Thursday, October 2, 2008

Words of Encouragement

...this is one of the five love languages found in the ever popular book "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. Over the years this has become one of my top five. I thrive on hearing words that encourage and inspire me.
You, my friends, have encouraged me over and over again throughout the past eight months.

After 9/11 I heard an interview with a wife who lost her husband in the World Trade Center collapse. She said that she had kept a few cell phone calls she had received from her husband so that she would always have a recording of his voice.
From that point on I did the same thing. I have three recorded messages that I will, every once in a while, listen to. You can imagine how this makes me cry though. I usually listen to them when I realize that I am getting anxious and I haven't cried in awhile. Anyway, the first recording is of Eric saying "Hey beautiful". Oh, such encouraging words! The second recording is Eric at the airport in Belgium when he was on his way to Liberia. And, the third is his quiet, crackling voice when he was in the hospital this past November...he had just been extubated.

I have close friends who continue to encourage me but my hope is that the Lord has someone special for my future who can be that close, personal encourager.
Until then I thank the Lord for you all.

5 comments:

Carol said...

I just found your blog today. It has really touched my heart...just wanted to let you know!

Christy said...

I've got tears rolling down my face as I think of you listening to Eric's voice and missing him...

I LOVE your blog's new look. And the new picture of you.

Eric was right, you are beautiful!

Mrs. S said...

Heather, forgive me for not taking the time to comment more, to encourage and to let you know how the Lord uses your blog to encourage and bless me. Oh, your journey through this valley...I just can't imagine. But your testimony, your witness of our Mighty God, how it increases my faith and love and adoration of One so kind, and strong and steadfast and TRUE. I am praying for you. And by the way, I, too, love the new look of your blog and the updated pictures. Your family, including you, are absolutely beautiful! Bless you...

flowerpot said...

Still praying for and thinking of you. I can only imagine how you must miss the little things with Eric.

Blessings,
Flowerpot

Katie said...

Ah..... I remember I kept my mom's voice messages for over a year.... It was wonderful!... and yet it made me sooooooo very sad!! -Dreadfully painful! :( I also had the really good sounding ones... and then the not as good sounding one... then the really bad, very declined health one.... sooo sad.... I finally had enough, and wanted to delete them, but didn't.....

One day though, I had accidently deleted them, and was so sorry... then declared it the Lord's will... and that was relieving too....

I do keep a few messages of Chris and my siblings too... from time to time... ya just never know....

-Praying for ya'll!! You're a dear bunch! :)