So, I don't even know where to begin.  NIneteen years of marriage, more surgeries and struggles than I care to remember, a patient husband and one really cool unicyle later and next thing you know I'm sitting in bed asking my husband how to read a pregnancy test. 

Ok, this particular night, not too long after my 39th birthday in July, the birthday in which my husband thrilled me with the coolest gift....a mountain bike unicyle...I was not feeling the greatest.  Not good at all, actually I was feeling a bit nauseated, which I thought odd.  Anyway, just to make sure we knew what was happening........ was really happening, we opted to go with four different test from four different stores.....just to be positive that what we were looking at was indeed positive!!  After confirming the last one and then final confirmation from the Dr. both Mike and I were in a total state of "NO WAY!!"  Seriously, no way...really?  NO WAY!!  And then...."well, ok then!"

As I sit here and type, completely exhausted from being sick all but five of the 16 weeks and 3 days of this pregnancy , I am in silent wonder of how faithful God is.  In my praying and seeking God's will I really thought I was getting a "no" on this prayer and I had resigned myself to that answer.  Oh how mistaken I was.  I was reminded of a statement I once said to a group of women:  Sometimes God says yes, sometimes He says no and some times He says, "Debbie, can you just wait a cottton pickin minute?".  This minute just ended up being a 19 year long minute!! 

Recently I started asking myself why in the world God would want Mike and I to wait so long for such a gift but I think I already knew the answer before I started bellowing out the "why's".  It's in the waiting where God teaches us the value in the journey.  Mike and I have had quite the journey these last 19 years and I'm quite sure as some of you have already told us, "we ain't seen nothin yet".  But for us, with all that life has brought our way.  God has used this time to mold and shape us into the very parents we need to be for this child.  I have no doubt that every struggle, trial and joy that floods our memeory banks now will be of value as we become the parents God expects us to be.  So as I started asking why to the long wait, God quickly reminded me about a few things:

1. David was annointed king 22 years before he actaully became king. 22 YEARS of waiting!!
2. Moses lived in the desert 40 years before God sent him back to Egypt to set the Israleites free (how cool that he learned how to live in the desert prior to God calling Him to lead the Israelites into that same desert...so cool!
3. What about Noah and how long he waited while building the ark....people thought he was a crazed lunitic....until it started raining
4. Then there is Sarah, Abrahams wife - she was like Great Grandma age before she had Isaac!!!  See, in perspective 39 is NOT old! (I'm getting an AMEN from Sarah right about now!)

So I guess in closing, I am understanding more each day of how valuable the journey is in the waiting.  Waiting used to be a very painful thing for me.  Now as each day goes by, I'm learning to enjoy the journey in the waiting, knowing a little more each day that each part of this journey is teaching me something I need to know somewhere down the road.  For now, I'll dig my heals in knowing that even if this morning sickness does last five more months it's only a season.  (SIDENOTE:  I do have to tell you, I keep waiting for this 'pregnancy bliss' feeling I hear so much about cause I'm not feeling very blissful especially when I'm hugging my toilet in the wee hours every single morning!.  NOT THAT IM COMPLAINING....I'm just sayin'  

As Mike and I are entering this second trimester phase we would appreciate your prayers to see Baby Grady through to full term and into our arms. 

Oh and one more thing before I sign off..actually a few things Mike and I would like everyone to know eventhough I'm sure you will continue to tell us again and again:

• Yes, we do realize our lives will never be the same
• Yes we do realize that sleep is no longer an option...my morning sickness and night sickness is seeing that we get plenty of practice on sleepless nights
• No, we have no clue of how awesome this is actually going to be but have great anticipation
• Yes Bobby,  I do realize my stomach is about to look like I swallowed a basketball.
• No, I have no idea where all of my organs are going to go when this child starts getting bigger
• Ladies, some of the gross things I don't want to know about, like "mucus plug" I mean honestly can we call it something else for crying out loud...how about just plug...why on God's green earth did someone have to throw the mucus word in that??   I mean honestly, like I'm not freaked out enough already....GROSS!!
• Yes, I am reading ahead in the "What to expect when you are expecting book", with one eye closed!
  
