Springtime (or life and death)

These last two weeks have been such a crazy roller coaster. So much good and hard stuff too. I keep pondering how it balances out, usually on the side of the good, because even when circumstances are difficult, God is still sovereign. I need to remind myself of that, some days more than others.

The hard stuff:

My Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, once upon a February. Routine exams return, and bring a little doubt and worry again, this same time of year.

Spring also reminds us of a sweet mom who died in March, 14 years ago, leaving two young children behind.

March is my Papaw's birthday. My children never knew him because he died 26 years ago, at the age of 60. That is so young, and I miss him dearly.

Pets we have loved for years age and die, or even new ones become ill and cannot recover. We will probably have our nearly 17 year old cat, Merlin, put to sleep tomorrow. I can hardly think of how much we will miss the best cat that ever existed. Our new little blue Orpington hen became ill recently too, and Abigail and I tube fed her this past week for 5 days. She died in our arms this morning.

The anniversary of Abigail Hope's death at age 2 is coming up on April 11. It's a terrible date and we grieve in anticipation of her 4th birthday on the 9th and that so soon after, how her life ended tragically.

         Then, I think of how Scripture often reminds us of the Hope in Him, and says, "But God..."
                                                       Aren't those just great words?!!
                   Thankfully, He is good, He intervenes, and He reminds me of so much good,
                                                and lovely, in spite of the painful times.
The Good:

My Mom is healthy. Cancer free. Still with us.

Kathy's children have a second mother, who loves them and has honored her memory by raising them to be godly young people.

My children have grandparents who carry on traditions and pass on memories of loved ones no longer with us, and they are very present in our lives.

We have met kindred spirits who value life - even animals' lives - and are so kind and encouraging, that we can see good even in loss.

Abigail Hope's family has grown by two children through adoption, and they are now anticipating the birth of another baby. Her family honors their faith and her legacy by their testimony in a God who continues to bring more life and blesses again.

Then, there is the blessing of our sweet home. It's our first spring here, and wow - nature is showing off and reflecting His glory. There are signs of new life everywhere - blooming dogwoods, azaleas, pansies, wildflowers, newly planted daffodils - all bring such cheer.

Recent showers have our little creek gushing and flowing through the woods. James and the kids blocked a drainage ditch one day so they could splash and play on an 80 degree February afternoon.

I caught Elijah looking through the Bible on his own during a quiet moment the other day. He asked questions, and we talked about Jesus. Precious moments I want to savor forever.

I am posting some photos, just so you can see what we've been blessed with. I might need a reminder too, but for now, I'm rejoicing through the trials and the sweet moments. I have seen Him faithful through so much lately, and remember there is no need to fear. There is no way to measure that kind of peace.

(Feel free to click to enlarge. This collage was the only way I could handle posting these photos again, for the 547th time.)

dogwood in early bloom, wildflower, huckleberries, azalea, narcissus, our creek, pansies, Elijah, all kids by Hyacinth's grave, and flowers they gathered to place with the stone they chose to mark it