Sunday, September 23, 2007

Back From TN and TX...

Thank you for all of the kind comments, emails, prayers, etc. It has been a long week, but I am now back in Arkansas.

Last Monday, I was fortunate enough to make it to Nashville before my step mom passed away. It had been a rough weekend for her. My cousin (who is a doctor) told us on Friday night that her health was going to be going down quickly. Despite the warning, It still did not "feel" like the time was that soon.

I'm glad I was at the hospital. It was hard to see her uncomfortable, but I was glad to hug my dad when God took her home. God has really taken care of him over the past few days.

We had a great memorial service for her in Nashville and then we travelled to Bowie, TX for the funeral and burial. It had been several years since I had visited my family down there. Despite the circumstances, it was nice to hang out with my cousins, grandmother, uncles, etc from that side of the family.

If you have never been to that part of the country, I took a few pictures for you... (below) It is a gorgeous part of the world. If you love nature, you would love Bellevue/Bowie, TX.

Once again, thank you for your prayers. We have felt the strength. Dad is hanging out in Region for a couple of days and I'll be back to work on Tuesday. My coworkers have been very flexible this week and I really appreciate them. If you are reading, guys (and gal)... you're awesome.

Take care,
Ryan

Sunrise From My (step) Grandmother's House


Old Windmill At Her House

Old Rock Barn Built In 1911. Also, lots of birds... Ginnys?

Driving Around Bellevue, TX Near Dark

Hopewell Road. This hillside looked MUCH better in person!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO LAY HIS HAND UPON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THROUGH THIS TIME. ITS GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK HOME.

Anonymous said...

We had a couple of those nice, red sunrises here while you were away, so glad you got to see one in TX too. :)

(...and P.S. - it's "guineas," as in guinea fowl. They're pretty noisy creatures, but I'm sure you got that impression pretty quickly if you spent any time near them at all! :D)
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Guineas/BRKGuineas.html

Anonymous said...

Welcome Back Ryan --We`ve Missed You!
Amazing what a refuge familes are during times of sorrow.
Great pics .... made me miss Texas...

Anonymous said...

It's good to have you back. It's always hard to lose a loved one, but it helps to have a family that comes together in those tuff times. The support of family and friends is the best way to heal. And the loss of a loved one always reminds us that life is a privilege and it can be taken from us at anytime. So we should treat our friends and loved ones like everyday could be the last.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to mention Donna's mother who, approaching her ninth decade of life, made many trips to Nashville to be at Donna's side and who arrived in time to be with Donna just before she passed away, and who stood up and spoke at her funeral in Nashville.
She is a devoted, gracious and very awesome lady who entrusted her beloved daughter to God throughout it all.