The Memory Catcher and my own prebirth experience

The response to The Memory Catcher (released date October 2012 by Springcreek Books) the new book I’ve written with my mom, author Sarah Hinze has been amazing.  I’ve received so many emails from blog readers and facebook friends sharing stories and memories about their unborn children; tiny guardian angels who watch over us before they are born.  Thank you to those who have taken the time to share such private and personal memories with me and especially to those of you who have lost your baby through miscarriage, a stillborn birth or death, my heart and prayers go out to you.  Your faith is amazing.

Unborn children can warn, protect and enlighten us from another plane of existence. Most often they appear to announce it is their time to be born.  This idea is not a new concept. In fact, hundreds of ancient texts from many cultures provide insight into man’s true nature and origin as a child of God.  Many people who see these angels are literally transformed and their hearts are changed as evidence of our eternal nature is revealed to them.  We are children of God.

It was my mom’s own prebirth experience and her interest in what may have happened to the child she miscarried that prompted her to embark on what has become a pioneering journey and an in-depth study of the human soul.  Miscarriage is one of the most devastating experiences any woman can go through.  I know my mom’s heart was broken and she thought she would never heal emotionally.  But time, the love of family and friends, and other experiences brought hope and eventually emotional healing to her.  In The Memory Catcher my mom shares this and other key experiences that shaped her life and set her on course to become one of the world's greatest advocates of the unborn.

So what about me?  Have I had my own prebirth experience with my own children?
I have had several experiences feeling my unborn children near, but what I want to share is what happened before my daughter Eden was born.

In 2009, I had four boys, ranging in ages 9 to 1.

I was a busy as I could be and many days felt like I came up short.  There was never enough time to clean, help with homework, cook healthy meals, give hugs and so on.  Still, I love mothering more then anything else.  I have always found the greatest happiness in my home.

I was asked all the time “Are you going to try for a girl?”  People seemed fascinated with the idea I could have four boys.

I was used to the idea I might never have a daughter and although I knew it would be amazing to someday have a girl, I was alright with the fact that I might only mother sons.

Other perks of having four boys:  It was great I could sign birthday and holiday cards “Love, the Lofgreen boys.”  When I needed to round them up, I simply shouted “BOYS!” and they would all come.

I could ask the counselor “Where are the boys?”  Having four of one gender was a straightforward way to classifying my offspring.
My boys provided all the love I needed.  They are insightful darling little creatures, full of adventure and absolutely adorable.

They certainly kept me up to my chin in mothering.  The last thing I wanted to think about was going through another pregnancy, even if it might be a girl, which I was certain it would never be anyway.  The counselor and I made boys.  That’s what we did and I couldn't imagine that changing anytime soon.

One day after church I was in my room when I had an impression come into my mind.
“Another child wishes to join your home.  You are to have another baby.”

Well, that was strange thought.

As I hung up my church dress and put my shoes away, I could hear my boys screaming in the other room.  They were hungry, the one-year old needed a diaper change and the older ones wanted to tell me all about the special things they had learned at church.  Like I had room to throw another kid into that bunch!
The impression came again, stronger.  “You are to have another baby.”
I took a moment to absorb what was happening.  I felt it was the spirit of the Lord talking to me, but maybe the Lord didn’t understand my predicament.

In my mind, I spoke back to the voice.  “My baby just turned one.  I am so busy with my children, there is no way I can have a baby right now.”
As clear as day, the voice spoke back in my mind and I'll never forget what it said:

“You can do it your way or my way.”

Well, I’ve never been one to argue with the Lord’s way.  I believe God can speak to us through a still small voice.  I knew the voice in my mind was from my Father in Heaven.
But, what would the counselor think?  He would have to be an active participant in this little endeavor and more then anyone, he knew by the end of most days I looked like I’d just climbed out of a coal mine.

