There seems to be a theme of storms lately and I promise that it's not just because I'm a storm lover.  We have had many near misses over the last couple of days and for that we can be thankful since the communities that have been struck by these storms have suffered damage from large hail and high winds.  I've been taking pictures as I can since I do love how it looks out there before the storm.  There's a sense of electricity in the air and a sort of brooding sullenness that follows big storms.  You have to be bold to get out there and take some of the best pictures.  Lovely and I like to walk in the evening but it's chancy thing when it's like it has been with the weather.  Last night we took the chance and though there was a little rain the storm passed us by.  We really felt the presence of God in this.  Suddenly to our right there appeared a remarkable rainbow.  We were admiring it as we walked and kicking ourselves for forgetting our cameras when suddenly it became an amazing double bow.  We knew God was speaking in this.  You must chance destruction to achieve the goals out there which God has for you.  We walked with the threat of storm on one side and the promise blazing on the other.  How could it be that people can walk right by and not see God in this?  We were so comforted in the fact that God does prepare a place for us even in the presence of our enemies.  The threat of danger and death cannot prevail against the promise that God has for us.  Once again He provides, He care's for us and He prevails on our behalf.  This is the God who sends us to Japan and who will bring us back with a good report. 

Tonight had some surprises for sure.  I've seen storms come and go but you can never be sure when it's really going to unload on you.  This storm had some weak rotation in it and it really did go green which let me know it meant business.  There were rumors that this storm had hail that would be 2" in diameter but in the end we got some very strong wind followed by some rain and a few quarter sized hail stones.  I do love storms because it never fails to get my mind off of the things that are troubling me and gives me a rush every time.  I could storm chase and love every minute of it I think!  I only wish that the storm pictures themselves were more satisfying not to mention the fact that all the houses they're putting in now are ruining my shots.  I would like some shots without tons of new housing development for a change...ah well, what can you do?

Today as I already posted on my bulletin on myspace my grandfather passed away at 11:20 our time here in Montana.  He has lived with us ever since we've been in our new house...most of the reason we moved was so that we would have room for him in fact.  We've known for the year and three months that he's been here that he could pass away but you're never really ready.  I've seen death so many times in my travels....I've heard the cry of the people that loved those that have passed and seen the tears.  Death hasn't ever gotten that close to me personally until more recently...the last six years really.  Both of my grandmothers passed away while I was on the mission field and I hated that I wasn't there.  I was just getting ready to come over to my grandpa Fahrion's house when he passed away when I wasn't there.  I don't know how to say it exactly but it's like grandpa Cutler waited for me.  We are leaving this month and to have my last grandparent pass away when I'm not here would have really bothered me.  I saw the very instant grandpa passed away and was able to pray for him these last couple days as we saw that death was near.  I have such a huge sense of another chapter closing while another begins.  I look at Gabby who loved my grandpa...he was always so good with kids and I see the passing on of a legacy of sorts.  All that is good in our family is moving on in our children that will move on in the things of God.  My grandpa knew God but never walked much with Him.  I believe he was saved and is certainly with the Lord now but in us who remain all the good things that God meant for him can come to pass in us.  My grandpa was always good to me and kind hearted and I appreciate that so much.  Beyond the exterior of myself that some think they know I have a very, very soft heart and I think this was a gift from my grandpa Cutler.  It never allows bitterness to take hold.  I fully intend to honor the good that God invested in him by doing right with my life.  I thank God that my grandfather passed away without heart disease or cancer or things that can steal the mind of a person.  Goodbye grandpa, I'll never forget you.  We love you.  We'll see you again some day. 

My grandpa has taken a turn for the worst over the last couple of days and at this point it's evident that he won't last much longer.  It always brings me back to the death of my grandpa on my mom's side not all that long ago.  Death is never an easy thing to deal with.  It's not like you would think where often people just go to sleep and don't wake up.  It's more often a process that's painful to watch and filled with a lot of things we don't understand.  There are man physical signs that you wouldn't recognize as something that pointed towards and approaching death.  There's often a state of agitation that is surprising in a person that's getting ready to pass away.  There are moments when you can think they'll be gone in and instant and then they find a way to hang on a little longer.  It's never fun.  I always find that it puts me in an awkward place where it's all too easy to think of the things you should have done for the person that's passing away.  Death in and of itself isn't really that complicated but for the living that have to deal with the passing of someone dying it's quite complex.  Hospice really helped us before with my grandpa but my dad has been very slow to accept any help at all.  He read the handbook they gave us before and even he could see that grandpa won't be here much longer.  Right now my grandpa is more coherent than he was but I don't think it's any indication of where he really is with this process now.  We can only watch and pray at this point.

They say that it's the little foxes that spoil the vine and I have to say that almost always surrounding the blessing of God there's a lot of stuff that tries to rob you of the joy He intends to bring.  Here we are after the miracle of the tickets we just bought for Japan having all sorts of little difficulties.  There's so much that has to be worked out with our living quarters...my mom and the others coming in particular that has to be fixed very quickly.  Doing all this from here with the time differences and such is a real pain in the butt.  We are really trying to grab hold in faith that these things will be taken care of quickly.  Lovely and I will have only four days to have it straightened out after arriving ourselves.  The budget is still pretty much shoe string at this point so we have little wiggle room.  It takes a lot of effort to roll these things over onto God.  I call myself to remembrance that God has brought us out this far not to drop us in the fire but bring us just where He wants.  The miracle of the tickets being purchased will not be followed by disaster.  I can't wait to show mom and RD and Julie and Tricia Japan!  I believe that when the smoke clears this will be one of the best trips ever!