Experience Blog - Real Life Church

Welcome to the Real Life Experience!

In the fall of 2007, the Real Life community embarked on an epic journey to seek the Lord together. Here you'll find real stories of real people who are sharing their experiences...

Want to share yours? Just click the button on the right.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Sunday Jeff inspired me to do the unthinkable, to give up an hour of sleep for talking with God. I knew once my day began I would never have a moment to dedicate talking with God with my three kiddos at home. Monday I planned on waking up at 6:30 to spend 30 min in prayer. I think God was as excited as I was to begin this walk so He used my 2 yr old daughter to wake me at 4:30 instead. In the process of trying to get her back to sleep I heard that little voice saying "since your up".. so I had my time with God earlier than I planned and what a differance it made throughout that day. The fighting between siblings seemed less, my responces to the fighting were better and I was more content in my daily routine. Prayer - the new Zoloft.

I am looking foward to our time together Tuesday I hope at 6:30 but when He calls I'll be ready.

POSTED BY MELISSA L. AT 5:48 AM

Friday, May 23, 2008

We lost Trevor’s mom, Beth, on April 30 and recently held a Celebration of Life Service for her. I am posting today to remind everyone how fragile life can be and how saving things for the “right” moment is wasteful. Mother’s Day came and went this year and it was too late to buy the perfect card and tell her how much she meant to me.

It wasn’t too late for me to buy a card for my own mother, but things have been so busy. I managed a hurried phone call, but didn’t tell her how much she means to me. I will be sending her a card this week for no reason telling her how proud of her I am for raising two kids, for enduring years at the post office trying for promotion after promotion and making it to retirement, for letting her kids strike out on their own and always being supportive, for letting us make our own mistakes and not usually telling us, “I told you so,” and I will tell her how much I love her and miss her and cannot wait for her to come visit next month.

I will never have that opportunity with Beth. I felt compelled to speak at the Celebration Service during the sharing section, but I’m not a story teller. The night before I asked God to give me words to honor my late mother-in-law and He delivered. The following is what I shared with a church full of Beth’s family and friends. I am sharing it with my church family to remind you not to wait. It’s too late for me to sit with Beth over tea and tell her how much she has meant to me.

When I sat down to think of how to say goodbye to Beth all I could think was, “Thank you.” In the Chowen household there was love, kindness, honesty, selflessness, gentleness, compassion and respect. I wondered how I would bring her spirit into my home. Then I realized I didn’t have to—I married Beth’s son. This is an open letter of thanks for a woman to whom I will be eternally grateful. Beth, thank you for allowing Trevor amazing freedom in play; whether he was pretending to be a garbage man driving the couch dump truck or making mud pies to feed to his one year old sister, Tara.

Thank you for encouraging his exploration into nature. From letting him keep grasshoppers around to figuring out the best way to eradicate tent caterpillars. He also has fond memories of family camping trips and time at the beach. Thank you for having an inviting home. This allowed Trevor to not only bring his friend, Jamie, over, it also fostered an incredible bond between the family and Jamie. After Trevor for college, Jamie still stopped by.

Thank you for your wit. My favorite story is when Jamie commented that the top of the fridge needed dusting and your put him to work.

Thank you for giving Trevor confidence. When he left home, you sent an independent man out into the world. He shares your love of cooking and gardening. He’s also not afraid of housework—and for that I cannot thank you enough.

Thank you for showing him how to strive his goals. Your love and passion for teaching and Beth’s Place were inspirational.

Thank you for instilling your kids with positive values and steadfast morals. Both Trevor and Tara are incredible people.

Thank you for welcoming me into the family. You knew before I did that this is where I belong.

Thank you for your raising a considerate man. (I know Terry gets credit for this one too.) You have given me a wonderful husband and incredible father. Trevor took care of all but three diapers during Keatt’s first two weeks of life. Beth, you brought up a responsible son. Even now when I say Keatt stinks off they go.

Thank you and Terry for keeping your marriage joyful and strong. I’m sure there were struggles but the example you set touched countless lives.

Finally, thank you for blessing my life. I will always treasure the time we spent together. You will be missed.

POSTED BY MEGHAN T. AT 7:51 PM

CLICK HERE to read more posts...



