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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/10/2008 11:44:25 PM
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cherish405
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From: Australia
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Leah, I hope you had a good day.
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*** My name is Trish and I'm His daughter, desirous and glorious in His sight ***
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/16/2008 8:01:44 PM
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magdaleine
Posts: 4619
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quote:
Personally, I think he is a pig. Have for years. But I try to treat him like a king. It's getting harder.
{{{{{{Pengie}}}}}}
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Maggie
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/17/2008 12:27:05 AM
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leah777
Posts: 3227
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From: Show-Me State
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Hey Trish & Maggie! Trish, how did I miss your post in here?? I was just thinking yesterday that this thread hadn't been posted in for a few days, and here I'd missed you.
Zondie & Pengie, I am missing both of you too, and hope you make it back here real soon!
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Leah
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/17/2008 11:58:52 AM
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cherish405
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From: Australia
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Hi Leah. How are you doing today?
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*** My name is Trish and I'm His daughter, desirous and glorious in His sight ***
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/17/2008 5:46:06 PM
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leah777
Posts: 3227
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From: Show-Me State
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Hey Trish! I'm doing very fine, thank you. I'm sorry to hear about the fender-bender (from your thread). Hope you all don't suffer too much continued pain from that. Even small fender-benders can be quite a jolt on the body.
My friend Bernice is visiting -- picked her up last night at the train station, then we went for a pizza before coming home. Today we went to the Senior Center in town, had lunch with several of the ladies from church -- even saw one of my sisters there who works at the local bank. She was there donating a cake and some time for the monthly birthday/anniversary celebration the senior center has. Then some of us played Rummikub for a while. I wound up taking the other 3 ladies home, then Bernice & I went to Walmart & did some shopping. We're tired -- she's napping, and I'm supposed to be, but  . . . we have a funeral home visitation to go to tonight, the husband of a dear friend from church. Guess I really should rest a bit before then.
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Leah
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/19/2008 7:13:08 AM
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leah777
Posts: 3227
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From: Show-Me State
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Zondie, it's so good to hear from you!! And yes, please give yourself a break more often and come in & say hi . . . I guess some of them do get a bit slower in the summer. I know I haven't spent nearly as much time here lately, but I'm trying to 'wean' myself off here a bit  . . . . . it sounds like you have been tied up elsewhere, and I understand that, but we sure have missed you!
I'm waiting for my other friends to get here and we're going blackberry picking this morning. It rained some during the night, and it still looking a little drizzly, tho not actually raining, I don't think. I'm assuming we're still going, but guess I'll find out shortly. If not, me & Bernice can go back to bed! 
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Leah
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/19/2008 12:28:47 PM
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BeckeyZ
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From: the sunny side of the street
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I bought this book for my mom for her birthday....after reading the first chapter online it made me think of you and some of your stories. Not that you're that old or anything, but the way she tells her stories. Check it out if you get a chance.
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Learning is fun!
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/19/2008 11:25:41 PM
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leah777
Posts: 3227
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From: Show-Me State
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Hey there, Beckey! That sounds like a good bood indeed . . . let me know how your mom likes it.
We had friends over tonight for blackberry cobbler (berries picked fresh off the bush this morning) and some table games. Still have some cobbler left and it was delicious! (ifn I do gotta say so myself ) . . . . my friend Bernice is still here and has retired for the night, as I am about to. It's been a long day -- up at 5:30 to be ready to go blackberry picking by 6:00 -- yes, they arrived shortly after I posted above. We picked nearly 7 gallons.
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Leah
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/20/2008 1:09:28 PM
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cherish405
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From: Australia
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Have fun with your friend, Leah.
Zondie, good to see you.
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*** My name is Trish and I'm His daughter, desirous and glorious in His sight ***
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/20/2008 8:51:20 PM
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magdaleine
Posts: 4619
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Please pray for Linda. Her brother just died
(I was supposed to tell you this two hours ago). She knows no details and was just dashing out the door when she saw me online.
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Maggie
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/21/2008 8:54:37 AM
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Pengie
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Praying. God bless you, Leah.
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Pengie
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/21/2008 12:52:02 PM
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cherish405
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((((((((((((((((((LEAH))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sorry for your loss. 
