A Trip to Oregon

  I just returned from a trip to see my sister, Ruby in Oakridge, Oregon. It was something I planned on doing, ever since her grandson died. I was going to go for the funeral, but she asked if I could come later, after the crowds and activities had dissipated. It worked out very well. I was able to jockey around the days I work at Pierce and Christina covered the Sunday service there, which made it possible to go without using any vacation time. I was able to take a Sunday vacation day off from church. So, for a very attractively priced flight, I was able to go for a whole week.
  One of the things we often do when our family members get together is sing. I had a good time singing two new songs with both Ruby and Wilma, although the time with Wilma was very short. One song was the one I wrote for Ruby and the other was from Jeremiah 33:3 (and verses preceding). Anyway, I got out the song I had written for Ruby and Fred that I mentioned in my last post and they both dutifully sang along. They are such good sports! Thankfully, I had the rough draft of this last part I knew the song I had written for Ruby needed. As often happens with me, During half my time in Oregon I would have edits pop into my mind just as I was waking in the mornings. Usually it was before I wanted to get up! But, thankfully,  the song was ready for singing in church Sunday morning. If you'd like to hear it I believe you can find it on our church's Facebook page, or the page of the Oakridge, OR A/G Church. This is the last part.

^Refrain: But I need a miracle! I need the Lord to undertake!

A Divine Intervention, and my soul to extricate

From the raging storms and rolling waves

And the fear that would o’erwhelm me.

Hear my cry, hear my plea, I’m calling out to Thee.

I need a miracle from You; I need a miracle!

I search for answers when I’m in a trial

But in my heart I know You’re all I need

Instead of looking for a sign to solve life’s mysteries

By Your grace, it’s only You I see!

^Refrain: You are my Miracle!  You are the One who rescues me

From the depths of desolation You set my spirit free

And though the wind still blows and waves still roll

I know that You will save me

All my fears, all my griefs, I give them up to Thee

You are my Miracle, O Lord; You are my Miracle!

  Whatever we face in life, I am sure that the Lord will get us through. I am blessed and amazed at how well all of my sister's family is doing. Contributing to their healing is talking often and freely about Ryan. They talk joyfully about the richness he contributed to their lives, rather than talking about how awful his loss is. There is no debate that he has left a big hole, but he also left a beautiful mark in this world, and that is their focus.
  A few years ago Amy wrote a beautiful piece that captures a lot of the emotion they are experiencing. I'd like to share it with you.

                         SWEET MONTGOMERY                      by Amy Bourquin DiSalvatore

Death.  It’s a weird thing.  Predictable yet unexpected.  Unexpected even when expected.  Relief for some, feared by most.  There are no rules.  No rules for who or when or why.  It is appointed to every man once to die.  Only no one knows his appointed time.  Death is part of life.  And then life goes on.  The hole, the pain, the emptiness remains, but life goes on.  Like I said, it’s a weird thing.

                My cousin, Montgomery, had her appointment.  She was 22.  It was unexpected.  She was simply getting ready to take a shower and was gone before she hit the floor.  Just like that.  An autopsy showed she had a defect in her heart since birth which went undetected.  Most people who are born with the defect don’t live past their first birthday.  Montgomery celebrated 22.  Perspective is amazing.  One minute you can feel utterly robbed, thinking how could she die so young.  The next minute feeling like you struck gold to have had the 22 years, beating the odds.

  Well, I don't want to run the risk of overwhelming anyone by having too many blogs from me. But I knew I needed to follow up the last post and finish the song.

Love to all,

Gil