Finishing Well

The past four years have brought much change in the life of my Grandma. She has struggled with cancer, battling through without a complaint. This fall brought new complications and Grandma continued to get weaker. As we prepared to move to Texas, I realized that I may not see my grandma many more times in this life. Thanksgiving Day as we sat around the living room, Grandpa was at the piano and the room was filled with joyful singing of Thanksgiving hymns. I sat across from Grandma, watching her intently as we sang. My eyes filled with tears as the words barely escaped my mouth...Thanks for times now but a memory, Thanks for Jesus by my side! I knew as I watched her, that this would probably be the last day I would ever see my Grandma in this life. Grandma managed to somehow make it through the holidays, but Mom and Dad's trips to the cities were getting more frequent as January came. Last week after leaving Grandma's house, mom called and told me it might be a good time to give Grandma a call or write her a letter. As soon as I hung up the phone I called Grandma. When she answered her voice was sweeter and more at peace than I had heard in a long time. We talked for a few moments before she began to sound tired. I said goodbye, thankful to hear my Grandma's voice again. That night she got very sick and was taken to the hospital the next morning. I then wrote her the following note.

Dear Grandma,

I don't know if you will get this, but I wanted to write you and let you know how much I love you. I was so glad to hear your cheerful voice last night on the phone even though I know you weren't feeling well. I was very sorry to hear that you had a painful night of throwing up. When you commented on the phone that you "fear you are only a shadow of who you used to be," I began thinking about all the memories I have with you. I can never tell you enough how your life has been such a great example to me. You are constantly serving others and never do I hear you complain about anything. Even now as you have been sick for four years, you have continued to be gracious and faithful in loving and serving everyone around you. I will always cherish the memories I have of you reading stories to me and singing Children of the Heavenly Father to me as I fell asleep. You always made the best peanut butter sandwiches cut in four triangles and you never failed to have vanilla yogurt there for me when I came for a visit. Everything always seemed better at grandma's. From the time I was little, your life has been an example to me of how to live in a way that blesses those around you and brings glory to God. I am reminded of this summer at the reunion when Lisa Madera shared about finishing well. As I think about those who have gone ahead, I am reminded of the verse in Hebrews that says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." You have modeled beautifully how to live life as a faithful servant of the Lord, and now you modeling for me how to finish well. I sure wish I could be there with you right now to tell you this in person. You are such a wonderful Grandma and I am going to miss you so much! Love, Bekah

Thursday evening, January 20, Grandma went to be with the Lord. She has given me many treasures to hold on to, and now that she is with her Savior, I am experiencing the truth of the words she sang to me so many times...

Children of the Heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given

God His own doth tend and nourish

In His holy courts they flourish

From all evil things He spares them

In His mighty arms He bears them.

Neither life nor death shall ever

From the Lord His children sever

Unto them His grace He showeth

And their sorrows all He knoweth.

Though He giveth or He taketh

God His children ne'er forsaketh

His the loving purpose solely

To preserve them pure and holy

Praise the Lord in joyful numbers
Your Protector never slumbers
At the will of your Defender
Ev’ry foe man must surrender.

Thank you, Grandma! I love you!

