For Everything there is a season

Last Thursday the Blackwell family had to say good-bye to the rock of our family. Nanny passed away Thursday Sept. 25th at 11:30 pm. It was a peaceful death. We were visible shaken, knowing that nothing would ever be the same again. My ally was gone. Who would put people in their place and tell them to mind their own business? You know I can't do it. It's not my place unless it directly invloves my direct family.

Then on Friday moring at 10:25 am my Uncle Joe stopped fighting. Alheimiers had taken his life. I was with him at the time. The nurses at the nursing home were there to comfort me. Or at least they tried. There was realy no comforting someone when they have watch two people that they cherised so dearly, take their last breaths.

That is exactly what I did with both of them. I can't really it explain how it feels. I felt God's hand on both ocassions. It wasn't feeling his hands taking their lives, it was his hand's that were comforting me. There was peace. The only reason I was crying was because I was sad to see my loved ones leave for their heavenly homes.
I like to think I am a strong person, but only surely by the grace of God. I now know my purpose in life, at least one of them.

For my family...

~DEATH~ WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT..
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to Leave the examination room and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.' Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.' 'You don't know? You, a Christian man, Do not know what is on the other side?' The doctor was holding the handle of the door; On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, 'Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know l ittle of what is on the other side of death, But I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough.'
May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly Where you are meant to be. I believe that friends are quiet angels Who lift us to our feet when our wings Have trouble remembering how to fly.

Good-Bye

This morning, my cousin Diana called me to tell me that her father-in-law Bill passed away this morning. Please pray for the Linville family as they deal with the loss of a loved one. He was a character.

God's Love-

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The Circle of Life

Here recently I have been faced with the newness of life and the finalization of it.
One of my favorite bible verses is: Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. I know that God has a plan for everyone and I have stated this before, I wish that I could open my Bible and there would be God's plan written out for me to follow.

Life isn't that easy. But neither is watching someone you have loved all of your life, deteriorate. Becoming someone that they wouldn't even recognize. This past week has shown me that God's hand is in everything, good and bad. I watched my sweet cousin become the woman she has always craved to be. A wife. At her wedding I watched her nephew and was in wonder at the newness of life in him. In awe of him looking at everyone at the wedding and trying to play quietly. Watching him at the reception, trying to figure out who everyone was. The amazement in his eyes at the lights and sounds that were all around. Sad that I would never have a child of my own flesh and blood to experience the firsts with. That was God's plan.... Something I truly don't understand...

This week I have been to the hospital to visit loved ones who are awaiting to go see their Lord and loved ones who have passed away. My cousin Diana and I were emailing each other back and forth all week because her father-in-law is on his death bed. I call him my Grandpa Bill, even though he really isn't. Anyway she made the comment that she hopes that everyone she loves truly does love the Lord and accepts Jesus as their Savior- not her words- I have paraphrased. She feels that some of the churches no longer tell us that we need to accept Jesus as our Savior to ensure that we all will go to Heaven. I then told her that is why were are to witness. I know that is one of the things God has planned for me. That one is pretty clear...

I have also been visiting my Uncle Joe who has Alzheimer's and dementia, aren't they the same thing? Uncle Joe was always the one to work out in the yard, just staying busy. I can remember going to visit Uncle Joe and Aunt Jean in the summer and Uncle Joe would be mowing with a beer in his hand. He was a great griller. He loved to read. Western were is favorite. He still know who I am, he tells the nurses that I am his niece, but then he starts rambling about things that I have no clue about.
I try to go along but then he'll ask me a question and I'll have no idea how to answer. I usually shrug my shoulders and say I don't know. So sad to see. He will be going into the nursing home today. Even sadder. I don't know if he knows Jesus. That isn't something we ever talked about. Worse.. Why wasn't that something we talked about?

For Everthing there is a season....

God's Love,

Half way to Black Belt

Last week I took my Purple Belt test. I was sooo nervous, I've never been that nervous before. I think it was because we practiced so much for the show in August and then rushed to learn everything before the test. Bu Kwang Ja Nim is such a good teacher that I passed with mostly E's. I didn't get to the belt presentation so BKJN gave me my belt last night before Tai Chi. I also got a new sash for Tai Chi- Green.

We are learning a new form in Tai Chi-the Chen Movement. It is totally different than the Yang movement. A lot more depper stances and quicker. I am not sure how I feel about it yet. Last night was the 2nd class.

Last Thursday I went to the foot doctor for my Turf Toe. Dr. Nuss- he's really nice, he has worked on Pete Rose, Paris Hilton and other famous folks. He gave me a shot in my foot and said the reason my Turf Toe is taking so long to heal is because of the Fibromaligia. Thanks!

That night I went to bed at 8pm and good thing because, Mother in Law called and said Uncle was dying. K said he couldn't go and watch him die. Well, being the nice girl I am, I could let MIL be by herself, so I went to the hospital. MIL took a nerve pill before I got there, at 2am she was upset so I told her to take another one. SHe later started getting sick at her stomach. I called DH and told him to bring sick stomach pills for her. She took one and then basically passed out on me in the other bed. Uncle passed away at 3:27 am. This was the 1st death for his Nurse, since I had been there with My Flossie, I was a pro.... I called DH afterwards and have him come be with me, I had to sign the death certificate and other paperwork since MIL was out cold.... We didn't get to his Nanny's till after 5am. I then had to take care of everything the rest of the day.
No sleep, death, grave, funeral clothing, services.... What am I missing out on???? SLEEP!!!! Oh yeah, found out MIL had taken a total of 3 nerve pills, no wonder she was out cold!

The day of the services MIL passed out as the pallbearers were taking Uncle's body to the hearse. Called the ambulance to come get MIL and take to her the hospital. Wonder what kind of pills she took? She was put in the hospital for dehydration and exhaustion, extreme....
She was out before 8am the next day. Extreme...

I still haven't caught up on my sleep even though I am trying. So congrats to me on achieving my Purple Belt.. I've also been asked to join the Black Belt club. Still trying to decide when I should or if I should. I know that black belt is a goal, I just don't know how long it will take me. Ki-Hap!