Blog

  • Heaven Rejoices, but many here on earth grieve

    Thomas Edwin Hammond was tragically killed in an automobile accident last evening—so young…just turned 61 years old.

    I say, NO, it cannot be so! This gentlemen/pastor/chaplain is the person I credit to saving our son’s life. He made the call for Steve and I years ago, arranged a spot for him to enroll in Minnesota Teen Challenge’s 12-month drug rehab program, 700 miles away from home in Michigan. Without that call to MTC, I’m not sure where our son would be today. More than likely, dead.

    Then there was the missed telephone call…I’d talked with Tom earlier. Tom called back, but unfortunately I missed that call from him just a few short weeks ago. Instead of talking with him, I wrote on his FB page how much we appreciated him, and rejoiced at how well our son is doing today.

    I can’t wrap my head, mind around his death and what this deep loss means to his dear wife, June, children, and grandchildren. My brain is numb; stomach feels bottomless, body weak, and mind unable to focus. He loved and served his God faithfully for many, many years. As former youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, then chaplain at Forgotten Man Ministries – he gave his all to service in God’s name.

    I can’t imagine the grief his dear wife, June, and the family are feeling now. But I can say, without a shadow of doubt, that Tom was a man after God’s heart. He (and only he) made a call to Minnesota Teen Challenge for our teenage son. That call reserved a spot for our son that ultimately saved his life.

    Tom, I can’t begin to thank you enough for saving our son’s life. In my family’s life, you are God’s Miracle Worker. Well, done, good and faithful servant. You are loved much, and will be deeply missed, dear one!

    Sharing your grief,

    Teresa and Steve

     

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  • One year and four days since…

    It’s been one year and four days now since my brain surgery on Nov. 7, 2008. 

    Today I have an appointment with my eye specialist for a complete field of vision testing.  Next week, I’ll meet with the eye surgeon and he’ll discuss the results.  The doctors plan to keep a close watch on my eye functioning and catch any early warning signs that the remaining residue growth does not grow.

    “For God did not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:  7

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  • FOUND: Two Wise Men; one still missing

    Cafe' Goodwill (note wise man in cart)
    Cafe' Goodwill (note wise man in cart)

         

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    Teresa & Bonnie after a Bobbie Brown makeover!
    Teresa & Bonnie after a Bobbie Brown makeover!

     

     

     

     Some of you have asked: Just what did you do when your PA girlfriend came to visit?

     

     

     We kept busy to be sure:

    •  Free makeover at Macy’s by Tracy (Bobbie Brown booth) who is a great make-up artist! (see attached photos)
    • Tried on goofy hats at Macy’s, Penney’s, and TJ Max
    • Our all around best find proved to be two wise men perched on a top shelf at a Goodwill Store. A couple of years ago we started a lighted nativity scene in our yard. Each year we add another piece to the collection. The first year we began with Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. Last year we added a sheep. Now (thanks to our awesome find), we have two wise men to add to the collection.
    • Craft Fair
    • Walked and talked in the beautiful (and unseasonably) warm weather here in Michigan
    • Rummaged in my clothes closet. Bit of background: she helps me weed out my unused and outgrown clothing. Between the two of us, we managed to clear out a huge bag for Goodwill and another large bag, she took home with her. Thank you, Bonnie! You are a miracle worker – I could not face my closet alone.
    • Breakfast at Perkins   

    My girlfriend from PA, Bonnie, and I had a fabulous weekend! We laughed without restraint and random craziness prevailed.

     If any of you have a lead on another wise man, please let me know.

     

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  • Sat., Nov. 7 – 1 yr Anniversary

    Saturday, November 7, 2009 marks the 1-year anniversary since my brain surgery!!

    How appropriate that my dear long-distance girlfriend, Bonnie from PA, will be here on my 1-year anniversary. She, being the one to notice my swollen left eye, and suggesting I get it checked out by the doctor.

    I am so excited with the prospect of seeing her again after a year and a half of not seeing her. I have a few ideas for what we could do. 

     Any ideas from my friends? 

    Of course, we’ve been in contact via e-mail, Skype, cards and packages, but this will be special. Face-to-face is different and there is NO substitute for face-to-face meeting.  We have so little time, so much to say, and so many possible things to do while together again.

    Here’s my list of possibilities:

    • Craft fair
    • Macy’s for a make-over & the mall
    • Eastown Business District eclectic mix of shops
    • Consignment Shops
    • Bookstore

    Maybe just sit at home in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea/hot chocolate, a movie and pizza!

