Weeping With Those Who Weep



Today I am going to take just a little bit of time to talk about something that I hope might be helpful.

First off I want to say that while my dad was in the hospital and after he died, I was immensely encouraged by anyone and everyone who spent time with us, offered timely words, gave big bear hugs, sent meals.  I was never offended by anything anyone said or did.  I am beyond grateful because I know all of these things were done from caring, concerned hearts.  It was amazing to experience the love of the body of Christ!

However, now that it has been almost four years, there are a few things I learned through the process that I believe will help me grieve with others in the future and I thought I would share those today.

 

1. If you are a close friend, go to the hospital. (maybe even if you aren't super close)

 

Right before my dad died, I had a couple other friends who "lost" parents.  At the time I wanted to help encourage them, but I wasn't sure what to do.  I would have never thought of going to the hospital because I assumed they would want space and would want to spend that time with family.  When my dad was in the hospital and we knew it wasn't looking good, a lot of our close friends came to be with us.  There were people from my mom's Bible study and some of Emily and my close friends came and stayed overnight.  A bunch of them slept on the floor of the waiting room with us!  The next morning after he died, a ton of friends came.  Our college pastor at the time was there and he read passages of Scripture to the whole group.  I can't fully express how much it meant to us to have so many people surrounding us at such a hard time. 

I do know that people handle these situations differently and some may not want lots of people around.  If you're not sure, just ask! 

 

2. Just do it.

 

Like I said earlier, when a friend loses a family member you may feel helpless but you do want to help.  Many people told us, "If there is ANYTHING I can do just let me know."  This is so kind and means a lot, but the person you say that to is probably not going to know what to suggest.  Either that or they might not actually feel like they can take you up on it.  I think a better thing to do may be to just do something you know would be helpful. 

 

Ideas:

- Take a meal and/or organize a group of people to bring meals.

- Go over and do some yardwork.

- Take her out for coffe.  (She may not want to go, but offer.)

- Take breakfast over one morning.  (We had a friend bring bagels one morning and it was so sweet!)

- Offer to help look for important files/documents.  (I had a friend fly out all the way from Massachusetts and she helped with this.  We would have never thought to ask, but it was so helpful.)

- If you have experience with accounting, offer to help settle finances.  (You probably don't want to offer this if you aren't a close friend or family member.  But we did have help with this.  This is, I think, even more useful when it's a widow.)

 

There are many other ways that you can help.  Just be creative!  Don't worry so much about offending or hurting the person.  Usually he or she will know that it comes from a heart that wants to help!

 

3. Ask, "Do you want to talk about it?"

I am pretty sure that most people are afraid to ask this question.  They are especially afraid to ask about the person who died.  However, I found this question to be very refreshing.  I was already thinking about my dad, so it's not like the question was hurtful or made me think of things I was trying to push aside.  In fact, sometimes this question distracted me from the sad thoughts and redirected them to happy memories I had with my dad. 

Again there may be people who feel differently, so just ask gently.  The worst they can say is that they'd rather not talk about it.  At least they know you care.

 

4. Ask, "How are you doing?" 

This one may be a little selfish on my part.  I had a lot of people ask me how my mom was doing, but not many asked how I was doing.  I understand.  My mom obviously had a MUCH closer relationship with my dad than I did, and it was definitely harder on her than it was on me.  So I definitely appreciated this question, but sometimes it was just nice to hear someone ask me how I was doing. 

 

5. Write a note and/or send a little (practical) gift.

If you don't know what to say, write out a verse, or a passage from the Bible.  Since all comfort and encouragement ultimately come from God, what would be better than this? 

 

6. Sometimes, don't ask anything, just be a "shoulder to cry on" as the saying goes.

Before you ask a question, stop and think of just how often the person is being asked that same question.  Maybe they are just a little bit tired of spitting out the same response time and time again.  When in doubt, go back to #3.  If they want to talk about it, great.  If not, find something fun to do that may distract them for a little bit.    

 

Again, this post is in no way meant to be a complaint.  Like I said, nothing anyone said or did ever offended or hurt me.  I only mean to be helpful, because before my dad died, I pretty much had no idea what to do or say in this situation.  If you feel that way, don't just ignore the situation.  God can use you to bring so much comfort!

