How do we find joy in this world?

This is how.....


 “To receive all with grace, then, with thanks, break the bread and pass it; move out into the larger circle of life and wash the feet of the world with that grace.

Without the breaking and giving away, without the bending and washing of feet — the communion service isn’t complete.

That’s what His bent body language preaches: The Communion service is only complete in service.

Communion, by necessity, always leads us into community.”

{~One Thousand Gifts}

The height of joy isn’t simply to be blessed — but to become the blessing.

The height of joy isn’t to have blessings actualized — but to become the actual blessing.

Not to be blessed with stuff — but to become the blessing in service.

Loving your enemies can break your heart and this is how you break free and Gospel-
love recklessly makes all the enemies friends



Wright's Empty Basket

Honestly, until this morning I have been dreading Easter. Easter, like ALL holidays, was a favorite for Wright. I know, I know, it is for most kids. But you see, Wright was NEVER like most kids. He was truly an "old soul". Most people that met him would agree. He moved to his own beat....he appreciated the little things, he saw good in everybody, he liked everybody, he enjoyed making people feel special, he was a gift giver and would create you a gift from his own things, he never expected anything in return, he was very thoughtful, he remembered everything you told him, he could keep secrets, he always let the other person go first, he found joy in everyday, he loved to laugh and to hear others laugh, he loved people that seemed different or had disabilities. He was quite protective over them. He would always tell Hill to be nice because that was the way God made them. My sweet Wright often told me when I was on a new diet to love my body the way God made it. He had a very soft spot for people that were homeless or hungry. He often made me do things that got me out of my comfort zone and put me in God's zone. This child was an earthly angel no doubt. I realize that more and more every passing day. Wright had a unique connection with God as far back as I can remember...He loved Jesus and he would often remind me with the most precious grin that Jesus loved him even more than me! Wow! His faith was amazing at such an early age. He visited with Jesus in his garden a few times that he told us about in his brief but oh so significant life.
 So it has been with great hesitation that we have discussed any plans for Easter, or any other holiday really.  It seems so natural to want to abandon old traditions and create new, but part of me feels that would be leaving Wright out.  He enjoyed everything about every holiday and would plan for weeks the activities and menu!! He made holidays a big deal at our house! I can see him flapping those arms with excitement right now asking me "how much longer now Mama?" 

Will we go to church, egg hunts, dye Easter eggs, or eat with our family? What were we to do with his Easter basket that he cherished so much? His basket, like Hill's, was made by his Mammy, my Grandma Sarah Rivenbark. Each year when we got the baskets out he would turn the basket upside down, dumping out all the grass, to find her sweet note, her signature and his name. He was so proud of his special basket.

How could I not get his basket out and place it beside Hill's. But this Mama heart breaks at the thought of his basket being empty beside Hill's and then it hit me!!!! EMPTY, EMPTY, EMPTY --his basket would be empty just like the tomb....
Wright's empty basket should not make us sad but rather happy for him that he has found new life, a new healthy body and is waiting with Jesus for us to join him again.

Those who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time.

                                                       -----German Motto

Please continue to pray for our family as we navigate this wilderness without our precious Wright. The most frightening feeling in the world is knowing this will never get better...our lives are forever changed, our future not what we planned, surviving only by the grace of God....living one day at a time.

Dear God, Creator of all, we thank You for the gift of life You gave to Wright!!! In all of our confusion and grief please help us to remember this Easter all the love and joy Wright brought to us. Guide us through all the choices and demands regarding our traditions for this season. Guide us to glorify You in all that we say and do. We rest in Your promise that we will see Wright again in heaven!! Amen.

Keeping Wright's plans......

I wish I could be someone else just for a day. Someone who has not experienced the deep hurt of loss I carry every single day. Everyday since Wright left, I am full of tears waiting to burst at any moment. So unpredictable. I don't pretend to think I am the only human on earth suffering or that my sufferings outweigh anyone else's. To each person, his pain is the worst. And I don't pretend to think because I have been dealt such a blow that my suffering is over...quite the contrary.
Pray for us as we enter the Spring without our Wright. He was so looking forward to Spring 2012. We had so many fun things planned. I am working hard to do everything we planned, but it will not the same without him. It will never be the same. A few of our plans.....cooking, baking, cooking which I actually enjoy now because I feel so close to him when I cook. Cooking for his Daddy and Hill is what he wanted to do more than anything and trying lots of new recipes. Thanks to Pinterest....this has been easy!  Running in the Flying Pig Race in Cincy in May. The route goes by the apartment we lived in and he enjoyed watching all the runners last year. It was his idea for the two of us to run this spring when he was better. In his memory, several awesome friends from Wallace will join us in May. I plan to eat at his fav restaurants while I'm there...just for him.. He loved Terry's Turf Club and The Senate.  Can not forget Bon Bonerie and Graeters while we are there. Denny will be working in our garden planting lots of cucumbers, squash and tomatoes per Wright's request. I will be busy planting the herb garden he wanted as well as planting flowers around the house. We have to go to the beach of course!!! Go to a Cincinnati Reds game.....Watch Hill play baseball and serve refreshments for the players.... He is going to keep us quite busy....There are so many more plans but I think this is a great start!!! His birthday is May 16th which quite honestly scares me to death. Not sure just yet how I'm gonna get through that. Gosh, I love and miss that boy with everything I have.

sweet memories

Its been three months since Wright moved in with Jesus. Seems just like yesterday he left, but then feels like forever since I held him, played with his new hair, smelled that sweet boy smell, heard his belly laugh, snuggled, planned so many adventures......

