Jan08-1

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Monday, January 28 - Mom Sick

In Montreal, Canada. We didn't plan on being here in Canada in January. If you checked last year at this time, we were in Texas in the valley working on a Sower project. In November and December, we had talked about doing the same thing or something similar this year, but as January approached, we didn't feel called to do it. I think we have learned that if we are not called, it's not a good idea to get caught up doing something "good".

Two weeks ago, Saturday the 12th, we went to a Dallas Holm concert with two of our closest friends here at the Ranch. We left them that evening at about 9:10 pm, explaining that we would we back in about 12 hours to pick them up for church. On Sunday morning, Robert died suddenly from a heart attack, and went home to be with the Lord. We were glad to be able to be there for Judith, his wife, for the following week as arrangements had to be made. We were glad we weren't some 10 hours away on a work project.

About the same time, Ed's mother, who lives in Montreal, took a turn for the worst in her health. Ed's mom was 87 last September. Ed's sister, who has been taking care of her, took her to the hospital where she has been since. The doctors can't figure out what happened, but she caught pneumonia, and an infection in her throat, both of which have been treated, but she is slipping away. She can't eat or drink, and has been very uncomfortable. The doctor in charge is now increasing her medication to keep her comfortable, as she had wished when asked what should be done when and if she approaches this time in her life, and we all know now that she is slowly slipping away.

This is an interesting time in anyone's life, when you get a few years behind you. We have had several friends pass away in the last couple of years or so, and are becoming very acquainted with death. Death doesn't scare us; sometimes we think it would be welcome just to take away aches and pains of our life here on earth. Life is often hard, isn't it? Life is not fair for most of us. We know that many of these friends now departed from this life are now with the Lord because of their faith. We also believe that our faith will one day take us to "a better place", one in the presence of our Lord and Savior, another place where there will be no more sorrow or pain. How about you? Are you prepared? How do you feel about death? If you believe, as we do, that our spirit survives our earthly body and we will spend eternity somewhere, do you know for sure where you will be going? If not, I think you know what to do: spend some time thinking about what kind of stinker you have been, admit to God that you are a sinner, that you have disappointed Him, and that you need that relationship with Jesus Christ to set you straight. What does that relationship mean? It means that you accept that He took the penalty for your sin, He died on a cross for you, (in other words, He Is your Savior) and that in return you turn your life around (repentance is the word used) and will accept Him to be your Lord. Often, and in many ways, you don't have to make a superhuman effort to stop doing those things which offended Him; you'll find that He will take the desire for them away from you. Why is that? He said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life". John 14:6 You'll find that there is absolute TRUTH, and that He is that truth (that's sometimes hard to accept in this relativistic society we live in, but give it a try). He is the Way and the Life as well, guiding your every thought and action if you let Him. It doesn't mean that you will become a perfect person; it means that you accept that His way as THE Way--you stop relying on your old way of looking at things. Get a bible and read it...a good place to start is the book of John. (you can even find a free copy of the book on the internet in a number of translations), You will soon discover that He will direct you through His Word, and help you develop that relationship. It's really that easy - it's a gift; and for accepting this gift He will give you eternal life in a place that He has prepared especially for you. John 14:2 says: "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you."

So, we're here in the hospital, saying good-bye to a wonderful woman who took loving care of many people in her life, not only her son and daughter, but six younger brothers and sisters, and knowing that soon the Lord will be taking care of her. She has been essentially bed-ridden for over 20 years, with much pain, but she knows that soon it will be all better. We have released her; she waits for His timing. We wait for her graduation...a bitter-sweet time.

Thursday, January 31 - Mom passes

It's been a long couple of days at the hospital, but she finally went home about 7 am this morning.

Over the past week, many of her brothers, sisters and several of her grandchildren, and of course her son and daughter, had opportunities to say their good-byes. We'll all miss her.

Friday, February 1 - Old Photos

We had an opportunity to go through some old pictures of mom and family, and I was able to photograph some of the old photos. Perhaps this is a good place to record some of them.