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Today is your nephew's 1st birthday. It would have been nice to see him on his birthday but some things just can't be. You boys go stay close to him and whisper in his ear just how much we all love him. Thank you...and I love you.
Love, Mama
Kayla's 'lil one's Birthday 7/31/2010 |
Your little brother's prayer... |
Our 28th Anniversary 7/24/2010 |
Hey boys I just wanted to share something with you since it's mine and your Dad's anniversary. Love Mama
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I want to give a Heart Hug to the most wonderful man I know. His name is Bobby Outlaw and he has been my husband for 28 Years on Juli 24th. I don't know a stronger person than him. Twenty five years ago on Bobby's birthday (Juli 21st) our oldest son B.J. was diagnosed with kidney failure. Bobby was there for this young mom that was scared to death. Just 6 months later on Januari 26 1986 we lost our twin sons Wayne and Buck to an early birth. Bobby was there to comfort me even though his loss was as painful as mine. Again almost 9 years ago when our wonderful little boy Johnathan was placed in our lives through adoption. Bobby being the great Dad he is proved that the bonds of love that make a family doesn't require being flesh and blood. During these years he gave me three of the most wonderful and beautiful girls Amanda Kayla and Sarah that any mom would be proud of and I am. On Mei 6 2003 Bobby gave the very gift of life to our son B.J. when he gave him a kidney through kidney transplant. Bobby is a hero in my eyes. It was just a short 7 months later on Dec.12003 that the Lord called our son B.J. home to Heaven at the young age of 19 years. Our world turned upside down. Once again Bobby was there with love and comfort for me all the while suffering just as much as I was. Then on Sept.2 2006 our first born grandson Elijah was born 3 months premature and as we prayed and waited for his tiny body to grow and become stronge Bobby continued to give me the encouragement and hope I needed to trust that all would be well. I know fear must have gripped his heart as it did mine because we both knew what great loss is and knew no one is guaranteed not to suffer this kind of heartache and pain. There are so many more things we've been through together I couldn't possibly list them all here but I think I have shared enough to show what a great man I'm blessed with. Yes we've about made each other crazy more times than either of us want to admit and many times we've wondered if we were going to make it. But I know the Lord knew what He was doing when He brought us together and I'm so thankful he did.
Brother and Sister Lingle |
B.J. Brother and Sister Lingle is our new Pastor and Pastor's wife now. You know I love them both so much but letting Brother and Sister Mullins go is just breaking my heart.
Love, Mama
Happy Birthday Dad! |
Love, B.J., Wayne and Buck
Simply Pray For Me 7/16/2010 |
Simply Pray For Me
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A letter from Elijah 7/10/2010 |
8 years ago on July 10th |
Wow Buddy it's hard to believe that 8 years ago is when we first met with Mary Ann to talk about your kidney transplant. I know there's no good in the what if's but I can't help it. I can't help but think what if we didn't go through with it? Would you still be here with us? My heart tells me no and yet it's my heart that still asks the question. I just miss you so much B.J. What I'd give if I could have you here with me but I don't want you to be sick so Mama will wait...
Love and miss you so much, Mama
Happy 4th of July 2010 |
Happy Father's Day Dad! |
The Merciful Exchanges 6/10/2010 |
You little brothers fish... |
We took the kids fishing on Memorial Day. Johnathan caught two fish, a little one and a big one. When we tried to take pictures of Johnathan holding them he was scared. I'll explain "why" under the pictures.
Johnathan was afraid to hold his little fish so I had to hold it first to show him it wouldn't hurt him. I couldn't understand why he was so afraid of it...I found out later.
When I tried to get him to hold this big fish he wasn't just afraid of it he was terrified. Again I had to help him hold it at first to show him he didn't have to be afraid. Again I wondered why...
So then he's holding it and it starts moving...look at the look on his face! He has the same look as his fish. lol I had to take the fish and he had blood on his hand from the fish and he freaked out and started running and screaming wanting it washed off.
When he got ready for bed that night he told me Mom...you remember when I was afraid of those fish...I said yes. He said it's cause when I caught the first little one Dad told me I had to be careful of those poky things (fins) because if I let them cut me I would have to go to the hospital. And then when I held the big one and saw the blood I ...thought it was me bleeding. I told him but Johnathan you didn't feel any pain. He said well I didn't know if you were suppose to feel pain or not...all I know is I thought I was bleeding and Dad said I would have to go the the hospital. Oh my!!! He took Dad too serious...poor little guy.
