i'll love you forever and i'll see you again

Jesus came for Bubba one year ago today.

In the twinkling of an eye, he was gone from this earth.

The past twelve months have literally flown by.

Grief still hits me hard and knocks me down

but in the "Valley of the Shadow of Death," I have become stronger.

I have learned so much,

I have known the wonders of the Lord in my heart and soul.

God is so good.

❤️

His ways are always perfect.

He never changes.

His timing is right.

His word is my sustenance.

He is my bread and my light.

His love is forever.

He never fails in His faithfulness.

His lovingkindness envelopes and surrounds me.

He meets every one of my needs.

His grace is all-sufficient.

His mercy astonishes me.

His strength holds me up.

"The joy of the Lord is my strength."

Nehemiah 8:10

❤️

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones."

Psalm 116:15

❤️

Bubba I miss you!

I'll love you forever and I'll see you soon.

You are in heaven, alive with Jesus.

You are cheering us on!

I've never been more sure of anything in my life.

Cathy

*picture taken two weeks before he died on our 50th-anniversary cruise.

 

i said yes to the house

In my last post,

 I wrote that I found a catalog in the mailbox that changed my mind.

This is the picture that was on the front cover.

The house that we looked at on our way to Pearl's that evening,

 the one I immediately rejected,

the one that my family thought was perfect for me,

 had a sunroom on the back that looked eerily like this picture.

My colors, my style, my beach vibes all caught in one photo.

 The picture blew my mind and opened up the floodgates of possibilities.

I began to think seriously about all of the reasons I should buy the house.

It is back in Savannah near the water and my people.

I wouldn't have to make the long drive every time I needed to "go to town."

The neighborhood is small.

It is gated.

No outside maintenance at all ~ ever.

A smaller house ~ much more manageable.

A chance to decorate another house.

The list goes on.

I tentatively began to get excited.

I prayed that God would reveal his will to me.

I visited the model home over and over.

I prayed again and again...

"Lord, this is a major decision, please let me know if I should do this."

"Please shut this door if this is not from You."

"You know I am getting ready to turn 73."

"I need Your wisdom!"

And then,

David came to me one day and said,

"I know someone who wants to buy your house as it is.

There will be no hassle for you whatsoever."

The appearance of the catalog and the stress-free sale of our much-loved home.

The perfect house in the perfect place.

How could I say no?

The peace that God put in my heart when I said yes to the deal.

I am very excited!

My computer finally got fixed today.

There will be more to this story.

❤️

 

catalog

When last I wrote my blog,

I was sitting in front of the fire savoring Christmas memories.

I was resting,

being thankful for the goodness of the Lord during my first year of widowhood.

The new year was certainly full of uncertainties,

 but I knew I was secure in Christ. 

I knew He was shepherding me in His will.

It was settled that I would stay in this home for at least another year.

I gave the house we looked at before Christmas not another thought.

Time to start taking the Christmas decorations down.

Time to relax, the holidays being over.

Then, I went to the mailbox.

Inside on that cold, rainy, wintery day.

I found staring up at me...

a commonplace catalog.

These fill my box nearly every day.

Most of them get thrown away immediately.

That catalog did not get thrown away.

It changed everything!

I know this highly charged "moment at the mailbox" happened before January thirteenth

because my sister came on that day and she became a huge part of the start of this process. 

So let's say five days into the month of January,

 I was thrust on an unforeseen path,

  moved along, 

guided,

by a hand not my own. 

✋

"The mind of man plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

*It will take me a little while to get through this story notwithstanding any more computer glitches.

Access to my photos is still not working correctly.

I am completely overwhelmed with packing as well.

My motivation and drive to write are nonexistent when I'm tired and weary.

Thank you for your patience as I pace myself,

 deal with a stubborn computer,

 and contemplate the distribution of a house full of 50 years of my favorite things.

 

computer trouble

 Good morning everyone!

I am having trouble with my computer.

It may be the cold weather or the monsoon rains we have been experiencing.

I am also blocked out of my pictures.

I will finish "My Moving Story" as soon as I can get these issues resolved.

Thank you for reading.

Cathy

my moving story...

...or...

how the hand of God guides me along.

Amanda, Mark, and I were sitting in front of the fire just days before Christmas last.

I told them that I had two goals for the new year, 2021.

