Diary for Me-March Posts from Facebook

Sort of as a diary for me, I'm going to put some posts from Facebook on my blog starting back in March.  This post will only have March 2014.

March 17------With sadness I'm writing this post but also with gladness of heart that the suffering of my one and only love is with his Saviour. Mark left this world in a very peaceful sleep. Yesterday we were on the mountaintop thinking Mark had a great and possibly full recovery. He has now totally recovered because now his body is perfect and he is with the Lord. Thank you all for your prayers and please continue to pray for us in the days ahead because I will definitely miss my love and best friend. Mark was so special and I couldn't have asked for a better life long partner. In June we would have been married 40 years. I thank God for him and thank God that he is with the Lord and suffers no more. As we said before, to God be the Glory. We're thankful for the 39+ years that He gave me Mark who blessed my life more than I could ever say!

March 18------- "...The Lord is my Rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer." II Sam. 22:2

March 19-----Just wanted to thank each one of you who have prayed and given words of encouragement. I'm so overwhelmed with all the outpouring of love shown to me and the family. I have a blessing I would like to share that God sent my way. A friend stopped by that I have only known for a few years and we were talking about my grandchildren. Nothing unusual for a grandma, right?! Anyhow, I had mentioned about how we didn't know if we were even going to have any grandchildren at all because both my daughter-in-love and daughter had several miscarriages. Then the Lord blessed us with these 11 precious ones. I then remarked that I was so glad that Mark had been able to see the last one born before he died. Then she commented, and "Now he's seen the others in Heaven." Wow! That hit me as such a big blessing! I know it might not seem huge to some but God used those words to encourage my heart when I needed it. The next few days are going to be rough on me and the family with the visitation and the funeral. We so appreciate your prayers for us. I know we have an awesome God and He's going to see us through. I will post the obituary from Howze as soon as they make it available.


Visitation for Mark - March 20---6:00-8:00 pm @ Howze Mortuary
 
March 20------This song came to mind this morning.

When comes to the weary a blessèd release,
When upward we pass to His kingdom of peace,
When free from the woes that on earth we must bear,
We’ll say “good night” here, but “good morning” up there.

Refrain

Good morning up there where Christ is the Light,
Good morning up there where cometh no night;
When we step from this earth to God’s Heaven so fair,
We’ll say “good night” here but “good morning” up there.

When fadeth the day and dark shadows draw nigh,
With Christ close at hand, it is not death to die;
He’ll wipe every tear, roll away every care;
We’ll say “good night” here, but “good morning” up there.

Refrain

When home lights we see shining brightly above,
Where we shall be soon, through His wonderful love,
We’ll praise Him Who called us His Heaven to share,
We’ll say “good night” here, but “good morning” up there.

Refrain

by Lizzie DeArmond

Mark's Homegoing Memorial - March 21 @ 2:00pm at Bible Baptist Church

March 21------- Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.-Hebrews 12:2- This verse blessed my heart today.

A good friend shared this with me. A portion of the song "Finally Home"
"But just think of stepping on shore and finding it Heaven! of touching a hand and finding it God's! of breathing new air and finding it celestial!
of waking up in glory and finding it home!" ---(That's what Mark did on Monday morning.)

Thanks, Dawn, for sharing that with me. It meant so much!

March 22-------I was so thankful for the wonderful service for him, too, and that Christ was glorified. I just had to share your sweet post.--Comment to my daughter regarding her post on FB.

I'm thankful for the wonderful memorial service for Dad. Above all, Christ was honored and glorified and that's exactly what Dad would have wanted because he wanted to glorify Christ in his life. I'm thankful for the godly example he was in my life and in the lives of all those he knew. Today was not easy and the weeks, months, and years ahead will be hard without him here on this earth, but I am so happy that he is with his Savior and that I will see him again one day. Even through all the tears, God has given me indescribable peace and I praise Him for it!

March 23------- The following is a verse from a song my grandmother had written many years ago and of course, I was thinking of Mark.

"This is not death I'm facing, but it's life forevermore.
This is not the end I'm nearing, but it's entering Heaven's door.
For the way ahead is brighter than it's ever been before.
For it's glory, yes, it's glory over on the eternal shore!

March 24--------Hope you all don't get tired of me posting things. I used to not do this too often but now it helps some. Here's another song my grandmother wrote. Mark never got to meet her in this life but I'm sure he knows her now.