Him hath God exalted

I read the excerpt below from Spurgeon's Morning by Morning and halfway through I started thinking about my dad and missing him. Just how I love my family still...but. It is not wholly complete without him. I just miss how we all interacted as a family. How we all joked around or had some our deeper meaningful conversations at the dinner table. I miss his counsel. But then I finished the Spurgeon devotional and I couldn't be sad anymore. He is in Heaven with Jesus and pretty soon we will be too. I can't wait!

"Him hath God exalted."

-Acts 5:31

Jesus, our Lord, once crucified, dead and buried, now sits upon the throne of glory. The highest place that heaven affords is his by undisputed right. It is sweet to remember that the exaltation of Christ in heaven is a representative exaltation. He is exalted at the Father's right hand, and though as Jehovah he has eminent glories, in which finite creatures cannot share, yet as the Mediator, the honors which Jesus wears in heaven are the heritage of all the saints. It is delightful to reflect how close is Christ's union with his people. We are actually one with him; we are. Members of his body; and his exaltation is our exaltation. He will give us to sit upon his throne, even as he has overcome, and is set down with his Father on his throne; he has a crown, and he gives us crowns too; he has a throne, but he is not content with having a throne to himself, on his right hand there must be his queen, arrayed in "gold of Ophir". He cannot be glorified without his bride. Look up, believer, to Jesus now; let the eye of your faith behold him with many crowns upon his head; and remember that you will one day be like him, when you shall see him as he is; you shall not be so great as he is, you shall not be so divine, but still you shall, in a measure, share the same honors, and enjoy the same happiness and the same dignity which he possesses. Be content to live unknown for a little while, and to walk your weary way through the fields of poverty, or up the hills of affliction; for by-and-by you shall reign with Christ, for he has "made us kings and priests unto God, and we shall reign forever and ever." Oh! Wonderful thought for the children of God! W have Christ for our glorious representative in heaven's courts now, and soon he will come and receive us to himself, to be with him there, to behold his glory, and to share his joy.

Memory

Monday night I saw the movie, The Vow, with my mom and my Aunt Donna.  I know I know, cheesy sounding, right?  I was even more concerned when I saw that the critics gave it pretty bad reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised.  In fact, I really liked it.  Just a warning, I can't completely recommend it...watch with discretion. 

The movie is inspired by a true story about a relatively newlywed couple who get in a car accident and the wife loses the previous 5 years of her memory.  In the real story she lost a year, but she met, started dating and married her husband within that year and so she didn't remember him. 

It got me thinking, what would that be like if it were me?  What has happened in the last 5 years of my life?

I realized a LOT has happened!

I graduated college.

I received my teaching credential.

I was an assistant teacher at two different schools.

I joined high school staff at church.

My dad died.

I got a disease.

I started working at Grace to You.

I have many new, dear friendships.

I just can't imagine waking up one day not remembering any of that!  I think I would freak out over my gray hairs, I would wonder why I'm not teaching.  I wouldn't know half the people I interact with now on a daily basis.  And I can only imagine what it would be like to hear the response to "Where's dad?"

So! Memory.  Not something I thank God for often, in fact, sometimes I do wish I could forget some things.  But thinking about it, I am truly so thankful for my memory!

Love

I love this picture. 

My parents were undoubtedly a happy couple. 

My dad didn't bring home flowers every week.  (He actually brought home one rose one time.)

They didn't tavel across Europe together.

I don't believe they had an "our song."

My dad LOVED sports and my mom barely tolerates them.

But they loved each other very much. 

They loved spending time together.  They were married for just shy of 26 years, when death did part them, temporarily. 

My mom and dad met at a Bible study which my dad led in what was known as the Career Department at Grace Community Church.  My mom and her roommate at the time thought my dad was kinda "cute."  When the group went out to eat my dad would leave an empty seat next to him and wait to see if my mom would sit there.  And she did.  ;)

One night they were at someone's house and this book was sitting on the coffee table.  They were looking at it together and realized that they had a similar sense of humor.

One day my mom had a particular trying day at work and she told my dad about it.  He asked if it would help if he took her out for dinner and a movie.  She said yes and that was that!

