Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Psalm 68:19-21

I’ve been thinking about life and death this week.

I’ve been reminiscing about fun times with our dear friend, Bob Schmidt, who lost his courageous battle on Sunday, April 21, 2013 to the ugliness of brain cancer.

I hate cancer. It steals from families. It robs from love.

Bob and his wife, Kim, were our neighbors for many years. Our boys grew up together. Soccer matches, baseball games, camping trips, fireworks extravaganzas, backyard barbecues and great conversation are all part of my memories of life with the Schmidt family.

Bob was a firefighter with the Kent, WA Fire Station 71. He was a devoted servant in that job.

He was a loving husband, a proud father, and a good friend.

Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were all enjoying the pyrotechnic abilities Bob brought to every 4th of July?

Has it really been that long ago that Bob encouraged Zane and Gabe down the water slides in Lake Chelan?

It feels like just last week that Bob helped Steve build our deck. We laughed watching two determined men build the strongest deck in the neighborhood.

Where has all the time gone? The years got away from us didn’t they.

Bob and Kim moved and we lost touch for a few years.

Never far from our heart, but not involved in daily life activities anymore.

And then cancer struck.

As soon as we heard, we were drawn back into their lives and it felt as if we never left.

Bob and Kim were so brave during his ten-month battle with glioblastoma cancer.

Believing.

Fighting.

Never giving up.

But there was a plan that was different than ours.

Bob’s in heaven now.

The story of his journey has touched my heart deeply. I’ll be writing about it in my journal for a long time to come.

Kim told us how she and Bob would gaze at the moon. He’d be working at the fire station in Kent. She and the boys were at their home in Woodinville.

“Kimmer, are you looking at the moon?”, Bob would ask over the phone. Nine times out of ten, Kim was looking at the the same time.

Though distance kept them apart, they gazed at the moon and talked before each of them called it a day.

This story of love sent across the miles makes me smile.

When the news from the doctors wasn’t good, Kim asked this question. “I wonder how many more moons we’ll gaze at together?”

Tomorrow night the moon will be full. The weather here in Seattle is clear. We will see it and think of Bob. I’ll never look at it the same again.

In the light in the dark night, I’ll remember a friend who touched so many lives.

I’ll smile to know he loved well and was well loved. I am thankful for Jesus and heaven – knowing I’ll see Bob in eternity.

And I sure hope we get to be neighbors again.

Bob, we will miss your smile. But we know your light shines on.

Will you pray with me for the Schmidt and Parker families? I know a few broken hearts who could use your prayers.

God bless your heart,

Gigi

And they’re off! The first of my Lenten Love Letters were mailed this week!

Have you written yours?

For me, the fun has truly begun.

I’ve already heard from one recipient – reminding me that an encouraging word in due season brings joy to the receiver.

The walk to the post office might be the best part of sending out encouraging notes–because I am out of shape!

I have to admit, the winter was not good for my body.  I need to shed more than a few pounds.

Actually, I need an extreme makeover in more areas than my physical body.

As part of this makeover, I’m also working on being a better communicator. 

I grew up in a family of ten kids. I never learned to speak up for myself. Really, who hears you with that many voices competing to be heard?

For me it was easier to do what I was told and be quiet. That can be a recipe for disaster in relationships.

I’m learning to use my voice. And thanks to Godly wisdom and council, I’m making progress.

Some days it goes over well and other days it feels like an epic fail.

So I search for answers.

This week I dove head first into the extreme makeover manual – The Bible.

I joined Margaret Feinberg in a challenge to read the entire Bible in 40 days.

I decided I could accomplish this goal if I listen on my iPhone with my You Version Bible. I like the man’s voice in the ESV Version. He brings the words to life.

He talks to me while I get ready in the morning, during breakfast, and on my commute to and from work. With 45 minutes of listening per day, I will have the entire Bible “read” by Easter Sunday.

That’s right! The whole enchilada.

If you want to join me, Margaret has created an easy to follow plan. Click HERE for the PDF.

How about you? What areas of your life need a little makeover? Share with me and we’ll pray together, linking arms as we work on areas that need some help.

And maybe I’ll send you some encouraging Scripture or a little note to help you along the way.

God Bless your heart!

Gigi

Hey – I’d love for you to join me at our Northwest Christian Writer’s Association Writer’s Renewal Conference – May 17-18th. It is packed full of workshops and will be well worth your investment. Check it out at www.NWChristianWriters.org There is also a link to the left of my blog.

Bless you, my friend!

I can’t believe it’s been more than a month since I added a note here.

It’s good to be back. I’ve missed you.

