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mary e's avatar

This is beautiful. I love how George Macdonald (C.S. Lewis' greatest influence, whose writing led to conversion) talked about the atonement as the

At-One-Ment, not retribution heaped on Jesus by God for us, but the self-sacrificial path of God so that we could be one with him. I always love your stories. Blessed Easter to you.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh wow. At-One-Ment. So so good. Such a sacrifice. It’s interesting you said this because I have always thought how God must have felt. There was Mary and our heart/soul as mothers. Then Jesus of course. The pain, acceptance. But God. It’s powerful.

Thank you for this Mary. Thinking of you and holding you in my heart. Happy Easter. oxox

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Jenn's avatar

I will pray for Daniel. Your story brought to mind Daniel by Elton John. What a twist of divine fate to have met him and ask the others who you shared as connection with. Beautifully told, Deb ❤️

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Jenn's avatar

Oh my, that “something” was very intense. And yes. I just took an unplanned trip to visit my grandmother for her 90th birthday, so that thought about aging has been on my mind, too. Too much suffering . Sending you love and happy Easter wishes to you and your beautiful family ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh Jenn, cheers to unplanned trips. I hope this filled your soul. 90 is amazing. My mum will be 89 this year and I get choked up thinking about it and all the years she has loved so well. We are living through some very sad times - much of it unseen - so praying for all the suffering is what we “can” do. I hope you had a beautiful Easter. Ours was the best Easter/Anniversary we have ever had. Living proof of God’s mercy and goodness. Our family was all together - our youngest just about gave us a heart attack, flying in to surprise us!! I can’t say enough about how loved we felt. Five years later. It’s a miracle. ox

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Jenn's avatar

Cheers to your beautiful mum. We surprised my grandma, too. And I’m glad your trip and Easter and anniversary were so wonderful. I’m extremely overjoyed on your behalf! ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Jenn. I can’t believe she will be 89! Crazy. Your surprise trip sounded perfect. What a great time to do it as well. ox

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Jenn's avatar

It was good, no complaints and not only was my grandma beautiful, but so was all the country we drove through!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Jenn. I believe he needs, like so many, tons of prayers. I love that song by Elton John. When I observed Daniel, during our conversation, there was something there. Then later we drove our van out to The Dells, and Old Man came on the boombox mix and I just poured with tears. Something about that song and Daniel’s journey. We are one step behind our parent’s aging. There is so much suffering right now too. Extra suffering it seems. Young people everywhere. Sending you a big hug. ox

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Megan Youngmee's avatar

Praying

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Megan. God Bless you and Happy Easter. oxox

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Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

Love this , Deborah! A divine meeting. Have you kept in touch? 🙏🙏

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Rosemary. It was a divine meeting if only to continue to shake us and make us realize how blessed we are right? We gave him our info but he walked away without sharing his. He really was on a mission to heal and he was scared. Reminded me of the men who have grown up in our mountain town of Mount Baldy, working in construction their whole life, traveling and never committing to anyone. Or like the surf communities around the world. Hawaii was such a draconian place during the pandemic and then the Lahaina Fire - which he was in the thick of. I have not stopped thinking of him or the fact that we all require love, kindness and prayer. For all that Christ did - prayer isn’t asking for much, while so much is out of our control. I hope this finds you and your children doing okay. Wishing you a Happy Easter. He is risen and we have so much hope. Sending you my love. oxox

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Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

Happy Easter, Deborah! I hope you are able to spend it with family! 💜🙏✝️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Rosemary, I pray the same for you - that there are special, peaceful moments shared. Hope and love. He is risen. oxox

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Simone Senisin's avatar

A beautiful story Deborah. 🙏 ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Simone. I can’t get him or the many people who are suffering with sudden cancers off of my mind. oxox

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Simone Senisin's avatar

You are a beautiful and compassionate soul, and we need more of that in our world. 🙏😊❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I can feel this in you as well. I was just telling another artist that we are all hear on this digital highway and it’s often frustrating - but there is a God that has connected us all, just as He connects us with souls like Daniel. I never want to be so absorbed I can’t notice. Sending you my love Simone. And thank you. ox

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Simone Senisin's avatar

Thank you Deborah 🙏, Yes, we are all connected by God/Creator and we are each other’s teachers 🙏❤️

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Cori Bren's avatar

I have chills even days later what a miraculous soul you’ve passed

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Dear Cori, I pray Daniel does get his miracle. He’s already survived so much. Thank you. ox

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Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

What a powerful moving story Deborah! The way this man’s path crossed with your’s and John’s feels more than coincidental, and it’s one of those moments that makes you wonder about divine timing. Whether he was an angel (or maybe you are the angels?) or simply a person placed in your lives for a reason, the connection you shared clearly had spiritual weight. Sometimes, healing comes not just through survival, but through the people we meet along the way. 🙏💜✨

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Dear Friend, God sure does show up in unexpected places. When we got to Prescott we encountered two people, separately, in random places, who had just laid their dogs to rest. Same breed. Corgis! ?? Both 13. ?? We pushed Jack along wondering what this meant. And we realized that we were loving him and doing right by him and that the time to let go would be sooner than not (as is all dogs or beloved pets). It was as if God was preparing us. Then Daniel, at just the right time. To be considering the will to live we have built into us, the “suddenness” of his cancer, the unspoken questions — but mostly, what is done is done. How can we love during this, right here and now. How can we root for this man. I mean, we are rooting for this little dog right? What is God saying. I get so sick of the phone and all the worldly stuff. We are meant for fellowship. To be in communication. We miss so much otherwise. So then that brings me to really wanting to settle into a church family soon. It truly is divine timing and through it, we can heal one another, if only emotionally. It’s the fuel we need to keep going like you said. Thank you Charlotte. Love you and wishing you and Randy a lovely Easter. oxox

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Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

In the noise of everyday life—stress, busyness, constant input—we can become spiritually deaf. Spending too much time on phones deadens your communication with God.

