JVR...The Story: My mentor. Every Christian should have one.

JVR...The Story: My mentor. Every Christian should have one.: Every Christian should have a mentor and every Christian should be a mentor. My mentor was my mother-in-law who passed away Sept 8, 2014. T...

My mentor. Every Christian should have one.

Every Christian should have a mentor and every Christian should be a mentor. My mentor was my mother-in-law who passed away Sept 8, 2014. The thing was, she didn't even know it. What a sweet Christian woman! She wasn't perfect, but that's what made her the perfect mentor. She showed me how to be a loving mother and wife. She also showed me what it is like to live for Jesus, no matter what. She hardly made it to church, yet she was faithful in her bible study. Her eyes lit up whenever the subject of God came up. She voiced her opinion which most of the time was quite comical! She was a quiet spoken person and when something riled her up everybody listened and took to heart what she was saying. She always thought of others before herself and hardly ever complained, about anything. She didn't think she was anything special! I guess that's what made her so special. Even though she is in Heaven with our Heavenly Father, she still lives within me and still mentors me. I only hope I can be half the mentor to somebody else, as she's been to me. I need to find a new mentor; I know God will bring one. I need to find someone to mentor, and I don't feel qualified at all. But one thing is for sure, being a mentor keeps you accountable, for if you know somebody is looking to you for direction, it makes you think twice before making foolish choices. Titus 2:3-5 

When it rains it pours but God is the only umbrella you need

I posted this little quote God gave me on September 8, 2014 that day was quite a day. I'd be lying if I said I was strong and had courage through it all, I wasn't. Oh I know God doesn't give you more than you can handle. And I know God is in control. And I know all things work out for good for those whose trust in him. Yes I know this and more and I believe all of it. My human heart still weighs heavy. The tears still flow freely. My brain still goes blank. I'm so so happy God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in me! My husband got news that morning that he had to have a heart cath that following Friday. It was suspected that he had a possible blockage. And with still a heart valve leak from a major heart valve repair only 18 months earlier, it was a possibility he could go into an open heart surgery again. Then as the day progressed he found out that is job of 19 years is being dissolved as of the end of the year. Then we ended the day with the passing of his sweet Mother. His mom Went peacefully and is out of pain in Heaven, singing and laughing with the angles and all the loved ones who went before her. My husbands heart cath went smoothly and his heart is good, leak is very small, and no blockage. Now we wait on the job situation. I know all will be okay, even better than okay. We are actually excited waiting to see what God has for us. God is Holy! God is Awesome!  Am I weird? Some might argue that. But, no I am blessed! Thank you Heavenly Father!

The above was written on September 14, 2014. I drafted the above blog until it was okay to post.

Now, five months later... My quote last September 8, 2014 ‘when it rains it pours’ as my dear mother-in-law passed away, my husband found out his open heart surgery the year before of a heart valve repair didn’t fully repair the leak, and word his current job of 19 years was to end within a few months…here are some other quotes that tag along.. “When storms come, just grab an umbrella."  "We cannot change the weather, but we can adjust our attitude about it."  “The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  "Rain will come and go in a day, but our outlook lasts a lifetime.”  To add to this last quote, our outlook and reaction to ‘life’ last in others life times as well. We are being watched…We say we have a mighty God! A God who is in control of ALL things! We are being watched…Our God is being Watched…What are others seeing? Praise our HOLY Father! HE IS IN CONTROL!

Revelation

The Book of Revelation has always inspired and allured my interest. The History Channel on Comcast aired a two part show on Revelation at the end of December of 2014. While these types of shows are very interesting to me, they seem to bring up more questions than they answer. One of my many confusion topics is the 144 thousand. At one time I thought I had it all figured out, but HA! No, not at all. In fact I'm more confused now that before. However, while reading one of my devotion plans from YouVerson named, you got it, Revelation, God spoke to me through chapter 7. Still not completely clear, but so very interesting to me. Verse 3 "hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we shall have sealed the servant of our God on their Foreheads." V4 144 thousand. Out of every tribe of Juda. I understand these are God's chosen but I ask in my mind, what about us non-Jewish Christians? Go down to v 13 and 14. I still have more questions than answers, but this chapter had a healing, comforting, peaceful effect on me. Of course God is in Control! My wondering, curious mind enjoys figuring out mysteries. In fact, as I've said before, that's what led me to read the Bible before I was even a Christian. The Mystery of the book of Revelation and the end times.

Currently I'm using YouVerson app on my phone for my daily devotions. A very handy tool. There are so many plans to choose from. Oh, and yes, I finally did finish reading the Bible all the way through. Not in 90 days, not in a year, but in 3 years. And I'm thinking of doing it again. I like to read it slow and let it speak to me. Reading anything fast just doesn't sink into my brain. Everybody is different and I'm so not saying this is the only or even the best way to read the Bible. In fact I would be more correct to say, I'm the exception not the rule. I do have a hard time comprehending. Sometimes I have to read the same section of the Bible over several days just to really get what it's saying. Or should I say what God is saying to me. But that's Okay! I now know God made me, He knows how I work better than I do. And it's really OKAY! :) Isn’t our Heavenly Father the BEST!!!!