"I want to see Jesus and look on His face,
and tell Him that I love Him by His infinite grace
And go to that land not made by man.
I want to see Jesus, don't you?
Chorus- I want to see Jesus, I want to see Him. I want to see Jesus. Don't You?" 

I'm singing the song in my head as I write it. My grandmother had sung the song to my aunt and she composed the music.

 March 25--------"God looked around the garden and found an empty space. He looked down upon the earth, and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful for He only takes the best. He knew that you were weary, And He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never be well on earth again. He saw the roads were getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb. So He closed your weary eyelids, and whispered peace be thine. It broke our hearts to lose you, But you did not go alone…For part of us went with you the day God called you home" author unknown

 "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Romans 15:13

Thank you, God, for seeing us through another day and giving us peace all along the way.

 March 26------This was an eventful day. As all who have lost ones so dear to you, there are the firsts like the first time you do something without that special one you love. Well, Mark and I have taken many trips down to visit and take care of my parents who live 2 hours away. Since my mom had a stroke 5+ years ago there were even more frequent trips, and Mark made every single trip with me. Yesterday with God's help, I made the trip by myself. My sweet daughter offered to go with me but I felt this was one I really needed to do myself. God carried me through. I'm so thankful for the wonderful children God has given us and their spouses and the grandchildren who have been so caring and helpful to me. My son and his sweet family stayed an extra day just to get me through the first week. Even though Mark is no longer with me, I am blessed with his legacy! Also, I'm blessed with all the prayers and encouragement from family and friends. I saw a quote that I fully agree with. "Lord, I miss my husband terribly but choose to thank you for his life."

March 27-------- Day 10 since the passing of my sweet Mark. Today I decided to take a trip to Walmart. Here we go again. Mark usually always went with me and waited in the van while I shopped. All through the store I had a big lump in my throat seeing things he liked and knew if I were to run into anybody I knew that I would probably start crying. I didn't meet up with anybody. As soon as I got to the van and of course, no Mark, well that's when the tears began. You all know that I'm not crying for him because he's having a wonderful time with Jesus but I'm just missing him so badly. I was feeling pretty low and to see how God comforts us, he sent my next door neighbor/friends by and they brought just the encouraging words that I needed. I guess it should never amaze us how God works and how He never leaves us comfortless! A good quote for me to remember--"Lord, when I'm dwelling on my losses, bring me back to counting blessings."

March 28------------ Today God comforted my heart in a different way. Tonight I was reflecting over things that have happened which is nothing unusual. I remember the day I took Mark's wheelchair out of the van and thought well that would be the last time I would do that. It made me sad because I no longer had him with me but how wonderful that he won't ever need a wheelchair again. I also began to think about how we often thought that God would heal Mark in this life and what a glorious testimony that would be especially when he had suffered for 7 years. Then God seemed to show me that Mark's life and his faithfulness through those 7 years of suffering was a glorious testimony in itself. Mark was always such a shining example of someone who in the midst of adversity kept his eyes focused on Christ and he remained faithful to the end. Not to say he didn't have some discouragements along the way but he always trusted that God knew what was best for him. Reflecting on these things gave me great peace and comfort. God always knows what we need and when we need it. Thank you, Lord, for bringing these things to mind and giving me this peace and comfort.

March 29---------Had the blessing of keeping 5 of our grandchildren today. It just seemed so different because this was the first time I've kept them since Mark's passing. He always had so much fun with them. This was one of those missing him badly times when I thought how he always loved having them over. I enjoyed my day with the kids anyway and realize that this is how it will be from now on. God has given me grace for everything I have faced so far and I know He will continue to do so. BTW, I've started a blog for anyone who might be interested. It's the following: //thiswidowswalk.blogspot.com/ 
Thank you, God, for your amazing grace that we have no matter what we face.

March 31------- Today it will be 2 weeks ago that I lost my hubby. Yesterday, after the morning church service, I visited his grave site. That's just one of those human things you do to feel better even though you know they aren't there. I'm not sure if it did make me feel much better. I did get a lot of encouragement from the church services and from our church family/friends. You never know what God will use to give you what you need in your life. He is always faithful and I continue to look to Him. The song "Lord, I Need You" comes to mind. Thank you, God, for giving us the things we need to encourage us daily.