I am so thankful for my parents.  I am thankful that they were committed to each other.  That no matter what trying times they would face together, splitting up would never be an option.

I remember one time when I was little and we were learning how to play Hearts as a family on the carpet in the "family room" my dad was explaining that he loved my sister and me but that he loved my mom even more...in a different way.  I was upset by this at the time.  Ha.  But now of course I understand and I am glad my mom always came first.  ;)

My parents are and always will be a great example to me.

Father's Day

(Watching for the cuckoo to come out of the clock at my Grandma's house in MI.)

This is a day late, but I don't want to miss an opportunity to write about my Dad. Here are some random memories I have of him:

In Kindergarten, my Dad drove me to school on his way to work and if the freeway was packed, we would get off at Paxton and drive through the neighborhood. No matter what season, there were tons of houses that left their Christmas lights on all year. So as we'd drive down the streets we'd take turns saying, "There's one! There's one!"

When I was in High School, Dad drove me to and from church on Wednesday nights. On the way home we would listen to Perry Mason mysteries on the radio and we'd bet each other a penny on the exact time we would make it home. (For some reason we never paid up.)

Also in High School, somehow my friend Kristin convinced me to keep the J.V. football stats with her. (Even though I didn't know anything about football. Which is probably why I had football players yelling at me for not attributing the correct plays to them.) Anyway, Dad drove us to and from the games and explained all the plays on the way home. (He kinda drove me to a lot of different places. Poor guy.)

This one time Em and I were driving with Dad somewhere and this song came on the radio. For some reason, Dad started "rapping". Or trying to. It was sooo funny. Em and I were cracking up and so Dad started cracking up. He was laughing so hard I thought we were going to get in an accident!

This one day Em and I were watching the Disney channel or something and this Donald Duck "music video" came on. It was an old cartoon of Donald working in a wood shop. The tune was really catchy and so Dad, Em and me started whistling it. Ever so often we would remember that video and one of us would try to remember the tune. Someone always wound up getting it and I still remember it to this day.

About a month or so before he entered the hospital, the two of us went on a drive out to Ventura to meet with a graphic designer that does work for Grace to You. I (still am) interested in graphic design and so Dad wanted me to be able to talk with someone who knew the ins and outs of the profession. It was a beautiful day and we got Starbucks afterwords. I asked my Dad to tell me a story about himself that I had never heard. He told me about how when he was younger he and his friends decided to go on a "hike" in Michigan. They were just old enough to go on a long hike by themselves. Nothing really eventful happened to them, but he said it was just to much fun and they went far and were gone most of the day. He just seemed so happy remembering it.

There are so many other sweet memories I have with my Dad. I miss him sooo much! I am so thankful to God for giving me such a great Dad. And I am so thankful that I have a heavenly Father who provides and protects.

Heroes

No this post is not about the show. (I used to watch it, but it got a bit dark for my taste.) No, this post is about real life heroes. It would be perfect for a "Mad About..." but I already have one set up for that and I didn't want to wait!
The concept of heroes was not really something I thought much about growing up. I believed Jesus to be my hero in that He is my Savior, and like any little girl, my Dad was my hero, but that's pretty much where my list ended.
Within the last year at leat three more have jumped onto that list. My Mom, Lady Jane Grey, and Jim Elliot.
My Mom because I have learned so much from watching her strong trust in our God since my Dad's death. Her love for my sister and I despite my unlovableness, her godly wisdom and encouragement to me, especially in the last month or so. She is truly one of my best friends.
Lady Jane Grey because she gave up her life at such a young age for Christ and for the truth. Some may die for Christ, but how many will die for the truth that bread and wine don't actually become the body and blood of Christ during Communion? The primary cause of her execution was because she took the throne of England for nine days, even though it was FORCED upon her, but they would have spared her had she denied the truths she stood for. Hmm...I suddenly had the feeling that I've blogged about this before. Oh well. It's worth repeating.
My most recent hero is Jim Elliot. I think pretty much everyone knows his story and I've always been convicted by his love for Indians he had never met that wound up taking his life. But I've been even more convicted and encouraged by his life. I've been rereading Shadow of the Almighty. I read it the first time in Junior High for a book report, but I don't believe I was saved then and frankly, it bored me. The second time through I'm loving it. I've been reading it SUPER slowly, but I'm nearing the end. The book is technically authored by Elizabeth Elliot, but its mostly his letters and journal entries that she has compiled together as a biography on his life. What I can't get over, again, is the age he was as he wrote down paragraph after paragraph of his thoughts which clearly led to his actions. He died at 28 and where I am in the book, he has just turned 25. From what I can tell he truly lived out Philippians 1:21, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Something Austin just preached on last Sunday. A sermon I think I need to hear every week.
With that, here are some quotes from Jim Elliot from the book. Enjoy.

