Open Hands

 Today I honor the children

Today I pray for the parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers

 

Today I honor the adults

Today I pray for their families; husbands, children, parents

 

Today I ask for my own personal strength of understanding

Today I hold my own family just a little closer and count my blessings.

Today I pray for them to stay safe.

And, I thank My Lord.

 

  

 

 

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air....

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

 

Written by Cameo Smith

Mt. Wolf, Pa.

 

My freebie today is to honor these

children and adults

and to pray for a safer world.

 

 

 

You can download this at:

http://www.4shared.com/zip/HbefGEX4/faith_path_ahead.html

 

 

This has not been an easy thing for me .... it so hard to understand that evil walks among us like this.  My brain has had such a hard time wrapping itself around this taking of so many young lives.  My heart has felt so heavy since hearing the news for the first time on Friday. 

 

What has it caused me to feel and do .....

On Friday I called my daughter, Angie in Texas just to check on her.  She is a teacher in Katy, Texas.  All I could think of .... what if this had been her elementary?  I just had to hear her voice.  She spoke of protecting her own class; talking to those individual children that became frightened, calming her parents that called over the phone wanting to know "how safe are my children" and she told me she cried.  Her crying, made me want her to know how much I loved her and I told her so.  I think all of us ... whether a tear was shed or not ... we cried.

 

Then on Saturday I spent the morning with my son, Drue who lives down the street.  It was just an ordinary morning ... playing with my grandsons.  But, what was important to me was to be near my son and to tell him how much I loved him.  For you see, even at 32 years old .... he is my child.

 

Then on Sunday, we were all suppose to go to my daughter, Christa's son's basketball game.  Instead, I just went shopping with my oldest child, Christa.  I spent a total of four uninterrupted hours with her laughing and talking.  We talked about the tragedy and in the middle of Younkers Dept Store ... I started to cry.  She said "Mom, what is wrong".  She saw how upset I was and just took me into her  arms and said "I love you". 

 

That night at the dinner table when I looked around at my whole family ... my husband, my children and my grandchildren, I looked at each and everyone of them.  John usually says grace when our family gather for a meal, but last night I gave grace .....  and it was just the normal funny blessing I always say for my grandchildren, but in my heart I know I was thanking God for keeping my family safe and allowing me to hold them just a little bit closer.

 

Hugs, Sue

 



Gentle Touch

You can download it at: 

http://www.4shared.com/zip/V5BJr4xw/give_of_yourself.html

Today this wordart is being dedicated to a very, very special new friend of mine.  I have found that her site is so much inspiration for me, it is my first stop of the day!!!!!  There is never an exception.  She is calling Monday's "Dedication Day" on her blog and her words are just so thought provoking.  She makes me want to always be a better person.

She has touched me not only with her own words, but her helpfulness to me and my blog.  She has honored my creations and in turn brought me a new friend that day.  She is so talented and creative, giving and funny ... you will just admire her as much as I do.

Another reason why she touched my heart was one of her comments:

      Dated:  10-20-12 on my post called "Home for the Holidays"

              
                             Quote:  
                             
                             "The effort you put into this design was worth it.  This creation is

                             absolutely beautiful and certainly tugs at my heartstrings".

                             "If I could put something on a wish list it would be a safe and

                             happy Christmas with a weather forecast suitable for travelling.

                            "My parents have moved over seven hours away and I am an

                            only child."

                             "First time in over 18 years to be separated"

                            "So home represents not a physical location but family"

                                    

 **** this is only parts of that comment that I received.  But, these sentences reached so deep within my soul.

The reasons I was so touched.

1.  Her very first sentence says it all .... the reason I create for others.

2.  Her wish .... she wants to be safe to see her loved ones.

3.  She is an only child ....  I am one, too.  And, I truely understand how important it is to spend

     time with her parents.  Even though, like her ... I don't come from a large family, I know

     the size of family doesn't matter at all.  Our love for each other is just as abundant.

4.  I often didn't see my family after I started my own family .... so you see, I know how important
     it is for her to be with hers.  And, I understand just how hard it will be if they are not together.

5.  And, her last sentence .... wow!!!!!!!

Please do go and stop for a visit at her site.  Make her feel as welcome to this world, as all of you have to me.  You can find her at:  http://decossesdynamitedoodles.blogspot.com.

And Lisa ...... thank you for all your help as well.

Hugs, Sue



Heart's Memory

Good morning friends,

 

My freebie today is one I have made because of my reflective state of mind this morning.  I took a very early walk this morning and as I looked around my neighborhood, I realized that I am a very blessed person.

 

Not only has the day begun with gentle quiet, it's really beautiful this morning.  The air is crisp, with that touch of coolness that touches your nose and makes it cold.  But, it is one of those morning in which I felt extra close to God.  Many times in the morning that is when I talk to him in my mind.  And, this morning .... I have felt the overwhelming sense of "gratitude" not only for my family, but my friends.

 

So, my freebie is just my way of saying .... Thank You, Lord.

 

 

You can download it at:

http://www.4shared.com/zip/tarjXxdo/gratitude.html

 

And, to this early morning .... I want to bid all my friends that visit today ..... a very blessed day.

 

Hugs, Sue

Blessings

This freebie, it is the little girl that has captured my imagination.  I have been waiting for just the right moment to use her in a daily freebie.  Everything about her represents giving and love.  It is the candle light she is holding.  It's as if she represents all the "goodness and hope" of the world, if we would just look inside her eyes.

I decided to use her in this Thanksgiving Blessing because of that.  I do hope she reaches into your heart just as she has in mine.

Here is her preview:

You can download her at:   http://www.4shared.com/zip/GitVlmTu/Blessings.html

 

I also want to dedicate today to a unbelievably talented artist. Her sketches and drawings are so beautiful and touching. She is able to capture the essence of beauty in the "eyes" of her subject matter. Her name is Meago and she displays her artisty at Deviantart. If you would like to go take a look at her work, she can be found at: http://meago.deviantart.com. Thank you, Meago ... I go to your site often because your talent is extraordinary.  Today's primary element is from her drawing called "November Lights".  I can't not say enough about her heartfelt talent.  It just takes my breathe away.  Time and time again, her talent just blows me away. 

This freebie, I can see many scrapbook pages for it to be used in .... Thanksgiving, Fall, Christmas, religious and so, so much more ..........

Hugs always, Sue