Welcome to a place where we can share ideas about grandparenting, especially ways to pass spiritual values and family stories to the next generation.

Mary is the co-author of The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart.
Visit www.legacyconnection.org
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Co-author of The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart

Friday, December 19, 2014

A Christmas Poem

by Rita Goodgame



There
behind
St. Peter’s Abbey
rests a small cemetery
where families gather in
flickered darkness and stand
... read more.


Friday, December 12, 2014

Exceptional Christmas Gifts


It was the early 60s—an era of Chatty Cathy, Barbie, and baby dolls of all sizes and shapes. That particular Christmas I remember giving my next-door neighbor the most wonderful present my mother and I could find. Something she ... read more.

 

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Two Ways to Give Thanks


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by Kit Coons


I am, by nature, a thankful person. I have been taught, and taken to heart, the scripture to thank God in everything.

And there have been many “everythings” in my life: challenges ... read more.


Photo © Photodiane | Dreamstime.com

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Everyday Blessings


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 by Mary May Larmoyeux

What if we only felt the soft touch of a child’s face … or smelled chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven … or saw a bird soar into the trees, once a year?

... read more.

Mary is the co-author of  The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart.

Post copyright © Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.  
Picture copyright  US National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration. Used with permission.



Sunday, November 16, 2014

Ideas to Help the Kids be Thankful This Thanksgiving


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by Mary May Larmoyeux

Thanksgiving will soon be here. Here are 10 ideas that could help the kids and us be more grateful in this season of thanks.

1. Begin a “jar of thanks.” Ask each ... read more.



Mary is the co-author of The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart.

Post and picture copyright © 2014 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

When Failure Hits Home



My husband and I watched the Arkansas Razorbacks play their hearts out in their tough football game against No. 1 Mississippi State. The Razorbacks ... read more.




Copyright © 2014 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved
Photo © Bryon Moore / Dreamstime.com tree.”
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NZE1FOI


Mary is the co-author of The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild’s Heart.


Friday, October 31, 2014

How to Make a Thanksgiving Tree

 
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by Mary May Larmoyeux

A few years ago our family began using what I call a “Thanksgiving tree.” It’s really a small plastic tree that’s designed for gumdrops or pieces of cheese to be attached to its branches. But instead of... read more. 

 
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Mary is the co-author of The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild’s Heart.

Post and picture copyright © 2014 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Thinkin' About Social Media


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by Mary May Larmoyeux

Not too long ago, a friend made a general Facebook post that caught my attention: “People can’t say anything [on Facebook] without being judged. Sometimes ant hills really are made into ...read more.


Copyright © 2014 Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved. Mary is the co-author of  The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart.
Photo © Geoarts | Dreamstime.com

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Sending the Child to Grandma's


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Have you ever heard of a child being sent in the mail? Karen Hampton tells us all about this in her delightful post below.

Isn’t it wonderful to have the grandkids come visit? I always enjoyed it. Still do, for that matter, but when they are small and the world is full of new adventures, it ... read more.


Tuesday, September 30, 2014

How to Connect With Your Grandkids



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by Mary May Larmoyeux

Did you know that there are 70 million grandparents in the USA today?  And millions of them long  to connect with their grandkids but don’t know how.

And there are millions of others who are on a search for new ways to strengthen ... read more.

Friday, September 26, 2014

The Wonder of Space Travel



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- by Mary May Larmoyeux

Today’s technology is amazing! If you or your grandkids missed the September 25 launch of the Expedition 41 Crew, you can watch a replay of it on You Tube. I really enjoyed seeing pictures of the astronauts as they headed off to the International Space Station where they will spend the next five and ... read more.


Photo courtesy of NASA

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Fall Recipes: Pumpkin Pie Cake


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- by Mary May Larmoyeux
 
After a long, hot summer, I'm sure looking forward to cooler days, colorful autumn leaves, and eating pumpkin pie cake — one of our family's favorite desserts! We've had it so much in our home that when I take a bite of pumpkin pie cake, I'm reminded of those I love.

