Death Has Ended

Jesus said "I am the light of the world."





"God shall wipe away all tears:...there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,...for the former things are passed away. Rev.21:4


Henry and I had tears running down our faces yesterday as we attended our friend, Elaine Barker's funeral. She was a little lady with a lot of SPUNK! Everyone laughed out loud as memories were shared of Elaine the gardener in her favorite overalls sucking out an Easter egg hidden in the tailpipe of her car with a shop vac!
She had requested the New City Fellowship anthem written by James Ward to be sung at her funeral by choir members of that church. These special guests sang and the composer sang and played the piano! It was glorious! We can celebrate that there is a new world coming where there is no more cancer, no more tears and the light will be from Jesus.
Easter is coming!
What a great message to hear
"Death has ended, swallowed up in victory!"

All our Paths

"All the paths of the LORD are loving and faithful" Psalm 25:10

In our women's Bible study this week, we went around the circle of women and told of a time we experienced God's grace in a relationship.
I shared about a time years ago when Pastor Joe asked us if our guest cottage was available for a German pastor who was coming to shadow him for a week (it was several). Yes, we would keep him. We already had a pregnant, unwed teenager who we were shepherding and I was home-schooling our 4th child, so why not one more? What are you up to LORD?
On the day the girl went into labor, I could not find a babysitter. I walked across the driveway, knocked on our cottage door and prevailed on our German guest to come over and keep Eric company until his dad came home from work.
An adoption plan was made for the beautiful baby girl that was delivered. We became the foster family for this adorable Alissa until the surrender papers were signed.
The German pastor sent for his wife to join him because he loved staying on Lookout Mountain, and because they were fascinated by the incredibly perfect baby our family were snuggling and loving on until the forever family could take over.
God's fingerprints were all over this strange set of pathways that converged in our driveway when months later we receieved a church newsletter written in German in our mailbox. It had a photo of the German pastor, his wife, the foster baby Alissa and a story that I had to have translated telling all about her adoption.
Thank you, Father, for letting us be just a small part in plan we could never dream up!

I'll Fly Away

Our dear friends, Nick and Elaine are both in heaven now, free from the pain of cancer.
Nick Barker was our dear friend and a prayer partner of Henry's for many years. They met on Thursday mornings at 6:30 a.m. at Starbucks along with several other men. He died of cancer on Christmas Eve.
Elaine, his wife was diagnosed with cancer months after her husband. She was also our friend. Elaine and I struggled with other similar health issues that bonded us together and we both shared a love for the LORD and gardening. She died on St. Patrick's Day.
We were at the hospital just 3 nights before she died. We sang some hymns and some bluegrass songs together. Elaine was very weak and could no longer eat but she crawled out of her hospital bed and stood beside us, joining in praising the LORD together.
As we sang "I'll Fly away, O glory, I'll fly away..." we reminded each other of the promise and hope of heaven we have in trusting Jesus.

"Christ be with me,Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and Christ restore me..."

an excerpt from a prayer on St. Patrick's Breast Plate

Lenten Hymn Festival

Sunday evening we attended a glorious worship service downtown sponsored by the American Guild of Organists.
Choirs from 7 churches plus The Chattanooga Girls Choir led in the singing. They were accompanied by organ, trumpet, trombone,timpani,flute,oboe and harp.
The theme of the service was Lift High the Cross. As we approach the commemoration of our LORD's suffering, death and then Resurrection, it was marvelous to affirm together the certain hope of heaven we have because of Christ's sacrifice and triumph over death on Easter morning!

Nursing a Nurse

My sister, Meredith is also my good friend. Here is a photo of her choking her husband on New Year's Day when they were visiting us.
Meredith had serious back surgery last week, plus she had several complications.
I headed up to Franklin, Tn. to be her live in nurse when she got out of the hospital.
Since she is an R.N., it's a wee bit of a challenge to nurse a nurse. She was groggy but still took her own blood pressure and mine! I was thankful for all the kind friends who brought delicious meals that I only had to heat up!
When I headed home, my sister had traded the walker for a back brace. We are all thankful that she is improving day by day.
Most of all our family is very thankful for all the prayers!!!