Monday, October 15, 2018

Our Dwelling Place ~


It was a wonderful two weeks with mom in Arizona.
Our days always seem packed with lots of activity
and looking after the many needs mom has while I'm there to help out.
The day after I arrived we enjoyed celebrating at a dear friends 95th birthday party
in the park on a beautiful day with the temperature hitting 95°
and I can tell you that I packed way to many long sleeve shirts
for those hot humid days, yes, I said "humid".
Though it was hot, we had some rainy days that brought the humidity in,
 but they were warm rains and quite pleasant.
It was the end of their monsoon season and I got to see just what it is like
when Arizona gets rain and flooding, wow!
Those dry river beds really do fill up and move at a rapid pace when it rains,
not to mention the flooding in those dips on the road.
It was a sight to behold for sure.
My mother looks beautiful, doesn't she? 
She is truly a walking miracle, and God gets the glory!
"Glory to God in the highest"
~Luke 2:14~

~ ~ ☆ ☆ ♡ ♡ ♡ ☆ ☆ ~ ~

While I was away we received news that my Father-in-law had gone home
 to be with the Lord at the age of 91.
He had just celebrated his 91st birthday on the 20th of September.
Many of you may remember when I shared in a post this year about
my husband and his dad winning 1st place in the  
World Crokinole Championships held in Canada,
and the words of one dear crokinole friend were ~
" Your father was a great guy and loved crokinole. 
He even goes out a champion. Not many people can say that.
He will be missed in the crokinole world for sure."
God's goodness!
It was an amazing tournament to be at and see a father and son team
walk away with the trophy knowing that it may have been
Bill's last tournament with his son.


While Bill knew his dwelling place was waiting for him in heaven,
he was a remarkable man who loved and served the Lord
while living here as a pilgrim on this earth.
He honored his mother, was good to his sister, loved his wife, children, 
grandchildren, great grandchildren
and for myself, he was the best father-in-law I could have asked for.
He will be sorely missed.

This was the last photo taken of my father-in-law and myself ~ June 2018


" In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so,
I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
~John 14:2~
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is in heaven preparing a place for His beloved children,
if that were not true, He would have told us so.
Our permanent heavenly home will be ready and waiting for us 
when it is God's time to call us home to glory.
God knows the hour of our homecoming, there are no surprises with God.
Bill is with his dear Betty, now both together, in their heavenly dwelling place.

~ ~ ☆ ☆ ♡ ♡ ♡ ☆ ☆ ~ ~

While I was away our home was surrounded with a glorious golden glow
from the colors still holding on with those aspen and cotton wood trees.
What a magnificent ending of our fall beauty!!



Snow capped mountains greeted me as I flew over the Rocky Mountains
and it's been snowing lightly ever since my arrival home.
While winter is my favorite season, I'm not real sure I'm ready for it yet,
or should I say, my new knee isn't quite ready.
I'm amazed at how cold my knee gets, so I've bought fleece lined leggings to wear under my pants to see me through those cold wintry days ahead.


As I flew over Arizona the cloud cover was gorgeous!
Looking down from the plane gives a small glimpse of what it must be like 
as God looks down on this big massive globe that belongs to Him,
 was created by Him and for His glory.
~ Genesis 1:1-31 ~
Did you know that the word "Genesis" comes from the Greek word meaning "Beginning"?
The book of Genesis lays the foundation of all the Scripture.


" I will praise the name of God with a song,
and will magnify him with thanksgiving."
~ Psalm 69:30 ~

Be Lovely!
~ Debbie ~




27 comments:

Joyful said...

Lovely to hear from you dear Debbie. Sorry your FIL has passed on but no doubt he is very happy rejoicing in heaven right now and you and your husband have the hope of seeing him again one day. He sounds like a wonderful father and FIL. Your mother is absolutely gorgeous and I see where you and Stephanie get your beauty. Wonderful genes you have in your family. I can't imagine how hot it was in Arizona at this time of year especially when the northern parts of Canada and even there in Colorado have already had snow once or twice. Brr.

You mentioned your knee being cold. I hope the fleece idea will work well for you. Can you tell me what the doctors have said about how long your knee will last before it will need replacing. I have a much older friend (around age 84 yo) and she is just now getting her knees done for the 2nd time. I cannot recall at what age she had them done the first time. When I'm finally able to see her again I will ask her but right now she is tied up with medical tests.

Have an awesome week ahead. xx

Sylvia said...

Your Mother is beautiful, Debbie. I know you enjoyed your time with her. Time is a precious gift God gives us. I am sorry to hear of the Lost of your Father-in-Law, it's heaven's gain. I'm sure he will be missed. Good that you were blessed to have spent time with him in this year.

