Great Loss

I have not written about this sooner, because it's been so devastating to my family and me.

July 11, 2017 the greatest father in the world (according to my siblings and I) was taken out of this world in a horrific way. While coming back from a birthday party for his 93 year old sister, a train that failed to blow a whistle until the point of impact crashed into my father's and stepmother's car.

They had been over this track I know, hundreds if not thousands of times. The track has no lights or gates, nor even a simple stop sign, and there is a blind curve not far from it, that is covered by trees. The time was 7:26 p.m. and the sun was directly in front of them. A witness who had just crossed the tracks in the opposite direction, turned to look and saw them both with their hands up, trying to shield the blinding sun.

My siblings and I didn't find out until the next morning, due to the sheriff department in Craighead County not calling the chaplain of Baxter County where we live.

My Uncle Kenneth called me the next morning, and asked if I had talked to my Dad lately, and I said I had the previous morning. He said" Well, I hope I'm
not jumping the gun, but there was a car vs. train crash in Bono last night with two people killed. Sis, I'm hearing it was your Dad and Jeannette".

I don't know if I even remember a lot of what happened after that. I was sure it couldn't have been them, so I got off the phone, and tried to call them on every number they had. No contact.
I then called the Jonesboro Police Dept., who told me I had to call the Sheriff's Dept., who I immediately called. I asked them about the train crash, that I had heard that it was my Dad and Stepmother, and she told me she would try to find out, and call me back. A few minutes later I had confirmation that the victims were Billy David Rush, and Mary Jeannette Rush.

Daddy and Jeannette

Devastation. Period.

I was just devastated, we all were. Our Mother had died almost 15 years earlier, and Dad was all we had left. Now we had to say goodbye, and not one of us wanted to do that.

Mama at her piano

Mama and Daddy in Dinuba, CA

It's been a long hard road the past few months. We've had to take everything out of Daddy's house, and try to find new homes for them. Clean up the house and get it ready to sell. Even though it's just a shell now, because the people who made it home for us are gone, it's still very hard to say goodbye.

                    

 

  

I haven't gone into detail. I can't. It still hurts too much. 

I'm very thankful for my husband, Siblings, and all the people who have given us so much support. I'm very thankful that God helped us all through this. 

Saying Goodbye To Home

The funeral is over, the house is sold, and now we have to learn how to live without the man who has always been there for us. He taught us to love family, be strong, be honest, keep your word, and turn the light off when you leave the room! He taught it all by example. 

I don't think any of us would have been ready to ever see him leave this world, but until we meet you on the other side... 

Goodbye Daddy

Relaxation

This evening we went to spend some time with Stephanie’s in-laws, Mike and Christine, and Mike’s cousin Jan and her husband Tom. I hadn’t seen Mike and Christine since Stephanie  and Jasons wedding, which was over 17 years ago. These are some awesom, hard working people, and it’good to see them do some relaxing. We visited and got reacquainted. 

The sky was beautiful today and the temperature was very pleasant, which I in particular was very thankful for! When I go outside in an Arkansas summer, I feel like an ice-cream cone that is melting very fast! ☀️🍦 But it was perfect today and here are some pictures of the sky that I took.                  

                                                                   

 
 Thank you all for inviting us out, we had a great time, love you all!!

                                               

I have spent most of the winter Knitting messy bun hats, which seems to be all the rage right now. They are very cute. Here is my niece Brianna wearing one that I knit.

Brianna came with Sandra for a baby shower we were giving her that weekend. Logan and Brianna are going to be blessed witgh a baby girl in February, her name is Paisley LeAnn Morgan. We are so excited! She will be Sandra's first grandchild.
Here are a few pictures from the shower.

Four layer red velvet cake

Sweet

Headband Station

Entry Table

Adorable

Rebecca and Holly

Hope with me

Awww Mickey Mouse

Cozy

Socks Britney made

Sweater Set

Angel wing blanket

Shoes Stephanie made

Brianna

Cute

Pretty

Rebecca

We all had a great time, and Brianna got got some very nice things for Paisley. Including some handmade headbands created by shower guests.

Where Did Summer Go

Anyone who knows me very well knows that I'm not a big fan of Arkansas summer's, but this one really flew by fast. I don't really remember having the time to complain about the hot humid weather too very often this summer. For one thing, I had Aiden and Chloe during the day this summer. That should be "nuf said" in itself. ;-)

An Anchor of the Soul

I was reading some study material thing morning, and I felt led to post this. I'm so thankful that I have God to hope in. There have been times in my life when I didn't hold onto him, and I remember the despair and emptiness that I felt. The crazy thing is, God was there during those times too, I was just being like a stubborn rebellious child who refuses to take his parents hand, thinking they can do things by themselves even though they aren't ready.

