#14 - THREE VIEWS

Mimi, who is one of Briley FAITH’s grandmothers, sent this Faith Assignment.  There are so many ways we can all learn about God’s love.  Here are three.  Thank you, Mimi!

GOD uses a child to show us His assurance and strength.

The night of Briley's visitation, Cara, my granddaughter, was throwing a fit in the bathroom and someone said "Mimi, you are needed in the bathroom"   I went and asked Cara what was wrong.  She wanted to see Briley.  I told her she had to quit crying and I would take her down.  She quit and I did.  She looked at Briley and said "Oh Briley, you are so beautiful". I told her she needed to give Aunt Cici(Crystal) a hug because she looked like she had been crying.  She looked at Crystal and said "It's O.K. Aunt Cici.  Briley is all well now.  She is in heaven playing and singing with Jesus.  It will be O.K."  She then picked up the kleenex and went up to several others at the church that were crying and told them they didn't need to cry, Briley is all well now, in heaven with Jesus and gave them a kleenex.   If we all just had the faith of a child.

GOD’s mercy holds the line for a lost soul.

The day of Briley's celebration, my sister Kathy was going through the line to pay her respects.  When she got up to Crystal, she was "holding up" the line. I noticed she was crying very hard. Crystal was holding her face in her hands so she would look at her and Crystal was talking to her. I could not hear what she was saying, but I noticed that Josh had started praying and I knew he could hear, so I went to Bro. Jason and Pa Tom and told them I thought she was under conviction, to please pray and I started praying. She prayed right there and asked Jesus to be her savior. How amazing is that.

GOD restores joy and gives hope.

Today, when I went back to work, one of the ladies I work with told me she had come to Briley's celebration and that the service was beautiful.   She has followed Briley's Story from day one and it had already made changes in her life.  She has now started going back to church and said that she is not going to miss a Sunday.  My co-worker saw the amazing faith Josh and Crystal have and said she wants more.   She also told me that she feels like her husband is under conviction.  (He came to the service with her) He asked lots of questions and could not understand why Crystal and Josh were so faithful.   She told him that it was because they have the Lord as their Savior and put their full trust in him.  That they live for the Lord every day.   She thinks that he may start going to church with her and just may be saved as a result of what he heard at Briley's Celebration!   Please pray for him.

If you would like to know Jesus Christ, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at kfogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

#13 - FAITH BRINGS FAVOR

This Faith Assignment involves SHOPPING!  I enjoy the fellowship with good friends much more than walking the malls, unwanted reminders of why something doesn’t fit, and scary encounters with the mirror in the dressing room! 

Shopping trip #1

Since I’m all for spending time with my friends even if it includes shopping, that is why I, Granna, was all for hanging out with Idgie and Mimi!  All Briley FAITH’s grandmothers and her Aunt Shanda went shopping for something to wear for that special day; Briley FAITH’s celebration of life!  We were on an adventure to find bright and bold colors to wear!

We entered Lane Bryant and started our scavenger hunt!  A wonderful sales clerk, Andrea, asked if she could help.  Idgie told her what we were looking for and shared Briley FAITH’s story.  In the meantime I found these bright, bold sweaters with matching tanks.  There were several colors to choose from.  We could each have the same but in a different color!  How fun is that!  I showed Mimi and Idgie and they loved the idea, too! 

I was standing near the clerk and Idgie, when I glanced at the price tag… another reason I don’t shop much.  It was way more than I could spend.  In disappointment, I mentioned I will need to find something else and that it was a fun thought, but, it is A-okay!  The outfit returned as quickly as I lifted it off the rack.  No big deal at all, God’s got a plan.