  Thank you all so much for your continued prayers.  I know some of you ,my close friends and family, have been secretly praying for a Grady child for years.  For that, I will forever be grateful!
  
  Stay tuned for more blogs on the Grady Baby Journey.  Next blog:  Top Ten Reasons You Know You Have Serious Morning Sickness
  
  I love you all dearly, 
  Mamma Grady
  
  
    

 

It’s been a while since Mike and I have taken the time to hang out with our family here in PA.  Actually it’s been about five months, and when I tell you that we only live eleven miles apart well, I should really hang my head in shame.  So I was catching up with my niece and about an hour into our incredibly awesome conversation, I realized how much I had missed her.  We were so engrossed in each others conversation that neither of us had any idea how much time had passed.  It wasn’t until that afternoon when, back at home, I realized how much I had missed being a part of her life over the Winter and Spring months.  But the beautiful thing about relationships is that they are always there right where you left off.  

Recently a dear friend and I finally made time in our hectic schedules to get together and catch up on all that has been happening over the last several months.  Again, only a few miles apart from each other, we had both gotten so sucked up into the business of life that we forgot the importance of friendship.  We were sharing in conversation and so hungry for each other’s words that you would have thought we had been starved for months and months and actually, we had.  When life gets so busy that you don’t have time to share in each others heartaches, struggles, joys and successes then there’s a problem.  When you have to hear from one another about the difficulty of going through something alone, then it’s too late.  

Last night I called a close friend of twenty years.  We hadn’t spoken in quite sometime and last night was a catch up night.  So much had happened in her life in the past four months and I didn’t have a clue. Time slipped by, one day led to a week, which led to a month…and next thing you know, we let life’s busy schedule get in the way of our relationship and our kindred love for one another.  Her son graduated, husband lost his job, family came to visit and life got in the way of us sharing life together.  We sat and caught each other up on all that has happened in the last several months and swore to not let so much time pass by next time.

My best friend from high school sent me a text a week ago.  When we finally made contact she informed me that her marriage was in a tailspin and she was desperately trying to salvage it.  We talked and prayed and talked some more.  I didn’t realize how difficult things had gotten.  I would have known had I kept in touch with her more often.  But I hadn’t.  We had allowed life to pass us by as the weeks turned into months.  Before hanging up we vowed to call more often.

As I sat down this evening and opened up my Bible I realized it had been quite sometime since I had actually taken the time to sit down and read.  I mean sure, I have opened it up and read quickly, to say I did, and then moved on to the next task of the day.  However, on this particular occasion, the more I got into the scripture, the more I read the words, the more I realized how much I missed it and the deeper I got into reading the more I realized how much I had been missing Him.  Just reading to get by, praying to be done instead of reading for knowledge and understanding and praying to have conversation with my Creator are two different things. 

As I sit here typing I am flabbergasted that it is actually the end of June.  Where has the time gone?  I used to hear my mom say this all the time.  Now, like her, I sit here wondering the same thing.  I don’t want to go on with life in the fast lane, forgetting my kindred relationships and in the process forgetting who I am and who God created me to be.  So for now, I’m slowing down again.  I’m stopping to watch the lightening bugs, enjoying a glass of ice tea on the porch swing with my husband, investing time with a cherished friend, and spending time diving deeper into God’s Word.  These are the life moments that end up impacting our lives and those around us forever.  These are the things that are the true treasures of life.   

If you’re not too busy these days, pick up the phone, call an old friend, go to lunch and mend a broken relationship and for goodness sakes don’t let time steal from you what God has blessed you with. 

Gitty Up! and Have a great Summer Day!
Debbie Perry Grady
Good Grief! Ministries

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

...life just keeps gettin stranger and stranger....

