Time flies - things happen

So many things have happened since my last blog entry in April.  The time has literally flown.  Most noteworthy are Amy's Engagement for wedding on July 7th, spending time with Pete and Tara and kids in Houston and finding out that they are expecting a new baby boy in July, getting a call to YW again and having the opportunity to work with young girls and sharing my testimony with them, and finally this last week end attending Jenna's wedding to James Lee and finding out at the same time that Judy was not going to recover from her brain surgery. 
Judy passed away this last Tuesday.  Both Jim and I had the feeling that she would pull through this but seeing her Sunday night following the wedding and then hearing that she had gone back to the hospital because of the terrible pain she was enduring on Monday, we were really  not too surprised when Joy called and said she had passed away on Tuesday.  The viewing and funeral will be next Sunday (July 1) and Monday (July 2)which we will attend.
I was able to sit next to Carrie during the dinner at Jenna's wedding and had a nice visit with her although neither of us was particularly in a celebratory mood.  She is a lovely woman and it is hard to watch her go through this great loss.  I sent her and similar letters (to her brothers and Dale) and wanted to attach these to this blog for future reference.

Dear Carrie:

We just wanted to write and express our sympathy and love to you at this time.  We know that it is very difficult for you to lose your mother and that the next months will be sad.  We hope you are strengthened by memories of her influence and example.

She was such a strength and help in your life (and in our lives as well). 

She always set a great example of service, hard work, good thoughts, sweet concern and so many other qualities.

She was an achiever and worked hard to be well educated. 

She was such a great mother and grandmother.  She taught us so much about parenthood in our younger years. 

She was a great organizer and was always involved in some project or other.

She was a good neighbor and had many friends.

She was giving to others.

She was very talented and used her talents to bless so many people.

She knew how to have a good time and always wanted to include you and your families in activities that would strengthen you and keep you close.

She was a great older sister to Jim and he loves her so much.  He often tells stories of when they were young and their parents would go to this or that event and Judy would take care of him.  I know he loved those times.

We will miss your mom so much.  We recognize that she is having a joyful reunion with those who have gone before but even so it is hard for those she left behind.  We will be praying for you and for your children as well as for your dad and your brothers and their families. 

I am so glad we had that time together at the wedding to just visit and catch up.  Your Uncle Jim and I think the world of you and we know that you are doing a great work with your beautiful children.  We know that you are your mother’s daughter and that because of you and your great brothers, her legacy will live on and many people will be blessed.

Love always,  Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim