Monday, August 29, 2011

Close to Home

Our son Zachary, my husband and I have been away from home for almost a solid month now.  We have been to Oklahoma, then to New Mexico for a conference for five days and then to Oklahoma again.  At the conference in New Mexico, we learned that my mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly.  We have been in Oklahoma since the day after her passing.  Our almost month in Oklahoma/New Mexico has been both amazingly wonderful and terribly heart-breaking.

I'm ready to get back to my own home, to my own little town of West Chester, PA. However, I have enjoyed seeing all of my family so much throughout this month long trip.  I have enjoyed knowing my son has gotten to spend so much time with his aunts and uncles, grandma and grandpa, great grandmas and great grandpas and family friends who all live so far from us.  We usually only get to see these family and friends who live in Oklahoma about twice a year and only about a few days at a time. So, all that to say, seeing family has been sweet.

My husband leaves for home tomorrow and my son and I will fly home on Wednesday. Prayers are appreciated for my husband's safety as he drives almost 24 hours (with stops along the way, of course) to get back to our town in Pennsylvania.  Also prayers are appreciated for my husband and his family as they will continue to grieve the loss of their mother.  My husband and I been so busy this passed week getting things put in order at my mother-in-law's home that there hasn't been much time for the two of us to really mourn her loss.  So, I expect once we get home and our lives flow back into the rhythm it once had before this long trip, the tears will flow again and the memories will be thick of my sweet mother-in-law Nola.  Those long moments of tears and deep sadness are not something I look forward to (obviously), but I know that it is absolutely necessary. I think we are still in shock and everything hasn't fully sunk in that she's actually gone.

Love you all. Sorry to end on a sad note. I hope to blog again soon.

May your day be filled with the knowledge of God's wonderful and amazing grace. May you know you are loved by God so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay your debts.....take the penalty for your sins (all our sins) by dying on a cross and to provide the only way to Him....to eternal life. May you find your refuge in Jesus Christ today and everyday. 
I don't know about you, but I desire to hide myself in Christ today and each day.  Remember, friends, Christ is a mighty fortress and the Great Shepherd. We can depend on Him to be a fortress around our lives and the best guide to lead us into places of peace and places of provision for all our needs.

God bless you.