Hello, Handsome

Funny how things can change in the blink of an eye. With a simple ticking of the clock hands, time passes. And life goes on.

~

Things have been a bit quieter in the Dumaresq home these last few weeks. The end of May, we were planning our Florida Vacation for June 6th-15th. The beginning of June found us sitting in the ICU, watching my Grandaddy pass slowly into Eternity. Grandaddy had been in and out of the hospital the past few years; heart trouble, kidney failure, and a host of other problems. This time, the Lord took him home to be with Him. Grandaddy "changed his address" June 8, 2016.

It's funny the things you start thinking about when someone close to you passes away. As I sat in his vacant recliner this morning, I just kept thinking about how much I really loved my granddaddy. He wasn't perfect. But he loved his family, even if he wasn't always sure how to show it. Every time we went to visit, Grandaddy would say "There she is!" and I would answer "Well, hello there Handsome!". I would kiss him on the cheek, heading off to help Grandma with dinner. He had his quirks (like anyone) and he was a TOUGH man. He required honesty, loyalty and integrity in his business dealings. He made me realize the importance of good work ethic. The kind that doesn't stop just because something is difficult. You push through, and you find a way to make it work. OR you find someone to help you make it work.

(End of the Road Farm)

 I remember the first time I stayed with them while my parents were away. He gave me a glass of Orange Juice to make me stop crying. It worked. I probably was the only Rudd who could get away with telling him his grilled steaks were "crunchy" (I was a golden haired 5-year old at the time). I actually tickled Pettus Rudd AND he laughed (I was also about 5 years old). He loved light houses, NASCAR, Ford Trucks, and a hard day's work. He watched Gunsmoke faithfully, and taught me that you can always tell who the good cowboys are by what color hat they wear!

Maybe one day soon, I'll share a bit more of some of the sweet ways God upheld us and strengthened us during these past two weeks. But for now, I just want to leave you with this. Remember that life is brief. Be grateful for each day the Lord gives, and make the most of every single moment.

Can't wait to see you again, Handsome. 

All Will Be Well

I am, by no means, an "accomplished" songwriter or musician. All I know is that I love Jesus with all of my heart. More than that, I find myself pleading with Him to make my heart BIGGER so there will be even more love for Him. "Let me love You more!" is my plea. Out of that love flows songs of the heart. Jesus deserves to be worshiped continuously. Without ceasing. Without flaw.

I arrived home on Wednesday evening after a very sweet visit with my Sister Rachel and the Sky/Greenier family in Connecticut. The main goal was to honor two of my dearest friends (through Baby Showers) as they both welcome babies into the world this Spring. Throughout this week, through the craziness of planning/cleaning/baking/laughing/etc which come with any sort of party planning, I kept thinking about Eternity. But as the world is bouncing around like a chaotic Ping-pong ball--all I could think about was the incredible relief that will be found for those who truly love the Lord. When we cross over the threshold of Eternity, Cancer disappears. Leukemia, SIDS, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimers, Chronic Fatigue, Food Allergies--all of these things will vanish. Parent's that have miscarried will have their arms filled with the beautiful children they were parted from. There will never be any more need for tears of sorrow, or tears of goodbye. Anxiety, doubt, insecurity, hopelessness, depression--none of these things will be found in the Kingdom of God. 

Nothing but Joy. Unabashed JOY. Purity--no more "dirty jokes" or hurtful words. Patience--with everyone actually putting others above themselves. Can you imagine a world where everyone truly cares about your needs above their own? But not just YOURS. Everyone else's needs. True Kindness. Gentleness--the kind where you see a fierce Lion dozing quietly beside a peaceful little lamb. 

When I woke up this morning, I felt like there was a cloud of gloominess hanging over my head. I felt a bit "down" with parting from my sister, all the events in the news (forest fires nearby, etc), and just the normal every day struggles. But, when I sat down and truly cried out to the Lord--He heard me. I told Him all the weights on my heart, and He quietly listened. 

And He told me that "All will be well."

ALL. Everything will be well. Even if there are struggles today, He is in the process of working all things to an end. And there will be an end. But it is a BEAUTIFUL, victorious, glorious end. Then, to top it off, Jesus wrote me a song. So my prayer today is that you would be encouraged, strengthened in your heart, soul and mind, and filled with the Joyous anticipation of the Day when Jesus splits the sky--and makes all things well. 

All Will Be Well - by Anna Dumaresq

When I cross over Jordan, 

Through the gates of Heaven, 

What a glorious delight will fill my eyes. 

All pain and heartache, 

and every need for goodbye, 

will vanish as dew in morning sunlight.

Chorus:

And all will be well, 

All will be well!

As the burdens of this world

drift from sight

And the Glory of the King, 

Will be the Light of Heaven

With Jesus, finally by our side

--all will be well. 

When I see the children laughing

And those who've said goodbye, 

what a radiant Joy will flood my soul, 

For there in their midst

is Jesus--surrounded

As He gathers all His children close beside.

And as I finally stand before Him, 

What undeserved Mercy, 

As His tender hand of pardon

Stretches out!

And all of forever

what songs shall be lifted!

To the One who has come 

to set all things finally right.

Ch 2:

And made all things well!

All is now well!

As the burdens of this fallen world

are now vanish from our lives. 

And the Glory of the King, 

Will be the Light of Heaven!

With Jesus, Himself, has shown to be

the Way, the Truth, the Light

--And made all things well. 

In Him who is making all things right,

With Great Joy

As I was spending time with the Lord, this verse jumped off the page.

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling

and to present you without blemish before the presence 
of his glorywith rejoicing, to the only God, 

our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord

be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before

all time and now and for ever."

~Jude 1:24-25~

How perfectly this description fits Jesus. He who keeps us from falling through His love and strong tender hand, and then through his blood causes us to be able to stand without stain before a Holy God. WITH rejoicing. He is perfectly able to present us without sin before His Father, completely filled with joy! Woooooow.

 In addition to that, God gave me an incredibly sweet picture. I could just see Jesus, clothed as a dashing bridegroom, leading me, dressed in a radiant white gown, up to the throne of God. He did not hesitate in presenting me, but boldly approached to introduce me to His Father. I had no fear, because perfect love casts out fear. He held my hand gently and there was such a sweet friendship between us! And we were laughing with great joy. 

"He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, 

and I will not blot his name out of the book of life;

I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels."

~Rev. 3:5~

How sweet it is to be loved by Jesus,who has paid the price, so I might be purified into His beloved Bride and live with Him in joyful peace for all of eternity. Praise God!

Ready and Waiting, 

Anna

Image source: Google