I feel we have been robbed of our future.....yet I feel we are so blessed!! Can you tell I live in a state of confusion? Thankfully, God understands our pain. We are just surviving the best we can ....a moment at a time.

In the picture below....our last night in Cincy....we had such big plans...so happy....no clue what was to come..such special tender moments, nothing could of prepared us for the pain... .thank you God for every single second with Wright!!!

 God knew these two would get me through tough days....My precious sweet Hill and Jolly Cocoa Biscuits...silly girl!!

God gave Hill the cutest personality that lights up the room and makes my heart melt!!!

I have been home with him the past two days, he is sick with strep. I have enjoyed our snuggling time! He misses his brother so. So hard sometimes to help him understand, especially when I dont. Grieving is hard, tricky stuff.

Please continue to pray for our family. I wish I could say things were easier or less painful, but its not. We are all grieving in our own unique way. Very different from one another. Thanking God for keeping at least one of us strong each day to pull the other two along.

Running my first 5k of the year, Lo-Tide at Carolina Beach in Wright's memory. Thanks for the friends running with us tomorrow....March 17th...exactly three months.

Searching.....

I do alot of reading these days, especially God's word. I have also been reading lots of books written by grieving parents....I am searching for answers to some of the toughest questions. Searching for comfort.....searching for understanding.....searching for peace....searching for how to help Denny and Hill.......searching to help myself......trying to survive one moment at a time.

 I feel so close to Wright when I am searching. It is at those times I talk to God and him the most. That is when I feel God's presence the most too. I feel I do not "fit" in anymore.  I feel like a stranger living in my world. I have been forced into the unimagineable. Being back in NC after being gone for 18 months is hard, period....even if Wright was with us....the transition would be challenging. Now, the three of us are trying to reconnect, while grieving. Not to mention, floundering around to find a new normal. Whatever that means. Being home is not fun anymore. Its a harsh reminder that someone is missing. Our family is broken. Its always been the four of us. Mama and her 3 boys!! Oh! I just miss him so much. It still takes my breath when I see his bright smile or smell is blanket.

While searching.....I came across this....

“When God moves us out of our comfort zone —- into places that are way bigger than us, places that are difficult, hard, painful —- that even hurt — this is a gift.

We are being given a gift.

These hard places give us the gift of intimately knowing God — in ways that would never be possible in our comfort zones.

We’re in Christ’s zone when we’re out of our comfort zone.

And the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, comforts us when we step outside our comfort zone. It’s only in the uncomfortable places that we can experience the tenderness of the Comforter.

I guess that is what God wants sometimes. For us not to "fit" in so that we can rely on Him. So we can accept His gifts.So we can grow and nurture a more intimate relationship with Him. He wants us out of our comfort zone so we can be in His zone.

So thank you God for all your gifts!

Thank you for sending us earthly angels everyday to guide us in our close walk with You. Thanks for pulling us along and encouraging us every step. Thank you for never leaving our side, especially the time we need You most!!!

When God moves us out of our comfort zone.....this is a gift!!

Things that make me Smile

Sweet memories of Wright's laugh, love for life and love for all people!

Knowing Wright is playing in the presence of Jesus. He can run and play with no limitations or fear of GERMS.

Playing with his best buddy Zack.

Thank you Jesus for precious moments and memories with Wright. Thank you for his 6 years and 215 days on this earth with his family. Thank you for the assurance of eternity with him and You!

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you ~~Matthew 6:33

 

HOPE

Today, HOPE is a verb- an action, defined as "a desire or wish"  - something we "hope" will happen.

The HOPE we have in God is a noun; its a possession and is used as a noun in the Bible many times. "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11) and "My hope comes from Him" (Psalm 62:5). Its nothing we have to wish will come true; we just have to accept the gift. Hope is the truth that we have an eternity in heaven with God at the end of this life. Being filled with God's hope shows that you know how this story ends.

Each day, each moment , since Wright moved in with Jesus we are surviving by His Grace, living on Faith, filled with His Hope !

On My Way To You

Loved that Wright knew where he was going!

So much comfort knowing he saw Jesus.

He was not scared.

He was ready.

I love and miss my sweet boy.

