My Papaw

It has been hard in the midst of everything going on to grieve and truly remember my Papaw, so I take the moments that I can. Maybe this is for my own good, but let me share about my granddaddy.

He was 91 years old when he died and was widowed for over 25 years. He loved his Emma Ruth more than anything in the world, and though he dated several lovely ladies over the years (yes, papaw dated!), he never married another. He worked for TVA all his life as an accountant, after attending Business school in Nashville. He told me once that he just wasn't the "big city" kind of guy, so he couldn't wait to move back to his home area like a country boy. His roomate in business school said he never had an argument with him and remained his best friend, talking on the phone daily until Papaw died. He was a very smart business man, owning a couple of his own over the years. He and my grandmother loved their farm, where they raised cattle, had horses, goats, chickens, and peacocks (I loved those as a kid)the farm has a beautiful creek and a real live well for water. You haven't lived in the country until you drive cold fresh water from the ground out of a tin can. From what I've heard, my papaw had an eye for good horses, and bought many over the years for my mom and her sisters as they rode, showed, and competed on horseback all growing up. In his later years, he didn't buy and sell horses or cattle anymore, but his love for them didn't change. He did grow fond of a new animal friend, but I'll share about her a little later. ;)

He had three daughters who he loved and who doted over him. He loved his grandchildren: Jennifer, Rebekah, Stephanie (the favorite of course!), Bradley, and Wesley. His great-grandchildren really had his heart: Tate, Jon Walt, and Parker. I'm sure he would have loved Mills and his great-grand daughter soon to be, Katie Aubrey. He loved them coming to visit and stayed very active in all of our lives.

I remember my Papaw as a family man. A simple man, with simple life passions. A laid-back, lovable man. A wise man with a country heart. And a believer in Jesus. Glad he is with him now.

Papaw's first meeting of Parker



I've probably posted these before, but these are of Parker meeting Papaw's puppy love, Jewel. And also to introduce her as the newest member of our family! We adopted Jewel in our home! Parker always loved her and Papaw knew it. She is a little diva and a total lap dog. She is not quite used to our pace of life yet, but we are hoping she adjusts well. She is still grieving too, and that is understandable. She loved Papaw as much as he loved her!

Valleys and Hope

As most of you reading this know, the past couple of weeks have been a very difficult time for our family. We are not out of the valley yet, but know God is walking with us every step of the way. I want to share with you so in case you aren't already, you can pray for my family through this situation. Also, I am hopeful that God can use this walk through a valley to touch other lives.

On Monday, March 15, my grandfather- Papaw- went home to be with the Lord. He celebrated his 91st birthday the Thursday before his death and had an incredible quality of life until the end. He went into the hospital Monday morning with pneumonia, and never went back to his house. Monday evening he gloriously stood before Jesus, then I believe was reunited with his bride and only love (Emma Ruth- my Memaw) who died 25 years ago. It's hard to grieve the loss of an incredible loving granddaddy, but knowing the Hope that He knew gives me such peace.

My parents were in Guatamaula on mission trip when this happened, so that did make it even more difficult. My mom and her sister were Papaw's primary caregivers, so it was so hard for my mom not to have been there. They stayed and did mission work, and came back one day early before his funeral on Saturday. The Lord gave me these verses when praying for my mom......Psalm 126:5-6. Even in her grief for her father, she was able to minister to thousands to let them know about Jesus. How amazing!

Saturday morning (April 20th) around 2am, my sister Rebekah went into the hospital due to bleeding. She was 25 weeks pregnant with her 3rd child. She had 2 flawless pregnancies and births with her other 2 boys, so this was even more of a shock. She had a placental abruption, and after hours of trying everything they could, Rebekah had a c-section around 11:15am to deliver Mills Thomas Methvin. He was just over 2 pounds and 13 inches long. As soon as they could, he was transported to Huntsville Hospital NICU. Initially, doctors were encouraged by his weight and functioning but since then it has been a week of ups and downs. We don't know what little Mills' life holds yet, but know it has been treasured so far! Rebekah is doing much better physically after a very difficult surgery, numerous blood transfusions, and almost losing her own life. I am so grateful for that, I just don't even have words. She got out of the hospital earlier than she should have so she could go see baby Mills. They aren't allowed to hold him, but have touched his little hands. I have seen him several times, and he is SO tiny! And absolutely precious. And created by God for God. Of that I am sure.

I will try to give updates as I can, but at this point, every moment holds importance for little Mills. We covet your prayers and truly appreciate your love and support. God has shown Himself so much through all of this, and Roddy and Rebekah have said over and over that is their prayer. They are a testimony to faith in Christ for all of us. And so are all of you who have encouraged and prayed every step of the way.



For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.

...so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the LORD has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

taken from Isaiah 41:10,18,20

Mercy

One of my new favorite songs is from the Casting Crowns (Until the Whole World Hears) cd. It's called Mercy and it has meant so much to me recently so I'm sharing the lyrics below. Enjoy.

Here I am a sinner
Broken and in need of You
Take my life and wash my fears away
For You are the Great I AM
Rest assured, I feel Your hand
Holding me until the darkness clears
A Father to the fatherless
Redeemer of my soul
My Life is Yours forever
I want the world to know

Your mercy saved me
Mercy made me whole
Your mercy found me
Called me as Your own

Here I stand a child of Yours
Broken and in need of You
Break these chains and wash my guilt away Healer of my brokenness
My weary soul will find its rest
You are my strength, the lifter of my head You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say
You’re greater than my yesterdays
You hold me close today
You’re the Lord of my tomorrows
My heart will always say

You called me as Your own
Thank You for Your mercy

You called me as Your own
Your own


You should be able to listen to it through this link:
http://popup.lala.com/popup/504684673844806081

Parker's 6 Month Check-up

Well we went to the doctor today for Parker's 6 month check up (even though he is 7 months) and got an update on his stats:
Weight: 21 pounds, 4 ounces
Height: 30 inches
He was in the 80th percentile for weight. And he was in the 99th percentile for height. I was not surprised, and am quite conviced he has the Allen height (esp resembling his uncle Chris!).

We have moved him out of his infant carseat and into his "big boy" convertible carseat. He was way to big to lug around in that infant seat anyways, but today it confirmed he was at the length limit (30 inches). Here's his new seat:


Parker is not crawling, but is "creeping" around. He can get on his hands and knees but mostly just rocks a bit before returning to his belly and squirming around to get his toys. Don't think it will be long before he takes off, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet... lots of baby proofing to be done!

And, just for fun I decided to share one of my childhood pictures. This is one of my favorites of me and my sisters, and may show the reason why I'm such a fan a Christmas jammies... who doesn't love matching red strawberry shortcake pjs??

6 month pictures

I had Parker's 6 month pictures done last week and they are posted online now! So, if you want to check them out, they should be up for the next 10 days. I think they turned out great! If you haven't noticed, I am a HUGE fan of pictures. I've decided that photos of my child is art to me. It's worth the investment.

FYI... the first few with the plain white background are the ones we did for his panel. I really want to do a "traditional" oil panel with pictures from his 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. So, that's why they are there!

Go to: www.rebekahsmithphotos.com
Go to: Client Login
Password is parker6

Here are some of my favorites (courtesy of Rebekah Smith Photography)...