What I know, What I am Learning

It’s been almost two months since we laid our daughter to rest on May 10th—Mother’s Day. Since then, we’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude by the calls, prayers, and financial support from friends in Guatemala and the United States.

My tears are fewer now, and when they come, they come softly—more like a quiet reminder of love than the sharp weight of those first days.

Our first few weeks were spent sheltering three teenage young men in my husband Mac 's office with a daybed and a mattress with bags of clothes lining the walls. Many showers were taken daily and lots and lots of toilet paper used!

Aimee with brother Angel, Mac and me

Transitioning from a cozy one-bedroom home for two to needing space that accommodates five was a significant change for us. Mac and I prefer a straightforward diet of fish, chicken, vegetables, and rice. In contrast, our young men enjoy meals with pork chops, ground beef, and chicken, accompanied by hearty sides like mashed potatoes, spaghetti, beans, and avocado. They aren't fans of vegetables, except for broccoli.

Another day passed, and everything appeared to be fine. We asked our oldest grandson Criss what he desired. He expressed a wish to be with us but mentioned needing space. We agreed. We located a house nearby in our gated community, and they relocated their belongings from their mother's house to their new home. Here we were, Mac and I, not only expanding our family but actively raising them, offering comfort, support, and love as their grandparents.

Criss had been baptized two weeks before his mother's death, and she was there. Two of our youngest grandson's were supposed to be baptized on the day we discovered Aimee's body, so we postponed their baptism until June.

Aimee with sons when they were preteens

In June, we also celebrated Criss's 19th birthday with a visit to Pizza Hut and later enjoyed ice cream and cake. It was his first birthday without his mom, who always made each occasion memorable. We were all laughing until he opened a gift containing a photo of him and his mother at his graduation, and the atmosphere shifted. Grief filled the room, and what was intended as a thoughtful gesture turned into an awkward moment, as the gift came too soon.

At the end of June, our guys were invited to a youth retreat. I informed them they would be attending, and they politely agreed. The retreat brought a significant change in their lives. When I went to pick them up from the church, I witnessed the beautiful transformation God had worked in their hearts. They each shared their experiences of anger and feelings of abandonment, while also expressing gratitude for having us in their lives. However, the trauma of losing their mom in such a brutal way left deep scars that God aimed to heal. Everyone present was moved to tears as they shared their stories of deliverance and newfound freedom.

I KNOW that when we come to Christ we bring our natural self with our old habits and memories of hurts and disappointments.

I KNOW that God has the answer.

I am LEARNING through our grandsons that sometimes we hide our hurts to our own detriment.

I am LEARNING that the plans that God has for these young men is ongoing and nothing will stop the plans He has for them.

I am learning and feel encouraged as I cook, monitor their whereabouts, track when they will return, and ask about their homework, realizing that I don't need to worry but I can go with the flow of the Spirit.

God KNEW what was going to happen.

God KNEW what they would need beyond just a home, a cooked meal, security.

God KNEW they would need more of Him and He would provide that need just at the right time.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!!