Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day


Mother's Day was especially joyful for us this year because we had our mother with us! We had a great day. We promised Mom a year ago that Monte, Lori and I would sing in church for her on Mother's Day. We sang together as we grew up and it has been years since we had done so.


"It is Well with my Soul" couldn't have been more appropriate. It is the story of our lives and the attitude that Mom/Dad have taught us to have. Not always easy...but we have learned through our trials of heart attacks, job losses, debilitating diseases, strokes, divorce (and the list goes on) that God will always give us the grace we need to get through whatever trial comes our way.


"Consider it pure joy when trials come your way" (James 1:2) is not something that we instinctively. I'm working on it though, and try to remind myself to ask, "How will God use this to help me grow?"


Mom says she enjoys life, now. That was always one of my prayers - that no matter how far her progress takes her - that she can enjoy life. And she repeatedly says she does. Her sense of humor comes in handy when the words don't come out right. And during therapy sessions, she makes us laugh when everyone is going crazy over how well she does and she just rolls her eyes and flips her hand as if to say "Whatever!"


My momma is a blessing to all those around her. How thankful we are to have her in our lives!

1 comment:

Bill said...

It is well with my soul! It is one of my favorite hymns.

Audi, ... I'm sure you're aware of the history of this hymn, which I just reviewed at this website ...

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html

By going to that website I'm now listening to a piano rendition of that wonderful 19th century hymn as I type this and thinking of your mom, for which you are right to praise God for her being with you. And knowing the lyrics, written under such oppressing circumstances, this hymn certainly does capture your mom's great spirit in her recovery.

My mom went to be with Christ on the day before Mother's Day quite a few years ago; and I know that she would have reveled in the recovery story and great attitude LaDonna shares with you all. I think of her every year at Mother's Day.

I would have loved to hear the three Chamberlain kids sing that old hymn. Blessings to all of you ... Your brother in Christ. ... Bill