SHOWERED WITH GOODNESS
Reminders of God’s Goodness

This past week has been one of the most eventful and special weeks of my life. I am bursting with joy and feel compelled to write about the amazing goodness of God—I just can’t keep it in. As I write this entry, I have just returned home from the airport to drop off my daughter Annika and my precious granddaughter who are headed back to North Carolina.

It has been a whirlwind week full of wonderful time together and life celebrations. As I reflect on the treasured moments, I can’t ever recall a week so full of significant events!

The house feels empty and quiet after this busy week but I see traces of my daughter and our sweet granddaughter and with it come swelling emotions. It is a contemplative time and as I ponder my life journey and see the evidence of God’s goodness. I miss my daughter and granddaughter so much already but am choosing to focus on the good things. I am SO thankful and have seen the goodness of the Lord all along the way.

I had been eagerly awaiting this past week in anticipation of all that it would bring. The week began with the celebration of my father-in-laws 90th birthday at our family cabin; a special time to ask him questions and listen to him share about the highlights of his many years.

Me and my granddaughter 💕

The following day after one of life’s biggest birthday celebrations, I held my forget-me-not tea in memory of my daughter Karina. My annual tea was extra special this year surrounded by close friends as we remembered her life.

I can see the evidence of God’s goodness and love pouring out through the friends He has placed in my life.

A couple days after the tea, my daughter and granddaughter arrived from North Carolina. My son had planned to propose to his girlfriend at Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands and my daughter didn’t want to miss it. It was the biggest blessing to have her and our grandbaby with us since my entire family hadn’t been together since the Christmas of 2019 before the pandemic began. I was excited to reunite in one of our favorite places and celebrate this special occasion and join in the festivities.

Sunset on Afterglow Beach in Roche Harbor

We headed to Roche Harbor for the surprise proposal and engagement party. As we drove off the ferry my eyes welled up with tears. I could see first hand the evidence of God’s goodness and love. Roche Harbor is a very special place for my family and I was flooded with happy memories.

We first discovered the harbor resort on our honeymoon on a sailboat years ago. It is a quaint, historic seaside resort built in the late 1880s. It is steeped in rich history and surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is one of our family’s favorite boating destinations. As we approached the harbor I had an epiphany. It dawned on me that this place — SO rich in our family’s history and memories — was the destination for three significant life celebrations.

My son and his fiancé on Afterglow beach.

Karina’s Final Resting Place

The first significant thing about this special place is that our daughter Karina’s ashes are placed in the lush gardens under a cedar tree surrounded by forget-me-nots. While we were there, I treasured a quiet walk in the garden and lingered at her tree.

Annika’s Big Day

Secondly, my daughter Annika was married at the resort in the garden six years ago. It was a day I would never forget in that it began with rain and ended in radiant sunshine with a rainbow in between.

Erik’s Ask of Forever

Now, Erik was going to have his proposal in this very special place. He proposed on the most beautiful beach called Afterglow. There were two teak chairs carefully placed on the bulkhead looking out at the water and driftwood beach. I felt as if the Lord was saying to my husband and I, “Just take a seat…” He had so much to show us as my son got down on his knee to ask his girlfriend’s hand in marriage.

We celebrated with a surprise engagement party uniting our friends and family together — a little taste of heaven. The evening ended with the most glorious sunset that glowed with warmth and beauty. I saw the evidence once again of God’s amazing goodness and love to me.

As we returned home, we gathered once again for two more life celebrations–my son’s birthday and mine. To have my family all together around my dining table was the best gift ever! What a week of celebration and joy: my heart is full. The stored memories I have made will continue to hold me until our next time when we will all be together again.

The best gift of all to have my family around the table.

My son and daughter reuniting

As I look back on these milestone events, marking some of the chapters of my life I see the traces of God at work and am thankful. In my thankfulness I have affirmed the goodness of God. I am reminded of a verse that I hold fast to. It says,

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me ALL the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6)

This is a promise “surely” means for certain. Let’s rest in the knowledge that the One who controls our lives is totally trustworthy and WILL shower us with His goodness and love every step of the way.

With hope and light,