I'll Fly Away, My Lord

What a week! Whew (as I wipe my brow)…It’s been so busy lately. I’ll probably forget to include things in this weeks blog because I’m sort of behind and I had several little things I wanted to share. Since that is the case I’ll just blog about what is first & foremost on my mind and something I’m sure several people reading already know about, because it’s their family too, but Josh’s grandmother passed away on Friday, July 3rd. Ruby Jo Moody was 84 when she passed away, and according to the pastor, she had one of the largest families in Blount County. Maybe he’s not from the area, because I’m here to tell you, people in the country are good at breeding! My dad’s side of the family was good at it too. We lost my Great-Grandmother in June 2007 and the size of gathering was easily comparable to Mamaw Moody’s. In fact when I reviewed their number of children, grand-children, great grandchildren & yes, even great-great grandchildren it was very close. My great-grandmother was 94 though, so she had a few years to watch her family expand even more. It’s amazing to think that I have a picture of Braden being held by his GREAT-GREAT Grandmother. I can’t imagine one day holding my great-great grandchildren. How awesome! Braden had his funny moment at the funeral, the pastor (very hell-fire and brimstone) was saying how “Mamaw died, he would die, you would die…we would ALL DIE!!!” And Braden turns to me and says “I’M not gonna DIE!”. It was actually quite hilarious. Anyway, enough rambling. My point was that this was one heck of woman who dearly loved all her little ones and left behind one heck of a family tree that loved her too. She was buried at the Moody family cemetery in Altoona, right beside her husband. Words can’t adequately describe what she must have thought when she finally went Home and saw her husband again. I try to imagine it and I’m sure I fail miserably. No matter what, I know that she’s where she belongs, and she’s happier than she’s ever been on this earth. But that doesn’t stop the people that love her from missing her.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. - PSALM 23:1-6

Top pic: Louneal Swafford (My Great Grandmother)

Bottom pic: Ruby Jo Moody (Josh's Grandmother)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdRdqp4N3Jw (Here's a link if you'd like to hear Alison Krauss sing the hymn - I'll Fly Away. It's one of Josh's favorites and a popular song heard at Moody family reunions, from what I understand)

I’ll blog about the rest of the last week and ½ later on… Wow, I may have more than one blog this week.