My Mission Field

This morning as I read about Hannah and the trials she went through as a wife and mother, I was once again overwhelmed with the blessings I have been given in my husband and children. Micah is now 2 and a sponge for all the world can offer. I continue to be amazed at the new words and phrases added to his vocabulary each day. Alicia's growth is obvious to us all as she not only fills up her sleepers completely but she has found her voice! She LOVES to tell the world all her stories loudly. She also has conquered the task of rolling from her back to her tummy, almost making it onto the hard tile before mommy noticed. Kevin, also, is filled with news for me when he gets home from school. He is eager to share all that he is learning, and I am amazed at his progress after only 3 days of classes. Last night he prayed in Spanish before supper. As this week has progressed, I have enjoyed the beginning of a new season that allows for more routine in our lives. However, I can tell already that it may be easy for me to do one of two things: hide out here at home, never building relationships with others; or get antsy and annoyed at the fact that I have to be home with two needy children all the time. I am thankful that the Lord has helped me to see these temptations early on. I must develop a good balance in my involvement outside the home and my contentment of being home. As I spent the morning holding Alicia and playing with Micah, my thoughts began to dwell on this role of motherhood. There is no doubt in my mind that my mission field is right here in my own home. Because of the young age of our children, it is easy to forgot this truth during this season of life. During the time of Hannah, Israel's spiritual leaders fell into great sin, using the tabernacle for the own sinful pleasures. Knowing the need for a godly man to take leadership, the Lord allowed Hannah to conceive and give birth to Samuel. He used Hannah in a mighty way to bring Israel the leader they needed. Hannah's faithfulness in serving the Lord with her life allowed God to use her mightily in her role as wife and mother. I, too, desire to be faithful each day of my life so that the Lord may use me for his purposes.

Welcome to Texas

These last two weeks have brought so much change for our family I can hardly begin to describe it. There have been lots of laughs and tears, hellos and goodbyes, unpacking and settling in to a new place. We started our time here in Texas with mom, dad, and Isaac visiting for a week, which was a HUGE blessing! We cherished every moment we had with them, knowing that it would soon come to an end. We went to Mexico, South Padre Island, and Moni's wedding. Each was a great experience! The whole week Micah followed his Poppa (my dad) everywhere he went, bobbing his little head from side to side with not a care in the world. He loves to be with Poppa and do everything exactly like Poppa does. When we were at the island walking along the beach, dad saw a jellyfish in the sand and began poking it with a shell. He flipped it over in order to inspect it before continuing on our walk. Mama (Kevin's Mom) thought he was crazy for getting near the thing and then she commented, "Now I understand where Micah gets his curiousness from." I will always rejoice in the fact that Micah loves his grandparents and that he has a special affection for my dad. Watching him learn and grow continues to thrill me every day as new words are added to his vocabulary like "love you" and "thank you". He is beginning to pick up some Spanish as well, which makes me even more excited to begin our studies. Though I have been enjoying the ease of being outside without having to bundle up the babies, I didn't realize just how much I would miss a white Christmas. We had a cold front the other day which caused the temperatures to drop into the 50's at night. This brought rejoicing from every bone in my body. I really do miss the cooler weather, but I know that with the warmer weather comes many blessings as well. So, I am trying my best to enjoy what the Lord has brought us to and not to let my thoughts linger on other places. I do miss my family immensely, but I know the time apart will give new and precious meaning to the times where we will be together again. Praise the Lord that because He has begun to reveal to me our purpose, I can stop focusing on what I am leaving behind and start focusing on what God is calling us to.

The Joy of Two

Wow! The past two months have flown by. My life is filled with diapers, hungry kids, crying, and waking up throughout the night. But I wouldn't trade it for the world! Alicia has added new delight to our days with her beautiful smile. Already we can sense her sweet personality. And Micah has advanced to a whole new level of boy. His sounds of guns, trains, trucks, and planes are constantly filling the room. Yet his gentle care for his sister is unmistakeable. From the day Alicia was born he has adored her, tenderly kissing her on the cheek and loving on her as often as mommy will allow. Though these first few months were tough for Alicia because of some tummy trouble, I am so grateful to the Lord for blessing us with another beautiful and healthy child. As the day for our move to Texas is quickly approaching, I am treasuring every moment we have together with my family. Micah has grown to love his grandma and grandpa very much, and it brings tears to my eyes to think of him not seeing them for so long. It will be wonderful for him and Alicia to get to know their Lita (Kevin's mom) as well. With all these major transitions come lots of emotions, but I know that "the Lord is faithful and he will strengthen and protect [me] from the evil one" (2 Thes. 3:3). I am eagerly anticipating this next phase of life, together with its joys and trials as the Lord continues to refine me through them. I will treasure each moment as I watch my little ones grow and change in this new environment. What fun it will be to experience the joys of their daddy's chidhood together as a family!

