To all my followers and friends, I wish you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas!!! Take this time to celebrate Christ birthday remembering He is the reason for the season. God gave us his most precious gift, Jesus Christ. May we take the time to reflect upon our life and ask ourselves these questions, "Are we really giving our very best to Jesus?" "Are we really being obedient to His call upon our life?" "Are we really walking by faith?" "Are we really being a witness as He has called us to be to others?" I pray many blessings be with each of you this Christmas season and the new year to come. We have to look at each day as a gift from God for He hasn't finished with us yet. He has something for each of us, we just have to listen for His Word. I have been very blessed in my life. I consider everything I have went through to be a blessing from God and a learning experience. I have always said "Something good comes out of something bad." When I was faced with a major storm in my life, I had to stay positive and remember what I always said and really seek the face of God. Jesus has truly blessed me with my family, my friends, my church family and the youth group. Thank you all for the many prayers!!! Thank you to my family and friends for helping us get through such a rough year. Forgive one another and love one another. I say that in all honesty for it is in God's Word and it is so true. No matter what you are going through or what someone may have done to you, forgive them and love them. God has given me a gift and for that I am thankful. Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and remember that through all the hustle and bustle that He is the reason for the season. May we show the love of Jesus Christ this holiday season not only at Christmas but all year through and the years to come. May we go and light the world with the love of Jesus Christ. I would encourage you to please listen to the song below titled "Where Are the Lines to See Jesus" by Becky Kelley. It is truly a beautiful song and has such an inspiring and beautiful meaning. Hope you enjoy it. Love you all! God Bless! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Blessings to you all,
Cindy
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Storms of Life
Well I wish I could say that this year has been a great year but that would not be true. Satan has really attacked our family this year so it has been a very rough year for me and my family. My mom went on to be with the Lord July 2nd of this year. She lived with my husband and I for 15 years so needless to say this was very tough on us. I know she is in a much better place but I have to admit the holidays have been tough as we celebrated our first Thanksgiving without her and now celebrating the Christmas holidays without her as well. She loved Christmas, it was always her favorite holiday and I miss her dearly. After her death, Satan attacked our family. My husband and I had been having some marital problems due to finances and other issues. I didn't realize how bad it really was until just a few months ago. My husband resigned as youth pastor effective October 7th and left me on October 8th. We were separated for 2 weeks. We did speak to one another regularly and within a few days he informed me that he did want to save our marriage and was willing to go to marriage counseling. We then set a date for marriage counseling. Needless to say, during this ordeal, I was shocked and very upset. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. I don't wish it on anybody nor do I ever hope you have to go through it. I looked to God, my family and friends during this trial as this happened only 2 months after my mom's passing. Satan was attacking our church, our youth ministry and our family. The youth ministry was our passion. It broke my heart. In a matter of months, I had lost my mom, my husband and my second family, our youth ministry. I knew God had it all under control. I simply had to trust him and give it all to Him. I give thanks to God for helping me through this storm in my life and giving me the strength to get through it. I also give many thanks to my dear friends and family for helping me through that difficult time. I am truly blessed to have such great friends. After spending many hours in God's Word and praying daily, God performed a miracle. God gave me incredible strength through this storm, strength I never knew I had in me. When you think God has given you too much, He hasn't. It is when you are at your weakest you become strong. God gives you the strength and you are able to persevere. He never gives you more than you can handle, I know this to be TRUE. I prayed day and night for a miracle and God answered that prayer. I received a devotional email through a friend of mine which really helped me during this storm and I prayed it day and night. Prayer works! Prayer is so powerful!!! I wish I could say that after my husband returned for marriage counseling, he reverted back to his old self and the man I no longer knew. In August of 2011 he left me for good and filed for divorce a couple weeks later. What I had suspected and feared was true, he had been having an affair and it was with someone that I knew and was also married as well. I did suspect there was someone else but had no proof. I do know God warned me of this in a dream which He gave me a year prior to my mom's passing. At the time I thought it was just really bad dreams and that the enemy was attacking me. I later found out that the dreams happened precisely in the order God gave them to me and even who the person was and it didn't come back to me completely until it all happened. God warned me of this very thing and was looking after me. He is such a good God. He loves us unconditionally and wants the very best for us. I thank God and give Him all the praises because He helped me through the storms in my life when I felt I had lost all that was most important to me other than my kids. I would encourage you if you are going through some tough times, maybe even something like this, please keep your eyes focused on God, give it all to Him. He will see you through this storm. Even in your darkest of days, He is always with you. He will speak to you and He will use whomever or whatever to speak to you. I consider myself very blessed. I learned to praise God in the midst of the storms. One night as I was reading Job during this trial, a verse really spoke to my heart and I would like to share it with you. "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2:10. That scripture really hit me and I knew God was speaking to me. I praise God for what He is doing in my life. I give God all the glory for seeing me through such a difficult time. I believe you have to look at each storm as a learning experience to help you grow more in your faith. I know this was not of God but of Satan but I also know that in all things God is there. I had to fully rely on God each day. I learned that I had not been doing on a regular basis. It is amazing what God will allow you go through. I consider myself very blessed. You will get through the storms of life, trust God and keep your faith and focus on Him. Don't fall into Satan's temptations or lies, trust God! Keep the faith!!! I pray for all those who are experiencing storms in their life whether it be finances, job, marital problems, or health related, whatever it is I pray God's mercy and grace be upon you this Christmas season. May he blanket you with comfort and peace. I pray for blessings to fall upon you and may He give you the strength to endure it. We serve an AWESOME and AMAZING God!!! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Blessings to you all!
