Post Cards

My Dad has a collection of post cards. In the past he enjoyed finding all of the strangest postcards he could find and has quite a collection. Here he's showing Ry and Niko his batch..

Empty

I am sure the days pass with mundane succession for my Mom, a caregiver. Although Dad no longer lives in this home, she helps him at some mealtimes. When he is here, at home with us, she helps him eat, helps him when he is choking, and helps him in the bathroom. I know many times it is just automatic. There are times when it hurts, especially on birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. But, on other days it just business as usual. But as I look at each action that she takes, I see how she is demonstrating her love for him and how she is fulfilling her marriage vow. It's not easy---and if I can be honest--it really sucks...but she does it and it is a testimony. I used to struggle because I felt that in the past my Mom would punish my Dad for his wrongs, but that's gone now. He's helpless and she is giving him all that she can. I really admire her for her faithfulness.

I don't think that Dad knows all that she does and sacrifices for him. I don't think he grasps that anymore. Sometimes there is a bare flicker of engagement. When Dad sees Chase for example, he smiles---mouth open wide--and Chase bursts into giggles. I tell them to kiss and Dad leans in and Chase cringes at the tickly beard but is laughing. The first time I told him to kiss Grandpa he did...before he knew what a tickly face Grandpa had. I took Dad into his home today and communicating with him was hard. I couldn't tell what he wanted to do and when I looked in his eyes, I saw emptiness there. Oh...that makes me grieve for the man that he used to be when I was little. When I touch his frail arm, guiding him to his room or when I hold his gaunt hand, I feel such sadness. When I hugged him and felt the bones in his back and kissed him, he made sad face and sort of whimpered. Dad, my heart was doing the same....

Life is Short----kind of...

When we got to Anderson, I tried to call a few people that I knew we would not have time to see (and shouldn't see with our three kids in tow!). One of the couples I called were Denny & Wiletta. They are in their 90s. Wiletta took care of me sometimes when I was a little girl. When I called, a stranger answered the phone. It was their daughter. She said that her Mom was in the hospital. I had already heard that Denny was not doing very well, but I didn't know that her Mom was also facing serious health challenges. We stopped by yesterday and it seemed that she was in bad shape. She was on a respirator. She recognized me and tried to talk, but I just spoke to her and held her hand. I prayed with her and she squeezed my hand tightly. The doctor said that the options for her would depend on how she did over night. Today I stopped by with Ryan and Niko in tow (after their dental checkup). She had rallied and was up and talking with her husband. He didn't remember me at all, but she sure did. We talked and prayed again. Her breathing was really labored, but she was breathing on her own. I am not sure if they are going to try a heart operation or just try to keep her comfortable. I am hoping that I can get news as we leave Anderson tomorrow.

Wiletta is a beautiful soul who loves Jesus and has served Him her whole live. She has had a wonderful life---a full life. I know that when she joins Jesus, there will be rejoicing. But, it is still sad to watch life ebb away. No matter how peaceful it is or how exciting it seems to be united with Christ, it can't be separated from the sadness. As Denny and Wiletta held hands this morning, I could see their love. I could see the bond that the long years together had formed and I could see that in holding hands, they are trying to grasp and hold this moment now...for as long as they can. That just broke my heart. They've had long lives...and full lives...but, that almost makes it more sad.

There has been more news of the possibility of cancer facing friends who serve with us overseas and it seems like it has really shaken their world. It remains to be seen what the outcome will be, but as I look at all of my friends battling cancer in their own separate journeys, I just feel overcome with sadness. ALL of them know the Lord and all of them love Him dearly...but it doesn't mean that this journey is easy. I am sure though, that they would all say it would be tremendously more difficult without Him.

Though life is intensely sad sometimes, it really is beautiful...and I am praying for my dear friends today.

Favorite Shots

Richness

When I consider my life, I am in awe of how God has brought incredible people across my path. Across the globe I have beautiful friends who have each meant something different to me and who have helped me grow in different ways. I really feel humbled, blessed and thankful. One of these people is Mary. I haven't known Mary all that long, but she has really inspired me and blessed me. My heart is connected to hers and I am in awe about how God is working in her through her challenging journey. I feel so honored to be known as her friend and to have the opportunity to support her in prayer. I ask you, my friends, to lift her up in prayer and then thank the Lord for the people God has brought into your life.

Mixture

Coming back to America causes such a mixture of feelings. On one hand, it is so wonderful to be reunited with family and friends and experience some of the "comforts" of home. On the other hand, one misses friends on the other side of the ocean who have become family. Other things to miss include the routine and having an actual home (and not just living out of suitcases). It's been a fabulous time though and I'm so thankful for the connections that we have made and for the experiences that we have had. We have met amazing people. For example, we met one couple, Clarence and Evelyn, just because they waved at us as we were taking a walk around the block. The boys thought I was a little odd for stopping and introducing ourselves. Others we have known but have just enjoyed soaking up time with, like my friend Mary and her lovely family. Each of the boys have made a few friends and played so well with them. They've also struggled with some kids and have faced some difficult situations, but I have been so proud of them. I've been reminded of our great responsibility to raise them in a way that is pleasing to the Lord and that has been humbling. I hope that they learn great things, even through the challenges. I am thankful for the great new friends they have made and the things that they have been able to see. It's been a mixture of difficult and good, but that's a great thing!

Blog

We have come to the decision that having a blog is a good idea. We've been thankful for Facebook and were glad to have a website before, but it was hard to manage and hard to access. That was intentional, but also restrictive. We still plan to be cautious, but do want to connect with people more and help get the word about where we are and what we are doing. We hope that you will be praying for us as we get ready to head back to where God's called us to!