Changes

This is from a card I received this week and because it touched my heart...I share it with you:

Remembering...

A first birthday is an exciting event,

A memorable occasion.

A first anniversary is happy too;

That is, if it's a wedding anniversary.

But how about the first anniversary of a death?

I've never found a card for that one.

Do we ignore it?

I doubt that Lisa can,

And Tom is worth remembering.

I won't ignore it either.

For I can't think of a better time to say,

I love you.

My heart is aching too.

And if it's not appropriate to say Happy Anniversary,

I can say

Congratulations, God and Lisa!

Together you've survived the first year.

No, more than that.

You've conquered it.

And the second time around

Is never quite as

hard.

-Dorthy Hsu Seitzinger

Thank You, Dorothy...you know, you understand...I love you!

 

After a great "stay-cation" with Carylee I was able to come home, repack and receive sweet encouragement from so many cards, emails, texts, gifts of love and an awesome lunch with Zac and Sarah.

A heart griping, timely book...

Thank You, Kay Scott!

Pumpkin Muffins from Cory & Karen Estabrook

Thank You!

A basket full of comforting items from my MOPS moms

Thank You!

Beautiful flowers from the Deacons at Grace Polaris

Thank You!

 

Ginny took me on a get-away trip to Holmes County, Ohio to step back in time, slow down and reflect.  The first stop on our journey was to Smucker's in Orrville, Ohio.

Fun times...

Amish Country...peace & comfort

Tranquility...



A highlight of our trip...

watching the children come down the hill after school,

hop on their bikes and ride home...priceless!

What fun it was to meet up with Ginny's niece and two daughters on Friday night for pizza and a stay in this beautiful log cabin just two doors down from Ginny's niece's house!  Saturday morning we enjoyed a BIG Amish breakfast and more shopping with Autumn and her girls.  From there we headed to Mansfield to spend time with Ginny's parents and help with a painting project.

What a joy for me to be able to "give back" and help out with this project.  What sweet hosts Ginny's parents were.  I always enjoy my time with them and appreciate their faithful prayers on my behalf.  Will you please join with me in lifting up Ginny's dad who took a nasty fall on Saturday?  No broken bones (that we know of) but a lot of bruising and soreness.  Sunday we enjoyed worshiping at Berean Bible Church and then an amazing pot roast lunch made by Ginny's mom...YUM!
Sunday night found me with a grateful heart singing the praises of my friends and thanking the Lord for the opportunities He blesses me with and at the same time I felt myself sinking back into "woe is me" as the reality of "coming back" to the real world and an empty house...bittersweet...good times mingle with the sadness of Tom not here to share life experiences with.  I know he'd be so excited to hear all about my adventures...so I just talked to him as though he was here listening!  I thank the Lord for seeing me through this last year.  The last three weeks were the hardest...remembering the three weeks of hospice a year ago.  But, Thursday was filled with peace.  Peace of knowing where Tom is...heaven.  Peace in my decisions...knowing Tom would approve.  Peace in my heart...knowing I'll see Tom again.  Peace in my home...children who love me and Jesus.

"But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth,

in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things,

be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;"

II Peter 3:13-15a

 



It wasn't all that long ago that I shared..."it's not like October 10th will come and I'll be making any major decisions"...wrong!  Yes, I got a job.  Yes, I sold my (our) home (to Zac & Sarah!).  Yes, I bought a condo (closing 11/14)!  AND...tomorrow (10/16) I'm having surgery!  Change...yes, a lot!  Never in a million years could I have guessed all this would happen so quickly and easily...I trust it is the Lord opening and closing doors to make this transition as smooth as He can for me.  I continue to trust Him for the grace for each day, and so far, He's been extremely faithful in meeting me right where I need Him!
About the surgery...in March I had a mastectomy and at that time the surgeon placed an expander and a port with the hopes of reconstruction at a later date.  Well...since my heart block and the need for a pacemaker I am now not a candidate for reconstruction...too high risk of infection with a pacemaker.  So the surgery is to remove the expander and port.  It is an out-patient surgery.  I am not planning on any complications, however I am trusting God for my heart to stay strong (or at least that the pacer will function as needed!).  I am thankful Sarah is able to take the day off to go with me.  Thank you in advance for your continued prayers.

