Mid-May Faves

What a week.

Had some faves until Wednesday........when we received some very devastating news....but even with the horrible news of suicide by a well loved extended family member from my husband's side of the family, I still need to rejoice...because God is good.........and that never changes. We will never understand His ways while with our human minds..........but we can cling to the promise of Comfort and Peace He so freely gives.

I'm linking up with other bloggers to share my five faves from the past week......do you have some?  You can link up with Susanne over here.

Claire and I on Mother's Day 2014
at church

My new toy (the kayak, not the Honda)

• SPECIAL DAY!  Sunday was Mother's Day and yes I was feeling a little sad last Saturday evening thinking about my mom, now with the Lord....but my family gave me such a special day on Sunday.  We went out for breakfast to one of my fave places.....I had the Swedish Crepes (made with fresh lingonberries).  It was awesome!  Courtney is still at college in Boston so she sent me a lovely message via Facebook which made my day.  And after breakfast, we went to church, then home for a quick snack and out to get what I thought was just a replacement kayak rack. Turns out my 15 year old and Dave had concocted a plan for me to choose a new upgrade in kayak form.  I was THRILLED!!  I've had my eye on the Calypso kayak from LLBean for about a year now but didn't think it would fit our financial state.  Dave said it did and because we bought the kayak, we received a discount on the new racks!  Now I just need time to actually get it into the water!!  For the rest of the day I did things I enjoy:  read a book, listened to music, did some power walking, worked with my flowers, and cooked a BBQ dinner.  It was a beautiful day. God is good.

Cherry tree in front yard

• CHERRY BLOSSOMS!  Our two cherry trees in the front yard have blossomed this week.  They are  gorgeous, especially in the afternoon sunshine. This photo  didn't come out too well and I didn't have time to "edit" it. It is so pretty even though the falling blossoms make a mess of the driveway.  I think it is a blessing to live where we experience all 4 seasons, and enjoy different plants and flowers throughout the year.  I love what God created...He is good.

• MESSAGES!  I'm not on  this social media site as often as I used to be, but it was such a comfort to our hearts, to read all the messages of support and prayers going out on behalf of my husband's family when our friends found out about the tragedy.  Even people we rarely see in person anymore due to distance sent us messages of condolences and prayers, love, and virtual "hugs".  It's a blessing to have the prayer support of other family and friends. I love all our friends and family....God is good.

• SAFE TRAVELS!  My husband left early Wednesday morning for Boston because he wanted to bring back the bulk of Courtney's dorm stuff.  He arrived at Gordon College safely and made it back home safely.  He was stuck in very heavy traffic on Route 128 (for those of you who know the Boston area, we refer to that highway as the highway from hell) but he took a break once he got on the Pike, and arrived home about 8 pm that night.  This was after finding out about his cousin's tragic death.  I prayed for him the entire day I think!!  I was anxious but God replaced that anxiety with peace after I prayed.  God is good.

• SCRIPTURE!  This Bible verse brings a lot of comfort to people when in the grieving stages.  I am hoping and trusting that this Scripture will find its way into M-----'s heart as she prepares to bury her husband. We can trust in the peace of God that our human brain just can't comprehend....when things happen that our human brain just can't comprehend.  God is good. All the time.  And all the time, God is good.

 

That wraps it up for me.  If you think of my husband's family over the next few days, please do lift up M and her family. M is the wife of the cousin who hung himself Tuesday night.  They are very beloved of my own family....my 2 daughters had so much fun with "uncle" R and he spoiled them with candy kisses when we did part of our spring break with them a few years ago in Hershey, PA which is near where they live.  Our hearts are breaking for M as this was so unexpected and sudden.  Yes, he was a Believer and no he did not leave a note or any indicating factors that he was contemplating taking his own life.  Please do pray for us as we attempt to say "good bye".  They are the only Christians, that we know of, on my husband's side of the family.  We love them dearly. It is so difficult being so far in distance from M this weekend......please pray God's comfort and peace will surround her heart, soul, and mind.  Thank you.