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Noun 1. re-creation -
the act of creating again
I'm in the process of re-creating my life. Or better said, I'm inviting God to re-create my life. Each morning, each hour, each minute.
Those awful months of helplessly watching Mom slowly fade, all those years of seeing her suffer and that endless 'anticipatory grief' draining me dry to the bone. The raw, stark, emptying reality of death followed by the sudden realization, mixed with profound relief, that she had finally gone Home to be with her Lord and Savior.
Thank You Jesus.
The emptying, awkward easing into doing life without her, reaching for the phone to call or send a snapshot of the kids ... and then like bolts from the blue, realizing that she's not alive anymore. And the injured foot that kept me from the kind of steady, purposeful walking that might have made all the searing transitions a bit easier {I'd like to think}.
Yet I know that the Creator is making all things new in my tired soul, overwhelmed brain, and mending body.
Being at Camp has been the best therapy ever. Surrounded by all kinds of family {um ... second cousins three times removed?} and new friends. Breathing early morning crisp mountain air. Soaking in straight-talking Bible teaching and eye-opening Christian ethics seminars. Heaven-sent worship. Dipping brand new brushes into a watercolor paintbox, doing a puzzle, napping, curling up with a pageturner. Quiet talks over ice cream. Family members {no, not me} paddle boarding, playing volleyball and pickleball and shuffleboard, running, rock climbing, hiking. Sifting through old family snapshots with my cousin. Loud and raucous gatherings during mealtimes, at the beach, circling a blazing campfire, crowded around a board game.
And now, the clan has dispersed - Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Missouri, Florida, Alaska. And just two from the party of thirty remain for yet another seven days.
'It's gonna be such a different week,' he quietly muses, closing up his tablet before heading out for a solitary walk.
Agreed.
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THE E-BOOK DEALS
Dozens of fresh August gems for you to scroll through today ... click here. And I'm super excited about highlighting some of my all-time favorites at outrageous prices. Click the title links to grab a free sample.
Larry Crabb - $1.99
my review
my review
Emily Freeman - $1.99
Gordon MacDonald - $2.99
Ann Voskamp - $3.99
Tish Harrison Warren - $4.39
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THE PRAYING COMMUNITY
Remember Please Help Me Find Some Books For My Friend? You jumped in with an outpouring of titles for my dear lifelong friend Heather who was battling cancer. So much sincere empathy, prayer, and lovingkindness tumbled from your tender hearts, along with a hefty number of your favorite inspirational titles.
Heather's cancer has returned after a year and a half of good health. We don't need book titles this time around, but with her permission, I'm asking you faithful prayer warriors to intercede. She's been part of this online community for some time and I know she'll be reading your notes to her via the comment section. Email subscribers can hit REPLY to send encouragement.
'On Monday, I will begin a new treatment regiment ... There are a lot of unknowns; particularly in how well the cancer will respond to the treatment and how my body will react to the potential toxic side effects of the two new medicines ... We know we can't do this in our own strength, but we also know that God is FOR us, that God already knows the outcome and is with us. What we are praying for most of all is that God would give us a deep sense of peace - God's peace. The kind that goes beyond feelings of the moment and potential outcomes and is that peace beyond human understanding. We sense a measure of that now, but know we will need it in increasing measure in the days ahead.'
Bless ~
Linda
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As an Amazon Associate, I receive a small commission when you arrive on their site using these links ... at no extra cost to you.
I am missing a similar setting and time that ever-changing parts of our family would gather for a week this time of year. Yes, to recreating. Lovely photos that say so much, Linda. - Debby
ReplyDeleteI hear your longing, Debby. As time passes, these gatherings become more important yet more difficult to pull together. We try ... and hope the next generations will find ways to stay connected. Traditions matter. Legacy matters.
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Prayers lifted for Heather and her family, Linda! And what a blessing for you to spend so much quality time with family. Sure makes me miss my kids and grandkids.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Martha, thanks for praying for Heather. Tomorrow is a day we hoped would never return. God knows ...
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Loved this! So glad for what you were given all of last week. And I know this coming will be just as valuable (valued?) as the last just in a different way. So wish we could be there to visit.
ReplyDeleteGosh, we miss you ... for all kinds of reasons. It's just not the same without you guys.
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So completely understanding the comings and the goings of this season, rejoicing that they have good and full lives, lamenting that this takes them away from us.
ReplyDeleteThat picture with the beloved 6… a treasure!!
Absolutely yes to this, Michele -->'rejoicing that they have good and full lives, lamenting that this takes them away from us.'
DeleteWe're trying to figure this out right now. Didn't quite see this coming ...
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Nope, we didn’t either. And it’s huge. Lifting you up…
DeleteI have to admit some jealousy to the time away from all the rush. I'm in one of those seasons where rush and busy seem to be normal words. Prayers also said for Heather.
ReplyDeleteThanks for praying for Heather. What an encouragement.
DeleteAnd yes, I remember that season of ministry rush and busy. I prayed for you today when I read your words.
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Love the photos! Thanks for sharing what's on your heart. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYou, too, Cindy!
