News

This week has been a roller coaster ride for our family. Sunday we found out that Dick had left this earth to spend eternity with our Savior! We are blessed to know he is in Heaven but saddened that he will not be here with us. He had told Grandma last week that when God tapped him on the shoulder he was ready to go! Throughout his life and the time he spent with our family you could truly see his love for Christ through every action and word spoken. When I close my eyes all I see of him is his room-brightening smile with his eyes sparkling. He loved Grandma so much and you could see that in all that he did and said as well. The last two weeks have been rough especially on Grandma but may we rest now that he is Home.

As I looked back on things this past week a song came to mind: "Homesick" by MercyMe. Here are the words...

"You're in a better place,
I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times
I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken,
the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now"

We need to remember, it's not "goodbye"...it's "see you later."

Also, in other news this week...as part of the roller coaster ride...

Ron got a job! We have been patiently waiting for the one GOD had chosen for him and we have been through many trials and pain and ups and downs over the past 3 years and we were blessed yesterday with wonderful news! Ron had gone through several interviews in the past few weeks and the one he would have liked to have is the one we were blessed with. It requires a drive to Cranberry (about an hour drive) daily but we are just happy with GOD's decision for us, His children! We have learned many things over the years and understand the meaning of "Productive Pain" now. Our (at least my) dream is to be able to help others (down the road) that have gone/will go/are going through what we did these past 3 years.

His job is in the Information Technology department at the American Eagle headquarters in Cranberry. Today was his first day and when he called me this afternoon he was very happy and enjoying his day!

God is good...ALL the time!

Also, we were informed that my brother-in-law, Mike, got good news about his job searching as well. He is one of two finalists for a job out East. We will continue to pray for you!

"God's purpose in pain is to brand His image in our hearts."