"Dreams are tawdry when compared with the leading of God, and not worthy of the aura or wonder we usually surround them with. God only doeth wonders. He does nothing else. His hand can work nothing less. Praise to the Guiding God of Israel, and that Great Shepherd of the wayward sheep. When he directs a path, no way can seem bleak, no instance dull."

He was 21 when he wrote the following three quotes: "Prayed a strange prayer today. I covenanted with the Father that He would do either of two things: either glorify Himself to the utmost in me or slay me. By His grace I shall not have His second best. For He heard me, I believe, so that now I have nothing to look forward to but a life of sacrificial sonship (that's how my Savior glorified Him) or heaven - soon. Perhaps tomorrow! What a prospect!"

"What I will be doing one year from today is a complete mystery. Perhaps a sick bed or a coffin - glory! Either of these would be fine, but the latter would be immortality, a swallowing up by Life. For this I am most anxious."

"'Enjoyed much sweetness' in the reading of the last month of Brainerd's life. How consonant are his thoughts to my own regarding the 'true and false religion of this late day.' Saw in reading him, the value of true notations, and was much encouraged to think of a life of godliness in the light of an early death."

The Wells

At my dad's memorial service I read a poem that he wrote long before he was ill with Valley Fever, about four years before he was married. I think it might have been before or right around the time he came to Grace.

A couple people requested that I post it somewhere, so here it is. It wasn't titled, so I gave it one. :)


The Wells

My soul is troubled, I do not see them!
My heart is full, but there is no release.

The end of my journey is near,
But my legs are weary from striving.
I would crawl if I could
But my hands burn on the dust of the ground.

My eyes are caked with dust and sweat.
Faith is my only hope.
Hands of the masters have ripped my clothes,
The sun scorches my skin.

The birds of the dead circle in the sky,
But still I seek for the living water.
But the heat of the world is so oppressive
That I long to return to its dust.

My body collapsed, my soul cried out,
“I can’t go on, I have to stop!”
My senses are numbed, my sight destroyed,
And I despair for all is lost.

The tears of my heart washed clean my eyes
And I beheld the wells at my side!
For I received the promise in ages past
That when all was lost, the wells I would find.
They were overflowing with the water I sought.
I had trusted in God, and He was sight.

Mike Taylor
April 21, 1979

Remembered

After my dad died, I remembered reading this a few years ago. It stuck out to me at the time when I read it and was the main section of the book that I learned from. Our memories definitely play an important role in our lives.

"A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered. You are speaking, Hman, as if the pleasure were one thing and the memory another. It is all one thing. The seroni could say it better than I say it now. Not better than I could say it in a poem. What you call remembering is the last part of the pleasure, as the crah is the last part of a poem. When you and I met, the meeting was over very shortly, it was nothing. Now it is growing something as we remember it. But still we know very little about it. What it will be when I remember it as I lie down to die, what it makes in me all my days till then - that is the real meeting. The other is only the beginning of it. You say you have poets in your world. Do they not teach you this?"
"Perhaps some of them do," said Ransom. "But even in a poem does a hross never long to hear one splendid line over again?"
...
"the poem is a good example. For the most splendid line becomes fully splendid only by means of all the lines after it; if you went back to it you would find it less splendid than you thought. You would kill it. I mean in a good poem."
...
"Undoubtedly," he said. "Maleldil made us so. How could there ever be enough to eat if everyone had twenty young? And how could we endure to live and let time pass if we were always crying for one day or one year to come back - if we did not know that every day in a life fills the whole life with expectation and memory and that these are that day?"

