Barely Hanging On

My computer is barely hanging on. It will probably die before I finish this post! Even plugged in, it will not hold a charge. I have to put it on it's side and hold it down to keep it on...which leaves me leaning over, hanging upside down and typing sideways! Oh yeah...it isn't pretty folks. Or comfortable. As I am typing the critical battery window popped up and the cd-rom thingy popped open, simultaneously. I'm thinking that by the time I replace both things, I might as well just get another computer. By the way, if you are a new subscriber, I promise my posts are usually a little more substance-filled than this one.

Which brings me to the next thing, which is really kind of pathetic. Lately, I've felt a little like my computer...barely hanging on. And, for no good reason...which is even more annoying. No terrible, life-altering events are happening. Just the day-to-day grind...the busyness of life, often my nemesis. Sometimes I don't think I was made for this time, but I know I have lamented about that before. And, I really don't want to whine. There is so much to be grateful for.

It's just that I am not a woman who can do it all...and do it well. My housework is suffering. My creative juices are running dry. I get tired and cranky when stretched beyond my limits. I get disorganized and frazzled...quite honestly, I don't know what is possessing me to waste time writing this sad little post, especially when I can't even visit my blog friends lately, let alone string together some words of value. Hold on...the red light is blinking. I have to stop and lean more heavily on the computer. You know...so that it realizes that it is indeed plugged in.

Hmmmmm....

Perhaps that is the problem. The life is draining out of my computer, because it cannot properly connect to it's power source. It's so weak, it doesn't even recognize the source of power connected to it...so drained, it can barely hang on. I am feeling drained....could it be because I am not properly connected to my Power Source? Could it be that I need to refuel...taking time to sit at the feet of Jesus...meditating on His word...spending time in prayer (not the rushed on the go kind that has been frequently occurring.). When it feels like I don't have any time to squeeze that in....when the demands pile up....I need to remember that I can't afford NOT to take the time. When the life is draining...and my energy is low...I need to press in and lean more on my power source...not less. I can't do it on my own. But, with God...all things are possible. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. And, as always...His grace is sufficient to meet my needs for this day...this hour...this moment. He is faithful. And,(unlike this computer...ahem) His power supply will never fail me.

Sufficient Grace Summer Recap and Fall Update 2009

This blog will be replacing The Women's Edge Newsletter, which we have been sending out to over 300 people in more than eight states for the past several years. We are encouraging our readers to visit our blog to read updates from Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women (and families), biblically-based articles encouraging women, and bereavement support information. It has become too much for me to maintain both. Those who wish to remain on our mailing list will receive a printed version of The Beauty of Sufficient Grace.

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. I Chronicles 16:8

If you are a blog reader, some of the information in this post may be "old news". But, it is always good to go back and remember what the Lord has done for us! And, He has been doing A LOT!

Following MckMama's amazingly generous donation to Sufficient Grace Ministries, we were blessed by other generous, willing bloggers. Rachel at Once Upon a Miracle hosted a lovely contest/fundraiser at her blog in memory of her beautiful niece, Gracie, raising $275 for Sufficient Grace Ministries. Holly from Caring for Carleigh raised/gave more than $300 for Sufficient Grace. And Tammy from Tammy on the Go was able to raise $140. Stephanie from My Very Own Angel also pledged to support this ministry, joining the many individual bloggers who also sent donations.



Many supported our 2nd annual Sufficient Grace Golf Outing (http://sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com/2009/07/sneak-peak-of-sufficient-grace-golf.html), as well. We raised more than $2500 on that beautiful day in July. Thirty-two golfers gathered for fun and golf to support the outreaches of this ministry. Thank you so much to the friends and businesses who gave so generously to help our efforts to comfort grieving families. To view a list of those who gave and a wonderful slideshow courtesy of Marshall Photography, visit: http://sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com/2009/07/sufficient-grace-golf-outing-2009.html.




Our friend, Dave, hosted the first annual Ride 4 Grace motorcycle run to support Sufficient Grace. And, I met Holly from Caring for Carleigh in person!! (Visit:http://sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com/2009/08/ride-4-grace-and-blog-world-collides.html to read more.)



On August 23rd, our little band performed some praise and worship songs at the Corn City Festival. It was a great time, and proceeds were given to Sufficient Grace.

