Good Friday/ Pawpaw's funeral

With today being GOOD FRIDAY, it brings so many similarities and parallels between Jesus being buried and us burying Jay's grandad on this day.  There is so much to celebrate because the story doesn't end with the Crucifixion.  Because of what happened three days later, I have 100% confidence that Jay's grandad is up in heaven singing praises to the Lord which is what he has been wanting to do for a very long time.  He was such a Godly man and truly honored the Lord with  his life.  

Before Pawpaw died, he asked Jay to preach his funeral and of course Jay gladly said that he would.  It was the first funeral Jay has preached and it was VERY hard for him.  However, he did a WONDERFUL job!    It was very emotional for him because he and his grandad were so close and always have been.  He was one of his spiritual mentors and Jay looked up to him to so much.   But there was so much joy in knowing that Pawpaw was a believer and although he will be very missed, it was more of a celebration of his life and who He represented!  

This is Grace (Pawpaw's wife) and some of her siblings.  They traveled from all over to come and support her.  They have the neatest bond with one another and it was so neat to hear that they have each other's backs regardless of the miles between them or the circumstance at hand.  She is very lucky to have them in her life!

Please continue to pray for Grace as she settles into life without her husband of 38 years.  At one point, I mentioned that he was just her other half.  In which she replied, "Yea and this half is really lonely!"  She misses him terribly as she should and it will be a major adjustment for her.

I am very proud of Jay for how he has handled this whole thing.  My husband is such a man of Godly character and I am so thankful the Lord gave him to me.  The Lord continues to amaze me with the grace He shows me through him.  

In situations such as these, it brings to mind the things that are truly important.  Priorities get shifted too often out of place and it seems that it takes tragedies sometimes to get them back where they need to be.  I was amazed and overwhelmed with emotion at the love that the Father has for me.  God is good...even in the midst of tragedy.  And I CHOOSE to praise Him regardless of the outcome.