I write with such gratitude to every one of you precious ladies. You were such an encouragement to my family and sister during this really rough time. I know I have said that before, but we truly are so thankful that so many of you wrote to tell us you were praying. We truly felt the prayers of His people. The funeral was incredible. One thing stood out to our patriotic family though. We sat in front of Poppa's casket and draped over it was the American Flag. That was when our whole family lost it in emotion.Two young Navy men dressed in uniform stood before us and folded the flag in front of our family. It was truly the most precious time for all of us. One of the men kneeled before my sister and I and said the message above. Like I say our family loves our country with all heart and it made us proud to be an Americans.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance."
Psalm 33:12 This scripture has been a prayer for my family.
This is a picture of our littlest grandson from last year. It pictures how even a little one can love the flag. After the funeral "everyone" of our grandchildren had to hold the flag. Like I said it was a very special part of the celebration of letting go of our Poppa to the Lords care and know that without a shadow of a doubt we will be with him again. The grandchildren were crying and so Itold them that we would make a memory flower garden on the farm for Poppa. One little one said, "And we can have a flag! Life goes on doesn't it."My heart is not hurting as it was after my Dad died. I was so tired and worn out from the up's and downs of his illness. I will now take the baton and run in a way that would make him proud. I will have more time to invest in my grandchildren. Can't wait for the "Grammie and Poppa Camps". We were not able to have our Valentine party. We will now.
Just wanted you to know, I was able to see Claris at the manor when Shannon and I went to go see Momma. She is going to be teaching us the feather stitch and she told my daughters that they "had" to get a thimble. It was a must she said! I look so forward to some fun in my life with my girls. Maybe some normalcy can come into our life. Whatever that means. smile!
I am taking Shanny to the airport today. Hmmmm...............not going to be easy. We will go to the quilt shop. That will be nice to do together. Can't wait to see what I can't find.
Love you all bunches!
Linda
I've been behind on my reading and am trying to catch up. I'm sorry to hear about your father's passing, and yet rejoicing in knowing he is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love the devotion you shared in your last post. I will put that one to memory, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh Linda Sweetie...
ReplyDeleteYou will continue to be in my prayers. We love our family so much, and we want them to be with us, but we don't want them to suffer. You know I believe that when we each pass and go to heaven, that we hang out a star. That is why the heavens are so full of them. If you go outside tonight and look up into the skies, the first one that twinkles at you will be your Dad saying he has arrived, and he is well. You will see. Every night that you go out you can still see him and still talk to him. He is right there smiling at you.
The wonderful thing is he lives on in each one of you right down to the grandchildren. He is a part of each of you. How beautiful that is to know. That is the heritage that he leaves behind.
Sweetie I cannot wait to see the beautiful garden that you will make. I know it will be full of color and spunk, and he will be so proud.
Sweetie please know that you are so loved. I love coming here. I will continue to pray for each of you, to find a little more comfort each day. Country hugs sweetie and much love, Sherry
I am always praying for you and yours Linda. What a touching, beautiful post. I wish you much love and I hope your sister has a safe trip back home. That grandchild pic is precious. Thank you for sharing and everyone always remember to pray for our military everywhere.
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray, Linda.
ReplyDeletePeaceful Blessings!
I never use the word normal, I've never really liked it. Life is always changing, nothing stays the same for very long. It will take time but you will get used to life without your Dad and no one will ever take his place. Reading your posts makes me miss my Dad more but I know, praise the Lord, I will see him again one day. Love and Prayers.
ReplyDeleteWhen my father-in-law died much too young, we had the same moving experience with the flag. Words are insufficient...
ReplyDeleteKnow you are loved and my prayers are with all of you.
