Friday, October 23, 2009

Hard to Say Goodbye.....



You know, it really is difficult to say goodbye to someone you love so much. But as a believer...you also want them to go so that they can be made whole and be in the presence of the Lord for eternity. As my Dad lies in his hospice bed, it is sad, but it is good too. He has been a most wonderful dad on this earth. A very humble and gentle man...and I look forward to recounting all of the great stories that everyone has to remember. But my wonderful and loving husband has captured such truth as he shares below. Thanks honey for loving me, and loving my family and serving them so well all these years. Thanks for your wonderful tribute to my dad. I love you!!!

“What a blessing it is to see a righteous man die.”

That statement may seem quite morbid but watching an elderly man with a gaggle of family hovering about his deathbed is a beautiful thing in itself but to know this man and to know his Lord is truly amazing. I am writing about my father-in-law of over twenty years and someone I have gone to church with for almost forty years. I have watched him live out what he believes and the proof of the pudding is watching him come to the end of his life. He is ready to go! What holds him back is his love of family and still making sure that they are all right and taken care of. I have seen this in my own father and had to convince him that we would take care of things and that he could go home.

ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) has attacked Cam’s throat and pallet making it impossible to swallow and speak. Over the years he has lost sight in his left eye and his right eye is not much better, yet his desire to “DO” is only now crawled to a halt. He has gone from home, to hospital, back home, to hospital, to rehab center, back home again, to hospital, and now to a Hospice house in only two months with no hope for another physical move. This time the transition will be from life to life eternal and from sinful, failing flesh to a new body that is free from sin and in the presence of his Lord Jesus.

Although medication has him groggy, he still gets his point across with grunts, hand signals, and a pad to write on. His mind is still in fairly good shape. One day in the hospital with nine of us in the room, he took his pad and marker and wrote, “I love y’all” and signed it. My wife absconded with that treasure and is trying to preserve it. He gives us the thumbs up and raises his hands into the air letting us know that he is ready to go. A few days ago I was in the hospital room with just he and his bride of sixty-six years. He was making a continuous sound but it was not like a moan. Evelyn started to sing an old hymn and that is what he was doing. He was singing and all I could do was listen to the two of them sing praises to the one who had given them this kind of peace. I still break into tears every time I think about this moment because of the great assurance that we have in Christ Jesus through his saving grace. This is not death…but a graduation into the glory that faith in what the Precious Lamb of God did for us on the cross has assured us. Not works, although this man was a laborer for the Lord, or being good but only the Blood of Jesus Christ can deliver this kind of rest when coming to the end of your life. What fear other men must have at this hour, not knowing what is next and fearing their rejection of what might just have been truth.

Now you know how I can say what a blessing it is to see a righteous man die. As hard as it is to say good by to Christian friends and Christian family…there is truly assurance that with that last breath comes the moment that every believer longs for…that moment when we can look into the eyes and are embraced by the One who saved us. We have fought the good fight and are truly at home, no longer aliens in this world, but home. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ!!

Halleluiah and Amen!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Muahaha....

Ha! I'm hijacking my mom's blog! I keep telling her to post but she says there's nothing to write about...psh yeah right...there's always something to write about in this family!!!! =D Love you mom!!!

Well, I think the last time my mom posted, my dad's car had officially died and he was driving the company truck. Well, since then, we have acquired 2 more cars. So now we have the silver van, the silver ford, and the silver saturn (which is not drivable at the moment because my dad was in a wreck....my dad is fine, and we're just waiting to hear from the insurance peoples) I'm seeing a silver trend here :D Also, I have my license so mom no longer has to cart me places...just her parents.

My granddad still isn't doing well, we recently learned that he has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and he has what's called Bulbar Palsy...which affects his swallowing and talking. I think they are going to give him a feeding tube eventually since it's really hard for him to get all the nutrients he needs. So mom is still taking them to doctors appointments like usual. She really is such a role model to me because she gives of herself all the time and rarely complains about it.

I've kind of abandoned mom and dad this year...first I went to Rekindle, next NEXT, and then MEXICO! All of my trips were pretty amazing and I can't wait for the next time...but I know that mom and dad miss me when I'm gone...or at least I hope so :D

Anyway, I'll try to get mom to fill in some more soon, but that's all for now. Have a good one! ~ Chelsey

Friday, February 20, 2009

Yep, it's really an update....

Uh...2 months....this is crazy. Blogging just seems to take more time than I'm willing to put into it right now, so you get what you get whenever it fits. Let's see....life is pretty much the same. Busy days with taking Chelsey to/from school & work and M28 activities.....taking the folks to dr appointments and errands.....work and the usual home stuff. Gene's car officially died in January. His company is graciously allowing him to drive a company truck until we are able to replace the Ford. God is good and we know He is sovereign in this process. Some days are more difficult than others when you just want things to be more "normal" whatever that is. So....here are pics of the grandkids....Carter (2 yo) and Landen (6 mo):















Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Updated....

It seems like my blog is lagging behind the times. In the grand scheme of things, it is not so important....and there are just too many other things to do lately. I do miss posting, but it is something to set aside until the time is right!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior! Isn't God's love amazing?

Saturday, November 1, 2008

What Do I Know of Holy?

What Do I Know Of Holy?
by Addison Road
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8fSjtPLuBQ

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life it's name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

You know....not a lot to post about lately.....

Life is pretty much the same day to day. God is busy doing some refining work in my heart in an area or two! Of that fact, I am grateful! Life is still super, ubber busy these days, but next week my hours of working are decreasing, and I'm excited that I'll have a bit more time to fit a few more things that I've been missing into my days. That is the kindness of the Lord! Today, Gene had a meeting at 8:30, Chelsey had a meeting at 9:30 and I had one at 9:00. Chelsey and I had the opportunity to go have breakfast together before our meetings, and we had a great time. I asked her if there were things about me that she had ever wanted to ask about or to know, but just hadn't for whatever reason. So it was a good time to share some past history with her, and even shock her a bit I think. I think she had never imagined that mom's past would be interesting in the least! The best part was just our time together -- something we haven't had the opportunity to do in a while with our busy days. I really like Saturday mornings!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Has it been long enough???

Yep! It's been long enough....probably too long. I just can't seem to find time to update as much as before, but that's ok too! Soooo....let's see....the routine is much the same - life is busy and changing! I think the main thing is that the Lord has this "theme" going on right now....trust and His sovereignty. I'm just realizing that there are many times when I am anxious....even in really small things, that I didn't realize. I love God's faithfulness to uncover stuff in my heart that I probably knew I put there, but never really thought about it before. Our care group ladies are reading Jerry Bridges book Trusting God. I'm not sure how many times I've read it, but that's just what is so great about the Lord....there is always more to learn and uncover about Him and how He is working in my life at any given time. So yesterday, I had to confess my anxious heart again as our computer is having some major problems, and I didn't know what we were going to do so that Chelsey could get her homework done and I can work today. So....I still don't know what is wrong with it, but right now it is working....an hour from now it may not. We really need to figure out how to get this one fixed or a way to purchase a new one.....can you hear the anxious thoughts running around in my head? I am so grateful for this opportunity to have my sin exposed and to confront it head on....and the even greater opportunity that God is sovereign and totally knows how it will all work out and that I have another opportunity to trust Him instead of myself and "my world". PRAISE GOD!!!