Would I?

Matthew 19:21

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

If I asked you what your prized possessions are I wonder what you'd say? My dad collected elephants. I'm not sure how he started his collection years ago, but over the years he accumulated many of them. Since he passed away my mom has given each of us kids part of his collection.

Last night was a night to remember. We went to our friends' house to see them for one of the last times before they leave for New York. They are part of a group from our church who are going there to plant another church. They are an amazing family who is living out their faith in a way that is so inspiring to me. We've watched them truly Pray and Trust God through every decision along the way that led to this move. They have been in the process of getting rid of 25 years worth of accumulated memories and "stuff' so they can fit it in their small apartment in NYC. As we walked through their home last night it was sad to me. On their ping pong table were all of their baby shoes (you know, those white leather shoes) and shoe boxes holding all of their pictures. They've been able to sell most of the furniture they won't be able to use and now it's getting down to the final decisions. FYI: I read an article in the New York Times stating how much money is spent on storage units. It's amazing! Our friends refuse to store anything. She is trying to figure out how to take her Grandmother's baby doll stroller and he is struggling with a cartoon magazine collection.

So it made me think. What do I really care about? What are my prized possessions? I think it's time to take an inventory. I am really not a pack rat, but if it came down to it, and God called me to drop everything...

1). Would I listen?
2). Would I trust it was really Him?
3). Would I be able to leave my stuff?
4). Would I walk the walk?
5). Would I have the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding?
6). Would I be able to convince my family to join me?
7). Would I be paralyzed by fear?
8). Would I make the right decision as to what is important to save?
9). Would I follow Him?
10). Or... would I wrestle with God like the elephants in the picture above?

I hope I would say, "Here I Am, Lord".
I admire my friends and will miss them like crazy!
Hope your day is full of Peace,
Angie xoxo

Answered Prayer

Paula and Greg
Meg and Bob
Hannah and Jason


I'll never forget the day I prayed to God to send me some true, authentic friends. I was at the light at Clarkston Road and Main Street in the Village of Clarkston. I had friends but for some reason there was something missing. I had a lot of acquaintances but longed for something more. This was years ago. It was probably about the time I started "Believing God" and trusting Him and His Word. That's when He began to reveal Himself to me in a way that was different than anything I had known. It wasn't long before we met these friends. God orchestrated a meeting at our church called, "Marriage Builders". We've become such close friends through the years and I learned what true friendship was all about. I had never had anyone pray for me over the phone. I have to admit it felt very strange and awkward at first. We've spent a lot of time with these couples over the years and now they seem like family. I am so blessed by them and know for sure God is responsible for these sweet friendships and I'm grateful for each one of them!

I pray you all have friends like The Nawroki's, The Schuberts and The Rhodes'.
God is SO good!
Love,
Angie xoxo

p.s. Happy 40th Birthday, Paula!

On our knees

I was thinking about the many marriage counseling sessions we went to where I was frustrated because things never seemed to improve. It wasn't until someone asked us if we had gotten down on our knees together and prayed for God to heal our marriage that something changed. I remember being so surprised that we had never thought about something so simple. I don't ever want to forget the best piece of advice we were given. And I think it's about time we start doing it again!

Philippians 2:3-4 ... but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

On our knees with the greatest counselor.

In His Love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover... advice

Hey, Everyone!

As you can see we had the best time together when Meghan was home from New York and John home from college this weekend. For just a little while we got to pretend it was the old days when they lived at home. We had a lot of fun with many laugh-until-your-stomach-hurts moments!

I am enjoying our Cover to Cover readings (hosted by Bev) of the Bible chronologically. I did a lot of my readings on the computer. I found myself wanting to read a lot of different versions. It was so much fun! Here's what lingers for me this week...

Song of Solomon 2:7 (The Message)

Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem,
by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer:
Don't excite love, don't stir it up,
until the time is ripe—and you're ready.

I wondered why Song of Songs was in the Bible. It's such a short book, but how romantic! It's a beautiful love story. It made me think about my daughter and any girl who needs advice when it comes to her love life! On our bike ride my daughter and I were talking about her friend who lost her mother right after she graduated from high school. It's so sad she doesn't have a mom to talk to about life. I was very proud of my daughter who told her friend she will never tire of hearing her talk about her life and concerns. She is very compassionate. Meghan doesn't take it for granted that I will listen to her talk about her problems forever! She cannot imagine not having a mom.

