This week’s post Beautiful wanted devoted to two people that bring her incredible joy: Our grandchildren. Even on her down days, her spirits and energy can rally to visit with these two little people. Please allow me to introduce them.
Mini Gogo is the young man on the right. He is very much like his father was at that age, but he is still very much his own person. Like his father, he is very bright, curious and loves tech. He seems to be more active (hence the Mini Gogo name, rather Mini Coco), but it could also be that I have slowed down. He has his own preferences and he is a beautiful blend of Sweetness and Coco. It has been a joy to share time with him for his almost 2 years of life.
Cheeky is the young lady on the left and as you can see, there is no question why she is named accordingly. She is very generous with her smiles and her cheeks get even larger when she does. It is one of the most heartwarming sights you can experience to see her happy. As she gets more mobile (rolling over now), her personality is beginning to immerge more. We are looking forward to many more years together getting to know her better.
While we have always loved Psalm 128, it has even more special meaning now.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
5 The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 128:4-5
A Week of Thanksgiving
This week was challenging. Beautiful’s Neuropathy continued, but it did not worsen. She will likely experience it for the rest of her Chemotherapy and then during the period where her body recovers. It is hard to say how long that will be. Buttons and zippers are tricky but manageable. Cooking is out. And opening Soda cans is PAINFUL. She did well getting the children through the last days of school before Thanksgiving break, but has crashed much of the time since. “Chemo Brain” seemed to be in full swing and led to some very funny situations. She had fun with it, which is always a good sign. Those of the particulars of her days.
Her spirit is an entirely different matter. It was a great week of Thanksgiving here. We have so much to be grateful for that I am writing this post with bleary eyes as I hold back the tears. Our Lord has been so generous that I find it hard to comprehend. He has enlarged our family again this year with a great godly young man that is everything I prayed for for my Princess. He added to our numbers with another beautiful grandchild that brings the world so much joy. He has been healing, encouraging and transforming us through Beautiful’s trial. And, He continues to show us, each and every day, that His love is real, and efficacious.
Why Lord? Why are we so blessed? How can we possibly repay your kindness?
The simple and somewhat unsettling answer is we do not deserve it and we cannot repay it. But that is also the beauty in it. We give Him the glory for what He has done, and respond as He requires: To live His way, and that includes paying it all forward to those that are hurting and those in need. Not to earn or repay His kindness, but to honor what He has already done. We are not saved by our good works. We are saved for His good works.
I am excited to see what great things He will bring this new week!
Seven on Earth 