My mind often wanders back to the hospital room, the beeping monitors, the scans of my father’s brain, the car partially folded and his belongings scattered. The longest week of my life, the one where we all aged 10 years. It hurts. It sucks. As the anniversary approaches, it feels like I’m coming down with the flu. I am spacey, anxious, and weak.

I was asked to sing this weekend, not only help lead worship but it is my turn in to sing the special. My pastor wrote and said he picked “Good Good Father.” When I read the email, I instantly burst into tears. You see that is one of the songs we sang over and over again. One of the songs we listened to while driving all night fervently praying I’d make it to Georgia in time to see my dad before he was called home. A song we sang in his hospital room, the song we sang by his hospice bed waiting for his transition to heaven.

“God no, not so close to the date. Why this song?”

He quietly pressed on my heart, “Because, I’m still good and people need to be reminded.”

I showed up for practice and one of the first things my pastor said was “I changed a few of the words.” You see the song started with,

“I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like.”

But as my pastor reminded me, we have the Bible we can read and know what he is like. Instead of that line, I will be singing,

“I’ve read a hundred stories of what we know you’re like.”

This Sunday I will do my best to get through the song, and if I don’t, I don’t. I recorded the song on my phone to share with my family who won’t be able to hear it in person. I sing it for them, I sing it for my heavenly Father who is still good, the one who never changes. But most of all, I sing it in honor of my earthly Father. The one I am missing so much. But heart breaks all over again, the memories are flooding, the tears are flowing. But I cannot keep silent. He is still good.

This is for you dad, I miss you.

Hey Dad,

I haven’t been able to say that for 18 months… 18 months and 4 days since the accident… I know you wouldn’t want to come back, Heaven is better than I can even fathom. Through the pain I can smile knowing you’re there and completely whole. Even knowing those truths, I miss you.

When I go to make popcorn, I plug in the air popper and hear the hum. I close my eyes and imagine I’m making it for you again during the commercial of whatever game is on Sunday evening. You’re right, coffee mugs are the best for heating up the butter. I miss you.

When the dolphins are on and they lose… again. I hear your voice and all the funny things you’d say about them. By the way, they fired another coach! I miss you.

On Sunday mornings, when I hear songs about Heaven. Or hear any preacher (and we have several good ones…) I think back to tiny LCC and you pacing back and forth. Your sermons and teaching style will always be my favorite. I miss you.

When I cut the boys hair with a buzzer, I think back to learning to do it on you first. And even though I didn’t like doing it then, and I still hate cutting hair. I think of you and would do it 100 x more if possible. I miss you.

Pictures of my wedding are sweet and hard, I remember David opening up the service, and you and I having a moment waiting to walk in. I don’t know what we said. But you were just as nervous as I was. I miss you.

When I tell my testimony to others, you’re there. You baptized me, taught me, and showed me through you life that God is the ultimate example to follow, our only hope. But I miss you.

Some of my greatest adventures were with you, when I hear of someone visiting the Grand cannon, my memories are with you. When they’re driving across the country, I think of you. I miss you.

Justin’s taking a class on English Literature this term (he’s very close to a Bachelor’s Degree!) I get giddy over the writing assignments, I wish I could take the class for him. I think it’s in my gene, the love of written communication. And I got that from you. I miss you.

It’s all the big things, and all the tiny things that made you so special, and the whole in my heart so big. I’m doing okay, God is still good. All I wanted to tell you, is that I miss you.

Love you with all the pieces of my heart,

Stephanie Grace. (aka fedex… aka gator girl)

P.s.

I still occasionally cook stuff on too high of heat on the stove and smoke up the house… miss you.

I’ve been “silent” for a while. I’ve felt like a very empty vessel. The waves of grief are smaller and farther between but I was left feeling very tired and unable to form many sentences. But even in that, God is good.

I’ve been spending the few quiet moments I have reflecting on this past year. And the main difference from last is – things are looking up. Dare I say, hopeful? I can actually say I’m looking forward to this next year. A black and white difference. Here’s a recap:

Towards the very end of last year we had decided to move back home from Florida to Delaware. No jobs lined up, no real direction, just knew our time in Florida was coming to a very quick end. We were exhausted, weary and very discouraged. Justin didn’t find work right away, but piece by piece we were making it. We thought he’d be heading to the police academy in the fall but at almost the very last moment they chose someone else. I can’t tell you how stressful this year has been, how many deadlines we felt pressing. How may times we thought “if we can just hold on till this date, we’ll make it.” I spent hours one day tearing up my garden bed, my hands blistering, my back throbbing but it helped combat the stress of and heartbreak from another rejection… another closed door. I kept repeating over and over “Steph, you can’t lose it, you can’t give up.” The hardest part was knowing your spouse was in the pits of despair and not being able to help him. We both need to both choose to move on and trust God.