I believe the advice given in the above verse for the woman (beloved) is invaluable. She warns her fellow sisters not to awaken love before she is ready. I think this is a huge problem with young people. They are not whole in Christ before they get into a relationship (I am talking from my own experience). My daughter will be 23 years old and has many friends getting married this Summer. She is not in a relationship right now and frankly, I think it's great. She has a lot of growing to do to become whole in Christ first. Life can get pretty complicated and messy if she rushes into something she is not prepared to handle. I want to make sure she is healthy on her own. Then, when the time is right and she is ready, God will bring the right guy in her life! I am praying for him to be a godly man!

In the meantime, I pray Meghan and her friend will know God will always listen and His Word has the best advice anyone can offer!

There was so much more in this week's readings. I loved Solomon's Prayer of Dedication to the temple and I also loved this...

2 Chronicles 2:5-6

"The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? ...

It's so true God cannot be contained in a building!
He is so good!
Much Love,
Angie xoxo

Thankful Thursday... so sad

Please pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family this Thankful Thursday!


I'm going to be gone for awhile enjoying my family. This sad news made me want to cherish every moment more than ever!

Much Love and Prayers,
Angie xoxo

tears of joy

Matthew 6: 34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God really wants to teach me something in the book of Matthew. He keeps bringing up chapter 6. Today I had one of my sweetest patients come to have her teeth cleaned. I loved her since we first met a few years ago. She was one of those patients who cared about my life and asked me questions. I remember telling her I was nervous because I was going to run my first 5k charity run. Before she left she gave me cash to support me. It took me totally by surprise. I was so touched by her thoughtfulness.

Today she came in looking beautiful. I found out she has ALS. She came in over a year ago whispering and hadn't had a diagnosis yet but reassured me she wasn't contagious. Now she can hardly swallow, gags easily and coughs constantly hoping not to choke. She told me she can no longer chew because of the difficulty in swallowing and can only eat applesauce and smoothies. She said she refused a feeding tube because when God is ready to take her, she will go. She told me the doctors told her she would probably live 2 years from the onset, but she's determined to live 10 years. That's when she started to cry... big tears. She told me they were tears of joy... Before long we were both crying tears of joy...

She said...
Matthew 6: 34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

She had been blessed with two (adult) children who she referred to as "Darling Daughter" and "Favorite Son". She is so sweet. She has already survived Polio and Cancer before this. We were talking about faith and her background. She told me about her Grandmother living with her and during storms her Grandmother would wake her up to hold her, singing hymns so she wouldn't be scared. She laughed when she said really her Grandmother was the one who was scared. She reminded me that there is so much to be grateful for in life and there is a lot more good than bad.

We made it through her cleaning. She is not going to rest until God takes her. It made me wonder why some lie down and die and others spend their last days going around spreading Hope. She quoted Matthew a couple of times and I'm sure this is the verse that keeps her going. Before I walked her up to the front desk we hugged and she told me not to worry about her.

I probably told you more than I needed to here, but I just want to remember my special friend today and always. I was truly Blessed by her and I know it was no coincidence that God brought her in to get her teeth cleaned today to remind me this...

Matthew 6: 34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Don't worry friends, God has everything under control!
Seize the Day!
Love,
Angie xoxo

WOW...every detail

Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

A couple of friends have shared this with me, so I had to share it with you. It's no coincidence that I saw it again today. This is Louie Giglio. I hope you enjoy it as much as me! I'm off to get my house cleaned and prepared for my wonderful daughter's visit this weekend!

Have a great day!
Love,
Angie xoxo

He Is

I love His Word...
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover...not quiet anymore

If you've never read the Bible Cover to Cover chronologically I highly recommend it. Feel free to join us anytime! It really is the coolest book. I know this sounds funny, but think about it. What other book can you just pick up and turn to any page and be blessed by what you read every single time?

Here are my random favorite verses this week...

Psalm 84
10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

Psalm 62
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 30
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

5 ...weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God,
I will give you thanks forever.

1 Chronicles 29
11 ...for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.

18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.

I don't take these Words lightly. I would never trade my old life for where God has brought me. Better is one day of my life with God than thousands without Him. When I am desperate for Him, He hears my prayers. He healed my heart from what I thought impossible. I cried many nights during the worst time of my life, but now I am rejoicing. He turned my wailing into dancing. He really did! I cannot be silent about it anymore. I used the be so shy and quiet. But now I must share Him with everyone. I will be giving Him thanks for this gift for the rest of my days on earth. Everything I have comes from Him and belongs to Him. I pray I keep this burning desire to keep Him as my center forever.



