Just Because He Loves Me

Have you ever received a gift from someone "just because they loved you?"  Some of my most special gifts were presents given to me by my husband "JUST BECAUSE HE LOVED ME!"  

It wasn't Valentine's Day, our Anniversary, my Birthday, Christmas, or any other special occasion. It was just because he loved me.  I have a ring that I have worn for over 40 years. It's as special as my engagement ring and my wedding band. One day for no reason Jerry came home with this gift. It wasn't anything extravagant or expensive, but to me it was the most beautiful ring in the world. I have always called it my "JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES ME RING."  And there were other just because he loves me gifts - things that meant so much because they were given from a heart of love.

They are the best gifts. I was thinking of how many gifts God has given me through the years "just because He loves me." This beautiful world, waking up every morning, my health, more blessings than I deserve, friends and family, and the best gift of all - His Son Jesus.  

"JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES ME!!!!!"

   

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

Home Again

I made it home from my trip on Wednesday evening. It was a strange drive home. I had planned on using the GPS on my phone, because my other GPS is out of date and I didn't like the way it wanted to take me. 

 I'd been driving about an hour and I lost service on my phone. For almost an hour and a half I was without service. I had to go back to using my regular GPS which was really confused by the way I was going and kept telling me to turn around. But I kept going on Highway 73, a two lane highway in Southern Ohio that travels through farmland and small, almost deserted little towns with buildings long boarded up. I kept thinking maybe I would see a McDonald's or something familiar. 

I grew up watching Twilight Zone, so I was sure I had driven into another dimension. I just kept praying I wouldn't break down along this long stretch of highway. And then finally civilization - Walmart and a McDonald's. And my phone had service again. 

So thankful for God's safety and the prayers of friends and family.

The trip was really great.  One of the blessings on my trip was getting to see my grandson, Gavin, baptized. 

My grandson, Gavin, getting baptized

My son, Mark, with Alexis and Gavin

 

 Isn't the love of Jesus something wonderful!!! 

Prayers

As I spend time with my sons and their families, I realize how important it is that I pray for them each day. Raising children is not an easy task. 
I tell them that their kids will grow up, but then there are different circumstances with each age that you have to learn to handle. And they do grow up fast. It is like they are a whisper in the wind. They are only there for a moment and you need to hang on to that moment as long as you can, because it doesn't come again. 
I've enjoyed seeing all my grand kids over the holidays. I love all the cuddling, playing, and laughing. But it does end too soon.

Elena

Evan

Cincinnati Museum Center

Emma

Ethan

Ethan, Elena, Jackie, Evan, and Emma

My Son, Aaron, with Evan, Emma, and Ethan

 

I love you. Please be praying for my traveling as I head back home Wednesday.

Augusta, Kentucky

One of the days I was in Cincinnati, we crossed the Ohio River on a ferry boat to visit the little river town of Augusta, Kentucky. It is the home town of George Clooney and Rosemary Clooney.

It was beautiful crossing the Ohio River and I enjoyed the time I spent with some of my family.

Another Soda Shop

Rosemary Clooney's Home

January

Time to get back to routine. Many people are going back to work today and kids are going back to school. The festivities of the holidays are over. 

People sometimes dread the beginning of a new year. There's tax time and getting organized for the new year. People fear what changes might come into their lives in 2013.

I remember when we began 2012. Jerry had just had his transplant. We had no clue to what was ahead for us. We wanted to be full of hope and excited about the new year and prayed everyday that God would heal Jerry and give us some more years together. God already knew what was going to happen in our lives. He knew ahead of time about Jerry's illness and what we would face. With God there are no surprises.

^{Psalm 46:1-3}

 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

 ^{Psalm 46:7}

 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

I tell myself every morning that God is in control of my today, He's in control of my tomorrow and my 2013.

GOD IS ALREADY IN MY TOMORROW.

He already knows what each day is going to bring into my life. He's walking ahead of me and preparing the way. 

2013 is going to be the best year ever!

Maybe 2013 will be the year that the Lord returns.

Welcome 2013

Happy New Year!!!

At midnight we said goodbye to 2012 and welcomed in a fresh new year - 2013. I actually made it until midnight. 

I never make resolutions, but I know I have dreams and hopes for the new year and I always want to thrive to  make improvements in my life.

2012 was a year of so many events and changes. I had planned on growing old with Jerry and sharing a lot of New Years. God had different plans.

I pray that God will give me the strength and courage I need as I start this new chapter of 2013.

And I pray that God will bless each one of you in this New Year! I love you.

The following verse is the verse I am claiming for 2013. I feel like I need God's help and guidance more than ever in my life. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

More Pictures From My Christmas Adventure

 My son, Scott, Lisa, and I stopped at an old soda shop in Blake's Pharmacy in West Union, Ohio. I felt  I had stepped back in time. We ordered a vanilla cream soda, a coke float, and a malt all for the grand total of $3.00.

My grandson, Greg

My Adventure Continues

Yesterday, December 29, was a very hard day for me. I couldn't help but think that a year ago, Jerry and I were at Duke and it was the day of his transplant. We would have been celebrating his one year Birthday. We were so full of hope.  I still have the HOPE of knowing that one day we'll be together again.

I am so thankful to family and friends for helping me make it through this first Christmas. I am so blessed. It was great spending time with everybody.

I continued on my trip today. I headed for the Cincinnati area. I thought I better continue with my journey before I was snowed in again. I told Neal that if the snow continues I would probably see him sometime in the Spring. The snow has been so beautiful. It has also been very cold.

 

One of my favorite movies is "An Affair To Remember". It stars Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. I remember a line from the movie - "Winter must be cold for those who have no warm memories."

I'm so thankful for all my warm memories.