I asked him to come into the room and told him what happened.  He took me into his arms and kissed me.
“I guess we’re having another baby.”
No surprise there.  The counselor loves being a dad.  Unlike me, he doesn’t seem to get overwhelmed by the day to day tasks.  He has an amazing way of keeping his cool just as my top is boiling over.  He takes his role as provider seriously, but finds lots of joy in the journey.  We are a good pair, that beautiful man and I.

The next month, I took a pregnancy test and was thrilled to find out I was pregnant.  Surprisingly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed.  Instead, I felt blessed.  I didn’t feel like I had made a mistake or moved too quickly.  I felt embraced in the goodness of God.  I felt more love for my children then I thought possible.  During my pregnancy, I was a better mother.  I was more focused and more aware that I wanted to make the sacrifices necessary to have this baby.  It was a privilege to follow through with what God wanted me to do.

But, you can imagine my absolute shock and surprise when I found out I was pregnant with a girl.   Talk about an added bonus!  Wow!  I’ll take it.  How grateful I am that a loving Father in Heaven knew just what I needed when I needed it.

Just keeping it real!

Many people have experiences guiding their family planning.  I think we can all have experiences in which God let’s us know what we are to do with our lives.  Career paths, living situations, whom we should date or marry, children we should have and so on.
If you would like to share a prebirth experience you've had, my mom is always collecting more stories for future books.  Please email me at mydeartrash@gmail.com, as I love to hear your stories too.  I can always forward them over to her or you can email her directly at sarahhinze.hinze@gmail.com.
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Benefit Sale Saturday, September 8

My Dear Trash is helping sponsor a benefit sale Saturday,  September 8th in Mesa, Arizona.

Paula Layton is the wife of the late Brian Layton who passed away at only 37 years old, August 14, 2012.  Paula is now left to raise their  3 year old and 8 month old son alone.  We would love to see some My Dear Trash readers support this amazing cause.  Here's how you can help.

1.  Donate items for the sale: Bake goods,  clothing, furniture, home decor, toys, baby stuff, books, shoes, etc.  Just send me an email and I'll let you know the drop off location.  kkbiggs@hotmail.com

2.  Visit the sale on Saturday, September 8 from 7-11.  We'll have yummy treats as well as some amazing trash to buy.

3.  Donate to the Brian Layton Memorial Fund at Desert Schools Credit Union to benefit his family. reference the last four digits, 3142.

4.  Pray for comfort and peace for this sweet, young family. 

We'll keep you updated on the sale!  Love, Kelly

This Latest at Qcumberz

Eden dressed in a $1.00 vintage cherry shirt and $1.00 Ralph Lauren skirt from Goodwill spent some girly time with Grandma Lofgreen.

Chandler and I headed to Qcumberz to drop off a couple of new dressers.

This dresser, built in 1948, 

has the sweetest mafia brass knuckle fixtures.  

I tried these fixtures on for size and they fit pretty good on my fingers.
Even with the amazing fixtures, I realize this piece is a little boring.  I tried to paint it so it matched the era, but wanted it to have a bit of flair too.

Here's how it turned out.  Do you like the vintage musician sitting on top?

Maybe he would use the mafia brass knuckles to take care of business.

And here's how my trash looks at Qcumberz.  

I found the copper watering can, old bucket, beaded retro place mats, pottery chicken (that thing is so heavy) and vintage globe while thrifting.

Here's my vintage lamp with cool street signs.

I love getting down to Qcumberz in Phoenix.  Summer sales have been great, but once if cools off it's sure to get even better.  

Dreaming About Dressers

Remember when I used to dream about writing;

 ideas for new novels and titles of blog posts. 

 I keep a journal by my bed for this very reason. 

I still dream about writing,  but times are changing. 

Now, I also dream about paint colors and distressing. 

 I dream about mid century furniture and dovetail drawers. 

I dream about painting nightstands that match dressers.

My dream was in white and navy, with dark stain on the drawers and a smooth coat of lacquer.  

Trash To Cash

Here's the latest top sales on ebay...

