~THE JOURNEY~

~My Momma and I~

My Birthday 12/17/13

Gosh...where to begin!  

Before I update you on what's been happening in our lives I want to take just a moment to say a big THANK YOU to those of you who've written such thoughtful notes and have kept my Mr. AGP Man and I in your prayers during the past six months. Your friendships have become some of the best I've known in my life and I'm humbled by both your remembrance and kindness.  

~Birthday Roses~

From My Beautiful Daughter

"The Lord is the One who will go before you.

He will be with you;

He will not leave you or forsake you.

Do not be afraid or discouraged."

(Deuteronomy 31:8)

In mid July my husband was laid off from his job of nearly 17 years.  After the initial shock set in we struggled to process and understand the reasons behind the termination.  All I can tell you is that outsourcing and downsizing won out again in America.  It is as simple and as complicated as that.  We don't understand it...but have accepted it for being what it is.

Just life stuff.

And life stuff is always going to happen.

"Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth

trembles and the mountains topple into the depths

of the seas..."

(Psalm 46:2)

What I want to share with you today isn't so much about how we meandered the winding and unpredictable roads of life since the summer, but more about something I personally learned about keeping my faith strong while struggling to trust God with, well...absolutely everything.

I've come to understand in a fresh, almost encouraging way, the twists and turns, gains and losses, successes and failures in life can teach us something new if we will only allow them to do so.

I've also learned the word "devastating" needs to be removed from my vocabulary and used only when speaking of the most difficult of circumstances.

Sandy Hook comes to mind.

I've carelessly tossed the word around and used it to describe minor disappointments and unforeseen non-tragic occurrences in my life for who knows how many years.  I've also learned the defeat is not in fighting life's adversity, but in giving in.

So, both my guy and I pressed on.

Even when we were both overwhelmed, discouraged and even sometimes afraid we refused to give in.  In addition to running my AGP website, having a local booth space and taking special Christmas and Holiday orders, I also took a part-time job to help supplement my hubby's unemployment check while he helped me more than ever with all the aspects of my business.  There were many days we found ourselves coming and going and production of product sometimes suffered.  My website wasn't as full as I would have liked, special orders took longer to complete and my booth offerings dwindled down.  And blogging...well...blogging...

it took a backseat to

everything.

I tried my best to encourage my beloved as he applied for many jobs, sent out countless résumés and then waited...and waited and waited.

Tough days for sure.

But, not devastating ones.

Over Thanksgiving we celebrated with our family and thanked God, in the midst of the job loss, we were all healthy, strong and together.  As another Christmas Season frosted it's way into our lives I began thanking Him early for the abundance we had enjoyed in the past, the comfort of our La Chaumière de Briarwood, continued business from both new and longtime customers and His never-ending grace and peace.  During the moments when I prayed quietly alone I wasn't afraid to boldly ask God for a wonderful job for the husband of my youth.

Trusting was sometimes hard.
And sometimes we felt alone.
But, deep inside I believed that even
during the dark days
He would provide.

And He has...

An amazing new job offer has come and we are beyond blessed by the fabulous news...

  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

(Jeremiah 29:11-12)

A couple of days ago I celebrated a birthday and I'm grateful for another year of life.  I lunched with my beautiful mother (who will turn 80 next year) and visited with my ailing father who is almost 84.  Through the good and the not-so-good of life I'm beyond amazed and thankful that in those in-between days
when the grass is green for someone else,
when blessings are bestowed upon another,
that my Father, in heaven,
continues to love and care for us,
hear our prayers,
and answer them
in His time.

I'm not sure what the New Year holds.

But then, do we ever?

I can only tell you a heavy yoke has been lifted and pride shattered.  We've been left with a profound sense of God's tender care and with His help
we will begin again.

Thank you again for your prayers and concern.
I hope to share more with you soon.

Love to you, as always, and may
CHRISTMAS 2013
be Merry and Bright.

~IT'S BEEN DECREED~

~SPENDING TIME WITH AUNTIE ADRIENNE~

Yesterday something wonderful happened in our family.

I've shared with you over the years my deep love for my only grandchild.  I call her Miss K for privacy reasons even though I love her given name of
Kylah.

It means Beautiful One.

Ten years ago our sweet grandgirl was preparing to enter the world even though from the beginning she was already safely ensconced inside our hearts.  She couldn't possibly have known it then but she would soon take her place within a family unit who would never waiver in their love, support and belief in her.

She is that special.

~I REMEMBER THIS BEING A TOUGH DAY~

A decade ago my Mr. AGPMan and I watched from behind the scenes as our son became a young father, then a man and then a beloved daddy.  He loved, supported and fought for his girl and has provided for her a wonderful home.  When he married our daughter-in-love, Sarah, four years ago she became our Miss K's momma.  We are blessed to have her in our family!

Although carried in the womb of another woman, yesterday the courts decreed that the adoption of our Miss K by our SarahGirl is legal and final and that she is, and always will be, our Miss K's mother...

Note to my Miss K:

Don't ever forget for a single moment that you've been CHOSEN!

I will love you forever,

Your only and forever,

Nana

~~*~~

 

Today I thank God for the difficult days of long ago because ultimately they became my friend.  They helped drive me beyond a place of ease and into a quiet place of constant prayer.

