Going Home

Dorothy Hazel Kemp

August 18, 1924-March 20, 2014

She was a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, mother-in-law, but to me her most special name was "grandmother". What a wonderful grandmother she was....overflowing with joy, a giver, a servant's heart, patient always, a lover of her Savior and her family. 

What a special gift from God is a grandmother. She was 89 years old when she died. We were blessed to have her in our lives for such a long time....although today, it seems like her time with us was much too short.

I had the chance to spend a lot if time with my grandmother her last week with us. She was at the hospital, and Brian held down the fort at home while I spent some precious time with her.  I sat with her, reminisced with othe family members, cried, sang her favorite hymns, held her hand, brushed her hair,  and laughed at the fun memories we would recall.  Even though she didn't speak, at times she would open her eyes or smile. She knew she was cherished.

On Thursday, March 20th, the last family member arrived to see her. Every family member was able to come and see her in the hospital, visit with her, remind her, "I Love You".

On Thursday afternoon, March 20, while I was at the hospital, Brian called me with the exciting news of Travel Approval. I was able to tell my grandmother that her namesake would be coming home very soon!

Thursday evening, March 20th, my precious grandmother met her Savior face to face. It was time for her to go Home.

With a heavy heart, weary, and grief stricken, I read this on Saturday evening after all the services were over:

"Why can't we be allowed days indefinitely? How can God ever expect us to say good-bye to the eyes, ears, hands of those we cherish more than our own?
     Is it because His heart awaits us at Home? Because if we don't say goodbye here, when will we meet Him there?
      Precious in His eyes is the Homecoming of the saints. Psalm 116:15"
from  One Thousand Gifts. by Ann Vosskamp

And a saint she was. What a comforting and exciting reminder that God is rejoicing at her coming Home. Her God given ministry on earth did not end March 20, but continues on in each of her children, her grandchildren, and all those that she touch in her life. We carry on her legacy. 

God is The Great Provider

We have had quite a month....lots of wonderful things, several really sad events, and a handful of very frustrating occurrences!
Through all that has been going on, God has reminded me of the verse that I posted last month.

"We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure......But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely on God. ...We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us."   2 Corinthians 1:8, 10

We have definitely felt crushed and overwhelmed. We have felt that we would not/could not endure in this season of life, but everyday/every hour God has shown up. 

Sometimes He has shown up in big and mighty ways, and sometimes He has shown up in a whisper. We have come to know God as our Great Provider in ALL situations....good, bad, happy, sad, difficult, and easy. Yes, in all situations He has provided exactly what we needed at exactly the perfect time.... A word of encouragement, a place to live, a hug, a listening ear, a verse from His Word, clothes that don't smell like skunk, help/offers of help, and the list goes on and on and on...

"Thankfulness proceeds the miracle" from One Thousand Gifts. I had started reading this book before the storms of life hit. God was preparing me. I've truly experienced His peace (the miracle) in times of turmoil when I stop and thank God so so many wonderful blessing that we take for granted. 

This time has definitely been a time of hard refining, but I can honestly say that I am so thankful that God continues to patiently work on me, rid my heart of idols, and make me more like Him (I've got a long way to go....a work in progress). 

"He gives us life and does not permit our feet to slip. For You, God, tested us, to purify us like fine silver........You brought us through fire and water but led us to abundance."   Psalm 66:9-12