Cindy
Cindy
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A Mother's Love (In Memory of our Mom)
In memory of our mom, Barbara Edwards. She went on to be with the Lord on Friday, July 2nd, 2010 after a year long battle with cancer. I wrote this story in memory of our mom. I have also included a story from my sister, Cathy. We hope these stories will help all those who have lost a loved one.
A mother's love is as deep as the ocean. Her love never ends. She had seen us cry, laugh, mad, disappointed, and fail her. Even through the failures and disappointments, she never stopped loving us. She helped us along the way, showed us right from wrong, and followed the ways of the Lord. She helped us through many trials and was always there to listen. She made you laugh and was a joy to be around. A mother knows when you are hurting and seems to always know how to mend it. She offers words of encouragement and words of wisdom. Can I sum up a mother's love? No, not really. For what I have experienced, a mother's love is never ending. A mother's love is caring, nurturing, gentle, full of patience and wisdom, compassionate and loving. She had an incredible love that would light up a room and was evident to those she was around. We were truly blessed to have a mom such as her. We are considered blessed. My prayer is that the same legacy will continue. I would like to share a scripture which sums up my mom; it is from Proverbs.
Proverbs 31:25-30
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household... Her children arise and call her blessed... Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
There is a song that is perfect for a situation like this titled "You Wouldn't Cry" by Mandisa This song really spoke to my heart. If you have lost a loved one, I would encourage you to listen to this song. Our mom will always live on within us. She is rejoicing with the Lord and we know she is in a much better place now. She has no more pain, no more suffering, she is cancer free, completely healed! It is not good bye for we know we will see you again, it is more like a "see you later.
I would like to share this story from my sister, Cathy (sentimental and funny).
When I think of the characteristics of my mother, I think of a nurturing, supportive, caring, gentle, loving woman. She loved her family like a true warrior. When she received the news that she was terminal, she cried some, but she accepted the plan that God laid out with peace, rather than with fear. This brought such comfort to the family. She was a remarkable woman, mother, and friend that will be greatly missed.
I remember once that mom gave me this pot to cook with. I had never seen anything like it. I asked if it was a steamer and she said "yes," although later she did not recall telling me that. Anyway, I decided to steam broccoli in this new pot and noticed it had a little screw thing that went on the top, so I screwed it on. I went in the kitchen a few minutes later to check on it and I couldn't open the pot. I had to force it open with all of my strength. When I did, broccoli flew from the floor, literally to the ceiling and the pot flew all the way up and broke the kitchen light fixture and ended up in the sink. After hours of cleaning, I called mom to tell her about this steamer and she said, "Cathy, that's a pressure cooker, I see I shouldn't have given you that!" We made an agreement that she would no longer give me anything unless there was a box and a set of instructions.
If you knew my mom, you would know she was a sweet woman of God. She had accepted the fact that she was terminal and had come to peace with it. I really believe that mom went so quickly and peacefully because she knew we were at peace with it. Everyone spoke about how quickly she declined and they had not seen anyone go so quickly. She was at peace and ready to meet her maker, our Lord Jesus Christ. I told her Thursday that she would soon be singing with the Lord and that she would have an angelic voice. Little did I know that the Lord would call her that next morning. Now she is rejoicing with the Lord and I know one day I will see her again. It is not good bye for we know we will see you again, it is more like a "see you later."
Blessings,
Cindy & Cathy
A mother's love is as deep as the ocean. Her love never ends. She had seen us cry, laugh, mad, disappointed, and fail her. Even through the failures and disappointments, she never stopped loving us. She helped us along the way, showed us right from wrong, and followed the ways of the Lord. She helped us through many trials and was always there to listen. She made you laugh and was a joy to be around. A mother knows when you are hurting and seems to always know how to mend it. She offers words of encouragement and words of wisdom. Can I sum up a mother's love? No, not really. For what I have experienced, a mother's love is never ending. A mother's love is caring, nurturing, gentle, full of patience and wisdom, compassionate and loving. She had an incredible love that would light up a room and was evident to those she was around. We were truly blessed to have a mom such as her. We are considered blessed. My prayer is that the same legacy will continue. I would like to share a scripture which sums up my mom; it is from Proverbs.
Proverbs 31:25-30
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household... Her children arise and call her blessed... Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
There is a song that is perfect for a situation like this titled "You Wouldn't Cry" by Mandisa This song really spoke to my heart. If you have lost a loved one, I would encourage you to listen to this song. Our mom will always live on within us. She is rejoicing with the Lord and we know she is in a much better place now. She has no more pain, no more suffering, she is cancer free, completely healed! It is not good bye for we know we will see you again, it is more like a "see you later.