It has been an incredible summer of watching the Lord work through His people. We have reaped a harvest of beautiful blessing as we see much fruit all around us. Families from all over the country and Canada have received Dreams of You Memory Packages and more are going out almost weekly. Words cannot express our gratefulness to everyone who supports this ministry...in whatever way that you do, whether offering your abilities, time, prayers, or through financial giving. Thank you, and may God richly bless each of you!

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On June 15, 2009, we started an online bereavement support group called Walking With You (Visit:http://www.sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com/search/label/walking%20with%20you to read more.) We met weekly sharing posts and comments through our blogs, linking together, to share our stories, resources, prayer requests, and scriptures. We are now posting on the first Thursday of each month to encourage mothers and families who have lost a baby or child as we come together from various places on this journey.

Coming Up: On October 14, 2009, I will be visiting Holgate United Methodist Church to share with their women's group. Please pray for the Lord's blessing over this event...and for His guidance as I prepare. Also, please pray for His healing for some minor sickness we've had in our household recently and for health for our family.

To commemorate Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15, 2009, we are currently gathering a list of babies and families to post on that day as we remember each of these precious lives together. Please visit: http://sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com on October 15, 2009 to view the list and join us in praying for these families. To add your family to the list, please email sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com or visit the blog for details.

Some Sufficient Grace News and What We've Been Up To

Another generous friend of ours is supporting Sufficient Grace through her business. The company is called Miessence and they are based in Australia but do have a warehouse in Nevada. Miessence offers the world's first extensive range of internationally certified organic skin, hair, body, cosmetic, oral and nutritional products. During the month of October, Julie will donate 10% of each order to Sufficient Grace Ministries. I have never tried any of the products, and have just recently heard of this. I do know Julie in real life, though...and have been blessed by her beautiful heart, dedication to serving the Lord, and her love for His creation. If you would like more information...or to place an order, please visit: www.juliereimund.mionegroup.com
Or, you can contact Julie at: jreimundorganics@gmail.com. Thanks Julie!

The next couple weeks are sure to be busy...not that that's anything new! Family life, work life, and ministry life keep me hopping. I'm grateful for it all...but often not the best at juggling everything. I've said it over and over...but, I am so grateful for God's grace poured over me each day! Last week we enjoyed Homecoming Festivities. I work full time with special needs students, for the same school district my children attend. So, work life and family life collide during Homecoming Week. One thing's for sure...we've got spirit! Yes we do!




After taking some lovely pictures of our oldest son with his date for the dance, (husband) Tim and I went to share music at the Fall Festival our church was hosting for a local small town that does not have a church. While I sang and Tim strummed his guitar, James bounced happily in the bouncy house...pretty much the entire time we were at the festival! I stuffed my face with an elephant ear...and managed to spill water all down the front of me. Let's just say that I looked sort of like a nursing mother. (I often say that I may fully enjoy God's grace...but I'm certainly not graceful!)

Last week, Timothy earned an honorable mention at the all-league golf tournament and THIS WEEK...He had a golf score in the top five at sectionals and qualifies for districts...which will take place next week!!! We are very excited for him. He works so hard. And he loves the game. I love to watch! We've also enjoyed watching James play soccer...good, busy times. I love how God made boys!

Last week, Sufficient Grace sent Dreams of You shipments to: Washington, Arizona, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Canada, Kentucky, and South Dakota. I am finally working on a stack of thank you notes for those who supported the Sufficient Grace Golf Outing this summer. On October 14th, I've been asked to speak at Holgate Untited Methodist Church to the Women's Group. Please pray for the Lord's leading as I prepare for that, (while continuing to juggle our busy schedule). We are preparing a list of families who have lost a baby that we wish to remember and pray for on October 15th. Please add yours to the list, if you haven't already: October 15th Remembrance Page. I'm so grateful for these opportunities to serve the Lord, and pray that He will continue to equip us, provide for us...and pour His grace over us.

