The Precious Treasures of Guatemala

Reasons to Rejoice!

As most of you know this last month has been a hard month for my family.  Losing my dear grandmother in a car accident is a horrifying shock, but in missing my grandma the real important things in life became very clear to me.  Such as loving those around you while you still have them, knowing that at anytime your life here could be over and to make ever moment count.  However, in a way I dreaded Christmas because my grandma would not be here, everything about decorating and celebrating just seemed a little wrong and to full of memories.  In a way I began to dwell more on these thoughts than on the joy that Christmas really is, but this was changed very suddenly.

Last weekend my brother and I went to visit some very good friends who live about four hours away.  On Sunday we started to drive back home.  We were only about ten minuets from home and slowing down to take our turn off of Highway 2 when the unthinkable happened.  I was looking down at something when I heard  my brother say "Oh no" in his most dreadful voice, I looked up in time to see a mini van sliding out of control straight into our lane and coming directly at us, still going quite fast.  It struck our Camri, and the airbags deployed striking my face very hard.  I must have ducked.  (word to the wise, if your car has airbags don't duck)  Amazingly no one was hurt, but our car is very bashed up, and the left side of my face is quite rug burnt and bruised.  The crash was shocking, but through it I realized that I have so much to be grateful for, and that God is truly in control. There is nothing we could have done to avoid that collision, but for some reason God let it happen. A little while after the the crash I was talking to someone and happened to look up and saw that it was snowing.  It was snowing that  beautiful snow which sparkles and I knew then that I would always be grateful to be alive and to know the Lord.  Christmas is not about feelings, but but it is about knowing Him,  Jesus is the only gift that will always be there.

Grandma

Sometimes I forget that she is not here

My dear Grandma, who was always so near

But then like a flood the memories come

Though at times my heart seems so numb

I grasp for these thoughts like tender treasures

To press deep within my heart forever.

So preciously sweet in God's loving sight

Is the death of His saints, in whom He delights

He says "Well done my good and faithful one

Your toil on earth is completely done.”

With Him she abides, but she left behind

Footprints to follow in the sands of time

Her life was simple so full of giving

In giving she found the key to living

Her heart was a channel and through it flowed

Refreshing wisdom and love to behold

Each person she touched could somehow feel

That she was precious, so sweet and so real

At just one note of the Meadow Lark's song

She would pause to hear the whole melody long

A smile would sweep across her face

At this reminder of God of love and grace

She taught me that these small simple pleasures

Made this life God gives a gracious treasure

Words can never begin to express

The thoughts that within my heart are pressed

I will miss her laughter, her voice, her love

Her gentle presence and her sense of fun.

I know she’s with Jesus, happy and free

But she was a gift so precious to me.

I will miss her

When I was a child I dreamed of life and all that lay before me with the eager expectancy that only a truly accomplished day dreamer can understand.  I dreamed of growing up and many adventures, I dreamed of maybe getting married and having a family, or being single and devoting myself to those who are helpless, and hopelessly lost.  I guess one thing that was not a factor in any of my dreams was the thought of losing the one who dreamed with me and encouraged me perhaps more than anyone, she was my listener, the one who always seemed to know when I was in pain, excited or scared.  She knew a lot about me, but unconditionally loved me, even when she had to ground me for throwing blackberrys at my brother.  My favorite childhood memorys are wrapped up on the little farm in Springdale where she lived.  Somehow in my day dreams she was always there with her hugs and words of wisdom.  I never dreamed that one day my Grandma would be killed in a car accident, but last night my dear Grandma was instantly killed when another car broadsided her's.  and while I am happy that her prayer that she never become an invalid was answered it is still so hard to say goodbye. I will miss her.

Old news.....but I have pics to prove it. :)

 Last summer I went the one of the most beautiful places on this planet, the Oregon coast.  I adore the ocean!  Anyhow, here are some of the many pics the group  took, and I think that you all will agree that the ocean is a class unto itself when it comes to sheer power and beauty.

The absolutly gorgeous Haystack Rock.

My favoite beach, Hug Point. The group I went with.  Me, Anne, my brother Matt, and Katie.  We were camping, but hey, that did not keep us from getting dressed up for dinner one night.      Home sweet home!  good thing we didn't have to worry about any bears or rattlesnakes.  Notice the food and open tent flaps.

:) Nothing beats roasting marshmellows over an open fire on the beach at sunset with great friends.

Ah yes, a place to be completely at rest and just soak in the amazing beauty of the ocean, knowing that I know the one who created it all.