I would like to share this story from my sister, Cathy (sentimental and funny).
When I think of the characteristics of my mother, I think of a nurturing, supportive, caring, gentle, loving woman. She loved her family like a true warrior. When she received the news that she was terminal, she cried some, but she accepted the plan that God laid out with peace, rather than with fear. This brought such comfort to the family. She was a remarkable woman, mother, and friend that will be greatly missed.
I remember once that mom gave me this pot to cook with. I had never seen anything like it. I asked if it was a steamer and she said "yes," although later she did not recall telling me that. Anyway, I decided to steam broccoli in this new pot and noticed it had a little screw thing that went on the top, so I screwed it on. I went in the kitchen a few minutes later to check on it and I couldn't open the pot. I had to force it open with all of my strength. When I did, broccoli flew from the floor, literally to the ceiling and the pot flew all the way up and broke the kitchen light fixture and ended up in the sink. After hours of cleaning, I called mom to tell her about this steamer and she said, "Cathy, that's a pressure cooker, I see I shouldn't have given you that!" We made an agreement that she would no longer give me anything unless there was a box and a set of instructions.
If you knew my mom, you would know she was a sweet woman of God. She had accepted the fact that she was terminal and had come to peace with it. I really believe that mom went so quickly and peacefully because she knew we were at peace with it. Everyone spoke about how quickly she declined and they had not seen anyone go so quickly. She was at peace and ready to meet her maker, our Lord Jesus Christ. I told her Thursday that she would soon be singing with the Lord and that she would have an angelic voice. Little did I know that the Lord would call her that next morning. Now she is rejoicing with the Lord and I know one day I will see her again. It is not good bye for we know we will see you again, it is more like a "see you later."
Blessings,
Cindy & Cathy
Mom's Battle With Cancer
I would like to take a moment and share with everyone what has been going on over the last year. I have not been writing lately as my mom has been battling cancer over the last year. The last few months took a turn for the worse. She was diagnosed last June with Non-Hodgkin T-Cell Lymphoma cancer. Her mass was near her bowels around the small intestines. It is a very aggressive type of cancer with only about 30% survival rate. She had went through 3 different chemo treatments, the last one (strongest chemo treatment) appeared to have worked. The mass had gone down from 7 inches to 2.25 inches. Within a month the mass started growing again. Her oncologist was going to start her on a clinical trial which was her last option other than a miracle from God. They had to do more tests before the treatments could be done. After all the tests were done, the scan revealed that the mass had grown from 9 inches to 14.5 inches which meant she could not do the clinical trial for the mass was too big. She was given only weeks to live. We had prayed for God's healing but God had other plans for her. My mom was a fighter and she did cry when she heard the news but she accepted it with grace. My mom was at peace and she knew where she would be going. She wanted to go back to Marion, Arkansas where most of our family is at. We took her back to Arkansas and I stayed that week there for I wanted to be with her during her last few weeks not realizing it would be much shorter. We arrived that Saturday, by Monday my mom was showing signs of deteriorating. She had already stopped eating. When she heard the news, she no longer had the fight in her she once had, she simply gave up. My mom had been a fighter but she knew the time had come and she had no more fight in her, she was simply at peace. She was ready to go home. My sister and I saw my mom during her last few days, we saw the pain and the weakness. She slept most of the day, responsive at times. We had prayed that if God wasn't going to heal her here on earth, please go ahead and take her on home. We couldn't bare to see her in pain anymore. I am very thankful to Hospice for helping out and showing us what to do. We were blessed that our mom didn't suffer too long. Mom received the hospital bed on Tuesday, she was alert somewhat but having weird conversations. That night she spoke about seeing a light, my sister and I knew what she was talking about. We knew the way she was progressing it was going to be a matter of days. Mom slept most of the day on Wednesday and was awake on and off most of the day on Thursday. Then later on Thursday evening, she appeared to be in a comatose state. We could not wake her for anything. We checked on her periodically throughout the night but we had a feeling her time had come. My sister went in to check on her at 5:00am and she was not breathing. We called Hospice and when the nurse got there she confirmed what we thought to be true. Apparently it had just happened shortly before we checked on her for she was still warm but by the time the hospice nurse came mom was getting cold already. My mom went on to be with the Lord on Friday morning, July 2nd; she went peacefully in her sleep. I thank God that He blessed us with a wonderful and godly mom. She didn't suffer as long. Her symptoms didn't appear to get worse until the last two months. She passed within 2 weeks of hearing the news that there was nothing else they could do. The last week was the worse, she really declined during that week in fact within a matter of days. She is completely healed now, rejoicing with the Lord. I know I will see her again when God calls us home. Please take a moment to read the next post as it is in memory of my mom. Hope this helps someone who may have lost a loved one.
Blessings,
Cindy
Blessings,
Cindy
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