It was such a blessed weekend and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have been able to go. I first want to say THANK YOU to Pam and Kevin for inviting me and providing a way for me to come!
Pam and Kevin were my Mom's youth pastor and wife while she grew up in Abilene, and now Kevin is the head pastor at the church there. How cool that they have been at the same church for about 35 years! I really don't know that I can say thank you enough for the blessing they gave me this weekend to be able to spend Mother's Day with my Mawmaw.
Pam called me about a month and half ago and invited to me to attend a brunch she was putting on at the church. She didn't know all the details at the time, but she knew the theme would be about JOY. The brunch was this past Saturday, and as I arrived to the church I felt like Satan was working overtime on me - trying to steal all hope and any ounce of rejoicing from me. I was stuck in a very "woe is me" attitude, and I simply felt like crumbling to the ground and giving up and walking away. It took everything in me and the Lord's grace to sustain me at that time. I was so completely weak. Looking back now, I know Satan wanted to steal from me. He wanted to steal a time of fellowship and a time of reflecting on God's faithfulness and joy. It ended up being such a blessing to hear different testimonies about how the Lord has been faithful through different trials and has consistently provided joy in such broken places. I also had the opportunity to lead a couple songs in a time of praise and worship - which that in itself was another blessing because I had no choice but to proclaim to myself and to the Lord truth about who He is and what He has done in my life.
Once the brunch was over, I had a jam-packed day ahead of me! I went to the hospital for a couple hours to see my sweet Mawmaw. She has been in the hospital for over 30 days now with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Thankfully she is making progress and should hopefully be moving to a rehab facility soon.
Me and Mawmaw. Love that I got to be with her on Mother's Day this year! |
I then had the chance to go visit with my Dad's parents and really enjoyed getting to visit with them for a little while. It was a very sweet time together! I wish I would have gotten a picture with them! After that, I went with my Aunt Traci to get a pedicure, and it was some much-needed relaxing and pampering girl time. Thanks Aunt Traci for a great time! And now my toes look oh-so-good for the beach!
I then got dinner with my aunt and two uncles and then we headed back to the hospital for a little bit and then hit the sack!
Aunt Traci, Uncle David, me and Uncle Mike Love you guys! |
Yesterday was Mother's Day, and I'm not really sure what my emotions were. I felt numb for most of the day, not really feeling anything. It honestly felt like just another day to me... just a little more "blah" than usual I guess. It was strange to not have my mom right by my side to celebrate with. It was strange to get ready at my grandparents house with her not being there. It was strange to go to church Sunday morning and not have her right in the pew next to me. It was strange to not be able to hug her and tell her "Happy Mother's Day!" It was just a strange day all around.
But I am so thankful to have been able to spend it with family! I have been blessed with such a wonderful family!
This is my sweet Grandad who I love so much! |
This is one of my favorite traditions! Grandad always buys Jack N Jill donuts when I come to visit! And he even included a sweet handwritten note on the box. I love my Grandad! |
I also want to say THANK YOU to everyone who sent me so many sweet text messages yesterday! God has blessed me with so many great people who have showered me with a lot of love! I am very blessed.
"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."