Congrats to G!

The storm finally came in but not as quick as they predicted.   Garrett and I are home tonight and we were both laughing at Hank because he doesn't like to get his paws wet and if you don't watch out, he will do his business on the porch!  What a funny pup!  Garrett has taught him how to sit, but unfortunately, we don't think he hears very well, so we are working on hand signals.  

I wanted to share that Garrett made first team District 7-3A Boys Basketball Team! Congratulations to Doug Hopkins for first team and Curtis Amos as Newcomer of the Year!

What an exciting year of basketball for the Centennial boys. It was pure joy watching Garrett play this year.  In September, I remember sitting in the oncologist office in Tulsa and worrying about scheduling Pat's treatment and praying we would not miss many of Garrett's games during the season.  Of course, I didn't think for one minute that  Pat wouldn't be here  and I specifically remember crying  and asking God why he would allow Pat to leave us during basketball season..  As instantly as I asked him, he answered, "because it is what you enjoy the most".  Yes, he was right. Watching Garrett play kept us busy and help us to change our focus for just a while.  

It blesses my heart so much knowing that G scored 30 points in what would be Pat's last game to watch his son play on that Monday before he left  us on Saturday. I am so proud of Garrett as he played with such heart, determination and pure dedication to his team with a broken heart. Their team made it to the second round of playoffs and it was very exciting. What a great year, Spartans!

 

Well, the thunder is loud and I am enjoying watching Hank stare at the lightning. He cracks me up!  Cash thinks he pretty fun too!

Hugs!

 

xoxo

Purpose

Yesterday was a just one of those hard days.  It looks like we are going to need a roof, so I stayed home to meet the insurance agent and my cousin, Brett, who works at a roofing company and is taking good care of me.  After they left, I really didn't have anywhere else to be so, I stayed home on purpose.  Those taxes are still hanging over my head, so I thought I would try to tackle them.  As the day winds down, I am still by myself as Matt is gone and Mr. G is soaking up the beautiful sunshine in the Bahamas. I am feeling lonely, missing Pat and trying not to feel sorry for myself.  I look on FaceBook and Elizabeth has tagged this precious picture:

The tears I was fighting let loose.

This morning I am waiting on my K-cup to deliver my favorite brew, Green Mountain Breakfast Blend, and I noticed I received a message from Jamie Johnson:

Hey just had a little something I wanted to share with you. I worked an event back in December with some friends. The event was for children who had lost their parents at war. I was standing with a friend named Shane. He and is wife, Sandy, are friends of mine. They are in their late 30's. A boy who had special needs in a wheel chair passed by us. My friend, Shane, said, " I just don't see why God does that to people. How much can a person take? I mean he's lost a parent on top of the other needs he has." I just started telling him God's glory can be used in so many situations. The conversation led to me telling him about you and Pat. I explained to him the testimonies that were given at Pat's funeral about his life and how you and Pat was ministering to others in most difficult time. Well a few weeks ago Shane was having pain in his jaw and it snapped in half one night when he yawned. He was diagnosed last week with a very rare form of cancer and it has eaten most of his jaw bone away. There are only 150 reported cases of the type of cancer he has. He and his wife have 2 young children. They are devastated. I saw Shane the other day and it was hard to know what to say. He just said to me, "Hey, Jamie do you remember that conversation we had a few months ago about that man you knew (he was referring to Pat)? I had no idea that day just how much that conversation would mean to me and how it has made me look at things so different now. I'm so grateful we talked about that. Little did I know just how much that I needed to hear that. I must tell you my heart nearly cried out as I was more in LOVE with Jesus for that divine appointment I had no idea was taking place at that time." I just wanted to share this with you Paige so you can see as Pat is rejoicing with our BEAUTIFUL Savior right now, his life is still impacting others. Thanks so much to you both for allowing the Lord to use you guys. Shane is going in for his first of many surgeries tomorrow at 5:30am. I would love if you would pray for him and his family. Again thanks so much for loving the Lord and for being so transparent and obedient to the one who loves you more than you know. Love, Jamie.

"Wow" is my first thought. Tears flow again and I am reminded by God's perfecting timing in His delivery of Jamie's  message directly to my heart.  He knows my pain and I read in Psalms 56 yesterday morning, vs. 8 "You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?"  Pat's journey has purpose and God is using it to touch lives.  That brings me joy. 

