From our arms to His

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.

Psalm 116:15 

At 1:00 this morning, September 3rd, 2013, Grandmom earned her eternal award - one she has truly given her life to/for.  No more suffering. No more pain. Walking with Jesus. Meeting her Lord. From our arms to His...

 I spent Sunday and Monday by Grandmom’s bedside, holding her hand, reading her Scripture, counting her breaths, and praying her into sweet Jesus’ arms. For almost 25 years, I was blessed to have the world’s best Grandmom – a true godly example, a woman of prayer and God’s Word, dedicated to His service. If everyone had a mother/grandmother like my family has been blessed with, the world would be a better place. There would be more kindness, generosity, and Christlikeness. There would be less hunger, war, and anger. I hope my children and grandchildren will have at least half the amount of admiration for Titus and I do as I have for my Granddad and Grandmom Ache.

Staring into Grandmom’s sleeping eyes, I remembered the good times – times when Grandmom was stronger, when I was younger, the special things that she would do, the ordinary things that she would do in a special way. Sitting beside her bed, reading portions of the books of John and Psalms, I vividly remembered her sitting next to my bed, reading to me – stories about little boys and girls in Africa.

To be continued…

Cherishing her legacy,
Jewel

Whirlwind

A newsletter from Cambodia is in the works, but this is not it.

We have been home now two weeks and life in America has already moved us onward.  It's a good thing... but hard to accept!  When an experience - such as a mission trip (even if it's your 12th trip!) - changes you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, it's... simply put: HARD to transition back to "life as normal."

So while I am still trying to piece together my stories, reflections, and emotions from our recent three week trip to Cambodia, here's a few pieces of what has happened since:

Tuesday evening, following a fun-beautiful-moving concert of the Ugandan Thunder Children's Choir, Titus and I hosted these two fun-beautiful-moving girls from Uganda - Teopista and Amina. Though our time together was short, it was special! Lots of laughter and even prayers!

The Ugandan Thunder African Children’s Choir is touring the United States to raise money money for and awareness of orphans in Uganda. The choir is composed of 22 singers, dancers, and drummers ages 10-14. They are students from the Royal School and Orphanage in Mityana, Uganda. Donations are collected during the choir concerts as love offerings, and the money covers fuel expenses and buys posho (the staple food in Uganda) for 14 orphanages throughout Uganda. If you would like to learn more about this incredible ministry visit: penniesforposho.org. (I'm hoping my church will decide to donate our VBS offering to Pennies for Posho in Summer 2013!) Here's my unsolicited plug: child sponsorship through Pennies for Posho is only $9/month! $9! (The organization has chosen not to buy TV time, saving them lots of dollars!

On Tuesday morning, my beautiful friend Jenny died in a car accident on her way to a job interview. I couldn't believe the news! Shocked. Incredibly shocked. Jenny was always happy, always smiling (such a beautiful smile!) and always laughing (such a memorable laugh!) WHY!?!? is DEATH our best reminder that... life is fragile. Life is precious. Life is short. Friends are special. Memories to be cherished.

Tuesday morning on K-Love radio, hours before I heard this news, I heard "Slip On By" for the first time and I HATE that it's so true in this moment.

We're only here for a little while,

And God give us only so much precious time.

So don't let it slip on..

Don't let it slip on..

Don't let it slip on by!

Friends, hold your loved-ones close! You never know... I don't think I would want to know!

On January 6th, while sweet husband and I were in Cambodia, my older sister had a beautiful baby BOY!
Don't these pictures of baby Spencer with Uncle Titus give you BABY FEVER?!? (OK, probably just me.) He looks so good holding a baby, doesn't he?!

More to come... life is always happening around here!

Love, Love, Love,
Jewel