I can’t believe next Wednesday, February 13th, is Ash Wednesday.

This day, on the traditional liturgical calendar begins the forty-day count down to Easter.

The purpose of this season is to reflect on the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness before He began His public ministry.

I’ve always viewed it as a time of reflection and preparation as I give my time to others.

A season of examining one’s heart and spending time with the Lord in confession and repentance.

I love this season.

Not only for the focus on Jesus preparation for the cross, but also because it is spring time.

The gray of the winter gives way to bluer skies and greener grass.

The birds come home to build their nests.

The leaves sprout and the early flowers bloom.

This year, I’m especially looking forward to spring, Easter and new beginnings.

It’s been a long hard winter of my soul. How about you? Are you ready for spring too?

I write encouragement to others as a way to lift my spirits when I feel down in the dumps.  I hope you’ll try it!

This week I’m asking God to help me create my Lenten Love Letter List. 

This is a list of people God puts on my heart during the days leading up to Easter. I simply pray and ask God, “Who needs a kind word of encouragement today?”

It has been amazing to see how it all works out.

Will you join me this year in a focused period of writing encouragement to people who cross your path?

Let’s do this together as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

I can see the ripple of encouragement that will send waves across the world.

Are you in?

Leave me a note in the comments and together we will celebrate the power of a kind word.

God bless your heart with encouragement.

Gigi

PS – I’m praying that God will let me know if its YOU who needs the encouragement. 

Bless you!

A reason to cheer!

Christmas is near!

With family and friends so dear!

One Holy night!

Now the world is right!

With Jesus we’ve nothing to fear!

Okay – my English teacher Mom would be proud of that poem. She was a master at writing a variety of poetry lines. I really miss my mom. She had a way with words and was an encourager.

At Christmas time, it’s hard when we have loved ones who have gone before us. Both my husband and I miss our Mom’s and I miss my Dad too.

But if I choose to focus on that, I will miss the wonder of Christmas.

He came as a baby – just for me and for you!

He gave of his life – just for me and for you!

He sits at the right hand of the father and intercedes – just for me and for you!

Oh the Wonder of it all!

I’ve been wondering a lot lately.

Pondering things of life. Wondering about the “why” of the tragedy in Newton. Wondering what God thinks of it all.

I believe HE WEEPS.

The wonder of God is that He came as a man who cried at the loss of his friend, Lazarus.

He weeps with you too.

In the next few days as relatives arrive, packages are wrapped, and cookies are baked, will you join me in the WONDER of CHRISTMAS?

This is the tree in the center of my home town -Anaconda, MT
OH The WONDER!

Speaking of WONDER….

I hope you get to read Margaret Feinberg’s new book which is released on Christmas Day! How WONDERful!

It is titled “Wonderstruck”

I recently received the insider’s scoop about Margaret’s new book. Here are some highlights from the interview:

Where did the inspiration for the Wonderstruck book and Bible study come from?

Have you ever had one of those seasons where everything goes wrong, and when you think it can’t get worse, it somehow finds a way? Most people who have worked in ministry have experienced those seasons—some may be in one right now.

My husband, Leif, and I had just gone through one of the roughest years of our lives. In the aftermath, as we processed the pain and loss, I had an unexplainable desire in my heart. I began praying for the wonder of God. In essence, I said, “God reveal yourself, your whole self to me. I want to know you as Wonderful. I want to know you as I’ve never known you before and see you in places I’ve never recognized you before.”

God did not disappoint.

What do you mean by “the wonder of God”?

Sometimes talking or writing about wonder feels like tying kite strings to clouds. It’s ethereal, and you can never quite get a grip on it. But if you look in the dictionary, the two main definitions of wonder are: “being filled with admiration, amazement, or awe” and “to think or speculate curiously.”

Those definitions come together beautifully in our relationship with God. That’s why I define the wonder of God as those moments of spiritual awakening that create a desire to know God more.

In other words, the wonder of God isn’t about an emotional experience or having some cool story to tell your friends, but the wonder of God makes us want more of God—to go deeper and further than we’ve ever been before.

Why are you calling people to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK?

If you look in the Gospels, what you’ll discover is that those who encountered Jesus were constantly left in wild amazement. They were awestruck by the teachings of Christ, the healings of Christ, the mind-bending miracles of Christ. Within the Gospel of Luke we see words like “awe” and “wonder” and “marvel” at every turn. If this is the natural response to encountering Christ, how much more should it be for you and I—who are invited to live in relationship with Christ as sons and daughters of our God Most High? We even created a free PDF that looks at some of these Scriptures. For a free copy, email us at [email protected] and we’ll send you one.

