Joy Over Grief

May and June are my least favorite months of the year, especially for the last five. Mother's Day, my daughter's Birthday on June 2, her Moving to Heaven day on June 17, and Father's Day, all bring reminders of how much I miss that face, and how much I'm looking forward to Heaven. Several of our friends know exactly what it means to miss a child. I've always said it's not a club you want to belong to, but it's nice to know someone else truly understands.
Dennis and I decided early on that we were not going to let grief get down inside and keep us from experiencing the joy of what God has for us now. After almost five years, I can say GOD IS SO GOOD. Many amazing things are happening in our life, and we are excited for the future and the assignments God has for us while we are still here on earth. I will be sharing more about that next month. In fact, this will be my last "Blog" entry. I'm moving to a quarterly newsletter on my website page instead. I'll still have some ThirdThursday Thoughts on Facebook, but they'll be shorter. (I hear your sighs of relief...)
Today, I want to share that I am so thankful for all the kids in my life. Book II in my Tresia series is dedicated to them. I have a super Youth Advisory Board, three of the sweetest and smartest gals ever. We have many "adopted" kids, grandkids, even great-grandkids, kids of special friends, and those who were Stacie's friends and former students. I have nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, that I adore.

This photo frame of those kids sits on a shelf in my Kingdom Corner and I pray for them every day. It is my reminder of God's amazing provision even in the face of having to miss Stacie for a little while. I know she loves sharing me with the people who were so special to her. And Dennis and I love that they all share their lives with us.
Today, be thankful for the people who bring you joy. Even if you're missing someone else.