For Love of Words

Family Stories

Family Life

Welcome to the first of the Family Stories posts! There will (hopefully) be one each Sunday of November. Today’s Family Story comes from my friend Larri. Here’s a little about her:

I’m a self-proclaimed Jill-of-all-trades as I love to embark on new learning adventures almost daily. I am a Jesus-Praiser and homeschooling, public schooling, sewing, baking, blogging, crafting, and thrifty-spending wife of almost 18 years to the best husband ever (known around here as DH), and momma to three fabulous kids: Son#1, Son#2, and LittleGirl.  I find much joy in trying new crafts, and am currently stitching up my first quilt, as well as learning to design and draft my own fashion and AG Doll patterns. While sewing and crafting, you’ll most likely hear me singing my heart out to my Lord or humming praise and worship songs.

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know her over the past few months and I’m so glad she is sharing her story today! You can find her at Seams Inspired.

Larri @ Seams Inspiredwith LittleGirl
Hey! That’s how we greet one another in South Carolina. I wanted to tell you a bit about my family today. We’re basically your text-book average family. We have a Dad, a Momma, a teen boy, a tween boy, and a little girl. On the surface, I’m sure we seem ‘normal,’ though once you get to know us, I’m positive you’ll think differently.  ☺ We’re just like any other family that has its quirks. What makes us unusual is what holds us together, right? A few years ago, our family dynamic changed with one phone call, and I am forever thankful.
The Seams Inspired Crew ‘loving’ on one another ☺

 

We were having an ordinary March day, coming off the ‘high’ of LittleGirl’s 4th birthday celebration. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, Spring was just around the corner. The children were a few moments away from arriving home from school when the phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, I saw an unfamiliar number though the area code was distinct. Someone from my home state, Kansas, was calling.

 
I answered and was greeted by a family member. My grandmother had suffered a massive coronary and passed away that morning. My mom had been out all day didn’t have a cell phone at that time, thus the call to me. I knew I hadn’t heard right…because in my plan, God would take my grandfather first. He was older, sicker; and it just seemed to me that’s the way it should be. Once the shock wore off, I began making the necessary calls to my parents and siblings. God’s plan was definitely not my plan.
 

Even though we had lived far from one another for several years, my grandmother and I were extremely close. We chatted often, and even better, we corresponded through letters. She’d write to me about the ordinary, seemingly mundane things of life. Did some laundry today. Fixed Grandpa a sandwich for lunch. And then she’d drop a gem. Been thinking about our last conversation. Read Isaiah for your answer.
Grandma and Seams Inspired
You see, Grandma had her head in her Bible all the time. She loved to study. She had notes all over: in the margins, scribbled between lines, tucked onto post-its. Wherever she could find space on the pages, you’d see her scrawled lettering. Grandma was my go-to girl for answering all my biblical questions. She could quote scripture better than most preachers.

 

So how did her death change my little family’s lives? In two ways…first, Grandma was the first person close to me that I knew without a shadow of doubt was in heaven. I’m not saying the other family members aren’t. It’s just that Grandma’s death, while a tragic loss to me, brought complete comfort in the fact I knew where she was. I’d never experienced a family loss in my adult and faith-filled years before Grandma died. Even though I grieved at her passing and miss her dearly, I have this quiet peace because she is definitely in heaven.

 