Streams in the Desert still ministers to me each morning.  Today I read, "Almighty God can make us stronger than our circumstances and can turn each situation to our good. In God's strength we can make them all pay tribute to our soul. We can even take the darkest disappointment, break it open, and discover a precious jewel of grace inside." I imagine the jewel is the color purple.

Hugs!

xoxo

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

Change Again

I cannot believe that I have not blogged since 21st of February.  I have good intentions and a lot to say, but I haven't found the time.  It is a lazy Sunday afternoon and I haven't moved far from this couch.  Yesterday, I had planned on working the home show at the Cowboy stadium, but I wasn't needed, so I stayed in my pj's all day and did some organizing. 

Changed has happened again since the 21st and that is  I am no longer working at the church.  It was very hard to walk away and as I did, I was wearing my new bracelet that my fellow staff members gave me that says "Embrace the Journey".  Great theme as I step into a new world of marketing residential replacement windows!  I have actually enjoyed visiting various networking events sponsored by a couple of Chambers as well as some other groups.  It is nice to not have to be in an office 8 to 5. I truly miss my friends at FBC, but thankful I will see them from time to time at church.

Spring break is this week and Mr. Garrett is headed to the Bahamas with the Lummuses...thank you Jeff and Leslie for inviting him.  Wow!  I am jealous.  He will have a great time and I am glad he gets the opportunity. One problem with him being gone and that is Hank will be loving on me and vice versa!

This picture was taken this morning.  Hank just climbed right in my lap while I was doing my quiet time!

I am still attending Grief Share once a week and I have found it very helpful and it teaches me about grief and what to expect and what is expected of me.  The most important part of grieving is to make sure that I do...I have to lean into it.   We have all heard that it comes in waves and that is true.  I found that it hits me when I least expect it.  Today I was sitting in church and my friend, David Ross, slipped in to sit beside me.  He was alone as his wife, Tracie, had stayed at home.  As I was sitting there and as the sermon began I hear Brother Mike mention the word peace.  I thank God immediately for my peace and my joy, but all of a sudden I remember that David is sitting on my left side.  The side Pat always sat on. It must have been his jeans or his boots that caught my eye. Tears begin to flow.  I can't stop them and keep wiping my face without one tissue in sight.  As much as I fought it, I couldn't overcome the tears or the pain I felt.  For years, Pat and I sat within a row or two of the same place year after year.  It still doesn't seem real that my tall, sweet husband is not sitting with me.  I miss him so much. 

Colorado July 2011

It is bedtime now, and I have  just returned from dinner with the kids. Time with them is precious and when we are all together, it is just bliss for this mom.

I read on a church billboard this week: Life is not a bow, but each day is a gift!

Have a blessed week!
Hugs!

Spartans Win First Playoff Game!

The Spartans won their first playoff game tonight against Kennedale 64 to 59!  Whew! What a great game that was exciting, explosive and just plain fun!  Garrett did a great job as well as all of the other guys.  Garrett's smile was absolutely priceless as he came up into the stands to give us all a hug.  His Aunt Kelly and Uncle Brian arrived just in time for the game from OKC and drove back afterwards....so touching.  It was wonderful having my Mom, Aunt Dianne, our life group friends, David and Tracie and all of our fellow friends and fans!  It was loud in that gym!  

This morning as I was about to leave for work, I was on my knees just thanking God for the many blessings He has given me.  In my conversation with Him, I asked him specifically for a win tonight because I know that He loves to bless us.  I told him that this Mom is asking for a win for her son to help the pain he feels in missing his dad.  I know that Garrett misses his biggest cheerleader in those stands.  We have been experiencing so many of our "firsts" and I asked that this particular first would bring Garrett and all of us joy.  It did, and we say thank you, Lord.

Today has been full of emotion as the staff at church celebrated birthdays and my send off.  I was given a beautiful card and a Brighton bracelet that has engraved "Embrace The Journey".  I found myself in tears most of the morning as I anticipate my last day on Thursday as my friends mean so much to me.  I also was sad knowing that Pat would have loved watching Garrett play basketball in his first playoff.  I don't know what goes on in that heavenly place, but I do hope that Pat gets to see glimpses of our joy.  

Ready for the next game this Friday against Abilene, but I do not know the details just yet!

Hugs!

xoxo