It Is Well With My Soul

Last week began in a fog of glory after winning the gold ball. Then on Tuesday, we received a call that Kirk's grandmother had passed away. She had enjoyed her weekend, even driving with her daughter from Prague to Shawnee to watch the championship game on TV. She was such an avid fan of her grandkids and great grandkids, that it was special that she got to watch her grandson Kirk and great grandson Kyle win their first gold ball together. (Although, she was mad that the players poured Powerade on Kirk because it was so cold!) Today would have been her 92nd birthday. She truly lived every minute of her life and loved her family dearly.

While getting ready for school on Thursday morning and planning to leave that afternoon after school for the visitation/funeral, I received another call. My grandmother had passed away. After a long battle with Alzheimer's, Marjorie Elaine Chitty Ferrell Shumate opened her eyes and went home to be with her Lord.

My sisters and I flew to Mississippi on Sunday and the funeral was Monday. My dad did part of the service and did an amazing job honoring my "Mar". Throughout the service and the time spent with my extended family before and after, I realized this...my memories of my grandmother are not immature or idealized. If anything, they were confirmed and enriched. My memories of my grandmother are of a true Southern lady. She had class and integrity. She dressed sassy, did not have any gray hair, and talked with a drawl that made you smile every time she said, "Hello, Darlin'". She wasn't like other grandmothers...she didn't bake cookies, she boiled shrimp and made crab etoufee' (no idea how to spell that!). She loved "Co-Cola" (Coke) on ice and long walks on the beach looking for shells. She was very smart and a voracious reader. She was an independent woman with great business sense, but dearly loved my grandfather and waited on him hand and foot out of love. She always did her quiet time and was serious about her walk with the Lord.

Over and over, friends, coworkers, class members, and family told countless stories of her passion for missions and diligence in reaching the lost for Christ. She taught a Sunday School class for years until the disease began to confuse her. She did not just believe in God, she believed God. She loved her Lord and she loved people. Isn't that what life is all about?

I have such a legacy. What I thought about my Mar is true and even more so. On Dec. 11th, that little lady not only got to see my grandaddy, but most importantly her heavenly Father, who I believe said, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

"And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul."

I love you, my Mar. I miss you. I WILL see you again.

This picture was taken the last time I saw Mar. My mom and I took Joshua to see her (and her husband, Jim) in October of 2002. She fell in love with him!