That was a few months ago now, and since then, Justin has started a full time job. It doesn’t pay much but it’s enough. I’ve also started waitressing on the side and this has been a blessing financially but also mentally I really enjoy is and it’s nice to have a set time out of the house. The coolest part is how God is continuing to provide in other way. A random scolarship given to Justin recognizing the kind of guy he is and how hard he works. What a sweet blessing after so much rejection. Gifts from people, cloths dropped off, generous tippers at work, etc. Our hearts have continued to be blessed and we feel God’s blessing in this messy, less than perfect season.

Our goals for next year are:

– Justin finishing his bachelor’s online (6 classes per semester 😫.)

– I am just over 10lbs from my goal weight, I’ve lost 65! So far!

– Teach my older two to read.

– Get out of short-term debt.

– Love on our church family, neighbors, and friends better/more deliberately.

So why persistence? What’s up with that?

To be persistent means: continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.

Justin has already completed three years of school, but it’ll take a very hard final push to finish.

I’ve lost the majority of the weight I want to but I can’t get lazy with it now.

My big kids are slowly learning the steps to read, but with 4 kids yelling all at once it’s been very hard for me to be motivated to make this a priority!

We have finally been able to make strides to pay off our short term debt. For a long time it had to sit on the back burner. But as a spender/gift person it has taken being brought down very low to help shift my mindset. It’s been humbling but good. Im looking forward and trusting we’ll be debt free outside our mortgage by 2020.

We love people, they’re messy and beautiful. With four kids it’s easy to make excuses and not take the time to bless those around us. This is something we want to make more of a priority this year. We want to set this example for our kids. My parents always had a revolving door, I’m not sure I want to go that far, ha! But I know I could do better.

Galations 6:9

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

James 1:12

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

We don’t have anything really “new” coming up. We’re not moving (hopefully…) No new babies, Lord willing no major crises, I’ve been through a big physical transformation. In some ways it seems borning to me. Slow moving goals are hard for me. But with age I’ve learned that the year will fly, and if we press in and have patience we will hit our goals.

Happy New Year, friends!
May it be full of God’s grace. 💕

As Father’s Day quickly approaches, it becomes more and more evident that my earthly father has left a gaping hole. Passing the Father’s Day cards in Walmart, needing advice, or simply wanting to send him pictures of our newly installed fence. He’s not here. He won’t be here. And he is dearly missed. That fact won’t change, but this Father’s day – though there may be tears – is still be a day worth celebrating.

What about those who never knew there father? Or possibly worse, knew their father but he was abusive? Neglectful? What about you?

Most days I completely look over the fact that I still have a father, the best one there is…. my heavenly Father.

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

I have the spirit of the living God inside me and because of that I have been reborn into a new, and perfect family. Not only that, he cares for our needs.
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:3

I find it interesting that even the Lord’s prayers starts out with “Our Father..” God wants us to come before the throne and recognize him as a father figure. He is that and much more but our human minds can only comprehend and compare it to what we are familiar with.

If you are hurting, due to loss or a broken relationship… Take heart friend you’re not alone. This Sunday I will be repeating this verse over and over to myself. Maybe it’ll be an encouragement to you.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1

We anxiously waited outside his room. He just got admitted to a new facility — hospice. Once the nurses and doctor got him situated we got to go back in ans see him. We didn’t know if he had an hour, or a day. We just knew he wouldn’t be leaving the building. We sang, prayed and cried. It was the longest week of my life and at the end of it my dad would be where he always long to be. Home. In heaven.

But what about us? What about those left behind? You see, I’m not worried about my dad anymore, I’m sure he hasn’t stopped talking and soaking in everything. He probably has the biggest place on the block after sacrificing all he was and did for the Kingdom. He’s free. And us? He was our leader, mentor, pastor, and the glue to our family… The grief  sets in.

Most days the thought of him finally free is enough to get me through the day. But then I hear my kids asking where padgie is..  I have big decisions to make and I want to give him a call.. And don’t get me started on how I feel about my mom losing her team mate way too soon. It sucks. It really does. Some nights I just want to scream. People say it gets better. And in some ways it gets more bearable, we learn to function. But does it get “better?”

