SGM Events...Sponsor a Family...Support Sufficient Grace

Because of your generous support...

Since last summer, we have shipped about two hundred packages filled with Dreams of You Memory Books, Comfort Bears, and/or other items to offer comfort to grieving parents all over the United States, some to Canada, and one to Singapore!(Thank you, thank you, thank you...to those of you who helped to make that possible!!)

We have provided hospital seminars to encourage staff on the importance of compassionate care, the importance of making a lasting, tangible memory, and understanding grief from a bereaved parent's perspective.

We offer an online support group for grieving families: Walking With You.

Families are not charged for our products or services. We are asking if you would prayerfully consider supporting the following upcoming events so that we can continue to provide these products and services free of charge.

Saturday, June 19th ~ 2:00pm SGM Golf Outing

Get a team of golfers! $50 per person (4 person teams) includes 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner.

Sponsor or donate to the event: $50 & $100 hole sponsor levels, or give toward sponsoring a family or other item. Last year, several bloggers and families donated in memory of their child or in honor of a loved one as a way to "pay it forward".

Contact us ASAP: sufficientgraceministries@gmail.com

Please pray for good weather and a good turn out!!

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Ride4Grace Motorcycle Run
Saturday, August 14, 2010

Registration at 10:00

Approximately 85 mile ride starting/ending at:

Findlay First Church of the Nazarene
2501 Broad Avenue
Findlay, Oh 45840

Suggested Donation for ride:
$15.00 per bike

Contact Dave: daveamspoker@hotmail(dot)com
Or Holly: caring4carleigh@yahoo(dot)com
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If you're in the Findlay area, we will also be having an ice cream social on August 14, 2010 (11am-2pm). This will include a picnic-style lunch of hot dogs, chips, punch, and ice cream w/toppings. Free Will Donation supports Sufficient Grace.

Ice Cream Social will also be at:
Findlay First Church of the Nazarene
2501 Broad Avenue
Findlay, Oh 45840
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Our band, One Way, will be performing at the Corn City Festival in August in Deshler, Ohio. Time and date to be announced.
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You can also donate anytime and sponsor a family. Details here.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Please keep all of these events in prayer. And, if you feel led to blog and share about supporting Sufficient Grace to help spread the word, that would be wonderful. A donation in any amount is helpful. I promise that we will be talking less about support soon, as Operation Sufficient Grace comes to a close in August. It really is my least favorite part of ministry...asking others to give. God has been faithful to provide for the growing needs of this ministry. And, we are so grateful for His faithfulness and for the generosity of His people.

*Please note that Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women and Families is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Summer Reading ~ Book Reviews

A couple months ago, I received an email from Phenix and Phenix Literay Publicists requesting that I consider reviewing Seasons of Solace by Janelle Shantz Hertzler. I wasn't sure at first, partly because I don't feel qualified to review someone else's book. Who really is going to care about my opinion? And to be honest, I am always a little afraid to do something like that, because...what if I don't like it? Then, what will I say?? For those reasons and because of our busy schedule...it took me awhile to respond. When I finally wrote back, they promptly and graciously sent me a copy of the book. Wanting to give it my full attention, and still a little nervous about giving my review, it waited on my nightstand a little while longer. I finally read the book last week, and began working on this post a few days ago.

I opened the book to find Janelle's heart-wrenching journey woven in poems alongside pristine photography, depicting the beauty of God's creation, a place I myself find great peace and comfort. Sometimes I like to just sit and breathe in the beauty of the world He made. There is some sort of restoring comfort in the soft green grass, the swaying trees, the sound and feel of the wind as it blows past, the seasons that march on regardless of the tempests tossing our lives, the songs of the birds I imagine as songs of praise to their Creator.

I love how she begins the book by telling of the stark beauty of a red leaf laying among jagged stones. "Radiant, it lay dying. It was that beauty and death intermingled that captured my attention." (Seasons of Solace) It was with those words that Janelle captured my attention. For, it is my life's work and heart's desire to tell the story of the beauty waiting in the ashes of sorrow.

