I have just come from Pat Farnham's memorial service. It was such a blessing to see how many people one life can impact! I've only known her for less than a year, and I am so thankful that the Lord had put her in my life for that brief time. She was just a genuine person who reached out to anyone and everyone! Today was a bit rough trying to get through the day without dissolving into tears. I walked through the foyer mid-day and found pictures of her set up for this evening's service. I merely glanced and tears came flowing out of my eyes. God was good and allowed me to get through the rest of the day without breaking down in front of my students.
Tonight during the service, each grandchild wrote a note that was read. Her grandson, Tyler, who is a student in my class, is a very good writer. When his letter was read, I lost it and dissolved into tears. My 8-year-old nephew who was sitting next to me, starting to rub my back to make sure I was OK. It is such a bitter-sweet thing to miss someone you've grown to love, and knowing now that they are in the presence of the Lord!
I was recalling this past week, the many good memories I had with Pat. She was my hairdresser for this past year, and the first time she highlighted my hair she was so nervous. Afterwards, she would come up to me at church, just to check out her own handiwork! Another memory was when I went over to her house for my Birthday. She had bought me a T-Shirt that says "Major Attitude" because she thought I gave her "attitude". Well, most of the time she egged it on herself. We definitely knew how to get each other.
The last thing I wanted to leave on tonight's post, as I know it is getting long, is the poem that was on the program:
Safely Home
I am home in Heaven, dear ones:
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed:
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
And he came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread:
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not greive so sorely,
For I love you dearly still
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand:
Do it now, while life remaineth--
You shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed.
He will gently call you Home:
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!
Today was Pat's 63rd Birthday! Welcome Home Pat!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
an update on Pat
Last night Pat went home to be with the Lord. They brought the grandchildren in yesterday to say goodbye and then they took her off life-support. She is now in the presence of the Lord, which is far better! Thanks for your prayers and I ask that you will continue to pray for the family as they plan the funeral and memorial service for Monday. Also pray for financial needs as well. Due to circumstances beyond Pat's control, she did not have medical issurance. Some of the expenses will be covered by the car insurance because it was a car accident.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Maddie
This is a picture of my sister Sarah's youngest child. Her name is Madilyn Rose, but Maddie for short. She is sooo cute and was so much fun to have around the house last week when my sister's fam came for a visit. Hope you enjoy the pic!
On a more serious note I have an urgent prayer request. There is a lady in our church named Pat Farnham who was in a serious car accident on Saturday afternoon. I have grown to love Pat and her family since I have been back home after college. The outcome looks grave, so I ask that you would pray. If she does make it, the doctor's are unsure of how much cognitive ability she will have if any. Tomorrow and Wednesday are really big days, the doctors are going to take her off the drugs that were used for pain and stopping the internal bleeding. They are going to see if there is any brain activity or response. Right now, there is no brain activity and she has not come out of her coma since the accident. She is a believer, so please pray for her family. She has three adult children and 8 grandchildren. The children's names are Laney, Lesli and Mark. Pat was a very active lady and this has come as a shock to her family. Thanks for your prayers!
On a more serious note I have an urgent prayer request. There is a lady in our church named Pat Farnham who was in a serious car accident on Saturday afternoon. I have grown to love Pat and her family since I have been back home after college. The outcome looks grave, so I ask that you would pray. If she does make it, the doctor's are unsure of how much cognitive ability she will have if any. Tomorrow and Wednesday are really big days, the doctors are going to take her off the drugs that were used for pain and stopping the internal bleeding. They are going to see if there is any brain activity or response. Right now, there is no brain activity and she has not come out of her coma since the accident. She is a believer, so please pray for her family. She has three adult children and 8 grandchildren. The children's names are Laney, Lesli and Mark. Pat was a very active lady and this has come as a shock to her family. Thanks for your prayers!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
a week with the family
My sister Sarah and her family came out from Indiana this past week and stayed with us. The house definitely was not as quiet with three young ones running around. . . something that I had to get used to. It was a great week filled with activities. We ate A LOT and relaxed outdoors, we also got this lovely family picture of all 17 of us! Afterward we went up to camp to let the little ones play. . . until the adults could play no more. I'll post more pictures later of the week but this one will have to do for right now.
Monday, April 10, 2006
letting go
I find myself today in a spot that would not be exactly where I want to be, but it is where God has me. One situation after the other where God has caused me to sit back and reflect on relationships in my life. Analyzing whether they are truly edifying or pulling me down. I would rather just keep going on my merry little way without having to honestly deal with certain things that God has brought to my attention. I just do not want to be uncomfortable, but I am thankful for how God is stretching me recently in ways I was not expecting.
So I am learning to let go of control of resolving issues that I can not control. I have done my part and therefore it is in God's hands. I have to admit the hardest part is the realization that leaving issues unresolved between a friend and me could very possibly mean that I will be no more than mere acquaintences with them for the time being. Even more permamently, I will lose them as a friend altogether. In the long run, I know if he does not wish to resolve what has come between us, than he does not value the friendship and therefore the relationship becomes one-sided/lop-sided. God has shown me that kind of relationship is not something I want to be a part of long-term or I will just keep setting myself up for hurt time after time.
I am also learning to let go of having expectations of this friend that I know in his character he can not fulfill. I can not change him, I can only pray.
