feeling tender

So, we're packing AGAIN. God's good and faithful and we're tired! Haha! To make a LONG story short and sweet (cuz it's not really the point of this post) we are moving out the rental we just moved into less than 2 weeks ago. It finally SOLD as it'd been on the market for months. God's goodness comes into play last Friday when we saw a house, put in an offer, received a counter offer, accepted the counter offer, and signed on the dotted line. We are on the way to be homeowners for the first time.

So, back to the packing part. We thought maybe it'd be good if we went through boxes from storage and purged and sorted. Goodness, I can see how I'm such a sentimental sap! :) I came across a notebook full of printed out emails that I received from friends and family. How fun it was to reread some emails.

I had about 15 or so from my Grandma Johnson, who has since gone to dance in Glory with Jesus. I found myself flipping the pages in the notebook wanting to see what she said in her next message.... lots of lil stories about Grandpa and his doings, rambles about their health and the weather, expressions of love and pride for Eric and I, and always a promise of prayer.

Tears just wouldn't stop flowing.

To top if off, the next box I opened had an old purse it in that I'd given Grandma and Grandpa a frame in at Christmas the year they came to visit us in the Philippines (remember mom, how i used it for packing and never intended it to be part of the gift... that was SO funny... and then i got it back years later). Also in the purse was a flowing gown that Grandma had bought. I slipped it on and somehow tonight it's making me feel closer to her. I greatly miss her and from time to time it hits me to the core and I grieve the loss of my kids knowing their Great-Grandma and I grieve the loss of my connections with her. And then I rejoice, knowing that in time, we'll be together again in Heaven.

Family and reunions and togetherness is fresh in my mind as I'm just home from a family reunion on my mom's side of the family. What a crew we had! It was so special to get to be together for one big day. I am blessed beyond measure with a family that loves.... deeply and fully. Grandma and Grandpa H. got to be surrounded by their children, their grandchildren, and their GREAT grandchildren. What a legacy of love and faithfulness they have passed to us; and with their love for Christ, has instilled in so many of us, a simple love for God that guides us in our own personal walks. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for your example of following Christ. We love you so very much.

Now that it's after 11 pm, I best be calling it a night. On top of the hour and the raw emotion I found in that box, I think I might be able to find my bed now! It was covered in laundry earlier. I went to the laundromat and did 7 loads this afternoon!