It’s here! Day 1 of another 40-day blogging journey! I hope you’ll join me for as many of the 40 days as you can. The more of us “traveling” together – the more entertaining the voyage (at least for me!).
It’s been 150 days since the nightmare of my husband’s suicide began. 150 days of unbelievable grief and unbelievable joy. 150 days of seeing myself at my absolute lowest and weakest and yet seeing God’s strength poured out over me like I’ve never experienced before. But, these 150 days have also shown me the blessing of being surrounded by love, through God’s chosen vessels…people.
The surrounding hasn’t always been in the flesh. Sometimes, I’ve felt the love through prayers that have been lifted up to God’s throne room on my behalf. Some of the surrounding has come with words of encouragement received through social media outlets or right here in my own little blog-universe. Some of this encircling of love from friends (some I’ve never even met in person, by the way) has come through surprises I’ve discovered in my mailbox or that I’ve discovered on my front porch. Or…some have even found the means of sending touches of love to me at work…you are very clever (or determined…ha!). Regardless, the point in all of this is to simply say THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!! You have been the scaffolding for me these last 150 days. I could never have made it this far without you. I am so grateful for all of you!
And so…I invite you to continue to journey with me in these days of new beginnings and new normals in my new life as a young widow. For the next 40 days straight, you can find me here. Yes – I’ll be blogging for the next 40 days. As I noted in my previous blog post, I’ve done this a couple of times before, and it has always been very transformational. The number 40 in God’s Word always results in a time of great transformation. So, I’m setting out on another 40-day blogging journey anticipating great things but anticipating something transformational, nonetheless, in my walk with the Lord. I pray that somehow throughout this journey – you are blessed as well!
To kick things off, I just want to give something away! I have been so blessed these last 150 days…and now, I want to bless one of you. So, here’s how it’s going to work. One person will be receiving this little gift…$10 Starbucks gift card (not pictured), Jesus Lives by Sarah Young (a companion devotional to her very popular, Jesus Calling – which I LOVE), and a beautiful journal. If you happen to be the winner and already have any of these items, then pay it forward and bless somebody else with your gift.
The “rules” for entering:
One winner will be chosen at random. You can have up to four entries using the ways identified below. You don’t have to enter all four times – it just increases your odds. But, you can’t utilize entries 2-3 without responding to the request detailed for entry 1. That’s the only other stipulation. So, here you go:
1. First way to enter: please leave a comment here on this post (using the comments link in blue at the end of this post). Here’s what I want you to do…ask me a question…any appropriate question, and I’ll have a Q & A session in an upcoming post to answer your questions. I know I’ve been pretty transparent since the first day I began blogging, but I’m guessing there’s something you might like to know that I could answer. It could be a general question to get to know me better, or it could be a question about Chris’ death, or maybe about the grief process…just whatever comes to mind. Now – if it’s a completely vulgar or seriously inappropriate question (I pray that none of my readers would stoop to that level), it will get deleted. Otherwise…ask away.
2. The second way to enter – tweet about this post on Twitter or post about it on Facebook, providing the link back to this particular post. After doing so…come back here and leave another comment telling me you’ve done so.
3. Third way to enter: either follow my blog (using the follow link on the right) and leave a comment here telling me you’ve done it, or if you’re already following – simply leaving a comment saying “I’m a follower already.”
4. Last entry chance: let’s be friends on Facebook. If we are already…then simply leave a comment here saying, “We’re FB friends.” If not, send me a Friend Request and then come back here and leave a comment telling me you’ve done so.
If all you have time to do is #1 – that’s great! I just want to connect with as many of you as possible in as many avenues as we have available to us in this social media crazed world we now live in. Hence, the other entry possibilities.
The giveaway will be open for THREE DAYS – through Monday, October 3. I’ll announce the winner on Tuesday the 4th. That will give you busy weekenders plenty of time to participate. Just don’t forget! I’ll continue to post on Sunday and Monday, but you can still direct people to this particular post and link up to the contest as late as 11:59 pm on Monday!
