Sam's Journal

Check it out! I'm the guest blogger over at Stash Manicure today!! I spent some time over there talking about Quilt Journals and how meaningful journaling about my quilts has become.

Here are some journal entries I didn't show over there:

I found some photos of Sam stuck in my journal...they hadn't quite made it to the narrative pages yet! (I'm further behind in my quilt journal than I want to be, for sure!!)

There are photos of a signature quilt I'd made for Emily's and Sam's youth leaders a few years back.  He'd signed his name "Sam ("The Man") Casada." 
:-D He loved that I let him immortalize his nick-name on a quilt! LOL

Sam journaled a little in the weeks before he died.  He was participating in a "Throw Down" (like Bobby Flay! :-D) with his youth group, and along with reading the New Testament in 40 days and also reading a couple of books, specific prayer times, and other character-building exercises :-), he was challenged to write something in a journal each day.  Listen to some of the things he wrote....

Today I started a throwdown.  Something to really stretch me in my walk with Christ.  As of right now, I am struggling with different temptations such as, porn, lust, lies....Also I'm trying to get to that place of total surrender.  God is working in my life with different things, but some of these things are what I'm supposed to do in life, also how to serve Him in the present.  Philippians 2:5-13  I'm overwhelmed.  But God...He will use me.  (5/11/11)

Loving reading our Bible plan so far.  It's great to follow Jesus around.  It's like hanging with a friend.  I also realize that this needs to be a consistent thing.  I'm not sure what God has planned for me yet, but I'm sure it will be something great!  (5/13/11)

Already starting to fall behind.  Sticking on schedule is harder than it seems.  Thought for the day:  My joy is found in serving.  (5/16/11)

I laugh when I see his entries getting shorter! Journaling was hard for him.  I love knowing some of his thoughts in the days just before he died.  No wonder I have peace!!!  He was a normal kid with normal struggles....but he was also extraordinary!! :-)  He was always the "lover" of our family -- affectionate, soft-hearted, eager to help.  Like the moon and stars of the quilt he wanted for Christmas (the top that I'd completed just a few weeks before he passed!), he could not be contained on earth!

Philippians 2:5-13 (ESV)

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

I'm eager to see the great things God does with Sam's life and death.  I'm glad Sam knew it would be great!!

Blessings!