It was a quite, peaceful, early Saturday morning, about 5:15am to be exact.  Mike and I were nestled snug in our bed without a care in the world except Saturday morning sleep time. And oh what a great sleep it WAS!! (note the key word in this sentence...WAS!)  Keep in mind I usually sleep on my stomach with my arms all wrapped around in my pillow.  For some strange reason I was sleeping on my back which after wards, I thought very strange.  And as most people do when they sleep on their backs, I'm sure my mouth was open ever so slightly as to let in the sweet morning air (LOL!) 

While nearing the end of my deep sweet sleep (say that 10 times fast) I heard this awkward "Thud!" on our bedroom window, (also keep in mind the window is right above the head of our bed).  The "Thud" I heard didn't really alarm me.  I was thinking, in my blissful sleep, that something hit the outside of the window, no big deal, and everything was wonderful in la la land........that is until....I FELT IT!  About 5 seconds after that low pitched "Thud" (even now my heart starts pounding as I remember that fateful morning...even now, I can hardly believe what happened, actually DID happen).  Not even five seconds after I heard the Thud, I felt IT, something wet......warm.......and.......SLIMY....on....(WARNING: if you have a weak stomach you may not want to read the rest of this AND if you have to pee, you may want to go now and then come back....I'm just sayin')......on the right corner of my left EYE!!!  That would be where your tear duct is!!!  

So all at once, I  awoke totally FREAKED out!!  Thankfully, I had enough common sense to NOT open my left eye.  At this point, I was standing up out of bed trying to figure out what in the world was happening and WHAT had just invaded my face!!  As I reached up and wiped away most of the warm slime and looked down on my hand I realized exactly what IT WAS and commenced to SCREAMING and LAUGHING!!  And it went something like this:  "OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOODNESS!! (Laughter Laughter, Laughter) OH MY GOSH!!  MIIIIIIIIIIKE (That's my husband Mike without all the IIIII's) THERE'S BIRD POOP IN MY EYE!!!!  OH MY GOSH!!  (LAUGHTER LAUGHTER)" all of this hysteria taking place while running to the bathroom.  At this point Mike is now standing up out of bed wondering what on God's green earth is going on and why is his wife screaming like a crazy lunatic in the bathroom.....I continue screaming and laughing....now my confused laughter has turned into panic laughter...the kind of laughter one has when they believe they may catch the bird flu from bird poop LANDING IN THEIR EYE!!  screaming continues..."OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH, I'M GONNA GET THE BIRD FLU, OH MY GOSH, WHAT IF SOME OF THIS POOP GOT INTO MY TEAR DUCT....OH MY GOODNESS....CALL 911!!!!  Note:  All of this drama has taken place in about two minutes.  It is amazing how much one can scream when in distress in a short amount of time.  At this point I hear my husband call out, "would you calm down I can't understand a thing you are saying, it sounds like you are screaming "you got bird poop in your eye!"  My response "That's cause I DID GET BIRD POOP IN MY EYE, WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS HOUSE?!!!!!"  This is about the time I heard the bedroom door slam and Mike holler out "DON'T OPEN THE BEDROOM DOOR!"  I then hear the bedroom window open and the bedroom door open back up and Mike giving me the ok to enter back into the Twilight Zone bedroom.  After regaining my composure and after having removed any trace of the slimy invasion on my face, I went back into the room cautiously.  Mike was on the bed, looking out the open window.  I crawled up on the bed, looked out the window to see the frighted, half dazed little wren that had somehow managed to get into our house and into our bedroom, only to find herself stuck in a room she couldn't get out of.   I looked at the little wren perched out on our Maple tree so relieved she actually made it out alive. 

After we looked at the bird for a bit, I looked over at my husband who starts laughing like there's no tomorrow.  And I, wanting so desperately to be annoyed at this entire early morning fiasco, could not help but go into my second phase of laughter wondering to myself if anyone else in the world has ever had this happen to them.  

