyone sees that picture...and hears those voices...they just see Him and hear Him. Because, really each of our stories are His story. We are His.

He is the writing our stories, and He isn't finished yet. I can't wait to read the next chapter!




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The Walking With You Christmas giveaway winners will be announced within the next couple days or so. There's still time to enter. Just comment on this post. You will also be able to continue to link posts until Christmas, even after the giveaway is over. I have been so blessed to read the ways you remember your loved ones at Christmas. Thank you to those of you who shared your hearts so beautifully. It is truly a privilege to walk with each of you.

Remembering At Christmas

CONTEST IS OVER!!! WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON! You are still welcome to comment and/or link your memories here until Christmas. Thank you so much to those who participated.

UPDATED PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for the Henninger Family. Kimberly's firstborn son, Hudson was born still at 30 weeks. They are now expecting again(10wks.), and facing another possible difficult pregnancy diagnosis.

If you are missing someone you love this Christmas, someone of ANY age who is spending Christmas with Jesus this year, I hope you will join us on this very special Walking With You. We are sharing our Christmas memories and the ways that we remember our loved ones who have gone home to heaven at Christmas time. If you do not have a blog or do not wish to link a post, you may leave your Christmas memories in the comments below. If you do a post on your blog, come back and link up on the MckLinky following this post.

Everyone who participates and/or leaves a comment on this post, will be eligible to win our Christmas Memory Giveaway. For grieving moms, we are giving a copy of the amazing Beauty Will Rise CD, a copy of the book Mommy Please Don't Cry, and a beautiful Creations from the Heart memorial bracelet (available exclusively from Sufficient Grace Ministries)...so three different moms are eligible to win. There are also three eligible prizes that could be for someone who has experienced loss at any age: a copy of the CD Beauty Will Rise (because I think it would comfort ANY grieving heart), the book Someday Heaven, and a Merry Christmas From Heaven ornament (if the ornament arrives in time...otherwise, I may have to replace with another memorial ornament).Each person gets one prize...so 6 people will win!

How to enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Participate by linking a post (this gives an additional entry)
3. An additional entry will be given for every comment left on the posts that link up on our MckLinky.(I will be visiting the blogs who link with this post and tallying comments left. You must comment here to enter first, though so I know you would like to be included.)

I am Spending Christmas With Jesus Christ This Year

I see the countless Christmas trees,
Around the world below,
With tiny lights like Heaven's stars
Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year!

I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can't compare
With Heaven's Choir up here.

I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring,
For it's far beyond description
Just to hear the angels sing!

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart,
But I'm not so very far away;
We're really not apart.

So be happy for me, Dear Ones,
You know I hold you dear
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year!

I send you each a special gift
From my Heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory
Of my undying love!

After all, Love is The Gift
More precious than pure gold.
It was always most important
In the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,
As my Father said to do,
For I can't count the blessings
Or the love He has for you!

So have a Merry Christmas,
And wipe away that tear,
Remember ...
I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year!

~ author unknown ~



I love the poem above. Such a beautiful message that seems to come straight from heaven. Although we are here missing our sweet babies and others we love, they are spending Christmas in all of heaven's splendor with the very King we celebrate during this season of hope. And because He came, we have great hope.

How do we remember our babies (Faith, Grace, and Thomas) who are in heaven?

Each year, we fill three shoeboxes with gifts for Operation Christmas Child, which we then donate to the pile of boxes collected by our church for their annual donation. We fill two little girl boxes in memory of Faith and Grace and one little boy box in memory of our Thomas. It is a small thing, but it blesses me to be able to buy some little gifts in their memory and give them to another child in hopes that it will bring some joy. It is something tangible we can do to remember them every year.

Christmas ornaments hold so many memories. Every year, we take them out and remember when our children made this or that, we remember where and why we bought this one, and think about what each one signifies. They sort of tell the story of our families. During the early years after our babies went Home, there were ornaments chosen in memory of each child. Faith and Grace were born still so close to Christmas (November 3rd) that we received many ornaments in their memory. Here are a few of my favorites, in no particular order.

Thomas' gold angel and his ornament with his name. Although, I probably wouldn't have called him Tom. After doing this post, I decided we needed to add some better ornaments for Thomas.



We were going to do a Noah's Ark theme for Faith and Grace's nursery. A dear friend, and the mother of my best friend from high school gave us this ornament the first Christmas we spent without our little girls.



Not long after Faith and Grace went Home, our sweet baby cousin (about 18 mos.), Corbin also went Home after complications from a congenital heart defect. His mommy and daddy gave us this ornament. Another friend also gave us the same one. We love them both.


