March 13, 2011, A typical Sunday Morning.  I'm sitting at church worshipping, learning from the pastor and fellow shipping with friends afterwards, like I said a typical Sunday morning. There is a family behind me but honestly I'm not paying attention, hear the baby jabber but still so in tune with the message that it couldn't even distract me. I know who the family is but still don't really connect with them. They are a large family, still have kids in school, a granddaughter, nothing at all in common with them. That afternoon I stay in town to prepare for a new ministry I'm involved in. Called Titus 2. It is a mentoring ministry and although I question if I have what it takes to be a mentor, I do embrace it whole heartily I am shopping for serving plates, and food for our first meeting on Monday March 14th. I can't resist a book store so while I'm out I stop at Hastings. Go straight to my favorite section, Christian books. I really don't need anymore books because I have several to read and I  don't need to spend the money. I come across a book called From Mourning to Morning, The Only Difference Is You. by Harry and Cheryl Salem. I immediately know this could only be for me because it would help me to understand a friend of mine who lost her son, and then I could pass it on to her. I had never lost anyone so close to me so I was really searching for some answers to help her. It was a used book and I got it for around $4.00. But if it could help my friend I would purchase it. I walked around some more looked at some others and even thought I don't need to buy anything. I'll come back in a week or two and if it's there then I'll get it. Then I thought for $ 4.00 I'm already here just buy it.
Monday March 14th, work a little go home bake and be at the church by 5:30. Ladies are trickling in, visiting laughing and waiting in anticipation for the evening to begin. My last person to check in was Carol Goad, I have her sign the sheet, give her a name tag then I move on , I see her on the phone but then I don't even see her leave. We get ready to start the evening and the call comes in that Carol's  19 yr old daughter, Nychelle  was in a car accident. We stop everything and lift her and her family up in prayer. As the evening progresses we get more news and the prayers continue. At 1:30 am my daughter calls me and says Mom she died. It's on Facebook. I can not believe it or sleep so I get on Facebook and try to find someone who knows and I start texting to find out more info. Surely this is wrong. Remember I do not know this girl but I remember the words of one who did and she said I know Nychelle will be okay because she has a calling on her life. What events developed after this I will never forget. The people came together and loved on this family. Immediately a Facebook Memorial page was set up and it had a multitude of "likes" in a matter of minutes. Mom and Dad were posting encouragement to everyone. My husband Greg said I want to know these people. The s funeral  service was unbelievable, hands were raised and hearts were changed. People walked out of there with comments like, " I've never seen a worship service like that, or what should have been so sad wasn't."  If you are a Christian then you know why even in the midst of sadness that family was rejoicing. I mean they don't have to worry if their daughter is going to heaven, if that doesn't get your shout on then nothing will. As I said before I never knew this sweet child who spent a short time on earth living her life to spend eternity with Jesus, but when I get to heaven I can't wait to meet her. And God did have a call on her life. He called her home so that others might be saved. The Goad family is truly remarkable and it has blessed me to see how Godly people handle tough situations that life throws at them. They have inspired me beyond measure. Nychelle, I made a name tag for you so that I could be your mentor and although you never put it on you became my mentor. I'm just about finished reading my book and I know now why I bought it, for a family that in a week's time had their whole world turned upside down and through it all their biggest concern was that Nychelle's friends would come to know Jesus. Sunday March 20, 2011. 1 week later there is a remarkable family across from me shouting and praising the Lord. And let me tell you if you can bury your child and still praise the Lord...I Want What You Have.   And I do have something in common with them, I want to see my child in heaven just like they want to see theirs. If you know Jesus  Christ as your personal savior then no one is in your past, they are always in your future.

Janet

New To Blogging

After you read this post I'm sure you will understand the title. I decided to start blogging as a way of getting in the swing of writing. I had a teacher who encouraged me to write when I was in high school and even believed I could write a book someday. Well, love, baby, jobs and just life in general has a way of interupting some dreams and goals. And although they weren't bad interuptions and I fully wanted that in my life, writing took a backseat. So now I believe I am ready with arms wide open to see what  God has in store for me.I have also been reading and studying a lot, which I think has also made that dream surface. So who knows this could be the very beginning of a new era in my life. I embrace it with  excitement and anticipation. So if I come to your mind please say a prayer for GOD to show me the direction he wants me to take in  my life.  
Jeremiah 10:23 I know, Oh Lord, that a man's life is not his own;is is not for man to direct his steps.
Lord, I am so excited for this journey that I am on. I thank you for stirring my heart to put my thoughts in writing, may I always honor you in all my words. I thank you for friends who encourage me to pursue a dream. In your Holy name I pray, Amen