Blessings Flowing

So often in our journey through this life, we lose sight of our blessings.  The last couple of months have been especially difficult around our household.  Without going into all the specifics, we lost my mother-in-law on November 4th.  Our loss is heaven gain and we take comfort in the knowledge that her struggles are now at an end.

While she struggled over the past year with cancer and then recovery, we were all witness to her strength and fight.  It was truly inspiring and frustrating at the same time.  Still she endured until our Father called her home.  She was 78 years young and spent 59 years with her love Bus or Mac, depending on who you were talking to at the time.  Together they raised three children on a dairy farm in Cossayuna, NY.  Anyone who knows anything about a dairy, knows this takes a special commitment, it is a life style of long dedicated days and sometimes nights.  She is survived by my father-in-law, their three children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Blessings Flowing… with mixed emotions, a heart that is at the same time filled with all HIS goodness and a heart ripping sense of loss, yep our Blessings are indeed Flowing!  We were blessed over the past year to see Florence’s strength, fight and humor.  You can’t be a farmers’ wife and be a wimp and you most certainly must have a sense of humor.

Our blessings included being able to see her several times, some under circumstance less than ideal.  The point is our Father made a way for us to meet the needs of my wife’s parents and my wife desire to be there!  We could have missed so much were it not for our Father’s loving care and abundant grace.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of HIS glory in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:19

We were blessed to be a part in the sharing of memories old and new.  Joy in the remembering that turned such a difficult time into a blessing that was shared by family and friends.  The blessing of seeing how she poured her life into so many lives that were touched and blessed by her actions and words.  Kindnesses, graciousness and love met lives any so many ways, Blessings Flowing!

Here we are a few weeks removed and while our emotions are still swinging up and down, the blessings are still flowing.  Bus is doing well and his cousins have stepped in to help him adjust, plus it’s deer season and a regular crowd is coming and going at the farm.  Since Tracy’s brother lives in Florida and we are in Virginia, her sister is left to help.  She and her husband are dairy farmers and the demands don’t change even though life takes a dramatic turn, Blessings Flowing!!

Back here, cards are still coming in and we have our first service at church complete.  Sometimes the blessing of love from our brothers and sister in Jesus is overwhelming.  We wouldn’t exchange the hugs and expression of compassion for a moment, Blessings Flowing!!!

By HIS grace and supply, we are going to head back for Thanksgiving…. We will give thanks!  HIS provision, grace and love will be known and shared.  We will laugh and cry, share great stories and solemn moments.  Still blessings will be flowing!

Thanks to everyone who has loved us through these difficult times.  Your prayers, words of encouragement and hugs of comfort…BLESSINGS FLOWING

Blessings & Peace Always,

~Robert

Florence P. McIntyre

July 14, 1935 – November 4, 2013