Funeral

On Monday June 10th, we laid my Great Grandma to rest.

It was a hard day, yet while tears streamed down our faces our hearts were also at peace and filled with joy. We know she is with Jesus and kneeling in His presence. How awesome is that?! I can't even fathom. This Earth is amazing, but honestly, I can't wait for my turn to see Jesus face to face. You could feel His presence throughout the day, bringing us comfort as we grieved, yet letting us know she is home.

My cousin flew home and asked me to sing with her, but we kept it a secret until I walked up on stage with her.  It was so fun to see everyone's faces as they listened to our surprise. We sang my Grandmother's favorite Bill Gaither songs--He Touched Me. Now while this isn't my kind of music, it was an honor to sing it at her funeral. It gave my cousin and I something to look forward to and focus on.

My Grandma always had her nails done. Always. Her favorite color was a pink/mauve tone. So in honor of her we asked all the ladies and girls to paint their nails pink in honor of her. Photo of my mom, me, my sister Meg and Leighton.

 All the Great Gradkids minus my sister Melissa's 3--sadly she had just given birth 8 weeks ago and traveling that far with a newborn wasn't feasible. She was there in spirit!! This is the best we could get.

 Leighton {and Landrey, Melissa's little girl} are the only girls. Lo was obsessed with getting the flowers!!

Until we meet again...

In Jesus' Arms

Yesterday early morning my great grandma passed into Jesus' loving arms.
Death is always hard, even though she had lived a long, wonderful life, it is still hard to say good-bye.
Everything becomes so final--until we meet again in Heaven.

I wonder what that moment was liked as she went from this life to the next; seeing her husband and her son again, and then of course seeing Jesus face to face. I can't imagine.

Right after I got the news, I tried to keep my composure, because I hate telling my kids why I am crying. I turned on WAY FM and the first song I hear is "I Can Only Imagine."
It's moments like that, that I know our Lord and Savior is real and HE cares. He speaks to us through the ways we hear best. For me that is music. So I broke down.

I feel bad we didn't see her enough. I knew I would regret it and I do.

I have so many fond memories of her-
Trips to Braums
Playing Skipbo
The way she said "Hi Sug" or "Honest?!"
Making me sit and listen to boring sermons
Spending the night and making popcorn.
Her laugh and smile.
How she let Melissa and I keep the bunny we won at the State Fair.
Her jewelry.
Her manicures.
How she loved the Lord. She use to say she wasn't going home until Jesus came back and here lately I was starting to believe her. I am glad she is home now, in no more pain, no more suffering, and no more tears.

Until we meet again.
I love you Grandma 'Denia!"

I made this page just a week or two ago. I stumbled upon these pictures and just knew they deserved a special page. I am so glad I did this because it would be harder now. I guess something in me knew...