Thursday, April 22, 2010

Blessings For Granny & Me

I cannot believe all of the blessings that I have received. My friend Julie encourages me all the time through her blog. She had sent me her phone number in case I needed her and today I just wanted to call her and tell her thank you in person. (well kind of in person- on the phone!). I left her a message and she returned my call. Oh what a blessing she is! She is the one that invited me to join a Bible study based on Proverbs 31:10-31 at A Country Woman. . If you know me at all, you know that this is my favorite verses in the Bible. This is what I want to be. I am very excited about this Bible study. I started reading this book today and am so blessed already. Julie & I talked and shared our hearts and you would think that we have known each other forever. At the end of our phone call she prayed a sweet prayer for me. Thank you Julie! You are right we did not meet (through our blogs) by accident. You were sent to me as a blessing.

The day that Granny passed away my friend Rachelle (from my church)
came and brought us breakfast and stayed most of the day with me. She let me talk and cry.
Then at the funeral home my friend Reba brought food and stayed the whole evening there taking care of things. Even though I was not with her much, she stayed anyway.
Regina (from church) came and brought cards and a sweet gift to us. Sandy (our angel) came just to love on me. Our best friends Vicki & Eddie came and stayed and was there for whatever we needed. There are so many more but this is just an example of how my family was blessed.
I can't even list the emails, cards, and gifts. There are so many. I have to tell you what a blessing all of you that bought a quilt from Granny were to her. It all started by Martha emailing and asking if Granny would consider selling a quilt to her. That started the snowball of Granny selling her quilts here on my blog. I didn't even try. We have record of 79 quilts being sold here on the blog. Many would email and just tell me to pick one out for them. Granny would always tell me thank you but I told her it was her that sold the quilts....not me. I encourage you to go to Martha's blog and read here and here! So precious.
We are blessed.

I have already told you about my 3 girls blessing me by cleaning my house. Thank you girls!Shannon, my oldest daughter won this quilt top at a Church auction. It is all hand sewn. She brought it to me and gave it to me. I think it is beautiful and it reminds me of Granny's quilts. I just hope it doesn't take me 25 years to finish like my first quilt! (smile)

Look at this quilt. It is huge. Shannon found it at a yard sale. I could not believe that she gave me this too! I love it. Thank you Shannon. There are more blessings that you will be hearing about soon.
And then I have to thank YOU for all of the condolences for Granny. I am sure she is reading them and is so proud. If you would like to read or sign Granny's Guest Book you can go Here! Look for her name, Beulah Gribble- click on it- go to guestbook. The Funeral home will be mailing the Guest book to our family after 30 days. Thank you so much.

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SNIPPETS FROM MY HEART

I have been wondering what the Lord is trying to show me. You all know that I am walking through a trial but it is quiet right now. It is still there though. Before Granny (My Dads Mother) passed away I was listening to that still small voice and I was hearing from the Lord. There is no doubt in my mind. Then I was shocked when Granny left us. It was like my life was put on pause for a few days. I went on with life but wondered why. Yes, I know that she was 96 years old but I did not expect this at all. The same thing happened when my Grandma (my Mothers Mom) died several years ago. I just got so used to going to see them that this just doesn't feel natural. But it was their time. I don't like it. But who am I? Anyway, as I shared with Julie this afternoon.......I have been asking myself what the Lord is trying to show me. I have been praying and reading my Bible trying to get answers. Well I started reading this book, "The Excellent Wife". As I read the first part of it and how it talked about our relationship with the Lord and our husbands, I realized what HE is trying to show me. HE is showing me that HE is GOD! It was a light bulb moment when I realized this. HE is GOD! I am not in charge. HE is!

HE is GOD!

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

22 comments:

Love Bears All Things said...

Bless you, Valerie(Beth),
I know this is a difficult time. It is not easy to have to give up someone close to you. Someone who has always been there. I can certainly empathize with you.
Granny was special and was able to touch so many lives in the last year or so. You were instrumental in that. What a blessing.
Mama Bear

Lucy said...

Valerie, I have been away from the blog and have just found out about your darling "Granny". With tears streaming down my face, I offer my condolences.
Granny is an absolute role model for maintaining a purpose in life regardless of age. What a blessing to many that you have introduced her to so many of us. My life is much richer for having known her.

caknitter said...

You're so fortunate to have so many good friends and a loving family around you to ease the heartache.
I agree with you about God taking care of things and showing you who He is. He is now taking care of Granny and probably wants you to give him the stress and worry about your trial to Him. He will take care of it too.

Jocelyn said...

Valerie, what beautiful friends you have that have shared their time with you. Thanks for sharing your snippets.

Anonymous said...

(((((((Valerie)))))))))
I am so glad that the Lord is minsistering to you!! I enjoyed the visit as well!! You will never know what a blessing it was to me!!

