Abide With Me

Last night we took a quick trip out to the lake to see some waterfowl and the sunset.  It was a wonderful feeling to be able to enjoy a February day outdoors without being enveloped in a heavy coat.  Too quickly the sun had set and we had to hurry home to enjoy supper together.  The low light prevented me from taking many photos, but here are the best of what I took.

This afternoon I learned of my grandma's passing.  As I looked at these photos I thought of the song "Abide with Me."  It's a lovely song that's not sung in many churches now.  Here are the words in memory of my grandma:

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Travels Through the Midwest

Abby spends some time with her Grandma E.

Our life has been rather hectic the last 10 days.  Last night we arrived home after a long journey from Kansas to Iowa to Wisconsin to Illinois and back home to Kansas.  Thankfully, Jeff's schedule allowed us to spend a few days in each location. 

Our journey did come with a few bumps in the road.  Abby became sick with an ear infection.  The ER doctor didn't catch it when he checked her ears.  Isn't it difficult not to be upset when a medical professional makes a mistake, albeit a fairly minor one?  I'm thankful for medications, medical professionals who are blessed with wisdom and Abby's renewed health.  A second trip to Abby's old doctor was more beneficial and a shot of antibiotics helped to destroy the nasty infection.  It was so difficult to be away from home with a child who wasn't herself. 

My Grandma J. has had declining health for many months.  She suffers from Alzheimer's and this sad disease has slowly caused her weight to decrease to an emaciated 81 pounds.  She suffered some internal bleeding over the weekend so we arrived in town just in time to go to the ER at the hospital to see her.  I'm so thankful that she was able to see Abby while lying in the hospital bed.  She smiled at her and reached her hand out and said "Oh, she's so cute."  I know she probably didn't know it was her great-grand-daughter, but I was so happy to see her respond to Abby in that way.  The next day she became unresponsive and was rushed back to the hospital.   After a transfusion she has improved, but the end is near.  Heaven is just around the corner for her.  I'm so thankful for the godly life she has lived. 

We were blessed with beautiful weather, caring family members and friends and an overabundance of rich foods.  I'm so thankful Abby was able to meet all of her living great-grandparents.  Life is too short to take for granted.  Please don't forget about your elderly family members, neighbors or friends. 

"Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."  James 4:14