A much needed break

Music ministers to my soul. A choir director I once had liked to say: "He who sings, prays twice."

I've been feeling like life is racing by, so many responsibilities, appointments, meetings, events, things that have to be done. Oh, I make sure I have down time every evening after supper to just relax and recover from the day, but the rest of my days are filled with activity. September and October especially lend themselves to a busy hectic schedule. It might be a combination of things (it usually is) with the resumption of church ministries after a summer break, getting ready for the big Nativity push, fall yard work, etc.

So when I heard the following song, it ministered to my soul:

Teach me to number my days
And count every moment before it slips away
Taking all the colors before they fade to gray
I don't want to miss even just a second more of this

It happens in a blink It happens in a flash
It happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink

When it's all said and done No one remembers how far we have run
The only thing that matters is how we have loved
I don't want to miss even just a second more of this
It happens in a blink it happens in a flash
it happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life It happens in a blink

Slow down, slow down Before today becomes our yesterday
Slow down, slow down
Before you turn around and it's too late
It happens in a blink it happens in a flash
it happens in the time it takes to look back
I try to hold on tight but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life
It happens in a blink

I was very grateful for the opportunity to take a break from the routine of my life by visiting our newest granddaughter this past week. Leading up to the visit was intense, not only because I tried to work ahead to make less stress for those who were left in the office, but it was a busy weekend before I left. On Friday, Oct. 15th, we were involved in a wedding. Andy performed the ceremony on Friday afternoon, then we also attended the reception. Andy did such a nice job with the ceremony and the food at the reception was outstanding. On Saturday morning, I had a ladies' Coffee Connection at the church. I made a fruit salad as my contribution. I had also promised to make an egg and bacon casserole, but because of the wedding the night before wasn't sure how I was going to accomplish that. So I asked Dawn if she would assemble the dish for me and stick it in the oven on Saturday morning. I bought the ingredients and she agreed to help me out. She and Kira joined us at the Coffee Connection for a little while and it was fun to have them there.

On Saturday evening, I had to attend the worship team rehearsal because the person who was scheduled to do slides was unable to. I found this out somewhat last minute, so I decided to do them myself rather than call a list of people. That meant I also was busy all Sunday morning in all three services. Sunday afternoon I tried to get a little more of my work done for the week because I planned to be gone for the next five days.

So Sunday afternoon saw me on my way for a week long break from my routine. A whole five days to hold a new baby, visit with Amy and her family, read lots of books to Chase & Joanna, and take a leisurely walk before supper. It had to be a leisurely walk because Amy was still recovering from childbirth. And did you ever try to walk quickly with a two year old! I'm so amused by the curiosity of a child. They stop to examine the tiniest thing and are fascinated by the most ordinary (to us) object.

It was such a blessing to be a part of Amy's family - to see her in action functioning as a mommy. What a sweet family she has. We are very grateful, too, for Katy's health. She is a beautiful baby with a delightful disposition.

Big brother & sister checking out their new sister.

The new momma

So now it's back to life as usual, but hopefully, refreshed and invigorated for the weeks ahead. Someone once told me that the devil never takes a vacation. It was said to produce a feeling of guilt because I had just said I was going away. However, we are not to imitate the devil, but Jesus, who often took time away to spend time with his Father. Times away are necessary to refresh the soul and renew our spirits.

Sometimes, the only way to win the race is to slow down for refueling.

Number 9 - Katy Emma

Can you believe it? We now have 9 grandchildren. Amy had her 3rd baby on Sunday morning. Her labor and delivery were unbelievably quick, but the baby ingested some fluid into her lungs and had to be taken to the hospital. It was somewhat scary, but she seems to be doing very well, progressing nicely. The doctors have her on a week's worth of antibiotics to ward off any possible infection. You can read more details on Amy's face book, and I'm sure she'll be writing all about it when she gets home.

I hope Amy doesn't mind that I stole her pictures. Look at the hair on that baby! All her babies are born with lots of hair.
Katy was born on 10/10/10 and weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches. Amy was 7 pounds, 14 ounces and 21 1/2 inches at her birth. So Katy weighed an ounce less than her mommy at birth and was an inch shorter. Can you picture it? Amy was such a skinny little baby, she was all legs and arms, and those looked like sticks!

Unfortunately, because Katy has been in the hospital since birth, I have still not seen her. Ricky took the whole week off and is taking care of the house and kids. I'm planning to spend time doing the Grammy/Mom thing next week when Ricky goes back to work. I can't wait to hold that precious little girl and play with Chase & Joanna.

I'm very happy about the name Amy & Ricky chose. (I might add that it was my idea!) My grandmother's name was Katie Emma. So Amy's baby has her great-great-grandmother's name.

In other news, the funeral service for our friend Rich on Saturday was a wonderful tribute to a godly man. He influenced quite a few young men who spoke very highly of him and how he encouraged them to get their lives straightened out. It's amazing how much can be accomplished in a few short years. He was only 53 but there must have been over 500 people at the funeral service. I think the testimonies would have continued if the pastor had allowed it to keep going. He left a wife, a married son and a teenaged daughter and son. Rich had worked closely with Andy on projects at church and he also built the foundation of the in-law addition on our house. His wife is a good friend of mine. We will really miss him.

It's going to be a busy weekend, but those details will come later.

Life is hard sometimes, but God is always good.

Every time I go through something difficult, I'm reminded of this song, which
reflects the theme of a lot of the psalms.

You turn the key
Then close the door behind you
Drop your bags on the floor
You reach for the light
But there's darkness deep inside
And you can't take it anymore

'Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you
And sometimes living is all you can do

Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good

You start to cry
'Cause you've been strong for so long
And that's not how you feel
You try to pray
But there's nothing left to say
So you just quietly kneel

In the silence of all that you face
God will give you His mercy and grace

Jesus never said
It was an easy road to travel
He only said that you would never be alone
So when your last thread of hope
Begins to come unraveled
Don't give up, He walks beside you
On this journey home and He knows

Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good

Song lyrics by Pam Thum

Last Thursday a very dear friend of ours had a massive heart attack and passed away
on Monday.  We were shocked and deeply grieved.  It's an irony, really, that death
shocks us when it comes, because it happens to everyone.  But the Bible is clear
that death is our enemy.  All week was consumed with preparing for the funeral tomorrow.
We couldn't stop thinking about how young he was (younger than us), how we hurt for his
wife and children left behind, and even for ourselves.  He was a good friend and we'll miss
him terribly.  Many Scriptures came to mind this week to comfort:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me.  Psalm 23.
The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34.
The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.  Psalm 145.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  Psalm 145.
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice, he heard my cry for mercy.  Because he
turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.  The cords of death
entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble
and sorrow.  Then I called on the name of the Lord; "O Lord, save me!"  The Lord
is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Psalm 116
Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?  The sting of death
is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:35-36.

The Bible is just full of promises that encourage and give hope, even in our darkest moments.
I've also noticed a trend.  It seems that every time someone dies, another person is
experiencing great joy:  like the birth of a baby, finding out they're pregnant,
or some other wonderful news.  So there are moments of sorrow, but also moments of
joy.  Life has its ups and downs, but God is constant - Jesus Christ the same:
yesterday, today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8.