We wrapped up 2017 by traveling home for the holidays which was wonderful but I have to admit that we were cold. My shivers were comforting reminders that I am acclimating to a climate I never thought I could possibly adjust to. The past year and a half we've been Texas residents have not been in vain! Nicole seemed completely unfazed by the severe change in temperature as we journeyed home, which I guess proves that she really is the most resilient member of our little clan. We were able to see both sides of the family which meant stops in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
At the very end of our stay in Wisconsin we heard the news that my Grandma had passed away. The funeral is coming up in the next couple of days, right on the tail end of a work trip for Shawn. We had numerous conversations about flying me home for it, but at the end of the day it's not feasible. I won't bore you with all of the factors that contributed to this final decision but I am at peace about not attending in person. I'l be there in spirit, remembering my sweet and artistic Grandma as family and friends gather to celebrate her life.
For me, the hardest part of the death of a loved one, is watching the rest of my loved ones grieve. I am deeply sad that my Grandma is gone but even more sad to watch my mom process the reality that her mom is gone. I cannot even begin to fathom the depth of heartache that comes from the loss of a parent. I don't think there is an easy way to cope with death this side of heaven, but I am certainly thankful that the Bible tells us that God has prepared a perfect place for us to spend eternity when we believe in His death, burial and resurrection and receive it as the only way to forgive our sins.
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| Taken Christmas of 2015 - 4 generations of women: my Grandma, my Mom, Me and Nicole |
One of the things my Grandma's passing has brought up in our household is the topic of death. As I struggle to find the most appropriate way to explain death to my incredibly bright and curious toddler, I am thankful over and over again for the hope of eternity. A few months ago, I wrote out a verse for Nicole and put it in a frame in her room. We read it together often and I pray every day that the truth of God's Word will take root in her heart and life. The verse I framed was a personalized version of John 3:16. It reads:
"For God so loved Nicole,
that He gave His one and only Son
that if she believes in Him, s
he will not perish but have eternal life."
I wrote that verse out for her because I wanted her to begin to understand that God loves her deeply and she can know He loves her because the Bible says so. After a few months of regularly reading this verse together, Nicole now asks me to read, "your (her) verse" to her and we've begun to have foundational conversations about heaven and earth. I can't imagine having to explain death to my children, without the hope of eternity. It's why I'm so grateful that the truth of John 3:16 is personal and applicable to each and every one of us.
To my family, I love you all dearly and I will be thinking of you throughout your time together.
Love,
Erica
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