Her poetry is raw and beautiful. I wondered how she would "take us on her journey" with poems. A lover of words and poetry, I was intrigued by the notion. She conveyed through every page the steps of her journey, and mixed along the way were the gorgeous photographs of creation. I felt that I was with her, when she heard the news of her husband's death, when she stood at the funeral, when she asked her "Why-questions", as she found healing through the pouring out of her words. I could relate to the feeling of listening to the grief and sorrow of others in the moment when your own grief weighs so heavily and suffocating on your heart. It reminded me of standing in the receiving line, after the death of my son, and later next to my mother's body, offering comfort to those who had come to comfort me.

Janelle's book is lovely, honest, heart-wrenching, and soothing. I am so grateful that she and her staff shared it with me. For more information, please visit Janelle's website: Journey Through Grief.

After I started writing this post, I noticed that Holly (who had reviewed the book a little while ago) was interviewed by Janelle for her website. To read Holly's wonderful interview, her review of the book, and for links to Janelle's site...visit Holly's blog here. You did such a great job, Holly! I'm so proud of you, girl.

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Since I'm doing a post of reviews, I would be remiss if I neglected another interesting book I've recently read. Almost as interesting is the way I came upon The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews. The only thing I love better than a good story is a good story behind the story. The first time I heard about The Heart Mender was in April at the Women of Faith conference. Andy was there to speak on Friday. Holly and her cousin went in our place while Becki and I visited hospitals in the Columbus area. So, I missed his high-energy delivery at the conference. The next day, as we looked over the Women of Faith brochure, Jennilee, who sat next to me talked about his book. She had recently reviewed it through an organization that allows bloggers to receive free books in exchange for their reviews (great idea, huh?). She said it was a story about forgiveness. I thought it sounded like a worthy read, and almost purchased it. But, decided against it.

Then, I saw a display at a book store, when I placed an order with a Christian book distributor and it popped up in the "You may also want to buy..." section, and other places I can't remember. I was always thinking it looked like an interesting book, and I loved the title. But, I just didn't have time to read right then. So, I continued to resist the constant prompting to read this book.

It was almost summer when a package arrived at our P.O. Box from none other than Thomas Nelson publishing. Enclosed was a letter from them expressing their appreciation for our ministry and offering the enclosed book as a gift. Guess what the book was.

The Heart Mender, of course.

Awestruck, two thoughts drove me to sit down for a minute. The first thought, I'll admit, was a bit of surprise and delight to think that someone at Thomas Nelson Publishing knows that Sufficient Grace Ministries exists and took the time to look up our address and send such a gift. I'm a writer at heart. So, this was no small thing to me. (Although, I'm sure it's really much less of a deal than in my imagination!) Secondly, it was quite evident at this point that I was supposed to read The Heart Mender.

God has been whispering to my heart, revealing truths I had buried so deeply that I didn't know they existed. I am a forgiving person by nature. Those close to me will testify that to be true. So, why this book? Why did I need to read it?

The past several months, God has revealed to me that there are a few hurts in my life that I haven't yet reconciled or forgiven. When we were doing the Threads of Hope study on the Walking With You page this spring, emotions of hurt and anger bubbled up from a hidden place. It was so unpleasant, and I'll be honest, I wish it all would have just stayed far in the recesses of the place I've kept it. The reason I am so forgiving, after all, isn't because I'm such a saint. It's because I can't stand to have something between me and another person. I don't want to hold on to anger, sorrow, or bitterness. I want to bathe in the mercy and grace I've been given and want everyone around me to experience the same mercy and grace. I selfishly embrace the freedom of forgiveness any time I am able. The intensity of these emotions left me unsettled and running for the Doritos.

When summer finally beckoned, I yielded to God's tug to read this book, spread out my favorite picnic blanket and laid on the green grass in the shade as I began the journey of The Heart Mender. Set during World War II, the story is one of adventure, love, forgiveness, and finding hope through the hopeless. I became immediately drawn into the story of the American girl who had lost everyone she loved and the German soldier who carried his own battle scars. It was a captivating and lovely story. It's message, just one more whisper, one more reminder to my own heart that hope does indeed spring eternal from the human heart, no matter how much a person has been chewed up and spit out by this life. And, secondly that there is always beauty and freedom in choosing grace and forgiveness.

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O.K....I'll try and keep the next couple reviews short. It seems I'm spending too much time telling the story behind the story! (My snarky friend, Dinah, is always saying, "Will you quit with the prologue?!")

