Is this a sign...or is "Jesus Calling" ???

Well I have wanted to blog about this letter we had received months ago and it seems as though I have had many other "circumstances" that it comes right back to this little book...that was mentioned in "the" letter.

As most of you are aware...I lost my "Daddy" (yes forever a Daddy's girl) 10  years ago. Feb.5th, 2003 to be exact. He was the Chief of the Buckeye Valley Fire District at the time of his passing.  He was headed to home meet up with us for dinner...while riding his bright-red fire engine red "FF edition" Harley.  I don't think I have ever accepted the fact that he has gone...but then there are days that I remember he is ALWAYS with me. HE saved my life!!! (his white t-shirt...blood stain...=I find out I had breast cancer-remember that post?)

Well one year to the day of his passing...many members from his department drove up Vulture Mine Rd just south of Wickenburg, AZ to put up a tribute for ALL to see.  Mind you...for those of you that have not seen this road-side memorial...it is like NO other.  It is HUGE about 6 feet tall give or take Maltese-cross with a simple cross in the middle of it. It is red...it is beautiful and people from around the USA have either blogged about it...mentioned it to family members or have written us letters...

So here is where "the letter" comes into this blog...

For those of you that know about The Meadows in Wickenburg...it is a rehabilitation facility where many people have come for help. Many ordinary individuals to super-stars trying to get clean and off their addictions. 

So months ago...we were called to the fire station to pick up a letter that this gentleman tracked down the fire department address from my Dad's cross and wanted to share some touching information with us.   

We will call him Fred...He had been a patient at the Meadows...and had gone back to visit with old acquaintances that wanted to reunite and look at the progression they had made.  Fred had decided that he was going to go for a run or hike...didn't know exactly where...but knew he was going to accomplish that. 

So Fred set out and drove down Vulture Mine Rd...he had told his friends that he was going to run/hike I believe it was 6 miles.  As he got a few miles into it...something came over him and he turned into the opposite direction and started hiking up a hill...something kept pushing him...and he kept trekking on harder.  He then came to this beautiful "RED" cross.  He read my Daddy's name...and it was there that he prayed. 


Fred continued on to say that he hadn't been leading the best life...his wife and him weren't on the exact page...and it was there at "the" cross that he said his FIRST prayer ever!  He knew from that day forward that he had to change...turn his life around and do good.  He began to share God's word.  He then mentioned how he has passed out the devotional book "Jesus Calling" to lots of people.  He has a twitter account were he has shared his story/God's word with thousands. 

Now to some of you this may not seem like a BIG deal...to my family...it was just another reassurance that God is in control. My Daddy was a man of God...who touched so many peoples lives...he believed in making a difference and trusting in God...with his FAVORITE Bible verse being "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." So although he left 10 years ago...he is still making a BIG difference in complete random strangers lives...

So as my Mama read me this letter...we cried and we almost couldn't speak...for it was days earlier that I was dealing with some issues in life that she had gotten the girls each copies of  "Jesus Calling" and a sweet-dear neighbor had dropped a copy off for me at my Mama's house. 

Since that time...I have had SEVERAL others mention "Jesus Calling"...and most recently I just received a word of encouragement from another fellow Pan-Can fighter...she closed the letter by encouraging me to read "Jesus Calling"...

Is this all a sign...maybe?!  But I do believe Jesus is Calling me to not give-up...to remember who is in control.  "He" is only going to give me what I can handle...I've come this far and I look forward to see what "He" has in store for my future.
Until next time...here's to more days with trusting in HIM!

If you are wanting to know more info:
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884#_

My Daddy:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/46leg/1r/bills/hcr2035p.htm

http://www.local4371.org/Tribute.html