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, Savannah 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


* I pray each of you who travel by are doing well. I will be away from the computer and with a dear friend whose husband died, today. Thank you for your prayers, love and encouragement as I share GOD'S love with others!

Upon Loss

Upon Loss


How shall I feel?
Where shall I go?
Where shall my heart be found?

The doors and windows open
Emptiness echoes
Silence despaired

This barn I call home
This shell once filled with warmth
Now Forever changed

Hope I find, eternal only
Moments, hours, days to pass
Earth resides lonely

One day, my best friend
I, too will regain your hand
Together we will dance
In our eternal promise land.

This poem is written for my dear friend, Susan Herring. On Saturday morning, Susan's husband, Billy left his earthly dwelling and climbed into the arms of his Heavenly Father. He will be missed by all who knew him. He wore the love of Christ proudly and shared it through his actions with all whom graced his path.

With a heart full of love and prayers,

Andrea

Azalea Garden At Bryan Park

Last week, Doug and I spent the afternoon with Savannah at Bryan Park, Richmond, Virginia. We wandered through the azalea gardens. Each color unique. I wondered how many times we run past the beauty of GODS creation? How many times do we take it for granted?

Let's slow down and enjoy all that HE has given us. Let's savor the sweet smell of HIS presence in our lives!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

Update on Amden

As many of you know, Amden was diagnosed with Down Syndrome shortly after birth. He faced a few complications with his digestive system in the first week of his life, but since is thriving and doing well. Amden began rolling over far ahead of his peers. With each test the doctors perform they are astounded. Amden is "AHEAD" of his peers. As the doctors shake their heads, we will praise our Heavenly Father who created this precious little one. We are confident GOD has big plans for Amden!

Praising GOD,

Andrea

Watching, Waiting, Trusting

"But for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the GOD of my salvation. My GOD will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me." Micah 7:7 NAS

"But me, I'm not giving up, I'm sticking around to see what GOD will do. I'm waiting for GOD to make things right. I'm counting on GOD to listen to me." Micah 7:7 The Message

No matter the storm, watch eagerly for your LORD!

Watching, waiting, and trusting,

Andrea

Choosing Happiness

"Day and night I will stick with GOD; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go. I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed. " Psalm 16:8-9 The Message

"I have set the Lord continually before me; Because HE is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh will also dwell securely." Psalm 16:8-9 NAS The Message

Today, I choose happiness. I choose to rejoice in the life GOD has chosen for me! What about you?

Choosing happiness,

Andrea

*I will be away from the computer for a few days. I pray each of you will have a beautifully blessed weekend!

Choices

Daily, we are faced with choices. Twenty one years ago (April 14th, 1989), my sister Dayna made a choice, ultimately costing her life. She allowed a teenage friend to drive her car. He in turn made a series of horrific choices. Less than ten minutes and five miles from home her life came to a tragic end.

Every choice in our life has the capability of forever altering our lives and the lives of many others. We must do our best to make wise decisions.

Begin each day with prayer, asking for the ability to make wise decisions. We must listen closely to our Heavenly Father and do what we know in our hearts to be correct.

Not all choices are easy and there will be times when we stumble and fall. We must pick ourselves up and begin again, finding solace in learning from our mistakes and the mistakes of others.

Embrace each day with a positive attitude, looking with eager expectations for it's blessings. Time on this earth, as we know it is fleeting. Live life to it's fullest as you continue to grow into the person GOD created you to be.

Continuing to learn,

Andrea

Embracing Peace

"Embrace peace-don't let it get away." Psalm 34:14b The Message

Some days in our lives are more difficult than others. Often, we are faced with tremendous decisions. These life decisions try our patience and challenge our sanity. We can become caught up in the process or we can choose to embrace peace! The choice is ours. God allows us the freedom to live out our lives as we choose. However, HE desires the best for us. HE offers peace, love, mercy, and forgiveness. Each are ours, if we ask!

Today, amidst the trials and difficulties of this life, I choose peace.....perfect peace....HIS peace!
What about you? Will you leave your burdens at HIS feet?

Embracing HIS peace,

Andrea

Answered Prayer

Even our smallest needs and things others do not deem critical are important to GOD. Many of you know, my Samoyed Nanuq is extremely afraid of thunderstorms. We have tried everything and he is better, but each storm is still a traumatic experience.

Yesterday, I posted on facebook about a storm headed our way. This storm was producing 1 inch size hail, tornado's, 60 mph winds, and lots of rain. Upon reading my post, many offered prayers. This is how our evening went:


The storm approached with a vengeance. Everyone in its path receiving what had been predicted until it came close to our home. As the storm crossed chesterfield county the thunder and lightening diminished. We heard only one small rumble. We received lots of rain and wind, but NO SOUNDS! Nanuq slept through the entire storm! PRAISE GOD!

If anyone asks you today about the power of prayer and it's significance, tell them GOD cares about his animals enough to calm the storms in Chester, Virginia. He tells us to come to HIM with the desires of our heart. If HE cares about me and my dog, then HE most certainly cares about the details in your life, too!

Continuing to storm the heavens,

Andrea

Prayer For Friends!

"Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16 NAS

Let us not forget the best gift we can give our friends is prayer!

Storming the heavens,

Andrea

Share HIS Beauty and Love

These azaleas are beautiful, just as GOD created them to be! We all have beauty inside us. I wonder as I gaze at this photo (taken last spring in my yard) if the beauty inside of me is spilling out? or am I hoarding it for myself?

Let's share God's beauty and blessings from within with all those around us! Let us love one another with the love only GOD can give!

"Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.......Love others as well as you love yourself." Matthew 22:37-40 The Message

Amazed by HIS grace,

Andrea

Happy Easter!

May GOD touch each of you in a special way this Easter! May HE fill you with HIS presence like never before!

Amazed by HIS grace,

Andrea

*I will be with family and away from the computer until Monday.

Each New Season

As the sun sets, so shall it rise again! With the end of each day and each season, another begins. Take hold of each moment....embrace it....cherish it and live life enjoying the beauty of each season!

Embracing God in this season,

Andrea