Remember With Us~ October 15th

On this Walking With You, I would like to do something a little different. October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. I have met so many beautiful families through Walking With You, this blog, and through Sufficient Grace Ministries. Your stories have touched my heart, and I want to remember each one of your precious babies. Every life is precious in the eyes of the Lord. Every life has value and purpose. While I have prayed for everyone who has crossed my path, it would be nice to have a list to pray for all in one place...with names and birth dates (and heavenly home-going dates). I thought it would be special for us to compile a list of our precious babies and post it here on October 15th. So, if you are a mother who has lost a baby/child and would like to include your family on our list, please leave your information in the comments below or email it to me at sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com. Even if we've never met (in real life or blog land!), you are welcome to participate. We want to remember all of the precious babies and their families. On that special day, I will post the list here and pray throughout the day for each of you...as we remember together. There will not be a MckLinky on this post. However, if you would like to help us spread the word on your blog so that we could include more families, please feel free! If you would like to include your child on the October 15th memory page, please leave the following in the comments below:

Child's Name
Parents Name
Birth Date
Entered Heaven:
Any message you may wish to share...or bible verse that brings you comfort

Also...if your family has received a Dreams of You Memory Book, we'd love to hear from you. We are working on some projects for Sufficient Grace, including compiling information for hospitals regarding our products and services. Many people have written to us after receiving our books or Comfort Bears. It helps the hospital to know how families are helped by forming a tangible memory with these types of items. If you were blessed by these materials and would like to be included in our testimonial page, please email us at sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com.

The Beauty of the Body

Welcome to this week's Tuesdays Together in the Word. To join us, please click on the button below:



For a time, I so enjoyed spending Tuesdays sharing nuggets from God's Word on DeeDee's Tuesdays Together meme. But, alas...summer beckoned and we took some time off from our Tuesday sharing. We are back this week with some thoughts from 1 Corinthians.(Can't wait to catch up with the other ladies on this journey! I've missed you girls!) There really was so much that could be said about love and Jesus having the victory over death. Lots of great stuff. But, I would like to write this early Tuesday morning about one of my favorite subjects: the beauty of the body of Christ. In case the title of this post or the phrase body of Christ is confusing to you, let me clarify. The body of Christ refers to "the church"...His people, His followers. Believers make up the body of Christ.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ~ I Corinthians 12:4-6

Oh, I love it. Almost nothing blesses my socks off more than seeing how the Lord uses different people with various gifts to come together to fulfill His purposes. I love it! I'm getting excited just thinking about the beauty of the ways God has worked in the lives of those around me. Take Sufficient Grace Ministries for example. God has laid different burdens on each heart, but all come together with the purpose of reaching out to minister to grieving hearts. He has drawn people with different gifts together to serve this purpose. Ladies with servants hearts, willing to use their various abilities and talents have joined as one. Those with the ability to sew make beautiful burial gowns and Comfort Bears. Those with a heart to pray intercede on our behalf. One with a talent for creating jewelry makes matching mommy/baby bracelets to give as keepsakes for grieving mothers. Gifted photographers offer their time and abilities to make sure that families have lasting, tangible memories of their time on this earth with their precious babies. Those with the gift of encouragement, encourage. Those with a gift of music, minister and worship through song. Some share through speaking and writing with words given by the Holy Spirit. Some have a compassionate heart. Some great mercy...some abundant grace. Some, a word of wisdom and some a listening ear. Some have great hospitality. Some are wonderful administrators...organized and orderly. (Not so much me, but some!=)

You see, we are who we are for a reason. It is no accident the gifts we have been given. Our interests and abilities have a purpose. They have been placed in our hearts to be used to serve the Lord and minister to His people. Every one of us has the ability to be used in some way. The beauty of the body of Christ is that all have a part. Nothing is wasted. God can use all of us, and every part of us. And...He wants to! He doesn't waste anything. And, every single part matters. We all have something to give. Doesn't that just blow your mind?

After speaking of the various spiritual gifts in verses 4-10, this one jumps out: But one and the same Spirit works in all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. ~ I Corinthians 12:11 God determines what each person's gifts and abilities will be. The Holy Spirit works in all these things.

