It is Well With My Soul

It seems like forever since I have posted or read any blogs, and I have missed nearly all of the beautiful fall posts that I always look forward to.  But I wanted to share these fall photos taken at a state park near my parent's home where I spent several afternoons taking solace from the storms of life.

 The last two weeks of my life have been a blur as I and my seven siblings were confrontedwith the shocking news that my parents had been in a serious car accident.I first heard about the accident on the noon news which happened just one block from my parents home.  No names or photos were given and it crossed my mindthat one of my parents could have been involved, but nothing prepared me for thefact that they were both in the car.

My parents were taken to separate downtown hospitals and my family was split upto be with each parent.  My Mom went to the hospital with the best trauma centerindicating her injuries were the worst and three of my sisters went to be with her.I went off to be with my Dad, and it was hours before we knew how serious his injuries were.   

 When I got to the ER, he looked remarkably well and just confused.  He was talking to us the whole time and aware of who was with him, which the doctors said was remarkableconsidering he had to be revived at the scene of the accident and is 92 years old.I was in awe as he went from confusion, to saying how much he hurt, to thanking Godfor the good life he had enjoyed, and finally to praying blessings over his family.  Wordscannot describe the peace of God that flooded that room and covered us all like a blanket.  I can only describe it as feeling like I was standing on holy ground.

But late in the afternoon, the bad news started rolling in and we were told my Dadhad a broken neck, a severed spinal cord, was paralyzed, and not a surgical candidate.By this time, more and more extended family were arriving as we gathered around his bedside to be with him.  The hardest part was watching him suffer with so much pain,but still praises to God rolled off his tongue and I knew I was watching true faith in action.

Within 28 hours from the time of the accident, he closed his eyes on earth to open them in heaven.  In every minute and every detail we were overwhelmed with the peace of God thatpasses all understanding.  Lives were deeply touched and many wounds healed.  Though wewill always miss our Father, we marvel at the gift of time and words of healing that God gave our family which came wrapped in sorrow and the peace of God.

My Mother has been discharged from the hospital and is now in a nursing home getting rehab for her numerous broken ribs and broken collar bone.  I covet your prayers for her continued recovery as she is not out of the woods yet and would be very vulnerable to any infection.We continue to give God praise for His love and peace that sustains our family.

I leave you with the words of my Dad's favorite song, "It is Well With My Soul", that was sung at his funeral.  When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll:Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,It is well, it is well, with my soul. Refrain: It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!My sin, not in part but the whole,Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it not more,Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:If Jordan above me shall roll,no pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,The sky, not the grave, is our goal;Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
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. This is a picture of all my brothers and sisters taken after the funeral for myMother, who could not attend the funeral since she was in the hospital.

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Linking with 
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays