These past couple of weeks I have been struggling with a plethora of emotions. It has been so incredibly hard to watch people I so dearly love suffer with so much pain. I am proud to be a Christian and I rely on God’s help to get through life. When the call came that our lovely little Weston was with Jesus, you begin to question many things. Why would God call one of his own home at such a young age? Why Weston? My heart continues to ache for his loss although it’s nothing compared to what my brother-in-law and his wife are going through. I can only continue to pray for them and all of our families that have been affected by this tragic loss. I continue to hold tight to God’s hand, knowing that in time, we will begin to understand why things happen. What’s even more amazing through all of this is Clay and Erin’s strength and faith. They are truly an inspiration to me. Regardless of the situation, they lean on Him. I encourage you to seek Him out. He will help you through all of the tough times and be with you to celebrate the good times. As Weston would say, “Praise the Lord!”
Archive for September, 2008
A Test of Faith
No Wonder I’m so tired!
Our interim superintendent for school announced our numbers for the 2008-09 school year. The official enrollment date was September 22. Our enrollment is at 49,146 – up 441 students from last year! Our last year above 49,000 was 2001-02 and we have only surpassed this number five times in the last three decades. It further reinforces our need for additional space to provide for this growth and to reduce class sizes. I sure hope our community votes “Yes” to the upcoming bond issue! My class size has increased this year and we even had to add another 4th grade teacher!
Weston Luke
My beloved nephew, Weston Luke Guiltner, went to see Jesus on Tuesday, September 16. He was 21 months old. It has been a very tough week but I know he’s with Jesus. His Celebration of Life memorial was wonderful and Weston touched so many lives in the short time he was here on Earth. Here are a few pictures of some of our visits, the latest in August when we went to see his Dad’s play he directed in Muskogee, OK.
A group of cousins — Weston in Delainey’s arms, Taylor, Lauren with Wesley and Jocelyn in front.
Cousin Delainey giving Weston bunny ears!
Ken took a beautiful photo of Weston! Look at those eyes!
Weston’s 1st Thanksgiving in Oklahoma
Meet me in the stairwell
My cousin sent me this today in honor of today’s date: September 11. I only wish I could have seen the pictures that went with it. It really tugged at my heartstrings so I thought I’d share it with you here. Thanks, Jennifer, for sending it to me!
‘MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL’
You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say ‘Good-Bye.’ I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, ‘Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.’
I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn’t coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. ‘I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!’ I said.
‘Of course I will show you the way home – only
believe in Me now.’
I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name – though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; ‘Come to Me… this way… take
my hand.’ Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
‘ready to go.’
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God
During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are
doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it
is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the
following:
Stop and think and appreciate God’s power
in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to
Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the
instructions. Jesus said, ‘If you are ashamed of Me, I will be
ashamed of you before My Father’
Fabulous Fall
I love the cool, crisp air of fall. The leaves are only just starting to turn here but some have already started dropping off the trees. The air conditioner is off and the windows open. The only thing I hate about it is that’s when my allergies kick in. From anywhere between 6 – 10 weeks my eyes itch, my throat burns, and my nose aches. Funny how that only started once we moved into this house! Coincidence or age? Hmmm. For now I’ll just stay on my daily Claritin-D in the hopes that it doesn’t get much worse and enjoy the cooler weather.
