Great Grands

Our time in Florida was the first time we had all the great grandchildren together.

I know my Granny would have loved this!! 

 9 of 10, but Peyton wasn't feeling it :)

 Almost everyone looking :)

Lydia  (2 weeks old) made it into this picture :)

Erin and I were in this because we have #11 and #12 on the way.

#13 had left already for the day.

Even the possessed doll made it in this picture, she's going to get me! :)

You might be thinking..... how do you get 9 kids to sit still for pictures?

Suckers that's how :)

Peyton's first sucker. She loved it!

Her Momma will soon learn the power of the sucker :)

Cousins

In previous posts, I've talked about how bitter sweet it was to be in Florida. There were sad times, but there were also some sweet family time. Eden and her cousin Brielle LOVE one another! They were blessed to be oblivious of most of the sadness that was going on during the week. It was so neat to watch them play together.  Hearing their laughter and watching them enjoy each other was a blessing. It reminded me of playing with my cousins many years ago.

I love these pictures, they are full of love and innocence. They bring back sweet memories of the past.

Oh how sweet!

It is Well with My Soul

This morning at about 4:30 Granny went to be with Jesus. It is a blessing to know that her pain and suffering has ended and she is at peace with the Lord. Yet, it is the beginning of an earthly separation that will bring years of sadness as we miss the incredible woman that loved our family so well.

I've been singing the lyrics of her favorite hymn for days now. Those words bring great comfort:

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll

What ever my lot you have taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul

Though the devil will ruin, though trials may come

Let this blessed assurance control

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

And He shed His own blood for my soul

It is well, with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought

My sin not in part but the whole

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul

It is well, with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight

And the clouds be rolled back as a scroll

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend

Even so, it is well with my soul

It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul



Bitter Sweet

Bitter sweet is the phrase that keeps coming to mind when I think through these past few days. It has been great to visit with family. Shannon was here with his children when we arrived. Eden and Brielle ran towards one another and hugged, so excited to see one another completely oblivious to the sadness that had brought us together for this visit.

I have learned a lot about the process of dying in the past few days. It is a strange thing that we seldom talk about and desire even less to be around. Yet in times like these, there is no way to avoid it. Sitting at Granny’s beside has been a blessing. It’s very difficult to watch, but a great way to love and serve her.

Granny has been aware of us and knows she is surrounded by loved ones. That must be a wonderful thing to know during your last days. Wednesday, she heard the children playing in the living room and asked about them. She smiled as she heard their laughter. I asked if she wanted to see them and she said yes. So we brought in Eden and Josiah. Josiah didn’t visit long, but Eden and I got to spend some time with Granny. Granny called her by name and they got to speak for a little while. They were able to tell each other, “I love you.” What a special memory that will make for Eden and I.

One of the best things about this experience is how much more I’ve grown in love and respect with Larry. He has been wonderful! He holds me when I need to cry, and listens when I’m processing through my emotions. He feels no need to say anything unnecessary, he’s just quietly there, Loving and helping where ever he can. He’s been great at taking the children to play so that I could sit at Granny’s bedside. I am so blessed to be married to him and times like these remind me of how special he is.

Another blessing of this process is looking through the old photos. There hundreds if not thousands of pictures in box after box of photos. As someone who loves photography, you can imagine my joy in reliving some of those fond memories and learning about my grandmothers and grandfathers lives before I was even thought of. The story telling and laughter has been a special time for our family as we prepare to say goodbye.

I would love to ask you all to keep us in your prayers. The end is near. We know Granny is going to heaven where there will be no more pain, only joy. And the biggest blessing of them all, JESUS.

 Granny and Grandpa

They have been married 65 years!

 A high school picture of Grandma

Granny holding her grand girls.

Kelly is on the left, I'm on the right.

Gotta love that red hairdo!



Saying Goodbye

 

 

It’s hard to believe these were taken just a few months ago. My Granny came up with my parents to celebrate Josiah’s 2nd Birthday. This was the first time she had come to visit since we’ve moved to Williamston. It was wonderful to be able to show her our life and ministry, and for my children to get to know her.

My Granny is dying. She will leave the hospital today with Hospice care to return home where she wants to be for her final days. As you can imagine, it has been a very difficult time for my family. We are like so many other families who are dealing with aging parents and grandparents. We are trying to make the best decisions for our loved ones, Providing respect and medical care. Praying that their last days could be precious and as pain free as possible.

I have been so in awe of my parents as they have made great sacrifices to care for my Granny and Grandpa these past few months. It has been a labor of love. Many in their generations are currently going through these hard days caring for their aging parents. Watching has been an education of love in action. We are trusting God to give us this day what we can handle. Many days are filled with a mixture of sadness, frustration, fear and glimpses of the great joy that await our loved ones in heaven. I pray for the peace that surpasses all understand to guard my family as we say this slow goodbye.

We will be traveling to Florida this week in hopes that I will be able to say good bye in person. Please pray for us as I’m sure this will be an emotional time.

Wooosh went the wind, then out went the lights :)

Last night we had a wonderful evening with some friends of ours. We were long overdue to have a visit with Kelly and Brian. They are wonderful encouragers and have great kids. We always have a fun time when we get to hang out. Last night during our visit a crazy storm came up and we lost power. You would think that with six kids and no power things would get crazy, but they didn't. The kids did great. They thought of it as a fun adventure. Kelly took some beautiful pictures and blogged them. Check her out: http://seethefam.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-little-light.html

Thank you so much Kelly and Brian. The food and fellowship was fantastic. Looking forward to hanging out again soon :)

Herring Festival

A town nearby had their Herring Festival this weekend. So we packed the kids up and went down to enjoy the day. Eden and Josiah enjoyed their first parade and the train ride that followed.

Good Friday Blessing

Our family was blessed with a precious addition on Good Friday. My amazing cousin Kelly gave birth to Lydia Joy. She is 7 lbs 13oz of red headed blessing! She is also the first of four great grand children that are due this year. Momma and Lydia are doing great.

I'm looking forward to Kelly and Jeremy paving the way for parenting three. They are awesome parents and will be a great source of wisdom and encouragement in the months to come. I hope we can be for them as well!

Welcome to the world Lydia Joy!