You're soaring now, Yia Yia!

Our beloved Yia Yia (Greek for grandmother) died last week.  She wasn't our biological grandmother, but she was the adopted grandmother, mother and great-grandmother to many in our church family.  Yia Yia had been sick for many years, and had been yearning to go home to be with her Lord.  On the night that she died, the last of our 5 chrysalis became a butterfly.  So, in honor of Yia Yia, we set the butterflies free today. 

Tatianna (Yia Yia's granddaughter and our  precious friend and neighbor) opens up the butterfly house.

Yana shows Tatianna how to set the first butterfly free.

Jeanne (Yia Yia's daughter and our dear sister in the Lord) reaches in for a butterfly.

Do you see the butterfly up to the right of Jeanne in this picture?

This sweet butterfly only had one wing.  We decided to keep her in her little home.

Yia Yia, we love and miss you!  We know that you are now dancing and singing with Jesus.  We can't wait until we see you again!  But for now, the butterflies will remind us that you are alive and well, soaring free in heaven.

Please pray for Tatianna and Jeanne, as they grieve the loss of their precious mother/grandmother.  Please also remember to pray for Chrissie's family.  They are walking a very painful road after the death of their beautiful daughter.  But, through it all, we know that DEATH HAS NO STING, and that Jesus is triumphant!  Both of these families are living testimony to that truth.

And just a quick update on my dad--the doctors said that he doesn't need surgery!  Hooray!  He does have two brain aneurysms, but the doctor thinks that the risk of the surgery is higher than the risk of the aneurysms.  My dad has had many surgeries in the past few years, so they are truly relieved that he doesn't need this one.