Have a wonderful day!
Sylvia

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Debbie ~ your mother truly is beautiful, and she passed that beauty down to you and Stephanie. Glad you had a wonderful two weeks with her.

Sorry for the loss of your dear FIL. He is praising God right now with his dear Betty by his side. One day we will see our loved ones and what a wonderful reunion that will be. Great photos of your husband and his dad and you with you FIL as well.

Great photos of snow capped mountains and clouds in the sky.

Happy Fall ~ FlowerLady

Creations By Cindy said...

Yes your mama is beautiful and indeed a miracle. I am needing to know what kind of face cream she uses? LOL! Oh dear friend, I was so sorry to hear about your fatherinlove. I do remember your post with him too. Praise the Lord that one day you shall see him again. I love the pictures. So glad to know that you are doing well dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Debbie Nolan said...


Debbie it was such a delight to see you with your Mom. She looks like such a lovely lady. May God bless her with many more years of living. So sorry to read about your Father-In-Law - I am sure he will be sorely missed. Yet we take joy in knowing those that have loved and served the Lord in this life are truly home and their journey here is done. Often wonder what they see when they first enter heaven?? Take care friend. Hope you see a little less snow in your forecast. Seems like it is too soon. Of course in Colorado maybe not. Hugs!

Elizabethd said...

Such a lovely photo of you and your beautiful mother. It must have been a delight to spend time with her.

hobbyloes said...

Nice picture of you and your dear mother, she looks very good.
Sorry with the loss of your father-in-law, a lot of strenght!
With us it is also exceptionally warm, 80 F.
Hugs.♥

Ruth Hiebert said...

Condolences on the home going of your father-in-law. What a wonderful assurance to know that you will all be reunited again some day. Yes,your Mother is a beautiful lady. I love the views from the plane. Have a wonderful week.

Rose L said...

Sorry to hear of your loss. I am going next month to visit my parents as have not seen them in 3 years. Dad is 88 and mom 84.

Amelia said...

Hi Debbie, I'm so, so sorry to hear of the loss of your fil. He has a very kind and gentle face, it looks as though he was very sweet. Seasons in life can go up and down and around and around it seems. But we have that hope of Heaven. It's sooo wonderful He knew his Savior, Jesus Christ. I know he will be sorely missed though down here on this green earth.

Your mother is quite glamorous! : ) Two beauties! I hope you had a fun time on your visit and that it was an uplifting time for you both.

Oh, and such gorgeous views from the plane! Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you got the chance to take a pic of it all! Just beautiful!

You take care now, it sounds like you are a busy girl right now. I appreciate you!

(((hugs))) ~Amelia

Roosterhead Designs said...

Nice to hear from you Debbie~ I'm so happy your trip went well.
I was sorry to see on Stephanie's blog about you FIL. My condolences to you friend. No matter a persons age, if they are well loved they are well missed~
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photo's!
Love & hugs to you, karen o

Deborah Montgomery said...

I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your dear father-in-law. I'm glad you have so many wonderful memories and that you are assured of his place in Heaven and the hope and seeing him again. Your mother is beautiful! Sounds like a wonderful time with her. Isn't it all amazing? I remember when you never thought she'd be able to move back there! Hope you figure out how to keep your knee warm this winter. I'm going to help a friend in a couple weeks who is having her second knee replacement. She's also had a shoulder and an ankle replacement!! Rheumatoid arthritis, poor dear. Good to visit with you Debbie! xo Deborah

Cheryl said...

Dear Debbie! I am SO sorry to hear of your dear father-in-law's homegoing! I know you will miss him forever, and it is so wonderful that he and your husband got to win that competition together. Those memories will be so precious to you all now. May God comfort all of you and hold you extra-close in every moment of grief. I am thankful you are home safe and that you had a wonderful time with your dear Mom. She truly is so beautiful ~ she looks so graceful and refined. I can only imagine how nice and sweet she is. Thank you for sharing your heart in this post. Sending love and hugs your way today.

Regina said...

Debbie I heard about your father-in-law and was sorry to hear about his passing.

So you experienced our monsoons. They can be really wild with those thunderstorms and the massive amount of rain. We take flash flood warnings very seriously.

The wings of your plane looks just like a plane that flew us as we were heading home. It was preparing to land at Prescott Airport. It caught my attention because of the wings.
Your mama is beautiful! I'm glad she is doing well.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Debbie! I'm so sorry to hear of your father in law's passing. I'm sure you'll miss him, but of course he is happy in Heaven.
I'm glad your mom is okay.
Yes, it's a gorgeous time of year, isn't it? God be with you.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I loved the picture of you with your dear mom, Debbie, and also with your dear father-in-law. Yes, he is in a most wonderful place with Our Lord and with his dear Betty. My own darling mother is waiting her turn, and I'm happy to be here with my sister. Love to you, my friend.

