after my husband Brian's death in September 2009, i was overwhelmed with emotions of all kinds. i felt like i needed to do something with them, so i created this blog. here you will find our journey of life after...
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sledding!
here's Mckenna and me sledding down their backyard hill...
and i took this video while sledding down with McKenna, racing Avery & Caleb... so fun!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Another loss suffered
The hard part will be telling the girls because they have had close interaction with these goats recently -- we all have.
This is especially difficult today as I have been grieving Brian so intensely today -- music brings back memories and images; our things recall days together... I went through some of our things today in preparation for our upcoming trip to TN and GA.
What a day. Again, God is bringing me to my knees in utter dependence to him.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
take me to your leader...
i don't know if it's obsession, but i have come to LOVE bees. we are studying bees and now are considering this new endeavor... whoa! have a gone crazy? no... just have a bee in my bonnet.
so the dude in the picture is kirkobeeo... a regular guy that loves bees and wants to see urbanites such as myself help revolutionize the bee kingdom -- keep those bees alive!
i'll post more on this as i know more about what i am doing or not doing...yo.
my "sweet" boy eating a cookie...
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Utter dependence...
Psalm 91
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
Friday, January 22, 2010
irony
God has a way of showing me safe people to be and share with. and i did share. and it was difficult. but i sensed love in the hearing of the story thanks to a victorious and loving God with mercies that are new every morning as they are revealed.
thank you, dear friends, who look on and feel love in your hearts for us.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
God is challenging me
So how is this God's challenge? Basically this: will I be willing to be truly authentic about myself, my marriage and my journey in a face-to-face confrontation with someone who only knew Brian at his best?
This was the topic @ church today and here I am smack dab in the middle of that challenge for real.
Last week I spent some time with J&B and really shared from the depths of my heart about my feelings regarding Brian, his death and the pending results of the autopsy. It was really healing for me. After sharing these awkward thoughts and feelings that have been swirling in my head and heart, I felt so much lighter and my mind so clear.
Eleven years ago, I went to a conference where Larry Crabb spoke debuting his book Connecting. His theories about the role of the church (if the church was doing it's job, therapists, counselors and psychologists would not be necessary) came true that night for me. (I highly recommend this book - an excellent read). I wonder if I will be able to provide that safe space for this friend?
So, yes, God is challenging me....
Thursday, January 14, 2010
before the new year...
wanting to revisit this and read it in full, i did. but instead of reading Psalm 23, my eyes were drawn to some verses on the opposing page up in the corner. it was this:
Psalm 21:6,7,13
Your victory brings him great honor,
and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.
You have endowed him with eternal blessings
and given him the joy of your presence.
Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.
With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.
what an amazing picture of Brian's new life in heaven. God's victory has brought honor to Brian and he is clothed with splendor and majesty -- eternal blessings and the joy of God's presence... Brian spent Christmas -- Jesus' birthday -- with the King himself! and in church on Sunday we sang "mighty to save" -- a celebration of the fact that Jesus conquered the grave and has offered eternal life and salvation to us all.
speaking of heaven, my uncle, who lost my aunt to a hemorrhagic stroke right after Brian's death this past september, publishes a blog as well and on it, he posted this beautiful poem:
A few days ago my pastor sent me an anonymous poem from the Seattle Times, which resonated with me because of the timing—this is Nancy’s first Christmas in Heaven:
CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN
I’ve had my first Christmas in Heaven, a glorious, wonderful day.
I stood with the saints of the ages, who found Christ, the truth and the way.
I sang with the heavenly choir, just think—I joined in to sing!
And oh, what celestial music we brought to our Savior and King.
We sang the glad songs of redemption—how Jesus to Bethlehem came;
How they called his name Jesus, so all might be saved through His name.
Again we sang with the angels, the same message they sang that blest morn
When Shepherds first heard the glad story—that Jesus, the Savior, was born.
Oh, I wish you’d have been there, no Christmas on earth could compare.
With all the rapture and glory that I’d witnessed in Heaven so fair.
You know how I always loved Christmas, always such a wonderful day.
With loved ones around me, the children and grandkids “singing all the way.”
But now, I can see why I loved it, and just what a joy it’d be for you,
When you and other loved ones are with me, to share the glories I see too.
And all on earth, follow me—look not for a babe, for our Savior appears
For that greatest Christmas Day awaiting—ending all our fears and tears.
—Author Unknown
my unc has published some other great passages and thoughts, but those will have to be shared later.
Lord God, you are powerful and victorious! i praise you! thank you for the picture of my loved ones praising you and knowing your eternal peace.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Please pray...
Avery is very concerned as she really wants Papa to know Jesus so that when it's Papa's turn to go to heaven, he will go there and he will be with her daddy forever. And then one day we will all be together in heaven with Jesus.
Please be praying for health and a real relationship with Jesus for Mike.
Monday, January 11, 2010
i will see Brian again someday...
i do not know what i would do if i didn't have the belief that i would see brian again -- or anyone i know who believed/s Jesus is the way, truth and life -- when it's my turn to be with Jesus forever.
but actually, this story was encouraging to me because the testimony of our belief in eternal life was shared that day like never before.
JV, may you come to believe that you will see those you love in heaven someday -- with great confidence.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
AOTP
it was so fun because Ian had not been there before -- well, at least not when he would remember. it was kind of like disneyland, seeing it through his eyes, full of wonder, for the first time. and this is how far away he liked to be form everything that moved... behind glass, far away.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
additions
please feel free to leave a comment. it won't post til i read it and publish it first. comments make me feel like 'somebody's out there'! LOL