You Raise Me Up! "

"You Raise Me Up"

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

Amen!

Three times' a charm!

It's true! Three times were a charm...I got to see Mom and Dad three times this past week! Monday they were in Austin, Thursday I spent the afternoon with Mom while Dad went to the deer camp to visit with the guys and Sunday Ollie, grandson Austin and I went to have lunch with them and to pick up a piece of furniture that we had been storing in their back garage! I wish I could go every day, but, alas, that's not possible! In fact, to see them so much in one week is a rarity, but one that I sincerely enjoyed!

Sunday, Mom was at Church and Dad was still asleep when we arrived. Dad wasn't up to going with Mom and was still in bed when she left. We took Austin's bicycle so he could ride on their nice, long driveway while Ollie and I loaded the piece of furniture. By the time Mom arrived, we had the chest of drawers loaded and tied down. so we went to the house while she changed clothes to go eat. Dad had gotten up and was dressed and in his chair when we all went in the house! He'd even shaved himself! Mom bought him an electric razor and he finally has given in and started using it! Hooray for him! That takes one little task off Mom's hands!

Dad did not want to go into Marble Falls to eat with us (he hasn't wanted to go out much I'm noticing), so Mom, Ollie, Austin and I went to the River City Grill for lunch. Mom and Dad love to go there on Sundays after Mass and treat themselves to a Bloody Mary! They're the best in town! Mom was so cute...she put her hand up to her mouth as if to hide what she was saying from me and whispered to Ollie, "Let's you and me have a Bloody Mary!" How could he say no?! Of course, the you know who had to drive home! Lucky for them that I was willing to be the designated driver! LOL!

We went right back to the house after lunch so we'd have a little time to visit with Dad. We didn't stay long because I was hoping that Mom would get in her chair and have a Bloody Mary-induced nap! Also. there was a chance of rain and we wanted to get the chest of drawers to our antique mall booth before it hit! It's good that we left when we did, because the rain caught up with us just as we were exiting off I-35 in Round Rock to go to the mall!

Praise God for the wonderful rain we got during the night! Mom and Dad had 4 inches, Jean and Jimmie had 3, Danny and Lisa had 4 and we had 2.6 inches! Today's been one of the loveliest days of the year! Everything looks fresh from the rain, the sun is shining gloriously and the temperature is perfect! I am one who loves the rain! I always use a good rain as an excuse to post one of my favorite poems. Bear with me because I am certain I have posted it at least once before...

Who Loves The Rain

Who loves the rain,
And loves his home,
And looks on life with quiet eyes,,
Him I will follow through the storm;
And at his hearth-fire keep me warm;
Nor heaven shall that soul surprise,
Who loves the rain,
And loves his home with quiet eyes.
~Frances Shaw

Beginning Monday, Ollie and I will be setting up for our big show at Cole's in Warrenton, TX. We will be there March 26 - April 7. I will miss posting to you for that duration! If you get a chance, come see us! Cole's is at the corner of Hwy 237 and Fm 954 in Warrenton. Our aisles are named and we are on "Waco Dr". We're there every day, Thursday, March 29 through Saturday, April 7th, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., but be sure to call me at 512/934-3641 if you're coming so I am sure to be there! Sometimes I sneak away and shop!!! SHHHH! Don't tell Ollie!!!

Bell well and happy! Love, Sandi

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Decision is made...

As I told you when I last wrote, Mom and Dad had made the decision to pursue finding a house in Austin. We did find a newer beautiful 1-story house that was 3 minutes from mine and Ollie's, with a lovely view and plenty of floor space for Mom's furniture. The floor plan was great and we all thought this was the one! Mom and Dad came to look at it and they, too, thought it may be the one. It sat up on a big hill with very little around it. Mom's one concern was that, because of where it sat, it may be more conducive to getting struck by lightning. Other than that, the house was ready for them to move right in...no barriers for Dad and Mom wouldn't have to get rid of any of her furniture. We all prayed and prayed that this was the right place and the right thing for Mom and Dad to do. There were so many things to consider...would we find someone like Jerry that they both would really like and who is so much help to Mom (when she lets him come), would they recover from the loss of their place, would their place sell, and on and on.

I was not sleeping well with all my concerns, nor were Mom and Dad. One morning I woke and knew I had to go talk to them immediately and face to face. I got in the car as soon as I got dressed and headed to their house. I was on the phone with Danny much of the way. It's amazing how supportive my siblings and I are of each other and how emotional we all are, especially when it comes to Mom and Dad! In fact, Mom and Dad marvel at how the four of us, Jean, Glenda, Danny and I, communicate with each other, especially when there is something going on with them! We have a very tight network! Danny and I, at that time, were distraught over whether moving Mom and Dad to Austin was the right answer. As I was on the phone and driving, there was a huge billboard between Liberty Hill and Bertram that I had never seen. It simply read, "I WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. I LOVE YOU! JESUS" I bawled when I read that sign! Of course, I told Danny that had to be a message to us! No matter what, God was with us and He would guide us! And, of course, that is what happened! Was there any doubt?!!

