what a month

wow. april 2012 will go down in history for my family.

the month started out with a week in hawaii.

and it was fantastic.

until the end of the week when we found out grandma had been in the hospital and subsequently released.

she died the monday after easter.

whirlwind trip to redding, back to work, and a few more days off.

this morning, i received a text from my dad that our dog had to be put to down.

wow. 

obviously, these two deaths are not exactly on the same spectrum.

nevertheless, the loss of a precious pet can be quite the jab in the heart.

my friend sent this blog story to me

and the crying started again.

but i am grateful that the Lord has allowed things like pets to give us glimpses into goodness and unconditional love.

so long, little pupster. 

because He lives

my grandma was a big fan of the gather singers.

she liked them before david phelps put them back on the map.

another reason grams is totally hip.

her favorite is "because He lives."

tried to find it with just david phelps, 

but that didn't happen.

and the video is totally cheeseball.

oh well.

the song speaks for itself.

o death, where is your sting?

in church yesterday, the pastor preached through 1 corinthians 15. 

i was impacted, as always, by verses 50-58

 "I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.  When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

 

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, 

who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

it was amazing to celebrate the triumph of the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus! i wish i would remember it more clearly every day!

* * *

this morning, my grandmother passed away. besides my parents, she is the most influential person in my life. she has taught me to love Jesus, to pursue prayer, and the importance of passing these things on to others. 

my heart aches (and so do my eyes and head from crying), but i have been reminded again and again today by dear friends and the Holy Spirit, of the scripture preached through yesterday. 

 

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

 

my grandmother is not not swallowed up in death, but is alive with Christ, because of Christ. what cause for rejoicing!!

 

and what about verse 58?

 

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, 

immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing 

that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
 

seriously, a verse so reflective of grandma j. through years of teaching sunday school and vbs, praying diligently for believers and believers to be, and testifying of Jesus whenever possible, her labor has not been in vain, he spirit utterly steadfast. 

i rejoice that my grandma knows Jesus, and i rejoice all the more that she is worshiping her Savior in person! the waiting is finally over!