Dear Linda ~ What a sweet pic of your little grandson! Totally frame-able!! :) What a lovely sounding funeral...they Lord is good, isn't He? His people do indeed die well. Such a lot you have been through lately...it's been a privilege to pray and hear the story of your journey. May the Lord continue to bless you with His peace and comfort as well as His wisdom as you "carry the baton" for your children and grandchildren in the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
Camille
Psalm 138:8
Dear Linda,
ReplyDeleteWhat a honorable service. You brought tears to my eyes. The Lord is good! How precious that the grandchildren wanted to hold and touch the flag. It is an honor to know someone who has served our country. I am glad to hear that you are being comforted and have peace Linda. God is so fiathful to His children. You are all in my prayers :)
Love,
Sharon
May our Lord continue to hold you in His hands and comfort your heart.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI've been praying and praying for you during this very difficult time. You know what's weird?... I think I've been helping you bear your burden... because I got a couple little fever blisters on my upper lip. No joke... and I hadn't had any in years. Praying for you and yours... and I got some. A long time ago, our pastors wife had horrible neck pain and I prayed and I think fasted for her? Not long after, my neck started hurting. Went to the doctor and I had a bulging disk in my neck. Thats CRAZY!
Anyways, I hope the days to come will get easier... I loved the picture of the kidlet and thee AMERICAN flag. The funeral sounds like it went well and I'm thankful your family came together in such a way. After my MOm's funeral, my family all sat together the rest of the evening and we really had fun together... that helps.
I'll be praying for you in the days to come.
Hope you found some goodies at the quilt shop!
Lea
Your Dad would be so proud of you! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteIt has been an honor for me to pray for you and your family during this time. Know that I will continue to pray for you. My dad has been with Jesus 25 years and I still have his flag. Take care and God bless.
ReplyDeleteMilah, thank you for the sweet words. I am so totally grateful that my Dad is enjoying his life now. It will be wonderful when we are all in heaven together.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I am so thankful that you enjoy coming to my little blog. It encourages me to know that you are praying for my family!
Anne with an e, yes on praying for our military. It is vital. Glad you liked the pic of my little podunk as Grandma always called the grandkids! He was so cute that day we shot the pic.
Lea
Lady Farmer, you are so faithful. I love that about you!
Christy, thank you for the love and prayers. You are such a sweetie.
Lori, I am so glad your Dad was a believer. How nice for you to know. My real Dad died 20 years ago. I don't know about him. I know that I can trust the Lord with it though.
Camille, thank you for your prayers. Yes, his people do die well. It was a very special day. I think it helped me having all my grand babies and caring for their needs. I fell better everyday just knowing that Poppa can breathe.
Sharon, thank you for the prayers. During the service our youngest daughter Taylor wore Poppa's dog tags. Today at church another young man said that he wears his dad's dog tags everyday to remind him that he is battle for the Lord. Thought that was really neat. As I said to Camille, I am doing better. I think I was so worn out and I am getting rested. Long hard month.
Farmhouse Blessings Lea, Thank you for praying! My heart has been comforted. I know the prayers of the saints have been helping!
Lea, now bless your heart. Now that is total commitment. Fever blisters hurt so much. Poor thing! Thank you for sympathizing with me. Oh, I did find 3 pieces of fabric. I have great plans for them. Can't wait to show you all the new pattern!
Sue, you are just a sweetie!!!! Those were such kind words. thank you!
Donna, You are such a sweetie. That is so wonderful that you have the flag. I can't believe how beautiful it is. Huge and really nicely made. We feel so honored. God has blessed me. I can't imagine who it would of been without my faithful and loving blogger family. Truly everyone is so kind to me. I hope I can be the same. I haven't been blog hopping as much as I wanted to. Hope I can do that more now!
Love you all bunches, Linda
Hello Linda, I'm just now reading the news about your Poppa. I'm sorry to hear. May God comfort you and keep you in his care. You and your family are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings to you!
Sandy
loveyatostitches.blogspot.com
Thank you....for your father's service and sacrifice and your family's. Just happened to visit your blog today, hopping over from another where I saw your folded flag header for your post. Love the photo of your little grandson. I have a Marine in Afghanistan. I wanted you to know I am saying a prayer for you today. God bless and comfort as only HE can, your most intimate Caregiver. A hug of sympathy.
ReplyDeleteOh Linda...my "baby" brother just reported for Officer Candidate School with the Navy. He has been accepted into their flight school. We are so proud of him, as you are of your daddy.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Kathy