The Whisper Space

Today the Carsons & McFarlands met at Mom & Dad’s home to clean out what Mom & Dad have accumulated throughout the years, & now no longer need. (Mom & Dad have recently moved to the Reformed Presbyterian Home in Pittsburgh) All the siblings, grandchildren, and in laws came to help.
It was a sweet time, but sad too…..

The house in New Castle is to be sold; ironically the news came today that a person interested in buying it wants to tour it tomorrow. Good news in this housing market!
But, today was a day to ponder things, to remember good times, to reflect on precious family memories.

A special blessing was watching the grandchildren being involved, interested, and supportive.
Afterward we met up once again in Pittsburgh, at the Home, to visit Mom & Dad & encourage them as they deal with life changes that are necessary,
and to honor them.

It’s not an easy thing to leave your home behind.

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin,
Mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in Heavenly peace,
Sleep in Heavenly peace.

Wishing you the beauty of God’s love, and the joy of knowing His Son Jesus.
Merry Christmas.

 
This photo is from Christmas 2007– Wyatt & Three-Three, best buddies. They love seeing one another and play until they can’t wiggle:)! Seen here hoping to get into the living room with their humans…

I am tired tonight, weary, out of steam.
My Christmas spirit has faded…and it’s really my favorite time of the year.
I feel my time is not my own—I’m pulled in many directions.
I have no time for doing crafts or artwork or baking very often or cooking….
My diet has been thrown to the wind in the last month, simply out of laziness or tiredness.

Goodness, I am whining here, aren’t I?

But….on the other hand,
Skye is home, Keith is on vacation till January, the house is decorated, my gifts are bought & wrapped,
most of my tea rings are baked, my dear daughter in law Kelley is hosting our Christmas morning gathering, we’re going to Pa. after Christmas,
and—-Wyatt loves me no matter what:)

I can’t complain one minute. Tonight I have a warm, comfy bed waiting for me, I’ll walk in the morning, go to work for about 2 hours, it’ll be Christmas Eve ALL day, and my blessings abound!!

I am tired tonight after working amid the hustle & bustle of shoppers all day, & I’m cold.
It’s really chilly here in NC–28 degrees! With a low tonight dipping to 19:(
Burrrr!
Such zig-zag weather so far this winter; the thermometer goes up & down every few days!
By Christmas Day our local temperatures may reach 60 degrees–is that really Christmas weather?:(
But it would be wonderful if we saw a snowfall in Pa.:) We’re heading North Saturday after Christmas to visit the McFarland’s. Today was 3 degrees in Beaver Falls according to Keith’s sister.
Must admit that’s a bit much!!
Burrr, chilly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But it makes 19 sound much better, doesn’t it?:)

 
In memory of Laura Theresa Cook, 90+ years old, who died this day, December 9th, 2008.
A Southern woman, an Episcopal woman of devout faith, a teacher by profession, a mother to a good friend Terry, mother in law to her favorite son in law Gary, grandmother to Daniel (& Erin), Megan & Rebecca, great-grandmother to Jack, a gardener, a friend, and a friend to many.
I will miss her!

 
I’m just back from Matt Silliman’s Memorial Service.
I’ve been gripped by such deep sadness in his death:( I didn’t know him personally but I know his mom & dad. I have tried to wrap my brain around the horrific fact of losing a child, a son:(

Pastor Andy & our Youth Leader Todd spoke precious, powerful, words of comfort.
When a beloved one dies, especially a child, the family yearns for encouraging words.
Today, at Peace, there was an overflow of healing words poured out upon 600+ people.
Did everyone hear it?
Did everyone know what great truth was given?

We need to know that a life cut short was lived well.
Matt’s was well lived.

Oh Holy Spirit, comfort this dear family who will sorely miss Matt on this side of Heaven.

 
Seth, Keith, Cameron, & I enjoyed the Apex Christmas Parade this evening. It was quite chilly, but not windy or rainy, so it was festive feeling.
We love the school bands, the floats, & the dance troupes. Also any dog groups, like the greyhound rescue group or the husky outfit.

We missed our Kelley & Skye this year.
But the tradition continues.
Ate supper at Perkins afterward.
We indulged in good comfort food (involving hot coffee for me!) and being in a warm, cozy place:)
Happy Holidays!
Christmas Season is upon us:)

Tonight it was confirmed that an Apex High student from our church family was murdered last week. His body was discovered Tuesday night.
In the last 6+ years our Peace family has had far too many of our treasured children die accidentally, or attempt suicide, or die from cancer.
One precious young man died in Iraq at 22…..

But to be murdered, and at this point, by so-called friends?
How will this story unfold?

The one thing that will not change; Matt’s death will impact his family forever, the teenagers accused of murder will never be the same, and their families will never be the same.

God have mercy on all those involved.

Help all of us to cling to you & to one another.

This Friday, today, will be our Thanksgiving feast day with the family.
I am so thankful for Keith, Cameron, Seth & Kelley, Skye, & Holly.
I am thankful for a Sovereign God who loves us with an everlasting love beyond measure; who knew us before He knit us in our mother’s womb, has a plan for each of us, & cares for us:)

I will share my latest thanksgiving story. I’ve only told to 2 or 3 people.
Pride is involved:(
I tend to lose things…
A few weeks ago in a local dept. store my phone rang. When I pulled it out of my pocketbook to answer, evidently/unbeknown to me, my paycheck fell on the floor.
Disaster:(
It was one of the largest checks I’ve gotten & had wanted to save it for Keith’s Christmas.

After shopping I met a friend in Raleigh for lunch. My phone rang again–my dear manager called & asked if I knew where my paycheck was; well, I thought I did:(
She told me some ‘good Samaritan’ had turned it in to the nearest Hallmark store!!! The sales associate had called the local “Hallmark” office, who, in turn, called my manager!! I was to stop by the Hallmark store near the dept. store to pick it up, which I did asap.

Thank you to the person honest enough to do that!
Now, that’s a blessing!

I am thankful for all the ways the Lord cares for me, through others,…..and you, every day.

 
No better way to start a chilly November day in NC than to have Christmas music playing on your iPod walking through falling snow!