Angels In Training

I am hosting over at Laced With Grace on Sunday, March 30th... that means you still have time to enter the She SPeaks Contest...
so come on over and play...

I'll be sharing about Angels in Training.... Don't want to miss that...

Who Am I?

Meet my pets:

Squeak, Aggie and Jake

Here is a fun little meme....getting to know ya.. .thing.. I got it from Jen over here..

Here’s how it works:

1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box
3. Use only the first page
4. Insert the picture into your Blog

1. What is your current relationship stat?

2. What is your current mood?

3. What is your favorite band? in my case singer.... smile














4. What is your favorite Movie?






















5. Where do you live?




















6. Where do you work?


Registed Nurse for Heyman Hospicecare














7. What do you look like?















8. What do you drive?

9. What is your favorite TV show?

10. Describe yourself?













11. What are you doing today?





















12. What did you do last night?










13. What is your name?











The significance here... is that I cannot look at a rose and not think of my daddy now... as well, he named me Connie... isn't this beautiful.. I found it on the internet





I'm going to end on this....and say a sweet prayer of thanksgiving....





I hope you will play along and if not, then just enjoy... love you all

PrAy FoR TaYlOr

My Nephew, Taylor, just graduated from Boot Camp in the Air Force.

Following in my sisters and my dad's as well as Taylors own dads footsteps.

Taylor, now is on his own path of life that has been laid out before him by our precious God. Taylor is following his heart.

Please pray for him. And please pray for my sister and brother-in-law and all our family while he is gone...serving our country. Pray for safety and whatever God puts on your heart.

We miss him.

He left several days before our dad passed away.

How Will I Die?

(John 3:15)"...that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life"

As A Hospice Nurse, I hear this question often. But this time I will hold onto this question with a whole new meaning and a special love.

My sweet patient looked down at the floor wringing his hands, finally having the courage to ask me “the” hardest question yet. I could sense something had been bothering him during our last few visits. I could see it in his eyes. "How will I die?"

He is an intelligent man so I knew he would expect the details. As I began sharing the process of dying, I could feel “A” presence overtake us. I may perhaps say that God filled the room. He took over the situation. Peace filled the apprehensive uncertainties that crept into my mind.

Nearing the end of my explanation of death and dying, I told my patient (and friend) that one thing I have noticed was that all my patients are given an incredible peace in the perfect time nearing the end. However, all my patients have been Christians. I have heard stories of patients passing that were not Christians that were less than peaceful but I have not personally experienced it so I could not share that.

He then said, “Well, I just might be your first.”

I felt my heart just sink into my toes. I had given him several Christian books to read and he had enjoyed them so I just assumed…. Now, he looked at me with such sadness. He told me that he wasn’t worthy. He had never led a life that God would be proud of. He did not attend church much. And the list grew. But he said, "I'm not a bad person. I just didn't work for God.

I asked him if he had read the Bible or parts of it. And then I asked him if he believed in it. He said, “Yes.” I asked him if he believed that Jesus was the Son of God and again he said, “Yes.” So I did have a foundation to work with as I talked to him.

We went on for some time, God giving me the words, scripture and the peace to share. I finally asked my patient if the thief on the Cross had time for works, church and all the things he had listed and through his tears he cried, “No.”

The words shared were…Supernatural… and from our Heavenly Father…. I was a partaker.

He said, “I have some thinking to do.” And I asked him what he felt he needed to think about. I said, “Would you like to receive Christ as your Savior now? I can help you do that and I would be honored.” He nodded yes. There we held hands. His mom, a Godly woman, sat across the room. And we prayed to receive Christ.

I believe I heard Heaven rejoice.

Interestingly, as I shared this with my family (of course, leaving the name confidential), my 12 year-old son asked if we were going to baptize him. Well, duh! Why didn’t I think of that? So this week our Chaplain is going to baptize him. I’m not sure who is more excited, him or me.

How will I die? My sweet one, you won’t—you have eternal life now!

Happy Easter

He iS RiSeN

Good Friday

As recorded in Mark 15

It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!"

In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."

One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.

"Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

We cry when life isn't fair....when someone over looks us for something we should have received credit for. Treats us wrong. Cuts us off in traffic. Passes us up on a promotion. States an untruth. "But it's my right...."

Yet this Man, this Jesus, died for sins that were not His own. He surrendered and took this cup. All for us. He never had one right...

As we walk away in silence, and may be even shed a tear, let us pray....

Happy Easter

Happy Easter!!

My little Bunnies

The Perfect Landing Part ll

This is a part two of my devotional from: What is Your Flight Plan?