Welcome to the Real Life Experience! In the fall of 2007, the Real Life community embarked on an epic journey to seek the Lord together. Here you'll find real stories of real people who are sharing their experiences... Want to share yours? Just click the button on the right. Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Sunday Jeff inspired me to do the unthinkable, to give up an hour of sleep for talking with God. I knew once my day began I would never have a moment to dedicate talking with God with my three kiddos at home. Monday I planned on waking up at 6:30 to spend 30 min in prayer. I think God was as excited as I was to begin this walk so He used my 2 yr old daughter to wake me at 4:30 instead. In the process of trying to get her back to sleep I heard that little voice saying "since your up".. so I had my time with God earlier than I planned and what a differance it made throughout that day. The fighting between siblings seemed less, my responces to the fighting were better and I was more content in my daily routine. Prayer - the new Zoloft. I am looking foward to our time together Tuesday I hope at 6:30 but when He calls I'll be ready. POSTED BY MELISSA L. AT 5:48 AM Friday, May 23, 2008 We lost Trevor’s mom, Beth, on April 30 and recently held a Celebration of Life Service for her. I am posting today to remind everyone how fragile life can be and how saving things for the “right” moment is wasteful. Mother’s Day came and went this year and it was too late to buy the perfect card and tell her how much she meant to me. It wasn’t too late for me to buy a card for my own mother, but things have been so busy. I managed a hurried phone call, but didn’t tell her how much she means to me. I will be sending her a card this week for no reason telling her how proud of her I am for raising two kids, for enduring years at the post office trying for promotion after promotion and making it to retirement, for letting her kids strike out on their own and always being supportive, for letting us make our own mistakes and not usually telling us, “I told you so,” and I will tell her how much I love her and miss her and cannot wait for her to come visit next month. I will never have that opportunity with Beth. I felt compelled to speak at the Celebration Service during the sharing section, but I’m not a story teller. The night before I asked God to give me words to honor my late mother-in-law and He delivered. The following is what I shared with a church full of Beth’s family and friends. I am sharing it with my church family to remind you not to wait. It’s too late for me to sit with Beth over tea and tell her how much she has meant to me. When I sat down to think of how to say goodbye to Beth all I could think was, “Thank you.” In the Chowen household there was love, kindness, honesty, selflessness, gentleness, compassion and respect. I wondered how I would bring her spirit into my home. Then I realized I didn’t have to—I married Beth’s son. This is an open letter of thanks for a woman to whom I will be eternally grateful. Beth, thank you for allowing Trevor amazing freedom in play; whether he was pretending to be a garbage man driving the couch dump truck or making mud pies to feed to his one year old sister, Tara. Thank you for encouraging his exploration into nature. From letting him keep grasshoppers around to figuring out the best way to eradicate tent caterpillars. He also has fond memories of family camping trips and time at the beach. Thank you for having an inviting home. This allowed Trevor to not only bring his friend, Jamie, over, it also fostered an incredible bond between the family and Jamie. After Trevor for college, Jamie still stopped by. Thank you for your wit. My favorite story is when Jamie commented that the top of the fridge needed dusting and your put him to work. Thank you for giving Trevor confidence. When he left home, you sent an independent man out into the world. He shares your love of cooking and gardening. He’s also not afraid of housework—and for that I cannot thank you enough. Thank you for showing him how to strive his goals. Your love and passion for teaching and Beth’s Place were inspirational. Thank you for instilling your kids with positive values and steadfast morals. Both Trevor and Tara are incredible people. Thank you for welcoming me into the family. You knew before I did that this is where I belong. Thank you for your raising a considerate man. (I know Terry gets credit for this one too.) You have given me a wonderful husband and incredible father. Trevor took care of all but three diapers during Keatt’s first two weeks of life. Beth, you brought up a responsible son. Even now when I say Keatt stinks off they go. Thank you and Terry for keeping your marriage joyful and strong. I’m sure there were struggles but the example you set touched countless lives. Finally, thank you for blessing my life. I will always treasure the time we spent together. You will be missed. POSTED BY MEGHAN T. AT 7:51 PM CLICK HERE to read more posts...

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