Memories: Parkwood with Sondra, Lily, Hannah and Heather.

 Help me Heather, What was this event? Maybe a Vegitales Movie?

Looking for Old Pictures

 A picture from the Christmas we never had. We did get to go to Pigeon Forge (above at one of the Christmas stores) that last fall, but as Christmas approached, Sondra grew weak. One of our last outings before she died was a support group Christmas Party, and then we got to go to the theater for the first installment of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", by C.S. Lewis.

Above, is an older picture of Sondra and Lily in our yard with one of our Lavender bushes.

If you find any old pictures of Sondra, from school, college, anything, please send them my way via email, snail mail, or any other way you can find.

Thanks.

Scrap Booking

One of her favorite hobbies was scrap booking. Especially after Lily came along. She loved documenting Lily’s life and she was so meticulous with the pages it was more of an art than a craft.

She Loved to Write

One of Sondra’s highest goals was to be an author. She loved the written word and she so wanted to write. One of her greatest accomplishments was to teach others to express themselves in the college classes she taught. She would have students who at the beginning would not be able to form a complete sentence, and by the end of their class, they were enjoying expressing themselves in their journal. She would often receive cards from students with appreciation. She established similar friendships in the ESL classes.

Oswald Chambers

On of our favorite quotes that we shared was from Oswald Chambers: The author who benefits you most is not the one who tells you something you did not know before, but the one who gives expression to the truth that has been dumbly struggling in you for utterance.

Literacy Missions

One of the most fulfilling times of my life with Sondra was when we were involved in the Literacy Missions. We both were trained in teaching English as a Second Language through the North American Mission Board, and then were asked to go to Oklahoma and receive a weeks intensive training to be equipped to train others in Literacy Missions, her in ESL and me in TCY (tutoring children and youth). I think it was during this time that Sondra really found her passion in teaching and our purpose of sharing the Gospel through these ministries required us to focus on sharing our faith. Ministering together is really a powerful way of becoming one.

Fond Memories.

Sondra had and innocence and purity about her after the fashion of Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

So she thought the best of people and sort of challenged you to be the best.

Remember her sweet smile!

Some Old pictures of Sondra

Grief, a Wily Foe! Hope, a Valiant Comrade

Sometimes, remembering can be painful as our memories conger up feelings of grief, and I had originally posted here something that fit better in my blog on grief. Check it out and comment, if you will, and we will both feel a little less alone with our feelings.
http://rantings-of-a-widower.blogspot.com
I'm working on more pictures of Sondra, coming soon! If anyone has some they would like to share, please let me know.

Looking Back!

Sondra and Lily in the NICU at Carolina's Medical Center