Have a Wonderful 4th of July & Please, Remember Our Veterans...

Have a wonderful, family filled 4th of July and please take a moment to remember all those who have given their lives in order to keep this nation free...as well as those currently serving. My grandfather served in WWII as a Military Policeman in Normandy and was buried yesterday with military honors...he was always so proud to have served our nation. And would you believe, during the service, as we sang the familiar hymn "Beyond the Sunset," an ever so slight ray of sunlight fell upon my song book and I believe that light was coming straight out of Heaven as I know my Grandpa would've been smiling down on us at that very moment.

There is Some Beauty in Death...

My Grandpa finally passed last night after 3 days of struggling to breathe....my sister had just readjusted him, and had told him if he saw 'the light' that it was ok to go into it...she then left the room for just a moment when my cousin's little girl, Kalista who was standing in the doorway, said 'Oh he just opened his eyes!' not realizing she had just witnessed his passing. She is 11, so it was a bit upsetting for her once she realized he was gone, but my Grandma told her she had actually been given a blessing as she saw 'Bupa' enter into Heaven. I have a feeling he had waited for Kalista to come see him before he left as she was his little angel...I am so thankful to God that he has taken my Grandpa up to Heaven, no more pain, no more struggle, and what an incredible gift to allow him to come home to die, surrounded by so many people who loved him...it's how any one of us would want to pass I'm sure...he will be so greatly missed. (my Grandparents were married 63 years...he was 87.)

Thank you for all the warm messages, they are a true comfort. God bless!~Lara

Thank You for Your Prayers...

My Grandpa is still struggling and I will be leaving shortly to be back at his side, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone for your beautiful messages left on my last post!Death is not an easy thing to deal with, it surely is not as 'beautiful' as they portray it in the movies...and it is absolutely heartwrenching to see my Grandma, who after 63 years of marriage, is torn between letting my Grandpa go to be with Jesus and wanting him to hold on...what a true testament to us all, their love for one another has never wavered...and nor has their faith in God.

(*Please forgive me if the winners of my blog art giveaway are announced a bit late, I will try my best to announce them this Tuesday, but it will of course depend on what happens with my Grandpa...thank you so much!)