From the Heart--Dad S

Dear Friends~


I know God loves me.  I know He won't give me more than I can handle with Him.  I know God is faithful.  I know that storms in life strengthen us.I know every prayer is heard, and that He answers every prayer.  He may not answer how we want...but how He wants.  I know God loves me.


I found out late yesterday afternoon that my amazing, very loving Father-in-Law passed away.  He had Alzheimer's and some physical difficulty, but it was a shock.  This man is with Jesus and with my dear Mother-in-Law now, I have no doubt about that.  When we would visit, we would have church in his apartment just before bed time.  I'd read a section of the Bible, and we'd sing, and we'd talk about what we learned from the Bible.  It was incredible times.  The three of us, Dad, Jesus and myself.  Now, he is no longer here for us to go see, to hug, to share with, to watch the Cardinals.  I know he is in a much better place.  I know that we are all very sad that this veteran, this Dad, Grand-Dad, and Great-Grand-Dad will not be able to laugh his contagious laugh, or share that sparkly white smile of his again.  We are sad. I am sad.


I am sharing this because I do not know if I will be able to blog this week.
I will bring my computer with me, but I don't know how much time alone I will have to blog.  If you want a blog...reread the first paragraph of this letter again.  It tells you so much about our Lord, Christ Jesus.   And, even though I know Dad is so much happier, it is OK for us to be sad. 


My son, Joshua, leaves next Sunday.  I will miss out on spending time with him most of this week.  He needs to report in England at the USAF base on Sunday...hopefully, we will have Saturday with him.  I will miss him so much...my heart feels like it is grieving for him.  I will sure need some support when he leaves.  2 years is a long time...even if we can fit in a visit or two.  This is the hardest thing I have gone through.  Fortunately, I pray for him every day and thank the Father for keeping him safe, healthy, happy, and to bring him closer to knowing Him every day. 


If you have a family member who is not yet Saved...don't give up. I urge you to continue praying.  Have others pray.  Lead by example...not by shoving it down their throat.  Be patient.  As patient as you can.  Never give up.


Praying you have a wonderful, God-filled week!  Please leave a comment before Wednesday at midnight to be eligible in the He IS Able Card Set Give Away!  Your name may be randomly drawn.  And, if you sign up to receive the reminder that this blog has a new post...on the top right corner of the blog...it is confidential...I don't know who is signed up, any of the emails, anything...but, you will know when a post is written no matter what  day.  It's free of course, just like God's gift of Salvation--you can't earn your way to Heaven!  Think about both of these things...if you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and want to, leave a comment...someone will pray with you...or go to a church and tell them you want to pray to receive Christ.  They will guide you.  God bless all of you!


He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather


p.s.If Gemiel is reading, or if you know her.  Please let her know I need her to email her mailing address to me, so I can send the cards she claimed.  My email is on the side bar.