Faithfulness

For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace. Colossians 1:4-6

Well, life has been - life. It has been a rough few months for the Raskell's, but with faith we have survived and we will continue. Early on May 8, 2009, we lost our beloved father, grandfather, husband, friend. We miss Jim/Dad/Grandpa so much, but we are so thankful he is Home with our true Father. So many blessings have come from this loss, and we hold to this. The family is close again, siblings are going to church, other siblings are thinking about it, and we are thankful he is not suffering. My father-in-law was such an amazing man. Words cannot truly describe him. He has 7 children, over 40 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, a wife, and two dogs. He served in Vietnam proudly for the Air Force and continued his career in the Air Force after Vietnam. Every year he paid for all the grandkids to get haircuts and shoes for school. Every Christmas we had presents under the tree for ALL of us. He donated to many charities. He loved the Shock games and watching his grandkids play sports. There is a huge hole in our lives right now. Last year we were so thankful to hear he accepted Christ. We know he is looking through his window in heaven watching his grandkids grow and play and waiting for all of us to be reunited again.

We have also been praying for my father, Bob, who is suffering from a kidney disease and multiple other health problems from exposure during the Gulf War. His kidney disease has really set him back and we keep praying he gets better and back to his active self. I was so blessed to spend a couple of hours with him over the 4th of July on a mountain horse back ride.

The kids continue to grow and have fun with life. They are all at home with Dad this summer. He is still unemployed, but truly enjoying his time with the kids. I admit I am a little jealous. I am working for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe as their Project Engineer. I LOVE my job. It is so fun and different.

We are getting excited for Camp this year. It is our family time that we don't get much each year.

I am hoping to update more often. This last year has been a kicker for us, and I am praying and hopeful the rest of 2009 will be a little more calm. Well, as much as it can be with a family of 9!