Elvis

Heaven Is Sounding Sweeter

~ Teresa ~ 4 Comments

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30: 11-12 NIV

 

Journal – Around August 23:

I love you, Mama. You were a beautiful woman.  It was a privilege and honor to be your daughter.  So many things on my heart to say but I don’t know where to start.

You were there when I took my first breath and I was there when you took your last. Thank you for allowing me to be there in your last moment.

We were two peas in a pod you and I and I don’t know how I’m going to do life without you.  I think of so many things that I wish could have been done differently but I know you wouldn’t want me to have regrets. You’d want me to remember the good times and smile about them and think of you being happy.  You were happy much of the time.  You had been singing a lot the weeks before you passed.  And, even up to the last you held onto your sense of humor teasing us and making us laugh.

You were my confidant so many times and I was yours.  Everything just feels a little different now. I know God is with me and he understands my hurt.  I know I will feel his peace again and that he will help me say goodbye to what was and accept what is.

I love you so much, Mama. I wasn’t ready to let you go but I am happy for you because I know you are not suffering anymore.  Your mind is clear again and your bones are healed.  You are dancing on the streets of Gold.  I told you when I arrived on Saturday that we were going to dance. We never got to dance, but I’m sure Jesus is a better dance partner than me.

I’m sure you are busy catching up with everybody and telling Jesus how much you love him. You never lost your faith in him. Wait for me, Mama because I will see you again one day.  I truly understand now why people say heaven is sounding sweeter all the time.

Goodnight mama, thanks for everything. I will never forget you and I will always hold you close in my heart my sweet Ladybug.

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I believe the night I wrote the above entry was the night that I listened to Elvis hymns on my phone.  I used to sing songs to my mom at night and sometimes we’d listen to Elvis sing Peace in the Valley. One night after her death I couldn’t sleep, so I listened to Elvis until I was ready to sleep. Music is a wonderful way to remember someone and it can be therapeutic in the grief process.

Grace for the journey,

Teresa

Come back tomorrow for more of the journey?  Just a reminder that I usually post later in the day. Clicking on the ladybug graphic will take you to the first page in this series with links to the daily posts. Thanks for reading!

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Favorite Artists / Songs II – 31:17

~ Teresa ~ 2 Comments

Yesterday I gave you a list of several of my favorite secular songs.  Today, I am listing some of my favorite Christian songs.  This list will include everything from Southern Gospel to Contemporary Christian.  I mentioned yesterday that music touches a place deep in my soul.  That is certainly no less true for Christian songs. Songs of faith have a deeper meaning and help build my faith walk.  Sometimes, a sermon, or a scripture or devotional will make me think of a song and I will find myself singing the words.  The songs on this list are songs that have touched me deeply at some point in my life, or they have just made me happy to sing.

1.  Hillsongs and Darlene Zschech would be at the top of my list.  So many of their songs have made their way to the depths of my soul.  Dwelling Places , Power of Your Love, My Redeemer Lives, I will Run To You and of course the classic Shout To The Lord

2.  Casting Crowns – Praise You In The Storm

3.  Chris Tomlin – Powerful worship songs – Everlasting God, Here I Am To Worship, and Forever just to name a few

4.  Kutless – What Faith Can Do

5.  Sanctuary

6. It Is Well With My Soul

7. Sandi Patti – anything she sings.  Holy Ground

8.  The Prayer – this version is with Charlotte Church and Josh Groban or this one with Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli

9.  Did I forget to Pray – Billy Ray Cyrus (he actually has a pretty good gospel CD) And just for fun, this one with Jaci Velasques singing Come Just As You Are – And did you ever see him in Doc?  I rest my case.  That last has nothing to do with favorite songs – just threw that in as a bonus

10.  Kathy Troccoli – Go Light Your World – I love her voice

11.  Gaither Vocal Band – Michael English – I Bowed On My Knees

12.  Peace In The Valley – Elvis

13.  I Love You Lord

14.  Michael W. Smith – Above All

15.  The Getty’s – In Christ Alone, The Power Of The Cross

16.  I Surrender All

17.  Change My Heart Oh God

18.  This is My Father’s World -I searched for the best version of this song and I just found her’s and loved it. She sings it with purity.  I’m not a big bluegrass fan, but she could make me a believer.

19.  I will Sing – Don Moen

20.  Mercy Me – God With Us (All that is within me cries) or this longer version with commentary by the band.

Again, This list could have more songs and with time favorites will come and go. These songs speak to my heart and soul.  I hope you too will find comfort and joy in them and maybe you will find a new favorite.

Singing in grace,

Teresa (aka Sadie)