Anywho, after feeling refreshed from swimming in their pool yesterday, we decided to go a good morning dip to cool down (for it can get rather hot up here. Even though there isn't the Louisiana humidity, the heat can be strong enough to knock you over just like humidity can). My grandparents were out getting check ups with the doctor, which was good because when they came back they heard good news! Despite the fact that they know that the Lord is with them through everything, it is always encouraging when the world seems to be in your favor every once in awhile, too. When they came back, we rejoiced in the good news and had really great conversations with one another. I remember at one point, Daniel was in another room talking with my Grandpa Bob, and I was in the kitchen talking with my Grandma Sherry. My grandma continued to pass on wisdom to me, and somehow we ended up sharing our favorite scriptures with one another. I think this might have been one of my favorite moments from our entire visit, maybe even the entire trip. I think one reason I feel so connected to my grandmother is because our hearts speak the same language. I love it when people tell me I am just like my grandma sherry, just in the way I act like a goober but have a tender heart. So as we were sharing scripture, we found out that there were similarities not only in WHY it was our favorite scripture, but the verses themselves had phrases that were almost word for word.
My favorite scripture: Psalm 46:1-5 (and the whole chapter, really)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
My grandmother's favorite: Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
It was just a really special moment for me, for us probably, and I was thankful that we got to share it. I loved how close I felt to my grandmother, how much I loved her in that moment that we were reading out of my bible together. It was really special, and something I will never forget.
Well, as is my least favorite part of every meeting, we had to say our "see you laters" (for now). Thankfully, this wasn't as hard as I thought because I know that this wouldn't be the last time I see either of them, and hopefully it will only be a short time before Daniel and I are able to see them again. We drove from there house down to my Uncle Ken's house back in Auburn. By the time we arrive, he already had a feast cooked for us. We ate INCREDIBLE ribs (and I'm not even a rib - let alone meat person!) along with salad, grilled corn, garlic bread - the whole works! We ate together, talked about our lives and laughed really hard. I honestly don't think I have laughed so much in a very long time! It felt really great. It was such a genuine and lovely evening. We played Words With Friends (the boardgame) and even Jenga with my cousin (who joined us after he got off work). Today, was a delight.
