October Glory

The tree (October Glory) which was planted in remembrance of Landen.

Colton, Rod, Lavon, Joyanna and my Mom and Dad in Albany, NY for the Memorial Service.

The city of Albany, NY!

I have a post card of the skyline Landen sent to me when he did his internship there a few years ago. I posted it on my office wall to remember to pray for the city which my brother loved so dearly. Last week a Master's Commission student asked me, "Of all of the city skylines, whydo you have Albany, NY featured?" I told him that my brother and sister in law had been inner city pastors there.

He asked me how long ago it had been

...I said about a year because my brother died a year ago...

He siad, "of a heart attack?"

They had been praying for all of us because his uncle is a pastor outside of Albany and notified his family to pray.

People we didn't even know!

God is amazing!!!

Without Landen

I wanted to blog on the first anniversary of my brother going to be with Jesus but I was blessed by a visit with my parents and did not have the opportunity to blog. I am thankful for the time God allowed!

My schedule has been quite overwelming, but memories flood each action and motion. Everything I do reminds me of another time and place...yet the Lord is my strength and my strong; He has become my salvation and He reminds me of His faithfullness as well.

This last year has been so difficult for so many.

I find comfort in warm places, such as beaches and coffee shoppes but the best and fullest place is in the presence of God. He never disappoints my spirit. He is greater than the best warm cup of coffee or the most beautiful sunny day along the beach. I am thankful. God has also given me the best people to get through this time and I am love them all the more.

The other day I was flooded with a multitude of memories. Many memories simple as the trees changing colors and remembering how we always enjoyed the first yard raking...the several others to follow were not our favorite...but we loved the leaves. When we were like 8 and 10 we lived across the street from this tree which changed multiple colors throughout the Autumn. Many times it started out RED, then turned ORANGE, and YELLOW then turn BROWN and fall. We would take blankets and eat, read or talk under its umbrella of color. We would dream about opening our Travel Agency or put together dramas and plays for church or just for fun. I could always dream big with Landen. We concocted some of the most far out ideas together! Landen carried many of them out because he was not afraid of failing. He always took whatever God gave him and put it to use. God recieved and it and blessed Landen with more in return.

This past week New Hope Church in Albany, NY planted a tree in his remembrance. Pastor Keith said it was to remember that God sent Landen as an example of Christ and Landen was a man who was like a tree planted by streams of water. When I saw the tree (October Glory) it reminded me of the tree of our childhood. Absolutely beautiful! I hope to see it in person someday soon!

Yes, I miss Landen.

Yes, I am sad he is gone.

But yes I am glad to hope to see him again soon!

The Greatest Part of Siblings

You know what the great part of having a sibling is? It is someone who has gone through everything you have and has the many of the same experiences and stories as you do. Their sense of humor tend to be the same and no one else seems to get you. I miss that.
You know what is really great about siblings grown up together? They get to hold each other's children and talk about the things that happened when they were kids. You talk about family and who the kid looks more like. I guess that won't be happening?
Who would have ever thought this would happen?