Focus

The dance of life distracts from what is most important. The slow movements of each day warrant attention before the chaos of many yesterdays crumble beneath our feet. Let's keep our focus on our Heavenly Father and nothing else!

By His mercy and in the grip of His grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Weary, Wounded, and Broken

"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NLT


Weary, wounded, and broken are many these days. Take courage and know GOD will go with you giving you rest through out your journey. HE doesn't promise us freedom from struggles, but HE does promise to be with us all the way through them.


"But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
    O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.
² When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord, your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
    I gave Ethiopia^[a] and Seba in your place." 
Isaiah 43: 1-3 NLT


By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Lesson, Be Real

Life is.....Just a final journey

Step by step
Mistakes
Mishaps

Stumble
Crawl
Even I fall

Some how
Some way
With pain
With Purpose

Strained insight revealed
Not at all glorious
Lesson,
"Be real"

My life
My journey
One day will close
Finality on this earth

Lesson
"Be real"

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Update and URGENT Prayer Request for David Smith

Please "storm the heavens in prayer"for my brother in law, David Smith. David has Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia.This week, David began a new regimen of Chemo. Many of you have been praying for him for some time and our family deeply appreciates your time, love, encouragement, and prayers.

Also, please continue to pray for my sister, Courtney as she cares for him. Many of you know and understand how hard it is for the person closest to the patient.

Again, THANK YOU for your continued prayers!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Easter

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NLT


By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea

No Root Bed

In the past two weeks we have lost two large red oaks. Both fell through our fence. The first one was dead, but this one was alive. So why did it fall? On examination, Doug said, "There was basically "no" root bed and that is unusual for a red oak."

"No" root bed! What does this mean to me? I look fine from the outside, but what do my roots look like? If I fall over and leave this world what will my husband, children, and grandchildren see? Am I leaving a worthy legacy for them?

Lets seek to be all GOD created us to be. When we mess up, lets ask for forgiveness and begin again. Lets leave this world still building stronger roots and a heritage worth leaving behind.

For those feeling a bit like you don't have much to work with. That's okay, God loves showing off and making great treasures out of broken vessels. Join me and we will cling with all we have got to our precious Lord as HE works miracles in and through our hearts!

By His mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Write It Down

"This is what the Lord, the GOD of Israel, says: Write down for the record everything I have said to you, Jeremiah." Jeremiah 30:2

Has God ever asked you to "write something down?" When we write, our words have lasting value. Many times we give up, too soon. We want to skip or not think about the pain. For me, hope and victory come through "writing it down!" However, over the years "the written words" have been safely tucked away in journals and notebooks for no one else to see.

When God said, "write it down" a couple of years ago I replied, "I already did that!"

He said, "Write it down, again and this time share them with the world!"

I have not been faithful to the task. Yes, I have been "writing it down," but not continually. This past week a fellow christian posted a facebook status reigning down conviction on my heart. I began again. Thankfully, our GOD does "not" give up on us. He lets us begin anew when we fall or stumble.

Now, to begin again allowing God guide the words through my pen. The timing and completion are in His hands. Please join me in prayer as I seek to be faithful to His call.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Scoop The Poop

Sitka is the largest of our fur babies, weighing in at about 125 pounds. The snow has melted and spring has sprung in Richmond, Virginia. It's time to clean up and prepare to play outside. Yesterday, as I scooped the poop in our back yard I pondered about the "poop" in my life!

Poop sometimes represents the stinky truth. Yes, you heard me...truth stinks, sometimes. We need to keep the poop out of our hearts and lives, otherwise our very existence  begins to stink. So, let's keep scooping and getting rid of the bad stuff. After all, when we go a few days with out scooping, the poop piles up!

Be encouraged and know you are not alone. We all have "stinky stuff/poop" we need to get rid of in our lives. None of us are exempt. Join me and let's keep scooping!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

The Vein and The Pain Run Deep

The veins in the petal of each flower run deep, signifying life. Our lives are full of petals and each petal is full of veins. Each vein holds pain and happiness. We usually let the happy times shine. The depth of our pain is often carefully hidden, yet never completely. We may think we can hide the pain, but others see it through the vein. Today, I find myself sorting through the pain praying GOD will give me the appropriate words to share. When revealing the damaging part of our lives we should examine our motives.