I shared awhile back that I read Angie Smith's I Will Carry You. It was such a beautiful read. I have read Angie's story before, but reading her book as it was woven together with pieces that I had not read before felt just like sitting on the porch with Angie as she told her story. It was the story of Audrey Caroline and her family, told with the beauty and grace that Angie always writes...with a gentle whisper of God's love in every word. Her words lift me as I read them. They are just that gentle and full of His love and hope. Her book is the same, and I'm so grateful for the privilege of walking with her on this journey...through her blog, in my prayers, and now through her book. Read it with a box of tissues.

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And now...the final book in this long post of reviews, one of my favorite authors... Karen Kingsbury author of Take Three...the latest in this series that tracks the Flannigan family, the beloved Baxter family, and other intriguing characters. I'll admit, I devour Karen's books, and many times refuse to read them until the whole series is written. That way, I don't have to wait for the next one. I will read all day and all night if time allows (which it usually doesn't, of course!) My mind becomes preoccupied with the characters and I sort through some of my own struggles as I watch them try to make sense of this life. It's sort of like therapy...only free if you check out the books from the library, which I generally do!

Honestly, I can probably, with complete confidence, recommend almost any book Karen has written if the ones I've already read are any indication. I love her. (And not just because she mentions Sufficient Grace on her link page! Although, that totally blesses my socks off!) Her heart for Jesus and for the people He died for shines forth in every word of the books she writes. God has given her an amazing gift...and she is using it for His glory. Love, love, love that!

My particular favorites are any of the Baxter series books along with the Above the Line series. If you haven't read them yet, I would start with the Redemption Series. Read through all of the Baxter family books. Then begin the Above the Line books.

Hoping you have a little time to spread out a blanket in the shade with a cup of cold lemonade and a good book this summer. It really is some time well-spent. Have a lovely weekend!

P.S. I just started a new discussion at the Sufficient Grace Gathering Place Blog Frog community asking the question: What are you reading this summer? Please join in!

Traveling Food Fest 2010 and My First Sonic Experience

If you are a healthy eater, you may want to look away. The following festival of junk food is not for the sensitive viewer. And, for those of you who are worried about my weakness for junk food, please know that several hearty bike rides have been going on before and after this day to prepare for our first trip to Sonic!

We had been anticipating our grand Sonic adventure for several days. Monday afternoon, James, Tracy's son Aidan, Tracy, and I loaded up her vehicle with high hopes for some yummy-eating.
I have to admit, we had an absolute blast reading all of your comments encouraging us what to try on our maiden voyage to Sonic. I joked with Tracy how funny it is that I can pour out my heart on some deep spiritual matter, and maybe there will be seven comments. But, ask about your favorite Sonic food, and twenty-eight of you respond! Too funny...and it just made me smile. I'm a lover of food, myself, so you'll be getting no judgment from me!



We saw the rollerskating waitresses...



We ordered a plethora of goodies from the suggestions you offered...



I ordered a delicious and delightfully messy toasted bacon cheeseburger...mmmmmm.



Tracy and I (along with our husbands who enjoyed the leftovers) voted the onion rings as our favorite. We liked the sweet batter. I dipped mine into the marvelously creamy ranch dressing.


I tasted a bite of the extreme tater tots...but decided I'm not a huge fan of chili cheese. And, I wished I would've known there were onions on the sandwich and the tots. I would've definitely said no onions! Tim finished them off, though!




James and Aidan both enjoyed their popcorn chicken. I don't think James has ever met a popcorn chicken he didn't like!


I believe Tracy gave her chili/coney dog a sideways thumb...or maybe a thumbs down. We both liked the toasted burger, though. Just no onions next time!

James really liked the cherry limeade, (which I believe was the most recommended item by our readers). The strawberry I ordered was O.K., too. Tracy and I decided we weren't the biggest fans of the limeade. But, I sure relished the icy goodness of my Coke!


UPDATED: I forgot to mention that Tracy gave the orange creamscicle drink two thumbs up...and James and I deemed the same honor to the pineapple shake (James' choice that I thought was a really random choice, but turned out to be delish!)

Our trip to Sonic was fun and filling! The staff was friendly, and the service was fast and accurate...even with our gigantic order! In fact, we enjoyed it so much, along with your participation, that we thought it might be fun to try some other restaurants that we haven't tried before.