A dozen roses from my dad...

Heaven rejoiced when Tom arrived one year ago...

we will never forget how Tom touched our lives!

I love you, Dad

A beautiful prayer shawl & CD...

Thank You, Margo Belkofer

Ginny & I purchased 42 pounds of golden delicious apples while we were in Amish country.  Yesterday we cut, cooked, strained and froze the most yummy applesauce!

Thank You, Ginny...you're awesome!

One Year Ago

Listen With Your Heart

Memories are a treasure time cannot take away,

so may you be surrounded by happy ones today...

May all the love and tenderness of golden years well spent,

come back today to fill your heart with beauty and content...

And may you walk down memory lane and meet the one you love,

for while you cannot see him, he'll be watching from above...

And if you trust your dreaming, your faith will make it true,

and if you listen with your heart he'll come and talk with you...

So for his sake be happy and show him that his love,

has proven strong and big enough to reach down from above...

And you will never walk alone when memories door swings wide,

for you'll find that your beloved is always at your side.

 

J. Thomas Anglea

November 3, 1962 ~ October 10, 2012

 

Last weekend Tom's family gathered together to celebrate our niece, Leah's wedding to Pete Cavanaugh.  What a beautiful celebration we enjoyed as they joined their hearts as one.  The only piece missing from a beautiful day was "Uncle Tom". 

 

Sweet Sisters

Cherith & Hannah

 

One of the best parts of the weekend was meeting my great nephew & niece:



Great Aunt Lisa & Ian Thomas Walker

Sarah & Kennedy Faith Miller

 

Matt, Pops, Granny, Sarah & Zac

 

Uncle Y.T., Aunt Patsy, Granny & Pops

What an encouraging Sunday sermon...a great reminder of our eternal home.  What a blessing to know that "there is more to come"!  Thanks Terry for remembering and allowing us to marvel in God's amazing plan!

 

 

Because I have the most amazing friends ever...I have not been wallowing in the "woe is me" syndrome this week.  The one year anniversary of Tom's home-going has been planned and prepared by my friends.  This week, Carylee planned a "staycation".  We enjoyed the comforts of her in-law suite, biking adventure, Graeter's Ice Cream, Piada dinner, the movie "Grace Unplugged", shopping, Tom's Ice Cream Bowl, prayer time and great fellowship! At the end of my sweet time with Carylee I will then be doted upon by Ginny!  Our plans are to enjoy the beauty of Fall in the Amish territory of Holmes County, Ohio! I am blessed.

Biking to Downtown Westerville

A Trip to Zanesville...Tom's Ice Cream Bowl

A Family Tradition Over the Years!

I am so thankful for the strength the Lord continues to give me.  I know that Tom wants me to be happy and move on...not forgetting him, but living with him in my heart and treasuring the precious memories we had for 28+ years!



"Blessed be the Lord,

Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
The Lord is their strength,
And He is a saving defense to His anointed."

Psalm 28:6-8



Brother

“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
 For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122:7-9

What can I say? I have the best brother ever!! Who takes a week of vacation to go help their needy sister?  My brother!! There have been some items on my "to do" list that Mike decided to come and help me with.  What an encouragement he is to me.  We got the house title/deed solely in my name, met with my financial planner, looked at some condos, started the loan application process, went to dinner with Terry, Kelly, Zac, Mike, Lauren, Tim, Zac and Sarah for my birthday, refinished my kitchen table, had dinner at our sister's, went to our nephews soccer game, visited Tom's grave & had a picnic lunch there, toured ExhibitPro, and redid a flower bed!  When he left on Friday I thought to myself how much easier life is with a "team".  Thank you to my awesome sister-in-love, Cheryl, for releasing Mike to come to my aid!