Amazingly, there seemed to be many of the twin angel ornaments that year...or maybe it was just that we noticed them for the first time. The parents of two little girls from my home daycare gave us this musical ornament.




Mom and I searched endlessly for two ornaments that really captured the spirit of our little girls that first year. I fell in love with these two little girls swinging on swings and playing their harps in heaven.




O.K....I'm having mommy guilt that the girls have so many. Poor Thomas...I will be doing some shopping for his ornament this Christmas. (Glad there's no mommy-guilt in heaven!)

Now on to my mama who is probably decorating her corner of heaven as we speak (blog). She loved Christmas...yes, I know I've already told you that a thousand times. Her tea sets are all over my house. She loved those,too. Below is an ornament that was given to me by my friend, Stacie, after mom's passing. It is filled with dried flowers from her funeral.



Prior to mom's last Christmas with us, I went over to her house and put up her Christmas tree. She laid on the couch just beside me as I took out each ornament. We shared the memory wrapped in each one and laughed as we remembered the stories behind them. Mom loved to make things, and every year, she would have a new hand made item (or items) to add to the tree. Every year had a theme. It was like watching the story of her life. That's what a Christmas tree should be. Now, several of those ornaments grace my tree... they are part of my story.

There was the year of the hand-painted wooden ornaments...


The year of the clothespin angels...


The first ornaments that graced her tree back in the seventies (can't you tell?)...


The beginning of the mauve years...


One of my personal favorites...macaroni angel...oh yeah...you can make an angel out of anything!


The cross stitch frame that mom gave to my brother's fourth grade teacher (who was also my fourth grade teacher) many moons ago. The Christmas before last, that same teacher who is now my co-worker, gave it to me for Christmas. She said it had been part of her Christmas decorations every year and she wanted me to have it. It was like receiving a piece of my mom. Every little piece means so much.


This ornament must have also been part of the year of the cross stitch...


This was one of the purchases from the Mauve-lovin' Hills store shopping trip...


The year of the ceramics...oh my lands, how she loved the ceramic store when it was still here. She was a ceramic-painting fool...and pretty good at it, too...


My Angel topper...she bought it for me on one of our famous pre-Christmas shopping trips...


From Because He Came by Kelly Gerken...

More than two thousand years ago, the world ached for salvation, swelled with yearning for deliverance, redemption, restoration...for a Savior to rescue from sin and death. And He came...a baby King, born in a lowly stable on a quiet night to a peasant girl and her betrothed...a carpenter. He was in the still, small voice when He whispered past Elijah. And He was in the quiet stable birth when He came to rescue us and sent His angels to tell the lowly shepherds the good news.

His name is Jesus...and He came for me.

His name is Jesus...and He came for you.

And Because He came...there is hope for tomorrow and a promise of a joyful, forever reunion. He will wipe away all of the tears and wash away the loss and regret. He will cleanse and forgive and clothe us in robes of white. The empty arms will be filled. The hungry hearts will be fed. Brokenness will be restored. Mourning will be turned to dancing. And sin and death will be no more.

Because He came...He will carry us through this life.

And because He came...He will come again...in all His glory...to take us home.

© Kelly Gerken, Sufficient Grace Ministries 2008-2009

Thanks for letting me share some of my Christmas memories of my loved ones in heaven. I look forward to reading all of your memories, and pray that you will find comfort and hope in the truth that He came for you, as you remember this Christmas season.

(For some reason, my spell check isn't working tonight, so please forgive any spelling errors...it's a little late and I'm tired. =)

Changed My Mind

I changed my mind! The more I think about the upcoming Walking With You post, the more I would like to open it up to everyone who is missing a loved one who has gone home to heaven. God's grace is for ALL grieving hearts...He is the resting place for all who are weary. So...on the next Walking With You, we will welcome not only those who have lost a baby or child...but those who are grieving the loss of anyone they love...a mother, a father, a sibling, a friend, a spouse. Tell us the ways you remember your loved one at Christmas, either in Thursday's Walking With You post or in the comments on that post. If you are a regular and wish to focus just on your baby, that's fine...or if you would like to include others...do what seems best to you.

AND...

I will have two prizes for parents who have lost a baby/child. (One will still be the Beauty Will Rise CD!)

AND...
There will be a prize for those who have not lost a child, but wish to participate by sharing memories of their loved one and by encouraging others by leaving a comment on my post and on the others who link. Remember...this takes place on Thursday's Walking With You Post...so prepare to share your memories and stop back to comment or link up on December 3rd. More details to come on Thursday's post.

I just love Christmas, don't you?