Priorities

Since the passing of my sister in law, many things are happening.  I wish I could write down and put into words exactly how I am feeling in the midst of deep sorrow and loss.  Many things change when tragedy hits a family.  Immediately, priorities fall into place.  All the petty and little things that once rubbed me raw roll off like water off a duck's back.  They no longer matter.  I realize all of those ridiculous little grievances I thought I had, well-- they don't even belong in the big picture. 

All of the sudden, I see my kids in a different light.  My heart softens.  I realize that the moments we share with them really are gifts and we don't know what tomorrow might bring. I feel a tighter bonding with my husband.  When we walk together down a rough road and lean on each other to get through it, I love him more.  I didn't think that was possible.  But he loved my sister in law as much as I did and we have a  mutual grief and understanding, I hold my family a little closer.  I view them as more valuable.

I see other people around me in all their human-ness.  We are all human, everyone is fighting a battle.  I want to love people the way that God loves me.  He died for all, so that we could live in eternity.  How can I administer His love?  If we don't have love, we have nothing.

I Corinthians 13: 1-7
"If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

God is doing a mighty work.  Christians from 7 different churches are coming to help with my Brother in law's family.  They come and clean the entire house, do all the laundry (that is a ministry purely in and of itself with having 15 children!) meals are completely taken care of through the month of December.  When I get the updates I am overwhelmed with emotion.  God's out pouring of love through these people to my family is like a soothing balm to my soul. 

Satan is out to accuse and destroy.  But our Lord is so much bigger than him, don't you see?? The bible says:
John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Certainly others can see Christ's love in those who have stepped forward to care for my brother in law's family.  I pray that more would come to know Christ through this.

It is a sad day when it takes such a tragedy to shake you out of your slumber and selfishness, to see what it is most important, and to love people more.  I pray I never need another reminder.

Family Fun

Lately we have had some hot weather.  So what do we do??  Have some fun with the kiddos and go tubing!!!  They had a blast.  We had a good time watching them have fun.  I love hot days like this out at the lake.

Sisters In Law

 

I have 5 sisters in law.  My brother's wife Taren, I don't have any recent pictures of us, then...on my husband's side...I have Jenny, Bridget, Shirlee and Todd's sister Teresa.

 

I crazy loved this girl.  In so many ways.  She loved God with her whole heart, instilled scripture into the heart of her children.  She would always tell her kiddos "I love you so much!  But, Jesus loves you the most!"  Her love for her family has deeply imprinted my life.  She is no longer with us and I mourn that I can't see her laugh and hug and kiss her.  But she is always my sister!  My sister in law, my sister in Christ, I will see her again one day.  Jenny, I love you so much, I will always miss you.

 

  
This is Bridget, She is married to Todd's brother Trent.  I crazy love this girl too.  She always makes me laugh, she encourages me in God's truth and we have our own little silly words we say to each other.  We think they are funny...no one else gets it.  But, hey!  We have earned it, that is what you get for hangin' out with the family after 14 years.  It doesn't get any better.  I am so blessed.  She always has a different perspective to bring to the table.  I appreciate her joy and realness in life.  She is a beautiful woman, inside and out.

This is Shirlee! She is the youngest brother, Brent's wife. Isn't she lovely?  We have always had a great time when we get together over the years.  I particularly enjoy her competitive nature during our card games of Michigan, she hates to lose.  This woman is amazing with the kids.  She really plays with her kids--pretty sure she is the only auntie to get on the floor and wrestle with the munchkins--and I have a lot to learn from her.  I regret not calling and keeping up with her and really getting to know her better.  After Jenny's death, family relationships become more valuable and I am scrambling to make every moment count with my kids and loved ones.

 This is Todd's only sister, Teresa.  When Heidi was 3 she would point to a picture of Sleeping Beauty and say it was Aunt Teresa. Such a pretty lady, inside and out.  Teresa has been such a gift to me over the years.  She loves the Lord, her family, and teaches me to do the same.  She has had to say some hard things to me over the years, but...because I know she loves me unconditionally, I know she has my best interest in mind.  I appreciate her willing to share her thoughts with me so that I will be a better person for the Lord and for my family.  I can't tell you how much I love this lady.

                        Todd, myself, Teresa and Bob.  In the midst of deep sadness and loss, we smile. 

               When I married this amazing man, I didn't know I would gain such an amazing family, deep relationships, have sisters in law that I loved so much...and loved me equally back.  I didn't know I could know such an awful pain after losing someone that you expected to be in your life pretty much forever.  I never even thought for once that we would experience such pain.  But I wouldn't take it back either, it isn't the end.  We will see her again.