Everything will be okay

I remember when I was a little girl, there were many times my insecurities would get the best of me. Of course, being so young, I really didn't know they were insecurities. All I knew was I'd get this horrible, almost "homesick" kind of feeling and I just needed to be near my Grandma. It could happen when I was with my friends, or even when I was sitting in my own house with Grandma in the next room. Suddenly I'd feel alone and afraid and I had to go find my Grandma.

It was amazing how Grandma could fix everything. Often times I'd just climb up into the brown recliner with her and sit quietly beside her. She didn't have to say or do anything. She just had to be near, and I knew everything would be okay.

Grandma was my first glimpse of God. She died quite a long time ago, but just the thought of her still warms my heart. It was her love that first caused my heart to come to life. It was her love that challenged me to search for more... to believe there were better things than what I had seen. It was her love that opened my eyes to the fact that security existed.

Today there are many issues that come and go in my life. It's one obstacle after another intertwined with one joy after another. I have grown enough that I am usually pretty confident that one way or another things will always work out. But every now and then I catch myself becoming anxious and even a little afraid. And as the old insecurities threaten to surface once again, I know exactly where to go. It's right where my Grandma's love pointed me from the beginning. I sit quietly near God.

And as I sit near Him . . . even if nothing is being said or done . . . I just know everything will be okay.

Coming home

Leonard and I were in St. Paul, Minnesota for the past 5 days on a business trip. I use the term "business trip" loosely, because there was also a lot of fun! We love to get away together, but coming home is always so nice. One of the reasons it's so nice is we get to come home to this:

Ellie is always so very happy to see us! And she brightens whatever room she happens to be in. Last night we went over to their apartment when Rachel was putting Ellie to bed. "Unfortunately" I was too loud when we entered and Ellie heard me. She popped right out of bed and came out to see Grandma. Then I had to rock her, read her books, and play with her blocks as she screeched with delight! It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

I love coming home.

Another Marker Moment!

I am just completing my first full week as a mother-in-law . . . Life just keeps on getting better! On Saturday, Rachel and Aaron got married! I HAVE A SON-IN-LAW! We couldn't be happier with our new son-in-law if we had hand-picked him ourselves. He is just a good man . . . the kind that will be a devoted husband and loving father. And need I even make mention of the fact that he's made quite a catch himself with Rachel?! Of course, Ellie is delighted, too! As you can see, she even enjoyed some celebratory Kix cereal during pictures!

We had just a small family ceremony on Saturday, but we are planning a large ceremony this next year so we can celebrate with all our family and friends. Rachel, Jenelle, and I are going to be plenty busy with wedding plans. Leonard and Aaron? I'm guessing they'll want as little involvement in the planning as possible!

But for now, our sights are set on the birth of Ellie's little brother in December. What a wonderful family he'll be entering into. My prayer is that their home will be filled to overflowing with the fruits of the spirit... I pray for love, for joy, for peace and patience; I pray that kindness and goodness would abound, that there would be faithfulness and gentleness in all they do; and I pray that all of these things, as they're joined with the infinitely valuable gift of self-control, will bring them more freedom and happiness in their lives than they ever imagined possible.

Just one more thing . . . although it didn't specifically make the list of the fruits of the spirit, one of my greatest desires for them is that their home would be filled with as much laughter as ours was.

I finally get it. Nothing ever really ends. It just keeps getting passed on and on and on. What a joy to see it happen.