Sunday afternoon, beside the waterfall...

 
  It's Sunday afternoon here at the hospice.  I write to you with the window open, the breeze gently poking it's head in, the birds squabbling over the food in the feeder and the clouds providing a spectacular background to my thoughts.  I hope you all look up and appreciate the skies above, where God paints the world with love, that's how I know He lives (words from a very old song on a kids record).   And in our devotions the other day, there was a reminder and a call to look beyond the clouds, the flowers, the birds and look to the Master of Creation, to the God who loves us, who creates beauty for us to appreciate and enjoy and who teaches us to appreciate these beauties.\

           I   have to admit that this picture is not one that I took...I looked through my archives for a suitable image but there was none.  I need to acknowledge that the image is not my own and I want to be honest about that.  It is a beautiful shot and instantly reminded me of heaven and the majesties of the clouds.

  
     Our sermon text for this morning was from Habakkuk 3 which gave us a chance to meditate on God's goodness despite being in difficult circumstances, to realize in a few short verses that God is with us in the high and low times, that He teaches us how to live in both circumstances - joy and sorrow.   This past week and a bit since we've been settling in here at Bob Kemp have brought moments of sorrow and joy.  We've been surrounded by visits from dear dear friends and family and they have been of much support and joy even as tears flow down our cheeks realizing that this might possibly be the last times that we see and embrace each other - not knowing God's timing.  When we were told weeks to months at our family meeting, it was hard to know what that meant... does that mean I'll be here til Christmas or will this cancer beast which desires to suck my energy and strength be more aggressive than that and take more bites off than it can chew?  Already, as I am here, I do feel more relaxed and less stressed - it is a very mellow and peaceful atmosphere here - I've been doing visiting here and there but not too many in a day which can prove to be more than I can take - keeping our visitation times short and sweet has been helpful and my dear sister has been the Gatekeeper - a tough but necessary job.  I love to see everyone but mentally and even physically that can be a strain on the energy tax.
     Our room is a very calm and quiet place - positioned just beside the huge outdoor waterfall feature in the garden - the birds, particularly robins and finches love to take long baths in it.  The other beautiful and compelling thing is the bird feeders just outside the window - the squirrels do their best to get at the seeds but ultimately the most frequent winners are the sparrows and cardinals, for which I am thankful - the squirrels are quite well fed already.
     Yesterday was the first day that I was able to get home for a time - it was strange leaving the grounds and heading out and what fun thing to celebrate?  Our dear Martha's 4th birthday.  It's been a much anticipated event and it did not disappoint.  With a bouncy castle, a Paw Patrol/Princess cake, lots of presents, yummy food for lunch and lots of friends and family (40 people - lots of good big Dutch families!) , we celebrated with joy our daughter's birthday.  A time to forget a bit of what's going on and to share her joy!  I took a few naps to help me get through the day and what a joy that was too to sleep in my own bed - never realize how much you miss that - to ghost through the house a bit and run hands over this and that and to appreciate being home, amidst the familiar and comfortable.
       Tomorrow will bring some more sadness and time for thought as we will go to pick out a burial plot - a reminder that we are in our earthly home and that we look forward to a much more glorious one - words again of a kids song run through my head "heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace, I want to see my Savior's face cause heaven is a wonderful place."   It's so hard to think about leaving this earthly space and yet it is somewhere that we will be with our God all the time, not knowing sorrow or tears or pain or suffering - I'm okay with missing those things....
     I think I might cut things short now, with an encouragement to keep  your eyes to the beautiful skies, your heart near the beautiful scriptures and your family near and dear close.

 Psalm 27:13-14 

I remain confident of this:

    I will see the goodness of the Lord

    in the land of the living.

14 

Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.