Finally Home

This post is a break from my normal posts, because there was a break in my life. Sat Dec. 8, 2012 My loving grandfather went home to his Lord and Savior. Though his death has been expected for many years now and we prayed desperately for the Lord to end his pain and suffering, his death still saddens us all. And yet the sorrow is mixed with unspeakable joy at the fact that he gets to be singing with the angels in the presence of our Lord and Savior.. I am not able to go home to be with my family. so I grieve and rejoice from a far, but I did send something for my family to read at the memorial service, and for this post that is all I want to put.... So here goes...

21 years ago.. my parents lovingly brought me into this sin filled world. Ever since i can remember Grandpa played a huge role in my life. He was always there at every family gathering with some new passage to share with us or some new words of wisdom. As a little girl it was sometimes hard to sit through his long "sermons" but the older I became the more I learned to appreciate them and actually listen to what he was saying. I can truly say that My grandfather walked with the Lord. you saw it in ever aspect of his life. He only lived to honor his Lord and Savior. He did everything he could to pass along his wisdom to us his grandchildren and to his children. I am eternally grateful for the heritage he left with me, and I know that he is home now, because the Lord was finished using him in this world. Grandpa goes to an eternal rest after being a pilgrim in this land. We are all pilgrims just longing to be home with our savior. Grandpa is singing and dancing and praising his Lord and Savior. He feels no pain, He sheds no tears, and He has no worries.. His life is complete. I do not have a single family memory that is not centered around our holiday gatherings, and though I am far away today and some one else is reading this for me, it is my way of showing my family how much I love and miss them. I loved my Grandpa very dearly and though his death leaves a hole in our family and in our hearts, I can not help but to rejoice that he is in heaven and I know that one day I will join him in absolute perfection!! Grandpa lived to bring others to Christ. to show them that we are all sinners who deserve hell. But there is a good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and cleansed us from them if we only believe in him. He is there ready to receive you, and if you are not saved today, I know my Grandpa would beg for you to turn from your sinful ways and to run to Jesus. Not just because of the chance of Heaven but because there is no purpose in life outside of Christ. He brings perfect joy and perfect peace! No matter what we go through Jesus is there. I know he is there comforting my family now. I love you all. My babies love you all too!!!! our prayers are with you and I am there in spirit! I pray MARINATHA!!! Come Lord Quickly Come!!! I added my favorite song down below, not only because I strive to do this with my life and I pray my family does as well, but because it so clearly describes my Grandpas life. My Grandpa in my mind is a warrior and a faithful soldier to Christ.  Glory be to God... =)

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee."

Count your Blessings

Thanksgiving has come and gone again... it is almost Christmas time and then it will be the beginning of a New Year.. TIme just never seems to slow down... ever.=) Celebrating this year was not like all years before.. my family was miles away. I wasnt even able to call them to wish them a Happy THanksgiving, but though unusual, it was a blessed thanksgiving time. I was able to share it with the friends that I have made here, and it was like being with a second family. I actually was able to celebrate it twice this year. Once on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, with my close friends in Sasolburg. My friend was so thoughtful and he made thanksgiving dinner because he knew that I hadnt been able to celebrate it. It was one of the nicest things ever. My second thanksgiving was spent here at the Baby home, with the Drews and other people from the church. Both times were so fun, and a time to just sit back and thank the  Lord for our many blessings. I am so overwhelmed with how much I have been blessed with. I can never begin to thank the Lord for everything he has given me, but My heart overflows with deep gratitude to him. Not only am I thankful for the big things, such as being here in South Africa, but I am so thankful for the little things that we all overlook so often. My health, salvation. life and breath for another day, his forgiveness of my sins, and I could go on and on.. But the one thing I am thankful for the most was/is my singleness. If I was not single, I would probably not have even been able to come here. Though there have been many times that I have resented being single and even wished and dreamed that my life would be different from what it was. I have learned to rejoice in the blessing that it is to be single. I am able to serve my Lord unhindered and with everything I have. Singleness is not a burden to bear under until it changes, it is a gift, given by the Lord to serve his own purposes. I am thankful for it. I would love to be married as well and serve him in that way. but right now, being single I can see is best and I am so thankful that I am. =)