Revealing the pain of the past should:

~Always bring health and healing.
~Help others who are hurting.
~Promote understanding.
~Draw others close to GOD!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Happy Birthday Doug!

On February 28th, 1943 a wonderful man was born. Before Doug's second birthday his father joined heaven after storming the banks of Normany and marching through France. He fought valiantly and sacrificed his own life in order for his son, Doug to live and enjoy freedom in America. Doug was raised by his mother, a wonderful godly woman who provided him with many opportunities and experiences. The greatest gift she gave him was the gift of love and family.

Together, Doug and I share five wonderful children, an awesome son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and two gorgeous, loving grandchildren. In our family, Doug is NOT biologically related to any of us. He chose us! By choosing us, Doug is a daily reminder of GOD's love and the love of Christ!

THANK YOU, Doug for being a constant reminder of how much GOD loves us! We love you and we are thankful GOD chose you to be a part of our lives!

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Innocence and Example of a Child

A couple of weeks ago, Doug and I traveled to Stanley, Virginia to visit friends. We decided to eat a late lunch at a local restaurant, The Hawksbill Diner (1388 E Main St Stanley, VA 22851). We enjoyed home cooked food, but were entertained by the most charming little girl. Her name is Kaylee.

Kaylee oozed with the sweet innocence of a child. Jesus calls us to have the heart of a child. He wants us to love and encourage others without conditions or preconceived ideas of what they should or should not be. Kaylee was not afraid to speak her mind. She was confident and kind as she bubbled over with smiles.

Thank you, Kaylee for brightening our day and reminding us to be kind to all those in our path. Thank you to Kaylee's parents for allowing the use of this photo taken during our visit. May GOD bless and use your family in ways beyond what you could ask or imagine!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Seven Years and Counting

Like wool, our marriage has continued to breath and keep us warm despite occasional soaking rains from life's storms. God continues to grow and change each of us, for the better. Some of life's lessons have been easy, some difficult. Many days in "The Perdue Zoo" have been both exciting and scary. Each of our tomorrows never fail to give new definition to adventure. The lines between dream and reality blur as best friends continue to dance through this life as one!

Happy Anniversary, my love!

D: Divinely chosen to complete my life!
O: Obsessively observant...the quality I love to hate:)
U: Understanding when life makes no sense!
G: Genuine~The authentic real deal!
L: Loving when I am not lovable!
A: Amazing husband and father!
S: Safe haven when my heart is weak!

Forever and Always,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Journal Notes: My Nana

 In June of 1978, Nana was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease. Any form of cancer in the seventies was a death sentence. Not much was known about cancer and it caused fear in the hearts of many. Friends and some family backed away, probably unsure of what to say or do.

Quickly, Nana's body was racked with pain and eaten alive from the inside out. We kept her at home as long as possible. At age 12,  I spent my days by her side learning to give medicine and care for her other needs. I read and talked to her; it is where I wanted to be. I treasure those moments in time as painful as they were for both she and I.

Nana's physician would come by weekly to check on her and administer chemo. He would sit at the kitchen table and mix the drugs for her chemotherapy. He carefully and methodically tried to save his patient, but nothing worked. The tray of medications was enormous, but Nana continued to decline, daily.

From early June to late September; that's all the time three little girls had left with the most important person in their lives. Papa lived for about two more years, but it was not the same. Papa spoiled us, but Nana  had provided a safe haven from the outside world. Life forever changed in her absence. Heaven gained a godly mother and grandmother,  earth lost a priceless treasure.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

More Exerts From My Journal

More exerts from my journal:


My father, eighteen and mother, fourteen when I was conceived eloped shortly after my mothers fifteenth birthday.  Each of my parents searched for love, but evidence of true love did not exist. Possibly each felt they had found true love, but love does not knowingly provoke harm.