Although we experience pain, difficulties and confusion, we have an Anchor of hope that keeps us from drifting into despair. Hebrews 6:19 calls this anchor "both sure and steadfast," which means our hope is certain and provides stability even in severe adversity. The verses before 19 show the reason for this confidence: God's unchanging nature and unfailing commitment to fulfill His promises.

So He encourages us to lay hold of the promises in His Word, which requires patience, perseverance, and a focus on Him. In other words, keep your eyes on the prize.

Unless anchors are dropped into the sea, they're useless. In the same way, we must take hold of the hope God offers and use it as our source of stability.

When we focus on our troubles, we're tossed about without a firm foundation. But when we concentrate on God's character and promises, we'll remember He always works situations out for our good -- even when we don't understand or see how. So whether we're facing an uncertain outcome or a situation we cannot change, knowing God is faithful lets us stand firm.

Our trials will be over when we stand before the Lord in heaven, but until then, take hold of our anchor of hope and stay focused on the One who always holds His children steady.

Sixteen Years?

Seriously, where does the time go? Sixteen years ago Randy and I became grandparents for the first time.

Looking through all my photo's today has made me a little melancholy. I remember the times when everywhere Brittney went, she had her "baby" with her. She even made sure her baby was in a proper carseat! And her babies were always clean, because they usually took a bath with her too. 

Such a good little mommy!

Pretty as a picture! Oh wait, this is a picture ;-) She has gone through many phases and had many interests. We have made countless trips to the library to get books on dinosaurs, tadpoles, insects, and so many other things. Her mind is full of all kinds of information that she has filled it with. 

She has been very long-suffering too. Many times she has had to pose wearing various things that I have knit for her! She always did it with a smile on her face. If I haven't said it before, thank you Brittney.

Brittney and her pal Ritzy. She has loved this horse since she was a yearling. The horse was a yearling, not Brittney ;-) She and the horse have grown up beautifully together.

Our little ray of sunshine. 

We have been so privileged to watch her grow up, and be a part of her life so far. She is beautiful inside and out. In the past year we have also watched her grow in the Lord. Last year she received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and it has been a blessing watching her faith grow. 

We are so proud of you Brittney, and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for the rest your life. Already He has used you to bless your family. We love you, and hope you have a wonderful birthday and coming year. 

Winter?

What a strange winter we have had this year Most of January and part of February felt more like spring. Now that spring is almost here, we are being blasted with winter. This is what it looks like outside my door this morning.

We have been busily planning for our garden's this spring, and are longing for the time we can sink our seedlings (and our hands) into the dirt.

I have cauliflower, onions, Chinese Pepper, broccoli, tomatoes, and a few other veggies and flowers growing into little seedlings right now. 

Randy has two huge garden areas plowed up, and covered with mulch and compost. We are ready. Stephanie and her family are ready too. Bless her heart, I think she has seedlings all over her house. Next year, Lord willing of course, I'm dreaming of a green house or something. :-)

Sister Visits

When I looked at my blog today I noticed I had a draft of one I never published. Don't ask me why, because I don't remember. This was around the first part of summer.

We are still bottle feeding calves. It is so funny to watch these calves come running to their bottles. They will jockey for position at the gate and butt their behinds into a calf that they feel like is invading their space. When Spunky, who is the youngest, gets done with her bottle, she will suck on anything else she can get in her mouth. It's usually one of the other calves ears, but sometimes its my shirttail! They are so funny and sweet!

My sister, Sandra, who lives in Orange County California, came to visit with her son Colton. Here is my beautiful sister styling and profiling in my mucking boots.

Colton got a lesson in tractor driving by Uncle Randy, and they both got a taste of bottle-feeding calves.

The Story of Wool

Hey there! Long time no see! :-) I know, I know, I haven't blogged in a while. I've just been so busy. What with the garden, and incubating chickens and quail. Also lot's and lot's of family get-togethers, canning and processing, and of course, spinning and knitting.
Speaking of spinning (glad you brought that up :-)) I'm starting a new spinning project. Today I opened up a new bag of wool, and it is gorgeous. I haven't ventured into the world of raising my own sheep, shearing and processing it from start to finish. I can usually find a good deal on eBay for some that is ready to start spinning.

This is what I opened up today.

This is some gorgeous superwash merino with about 30% silk. It is deliciously soft and I have a pound of it. :-)

Poor Ginger, she thought this might be nice to nap in, but she was denied. Sorry Gingin.

First I divide it up into eight equal piles.

Then rolled them up into easily managed balls.

Now I'm ready to start spinning. 

Before I do that let me real quickly show you what I just finished. This was a pound of 100% Shetland wool which looked pretty much like the merino superwash above before I spun it up. And this is what it looked like after I spun it. Believe me, it IS as soft as it looks.

This was of course before I dyed it.

This was after I dyed it a soft red. 

Brittney once wrote a two part story about the memaw who loves red. :-) 

And now I shall start spinning so, to be continued...