A friend at church shared this recipe with me years ago, and now I'd like to share it ... read more.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Donut Memories


- by Mary May Larmoyeux -

A fun thing that Pops and I have done with our grands is to take them on a donut date—right to the donut “factory” itself.

We used to ... read more.



Friday, September 12, 2014

Paper Dolls and More


by Mary May Larmoyeux

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was play with paper dolls at my grandmother’s house. Nana would roll out big sheets of brown paper and encourage me to design... read more.


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Everything's Gonna Be Okay


by Mary May Larmoyeux

Some days are forever etched in our hearts and minds. Days like Christmas … and Valentine’s … and September 11, 2001. Do you remember the day when ... read more.


photo copyright © 2014 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Teaching Others to Recycle



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by Mary May Larmoyeux

Do you recycle? I started doing this decades ago because of a sister’s encouragement. At that time we had to take our recycling to huge bins behind a neighborhood grocery store. There was no curb-service ... read more. 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

The Children of Our Children


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by Mary May Larmoyeux

A few years ago, my then four-year-old grandson said something that just melted my heart. I was driving his big sis and him to a local farm to see some animals.

“Nana,” he unexpectedly said ... read more.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Finding Hope


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by Mary May Larmoyeux


There is so much violence in the world today. Do you ever shudder to think what your grandkids may face?

I do. And sometimes I feel fearful and want to ... read more.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Ideas for the beginning of school


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by Mary May Larmoyeux

School is about to begin. If you are a grandparent like me, how can we stay connected?

Here are some ideas. Choose one or two of them to encourage your grands who live nearby or far away … These ideas will work whether your grands go to ... read more.


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Does Life Seem Confusing Today?


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Does life seem confusing to you today? I’m reminded of a lesson I began to learn when a ringing landline interrupted my morning coffee.... read more.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Indoor Picnics


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by Mary May Larmoyeux

So far this summer, we have been so fortunate in Arkansas where Pops and I live. We haven’t reached triple digits yet, and the weather this week has been wonderful.

Whether it’s too hot, too cold, or just right outside, it’s always time for an indoor picnic 
... read more.


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Do you need a little peace and calm

by Mary May Larmoyeux

Would you like to have peace and calm today? Anne Morrow Lindberg said, “Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a day like writing a poem or saying a prayer.”

The other evening ... read more.

Friday, July 18, 2014

The First Man to Walk on the Moon


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by Mary May Larmoyeux

July 1969 was an historic month. But not because of what was happening on Earth. That’s when history was being made approximately 230,000 miles away, on the moon. ... read more.

Photo courtesy NASA

Friday, July 11, 2014

Is it Time for Granny Camp?

by Mary May Larmoyeux

Have you ever heard of Granny Camp … or Cousins’ Camp?

Anne Dierks, grandmother of fourteen grandchildren, has hosted what she calls Granny Camp for more than a decade. The Dierks’ grandchildren live in various states and ... read more.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

When Your Life Stinks



by Mary May Larmoyeux

We all have those times when, as one friend said, life just stinks.

A loved one dies … a friend betrays us … a child rebels … a baby is struggling for life .

Not too long ago I found myself in one of those places. A place that I  couldn’t “fix.” ... read more.


Friday, July 4, 2014

President Reagan Said


by Mary May Larmoyeux

“America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize ... read more.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Another Day for an American Hero


by Mary May Lamoyeux

As we prepare to remember Independence Day, may we think of the brave men and women over the centuries who have made our freedom possible.  Roy Kaden is one of those men. As far as his family and the public were concerned, Lt. Col. Roy Kaden’s top-secret ... read more

Friday, June 27, 2014

Independence Day Is Almost Here


by Mary May Larmoyeux

It’s hard to believe that July 4th is almost here! For many of us in the USA, we think of cookouts, fireworks, and time with family and friends. Of course, it’s much more than that.

... read more.



Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Special Moments Make Lasting Memories


by Mary May Larmoyeux

One of my favorite books is Let’s Make a Memory  by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson. "Special moments don’t just happen," Gloria says, "they have to be planned on purpose!"