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*** My name is Trish and I'm His daughter, desirous and glorious in His sight ***
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/21/2008 7:44:38 PM
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Marshasfrog
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certainly praying, Linda
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I'll be back, directly.
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/23/2008 9:35:37 AM
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leah777
Posts: 3227
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From: Show-Me State
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Thank you Maggie, Trish, Pengie, Marsha & Zondie . . all of you for all of your prayers. It's been a long week, and it's still not over. This afternoon/evening is the visitation for my brother Ronnie; the funeral is in the morning at 11:00. They had to do an autopsy to determine cause of death since he had no known health problems. It seems, though, he had some very blocked arteries that he and his doctor were unaware of. That together with his exposure to the extreme heat was more than his body could take.
He was 68, had been a truckdriver most of his life, and after retirement had supplemented his social security with income from delivering limousines across the US, then flying and/or riding a bus back home. We're all still very confused about why he was out on the highway Sunday in our near 100 degree temperatures. He was to have come in on the plane at 11:30 the night before and catch a bus from St. Louis to here. When he hadn't made it home yet by Sunday morning, his wife & kids tried to call his cell phone to check on him and let him know one of them could pick him up. He never answered. Around 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon he called his wife from his cell phone. He said he was trying to hitch-hike home, was about 30 miles this side of St Louis, but was not feeling well, and needed to be picked up. His daughter was on her way to St Louis at that time, so they called her. It took her about 15 minutes to get turned around and back to him, but it was too late. The EMTs were there already, but they couldn't revive him.
It's all been such a blow. His wife of 46 years and 5 kids are taking it very, very hard. His oldest son Rodney has always been the stalwart, responsible care-giver, even man-of-the-family since his dad was on the road a lot, and he's continuing in that role. Their finances are not good, and they found out just last night that, since the death was ruled natural causes and the only life insurance he had were accidental death policies, the kids will have to come up with the money for the funeral. They have a long road ahead of them, so your continued prayers are needed, and will be much appreciated.
Rodney, married our daughter's best friend from college -- they actually met at Melissa's wedding 15 years ago, and married 4 years later. They've always had a special place in our hearts, and have come by periodically when they were down visiting their parents. They came over last night for supper & stayed for the evening. I felt urged to pray with them before they left, so all four of us hugged as I prayed, asking God's peace and comfort for the family, guidance and direction for Rodney and his mother, and that the finances could be worked out. Rodney will be shouldering a heavy burden in the next few months. Please also pray that I can be God's ambassador to him . . a beacon of sorts to guide him to Jesus where he will find peace, comfort and strength to do what he needs to do. We've assured him that he is welcome to stay here anytime he wants, using this as a home base even, as he tries to help him mother sort things out.
Again, thank you all so much for your prayers -- believe me, I HAVE felt them. In all the years I've reveled in having so many brothers & sisters, counting my many blessings relating to that, never had I thought about the number of times I'd have to say that final goodbye. It's even more difficult when I don't know their spiritual condition -- well, what I know of it is not good. So all I can do is trust that they had a moment to call out to Jesus. I've had reassurances from different ones since Sunday (thank you, Maggie), when I was struggling mightily to hold myself together, and I appreciate all of those reassurances. I have found out that Ronnie was baptized when he was a young boy, so I'm hoping, praying that he DID have that moment and was able to call out to God. I know our God is a merciful, loving God and that He wants us all to be saved, and I truly believe He gives us every opportunity to make things right with Him before we go.
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Leah
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/23/2008 10:49:04 AM
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magdaleine
Posts: 4619
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{{{{{{{{{{Linda}}}}}}}}}}}
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Maggie
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/23/2008 12:06:59 PM
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cherish405
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From: Australia
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(((((((((((((((((((((((((((LEAH & FAMILY)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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*** My name is Trish and I'm His daughter, desirous and glorious in His sight ***
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/23/2008 12:56:17 PM
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Bubbles5
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From: Wisconsin
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{{{Leah}}}
You have been in my prayers...along with your whole family.
68 years was the age my mom passed away. Way to young if you ask me. I had the same thoughts with her passing. Was she saved? Did she reach heaven? I did indeed find comfort in all my questions. I felt the peace, knowing she is indeed where she needs to be.