Yesterday the long awaited answer

to hundreds of prayers came.

 ~BEAUTIFUL CHILD~

Celebrating with a grateful heart!

Love to you... 

~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING...Sweet Hour of Prayer~

 

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

 

~*~

Thinking of you all today and thanking God for the blessing each of you are to me in my life.

Love to you...

~HIS PROTECTIVE HAND and Not a Scratch~

~Christmas 1982~

Brandon and his Momma

Earlier this morning after dropping my Miss K off at school my son was involved in a serious automobile accident during rush hour traffic.  We aren't sure of all the details because the crash happened very fast, but Brandon's SUV was totaled and was completely flipped over.  Miraculously he was able to unbuckle his seat belt and crawl out the hatch.  The other driver never even braked...

Do I EVEN need to tell you how grateful I am my son AND the other driver were not killed in this accident?  More and MORE I seen the protective hand of God in my life and in the lives of my children.

Just one more thing to be grateful for this year.  I'm on my knees once again this morning thanking God for His mercy and grace.

Love to you all...

This grateful Momma...

~WILL YOU PRAY? Where Two or Three Are Gathered...~

~WILL YOU PRAY?~

Dear Blogger, Website and eBay Friends...

This afternoon I received a phone call from my youngest sister, Jen, sharing with me the news that our brother-in-law suffered a stroke early this morning. Greg is the husband of my older sister, Linda, and he is not quite 52 years old. Greg is a wonderful Christian husband and father and has been a beacon of strength for my sister for almost 30 years. He serves faithfully as Worship Leader in a church outside of Nashville and is dearly loved by many.

At this time I only have a little bit of news... I know at present there are some physical problems associated with those who have experienced a stroke. Greg is currently undergoing an MRI that will hopefully tell us more...we are waiting for the results.

Will those of you who believe in the power of prayer, pray? I believe in a healing, loving, merciful Jesus and I know He is in the midst of all of this uncertainty. Pray especially for God's healing touch and for peace to come over Greg, my sister and her children. These are difficult days...

Blessings as you lift up those you love to the Most High...Rebecca ...and...thank you! :....(

THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYING

One of the greatest privileges in my life has come from being the mother of a beautiful daughter. My girl’s name is Adrienne, and she is truly one of the most kind and gentle people I’ve ever known. If she wasn’t my daughter I would choose her as a friend. In the 24 plus years she’s been in my life I’ve never known her to intentionally hurt anyone. She has a heart of gold and carries upon her young shoulders more burdens than I even begin to share with you… During my entire life she has never failed to bless me for deep inside her she shines with the presence of the Lord.

So…when I answered the phone this afternoon and heard sobbing on the other end I knew instantly something serious was up. Unlike me my girl isn’t a crier. She is more like her father…stoic and strong and holds her emotions close to her chest. Even as a little girl she would run into her bedroom before shedding a tear in front of her family. It was and always will be, Adrie’s way…

I struggled at first to understand the words on the other end of the phone. My first thought was that deep sadness had overcome my girl as both she and her hubbs attended the funeral this morning of his beloved Aunt Anne… She had passed earlier in the week…much too young to leave this earth. Still…her sorrow seemed compounded by more than death and I wasn’t sure why… So…I continued to listen.

“Mom…I need you to pray! Right now…PRAY!”

Adrie began to share with me something serious that was pressing in on her young life…a concern that was greater than she and one that would require the help of a healing, loving God. Through her sobs I listened as she spoke of the sorrow of a friend…there was so much tragedy and real fear. I promised her I would pray; all the while assuring her that NOTHING was too big for our Lord…

As I hung up the phone I immediately offered up my prayers to the Most High. I’m so grateful and thankful that even though my prayers sometimes feel a bit awkward and my attempts to talk with the Creator of all life often sound a little feeble, I must remember the real POWER is in HIM…the ONE who HEARS all of our prayers...

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and He saves those whose spirits have been crushed. (Psalm 34:18)

Blessings to you as you cast every care upon Him…Rebecca

TAKING TIME TO PRAY

Every morning when I wake up I search my tiny library of favorite books for an encouraging read. It’s become a habit of sorts. I find if I do not take a few minutes to arouse my slumbering spirit, the calm of the dawn ends up being replaced with the chaos of the day. More often than not the remaining 23.5 hours spin helplessly out of control and I’m left with a mountain of half-finished projects when the clock strikes midnight…

I read a little today about Susanna Wesley. I learned she was certainly no stranger to suffering! She lived in the shadow of poverty, illness, and hardship. She gave birth to nineteen children but only nine would survive! Even with such heartache (can you even imagine losing 10 babies?), she stayed faithful and committed herself to teaching her children the things of God. Though her huge family was squeezed into a tiny cottage, she valued quiet time with the Lord AND she made sure she carved out time in her day for it! When she sat down and pulled her apron over her head, her children knew not to disturb her (she was praying). Her faithfulness had huge rewards, too! One of her sons, John, went on to found the Methodist Church. Another son, Charles, wrote over nine THOUSAND hymns...

So…as I thought about Susanna and her faith I couldn’t help but wonder if I prayed enough for my children when they were little…or more so, pray enough for them now that they are grown?

Asking myself that question also gave me the answer….

“Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” Proverbs 22:6 NLT

Blessings…Rebecca