Sunday, January 11, 2009

A Snowy Day

It snowed a little during the night and a big snow was supposed to begin again during the afternoon. My daughter and son-in-law shoveled the front and back walks. I thought that I would run some errands before the big snow started. A friend of ours had a baby girl and I had planned a trip to the jewelry store to buy her a baby ring. Also, I need to stock up on greeting cards and cleaning supplies. As I was ready to leave, Johnny's cousin, Tom, who is a contractor and was very close to Johnny, was kind enough to stop in and show me some things. Tom reviewed the circuit breaker with me - most of it had been labeled. Then he looked at the water heater and told me the date that he had installed it. He showed me the water shut off. Then we went on the side of the house where the addition is. Johnny's workshop is in the basement under the addition. Tom told me how the sump pump works. Then we went outside and he showed me some things about the hot tub. Over the years, Tom has done all of the work and remodeling on our house and always comes immediately when there is an emergency. I so appreciate Tom's stopping. Both he and his wife, Fred, are good people. It really started snowing hard before Tom left so I decided that I would run errands another day.

Some of my grandchildren wanted me to play Bingo. I just didn't feel like it. I told them that I might play Monopoly with them later. As I went upstairs, I could hear them calling numbers.
I decided that I would curl up with one of my favorite magazines. I have a pile of three weeks of magazines that I haven't even looked at. For some reason, I was a little restless and anxious. I just couldn't concentrate and take in the words of Country Home.

I glanced at my dresser and saw a box that Daughter Stephanie made me for Christmas. The box is called "The Simple Things" and contains hundred of pieces of paper upon which Stephanie typed brief bible verses, quotes, and words of wisdom. She painstakingly cut and folded each small piece of paper. I selected a piece of folded paper that was in the box.


I read the words, "God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless he has a specific plan by which a great blessing can some out of the difficulty."

I then remembered one of Johnny's favorite sayings, "It God brings you to it, God will get you through it." I am so glad that today I pulled the tiny folded piece of paper out of my "The Simple Things" box.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sweetie what a lovely idea your daughter had for you.That was so sweet.The verse says alot.We must always believe and trust in God,he makes the road in life so much easier.The snow!UGH,lol I hear the wind blowwing again now.We had about 4 inches yesterday,Im not sure about today though.The ending of the storm yesterday was ah yes but again freezing rain.I dont know what that is with Pennsylvania this year and last few years with sleet and rain in the winter.We have so much then our summers are dry.Go figure.Have a nice day sweetie!

ksarra said...

Morning, Sweetie, sometimes when recovering from a heartbreaking loss (as I'm sure you already know), something unexpected comes along that brings comfort. I'm so glad you have a loving daughter who put that little box together for you, that is so thoughtful!

SmilingSally said...

What a powerful message! I'm so glad that you are holding on to the Lord, and more importantly, that He is holding on to you!

Bo said...

Oh Sweetie, Your daughter Stephanie made you the perfect gift for the perfect time...It is a gift that will keep on giving! I send you big hugs to keep you warm today... ♥ Bo

Carol Murdock said...

Hi Sweetie...........Remember it is always darkest before dawn, there is a better day a coming and it is God who brings the day!

squawmama said...

Good Morning Sweetie... I think of you often and pray that you are getting along ok.... You sure have a lot of support with your family... and that is a wonderful thing... Have a blessed Sunday

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Anonymous said...

Oh Sweetie, I think you are doing so good and your family seems to stay gathered around you. My heart aches for you. You are in my prayers.

Love ya,
Chris

onlymehere said...

What a sweet, beautiful, thoughtful gift! I'm so glad that you have someone to show you where certain things are and what to do in the event of an emergency. He sounds like a very good friend indeed. I'm also thankful that it sounds like you have family nearby to help you also. So many changes for you right now and I pray that you may have His guidance to help you through. Cindy

Smalltown RN said...

Sweetie I come here from my fellow blogger Jeni. Jeni referenced the recent loss of your husband and your daughter. I was so touched, I had to come and say hello.

I have reviewed all of you blog here...and what a wonderful family you have. I am one of 12 children....I have 5 older sisters and 6 brothers. Loss is terrible at any time of our lives. Both my parents are deceased and one of my sister's died at a young age from cancer..I think of them all on a regular basis as I sure you will your husband and daughter. Time does heal but you never ever forget...your daughters are gorgeous and I am sure a wonderful support to you.

