A few months ago Jessica, Annie and I visited Washington DC. We had a very hard time deciding which museums we wanted to invest our time. There are over 70 museums in the DC area. We want to remember everything. How things were made, how wars were fought, how languages have been formed, what people have done, how they died, what they did when they were alive, what kind of clothes they wore, what caused war, what divided people, what brought people together, the list is endless. Some museums fascinate some people more than others, depending on the interest of the people. I never thought about this before, however, when you lose someone close to you, your life becomes somewhat of a living museum of their life. The reason being that you don't want anyone to forget how wonderful they were. How special and loving and kind they were.
If you have ever been in my garage, you know that it is kinda like a mini museum. There are all kinds of photos from Greg's funeral all over the walls. It is like he is welcoming us home every time we come home. We have "It is well with my soul" written in various places throughout my house. We have goats everywhere, and as I type this I am wrapped up in Greg's favorite Colts sweatshirt and drinking out of his favorite coffee mug. I tell stories about his life all the time. I have shared with many people about our marriage and how great it was. SOME 😀 people argue with me that there is no way Greg and I never fought. Which I laugh at because we really never did. We argued like brother and sister some but in the 26 years of being with him we had 4 or 5 disagreements that I can remember. 3 of those were about our wedding! So, if I tell you how great he was, it is just because I don't want anyone to forget. He was an amazing athlete, he could go a year without playing golf and go out and beat everyone he played with. He was great at tennis and always checked out the people on the courts to see if there was ever any REAL competition. 😆 His favorite car was his Chevette, it took $10 to fill it up. Favorite Christmas present was a SWAT helicopter. He loved Fleetwood Mac, Diet Mountain Dew, Seinfeld, Rhubarb pie, the color orange, Rockyroad ice cream and I could share a million more. But, these are the fun ones. He would always say, "You're the G.O.A.T." Which is a football term that means, "You're the Greatest of all times!"
After Greg entered Heaven, my biggest fear was that I would lose my joy. I got involved in GriefShare and made some truly precious friends through that. Annie and I also started going to counseling. That has been so helpful and I would recommend it to everyone! I wanted to learn to grieve well. I wanted to use the pain I was experiencing to encourage others and grow closer to God. This year, I have had so many opportunities to share Christ through difficult situations and I have had the privilege of seeing many come to know Him as their personal Savior. As I think back on this year and all the ups and downs we have gone through, there was never one time when I felt God wasn't right there by my side. I am very lonely at times, but never alone.
One year ago, at 1:35am I had the honor and privilege to witness the very moment that Greg met Jesus face to face. It was very evident to me that the minute he took his last breath, there was peace and his body was just a shell. I have never doubted that Greg was in Heaven with Jesus. I know many think we just die and that is it, or some may think we go somewhere else and have to be prayed into Heaven with Jesus. I know, that I know, that I know... that Greg is with Jesus and that all is well with his soul! I pray if you are reading this and you wonder how you can know for sure that when you die you will go to Heaven, that you will stop right now and think.
- Do you truly believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins? Romans 5:8
- Do you believe he was risen from the dead and lives in Heaven? Romans 10:9
- Do you believe?Romans 10:13
- Ask Him right now to not just be that person you think of on the cross, or that baby you think of in the manger. Ask Him to be your guide, your light, your Savior. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins. No matter what they are, trust me, He will forgive you, that is why He died on that cross.
- Then, once you have asked Him to forgive you, repent of those sins. That means, you can't continue down the road you have been traveling down. You have to turn away from those sins and strive to live according to the Lord's plan for your life. Your life is no longer yours, it belongs to Jesus. If that sounds like you belong to Him, it's because you do! He is your Heavenly Father who will love you and protect you and guide you down every possible path there is. Even if your dad dies, or your husband and best friend die. He will not leave you, He will take care of you and love on you! Romans 5:1
- It isn't hard and you don't have to clean up your life first, He wants you to come to Him just as you are! I pray right now, you will make that life-changing decision! Having a relationship with Jesus is everything! Once you make this decision to follow Christ with your whole heart, you will be saved and are promised enternity in Heaven when you die. Romans 6:23 Romans 8:38-39
I am praying for you! I thank you all for walking down this journey with our family. Please continue to pray I will find the job the Lord has for me. I have included pictures that will walk you through our year.
Escape room, first thing we did for fun without Greg
Annie talking to daddy.
Sunny became a Wood
Snow fun
Valentine's Day
Ran my first 5k as a Greg's G.O.A.T.
Ran my second 5k to raise money for our missions fund.
Beach fun
Mother's Day
Annie started horseback
Jerod and Bri got engaged
Jerod graduated
Annie went to Camp Cheerio her happy place.
Jerod and Bri went to China for the summer
Alex worked with World Changers all summer and then we went to the beach again.
Completed Greg's dream vacation of going on a cruise.
Reunited with old friends
Met new ones, the Tummons family!
Spent a lot of fun time with Greg's sweet CNA, Anetria.
Went to LU and met Catherine, Alex's girlfriend. Who, by the way, I LOVE!
Fun times with lifelong friends!
Annie turned 15!
Greg continues to encourage us and inspire us to do the Lord's work and make each day count and never ever sweat the small stuff! "In the big scheme of things, it just doesn't matter!"
Love you all!
