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I was having lunch today with a good friend of mine and we were kinda just talking about our lives (mostly mine). As we were talking I was thinking about all of you and how you have blessed my life.
So many of you supported us and loved us and prayed for us and gave up your time and energy to help us whenever we needed it and for those things I could never repay or thank you enough. You were all God's kingdom in action. This is what we are created for - to be a driving presence in one another's lives each day and through good times and bad times.
Thankfully, Gary provided some resources for us so that we would have some time to get on our feet. I am going to be able to partially pay for school so that I can get my nursing degree. I finally bought a new car after driving both of ours well over the 120,000 mile marker. Both of our cars were lovingly fixed by Charlie Smith and I was able to give them to some families who hopefully will get many more miles out of them.
Gary gave the boys some money for Christmas he had stashed away in an account before he was laid off from his job so that I could take them to Hawaii. Watching him give that present to the boys was painstakingly difficult knowing he would not be a part of that dream trip. Our relatives are providing us with a house in Hawaii for the entire time we are there. How lucky we are. I am finally taking a trip with a friend to an exotic island for a week and an amazing person gave me the money so that I could be able to do that.
Sometimes I feel guilty that some good things are happening in our lives now. But, I feel so spoiled and special and it has been a long time since I have felt that way and it feels good. Gary used to spoil me all the time and I miss being spoiled sometimes. These unique opportunities are so exciting and I can't wait to travel with the boys a bit!
You have made our lives possible. You have made this transition more peaceful than I ever thought it could be. You are the reason why we have a roof over our heads and food on our table. That was such an awful yet wonderful time in all of our lives and I thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!
My friends -I love you. You are in my life everyday and you continually lift me up and put a smile on my face! Everyone who did more than an amazing job with Gary's funeral I thank you deeply. The slideshow that Michele did is one of the most precious gifts anyone could have ever given our family. The flowers at the church were beyond beautiful, Bonny. So many women spent hours and hours arranging those flowers to make them so special. Gary would have loved that. The beauty of the church and the reception and the sheer amount of people who came to remember such a wonderful and courageous man - priceless. All of the late night dinners with friends - awesome. So many people and so much love and care.
I promise to repay all of the kindness to others that you all have shown our family. That is what life is all about. Pouring our heart and soul into the people we love.
I hope you all have a blessed weekend and if anyone wants to play in a huge kickball tournament - Tesoro High School field at 9:30 Sunday morning!
Love and dreams of a happy and wonderful future,
Lisa
Love Conquers All
John 3:16
A Look inside our family......
If any of you have not had the chance to walk the grounds of the Montage in Laguna Beach you are really missing something amazing!!!
I am at the Montage with Zach and my Dad and I am standing on the beautiful rock that jets out from the middle of the cove and it is the most amazing morning! The air is so warm and the breeze is gently blowing.
I look down to see the reef and the beautiful colors of the seaweed garden that sway with the tide. In such a small place there are so many amazing things about creation that just make me stop to remember to thank God for all he has entrusted to us!
This very moment makes me feel so blessed to have so many blessings! So many family members and friends who surround us and love us and are ready to go on this new journey with us.
As I am thinking my pride gets a hold of me for a moment and I tell myself that I can do this on my own. My thought is that I don't want to have to have help and put people in this position!
Then, as quickly as that thought fills my pride-filled head another one enters. This time, I begin to realize that there is no way we can do this on our own. First and foremost, our same Father who has created this amazing place that I get to spend so much time at is the same one who has blessed us with amazing family and friends who want to care for us.
There are simply no words to express my gratitude and love to everyone who surrounds us and is a part of our life - big or small!
Please take some time and get down to the Montage. Go with your spouse, a friend, your kids! When you are there take in the beauty that surrounds you and take a deep breath and thank God for everything you have and the fact that HIS spirit lives in all of us! What a privilege it is that we are all on this journey together!
I am not ready to leave my rock because the morning is the best part of my day and this day is looking amazing and I want to stay right here feeling exactly how I do right now! Zach is coming out of the water and he really wants to head down to Strands to walk on beach! Who am I to argue? What a day the Lord has made! I am certainly going to be glad and rejoice in it!!
I am at the Montage with Zach and my Dad and I am standing on the beautiful rock that jets out from the middle of the cove and it is the most amazing morning! The air is so warm and the breeze is gently blowing.
I look down to see the reef and the beautiful colors of the seaweed garden that sway with the tide. In such a small place there are so many amazing things about creation that just make me stop to remember to thank God for all he has entrusted to us!
This very moment makes me feel so blessed to have so many blessings! So many family members and friends who surround us and love us and are ready to go on this new journey with us.
As I am thinking my pride gets a hold of me for a moment and I tell myself that I can do this on my own. My thought is that I don't want to have to have help and put people in this position!
Then, as quickly as that thought fills my pride-filled head another one enters. This time, I begin to realize that there is no way we can do this on our own. First and foremost, our same Father who has created this amazing place that I get to spend so much time at is the same one who has blessed us with amazing family and friends who want to care for us.
There are simply no words to express my gratitude and love to everyone who surrounds us and is a part of our life - big or small!
Please take some time and get down to the Montage. Go with your spouse, a friend, your kids! When you are there take in the beauty that surrounds you and take a deep breath and thank God for everything you have and the fact that HIS spirit lives in all of us! What a privilege it is that we are all on this journey together!
I am not ready to leave my rock because the morning is the best part of my day and this day is looking amazing and I want to stay right here feeling exactly how I do right now! Zach is coming out of the water and he really wants to head down to Strands to walk on beach! Who am I to argue? What a day the Lord has made! I am certainly going to be glad and rejoice in it!!
3 comments:
Sounds like you had a wonderful lunch! We all miss Gary so much, but it's so wonderful that you have been blessed in many other ways. xoxo
No need to ever feel guilty. You really espouse The Golden Rule.
Be well!
So is this your last blog entry?
Make sure you save everything. It's a written history. xoxo
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