Because Tracy and I feel it's necessary to name all of our projects, we thought we could call this one Traveling Food Fest 2010. So...we are up for suggestions. (Please note, we will be bringing our favorite food connoisseurs (James and Aidan) along for the ride.) If you know of a yummy and fun or unique eating establishment, please leave a comment here. We will try to visit some of the places you suggest this summer for some random fun, and then we'll do a little review on our blog. We will travel anywhere up to 2 hours from Northwest Ohio. Thanks again for your suggestions! Have a blessed day!

Meeting People Where They Are

I have this friend, Lynette, a teeny, tiny, lovely sweet lady who loves delicate things and the quiet, simple beauty of this life. Looking at her tiny frame and sweet smile, you would have no idea, but my Lynette is a prayer warrior.

This morning, we joined with some other praying mama friends of mine to do a prayer walk around one of our local communities. We praised, thanked, confessed, and interceded in prayer to our Father as the gentle breezes blew and the sun shown on our faces. We stopped to talk with the sweet ladies planting beautiful flowers along the way. And, off we went to pray some more...quietly and without fan fare.

No one would have even known that's what we were doing...

I love that. I love how a really big God would choose to work through the one you would least suspect. I love how He chooses the chief among sinners to become a new creation. Love how He brings hope out of the most hopeless of circumstances. I love how He chooses one plagued with stage fright to stand in front of a group of people and sing His praises. I love how He chooses the weak to show His strength and might. Love how He chooses the uneducated to display His wisdom. I love how He chooses a sweet, quiet, little woman to be one of my dearest friends and one of the mightiest prayer warriors I know. Incidentally, one of the other of the mightiest prayer warriors I know is an elderly lady, nearly blind, but sharp as a whip, and quite adept at scripture memorization. She has prayed nearly all of her loved ones into the saving knowledge of Jesus...one by one. Every battle fought for their souls on her feeble, yet mighty, knees. No doubt, she will be praying until her dying breath.

I love how the Lord works, and often marvel at the unlikeliness of it all. Oh how I treasure a good underdog story. (Perhaps that's why I endure the agony of being a Cleveland Browns fan.) And, I think our heavenly Father appreciates a good underdog story as well. After all, it's the story He tells over and over again in the lives of His people.

As we prayed today, and in conversations with a few dear friends, God has been impressing another truth into my heart. He's actually been working on this for awhile...

You have to walk with a person, connect with them, meet them where they are before they will want to hear anything you have to say.

One of the greatest blessings of my life has been to watch my husband as God develops that gift in him. He meets people where they are...talking with them about work, helping them with a project, listening about their ideas, their golf game, talking about guitar...whatever relates to the other person. It isn't a put-on or an act. That's just him. He stops and genuinely cares about what the other person is sharing at that moment. That may be the extent of the conversation...or it may turn into something deeper. But, it's always in a comfortable, easy way. He isn't perfect or flowery in his delivery...but he is always genuine. He has the gift of meeting people where they are.

Showing the love of Jesus is something we do in our everyday lives...as we walk along the way, as we sit down, and rise up. It is part of who we are, just an easy, light smile on our face, joy in our eyes and kind, willing heart to listen and share...to laugh, weep with, or hug. It doesn't need to be some grand display, and often that turns others away. Just be who you are and meet people where they are. God is faithful and able to do the rest. You know I'm not a fan of sayings, but this one sums it up:

Preach the gospel always...and when necessary use words.

Living it speaks so much louder than words ever could.

* I wrote this before reading Kelly's Korner for today. Thought it kind of fit with the subject, so I linked up. Click here to share your Random Acts of Kindness ideas.

Calling All Sonic Lovers

O.K...I've been reading how all my southern bloggy-friends (well, I think of ya'll as friends, whether you actually know I exist, or not!) are lovers of the Sonic. I've never been to a Sonic before. But, when you talk about the icy goodness of the Coke, I admit to drooling a little. I've decided that in the spirit of true summer randomness, I must find out about this Sonic ya'll speak of with such tender fondness.

