41 - From The Heart

By Kay Heitsch

It didn't take very long before Bill was singing a lot with this church group. One week, Carol asked Bill if he would like to sing a solo. Bill agreed that he would. To prepare, Bill stopped by the church to practice alone before he sang.

The morning of his first solo, I noticed Bill put a stool up front. Before he sang, he joked that he was going to be like Perry Como and sit while he sang. Then he said something else. He added, "I didn't understand what Kay meant when she said she surrendered her life to the LORD. But I do now.

This was the beginning of a new way of living.

A short while later, Franklin Graham came to an area near us. The newspaper had an advertisement asking for people to join the choir. Bill decided to go and join.

After Franklin Graham's message, he gave an altar call. Much to many people's surprise, Bill jumped over the rail and went up front. I can imagine what went through people's minds when they saw one of the choir members as we went forward. You know, God smiled!

Everyone enjoyed listening to Bill and this group sing. Churches were asking them to come and sing. So, they decided they needed a name. They came up with the name, "From The Heart."

One of their singing highlights was performing in Michigan and putting on a program at Grandma Z's church. Let me tell you, GZ was overjoyed.

Remember, God Loves You

By Kay Heitsch

The key thing to remember is that although our feelings come and go, God's love for us remains constant. ~ Remember God Loves You Quotes

Our feelings do come and go. However, it's essential to remember that God's love for us remains constant. We are loved!

Our Bible verse says. I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

God loves us with an everlasting love. He always draws us with unfailing kindness.

The key thing to remember is that although our feelings come and go, God's love for us remains constant.

40 - Not What I Expected

 By Kay Heitsch

God sure wasn't surprised, even though Betty and I were.

After Bill sang with this group a few times, they suggested he take a few performance tapes home.

I found out the group was getting ready for an Easter program. It was looking like they wanted Bill to sing with them.

Carol and Joe put a few performance tapes together in a case. Phil, Susan's husband, showed Bill how to operate the music sound system.

I could not believe it when the group handed Bill the keys to the church and suggested he come over and practice alone.

Now I noticed that on some days, instead of stopping and bringing home beer, Bill would actually go over to this little church and practice singing.

Much to my surprise, Bill did sing with the group for Easter.

A few days later, we all went out to eat and talked about the Easter program. Bill confessed he had been hung over at the program from drinking the night before.

Interestingly, no one gasped or showed judgment in any way. This was not what I expected. It was apparent these people accepted Bill where he was.

Again, I was surprised, but God was not.

Yet I Will

By Kay Heitsch

Life is short. Always choose happiness. ~ Happiness Is a Choice Quotes

I don't care what our feelings are telling us; we can choose to override them and decide to see the good in life. Life is short! Why waste it being unhappy?

Our Bible verses say. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17 & 18

I have this verse highlighted and notes all around it in my Bible. We've all been through some things in life where we had every right to be unhappy. But I love how this verse ends, YET I will rejoice! We can choose to override our feelings and rejoice.

Life is short. Always choose happiness.

39 - Potluck and Music

By Kay Heitsch

I wasn't sure how long it would take God to come up with something to replace Bill's drinking. But even if it wasn't happening immediately, I didn't make any suggestions.

I had been seriously studying the Bible, so I decided to find the denomination my mom attended and see, from my understanding now, what they believed.

The first week, I spoke with a sweet older lady named Betty and explained to her why I was there. I also let her know I would not be staying too long.

Once a month, this small church group had a potluck. My homemade desserts were a huge hit. Bill was usually working, but I invited him to stop by on his lunch break. But he wasn't interested.

Betty and I became close friends. I shared with her my prayer for Bill.

One week, much to my surprise, Bill walked into church. The kids and I were sitting in a pew behind Betty. When Betty's daughter began playing the piano to a hymn, Bill started to sing.

When the service was over, Betty turned around and touched Bill's hand, saying, "You have a great voice." Bill pulled his hand back and abruptly got up, leaving the building. Betty was devastated! She was sure she had scared Bill away.