My fathers heart embodied a childhood of abuse rendering him volatile. Did he realize his anger spewed and wounded each of us? Did he feel remorse?

My mother, a child herself never grew strong enough to defend herself or her children. She found freedom from my father when he divorced her after the tragic death of my youngest sister in 1989.

Unfortunately, both of my parents live out their lives without the joy of truly knowing their children or enjoying healthy relationships with us. While both seem content in their own worlds, I fear neither understand or comprehend the true love of Christ and the peace and contentment only GOD can provide.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Personal Thoughts

Sharing a personal journal entry, today:

My Nana would have been about forty two years old when I was born to her fifteen year old daughter. She must have been worried and upset at the prospect of her little girl raising a little girl. I am confident her heart broke as life became increasingly complicated for her new grandchild.

Nana did her best to keep my life normal and make me feel safe until the day she was taken from this world. By the time of her death at age fifty four, her face was full of wrinkles and she had been dying her hair for years. Could stress have taken its toll on her young body? The same body taken had cradled me and the same hands lovingly made my clothes and fixed all my favorite foods. The heart now with GOD loved me despite the circumstances of my birth. I wonder if she thought it coincidence or a divine appointment I was born on the same date as her own mother, my great grandmother?

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Oh, That I Would Listen!

God speaks loudly through His creation:

Thunder burst forth...
Yet some do not hear.

God remains faithful...

Holding...
Strengthening...
Moving...

Oh that I would listen...

Lord, help me to hear Your still small voice in the midst of each storm!

Last weekend, Doug and I attended a family members wedding. During the vows a long rumble of thunder rolled through the beautiful sanctuary. GOD spoke clearly to my heart through the words above! No matter what I experience in this world, HE is my strength and shield. HE is forever faithful! Sometimes, my mind becomes so cluttered it takes a large rumble of thunder in the midst of profound silence to get my attention.

As I giggled, my much more dignified cousin punched and shushed me. I promptly got myself together and thought, "Yes, my precious LORD, I hear You!" God has a great since of humor. Hearing thunder during a January wedding in South Carolina is quite unusual.

Later, Doug told me he felt God's hand brush his shoulder during the thunder. You might say, "how did he know it was God?" Good question. There was "no one" sitting on the pew behind him. My eyes widened and my heart smiled as I recognized God's presence in each detail of our lives.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

~Thank you to each of you who have been praying for Doug and I. Thank you for your continued prayers as we embrace each day seeking HIS complete healing in every area of our lives, especially Doug's body.

Update on Doug: Small amount (5%) of cancer (slow growing) in one strand of the twelve biopsy's. He will be monitored by the Urologist on a regular basis! THANKS for your continued prayers! We greatly appreciate them.

 By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Please storm the heavens in prayer for my husband, Doug. Recently, his PSA levels jumped from .8 to 7.4. After repeated blood-work, the levels maintained an elevated status. We met with our urologist in late December. After examination, he scheduled a biopsy. Today, Dr. Morgan did 12 biopsy's. We meet with Dr. Morgan on January 25th to discuss the results and treatment options, if necessary.

Up until today, Doug did NOT want to discuss his medical situation. The children and I respected his request. We only shared it with some family and a few close friends. After Doug's biopsy, he asked me to write about his medical situation.

Doug loves the Lord and knows the power of prayer. He and I both appreciate your love, encouragement, and prayers more than you will ever know.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea

Just Do It!

As we continue to surrender our burdens, our greatest fears, and our deepest needs let us cling to HIS presence, HIS peace, HIS comfort, and HIS strength!

Enough said.....Just do it!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Mountain Climbing

As you stand atop the mountain in your life, continue to keep your focus on your Heavenly Father. Just as HE gave you enough energy to reach the top HE will carefully help you down the other side. Mountain climbing doesn't end at the top.

Everyone loves the view, but the most important part of mountain climbing is steady endurance. When climbing life's mountains we must prepare ourselves.

~Are you prepared?
~Are you ready?
~Do you have the right gear?
~Are you running ahead of GOD?

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea