Promise of Spring

One month, and one day. 

That's how long it's been since Steve's celebration service.  And celebrating it was.  I've thought a lot about the term funeral, and am so glad that we chose a different word to remember Steve by.  Not that funeral is bad - but it is a sad word to me.  The word celebrate is a word that conjures up images of joy, laughter, happiness, family and friends.  Party!

Those words are what Steve's life was about.  Joy - he was full of that.  Joy is not dependent on your circumstances, but a God given assurance that regardless of what is happening in your world, God is always in control and always at work.  Steve loved a good laugh, and was quick with his smile, and "up to no good" ideas.  Who can resist that?

Yes, even though what happened to Steve seems like yesterday, and forever ago all at the same time, celebration is the what I will hold on to.  I often ask my girls, "What do you think Uncle Steve is seeing and experiencing right now?"  Imagine the colors, the sights that only Heavenly eyes can see, the sound of Christ himself laughing with Steve....  I love knowing that Steve has seen His hands and His feet.  He has tasted   salvation because he is able to stand in the presence of God and say, "Only because of Your grace and because of Your Son!"  How jealous I am of him right now.  Truly reason to celebrate!  

And though Steve now sings at the Throne of Christ - it's still so unclear, and downright painful here.  Life is short, but the prospect of living that short life without someone you love, seems like too much sometimes.

Donna and I, along with Joe and his friend Caleb went for a nice walk today.  The sun is warm, and it felt good to get out! My girls are recovering from a very fun weekend.  Sarah and the youth group was up at Frontier Ranch for a Vineyard Church youth rally.  Since our EFree youth group and the Vineyard meet together - our group got to be a part of it.  Sarah loved the speaker and music, and really enjoyed hanging out with the three or four 7th graders she sees every week.  She is funny, because she has a great time with the older kids too.  The older girls are good to include the younger girls, and Sarah LOVES to be have a part with them.

We had a Valentines event at church on Sat PM.  Always a lot of work, but enjoyed the evening so much.  A couple that we knew in college came and shared their love story and how God can restore and renew our relationships when we truly let him.  Their family stayed with us, and Rebekah and their daughter were instant friends.  It's like they had known each other their whole lives.  They had a ball!

So, today is a recovery day, at least for the girls and I. 

Jim works on.......

He has done such an outstanding job of supporting us. He longs to make a difference here in Salida, and continues to do just that.  I admire him so much.

My brother Bill worked hard on putting together a DVD of Steve's service.  Maybe this will be the week when I can finally summon up the strength to watch it.   The warmer weather, the sound of water moving again, the bright sunshine - all things that remind me of the promise of spring.  Winter isn't over here in the mountains, and not with me yet either.  But I trust in the promises of God.  He will make all things new.

Thanks for your continued prayers, on our behalf.  :)