Welcome new readers! To catch up on Audrey's story, 
I made up the term "Sundays" to refer to my faithful readers, and those who have chosen to enter into our lives as we have journeyed the last year. You have become family to us, and whenever I need prayer requests, or want to pass along information, I just say "Hey Sundays!" and you know I'm talking to you:) BUT the most important part of being a Sunday is that it goes both ways. This is not a group of people who follow "Angie Smith," but rather a group of people who follow Jesus Christ and seek to be in a loving, life-giving community where we as believers seek to lift each other up as we strive to serve our Lord better and more deeply. It's not about me; it's about Him. Feel free to send me your prayer requests as well. I pray for every single one, and even if I am unable to write back to you, I am with you in spirit, walking humbly alongside you as we seek to love Christ more and more everyday.
Hello sweet friends!!!! We are back from the beach, and so grateful to have had a chance to get away for a little while. Sad to say, it literally rained non-stop, so we didn't actually get much beach time in, but we did do a whole lot of sitting around and talking (every year we go to Hilton Head and rent a condo with Todd's best friend Dan, and we could pretty much do nothing with him every day and still have a blast).
We did puzzles, played games, watched some good movies, and took an occasional bike ride when the storm eased up for a few minutes. It was so great to be able to catch up on some reading (I finished "The Hole in Our Gospel," and must say it is now in my top 20, which is huge. I also read "The Noticer," which was great, and I finished a couple that I had been halfway through for ages. Those were not so great, so I won't bother to mention them....can you say ADDICTION? I probably read a book every week!!!). I got about halfway through "Three Cups of Tea" on the way home from the beach and am going to pick it up as soon as I finish this post, which explains why it may have typos. I can't put the thing down, it is so inspiring.
One (kind of funny, kind of not funny) story from the beach...
We were riding our bikes down the pathway that leads to our condo, and I saw this enormous fake alligator sitting with his head basically on the path. I turned around to Todd and yelled, "Was that thing here before?" I heard a loud noise as Todd and Dan steered their bikes around it. It was so hideous and huge...not really the kind of decor I was expecting.
Which explained why it stood up and walked across the path.
Umm, yeah. A ten-foot-long alligator.
So of course, with my newfound bravery (which came to me at about 26,000 feet in the air on the way home from India), I decided that the most intelligent thing to do would be to hop off my bike and take pictures. I mean, how often do you get that close to an alligator?
Don't answer that.
So, for your viewing pleasure (Dad, close your eyes...)
Yikes.
I also had a great birthday and have already used up my gift-card from Todd and the kids to (shocker) Barnes and Noble...I will let you all know if my purchases are worth picking up for yourself. I really want to thank each of you who left a comment on my (hijacked!) blog that day, and although I haven't quite made it through your words, I plan to, and I am so grateful that you took the time to celebrate with me :) Have I mentioned how much I appreciate you all? Well, I certainly do.
I'll try and post some more pictures from the beach, but for now, here's one of my favorites. It was so great because on our very last day there it was scheduled to storm from morning until night, so when we awoke to semi-blue skies, we jumped into our suits and ran to the beach to see if we could make a sandcastle or two. On the way there, the sky just opened up and it turned into the most gorgeous day you have ever seen. We didn't take a moment of it for granted, and it reminded me once again that we don't know everything that God is up to.
I thought about Audrey and how much I wished she was with us. I took her blanket and kept it near me because I missed her so much. While we biked I couldn't help but remember that the weather channel was still calling for rain while we were enjoying the sunshine. You never know what the Lord has in store, regardless of what the world is telling you.
So many people have asked me why I carried her as long as I did, and the truth is that I guess I was hoping the newscasters were wrong.
So, here is my sweet Kate enjoying the blessing of unexpected weather.
And in honor of MckMama's brilliant photography post, I will tell you that it was shot with a Canon 40D and a 17-50 mm lens with the Av set to 4.0 :) If you click on it, you will be able to see the blurry background that she describes so well...
I'm going to try and get a few more chapters in before I hit the sack, but I just wanted to pop in and say hello...