Joyful only because of Him,
Angie xoxo

Focused

Don't you just love Lily of the Valley? I took this last night! How can someone see flowers like these and not believe in God? And they smell so good!

Matthew 6:28
“…Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,”

In Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest devotional reading for today he talked about living simply yet focused. I love how he says the lilies don't do anything, they simply are! God wants me to simply believe Him. That's all. Just Believe Him and stay focused on Him.

Here is a quote by Oswald Chambers...
"We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties."


I love an excuse to put another picture of my child on here. This is on my desktop right now. Whenever I see my son's eyes, I can just see his focus and attentiveness (now 21 years old). He was looking at me! :) I know God loves when I look to Him.



Looking to Him today!
Angie xoxo

P.S. Happy Birthday to my Dad today! He would have been 73 years old. Instead he's been with Jesus for a little over 3 years. Prayers for my family would be appreciated.

P.P.S. It's my friend, Annette's blogoversary today! If you want to be blessed, stop by and visit her at Annie's Eyes.

Thankful Thursday... longer

This Thursday I am Thankful for the husband God gave me...



Eph 5:31-33
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.



Love you,
Angie xoxo

Stop and smell the... lilacs :)

Matthew 6

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Since this is sort of a journal I realized it would not be complete if I didn't share my favorite flower with you! I love lilacs. I wish you could smell these through the computer. I have some of my best prayer time on my walks.. alone. I can't begin to tell you how much these precious times with God mean to me. I take my iPod and can walk forever! These flowers bring back fond memories. Their aroma is beautiful. I wait all year long for this window of time when lilacs are in full bloom! Yesterday's walk was extra special...

I listened to this song over and over again so I guess I'll share it, too!



Hope you can pause today... and find something that makes you smile!
Much love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover... thinking and praying

It's Mother's Day and the Sunday before another... Cover to Cover recap of this week's readings. So, you ask what lingers for me?

I'll tell you this... My friends and family are lingering in my soul tonight as I type this.

I'm thinking about someone who lost the love of her life, but rejoicing he is in Heaven tonight and out of pain.
I'm thinking about someone who longs to have ALL of her children with her today.
I'm thinking about someone who struggles with anxiety.
I'm thinking about someone in a lot of pain while waiting for surgery this Friday.
I'm thinking about someone getting excited to have her first child soon.
I'm thinking about someone who is burying a child this week.
I'm thinking about someone who doesn't have the kind of mother she wished she had and wished she could find just any card that was appropriate.
I'm thinking about someone who is so worried about their son they don't know what to do. (None of the medications are working.)
I'm thinking about someone who was betrayed by someone at work.
I'm thinking about someone who celebrated his 21st Birthday this week.
I'm thinking about someone who wished her mother was alive today.
I'm thinking about someone struggling with an eating disorder.
I'm thinking about someone whose marriage is in big trouble and finally opened up to me about it.
I'm thinking about someone who is having a tough time recovering from surgery and is in a coma tonight.
I'm thinking about someone who feels out of touch from living out of state this week.
I'm thinking about someone excited about their new home.
I'm thinking about someone moving back to college tomorrow.
I'm thinking about someone starved for attention and acceptance.
I'm thinking about someone addicted to the approval of others.
I'm thinking about someone who is concerned about their daughter's choices.
I'm thinking about someone who is lonely tonight and wished she could have just one more chance.
I'm thinking about someone looking for direction, clarity and God's will in a decision.
I'm thinking about someone who may have memories sparked by this week's readings and be reminded of some very hurtful experiences in her life.

Here are my favorite verses from this week's readings...

Psalm 23:1-4
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

I will be more than thinking about all of these friends and family. I will be PRAYING they will ALL run to the ONLY One who can give comfort tonight! Please join me in prayer and feel free to add any to my list!

I hope you all had a great Mother's Day!
I am SO grateful and there is One who deserves ALL of the Glory!
In His Love,
Angie xoxo

nothing more beautiful

I Praise God for allowing me the privilege and responsibility to be the mother of Meghan Elizabeth and John Arthur. I cannot think of a better way God could have revealed Himself to me.



