I'm blogging at www.melaniedorsey.com . Please join me there.

Jan 23, 2010

My Favorite Artist and Other People I Love

"Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right" Proverbs 20:11.
I have been going through Andrew's schoolwork. Bittersweet. Except for one week in August 2008, I home schooled him from kindergarten on. Looking through his Bible notebook, I found this scripture from Proverbs that Andrew had written. He had a daily assignment of reading a devotion from The One Year Book of Did You Know Devotions for Kids (365 days of trivia, memory verses and fun devotions). Either he would choose or I would choose a scripture that he would copy. He had one scripture each week to memorize.

Finding his artwork from when he was a little boy is so sweet to me. He often drew the two of us, and more likely than not, there was a lemon tree in the picture. Lemons are my favorite fruit. If you look closely, you will see that we have containers with lemons.
I love that we are holding hands. And I love that he spelled his name "ANEW." And I love that he tested out his colors on the right side. See the lines on the bottom right?
The second picture is done with markers and we are holding hands again. In the clouds, he has spelled his name. He left out the "e" at first and had to add it to the "r" cloud!
Well...Andrew is made "ANEW" and he is above the clouds. He is. He is in our future. He is in our eternity.
Those who trust in the Lord shall all be made "ANEW."
"He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Revelation 22:20.

My son, Avery, wants to be an astronaut. He is serious, he tells me. A couple of years ago my husband bought the boys a telescope for Christmas. Avery said everytime he looks at the stars through the telescope he wants to travel there. This picture is from his homecoming '09.
His plans for today (Saturday) are to go to a "friend's" house and make cupcakes. Avery, you are going to bake? You go hungry before you will even fix your own sandwich! Your "friend" is really pretty, by the way.

Dad ties the tie. Dan is a wonderful husband and such a great dad. He takes good care of us. He starts a new job this week. Yesterday (Friday) he had outpatient surgery to remove the screws from his knee. It was hard for both of us to see all of the stuff at the surgical center. Of course, it brought painful memories of Andrew's hospital stays.
My lovely daughter, Audra, is a journalism student. She doesn't really wear glasses, or hats very often. She bikes and is training for a triathlon. She has a new beau.

I love Andrew!!! Always a Family of 5.

30 comments:

  1. I come here often to check for updates. Even in your terrible pain, you are an inspiration to me. You are a stranger to me, but not really. Through your writings I felt your pain and sadness, but I also felt your faith and it has helped to increase my own.

    I am praying for you! Andrew will never be far from your thoughts, your pain will never be "gone", but God will let it become easier to get up each day and He will sustain you. I speak this from experience, my friend.

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  2. Thanks for sharing, Melanie. I am glad we know Avery and Audra a little bit better.
    I know it is so painful for you to have had to let go of Andrew.
    Your family is always in my thoughts and prayers.

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  3. How sweet that you were his teacher all of those years. I love the artwork and the message you attached with it. He is anew with Christ right now. What a precious thought.

    Love,
    Lelia

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  4. What good looking kids you have Melanie! I loved the pictures that your precious "Anew" drew too. What a neat story. Have a good week-end. Blessings and love to you, Debbie

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  5. Oh Melanie, I'm so glad you're able to look at Andrew's drawings and his school work. How awesome is that he wrote his name Anew. He really is anew right now, not like us still here on this earth. But in time, we will be joining him anew.

    Bless you,
    Debbie

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  6. Thank you for sharing the treasures of your heart. Your children are lovely and creative. I find it so special that you homeschooled Andrew and Audra, such precious time for a mother with her children.

    I see your back in the kitchen, glad to here it. My kitchen is my favorite place to experience life. Much love is shared from the kitchen and special memories made (Andrew's cornbread comfort food). :) A smile and a tear!

    Waiting on Jesus!

    love u,
    Brandi

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  7. Beautiful artwork - beautiful name (Anew) - beautiful thoughts - gorgeous children and family.
    Praying for you and your family - always.

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  8. Thank you for allowing us to see with eyes ANEW into Andrew's precious heart and yours. I continue to pray GOD's healing touch on your heart and especially to remove any memories that are plaguing you.
    Avery is quite handsome and Audra is adorable, too. Can't wait to see how GOD will use each of them on their journeys...an astronaut and journalist! WOW...
    Blessings, andrea

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  9. Your family is lovely, Mel! Love the new look o fyour blog too. I will be praying for your sweet husband as he begins his new job.
    Always in my thoughts and prayers!
    Hugs,
    Tara

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  10. Congratulations to Dan on the new job. I am so glad that the Lord kept Dan close to home when he needed to be, and is now providing employment.

    The pictures by Andrew are adorable. What a blessing that you were able to home school him.

    Your children are a beautiful heritage of the Lord, and I know you are proud of each of them.

    God bless you all.

