A quick year end check in

And what a year it has been!

I realized today that many probably thought we all disappeared on the ski slopes or just decided to stay in the snowy confines of NM, however the reality is that things have been so busy since returning, blogging just took a back seat to life.

The ski trip was a huge success, and we came back with no injuries! We did come back with 3 colds (Kim, Kathryn and Justin), but the memories far outweigh the sniffles and coughing. Ryan chronicled the trip on the family blog, if you care to read about it.

We returned home late on the 23rd, so we had just a couple of days to finish preparing for Christmas. And with me being sick, this meant that not everything was accomplished. All in all, though, everyone had an enjoyable Christmas. It was a marked improvement over last year's "chicken pox" Christmas!

Tuesday, the 26th, was a sad day. The nursing home called me at about 2 in the afternoon to tell me that my dad wasn't doing well. By 4, they were calling me back to let me know he had died. The days since have been filled with phone calls, paperwork, more phone calls and trying to plan a funeral long distance. Since he will be buried in the Chicago area, we set the services for the weekend of January 5/6, and we will all be traveling up there.....much sooner than we expected to be taking another trip. Again, this has been posted on the family blog. The obituary may be read here.

So, please forgive the lack of updates. It has been hectic and will remain so until after we return from Chicago on the 7th. Thankkfully, the 3 of us "sickies" are now over the worst of it, just as the other 3 are smack dab in the throes of the same virus. Even this seems like good timing as they should be over the worst of the symptoms before we leave for our trip. I have a Herceptin treatment on the 2nd, and the girls start a sewing class on the 4th - just a few hours before we leave for the airport. Oh yes...need to make sure that everyone has the necessary clothing cleaned and pressed.

Prayers for restored health and safe travel would be appreciated. Thank you for supporting us in prayer for such a long time. You are truly faithful prayer warriors!

It is Well With My Soul (Horatio G. Spafford, 1873)

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

posted by Kim @ 11:23 AM