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My two grandsons, Ethan and baby Brett
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/23/2008 3:06:44 PM
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zondie
Posts: 910
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From: The Bluegrass State
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{{{{{{{Dearest Leah,}}}}}}}
So often we're faced with unexpected death. My heart has been hurting for you and the family. (Mourn with those who mourn.) All our hugs and prayers for you are truly genuine, sis. We'll continue to pray for you and for the situation the family now must face.
As for your brother's destination...remind yourself that he fell into the hands of a just and merciful God! God knew his heart better than anyone else ever did. And from the time he was baptized (as a young boy), your brother recognized and acknowledged God's love for him! I'm sure along the highway, he was probably having conversation with the Savior. After all, Jesus said he'd go with us ALL THE WAY, even unto the end, right? So Jesus was there by his side when nobody else could be. Like you and I; your brother more than likely, started to realize how many times he may have disappointed the Lord. And no doubt started apologizing to our Holy Lord for being neglectful of 'His' will in his life. Sometimes the Father will allow us to stray, just enough, to bring us back to the realization that we truly do need His guidance! Just like an earthly father will do for his child whose trying to make it on his own, and then just before the fall... daddy's there to soften the landing!
I can imagine that as your brother was pleading his cause to God; that Jesus, with open arms, may have said something like..."I've always known you love me and I forgive you my child." And then welcomed him into His loving arms with the assurance that everything will be better...from now on, forever, for eternity!
We all come short of the glory of God, and tell me Leah, who could stand before Him and not be able to see our faults? Standing, facing the Holy of Holies who is perfect in all His ways! Our faults, failures and mistakes would be to us, like an opened wound in His presence! And then we'd be reminded of such love of a Savior, who's redeeming blood washed away ALL of our sins! He loves us much more than we can even imagine! We can't imagine, but now...your brother knows!!!
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The world will never care how much you know,
until...
The world knows how much you care !
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/24/2008 10:54:30 PM
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vmginny
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My heart goes out to you, Linda, and your brother's family. I'll be praying for u all.
Zondie, what you said was so beautiful.
God bless you Linda.
gINNY
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Mark 10:27
Looking at them, Jesus *said, “ With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/25/2008 12:19:06 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 30478
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Australia
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(((((((((((((((((((LEAH)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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*** My name is Trish and I'm His daughter, desirous and glorious in His sight ***
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/25/2008 2:29:11 AM
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thisistheday
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That was a beautiful post Zondie.
What a difficult time for the family.
(((((Leah and family)))))
Dee
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/26/2008 2:41:31 PM
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humbleinspirit
Posts: 15414
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Been praying for you Linda and your family Linda!
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RE: Leah's Stories! - 7/26/2008 6:04:26 PM
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leah777
Posts: 3227
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From: Show-Me State
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Thank you, Mike, Dee, Trish, Ginny, Zondie, Barb & Maggie for all your prayers and thoughts. It's been a long, long week.
Zondie, thank you so much for the beautiful post. Since I last posted I have reason to hope that Ronny actually did have time to call out to the Lord, and that he would have been led to do that. Actually, since to think anything else would be unbearable, I've just decided to trust that is what happened.
Maggie, thank you for being there anytime I needed to talk this week. It seemed like everytime I had a moment to log on to MSN, you were there, ready and waiting to listen. I so much appreciate that . . a couple of days this week seemed so terribly lonely. (BTW, as Maggie said in her thread, anyone who is interested in chatting on MSN or Yahoo, just send me a PM or an email).
The funeral was very emotional, and yet very beautiful to see so many, many friends there paying their respects, reaching out to the family. A while back Ronny had expressed a special fondness for a version on Amazing Grace he'd heard sang in the Cherokee language. His youngest son had found the version on the internet and bought him the CD, so that was played to start the service off. It was so awesome. We probably have more Cherokee in us than any other one nationality, and tho we don't make a big deal of that, we are proud of that heritage, and this was especially poignant for us. Later, Ronny's dil sang Amazing Grace acapello (in English). She has a beautiful voice, which I later told her she should be using for the Lord, and she assured me she was . . . That was really good to hear 
My pastor gave the message. He's such a gifted speaker -- gifted in making people feel at ease, bringing a chuckle or two -- even at a time like this, and then just ushering in an aura of God's soothing peace to the situation. His messages are always down-to-earth and easy to understand, yet full of the goodness and mercies of God. There were other special moments . . moments that meant a lot to us and will be remembered for years to come.