Happy Mother's Day!
With so much Love,
Angie xoxo

Thankful Thursday... Victory for Josh

Friends Forever

It's Thursday so that means I share what I am most Thankful for today! This one is easy. When I heard that my kids' friend, Josh passed away this morning I was so sad. He battled cancer or 10 years. He was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1998. Meghan "went out" with him in 10th grade. They remained close friends through high school and beyond. I was looking for a picture of them in Meghan's box of pictures and she had all 3 poses of his Senior picture. Sadly, Meghan hadn't seen him in the past year or so.

My son, John was also good friends with Josh. They caddied and golfed together a lot. John played in a charity golf outing with him. Although John was a couple of years younger than him, he was so nice to him.

Everyone loved Josh. He used to come over just to visit us. He was so smart and kind. I remember when my father was sick with cancer he brought over some tapes for my Dad to listen to that dealt with coping with stress during cancer. He was such a thoughtful guy!

I felt so badly for Meghan when she called me this evening. She found out Josh had passed away on Facebook. She was so upset that she had to hear the news that way. She feels so out of touch being so far away from home.

All of this said, we found out Josh and his girlfriend, Lindsay had a blog to keep friends and family updated on his condition. It was obvious that in the past few years he had made Jesus his personal Savior. I had no idea since I hadn't seen him in awhile. I wonder if he would have shared it with us? I was SO happy to read about His faith in Jesus! On one of the entries they had this song on their hearts... and wanted to share it with everyone. So, in honor of Josh Vanicelli I want to share it with you! Josh was a fighter and He Glorified God every step of the way!



I'm Thankful for Josh's life and that he had God to cling to during his battle.
Please pray for his family, friends, his girlfriend Lindsay and his twin sister, Danielle tonight.
God Bless you, friend.
Angie xoxo

muffin tops aren't comfy

1 Corinthians 6:12
"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.

I'd like to introduce you to my stronghold... sweets.
I need some focus and moderation.. Please, if you feel led to pray for me I'd appreciate it.

I want Him to satisfy my every need. It's time I start Believing He is enough for me!
I hope you are all doing well tonight.
Love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover... it really doesn't matter

For some reason I have gotten behind on my Cover to Cover readings of the Bible. I was going to try to be okay with missing this week and catching up next week. I decided to skim over the readings and God spoke to me tonight. He not only spoke, He spoke loudly. The contents of this week's readings is what brought me to God in the first place and made me so desperate for Him.

In 2 Samuel Chapter 11 David committed adultery with Bathsheba... and then murder. This story really bothered me when I first read it a long time ago. Actually it still bothers me. I don't do well with secrets or betrayal. My ex-husband kept a secret for over 2 years and committed adultery with the woman he went on to marry. To say it was painful is an understatement. It changed the lives of me and my children. I am so grateful for God being my comfort during that season of my life!

Then I read Psalm 51...

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.


I spent several years hoping my ex-husband would tell me how sorry he was for all of the pain he caused. To this day I still haven't heard him say he is sorry to me. I wanted him to beg for my forgiveness. Only since I've been in God's Word have I come to realize it doesn't really matter if he ever does. I would rather he get down on his knees and beg God for forgiveness. I've also learned his sins aren't any worse than mine. I've recently tried to express this to my kids. I think it is important they know the truth.

I remember doing one of my first Bible studies on The Psalms and there was a song to go along with Psalm 51... "Whiter Than Snow". Since I couldn't find it, I decided this is the perfect song and expresses what I don't have the words to say.



I am SO glad God had me get in His Word tonight.
Love,
Angie xoxo

How are you?

OR...


I'm out of control, thanks! This Thankful Thursday I am totally out of control. Or at least that's my goal!

Have you known anyone to get a DUI (Driving Under the Influence)? They are so drunk they've totally lost control. They are under the influence of alcohol. They act differently than they normally would. They might say things they wouldn't normally say and make poor decisions. It's not the person driving the car anymore, it's the alcohol. It's not safe to drive a car while drunk, right?

We will all be influenced by something. I want to be a person who LUI. (Lives Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit). If I am full of the Holy Spirit I will act and talk in ways I wouldn't naturally. I would have a strength that is not my own. I want to be so full of the Holy Spirit there is no room for me and my sinful (mean, critical, gossip, dishonest) ways. I want to give up MY control, and make my decisions based on His Spirit...
... so I can reap the fruits of the Holy Spirit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.



I want to live out of control... and LUI of the Holy Spirit!
Angie xoxo