Before I sign off, I do want to ask you to pray for one of my favorite aunts (we're Italian, so trust me, we are related even though "aunt" isn't exactly accurate)...she was diagnosed with cancer several months ago and is bravely battling to get her health back on track. We stopped in Georgia on the way there and the way back hoping to see her, but she was feeling pretty rough after her recent treatments so we didn't get the chance. I am asking the Lord to heal her body and to be her constant Companion as she walks through this difficult time. She is amazing, and is taking the whole thing in stride.
I guess you could say she isn't the kind of woman who gets too caught up in the forecast :)
Would you please join me in praying for her and her family? I so appreciate it.
As always, know I welcome your prayer requests as well...what a gift that we are given to be able to pray for one another.
Love to you all,
Angie
I love receiving letters from blog readers like you. Please feel free to email me at angelac519@gmail.com. Though I am unable to respond to every email, I read them all. Many thanks for reaching out.
100 comments:
I am glad you had a wonderful trip with your family. I will be praying for your aunt.
I'm so glad you are back! I've missed you!! :) Sorry you didn't have better weather. It should just be a rule that you have good weather on vacation. Hey at least you weren't eaten by the alligator.
Our pastor is doing a series on the book of Ruth and every Sunday I mean to write to ask you whatever happened with your MIL and what she was doing with Ruth?
I know how it is when you have intentions to post something and run short on time, but I've just wondered :)
Welcome home!!!
(Love the picture of Kate!)
thank you for your words!
Being obsessed with photography and wanting to ask what aperture each photo is set at that I see... thank you. :)
I can't type here what I actually said when I got to the part about the alligator being real. Seriously! But, just so you don't think you're crazy, the first thing I would have done is grabbed my camera. Then again, I don't know if I'm the benchmark for sanity, so you may want to ignore this paragraph.
Glad you're home. Glad you had a relaxing time. Glad Audrey was with you in the sunshine as well as the rain, and I'm sorry for every day that you miss her. I'm so grateful we have a God that will bring you back together. Until then, we'll miss her with you.
I love your story. Thanks for being so honest and transparent. And for always reminding us that our God is big enough. It has helped me walk through my own grief.
Thanks, too, for the invitation to leave a prayer request. Would you please pray for my marriage? Thank you so much, friend!!
Blessings of God's great healing to your aunt, and all of you. That photo of Kate is breathtaking!
God is great, sounds like you had a wonderful time, despite the rain!! Scary alligator!! YIKES!!
Sounds like a wonderful getaway with your family.
I would have had a heartattack if I saw an alligator...Holy.Bravegirl.Batman!!LOL
I will pray for your Aunt.
Yay! A new post! I've been "stalking" your blog for ages, hoping to see one!
That photo of Kate is awesome... I have to say though that I thought it was really cool that such an esteemed blogger as yourself still checks out MckMama's blog and gobble up the photography posts just like the rest of us! Made me feel a little bit closer to "knowing" you, if you know what I mean! Just like drinking a Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate does (you were right, they are THAT good!), wearing scarves because it's the Year of the Scarf and taking fancy photos at the Disneyland castle... they all make me think of you.
An alligator.... No thank you.
I read on my rainy beach vacation 2 weeks ago. What a coincidence.
Love the picture, can't wait to see more. You are doing better than I am. I haven't uploaded any.
You are amazing...I would be SO pouting and complaining if I had spent a week at the beach and it rained that much!
I almost woke up the whole house laughing at your "fake" alligator sighting too! Wow, how cool was that?!
Thank you for sharing your life with us :)
Glad you had a great trip and WOW is all i can say in regards to the alligator!
I will be praying for your aunt
What a wonderful day at the beach. I'm glad you didn't have a bad run in w/ that alligator! Prayers for your aunt!!
Sounds like ya'll had fun in spite of the rain. It's always nice to get away and just relax though. Hilton Head is a really nice beach for doing that also. You came through Ga, probably passed close by me. lol I'm about an hour from Savannah.
Take care love reading your blog. It makes me smile, and it makes me cry. But it brings life into perspective.
What a wonderful pic of Kate!!
YAY! Sounds like you have a great vacation....you deserve it!
Will be praying for your aunt.....
Cancer is ugly.
Jesus Christ is beauty.
