A sweet note from an old friend

It comforts me (sometimes- it depends!) to know that I have the hardest part here. I know my Daddy is happy and rejoicing in heaven right now, not only with Jesus, but with his mom and dad, who he missed dearly.

Sometimes, when it is extremely hard to come to grips with why my Daddy had to leave us, I like to think that God just needed him up in heaven.

Why was my Dad needed in heaven?

I told many people at the visitation that the congregation grew so large in heaven that God had to add more microphones and sound boards, so He needed another sound tech to run the boards up there.

We got a note today from a former praise team leader that went right along that idea, and it made me cry at first, but now I smile when I read it. It says:

"At least we know he is in a place where the sound is perfect and the equipment never breaks down."

Amen!

I wonder...

When we got back into the car after the funeral, it was like God had picked the songs to play on the radio. First came the song by Third Day: "My hope is in You; show me Your ways; guide me in truth for all my days..." Then came my dad's all time favorite contemporary Christian song: "I Can Only Imagine."

When that song started, we all got real quiet, but, instead of being upset, I think the lyrics soothed us.

"Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus,
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'hallelujah'?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine..."

As I sang along, a question sprang up in my mind:

What did Dad do when he first saw Jesus?

Did he dance?
Did he sing?
Did he smile?
Did he fall to his knees?
Did he hug Jesus?

I guess I will get to ask Daddy when I get there one day.

And as Pat said at the funeral yesterday, we will spend more time together in heaven than we will apart on this earth.

A sad chapter of life begins

Dearest family and friends out in the blogging world--

Most of y'all already know this, but, on Sunday morning, my dad, Randy Throckmorton, passed away.

This was unexpected. I had just seen him Saturday evening, and he was happy and healthy. He went to sleep, and he just did not wake up the next morning.

My family is suffering a great loss, but we take comfort from the hope in our hearts that he is in a better place with Jesus.

Please, please pray for my family... especially my momma. She will have the hardest adjustment to make and many tough decisions ahead of her. I don't think it is real for us quite yet, but it will be real soon.

Thanks,

Kathi

My cup runneth over!

I had an excellent first week of school! It is the honeymoon period, mind you, but MCMS is a family to me, a place where I belong and truly enjoy being. I spend so much time there; being able to enjoy it is indeed a perk.

My sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and their family moved within half an hour of us! We were invited to their house twice this week for dinner! (Thanks for that, by the way... :)) What a blessing to be surrounded by and close to our wonderful family.

Mount Paran Church has been blessed with new families in attendance and membership. Spending my Sundays there and with my brothers and sisters is the best possible way to start off my weeks.

My husband is sweet. He has made me dinner this week and taken care of me as I got back into the stride of school.

Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings I have in my life.

The teacher is in!

Day two of school is over, and we are in full swing!

I just thought I would mention that to help explain the absence of posts here on this blog recently. Some exciting events to nte, however, are:

1. Our annual church meeting. The Lord truly blessed the meeting with great preaching and fellowship.

2. Laura and Deron moved to Georgia!!!! They are safe and sound in their new home, and Chris and I are SO excited that they are 35 minutes away from us now. It is such a blessing to have family so close.

3. School started. I am still in the honeymoon phase with my students, but I am pretty excited about the children that I am teaching. We are working on building a learning community so we can learn together, and they are really liking the concept. I am really looking forward to getting to know my students and helping them grow. On my first day of school, in my Bible study that morning, I read a passage that I feel really set my tone for that day and hopefully for my whole year:

Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

That verse was so inspiring to me! Talk about choosing your attitude... I am supposed to teach in a way that glorifies God, always giving thanks to Him! He gave me this gift, so I know He will guide me, especially if I look to Him in everything.

4. Breaking Dawn. That book was released and, sadly, I am still working on it. I hope to finish it very soon. I don't know what I think of it yet...

Hmmm. Is there anything else? hah! I ask that, but I just listed a ton of stuff up there! We have been super busy!!!

I'm looking forward to some time of rest and relaxation.