God has called us to “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10.

It is in these moments of stillness and silence that we can hear the gentle whisper of the voice of God like Elijah did in 1 Kings 19:11-13. Silence is not only how we listen to God, but sometimes it is even how we speak to God

It’s a reminder to be still sometimes, because that’s when clarity, peace, or divine wisdom often comes through most powerfully.

I’m thrilled your Annual vacation to Arizona grew you closer to one another and God! I wish for you and John a beautiful weekend celebrating Jesus our savior, and the sacrifice He gave us so our connection to God is fully restored.

💜🙏✨🤗

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Charlotte, it is in the stillness. When all is lost, or it is your time to feel this great loss, to the point that there is nothing to say, no pride to carry you forward. Just stillness teetering on desperation. It’s here we can be reached. Our conversation with God begins. I am so grateful to know your heart in this. You deeply understand. It is nothing we wish on others, but in a way, you do wish it to be, because the risk of coming out the other end a better, more spiritually connected person, is worth it. Many are still/quiet, without suffering - practicing their faith - but I believe suffering is a part of our spiritual connection. It has already come or is coming. The world is a place we cast these things away “for another day” and when challenge, grief, hard events occur, that is our time to drop all the flesh and get serious. A make or break moment. I could go on and and on - but you know. Love you. oxox

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Trudi Nicola's avatar

This is a touching story. A soul- touching story. We have to pray, and hope, and love. Your story gives me hope. ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Trudi. I pray for Daniel to have a good outcome and more to do on this earth. Mostly I pray for peace over everyone, like him, who is suffering or waiting on a good outcome. God surely weaves His way through our lives and brings us stories we need to hear — if we are listening and seeing people. Sending you a huge hug and much love. Happy Easter. ox

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Trudi Nicola's avatar

We are listening, and seeing. Happy Easter to you and yours, Deborah. 🐣

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Yes. We are. I can feel a similar stream of consciousness in your writing and I do love it. Hope you had a lovely Easter friend. ox

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Joan Stommen's avatar

Meant to be, meeting Daniel… you were his angel…befriending, listening, praying, wishing him well. He recognized your big heart, dear Deb. I imagine he felt loved and blessed as he walked away. Thank you for sharing this…There’s a song…”what a friend we have in Jesus” something like that! You’ve reminded all how Jesus loves us as we are! May your Easter be dressed in sunshine and your family be blessed with love. 🩷🫶🤗and a bit of chocolate. He is Risen! ✝️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Isn’t it amazing how God just shows up and flattens you with someone’s story. His story. Of hope, love, perseverance, good will. And what a friend we have in Jesus. I have come to the conclusion that a child-like love of God is our best bet. Trusting in the process, seeing, noticing, discerning, the innate right and wrong and moving ahead open to His promise not to harm, but to give eternal life and discovering our purpose. I pray Daniel and everyone suffering like him will find that love and hope no matter what happens. That there is peace in the process of trust. Daniel’s will was obviously strong — so I pray it’s a very good outcome and God has more for him. Thank you so much my dear friend. I pray your Easter is also full of sunshine, love and some chocolate too! Love you. He is risen. oxox

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Joan Stommen's avatar

Yes…kids were here, making me laugh, now walking in sunshine after eating a Reese’s chocolate egg! 😎😁 😘

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Oh between Reese’s peanut butter cups and Cadbury (as is our British tradition!) I can never get enough!! So glad you were with your kids and laughed a lot. Loved a lot. ox

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Mariska Burger's avatar

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL written.

Heart touching.

Thank you Deborah.

May God provide perfectly for Daniel please and Amen.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Mariska. Daniel represents so many “sudden” twists and turns to life. So precious and fragile. And yes, may He provide perfectly for Daniel and for so many suffering like him.

I hope this finds you doing well. God keep you this Easter and always. ox

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Mariska Burger's avatar

What a beautiful testimony!!

Thank you for sharing and I am so happy for you and pray for many more happy moments and memories together.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you friend!! I will never stop thinking about it. Miracles do happen. ox

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Mariska Burger's avatar

Thank you Deborah.

Likewise.

Blessed and peaceful Easter to you and yours.

God keep you too always.🙏🏼

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Dear Mariska, it was miraculous. Our 40th wedding anniversary was the same day as Easter and our family was all together celebrating us and Easter. I can honestly say we are living proof of what God can mend and put back together in new and meaningful ways. Enough to make me cry still. I hope you felt loved this Easter and continue to push on. Sunday always arrives doesn’t it? Sending you much love. ox

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M H's avatar

Lovely words for Daniel sad for him ,for his suffering.God bless him . Good Friday is special for us who believe in Jesus. Son of God . The Divine Trinity.Father Jesus and the Holy Spirit who is our helper to get through what we have to until we go to a better place.God bless Deborah 🙏🕊️♥️ X

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Mary. We have prayed for him nonstop. Gave him our info but he walked away proudly. We just hope he survives. Too many are dying young. If we can just pray for each other — at a minimum — for what Christ did for us. Right? God Bless you as well friend. oxox

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Diane Voyentzie's avatar

Truly inspired. Thank you.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Diane! It’s amazing how many stories there are to tell and how many people there are to pray for. We are blessed for each day we get. Happy Easter to you and yours and thank you for subscribing. ox

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