(2 Peter 1:13) “I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,”


I shared the perfect flight plan with my dad even to the end of his life.

I had been up all night and most of the morning with my dad on his last day of life.
We were all sitting vigil with him. We knew it would not be long before he took his last breath. It was my time to go home and rest.

Let me back up a little here. A few nights before, I had prayed to our Papa, giving Him a very important decision. As with many people in my line of Hospice work, I watch them take their last breath, but I just did not know if I could watch my dad take his last. So as I prayed, I asked God to take over and do whatever He thought best.

Now back to my story. I had been asleep for a few hours when a very loud military plane flew over our home and shook the foundation of our home waking me up. First, we do not have planes fly over our home. And if we do, they never fly this low. Thirdly, I have never felt one shake my home.

The moment I woke up, I knew. This was it, this was my daddy’s home going. I got up and showered. As soon as I was walking out the door, the phone rang and my sister said, “Come quick.”

I knew it had already happened. My poor husband tried to console me but I was not prepared. I will spare you of the ride and emotions that took place. I had just lost my daddy.

Somewhere I remembered along the way my prayer. God had answered me. I could not watch my dad take his last breath. When I arrived to the hospital, I just held my dad. He looked like a little boy sleeping.

The military plane—I am always telling you that I live in the Supernatural, right?!

Well, I truly believe that it was my dad making his last flight over my house telling me good-bye. Actually, I have no doubt. This is the memory I can live with.

My dad made the perfect landing into his Papa’s arms.

And well for us, we will await our flight!

Face To Face

What is Heaven like? Find out what the perspective is of a 12 year old...

Come on over to Laced with Grace... On Wednesday...

love to you all, my dear and wonderful friends... thank you for visiting...

Tell Me Prayer Doesn't Make A Difference!

It's a "Go".... if you read my previous devotional....What are your flight plans?


I have been healed.... well actually, there is NO CANCER.. Praise God...

I know some of you have been down this road and my heart pours out to you. I admire you beyond anything I can even comprehend.

The past several weeks have been tough. The last hour of not knowing and waiting for the Doctor to talk to me was just about too much. I thought I was going to throw up.

There for what seemed to be a life time, I thought about all of my sweet patients and friends that have gone through this. Those that have heard those words, "I'm sorry but you have...."

Guys, you have my utmost admiration. You have my prayers.

So as I thank God for one more clean bill of health. One more chance to change how I live. I think and I thank Him for all I have been blessed with.

To all of you that have been praying, I love you.

Tell me prayer doesn't make a difference!!

What Is Your Flight Plan? Part 1

(Psalm 104:7) “at the sound of your thunder they took to flight”


Many years have passed but I will never forget the memories with my dad. One special memory is when I was young and spent my Saturday’s flying Cessna airplanes with him (or so he led me to believe I was flying the plane...wink). One of my favorite flight plans were when he would do what they (they being the so –called flight people-whoever that is) called “touch and goes.” He would let the landing gear touch the runway and then take off again. We would do this over and over again. (Just a side note: Sis, did you ever wake up from your nap in the back seat to experience this? Or were you praying? He He)

Little did I know how valuable a lesson this would become in my life.

So many times since then, I have sat across from the doctor just to hear him say, “I am sorry but you cannot have children.” –Touchdown of flight.

But God had other plans. –“GO”, the Papa whispered.

And I remember the doctor saying to me, “Your daughter has hearing loss…. She has a learning disability…. She has…” ---Touchdown of flight.

God had other plans. –“GO”. The Papa whispered once again… (Our daughter is a junior in college and working … she is thriving beyond words.) p.s. She hears better than I do!

And then two years ago, the doctor gathered us up in a private room. I could see it in the doctor’s face. He didn’t want to be there either. My heart was in my throat. My sister said, “Connie, please start praying.” There we held hands and prayed. I wanted to leave. His words sounded like they were so very far away. “I don’t think your dad is going to make it, he has had a stroke and is having seizures.” This was hours after open heart surgery. And the warm tears of my heart fell from my soul. Someone just please stop this so-called “touchdown of flight.”

But God has other plans.—“GO” whispered my Papa.

Eventually as with us all, the time finally came for the plane to set down. Several weeks ago, my dad’s flight plan had come to an end and he finally landed safely home. But rejoice for it was the most perfect landing ever.

His journey is complete and his flight plan was perfectly executed.

I am now living my own flight plan. A week ago, the doctor said, “You have an abnormal spot in your left breast that we need to look at.”— Touchdown of life.

Papa?

We all have our “touch and go” moments, do we not?

I thank my dad for teaching me the exhilarating love of that final landing and the excitement and anticipation of those final moments preceding it.