Crab Cake Salad for my birthday dinner at J.Liu

Birthday Dessert to share!

Friends come to visit on my birthday...

Carylee brought DQ Blizzards...Ginny brought carrot cake!

Thank You Patti for the Cheryl's Cookie!

Thank You McMahon family for my special card!

Thank You everyone for the beautiful birthday wishes...

cards, e-mails & Facebook greetings!

Praising the Lord for my new job!

A beautiful day for a picnic at the cemetery with Mike, Zac & Sarah

 

Friday night I was whisked away on a birthday surprise by Sarah.  We went to dinner only to find Zac, Matt and Liz waiting for us...SURPRISE!  After dinner we decided, since it was such a beautiful night, to take sky lanterns to Hoover Reservoir in remembrance of Tom.

Family Fun Night

Sarah & Zac

Matt & Liz

"And they remembered that God was their rock,

And the Most High God their Redeemer."

Psalm 78:35

Saturday we drove to Marysville, Ohio to go apple picking.  What a perfect day to roam the apple orchard and fill our bags with fresh apples for fall baking!

Ready to pick apples...Sarah, Lisa, Matt & Liz

Mother & Daughter

Liz & Matt

Lunch on the sidewalk in downtown Worthington

Matt & Liz making caramel apples!

Sunday was the "icing on the cake" of a great weekend...Zac did the preaching on Sunday!  What an amazing job he did.  You can hear the sermon on our church's website www.gracepolaris.org and click on "sermons", you will be blessed.  We are thankful that Zac's parents, grandfather, brother, sister-in-love, nieces and nephew were there.  After church we all gathered for Sunday lunch at our house.  What a great time of fellowship we enjoyed.

Babies, Bride & Birthdays

Short North with Margaret

The way out of confusion is to concentrate: circle around Christ. Simplicity isn’t a matter of circumstances — it’s a matter of focus.
Concentrate on Christ — and life becomes pure, concentrated joy.

-Ann Voskamp

 

Confusion...my state of life lately!  Lord, help me concentrate on YOU...help me focus.  I was told that the one year anniversaries are hard...I wasn't considering this hard.  One year ago Tom went into The Kobacker Hospice Care Facility.  Last weekend Matt and Liz accompanied me to the Kobacker House to meander the outdoor walking trail.  It was the first time back to reminisce over all the Lord has done for me...us...over the last year.  How can a year have gone by?  It feels like a lifetime of heartache poured into a short span of time that causes my heart strain.  I know what to do...concentrate on Christ...it's the focusing I'm having trouble with.  Focusing on who am I apart from Tom...it's kind of like trying to embrace who I am apart from Christ...I don't want to think about that!  Who am I?  Where do I fit into this life?  Much feels awkward and empty...lonely.

I recently was interviewed by our pastor as he prepared for a new sermon series on I Peter and he wanted to hear about my experience with suffering.  This short video clip is the edited version of a lengthy conversation that was shown at church Sunday.  I'm humbled to think God can use my story to bring Him glory and encourage others.

 

Babies:

Lauren's Baby Shower

 

Babysitting Annie Grace!

 

We made a trip to WCMS to visit Nana!

 

Not babies anymore BUT I did have the privilege of babysitting these precious children!

Katherine, Megan & Grant Weakley

 

Chalkboard at the Weakley's Home

 

Bride:





Joel & Morgan

September 15, 2013

Thank you Joel and Morgan for allowing me the privilege of having a small part on your BIG day...

I love you both and pray God's richest blessings on your life serving Him!

 

Birthdays:

Aubrey & Aunt Lisa

 









Jumping In...with both feet!

Vacations are over...
School has started...
Fall programming begins...
So many options, so much time on my hands...how do I enter back into the busy life I once knew, but seems so far away?  At times, I think how quiet and calm the last two years have been as Tom and I quickly withdrew from many of the "normal" activities that surrounded us.  Tom's diagnosis, his paralysis and then my diagnosis caused for a quick halt to the life we once knew.  How do I "enter back in" as a "half" of person?  First, I realize that God purposefully, patiently and perfectly planned our story for His glory...I must be aware that He is God and I am NOT!  What I think would have been a good plan, wasn't His plan...can I adjust to this new life?  I am putting both feet forward and choosing to live as He would want...humble, with a gentle spirit desiring God's will...which is rejoicing with great joy because He is my faithful Creator!