We sat on the bed laughing for a while when Mike looks at me and says "only you Debbie, only you",  I respond back to him "I guess it could've been worse, my open mouth was just two inches down from my eye, if the bird was just a couple inches in a different direction, I may still be in the bathroom!!!  Just when we thought we had no more laughter in us we laughed even more with tears streaming down our faces and stomaches aching the kind of ache that only a good belly laugh can bring..............

Bird poop in your eye while sleeping....unbelievable......not getting it in your mouth while sleeping.....God's Mercy!!!"

"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."  Proverbs 15:13

Have a great week!
Debbie Perry Grady

     

Good morning and welcome back to the Coffee Shop Blogtalk!! 

When life gets a bit overwhelming it’s always nice to have someone in our lives that knows what we are going through.  However, there are times when a situation may leave us feeling isolated and alone.  For the times when we “think” no one quite understands what we are going through, I share with you these three amazing verses sip on throughout your day.

 
Psalm 61:2 "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

(At a time when David was completely overwhelmed he cried out to the Lord)

 

John 11:35 "Jesus Wept."    
(In this verse, Jesus was crying because Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus, had just died.  The girls were in deep sorrow.  When Christ saw the ladies crying, verse 33 says that “Jesus groaned in the spirit and was troubled”.  Jesus, knowing their sorrow cried with them.  The story goes on to say how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.  This is why Christ weeping gives me such comfort.  I’m not happy that He was crying, I’m comforted because He cried with them.  Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead and yet, having compassion on the ladies, He wept with them.)

II Corinthians 1:2 - 4 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

(He comforts us in ALL our tribulation!!!  Cool!!  Do you understand the magnitude of this verse?  Whatever it is we are struggling through, He comforts us in IT!!  Whatever IT is, He gives us the comfort we need, NOT just so that we are comforted, but that we can learn from Him and share that comfort He gives us to someone that has not yet experienced His comfort.  It’s like that Pass It Forward movie, we share His comfort with others as He shares it with us.  That’s why I love this verse so much.)

 

Thank you for stopping by the Coffee Shop Blogtalk this morning.  As you go about your day remember:

God hears us, God cries with us and God comforts us…

 

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave and be strong.

Let all that you do be done with love.” I Cor 16:13-14

Your Coffee Talk Server,

Debbie

When was the last time you went through a tragedy?  Websters on line dictionary simply states the definition of tragedy as: a disastrous event.

Tragedy can come in a variety of forms.  The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the loss of a home or the loss of a marriage are just a few  ways tragedy can surprise us.

Tragedy can invade our lives at any given time.  There is no rhyme or reason for most of them and when tragedy strikes we are left standing in the aftermath of the storm wondering "what just happened?".  

Some of my friends and I lost a dear colleague and friend of ours quite suddenly this past week.  Her sudden death barely gave us time to ponder the thought of her diagnosis before the cancer took her life.  As with any tragedy, whether it's the loss of someone or something, living in the "now" of the moment is pretty difficult to do.   

Suddenly I'm reminded of the energy drinks my brother faithfully clings to in the mornings just as I cling to my cup of coffee.  It's as though they are necessary to give us a jump start in the morning as we wake up to a new day. Several times in my life when living in the "now" of a tragedy, I remember waking up and starting my day like a zombie, allowing my thoughts to wonder wildly in the desert of my mind with no clear direction or control.   Much the same, when tragedy strikes we need something similar to an energy drink or double shot of espresso to jump start our minds and renew our focus.

So for those of us that could use a shot spiritual espresso in the morning, allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Debbie Grady and I will be your server.  For the next few weeks I will be sending out little cups of "coffee"  to help us get our  thoughts going in the right direction in stead of wondering in the desert of our minds thirsting for something more.  

So our first cup of coffee together I will serving up a double shot of Psalms, a nice reminder of God's faithfulness throughout our journey as we live in our "now".

Ps 143:8
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
NKJV
(for more reading, read the entire chapter of Psalm 143, a great Psalm written by King David to God during a very difficut time in his life.)