You can learn more about this great book by visiting www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck where she’s offering some crazy promos right now with up to $300 of free stuff. I’ve seen the book for as low as $7.57 ($14.99 retail) on Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wonder-struck-margaret-feinberg/1110904808? ean=9781617950889 for all you savvy shoppers.

I’m excited to hear what makes you WONDERSTRUCK!

Bless you,

Gigi

My friend, Margaret Feinberg [www.margaretfeinberg.com], has a new book and 7-session Bible Study called Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God [www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck] (releasing Christmas Day)—a personal invitation for you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life. Wonderstruck [www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck] will help you:

• Recognize the presence of God in the midst of your routine
• Unearth extraordinary moments on ordinary days
• Develop a renewed passion for God
• Identify what’s holding you back in prayer
• Discover joy in knowing you’re wildly loved

To learn more, watch the Wonderstruck Video, here: https://vimeo.com/53953257

I have to say I’ve seen the WONDER of His love this year in the smile of my first grand daughter – Avery Lynn Murfitt!

She was born on October 25, 2012 and I just can’t get enough of her!

The Wonder of A New Family
Steve, Gigi, Tom, Dana, Zane, Kelsey and Avery

Imagine what God thinks of each precious child He creates. Oh the WONDER!

Follow Margaret’s snarky, funny, and inspirational posts on Twitter [www.twitter.com/mafeinberg]

Facebook [www.facebook.com/margaretfeinberg]

Margaret’s blog [www.margaretfeinberg.com].

You can learn more about this great book by visiting www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck where she’s offering some crazy promos right now with up to $300 of free stuff.

I’ve seen the book for as low as $7.57 ($14.99 retail) on Barnes & Noble [http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wonder-struck-margaret-feinberg/1110904808?ean=9781617950889] for all you savvy shoppers.

God Bless your heart with the wonder of His love!

So where have you seen the wonder of God in your life?

Gigi Murfitt

Author of Caregivers’ Devotions to GO and co-auther of My Message is C.L.E.A.R.

I’ve been reading a fabulous book by Mary Demuth.

Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus

I don’t even know where to begin to tell you how impactful and timely this book has been for me.

I scribbled on nearly every page as I saw something of myself in each story.

I took copious notes asking myself some tough questions.

I love everything about Everything.

Fellow Everything booklaunch team members have also shared the impact of this book on their lives.

Here’s a cool photo Renee Ann Smith created on Pinterest.

Truly, Everything is a life-changing book.

I’ve lived in the Great Yesterday most of my life, constantly looking back, so much so that my spiritual neck has whiplash. Quote by Author, Mary DeMuth

I should have written that line for myself.

I admit that I’ve been one to spend too much time looking back. (Maybe that explains my years of physical therapy on my neck!)

Too much reliving (and often regretting) my past.

So much thinking of yesterday that I miss out on today.

Too many “what if’s” and not enough “what next.”

I don’t want to look back. I want to live in the now.

I look forward to my future with great expectations of goodness–for my marriage and family, and my career.

Do I really need to figure out why things happened the way they did?

Or am I ready to just settle into the wonderful life God has given me.

It is time to remember God chose me for such a time as this. To live in this now.

To be married to Steve Murfitt.

To be mom to Zane and Gabe and mother-in-law to Kelsey.

To be ”Nana” to the new babygirl due to arrive any day.

To be an author and speaker willing to share how Jesus is….My Everything.

This is all part of the plan for me all along.

God is rebuilding me and putting together the broken pieces of my life.

To make a new mosaic from my story that will shine for His glory.

To write a new book to draw people to Jesus.

Let’s make a deal and stop looking back.

God has so much planned for our today. And even more for our future.

God Bless you my sweet friend. I love EVERYTHING about you.

Gigi

Mary has a great FREE study guide here  http://www.marydemuth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EverythingBibleStudyGuide.pdf

If you are interested in joining me as we walk through this life-changing book, leave a comment and we’ll get a group started.

Buy the book today (October 23rd) and get some sweet FREEBIES

http://www.marydemuth.com/2012/10/everything-releases-buy-it-this-week-get-over-240-in-freebies/

Over the past month I’ve found myself smiling at my husband and making the statement, “GRACE FLOW.”

I feel like God is moving in my family in enormous ways.

This “GRACE FLOW” talk started when our counselor was praying for us.

He blessed us with eyes to see the flow of God’s Grace upon our lives because we are willing to work on some “stuff” that has kept us stuck in our communication and family life.

He asked us to read Arthur Murray’s book, Humility. Out with pride. In with humilty.