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,

after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong,

firm and steadfast."

I Peter 5:10

I am being restored and strengthened as I stand firm and steadfast in Him!

With this in mind...I have made some "lofty" commitments...I started this week as a Mentor Mom for our MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) group at church, two Tuesdays a month.  I have started going to a GriefShare group every Thursday evening (12 week course).  I will be participating in a Sunday School starting this Sunday.  And, I have signed up to be in a ladies grace group on Tuesday evenings.  In the "between time" I am casually looking for part-time employment...so if you know of an opening where I could serve in the Columbus area, let me know!

A beautiful woman...inside & out!

God saw me through a very difficult time...going to the first Celebration of Life service.  It was an honor to show support to the Rettstatt family as they celebrated the life of a dear wife, mother, and grandmother on August 23.  Walking back into our church that day brought many emotions back that I wanted to avoid, but couldn't.  I'm not sure if it was the emotional toll or just my heart acting up, but it forced me to call the cardiologist...of course they wanted to see me.  After an echo cardiogram, EKG and having my pacemaker interrogated...they said my heart was as good as could be in my situation (even better than last visit!).  The doctor did make some medication changes and we will see if that will prevent the pressure I'm experiencing (or I just don't go to anymore funerals!).

Emi's Tea Party

One of the joys of feeling better and having 'time' was being able to say "yes" to watching our youth pastor's daughter while her mom got her hair cut!  What a fun time Emi and I had as she entertained me with her special tea set!

Matt & Liz

What a blessing to have Matt home for a couple of weeks before going back to MVNU.  He bubbles with the "joy of the Lord" and a young lady friend...Elizabeth Rose Pecchio!  It was fun to have Liz in town for a couple of days too.  Matt and Liz moved back to MVNU on Sunday.  Matt starts his senior year and Liz will be a junior.  On Sunday I was able to meet Liz's parents, Bob & Peggy...what a fun evening we had together.  I told them that Tom & I moved Matt in his freshman year as a "normal" college freshmen with no worries in the world. However, much caution was taken on move-in day his sophomore year as Tom had been diagnosed with GBM and was moving pretty slow.  But, Matt moved in alone his junior year since Tom was confined to his wheelchair and the dorm was not handicap accessible.  This year his dad watched from the front lines of heaven...I did it alone...tears streaming down my cheeks as we drove separately with both cars loaded of all his "earthy goods".  I praise the Lord for His strength to let me help in a little way, still feeling so frail.  Thank you to all Matt's friends, cousin and roommates who made the unloading easy!  Thank You, Ginny for calling me and making the drive home "not alone".

Lisa, Sarah, Morgan & Carylee

What fun it has been for me to watch the "love story" grow between Joel Trainer and Morgan Meyers!  Sarah and I were honored to celebrate with her at a beautiful bridal shower.  We can't wait for September 15th to see God join two godly, young people who desire to serve Him!



Thank You, Hyrnkow Family!

Your love, support & prayers are GREATLY appreciated...

One Cousin Binds Three Cousins!

Wendy, Brenda & Lisa

What a fun Labor Day fellowshiping with my cousin and her cousin.  My mom and Brenda's dad are brother and sister.  Brenda's mom and Wendy's mom are sisters.  We all went to high school together, Brenda two grades ahead of Wendy and I who were in the same class.  We enjoyed reminiscing about high school and people who now are our Facebook friends BUT the most fun was hearing how God has written His story on our hearts!  Priceless is knowing we all share the commonality of being "sisters" in Christ.  Brenda prepared the most wonderful lunch and now we can cross off our "bucket list" our little reunion, however...if the Lord tarries...we should definitely do this again!