The Houck Family

The kids with grandpa and grandma at Christmas this year...

This was one of Kyler's recent class projects...

This was the first picture Kyler drew... I knew exactly who it was so when I asked him it was very hard for me to hold back the tears... Kyler said "that's a picture of me visiting and hugging "grumpy" who has cancer." It breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes as I type it right now. Since my grandpa has been diagnosed with cancer my heart has been broken. I love my grandparents dearly and I have been blessed to have all of them with me for the past 34 years of my life...I guess you could say I've been a little spoiled in that area. Needless to say I have been shedding many tears lately and so Kermit recently asked me what my favorite memory of my grandpa is... I have many so here are just a few... I loved going to their house and then playing in the "pit", family vacations to E. Wenatchee, going to visit gramp and gram at the mower shop and getting a piece of candy or two or three, seeing them in the balcony of church every Sunday, Christmas, birthdays, their birthdays (especially their 80th's- the book he wrote for us), their anniversaries, his sense of humor and his love for God, my grandma and his family. I love the hugs and kisses from my grandpa! So as I look back on why I am thankful it makes me realize why I am so sad right now too! Kermit said his favorite thing about my grandpa is when he talks Dutch to him and Kermit has no idea what he is saying but responds with something anyway :)

Philippians 1 :21-24 : For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

So I pour my heart out to God again... I try and find comfort in His Word.

Lamentations 3:22-23 : Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

1 Peter 5: 10-11 : And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

John 14:27 : Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I know we never know how much time we will have with each other and sometimes we take that for granted. I know when we "know" we may not have a lot of time we treasure each moment we have even more.

So even though I may not be ready to say goodbye I know my grandpa will have a new body and renewed strength. I've learned with Kaleb that as much as you try and prepare yourself you never really can. I know that grandpa will be with my son and maybe he can tell him a little about me. Losing Kaleb gave me a new perspective on life and death and a new longing for heaven. The fear I have isn't dying and going to heaven, it is the fear of going on through life without the ones we love- with a piece of our hearts missing.

So grumpy please know how much I love you, you have been such an example in my life. I admire you, I look up to you and I respect you. You are faithful in so many ways and that has been evident throughout my life. I am so thankful to have you in my life and I am so thankful that you have been such an example and loving grandpa to me, Kermit and my kids. You are loved by many!!! We are all so blessed to have you for our grandpa! I LOVE YOU!

Love,
Julie XOXO