Vicki Lyons Blog - Latest Comments

Re: No More Time to Mourn

Kim Beiler — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:21:25 -0000

Don't think I've ever read anything so touching. I miss her so very, very, very much, Vicki. I can't wait to see her again.
Kim Beiler

Re: Life After Death

Milliewilliams111 — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:11:43 -0000

Hi Vicki, I am really enjoying your blogs. I have only read a few yet, but the first one brought
tears to me eyes. I still miss your Mother and think of her often. I wore the apron which she
made me last Christmas as I was baking one day last week.

And, I love you, too. I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas with you and your family
this year at your Dad's house!! Grandma

Re: No More Time to Mourn

Loiswalle — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:02:31 -0000

Vicki what a beautiful story of the love you have for your mom. As you know, I lost my hubby 7 yrs ago and I can relate to your loss. I loved you momma sooooooooooooooooo much, and she always made me feel special, she was never too busy to listen to what was bothering me. What a testimony of your love, God is so awesome and he helps people all the time. Love you lady....<3

Re: No More Time to Mourn

Leslie — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:22:18 -0000

Wonderful post! Very transparent.

Re: No More Time to Mourn

Lisrog — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:40:33 -0000

Vicki, Thankyou so much for sharing this. My heart has ached desperately for your family since I learned about your mom's passing. I am equally happy that the girls she raised are equipped to weather the heartache.
My words aren't right, but I'm really glad to have read this post. Thankyou for sharing your heart.
Cousin Beth (formerly Barker) Rogers

Re: No More Time to Mourn

Mike Adams — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:22:59 -0000

Vicki, I am a funeral director who works with your Dad. What you have written about your grief journey equals or surpasses anything I have ever read on the subject. Thank you for sharing your heart and a very precious and private piece of your life. Give God the glory and continue to love living the rest of your life.

Re: No More Time to Mourn

D.S.B. — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:53:29 -0000

This is so beautiful. I can't even begin to tell you how much hope reading this has given me! I lost a family member about 2 years ago and some days it feels like yesterday he passed and others it feels like the two years that it's been... Now I am faced with the possibility of losing my mom, as well, and I can't tell you how much I am refusing to even visit the possibility of life without her. The pain of that thought sits at the edges of my mind. Your words, your experiences and the reality that they hold, gives so much hope. Thank you for sharing this! Hugs...

Re: Life After Death

Luana Flacco — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:16:22 -0000

My heart goes out to you for your loss. I have often wondered as my mother ages how it will feel when she is gone. I guess nothing can prepare you for that time. It is never going to be the same but you seem to have learned so much from your mom and do have the hope of seeing her again. One day at a time.

Re: Once a Parent, Always a Parent

Kelvin Kings Mulembe — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:21:02 -0000

Hahaa..very interesting. "No different set of kids."

Re: My Song of Love

Gail — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 22:32:08 -0000

This is a beautiful, thoughtful piece. I love your writing. I am very familiar with being in bondage, placing unusually high expectations on myself in the search of perfection in many areas of my life--my own self inflicted cross like you mentioned. Recognizing this was a revelation for me and only then was God able to show me that He is there to take the burden from me. He is a wonderful Savior indeed.

Re: Life After Death

Marie Bridges — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:34:13 -0000

Dear Vicki,

Thanks for sharing your heart, broken and poured out as it is. At my age I have lost both of my parents; but the loss of our youngest son shortly before his 21st birthday, 13 years ago this coming June 28th, was the toughest and at the same time the easiest thing I've ever walked through, because the Lord carried me! But in the midst of it all I, like you, found our Lord faithful. And as I said at the time, "If it (all that God claims to be in his Word, all he has promised) doesn't 'work' now, it doesn't work! But I'm happy to report that "IT WORKS", he's eminently faithful!

And I can say, as Paul wrote in 1 Thes. 4:13, that I didn't and don't grieve as one who has no hope. The most WONDERFUL news in and through all of our griefs and sorrows is that this separation is sooo TEMPORARY! Even though I look at my son's picture, tell him I love and miss him, I also tell him that I'll see him soon! And, thank God, that's not wishful thinking!

