Yet we are not consumed by this heaviness.
Bittersweet. Sweetly bitter?
How does one describe hope in the midst of grief, joy in the midst of sadness, peace in the midst of pain? Because, yes, the pain IS there, and it IS real. But so is the joy. And the peace. And the hope...oh, so much the hope! For in our hearts is the only hope that is unchanging and unfailing. It is steady and sure. It will not deteriorate, decay, or die.
It is the hope of our Risen Lord. And, my, how He loves us.
He loves you, too. He really, really loves you.
And so we give THANKS for...
M had a great time at Fall Festival! Ponies, treat bags, soft toys, and seeing the M Family made for a truly festive evening. He got too hot in the monkey suit, so we had a little naked savage running around for awhile. M would only jump in the soft toy once I got in with him...before that he just stood at the entrance and held his dad's hand. The pony ride could have been a hit except his little shoe kept slowly...slowly...slowly falling off which was STRESSING HIM OUT! At the moment said shoe lost contact with foot, wise daddy swooped M off the horse and volunteer guy dodged in and out of little pony legs to retrieve the sacred croc. The funniest costume? A little dude dressed as Elvis...complete with guitar and hair!
I made a delicious pumpkin crunch dessert that I found on the Phatchik blog. I won't share her name because I don't think it is public on her blog, but she is also the generous sharer who told me how to create the following mosaics with my flickr account. Click here for the site. You can click on the mosaics to view them full screen. NOTE: just eat like one spoonful of the crunch and then walk away...your stomach will thank you!
MAKING IT MEANINGFUL: As we've talked about making the holidays less about money and more about love, I decided to involve M in doing our Christmas cards. I found some inexpensive Christmas letterhead that has an uncolored border of trees, mittens, etc. , and M has been coloring on each one. Once he is finished, I will write a letter of love to each card recipient. I think this is going to take quite a bit of time, which I like because I want to really reflect on the blessings of family and friends this year...and to let them know they are cherished.
THANKS FOR THE DAY: Today I am grateful for a DELICIOUS potluck with families of the men from Scott's Bible Study. What a great group of guys to have your husband hangin' with!
11 comments:
I love those pictures of M. He's just a doll - especially the ones with the lollipop!
I'm sorry for everything you are going through. I know how tough it is. I'm amazed at what a wonderful person you are - the words you write touch my heart everytime I visit your blog. Always, kind of knocking on my head - hello yvonne be grateful for what you have and treasure the moment.
Oh I could go on and on and on - but I won't. Praying for you and your family.
Thanks once again for your honesty, vulnerability, hope and faith. It is an inspiration. I'll keep praying for your family.
Love the fall festival photos and your little man in costume!
Did you read my mind with the mosaic website, I have been wanting to learn how to do that. Thanks! I am off to figure it out.
thanks, tish! what an awesome post. as yvonne and rebecca said, your words are touching. you are an inspiration. we will continue to pray for your mom. may you all be immersed in God's love and peace!
yeah- i got to see M in his costume! we're thankful for you all and praying for His continued peace as this month brings the unknown. love you guys
love the words.
Great pictures.
Don't you just love a good potluck
I hope your week is a wonderful one..I am asking the sleep fairy to stop by your house. ;)
A
Tish,
Your post was so lovely and I continue to keep you all in my thoughts & prayers.
M was the most adorable monkey ever and the pictures show what an amazing celebration you all had!
I love your personal note idea for your Christmas cards and the way you are involving M. They will be cherished by your family & friends.
I'm also so happy for you about winning the photography class! It just shows that good things do happen to good people!
Hugs to you!
Lisa C.
Our family is praying for your family...may God grant you peace and comfort during this time.
I will continue to pray for your family.
I love the pictures of M especially in his costume.
Oh my gosh... so much to say. So little space!
First of all... your mom is in my prayers every day, and so are you. I cannot begin to understand the ache you must feel, thinking that this might be her last month with you on this earth. But I am thankful that the Lord DOES understand and that He promises to be your Comforter.
I LOVE the photos. Especially the last one - with M on his Daddy's shoulders, pointing! His monkey costume is so cute!! And love the mosaics you did in Flickr. You're so techie! :) (And pretty, I might add... you're very cute & photogenic Tish!!) And I think your idea of having M make homemade Christmas cards is really cool. I may have to steal that idea, if you don't mind (and send over that crunch recipe, my sugar habit depends on it!!!)
I just love you guys!!!! Can we come vacation at your house next year??? I think O and G and M should be buddies. :)
xoxo
Tish- I am praying for you and your mom daily! I can't pretend to know what it must feel like to know you have your mom for such a short time more, but I'm thankful that God is sustaining you. I am praying that your mom is feeling His presence as well.
M makes one handsome monkey! He's like Sawyer- strips down the first second he's too hot! Funny!
I love the picture of the little kid in the Elvis costume. that's so funny!
M is looking soooo big, or are you looking so little? They aren't babies anymore are they?
Cari
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