Crying and Singing

It has always been therapeutic for me to write, and this morning I need to write. In the midst of boxes and piled up furniture, the dramas of life are ongoing. One such drama for us is the sadness of being grandparents positionally but not being able to be grandparents experientially. We received some sad news last night that we will not be able to see our new little Easton and our continually evolving little Ella later this month as we had planned. At first, we were very stoic about it, but in the wee hours of the night, the stoicism dissolved into tears. First, I realized I was going through the stages of grief--shock, denial, anger...

I read the Spirit's own words back to Him, "I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted..." "Oh that I had wings...I would fly away and be at rest."

But after listening patiently to me, the Lover of my soul whispered back to me, "Those tears are being stored in the bottle. Nestle under the shadow of My wing where peace and lovingkindness is rich and free."

"Because of You, my heart will not be shaken. Because You give me the strength to do it, I will sing of that strength to do so (Ps. 59). Even joyfully! You are my stronghold and I am getting to know the depths of your love by stepping behind it. You are incredibly personal and are showing me the sheer essence of Your love."

Yes, there are late night and early morning cries of a little boy in New York and I wish I was there to console him, but there is joy in the gift you've given me to pray that, as he grows, his tears will dissolve into joy in You. Love truly does bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things.

A New "E"

Meet Easton Andrew Sewall, the newest addition to Evan and Emily's family in New York. Ella has a brother and we're all ECSTATIC and EVER so EXCITED. You can check out their blog at esewalls.blogspot.com.

Plan your trip and take it!

We have been getting e-mails from an adventurous friend of ours and her other adventurous friend. They have been on a sweeping camping trip of the great northwest and will soon be making a loop into Canada and re-entering at Glacier National Park and have been sending back descriptions of the wonders they are observing, while we are leaning on one elbow staring at the computer screen, trying to escape the de-energizing heat. What one of us would not want to stand on the ridge and look out on the ocean and the sunset? Was it difficult to plan their itinerary, collect the gear, make arrangements for the cats and dogs left behind, pay bills ahead of time, stop the mail, etc. etc.? Of course! Is it worth it? Of course!!!

Hasn't God told us to count the cost? I think we all want to stand on the mountain but we can't stand the thought of getting out of town. In my wandering thoughts, I was thinking how we are "trying to get out of town". Is it hard sorting and packing 22 years of accumulation from the five of us, plus various inherited worldly goods and yard sale treasures. Finding renters. Filling out home loan applications and gathering papers. Saying goodbye and getting closure with tried and true friends. Presenting our vision to encourage others to "go" with us with their time, energy, and money. Close John's office and finish up work. Yes, it's a challenge. Will it be worth it? We are trusting that it will be and that the God we serve will honor our willingness to "go for it" for His good pleasure. We are asking Him to allow us to stand on the mountain vistas and be invigorated by the mountain air, really knowing HE is the air we are breathing, to be made willing and ready for the challenge of allowing Him to take us even higher. Yes, we "hike" by faith and not by sight and we KNOW it will be worth it.