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  11. Hi Melanie,
    Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures...how sweet they are :)
    I guess I didn't realize that you homeschooled...We homeschool too...how precious that you had that time spent with him...what a blessing!!
    Your son Avery is very handsome and your daughter Audra is just beautiful!!
    Cooking is so therapeutic....
    Try to smile while you cook :)
    Hugs from me to you....
    Love, Jerelene

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  12. Oooh, nothing like a great bowl of homemade soup! An astronaut in the family...how wonderful and exciting...and your daughter...I wanted so badly to go into journalism...tell her to keep going...even with the new beau!!
    Have a wonderful weekend with your family Melanie....

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  13. Thanks for sharing the pictures of Audra & Avery! The first pictures reminded me of our son at that age... he still is a little awkward at dressing up (he's 32! But he's a Special Ops guy in the Navy, & his church is very casual, so he doesn't have the "opportunity" often) God's timing is so amazing in providing the job for your husband!
    Audra gives me a bit of a glance into the future... My oldest grandaughter loves to wear glasses & is suddenly into fashion (she is 10 1/2). She has 2 pairs from Claire's boutique. Audra looks like a really fun gal, & they both are at such exciting/challenging ages in life. I'm praying for all of you!!

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  14. Continuing to lift you and your family in prayer. May the Lord lead you with His cloud of peace, and be a chair of strength beneath you. You are an amazing encouragement of His grace and strength.
    In Him,
    Cindy :)

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  15. Once again, your ability to share your heart...touches the ones blessed enough to read it. I feel I know your family like my own and I pray for all of you and I would my own children and grandchildren. The artwork is such a reminder of a loving and beautiful child that waits for you in Heaven.

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  16. I draw so much strength from you and your family.....your faith has helped me so much Melanie, I only wish I could do something to show how much I appreciate your wonderful words of faith and love. I continue to keep you and your family in my heart and prayers always......:-) Hugs

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  17. Those little drawings are the sweetest! What a nice thing to have from Andrew. Have you thought about framing them?

    You have such a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing those pics.

    Hope your hubbie is feeling better. I recently had 4 screws and a plate in my elbow after I broke it in a fall. I later had a second surgery to remove them. It's like I have a new arm. Those screws were AWFUL!

    Oh, and I love your new blog design. :-)

    Hugs!

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  18. Melanie, the drawings are great treasures and word pictures. One day the picture we see will be completed. Yes, Andrew is in your future. How precious to see the ANEW!
    I though Avery was older than he is. Very handsome. I hope he enjoys baking with his friend. Maybe he will learn something that will transfer to your kitchen. Audra is very pretty with lots of style. Speaking of style, I have been thinking about your closet posts. Not sure why, other than I miss them. Tomorrow afternoon I plan to organize mine. At least I'm going to attempt the task. Trying to decide if I should throw away my high school majorette uniforms. It's not like I am ever going to wear them. ok I'm rambling. Just wanted to talk to you for a minute. Hope Dan's knee is feeling better. Praying for the new job and your family. Hugs, b

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  19. Oh Melanie. What sweet drawings Andrew made for you. So sweet. I am definitely sure that he is in heaven and smiling to you. I always think of you guys and pray that you may be comforted. (Hugs)
    Sandra

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  20. Those are precious pictures, Melanie. And I enjoyed seeing the pictures of your family. Yes, always a family of 5! Praying for you all, God bless you.

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  21. Thanks for the update...I love "ANEW"
    I'm really enjoying getting to know your children here =)

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  22. Just loved this post, Melanie. How precious that you have all these wonderful pieces of Andrew's art. So loving and sweet. Your two older kids are just darling! Blessings and prayers go with your husband for his new job. Praise to God! You are in my thoughts and prayers daily!
    love,
    Debra

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  23. I read your comment about the cemetery ((hugs)). He's not there, he has risen and is among the living...true life!! Not what we think is life here...this place is not our home, we're just passing through. I shared your story this morning with my 10th Grade Girls Sunday School Class. As we were discussing evangelism, I told them your story and of Andrew and how you're glorifying God through your pain and suffering. You are loved.

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  24. No more sorrow, no more pain. Andrew is free. Hugs to you dear friend.

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  25. What a special gift and plan God had with allowing you to homeschool Andrew. You have a double portion of memories to treasure because of that.

    May God continue to heal your pain and sorrow and turn it into abundant JOY for you and your family - just becasue HE IS GOD!

    You bless us all when we come here, Melanie. I love you and pray for you often.

    Choosing JOY, Stephanie
    JESUS ONLY in 2010

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  26. All of these portraits reminds me that we are all at different stages of our journeys. Each stage includes the grace of God and the watchful eyes of our Father. He is in the drawing, the dating, the writing, the tying of ties, the hand holding, the misspellings... all of it.

    You have a wonderful family of 5 Melanie. They are blessed to have you and your husband's hearts at the helm.

    peace~elaine

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  27. Thanks for sharing your family with us dear sister in Christ. My heart of love and prayers remain with you and your family.

    I just prayed for Britt when I read your side bar and I will continue.

    Love and prayers.

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  28. What beautiful young adults, and what wonderful aspirations they have! Amazing what a young man in love will do for his girlfriend! laurie

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