Kerin said...

Your mom is beautiful, as you are as well, and you both have radiant smiles that show your beautiful countenance.
Sending warm condolences on the loss of your father in law.
He sounds as though he was an amazing man, that lead by great example.
Though you will one day be reunited, it is in the meantime that we miss those we love :)

Brr...yes, the weather sure has changed!
We used to live in Chandler AZ, and I loved that we could swim all December long ~*smile*. Miss those warm and sunny days esp. when I am shovelling feet of snow, here in Utah!

Have a lovely day.
~K.

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Your Mom is truly beautiful and has such a peace and loveliness about her. I see where you get that from! So sorry about your Father-in-law. We can only envy here what he is experiencing there. Our leaves have not turned much here yet and I am afraid they will all blow away before they do as in years past. Fall is my favorite season and the leaves just have not been living up to expectations! Lovely photos, lovely post! xoxo

Alessandra said...

Glad to hear you spent your time with your beautiful mum.
Hugs

M.K. said...

I didn't know that winter is your favorite season! There are not many winter-lovers. Lots and lots of spring- and summer-lovers. I'm most fond of autumn, personally, but winter is a very close second. Of course, that's easy to say because I live in the South :)

Your mother looks lovely. So glad you had a good visit. Sorry for the loss of your father-in-law, but he is home at last - praise God! The older I get, and better that home seems to me.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

First, let me say that I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear father in law. I know you and your husband are thankful you had that wonderful visit with him this past summer. And when our loved ones know the Lord, we know this is not good-bye, but only "until we meet again". Still, we miss them. My mother in law died in August (age 95) and we are missing her as well. On the other hand, so happy you had that marvelous visit with your mother. Yes, she is lovely...truly beautiful! I am sure she enjoyed having you there with her as well. So now you are entering winter already! Wow! And we are still sweltering in the heat here in Florida, wondering if fall will ever arrive! I hope you will have a pleasant and enjoyable winter season, and maintain good health and vigor! God bless you and your family, and may He comfort you all in this time of bereavement.

Mrs. White said...

Your mother does look beautiful!

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father-in-law. That picture of you both looks so happy and sweet!

Your words are comforting for those of us who have lost loved ones, especially.

God bless you!

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE to see a blog about your Bible and prayer basket :-).
I too keep colored index cards for prayers for others :-)

Jazzmin said...

Dearest Debbie,
What a joy to read of a blessed visit with your mother- what a truly beautiful lady! So glad you had such a wonderful trip with her, I can just imagine what overwhelming happiness was in her heart to have you there with her.
On the other hand I am so very very sorry to hear of your loss of such a precious family member. What a good, godly man- I can imagine what a loving individual he was and such a blessing to your family. But how true indeed that he is now in our Heavenly Father's embrace. It was a treasure to read your loving thoughts of him and to see the lovely pictures.
You, Stephanie, your husband and all your family are close in my heart and prayers!

Much love to you!
Jazzmin

Anonymous said...

What a great photo of your mother! Truly, moments to be cherished. :) I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, but am thankful you have the memories. Memories are such wonderful things, aren't they? And photos! I'm SO glad we live in a time where we can always go back and relive things through photos!

We got our first snow here this morning. I'm never ready for it..I'm a summer girl, ha, ha. The cold hurts my body too much. Hopefully your knee will adjust (?) and it won't bother you! Take care!!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Such a stunning photo of you and your mother, both of you with the light of Christ shining out through you, such joy and beauty in that picture of the two of you! So thankful that your Mom is recovering well, and that you had such a wonderful visit with her. Those flash floods are quite awful, it is amazing the power of water. So sorry to read about your precious FIL passing on to be with the Lord. Truly he will be missed here on earth. Such a special memory your husband will always have of him and his dad winning first place in the crokinole tournament! I hope you can find a way to keep your knee warm during the winter months. I love winter too, but I am not quite ready yet for it, still enjoying a delightful fall here! No snow here yet, just lots of sunshine and pretty colors, so thankful. Always a delight to hear what is happening in your world. Blessings and hugs :)

Brenda said...

Hi Debbie,
this post is lovely, and I have to say that if your mother in law and father in law are in the place that I was taken to in my near death experience, then I can truly say that there is no place that I have been to on earth that can match where they are now, and I have never experienced a love that I experienced there.
God bless you for sharing your lovely story.

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