Mom Four Years Later

Sometimes it feels like yesterday when Mom passed away, and other times it seems like she's been gone forever. Four years ago this afternoon I got the call from Patricia that she passed away. Right now it feels like I just heard the news for the very first time.

I think of her every single day when I look down at my hands... her hands. I think of her when I walk through our living room, where I have her beautiful cream and sugar china dishes on a tray. I think of her when I entertain and get a little freaked out in the process. I think of her when I want to take a road trip and make meatloaf. I think of her when someone says that I sound like Grandma. I think of her so much more, in the little things. She had so many good qualities that she passed on to me and I miss her so much, especially today. I'd give anything to get just one more hug; and tell her I love her; and thank her for loving me with reckless abandon! Yep, I'm a fifty-something-daughter who wants her mom. ;)

Always,
Annie

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxd-7dTsUfQ&w=420&h=315]

Thankful for C & D

I am so overdue for a Thankful Thursday post. I can't even remember the last time I wrote one here. Today could not have passed by without acknowledging what God did in my life this week...

On Sunday I watched my favorite Bible study author, Beth Moore's Simulcast. I highly recommend it and you can find it here. Anyway, at one point Beth talked about meeting total strangers and seeing the Radiance of Jesus Christ in the way they look. She said she can see that it's obvious that they are believers. Her whole message was incredible and exactly what I needed to hear. When I finished listening to her message I hopped on FB for a minute. I saw a message from one of my newest friends on there. It was from Cindy, my ex-boyfriend in high school's wife. She told me she could see a "presence" in my pictures and she just wanted to tell me. Isn't that just so sweet?! I couldn't believe it. Did she watch the same message and felt the need to respond to it by writing me that message? Anyway, I don't have time to explain the whole story here, but we exchanged several emails back and forth and it was by far the biggest God-wink I've seen in a very long time. Something in me wanted to share the post I wrote on my blog back in March with her. I am so touched by the way she (and her husband!) responded to it. In a strange way, I felt a type of healing that I didn't even realize I needed. It is hard to fully describe. Although my heart was broken all of those years ago, I just know in the depth of my soul that God works ALL things out for the good and He definitely had His hand in my life then... and again this week.

I don't know why God loves me so much to give me a gift like He did this week. I am so Grateful.

xx

"I'm so sorry"

"leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God." ~Matthew 5:24

Even though I don't like it, I really believe this verse to be true.

Last night The Holy Spirit took over and helped me be "reconciled" with a loved one. I cannot tell you how much it has been bothering me to be in conflict with a family member. We are family forever! It had been several months since I hurt her feelings... and in turn my feelings were crushed.  I won't go into all of the ugly details, but I'm happy because all is good now; and I feel free to be the woman God wants me to be. It was impossible to call myself a Christian (and sit in church on Sunday singing worship music) and avoid people and have the kinds of feelings I've had for her.  I know everyone isn't going to like me and I'd be lying if I told you I didn't care, but I have to obey God. There were a few healing tears and hugs.  She didn't say she was sorry or shed a tear, but I feel so much better! She appreciated me reaching out.

If you are reading this and anyone comes to mind, I hope you go to them and do the hard thing. You will feel so much better! It will be totally worth it... I promise! I pray you get the courage to do it today!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxiqslWvgTI&w=420&h=315]

Not just a lunch date

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-j7CFfDvHc&w=420&h=315]

This afternoon we took our friend, Linda out for lunch to celebrate her birthday. Next year she will be 65!  If she lives to be 80 she will only have 15 years left. We all know how time flies! Wow! We were talking about church.  None of the four of us have been going lately. It hit me that I really don't even have a good excuse for why I've been avoiding it. I haven't wanted to waste my Sunday? How pathetic is that?  We were talking about the Catholic church and my Annulment after my divorce. I hadn't thought about it for so long. I was telling them my thoughts about why I think it's a joke, but how healing it was for me to go through the process.

Healing.

This evening, as I reflect on our conversation I realize I need God in my life. If I'm going to leave a legacy, I can't waste another moment; I must Glorify God and not myself... any more. You know the funny thing? These friends aren't a part of my small group and we don't even go to the same church. I'm pretty sure positive it was God who orchestrated our time together for His purpose.

I decided to change my blog back to "By Faith... Angie." Honestly, I haven't been very pleasant to be around lately and I'm pretty sure it's because I've been living life my way instead of God's way.

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control..." ~Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Happy to be getting back on track,

xx

August Wrap Up

Before I can jump into September, I need to fully digest August. I think we packed so much fun in because of last Winter here in Michigan. With record snowfall and very cold temperatures, we knew we had better enjoy each day and make some last-minute memories! Winter is right around the corner.

Here are some of our highlights:

It was fun planning our niece, Samantha's shower and decorating pretzels with Monica.

M. came home to be a bridesmaid in her friends' (Danielle and Joe) wedding.

The four of us spent an afternoon out at the cottage, taking a cruise on the pontoon, followed by dinner at The Firehouse in Fenton.