I have three daughters and having just gone through major surgery they have been a wonderful support to me.

I wish you well and peace....just wanted to say hello....

Cherdecor said...

I loved your post today, Sweetie. "When we go through tough time, we learn a side of God that we never knew before." I heard that quote one time from Henry Blackaby and I have never forgotten it. It helps me through the tough time.

May the Lord give you peace down in your heart.

Hugs,
cheryl

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Sweetie...What a wonderful thing your daughter did for you and what a blessing those words must have been to you. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, dear Sweetie! Isn't it a comfort the way friends and neighbors remember to gather around you and help you in the little tasks that are so often forgotten? I am sending you a big hug...(((Sweetie)))...Debbie

Anonymous said...

Sweetie you don't know me but if you have time to go to my blog and view my Pink Saturday on Dec. 27th I would be honored.
I'm so glad to see pictures of beautiful smiling faces.
I'm hoping that your life is putting itself back together, slowly but surely.
Hugs Claudie from Canada
xo

Melanie said...

Thank you for the kind comment you left at my blog.

I love the pic of you and your grandchildren...what a blessing!!! :)

Gone said...

God ALWAYS knows when you or I or anyone else needs a special blessing and today you received yours!

~Many more blessings,
Jan

onlymehere said...

Sweetie: Our local college used to have the most remarkable wood working class. You could design and make anything you wanted. I started out with an entertainment center and worked up from there. The high schools send their kids their for classes too. Now though you have to make cabinets for the HUD houses they do. This college is housed in an old piano factory and so they have some amazing wood working tools. I learned so much and wish the class was still there. We did all the built-ins in our house (cabinets, vanities, laundry chute, bookcases, window seat in Kaje's room, etc.). I loved it and when we decided to build my husband wanted to me to make the cabinets but I didn't have time so I made him sign up to help me. We even made the the mitered light boxes in our family room. I miss it so much! I think I'll have to blog the story some time! LOL!

Heidi Pocketbook said...

It sounds like your family is surrounding you with love in this difficult time for you. What an appropriate quote for you to pull out and give you such comfort. God always knows what we need, when we need it.

Sharon said...

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment I sure do appreciate it.
I loved the box idea that your daughter did for you.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
It is nice to have so much family around.
I also liked your quilt. It is so pretty.
God will walk with you daily.
Hugs

Kathy said...

It's so nice to know you are surrounded by kind, loving people, Sweetie. The box your daughter made you is precious.
XO...Kathy

The Bliss Journey said...

Hi Sweetie,
What a perfect name for you. I found you blog today. I am so sorry for your losses. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. How wonderful that you opened that little piece of paper and that it said exactly what you needed to hear. Devine intervention! God has wonderful blessings for you. Your husband and daughter are angels in heaven and they will always be with you untill you are reunited again with them in heaven.
Hugs,
kathleen

Jeni said...

Be very glad you didn't venture out into the snow on Saturday -the roads up this way were atrocious! I was really worried about my son as he was finishing up his week's runs in Hagerstown and had to drive home then after that. But he got home safely, thank goodness!
What a great friend you have there to come over, check so many things out and then, to show you how to deal with many of them in case of an emergency. That's all my son-in-law's department here now so for the first time in 28 years now, I don't worry about things going wrong around the house and how I will manage to get them fixed! What a relief that is that he and my daughter and their two little ones live here with me!
Love the "Simple Things" box your daughter gave you and also, how the paper you selected made your think of one of your husband's favorite sayings. Very true words there.
And finally, I see my friend "Smalltown RN" stopped to visit. She's a gem and writes a terrific blog too! So I wasn't surprised at all to see her comment here.

Anne said...

Oh how sweet of your grandaughter to make that for you. Yes it's like one of those prayer boxes. What a nice gift. We're getting a lot of snow to. Stay warm.

Nancy said...

I play Monopoly with my GGS Mitchell. We also love to play Clue. While in Florida I found I also love Rummy O.
I also had two sayings that helped me through my ruff times. One was
"God doesn't make mistakes" and "God doesn't give you any more than you can handle."
I love both sayings and think of them often.
I think of you everyday as you can tell. You and Heidi were the only ones who got a card from Florida.
Take care and thank you again for the package. I will be posting pictures of it next week.
Love Nancy