Spartans Win First Playoff Game!

The Spartans won their first playoff game tonight against Kennedale 64 to 59!  Whew! What a great game that was exciting, explosive and just plain fun!  Garrett did a great job as well as all of the other guys.  Garrett's smile was absolutely priceless as he came up into the stands to give us all a hug.  His Aunt Kelly and Uncle Brian arrived just in time for the game from OKC and drove back afterwards....so touching.  It was wonderful having my Mom, Aunt Dianne, our life group friends, David and Tracie and all of our fellow friends and fans!  It was loud in that gym!  

This morning as I was about to leave for work, I was on my knees just thanking God for the many blessings He has given me.  In my conversation with Him, I asked him specifically for a win tonight because I know that He loves to bless us.  I told him that this Mom is asking for a win for her son to help the pain he feels in missing his dad.  I know that Garrett misses his biggest cheerleader in those stands.  We have been experiencing so many of our "firsts" and I asked that this particular first would bring Garrett and all of us joy.  It did, and we say thank you, Lord.

Today has been full of emotion as the staff at church celebrated birthdays and my send off.  I was given a beautiful card and a Brighton bracelet that has engraved "Embrace The Journey".  I found myself in tears most of the morning as I anticipate my last day on Thursday as my friends mean so much to me.  I also was sad knowing that Pat would have loved watching Garrett play basketball in his first playoff.  I don't know what goes on in that heavenly place, but I do hope that Pat gets to see glimpses of our joy.  

Ready for the next game this Friday against Abilene, but I do not know the details just yet!

Hugs!

xoxo

Shattered Dreams

God is always working to make His children aware of a dream that remains alive beneath the rubble of every shattered dream, a new dream that when we realized will release a new song sung with tears til God wipes them away and we sing with nothing but joy in our hearts~~Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb

In my mailbox was a package from my friend, Martha Hadley.  She mailed me a copy of a book she thought would minister to me when I was ready.  The book is Shattered Dreams, God's Unexpected Pathway to Joy.  I have been reading one chapter every morning, but it is so good that I can hardly stop after one chapter.  But, I need to soak in the words and the truth about shattered dreams. I could relate to the title immediately as I have experienced shattered dreams.  "Shattered dreams are the truest blessings; they help us discover our true hope. But it can take a long, dark time to discover it.  We must identify a hope that has the power to do something truly wonderful when the dark night descends and we see nothing but pain and disappointment in this life, a hope that does exactly the same thing when the sky is sunny."

Joy amidst the pain is such a true gift.  Through my suffering I have known such joy.  The very first time I ever recognized it was in 2008 when Pat was lying in the hospital just days after a major surgery.  They had removed two inches of his stomach and three to four inches of his esophagus in order to remove the stage one cancer. The ten day stay at Harris Hospital was a long one and a very painful one.  But I remember sitting in his room while he was sleeping and I felt this indescribable joy.  I remember whispering to God, "so this is what joy feels like amidst the pain". Pat had physical pain as well as emotional not knowing what was ahead of him in the days to come. 

Through my pain I have the strongest desire to know God more deeply by soaking up His word and His presence.  I have never known truer worship than I have experienced these past days..He is all I have. 

 

Spartan Playoff Basketball

Boy was last week crazy and my brain was in overload.  America's Best Choice is a dealership and we have a corporate office that support us.  Two of the guys were here from Atlanta last week to help me with some dealership training as well as getting me ready for the busy season.  They were here Tuesday through Friday and I had to get my other job at church done also.  

This week America's Best Choice had a home show in Allen and it was one of the best shows we have ever participated in.  Matt received an invoice for the home show two weeks ago and I remember Matt calling me and telling me that Dad left us surprise....we are in the Collin County Home Show.  We had no idea, but ended up being a good thing!  Next week we will be at the Fort Worth Home and Garden Show.  Thanks to John, Troy and Matt for all of their hard work. 

Taelor with #23 on her mind and on her shirt!

Big game Tuesday night for Spartan boys basketball as they are headed to the playoffs for the first time since the school has been open which is only two years.  The opponent will be Kennedale and the game will be played at Mansfield Legacy.  I am excited for Garrett and the rest of the team and can't wait!

This will be my last week at the church and it makes me sad.  I knew it was coming, but actually walking away and beginning  a new adventure is here.  Yes, I will continue to be involved in my church, but it will not be the same as being around these great people on a daily basis.    

Spartan Mascot with John Carter

I just returned from Life group about an hour ago and I can't tell you how thankful I am to have this group in my life.  Sundays are hard for me, but I always look forward to being with my LG pals.  


I pray that you have a great week and you will have God's blessings and His favor on upon you and your family.

Spartans Win and Playoffs Tuesay!

Looked in the paper and saw Mr. G'a picture. Nice shot! They play Kennedale on Tues. Location hasn't been announced. Go Spartans!!