- C.S. Lewis Out of the Silent Planet

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, and ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

On Friday night at the hospital a group of us sang some hymns while my dad was in ICU. Someone chose to sing Great is Thy Faithfulness and I remembered that this is my Dad's favorite hymn. This was just one of the many little ways that God has showed His faithfulness to us in my Dad's death. And because of Christ we can say, "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

A few weeks back I had noticed that God has been surrounding me with multiple friends who had lost one of their parents at a young age, a few were very recent. I started to wonder why this was the case. I believe it was just one of the ways God was preparing me for what was to come. What was to come in His perfect timing. My Dad had complications with the medicine he was on for Valley Fever and so it would be easy to question, "What if he had never entered the hospital?" and so on. But it was another blessing that God allowed Rick Holland (along with many others) to be there with us. He encouraged us on Friday night not to ask the what if's or why's, not to even allow our minds to go there, but to trust in God's perfect will. This helped me a lot while lying on the waiting room floor praying that God might let him live, but knowing it might be his time to go home. We didn't know that much about Valley Fever and we have no idea how hard it would have been for my Dad if he had kept on living.

I will miss my Dad terribly. Everyone keeps talking about his big, booming laugh. Definitely true. It embarrassed my Mom at the movies and Em and I used it as a means to find my parents at church after the service got out. I loved my Dad's sense of humor. Ever so often a bit cheesy...but he could handle teasing well. And Em and I teased him as he did us. He teased my Mom a lot too. Thinking of that brought me to tears the other day when my Mom said something that he would have totally teased her about. He loved sports and movies and road trips and spent a ton of time with us. I never ever felt neglected by my Dad. He was SUPER organized, he loved making lists and itineraries. Something that has helped us since he's been gone. He wasn't the most patient man but now he is! He's sinless now! And seeing my Savior's face!

Three things stuck out to me recently about how my Dad encouraged me spiritually. When my Grandma died he had me read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 in the car while we were parked outside someone's house. On Sunday, the day after he died, John Rourke read this passage in church.

I remember we were in the "Sewing Room" (really the Den) in our house when he taught me about election. I don't know how it came up, but he explained how God loves everyone but He has chosen to love and save particular people.

When I doubted my salvation in high school he went over Hebrews 11 with me pointing out that we live by faith. We trust God and obey Him just like countless others did in that passage.

My Dad was a saved sinner. A wonderful father. I love him and rejoice that I will see him again someday, because my heavenly Father is most loving of all.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
"For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"
"Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

My Dad

Well, I promised a blog update on Facebook for those who don't know what's going on with my dad. I don't know how many people actually read this thing...but here goes.
As some of you may know, about three years ago my dad picked up some nice little spores in the air (yes, Secret Garden fans, Colin did have something to worry about after all) that resulted in Valley Fever. I don't know much about the illness other than it effects people differently. He started getting terrible headaches while we were on our Christmas vacation in Oregon that year, so terrible that he we had to leave a tad early and he couldn't drive us home. The spores produced a disease (I hope I'm getting this somewhat right) called coxy. The coxy traveled to his brain and he ended up with meningitis. The doctors gave him medicine instructing him that he would be on it for the rest of his life, and that was that. The headaches went away and it seemed that all was well.
Well, a year or so later my dad started having back problems. He went to a few chiropractors but nothing seemed to be working. I had a suspicion that it might be related to the Valley Fever, but there was no evidence of this.
To make a long story short, the backaches eventually morphed into loss of feeling in my dad's legs and now he can barely walk. After many many months of doctor's visits, referrals and the like; the doctor's discovered that the backaches and the loss of feeling are all related to the coxy from the Valley Fever. The coxy moved to an area where no one expected, my dad's spine. Something, we found out, so rare that the doctors didn't even think of that as an option. And apparently, the medicine currently available does not reach the spine.
My mom asked the doctors if the coxy could possibly move up the spine and effect his arms. They don't know.
On Monday, my dad was admitted to the hospital for a week to ten days where he will be receiving medicine pretty much continually through an I.V. in an effort to stop...kill...do something to the coxy. We are praying for the best, but know the reality that it may not work and my dad may wind up in a wheelchair.
Let me tell ya, I don't feel too old. I did just turn a quarter of a century but I often, whether it's a good thing or not, feel like a kid. I don't FEEL like either of my parents are old enough to be experiencing something like this. My dad's not even 60 yet. Don't let the gray hair fool you! :0)
But age has never been a determining factor in trials.
If you're reading this and you don't know the Savior, I want to let you know that we're not questioning God's goodness. My sister and I were privileged to attend the Resolved Conference a couple of days ago and wow! God's timing is superb! We were able to hear wonderful messages from John Piper on the sovereignty of God; particularly over sin and it's effects. Already I've seen TREMENDOUS growth in my mom's trust in the Lord. I've been encouraged to see my dad's lack of complaint, especially since he's been in the hospital and found out he may wind up in a wheelchair. My dad has always been an active, hearty, loud-laughing man. It's WEIRD to think of him in a wheelchair, but he doesn't appear scared. We've already had the opportunity to tell my grandma, who does not understand why God is allowing this to happen to her "good" son, that GOD is good, and He is allowing this to happen for a very good reason(s). God has revealed my own sin to me and shown me much grace...my sister too.
We may have to move to a one story house, if I get married someday, my dad may be rolling me down the aisle, "The Office" style. :0) BUT, this place is not our home. We are all hopeful in our precious, infinitely loving Savior!
Thanks for praying!