This Women's Chico's Travelers Size 1 (M) Blue Striped Travel Top was purchased for $3.00 and sold for 12.99

This Eileen Fisher Tan Organic Linen Tote Bag was .50 at a yard sale.  It sold for 14.99

This Women's Velvet Touch Size S Red Graphic Wrap Dress was a 1.00 and sold for  15.75

I paid 9.99 for this Women's Ralph Lauren Size 6 Tan Cargo Linen Dress at goodwill.  It sold for 24.99

This Women's New With Tags Ann Taylor Size 4 Graphic Silk $148 Dress was at a garage sale for $10.00.  I bought 2 other clothing items and was able to pay $10 for all the items.  The dress sold for  $27.99 and one of the other items sold for 12.52.

 

This Women's New With Tags Vera Wang Lavender Label $395 Size 10 Gray Silk Dress was $22.00 at an exchange store.  It sold for $49.99.  I'm still finding that if I invest a little bit more in my ebay clothes, the profit percentage is higher.  Right now I've been able to keep to my goal of $250 per week- all of which goes to the credit card.  Only 7 more months and it will all be paid off!  I'd love to hear how you're doing on your goal.  Leave a comment and let me know.  Love, Kelly.

A New Book - The Memory Catcher; an inspiring true story about my mom, author Sarah Hinze

Working all summer with my mom, author Sarah Hinze on her inspiring life story The Memory Catcher was such a gift.  I was able to spend day after day, listening as she shared the most meaningful experiences of her life. 

The Memory Catcher is the story how my mom learned what God wanted her to do with her life.  She was five years old when an angel first spoke to her.  

She saw heaven in nature and learned to sense when angels were near.  Eventually, she fell in love with a man who believed in heaven too.   A year after their wedding, she held their first baby.  

It was than she knew many of the angels she had felt throughout her life had been her own unborn children.  

It wasn’t until losing a baby to miscarriage that she started to recognize what God wanted her to do.  She was to write about unborn children; tiny guardian angels who watch over us before they are born.  

She had her own impressions and memories, but had other mother’s had the same experience? 

My mom distributed a flyer in her town and within a few days, a mother contacted her.  “I saw my unborn daughter before she was born and I want to tell you about it.”

Soon, my mom was collecting memories from around the world.  Years later, she had published several books, but noticed one group of stories that were most unusual, pointing her research in an interesting direction.  What happens to the spirit of a baby who is aborted?

She interviewed and recorded accounts from others who had memories of spirit children not who had just been aborted, but who had miscarried or had a still birth.  As a researcher, she wanted to document children who die before they are born are not lost.  There are accounted for and cherished by a loving Father in Heaven who has a plan for each one of them.  She then compiled these stories in a book called The Castaways.

image found here

These stories come from all walks of faith and from a variety of different nationalities.  She found old tribe tales of the unborn, researched scripture not just from the Bible, but from other ancient texts and so on. 

You can imagine the spirit that goes along with this work.  Not only is it urgent, but it is reverent and sincere.  What most inspires me about my mom’s work and those who share their own memories of the unborn is that God is in charge.  He loves us.  There is always hope and no one is ever forgotten.

Sarah Hinze's other books can be found here.

The Memory Catcher is a book of inspiration.  Have you ever been scared or uncertain, knowing you have something to do for God, but are not sure how to do it?  I think in some way or another, we have all felt that still small voice whisper for us to do something good.

At times, she didn’t know how she would do it?  Who would listen and believe?  Her resources were limited and it seemed an impossible task.  But the feeling didn’t go away, so with a paper and pen she began to write.  She opened her mouth and spoke, she researched, she did anything she could do further her task along.

I know God has a mission for each of us, unique to our talents and characteristics.  That doesn’t mean it will be easy, but it does mean we can do it.  I remember my mom saying the Lord will chose the weak to accomplish his mighty work; we just have to be willing to listen.

Now for the first time, Sarah shares the key experiences that shaped her life and set her on course to become The Memory Catcher--one of the world's greatest advocates of the unborn. The Memory Catcher will be released in October 2012 by Spring Creek Books and I’ll keep up posted on its progress.  I just received an image of the front cover in my email box and it is gorgeous.