I continued on my way to Mom and Dad's, knowing in my heart that God would put the right words in my mouth to convince them that moving was the right thing to do. See, I was still thinking selfishly that the best thing for Mom and Dad was to move to be near me. As I parked my car, I could see my Mom standing in the kitchen in her robe. I called her so that I wouldn't scare her when I went to the door! I said, "Hi Mom! I'm in your driveway!" She went right to the window to see for herself! She laughed and couldn't believe I really was out there! I went in and was very emotional about my concern for them. Mom was so precious and grateful for my concern. She went right down the hall and woke Daddy so he, too, could hear my concerns. The three of us were tearful together, I for wanting so badly for them to be closer to me and they for their uncertainty. Now I know that their tears were because they didn't know, at that point, what they wanted to do.

That morning, Mom and Dad agreed that they would pursue buying the house near me. Through electronic documentation, they made an offer on the house, and after some negotiating, came up with a price and signed a contract. The next step was to have the house inspected. I met the inspector at 8:00 on Monday, the 16th, and he spent over 3 hours looking it over from roof to slab. Mom and Dad, Leslie and Kim, Glenda, Clint, Mollie, Jean and I met for lunch that same day and then most of us went to the house. What I had to tell them all, however, wasn't good news. There were two major problems with the house, one that was repairable and one that wasn't. There were french doors that led outside from the den that needed to be completely replaced because of water damage. That was repairable. However, Mom's fears about lightning striking the house were valid. The inspector had mentioned that there was a problem with the electrical panel outside. Leslie helped me take the door off the electrical panel. There were clear signs that there had been a major electrical issue...some of the wires looked burned and, once the cover on the breakers was removed, the inside of the panel was charred...most likely from a lightning strike! That, in itself, was enough for us to know that we indeed did not have the best house for Mom and Dad. Mother also said that she did get the feeling of being at home in that house and that it was really too big and more money than they wanted to spend.

Danny talked to Mom a long time on the phone that night, the final decision was made and the contract was cancelled. She was so afraid to disappoint me and the rest of us by deciding against the house. Danny assured her that we all just wanted them to be happy and okay and that we all knew that wasn't the house for them. So as not to overwhelm her with conversation about the house that night, I waited and called her the next morning to make sure she knew that I wasn't upset with her and to make sure she knew that I supported her and Dad in any decision they made... I just wanted them to be happy and safe. Danny and I both told Mom that, if they were happiest in their home, then just stay there and we won't talk any more about moving. Mom was relieved and elated! She and Dad both slept better Monday night than they had since they started the conversation again about moving! So, for now, Mom and Dad's lives will remain status-quo! Yes, Mom loved the idea of her and Dad being closer to her kids and having more options for food delivery or restaurants, but, for them, there's no place like home!

I went there yesterday and spent the day. Mom and I had a little time to ourselves before Dad woke up. She seemed totally happy with their decision. A bit later Dad got up, got dressed and came into the breakfast room. I went to him and hugged him and he held onto me for a good while with the most loving hug. I knew what he was telling me! He appreciated what I had done in helping them with the house and he was thanking me for accepting their decision. They are perfectly capable of making that decision and any decisions concerning their well-being. I sure don't blame them for wanting to stay in the home they so dearly love. So...the subject of them moving is officially closed!!!

There are a few things that Mom wants to do for their house now that she knows they will be there, hopefully, for a long time!. The carpet in their bedroom is deep-plush and it is very difficult for Dad to maneuver his wheelchair in there and very hard for her to push him in the wheelchair. She wants to have the carpet removed, have hardwoods put in there and a very low-pile carpet in the master bathroom. She and Dad also want a split-king bed that has separate controls t raise and lower the head and foot of the bed.

Mom and I got a chance to go see about those two things in the afternoon. Thursday night was poker night at the deer camp, so Leslie picked Dad up about 3:00 to go out to the ranch and take Dad for a ride around the ranch in the Kabota, visit with all the guys, eat steaks, and play a little poker. So Mom and I had a little time to go do some things in Marble Falls, She had a 3:15 doctor's appointment and then we went to the furniture store to check out their beds. I suggested that she have the floors done before getting the new bed so they wouldn't have to move it. She agreed and will make an appointment to have the bedroom measured and get the flooring ordered. Glenda is going out there tomorrow and will encourage Mom to keep working on this project! We all know how easy it is to keep putting things like that off! So, it will be my mission to do everything I can to make their lives as easy and comfortable in their home. Please continue to pray for them!

Happy St Patrick's Day to all of you! This Irish blessing is for you!

“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”

Amen!!!!!