A Week of Waiting

Again I write, without having met our new little one, but this time another week has gone by. As we continue to wait, the Lord is revealing new truths to me each day. A few nights this past week I have woken up wondering and worrying if the baby is ok. I fear that something might be wrong, but yet I know the Lord is in control. Each time, I spent time praying and have been comforted by the hope of knowing that God is sovereign. On Thursday, after seeing the doctor, I started having contractions and went in to be monitored. The nurse thought for sure I was in labor and sent me home saying she would see me again soon. All day I waited anxiously, contractions coming and going, but nothing happened. By the end of the day, Kevin and I were both physically tired and frustrated. We again had to let go and trust that everything was in the Lord's hands. But as I now think back at the whole week, we truly have been blessed to have so much time together to rest and prepare for this baby. Neither of us had many plans so we have both been home with Micah, spending lots of sweet moments together, walking, playing at the park, and just enjoying one another. Even as we wait together, God has been faithful!

Awaiting the arrival...

Today marks 40 weeks and 2 days of this pregnancy, making me more anxious than ever to meet our new little addition. We went to the doctor the morning, which showed everything to be progressing in a healthy manner, but no labor yet. I am so eager and my mind is stuck on when and how this baby will come. I am trying to relax, but I just don't feel like doing anything! I so desperately wanted to labor during the day so that I wasn't as tired as last time. I guess only the Lord knows, and He will give me strength for whatever comes. This weekend has been a lot of trying to fill my time and distract my attention, so yesterday we gave Micah his first haircut! Though he screamed from frustration of having to sit still for more than a second, Daddy was eventually able to distract him with some chocolate chips. When I got to the bottom where his curls were, I simply could not allow myself to cut them off so grandma took the scissors and went to work. In the end, I think he looks so handsome and grown up. At the doctor this morning, Micah was walking around carrying chairs back and forth and playing very happily, which seemed very normal to me. (Actually, I thought he was quite calm and very content with such simple entertainment.) After watching him for a few minutes, someone in the waiting room smiled and stated, "Wow, he is quite hyper today, isn't he?" I just laughed and replied, "Oh no, this is actually very calm and relaxed for Micah." I was again reminded of how much energy is bundled up into our son and was filled with thankfulness for such a blessing! His personality and passion for everything in life is so intense! I wonder whether his little sibling will follow in those eager footsteps or if he/she will be more laid back like their daddy? Either way, we can't wait to me that precious little one!

Eagerly welcoming the coolness of fall...

A week or two ago, I breathed a sigh of relief as the weather began to change. I love the colors, the brisk mornings and cool nights, crackling campfires, and crunchy leaves as well as everything else that fall brings. For me it is a fresh beginning, as school and activities get into full swing. Not only are we beginning this new season with the weather, but in just a short time our little family will be adding a new member. The sweet joy that a new baby brings is filling me with eagerness. However, I can't jump ahead too quickly because Micah has TRULY been a delight the past couple of weeks. He has been very content, enjoying whatever life brings his way. He is learning how to play and entertain himself as well as communicate what he needs more clearly. He continues to be filled with energy but he is able to funnel it into active playing and exploring, without always fussing out of frustration. He is also learning to wait patiently when he has asked for something. This is definitely a blessing as I know he is in for a shock when the new baby arrives and he will no longer be the solo receiver of my attention. As life brings these new changes, I am also experiencing a new fresh and vibrant depth in my relationship with my husband. Kevin and I have been blessed to experience an even deeper closeness as we continue to grow in our intimate relationship with the Lord. I cannot begin to describe how He beautifully and gently is refining each of us, bringing us to a fresh understanding of the joy of marriage. Though the messiness of dealing with sin is frustrating, Kevin has reminded me of the joy and hope we have through Jesus Christ as we persevere in striving for a life of obedience!!!