By the time I got back to where Idgie and Mimi were, our new friend, Andrea, asked us if she could get the outfits discounted would we still want them.  She was moved by Briley’s story and said she really did want to help us out.  Idgie said, “It is probably according to how much of a discount.”  We all told her we appreciated it.  Let me interject right here that we three grandmothers were not on the floor kicking and screaming; we were not whining for the sweaters or anything…  that would have been a pitiful site.  Although, I do have to say that before we left the store, Idgie and Shanda accidentally set off an alarm!  The fact of the matter is the story of God’s faithfulness and goodness was shared.  He does the rest…

In no time, here comes Andrea.  She was able to give us a huge discount!  Praise God!  We were all able to get what we needed for that very special day!  Andrea just had one request to ask of us; if she could take a picture of us in our outfits and send to the District Manager along with Briley FAITH’s story.  We, of course, said sure!

She took our picture and all four of us with tears in our eyes hugged and said goodbye.

 Shopping trip #2

This shopping trip was the very next day.  Darla is a very special friend of mine who flew in from Texas to be with me during this hard time.  She wanted to take me shopping to get something to wear for the celebration.  She is precious like that.  I adore her!

Well, since we grandmothers had already got something for that day, Darla suggested we shop for something for the visitation.  So, again, here we go looking for bright and bold! 

Darla and I decided to explore Vanity Fashion at the mall.  Immediately, a precious, young sales clerk, Ashlee, approached us.  She asked if she could help and if we are shopping for Christmas.  I told her we were not shopping for Christmas, but for Briley FAITH’s celebration and then I shared her story.

Several items were tried on and I settled on a pink sparkly top and a lime green scarf!  Perfect!  We get to the counter to pay and Ashlee tells us she is going to give a 20% discount!  She was moved by Briley FAITH’s story about an amazing God!  Glory to God again and again!

Then, on top of all that, all the bright and bold clothes, earrings and bows that now rest in my shopping bags was all paid for!  God had a plan, but first, I had to be content in my circumstance.  

Ashlee also shared with us her brother, Jermaine, has sickle cell anemia.  Please keep him and the family in your prayers.

The reason these stories are considered a “Faith Assignment” is they show what faith can do even in the simple things in life such as shopping.  Briley FAITH’s story of God’s grace continues and is one that will never grow old. 

Faith is simply this, peace with favor.  God always give a peace that passes all understanding when we trust Him; when we are content with our circumstances.  His way is perfect and always full of favor, even when it hurts. 

Contentment opens the door to God’s favor.  Then in our struggles He will use the Andrea’s and the Ashlee’s of the world to share His favor with us.

Andrea

Ashlee

Idgie, Mimi, Granna

(I later exchanged the orange for a bright blue)

  

If you would like to know Jesus Christ, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at kfogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.



#12 - LOVING HER ALL UP!

This Faith Assignment is about how God used my grandson, Jude, in helping someone understand His FAITHfulness!  A mommy whose little boy goes to the same preschool as Jude sent in this story.  Apparently her son and Jude have had a few discussions about little Miss Briley FAITH.  It will make your heart swell!  Below is the email message sent to Jude's and Briley's mommy and daddy.

I just wanted to let you all know that Jude has touched my little boy, Jett Garcia’s (from preschool) heart... He always notices when Jude isn't there. He told me other day, "Jude was sad because his sissy was very sick." So I tried to explain a little, as he has lots of questions. He asked me at the end of our conversation if he could give some of his "well germs" to Jude's sissy, and I lost it. I don't know how y’all hold it together. I mean he only spoke a sentence about Briley... I have such respect and admiration for you both. We pray for you all every day, as does Jett in his night time prayers. "Jude's sissy" is actually the only thing he mentions every night without fail...

One other little tidbit about this story; when I heard of Sweet Briley’s passing I had to tell Jett. So, at night time prayers I sat him down and told him. He didn’t cry. Not a tear. (I was just a boohooing) My very small 4 year old climbed in my lap and hugged me and said "It’s ok mama, Jude's little sissy is all better now. God’s just up there looovvviinngggg her allll up." How a 4yr old knows so many things about the good Lord I will never understand.  God gave him the wisdom to understand that she was ok now.