    Whatever we do (or don’t do) will be truly divine, necessary, and good for the mind, body and soul!  Who knows…there just might be another story evolving!

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  • Two Acceptances! YEAH!

    Two acceptances:

    • Just received word that another devotional was accepted at:

                   https://www.internetcafedevotions.com/

    • War Cry accepted an article too.

    Publication dates yet to be determined. I will keep my friends posted as to when they will be available.

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

     

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  • How does one acquire wisdom?

    Impatient Cat-Leia

    “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

    Proverbs 19:11

    ‘Impatient people are like cats petted backwards – apt to yowl over the discomfort of things not done right or not done at all.’ – Jeanne Zornes

    Know any impatient people in your life? I know a few. I, too, can be impatient (just ask my husband or children) when things don’t go the way I’d planned.

     Reminds me of the phrase:

    • “Don’t major on the minors”
    • “Don’t stress the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff”

    If I could just remember that…life would be much easier and calmer.

    Raising two teenagers, the catch phrase was, “Choose your battles.” But why did it always seem like I was involved in a war vs. a battle?! According to the passage above, if I become wiser, I will have more patience when stressful issues arise.

    I ask myself…do I more closely resemble a yowling cat, or am I viewed as a patient person most of the time? Just how would you recommend getting more wisdom in order to acquire more P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E??

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  • Is your Light shining?

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    Let your light so shine!

    “…Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life,”

    Paul writing to the Philippians

     Is my light shining today? Or is it hidden under a bushel where it’s of no use to anyone?

     

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  • Interruptions…don’t you dread them?

     

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    Today, we had a wonderful luncheon get together after our Bible study class. One of the discussion questions we talked about was interruptions in our lives, and how we could see God working in and through the interruption.

    • One gal shared about her sister who has cancer, but has such a marvelous outlook on life as others watch her continue to live a godly life.
    • Another shared of a young mother thanking her for serving in the Apples of Gold program at church.
    • Betty fell and broke her hip at a most inopportune time (is there a good time?). She saw later how the whole family came together as a result of Betty’s been laid up for a time.

    Immediately, my mind went to last November when the MRI revealed a tumor alongside my left temporal side of my brain along my optic nerve. God sure did get my attention then! But as I think back, I see so many miracles and blessings beginning with my long distance friend commenting on my swollen eye. Later I got a complete blood workup (which showed nothing wrong), then eye testings, and later the MRI. God had put into place a specialized surgeon at Spectrum (originally from Boston) just months before. Prior to his acceptance of the position in Grand Rapids, there was no surgeon here to do this type of surgery. 

    We all have interruptions in our life (some good and others, seemingly not-so-good). At the time, it may seem horrible, but looking backward, often we see God’s hand at work in the tapestry of our life.

     

    Has there been an interruption in your life that you can think of, and can look back at now and see God working in and through the circumstances?

     

     

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  • Laundry…Laundry…and more Laundry…Thank God… I am able!

    Laundry, Laundry, and more laundry…how do two people generate so much laundry, I ask? Not complaining…just can’t figure it out!
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    Nearly a year ago, God prepared me for brain surgery–left the hospital a week later with a walker for several weeks. Praise God, today I am walking and thinking on my own! Guess we don’t fully appreciate our bodies ’till we lose use of them.
     
    Thank you God for:
    •  restoration,
    • health, and
    • life!
     
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  • Mother & Daughter Bonding Time

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    Since my daughter, Amanda, plans to escape to Florida soon (and leave her mother behind I might add), I thought a refresher on our nails might do the body and spirit good. Besides, just because she comes from the North Country, doesn’t mean her toenails can’t look tropical. They must have an artistic, carefree flair about them if she plans to mix with people accustomed to 70+ degree temperatures and sandals with exposed toes.

    I treated my daughter to a pedicure, and since I wanted this event to be a Mother-Daughter bonding time, I treated myself as well.

    So many colors and varieties to chose from! Do I want pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and a combination of some of the above? I love the goofy names OPI® attaches to their unique colors.

    • Amanda chose “Gargantuan Green Grape,” applied by Jen
    • I went for a color I’d never used before: “Blue My Mind,” applied by Rachel
    • We left feeling beautiful and pampered

     We had the first two appointments of the day at Angel Nails on Leonard Street, NE, so there was no wait, and they took care of us famously!

     

     

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