Keep Your Focus

Savannah and Trouble last weekend!


















Many among us have heavy hearts. We must keep our focus on our Heavenly Father, not our circumstances or the circumstances of those we love. The battle and the victory belongs to the LORD!

Storming the heavens with you,

Andrea

In The Eye of Deception-update

Please visit Mary at Divinely Designed. Mary's Author interview is awesome. "The Eye of Deception" is the true story of our blog friend, Sarah/Nikki. I urge each of you to read the interview and consider buying Sarah's book to give to someone GOD puts in your path.

For those of you who tried to access Divinely Designed from last night until 11:30 eastern time, I am sorry. The link was NOT working. It is NOW RESTORED, PLEASE VISIT and read Sarah's interview. I would like to explain the gravity of this error. It is unbelievable the lengths the enemy has went to in trying to keep this interview from being posted. There have been numerous problems. I am MORE DETERMINED than ever to get the word out. GOD will be victorious and the enemy will NO LONGER win. Sarah's/Nikki's words are powerful and are VERY needed.

Amazed by HIS mercy and Grace,

Andrea

Happy Birthday Wil

Wil always makes silly faces when we grab the camera!
































On January 26th, 1993, Wilson Lee Thompson entered the world 2 months early. He was not ready to arrive, however my body could no longer cope with pregnancy. I experienced extreme blood pressure and other health problems. On the morning of the 26th, I began experiencing seizures. I was stabilized and taken to surgery for an emergency C-Section.

Wil weighed 5 pounds, but his organs were not fully developed. "Little Wil" grew slowly. He encountered a few obstacles, but GOD was faithful to see him through each of them.

Wil is my youngest child. He is an awesome young man with a tender heart. I am blessed to call him, son! Today, I thank GOD for bringing him into my life and growing him into the young man HE created him to be.

I love you, Wil. I am "very" proud of the person you are becoming! Happy 17th Birthday!

Hugs and love,

Mom

Prolific Blogger Award

I received this award from Cathy at Word Vessel. I am honored you chose me! Thank you, precious friend. For those of you who do not follow Cathy, please hop over and check out her blog.


A Prolific Blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content.

1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!

2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to This Post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.

4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners. (Click here for the Mr. Linky page.)

Now I'm passing this on to the following 7 bloggers:

Mary @ Divinely Designed
Loren @ MaGoo's News
Rosel @ Off The Beaten Trek
Kat @ Heart 2 Heart
Christie @ Life Of An American Wife and Mom

Lorie @ Deeper With Jesus in Rhode Island
Mid @ Mid's Point


Amazed By HIS grace,

Andrea

A New Look

Edie at Rich Gifts designed a "new look" for Arise 2 Write. Once again, she has outdone herself! I am amazed as she captured my love of God's Creation, Writing, and rolled it all into a beautiful new look. GOD BLESS YOU, Edie!

To my followers:

Thank you for your faithfulness. I appreciate your love, prayers, and encouragement more than you could possibly know!

Hugs and prayers,

Andrea

Answered Prayer

Andrea and Payden Hope




































Jen and Payden Hope


















Over a year ago, Doug and I began to pray for my cousin Jennifer and her husband Travis. They desperately wanted a baby. Shortly after being asked to pray our prayers were answered. After a long time of trying "everything" to conceive, GOD answered.

We continued to pray for Payden as she grew and developed inside mommies tummy. On December 26th, GOD revealed this beautiful package of love to us. Payden Hope entered the world healthy and happy!

Last week, I was able to meet Payden face to face. Instantly, I fell in love. My heart rejoiced as I held her, knowing GOD has big plans for this little girl. I will eagerly watch as my new "little" cousin, Payden becomes all GOD created her to be.

Praising GOD,

Andrea

Focus

"People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them." George Bernard Shaw
Irish playwright, 20th century

Today, I am reminded to focus on the eternal, not the external. It's easy for me to fall into the trap of focusing on the circumstances around me. God spoke clearly on this beautiful Richmond, Virginia morning through this quote. He then confirmed it through and email from a precious friend who is struggling with her health.