I am learning to let go of not being able to reconcile in my heart the hurt I feel from this friendship and the blessings and good times I can recall. It is so hard to let go of the things I do enjoy from this friendship. I enjoy his sense of humor, his prank-pulling ability, sarcasm, listening and concerning heart at some points . . .
It is amazing how this morning I was destrought over having to let these things go, and the amazing power of prayer of my friends I know sense. I thought for sure I would not make it through the day without losing it once, but God gave me the peace that passes what I understand from the situation.
So I am learning to let go of control of resolving issues that I can not control. I have done my part and therefore it is in God's hands. I have to admit the hardest part is the realization that leaving issues unresolved between a friend and me could very possibly mean that I will be no more than mere acquaintences with them for the time being. Even more permamently, I will lose them as a friend altogether. In the long run, I know if he does not wish to resolve what has come between us, than he does not value the friendship and therefore the relationship becomes one-sided/lop-sided. God has shown me that kind of relationship is not something I want to be a part of long-term or I will just keep setting myself up for hurt time after time.
I am also learning to let go of having expectations of this friend that I know in his character he can not fulfill. I can not change him, I can only pray.
I am learning to let go of not being able to reconcile in my heart the hurt I feel from this friendship and the blessings and good times I can recall. It is so hard to let go of the things I do enjoy from this friendship. I enjoy his sense of humor, his prank-pulling ability, sarcasm, listening and concerning heart at some points . . .
It is amazing how this morning I was destrought over having to let these things go, and the amazing power of prayer of my friends I know sense. I thought for sure I would not make it through the day without losing it once, but God gave me the peace that passes what I understand from the situation.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
blast from the past. . . and how to keep a healthy level of insanity
First. . . a blast from the past. I came across some old picture CD's of mine that I had from when I was in a bazillion weddings. So I uploaded them to bring back some memories of my college years. This picture is of Keara and me on our way to play "Laser-Tag" a couple days before Jen's wedding. There were some psycho teenage boys who wanted to play with us, but thankfully we only had to play with them one time. I also did find out that I stink at the game, like most games in my life. It was fun anyway:o) It's so amazing how a picture can bring back some long lost memories!
Second. . . how to keep a healthy level of insanity:
1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a
hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries
with that.
4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it "in"
5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6. Finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy."
7. Dont use any punctuation marks
8. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
9. Ask people what sex they are. Laugh hysterically after they answer.
10. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go".
11. Sing along at the opera.
12. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
13. Put mosquito netting around your work area. Play a tape of jungle
sounds all day.
14. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their
party because you're not in the mood.
15. Have your coworkers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Hard Kim.
16. When the money comes out the ATM, scream "I won!", "I won!" "3rd time this week!!!!!"
17. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot,
yelling "run for your lives, they're loose!!"
18. Tell your children over dinner. "due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."
Second. . . how to keep a healthy level of insanity:
1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a
hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries
with that.
4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it "in"
5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6. Finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy."
7. Dont use any punctuation marks
8. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
9. Ask people what sex they are. Laugh hysterically after they answer.
10. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go".
11. Sing along at the opera.
12. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
13. Put mosquito netting around your work area. Play a tape of jungle
sounds all day.
14. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their
party because you're not in the mood.
15. Have your coworkers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Hard Kim.
16. When the money comes out the ATM, scream "I won!", "I won!" "3rd time this week!!!!!"
17. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot,
yelling "run for your lives, they're loose!!"
18. Tell your children over dinner. "due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."
Monday, April 03, 2006
more random thoughts
This picture is of 2 of my fifth grade girls at recess. It's finally getting warmer out here in PA, although today was a bit of a chiller for April. It was a little rainy out today. It wasn't temperature cold, but rather of a cut right through you chill due to the dampness in the air. I did survive my recess duty, but tomorrow might be a different story. . . just kidding.
Tomorrow we start Standford Achievement Tests. . . yipee! Well, hopefully all will go smoothly. I am glad that I am not the one filling in all those little circles anymore:o) There are 3 homeschool boys coming in to join our class, which will change the whole dynamic of the class. There are only 5 boys in my class, so those 5 boys are very excited to have these boys around. The 12 girls in my class were a little disappointed to say the least to find out all three homeschoolers coming in were boys. Boys still have cooties to most of them.
As I teach I remember the good old days of elementary school when I was a young gal. How I loved snack time and recess! Who could forget the birthday treats brought in and the little parties through out the year to celebrate various assundry holidays! There is nothing like the innocence of childhood, compared to being an adult and how we complicate our own lives. Oh to go back and revel in the days of no responsibility, but I guess there weren't too many priviledges either:o)
Tomorrow we start Standford Achievement Tests. . . yipee! Well, hopefully all will go smoothly. I am glad that I am not the one filling in all those little circles anymore:o) There are 3 homeschool boys coming in to join our class, which will change the whole dynamic of the class. There are only 5 boys in my class, so those 5 boys are very excited to have these boys around. The 12 girls in my class were a little disappointed to say the least to find out all three homeschoolers coming in were boys. Boys still have cooties to most of them.
As I teach I remember the good old days of elementary school when I was a young gal. How I loved snack time and recess! Who could forget the birthday treats brought in and the little parties through out the year to celebrate various assundry holidays! There is nothing like the innocence of childhood, compared to being an adult and how we complicate our own lives. Oh to go back and revel in the days of no responsibility, but I guess there weren't too many priviledges either:o)
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