Emma Belle Beavers Scott ~ Sept. 14, 1910 - Sept. 24, 2010 ~

Today, Nanny went home to Jesus.  I got a text message from my aunt around 10 this morning to let me know.  It was a tough one to read, even though I've been expecting it for a few weeks.  She just hasn't been feeling right.  Mom, Uncle Bubba and Aunt Margaret were with her when she went home.  No pain or struggle, just peace.  What a joy!  What a blessing!  She had a big homecoming prepared for her, I'm sure.  My uncle noted that she was born in 1910 and died in 2010.  She was 10 x 10 years old and lived 10 days past her 100th birthday.  She died at 9:10 in the morning.  My Grand-daddy, who was quite the Mathematician, would be thrilled with all that.

As I have processed the day, I thought of all the people who have gone before her, gathering to meet her as she came home.  Seeing Jesus in all of His glory!  What an amazing thought.  Of course, Guy-Gan was there at the front of the line.  I'm sure my Daddy greeted her with warm hugs.  All 5 of her brothers, and 1 of her sisters.  Her Daddy and Grandma, who raised her.  And then I thought..."She is seeing her Momma for the first time since she was 8 years old!"  How amazing is that?!  I can remember her talking about her Momma when I was growing up.  I remember her saying it was harder and harder to remember what she looked like as she got older and then there was a time when she completely forgot what her voice sounded like.  What a reunion she must be having.

Oh how I will miss my Nanny...but oh how thrilling to know she is with the ones she loved so.

Saying Goodbye

We celebrated Nanny's 100th birthday last week.  How amazing is that.  She wasn't feeling well, but still wanted to be with us all for a bit to have cake and Dr.Pepper (her favorite).  Tonight we got a call from my uncle that we may be saying goodbye to her this week.  The Dr. says he's done all he can do to help her short of putting her in the hospital for IV fluids and such.  She wouldn't want that.  It would only prolong the inevitable and upset her terribly.  So now we wait.  My Momma will go up and be with her tomorrow morning.  I'm not even really sure how to pray right now.  I don't want her to suffer a prolonged wait.  I know she's ready to be with Jesus and to see my Guy-Gan again.  She loves them both so.  I will miss her, but I already do.  She has slowly slipped into the quiet of the years and has become less and less like the Nanny I grew up loving.  I pray I can honor her with the right kind of grief.  The kind that brings glory to the God she loves and the kind that teaches my children that it's okay to love with abandon.  I will miss my Nanny, but I will rejoice in her home-going.

These are my Nanny's hands.  They held the hand of a godly man for almost 60 years and nursed him as he breathed his last breath.  They have raised two godly children.  They have loved on six grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.  They have planted gardens and canned many fruits and veggies.  They have operated a radio at a military base during WWII spotting for enemy plans along the TX border.  They have inspired me, loved me and encouraged me many times...they've even disciplined me a time or two.  I pray my hands are this beautiful when I'm 99 and 3/4's.  I love you Nanny, you're the best!

It's Thoughtful Thursday...

I know the last Thoughtful Thursday was about was about my 10 year old son, but both my girls are out of town this week so it's about him again.  I'm glad.  He's a thoughtful boy.  This morning was an early morning in our house, but I wanted to stay in bed until the last possible moment.  (you know, hitting snooze 4 or 5 times)  Canon (our 23 month old) is now sleeping in a "Big Boy" bed in the same room with Cadence.  So, this morning when Canon woke up before my alarm went off, Cadence came to let me know, but also took Canon's juice to him and told me to stay in bed a little longer.  Loved that!

"Faith Comes By Hearing"

What an amazing outreach.

International (MNN) ― In response to hearing God's Word in their own language for the first time, millions of people are coming to Christ around the world.

Faith Comes By Hearing is making this possible by recording dramatized New Testaments on Proclaimers--digital and solar devices that make audio Scripture easily accessible to anyone, no matter how remote their village is.

Morgan Jackson, president of Faith Comes By Hearing, describes the reactions of people as the FCBH teams enter villages and share Christ for the first time: "People who have never heard God's Word in their own language are in shock when they hear it for the first time. They gather the whole community. You push the button [on the Proclaimer], and it's like ... all sound disappears."

After they have listened for a few moments, there are generally two reactions to what they hear. Besides shock, others break into tears as they hear the Words of Christ in their own language because they were convinced that God had forgotten about them or refused to speak their language.

Once the initial shock wears off, many receive Christ or are filled with questions which may eventually lead them to faith. Regardless of whether it's immediate or delayed, millions are accepting the Gospel.

In India specifically, one church-planter has seen his ministry expand from 19 villages, 11 churches, and 1500 listeners to 24 villages, 15 churches, and 1900 listeners in just one year.

So far, FCBH has recorded New Testaments in 460 languages, and translators start a new language about every two days. Also, they have around 500,000 listening groups worldwide, which offer discussions and discipleship for new believers and interested seekers.

However, FCBH does not want to stop there. "Our long-term objective by 2016 is to record every language that has a New Testament translation and to start two million Faith Comes By Hearing listening groups," said Jackson.

The number of languages with current New Testament translations is about 2,000, so Faith Comes By Hearing has a long road ahead.

FCBH and partner ministry Wycliffe Bible Translators continue cautiously, yet not discouraged. And you can help. It takes just $157 to reach a whole community with the hope of Christ in their native language, or $1.57 for one person.

Help today by visiting http://faithcomesbyhearing.com or calling (800)545-6552.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/14345

Wisdom from a Dove wrapper...

So yesterday was Thursday...

I had a headache for most of the day and didn't find myself too thoughtful.  My son (Cadence), however, was extremely thoughtful.  He has not been feeling good for a few days, (Some yucky stomach bug that the three big kids have passed around.) but he still tried to keep Canon occupied so I could rest.  I'm thankful for that.