He is mighty and can overcome anything. Prayers for a miraculous healing in her body.
Peace~
~*Michelle*~
wow an alligator, ick...sounds like rain or not it was a relaxing trip!!!
I'm glad you are home safely and that despite the weather you made the most of your holiday.
We have had rain forecast for the last 7 days and the next 7 too. We woke to blue skies on Sunday morning and went out for a family walk to a local lighthouse. It was windy but wonderful and as the drizzle set in later that afternoon we were so glad to have made the most of the precious window of blue!
How much more we appreciate things when we weren't expecting them.
Will say a prayer for your Aunt.
Can I ask a prayer in return please. A family friend, 28 yrs old, was told 2 days before her wedding that she has breast cancer. The wedding went ahead but with much more significance on the vows "In sickness and in health" She is having surgery, chemo and radiotherapy over the coming month. Her future is in Gods hands but even if the prayers are to help her keep her spirit up as she starts this difficult time,
Thanks,
G
What a beautiful picture of Kate. Thanks for sharing. I'm so happy to hear that y'all had at least one good sunny day while you were away. I love it when the forecast is wrong.
Ashley
Okay, that alligator freaked me out a bit!
Glad you and your family had a wonderful time. Sounds like you guys made lemonade out of lemons -- referring to the weather, of course! :)
Blessings and Hugs!
I am in need of prayer and so appreciate that your willing to join in!
I had my 3rd back surgery (L4-L5)on April 6th, in Huntsville AL, and had to have it redone on May
21st. I know it happend for a reason. I still have some numbness in my right calve and foot and it hurts alot in the evening. Even with the lingering pain, I am counting my blessings!!! I am 39 and have survived 4 surgeries at the same location and can still walk and use the bathroom...praise God for those blessing for sure!
Glad to see you made it home safely and enjoyed your time away!
Michelle
Cookeville, TN
Rain will draw in the darndest things, haha!!!!!! :) Alligators are our friends here in Florida. I take it a trip to Gatorland in Florida is not in the cards for you??? haha!!! So glad you had a wonderful trip and a great birthday!
It's nice to see that you made it home safely:) I will pray for your aunt.
I love that you head to Hilton Head for your vacation! It is such a beautiful place, and yup, there are gators down by our coast - I saw my first real live one last month while at a wedding at Litchfield Beach! I was super excited about it, too, but didn't take any pictures...only because I didn't have my camera handy! :)
Welcome home, sweet friend! I can't stop playing with my camera after MckMama's post either! I've missed you!
My husband & I's first vacation after our son went to Heaven was Hilton Head. It was beautiful, also our first flight, no alligators though.
Thanks for sharing!
Happy (belated) Birthday Angie! :) I am glad you had a great time with your family at the beach (especially on HHI)!
My maternal grandparents retired there in `79 and my family went there for at least two weeks every summer for about twenty years thereafter until they both died (in `98 and `00). It is one of my favorites places on earth and I have so many wonderful childhood memories from being there with my family and friends. My grandparents lived in a villa in Palmettos Dunes in Queens Grant.
Since my grandparents died we have tried to go back every few years. We went in 2004, when our son was about 6 months old and again last June for a family reunion after our daughter Molly died (in April). We "shouldn't" have been able to go in June as the reunion was scheduled right around her original due date. However, when she was born and went to Heaven in April, we decided to try to make the trip to HHI in June afterall. It was bittersweet not being able to have our baby girl with us on HHI, but we knew she was watching over us, along with my grandparents and we had an awesome time there.
Anyway, continuing to hold you close now that a year has passed since your Audrey-girl and my Molly-girl went to Heaven. So glad you had such a good time with your family on HHI. As you can see it doesn't take much to get me going about HHI. Now I have that Greg Russell song "Come Away Home" going through my head.
Take care and God bless.
I had the opportunity last year to hear the author of Three Cups of Tea speak, and it was amazing. He's truly a man who could inspire us all to understand how little acts can make a big difference. He's very humble, very modest, and just a wonderful person to talk to.
So glad you are enjoying the book! When I read it before the lecture, it became one of my favorites!
I'm a fellow believer in waiting to see if the "forecast" is wrong, too! How are we to allow God the miracles if we act upon man's word?! Oh! the things we'd miss if we didn't try/ didn't hope/ didn't stay the course!
