2 weeks

2 weeks today...

In some ways it feels like 2 months since I last saw my sister, since we chatted away freely, interrupting each other's sentences, telling animated stories (with plenty of "padding" as she called it), drinking some disgusting healthy concoction I had made for her, while watching our children play their hearts out and giggling about their silliness. I still feel like I'm trapped inside a dream, that I am going to wake up and realise I am once again running late again to fetch her for something...

We had dinner with Adrian and the children again this evening and I still feel as if the first place I should rush when I arrive at their home is into the bedroom, to lie on the bed next to Nix to catch up on her latest downloads from the throneroom of heaven. I loved to hear her explain her revelations in her unique way (I swear Eve, God sent this fly to wake me up in time...It's true - in Jonah it says "...and God prepared a worm..." I just know He prepared that fly...)

I told a friend the other day - None of us chose this walk. But we did choose to find the blessings and gifts along the way. And to know God and have Him walk right beside us in this storm is such a blessing. When we are weak, He is strong. So, it is better to be weak then... I was looking back on some of the blog posts and this is an excerpt from a post written by Nikki on 5 March 2010. It illustrates so beautifully the gift that she found in Father God through her storm...

"The one thing I know, is that I Love and Adore and I TRUST HIM COMPLETELY! I am confident in that whatever I have to go through, I have Him to go through it with, and that is a huge comfort to me! God promises that nothing can separate us from His Love - not Life, nor Death, nor anything else. So whatever we face, we don't have to worry, if He is with us, we are safe! My Dream is that All of you will get to know Him the same way (or more) than I do.."

By now you probably know that music and songs really speak to me. I love this one - it reflects right where I am at now (Nix loved it too, and listened to it often):

I WILL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM - CASTING CROWNS

I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth