my mom

my mom--the sturdy girl--had to have 2/3 of one of her toes amputated.  it was the little piggy that stayed home. (the one next to the little piggy that went to market.)  i can joke like this, because she does.  one of the first things she said when she got home from the hospital was that she was hoping she would now get a discount on pedicures.

she has had so much to deal with in these past few years.  she had a brain tumor removed a few years ago, breast cancer surgery last year, and now this toe.  not to mention enduring my dad's serious health problems throughout these last 19 years.

but nothing shakes her at her core.  and i love that about her.  even in this latest national financial crisis, she reminded me that our "hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

and it's because she truly believes this that she can laugh, even in the midst of pain and loss.

thank you mom for living the truth of the hope of Christ.  thank you for finding the light side of heavy situations.  thank you for showing me how to live.

mom and dad at their 50th wedding anniversary party, july 2006