lizgmarshall

In the 17 weeks since getting the news about my brother, Mike that literally took my breath away, the outpouring of kindness~ cards, flowers, planting of trees, meals & tributes to Mike~ has been overwhelming. Thank You thank you.

In recent weeks, I’ve received a few unexpected gifts that have triggered joy like crazy:

• people calling to share a funny or sentimental story about Mike. 
• friends saying his name- absolutely the sweetest reminder that his life is still touching countless people on this side of Heaven. 
• photos of Mike coming to my inbox or US mailbox- like this treasure (above) of Mike and his grandson, Grady living their best lives fishing together.  Pure Delight!

Here’s what I know:

• if you have stories, videos or photos of my brother, send them! 
• if you’re worried that saying their name will make us sad, remember what @griefkid said on Instagram- “it’s not reminding us that they died. It’s reminding us that they lived.” 
• if you get a “holy nudge” to do something thoughtful for your friend~ do it! 
• make the call, send the card, schedule the coffee date… whatever, just do it! Even if someone doesn’t respond right away- continue reaching out. Texts, calls, notes, even a small gift are terrific ways to say, “you haven’t been forgotten,” 

Well that’s it for today.

May the Lord bless you mightily with His peace, comfort and love.

You are not alone.

Three weeks ago, we got an early morning call with the crushing news that our beloved brother, Mike had unexpectedly graduated to heaven.

So, what do you do when you get that kind of news?

• you cry & sometimes you laugh in the same breath

• you take walks & take naps

• you tell all the stories with family & friends— especially really funny ones

• you make a Beatles playlist & listen to it a million times

• you ask people to pray when you don’t have any words

• you call your people and tell them you love them… just like Mike always did

Last weekend, an overflow crowd filled the University of Georgia Chapel to celebrate the love & life of our one-in-a-million brother, Mike .

There are a few things I think Mike would want us to know:

•Heaven is for Real & it’s the most “Awesomeness Maximus” place ever

• God loves you more than you can imagine

• tell your people how much you love them, even if they already know.

Thank you, Mike for walking me down the aisle to marry Paul. And thank You, God for picking the “splendiferous” Mike Glenn to be our dear brother & friend.

Have you ever experienced a miracle? I’m pretty sure I did…and what a way to kick off the new year.

New Year’s Eve, while visiting family near the South Carolina coast, I started feeling super queasy. 18 hours later the ER staff at Charleston hospital diagnosed acute appendicitis. Never saw that coming.

My appendix seriously needed to go, and all reports were that the surgery had gone really well. But the next morning follow-up blood work revealed that I had developed a gnarly blood infection- the surgeon’s PA even mentioned the words “beginning of sepsis.”

I’m not sure how you feel about prayer~ but y’all, it really matters.

The medical diagnosis was nothing short of terrifying… but God. Between January 2nd and January 3rd, the scary infection numbers dropped like a rock~ miraculously down to normal.

While there’s still more healing to come, and full recovery would take a while, we were able to make the 3 1/2 hour drive home to North Carolina later that day.

This New Year’s miracle has left me grateful beyond words for:

• our loving WayMaker Miracle Worker Lord

• dear family and prayer warrior angel friends

• the world-class compassionate medical staff at Roper St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC.

My takeaway from the New Year’s adventure our family will never forget….. never ever underestimate the power of prayer, praying friends, brilliant medical people, and God’s miraculous healing power.