Home Improvements

We've had a couple of home improvement projects in the back of our mind for sometime now.  For a year, I have been looking at a paint chip in the powder bathroom, wondering if it was too "out there."  Saturday morning I woke up and decided that today was the day.  I was just going to do it.  If I didn't like it, it could always be repainted.  Turns out it was perfect and I love it!  It goes beautifully with the prints I found under the bed at Gran's house.  Maybe it was her brithday coming up that made me decide to do it, and the fact that the bedroom I found the prints in was purple.....

The second project, also related to Gran and Granpaw's house, was the organ pipes.  We found about 50 of them in the attic.  They were from the old organ at Noel Methodist Church (the church I grew up in).  We took about half of them two years ago when we cleaned out the house.  Stephen had always had the idea that they would look great in our rotunda (the round room in the middle of the house, which really has no purpose ecept to house the piano and Christmas tree.)  Stephen engineered a way to hang them without damaging the pipes and working with the round surface and I must say, he did a bang up job.  I think they look perfect.  But, is it bad that I now REALLY want to paint that room now too?  Anyone have a color suggestion? 

I know, I need a plant on the plant stand now...

Comfort and Hope

Richard Hill and David Dent-
taken Oct. 6, 2002 at my Graduate Recital in Houston.

I am allowing myself one blog this year to remember those who left us last fall--Stephen's Dad (Richard) who passed away a year ago today, his grandmother (Uldene), my grandmother (Eleanor), grandfather (Bert) and my great aunt (Alice)--and 8 years ago my father (David). 

Death is a hard thing and it doesn't matter how you go.  If it is a quick, tragic event where you don't get to say good-bye such as a car accident or if it is a long drawn out cancer, it doesn't matter.  Death is death and there is no easy way to go. And, it's hard on all involved.

However, there is hope.  God has a plan.  He has a reason for everything.  Without this hope and view of such purpose, life and the passing of life is a sad experience. 

I Chronicles 29:15 says, "We are here for only a moment...Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope."  And it's true, we are only here for a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of time, but put here for a purpose.  Without hope it is a hollow, shallow, self-centered existence. 

Just look at Job and how many times the word "hope" is mentioned in his book--at least 18 times depending on the translation.  Psalms--full of hope.  Hope and faith are what bring us through the tough times.  And, those times will come no matter who you are.  This hope is what gives us purpose and to persevere no matter the circumstances. 

We have this hope because God has given us grace.  His grace is an undeserved favor, mercy rescuing us from our own destruction, because we are all sinners and fallen short of His glory.  We can't be made right by doing what the law commands, it just shows us how sin-filled we are. We don't earn grace by doing good deeds either. God gave his son, Jesus as a sacrifice for sin.  (Rom. 3:20-26, 4:16, and Eph. 2:8-9)  And, he conquered the grave.  Death has been defeated and those who put their trust in Him will have eternal life. (John 17:3 and I Cor. 15:56-57) 

This is the comfort and confirmation he gives us. 

Recently, again in choir practice I was reminded by the text of what it will be like.  We were singing Mack Wilberg's "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need."  It's a take on the 23 Psalm with beautiful words, text painting finely woven into the texture of the music accompanied by (every time I've done it) 2 flutes.  The last stanza was the one that really hit home, paralleling verse 6--"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." 

"Thy sure provision of my God attend me all my days.
O may thy house be mine abode and all my work be praise! 
There would I find a settled rest while others come and go,
No more a stranger, nor a guest, but like a child at home."

Our choir director, Phillip reminded most of us about what it feels like to come back home from college--to have that home cooked meal and love lavished on us by parents who have missed us--to feel like a child at home.  Through no fault of anyone, I haven't felt this on earth since the passing of Dadoo.  Mom doesn't live in the same house where I grew up (and I'm glad she doesn't.)  But when I "go home" I don't feel like a stranger or a guest, but I also don't feel "like a child at home."  My hope is that one day with my heavenly Father, I will feel that again.  Not a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.

I know that Dadoo, Richard, Uldene, Alice, Gran and Granpaw feel that today.  They are settled in and feel that rest in the Lord.  Their work was all praise for Him and now they are at home.  I can't wait to have that feeling with my heavenly father and be reunited with those I love.

I have hope in my Lord, Jesus Christ.

Art: Picasso's Child Holding a Dove

Gran's Memorial Service

We celebrated the life of my maternal grandmother today, Eleanor Brown Greve, with heart-felt thanks and love. Even in her death she was a humble woman, as she didn't want a eulogy. She wanted it to be more of a witness service and left about 14 scriptures that she found comforting and poignant and wanted to share with others. Dr. Webb, in his most beautiful Welch accent spoke of these and summed them up in one verse Philippians 1:21. "To live is Christ, to die is to gain."