She goes on to say, "In this hectic world when the pace at which we all live is so frantic, we as families must make a covenant with each other to … read more.
 

Friday, June 20, 2014

For the Sake of Your Legacy


by Mary May Larmoyeux

A few weeks ago I unexpectedly ran into an old friend. One of the first things she asked was, “Did I know about her divorce? … Had I heard?”

I had not.

After more than three decades of married life, my friend and her husband called it quits. Her words seemed like one more marriage
 …read more.


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Spicy Cocoa Mufins


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by Mary May Larmoyeux


It's hard to believe that it's the middle of June. In Arkansas, where I live, the temperatures are already in the 90s.

No matter time of year, Helen Austin's recipe for Spicy Cocoa Muffins is a winner. Helen is a former food editor for The Arkansas Democrat.  She said that some of her favorite muffin recipes are in a cookbook called James McNair's Breakfast ... read more.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Let's make a blessing book for dad


 
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by Mary May Larmoyeux

Years ago my dear friend Suzanne told me about making a blessing
book for her husband. In it she jotted down why she was grateful
for him and included some fun pictures.

At that time, our kids were growing up, and I made a blessing book for my hubby ... read morehttp://legacyconnection.org/make-a-blessing-book-for-dad/.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Pausing to Remember



Today, June 6, 2014, is the 70th anniversary of D-Day. That’s was when the Allied troops landed along the French coastline during World War II to fight Nazi Germany. Brave men and women, like my dad and father-in-law, risked their lives in World War II to preserve the freedoms that we have today.

During the war, my husband’s dad was carrying rations in a metal box when  ... read more.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Remembering D-Day … Hearing Eisenhower’s Actual Words


June 6, 2014, will mark the 70th anniversary of what is known as D-Day, the day when Allied troops landed along the French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Just before the invasion, General Eisenhower told the troops, ” …The tide has turned! The ... read more.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Was God Sleeping?


Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

One of our grands is trying to stop sucking her thumb ... trying. The other day I said: “Did you ask God to help you?”

“Yes,” she replied, “But He must have been sleeping.”

A smile crept from my lips. "Let's see what the Bible says about God sleeping," I said and looked up "sleep" in the index. Turning to Psalm 121:4, I said, “He who watches over you will not slumber [sleep].”

“Honey, does God sleep?”

“No,” she said, pausing for about a half of a second. “I guess I wasn’t listening.”

Somehow her words struck me as quite profound: I wasn't listening. I wonder how many times God speaks to me and I'm not listening.

Psalm 81:13a says, “If my people would but listen to me." (NIV)

The Message, a Bible paraphrase, words this same verse a little differently: "Oh, dear people, will you listen to me now?"

Today, I'm gong to make an effort to be still and listen. Really listen.

Have a great week,
Mary
www.legacyconnection.org




© 2008 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo © Denys Dolnikov | Dreamstime.com

Friday, May 23, 2014

Memorial Day games, activities, and more



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Friday's Grand Connection Thought

Our nation will soon celebrate Memorial Day. This U.S. Federal holiday falls on the last Monday of May. This year, on May 28, we'll remember the brave men and women who gave their very lives for our freedom.
 
How much do our grandkids really know about Memorial Day?  Have any of your relatives or friends died while defending our country? Does your grandchild know about these people?

There are lots of Memorial Day activities that we can do with our grandchildren. We may want to go to the library or surf the Internet with a grand ... and discover the history of this national holiday. We could also e-mail a grandchild links to some of the Memorial Day videos, websites, and activities (see below). We might even want to call a long distance grandchild and watch the Internet video about Memorial Day at the same time.

History of Memorial Day (video)

Memorial Day Photo Gallery
 
U.S. Memorial Day (website)
 
Memorial Day Kids Crossword Puzzle

Memorial Day Games (for the entire family)
 
Memorial Day Deluxe Word Search

Memorial Day Coloring Pages

Have a great weekend!

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux

http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


© 2011 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo © Mariusz Jurgielewicz/ Dreamstime.com.


