sobriety....

it is hard to believe that seven months ago my father-in-law went home to be with jesus. it has been a long period in our lives. it feels like it has been a lot longer than seven months. it feels like a lifetime really. partly because life is so different. we are so different. there is a sobriety to life that was not there seven months ago. in the middle of church planting and having a baby, grieving a dad was not what we expected. we are still trying to figure out how to just be......

it makes coming into the holiday season a bit "confusing."

don't get me wrong.....
we will celebrate with family and friends.
we will joyfully celebrate the advent of our savior.
we get to sing great songs of praise (i love christmas carols)
we get to think upon that for which we are most thankful for.
.... but there will be a constant absence there. we miss him......

i will miss:
his fried turkeys.
his birthday.
his constant encouragement.
his laugh.
his love for his grandchildren.
his adoration.
how he turns down the thermostat to make it feel like winter in florida.
his christmas letter..... boy, i will miss his letter this year.
his love for christmas.....because it clearly demonstrated his love & passion for jesus.

one of my favs:
come, thou long expected jesus,
born to set thy people free
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.