In Heavenly Love Abiding

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear;

And safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here:

The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid; 

But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back;

My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack:

His wisdom ever walketh; His sight is never dim; 

He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen;

Brights skies will soon be o'er me where darkest clouds have been:

My hope I cannot measure; my path to life is free;

My Saviour has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

The rather impressive basket cake our family made for Memorial Day.
Unfortunately the ants thought it was cool, too!

big or small

"Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord."  And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, a still small voice..." 1 Kings 19:11, 12

"...instead of thinking that my life has to be some big windstorm or earthquake for God, perhaps I only have to let Him whisper gently through my life.  That story [1 Kings 19:11, 12] made me realize I don't have to accomplish some giant thing for God...It took a little while, but I finally figured out that God's purpose is for me to let Him do whatever He wants in my life, big or small."

~Whitney Cerak

I have just finished reading Mistaken Identity, one of my favorite books, for at least the 4th time!  I am so thankful for this story, which always leaves me desiring more of God.  When I read this quote from Whitney, I thought this has to be one of life's hardest lessons.  Whether we live for God or ourselves, it is hard not to want to look great in the end.  I know it is hard just for me to be content with whatever role God has for me in life, because my selfishness wants me to be recognized in the end.  What an important lesson to learn that life is truly all about Him and we don't deserve any of the recognition.

Glorify God in this manner

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;  but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy...Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this manner...Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator...and when the Cheif Shepherd appears, you will recieve the crown of glory that does not fade away...But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.

1 Peter 4:12, 13, 16, 19; 5:4, 10, 11

Roof-top in Turkey.  Love these people.

memorial information

Here is the memorial information for this weekend:

Visitation with the family at the McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home, 718 W. Railroad Ave., Shelton, WA will be Friday, May 15, 5-8pm.

Memorial service in Central Park/Aberdeen at Grays Harbor Foursquare Church, 4800 Central Park Dr., Aberdeen, WA 98520, Sunday, May 17, 4pm.

"I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the godhead...There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with full assurance that they have known God, and God has known them, and that this relationship guarantees God's favor to them in life, through death, and in forever."

~Knowing God

To an enduring, loving Mom on Mother's Day

O give us homes built firm upon the Savior,

Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide;

Where every child is taught His love and favor

And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified:

How sweet to know that tho his footsteps waver

His faithful Lord is walking by his side!

O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers,

Who always place their hope and trust in Him;

Whose tender patience turmoil never bothers,

Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim;

A home where each finds joy in serving others,

And love still shines, tho days be dark and grim.

O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master,

The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung;

Where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster,

And praise is natural speech to every tongue;

Where mountains move before a faith that's vaster,

And Christ sufficient is for old and young.

O Lord, our God, our homes are Thine forever!

We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care;

Their bonds of love no enemy can sever

If Thou art always Lord and Master there:

Be Thou the center of our least endeavor--

Be Thou our Guest, our hearts and homes to share.

This hymn, A Christian Home, describes both of my parents so well.  They have worked hard to make the Lord Master of our home, that our lives may be continual glory for Him.  My mom has endured a large variety of changes, but always comes out stronger.  Prayer, serving, loving unconditionally, and always doing more than necessary are just some of the things that really stand out in my mom's life.  I am really grateful for her patience for me, because I know she's had it tested often!  Love you, Mom.

Happy Mother's Day to a mom who...

Gets dressed up for a photo shoot with scarves from Iraq,

Crawls through tubes under gravel roads,

Walks through the snow and allows me to take her picture,

Climbs up to waterfalls and lets us push her daring limits,

and smiles a lot.

a dad so great from a Father so loving

What I've thought of so often with Dad and Jeremiah.

How do I even begin to thank everyone who has prayed so faithfully and lovingly for my dad and our family??!  Not only that; there are a host of people who have encouraged us, been present for us, served us, and loved us unconditionally.  How do you thank a crowd that does all that for you?!  So I'll just say "thank you," because if I try to say more, it will still be redundant and inadequate.

Despite many prayers for healing, God saw fit to take my dad from us this morning.  What I feared so much in these past 2 years, happened this morning.  Although I knew it was coming, it still hurts so, so much.  I don't understand God's ways, but I know He is good.  If only it weren't so very hard to see the goodness.

Among the tears, there is laughter, because our family is together, remembering family jokes and old annoyances.  It's funny how something so frustrating in another person becomes so small and insignificant when the person is taken from you.

There will be no more bike rides, Sunday cloud gazing and ice cream, swimming, driving instructions, impromptu Costco stops, special, unexpected gifts, cross-country trips, and so many other things like we had before.  There were also all those times he went out of his way to take us to a special event, which meant nothing to him except to make us so happy.  How do I say enough about a dad who made life special and realistic, gave advice and listened, loved and served.  I won't forget crying on him in these hard times and hearing him quote the Bible, encouraging me always to keep pursuing God.  I only wish I had more opportunities yet to come for all of these moments to happen over again.

Jeremiah and Dad are having a great time enjoying the Father together today.   How impossible it seems to live out my life without both of them.  Why is it that you wait to express how much you love and appreciate someone until that person is gone?  I love you both so much, and, as I told Dad last night on the phone, I miss you so much and can't wait to be there.  

Be still, my soul--the Lord is on thy side!

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide--

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul--they best, thy heav'nly Friend

Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul--thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past;

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake--

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul--the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul--the hour is hast'ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul--when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

This week Tirzah was scheduled to help at a school play in North River, Wednesday through Friday.  Tirzah and I were going to go together and get in some friend time, too.  With all that was going on with Dad this week, I didn't know that we should go, but we ended up going after all.  This is part of a texting conversation I had with my tremendous brother, Caleb, on our way down to North River on Wednesday.  

Psalm 86

Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me;

For I am poor and needy.

Preserve my life, for I am holy;

You are my God.
Save Your servant who trusts in You! 
Be merciful to me, O Lord,
For I cry to You all day long.
Rejoice the soul of Your servant,
For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
And attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon You,
For You will answer me.

Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord;
Nor are there any works like Your works.
All nations whom You have made 
Shall come and worship before You, O Lord,
And shall glorify Your name.
For You are great, and do woundrous things;
You alone are God.

Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
For great is Your mercy toward me,
And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol...

But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!  
Give Your strength to Your servant...
Show me a sign for good...
Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

What a comfort it is to know that even David begged God to listen when He seemed distant.  

It has been good to be surrounded by family this week, re-awakening the family jokes to keep life lively.  But I know we are not only surrounded by family;  Many are even now surrounding us with abundant prayers, and they are not unnoticed.  

How hard it is to see God's goodness sometimes, but we are told He is an ever-present help.  Praise the Lord for filling us with Himself in hardship.