Mom's house...

It has been so long since I've posted anything on this blog. There's been a lot going on in my life, to say the least. I finally finished a long term goal of mine and graduated with my bachelor's degree. Even before I had the certificate, I took my official transcript to mom (who was really sick at the time) and showed them to her. She was so glad for me. February 19th, mom took her last big earthly step and walked into our Father's eternal presence. The whole family, all my five siblings and their spouses and kids were around her bed singing, reading scripture and praying as she took her last breath and slipped away. We all watched. In fact, we were singing the song that we sang at Dad's funeral back in 1980 "This World is not My Home". It was as if she were waiting for us to finish, because right after we sang the last line of the last verse ("and I can't feel at home in this world any more..."), mom let out her breath, turned a couple different colors in a matter of seconds, and is now permanently with both of her husbands. Ever since our dad passed away in 1980, mom has always said that she depends on her heavenly husband. And that is exactly what she did. She had so many stories.



Tomorrow is closing on mom's house. It's hard to believe that mom is gone, and now so is her house. She sure leaves a big hole. I walked in her house this morning like I had hundreds of times and called out really loud, "Hey mom, it's just me. Where are you?" Of course I knew she wouldn't answer, but I walked through the now completely empty house and almost expected her to be there, to have her say "I'm in here, Pete. Come on in. Sit by the bed and talk to me. How are you doing?" There are times when I really miss her; it's hard to just write this without crying. She always said that the parents are supposed to leave an inheritance for the children, and she did, but I'd rather have her. I know that the thing I miss most is the fact that I always knew that she was praying for each of us children at least every day. She was so faithful at doing that, and she let us know it too...in her own un-selfish way. Such a simple woman. Such a simple faith. Yet this woman changed this world in so many ways not just for the good, but for God. not only has she left six children that love Jesus and actively demonstrate that to others, but she has ninteen grandchildren who are all pretty much doing the same thing. If you didn't know mom, and you had ten minutes sitting in the doctor's office with her...or anywhere, at the end of that ten minutes you would be asking yourself about where you would spend eternity. Simply put, she loved Jesus, she loved people, and she wanted to make sure that everyone she came into contact with understood what really matters in life; loving Jesus. He was her Husband, her provider, her everything.

I have finally moved back "home" and have internet again. I do hope to be posting a little more regularly. I am searching for a teaching job, though, and will be concentrating on that. If anyone knows of a need for a Social Studies teacher at either the Jr. High or High School level, let me know! I'm certified in Government, Psychology and all History. I would like to be local here in NE Indiana, but many doors have closed already. God has the place for me without question. I need to be patient and let him open the right door in His timing. Speak to father that I have patience on that one!

Tomorrow I leave for New Orleans with a group of teenagers from a local church to help with recovery work. I will be gone for a week, so don't expect me to do any posting during that time.

Thanks for your patience with me on this whole thing...

God Bless You!!

Pete




ps... here's a picture of mom and dad on their honeymoon up in Canada! You can bet that I'll have more pics in the coming days and weeks...