Family Love 6-19-09

My sister, Kelly, has been here from Florida since last Thursday. We had a beautiful time just enjoying life together. Friday we got the kids up and went to the "Treat Store" as we affectionately call it (after a healthy and nutricious breakfast, of course ). It is an old fashioned candy store with every treat you can possibly imagine...a great place for an adult AND children...cause you kind of feel like a kid again. Afterwards, we came home and grilled turkey burgers and played outside in the sprinkler. Noah wasn't quite the good sharer that I had hoped he would be...but we are working on it. Saturday we met our parents in a cute little resort town and had a picnic dinner complete with ice cream and a play park. Sunday was a big family reunion at my grandparents. And Monday was the grand finale. Kelly and I and my mom (and the kids of course) went to my favorite cafe for lunch followed by downtown window shopping. Then that evening we all (mom, dad, and 3 of us girls ) packed up and went to a local fun park. The highlight was when we each stepped into our own go-cart and conveniently enough, only our family was on the track. We spent 6 minutes of pure childlike bliss racing around the curves and over the bridges. We were all laughing out loud with the biggest cheesiest grins on our faces. Bugs were flying in my mouth (I know, gross, right!) but I didn't care... I couldn't stop laughing. Joy was all around us. It was like stepping back in time to when we were kids again. It was awesome. I couldn't stop smiling...none of us could. When we got home Jonathan asked (he couldn't come with us bc of a prior commitment at home) me, "What happened at that place...you are all glowing!" We just enjoyed being together...it was family fun in its purest form. A memory none of us are likely to forget. Beautiful.

I love the familiarity of siblings. My siblings are all over the country, so when I get with one (or the very, very rare occasion, we all get together) the time is treasured. Each night that Kelly was here, we would put the kids to bed and then chat the night away. We never once went to sleep before 2am, and we slept downstairs so that we could be as loud as we wanted. I love how siblings share so easily. The first night she was here I said, "Kelly, remember that time when we were washing dishes and..." At that point she started dying laughing...because she knew exactly what I was talking about. Eventually she pushed me out of bed for revenge of how I scared her all those years ago. I love that. My family (parents and siblings) may be blended, but it is unique and the bonds are strong and enduring. Just another example of how pain can breed strength. And seeds of sadness, can indeed bloom sprigs of joy and beauty. God is in the business of redemption.

I took Kelly back to the airport on Tuesday morning. I always hate that. Her and Jen (my other sister, well, step-sisters actually) used to stay with us every summer and two weeks of the winter (thank you blended family!). Every time we brought them back to the airport there were tears and sadness. We all felt it and approached goodbye day with dread. So anytime I head to the airport to say goodbye I get that same pit of dread in my stomach. I hate it. I hate goodbyes. The house is empty without her and Katelyn here. Even Noah keeps asking where the baby dirl is.

Switching gears, today is a big day for David and Amy. We should find out if the tumor will be receptive to chemotherapy and the prognosis for David. Please continue to bathe them in prayer. I thank you all so much for your outpouring of support and encouragement through all of this. You have touched them...and you have blessed me in the process. Really...the community of believers has WOWED me in the past few days. I am so very thankful to be a child of God...and for the love and care and encouragement that comes with that.

We are praying for complete healing for David. No matter what is said today, we are claiming the truth of God's Word and we are asking God for a miracle. We absolutely know that He is able. We also know that He is Sovereign. No matter what the outcome, we want God to be glorified...and for now, that means resting in Him and believing in His promises. Thank you so much joining us in this. You are precious, friends.

MATTHEW 8:13 NKJ

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.