Secondly, Grandma had a little envelope tucked away for me. It wasn’t a large sum, and at first I wasn’t really sure what to do with it. While on the plane home to South Carolina, I formed a ‘divine’ idea. That following weekend, I took my little family to the local Christian book store. I asked them to each pick out the bible they wanted. DH chose a black leather King James Version. Son#1 chose a brown leather NIV, while Son#2 chose the NIrV Kids’ Quest with a camouflage carrier. LittleGirl chose the NIV pink princess bible with rhinestone snap buckle. Since I already had a study bible, I opted to keep it.
‘Gifts’ from GrandmaHer legacy continues.
Grandma’s legacy continues. There have been nights I’ve passed by Son#2’s room and found him under the covers with a flashlight. When asked what he’s doing, he replies, “I’m reading my Bible.” LittleGirl loves to hear the story of David and Abigail, and enjoys hearing it during Quiet Time in the mornings. Son#1 reads the New Testament and asks questions as his teenage mind grasps the Truth. DH and I sometimes read our bibles together, and we often discuss passages we’ve read in our own Quiet Time.
The presentation page of Son#2’s Bible.As you can tell by the wrinkled page, his Bible is already well-loved. ☺
I’m absolutely sure that without her death, my family wouldn’t be reading the Word on their own. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Grandma than finding eternal life with Him.
One of the inscriptions I copied from Grandma’s Bible and placed in mine.
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Comments

  1. Popping over to see what Larri is up to over here. And I see she is telling wonderful stories and inspiring others as usual.

    What a wonderful way to ensure your grandmother plays a part in the lives of your family for generations to come .

    Reply

      • Thank you, Shay! 🙂 Your comments always make my ♥ smile.

        And thank you for the opportunity to share my family story, Lisa! I can’t wait to read more from your guest bloggers. As you know, I love your blog and your sweet encouragement each morning. You are a blessing! Happy Sunday! 🙂

        Reply

  2. Popping over to see what Larri is up to over here. And I see she is telling wonderful stories and inspiring others as usual.

    What a wonderful way to ensure your grandmother plays a part in the lives of your family for generations to come .

    Reply

      • Thank you, Shay! 🙂 Your comments always make my ♥ smile.

        And thank you for the opportunity to share my family story, Lisa! I can’t wait to read more from your guest bloggers. As you know, I love your blog and your sweet encouragement each morning. You are a blessing! Happy Sunday! 🙂

        Reply

  3. Beautiful, Larri! I’m so glad that your children love their bibles and read them too. What an exceedingly wise way to invest your grandma’s gift in your children’s eternal welfare!

    Reply

  4. Beautiful, Larri! I’m so glad that your children love their bibles and read them too. What an exceedingly wise way to invest your grandma’s gift in your children’s eternal welfare!

    Reply

  5. This is just absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful & non-frivolous way to pass on your Grandmother’s legacy and share God with your family. Made me cry, but in a good way. To know you could have all had a new outfit or a day of fun, but instead you decided to invest in eternity. Outstanding! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Angie! I’m grateful to have had such a wonderful example of how to love the Lord in my grandmother. And honestly, I never really thought of spending that money any other way. The ‘divine’ idea was put into my head, and there it stayed. 🙂

      PS…I got a little teary writing this post. 🙂

      Reply

  6. This is just absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful & non-frivolous way to pass on your Grandmother’s legacy and share God with your family. Made me cry, but in a good way. To know you could have all had a new outfit or a day of fun, but instead you decided to invest in eternity. Outstanding! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Angie! I’m grateful to have had such a wonderful example of how to love the Lord in my grandmother. And honestly, I never really thought of spending that money any other way. The ‘divine’ idea was put into my head, and there it stayed. 🙂

      PS…I got a little teary writing this post. 🙂

      Reply

  7. Larri, What an incredible legacy your grandmother has passed to you and those that you treasure most. I was very close with my grandmother as well. I still think of her every day and she also had a strong faith in Jesus. It is such a blessing to know that we will be with these incredible ladies again. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story in a way that only you can tell it. Love ya, Jana

    Reply

    • Thank you, Jana! We’re both very fortunate to have such faithful grandmothers, and knowing we’ll see them again is a blessing too. 🙂 Thanks for visiting me over here at The Army Chap’s Wife! Did you happen to catch that Lisa is a doula? She’d make a fabulous guest blogger for your website! 🙂

      Reply

  8. Larri, What an incredible legacy your grandmother has passed to you and those that you treasure most. I was very close with my grandmother as well. I still think of her every day and she also had a strong faith in Jesus. It is such a blessing to know that we will be with these incredible ladies again. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story in a way that only you can tell it. Love ya, Jana

    Reply

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