For eventually, we all have to land.

We will all be called Home.

What is your flight plan?

In Loving Memory of my sweet Daddy... Bryant Franklin

Are You A Daddy's Girl?

Are You A Daddy's Girl?

I sure was....am...

Gregory Lang contacted me through my blog sometime ago when he read something that I had written about my dad and asked permission to use it in his book.. soooooo of course, I am interested in his book...

But I would be anyway, anything that has to do with being a Daddy's little girl, catches my eye.

This book will be available on May 8th, 2008.

You can check out Greg's blog over here.

Are You A Basket Case?

(Ezra 9:9) -" For we were slaves, but in His unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery..."



"Just remember, Moses was a basket case too." I have read this sign on marquees often. And I think how that depicts my own life. Or as my husband often says, “I resemble that remark!”

After this past year, it is a blueprint of my own life--filled with changing events of everything from changing jobs, losing my dad and now facing the unknown with the possibility of breast cancer, so you might say I am have moments of feeling like I, too, might be a “basket case.”

I think back to poor Moses’ mom and wonder if I could have ever done what she did. Could I have given my child up in the reeds along the bank of the Nile River like Moses’ mother did? I can’t imagine standing on the shore and watching my precious child float amongst the bulrushes, moving with the currents, knowing that I might never see my little one again.


However, the exciting part of this story is that when Moses became a "basket case" and was alone and adrift in the world, God heard his cry. He provided protection for him by sending Pharaoh's daughter to the river bank that day. She found the child in the basket and provided for him. Then she went back to her home in the palace and made plans for Moses to become her child and follow her there. In Moses' case, God sent Pharaoh's daughter to dry the baby's tears and provide protection and love.

So many times our lives seem to be adrift or we are just trying to make it through one more disaster or tragedy. This pretty much resembles the description of a “basket case”, floating amongst the reeds and bulrushes of life, praying and hoping God will hear our cry.

Fortunately, for us, God sent His son, Jesus, to hear our cry and provide protection and His precious love. Jesus died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin, making it possible for us to become the children of His Papa.

After the death of Jesus, and the resurrection, He is now home again, preparing a place for us next to His Papa. Waiting for a wonderful family reunion.

Yes, I think we are all “basket cases”…is that not a good thing!!

WhErE Do BaBiEs CoMe FrOm?

I will be hosting over at the Internet Cafe on Sunday March 9th, 2008.....

Come on over and find out where Babies Come From!!!

Blessings my sweet friends....

Love you all,,,
Connie

PS... I have a prayer request..... I had an abnormal mammogram this week that I could use prayer for... I will go for add't test next week... what is the saying about, "when it rains, it pours?"

Angel in the Block

Saturday, I will be hosting over at Laced with Grace... Grab a cup of Jo and come on over...

Enjoy the true art of our Heavenly Father....

She Speaks

We, the writers at Laced With Grace want to thank you for sharing in the hope we have through Jesus Christ. Your comments, encouragement, and support are priceless. We know there are many demands on your time and are deeply touched that you choose to spend a few minutes with us during your day. To share our appreciation, we are offering a contest for our readers.

Because there are so many of you who dream of writing, speaking, working in ministry, or being a better blogger, we decided this would be a great opportunity to help one of our readers take a step closer to their dream. To achieve this, Laced with Grace is thrilled to team up with the Proverbs 31 Ministries to offer a partial scholarship for the upcoming She Speaks Conference.

This conference offers something for everyone. The conference date is June 20- 22, 2008 and will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel Resort & Conference Center in Concord, North Carolina. In addition to the writing, speaking and ministry tracks offered this year the conference is including workshops tailored for bloggers.

Our contest prize is a voucher valued at $250.00 to be applied to a conferee’s registration. The winner will still be responsible for the remaining portion of their conference fee as well as transportation and all other expenses.

To enter our contest drawing all you need to do is stop in and leave a comment as well as the words; “enter me.” You can enter once a day, so stop in everyday and leave us a comment from March1st through the 31st. Each day you enter we will drop your name into the virtual basket and on March 31st we will randomly draw a name. We will announce the winner on April 1st – no fooling!

Some of the writers for Laced With Grace will be in attendance and would love to meet you there. Thank you again for joining us at Laced With Grace. We pray the words you read here inspire you, fill you up, and most of all honor the Lord Jesus Christ.

Enter Today! Leave a comment. (Thank you Lynn for putting this together)

To add the Laced With Grace button to your sidebar (click here).

God Luck.. (not a misssssspelling either.... smile)

Thank you so much for all your support and help in spreading HIS Word..