Tisra
waiting for guardianship of our daughter in India (so she can join her sweet 3 brothers and sisters here in Nashville)
http://lifetrain.blogspot.com
I love your blog. I have a blog, but truly it is pitiful.I am technically challenged. I teach Bible Studies in our community to moms and school teachers in our county. Jananne Waller a sweet friend and lover of Jesus shared your site with me!
Keep on keeping on.....it is all for His glory!
Gina Robinson, Greenville N.C.
I can't wait until you finish "Three Cups of Tea". I finished it earlier this year, and I was probably more moved by it than any book I have read in a long time. It makes you realize what one person can really do when they allow God to use them (although the book is not particularly spiritual). I imagine it will have a particular meaning since you recently went to India.
You are HOME! We missed you and your posts SO MUCH! :) YAY! I will be praying for your aunt, I have a friend battling cancer as well.
Oh, and nice gator, I'm not sure it was 10 ft though. Good thing it was a stupid young one that actually would have chased you, instead of the old ones who know better. Don't you feel so much better now? I live in FL. :) Haha.
God bless, Angie...and welcome home.
~ Jean Marie
We were in HH this weekend also. We go frequently (and see alligators frequently!) and stay in Sea Pines. I bet we were close by - what a small world. Glad you had a great weekend. I hope you got to enjoy the beautiful weather yesterday. :)
Thank you for the reminder that we don't know what the Lord has in store...I'm praying the forecasters are wrong with my dad as well.
Please pray for him. In August he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. We found about a week ago that it is very likely in his lungs now. There is really no successful treatment for kidney cancer. We're praying for a miracle...so your words were a reminder to me as I've been struggling with all of this more now.
Also, pray for a lady we met at the beach last week who had just found out she is carrying conjoined twins at the heart. She is trying to decide whether or not to terminate the pregnancy as the doctors have told her she might not be able to carry any more children if she carries them to turn due to the type of c-section she would need.
glad you're back home safe and sound. what an awesome blessing to have a nice day to enjoy at the beach. god is so good. i will be praying for your 'aunt' as well. in light of my current situation, i realize just how small it can seem in reality. ((last week we miscarried our baby. it was a 'surprise' baby, but losing it was even more of a surprise and so very hard. but in the light of it all i know god is so very good and his plan is so very perfect. what he shared with me was this: we only see dabs of his paintbrush, but he sees the masterpiece he is creating.)) sorry to ramble! and i so would've grabbed my camera too!
I have had difficulty trusting in God to perform miracles, even though I fully believe He has the power to do so. I really appreciated the word picture you painted of living to the fullest without regard to the "forecasts". I live by the forecasts far too often. Thanks for touching my life again!
I'm so glad your back! You've been missed and your trip to India has changed me in the most profound way. Thanks for always sharing your heart so openly with us!!
Would you please pray for my family, especially for Zac and Julie this week. Their precious 2 year old Olivia died on Saturday. Our hearts are broken forever but we rejoice that her long fought battle with very complex heart issues and with leukemia is over. She has no more scars and for that we are so thankful. Having you share your journey of Audrey's passing has given me so much insight and wisdom to know what to say and how to minister to Olivia's mom and dad. We are traveling to see them to tomorrow and I can hardly wait to throw my arms around them and love on them in Jesus name! It's going to be a very difficult week, we need all the prayer we can get.
http://thechattpack.blogspot.com
I would have had the same reaction as Dan & Todd "Was that there before?"
I would have also had the same reaction as you and took a photo (or 5, or 10). : )
Wow, thank you so much for the inspiration today!!! Stepping out in faith and believing God for big things despite the stormy forecast, Erin
So good to hear from you about your trip Angie! I have had one trip to Hilton Head and your pics and description took me back. Rode bikes the whole week and I too, saw a couple of gators during my afternoon walks...being from Cali...I was not sure what to think! Yikes is right!
We hope to vacation again in HH after we move to Nashville.
