As we sat with Olivia Wednesday evening (my post from yesterday) and listened to her questions about God’s presence in difficult times and as I held her in bed as she cried, I reminded her of the beautiful dream she had experienced just days after Nick had passed away and of the experience she had had in the hallway at her school about five months after Nick passed away. I wanted Olivia to know that I truly believe Nick was telling her that he was doing great and that he would always be with her, cheering her on and loving her, as she walked through life without one of her big brothers.
It occurred to me that I had planned to give away three copies of the newest Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven today, and that the story of Olivia and Nick at school is included in this anthology. I wondered if perhaps the power of her story and this book is so great and so encouraging to others who have faced loss that Olivia was enduring some type of spiritual warfare as the book is being released.
I know that there are many verses in the Bible that seem mysterious and difficult to grasp, but I do believe the Words contained in this Book are true and accurate. So, as we sat with Olivia, I was reminded of Ephesians 6:11-13 which says,
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Â
 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Eph. 6:11-13
Today, if you find yourself struggling with God and with the events of your life, I encourage you to pull out a Bible and read some of God’s promises. Read all of Ephesians 6 and find out what it means to “put on the full armor of God.” I definitely do not have all the answers for the pain we endure in this life, but I do know that one day our faith will be turned into sight and all the pain and sadness here will be washed away.Â
I cling to verses like Psalm 126:5-6,
Those who sow in tears
  will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
  carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
  carrying sheaves with him.
If you would like to be entered to win one of three copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul:Â Messages from Heaven, please leave your name and email address in a comment box by clicking on the words “precious comments” at the bottom of this post. (Olivia and Nick’s story is on page 74.)
I love you all so much. I will announce winners next week on Wednesday evening!
Praying for you today as I get ready for school,
Â
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 
Kayla Ramey —- x_kayla06_x@yahoo com
(: thanks!
Jennifer Cassim Farmer
jennden@bellsouth.net
Love you Tammy I would like to sign up for the book christineadams0060@gmail.com
Angie Damron jadamron@yahoo.com
Love you Tammy 🙂
Mamaw passed away a little over a year ago. They say the first year is the hardest, but there are days, out of no where, I find myself crying, missing her. So glad for the promise that one day, as a Child of God, I will be reunited with her.
Love you, Tammy. You’re such an inspiration!
Susan
susiewellman@yahoo.com
Love you!!! Miss you!!!! dana@wkybb.net Dana Franks
oh Tammy ! Please enter me in this giv-a-way….if I don’t happen to win a copy is the book available in the stores yet?I so would love to have a copy.
Oh, and thank you dear Olivia for sharing your heart with others.
Patti Lathrop
mylife4him53@yahoo.com
Megan Hanners. mrshanners@hotmail.com
Thankful for the promises of God and Heaven. Anxiously awaiting the reunion in Heaven with our baby we lost 2 years ago this month.
I would love to read this book, and also pass if on to my sister who suffered a loss last summer. I know it would encourage her. Thank you for encouraging others with your story. xoxo.
chattykelly at comcast dot net
Tammy, you are such an inspiration to so many! Thank you for the beautiful words you continue to write, which inspire us all.
Dawnit Lewis
klewis47@windstream.net
Sara Richardson
sararichardson15@gmail.com
Rowetta Webb gordon24web@yahoo.com
I would love to win a copy!
Shelli Waldridge
Shelliray@yahoo.com
Oh! I would love to win a copy! I miss my Grant so much!!!
Shelli Waldridge
Shelliray@yahoo.com
Shelliray@yahoo.com
Shelli Waldridge
Please enter me in the give-a-way. I would love to read this book and share it with my nephews.
mndb2010@yahoo.com
Mindy Snodgrass
Lisa Baker
brentlisabaker@insightbb.com
Am praying for you as it seems you have had a challenging time just lately. Love to you and the family. It is wonderful to think that Nick and Olivia’s story is included in this book to inspire so many others.
Love to you. I do not need to be included in the draw.
Jen
Naomi Tilbury
ndfftilbury@msn.com
Laurie Muller
mull7@juno.com
Jessica Muncy – j.muncy@moreheadstate.edu
I love you dear friend!!!
Charlotte Stone
Lottiedahs@aol.com
Would love to win a copy…eager to read your story in it! Love ya,
Sue
Oh I would love to win the book. So please pick my name. Please share this with Olivia. She should not feel bad about the time Nick passed. God puts us where He wants us to be and He knew that she may have had a more difficult time watching and waiting for the Lord to take Nick. I have a really difficult time with people passing and looking very sick. And when my dad passed I was not there. I know God took dad when he did so that I wouldn’t have to say goodbye since I can’t do that. It’s very difficult for me to explain in writing about this. Hopefully with time Olivia will be okay with all of what she is going through. Praying for her. Sandy
sandrambasso@hotmail.com
I would love a copy.
Bobbie Simpson bjs@ispky.com
I would love a copy.
Bobbie Simpson bjs@ispky.com
Love you, and YOUR Olivia!! Will be saying extra prayers for her. She is beautiful inside and out! :>)
carlamyers@hotmail.com
Love Ya Tammy! Think of you often!
Lisa Moser
lisamoser17@juno.com
Shannon Warren
shannon71291@yahoo.com
Actually, Tammy, after reading all the comments, I would like to withdraw my name from the give-away. I believe others may need it more than I.
I will keep a watch for the book in the stores and gladly purchase a copy.
Bless your hearts
((( everyone who is hurting )))
Patti Lathrop@mylife4him53@yahoo.com
Please sign me up, Tammy.
I hope it is not too late.
bro.david@yahoo.com
Lisa Blevins
lblevins@zoominternet.net
I would love to win a copy.
Lisa Franke
Tammy- we love you and your family and pray for you often. I pray God’s continued blessings and out pouring of love on each of you.
Thank you for your encouraging words over the years and again recently during the time of loss of my Mom.
Thanks again for all that you do-
Tracy Tuggle
Woodstock, GA
tracy@closingsolutionsllc.com
I’d love to win this book! Have a great day!