So, my friend Tracy (my partner in all things random and fun) and I set out to find out where the closest Sonic could be found. How I adore the internet! The answer was just at our fingertips. I'll admit that I was looking forward, with no small about of giddyness to some grand adventure to someplace I've never been before...or at least somewhere outside of Northwest Ohio. Maybe we would even cross the border into Kentucky, with James and Aidan happily playing their DS's on the way. But, no...how could it be? I was somewhat deflated to find that there is a Sonic just 30 miles from us. And, it's been there all along.

Sigh...

So, it will not be too grand of an adventure, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.

Here is what I need from you, my dear Sonic-loving friends...(or even those who don't know me, but love Sonic):

What...on this maiden voyage...should I try at the Sonic? What can I not go on living without experiencing? We may be going there as soon as tonight if the baseball games are cancelled, so please let me know this very important information ASAP! If not, we'll be going in the next few days. I promise to give a full report. (Knowing that you will be on the edge of your seats until you hear all about it...haha!)

Update: Looks like we will not be going until Monday due to baseball games and golf tournaments and weekend plans...so keep the Sonic suggestions coming!

SGM Ice Cream Social, Seminars, and Pieces of My Heart

Last Sunday, we held the first annual Sufficient Grace Ministries Ice Cream Social at Harvest Fellowship Church. It was a beautiful, sunny day... a great time for fellowship and ice cream!! Approximately 150 people came to enjoy a picnic-style lunch of hot dogs, baked beans, chips, punch, and ice cream with toppings...yummy! We raised over $700 thanks to the generous giving of our church family and the dear friends who made the time to come and offer their support. We had no idea what to expect for this first attempt. It truly was a leap of faith, but...as always...God is faithful to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. And...His people are pretty cool, too!





Many thanks to Harvest Fellowship...our wonderful church family and our Pastor, whom I adore... to Becki, my partner in crime (ahem...I mean ministry) who did all of the hard work planning, organizing, and "the carrying-out of" this event... Becki's husband, Rob, who grilled 240 hot dogs, Steve and Eulene, who offered their time and food preparation expertise...(and a mean baked bean recipe - thanks Eulene!), and my husband, Tim... who patiently tolerates my scattered chaos, always lends a hand with a humble, willing, hard-working heart, thinks clearly when my brain shuts down from overload, and speaks when I am too humbled to do so and feeling the need to hide behind the ice cream scooper...or whatever else is handy. I really love that man.




Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who supported this event! Not only your generous giving, but also your love and prayers mean more than words can say.

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Yesterday, I presented three seminars at St. Rita's Hospital in Lima, Ohio encouraging hospital staff on the importance of compassionate care and helping bereaved parents to form a lasting, tangible memory of the short time they have with their babies. I have given seminars like this before, and I've shared our story with churches and women's groups, also. Can I just tell you that usually the scenario is an overwhelming spiritual attack the week before the event? I often feel almost crippled by the strength of it, and wonder how on earth I will make myself do this thing I've agreed to do. My own inadequacy stares me in the face and I shrink under it's might. Small...and unable...those are the feelings...along with so many more.

I push through with prayer, and put one foot in front of the other, until I arrive at the destination. And, then...the Holy Spirit meets me there. I am strengthened with a strength that does not come from my own power. He washes over me, lifts my head, straightens my spine, and allows me to soar...as if on eagle's wings. For a brief window of time, I am the person He has created me to be. I am carried, mercifully, in all my inadequate, pathetic lack of glory...and He is glorified. He opens my mouth to tell His story, and to give the most I have of the pieces of my heart to strangers. When I am finished, I am often encouraged and in awe of the grace and faithfulness of my God, emotionally drained...exhausted and plagued with a migraine and an upset stomach from the intensity of it all.

That's how it goes when I tell the story once in a day...

I was about to tell the story three times...in one day...to a staff of nurses, doctors, medical students, chaplains, and social workers.

I'll leave out the details, but this time the attack was mighty, and I was struggling. We had a marathon of events that seemed to be accomplished at the pace of a sprint during the last couple weeks as we were ending the school year (which is also my place of employment where I work one-on-one with special needs students). Between the scheduled events at work for me, the events at school for my own children, baseball and golf tournament season beginning, and the goings-on at Sufficient Grace I felt as my good friend, Brooke, describes...as if I were being spun around in a blender and about to be spit out into summer. Only, I was going to be spit out just in time to do the seminars. And...in the midst of the blender, I needed to prepare.

