Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Loss of a Dearly Beloved Grandmother














This past week we laid to rest my beautiful grandmother. Fondly called "Granny" by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are still in "survive" mode. Each dealing with their grief in a different way.
My wonderful husband Gary, was given the opportunity to officiate the funeral. I was sent this beautiful forward by a dear friend, and Gary used it in the sermon. It was so very appropriate.
~Jamie~


5 Generations:


JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURE FOR A MINUTE, AND THEN READ THE REST. IT WILL TOUCH YOU DEEPLY, AND IF NOT, THEN YOU MIGHT WANT TO DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR PULSE.

GRANDMA'S HANDS
A must read
Read it thru to the end please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grandma, some ninety-plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear voice strong.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked... 'I mean really looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent.... They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the
hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.



Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Reborning with Kelly Lynn Smith

I'm pleased to announce that my LE (limited edition) Maddison Lynn doll kit has been chosen for an upcoming reborning online tutorial class with Kelly Lynn Smith of Angels Unawares.
I was very honored she chose my Maddison for this class.
The class is set for March 2009 and is already sold out!!!
Kelly will be running another class with Maddison kit in May of '09. This class is filling up fast. Click on the link to see more information about this class.
http://www.angelsunawares.net/maddison.html

Welcome!!!!

I'm new to the whole blogging thing, but decided to create this blog to post when I have new babies available. Also, news and events happening in regards to my artwork.
Thanks for taking a peek!!! :)

Phil. 4:6-7

"Be careful for nothing;but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."