I’ll be the first to admit I was pretty naive about grief, I sure I still am. I had no idea that sometimes after loosing someone, dreams can be a common and frequent accurance. One week I had a dream every. single. night! About the accident, hospital, him waking… him dying… him resurrecting… another member of the family dying suddenly. It was pretty horrific and exhausting! I still dream of him. But he no longer speaks to me and he’s usually in the background. Two things are always very clear. His closed mouth smurk and big blue eyes are sparkling. He’s always happy.

Grief, a tiny word that carries a big weight. One moment you’re fine and the next you’re almost paralized with a wave of emotion. Whether that be anger, anxiety, or sadness.

I’ve learned a few things over the past 10 months. God is there in the midst of your grief. He is there in the darkness, he is there when you’re stuck in a crowd of people and you’re not sure you’ll be able to handle one more smile. He is there when you’re looking at your kids and aching for them to know their padgie. He is there.

I also know, he will be there on father’s day when my heart is re-breaking, he will be there as the facebook memories pop up from previous visits with my dad. He will also be there as the anniversary of the horrific accident comes around and memories come back like a flood. He WILL be there.

Hebrews 12:12-15

“Therefore lift your drooping hands, and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;”

I didn’t realize how hard grief would be, how consuming it can be. But I also couldn’t have fathomed the measure of grace that is given while you grieve. The days are hard, the nights are painful… but the presence of our Lord Jesus is much sweeter.

 

 

 

 

We’ve been home for over a month now, it seems like much longer in many ways. I miss my family like crazy, but I am so thankful for the sweet time we had together.

I’ve been praying for several things, asking for God’s help, guidance, direction, healing… During one of my quiet times of prayer a word kept popping up in my mind. I felt like the Lord was speaking to my heart saying, “steph, you need restoration.” Me “restoration? I can’t get any rest! I’m a mom of 4 kids 4 & under!” But that’s not what the word restoration means. Take a look.

 

I have good days and bad, some days I am on the edge of crying or having a breakdown as soon as I have a moment alone and other days I’m fine. But all in all, He is good.

I use to like New Years, it was a time to reflect. See where you’ve been – how far you’ve come. We’ve had hard years, I’ve lost 3 out of my 4 grandparents. All who lived within a mile of my house growing up. I thought I knew what loss was like. But this year has brought a whole new level of grief. Loosing my dad so horrifically shook me to my core. Broke me.

I cried on and off most of the new years eve, grieving the year one that has past. Not sure I could bare a new year, with new losses. I wrote a friend way too late sharing a specific struggle and asking her to pray I could get some sleep. While chatting we both agreed the new year can feel like, “Oh great, what is going to happen now?!” I’ve been contemplating that a lot. I’ve been reminded of the passage in John 16:33…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We are actually told by the Lord himself that we will have trouble. Our feeling of “Oh great, what now!?” Isn’t totally wrong. It’s pretty accurate. He spells out to his Disciples in John 16 all about what kinds of trouble.

In verse 2, he doesn’t only say they will put you out of the synagogue, but he even goes on to warn them that when they are killed, people will think they are doing a service to God. (sound familiar, especially in these days?)

In verse 12, he says he has even more to tell them but they could not bear it. What? That’s not very comforting.

Thankfully he tells us exactly why he told us this…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

If we stay in Him throughout this life we will find peace. We will make it through.

I think going into the New Year with goals, high hopes, and ambition is a good thing. We have much to look forward to, but don’t loose heart when the trouble comes. Because it will. The end of the verse says…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Ultimately, we will be renewed. We will see our believing loved ones again. We will get our mansions. We will be fully healed. We just need to be patient. We need to serve the Lord where and when we can and those things will come. We can bank on Him.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“

Take heart dear ones. If you’re not feeling chipper about the New Year that’s okay – just don’t give up on the one who has already overcome our trouble. We WILL be made new.

 

 

It’s been a while since I’ve had the mental and emotional energy to write. I’ve been going through the bible study “His name is.” I got to the name “Alpha and Omega” and got stuck. A lot of questions arose and it was hard to get through and really be able to believe the verses I was reading about that description of God.

If he is the Alpha and Omega…

why hasn’t he sold our house?

why aren’t the connections we had turning into job offers?

