First sonogram today! We are halfway through the pregnancy. Check our our "prego" vlog #1 below.
 I am home from a week spent in North Carolina. We buried my beloved grandfather. He is now finally with my beautiful grandmother who passed away in 2016. We ended up staying an extra day and just got home a little bit ago. We put the kids to bed and my wife is in bed as well. I haven't had much time to myself over the past week and have held in a lot of my emotions for most of the week. That has changed tonight. I came into our office and have been going through some of my grandfathers stuff. His writings and other personal belongings that I was able to bring home. I was finally able to take some time to grieve alone. I am sad. It hurts. But my tears are more of joy than of pain. Reading his writings and looking back at his life, I am in awe of the wonderful man of God he was. My grandparents dedicated their lives to the Lord. Right up until the time they both passed away in their 90's. We called my grandpa "Bompa" because when we were little, we tried to say grandpa and it would come out Bompa. It just stuck and that is what I called him my whole life. He was a true man of God. He didn't live extravagantly. My grandparents lived in a simple single wide mobile home for the past 40 plus years. They didn't need much. They served faithfully....both on the mission field in Ecuador and in their church and community. They were true examples of Christ. And now they are both gone. I'm not gonna lie, it hurts. It hurts a lot. They were always there my whole life. Nanny and Bompa. When Nanny passed it really hurt, but knowing Bompa was still around made it better. Now the finality is setting in. They are gone. I will never see them again in this life. But the good news is that I will see them again in the next life! And that is why I am crying tears of joy! I found a poem (see below) going through my Grandfathers things. It fit him to a tee. This is what he would have said and I'm sure that is why he kept it. The name of the poem is "I'm Free". And I know that he is finally free! Please read this poem. It is so simple, yet so pack full of truth. I love it. I will never ever forget my Bompa. I love him with all my heart. Although I am sad, I know that he is free. He is rejoicing with Nanny in heaven. He has his reward. He has run the race and finished strong. He has left a wonderful legacy. I can't wait to see him again. As I close this blog tonight, I am sure that my grandpa would want you to know about Jesus. Do you know Him? Jesus is the Son of God. He is God in the flesh. He lived a sinless life and took the punishment for yours and my sin on the Cross. The Bible says that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There is a penalty for sin, but Jesus paid it for you! There is nothing you can do to earn it. It is a free gift. To receive this gift, you must accept Jesus and His sacrifice. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior. Repent of your sins and turn to Jesus and accept His free gift. Please reach out to me via email if you need any prayer. I would be happy to help in any way I can. Need a Bible? I will send you one. If you have one, begin your search for truth in the Gospel of John. There isn't a more important decision that you will make in your life. Accept Christ and be free! Thank you for checking in. There is something therapeutic about blogging. It helps with the healing. Don't forget to read the simple, yet powerful poem below. You will be blessed! God bless! -Steve  I was out putting up my game cameras and while I was out, I made a video "rant" on censorship. Check out the video below. Thanks for checking in and God bless! -Steve Today has been hard. I lost my beloved grandfather. He was 99 years old and lived a wonderful life. This was a day we knew was coming, but when the reality of it sets in, it hurts a ton. I loved him so much. We called him "Bompa" because when we were little every time we tried to say grandpa it sounded like Bompa and it just stuck. He was married to "Nanny" my wonderful grandmother until she passed in 2016 at the age of 94. I was privileged to be their grandson. I didn't deserve them. God so graciously allowed me to be their grandson and I am thankful. Death brings perspective to life. There's a finality to it that is hard to swallow. My grandpa loved Jesus and dedicated his life to serving Christ, so I know he is in paradise as I type this, but the reality that he is not here really hurts. He's always been here my whole life and now he is gone. The finality of that is a hard truth. A few weeks ago I wrote him a letter that I never sent. I was planning to, but as he was deteriorating I just didn't send it. I really wish I would have. I will miss him beyond what I can express. I love him more than I can put into words. God blessed me with a wonderful grandpa and I can't wait to see Bompa again! Below is the last letter I wrote him that never got sent. -Steve Bompa, I hope you are well! I haven’t seen you in a while and I miss you. I wanted to write you a letter to tell you how much you mean to me and how much of an impact you had on my life. Life goes by so fast. I remember playing at your house on Bartlett Road and playing in the creek behind your house. We used to catch minnows in a bucket! Boy does time fly. I can’t imagine not having you as a grandpa. The way you loved Nanny was such an example to me. The way you dedicated your life to the Lord was an inspiration to me. I think of all the letters over the years and I can’t imagine the numerous prayers that were prayed for me. You left a legacy with me and my children. The Bible says in Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. This verse is a wonderful passage of Scripture. It tells of the way we need to focus our minds so we don’t stray. We look to those things that build us up. Focus on the things that edify us. You are someone whom I look up to. The good Lord has given you 99 years so far and you have not wasted them. You gave your life to Jesus. I hope to live a life the way you did. To not let the things of this world get in the way, but to focus on the things that are true and honest and pure. To love my wife like you loved Nanny. Thank you for your example. Thank you for leaving a legacy in this world. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for loving me as a grandson. I am a blessed man because of you! I love you and pray for you regularly. In Christ, -Steve  |
Authors:
Stephen and Janel Cook from The Cook Family Homestead Archives
July 2022
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