Ps 34:17-1817
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
NKJV
(Psalm 34 is another great chapter to read in it's entirety.  This Psalm also written by David to God)

"Father God thank you for reminding us of your faithfulness through Your Word.  When the burdens of life seem to compete for our time before our feet hit the floor each morning, help us focus on You.  Remind us of your faithfulness as we live in the "now" through the trials and tragedy that weigh heavy on our hearts.  Get us up and going this morning Father and thanks for the double shot of Psalms.  In Your sweet precious name we pray, Amen!"

Y'all have a great day! Be sure to stop back by tomorrow morning to get your day going,
Your coffee shop server,
Debbie Perry Grady
Good Grief! MInistries

The other day as I was starting up my Jeep about to leave the eye doctors office I glanced across the street at a day care center.  This day care had wide cement steps going from the sidewalk up to the main entrance of the building, about 15 stairs total.  As my eyes followed the stairs up to the entrance, the door swung open and out walked a young woman holding the hand of what appeared to be a 2 or 3 year old little boy.  As the woman and the boy walked toward the first step the little boy quickly pulled his hand out of hers and walked over to the stair railing, reached up and grabbed hold with his opposite hand and immediately started wobbling down the steps.  As the woman reached  her hand out to help guide the boy he defiantly pulled his entire arm across to the other side of his body grabbing hold of his side as if to shout out that he did not need her help. 

As he guided himself with the railing, he slowly made his way down one step at a time.  Interestingly enough, the young woman remained at his side each step of the way.  She did not force her hand to his, nor did she leave him behind.  She stayed right at his side, saying nothing, just walking instep with him, ready at a moments notice to catch him at the first sign of a stumble.

I continued watching as they made their way down each step and was curious to see how the little boy would handle the last two steps.  These two steps were the last two before making it to the sidewalk, however, there was a 90 degree turn prior to these last two steps.  The little boy stopped, looked up at the woman, kept his hand close by his side and sat himself down!  He then started scooting down the last two steps on his little bottom using his feet and hands to help scoot him along.  When he made it down the last step, there he sat on the ground with some sense of accomplishment yet, not sure how to react to his current situation.  He couldn't seem to figure out how to get up on his own.  He finally looked up, raised his hand up to the woman still at his side.  She reached down her hand to his, grabbed hold and guided him until he was standing straight up and then released his hand.  He stood, looked straight ahead and started walking with a new found sense of confidence. 

As I drove out of the parking lot taking in what I had just seen I started wondering how alike I am to that little boy.  How often I have pulled my hand away from God's guiding hand.  How often I have acted in defiance wanting to do things my own way.  Unfortunately, unlike the boy, I have fallen flat on my face and stumbled down a few stairs.  (come to think of it, I mean this figuratively AND literally, I'm not the most graceful woman out there, that's for sure!)  yet, God seems to always be right there, picking me up, dusting me off allowing me to go off on my own and yet wanting so desperately for me to stay close by in the safety of His hands.  His hands, I think about what they must look like, the hands of Christ, so strong, so scarred, so comforting and tender.  Always ready to reach out and embrace mine.  Yet at times I still linger to my own desires, wanting to do "it" on my own, yet there He stands right next to me.  Reminding me of His presence, reminding me that all I have to do is reach up and trust.  God never forces His hand in mine.  Even though so many times I want to do things the "Debbie" way, He faithfully stays by my side, ready to pick me up when I fall, always ready to instruct me and always ready to reach out and take my hand when I'm ready. 

Would it be so bad if we just took His hand at the beginning of the steps?  I would venture to guess the trip would be much more enjoyable and safer holding on to His hand instead of the hand rail.  For me it would mean fewer bumps and a lot less bruises!

Psalm 37: 23-25 (NIV)
"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.  I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

Y'all have an incredible week!
Debbie Perry Grady                                

Oh what a great week!!

Over Mother's Day weekend, not only did I have the sweet pleasure of speaking at a beautiful Mother/Daughter Banquet for the women of Locust Run United Methodist Church in Central PA  but I also had the rare privilege of spending Mother's Day WEEK with my Grandma.  Since my mom passed away I have found Mother's Day to be a bitter sweet day.  No longer having my mom and not being a mom yet myself, sometimes I don't quite know what to do with this day.  HOWEVER, this year was turning out to be quite a bit different .

