A Magical Month

What a wonderful April I had, WOW!
Henry surprised me with an amazing 60th birthday party! What a blessing to be reminded of the many dear friendships we have through our church.
Then my sisters joined some my brother's members from Prince of Peace church plus several cousins on a delightful, relaxing, sunny cruise of the Douro (Golden) River in N. Portugal and into Spain. It was magical to explore castles, tiny cobblestone villages and even a villa of a vineyard owner plus a dinner in a Abbey!
We had some tears as we caught up on each others' lives but also lots of laughter and affirming family time together!

Tulips and Cousin Solvi

Springtime is delightful...suddenly plants appear that you forgot existed. Red and yellow tulips nodding in the breeze by our lamp post paint a hopeful picture of warmer weather.
"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." Song of Songs 2:12
Another delightful surprise was the appearance of cousin Solvi from northern Norway. She was a little girl when Kristine and I made the long journey back to Brakholm, the island where my grandmother grew up. Now a lovely, young lady working in the travel industry, Solvi had the opportunity to reconnect our family on two sides of the Atlantic. My mother, my sisters, my daughters, all were educated about Torghatten, a beautiful, magical hat shaped mountain with a natural, immense hole through the middle that towers over the small island of our ancestors. Just like the tulips reminded me of bulbs I planted last fall, I now recalled the hike up the mountain and through the famous tunnel. We watched videos of Lapland, the beauty of the Northern Lights, tasted reindeer jerky! Photos of our long lost cousins were a welcome opportunity to inspire us for another trip back to the Homeland.
I even baked scorpa (Scandinavian biscotti) in honor of our wonderful reunion!

Two Homegoings and a Homecoming

In one week we have had two funerals for family members and in between a marvelous birthday lunch. Mixed with sadness at the loss of Granny B and cousin Eleanor, was the celebration of their new life in heaven with God.
The gathering in of the extended families was magnificent! All 14 grandchildren were present, plus most of the 26 great-grandchildren to participate in the service and laying to rest of Jane Shelton Williams Bowers. What an incredible legacy Jane left behind...descendants who love each other and love the Lord! Cousin Eleanor had a similar legacy.
In between, seven of us gathered for a delightful lunch to celebrate the 30th, 60th and 90th birthdays of the other grandmother, daughter and granddaughter plus birthdays of one more sister and one more granddaughter, most in the lovely springtime.
On top of that amazing gathering was added our cousin, Solvi, all the way from Bronneysund, Norway; a delightful addition to the unbelievable homecoming!
What a lavish Lord we serve!
"...Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
I Corinthians 2:9

Eternity Draws Near

Picnics on the lush, green lawn around the corner from the Little Brown Church on Signal Mountain next to Eleanor and Dugg's gracious home will be a favorite memory as Eleanor joins Henry's mother in heaven. Sometimes the wonderful Sunday lunch of squash casserole, fried chicken, fresh tomatoes etc. would be moved indoors to their sprawling porch to avoid the rain, but the fellowship was always fantastic because of Eleanor's welcoming smile and clever sense of humor.
Four days after a marvelous celebration of Jane Bowers' life, we are returning to the same church to remember Henry's cousin, who died of cancer on Sunday. They have a similar legacy...from her obituary, "Her passion was service to others in the name of Jesus Christ, through opening her home to all. Many considered her a second mom."
Our last visit with Eleanor was delightful. Even though her body was failing, her spirit was full of joy as she asked for updates about each of our children. We know she prayed for each one of them by name. Our lives were richer for sharing family ties with such a great lady and prayer warrior!

I know that My Redeemer Lives

Henry's mother, Jane Shelton Williams Bowers finished her race today and is home with the Lord.
She was 94 years old and had faithfully loved the Lord Jesus for many, many years. Her prayer journal was amazing, very organized; she covered her loved ones with her abundant prayers.
Thank you,Great Shepherd, for a record of Granny B's investment in lifting her worries, cares and loved ones to the Lord and seeking to know your Word. Also her hospitality lists that include both guests and the menus she planned to serve them. She is an inspiration to so many of a life well lived despite many struggles including the loss of two husbands to heart atacks and a daughter to cancer. Many caregivers paused in her room in the nursing home to share with us the courage and grace they felt as they looked in her big, blue eyes. She will be missed so much!
We are so grateful for her strong commitment to God's word. Her love and joy for each of her 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren was obvious. Jane rested in the truth that "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me" and "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
What a glorious, new life in heaven she is now experiencing!
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!!!"

Gathering for Prayer

Our friend, neighbor and brother in Christ, David Barnes had a bicycle accident 10 days ago. He broke 11 ribs and is in the ICU at Erlanger. He developed complications and has been on a ventilator since Sunday. About 20 friends gathered for prayer in the chapel this morning.
"So teach us to number our days, that we might have a heart of wisdom(fear of the Lord)...
and let the beauty of the Lord our God rest upon us." (from Psalm 90)
Steadfast endurance through many great trials was true in Jesus' life
and we pray it would be true in our lives as well. Thank you, Father, that You encourage us to draw near to You.

Receiving Grace and Mercy

Today in our Monday Bible study, we covered Hebrews chapter 4 and 7. Personally, our family has had a tough week. What could be better news to a troubled heart then these verses:
"Therefore, since we have Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God... We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all- all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Let's us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16 (The Message)