Again let me know if there is anything we can do.   God bless you all

And remember what Jett said, “God is "lovvviinngggg her alllll up!" and holding your sweet baby girl forever in His arms.

The Garcia's

 There is so much we can learn from the little children. 

If you would like to know Jesus Christ, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at kfogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

#11 - FAITH WALKS THE STREETS

A dear friend of mine, Darla, along with a few others, weekly go to the streets of Fort Worth, Texas and minister to the homeless.  She shared this story with me and checked with the person it is about and made sure it was okay to share with you.

His name is Dean, a homeless, recovering alcoholic.  He has been clean for six months.  But, because of all the problems he had caused in the past, his family will not open their arms or doors to him anymore.  So, he walks the streets… his new family.

He found a few new friends when the street ministry started.  Darla was one.  She had been praying with and ministering to him for several months.  During the prayer time, she had mentioned Briley FAITH to him.  Although Dean never prayed aloud before, well, with Darla he hadn’t; he welcomed her prayers.  Once a week he looked for his new friend and asked about Briley FAITH.  Darla and her husband, Keith, have both prayed with him and even gave him their cell numbers to call if he needed prayer. 

Last week, we were in Texas for my husband’s uncle’s funeral.  During this time we got to visit with Darla.  She said the night before, she received a phone call from Dean.  He shared the good news that he had been accepted for housing.  He also shared with her his brother had passed away and the family would not allow him go to the funeral.  It broke his heart.  She prayed for him. 

During their conversation, Darla told him that we were there and why.  She also mentioned  the connection we have with Briley FAITH; that she is our granddaughter.  Immediately, he told Darla I want to pray… I want to pray for Briley FAITH.  His prayer was for a baby girl who was miles away that God had used to touch his heart.

Even in the streets where all seems hopeless to the homeless, God reminds them He still cares and He is there.  They know.  Dean knew.  If He didn’t think God was there, he never would have prayed.  It just took Briley FAITH to remind him. 

Our friend, Dean.

If you would like to know this Savior, our only answer, our only hope, please email me at k.fogarty02@gmail.com and I will be glad to share the story.  It's my FAITH ASSIGNMENT.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? #2

Faith Assignment #2

This faith assignment was received November 8, 2012.  At that time the sender wished to remain anonymous because there were some who did not know her sister had been diagnosed with cancer.  She informed me that it is now okay to mention her name.

Faith Assignment #2 was from Jessica Porter-Hunter.  Below are two excerpts of the posting.  I suggest you go back and read it in it's entirity.  Prior to her finding out about her sister God used the faith shown throughout Briley FAITH's journey to give her strength before her storm.  God prepared her for the phone call she was going to be receiving from her sister.

THE EXCERPTS:
{Well, when I got home from work on that day, my sister (my best friend) called me and informed me that she had just been at the doctor and was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.}

{I know it is because of sweet baby Briley and her amazing family that I am at peace during the scariest time of my life. It is because of her story that I believe that God will take care of my sister. I am so very thankful for Crystal and Josh for being so extremely brave during this time and selfless to share their story with so many people. They have truly changed my life.}

THE UPDATE:

 Ms Kathy,

I just wanted to give you an update on Casie's oncology appointment yesterday.  They have decided to go ahead and do a total abdominal hysterectomy in 2 weeks.  He will be taking her ovaries, lymph nodes and all arteries in her pelvic area.  He said that this type of cancer thrives on hormones.  This is Casie's only chance to survive this.  The surgery has been scheduled for

12-19-12.

We praise God for He is faithful!  God will be with Casie and her family through it all!  He is Jehovah Rapha, the Healer! 

As she mentioned, Casie's surgery is December 19th.  Please remember her in your prayers.  Thank you!


Please share your FAITH ASSIGNMENT!  Email me at kfogarty02@gmail.com