I've come to accept quality time vs quantity time with M. when she comes home. She has so many places to go and people to see; seriously! Unfortunately she didn't even have time to see any of her extended family.  We celebrated Lincoln and J's birthdays with a nice seafood dinner in Birmingham, followed by the infamous attempt at taking the perfect photo for this year's Christmas card. Wouldn't you know that J. just happened to have to wear his glasses that night (eye issue) and M. happened to be wearing her sunglasses in most of the pictures. No, I'm not being negative here,  just making an observation. ;)

Taking a road trip with J. down to Cincinatti for the Western Southern Tennis Tournament was definitely a highlight. We watched the Bryan identical twins play Jack Sock and another guy, while sitting in the best seats in the house (front row on the right corner!).  I especially loved watching Ferrer and learning about his work ethic. J. taught me all about these guys and really got me interested in following them. We also saw some of the best female tennis players of today. Both J. and I love the sport of tennis and the level of class of the fans. We decided this might have to be an annual event!

Harbor Springs is one of our favorite spots in Michigan. We took J. up there to stay at the Baylis Birchwood House. We had a blast! My golf game finally came together and I played my all-time best round: 45 + 40 = 85. To say I was excited is an understatement. I had the cart to myself, so there were no distractions. I tried to remember all J. taught me about coming back slow and low; straight back (not like a baseball swing); accelerating to 100% speed when I hit the ball; my hands go out to right field;  and follow through. There were photos and a whole lot of bragging going on! We played a lot of golf and ate a lot of good food and enjoyed our time together.

On our way home from up north we attended my Godmother and her husband's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party. We were able to see a lot of my Aunt Winnie's family. It was nice to see everyone when it wasn't a funeral. We enjoyed celebrating  Jane and Jerry!  My take-aways came from their son, Bob's speech, where he shared what his parents taught them about Passion, Partnership and Playfulness in marriage. What a legacy!

We celebrated the long Labor Day Weekend in Arizona. The Sanctuary is the place  to go and get totally pampered in luxury if you can handle the heat (109 degrees in the afternoon) of Summer.  We've been there at least four times, but this time Linc was determined to climb Camelback Mountain. We woke up super early on Friday morning to get an early start. I may write a whole blog post about the trip up there if I get a few moments later.  It was not easy, but I was so proud that Linc made it to the top! There were photos and a whole lot of bragging going on! We spent most of the time IN the pool at the Spa because it was the only way to stay cool. If you know me, I only get in if it's HOT.  My favorite outing was when we took a tour of Taliesin West, which was Frank Lloyd Wright's Winter Home and School from 1937-1959. Linc and I love his "Organic Architecture." It really made us want to build a home! We ate a lot of great food and enjoyed our time together and focused on a few things in our marriage that needed tending. It didn't bother me that Linc accidentally jumped in the pool with his phone in his pocket. There was a sense of freedom knowing I had him to myself, so it actually felt like a gift. We each read a whole "real" book with pages and everything! I tried taking some photos but forgot most of what I have learned about manual mode in photography. For some reason I opted for auto so I could get a few snapshots and just enjoy the moment.

J. went to visit his sister in Santa Monica. I absolutely loved that they had a weekend together by themselves. I wish I could express how much it means to me to have them be friends. M. surprised him with a concert at the Hollywood Bowl to see John Williams and hear all of his music. They took a picnic and had a great evening. I'm so proud of the way M.  is such a good hostess and makes sure people have the best time!

Well, that about wraps up August in our household. We really haven't spent a lot of time here, but I have a sneaky suspicion that we'll be "nesting" sooner than later!

We.

Are.

So.

Blessed!

xx

August Favorite Photos

[caption id="attachment_1420" align="alignnone" width="640"] Beautiful Flowers at Sanctuary[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1421" align="alignnone" width="640"] The praying monk on Camelback Mountain. Yes, we climbed to the top! Our view from the pool.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1422" align="alignnone" width="640"] Morning photo shoot[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1423" align="alignnone" width="640"] Where we relaxed IN the pool most of our time. It was 108 degrees.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1424" align="alignnone" width="640"] A brief lunch with pregnant Jenny. I think the baby was the size of a "pomegranate" that week.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1425" align="alignnone" width="640"] Impossible NOT to believe in God when I see these flowers.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1427" align="alignnone" width="640"] John and Linc. Good looking guys![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1428" align="alignnone" width="640"] I wish this one wasn't blurry![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1429" align="alignnone" width="640"] View from the balcony by Elements (Excellent restaurant!).[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1430" align="alignnone" width="640"] I love that cactus![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1431" align="alignnone" width="640"] My two favorite kids![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1432" align="alignnone" width="640"] Love the lavender flowers here![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1433" align="alignnone" width="640"] I love this one, too! I wish somebody wasn't wearing her sunglasses! ;)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1435" align="alignnone" width="640"] John A.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1436" align="alignnone" width="640"] I love the coffee set-up there![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1437" align="alignnone" width="640"] I love the colors in these flowers![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1438" align="alignnone" width="640"] My favorite photo of the day![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1439" align="alignnone" width="640"] This isn't the greatest photo, but we are obsessed with the smell of these products! I stuffed as many as I could fit in my bag to bring home![/caption]