He had all the scriptures printed up on bookmarks for the family, but many asked for them as well, so I am sharing them here. (Just for you, D.D.!)

Psalm 71:15-18
Psalm 42:1-5
Psalm 103:8-18
Lamentations 3:22-26
Psalm 145
Psalm 91:1-2
II Peter 3:9
Romans 5:8-11
Romans 8:15b-17; 32
Galatians 4:6-7
Romans 4:24-25
I Corinthians 2:9
I Corinthians 15:53-57
I John 3:2

My sister sang "What Wondrous Love Is This" and at the graveside service Rev. O'Shea spoke of her comparing her to a beloved Christmas passage, Isaiah 9:3-6. She was all those things in some way to each of us. The whole afternoon was a beautiful tribute.

My Namesake

This morning my grandmother, Eleanor Brown Greve went to join the rest of the saints to rejoice in heaven. My sister beat me to the punch and wrote a beautiful blog about her, "Instead." I can't top it but what I do want to add are the things I remember about this soft spoken, classy woman and what set her apart and why I hold her dear.

I had so many connections with Gran besides my middle name, of which I am the 4th. She was one of the first memebers of the Centenary College Choir and I savored every minute that I was able to stand next to her to sing "Tenebrae." I remember my freshman year in Chi Omega sorority seeing her at my initiation and having her pin her Chi-O pin on me. In keeping with all these "passing ons," we shared a love of geneology. My high school geneology project led us to find a new ancestor together and I was honored when I was asked if I would like to keep her notes on the family geneology.

Growing up, her kitchen was a wonder to me. It was the classic blue and white with beautiful violets in the window above the sink. (I have tried to grow them myself, and have always wished to have them in my own kitchen to remind me of her, but have been very unsuccessful.) She made the most incredible lemon squares, just sour enough with tons of powdered sugar on top that it made a huge mess. I never ate dressing until after I was married, but I came to realize that she made the best with Jiffy cornbread mix. I loved sitting on the kitchen stool watching her cook, mix or make Jell-O, of which she was the master of the Jell-O mold.



Having been through the Great Depression, Gran was the queen of recycling and was probably the first "green" person I knew. She saved every plastic bag and any type of plastic tub. That was her tupperware. I loved going over to her house because I always had a water bottle in the fridge with my name taped to it. (This was way before bottled water was cool.) This was usually an old lemon juice squeeze bottle, the triangular version. It was so fun to squeeze the water in my mouth. But, she also had really cool bumpy green glasses to drink milk or Vernor's Ginger Ale out of.

But, maybe the one memory that I have of her that maybe none of my other siblings or cousins do, is that I would help her perm her hair. Instead of going to the salon, I would spend the afternoon handing her the tiny papers or rollers and then squeeze on the solution. It was a wonderful time to spend with her and I wish I could have been there to brush her hair during her final moments.


So, she is gone, but not forgotten in my heart. If only I could have a girl and name her Eleanor as well so her name lives on. Maybe Cavett (which is Gran's mother's maiden name) will have a girl and name her Eleanor.

First picture is with Kendrick and the second of Cavett and the four generations (pardon my post-partum-ness). I also finally found the picture I had been searching for of Cavett with Grampaw.

All Saints Day

There is so much to say that I don't even know where to begin and I feel like I don't even have the words to write about it this year. I had so many Saints to be thankful for having in my life this year. My sister blogged about her thoughts, and surprisingly, or not, it was somewhat what I have been feeling.

Stephen's Dad passed away a week ago and we had the funeral this past Wednesday. We were blessed with so many friends and family who called, texted, wrote, helped with kids and were there to support us. It was such a quick passing, but he isn't suffering anymore. We spent the entire week in Grand Saline and came home this evening. It was hard being there for a couple of reasons--#1 it's hard to mourn with kids hanging on you, but it gave me strength which is what the family needed and #2 I went through the very same thing with my dad 7 almost exactly 7 years ago. He was such a great, strong, loving man. I knew I was loved and I loved him just as if he was my own Dad. I will miss him dearly and I mourn for my kids, especially Kendrick who won't remember his time with him. Cavett did get to go to the funeral and the graveside service and he did very well. Hopefully, it will help engrain his memories of Grandaddy.

In September, I also lost my Mom's Dad, my Grampaw. Ultimately, it too was from a fast growing cancer. I pray for Gran, his wife, today as she celebrates her birthday without him. I have fond memories of sailing with him and waxing the boat, the smell of his woodshop, and fighting with him over the marrow in the bone of the Sunday roasts. He was a kind, gentle-hearted man with a joyful spirit. Also in September, I lost Great Aunt Alice who was also just as sweet as can be.

I pray that these three saints, along with my own Dadoo who went to be with Jesus 7 years ago today, will leave a lasting legacy upon me and my family and that they are rejoicing with God in heaven. I will miss them all here on earth, bu I know we wil be reunited again someday soon.