There are many ways that we members come together to form the beautiful body of Christ. For as the body is one and have many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. (I Corinth. 12:12) There are many parts to our physical bodies, and all have a role. We have eyes, toes, fingers, legs, arms, etc. All are part of the body. All different parts. We can't all have the same part. We can't all be eyes, or legs, or arms. There must be different parts...different roles to play.(Speaking of roles, in theatre it is commonly said, "There are no small parts, only small actors." Well, that saying is somewhat true in this sense, as well. Nurturing our children and caring for our home has no less importance than say, leading worship. In many ways, it may have greater value. Yet, each part serves a purpose. God desires an obedient, willing heart. We are to be used for His glory, not our own.) But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if we were all one member, where would the body be? But indeed, there are many members, yet one body. (I Corinth. 12:18-20)

I shared ways that different members use their abilities and gifts through Sufficient Grace Ministries. But, there are many other ministries that God works through the same way, and we are are still part of the same body. God has laid it on my heart to serve in one way that meets the needs of some, and another person ministers in another area, filling yet another need. Our God is creative and He works in amazing ways in the lives of the willing hearts of His people. We must recognize and encourage one another...rejoicing in whatever way that Christ is preached. Too often, it feels that different ministries are divided, instead of encouraging one another to grow and continue the good work God has begun in them. We are one...part of the same body. And, all are necessary and useful to Him. And, if one member suffers, all members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all members rejoice with it. (I Corinth. 12:26)

In many ways, we need to be reminded to love and encourage one another. Which, I suppose is the reason that I Corinthians 13 comes next in the Bible. But, that chapter deserves it's own post, so I will just leave you with this. Be the person God has created you to be. If he has gifted you with an ability, use it for His glory. If you aren't sure how to do that, ask Him to show you. He is just waiting to answer that prayer! And, you will be abundantly blessed and amazed to see what He is able to do in and through your life!

Behind...and (Finally) Some Blog Winners

I am hopelessly and pathetically behind on almost everything in my life right now. If I have promised you a Dreams of You Memory Book or Comfort Bear recently, please be patient with me and please accept my apologies for taking so long. You are on my list...and I have not forgotten. I have been planning to send a shipment out for a few weeks, now. And, in the mean time, more orders have come in. Thank you notes and donation receipts have not been sent. The newsletter has not been written and/or sent out. And life just keeps marching on.

Life with all it's back to school adjustments...first time bus rides...new school attending...Homecoming Dance going...golf tournament playing...soccer kicking...children's worship leading...school picture smiling...working...serving...praying goodness.

So, I am sorry for the wait if you are waiting on anything from us. You are never far from my mind, my heart, or my prayers. I WILL be getting a shipment out soon.

And, without further adieu...the winners from this post (Yes...I know that was weeks ago. Didn't I say I was behind?):

Monica my Writer Chic friend.
Kathryn my Expectant Hearted-friend.

Both lovely women who have beautiful sons perfecting their dances in heaven's glory. I love you ladies!

Yes...I decided to give away two copies of Lynnette's wonderful book, In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me, instead of just one. You know, good things come to those who wait...and all that!!

Speaking of behind...

One more thing that I've put off. This blog world has been a wonderful gift. I have met some amazing women...that I now call dear friends. I have found nothing but love and encouragement here. And, I'm so grateful. But, I have sadly learned that there is a negative, ugly side to this blog world. Not because of my own personal experience, but from reading the blogs of others. Perhaps it does make one want to "circle the wagons" and "hunker down" a little bit...holding the ones we love close and stepping away from the rest. As I have watched the attacks on MckMama, I have hesitated to speak, because we in blog land really only know one another in part. I suppose if any of us were put under a magnifying glass, we would find a lot of flaws in the lives of imperfect people. Isn't that why we need grace? Isn't that why we need a Savior...because we are imperfect. I don't know every detail of the lives of my friends...in blog land or in real life. And, it is not my intention to engage in any discussion regarding the details of the lives of others, which I really know nothing of. Neither to discuss or defend. It isn't the purpose of this ministry or this blog. What I can do, is simply say that MckMama has been nothing but gracious and generous in her support of Sufficient Grace Ministries. She has kept her word, doing everything she said she would. And, we are grateful for her generosity and pray that the Lord would continue to carry her family as they walk this path.

What is the purpose of this blog? It is our desire to encourage women and families with God's Word and to offer comfort and hope to those who grieve or suffer through various trials. Sometimes we may also laugh, share a little silliness, or a tidbit from our family life. Our heart's purpose is to share the love of Jesus with all that we meet and to offer His comfort and hope through Sufficient Grace Ministries. I pray that the Lord will strengthen and enable us to fulfill that purpose.

Thank You, Holly

Sweet Holly wrote a beautiful blog post, featuring Sufficient Grace Ministries. Click on over to read it here. I am honored and blessed by her words. What an amazing blessing she is to me and to so many that she reaches out to with her compassionate heart. Thanks Holly!