My son James and I always celebrate the end of the school year and snow days with unabashed glee. And, I'm usually the instigator. On the last day of school, the day before the seminars, I was running to and fro preparing for the seminar and James' baseball game. I'll admit to being quite distracted.

At the end of the day, James said..."Mom, it was the last day of school. And, when I got off the bus, I didn't see 'excited mom'."

No, he saw busy, focused work-mode, distracted, and slightly frazzled mom. =(

I hung my head, and sighed. Then, smiled slightly, "I'm sorry, James. I have one more thing to do, and I promise on Friday, I will be excited mom." We prayed together, and I went back to work on the presentation after tucking him in.

The next morning I rushed to get ready, continued in prayer, punched in the destination on the GPS our son, Timothy purchased so we would no longer get lost (ahem...this is kind of an issue for me), and drove to the hospital just slightly behind schedule but still on time. Due to the fact that I did not listen to the GPS and thought I knew better, I did get lost, and thus arrived later than intended, quite apologetic, feeling the small inadequacy rear it's ugly head, and felt so disappointed that this was the way I would be starting this day. I was gently reminded during my quick, silent prayer, that it wasn't about me. I smoothed my skirt, and set up my computer and other items, preparing to speak, thankful that my lateness afforded a sweet mother who had experienced three losses to share about a support group she started at the hospital. Boy, God's grace is good. And, the GPS story even made for a good ice breaker!

I looked around at the room full of people in front of me and took a breath, as I began to take them on the journey with me. While the words flowed out of my mouth, I was back in that place experiencing once again the yellow ultrasound room where I heard the first dose of bad news about my girls, the cool cloth on my head held by a nurse as I vomited blood and bile, the gentle touch and kind eyes of Dr. Chandler and the courageous compassion of Dr. Marcotte. I watched as they were in that place with me, tears streaming down their faces, heads nodding in understanding. They have walked this path with other mothers. They have seen the grief from the outside, and some have experienced it themselves. Now, they were experiencing it through this mother's eyes.

I poured out my heart, choking back my own tears during a few paragraphs. There is only one way to do this. I could stand there, and stoically tell them what would help, what to say and what not to say...but the only way to truly help them to see the parent's perspective is to take them there with me. And, in order to do that, I must go back to that place. Anything else, they can read in a book...but those words carry weight when you understand exactly how the actions of the caregiver impact the patient. Sometimes you have to walk with a person a little while, before you're ready to hear what they have to say. This is true for other things as well. But, that's another post for another time.

When I was finished, the group showered me with words of encouragement. Many embraced me, sharing a piece of their own journeys and experiences. They have no idea, but many of their words relieved my own areas of weakness. Before I even had a chance to wonder if what I shared was helpful, someone would come up to me and specifically say that it was so helpful. That happened throughout the day. Just as anxiety would start to form in my mind, the very thing I was concerned with would be relieved with someone else's words of encouragement. No doubt...that was not an accident. My Father knows the things I have need of and He answers before I even ask.

When the adrenaline dissipated, exhaustion set in. There were several hours between the first seminar and the second. I went to eat lunch, walked into the mall in my full black suit and heels and walked right back out, visited another hospital, melted a little from the ninety degree heat, called Becki and Lynette, prayed and closed my eyes to rest while sitting in the lobby for a little bit.

The second session was going to be taped for future use. (And, I'm getting a copy to use for Sufficient Grace!!! This is something we've been praying about for awhile. Yay!) I took the podium before a much smaller group. I began the journey once more, feeling slightly less comfortable, but still knowing I was being carried. This group was quiet and left quickly after the presentation.

The third session was shortly after the second. There was a little time, though, to eat the light supper prepared by the hospital (including, to my intense delight, some Cool Ranch Doritos that I couldn't resist!) and to chat with Tamara, the sweet mama I mentioned earlier (who spent the day, weeping and walking with me). Believe it or not, I couldn't finish my Doritos, if that tells you anything about my state by this time of the day. You know, that's saying something!

I was about to learn what it would be like to take this journey three times in one day. A group again filled the room. This time when I opened my mouth to speak, I was even more intensely back in that place than I had been before. It's funny...I wondered if I would be able to do that each time, or if it would grow numb and stale...saying the same thing over and over.