So I go ask Daddy about it and he said yes he told him that but he didn't think he took him that serious. But he said when Johnathan caught the big one and it was flopping in the boat Johnathan dove to the other end to get away from it and was yelling over and over "protect me Jesus"! I felt bad for him...he needed to be careful but not be terrified. So now Mama has explained and I don't think we'll have this problem next time.
8 years ago today May 31st 2002 |
One more to share with you. :) 5/24 |
Look what your 'lil brother got! 5/24 |
B.J. Outlaw |
The angels came and ushered me into God's presence, dear mama.
They carried me like you did when I would fall asleep.
I awoke into the arms of Jesus,
the One who gave His life for me!
It's so beautiful up here, mama;
so beautiful like you've always said!
A pure river of life, clear as crystal forever flowing,
proceeding out of the throne of God.
So overwhelmed with His love was I, dear mama!
Imagine my joy seeing Jesus face to face!
His smile so warm...
His face so radiant...
"Welcome home My child!" He tenderly said.
Oh, don't be sad for me, mama.
I can run and jump and
dance and sing!
I feel so light on my feet like I'm dreaming, mama!
Sometimes I laugh as I dance in the presence of the angels.
The curse of death has lost its sting.
Oh, don't cry for me so, mama.
Your teardrops fall like the summer rain.
Death is sorrowful with its separation.
Cry for a while, but not as those in vain.
Although God called me home so early,
with so many dreams we had, so many songs unsung.
I'll be in your heart, in your cherished memories.
The moments we had will carry you through.
Remember when at bedtime I'd crawl up in your bed?
You would tell me stories of Jesus and the love for us He had.
I looked into your face as you read to me in the candlelight.
"Will the angels come to carry me home too, mama?"
You chuckled teasingly, ruffling my hair.
"Yes, my little angel, but you have to wait!
Trust Him as your Savior,
in His blood that was shed for you."
On bended knees you prayed for me,
a tear splashed down your cheek.
"Was that a tear mama?" I asked you softly.
You looked away from me.
A tender sigh escaped your lips
gathering your thoughts together...
" Yes, my little angel, tears in my heart water my prayers."
you said softly, kissing me goodnight.
That night when you prayed for me
I got down on my knees.
The moonlight danced on the wooden floors
when I asked God to save me.
Although I didn't know what to say at first,
I remember what you said.
"Pray from your heart, dear child."
you said tenderly, turning to the door to leave.
Jesus came into my life that night, dear mama!
In the darkness, I could feel you smile.
Bells rang for me in heaven!
My name written in the book of life.
So don't cry for me, dear mama,
I'm here in heaven because of you.
Jesus needs you now, for there are my brothers.
There's more work on earth for you to do.
One day when your work is over
the angels will come to carry you
safely into the arms of Jesus,
the One who loved and died for you.
Love Notes in Balloons 5/18/2010 |
We'll be sending our love notes to Heaven this evening at around 7:30 so you boys be watching for them. I'm also putting mine here just in case your ballons get lost along the way.
Love, Mama
B.J. there is no way simple words can let you know how much I love you and miss you. But you know your Mama so I know you understand what I mean. It's been almost 6 1/2 years since you've been gone and I miss you more every day. I know some things will never change and that's one of them. Please keep watching for me Buddy cause I'll be there just as soon as Jesus says I can. I can't wait to see you again. I'll love you forever and always.
Love, Mama
Sweet Wayne and Buck, I love you too...just as much as your brother. I can't wait to be with you in Heaven and "really" hold you in my arms for the first time. It's been over 24 years and I still think of you every single day and miss you more all the time. Remember Mama loves her "bitty boys" and I will forever.
Love, Mama
Forever loving and missing my 3 boys...B.J., Wayne and Buck
http://bobby-outlawii.last-memories.com http://bjoutlawii.memory-of.com
Happy 26th Birthday B.J. |
Happy Birthday Buddy. What I'd give if you could only be here. I'm making two Chocolate Pudding Pies for your birthday cause Sarah says one isn't enough. I sure wish you were here to help us eat them. I hope you're having some in Heaven today...tell Jesus to let you as a birthday gift from your Mama ok.
I love you so much, Mama
Three Trees |
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a great treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with an intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty." Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take Kings and Queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. People will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull." Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill, look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me." After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest. At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree. I will be able to sell it to the shipyard." When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the men said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down. When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying Kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time,the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat. Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.
Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.
We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His Ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
Happy Mother's Day Mama May 9, 2010 |