Sweethearts

A repost from Valentines last year. Sweethearts were mine and Pat's favorite candy. I don't enjoy them too much now. But, my boys knew they were our favorite and made sure I had a few boxes for Valentines this year. Feb 20, 2011 10:26 PM Sunday is my favorite day and today has been a good one!  Pat and I went to church this morning and it felt so great to be there as we have missed several Sundays.  Pat and I are feeling like empty nesters this weekend as the kids are not here because of the long weekend.  The boys report that they are catching fish and having fun in Hico.  Elizabeth is spending the weekend with her old college roommate. Pat has felt good today, but he had a lot of back pain earlier this morning.  I received the Purpose Driven Life devotional each day via email.  It is written by Rick Warren from Saddleback Church.  I read in today's devotion   Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:29-30 (MSG) .  Jesus calls us to a level of intimacy that can only be sustained by his constant presence in our lives.  When I read that it reminded me of a cute story and what I call another God hug.  A week ago Friday I was driving back from Madill.  We had gone there so Pat could measure some windows.  Earlier in that week we had some hard days and on Thursday night I was crying and I asked God to show me His presence.  It was late at night.  I needed Him and I asked him for a God hug the next day.  Every Valentines Day I love buying the Sweethearts candy. You know the hearts that have words written on them and they are in a pink and white box.   Well, I got Pat addicted too.  We went to CVS last year after Valentines Day to buy out all of the rest the Sweethearts on the shelf.  Okay, back to the story. While I was driving I remembered I had brought us a box to share.  Pat was sleeping and I was getting a little sleepy myself, so I thought I would eat half of the box and save the rest for him. I find myself praying all day most days...just conversation with God.  Below is a conversation I had as I was opening the box and started eating the candy.  The conversation in my head went like this: God :  "Read the first one".  I picked up an orange one and it was blank.  Me:   "It is blank." God:  "I know.  Read the next one." I picked out a pink one and it read: Love You.  That made me smile.  I continued eating them of course.  God:  "Read the next one". I picked another one.  It read:  Forever His message to me:  Love You Forever Now fast forward two days.  I shared with my Life Group girls the story about the Sweethearts candy. On Monday, my friend, Brenda who is in our life group, called me.  I was unable to answer her call but this is what she left on my voice mail:  "Hey Paige!  I wanted you to know that I had to try those Sweethearts you talked about last night.  They tasted okay, but I thought I would eat one and see if God had a message for me.  So I ate one and mine said "Hot Babe". She was laughing her head off when she hung up the phone.    When I read the last candy that said "Forever", it made me tear up because God knows me intimately. Just as the writer said above "Jesus calls us to a level of intimacy that can only be sustained by his constant presence in our lives."  You can say it is coincidence and that is okay, but I don't believe it was.  It is just like God to use my favorite candy to tell me that He hears me and He loves me. 

Surprise

The attached picture was of
Garrett in the Aledo Community paper. The Spartans participated in a tournament over the Christmas break. My friend, Lisa, was searching on their website for an article or picture of her niece and she saw G's pic. Love it!

Memories

Untitled from Paige Easterling on Vimeo.

It is 7:00 PM and I am still in my pajamas, but that is okay because I can be very productive in my pj's.  My goal today was to stay home and work in my office.  I seem to be drowning in paper work as I am working on the requirements from the court on Pat's probate and tax season.  In order to do that I have to be organized.  While getting organized I ran across the DVD of Pat's memory video and realized that I had not seen the finished video.  Maybe you didn't see it either or would like to watch it again.  It made me smile and cry at the same time.  I miss him so much.

Some days are tougher than others. Sometimes your day is going along just fine and boom the pain of grief just covers you.  It may be a picture, a song, a memory, or the words I read in his journal.  Two nights ago I was having a hard night and picked up his journal.  The entry was April 9, 2010.."Dear God thank you for today! Thank you for Paige.  She is my best friend and the love of my life.  I love her as you do and pray that she continues to be healthy.....thank you Lord for my many blessings."  What a God hug. The biggest gift gift I could receive next to hearing it from him.

I can't hear Pat, but I can hear the Lord whisper to me.  He encourages me and gives me hope.  On February 8th in Streams In The Desert I read: 

"Surely I am with you always. (Matthew 28:20)  Never look ahead to the changes and challenges of this life in fear. Instead, as they arise look at them with the full assurance that God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. Hasn't He kept you safe up to now? So hold His loving hand tightly, and He will lead you safely through all things. And when you cannot stand, He will carry you in His arms. Do not look ahead to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who care for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you His unwavering strength that you may bear it. Be at peace, then, and set aside all anxious thoughts and worries. Francis de Sales." Whatever our faith says God is, He will be.  

You see, I read this last year and yes, he carried me a lot.  I will trust Him.

Hugs!

xoxo

Marketing!

 

Like?

We are thinking a lot about windows around here. I have officially resigned from the church and my last day will be February 23rd.  I am truly sad to end my job there, but I know that ABC needs me more.  God has continued to confirm to me that I have made the right decision, although scary.  Managing this business while working at another full time job has been a bit stressful these past few days.  "Residential Window Replacement" business  is picking up and the busy season is about to begin.  We will be participating in the Home and Garden Show in Fort Worth February 24-26, so please stop by our booth to say hello. If you know of anyone who might could use some new windows, doors or siding, please give them our name.

The past few weeks have been the most difficult for me as I am missing Pat so much. I miss his smile, his voice, his touch and just him.  He never leaves my mind and I have so much I want to say to him.  Even though it is so painful to be away from him, I am so thankful that God blessed me with such a loving and wonderful husband. When I think of our marriage, many times I think of this quote from the movie, Steel Magnolias: "I'd rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."  It was definitely wonderful.

I will definitely feel a bit older tomorrow when Elizabeth turns 25 tomorrow and Matt turns 22 on Monday.  Now, that is hard to believe that I have children that old.  So, so, proud of these two young adults....their daddy is too.

We watched some great basketball Tuesday night when the Spartans played Lake Worth here.  Our guys won in double OT 97 to 92!  It was a close game all the way to the end.  G made the paper yesterday and thanks to my friend, Lawanda, who sent me a copy before I saw it in the paper!  They are now 4 - 2 in their district.  Tomorrow night will be an important game against Mineral Wells.  Go Spartans!

Hugs!

Paige

xoxo