Words are powerful. One word can change us for a lifetime!
Last night, I opened Arise 2 Write and began reading comments. As I neared the end, I read:
Paul H said...
"Dear Andrea and family. I am very touched from reading this article and about your trip to Schuyler. I am Earl Hamners brother Paul and I am sending this to him because I know he will love to read about your life and interest. God bless you and your family and happy holidays. Regards Paul Hamner Toms River NJ"
My eyes filled with tears as I read this comment. Earl Hamner's brother, Paul took time from his life to read my article and share from his heart.
Thank you, Paul Hamner! Your words touch me, deeply. I am once again, overwhelmed. I am currently floating around on a cloud over your beloved Virginia. Hopefully, someone will soon get me down before I fall and hurt myself.
Today, I must prepare for two trips. I leave Friday, around 6:00 AM for rural South Carolina. Last April, after my Grandmother Bowling's funeral, I was able to reconnect with one of my cousins, Jennifer. She and I formed and instant bond. Our lives were forever changed. We are adults and will not allow family bondage to further separate us.
Jennifer and her husband struggled to conceive. Doug and I began praying for them during our trip. A month or so after returning to Richmond, I received a phone call. Jennifer shared, "I am pregnant. I am telling our parents and you and Doug until we see the doctor and know everything is going to be okay."
Soon Jennifer shared the news with everyone. Our next celebration came with the news she will deliver a little girl the end of December or early January. I asked, what will her name be?
Jennifer replied, "Payden Hope."
I replied, "Hope is my middle name."
Jennifer replied, "That is why we chose it."
On several occasions, the thought of this precious new life sharing my name has brought me to tears. Payden's life symbolizes a new beginning for our family. One where generational bondage is being broken down and cast away.
I am excited to spend this weekend with my family in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of her baby shower and celebrate the life God is placing in their care.
Upon returning late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, I will again begin a new journey. My husband, Doug and Sitka, our Alaskan Malamute will be taking me on a mountain get a way.
Realizing Mom needs a mountain retreat, they planned a visit in Shenandoah National Park. There will be no phones, no television, and no internet. Our days will be spend enjoying GOD's beautiful creation.
I look forward to sharing my adventures with each of you, when I return.
Blessed beyond belief,
Andrea
52 comments:
Andrea, have a safe trip! It is wonderful to hear when God blesses those that we have been interceding for. He is timing is always perfect.
I remember that story you shared about your family being apart. So happy for you and your cousin that you both started that bridge to connect you with each other, instead of letting the walls divide you. What a beautiful blessing Payden Hope is. God is always faithful to those who seek Him.
Praying for a safe travel as you visit your cousin and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. But I pray for the Lord to be in the midst of it all, to make your relationship blossom more. I'm glad that you will have a retreat up on the mountain when you return. Have a wonderful time with the Lord. So happy for you. God bless you sister and can't wait to hear about your adventures!
BTW, Hope is a nice name! That's what we all found in Jesus. Love to you.
Don't fall please my friend but enjoy floating in that sweet JOY ! That is soo sweet that he came to visit and shared from his heart!
That is awesome about your cousin. I completely understand about breaking those family bondages! It is soo awesome when the Lord allows that! I know you will have a wonderful time on both trips! Will be traveling mercies for you and what a sweeet husband planning a mountain getaway for you!! Be refreshed my friend be refreshed!
Love you
Thanks for letting me know, Andrea.
Where do I find Sitka's blog?
Have a blessed day!
So much to be joyful over. Enjoy your trips.
God Bless
Wow that is so cool that Paul left you a comment. How neat & certainly one to cherish. Have a great time on your getaways and be safe.
Wow! Those are some awesome events!!
Andrea~
It is AWESOME to see God working in the lives of so many. Storming the gates of Heaven with prayer WORKS, my friend! :D
I know you will enjoy your stay in the mountains. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL up there. Our colors have been splendid this past week!
Blessings~
Laura
Have a wonderful adventure! Will you be staying at the Peaks of Otter? It's a lovely place. The dear came right up to our patio door and looked in at us.
Blessings.
What a beautiful story! Have a wonderful trip! Enjoy the goodness of the Lord every minute along the way!!!
Andrea,
You deserve every blessing you are receiving. You bless so many through God's grace and abundance. How great that your cousin will be having a baby soon and that you prayed for and with her. I think it's very sweet that you will share the same middle name.
The mountain retreat away with your husband and Sitka is going to be wonderful for you. Enjoy every bit of both vacations.
Love and Blessings,
Carol
Such a beautiful post qand Wonderful bundle of joy.
Enjoy your getaway.
God bless your Andrea.
XO Regina
I have tears in my eyes over your post! Congratulations on ALL of it!
Andrea,
Praying for safe journeys, many blessings and God's love follow you in your upcoming travels. Enjoy the time and what He has in store for you each step of the way.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Oh my gosh Andrea, what a special treat to read this post. This was such a blessing. You be safe on your trip also dear one. Blessings and much hugs....
this post is so beautiful - your heart shines in it. Go safely and as you pray and wait in His presence,I pray the word you hear will be exactly what you need and maybe even what we all need...Can't wait to hear when you return. Sarah
Oh Andrea,
You were so right. God is certainly outdoing Himself! What a blessing to hear from Paul H. And to have a new little life to share your name, your Hope, and to bring in God's blessings and to stamp out the curses of the enemy!
