Today our family gathered to remember my grandma Anita’s life. I loved the way they did this by setting up a table with all the things that represented her. There were butterflies, manatees, a camera, and teaching materials (such as books, chalk, apples, etc.) because she was a teacher and loved to take pictures. All of these things captured the essence of who she was so well. You were able to get a sense of who she was as a person just by looking at them.
She was actually my grandmother by marriage (my mother married her son when I was 20 years old). But although we weren’t blood relatives she & her husband adopted me & my daughter as their own. We are so thankful to have them in our lives. Like my daughter said in her eulogy, they were the family we never had. Our biological family is small and unfortunately we’re not very close, but thanks to Anita & Mike we have memories of Thanksgivings & Christmases together as a family. That is a priceless gift they have given us!
As God would have it, today is also the five year anniversary of the passing of my late husband Joel. We had been married for five years when we became aware that he had developed a rare lung conduction and was in need of a lung transplant. He survived almost a year post transplant, but then God called him home.
In the years since his passing the Lord has taught me so much, mainly that He is faithful. His promise to “work all things together for the good of those who love Him” (Rom. 8:28) is true. We can trust if God allows something it’s because He has a plan and His plans “are for the good and not to harm us” (Jer. 29:11). I believe it’s no coincidence that this sabbatical trip should come to an end like this. It’s God’s way of reminding me that life is a gift, meant to be lived! Not in fear but in faith, trusting Him in all things and at all times. He is our Good Shepherd and He will lead us along quiet streams and even in The Valley of the shadow of death we shall not fear for our God is with us (Ps. 23).
Now, after 10,000+ miles we’re in the home stretch, just another 2 hour drive ahead of us. What an amazing adventure it’s been. I pray it’s the first of many more to come. Stay tuned!