Today as I write, the kids are home running around the house playing and anticipating the snow predicted to fall this afternoon here in Augusta. It's good to have them home. They bring much laughter and interesting events to say the least. This year has been one that I would have never expected. We started off so well. We had a wonderful visit with our families in Michigan over the Christmas Holidays. We came home and just started back into our routine. The boys had a basketball game where Garrett made his first basket ever in a game. You should of seen the smile on his face - it was burned into my memory to say the least! We called Papa Hawley promptly after the game to tell him the good news. In addition to our normal routine, I , after 10 years of truly being a stay at home mom, started working part-time the first week of January for our church as a Music Coordinator - I basically help coordinate and prepare music for the services. This may just be a temporary job-- the Lord knows -- I will just serve Him in this capacity until He directs otherwise. It is an ideal job for me though. I love music, and I work from home most of the time. Usually, once a week I go to church and do some work there since that is where all the music is, and, when the kids are not in school, they can come with me and play in the gym or on the playground at church if I need to be up there working.

So just 10 days after returning to Georgia and barely getting settled we received a devastating phone call that Daddy had a bad accident at work and probably wasn't going to survive. And, my father did pass away within an hour of the first phone call made to me. As much as it is a shock to us, it was not a shock to the Lord. In the Bible, it tells us that He has a plan for each of us and that our days our numbered. God's ways are perfect and I'm trusting in HIm and looking for His purpose in this trial. Throughout the entire situation I have seen God's goodness and mercy. It has been difficult - but God is faithful and good. Many of you have been praying for my family and I thank you sincerely for those prayers.

One of the things I am reminded of from my father’s death is that God can use anyone who is willing to be used by Him. My dad was not a great orator or musician, nor was he rich. However, he was very gifted as an electrician and he ministered to others by using the gifts God gave to him. And while in Michigan, I heard story after story of how Daddy impacted people’s lives by his love for the Lord and his willing heart to serve Him by ministering to others through the gifts God had given him. I had no idea of how far reaching Daddy's impact was. I say all of this not to the praise of my father but to the praise of God alone who uses humble men (and women) to do His work. My prayer is that we all be completely yielded to Him to be used by Him for His glory.

Some songs that have really ministered to my heart over the past month are below. I know we are not the only family going through trials or experiencing loss so I hope these minister to your heart as well.

Much love,

Melanie

Still, My Soul Be Still