Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Numbers

I saw a picture of three beautiful ladies on Facebook this week, and through comments on their posts I realized that these were my mother's high school classmates and they were celebrating their 50th class reunion.  50!  And then I realized, that is how my mom would have looked, at age 68 (because today is her birthday).  And then I stared thinking about some big numbers coming up for me that are to be celebrated and remembered.

It all started with the number 7......being born in 1972 and my sisters were both born in the late 70s....I am partial to the number 7:

In November, 1987, my mom died in a farming accident.  30 years.  That is a long time without a mom.....but also a long time in learning how to trust the Lord and appreciate the people He has brought into my life to support, encourage, and love me in her absence.

In September, 1997, I married my best friend.  20 years next month!  It is hard to express after 20 years and 3 kids how much we have been through and how much deeper my love is for him.  We can see how the Lord has carried us through so much and we are so very grateful.

In February 2007, we moved to Pennsylvania and in September 2007, we bought our first and only house.  10 years!  The longest Darrell and I have lived in one place, apart from our growing up years.  Western Pennsylvania was never a place I envisioned myself living, but for all of its quirks, it has been good to our family.  God has blessed us and our children with wonderful friends.

And 2017 has been an amazing year, filled with unique travel opportunities and a huge goal reached for our family - a new beginning we hope.

A couple thoughts on these numbers.....these are just numbers, but it is good to remember and acknowledge what you have come through, not to dwell on the past, but to press forward with perspective from the past.

Finally, a thought I read on Wednesday's Word from Paul Tripp Ministries:

"Your faith must not be tied to your daily circumstances, but to the Lord, whose eternal presence, promises, and provisions are never altered by daily circumstances."




Saturday, February 18, 2017

A 16th Birthday

So this guy turns 16 tomorrow....and it is a milestone for this mom that makes me a bit emotional.

You see, my mom died just short of 3 months before my 16th birthday.

Does this make me sad?  It used to, but not anymore.  It makes me grateful that I get to see my oldest turn 16.  To be honest, losing a parent at a young age can give you a different perspective, and the perspective that I choose to have is thankfulness.  It is a privilege to be a mom to three kids....it is a privilege to have a family.....it is a privilege to get up each day and face whatever I need to face.  I am incredibly grateful to God for the gift of knowing my oldest longer than my mom knew me.  I do not know how that sounds to someone who hasn't experienced a loss, but it is how I feel.

So here are some other things I am grateful for on the eve of Evan's 16th birthday;


  • how Evan has taught me how to listen more and talk less (although I am still working on this).
  • the passion Evan has for life - for growing in his faith, playing his sports, working on his school, and caring about his friends
  • I am thankful for Evan's friends, they are each wonderful people that I love having hang out at our house.
  • that Evan and I forgive each other easily.....we are both firstborn children and analytical thinkers....so we have to forgive each other often!
  • how much Evan cares for his family....I could not have picked a better older brother for Ann-Marie and Alec
  • that Evan talks freely to his dad and I.....the conversations are something we all enjoy (o.k., maybe his siblings don't, but the parents do.)
So Happy 16th Birthday to our Evan.....we are so very proud of the young man you are growing into!


Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.