I never asked Bill why he left so quickly. But Betty and I continued to pray.

At the next potluck, I again invited Bill to come over. Much to Betty's and my surprise, Bill came walking in the back door.

After the potluck, Carol, Betty's daughter, came up to Bill and told him her mom told her he had a great voice.

Carol invited Bill to stay after the potluck and sing with her and a couple of others, with some performance tapes.

Betty and I were surprised that Bill agreed to stay and sing with these strangers.

But God was not surprised.

Never Underestimate the Power of Prayer

By Kay Heitsch

Things always have a way of working out. Never underestimate the power of prayer, faith, and love. ~ Watch God Work Quotes ~

Last night, I ended my Triumph Through Tragedy with "I waited to see what God would do." I've learned that when I pray with faith and love, the next thing I've to do is wait and see what God will do.

Our Bible verse says, But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 NIV

As for me, I watch and hope because I know God does hear me when I pray. I don't know how He's going to work things out, but I know He will.

Things always have a way of working out. Never underestimate the power of prayer, faith, and love.

38 - Bringing In The Heavy Artillery

By Kay Heitsch

After I received the phone call that Todd had been in an accident, I called Bill at work. One of the office ladies had lived on County Road 81, so she rode with Bill to the accident site, as he had no idea where it was.

After Bill arrived at the site, he had to identify Todd's body. The jaws of life had to cut Todd out of the car, and all Bill saw were Todd's legs and feet. He knew it was our car and Todd.

Dealing with this site and Todd's death wasn't something any parent would ever want to deal with. Bill continues to work every day, but after work, he would come home with a pack of beer.

I was getting concerned, but didn't say anything. My dad drank a lot, so I was used to being around people drinking. I had an issue myself with drinking years before, so I knew I didn't want to go down this road.

I decided to bring in the "heavy artillery," I liked to call prayer. Every day, when I knew Bill was on his way home, I went into the bedroom and got on my knees and prayed.

I was a new Christian, so I didn't try to tell God what I thought He should do. In fact, I didn't know what to even ask for. So my prayer was short and to the point. Every day, I would pray that God would replace Bill's drinking with something.

Then I waited to see what God would do.

Strive To be Like This

By Kay Heitsch

Notice the people who are happy for your happiness and sad for your sadness. They're the ones who deserve a special place in your heart. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

I am blessed to have several people in my life who are like this. I strive to be like this myself.

It's so wonderful to be able to share our happiness with someone who won't throw a wet blanket on our joy. Also, when we are going through some sadness, they show kindness instead of judgment.

Our Bible verse says. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 NLT

We all go through happy and sad times in life. Let's be the people who can be happy with those who are happy and sad with those who are sad.

Notice the people who are happy for your happiness and sad for your sadness. They're the ones who deserve a special place in your heart.

37 - Only Overnight

By Kay Heitsch

Some foster children come in only for an overnight stay. When Brock came in, that's what we were told. However, he was with us for quite some time.

Brock was a cute, very smart 6-year-old. However, his behavior in school caused him to need a tutor in the summer.

Brock and Brandon became fast friends. So Brock insisted that Brandon sit at the table in the kitchen, taking part in all of his lessons. Brandon was all for it.

Instead of this being a challenging time, it was fun and educational for both Brock and Brandon.

We had other foster children who were given special exercises to help with their behavior. One exercise was jumping rope.

I never knew all the benefits jumping rope would do. Not everyone, but several of us jumped rope too, along with the guys. Maybe I should give that a go again.

Being a foster parent can be very challenging and heartbreaking at times. But I truly believe it was something God used to bring something good out of Todd's death.

Never forget, though, that God may have you do something for a time, but when it's over, it's over, and then it's time to move on.

