Pages

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Those Blue Eyes

This week has proven to be one of the most challenging ones that our family has had to face in a long time.  Our oldest son was in a head-on collision Sunday night.  It's something, that when you hear the news, you go numb.  That happened.  

We had just gotten done celebrating my mom's 73rd birthday at a restaurant about 30 minutes away from the hospital where they had taken him.  The drive, crazy.  My mind, crazy as well.  We didn't know what to expect, as we weren't told much, only that "it was bad".   

The room was filled, cries, clutching, bad smells, people waiting and then some more.  Finally, I went back, I had to be strong, on the way and as I looked down.  Those words faintly spoken, "I'm sorry, I love you mom."  He was alive!  Those words gave me strength, hope, and yet too, I feared and felt lost, broken.   

There is so much I could say about those hours and days that have followed that night. What I do want to write is how faithful God is, in everyway.  He cares.  Some tiny, some big ways, some seen, most not.

That couple who happen to live where the accident was, come out and pray with our son immediately, stayed until the paramedics came.  Bless them!!  

His truck.  Demolished.  That space where he sat, too small.  How could anyone possibly NOT have been immediately taken to the other side?  He is ALIVE!!

Faithfulness again, as families that were somewhat fragmented, stitched back together with God-strong cord.  

And again, when pheumonia was "inevitable".  Well, not this time, not with our God. 

Really, the least of our worries, funds, we say "paid in full", because "He owns cattle on a thousand hills." 

Sitting in a chair? with a broken hip? all bones in his leg too?  It's coming...that fast healing is coming!

A new lease on life, in every way.  Clean, bright, hope-filled.

...and those eyes, blue and beautiful, that we can look into, safe still. 


Has it been hard?  A big an understatement.  The not knowing, the stress fueled by lack of sleep can cut deep.  It's all hard.  But really, how blessed we are!  We have life!  We have each other, family, good friends who have gone the extra mile and more & more, warm hospital nurses, time, love. We get laughing moments in the room, he still cracks jokes. Smiles from the kids seen for the first time, hugs, and love, handmade cards.  It's hard and joy-filled, and tiring and satisfying, knowing that we are there, we help, we extend grace and love in ways we can.   


 Life can be uncertain, yet we hold onto The One who is as certain and sure as the sun rising each day.  

It's only been a week, seems like longer, but progress is made each day, and our son will walk again, build again like he loves, and be stronger in so many ways than we could ever imagine.  We all will be.  


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

A Flurry of Goodness


With the holidays here, my blogging has been pretty non-existent.  With just starting this new blog, 
I didn't want that to happen.  BUT, that's life and now I carry on!!!  
That's one thing this year I'm going to try to work on... 
B e   E a s y   O n   M y s e l f!
  
This year was especially wonderful.  Our daughter came home from Hawaii, as well as her boyfriend Shea, to stay for one week this Christmas.  I am so grateful for the time we do get together now that she is living so far away.  This photo shows just how much love is shared between our family.  The grand kids love being together, and love holidays, especially all the goodies!!   



I just had to post a picture of the most wonderful & delicious thing I make at Christmas...
Rosemary Shortbread Cookies.
These little gems are so delicate yet are full of rosemary flavor.  
My daughter is eating Gluten Free, so unlike the usual shortbread recipe I use, I found
the best mix ever, Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookie Mix.   The cookies were perfect!!  


    What could be more perfect than all of our 
F I V E children being together for Christmas!! 
With our daughter living so far away, and all of our son's & daughter-in-law's lives so busy and full, we are grateful for this holiday that is made so special by all of them able to be here for Christmas.  
This make all our hearts so very full!

Pictured from left to right:
David, Chris, Lizzie, Andrew and Daniel 
"Five months...hello, five months!!"
(If you've seen Father of the Bride, you know that line!)
WELL...Lizzie and Shea got engaged while here!
This was the most delightful 
happening of the season.
We are now diving into wedding planning as they are looking at a  spring wedding here in North Carolina!! 


  Now that the holidays are over, and we can put our feet up and breathe a bit.
Dean had the most meaningful idea of writing out what we are thankful for that happened in 2013.  
Sometimes life hands you situations and experiences that are not what you had hoped for.  Bottom line, some things just really suck.  BUT, listing those things that 
WERE GOOD and BLESSINGS, written down with a thankful heart, 
is an avenue that then the Lord can use to send that miracle that you are looking for and make you aware of all those things in your life that are so very great.   

This Grateful List is hand written & a bit sloppy,  but hangs on our refrigerator to remind us of ALL that the Lord HAS blessed us with...bottom line, it is much.  
My hope, is that 2014 will be one that draws us closer to Jesus, in those small ways,
and the ones that are extravagant, and that HIS purposes will be fulfilled in ALL of our lives!!