Family Life - August, September and October

 Ahhhh. Here it is, the middle of November, and we are staring Thanksgiving down in just a week! August and September were busy months, and I fully intended to do a family life update at the beginning of October to recount the rest of the summer, but with the passing of my aunt in October and all the ensuing travel and needs, blogging was driven from my mind and schedule.  

However...here is August, September, and because I am late, October.

In early August, Mom, Aunt Karen, and Uncle Tom drove Grandma out
to Wichita, Kansas where an Alzheimer's treatment clinic is located. 
While her parents were out of town, Kate came and stayed with us 
for a few days. It was a joy and delight to have her with us! The picture 
is a poor one and we look bleary-eyed with rough-looking hair,
but the hour was early as we headed out to sort and work some cattle.

That afternoon, we loaded up and headed down to the creek for 
water fun! Peaches and Kip are almost always ready to follow
us on any adventure and they were a joyful addition to the excursion.

Who just keeps being a cutie? I am thankful for the pictures and
FaceTime enables us to be a part of James' life, even at the
the physical distance we are apart.

In mid-August, Mom and I drove up to Iowa to attend Testify Training 

Camp. TTC is an event planned to help train and encourage being better 

equipped to share the gospel with clarity and comfortability. We had 

 practical and enjoyable sessions and then hands-on application at the Iowa 

State Fair. Mom and I both were blessed by the training as well as the fellowship. 

Such a beautiful girl!

In September, Caden and I took a brother-sister road trip to 
South Dakota to an event out there.

Having never been that far west before, the scenery was enjoyed
by both of us, but honestly, I do not wish to spend a winter out there. =)

Applesauce! After making and canning over 50 quarts, I admit
that I am rather sick of apples, but thankful for the productivity 
and the long supply over the next year.

Mom and Hope made a trip out to Kansas to visit Grandma.

In late September, I made a trip up to Louisville to spend some girl time
with Katie while Matthew was out of town. Their cat joined me for my
morning devotions

I am so thankful for this gal! It is more like having a sister-in-law
than a cousin-in-law. God gave me such a sweet gift in her.

September 29th, found me traveling south for a prison ministry trip. 
It was a blessed week with the Lord teaching me as well as many of 
of the women who attended.

Prison Ministry Trip Women's Team
October 2023

As my birthday was two days after the passing of Aunt Karen, we
postponed any celebration, but Leah was such a dear and made me
a mini cake. Love you, Leah!

With Emma, Stephen, and James coming into town for the 
funeral arrangements, it was a sadly sweet opportunity to 
spend that time with James. 

October finished with the 6 of us out in a cold October rain searching
for a lost baby calf. It was such a miracle finding her the way we did.
Such an answer to prayer! I am so thankful for this crew and I love 
being an older sister!

My Aunt Karen (1968-2023)

On October 14th we received a life-altering phone call. My Aunt Karen, my mom's sister and best friend, had had a stroke while they were on vacation in South Carolina. She was rushed to the hospital where they did surgery to remove the blood clot but during the operation, there was a brain aneurysm and Aunt Karen began bleeding in her brain. She remained in a coma, on full life-support, and there was only a small hope, but through a miracle from the Lord, that she would survive. The next days were a horrible nightmare of tears, traveling, and crying out to the Lord to allow her to stay with us. The day following her stroke, Mom, Dad, and I traveled down to South Carolina to see her and the family. It was a surreal moment standing there outside the ICU doors waiting for my turn to see her. We returned home quickly as Mom had to immediately fly to Kansas to break the news to Grandma. We continued to wait and pray and on October 18, 2023, Aunt Karen beheld the face of the Savior Whom she loved so much.  

All through those horrible days, the scripture Deuteronomy 33:27 was continually on my mind, "...underneath are the everlasting arms." My faith was strong in my belief in the Lord's sovereignty and perfect plan. If Aunt Karen still had work to accomplish for the Lord, then no medical prognosis or surgery could kill her, but if she had completed the tasks He had given her, then no procedure, medicine and no amount of time could keep her here. Aunt Karen's last text to me was, "The Lord will accomplish all He has planned. Nothing can thwart His purposes." The Lord's plan is much bigger than our temporal eyes can behold and His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30).  She ran her race, she finished her course, and she kept the faith.  

However, trust in the Lord's will working ultimate good in our lives, does not lessen our clinging to the relationships we enjoy here on earth and when one is taken, hearts break, as ours have been. Growing up, my siblings and I were like another set of children to Aunt Karen and Uncle Tom, and their children, Matthew (now with Katie), Chase, and Kate were like another set of siblings. We were just about as close as we could be. Aunt Karen was one of my biggest cheerleaders. She loved well. She faithfully made me feel like she saw me for me, not just one of the group, but singular with my own individual needs and interests. She loved well. She was such a loving and loyal supporter of this blog and in my desire to reach out to other girls, as she had the same heart. She loved well. She was a master storyteller and we loved hearing her tell stories in her dramatic and expressive way that would often leave us laughing. She loved well. She was an amazing example of one who invested in relationships and delighted in the body of Christ. She loved well. She had an extreme passion for the Word of God and thrived when teaching it to other women. She loved well. She enjoyed matcha tea, Korean food, dancing, and singing. She loved well. She adored her husband, children, and daughter-in-law. She loved well. One of her ultimate favorite places to be was the beach and South Carolina became a haven of rest for her, and it was there she had the stroke, sitting overlooking the beach. She loved well.

I love you, Aunt Karen. Thank you for loving me. 

I miss you...so much.