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The responsibility and privilege of freedom

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

A few years ago I went through Beth's Moore's wonderful Bible study about Esther. Beth reminded us that like Esther, we have been placed in our particular sphere of influence "for such a time as this."

Ecclesiastes 3:2 says there is "a time to be born and a time to die," and Acts 17:26 tells us, "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."

To me, it's a humbling thought that God placed me on purpose in Arkansas. And not only that, but God placed my family in a land of freedom. What an awesome privilege ... and responsibility.

I think that we should carve out time from our Independence Day celebrations to thank God for allowing us to live in a free country. May we remind our children and grandchildren to never take that freedom for granted. "Freedom is first of all a responsibility before the God from whom we come," says Alan Keyes.

"America is great because she is good," says Alexis de Tocqueville, "If American ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."


How do you teach your grandchild about the privilege and responsibility of freedom?

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009, 2014 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Photo © 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux

Friday, May 16, 2014

Can you find the Luna Moth?




 "A garden of love grows in a grandmother's heart"! What a great saying!

As spring is turning into summer, Pops and I often head outside to a garden filled with flowers and sunshine and rocks ...  with butterflies and moths and lots of teaching opportunities.
The other day Pops found a struggling Luna Moth and put it in a tree.  Then he asked me to find the green moth, which was much harder to do than I expected. Its wings blended right in with the leaves.

I wish that the grandkids had been at our house that day. But I took a picture of the moth in the tree and will show it to them. And then we'll talk about the amazing way that God created insects.



If your grandchildren visit soon, you might show them the pictures in this post and ask if they can find the Luna Moth. Or, you may want to go on a nature walk with your grandkids and take turns pointing out God's creation.

How have you taught your child or grandchild about God through nature?
       "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."  — Genesis 1:31
Have a great weekend!
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Post and Photographs © 2012 Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

A tea party keepsake


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Friday's Grand Connection Fun
by Mary May Larmoyeux

There is something special about little girls and tea parties. Our granddaughters love them! I've had some informal tea parties with the girls, but never a really planned-out event.

Family Fun magazine had a wonderful article once called "Our Grandmothers' Tea." The author, Shannon Mills, tells about hosting an annual tea party for her children's grandmothers. She said that she surprised her daughters with a keepsake album about the women in their family.

She asked each grandmother to write a short profile about herself, her mother, and her own grandmothers. Shannon said that the keepsake albums were the highlight of the tea party.

Writing short personal profiles is such an easy idea. And it's one that doesn't have to wait for a tea party (although that would be a fun time to present it). We could write a profile about ourselves, our moms and grandmothers right now, and send it to the grandchildren with pictures. And we could ask Granddad to do the same for the men in the family.

I would love to read a few paragraphs about my great-grandmothers! I've seen their pictures but don't really "know their hearts."

Hope you have a wonderful weekend,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux


Article © 2010 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Friday, May 9, 2014

My mother is always with me


Friday's Grand Connection Thought


Not too long ago a friend shared this beautiful piece about mothers on her Facebook page:

Your mother is always with you
Author: unknown


Your Mother is always with you. She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street. She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore. She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well. She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow. She is Christmas morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter.

She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love; your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space…not even death!       
                                                                
Who do you think came to my mind as I read this? My own mother! So, I wrote a similar piece about her:

My mother is always with me. She’s the reminder that things work out. She’s the smell of sugar cookies … and Sunday roast … and the sight of kneading bread. She’s the hand that picked Magnolias, the sound of prayers with Dad. She’s the word of kindness needed, the trust that God’s nearby.
She’s a welcome shower on a hot summer day, a rainbow breaking through a dark sky. She’s the place that I came from, my first home—one I’ll always know. My mother’s in my heart forever. She didn’t just teach me about love … from every ounce of her it still flows.