Happenings

I am not ashamed at my own lack of posting as of late, but a little shocked. A lot has happened since I last posted. High school Bible study ended, the Payne's moved away, seminarians graduated, my Kindergarteners graduated ::tear::, and I had my 25th birthday. Yes, I am now, believe it or not, a quarter of a century.
Sadly, I did not take any pictures of my birthday. So I had to find some on google. Emily, Erin, Michelle and I ate at Aroma Cafe. To check out all the hype. :0) It was extremely cute and yummy. I have to give it a 9.75 out of 10 though because the garden area is home to a large gnome. Gross!



I love those girls! We had a very nice time. Erin gave me a book on restaurants in LA. I am so excited to try out the new eats! :0) Uh-oh. This birthday post has been all about food and it's about to continue!
For dinner, the fam and I (including Dany and my aunt, uncle and grandma) went to...The Melting Pot! I had never been there before, and since it was my 25th, my dad let us get the works! Oh my goodness. Eating has never been so much fun, or delicious! Some pics to get your mouth watering...





The Yin Yang is kinda funny, but it's dark and white chocolate mixed. Yum!
Needless to say it was a wonderful birthday! I'm just amazed at God's goodness and kindness to me over the last 25 years. I don't deserve His grace and yet He has lavishly bestowed it on me, again and again. He is so patient and loving. I'm excited to see what else He has in store for me!

In the Clouds

When I was little, my thoughts of heaven were obviously pretty limited. Hold on, I'm going to capitalize it like Randy Alcorn because it is a very real place and proper names of places are capitalized in correct grammar. Like I was saying, my thoughts on Heaven were not very profound. I loved the song that went, "When I get to Heaven gonna walk with/talk with Jesus, when I get to Heaven gonna see His face..." Actually, I still love that song. I pretty much assumed that I will be able to fly in Heaven and that I would feel no pain. Those three things along with seeing my grandparents again were the main things I focused on. I remember hoping the rapture would happen as a little kid. One day in particular, I was being carpooled home from school and I remember that the sky looked particularly amazing. (Much like this morning, as I was driving to work.) There were all these clouds and the sun was streaming through and everything was golden. It's funny, a lot of my memories as a kid are golden. Anyway, I thought, "Jesus HAS to be coming back right now!" Obviously I was wrong.