I want you to know that because of you my husband thinks I am nuts. (okay, he probably thought I was crazy before but now he KNOWS it!) Sunday night we were in Louisville celebrating our 6th anniversary and were talking about music. He started talking about a song he had heard by this group called Selah. I said that is Todd Smith, Angie's husband. Of course he looked at me like I was nuts. I then went on and on and on about you and Todd and your girls. Well, fast forward to after dinner and we were driving back to the hotel and I heard the lady onthe radio say something about her sister-in-law dealing with grief and the name Audrey mentioned. IT WAS YOU!!! I couldn't believe it. So I made Nathan sit in the car while we listened to the rest of Focus on the Family with you and Todd.
I thought of you on Sunday morning as well when my pastor announced that his son will be the new Youth Pastor at Grace Community Church.
My husband and I were also discussing how you pronouce Selah. We have different opinions so could you tell me how to pronouce it?
Welcome Home Angie...I will certainly keep your aunt in prayer. She might enjoy my blog (about cancer, God and life!) And if there is anything I can do to offer her help or information, please let me know.
Beautiful picture! xo.
Glad you had a great time! Alligator and all.
I would have taken pictures, too. Of course, I grew up in FL and gators were part of the scenery. A scary part of the scenery, but part of it nonetheless. :)
Your Kate is beautiful.
Angie!
I missed you so much while you were in India and on Vacation. I hope you were able to get some much needed relaxation!
I do have a BIG prayer request for you! My 18 month old son is experiencing some very serious health issues. It's a long story so I won't get into all of it here, but if you'd like to read more about his condition, you can visit my blog.
http://we-5-kings.blogspot.com/2009/05/of-chicken-heads-and-sonograms.html
I covet your prayers for healing of his little body!
Welcome home. I'm so thankful you had a great trip. Thanks for sharing the beautiful picture of your beautiful little one.
Blessings today and always,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
Glad that you got at least a little time on the beach without rain.
That's a great picture.
Will keep your Aunt in my prayers.
"While we biked I couldn't help but remember that the weather channel was still calling for rain while we were enjoying the sunshine. You never know what the Lord has in store, regardless of what the world is telling you."
Thank you so much for those words. The Holy Spirit definitely used you to speak that into my struggle with "infertility" today. I hate that word because I think it's a word created by a world that doesn't understand how God sees things. I know his timing is perfect. He is the Creator and is not bound by this world. Thank you so much for reminding me.
good to hear from you again. i love how you took audrey's blanket with you... i haven't felt comfortable, or like i have permission to do that yet... weird, i know? andon's is still in his crib in his room that was ready for him.
thanks for giving me "permission" to go home and sleep with it to have him close.
Welcome home! I think I would have taken pictures of the alligator too! :) I love the picture of Kate, so beautiful. Praying for you Aunt.
Ruthie
I'm glad you're back!! I'm glad you guys had such a wonderful time too!!
I loved the alligator story! Reminds me of one of my childhood stories: My sisters and some of my cousins were outside picking up sticks (don't know why...I guess it was a kid thing! HA!) anyway, I being the youngest one and not knowing better went to pick up a "stick" and everyone (but me) went running into the house, leaving me to the "stick" and not telling me that it would be unwise to pick up a SNAKE!!! Thankfully, my Aunt (actual aunt HA!) Lynda yelled me into fright "flight" and that is when I realized my "stick" was moving and went to running myself!! HOW HORRIBLE!!!!! HA!!
God bless and enjoy your reading! How wonderful!! I need to pick up a book myself but alas, the next two weeks are two busy ones for me and my church: this week is decorating for VBS with the following week being the actual VBS. Please be praying with me that we can lead some little ones to the Lord!!!
Love,
Amy Holland
Wow, alligators are crazy. I have quite a few similar stories from growing up in Texas' gulf coast! I am glad you had a fun trip regardless of the rain, I am a total bookie as well (not like the gambling kind, but in the sense that you would call someone a "Foodie" lol), and the best time to read is when it is raining! You picture of Kate is beautiful! I can't wait until I have saved up enough to get my canon!
hooray! what a fun trip!!! :)
please pray for my friend Daylon's family...he was a 26 year old missionary pilot who crashed in a plane just outside of scottsdale, AZ. his copilot was also killed, leaving behind a young wife and four children. more on my blog with pics. thanks for praying!
