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Heaven

Gigi

Eternity is Only a Breath Away

by Gigi
written by Gigi

I’ve been contemplating eternity today.
Actually I’ve been thinking about it all week.
I read the touching FaceBook post my writing friend Kim wrote shortly after her husband took his last breath as he lay next to her.
I read an email from my sweet friend Cheryl, just moments after she received a phone call that her mom had passed away.
A devoted husband. A loving mother. Gone in the blink of an eye.
Today marks the 4th anniversary of the day I held my mom’s hand and watched her chest rise and fall for the last time.
So surreal. Such a sadness and joy all mixed up together.

Mom holding Gabe


Sadness at the thought of not hearing the clanking of her spoon as she stirred the coffee she shared with great conversation.
Sadness because I miss her smile and her laugh that always added to an encouraging word.
Sadness when I wish she was here to listen to my broken heart and give me advice in these changing times.

Mom and me at my wedding 26 years ago


Joy in understanding that in the instant she breathed her last breath she was escorted into Heaven because she loved Jesus.
Joy in imagining her dancing with my dad without the limp she walked with for seventy long years.
Joy in knowing I will one day see her again.

An encouraging word before my big day


I’m not going to take today for granted. How about you?
In an instant. In a breath. In a moment. It could be gone.
Take a deep breath and smile as you thank God for another day.
God Bless Your Heart!
Gigi

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GigiHow We Love

Rooting for Healing…

by Gigi
written by Gigi

I’m excited to be headed back to Montana with my son Gabe. We both have speaking engagements this weekend.
Friday, October 14th, Gabe is speaking his C.L.E.A.R. message at the Philipsburg schools.
Gabe will be sharing his story right where my husband Steve attended school for elementary through high school.

Philipsburg School


On Sunday, October 16th I’ll be sharing a message titled “Courage and Care” with a group of women at an afternoon tea. If you happen to be in Philipsburg on Sunday, join us at the Granite County Museum at 4:00 PM.
It is always fun going back to our roots.
We are certainly learning about how those roots affected our ability to love in the How We Love small group study Steve and I are attending with a great group of people.
This week we discussed my most common love style – the Avoider.
As the eighth of ten children, it is not surprising that this is my dominant love imprint!
My second highest imprint is PLEASER style.
Makes sense. I avoid conflict at all costs so I am a people pleaser. It is hard for me to say “no.”
Can I say I’d just like to dig that root up and plant something a little bit healthier?
Through the How We Love book, I’m learning new skills to do just that.
I hope you have taken the time to take the How We Love Test.
If not, click here and take it.  http://www.howwelove.com/hwlstylestest/HWLLoveStyleTest.aspx
Come back and tell me what your dominant love imprint style is. I’d love you to leave a comment on my blog.
It will be fun to dialogue about how this has affected our lives.
I’ve got a couple blogs drafted to share with you the jewels I’ve mined as I’ve dug up this root. So come back to learn more next week.
I’ll be flying the friendly skies tonight. That gives us more time to hang in Missoula and Philipsburg with my family.
I’m really looking forward to walking around the University of Montana Oval and kicking up a few leaves. Oh so many memories.
 

University of Montana Main Hall in the fall.


I love fall in Montana. And I love learning better ways to express my love.
God bless you today with an understanding that God wants to help you learn how to love.
Gigi
The How We Love book can be purchased at Amazon.com by clicking on this link:

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Gigi

Thanks Dad

by Gigi
written by Gigi

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:17-19


I woke up today thinking about my dad. So I thought I’d deviate from my God Calling journal and write my blog in tribute to him.
 

Today, November 27, 2010 marks the forty-fifth anniversary of the day my dad, Robert Edward Devine, went home to be with Jesus after battling cancer three different times.
He was only forty-eight years old and left my mom with ten children he adored.
Although I grew up without a dad, I knew the Father’s love because of the love and faith my dad instilled in me. Even at age seven I understood his unconditional love for his children.
This legacy of faith and love lives on to eternity in the lives of me and my children and hopefully my future grandchildren.
God took care of our family with the love of friends and family who stepped in when we needed it. Growing up in a community like Anaconda, MT helped us feel the love of God through the people of God.
One of my favorite bands is Mercy Me. The lead singer, Bart, wrote a song after his dad died titled “Finally Home. This song says exactly what I’d like to say about my dad.
So I share the words to the song along with this YouTube video with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng3hXrhaGRU&feature=related
Finally Home by Mercy Me – Buy it today
http://www.itunes.com/

I’m gonna wrap my arms around my daddy’s neck and tell him that I missed him.

And tell him all about the woman that I became and hope that it pleased him.

So much I want to say and so much I wanted you to know.

When I finally make it home.

When I gaze upon the thrown of the King frozen in my steps

And all the questions that I swore I would ask, words just won’t come yet.

So amazed at what I’ve seen, so much more than this old mind can hold.

When I finally make it home.

And the sweetest sound these ears have yet to hear is the voices of the angels.

When I finally make it home.

Dad. When I finally make it home. I’ll be glad to see you.
I love you and miss you,
Your eighth child…
Gigi

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