~ The Gift of a Hug ~

Today we can " reach out and touch someone" with the touch of a button. I love reading blogs to keep up with family and friends, checking facebook to see new pictures, getting emails and phone calls, and while I love the fact I can keep in touch with those I love, I miss the warmth of a hug that I can't feel through the phone line. Last weekend we had some wonderful friends come for an unexpected visit. I loved seeing the smiles, feeling the touch of a hug, hearing the stories, and enjoying awesome ribs from the Roadhouse and fabulous steaks grilled to perfection by my husband, along with lots of laughter ( and an occasional soft whine from Maggie who was hoping someone would share with her).

It made me stop and ponder ....

I love that God loves us enough to give us His word to read and follow, but He doesn't stop with that. He actually reaches down and gives a personal touch to His children, whether through a sunrise or sunset, a friend He prompts to reach out, a miracle that only He can arrange, or one of the many other ways that he reaches our hearts.

Please don't get me wrong, I love receiving phone calls, emails, letters, and the rest, but I hope that we don't forget just how important the human touch is. I am amazed at just what that touch can bring. The right touch filled with love can turn an insecure teen into a teen who knows he matters, it can take an abandoned child who feels worthless and help her know she is valued by the King of Kings who made her himself, it can take a widowed woman without a family and bring her into an adoptive family that God chose, and it can take days that seem lonely and remind us that we are not alone. I am convinced that God has given us the calling of being his hands to a world that is lonely and to bring hope to those who need His gentle touch of love.

One of my favorite quotes is from Linda Smith who founded the ministry Shared Hope Int., which brings little girls around the world out of brothels and into loving families with a future full of hope. "Touch them for me." God gave her the call to touch these girls for Him and the change that it brings is amazing. One of the encouraging things to me is that He doesn't stop there, He loves all his children and wants each of us to know how much we matter and how great His love is for us. He allows us to be a part of this mission to the world and each other.

I plan to continue to keep a blog, email friends, call family, and enjoy reading your blogs, emails, and hearing from you, but I am going to remember that a hug is a very amazing gift to be shared and treasured. So when I see my family and friends next, remember I will be looking for those hugs, and until then I will hug those that God puts in my path to share His love with.

~ My Puppy~

I thought I would share some pictures of my favorite puppy, Maggie. She is my companion during the day and I thought I would share her friendly face with you. I know I will be posting more pictures of her as time goes on.

~Our Kids~

Today as I sit and think about life I am so grateful for the blessings that the Lord has brought. Some of them have not been given the way that I thought or originally would have asked for, but I would not change any of them for the world.


Tim and I have been married for 11 yrs and as of today God has not brought children that share our dna into our home. However, He has brought many who share our hearts. It is truly a blessing from the Lord to have children, I have often watched mom's with their kids and thought what a special and wonderful gift. I used to even sometimes feel less than because I didn't have that special relationship. Today however, after many years of growing our family and watching "our kids" ( they know who they are ) grow we truly feel blessed beyond words.

This year one of our kids called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day and even though she has a wonderful mom, she wanted to thank me for loving her and being her " second mom." As I hung up the phone I sat and cried as I thanked the Lord for giving me such wonderful relationships with so many young and special "kids". I am also eternally grateful for all the parents that have so unselfishly shared their children with Tim and I. I know in my heart that as these kids continue to grow into beautiful adults and begin their own families, we will continue to be blessed by sharing in these moments with them.

All in all sometimes prayers are not answered the way that we originally want, but I am finally learning to trust that God truly does have my best in His Heart and that always it is a blessing I could never have imagined myself. Someday the Lord may bring children that share our dna and that will be an additional blessing, but I want all "our kids" to know that they will always share Our Hearts. We love you all and you are the answer to many of our prayers. Anywhere life takes you know you are never more than a phone call away and you are always in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers.



PS. These are some pictures of our kids, not all are pictured, but they are all loved and in our hearts just the same.

Family

Today I was in Subway and I overheard two women chatting about their mother in laws. They were complaining about the way they are treated by them. It started my thinking about my own mother in law.

The first time I met her she walked up gave me a huge hug and from that moment on I was one of her children. I am so blessed to be loved and accepted by her. As a matter of fact I have never heard anything uncomplimentary toward any of her sons or daughters in law from her. I know I have some huge footprints to walk in, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks mom for all your love and acceptance. I Love You!

~ Nani ~

The other night Tim and I were watching The Andy Griffith show (which is a regular in our home) and we started talking about Aunt Bea. I know she is a make believe character, but we decided that everyone needs an Aunt Bea in their life. As we were discussing this, I realized I already have one. To be more exact she is a perfect blend of Aunt Bea, Mrs. Clause, and Donna Reed. However, she is known to all of us as Nani. As I look back over my life I realize that she has always been their with a loving smile, a warm encouragement, a welcoming hug, and always a fresh baked goodie or two. Whenever I think about Nani a smile comes to my face. She is one of the most loving, giving, and wonderful women I have met and I have the privilege of being her granddaughter.

Nani - it's amazing how one person can mean so much to so many. She is the heart of our family and I know that each person, whether related by blood or by love, is blessed to have her in their life and on their side. All my life she has been one of my greatest sources of comfort and love, from laying my head in her lap as a little girl , to skipping school to hang out with her, to the way she welcomed my husband into the family and loves him simply because he loves me, to chatting with her on the phone today from 2000 miles away and feeling the warmth from here, I know I am loved more than I can imagine. I hope that she knows how much she is loved by all of us ( in our family that is quite a few).

All of my life I have been told how much I resemble my grandma from her pictures over the years and I consider myself blessed. I hope that as I continue to grow I begin to resemble her in spirit too.


I love you Nani more than I can express, I am thankful for your love, support, prayers, spirit, grace, and the example you have set. You are truly one of my greatest blessings and a gift from the Lord.