I’ve taken a bit of a blogging break these past months. So today To get back to business I decided to give you a small life update about the big things happening in my life.
While I try to keep this blog more business and inspiration and less personal, sometimes it’s hard for me to separate what that looks like, especially when life feels overwhelming.
This is what happened
The past 6 months have been emotional and difficult as I watched my mama transition from this world to her final home. It doesn’t matter how old I am there is never a good time to say goodbye to my parents. In the past 4 1/2 years, Jason and I have said goodbye to 3 of our 4 parents.
My Mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness late last summer but the doctors were optimistic about treatment. However, it became very apparent this winter that we may not have her for very long. So we planned a fun tea party out of her love for pretty plates and tea. Most of our family was able to be present for the special time in the middle of February.
We celebrated at the Kimmel House, in Ligonier, Indiana.
A Dream Unfolding
If you are an Instagram Follower you may already know that we have been pursuing the dream we have had for some time to own and operate a bed and breakfast along with the desire to run refreshing retreats for pastors and their spouses.
This past year We have partnered together with our Senior Pastor and his wonderful wife to start ministering to people involved in different capacities of Ministry. In November we decided that the last week of March would be a good time to launch our first retreat at a locally owned Bed and Breakfast. We hosted this event at Biddle Point Inn.
This amazing Inn Is owned by some dear friends who eagerly agreed to partner together to give these 6 couples 5 days of rest and refocus. What an incredible week it was. However, We could not have anticipated that this very week would be the time when God would call my mother home.
The thing you probably don’t know is that I am a pastor’s kid. My papa was a preacher for 40 years and he and my mom gave most of their time to their church body for many years. So while I felt torn about where I should be, with my mother no longer responding, I knew these pastor couples were our people. And in a very real way, I felt like it was a representation of serving them in the same way that I had witnessed my own parents serve people and the Lord for so many years.
I also knew that these leaders often no doubt have given up family time, financial gain, and vacations cut short or eliminated because of deaths and emergencies in their own congregations. This was one way I could give back to them and bless them as they so often have done for others.
I felt Carried
So I stayed close to my phone, communicating with my older brother while serving meals and care to the couples at the retreat. God carried us through this week in a way that I have never before experienced.
I was able to be with my mother when she passed and my siblings were so gracious to give me understanding as I tried to juggle these two very big life events. My daughters traveled home and helped fill in the gaps and we were able to all celebrate my mother’s life at the end of the week in a lovely service.
Here’s what life looks like Currently
These past weeks have been filled with cleaning out her home. Walking down memory lane with my family and trying to find a new rhythm now that we are on this side of her homegoing. Life is forever changed and I am trying to find my footing.
While I no longer looked to my mom for a lot of help or care, there was always a safety net and stability of having her close by. She was the one who showed me how to cook, garden, and can and her gentleness is what guided me to Jesus. Hospitality flowed from her and looked effortless as she served many people around her table. So many memories flood my mind as I think back over my childhood and how she affected me and who I am today.
As we look Forward
It’s been a journey and we continue to look forward to our hope-filled future. Jason and I continue to work and pursue the dream of a future bed and breakfast. Meanwhile, we will continue to partner in doing weekend and week-long retreats with our Friends and pastors.
We are also looking forward to being grandparents for the first time this fall. What an absolute privilege it is to think about celebrating this new baby that will no doubt be a blessing to us all.
Below I have added a link that includes a short video, This shows you just a glimpse into our first pastors retreat and my last intimate moments with my mama.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Efhs5J3qDmU?feature=share
The Lord gives and he takes away…blessed be the name of the Lord.
Bless, Rose @TheJennyWren