This morning, the morning of the election, I woke up with the funniest feeling. It was unusual. On Sunday night, Jeremy, Emily, Michelle and I were talking about the importance of using our time wisely because we could be meeting Jesus in the clouds very soon. (This was spurred on by what John was talking about Sunday night.) I don't know what's going to happen in the election. I don't know what's going to happen as a RESULT of the election. But I do know, that we are closer to seeing Jesus now than we ever have been. It could happen in a week, it could happen tomorrow, it could happen TONIGHT. I never felt that reality like I did this morning when I woke up.
If Jesus came tonight, who cares if my unsaved friend from high school is offended if I send her an email about the gospel? Who cares what I wear to work? Who cares whether or not "that guy" is interested in me (there's not anyone specific I am referring to :0) just to satisfy anyone's curiosity out there). None of that stuff matters if Jesus is coming tonight. My unsaved friend or relative NEEDS to hear about our loving Savior and what awaits her if she rejects Him, what anyone thinks about my appearance or whether or not I get married some day isn't really relevant because those are transient things.
What DOES matter is whether or not I live my life for God's glory because He IS truly worthy of my worship and He IS real and He IS returning. SOON! If I don't start living right now with the thought that the rapture could happen at any moment, when am I ever going to live that way?

1 John 2:28
"And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming."

1 Thessalonians 4:17
"Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

Camera!

So, I love photography. I still have yet to take a class in it. I tried to get into a class all through high school. I finally got into it my senior year, but my family went on vacation at the beginning of school and the teacher said I missed all the important information. So I had to be the T.A. in the class instead.
I found that the internet can actually teach you many things. I bought a new Canon Powershot IS S5 and have been practicing with it.
So here have been some of my attempts. My parents 25th wedding anniversary is coming up on the 27th, so my mom asked if I could take some pictures of them. Then I just had some fun snapping a few of Emily today.

Sunday Morning

My roommates and I had a slightly different morning than we expected. Jen offered to drive us all to church in her car, so we moved some boxes that Megan was bringing for Merilee to the trunk and we were on our way, icy windshield and all. Everything was going fine until we passed Sylmar. We heard the familiar thump thump thump and knew something was wrong. Jen started to get a little worked up but Melissa successfully calmed her down as we pulled over to the shoulder of the freeway.



Thankfully Jen has Triple A, but she was sure that she didn't have a spare tire. The guy she called said that they couldn't bring one so the car would have to be towed somewhere. When the Triple A arrived on the scene he couldn't believe that Jen had never had a spare. He said that he wouldn't have room for more than two of us in his truck, so I called my dad out of church to come and help us. Meanwhile, the Triple A guy lowered the ramp on his truck and said that he had to check something in the trunk.





(At this point I realized that the man looked just like the tow man in "Adventures in Babysitting", gray beard and all...minus the hook.) A few minutes later we hear, "uh...you have a spare back here." Jen hadn't realized that the floor of her trunk lifts up. So I called my dad and told him that he didn't have to come pick two of us up after all and the Triple A guy proceeded to change the tire. This whole time Megan, Melissa and I were cracking jokes. It was pretty fun. We were actually pretty glad that we didn't all have to be separated. It was fun to have a little adventure together.
Seeing as how we had already missed about a half hour of first service, Jen decided that we should just to get the tire changed since you're not supposed to drive to far on the spare. By the time we got to Pep Boys Jen was finally laughing with us and she cracked a joke herself.





We felt a little out of place inside the tire store in our Sunday outfits, but it added to the humor of the morning.



Thankfully, they changed the tire pretty fast and we made it on time to second service. :0)

Wezee

Anyone who knows me well, knows I am not a big fan of cats, primarily because I am allergic to them. This wasn't always the case. I had an orange cat named Barney until I was seven. (Barney's end is a pretty gruesome story, one I will only divulge upon personal request, so as not to frighten any young readers out there.) I was never allergic to Barney, so I guess you can acquire cat allergies. Either way, I don't typically like cats now.

However, I recently befriended a cat in my neighborhood named Wezee. I'm still not sure exactly how you pronounce it...I just call him Weezy. The other day, my friend Heather and I were walking out to my car when I noticed a small cat across the street. He was quickly moving straight towards us. He looked so friendly. He came over and let us scratch him and pet him and he just seemed so happy.

Next thing I know he had jumped onto my car...

...and quickly made himself comfortable.

The other day, my dad was outside walking our dog and he called my cell phone to tell me that Wezee and Higgins had met. I went out there and Wezee was just as friendly as ever. He followed me home and let me scratch him some more.

I'm still amazed at how much I like this cat, but seriously, how could anyone resist that little, contented face?