March Recap

It's been some time since the last posting here. The events surrounding the month of March have made it go by in a blur. Events have also put me into a "funk" that has taken some time to get out of. My thoughts are still in some knots, so hopefully the writing here will be clear enough to understand.

The beginning of the March saw my Dad going to Nepal to observe the work of Trans World Radio, as well as my Mom going off to spend time with her mother. This left me alone at home, with plenty of quiet time to seek God and learning more about support raising. With some direction from some friends and a few sources, I picked up a copy of "People Raising" by William Dillion. When I started reading, there was so much that I wanted to share with you...
but events soon distracted me.

At 6:45pm on the 18th of March, Catherine Murray (my Grandma) went to be with her Savior. The days (even weeks) leading to that day distracted me from... well, everything. I can't recall much of this month. But I can recall that God gave me a peace about it. When my mom sent a text saying that Grandma might not make it, I was driven to my knees in prayer. It wasn't a time of pleading with God for a miracle. Instead, God gave a peace as I sought His will. The time that God had allowed me to spend with my Grandma was amazing, and if He so choose to allow more, that would have been a blessing. But there was a peace when telling God that if it was time, then may it be His will. It wasn't long after some time in prayer that an answer came.

Since that day, our family has spent time healing and trying to get back to our normal lives. I've started to get back into the groove of support raising. It's been a slow process. But I've spent a great amount of time compiling photos and archiving them digitally. It's been fun digging out old photos and talking with my Aunts and Uncle about who the people in the photos are, and recalling the memories held by these images. There are the moments where we stop and get teary-eyed, or laugh over something we have recalled.

Grandma and I headed down to Georgia

Grandma & Grandpa's wedding photo

50th Anniversary
(Typical Murray gathering)

Church Portrait

Over the years God blessed me with many memories shared with my Grandparents. God also blessed me with one last trip with my Grandmother. As our family shared stories and memories, I couldn't help but think of how blessed I am to have had Grandparents like Daniel and Catherine. I will miss them so much. 

Next time I will have more ministry news. And hopefully by then, allergy season won't be hurting me so bad.

- Daryl J. Howard