Another miracle...

A blessed ACTS sister from my church had this to say, and I simply could not pass up the opportunity to share it:

"When I first saw pictures of Haiti after the earthquake and (that) the people who were still alive would soon be dying if somehow food, water and medical supplies were not brought in quickly, I thought of the miracle that Jesus performed with the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. If only we had Jesus here. If only someone could start passing around the little food the Haitians found, and it would be multiplied enough to feed everyone.

Didn't Jesus tell us that we, the followers of Him, would also do these things, in fact, even do greater things! (John 14:12)

Jesus was one person, yet He fed thousands. We, as the Body of Christ, can also feed thousands, and I am encouraged and made stronger in faith, as I see the outpouring of humanitarian relief to the Haitians. I just heard on the news that the USA citizens have donated 210 million dollars, even though our economy is suffering and people are out of work. This is more that double what our government offered, which will also be paid by 'the people'. So, in effect, we are doing what Jesus said we could do!
God bless America and God bless Haiti."

God is all around us. I hope we can all take a minute from our busy lives to witness His grace everywhere. I know I am much happier, peaceful, and content when I do! I hope you can feel His love, too. God bless.

A Coversation With Jeni

I have an awesome story to share with you. Yesterday evening, I was on the phone with Mary's sister, Jeni. She and I have become great friends. Since she lives in New York, and I in Texas, we usually have to either e-mail/Facebook or talk on the phone. We try to catch up on the phone every week, but time had lapsed since our last conversation. She is preparing for a wedding and, well, you know what I've been up to. Last night was so great to talk. We got on the topic of cardinals and other birds, (Jeni has had some of the same kinds of spiritual connections with birds since Mary died). She was sharing with me some wonderful experiences (which you can read on her blog by clicking the big red cardinal to the right), and I with her. I told her there were cardinals hanging around my retreat place, especially after I got up in front of 64 women and talked about Mary's death and the miracles that have occured since, my problems with depression and other challenges I have faced in life. I also reminded her how when I gave her the "Sisterhood Award" for blogs, a swarm of beautiful bright red cardinals filled my backyard, as if to say, "Thanks, Laurie for doing that for Jen- the best sister in the world." We were laughing about sometimes we feel 'crazy' from all of these miracles. Well, as we were speaking, I looked out my back bathroom window (where I sometimes talk so the kids won't bother me) and a beautiful crimson cardinal flew to a branch right in front of the window. It was right in front of my eyes, as I was talking to Jen about our cardinals! I thing he was saying, "Keep in contact with my sis- you both need each other!" I was in awe, as was Jeni. Again, God is good!

ACTS Retreat and Mother's Day

WOW! This is the only way I can think to describe my wonderful, spiritual-filled weekend on the ACTS retreat. I left Thursday to go on this retreat full of anxiety and with the weight of the world (or so it seemed) on my shoulders and left Sunday morning as light as a feather (except retaining water from all the awesome food) filled with love and hope. You see, I had spent all week trying to help a sick friend, trying to take care of my family, get groceries for Ms. Angelle, worrying that I had a brain tumor or something with all that MRI mess, and the list goes on. I was tired. This retreat was just what I needed, at the right time, to rejuvinate my soul. Don't get me wrong- I did not get much sleep. They kept us up late and woke us early so that we could get everything done. But the fact I was able to get away from my stressful life, lay my burdens out and hand them over to God, made me feel as if I had gotten a great sleep. I also met some wonderful new people and made a lot of new friends. I know I have a new list of people I can call at anytime, and they will be here for me.

The above picture is my roomie for the retreat and me. God put us together for a very special reason and I feel blessed to have roomed with Kathleen. The picture below is my prayer partner, Tami. She is a wonderful, spiritual woman who has her deal of challenges in life and I admire and respect her so much. Again, I think God had a hand in matching us and I am so grateful.

Next, is what the four of us jokingly called the "LORI/LAURIE double-decker sandwich" because there were four with the same name- two of us with the spelling "Laurie" and two with the spelling "Lori"- what fun! Then, the next picture is of two dear friends that were across the hall from me- Victoria and Lori.

When I finally got to see my family at church, I was so happy to see them. I missed the kids and Pete so much! We had a great mother's day together and then went to my sister's house to celebrate some more. Below is a picture of the moms in my family- me, mom and Molly. I love them very much! I hope all you moms out there had a wonderful weekend, too.

What's Going On

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." - John Burroughs

What an understatement! My life has been so hectic lately, I barely have time to take care of myself. I have been trying to help a sick friend for the past several days, knowing I need to take Ms. Angelle to Sam's and shop and cook for my family in preparation for my leave starting today. (Plus, having had that MRI has left me feeling bad and worried- and I just found out everything came back normal-YIPPEE). Yes- I am getting away...by myself...for four days! I am going on an ACTS retreat from my church. I am so ready for some peace and quiet time. I cannot wait to renew my spirit with thoughtful prayer and meditation. Please pray for my family and me while I am gone. I will be praying for you, too! I leave today at 6:00 and return @noon on Sunday- just in time for Mother's Day. To all you wonderful mothers out there- I hope you have a great, relaxing and restful mother's day, too! Here's a poem I wrote for MOMS:

MOMS

Moms are special, this is true.

They sacrifice their life for

their family, with all the

special things they do.

Moms would rather

cook and clean and

make their house pretty,

than spend their time

shopping or caught up

in the city.

Moms love their children

more than anything else,

and they would do

anything to give

them peace, love and harmony-

a true meaning of theirselves.

So remember MOMS on Mother's day

and tell them you love them

in your own special way.

~Laurie Kolp