Heaven's Grocery Store

Received this from a wonderful friend and wanted to share:

A minute read.......

Read this story, and Follow the recommendation at the end... As I was walking

Down life's highway

Many years ago I came upon a

Sign that read

Heavens Grocery Store.

When I got a

Little closer

The doors swung

Open wide

And when I came

To myself I was standing

Inside. I saw a host of Angels.

They were

Standing everywhere

One handed me a

Basket

And said 'My Child shop with care.'

Everything a Human needed

Was in that

Grocery store

And what you

Could not carry

You could come

Back for more

First I got some

Patience.

Love was in that

Same row.

Further down was

Understanding,

You need that

Everywhere you go.

I got a box or

Two of

Wisdom

And

Faith a bag

Or two.

And Charity of

Course I would need some

Of that too.

I couldn't miss

The Holy Ghost

It was all over

The place.

And then some

Strength

And

Courage to

Help me run this race.

My basket was

Getting full

But I remembered I needed

Grace,

And then I chose

Salvation for

Salvation was for

Free. I tried to get

Enough of that
to do

For you and me.

Then I started to

The counter

To pay my grocery

Bill,

For I thought I

Had everything

To do the Masters Will.
As I went up the

Aisle I saw

Prayer and

Put that in,

For I knew when I

Stepped outside I would run into

Sin.

Peace and

Joy

Were plentiful,

The last things

On the shelf.

Song and

Praise

Were hanging near

So I just helped

Myself.

Then I said to

The angel 'Now how much do I owe?'

He smiled and

Said 'Just take them

Everywhere you go.' Again I asked 'Really now,

How much do I Owe?'

'My child' he

Said, 'God paid your bill

A long long time Ago.'

This poem has

Been sent to you

With love and for

Blessings.

It originated in

The Netherlands

And has been

Around the world 9 times.

The blessing has now

Come to you
Do not send money

As this message

Has no price.
Do Not keep this letter

But send it on to

Someone who Needs blessing.

Abbey Learns!

In a "break through" moment, Abbey FINALLY asked to go outside! Last night (actually, early this morning), I noticed she was standing by the door. I asked her if she wanted to go outside, and, for the FIRST time, she got excited, ran for her squeaky toy, and actually WENT OUTSIDE, BY HERSELF, IN THE DARK! She went downstairs and was "busy" for quite some time. The ONLY time she's gone out in the dark was with Samson. I had so hoped he'd teach her what to do -- I guess he did!

Rain Brings Rainbows

After getting ready to build an ark, the sunshine was a welcome sight! Many of us thought we'd never see the sun (OR the other side of Lake George!) We DO feel blest that we had just a little water come in the house. All the grief and havoc of the past few days have given way to RAINBOWS:
1. All the people helping one another;
2. Becoming MUCH more patient;
3. Learning blog, facebook, & myspace;
4. Lin;
5. My "kids" (old ones & new ones)
For someone who is "childless," I sure am blessed with so many wonderful children. Best news, Bailey has gone a week without the oxygen! Enjoy the rainbows in your life!

Dogs Have More Sense

I really think Abbey may have more sense than I do. She absolutely REFUSED to go outside during the "Flood of 2008" -- smarter move than some of us made! Sharon & I spent an hour and a half getting to church yesterday (and we're only six minutes away!) Could not get to Route 6 (Assumption), so we decided to try St. Joan of Arc (birthday party had been moved there and we thought they had a noon Mass.) Got there at 11:23 -- too late -- Mass was at 11:00, so next try was St. Mary's in Crown Point. After fording the streams, we made it with five minutes to spare. I'm glad we got there; the sermon was about trying to see God when things were hard. On the way back to Merrillville for the party (which had moved back to the house), Sharon & I kept saying that we needed to see God when I got so scared through some of the "whitecaps" on the "lakes" -- it really helped -- became more thankful for the height of the Element.

Got to the party and discovered how much we are loved! Here's Melinda & Mike with water rushing in their basement, a houseful of guests, & everyone worried about getting Sharon in through the rain. I cannot believe how blessed we are!

We did follow Natalie, Brad, Dylan, & "baby Byrds" home (their car sits really low -- 30 was a mess); home was wet in downstairs bathroom, but minimal compared to everyone else.

After spending all day at the high school (cafeteria flooded) and Brickie Bowl (fieldhouse flooded), Lin called and was coming over to wet vac! Sharon told her it would wait -- get some rest -- Lin had to be back at high school at 6:30 a.m. HOW LOVED ARE WE?

Sharon has to go to school tonight, but I think I'll listen to Abbey and stay put!

Roller Coasters

What a week I have spent on this roller coaster I call school. So many "ups" (senior GT) and so many "downs" (Challenge School) SHOULD balance out to a nice even ride -- does not! And to think, all the "ups" are from the kids and the "downs" are from the adults (I should say "adults?") I work around! I cannot believe how childish adults can be and how adult children can be. It's a crazy, upside down world we live in today! I don't think we have to worry about the world in the future -- trust the kids!

Abbey-Abigail

Abbey-Abigail (yes, she's named after the lead character in "The Crucible") has been searching for Samson -- he was at "Camp Grandma's" over Labor Day weekend and she's been looking all over for him. Samson FINALLY got Abbey to go downstairs by herself!

Old Dog / Old Tricks

Learning more and more each day. One of the jobs I have for our Team LEAD will be to check the kids' Facebook and Myspace sites. I knew NOTHING about either until this weekend. Luckily, I have A LOT of help in cyberspace! Bryan added me to his facebook so I could get started and then Crissy, Mat, and Amy added me. I was soooo excited, that my OCD kicked in and I was making them all nuts constantly commenting. OK, I know it's called "space" so you can have some! I'm working on being a better "friend" -- everyone will have to bear with me! Love you all!

I'm feeling "brighter"

I would never, ever have thought I'd "Blog," but I guess that's what I had to do to jump on board! Amy and Bryan's Blog is the best thing EVER to keep up with them and the precious little ones! It's like journaling in the 21st Century! I guess you're never too old to learn!