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{Straight From the Heart} *A Special Date* 5/22/00
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A Special Date
By Freda Ann Blevins
The showers of blessings God has given to me are too many to count, but
many times I've had doubts. In I Peter 5, we're remined to "Cast all
your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." Sometimes this has been
hard for me to do. However, when my youngest son faced cancer, God was
my only hope.
Crying out from the bottom of my heart I begged the Almighty One to take
my life and leave my little son. James was only three years old and his
long fight with Leukemia had drained so much life from his tiny body, yet
his witness of strength and love seemed to grow stronger every day.
How could we celebrate his third birthday in the children's hospital on
May 22 knowing it could be his last? Friends and family members mailed
hundreds of cards which we used to wallpaper the little hospital room
which had become home away from home to us. My mother baked a cookie
monster cake and family members drove hundreds of miles just to join us
in remembering the birth of this little blessing.
The Leukemia was in remission and my oldest son, Nick, was a good match
for the bone marrow transplant. No insurance left us in financial need
which was being met through the many fundraisers, benefits and gifts from
folks throughout our community and beyond. God had shown us such love
and had strengthened us so many times. Yes, I had cast all my anxiety on
Him and trusted in Him to solve this terrible illness threatening James.
July 4th was celebrated at our real home in north central Missouri and it
seemed true independence had taken on a special meaning for us. Then
came August and the fight ended. Some said James lost; others said the
Leukemia won. I say all won who were touched by his life and his
witness. His final words to me were, "Don't worry mommy; God will take
care of me." That is inscribed on his tomb and reminds me always that he
is with God now and indeed he won because Jesus defeated death on the
cross one spring long ago.
James' birthday was harder to celebrate after that. Because I've been an
educator in the public schools of Missouri our end-of-the-school-year
activities seemed to help me avoid the date. I wanted to remember but
the pain of it clouded the joy.
I thought God had let me down. Even with all the blessings He had given
me, I didn't see how this cloud could ever be lifted. But I've learned
to never give up on God because He sure hasn't given up on me.
My middle son, Joe, was very close with his little brother and when his
first child, a son, was born the name chosen was Christian James. His
smile lights up any room and his bright eyes remind me of God's promises.
May 22, 2000, my first grandchild, Christian James, will celebrate his
first birthday. Yes, he not only shares the name but also the same
birthdate. I plan to be there hugging Christian and eating a very
special cake in his honor.
God gave me back May 22 and made it a very special date to remind me of
promises He makes that He never breaks.
Freda Ann Blevins
fblevins1@juno.com
Email Freda and let her know what you thought about her story!
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A little bit about Freda:
Freda Ann Blevins is K-12 School-to-Career Director for Strafford Public
Schools, MO. Her husband is Dr. Tony Blevins, pastor of the Fair Grove
United Methodist Church.
They are blessed with sons: Nick, Joe, Amos and James and now their
first grandchild, Christian James. Freda has taught communications,
speech and theatre since 1979 and just completed her Master Of Arts in
Religious Education.
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Request:
From: cybercatz2@earthlink.net (Loyd & Janet Wood Jr.)
My dear friends, Just a very short note to let you know that our
little angel baby Sarah, passed away at 12 PM today. She was very
peaceful, and in no pain at all. She passed in mom's arms, along with
me, our three old daughter Emily, and grandma right next to her. We
could actually see a glow on Sarah's face once she had went home to be
with the Lord, she is now free of pain, suffering, and is completely
whole. We will miss her, and will hold her in our hearts forever, until
we can see her again some day in heaven. She will be put to rest on
Tuesday morning. Please continue to pray for us, for it is still going
to be a tough road to go for a while, but we are determined to continue
on with our precious Emily and, keep sweet Sarah in our hearts and minds
forever. Thanks for all the support and prayers, will write more, at a
better time.
Love,
Loyd
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Thought For The Day:
"When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it were for
yourself."
Verse for the Day:
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to
the interests of others."
Phillipians 2:4
Kid's Thought for the day:
"Apologize for it before your mother notices the stain on your shirt."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on
what we have, but on what we are."
(Henry Van Dyke)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another,
but to see one another through."
(Peter De Vries)
Deep Thought For The Day:
"I can't even think of one way to skin a cat!"
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business)
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video
we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty
seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was
the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such
a beautiful job! They were so suprised and so touched---they
really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so
special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for
the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli (RKaGe@aol.com) College Station, TX
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Video Imagery
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