No, the emotion was as fresh as the day it happened...as if it were happening for me all over again, only entwined with the beauty of the grace we've been afforded since that time. All of it ...the pain and brokenness woven into the beautiful, heart-wrenching tapestry of grace and healing. And this time, I could neither hold back my heart nor my tears. It poured forth...everything I have to give...the most sacred pieces of my heart laid bare before these beautiful people. Their tears shed along with mine.

Not only would my heart not remain contained, but neither could my Jesus. I told them, "I hope you don't mind, but I need to share this with you...". Each time prior, I had spoken of God's grace in our story, of course...although much of the focus is on the role of the caregiver and practical advice for the hospital staff during this seminar. But, this time, I couldn't stop myself from sharing the comfort and very real presence of Jesus in the room the day I held my sweet Thomas. I couldn't keep from telling them how God has worked in our marriage, as I shared how men and women grieve differently and it's important to understand and respect that. And, if you're wondering...no...the hospital seminars do not generally include so much of that personal part of our faith and our journey.

When the seminar was over, I wondered if it was O.K. to share all of that. Although, in the moment, I was helpless to stop it. Even as the thought entered my mind, a beautiful, tearful nurse made her way to me and took my hand...looked deeply into my eyes and said, "I want to thank you. Your faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ is what carried you through all of that. And, it really is the only thing that can. It really is the only thing we can give. Thank you for sharing that with us." I felt the Lord whisper to my heart. You have to give them what you have to give...and I am the hope you have to give.

Here's the thing...

I often feel somewhat scattered and struggle with weaknesses, the chief of which is to focus way too much on my own performance as a wife, mom, friend, employee, ministry leader, public speaker, singer, writer...fill-in-the-blank. Time and time again, as my weaknesses are magnified, His glory shines forth and He shows me, faithfully, that His plan will continue to shine forth, regardless of my weakness. All that He needs from me is a willing heart and He is able to make me a vessel to tell His story. Hopefully I'll remember that next time the roaring lion stands before me, making his accusations known.

I have shared much about the emotion and my perspective of the day, but the seminars were well-received and informative for the staff. Following the sharing of my story, I gave a PowerPoint presentation sharing practical ways they can help support families and give opportunities to make a tangible memory. I used many of your suggestions from our blog frog discussion. Thank you all so much for sharing your own experiences. Kathryn...I shared the quote you mentioned about the memories of our nurses, and could tell that really hit home for several of the staff. Many shared that the presentation was very helpful. The chief complaint was that it wasn't long enough!! The staff at St. Rita's was so open to hearing about how they can better support the families in their care. Their hearts of compassion were a blessing to me, and I'm so grateful for the kindness and courage they display everyday as they care for their patients.

Thank you for your prayers...I felt them. And, it was as if many of you were with me. After all, it is my family's story...and it's the Lord's story...but, as you've shared your own journeys... it's your story as well. Thank you for your part in it.

P.S. If you're wondering if "excited mom" made her presence known on Friday, the answer is...YES! Let's just say there was a Slip N Slide involved...lots of deep- belly giggling, and one very sore mama as Saturday dawns!!

Just Popping in Quick to say Hi and Ask for Prayer

There are so many things on my heart to share, but in the frenzy of end-of-the-year...last day of work for me, last day of school for the kids, baseball games and golf tournaments busyness, I only have a few minutes. So, instead...a quick "hello", followed by a "please pray"...

Last Sunday's Ice Cream Social was a success, and we are so grateful and blessed by the generous hearts who came to share the beautiful day with us, and donated to support Sufficient Grace. We have the best church family and friends!! I will post more details about the Ice Cream Social (and a few pics, too!), but for now...just a huge praise to our faithful heavenly Father...and a big Thank You to Becki for all her hard work! There are more people to thank...and I'll be posting more soon!

I'd like to take a minute and ask you to pray for the seminars I will be giving throughout the day tomorrow at St. Rita's in Lima, Ohio. Please pray as I finish preparing... for safe travel, for a focused mind, and that the staff would be encouraged and the Lord would give me the words to say. Praying, too that the presentation would be helpful. Most of all...trying to focus on who the Lord is and seeing His plans and purposes fulfilled.

Thank you...