Below are the lyrics to Wright's favorite song:

On My Way to You
By Mercy Me

Almost there, almost where I'm supposed to be
It's not all clear, but you keep showing me
With every step, the more my heart moves to your beat
Just like where I'm headed, there's joy in the journey
Teach me to think like you think
Show me the things that are true [ohh]
Finish the work you have started in me
As I'm on my way to you
As I'm on my way to you
Create in me a pure heart and make me new
Less of me, Jesus more of you
Here I stand, still I'm drawn down to my knees
It's not my strength, but Your's that carries me
Teach me to think like to you think
Show me the things that are true
Finish the work you have started in me
As I'm on my way to you
As I'm on my way to you
Yes I'm on my way to you
Teach me to think like to you think
Show me the things that are true
Finish the work you have started in me
As I'm on my way to you
As I'm on my way to you
Yes I'm on my way to you
I'm on my way
I'm on my way to you


Many times in Cincy we would play this song. It helped Wright relax, sleep, and gave him so much peace! We played it at home in Wallace and even in Chapel Hill. God finished the work He started in Wright.
Now our family plays this song to remind us of Wright.
 We are on our way to him!

This is Wright singing another song by Mercy Me....I Worship You! We never got on video On My Way To You.

THE CHAIN WILL LINK AGAIN

We knew little that morning

God was going to call your name,

In life we loved you dearly

In death we do the same,

It broke our hearts to lose you

You did not go alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories

Your love is still our guide,

And although we cannot see you

You are always by our side.

Our family chain is broken

And nothing seems the same.

But as God calls us one by one,

The chain will link again.

~~Unknown~~

We love you and miss you so much WRIGHT !!!!!

Precious Gifts

Waiting to pick up my precious first born from school. I love the way he grins when he sees me. I love the way he is quick to still hug me, tell me he loves me and jumps in my lap. That smile of his takes my breath away..............Thank you God for my two boys.......My gifts from you!!

I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I must give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord ~~~ 1 Samuel 1:27,28


These precious babies are gifts ... Children are a gift from the Lord ~~~ Psalm 127:3

Play with your gifts....let those children have fun.....laugh, alot....let them get dirty...let them drink coffee......make a mess.....let them be children.............children make a joyful noise......play outside....don't take away their security blanket ...ever........forget your schedule or routine....they will live if they drink a bottle after age 1......skip nap time....play hooky from school and work......rock them to sleep....go barefoot.....let them eat dirt.......don't wipe their face.....cook with them....pray with them......let them see you have fun.............let them see you cry...........let them see you make mistakes..............let them see you love unconditionally.................burp with them.....ride bike in the rain......make mud pies.......let them pee outside.....let them have candy...color with them...play video games with them.....dance, dance......let them wear what they want to sometimes....make forts with them........make silly noises.....let them stay up late.....let them make a mess at bath time....read to them ....buy them a pet.....take time with them.....let them be loud...do laundry later....clean your house later...play games with them.....paint with them....take them to church.........let them sleep in your bed....sleep in their bed...Love them....tell them you love them......LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TO ENJOY EVERY SECOND.  I am so glad we do all these things with our gifts and more!!! I love the way Hill reminds us of all the fun things we had the chance to do with our sweet angel Wright!!! 

Your children are the most important gifts you will ever receive!!!

We miss our Wrightsie Roo more and more every passing day! Thanks for your continued prayers for our family. We will need them for a long time to come.

Missing our Wrightsie Roo!!

Since my last post, our Wrightsie Roo went to be with Jesus. I find myself thinking about him all the time and what he must be doing and seeing. I know without a doubt that he is just great and is having a "good,good day" as he use to say! I think about so many tender moments we have shared and it is literally hard for me to breathe sometimes. Oh, I can not wait to join him!


If it were not for Denny, Hill and our families, I would of probably crawled in my bed and still be there. Praise God they are here and still need me and I definitely need each of them. Please pray for them too! They try so hard to help me but they are hurting too. We all loved Wright so much and he brought an undescrible joy to all of our lives. He had a unique relationship with each of us. He truly was our angel on earth.


I find lately that I have random thoughts, incomplete thoughts......I spend alot of time thinking, crying, playing memories over and over in my head. I sit in Wright's room and smell his things. All the special things that we use to do flood my heart and I cry. Tears of joy because I have so many sweet memories of my time with Wright, but mainly tears of sadness because my heart aches and my body longs to hold him and kiss his sweet lips. God's grace is so awesome though!!!. I rarely recall "painful memories" from the past few years and even the last weeks with Wright.  As quick as one comes into my mind...it leaves and it is immediately replaced with a memory that makes me smile. Thank you Jesus!!!

 Thoughts

~~~~One of the most amazing things about God is his ability to use anything and everything- even bad circumstances and our wrong choices- to bring about His own good & perfect will~~~~ Godliness involves putting our hope in Christ~~~~~~ Always do your best to raise children who love God~~~~~ Our losses take time to heal, and many scars stay with us, but Christ has both the power to redeem our circumstances and the commitment to carry us through each day of the healing process~~~~Never doubt that people can truly change~~~~God is at work behind the scenes in your life, providentially preparing you for His purposes~~~~Greatness has nothing to do with possessions or position– not in God’s eyes~~~