#REMEMBER

On the eve of the 18th Anniversary of the campus fire at Seton Hall University (1/19/00), the Lord woke me up early this morning with thoughts of my late beautiful mother, aka "Red," 👄Doris Marlene King-Christmas. She left this earth serving and caring for both my sick grandmother as well as myself (2002). On the day of her aneurysm, we were preparing for another surgery related to the fire but she held her head high while fighting back her own tears, held my hand and to get my mind off of surgery, she asked me to cook a packet of oodles of noodles (LOL) for her. That woman was determined for me to regain my activities of daily living because little did I know, I would one day have a family to care of for myself by the grace of God.

I could not have made it this far without the Lord using her to begin the process of healing. She kept a song in her heart, and a step in her foot (picturing her dancing like David did minus the clothes falling off (LOL). I would have been lost without her rooting for me and cheering for me every step of the way, holding me, wiping away my tears especially during those difficult, physically painful and emotionally exhausting days. One thing she would not allow me to do was to give up, complain and feel sorry for myself. God has a great sense of humor because now I find myself married to a man who's declaration for his family is, "McCain's Never Quit!"

Enormously grateful that God not only takes but He gives and I thank Him for using her to cultivate selflessness, compassion, and love for others especially those who are in need even when she was in need herself. She just trusted the Lord would make a way and gave to all what she had (herself, love personified--Sydney definitely possesses her eagerness to love others and even at the age of 5, she is so generous) but her children, her family were the greatest beneficiaries of them all.

I thank you Lord for using her to help me be the woman I was, I am becoming and the woman of God that I am today! Thank you Lord for this is truly the day that you have made, tearfully rejoicing and I am assuredly glad in it! Jesus, I'll never forget what you've done for me!

"You Never Have To Walk Alone,"

Our pain is purposeful,
God comforts us so that we may be able to be a comfort to others,
My life found new meaning only once it became hidden in Christ,
My heart sings a new song,
God turned my mourning into dancing, my sorrows into joy
He turned my tragedy into triumph, with much more with Him I have overcome
My name is Victory, for I have victory in Jesus and with Him, I can make it, I can stand
Immanuel, God with us
Keeping to His promise, He will never leave us nor forsake us
Tests and trials DO COME TO MAKE US STRONG
The purpose of pain enables us to receive gainful experience and have faith that can stand up to some stuff
What a perfect plan of the Master
To be able to minister to those we walk alongside this thing called life in times of suffering
So others may never feel the terror and anxiety of being alone when comfort and compassion/empathy is needed the most...........

Writing With Christ In Mind!
#IStillRememberButHowCanIEverForget💙💙
#LordPleaseComfortMySHUFamilyBothImmediateAndExtended
#REMEMBER💙💙