1. To take the whole family on a cruise to see Alaska.

                                         2. To stay in the house that Bubba and I loved for at least one more year.

They were in complete agreement with these goals,

affirmed me in both,

and rejoiced with me about the cruise.

                                                                                   The very next evening...

David, Erika, Mark, Amanda, and I were going to celebrate at Pearl's on the Herb River.

On the way, being a little early for our reservation, we decided to pull into a brand new development that was being built just a stone's throw from the restaurant.

Everybody loved the houses and thought one of them would meet all of my needs and desires...

except for me.

I was the rebel.

I said,"No, absolutely not!

We are all hungry and need to eat. 

Clearly, y'all are not thinking rationally!

Didn't at least two of you praise and affirm my goals for 2021?"

We proceeded to eat a very delicious seafood meal and go home to celebrate the season.

Soon, the festivities ended and I settled into the after-Christmas glow!

You know, that time when the frenzy is over and you can sit in front of the fire and just relax...

time to reflect and think things through,

to draw a breath,

to pray and seek God's guidance.

More to come...

When I inserted the numbers 1 & 2 above,

 it caused Blogger to go crazy and ditch my normal writing style.

(blogger has a mind of its own)

I will give this teaser...

I will not see either of my goals accomplished. (🚢 - covid - not happening).

Staying in this house for another year (not happening).

Things changed very quickly early into the new year.

I'll tell the rest of this miraculous story very soon.

Got to get Blogger under control!

                                                                                   

 

happy valentine's day

My always and forever Valentine.

I miss you Bubba!

💖

This picture was taken before we were married.

 

my birthday was amazing



I thought that Bubba would have maybe, probably, brought me some flowers for my birthday, so,

I went yesterday and purchased these for myself.

Flowers make me very happy.

I kinda feel like he's tracking along.

First time he missed my birthday in 50 years.

Surrounded by my loves.

No place else I want to be!

Gus made this card for me.

He is always my dear, sweet, brown, boy.

I love him!

Happy picture!

Lucy made me an apple pie.

She served it A-La-Mode!

It was perfection!

I love this gift...

A back-pack beach chair.

All I have to do to get it to the beach is to strap it on my back and go.

I can carry all the rest of my beach paraphernalia in my hands.

Looking forward to beach weather again

Apple pie and lots of love.

Lucy made this for me.

 It is a quote from everybody's favorite Stitch.

It made me tear up.

I love her!

These are all of the flowers I got for my birthday.

❤️

.

 

a new beginning

I'm moving!

This all happened so fast!

There is a real good story to tell!

I can't write about it now,

 but I wanted to share my exciting news today.

I will be back in Savannah,

close to my family,

close to the Herb River and the marsh.

I'll share details soon!

I've sold my house.

I am totally consumed with packing.

Have to be out in a month.

My blog writing is sketchy at best.

I'm gonna try to do better as this process moves along.

🖉

Rejoice with me!

So thankful for God's provision.

 

remembering

This week last year we were on our 50th Anniversary cruise with our family.

We had no idea what was coming in just a couple of weeks.

Such a difficult time for me this is.

I'm remembering,

always remembering.

😢

We are going to Pearl's tonight to celebrate my birthday a little early.

Amanda has been here for almost a week.

She has to leave in the morning.

So thankful for the way they love on me.

Our God is good,

all the time.

Bubba has been with Jesus for almost a year.

My good news will be coming down tomorrow,

(or maybe Friday.)

I think I am ready to share.

 

always joy

Not many words to write and not much time to formulate coherent thoughts,

but I do know this...

God is the source of all true and lasting joy.

He will never ever leave me or forsake me.

He is always good.

His mercy is everlasting,

 and His lovingkindness is new every morning.

Great is Your faithfulness.

 Oh God my Father!

"All of my streams of Joy are in You."

Psalm 87:7

❤️

 

Hello February

I found this little periwinkle at the grocery store last week just begging me to take it home.

Don't you just love the word PERIWINKLE?

I do!

There is a lot going on in my life right now.

Big, important things.

February marks the one year anniversary of Bubba's death.

(I can't believe he's been gone so long)!

Answers to prayers are coming at me fast and I am in awe of what the Lord is doing,

and so quickly.

All of it is good.

Please keep me in your prayers!

Cathy