Memories and a legacy....

The past 3 weeks I've attended two funerals and two birthday celebrations...celebrating life and...life again! Both of my sister's came into another decade; my younger sister, Kristi, turned 40 on June 27th and my older sister, Karen, will turn 50 this coming Sunday, July 11th (I know they wouldn't mind me sharing that with you :)
I was able to travel back to Virginia Beach to surprise Kristi for her surprise bday party and then turn around this past Tuesday to travel to Goldsboro to surprise Karen for a day with me and Kristi. We had an amazing time laughing and just sharing memories (my husband would tease me by saying we share the same stories over and over (and over) and still laugh at them! He would also tell you that being with my sisters and my mom is like being a guest on The View...because we all talk at the same time!!! It was a lot of traveling in the midst of working and taking care of my family, but I would not have missed it for the world.
It was all about making memories. In the past several weeks, I've been reminded why making memories are so important. I've attended two funeral services in these same two weeks. One was a mother of a dear friend who lost her battle to ALS. Her family and friends celebrated her life and who she was. She left a legacy. Her daughter and her husband spoke. I was amazed at their courage, but they wanted to be sure and share with everyone memories their mom (and wife) had left them.
This past Saturday, I attended the service of my boss' father-in-law. He lost his battle with alzheimer's. Our daughter, Heather, sat with him and cared for him on the weekends for about 9 months. He never lost his spunk and more importantly, never stopped sharing his faith with others. As Heather and I walked into the church this past Saturday for his service, Heather asked me if I thought this would be sad. I said "definitely not. We are going to celebrate Hank today". I knew Hank's family and I knew they were excited that Hank was healed and with his Jesus! One by one, each grandchild came up to the podium and shared memories about their granddad...the legacy that he left. They sang and led us in beautiful hymns, Hank's favorites. My boss' husband, Hank's son, is a pastor here in Charlotte. He preached...and boy, did he! He laughed and he cried...we laughed and we cried! He shared the legacy that his father left. He said that no matter what came Hank's way, Hank would say over and over "My God is so faithful". What a testimony...what a legacy!
As I sat there, I thought "this is exactly how it should be". "A celebration of life...not death".
I pray that when Jesus takes me home, that is exactly what my family will do...celebrate! All I can take with me are memories...and all I can leave are memories and the legacy I've created. I'm so thankful that I live my life each day (not perfectly, I must say) for my family and for my Lord.
And I'm thankful I took the time to celebrate my sister's birthdays these past two weeks...great memories!
What legacy are you leaving?

Are you up for the challenge?

I love Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She is the author of Seeking Him. A bible study I took 5 years ago that has changed my life. I also love her website. I have recently signed up to take a 30-day challenge...a 30-day husband encouragement challenge! All you do is go to http://www.reviveourhearts.com/. Go to "GROW" on the left-hand side and click on "30-day husband encouragement challenge". That's it. Every day, you will be sent a reminder and an encouragement for your husband. And what husband doesn't need encouragement? I realize that I can get so caught up with "self", that I forget to take care of the one God gave me. Some days I'm so caught up that I can get rather negative if things don't go my way. I have been quite convicted of that lately. So, when I saw the challenge, I was ready! It has really made me more aware of my attitude.

And speaking of the one that God gave me, we celebrated him this past Sunday for Father's Day. What a great day it was! After church, we took him to lunch and just served him the entire day...playing games, giving him gifts, and enjoying a Carvel cake.

I thank God every single day for giving me THE MOST amazing husband and best friend. Our kids are truly blessed to have THE BEST Dad ever. He is a Godly man who loves the Lord, leads our family, and constantly puts our needs before his...always! Scott, we love you!

Now why would I not want to encourage him every day?

Workout with Atilla!

About 3 weeks ago, I mentioned to a very sweet friend that I needed to get back to the Y and begin working out again. Well, that sure was a mistake...or was it? Definitely not a mistake! I need to lose these last 8 pounds (yes, I know...in a previous post, it was only 5).

This friend isn't big as a minute, but has a heart as huge as gold. Sweet doesn't even describe how sweet she is. But she's brutal ya'll! At first, we met at the Y on Saturday mornings...now it's Monday, Wednesday, AND Saturday.

The first time I met her there, we started out on the treadmill. After my 30 minutes, I said "where do we go next?" She said in her little sweet voice, "next? Girl, you need to put 30 more minutes on that thing". Great! I knew I was in for pure torture. And we don't just walk on the treadmill. No! We mix running with it. Okay, for those who know me...really know me...you will know that my heart was not made for running...but I'm finding out that it needs to be. Well, yesterday, I clocked in 25 minutes of running mixed in to my 60 minutes on the treadmill. And is the treadmill it? Oh no, we do squats, lunges, weights, push ups, planks (what fool came up with those things...the first night after I did 12 of those, I told Scott I thought I was having a heart attack because my chest hurt so bad). This is the exact night I named her Atilla! She doesn't let up. We met tonight for a Gentle yoga stretching class. It was amazing! I felt like butter when I left there. That did wonders for these achy, aging bones of mine.

Well, we shall see what happens (so far, I'm down 2 of my final 8). I'm determined...and she's not gonna give up on me. I just LOVE friends like that....I think :)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion....

God has truly blessed me with amazing friends...lifelong friends! And 3 of them came to spend this past weekend with me. I moved from Wilson to Charlotte 3 years ago and I don't think we've gone longer than 4 months at a time without seeing each other. We had such a great time...eating, shopping, laughing, relaxing, and drinking lots of coffee :)

I love these girls and thank God for them!

Facial....

This morning I was fortunate and blessed to spend one hour in a swanky day spa in uptown Charlotte. I got my first ever facial and boy, it was amazing! It was a gift from my oldest daughter for mother's day. I can't even begin to describe what it was like. I was taken in to a dimly-lit room with soft music playing...and for one hour received a facial cleanser, a toner that smelled out-of-this-world, followed by an exfoliator treatment, then a facial/neck/shoulder massage that lasted forever (I think I passed out at this point from sheer relaxation), eye serums, and moisturizer treatment. It was absolutely wonderful. I could hardly walk out of that place on two feet.

Thank you, Heather...and Happy "Annual/Tradition" Mother's Day gift to me (hint, hint) :)