MP Graduate from Fort Leonard Wood

Last week my little brother Josh graduated as an MP from Fort Leonard Wood.  The whole family, including Grandpa(who now lives with us), set out on a 12 hour trip to Missouri while my other brother John and his girlfriend Mandi came up from Texas for the ceremony.

It was again, way to fast a trip and we barely had 24 hrs it seemed as a whole family together, but it was well worth it anyways now having Josh back home and just being able to be there on his special day!

Following are a few pictures from our time down there. Enjoy.

Emotions…Pictures…Memories

The last three weeks have been life changing, confusing, heart breaking, emotional, frustrating, exciting and filled with a million thoughts and memories.

3 weeks ago today I was on my way down to Sebring FL. to stay with my grandparents and help them get started in organizing and getting ready to move into a smaller place.  Honestly I must confess I wasn’t so excited about going.  I didn’t see being 3 weeks in FL at the top of my favorite most wanted list but in the end I knew that it was what I should do…and now, I can clearly see that my “sacrifice” was part of a greater plan cause during my questioning time God gave me an understanding heart and told me something that at the time I didn’t want to believe but now know He had prepared me for.

The first part of week 1 was slow and relaxing as I helped just do general cleaning and a bit of organizing, helping my Grandma go through old files, sitting out in the sun, taking picture around the missionary retirement village they lived in and just chillin’.

Then on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at around 10:45pm my Grandma was called home to her King and Savior. Suddenly. Unexpected…but then again that is what God had prepared me for. I know it may sound weird but you can ask a couple different people who I told the sense I had that this was going to happen.   It was such a strange yet amazing feeling that God truly was there with us and I was so not alone during everything that took place that weekend and through out the next 2 weeks.

God’s grace was there.

is here.

will always be.

Its something I have continually to be reminded of.  He will not take us through fire and trials without His hand holding us through it all.

and He was.

It was painfully hard watching my Grandpa go through it all though.  Hard to see him grieving, getting confused cause sadly, his mind is going and he sometimes couldn’t remember what had just happened 5 mins. ago.  It was heart wrenching but beautiful that he was holding Grandma when she died. He was quoting scripture and God blessed him with a very clear mind throughout that evening.  He said he saw angels in the room with him.

‘Angels’ were everywhere. The support I got from all the staff, friends and nurses at the village, from my family and dear friends up here in Michigan….I couldn’t have made it through without God’s sustaining grace and all the prayers that were lifted up!  Thank you all from the depth of my heart!

Yes it hasn’t been easy since then.  2 weeks have passed and 2 memorial/funeral services later we now have Grandpa living with us. Taking one day at a time is our motto.  Each moment loving him and trying to make him feel a part of our family. Its hard for sure. A sacrifice for us all. A time of testing. A time to leave it all at Christ’s feet and trust Him each day.

One of the good things about all this is that my brother John was able to come home for the funeral last week. It was a short and bitter sweet visit but always so good to see him!   Unfortunately my brother Josh wasn’t able to get away from his MP training. 

These are some verses that lifted me up with hope that my Savior was holding me in His hand during these last 3 weeks.

My eyes are upon You, O God the LORD; in You I take refuge! Ps. 141:8

Psalm 61. God was and is my Rock. My Strong Tower. My Shelter.

As for me, I would seek God and to God I would commit my cause. Who does great things and unsearchable marvelous things with out number. He gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields. He sets on high those who are lowly and those who mourn are lifted to safety!  Job 5:8-11

You are my God and I will give thanks to You. You are my God; I will extol You! Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His steadfast love ENDURES FOREVER!!!  Ps. 118:28-29

…Now to move on into this next page of life God has planned for me! Stay tuned!

I’m a terrible blogger….

…obviously!!!  Ok so I tried to come up with a million different excuses for why I haven’t been posting on here, but I thought you(if there is anyone still keep up with my “lack of” blogging) probably wouldn’t care to hear all that and would rather hear and see whats been going on in my world.

First I have a question….along with being a terrible blogger I am also really bad at making a blog look good.  I like wordpress for a lot of things and though I’ve used blogger before I’d rather not move around too much(even though they have more stuff for cool backgrounds) but I’m starting to hate my layout and would love to hear any suggestions and ideas for what you think would make Graceful Designs look better.

Ok, so I’ve been a pretty bad photographer lately too.  I just haven’t felt in the mood to take pictures, and haven’t had a photo shoot job in… forever. Maybe its the weather. Yeah, here in Michigan it pretty much stinks for any outdoor stuff.  Soooo….I’ve also been looking for a part time job. Anything really.  And nothing is happening.

But…I am blessed. God has been teaching me  a lot, stretching me, growing me in ways that bring Him glory. I’m loving the fact that He has given me the opportunity to get more involved with the Christian Rock/Hip hop band I’m a part of over in Flint .  On February 27th some friends of ours were hosting a hip hop concert and we were able to perform along with them on a couple songs.

Its definitely been a lot of new stuff for me, since pretty much a year ago I wasn’t doing or involved in half the things I am now….I am very thankful and know I really needed all this change.

So anyways…I do have some pictures to share so with no further rambling here you go. Enjoy!