The book of Titus

 It's almost been three years now and I'm almost finished reading the bible straight through. I've read through the bible genesis to revelations at least twice before, but it's been using a guide. I've also read and studied the bible many different ways. However, this time I wanted to take my time reading through genesis to revelations one chapter at a time. Listening to God and praying about what He has to say. It's been quite a journey. I've read the chapters and verses before, but learn something new every time. Titus is one book that I've heard preached on many times, read and studied many times. But this time as I read it, I hear God talking to me in such a personal way. Titus 2:3-5 very clear about how women should be. The rest of the book has a lot if clear instruction on how a follower of Christ should behave themself. We Christians are quick to use this book to judge others. If we Christians  read this book for ourself, and let God work in us the words He says. I think we would have less problems in our churches. Of course that's easier said than done. I just finished reading the book, Not a Fan. It's opened my eyes and heart to some strong truths. Each and every day I need to give myself to God or I find myself in old habits and thought patterns. I thank God, our Holy Father for His faithfulness and patience.

Where has the month of September gone?

I literally feel like I went to bed August 31 and woke up on September 30. What a month! I remember, in my grade school days, when I couldn't wait for September, and it felt like it would never get here. I was the nerd who liked school and couldn't wait for the new year to start.

This year, the year 2014, September started out at full speed running a marathon. The first week we spent every night spending time with my dyeing mother-in-law. As strange as it sounds, those were healing days. Though it's hard to see a dear loved one like that, it was a chance to say goodbye. Memories, like her last meal. Coffee and Donuts. Her daughter feeding her pinches of the glazed donut my husband brought her, and I having the privilege of giving her sips of her coffee from a spoon. And then there's the time, when I would go into her room and say "hi" and 'love you mom', when she opened her eyes, smiled and tried to say something back. And then, after she went fully unconscious, one of the last times I held her hand. Her soft warm hand. As I walked out of the room that night, I slowly let my hand slip out of hers, feeling her so very soft warm hand glide over mine. A memory I'll forever treasure. Then that night, that September 8th night. As I stood at the end of her bed. Her loving husband on one side of her holding her hand, her daughter, my husband and daughter all standing around her bed, seeing her peacefully take her last breath. lay there so still, so peaceful. As her color left her face, I found myself asking if this was real. Waiting for her to take a breath again. And then realizing that she was gone from us but present with her sweet Heavenly Father. I picture her laughing and hugging and talking with her sister, parents, and all of her loved ones that had gone on before her.

September 8th was quite a day. I'd be lying if I said I was strong and had courage through it all, I wasn't. Oh I know God doesn't give you more than you can handle. And I know God is in control. And I know all things work out for good for those whose trust in him. Yes I know this and more and I believe all of it. My human heart still weighs heavy. The tears still flow freely. My brain still goes blank. I'm so so happy God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in me! My husband received news that morning that he had to have a heart cath that following Friday. It was suspected that he had a possible blockage. And with still a heart valve leak from a major heart valve repair only 18 months earlier, it was a possibility he could go into an open heart surgery again. Then as the day progressed he found out some other devastating news. Then we ended the day with the passing of his sweet Mother.

Yes as I said earlier, his mom went peacefully and is out of pain in Heaven, singing and laughing with the angles and all the loved ones who went before her. My husbands heart cath went smoothly and his heart is good, leak is very small, and no blockage. Now we wait on the other situation. I know all will be okay, even better than okay. We are actually excited waiting to see what God has for us. God is Holy! God is Awesome!  Am I weird? Some might argue that. But, no I am blessed! Thank you Heavenly Father!

Well, now it's almost the middle of October. We are still unknown about the 'other' situation I spoke of earlier. As soon as it's safe to share what I'm talking about I will. It's mostly the unknown that's the hardest.

And I see all around me people, co-workers, family, friends, dealing with similar situations. It can get so overwhelming. All I can do is pray. Give it to God. Ask our Heavenly Father what He wants me to do. Prayer is so powerful, we have no idea. I do underestimate the power of prayer. God continuously surprises me.

Proverbs 31 Woman

Ever read this chapter? Overwhelming, isn't it? Well I'm here to tell you it CAN be done...IN CHRIST...of course. I personally know one in the flesh. My sweet loving spiritual mentor. My Mother-in-Law...Suzanne Hymer. Today, September 5, 2014 she lies in bed at her daughters house taking her last breaths. They say a matter of hours or days...She's still being a Godly example as she dies...teaching us the 'right' way to die. She is smiling and content. She never has a mean word for anybody. Anybody who's met her immediately falls in love with her. Anybody in her presence is in God's presence. The Holy Spirit Lives within her, no question about it, it's felt by all. No, she's not perfect. But...I want to be like her when I grow up...

Mom, we love you! We're going to miss you! But we all know you are going to be in a much happier and sweeter place.

Galatians 6 fits today...Spiritual ones restore one in spirit of gentleness, keep from temptation. Bear one another's burdens, fulfill the law of Christ. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things who those who teaches..Do not grow weary while doing good, in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart. As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

This is just a snap shot of Mom's life. God YOU are a HOLY GOD! Thank you for taking care of our precious Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Wife...your precious child!