After the service we were invited out to my youngest brother's house (our old home place) where several of his friends, who were also friends of Ronny's, had put together the most wonderful dinner for us. I still have a hard time believing they did this. I mean, our family is so big . . it takes a lot of food to feed that many people. They planned for 150 people, and I'd venture to say there were close to that many there. Apparently, they had expressed to Randy & his wife that they wanted to do this for the family so that we could all be together at the old home place where Randy and his wife live now. I can hardly type this without crying. It was just so unexpected, and such a loving gesture --- oh much MORE than a gesture!
Out of the 7 (I think) people that were involved with this, I only knew 3 well enough to recognize them. I guess I'd met the others at different times, but honestly, my family get-togethers are so big and crowded, and someone always has friends there too, and it's impossible to really get to know them all -- sheesh, I have been known not to recognize the nieces, nehpews, great-nieces, great-nephews, not to mention a few cousins we only see every few years. But to think these precious people could go to so much trouble for us -- many of whom don't even know them . . it was just such a loving thing for them to do.
They had set up 4-5 canopies, set up a long line of tables, then filled the tables with food . . . . smoked beef brisket -- I think around 70 pounds of this, a huge, foiled-lined cardboard box of fried chicken, sliced ham, 2 big pans of mostacelli, a roaster full of green beans & new potatoes, potato salad, pasta salad, macaroni & cheese, fresh veggies w/ dip, baked beans -- other dishes that I can't even remember, then a whole table of deserts . . cookies, chocolate cake, apple cake, blackberry cobbler, strawberry shortcake ---- it was just unbelievable! They bought, prepared, and cleaned up the entire meal themselves. What a wonderful blessing that was! And what a wonderful afternoon/evening we all had together . . . so many memories shared . . funny, sad, bittersweet memories.
Bill tired out before the evening was over, so I sent him home, promising him I could get a ride with someone. I rode back home with one of my nieces who was visiting another niece who was staying in the motel here in town. We had a nice visit coming home. She lives in Texas now, so I hardly ever get to see her.
It was a hard day . . an emotional day. But unlike the last time we had to say goodbye to one of our siblings, there was no fussing about how to do this, that or the other, and no fussing about where everyone would meet afterwards -- and every family member that was able to come to the funeral met at one location for the dinner. The grief we were all feeling was made easier to bear by the loving support of so many friends . . . Jesus' love is so far reaching, so unfathomable, so omnipresent that he can reach even into the non-believers' hearts and compel them to be His arm extended. And He certainly extended His arm to us on this very trying day.
I feel quite sure that most of the ppl who prepared this dinner for us are not professing Christians. They are wonderful friends of my brothers, but their Sundays are not spent in church, worshipping our Lord & Saviour; instead, they are spent sitting in the backyard or down on the river having a beer with my brother or other family & friends, more than likely getting more than a bit tooted. They lay no claim to a life of purity or holiness. Yet they are full of love for their fellow man, their friends and family. This is the environment I grew up in. We weren't 'churched kids'. We did attend church at times -- mostly in spurts, but tho we didn't have the closeness and warmth or spiritual guidance of a church family, we were surrounded by family and friends who would have done anything for us, and they've proved this over & over again thru the years. I'm sure that most of us have ppl like this in our lives.
That having been said, let me add this . . . . . I'm grateful -- so very thankful -- for my friends (here and IRL) who've been so supportive, calling, sending cards & food, , praying for me AND my family, for all the expressions of care & concern.
God is such a real, present force at a time like this. I can't imagine a life without His love & mercy, without the assurance of His saving grace. I know that He extends that grace to all who would call on His name, all who accept Him as Lord & Savior of their life, and I know that He's calling us to prayer for all those friends and family members, all those loving, giving people in our lives who haven't yet called out His name, who haven't laid claim to the rich inheritance He has for them.
I know this is an unusual post for me . . . I try not to get to preachy in here cuz I need so much of that myself and feel so unqualified to 'dish it out', but I have been feeling the urge for some time now that we need to step up our prayers for our lost loved ones . . . that He's calling us to get serious with those prayers. This last week has certainly been an affirmation to me of that call.
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Leah
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(((((((LEAH))))))) 