Alice Grace said...

Honey, just realize that the Lord makes no mistakes. You brightened Granny's last years here by being there for her, and by letting her know that you would carry on her heritage of living for the Lord and quilting. It was time for Granny to go to complete rest and happiness with the Lord. She is now by the river of life, praising Him just like she did here. I am glad that you are encouraged in the Word and that you were able to talk to Julie in person for sweet words of encouragement.
Love
MOM

Unknown said...

Valarie, I don't know you very well but, I wanted to tell you I love you and I am so glad that God brought you to a Country Woman..I am excited that you are joining us for the EW Study..I am praying for you during your loss-I wished I would of known your Granny I would of purchased 3 of her quilts for my girls..
Love ya girl!

Anonymous said...

Valerie, You said it all beautifully! If we are all IN THE BODY OF CHRIST, then we are in ONE BODY and we are never truly separated. Love always to you!

Unknown said...

Sweet Valerie ~ I am so sorry I haven't been with you at this time of Granny joining Jesus. May you know that the love for Granny was bountiful in this blogville. It was so joyful to read & share in her beautiful life.

My email is ~ blushing_rose_boutique@yahoo.com
I am here for you always, sweetie.
I can't get your email to work & I wanted to call & talk to you. Write me.

Love you, blessings, Marydon

Allie said...

Oh sweetie you are well-loved. And that's because you are a woman of the Lord, and not afraid to share your heart and your love for Him.

I read your snippets - and it made me cry. Happy tears.

webbsway said...

Hello, My Dear Valerie-

I can just feel all the love that has opened up and covered your broken heart to ease your pain.

Your Granny has not gone so far away and as long as she has you to remember her or to tell stories of her courage - she will always be alive while in your heart, and in the blink of an eye- you two will be reunited.

One of my dear friends lost her dear husband a week ago today. It breaks my heart. He was such a wonderful man and treasured husband and Father to their daughter. I regret that he will never get to hold his grandbabies - he was the type who would have loved to do that. He was only 56 and it was rheumatoid arthritis that destroyed his physical body..

And I remember when my Mama died back in 1976 and broke my heart. She was not only my Mom, but also my best friend. It was so aweful and also that feeling of just becoming an orphan in this world. It is truely a blessing to have a Mama who loves you-but it makes it so painful to let them go.
Hugs, Linda

Needled Mom said...

It sounds as though you have been generously blessed with wonderful friends dueing this most difficult time, Val. I am so happy for you.

Carliea said...

Thank you for continuing to share encouragement through your blog even in the midst of your valley. I love you and am praying for you and your family.

Michelle said...

Blessings all around you. That is no coincidence. That is a God-incident.

Julie is a blessing. I have talked to her a few times on the phone and enjoy her so.

Time heals all wounds.
be blessed, Michelle

Scottish Nanna said...

Valerie. Your Grannie Is not gone she will always be with you in your heart.
Hugs Mary.

Kelly said...

"Be still and know that I am God" is often what I meditate on. It brings me great peace to know I am not in charge. You are still in my prayers and I feel that finding your blog has been a blessing to me! Just remember how blessed you are to have had Granny in your life. The love will carry you through.

Midlife Mom said...

I am saddened but at the same time rejoicing that Granny is with the Lord, in a new pain free body and singing with the angels! She had such an impact on all of us here in Bloggsville and will never be forgotten. I enjoyed so much her videos that you took and her devotion to her quilting when she could have just been sitting in a rocking chair doing nothing. I know you have an empty hole in your heart right now but I also know that you know God makes no mistakes and does everything in His own time. What a comfort that is!!! I continue to pray for you and your family Val! xoxoxox

StitchinByTheLake said...

Friends are gifts from the heart of God. blessings, marlene

Maria said...

So pleased to read you are surrounded by loving caring folk Valerie,
Hugz
Maria

Julie said...

In the past 20 days, we have had 3 elderly people in our neighborhood pass away. Maybe He needs some help up there. The third funeral is on Monday. All were such good, salt-of-the-earth people. Sad to see them go, but so grateful to have known them. It sounds like you have been wrapped in the arms on His love through those here on earth. Blessings...Julie

Parsley said...

Found your blog through Julie.

First, I'm so sorry about the loss of your Granny. My 'Nanny' has been gone for almost 2 years. I'm thankful for every moment we had and know she's with God.

I think God brings us to people we need to meet via blogging. It's truly been a blessing.

I pray you continue to find peace.

Carole Burant said...

It's in times like these that you realize just how many friends and family you are blessed with and how much they care. Granny touched so many of our hearts and I will never forget that she prayed for my situation with my DIL...that meant so much to me. I know, it's terrible, but I still owe you an email letting you know how it's all going!! I've just signed Granny's guestbook and have left a poem on there that I hope will give you some comfort. xoxo