Faithful Abundant True

Dear Leightyn,

I just got home from Bible study and I can't wait to share just a few of the many things I learned tonight. We are doing the Faithful Abundant True study that is written by Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, and Beth Moore. I heard these women speak at Memphis last spring....do you remember that weekend? I remember daddy calling me and telling me that you "smelled", well, really you just stunk! We thought that maybe you at an UTI. All weekend I worried about you. When I returned home, daddy was right about the "smell".....whew! We got you in the dr and had you checked. You didn't have an UTI. The smell continued so we went back to the dr. I will never forget the drama of you having to pee in a cup. I took you to the bathroom many times and nothing would happen. I finally had to promise you a surprise if you would just pee. Finally, about 45 minutes later, you peed in the cup. We celebrated in the bathroom! The sample came back and nothing was wrong.....so, were was the smell coming from. You finally told us that you stuck an M&M up your nose about 4 days earlier. I will never forget you telling me the story. You said you were at Jo's house and were eating candy. You decided to stick it up your nose to see if it would fit. Guess what....it did! Not only did it fit, it got stuck. You didn't tell anyone for 4 days. That was the stinch!!! Daddy took you to the Dr and he pulled it out. Well, it wasn't candy! It was a piece of foam. You never told us where the foam came from. I will never forget that little adventure!!!

Anyways, back to Bible Study.......

I was so excited when this study was chosen. I remember getting so much out of the weekend and I couldn't wait to do a more in depth look at the topics. Off all the topics, I remember Priscilla's the most. She spent the weekend on Ephesians 3:20, 21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." .

I have never shared this before, but Leightyn, this verse stayed with me while we were in the hospital. I kept thinking to myself "God is able to do more than I can imagine". I remember praying in the chapel "Lord, you are able to do a miracle for us, do it and do it better than I could ever imagine".

God didn't answer our prayers in the way that we wanted. I know He could have healed you, and I often wonder why He didn't. Well, tonight Leightyn, I gained a new understanding of why He didn't. I know that He has plans for us and had plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that "He knows the plans He has for us". Lei Babe, your plan was not what we had planned. God put you here on earth for a short while to show the love of Christ to others and to lead them to Him. It takes a special angel to do what you have done. Tonight it hit me that God had every thing planned out in His mind. While on earth, I may not see or understand God's reasoning for taking you home, but one day in Heaven, I will know His reasons.

Don't get me wrong. I would give anything to have you here with me. But that wasn't my decision. My job was to pray and believe that God could have healed you.....if it was His plan and His will. God has the ability and the power to do anything that He wills!

God had a purpose for taking you Leightyn. His kingdom purposes are way past my ability to understand at the moment. I think about the lives you touched, the ones that came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the ones who made wrongs right in their families, and all the other stories we have heard. God was using you to build His kingdom. Not only His Heavenly kingdom, but His army here on earth. Daddy and I are amazed every day when we get an email from someone telling us how your lifesong has changed them. How people who have not been in church in ages are now there every week. People who gave up on God and now know that He is all they have. People who have gotten back in the Bible and now have a relationship with God.

Lei Babe.....that's what gets us through each day. We worship a God who is powerful and mighty. He is able to do so much more than I could ever imagine. Look at how He used you....I never would have imagined all the miracles that have come from our loss!

"The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made" Psalm 145:17

I Love You Baby!!!!!!
Momma