Great to hear from you Angie!! Some of my favorite beach memories are the days when it rained. That alligator will be giving me nightmares tonight.
Glad you got some rest, and love hearing your book recommendations!
welcome back! so glad you had a good time away with your family
grew up in FL - understand about the aligator incident!
Please pray for the family of Matt Winters. (His family and my in-laws are very close friends- practically family.) He was only 16 and drowned while vacationing with his family this past Saturday. He was an all conference baseball player at his high school and attended church in Butner, NC. He had many people who love him and will miss him. Please pray for his mom and dad and 7 year old brother and all of his family and many friends. Thank you so much.
http://durhamcounty.mync.com/site/durhamcounty/news%7CSports%7CLifestyles/story/35202/teen-from-stem-drowns-in-white-lake
http://www.eakesfuneralhome.com/wintersclaude.html
Oh, Angie! You are a very brave girl, indeed!!! Alligators and public speaking are my 2 phobias!
Still praying for you and your family... And will also add your aunt to the list.
great pics, by the way! :)
So glad you are back! I have missed your blog and your encouraging words! Glad you had a great time!
Welcome back! Sounds like it was just what you needed :)
Are you kidding me with that alligator? That is definately worth being afraid of, Angie! You surely have become a brave woman.
It's so wonderful to hear that your family had an enjoyable vacation, even though the weather was not the best.
I, for one, never wondered why you carried Audrey so long. Weren't you just allowing her to live as long as He intended?
Best to you,
Michelle
Welcome back! Will certainly pray for your Aunt. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the Alligator photos...you are BRAVE Miss A. Don't ever believe otherwise. You inspire me and I just love your heart. Happy Birthday...may this year hold abundant blessings..no matter the forecast...you just continue to stand on the ROCK. Rock on Sister.
We missed you!! I just love reading your posts. Thanks for the book reviews- I can't wait to hear some more good ones! I'm in the mood for a good book! Thank you again sweetie. And know we are praying for your aunt too.
P.S- You are an awesome photographer!
With love,
Malleri.
Welcome home.
Lifting your "aunt" up in prayer.
Goodness Gracious about the alligator! I wish you would tell me your all time favorite read! I want to read something this summer! Please Please
Loveee the picture of Kate! She is getting so big! And um, alligator? I would be pedaling away instead of taking pictures! Congrats on that new found bravery :)
Angie and the alligator...it's a brave new world. :)
Glad you're home! Enjoy your books.
Glad you are back! I love, love, love the picture of Kate. It's beautiful! :) Can't wait to see more pictures. I will be praying for your aunt.
love love love Three cups of Tea...Eric's grandmother gave it to me to read, and I found it was a keeper:O)
Kate looks so OLD! Glad you had a good time!
I read your blog all the time, but try not to comment too often. Everyone else always has so many interesting things to say!!!
I was in Hilton Head this weekend, too, and found your alligator story HILARIOUS. I grew up in Savannah, on an island, and have never, NOT ONE TIME, seen a real live alligator. At least, until I arrived in Hilton Head Sunday morning. There, waiting so patiently in the lagoon behind our rented house, was an alligator, sunning (ahem...warming) himself with only his eyes poking out of the water and his scaly back visible just below the water.
My girlfriends (the Church Ladies) and I sat on the beach all day Sunday wrapped in our towels. We enjoyed a gorgeous day Monday before driving home.
Thank you for sharing this post. I'm in a place where I so want the forecast to be wrong.
I love to read! I read a book a week too! I really enjoyed the story 3 cups of teaba
Um, *great* story?! Hilarious! :)
As far as prayer requests go, I'm seriously considering a move to Nashville for full-time grad school and would LOVE some extra prayer support. It's an enormous decision (I'm 30, single, I currently live in a different state) and it feels as though it would require more faith than I feel I have-gotta love that feeling. Anyways, thank you, Angie!
What a welcome it is to hear from you again. I stumbled on the entire genre of blogs because of your writing about Audrey. And naively I assumed they were all uplifting and beautiful and brave like yours. I have since discovered that they are not. So welcome back - it's good to hear from you and your non-commercial, non-bitter, non-agenda driven, non-combative self again!
my dearest, good to hear from you again... and wow about the alligator... you are brave!