We were challenged to release the wounds of our past. Healing begins.

We began to focus on how we could act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God in all areas of our life. Love grows.

Bondage that has kept us stuck is being removed. Grace flows.

Photo from WheatonBible.org

Whew! Can I say OVERWHELMING!

So many beautiful things that are evidenced in a life surrendered fully to Christ.

We have trusted God for our marriage and our family.

Here are just a few things that have happened in our GRACE FLOW

• **Our book, My Message is C.L.E.A.R. was a finalist in the Reader’s Favorite book contest. We didn’t win but we made the top five in our category.
• **We recorded the audio version of My Message is C.L.E.A.R. AudioInk it is producing it in record time. Watch for news on this soon.
• **I orchestrated a successful writer’s retreat for The Northwest Christian Writer’s Association.
• **Steve and I had a blast speaking together at The Father’s Network conference last weekend.
• **Our oldest son, Zane, and his beautiful wife, Kelsey, are expecting their baby girl any day now.
• **Our youngest son, Gabe, is off on a whirl-wind speaking tour where he’ll touch thousands of lives in the state of Montana.
• **My Ebook, Caregivers’ Devotions to Go, was #1 on Amazon this past week when my publisher promoted it free for a day.
• **We have been blessed with some nice donations to our foundation.
• **We received an unexpected bonus.
• **Gabe is signing books tonight for My Message is C.L.E.A.R. at the Billings Barnes and Noble
• **Steve and Gabe will be speaking to a Businessman’s lunch in November
• **Several schools in Washington state have booked Gabe to speak in the new year.

Like I said – WHEW. GRACE FLOW!

I am truly humbled by the magnificant change taking place in my family and ministry life.

My friend. I want to see the flow of Grace in your life too.

I pray for you so often.

I pray that whatever might be keeping you in bondage and blocking the flow of God’s grace will be revealed to your willing heart.

I pray God will bring people into your life to speak open and honest truth.

Please email me or comment on my blog so I can pray for you about any area of your life.

God bless you with GRACE! Let it FLOW!

Gigi

Steve and I have the priviledge of speaking together at The Father’s Network one-day conference held at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington on Saturday, October 6, 2012. We will speak at 11:40 a.m.

Here is a link to the conference information: http://fathersnetwork.org/2012/10/04/last-blast-of-conference-information/

It is an honor to share our story with a group of fathers of special needs children.

Steve relates. He is one of them.

I get to go along and share encouragement from the wife’s point of view.

Raising a child with a disability is not easy as a parent.

It is even more difficult as a spouse.

Too often our special needs child demands so much of our time we neglect our spouse and marital issues arise.

We’ve been there. It has caused some difficult days in our marriage.

But there is HOPE.

We’ve learned that if our focus is first turned to Jesus, then we have clear direction for a Godly life where we love our spouse first and then our children.

Pray with us as we share our story with the hope to encourage these dads to trust that God sees their individual situation and has answers for their challenges.

We’re moving into exciting times where God is gracing us with more opportunities to share our story. We are seeing a flow of grace that is unbelievably amazing!

I am truly doing a HAPPY DANCE as I Praise God for recent miracles in our family.

God Bless your heart,

Gigi

My publisher has agreed to offer the EBook of Caregivers’ Devotions to Go on Amazon Kindle for FREE. It happened on October 4, 2012.

As a result, my book hit #1 in the Parenting Advice category and #4 in the Spiritual Religion – Christianity category.

Gotta love it.

Hurry while it remains free.

God bless your caring heart

Gigi Murfitt

Blessings to you, my friend. I’ve missed you.

It’s been awhile since we’ve connected on my blog.

I hope you are enjoying every last moment of summer.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, on Saturday morning (September 22, 2012) at 7:49 a.m. (PST) summer will officially be over. (Autumnal Equinox)

But here in Seattle, we are hanging on a bit longer. It has been an EPIC summer of sunshine!

I won’t complain. I love it! But I’m also looking forward to the changes ahead.

Fall is all about change.

Warm summer nights move into to cool snuggly evenings.

The green trees become shades of red, yellow and orange.

Autumnal Equinox
photo credit Kidzworld.com

All creatures prepare for the next season.

I’m preparing for the biggest change in my life.

I am going to be a GRANDMA! I can’t wait to meet my granddaughter next month.

Hello Change.

Over the next several weeks I’ll be sharing stories from my summer where God met me on the shores of a lake in Eastern Washington and changed my heart.

I have so much to tell you so please come back and share your stories too.

Tell me how God spoke to you this summer by leaving a comment below.

God bless your changing heart.

Gigi