Flea Market Style Magazine and Be Nice

I’m loving Flea Market Style Magazine and after devouring their Summer 2012 issue, I passed it over to Kelly to let her feel the love.  

image found here

There are so many amazing ideas, one of which has to do with vintage clip boards (do you see the pear art on clip boards?).  I’ve been on the lookout for some, but have had no luck.  This weekend, I went into the Lutheran Thrift Store here in Mesa, one of the most organized and clean thrift stores I’ve ever been in.   There were smiley volunteers everywhere and it was obvious they took pride in their beautiful space.  On the shelf in a bin were 6 clip boards for .50 cents each.  Since it was half-price Saturday, I walked away with a great bargain. 

I picked some metal letters up at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago.  I’d never been to Hobby Lobby and kept hearing such great things about it.  I, along with 5 enthusiastic kids, went shopping.  We left with a full cart and when we excited the store, there was a huge dust storm.  Then, on the ride home, the air conditioning in the car went out.  We made it home safe, although sweaty & dusty and my first trip to Hobby Lobby left a lasting impression on me and the kids.

With the clipboards found, I was finally able to complete my little project idea. 

The counselor was extra nice, bringing me home dressers and flowers.  

Which do you think I liked better?  Flowers or dressers?  Well, that’s an easy question isn’t it!

Chandler’s caterpillar stayed in its cocoon for about 10 days, and then finally turned into this moth.  

We have pretty scary bugs here in Arizona with scorpions, black widows, wolf spiders and an abundant collection of cockroaches, so a nice caterpillar on our front porch was a welcomed visitor.

When all else fails, being nice is a great characteristic to fall back on.  

Over the weekend, my mom and I were talking and she told me in her reaction to experiences and people, she’d rather error on the side kindness and mercy then judgment and bitterness.  I’m so happy to have my BE NICE on display in my home.  I wonder how many times my kids and I will read it throughout the day.    

Goo Gone Passion Contest

Remember the Goo Gone Passion Project My Dear Trash participated in last year?  We received this package in the mail...

Which was full of awesome Goo gone products AND a jewelry box that was covered in marker and crayon.

we were able to try out the Goo Gone Product and it WORKED.  See original post here.    Well, now it's your turn!  Goo Gone is giving readers a chance to participate in the Goo Gone Passion Contest.  All you do is visit Goo Gone's Facebook page here and enter information about your hobby or passion.  The winner will receive a gooed up item that correlates with their particular passion and some product to “undo the goo.”  One past participant even received a Bar-B-Que!   Head on over to Facebook and get signed up Now!  Hope it's one of our readers that wins.  Good luck.  Love, Kelly

The Soft, Sweet Accomodating Toothbrush and a Creative Dresser

I’ve been out of town in Utah for a few days with my mom.  The first night there I realized I forgot my toothbrush.  You know, you can learn a lot about someone by their toothbrush (or the fact that they forgot it).

Look at my mom's, which she so graciously offered to share with me (true mother/daughter love going on here).  I was cracking up.
"Where in the world did you get this toothbrush?  Is it a real toothbrush or a doll's toothbrush?" I asked.
She said her dentist told her to use the softest toothbrush she could purchase, but really?  A toothbrush still needs some bristle, doesn't it!   Her toothbrush has obviously served it's purpose well.   A tender heart deserves a tender toothbrush.  The fact that I forgot mine goes to show how much like the absent-minded professor I am.
We stayed across the street from Temple Square and it was so special to revisit my mission.

We also made it up to Park City to hug a few trees.

Now that I’m back and the kids are in school, including Reef in preschool, it’s just Eden and I.
It’s quiet, but we are reading, playing with her kitchen and spending lots of time outside. Together, we painted this super cool dresser.

 Well, actually she rode her tricycle while I painted, but she did bring me my foam paint brush.
With this dresser I just was in a mood to have fun,

to express my favorite colors and showcase some cool distressing techniques.

 Here’s to Qcumberz, where this dresser is headed. Have a great weekend.
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