Got goosebumps,
Cheri
that is wonderful that you were able to reconnect with your cousin...and what a sweet blessing that she is having a baby:) have a wonderful time on your trips!!!
WOW, about Paul Hammer!
smooches,
Larie
How wonderful, Andrea, that you heard from Mr. Hammer. Even more lovely, your name sake is blessed with you & you she. Enjoy you visit & mountain retreat ... wish it were me!
Have a BOO-tea-FUL weekend. TTFN ~ Marydon
Andrea,
I am so amazed by this...enjoy your time away and I'll look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.
Blessings to you.
What a wonderful story of the answers to your prayers!
Have a wonderful time away!
Safe travels...good times...many blessings!
the baby shower will be so much fun! you helped concieve that baby...well in a way by those committed prayer times! May your time in the mountains be powerful as you retreat into the silence of Jesus and nature. Love you, dear friend!
hugs,
Mary
Such an awesomely beautiful story.
It is a wonderful feeling to know that the next generations after us will not have the curse of the generations before, GOD is so good! Praise The Lord and enjoy your trip. The bible sais that we will be known by our fruit. Well sister, this is fruit!
Be blessed
Kelly
Andrea, have a safe and blessed trip. God will probably have more to show you while you are out there. Hugs.
Oh my goodness!!!! That is so cool that you heard from Paul Hamner!!! WOW!
How awesome to know he's going to share the article with Earl. Wow. Congrats Andrea!
Andrea, I hope you have a wonderful trip. What a wonderful story you shared with us. I love stories like about answered prayers, God is so awesome to us. I hope you enjoy the mountain getaway also, it should be the perfect time of year to visit.
Enjoy,
Jenn
Have a great trip. It sounds like you have many wonderful friends.
Dear Andrea Hope,
How lovely for you! May you have blessed travels and may God's peace be with you as you journey.
♥Hope
Each of us are designed to grow and embrace our gifts.
I embraced the gift of writing and never looked back.
For me, writing is something I need. It makes me whole.
These are quotes from your previous post, and I identify with them all Andrea.
This post and the one before it are just so heartwarming.
I am always so thankful each time I come and visit you. You have such a kind heart... I can feel it in your words.
Have a lovely trip, dear friend.
Love
Lidj
Have a wonderful, peaceful, God-filled glorious trip!
I love your posts - they make my heart sing!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
How wonderful that you were able to kindle a friendship where things had been broken. How sweet is this new life to both of you. May your mountain retreat be a restful time for you.
Andrea, can you give us an update on David :) Hope all is going well.
Keeping him in our Prayers.
Huggs
Renee & Family
Oh the power of words - how true. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. I am so excited for you Andrea - rural South Carolina sounds wonderful to me at this time of year. Praying you have a restful and relaxing trip.
And what a sweet blessing to hear about Payden Hope! God is good!
It sounds wonderful! Enjoy your retreat and get refreshed:))
Andrea, enjoy your precious family time. Love and blessings.
Dearest Andrea,
All I can say is, "AWESOME". As Loren said, "Don't fall please my friend but enjoy floating in that sweet JOY !" I couldn't of said it any better than that. I'm so happy for you and your the news of your cousin's pregnancy and naming her middle name after you...just beautiful Andrea. That brings tears to my eyes. How absolutely precious is that.
Have the most wonderful, spectacular, divine time in the mountains and may He speak to you in volumes my friend.
I love you!!!
Peace, Prayers & Many Blessings,
Alleluiabelle
Andrea, Oh how I wish I had known earlier about your trip to Spartanburg. You probably go very near my house on your way there. It would be wonderful if you and I could just spend 15 minutes over a cup of coffee somewhere near the interstate.
Thank you so very much for your kind words about my last post. It means a great deal to me that I have faithful followers whom I believe tryly care for me as an individual. My readership is not large but they are of "good stuff".
Thank you again and
God Bless,
Mimmy
loved the post...
Joliieess:-)
Wow Andrea! Have a great trip, and take an extra long look at those mountains for me. I love mountains...
Andrea, Just thinking about you and wanted to stop by and say Hi. Have a great week my friend. Blessings, Audrey
Oh Andrea this has me in tears of joy for you and for Jennifer and her family.
I love the way God worked in both of these situations!
Have a wonderful retreat! Much love to you!
Morning Andrea, Just popping in to see how David is doing, and still keeping him and the family in my prayers.
The only words I can come up with is - WOW!
Hi! Nice blog! I hope you have a time of refreshing in SC and then on your retreat. From one homeschooling mom to another (and one writer to another), I know those times of refreshing are important!
If you have a chance and are anywhere near SC again in February of 2010, you might be inclined to attend the Write2Ignite Childrens Writers Conference. Vonda Skelton will be the Keynote Speaker. If you'd like more info, here is the link: http://write2ignite.wordpress.com/
peace,
Donna Earnhardt
Thanks for sharing from your heart...I needed to shed a tear today. :)
Andrea, Checking on you. Hope you are well. Many Blessings, Audrey
Safe travells, I got treary eyed reading about your conversation about the name ..Knowing how much thought goes into naming children !! What a beautiful post..thank you for sharing!!
Have a wonderful time!
Rosemary
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