Under His Wings

Kenyon family July 4 picnic 1976 with Great Grandma Etta Kenyon. All the great grandchildren are pictured except for Kyle who was born about 2 years later.  I'm in the bottom right hand corner behind the bush.  Al's children Mark (oldest boy in back row) and daughter Robbie (girl with red pants next to my then baby brother Jason) were there too. Not only has my home church lost a dear friend, our family has lost a dear cousin.  Alan died on 2/22.  He had been sick with heart problems the past few months and was getting tested for another possible illness last Wednesday when he had complications. As I remember Al, I think of the many special family times we had as I was growing up.   Memories of him of course date back a lot farther back for my mom.  For many many years into my young childhood, my mom's family got together many times a year for picnics and holiday dinners.  Alan and his family attended many of these special even...

This post I've been pondering for a few weeks.   It's been a very emotional few weeks for our family.  As mentioned in this post, my family and I our former longtime pastor died on 1/22 due to a longtime illness.  Last week my mom's cousin Alan died somewhat unexpectedly a week ago.  My son lost a friend in a tragic fire about a week ago.   It's been hard to put into words what I've been thinking, but I did want to honor my dear friends who had such a big influence on my life.  My prayers go out to their families. Also, please be in prayer for Sheli's dad, Don, who has been very ill the past few months.  Four years ago to day I got a phone call from my mom that I never thought I would get.  My dear childhood friend,  Sheli, had died.  It was of a pulminary embolism due to recent surgery.   Honestly thoughts of regret went through my mind.  Just a few months earlier I was standing talking to Shel...

Finally Home by Don Wyrtzen When alarmed by the fury of the restless sea, Towering waves before you roll, At the end of doubt and peril is eternity, Though fear and conflict seize your soul But just think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven, Of touching a hand, and finding it God's, Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial, Of waking up in Glory, and finding it "Home."   When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night, Oh how lonely death can be! At the end of this long tunnel is a shinning light, For death is swallowed-up in Victory! Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven, Of touching a hand, and finding it God's, Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial, Of waking up in Glory, and finding it "Home Do you have a day in your mind that sticks with you as a day that has changed the course of your life forever?  January 26, 1997, was one of those days in my life that I've been recalling many times r...

My mom called me with some very sad news this morning.  One of our former neighbors died yesterday morning.   Bob and his family were some of our first neighbors when we moved to our house in 1972.   I remember the great sound of Bob playing his organ.  I could hear it when I was outside playing or on the way over to my grandparents' house.   He was the organist for our local hockey team for many years.  I spent many hours playing with his 2 sons, Kevin and Greg. After he moved across town, he became our  County Legistlator.  He had a few unsucessful bids for Congress back in the 1990's.  He was a greatly respected business owner too.  My grandfather worked for him in his semi-retirement years. His parents, who both lived into their 90's, were my granparents' best friends.  They had been neighbors for about 50 years.   My grandparents moved into their house in 1954, when my mom was 8.  ...

On Saturday afternoon, we said our earthly goodbyes to a woman who I have come to love so deeply in the past 14 1/2 years....my mother in law, Mary Cone.   I honestly fell apart quite often throughout the day.  My heart ached for my hurting husband and his siblings, especially for his brother Michael and wife Debbie as they had to say goodbye to both of their moms in the same day.   My heart hurt for my kids.   I lost it when I saw my oldest son, Elijah, crying as the funeral was ending and my other son Nate crying after his grandma was buried.  Honestly, my heart ached for myself as I had to say goodbye to the woman I have come to love so deeply throughout the 14 1/2 years I've been part of the Cone family.   Her favorite song was Jesus Loves Me.  It's special to me too.  We had it played at my daughter Gabrielle's funeral in early 2000.   I buried my head in Tim's shoulder as I listened to the words "If I lo...