I forgot that I don't work today! Seriously, Wednesday is my one day off, but I forget and come into work at least every other week. Good grief--it's pathetic, really! Well, life is pretty busy now, but not unbearable, at least not this morning. We got back from choir tour, and I felt absolutely swamped. I do have a good amount of work left to make up, but God has blessed, and it looks like it will be manageable now. However, things were made a little more hectic with the death of my great grandma. I'm leaving for her funeral tomorrow right after classes, and I'll be gone until Saturday sometime. Makes time a little more cramped. But I'm praying greatly about it, and today, God has already shown great grace by clearing up much of my schedule (2 cancelled classes), and allowing for a beautiful, sunny day.

You know, I've been thinking about a couple of things recently. One of the most prominant thoughts was in regards to my grandma. I was able to see her only a few months ago, and I am so glad that I made that trip. When I was there, I was struck at her condition of life. She's suffered from Alzheimers for a while now, and her husband died in 2002 (Actually, on the same day she passed away, March 6, only four years ago. Rather tragically romantic, don't you agree?) When Dad and I saw her in January, I was so sad to see her forgetting even the simplest aspects of life. She asked us six times what time of day it was (while she was eating lunch), and told the same story of her hair appointment at leat four times. But while those parts of her mind faded, she still remembered what's really important. She stopped to pray before her meal. And she still remembered God and a few of the things He's done in her life. She still told us a few stories of times long ago, and knew all along she was a child of God. What a blessing to see that God allows His beloved to pass through life and death knowing they are loved! What a blessing to know that today my grandma is thinking clearly, remembering anything she desires, and not caring anymore, because now she can look on the face of her Lord. How can we not rejoice?!

I'm looking forward to this trip. Of course, funerals are never fun, but it will be very good, I know it. I'll be able to see family I haven't seen for years. My grandpa (her son), will be back from Asia, and I always love seeing him. And great-grandma is being buried in a family plot area. I'll also be able to see great-grandpa's grave, and my grandma's, which I haven't seen since 2000, when she passed away. I expect to shed many tears in the next few days, but I know they will be not bitter tears, but rather tears of sorrowfull sweetness, and mournful peace. What a blessed hope we have in Him! I Thess. 4:12-14