Speaking from the Heart

Prince Charming's Aunt Frances went home to be with Jesus on December 22, 2007. Because we weren't able to attend the annual Thanksgiving reunion, I regret that I didn't get a chance to say "good bye".

Aunt Frances (right) with her sisters Aunt Virginia (left) & Aunt Marry (right)

Aunt Frances with husband Tom, son-in-law, & daughter

When I saw Aunt Frances and Uncle Tom together, I am reminded of Mark Shultzs' song Walking Her Home. For sixty four plus years, they were never apart. It is going to be hard for Uncle Tom, because he had lost his best friend.

Our time apart is short, compare to our time together in the LORD's house.

I had the liberty of dissecting a mother's heart. As I approached the heart, I was aware of a thick red substance oozing out of it. I studied this weird substance and found it to be love. The heart appeared to be so full of love that it couldn't hold it all in!

In examining the heart, I found nerves that were attached to every part of the body. At first I didn't see a nerve going from the heart to the hands. But in looking closer, I found that this nerve had been used so much, forgiving and helping, that it was worn and thin.

After cutting into the heart, I could see that there had been many times when the heart had been broken. But the red substance had filled the cracks and, in time, made them disappear.
There are many cavities in the heart. The first one I explored contained patience. On the walls of the cave, I observed markings (like high-water markings) that indicated the levels of patience she had during her life.

All through the heart, I noticed huge orange clumps. At first they didn't look like anything special; but in taking out my microscope and examining them further, I found them to be clumps of caring and understanding.

The next cavity I entered looked to me like a library. The shelves were full of books of wisdom. Most of the books are old and worn. From this cavity, there was a special cord to the mouth. It appeared that this had been used a lot for teaching others.

Everything in the heart seemed to be very warm and bright until I came upon one small area. It was dark and cold and hidden way back in the heart. There were protective vines growing through this little space; intertwined with these vines were little petals of worry.
I have seen these vines grow in other hearts and finally strangle and kill them.

Surprisingly enough though, through this whole heart, I could not find a trace of vanity or conceit. Everything that was seen exuded love and kindness

by Jennifer Jones

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I would like to dedicate this Thankful Thursday & Valentine's Day to my best friend and my other half, my husband.

My Dearest Husband,

Thank you for :

Click on the link to find out the real story for each thankfulness.

• allowing me to grow, before marriage: My Most Memoriable Valentine
• having a sense of humor : We're having Twins (not really)
• tolerating my cooking skills when we were newlyweds : Homemade Gravy
• loving me, for who I am on the inside and not what is on the outside: If I wanted to marry a pretty face, I would have married one.
• being faithful : The Flirtatous Hairdresser
• choosing me: Engagement with a Clang
• the past, present, and future Strolling Down Memory Lane

I would like to tribute this joyfyul Thankful Thursday to two very special men, my stepdad Ron and my father-in-law Pete. This is part 2 of 2 of last week's Thankful Thursday.

In the early 70's, these 25+ year old men took on great responsibilities. When they got married, each of them gained an instant family. Each had to share his bride with her children. Ron and Pete never complaint how hard it was to raise someone else's kids. They treated the children, as if they were theirs. Ron and Pete worked hard to provide food, clothing, and shelter for their already-made families.

While dear husband and I were growing up, we did not understand what big sacrifices our dads had made for our moms and siblings. Like all teenagers, we had our moments with our stepdads. Like Christ, Ron and Pete loved us unconditionally. [They] Didn't Have To Be (by Brad Paisley)


Ron has gone home to be with the Lord. However, we are blessed to still have Pete with us. He turned 70 this past May. He loves spoiling his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sweets is his weakness. He hides his "emergency" sweets all around the house. It's funny how his grandchildren and great grandchildren can find these sweets without a clue. He is a softy when it comes to his grandchildren.

Thank you, Lord for allowing the paths of Ron and Trinh, as well as the paths of Pete and Susie, to cross. If this wasn't in your plans, Dear Husband and I would not be blessed with a wonderful marriage and two wonderful children.

P.S. I want to thank Iris for hosting Thankful Thursday. It has helped me to express my thankfulness to my loved ones.

P.S.S. Although Dad and I had made peace with each other before he went HOME, I didn't have a chance to say good-bye. He died on the day that I talked myself out of visiting him. I encourage you today to reconcile with your loved ones, before it is too late. We never know what tomorrow will bring.

I am thankful for my Mother and Stepdad.
Mom become a strong woman through many life struggles. Her dad died when she was a teenager. Being next to the oldest, she took it upon herself to take care of her Mother and nine brothers. Mom attended high school during the day, and worked as an assitance seamstress after school. Knowing that she didn't want to be a seamstress for the rest of her life, she enrolled in a business school after high school.

Following her secondary education, Mom married my biological father and started a family. Mom began to enjoy life again. However, this changed forty five days after the birth of my sister. My biological dad was shot by a Viet Cong.

With a business background and 13 mouths to feed, Mom went to work for the U.S. Army (MACV), where she met my stepdad. He fell in love with her instantly. After finishing his second tour in Germany, he returned to Vietnam and proposed to her. Unlike many mothers, who abandoned their children for a better life, Mom told stepdad about me and sister. When he met us, he fell in love with us instantly. He told Mom that there was no way that they were going to leave Vietnam without me and Sister. We left for America in 1971.

Stepdad went Home to be with the LORD in 2001. I am thankful for my Stepdad, because he had been the only dad I knew for 30 years. He provided me with food, clothes, and shelter. He worked hard so I could go to college. He walked me down the aisle on the day of my wedding. Finally, he loved me as if I was his biological child.



This is part 1 of 2 Thankful Thursday. Click here for part 2.

If tomorrow never comes, I want my friends to know what kind of impact they had in my life.

I met Heather, when our sons were in daycare. Heather's son, Austin looked to Mark as his big brother. When someone bothered Austin on the playground, Mark was there to protect him. At home, Austin constantly talked about Mark. Out of curiosity, Heather seeked me out and arranged for a playdate.

During our first visit, we talked about our children and husbands, and our faith. I told her that I had not been to church in 10 years. Heather didn't condemn me, nor invited me to church. Looking back, I believe she was praying for wisdom, as she smiled at me.

Heather and I tried to get together at least once a week. Our friendship blossomed. Heather finally got the courage to invite me to church. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, I said that I would try to go. However, I did not make it on that particular Sunday. When I saw her at school on Monday, I made a lame excuse of not being able to find my Bible. Heather didn't seem too upset. She just smiled and talked about her busy weekend. I knew I was at the top her prayer list. I finally made it to church. Initially, I was doing it for my son. Since he was attending a Christian school, I knew I had to start set good examples.

From the start, I was gravitated by Heather's inner peace, joy, and love for the LORD. I often sit from afar just to watch Heather to see if she is a true sister in Christ. I can say that she is. Even in her most dispair time.

Heather's father was hospitalized on the Christmas Eve of 2000. He went HOME three weeks later. Heather never got angry at GOD for taking her dad away too soon. She continues to have a strong relationship with our FATHER.

God had a purpose for Heather. She was the angel who returned me, the lost sheep, to the Shepherd. Unknowingly, she helped me to prepare for my dad's death three months later, spring 2001. Our dads died due to diabetes. By observing her grief and leaning on GOD , I also learned not to be angry at our Father, and I must lean on HIM for hope, peace, understanding, and faith.

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