Try Something New

By Kay Heitsch

Don't be afraid to try something new. Because you never know where it might lead. ~ Try Something New Quotes ~

When you're working the plan God has for your life, you'll find that you can't be afraid to try something new. Your life will never be boring because God keeps life interesting.

Our Bible verses say. The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain." Deuteronomy 1:6 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? Isaiah 43:19

God will tell us when we have stayed long enough doing the same thing. He is always about to do new things in our lives. Look for it!

Don't be afraid to try something new. Because you never know where it might lead.

36 -Question and Opinions When Todd Died

By Kay Heitsch

When your child dies, people have opinions and questions. Here are a few that have stuck with me.

One of the first opinions someone had was that they did not think I was handling Todd's death. My response was, "You're right. I couldn't, so I turned Todd and myself over to God. He's handling it."

I've found that each death is different and personal. We all handle death and grieving in our own way. But people have opinions.

When I became a Booster, I was asked if I was trying to replace Todd with another child. My answer was, "No!" Other children can never replace the child who died.

We had booster and foster children who were from other racial backgrounds. I was asked if I was worried someone would think they were my children. It seemed like an odd question because I never gave that a thought.

In fact, having children from other races and backgrounds was a good experience for all of us. We accepted them as family.

Later in life, Brandon had people from other races wonder and ask why they felt so comfortable with him. Really, that was true for all of us.

In school, Brandon was asked to draw a picture of his family. At a conference, his teacher was confused by Brandon's picture. She said, "I thought Brandon only had one sister." I had to smile when I saw the picture. Brandon included all of his foster brothers and sisters.

Two more...Was your son driving drunk? No! Odd question for the man at the monument store to ask, I thought.

Was your son saved? I'll write about that later on.

People do have their opinions and questions when your child dies. These were a few that have stuck in my mind.

I don't know if I did and said everything right on my grief journey. Let's just say that I did the best I could at the time, with God's help.

God Is The Cure

By Kay Heitsch

God isn't the cause of our suffering. God is the cure! ~ God Does Not Bring Trouble Quotes ~

God is not a troublemaker. Many people blame God for their troubles, but the truth of the matter is that God is the cure!

Our Bible verse says. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV

Here on earth, we will have trials and sorrows, but God is not the cause. God is the cure! In Him, we can have peace no matter what life brings.

God isn't the cause of our suffering. God is the cure!

35 - I Thought I Had My Limits

Kay Heitsch

When I walked into the courthouse for a hearing regarding the Booster children, I was met by a lawyer I knew through the Booster program. He asked why I was there. He stated that the case had been canceled and suggested I come up to his office.

We talked and decided it would be the best plan for Bill and me to become foster parents to Ricky and Danyelle. We both enrolled in the program.

I told the LORD I was OK with having Ricky and Danyelle. Plus, He knew I wouldn't be OK with teenagers or babies. That would be too much for me. I had my limits!

The day we legally became foster parents, Ricky and Danyelle moved in. However, not only did they move in, but both of their teenage sisters also moved in with them. A couple of weeks after they were there, the oldest sister gave birth to a baby. I was with her in the hospital at her delivery.

Today, I have to smile! God knew I could not handle having seven children and doing eight loads of laundry a day, and so on. But God could. God knew He was going to work through me, and I was going to be just fine.

We were foster parents and boosters, welcoming 11 children into our home. I will not say that this is for everyone. It can be very challenging, but if it's God's plan for you, He will see you through.

Todd, well, I think he was surprised, but he is happy God was bringing good out of his death.

Not Knowing

By Kay Heitsch

Be okay with not knowing for sure what might come next, but know that whatever it is, you will be okay. ~ Walk By Faith Quotes ~

When we live by faith, it is not a matter of living with certainty. It's trusting God even with unanswered questions, knowing no matter what, you will be okay.

Our Bible verse says. For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

When we live by faith, we will not see or understand everything that lies ahead. We must choose to trust God and move forward, knowing we will be all right.

Be okay with not knowing for sure what might come next, but know that whatever it is, you will be okay.