December has been a month of questions… prayer… and reevaluating my own heart. What do I really believe in my heart of hearts. It’s convicting, humbling and exhausting.

Although there will be many questions that will not have answers this side of the kingdom. The Lord graciously has brought clarity in a few areas. It was not what we expected but we are thankful.

On January 8th we will be driving back up to Delaware. Our house hasn’t sold, and overall we would prefer to raise our kids in an area where the cost of living in much lower and it’s less crazy. It’s been a hard decision. We really don’t want to leave my family, but we also no longer have peace about prolonging our stay when we feel the call to go back.

We came for two reasons, to allow Justin to go through the dispatch course. And to be a help and comfort to my mom as she transitions into a new season. Justin finished the course at the top of his class. Praise God! My mom is also feeling a little stronger. She is very much still in the early stages of grief, but a lot of the paperwork following my fathers passing has been completed. She is amazing. She has given us her blessing to move back up. We don’t want to leave and she doesn’t want us to leave. But we both know it’s for the best. I wouldn’t trade the last few months we’ve had together for anything. We have no regrets. We laid everything at the alter and the Lord has graciously given it back. Our hearts are thankful.

There is a still a need for employment for Justin. He applied for a job that is located about 45 minutes from our house in Delaware! We appreciate prayers, it is a job that would combine his skills in dispatch, military training, as well as costumer service experience. We believe that either this or something we do not yet see will open if we’re obedient and follow His prompting.

We have praises already!

-We’ve been gifted money to help cover the costs of the moving truck and getting re-established. Praise God!

-Our realtor has graciously taken our house off the market and was so kind about it all. If you need a good realtor in Delaware she’s been wonderful. Praise God!

-We’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with family. It’s been such a sweet time of fellowship. Whenever we are together it is a time of restoration and wonderful fellowship. Praise God!

-We have already been able to do some shopping at Ikea to replace some furniture we sold as well as go to costco (I’ll miss costco & Ikea!) and get things for our pantry. All paid for! Praise God!

-We’ve had such sweet responses from our friends and family in DE excited for us to get back and offering to help or load items as we need them. We really have been blessed with a wonderful community. Thanks be to God!

We will be very busy in the next two weeks. Packing, soaking up the time with family, and traveling back up.

Please pray for:

-Safety on the roads and while moving things around.

-The right job for Justin to open at the right time, that will provide what we need.

-A good transition for our family as we go back home, and for my mom and sisters as we leave.

-Pray against depression. We’re leaving sunny south Florida for freezing Delaware. It’ll be hard for us all.

 

Thank you all for your prayers. We are excited to see what doors will open next. I can say with my whole heart I do believe our God is the Alpha and Omega. I am excited to see what he does next.

*highlights from Florida*

The museum of Science and Discovery

Getting to see the Dolphins play

Double Dates with my sister and her boyfriend

A date night to see the Christmas pageant

Getting to celebrate the Holidays at home

Tea time with my mom in the evenings

A lunch date with my mom

Justin doing well in school

Walking to aunt Linda’s house

Play dates with cousins

Time with my Grandmom

Playing at the beach and park

 

 

 

 

 

This week in the bible study “His name is…” the topic has been about “the bright morning star.” We’ve looked at several verses through out the bible where it has mentioned the star, and why that is significant during this advent season… but that isn’t what stood out to me. I have appreciated the study but the verse that struck me wasn’t because it spoke of the Star but because it told me about the Magi from the East. Here is the verse:

  “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'” Matthew 2:1-2 

We’ve all heard the story of the magi.. It doesn’t actually say how many there were. They just show up in Jerusalem because they saw a star. Where from? The East. Why did this strike me? They must of had some incredible faith to travel all the way from the East, likely thousands of miles through dangerous terrain. Who does that?

Being Magi they likely studied the prophecy’s of the Old Testament. The would have read of the prophecy’s such as:

“I see him, but not now;  I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth” Numbers 24:17

To travel all that distance takes an enormous amount of faith. They didn’t even have an address and had to stop for directions along the way. Not only did they make the trip but they brought gifts fit for a king, they knew they’d be meeting a king and came prepared.

^“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11

They rejoiced when they saw the star, they knew the Lord was on to keep his promises. I don’t know where you are at in your journey of faith. We’re surviving completely off of faith that our Lord keeps his promises. We don’t have all our directions or an address… or in our case a buyer for our house or a job lined up. But we know that the Lord keeps his promises.

Be encouraged friends, be like the magi. Expect the Lord to show up.