My brother and dear friend Mandi.   I was so blessed to be able to spend time with them while down in Texas in January.

My little friend Callahan and I.  He is growing up so fast!

These are my dear brothers at the concert they did a week ago.   www.elmm.com

Etsy Shop Cleaning…

Hey everyone!  Doing some early spring cleaning in the Lily Spring Craft Room and everything is on sale over at the Etsy shop !!!

Go check it out!

SUUBI [HOPE]

Last fall I signed up to be a part of spreading Suubi[HOPE] for those in need over in Uganda.

Below are the necklaces I have left for sale. [All proceeds go directly back to providing income for the women who made the necklaces]

Contact me at  gracefuldesigns@ymail.com if you are interested in purchasing one.  Thanks!

I have:

2  Half Classics

3 Newsy

2 Black chokers.

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“Half Classics”  : $15

“Newsy”  : $20

“Little Black Choker”  : $10

You can also check out their websites for more information and to purchase more necklaces or other things they have for sale or even order your own spread box and continue to share the HOPE that is in Uganda!

Suubiafrica.com Lightgivesheat.org

True Christianity…

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

Texas pictures

Go check out my Facebook page for more pictures.

Texas

I arrived home on Thursday from my almost 3 week vacation in Texas. I had a great time visiting with friends and spending time with my brother and yes I have pictures to share!

Stay tuned!

2010 is just around the corner…

…and I just got our family pictures done last week. The weather was frightfully cold so I was only able to get a few pictures…but they were enough and we are all happy with how it turned out!

So much has happened in this year! Looking back, I’d say its been a well filled and profitable 12 months and I’m looking forward to this next year and all that God has in store for me.  I had a bunch of firsts this year…actually to many to count and I don’t regret a single one of them as they have widened my horizons, taught and encouraged and strengthened my faith and given me a whole new perspective on living Christ like to those around me.  I’d love to share more but for now I will leave you with this well written devotional I read this morning.  May all our hearts be tuned to this kind of prayer and openness to our Savior’s voice.

May you all have a blessed New Year!!!

~Grace

A Prayer for Good Works

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

The great paradox of God’s sovereignty over our lives and His expectation of our willful obedience and joyful labor in His Kingdom has often confused the saints. I know that God will be with me always (Matthew 28:20), but I also know that He expects me to “work out” my own salvation (Philippians 2:12).

I’ve prayed this prayer many times before. Will you join with me today?

Oh Lord, God. We cannot know the end of a thing. We do not have certainty about the plans of our days. Forgive us when we try without consulting You. Forgive our blundering efforts to make something happen. We do love You, and we want  to please You, but our lives are so caught up in the things of this world. Help us, Lord! Help us to know how much we need You. Help us to see the real values of eternal things. Give us a greater awareness of Your Holy Spirit. Give us a holy awe of Your Word. Drive us to our knees more often, Lord. Keep us close.

Oh, our Father. Separate us from the sins that hinder and blind. Meet us in the halls of our heart, and sanctify us there. Protect us from the secret and presumptuous sins and renew a right spirit within us. And then, Lord Jesus, embolden us for the work ahead. Provide our daily bread. Cleanse our sins and enrich our fellowship with the saints. Clothe us in the armor of God and place us where we must stand. Enable us to resist the enemy in the faith, see his strongholds crumble and his minions flee. Grant us a fruitful harvest and an effective ministry. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  – Henry Morris III

True L.O.V.E

TRUE CHRISTIAN LOVE

Arthur W. Pink

Love is the Queen of the Christian graces. It is a holy disposition given to us when we are born again by God. It is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. True spiritual love is characterized by meekness and gentleness, yet it is vastly superior to the courtesies and kindnesses of the flesh.

We must be careful not to confuse human sentimentality, carnal pleasantries, human amiability and affability with true spiritual love. The love God commands, first to Himself and then to others, is not human love. It is not the indulgent, self-seeking love which is in us by nature. If we indulgently allow our children to grow up with little or, no Scriptural discipline, Proverbs plainly says we do not love them, regardless of the human sentimentality and affection we may feel for them. Love is not a sentimental pampering of one another with a loose indifference as to our walk and obedience before the Lord. Glossing over one another’s faults to ingratiate ourselves in their esteem is not spiritual love.

The true nature of Christian love is a righteous principle which seeks the highest good of others. It is a powerful desire to promote their welfare. The exercise of love is to be in strict conformity to the revealed will of God. We must love in the truth. Love among the brethren is far more than an agreeable society where views are the same. It is loving them for what we see of Christ in them, loving them for Christ’s sake.

The Lord Jesus Himself is our example. He was not only thoughtful, gentle, self-sacrificing and patient, but He also corrected His mother, used a whip in the Temple, Severely scolded His doubting disciples, and denounced hypocrites. True spiritual love is above all faithful to God and uncompromising towards all that is evil. We cannot declare, ‘Peace and Safety’ when in reality there is spiritual decay and ruin!

True spiritual love is very difficult to exercise because it is not our natural love. By nature we would rather love sentimentally and engender good feelings. Also many times true spiritual love is not received in love, but is hated as the Pharisees hated it. We must pray that God will fill us with His love and enable us to exercise it without dissimulation toward all.