On the first day of school this year, I nervously waited for my first group of 30 students to enter my room. I hadn’t taught a full-size class since Nick had passed away, and truthfully, I felt out of my comfort zone. As I took attendance, I couldn’t hide my joy when my front row of students included not only a “Nick” but also an “Angel” and a “Heaven.” As I looked at these students, I felt as if God was saying, “You’re where you need to be this year, and I’m here too.”
As you know, it’s been a tough chapter in my life. So tough, that physically I’ve had some major symptoms that, after much testing, have turned out to be totally related to the overload on my body. I’ve turned to God daily for the strength to make it through each new day and honestly, He’s never let me down. I’m not saying I haven’t cried in the evenings or had moments of feeling like I couldn’t do one more thing, however, I am saying that every step of the way, I have KNOWN that I am not alone.
We’re in a new trimester now at school, so my class rosters have totally changed. I don’t start my day with Nick, Heaven, and Angel anymore. I miss that morning assurance of God’s plan for me.
But I have something wonderful to share!
Of all the students that left my class, one student stops by to hug me every day. She even said to me one day, “I decided I was going to come hug you every day, Mrs. Nischan. I miss you.”
Guess who it is?
Heaven!
Isn’t that just like God to give me such a gift! A hug from Heaven!
Well, I wish I could give each of you a hug this morning and let you know that God is with you too. He longs to be the first person you talk to every morning, the One you whisper help to all day, and the One you close your eyes and think of as you fall to sleep every evening.
If your prayer life seems to be weak right now, I have a book that I believe you will find very helpful!
Kurt Bjorklund has written a book entitled Prayers for Today: A Yearlong Journey of Contemplative Prayer. In this book, he combines his own prayers, prayers from Scripture, and prayers of other “champions of faith” to create a 260-day journal of prayers to carry you through all sorts of situations. Organized topically, you can choose to flip through the book and select specific prayer topics and Scriptures as needed or you can start at the beginning of the book and work your way through day by day.
When I was asked to review this book, I felt as if God was hugging me yet again because I needed something to help bolster my prayer life back to a place of passion and purpose. In the midst of lesson plans, grading papers, and situations in our home, I had begun struggling to find the right words to say when I finally settled down enough to talk to God.
The first Scripture and prayer I read in Kurt’s book are below:
Whoever drinks of the water that You give will never thirst again. Your water will become a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:13
You are the bread of life. Whoever comes to You will never hunger again.
John 5:35
Father, I give You the places of my life where I am not satisfied….
I ask to be fully satisfied in You and the direction You are leading my life.
Show me what changes I could make in my life that would be most pleasing to You.
AMEN
I want to be satisfied in my life, and I know that satisfaction comes from being filled……….only Jesus is able to fill us in a way that it is truly satisfying. I want to thirst and hunger after Him and Him alone.
And I want you to have this same spiritual satisfaction.
Please leave your name and email address below, and I will enter you in a drawing for a copy of Kurt’s wonderful book Prayers for Today. I know he is praying for everyone all over the world who reads the pages of his book .
The winner will be announced Sunday evening, November 13th.
Praying that your Wednesday is filled to overflowing with God’s Presence,
In December of 2007 as our youngest son, Nick, was fighting brain cancer, I began to blog. Writing provided a way for me to release all of my questions, fears, and doubts. It also allowed me to share the ups and downs of Nick's journey with people who were praying for him all over the world. When Nick went Home in November of 2008, my blog became my way of searching for God in the midst of my deep heartache. My heart was broken and grief brought to the surface every emotion imaginable. Being able to release those emotions through my writing brought a sense of purpose to my pain. Having already walked the road of grief in 1992 when we lost our daughter to SIDS, I knew I needed a way to keep from falling into a pit of depression and despair. I had walked close to the edge of a bottomless pit when we lost our daughter,and I knew I couldn't let myself get that close to the edge again. This blog has been and continues to be my tiny corner of the world where I can share My Heart as I journey through God's Word.......thus the name........ My Heart His Words. Thank you for taking time to share life with me. If we do not meet while here on earth, I look forward to hearing all about your life when we reach our final destiny.........Heaven! Email me anytime at 
Dana McKinney gooftroop957rocks@yahoo.com
Nov 13 is Ruby-Anne’s birthday. That name and child always reminds me of God’s answer to prayer. Praying for you.
cjkirkland70@hotmail.com
Shelli Waldridge
Shelliray@yahoo.com
Tammy, you are such a blessing and inspiration to all who are privileged to know you. This book sounds absolutely wonderful. Should I not win I know that I will be ordering the book for my personal library. What lovely thoughts and prayers to send as a note to someone who needs to be uplifted. Love & miss you terribly.
Myra
Tammy, you are an inspiration to us all. Love you, Sheila
lobowen@blueone.net
My Goal – praying meaningful, purposeful prayers and not just going through the motions.
Love you!!! Dana Franks, dana@wkybb.net
I need to be reminded to pray even in these difficult times.
Okay I want this prayer book because I feel selfish today. I had hoped no one would reply and you only had my name to pick from. Just Kidding!!!! Tammy to me you are the last person I would think of needing help how to pray. I come to this blog because I need you to teach me how to use such powerful words. Everyday you amaze me with what you convey to us your bloggers. I thank you so much for that each day. And I am so happy that the Lord sends Heaven to you each day. How blessed you are to have such a thoughtful child to come into your life. You take care and hope this next session of kids is a good one. Hugs to you, Sandy
Oh forgot to give you my email when I win that book. sandrambasso@hotmail.com
Laura Jungeblut
jungeblut@sbcglobal.net
Love you sweet Tammy! xoxo
Katie Eder
katie@eder.us
Thanks for your wonderful blog.
Cheryl Loving-Seymour
cheritaloving@hotmail.com
Thank you Tammy….was just discussing this with my pastor’s wife last night after small group!
Love you beautiful friend and cousin!!!
I would love to have this book!!!
bethshepherd@windstream.net
I love you so much Tammy….
Janel
zoies_mama@yahoo.com
You always give me strength and hope. Love that Heaven hugs you each day at school…funny how God knows and sends those little things that truly lift us. Love you, Sue – searunner5@hotmail.com
God has really been speaking to me about my prayertime and talking with Him! Trying to pray more, not just when I need something or the bad times, but to also praise Him and thank Him!
Love you, and please add me to your drawing!!!
natalie