My grandma and I tend to have a lot in common, we can be very spontaneous, yet cautious when necessary, we prefer a good book or a deck of cards to any TV show and hours spent in a car together on a road trip is absolutely priceless.  The woman is an absolute hoot and for those of you that have met her, I"m sure you are shaking your heads in agreement at this very moment.

So here is why I have decided to call her Amazing.  Throughout all of life's struggles she has persevered.  She remains to be the most positive, upbeat person I know.  She is quick to see the good in anything and full of Godly Wisdom.  She is the type of Grandma every woman should spend time with . Besides her wisdom, she undoubtedly has more courageous faith than anyone I know.  Let me explain... but before doing so keep in mind what you are about to read is about a Great Grandma who will turn 85 this August.  

Grandma decided two months ago that she was going to take another road trip down South.  Let me make sure I paint the picture appropriately, she is an 85 year old ((I know, I know...I already said her age, I'm repeating it for emphasis!) beautiful widow woman who lives in the quaint town of Walla Walla Washington.  After being a widow for more than 20 years, I guess you could say that Grandma is quite independent but totally dependent on God.  Anyway, after she decided to take the trip she started planning out her traveling itinerary.  Before we knew it her plans were made and she was off in her Chevy Cavalier headed South.  Now here is what her travel itinerary included:

1. Drive from Washington State to East Texas - 3 days 
2. Visit with family in Tyler - 2 days
3. Attend the birthday party of 1 year old Eli in Forney, Tx. (Grandma's only redhead grandchild) - 2 days
4. Drive to Branson MO with sisters to attend the yearly BMA association conference in Branson MO - one week
5. Drive to Texarkana and hang with sisters - one week
6. Fly to PA to visit with (ME) for Mother's Day WEEK- 10 days!!  Yahoo!!
7. Fly back to Little Rock Arkansas to hang out with sisters some more - two weeks
8. Drive back to Walla Walla Washington with sister and niece - probably 3 days knowing Grandma!!
9. Rest for two days
10. Drive to Seattle Washington and catch a flight to Hawaii - Hawaii, 2 weeks!!
11. Fly back to Seattle Washington and drive home to Walla Walla - 1 day
12. Rest for a while before heading back to PA in October

Honestly, are y'all as tired of reading it as I am just typing it!!! 

One of the many things I learned while Grandma was here with me was that God never changes.  I never really thought about it  this particular way before until she and I were having one of our in depth talks.  Grandma was explaining to me that she was so very proud of her children trusting her with traveling alone.  She explained to me that my aunt and uncles never advised her to not take the trips that she planned.  They all continue to encourage her to travel while she is still able.  However, some "nay" sayers were of the opinion that this world has changed and that an 85 year old woman has no business traveling all that way alone in such a wicked and dangerous world.  After all, things have changed and life is not as it used to be...right about this point in the conversation my Grandma explained to me how she would respond to those comments:  "Ohhh but listen, this world may be changing, and it may be a scary place to live from time to time, but my God has not changed.  He is still the same God to me today as He was 50 years ago and if He could take care of me back then, I have no doubt that He can take care of me now and whatever happens to  in the future." 

And in that statement I found truth oozing from every word as I wrapped my brain around the wisdom pouring from her smiling face.  My grandma continues to put her complete trust in her Creator...some would call her a lunatic, however, I call her amazing. 

She is a walking, breathing testimony of God's faithfulness, she always has been and always will be a relentless follower of Christ until He takes her home...........and for those of us privileged enough to be her grandchildren, we get to call her Grandma.

So remember when life starts changing faster than you would like, remember Grandma's Wisdom, our God does not change, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

Hebrews 13:8  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." NKJ

Y'all have a great week, until next time, God Bless!!
Debbie Perry Grady

What a BEAUTIFUL Spring day it turned out to be in Southern PA today!!  I do believe Spring has finally "Sprung"...I hope!!! 

