Decoration Day

Hello gals,
I just wanted to hop on here and tell you something that has me a bit rattled today. Allow me to give you a bit of background information first.

As many of you know my sweet mother passed away over a year ago. For those of you who have lost loved ones I know you understand the pain loss can bring. I miss mom. As simply as I can say it-I miss her to the bone sometimes. I am, however, thrilled that she is with Jesus today. I have discovered that when a loved one dies there are all kinds of new things you have to learn to deal with and take care of- grief being only one of them. It seems the 'stuff' surrounding loss seems endless. It has been a year and a half since mom died and there is still to-do-type stuff that keeps coming up!

Now, let me get to the rest of the story....this past Sunday was 'Decoration Sunday' at the cemetery where my mom is buried. My dad purchased all manner of flowers to place on her grave and the real stuff too! None of that silk stuff for my mother! For those of you who purchase silk flowers- there is absolutely NO condemnation whatsoever here! I say that from my dads point of view! His beautiful bride of 42 years is worthy of real flowers not to mention I secretly believe dad thinks she may haunt him if he were to put silk on her grave! (Just kidding!) Mom had a green thumb that would rival Mr. Green Thumb himself! She could grow anything under the sun. Gardening was her favorite thing and she did it better than anyone I know. So, dad purchased a red rose bush (roses were mom's favorite), two potted arrangements of geraniums and a shepherd's pole with two hanging baskets. As morbidly as all this sounds- I must say- in my opinion, mom had the most decked out grave in the cemetery. And she deserved it! It was so decked out that my dad asked me to make a picture! (You are probably going to think we need counseling after reading this post! ha!) And, just so you know- to please my dad- I did take a picture! I should consider posting it for you to see (now I'm sure you think I need help).

Anyway, my dad called me this morning all distraught. He had went by the cemetery to check on the flowers and the shepherd's pole and hanging baskets were there but the potted plants were gone. He searched the cemetery over thinking they could have been blown away by the storms- but didn't find them. His gut reaction is that someone stole them. I keep thinking there has to be a better explanation- like maybe they did blow away and the care takers picked them up- and didn't know where they belonged. Who knows? All I do know is that my poor dad is all to pieces. And, if his gut reaction is right and someone really did steal them- I'm praying they prick their finger on the rose bush and God pricks their heart! (Is that really bad? The pricking the finger part?)

Thanks for listening/reading,
Love to all,
Lori

Very Random....

Hell to all,
Just wanted to stop in and share a few 'random' thoughts! I laugh every time I think of the word 'random' it's one of my daughter's favorites. She tells me all the time "Mom, you are so RANDOM". I must admit she is right on! My brain is working overtime these days and my thoughts are all over the map. The scripture "Be still and know that I am God" comes to mind! Yet again, rather random. But, oh, so needed!

How about a quick update on the Drain family. Shelby, my brand new 13 year old, is working for her father at the Auto Parts store. Shelby has a personality that just tickles my funny bone. Where I am 'So Random' she "Is SO TRANSPARENT". You will never have to guess how she feels about anything. She blurts it right out- let's you know right where she stands on any given issue and has absolutely no fear in telling you exactly what she thinks! Every time we are among people outside our family I cringe when she opens her mouth. I just stand there holding my breath in fear of what she might say and who she might say it to! Even though I usually stand in fear for what 'might' be said- this is one of her qualities I appreciate most. Why hold back- when we put things out there- we can deal with them. Holding stuff back and inside is what makes life difficult sometimes. I would much rather know how someone thinks or feels about me or about something I've done than have to guess! Transparency- I believe we could all use a strong dose of it. Realness (not sure if that is a word) but I desire real authenticity in my relationships! How about you!? (See- I told you I was so random!)

Gabe just got chosen to play on the All star baseball team for the league he plays in. As you can imagine-I'm one proud, but very random, mom! Gabe is growing up so fast. It is hard to believe he will be in the 5th grade this year! Where in the world does time go?

Chad is working like mad storing up for the winter. We have 287 bails of hay to prove it. All of which the whole Drain family helped with (loading, unloading, and stacking)! It was like a scene right out of Little House on the Prairie! I have to admit I love life on the prairie! Well, we don't really live out west on the prairie- but we do live in Harmony. And that's not a metaphor- there really is a place called Harmony. It feels like the prairie though. (Okay- I've gone random again).....

Don't forget about our Facebook Bible/Book Study. I hope you will join me! If you feel weird about posting on the wall- just send it to my inbox! And, if you've already read 'Crazy Love' read it again! This will by my fourth time! It's worth it! So, come on and join in the fun!

And, lastly, as random as it gets- thanks for hanging in there with this blog thing. It seems my time to write has dwindled so very much- but keep checking back.

Love to all,
Lori

Facebook Bible Study

Hello to all,
I wanted to invite each of you to join me in a summer Bible/Book Study on Facebook. If you are not a Face Book user- it's easy to join and start an account (which is free). Just go to:

www.facebook.com

Click on 'Sign Up for Facebook'

Then follow the directions listed.

Once you have an account- look on the top user bar (in blue) and click on 'FRIENDS' then click on 'FIND FRIENDS' once there-add my name in the 'SEARCH' box- 'Lori A. Drain'

Then Invite me to be your friend. I will then reply to say I've added you as my friend and you will be good to go!

If you have problems- feel free to email me or leave me a posted comment here on the blog & I will try to walk you through it!

Here is how it will work:

• You will need to purchase the book 'CRAZY LOVE-Overwhelmed by a Relentless God' by Francis Chan. You can purchase it online at Christian Book Distributors or Amazon. Or order it from your local Christian Book Store. YOU WILL NEED TO GET IT THIS WEEK!
• We will read one chapter a week for 10 weeks starting this week (June 15-21).
• After you have read the chapter sometime before Sunday at 10 P.M. post a comment about the reading, a question, or observation to my wall on Facebook. You may post this ANYTIME through the week but each Sunday at 10 p.m. is the deadline for each chapter. (So, this week you will read Chapter 1 and post a comment, question or make an observation about the reading on my facebook wall by Sunday, June 21, at 10 p.m.)
• If you have a more in-depth question or would like to keep your comment private- then send it to my 'INBOX' on Facebook and I will reply.
• I will moderate the comments and reply to any personal 'Inbox' questions or concerns you have by Monday following the Sunday Deadlines.

Please know in advance I am not a great Facebook user in that I'm still learning my way around. Feel free to post any suggestions you have! But, I thought this would be fun for all and a way for us to study together without having to meet together. So- what do you think???

If you have already read the book 'Crazy Love', I invite you to read it again with me! I personally have read the book three times and will now read it a fourth. I believe the book offers some great insight and it offers some lessons that I want to learn and live!

Looking forward to studing/reading with you!

Love to all,

Lori