Hey Angie, I know this is way off, but did you ever post Todd's question that he was going to ask Pres. Obama or Sen. McCain if he got a chance?
Before I even read it, I knew that was Hilton Head. I recognize the bike path but actually recognized the alligator first. We have a condo in Shipyard also. Glad you all had rainy fun...we don't head out for a few more weeks but we're from SC anyways!
Kela
kela@sharptonfamily.com
I'm so glad you had a nice trip. My prayers are with your aunt and the rest of your family. (I'm not Italian but I know how those family members work, I have several of those myself.)
Much love to you Angie...be blessed!
Audrey
Glad to have you back online!!! I have missed your posts! I cannot believe you got off your bike to take a picture of an alligator!!! WOW!! that is WAYYYYY to close!
First, two things...
1. Welcome back :)
2. do you always carry your camera when you bike ride! I would have ran...ran...ran...funny story..how cool you get a photo!
Also I will be praying with you for your "family" member...Sorry for the sadnees...and the missing! I know it hurts and in a way you do not want to let it go! Blessings Shi~
Hi Angie.
This only has to do with one sentence of your post, but I want you to know that is was so good to read tonight. I love that you mentioned you packed and kept Audrey's blanket with you because you missed her so much.
You know we've been a year now without our Evie, and it's literally like balm to my heart to hear another Mommy in a similar place. I sometimes don't know if it's been "too long" and it's no longer "okay" to miss my girl or want to have her blanket with me. I packed it with me on a trip to Chattanooga a few months ago and worried that it would seem silly.
Anyway, it's just really nice to hear from another Mama that's missing her girl too. Makes me feel more normal for missing mine.
Glad to hear you had a nice trip. Sorry to hear the weather wasn't awesome, but that photo of Kate sure is great!
Grace & Peace,
Raechel
Angie,
I am going to try to ask for your help. I feel like God has been calling me my whole life to be closer to Him. I want to be. I had never been baptized and was not raised with any formal religion. Just the general belief in God and Jesus. My husband is Catholic. Our two children have been baptized, and will be raised in the Catholic faith. I recently went through RCIA to be confirmed Catholic, and was baptized. I don't believe that God cares what the title of your religion is, I was just trying to give you the most brief background possible. Here is where I feel I need help. How do I build my relationship with Him? I love Him. I am moved near to tears in church most Sundays, and I am absolutely moved to tears by you, your devotion, your story and your unwavering faith. From what I have read, I know that you had to find your way into your relationship with Him, and I am hoping you can impart some of your experience in truly finding Him onto me. I am a wife, mother to 2 and step-mother to 1. I want to be the best example possible to them. I am sorry for the long rambling. Can you offer me any advice or direction? I would be happy to give you my email address. Thank you so much. Also, Angie, thank you for sharing your life. I truly believe you are touching so many people (like myself), and inspiring them to live better lives and try to be better people. What a world this would be if your love spreads from you to me(representative of your readers), to someone else and so on. Amazing. Thank you for any time you can make for me.
Shannon
I am glad you all made it home safe!! May God be with your aunt and your family during this time!!! My prayers are with you always...
Rachel
I love this post for too many deep and meaningful reasons to mention. But OHMYGOSH, your alligator pics almost gave me a heart attack! Thanks a lot! J/K...but not about the heart attack. Seriously, you are BRAVE.
I so understand having a good time at the beach even though it rained. that's one of my favorite beach trip memories with my family. Puzzles, books, made up games and pillow fights while the rain came down outside.
So glad you are home and even in the rain it sounds like you had a fabulous time with your family.
Saying a prayer now for your aunt.
May Jesus be near.
Love you so,
Fran
I can't believe that you got that close to the alligator! Those pictures creep me out just looking at them! You are so brave! Glad you had a great trip!
I have just started reading your blog this last week, and I have to say it's on of the most inspiring blogs I have read.
Your aunt will be in my prayers.
Hi Angie! I've followed your blog for quite some time now, but have never left a comment. I wanted you to know that I LOVE the fact that it all comes back to Jesus as you share your hurts, joys, struggles, and victories. I so appreciate your heart for our Lord. Thank you for encouraging me with your faithfulness and ability to be real....a real follower of Christ.