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I love all the pictures Linda especially the one of family. How precious. Time waits on no one and we all need to capture these moments as you have done. I know that you are still very much trying to get-it-together after loosing your mom and all the caregiving acts of mercy, grace and love that you've extended. I enjoyed so much seeing your paints come to life on paper. Girl, you are quite the artist as well as writer aren't you? The writings in your Bible melt my heart. I started a study about the Psalms and I using coloring the pages as some good therapy. Something new to me but I am so much enjoying this precious time with the Lord. I too love Ann's book, One Thousand gifts! I hope that you have a wonderful week. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteYes, I've seen those beautiful art works that adorn pages of Bibles. What a beautiful way to impress God's Word on our hearts and minds. I'm thinking He must enjoy seeing the creativity He gave us unfold ...
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Wat a great time with family. Hope you have a great time of quiet this week. Personally, as much as I love family, I need that quiet solitude after everyone has gone--even as I miss them. So much of life has happy and sad mixed in together.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that cousin chart! I've pinned it. I have wondered about some of those connections but haven't taken the time to look them up.
That was one of the hardest things about my mom's passing--having the urge to call or tell her something only to realize I couldn't. I'm thankful you're finding healing and solace.
That watercolor set sure looks tempting.
Thanks for hearing my heart on the solitude thing, Barbara. It's just how God shaped us and there's no point giving ourselves a guilt trip. You're right, life is happy and sad all mixed together.
DeleteMeanwhile, say yes to the watercolors!
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I hope you have such fun experimenting with new ways to recreate yourself, Linda! Your time with family looks so refreshing. You deserve it all!
ReplyDeleteLisa, thanks, friend!
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Ah, Linda … your time at family camp sounds wonderful. For Heather … I’m so sorry for this new development. Praying that the peace that surpasses all understanding would guard your heart and mind as you proceed with your treatment, and that your body would respond well to the medicine.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful prayer for Heather. I so appreciate your tender heart, friend.
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I'm so glad the camp was good therapy for you, Linda. It has been a long weary road for you. I'm so sorry about your friend Heather. What a disappointment! I say "Amen!" to Lois' prayer for you, Heather. Love and blessings to you, Heather, for healing and peace and to you, Linda for re-creation! P.S. I love your pics!
ReplyDeleteAmen again as we join our hearts in prayer. Trudy, thanks ...
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Thank you so much Linda - and everyone! - for the prayers as I start the new chemo. I truly feel God’s peace that He is with me and will work out His purposes.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I love the pictures of Camp, of family, of beautiful things! And wow! I love the watercolor paintings! May the Lord bless and refresh you even as you bring refreshing to others! Love, Heather
Pausing to pray again right now.
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How wonderful that 30 (!!) of you were able to gather for fellowship, bonding, and memory-making. I didn't appreciate the family reunions of my childhood and youth, but am very thankful for the memories that I can enjoy now. Praying for strength for Heather, wisdom for her doctors, and a miraculous finish to this chapter in her life, demonstrating God's power and love!
ReplyDeleteYes and amen to miracles right about now, Nancy. So grateful He is more than able to heal and restore ...
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Visiting with you on your porch today. So happy to hear you had a good time at camp. I always enjoy your photos.
ReplyDeleteVisiting today from Tell His Story # 12
Paula, thanks!
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I understand your journey with grief Linda, I too lost my Mum earlier this year after her long battle with a terminal illness.
ReplyDeleteFamily time is so very precious! What a beautiful idea of a camp together!
Prayed for you Heather...remember God is a very present (& pleasant) help in troubles. I learnt this when I journeyed with my late husband through brain cancer & God kept whispering this to my heart throughout the journey.
Bless you both, Jennifer
Jennifer, thank you for all the encouraging words you've shared with me along the way ... and now with Heather. You are tender and wise. God bless you, friend.
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I'm glad you were refreshed and even maybe recharged? from "camp" Linda. The dying do teach us a lot don't they? My dad's been gone for 4 years now, and I still want to pick up the phone and tell him things. That may never go away, but neither will the good influence he had on my life making me who I am today. Blessings to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteWhat a legacy he has left you, Lynn. I'm thinking we see it in your wisdom, kindness, and your creative spirit? A beautiful gift for sure.
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I'm glad your time with family was good. It sounds like lots of fun. Praying that you continue to know God's comfort and refreshing as you adjust to life without your mom. And I'm sorry to hear Heather's news. Praying that this new treatment is successful and for God's peace and healing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining me in prayer for Heather, Lesley. It means so much. Bless you, girl ...
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The word recreating has so much positive energy. love it as a framework for all of us to live.
ReplyDeleteFramework. I like that image, Jean. Perfect.
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I just relinquished my title of Family Picnic Queen to my niece. These gatherings feed your soul and nurture the next gen to treasure family.
ReplyDeleteFamily Picnic Queen! I love it! I've pretty much said good-bye to Holiday Festivities Organizer. I don't miss it a bit.
DeleteAnd the next generation does it so much laid back than I ever did.
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Sending uplifting prayers Heather's way. Linda, what a delight to hear about your family camping get-together. It was a joy to see your photos.
ReplyDeletePaula, thanks for joining us in prayer. Bless you for caring ...
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