Anyway, we got alot done Saturday. Garden, yard, planting flower beds (we didn't get them all done but at least cleaned them up). We went to visit grandma in the hospital after that long day. I just felt this urgency that we need to make time and see her. She's been there since June 9th. She has pancreatitis and the doctor said the only way to cure her of it is to "starve" her. She's basically had NOTHING since the 9th. She's had jello and chicken broth and her IV with fluids and nutrients but that is it. She's 95 years old and barely weighs anything as it is. When we got to the hospital, she was sleeping. I woke her up. She seemed a little groggy but as soon as she saw the girls, she perked right up. She looks weak. But her spirit is so strong. Its like her body is getting old but her spirit and her heart is strong. She still has the sweetest smile that melts my heart. She told me that I make her feel extra special to be a grandma- she has always made me feel golden. I love that woman and I wanted to cry a few times because I feel like she's slipping away and I'm not ready for it. How could I have let time slip by and not enjoy her wisdom, her love and her hugs more? She truly has been the most amazing cheerleader and spiritual mentor in my life. Always loving me in a way that challenges me to seek God more. If you knew her, you would know what I mean.
I crawled into bed with grandma ....just cause I wanted to be close to her and feel like we were sitting together on the couch and not visiting eachother because she's sick. I asked her if she wanted me to read the Bible. She did. I got my smartphone out and read from my Bible app. She first asked me to read from John 8. So I did. I read all the way through and wondered while I was reading "Why is grandma having me read this? Is she wanting to me know something?" Then after I was done reading, I said "Grandma, why did you want to read that?" She said "Well, that was good but it wasn't what I was wanting to hear." I laughed.; ) She wanted to read Romans 8.
Its worth me copying and pasting into this blog because its so good:
Life Through the Spirit
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Then Grandma sited from MEMORY Ephesians 3:14-21
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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She seemed weak when she was telling me this verse from memory and it frightened me.....but then I was full of a sense of great hope - I will see you again. I will see grandma again because we share the same hope, faith and promise knowing that we will be reunited. That death is only temporary because this world is only a small glimmer of what truly awaits us in heaven, those who believe.
Grandma has the most beautiful poems that she has written of this hope and promise and short life here on earth. I need to share them with you all. Next time though. :)
Sunday morning we went to church and then left right at noon to drive to Ludington. I rode with my girls and Valarie Johnston and my friend Jenica Arntz and her little girl. When we got to the parking lot for the beach, it was totally crawling with people for Gus Macker Basketball tournaments. But we found several picnic tables and a grill and started our picnic lunch. We had a feast! Grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, corn on the cob and a yummy oreo pudding. When our meal was complete, we headed down to the beach. It was a beautiful day- sunny but windy and the water was COLD. The crazy kids still got in and played. Here are some fun pictures from our day at the beach.
Becca was all smiles and super excited. Isn't she cute?
They told me to take a picture of them in their bathtub that they dug out of the sand. :)
Philena had a boat that she shared in the fun with. The wind had caught her and knocked her over when she was walking to the water....it was hilarious. I knew it was going to happen because she's so light and the wind was blowing right at her.
The water was freezing...and these crazy kids were in it and swimming and splashing around.
We were getting ready to leave Ludington Beach and Cornelius said "I have to just jump off one hill before we leave!" So away he went. I love how crazy fun he is and that he's physically fit enough to do his stunts.
We had to get icecream at the House of Flavors on the way home.
The Bornman and Johnston girls
Loving this family picture
And just me catching some rays
And here is a cute video of Jaelle and her first time at Lake Michigan. Can you hear her copy my squeal at the end of the video? I didn't notice it until after I listened/watched it. :)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=581522241891833&l=6679263731825667552I didn't get pictures of Cornelius playing with the kids but he did all sorts of fun things like doing a long jump contest with the kids and playing frisbie. The kids just thrive on his attention and fun. He genuinely enjoys playing.....and its a joy to watch him. I think the kids are just amazed as I am with how agile he is. I was honestly afraid he might hurt his back because he was running around all day chasing the crazy throws that the kids did with the frisbie and doing tricks.
The weekend is over, and we had such a glorious weekend. Filled with love, fun and TIME together. Its easy for me to complain and worry about little things. Life really is good and my family is blessed and I am content.
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