During today's blog I have the distinct privaledge of introducing to you a guest blogger.  Many of you will remember the blog about the women of Perry County titled "Plant - Grow - Bloom".  I met our special guest at that retreat and what a joy it was to get to know her in the short amount of time we had together.  For any of you that have struggled with cancer in the past or are in the middle of the struggle right now, please read on about a woman living through God's faithfullness when the going get's tough.  So before I go on and on about who she is I think I'll stop typing and let her speak for herself, so without further delay, ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce to you Beth Fry...

Some Things Never Change!
Last week-end I went on a ladies retreat. I always love to go on those week-ends; I come back feeling strong and refreshed in the Lord.  I feel ready to take on anything.

The following Monday I had an oncology appointment.  It was a follow-up from a test I had a couple weeks ago regarding my recent cancer diagnoses in February.  The results of the test changed my diagnosis a bit.  However, did not change the treatment plan or my referral to John’s Hopkins for a second opinion.  Still it sent me into a tail spin. I spent Monday evening feeling numb, and went to bed fighting off a panic attack.  My “blue mood” continued into Tuesday and even time with the horses during my sons riding lessons couldn’t cheer me up.  So much for my coming back from the retreat feeling strong and able to take on anything!  I let some bad news ruin two beautiful days that God had given to me to live!  What a shame.  On Wednesday afternoon I “had” to get into my Bible.  I lead the discussion at the Wednesday night ladies Bible study at my church and I needed to be prepared so I finally opened up God’s Word and He spoke to me.

On the retreat I had shared my testimony with the women.  I told them about the trials in my life (everyone has some) and I told them about the gifts that God has given me (everyone has some of those too).  Upon returning home and got hit with some bad news, I developed memory loss!  I then started reading scripture and God reminded me that while my diagnosis has changed a little, He never does.  I have heard it said the only thing about life that never changes is that it is always changing.  How true that seems to be!  However, through scripture I read that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).   Through God’s Word I was reminded that He made me (Psalm 139:13).  He knew me before my parents knew I existed!  That’s not all.  He loves me; more than I can ever understand (Jeremiah 31:3).  There are some other truths that have not changed as well:  God has a plan for me, (Jeremiah 29:11) and He works all things for my good (Romans 8:28).

That last one is only true for you if you have been “called according to his purpose”; in other words born again (John 3:5).  God gave His son so that we could join Him in heaven (John 3:16); and He promises us that once we come to Him, He will continue working on perfecting us, until we join Christ in heaven (Philippians 1:6).  I need to remember all those promises from God never change – especially when my life seems to be spinning out of control.  I know it will be hard for me to remember these promises, for even the great preacher Paul admitted that he had this problem when he said “what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do” (Romans 7:15)  That is why we need God.  The good news is that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). 

Thank God some things never change!
Beth Fry

They must have all still been in a state of shock early that morning.  All of them, in and out of sleeplessness after such an emotional experience. 

Before the sun was even cresting the horizon Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James were headed toward the tomb with more spices.  I wonder what they were thinking as they hurried to Him. (Mark 16:2)
 
Nicodemus, after first coming to Jesus in the middle of the night ,so no one would see him, went with Joseph (one of the councilmen who was also a follower of Christ - but secretly at first for fear of ridicule) to prepare the body of Christ for the burial.  By performing this action, these two men, would no longer be followers in secret. (John 19:38-42)  All the town would know where their line was drawn in the sand.  I wonder what these two were thinking this particular morning, after all, it was the "third day".  I wonder if they had even slept a wink. 

As for John - I wonder if the words Christ spoke to he and Mary right before He died were still ringing in his ears.  " Woman, behold your son.....behold your Mother."  I wonder what that morning was like for him.

