TIME.....it really does moves on, doesn't it? And yes, it IS now time for us to leave Mt. Juliet, hard tho' it is. It was especially tough to say goodbye to both Mom and Dad today, knowing where they are in their lives right now. But then again, it is rarely easy to say goodbyes....so, yes, some tears were shed. But again, I feel truly blessed to have been able to spend these months with them and to take some of the burden from my brother Ray and his wife Linda. I covet your prayers for all of us over these next days, weeks and months as we travel a path we don't always understand....but we know that God will give us what we need for each day....He doesn't give us what we need for tomorrow, but just like the manna provided to the Israelites, He promises to give us what we need for today!

I am so grateful for the care that my mom receives at the healthcare center, and all of the caregivers who really DO care about and for her. And then there are the home health workers who come in to assist my Dad....God has truly blessed in that each and every one is a Christian and has a commitment to help my Dad be the best that he can be!

And a big thank you to all of the wonderful folks here at Covenant Fellowship who have accepted us, loved us and encouraged us.....God knows who you are....and we thank you. So until next time.......

MAY GOD BLESS!

It's just about time....time, that is, to "change our neighborhood" as Willie refers to our relocation procedures! This Thursday we will leave our nest here at the corner of Covenant Fellowship Nazarene Church in Mt. Juliet to head down to Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega, AL, before making a quick trip down to Gulfport, MS to see Janelle, Chris and "the boys".

As always, we are looking forward to being where God wants us, and fulfilling His calling, but at the same time leaving here will be difficult. The congregation of Covenant has been so loving, so accepting and so warm to us....what an example of Christian love! And then....it will be difficult to leave family.....especially Mom and Dad, at this season in their lives. We covet your prayers for them, and for my brother Ray and his wife Linda who will continue to be involved in their lives. And of course, it's hard to leave our son Jon.....it's been fun going to all of the out-of-the-way and different eateries he has taken us to....but we really enjoyed sharing Thanksgiving and Christmas with him....God really IS good!

Life....sometimes it's beautiful, sometimes it's scary, sometimes it's frustrating, and sometimes it just hurts. Today has been one of those it-just-hurts times.

Due to the nature of my mother's dementia, she has no concept that she has any problem at all....and she fully believes that she is not only capable of taking care of herself, but of helping take care of my dad. Consequently, she believes she is being held against her will at the nursing home, and that if I loved her, I would make it possible for her to go home. Usually, I am able to deal with all of it without too much problem....today was a little tougher. It hurt to see her so frustrated; it hurt to know she doesn't understand; it hurt to know that she was so angry; it hurt to see her upset with my dad; it hurt to hear her say she doesn't believe I love her. But what hurt most of all was knowing that there is absolutely nothing I can do to change any of that!

It also reminded me how God must feel (not that I am comparing myself with him....far from it) when I get frustrated, when I don't feel His presence, when I question what He is doing in my life......OUCH! I am so grateful that He cares enough to keep loving, keep nurturing, keep guiding, keep encouraging.....you get the picture. So I take my example from Him, and I will endeavor to keep showing my Mom love in any way that she will allow (today she "threw me out" of her room), and will keep praying that God will give her (and me, and my Dad) a measure of peace. I guess this is one of those "we see through a glass darkly" times....so even in the midst, I will keep trusting Him because His promises are true....and my love for my Mom is true.