"In the end is our beginning; in our time infinity;

in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see."

~ Natalie Sleeth, 1986 Hymn of Promise

Death Overcome

My kids are no strangers to death. We haven't kept it a secret and Cavett knows all about Dadoo and heaven , Jesus and resurrection. But, today it hit a little closer home. We have know that Grampaw has been struggling for a while now. Actually, for 6 years now there have been severe ups and downs, but Cavett has gotten to have some special time with him and got to know him. This past month the doctors found a rapidly growing tumor in his frontal lobe. He was put in hospice about a week or so ago and passed away this afternoon.

I discussed the possibility of this with Cavett yesterday and he seemed to understand. "Just like Dadoo," he said. This morning our travels took us to the library. The second book that Cavett pulls out is titled, The Red Shoes by Sun Young Yoo and Gloria Fowler. I am a bit weary as I think it could be too girly, but the illustrations intrigued me. We read on. By page 3, the author uses these words--"Karen's mother fell gravely ill and soon after passed away. A brokenhearted Karen wore the red shoes for the first time to her mother's funeral." Ok, stop. These are big words we haven't talked about--gravely ill, passed away and funeral. Words were translated, meanings were given and parallels drawn. It was a good book and in the end the daughter has taken up her mother's craft at making shoes and carried on the traditions. The ending was ok, but I could have had more meaning.

However, during story time this evening, it just so happened that the story we were to read was of Good Friday. Mind you, we have been reading this Bible Story book in order for a couple of months and not changing any order or skipping around. Again, nothing was glossed over, except maybe the nails. But the discussion questions again centered around the words "grieving and mourning." So, this was my reminder and my ending I needed earlier.

We have hope because Jesus died on the cross for us, taking away our sins. We have hope because he will come again and God will wipe away all tears and there will be no more pain or death. Hope is the name of the game, people. Without it we are lost...forever. So have faith in that hope of Jesus Christ and his renewal of all creation.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you" I Peter 1:2-4

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev. 21:4

"The last enemy to be destroyed is death." I Cor. 15:26

Birthday Weekend

This past Friday was my 35 birthday. I feel it. I'm no spring chicken anymore. Oh well, there is worse, I suppose. Friday evening both my sisters, my brother, my sister-in-law and my Mom came in town. I'd like to say that it was for my birthday that day, but it was a coincidence. It was actually for my cousin, Katie's wedding on Saturday. But, it was still a good time.













We put the kids to bed Friday and had a very nice sit down, lounge around the table kind of meal. (Sorry, Candace). Saturday the sisters went for a run and I did circles around them on my bike. Unfortunately, it was fairly misty, so it was pretty icky. Brunch followed at Cafe Brazil--must be the best breakfast and coffee in Dallas! We dressed and headed to Fort Worth for the wedding at TCU leaving Stephen at home with two little boys-one of whom (Kendrick)threw up all over me before I jumped in the shower. At least it was before the shower.


It was a beautiful wedding-short and sweet. Katie was stunning and we were so glad that we could all be there to support her. The most fun part of it was that Cavett got to meet another relative that shares his name! They were both named for my great-grandmother's side of the family. Cavett was the surname. Mom, Candace and I ended up coordinating with black and white again. Funny thing is that the wedding was black and white too! The ride back home provided less than desirable--my attitude, driving in the rain, and a sick little one at home that I was wanting to get back to. The evening was all football and a train birthday cake which Kendrick shared with his 3 other boy cousins his age-Zeke and William. Even though he was sick, I couldn't spare him, his cake, singing, and candles! Unfortunately, we never got a picture of all the cousins together that I am aware of. Maybe that will happen when they are 9 or 10. Ha!

All in all it was a good visit with family and much needed. On the opposite side of the spectrum though, keep my grandfather in your prayers. (My sister wrote a great blog about him and Jesus. CHeck it out!) He has been in hospice for a week now and is having trouble breathing. They found a rapidly growing tumor in his frontal lobe. It may be soon. Have I mentioned before, I hate cancer?

Addendum: Granpaw went to be with Jesus at 1:30 today.

New Blogs and a Prayer Request

I'm a little late on this, but 2 new blogs were created this week by two of my favorite people.

My brother, Jonny's is hilarious! I actually laughed out loud several times. It will be so good to keep up with him now and see "inside his head." He and I are a bit like Dadoo in that you have to ask us the right question to get any kind of response.

The second is my college/Houston friend, Anna. She and Mark are expecting their first child (Walker Russell) in June. We are really looking forward to watching Walker and Kendrick grow up together.

Also, a quick prayer request. My Mom's grandparents aren't doing very well. My grandfather is in the hospital with pnemonia and my grandmother's cancer is back. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.