Right where you are...

Hello All! I promise I'm still here!!

Head over to our Moms blog and check out my guest post from today.. Right where you are...

http://livingonpbj.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/right-where-you-are/

Hope it's a blessing!

I'll update again soon.

Much Love,
Natalie :)

Seasoning this world...

There are some things in this life that are just so precious to me.. and as everyone knows one of those things is the birdies.

The week of Madeline Grace's birthday, I received the sweetest little gift and card in the mail.

I wanted to take a minute to share just what that was, as it was such a sweet little reminder.

My sweet friend, Ashley has been such a blessing to me the last few years.

She has remembered my daughter and gone above and beyond to show me her care for us and the remembrance of Madeline. It has touched my life so much and reminded me just how much of an impact little Maddie Grace has had on this world.

The day I received the package, I quickly opened it and sat there pondering the things she had written. It really touched my heart and put a smile on my face..

The card read...

Dear Maddie (through Natalie and family)

Happy Birthday to a precious girl! You have reached out to so many people. What a blessing you are.

I was in a store and saw this little gift that reminded me of you. I thought it an odd gift for a two year old girl, but loved the pink birdies for your Momma.

My little girl is two and I could see her loving to play with these birdies~ they would doubtlessly be singing or talking to each other. I know you'd love that too!! As I thought more about it, I liked the idea of the salt...

That's what you are...

A little salt shaker, seasoning this world with your story and reaching so many.

The pepper is a strong taste.

Through your life, your precious family continues to grow stronger.

Your seasoning will always be on your family and has reached out to so many more.

Thanking God for you and your sweet family!

~~Ashley

Wow... What. a. blessing! What an amazing thought and little treasure God gave to Ashley that she shared with me.

This touched my heart so much and in so many ways.

What an honor to have a little girl in Heaven who is still touching and seasoning lives still on this earth.

There have been countless sweet things said, written, and little reminders given to me weekly since Maddie Grace went to Heaven.

And I appreciate them all!

I really thought that when she passed, I would no longer hear her name.

I would no longer get to experience what a daughter would be like.

And though I'm not raising her, her sweetness falls down onto my life every week.

I can feel her. She does have her little shaker out letting it fall into our lives and so many more.

And I'm proud and full of pride at the way her life has touched so many.

She is like a little salt shaker, sprinkling the story of God's grace every week into this world

And the the hard days come, and they still do; we do grow stronger together and in the Lord.

The first time I read this it blessed me and reminded me of my Maddie.

When I read it again just before writing this, it encouraged me and gave me a challenge.

My little girl is seasoning this world for so much good.

It challenged me to do the same.

So many in this world need the Lord and I want to help them find Him.. It's all I can do. It's His will for me to go and tell.

Matthew 28:18-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Do you know him? He loves you.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

You do not have to fear death or have questions about what happens after this life ends. For Maddie is proof, it isn't always long...

Every day that I live I try to do two things... One, I try to be the best at what I am; a wife and a mother.

And two, try my best to point others to Christ. To help further the kingdom of Heaven.

My sweet little girl has taught me so many things.

Ashley, your letter was such a blessing and sweet reminder. Thank you for that.

I do want our story to reach many. I want Madeline to continue seasoning this earth for the goodness of God and His grace.

What a precious thing.

Can I encourage you today to season this world for the good in your life?

A little seasoning truly can go a long way.

Much Love,
Natalie

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 

If you would like me to share more with you about knowing you can go to Heaven for sure, please email me at Nattiecakes@msn.com. I would love to share more with you. =)