This is a must read! Our pastor reads this to the congregation every year on Mother's Day. And every year it gets sweeter! Get your kleenex box...you are gonna need it!

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Happy Mother's Day!

If I had to choose two words to describe my Mom, they would be, "simple love." When I look back on my life, all I want, all I need to give, is that same simple love my Mom gives to me. The kind of love that always gives and never asks back. A lifetime of love that permeates to the very depth of your being. One I will carry with me to my grave.

This "simple love" came from the love of God and how she has kept him the center of her life. I've watched her experience death of loved-ones, how she stood by them until the end, taking care of their every need. Listened to her prayers and testimonies, thanking God for His blessings. Asking how to accept the miracle he performed in her life, that allowed her to live through a massive heart attack. How unworthy she felt for such a blessing. How humbling this experience has been. How she doesn't like to be the center of attention. How selfish she feels when she needs to ask for assistance. These "simple acts" are indeed great.

Now that she is waiting for a heart transplant, I've considered all the times she has put others before herself, and now ask myself, "can I return the simple love?" Yes, with the Lord's help and every ounce of my being, I will! My prayer is that I will pass it on, and my children will know the "simple love" that I know.

When we can do nothing else, we can "simply love."

Love you Mom!

I have the greatest MIL, Charlotte. She too, has this simple love. I love her dearly and will never be able to repay her for all she has done for me and the boys. She instilled that same kind and gentle spirit to her son, my better half. For that I am grateful! She has lost so much this past year, but through it all she stood steadfast to her faith in God! I still have this penny with a cross cut out of it, in my wallet. She gave me this before our trip to NY, for her heart surgery. I will never forget what God did for her back then! The penny is a reminder of what that trip symbolized! I keep it in with my license and when I'm asked to show it, people always ask about it. What a good opportunity to slip a little Jesus in, and tell just how big He is!!

There are so many women in my life that are such roll models. My grandmother, sisters, friends, aunt, sil, cousin....you all mean so much to me! I love you all dearly!!!

Ruth received the annual Mother's Day Bible at church yesterday. It goes to the oldest Mother present, that has never received it before. Another deserving Mother. She and her husband are the pillar of our community! I love them so much!

Love,

Carrie