May God richly bless your lives, as you’ve been such a blessing to mine!
This is a great thing you are doing! You know how I feel about you and all of this! And if I were to win, of course I would pay it forward! Love you and praying for you daily! Looking forward to seeing you 3 days straight for Sharathon!! Your very first as an employee!! Love you like a sister! (because you are!)(By the way, this is Rick! I'm so dumb I can't figure out how to post except unanimous!)
What is your favorite thing to do when it snows? I don't mean an inch or two. You see that regularly. But a big ole dumping of snow that just about shuts down the city. Stay inside keeping warm, while watching tv and maybe having some hot chocolate? Playing in it? Making snowmen, snow angels sledding, cause I know you have the hills for it! Or are you the kind that just HAS to get out on the roads cause you forgot to get your bread and milk before the storm hit?
Now how random of a question is that? But it's something I don't know about you. 😉
Love you bunches!!!
I posted on fb and twitter!
How could I have not been following you already? (hanging head) It's because I didn't have a twitter account to link to when I first started following. THAT'S 3!
Oh…we're beyond fb friends!!! You are my best Apples to Apples competitor!
The answer is YES!!!! The question is- Has God told you something that I don't know about? I am your twitter follower, fb friend, and blog follower…dow that mean I get 4 entries…lol.
EXCITED!!!!
Hi sweet friend 🙂
Retweeted your link to this on twitter but you may already know that since we're friends on there 🙂
I like this idea of a 40 day journey a lot. Not sure when I'll be in a season to do that between a toddler and a baby due in January but sometime in the future I would love to do something like that.
I have been so blessed by your journey; the pain and the joy; giving me a fresh perspective on the Lord's ability to comfort us in the deepest of grief and loss. Thank you. I wasn't able to go through my grief process when my Dad died quite as reliant on Jesus but He did get me through and as I see Him taking you through I am confident that He will help me handle any type of loss in my life the way He has helped you.
One question I have for you is how have you felt concerning Chris' death being a result of suicide rather than "natural" reasons. How has God helped you with these particular feelings?
I guess I'll give a background to that question; my best friend from hs in Pakistan committed suicide while I was in college in America; I wasn't saved then and I struggled greatly with his decision to kill himself especially when we had talked the day before and he seemed completely "fine." I was angry for a while; angry that he didn't reach out to me; angry that I had no idea; angry that he chose to leave me (self-centered of me don't you think?) that way etc etc. So I'd love to know a perspective of that from someone who does know Jesus going through something similar.
I don't have fb or a google account to follow you but I might as well follow you cause I come here every time you post haha (I'm sure that doesn't count ;)).
Love you!!
Hey sister!
My question for you is: If you could someone new for coffee…anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I am already your FB friend
I posted a link on Twitter!
Hey there! Question: Will you be teaching or co-teaching a CG at church? Just wondering. Love you! :~)
Second entry: I'm a new official follower. :~)
Third entry: Shared on FB. :~)
Fourth entry: We're already FB friends. :~) Phewie…:~)
Thank u… Thank u for listening to God's calling. I am so Sorry for your currnt loss, but one day soon you will
Be with your husband. I cried as I read your blog. I understand…
What motivates you to keep getting out of bed each morning?
Cindy at Consider It All Joy!
Blogger is not helping tonight!!
I do follow you on FB 🙂
Cindy at http://www.consideringitalljoy.com
I am a follower of your blog 🙂
Cindy at http://www.consideringitalljoy.com
What brings you joy unlike anything else?
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
I follow via GFC 🙂
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
Leah I am so excited for you and your 40 day blogging challenge, My question is: God's Word tells us that He always has a plan to work all things in our life together for the good… In what way do you hope that God will use this very painful season and loss in your life for the "good"…
blessings, Danise
Nice giveaway!
Two questions: what books have you read that are helpful in your grief? What is the best thing someone did for you (outside of prayer and practical needs) to give encouragement in your grief? Denise
we are fb friends! 🙂
denise
Mom, What is your favorite character quality of me and why? 🙂 I love you!!