Then there's Peter  - sick to his stomach in shame...wishing so desperately for a "do over".  I wonder if He had been able to sleep or had he been walking aimlessly pondering all that had happened in such a short amount of time..  I wonder if he had any tears left at all.  I wonder if the guilt and shame had overtaken him for a time, or if the words that Christ told him in the upper room during the last supper continued to play back over and over like a broken record?  I wonder.

Mary, sweet Mother Mary - Had the peace of God so totally consumed her that she never lost her focus, or had the shear visual of the beatings that her Son endured so burned in her minds eye that she could see nothing else but the blood that spilled out of His perfect body...to cover our sin?  I wonder what she was pondering...I wonder where she went to weep...I wonder

I'm just wondering this amazing Easter morning what they all must have been going through that early soon to be "Resurrection" morning.  I wonder if it was a morning much like this one.  The third day...they had three days to recall all that He had been teaching them and all that He had told of His death and resurrection.  Were they anticipating something great?  Trying to rationalize their thinking.  Their minds at battle with their hearts?  I wonder..

There are so many things I have been wondering about throughout this weekend.  Each of these believers were normal, every day people, living everyday lives and yet God chose them to fulfill part of His plan.  And they in return chose to allow God to use them where they were in their lives.  They didn't wait until the tough times were over, they were serving Christ in the middle of life with all of it's difficulties, trials, pains and sorrows.  I used to think to myself that I would serve God in some ministry later on when all the "bad" stuff stopped happening.  To my surprise, I don't think God wants us to wait until all the days are bright and beautiful.  I believe He needs us to be used by Him in our "right nows".  It's only when I realized by serving God during the tough rainy seasons tthe days actually become bright and beautiful in spite of the rain... 

Choose to allow God to use you in your "Right Now" days, where you are, in spite of the rain............when you do, look up, you'll see the rainbow and His name is Jesus Christ.

Thank you Father God for sending your son to bear the sins of the world on a cross, for being tortured and killed  so that we might live.  (Acts 10:38-43) Thank you especially for Your Resurrection...even the thought of it totally blows my mind.  Thank you for your amazing grace and your incredible mercy.   Amen

May God show you His love in an extraordinary way this Resurrection Day!
Your sister in Christ,
Debbie Perry Grady

                                    New Harvest Community Women...YOU ROCK!!

What an incredible time we had March 21st!!  I have great news...the pictures are in and my bulbs are planted...are yours?? 

I must say, you women in Perry County are BEAUTIFUL!  It is amazing for me to see what God is doing in the lives of His girls.  Do we have struggle...yes!  Are we tired sometimes...Yes!  Do we get frustrated when we can't seem to get out of our pity pits...YES!! 

But God reminds us that we are more than conquerers and as I was sharing with my new "twin" Jody the other day, when God says we are more than conquerers, that means we have already won...get it?  Last time I checked a conquerer was a warrior that conquered something...which means he/she won the battle...so ladies...read on and let God's Word prove my point!

Romans 8:35  "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness or peril, or sword?  As it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter" Yet in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVED US."   Can I just say..."GITTY UP!"

So y'all check out the pictures below of the great time we had and do me a favor:

1) Send me any pics you have of the event. I am preparing an "event" page on Good Grief! Ministries website where I will be posting more pictures and any comments y'all send my way.
2) Send me pics of your planted bulbs.  (mine actually look pretty pitiful right now, I'll have the pics for you Wednesday LOL!)
3) I will be posting a weekly blog specifically for our "Plant-Grow-Bloom" gals.  This blog will go out every Wednesday morning.  Sooo, as your flowers are growing my prayer is that you too are growing, in God's Word.  Be sure to send pics of your planted bulbs as well as any comments you would like for me to share with everyone. 

As we move forward in our journey with the Lord together, you might want to hold on as we go deeper in His Word and fall deeper in love with our creator!

I sure do miss all y'all!!          


                                                                                                                      

                                     
                                                                       Stay in God's Word ladies and God Bless, I will talk to you again next Wednesday!!!

Your Southern Sister In Christ,
Debbie Grady
Good Grief! Ministries