Today, join my friend and I on a quest to keep our eyes on the LORD and not life's circumstances!

Focusing on my LORD,

Andrea

Past The Rapids

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you are in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you are between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end-
Because, I am GOD, your personal GOD, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you."
Isaiah 43:3-6 The Message


My life's journey has taken many twists and turns. There were times I thought I would perish as the waters turbulently rose around me. Thankfully, I am past the rapids and enjoying the smooth trickling waters of a gentle creek.

With each new day there comes new adventures and struggles. The GOD of my past remains the faithful GOD of my present and future. I cling tightly to HIM.

Amazed by HIS grace,

Andrea

Resting In HIS Arms (Aunt Mary)

This morning, Aunt Mary, known by family as Aunt Mel left the pains of this world and stepped gracefully into eternity. She lived a full 99 3/4 years. She taught school in Spartanburg County for "many" years with phenomenal impact on those who crossed her path. After years of hard work, great times with family and friends, sickness and loss of her husband, parents, and siblings, Aunt Mel rests peacefully in her Heavenly Father's arms. She joins a reunion unlike any earthly reunion and celebrates the greatest victory in life.

Please continue to pray for the family.

Pondering the past and looking to the future,

Andrea

Update on Aunt Mary

Aunt Mary (Mel) will be moved to hospice, today. Thank you for your continued prayers!

In HIS grip,
Andrea

Just Be Frugal

No, I have not stolen the title to my dear friend Mary's new blog. I simply wanted to grab your attention. I pray each of you will visit Just Be Frugal and follow Mary. Mary astounds me with her advice on frugality. I do not know anyone who does not want or need advice in this area of their lives. Mary is a gentle, kind, and loving woman of the Lord! I praise GOD for bringing her into my life. She continually blesses me beyond explanation. Join me in receiving the blessings of GOD through the heart of Mary.

Blessed by Godly friendships,

Andrea

Heaven Awaits

Dreaming of a land far away.....
Heaven awaits....


"I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! Their His people, He is their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good-tears gone, crying gone, pain gone-all the first order of things gone." Revelations 21:1-5a The Message


One day we will meet on the other side,

Andrea

"Words"

One day a door opened

A wall torn down

One day a door opened

A deep love was found

Written words

Opened the door

Deep recesses explored

A perfect love she thought

Written words once brought

One day the door slammed closed

A wall arose

The heart once open

Now is closed

"What words," He said

As her heart bled

No longer important

No longer read

The sun once bright

Now a fading light

The door he once opened

Now closed tight

A day to remember

A day to believe

A perfect love she perceived

That day now ends

What she thought important

Was only pretend

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Update On Aunt Mary

Aunt Mary's vitals are good. She was moved out of ICU. She is not resting well. She seems to talk continuously. We praise GOD she is less confused and is not having to endure restraints, anymore.

Thank you, prayer warriors for continuing to storm the heavens on her behalf and on behalf of those caring for her, specifically her daughter Aurelia.

Continuing to pray,

Andrea

Nana's Love

Challenge
Is often needed for love
For courage to love
For courage to speak up when you love!

The above poem was written in the heart of a young, thirteen year old girl known to most as Andee. She found herself growing up in a world without the security she once knew. Her grandmother, Marie Coates died September 27, 1979 after an extremely painful journey with Cancer.

God is faithful to heal and restore the hearts of all who are willing. The little girl known as Andee is now grown and sharing a special relationship with her own granddaughter. I am that little girl!!

As I gaze into the eyes of my precious granddaughter I think of my Nana and realize the gift God has given me. My Nana taught me how to be a Nana, giving me courage to love and speak up when I love.

In the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

Urgent Prayer Request

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My great Aunt Mary was hospitalized with pneumonia. She will be 100 years old in March. She is a wonderful lady who spent many years of her life educating children in South Carolina.

Please also pray for her daughter, Aurelia. She is Aunt Mary's caregiver.

I praise GOD for each of you who faithfully storm the heavens with me. I am blessed to partner with each of you.

Storming the heavens,

Andrea