life these days...

Life has taken some twists and turns that I would not have chosen in the past weeks. As many of you know, we lost my father, a healthy and active father, grandfather, husband, and pastor, 2 weeks ago to the H1N1 virus and complications that had set in.

There are no words to describe the "missing him" that I feel...I did not know it was possible to just miss someone like I do. I know all the things that I am supposed to know...he is with Jesus now, his Saviour and friend; God's timing is always the best; we are soon to follow and this life is temporal; ect. Yet there is a hurt, almost a physical ache, to see or talk to him again and no words or thoughts can make that go away.

The most beautiful thing I have witnessed through all of this sorrow...the joy that I have found...the sweet with the bitter... is God's family surrounding us with love and care. It is truly remarkable how people who live very busy lives themselves can squeeze in a few minutes, or hours, or days to ease the load of another. Our freezer has been filled, our table set with meals many times over, our laundry washed and folded, our house cleaned, flowers delivered to our house, muffins on our doorstep, our children loved and cared for. We have been prayed with and for, many cards have been sent, money given for traveling and missed work, and tears have rolled down others' cheeks as I have shared my grief with them. This is God's people at work, being the Body of Christ to us!

I am in wonder and complete humility, and I have prayed daily that my eyes will be opened to needs around me. How sweet to walk these days of sorrow with a friend, just knowing someone cares.

Some days are harder than others, and I have heard that the pain will lessen, but the memories will sweeten. We have the holidays before us and plans to make concerning my sweet mom.

God's arms of comfort have had "skin" on them these past few weeks and our hearts are forever thankful. We are indeed blessed and it is so true that we are filled up in order to be spilled out. And I pray for God's blessing to repay where I can not.

"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart...there has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." Phil. 1:3 - 6 (The Message)

This is what I do all day...

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2009/November/Online-Charter-Schools-Proving-Popular-/

(These families featured are friends of ours, and we partcipate in a co-op every Thursday with them.)

my earthly father...October 9,1946 - November 4, 2009 written and posted originally in 2007

On October 9th, 61 years ago, a little boy named Thomas Harley McCall entered the world. He was the oldest of four children and set a Godly example for them when he, as a 12 year old boy, felt God's call upon his heart, even though he was not raised in a Christian home. He answered the calling to preach and later married his sweetheart, Carol. This wonderful man is my father and I have been so blessed to have his influence upon my life for all these years. There is so much I could say about him; here are a few things that we all love about him:

His kind heart..he has never been known to be harsh, even when frustrated or upset. I never feared him as I was growing up, and never wanted to make him sad. He always feels for the underdog.

His fun laugh...those of you who know him can recognize that laugh (and the red face to go with it).

The way he has influenced his family and changed what could have been. One of the things that amazes me is how he faced the challenges from his unhappy childhood, and determined to do things differently as a father. He did not use his past as an excuse to live as he was raised, but has now set into place a new legacy.

His interaction with his grandchildren. When around any of his 11 grandsons or 3 granddaughters, he can always be found hugging, holding, or playing with one or more of them. He has made his place in Montana a paradise for little boys (and girls) and my kids so love going there to see them. He is always ready to help little people tie shoes, eat their dinner, hold bottles, saddle up horses, or start four-wheelers. Not being able to grow up around a grandfather, I absolutely love to see him with my children. I hope they always know how blessed they are to have him in their lives.

His absolute love for God...he has made a career out of studying the Scriptures, but beyond that, you can see a deep love of the Word of God. One of my favorite things to do with him late at night is to watch old Gaither movies, and before too long, I will always see his eyes wet with tears as he worships with the music.

His model of marriage...he and my mom are the best of friends and it has been so enjoyable to watch them (especially since I've been married). He treats my mother so sweetly, and in turn, she spoils him to death. Dr. Laura would approve! I never once heard the word "divorce" in regards to them. What a treasure to be an observer of their relationship!

There really could be pages of things to say about him...I will leave with one last thought from my Lauren (as she is looking over my shoulder): "I love the way he is generous with donuts and how he doesn't like the smell of dirty diapers, but does love the smell of baby lotion."
He's truly a good and Godly man and I want to say "Happy Birthday!" I love you!