Yay for vacations...rain or shine :) My hubby and I have a mini vacation coming up this weekend to celebrate 11 years of marriage. A little time away does wonders for this mommy (We have 4 girls; one set of twins) :)
Blessings, Angie!
So happy that your trip, even though rainy, was pleasant, enjoyable, and blessed!!!
Will pray for your aunt. I married into an Italian family, which accounts for me now living in Italy. Most of the "zios" and "zias" are actually older cousins of my in-laws, and sometimes you throw in long time friends of the family in the category, too. Makes for some confusion joining into the family and trying to sort it all out, and then trying to make it clear to your kids later on. :-)
Lord, put your hand on Angie's Zia. May this family know your presence and healing touch. As she goes through days of suffering, may she have peace in knowing that You are real, working and more than able to touch her body, mind, and spirit. Lord, I ask that you would touch Angie's family to draw closer to you during this waiting time. May they continue to grow in You, and may it also be a time where they can be a witness to others of Your faithfulness even in the midst of the challenge. Bless their family!!! Bless them , keep them, make your face shine upon them, and give them peace... Numbers 6:24-26
Celita
http://daysease.blogspot.com/
Angie, LOVE the shot of Kate. I love photography, too, so thanks for sharing the settings. However, I do MUCH better with my old manual Cannon...:( --haven't quite got my digital figured out, much to my frustration.) --I will be praying for your kids, and all the other kids and folks, over there in India, as well as your aunt (so many people aren't as blessed to have "family" such as yourself! I will definitly be raising her up in prayer.)
And yes, I think it's very good advice to "not follow what the forecast/world" says how to do life. God so --does not-- follow by the rules, does He! Blessings and so glad your rest and birthday were delightful.
Thanks for posting - we have missed you but are glad you have been spending time with your family.
We also go to Hilton Head every year. (Going on 12 years now.) We're headed there June 26th and hope the weather is better than it was for you! (Yuck!) If you ever go between Memorial Day & Labor Day, you'll have to take the girls to Sea Pines and watch Gregg Russell. You all would love him :)
We've also had our fair share of 'fake' alligators :) So glad you got some pics of him! Looking forward to seeing more pics of our favorite place in the whole world!
I'll pray for your Aunt and your new little buddy Mohit. Please keep us posted.
God is so glorious, I'm glad he gave you wonderful weather on your last day. Angie, I will be praying for your aunt. Love in Christ!!! ~Melissa
Oh, isn't Three Cups of Tea just amazing? I was totally fired up after reading it! And I really appreciated the perspective on that part of the world. I can begin to see the scenery and the people in my head and it makes the news hit home a bit more... kind of like the Indian storm for you I'm sure. :(
I have a gift for you over at my place:) I want you to know just how amazing you are:)
You know the Lord is there with them right now. He allowed this for reasons known only to Him.
Received this passage in a card today and had to pass it on! Know that I'm always praying!
Psalms 107:28-32 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Prayer BearsMy email address
I have to say, "The Shack", although very controversial, changed my life. I had been holding onto bitterness and anger towards God due to the loss of my babies. Reading that book literally shook me out of that self-pity, reminded me of God's love and changed me for the better. It is the best read I've had in a long time and cannot wait to hear what you think about it!!!
This may get totally lost, but I just noticed that you graduated from WKU. And Nichole Deelah sent me your story a while back with a link to the video from your church. And now I have found your blog through a blog! Small world that keeps a turnin'.
You have inspired me!
I love the alligator photos! My husband is on a work trip to Florida this week and I told him to keep an eye out for alligators (and take a picture for me)! I've never seen one outside of a zoo.
Angie!!! I am a follower of your blog, but these past few months I haven't been keeping up! I just read your vacation post, it's soooo weird that we were vacationing in HHI the exact same week! We stayed in Palmetto Dunes...wasn't the rain HORRIBLE??? We left a few days early and went to Atlanta and stayed in a hotel...with an indoor pool!!! Well, hopefully we'll run into you in HHI sometime, it's definitely one of our favorite vacation spots!!!
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