May the Lord continue to multiply his grace and peace to you, dear One, and to your family, and hold you very close to his heart. May knowing that your precious mother is out of harm's way be a tremendous encouragment to each of you.
Blessings,
Marie Bridges

Re: Life After Death

Vic Moulin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:42:58 -0000

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! May God keep you and guide You safely everyday, in His will! Greetings from Greece :)

Re: The Intentional Investment of Initiation

Tim Bits — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:57:41 -0000

I have had a hard time finding employment recently and so last week I had a brief meeting with what I will call an employment coach. His whole job is to meet with people like myself and help them find decent employment. One of his first questions was finding out my skills; the things I have done in the past that would help him in his (ok I guess "our" would be a better word since we are doing this together, but I digress...) employment search. Among the list of things I shared was the brief time I spent teaching English overseas.

he then asked if I had gotten any education in the area of teaching ESL, when I told him I had no formal education in that field he proceeded to tell me about places that offer certification in teaching ESL and the possible grants I could get to help with funding etc etc. I then kindly told him that I’d already been to college got a degree to be a youth pastor somewhere and have yet to find a job in that field. The last thing I want to do is go back to school for something else. He then looked at me a bit puzzled and realized he’s going to have to work harder with me then he initially thought. Gears were set in motion that day to delve deeper into my situation.

I share this scenario because I have a question in regard to your comment about being examples of initiation and creativity. Near the beginning of this post you said: “I believe it is time for the people of God to be the examples of initiation and creativity to the world instead of the world being the forerunners of initiation. If God has called us to do a work, then He is more than capable of supplying us with the appropriate resources to do that job.”

I understand that God gives us gifts talents and abilities to accomplish the things He sets in our path. I believe that I’m a living example of that. I went to college but didn’t study anything in the field of journalism or writing for a career, yet I’m on the brink of publishing my first book. That’s a nearly impossible feat in my mind if it weren’t for the help of God.

What do you do when you have someone in my position that says these are the gifts talents and abilities that God has given me over the course of my life, and that persons first response is: “do you have any formal training or credentials in ____________ field?” and your answer is "no, but I have experience doing it."

Re: Life After Death

Patricia Woodside — Mon, 23 May 2011 10:29:58 -0000

Blessings to you, Vicki. I recently lost my brother, and I'm finding that you must learn to put one foot in front of the other again. Prayers for you and your strength during this time.

Re: Life After Death

Healthdesigner — Sun, 15 May 2011 14:52:41 -0000

Vicki, my heart goes out to you. I still have my mom, who just turned 85, but I lost my 30-year-old son suddenly on April 5, 2011. My pain is very raw, and often I still can't believe it happened. I am truly encouraged by your testimony. I, too, am a believer and without Him and my support base of Christian friends and family, I can't imagine where I would be. I am in a grief group which I find extremely helpful. Grief is a journey and although we will never "recover" from our losses (like one would from the flu), in time, we will be able to heal, accept and start anew. God bless you!

Re: Life After Death

Pam McCoy — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:44:00 -0000

Vicki,
You have touched me more then you will ever know but in a totally different way then you would have thought. I am a single empty nest mom who struggles big time with "what kind of mom to be" and "not being with her Dad as an ideal family" to my newly married daughter. I won't go on and on here in the comments about all my thoughts and sadness but just know that your lost and your words have helped me to understand what I need to be for my daughter who I love so much.

Vicki, enjoy every minute of being a Mom...they grow up so fast! ((Hug))

Re: Life After Death

Nikki Rosen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:00:11 -0000

awesome testimony

Re: Life After Death

Sue — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:49:20 -0000

Vicki, I love what you wrote. You are a wonderful strong Christian lady. I know you will be and are a great Mom, just like your mom. And you had such a wonderful example. Not all have that example. I continue to pray for you and your family as time continues to press on and new circumstances occur. You are such a winner as you focus on your family. Our love and prayers with lots of hugs, coming your way. The Husteds, Chuck and Sue from Michigan.

Re: Have You Checked-In?

Natebw — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:46:46 -0000

Thanks for the shout-out, Vicki!

It has been a very interesting few weeks and I have had the opportunity to reflect some on your second your last paragraph. Basically the question I have been asking myself is, "So, the the Foursquare Day phenomenon a once and lifetime experience, or is this what happens when you use the tools of social media as they work best: connecting individuals to others who have similar interests.....

I don't have the answer, but I'd like to to think that anyone can do what we've done here in Tampa and have a ball doing it.

Re: My Role Model: The Rubber Band

allison tannery — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:32:46 -0000

Hi, just stumbled on you thru Twitter...we also have a toddler, and a tween. But also a nine year old, and teen. I so know what you're talking about here!