What about you? Did the words about mothers remind you of your mom? Why is your mother always with you?
And to all of you moms and grandmoms, "Happy Mother's Day!"
Have a great weekend,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux

www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


Post and picture © 2014 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Happy Mother's Day



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Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought 

by Mary May Larmoyeux

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you." (Isaiah 66:14)

As Mother's Day approaches, I am reminded of the importance of a mom.  She teaches the next generation about faith, and values, and love. No job could be more important.

You may want to ask you grandchildren to draw a picture of what mom and home mean to them. It might be fun for you to help them frame the picture, for a special gift to their mom on Mother's Day.

And perhaps you'd like to share the words below with a mom you love. They were written by Mary Williams about her home, and were published in a 1983 edition of Rural Arkansas magazine:

"It has sheltered life. It has seen the joy and laughter of children and the quickness of their running feet. It has seen the tears of those who are no longer young and heard their slowing footsteps. It sighs and sometimes groans with its memories and its years. But it puts its arms around those who come within its walls and comforts them and laughs with them ... It is a reflection of a small bit of heaven. It is home!"

A home like this surely is made with the hands of a mom ... hands that pour out God's love!

Happy Mothers' Day!
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

 © 2013 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.






Friday, May 2, 2014

How to Make a Newspaper Hat


Friday's Grand Connection Thought

Not too long ago I read a book to one of our grandkids about the monkey Curious George. George's antics made me think of the newspaper hats we made as children. Did you make them, too?

Not recalling exactly how to make these hats, I went to the Internet. E-How.com has some simple instructions that I've reworded below.

1) Take a large sheet of newspaper (two pages on each side, such as the front and back page of a Sunday paper).

2) Fold the newspaper on the current fold (as it comes from the newspaper).

3) Fold it in half again, this time horizontally, and bring the top of the paper to the bottom.

4) Now, fold the corners (on the folded side) until they meet in the middle. This will make a point.

5) Fold one piece of the bottom of the paper (towards the point).

6) Again, fold the bottom—until it overlaps a little of the point.

7) Flip the hat over.

8) Fold the sides in 1 1/2 - 2 inches ... it should look like a house. (Vary according to the size needed. Fold in only an inch or so for an adult head.)

9) Fold the bottom up twice.

10) Pull opening apart to make the hat shape.

You may want to check out How to Make a Newspaper Hat or How to Make a Pirate Hat. These instructions have pictures with them.

Making newspaper hats could be a fun activity to do with the grands on any day. It could also be a great activity for a family birthday party. Decorating the hats with stickers, markers, etc., will allow everyone to create unique hats ... and make special memories.

For long-distance grands: We could make the hats and mail them with some stickers, markers, etc. for decorations. Or, we could e-mail (or mail) the grandkids the directions and they can make the hats in their homes.

Have a great weekend!

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux

http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo © Stanko Mravljak | Dreamstime.com.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

The Storms of Life


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Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

Note: This past weekend devastating tornadoes ripped through Arkansas. Some friends lost their homes. One lost his life. Please remember the storm victims in your prayers.

A few years ago I wrote a post about another tornado that hit Arkansas. Its words still ring true today.


Recently there have been devastating tornadoes around the U.S.—especially in the South where Pops and I live. We have seen firsthand the power of the wind. 

And how have many of the storm victims reacted?

Journalists John Christofferson and Christopher Hawley wrote in an Associated Press article:

So on the first Sunday after the disaster, believers streamed into houses of worship to give thanks for being spared, to mourn the dead and to ponder impossible questions. Why did some survive without any explanation? Why did others die for no apparent reason?

Many people in this highly religious region saw God at work, even amid the devastation.

"God just put his big old arms around us," said Peggy Blevins, 59, of Rainsville, Ala. "I don't understand why he takes some people and leaves others. But I thank him just the same for protecting us."

Only God knows the storms that our grandchildren will face in their lives. Today, may we model a life of faith for them, even in times that we don't understand.

Proverbs 3:5 (The Message) reminds of that faith is not understanding. Instead it is trusting in an all-knowing, all-powerful God:  "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own."

Today, I'm trusting God. He will work all for His good purposes!  No matter how things appear, God is in control (Luke 8:24-25).

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux


© 2011, 2014 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo ©  Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.