Blah.

Just popping on here to say that the world lost a wonderful, Godly man last night. My heart is aching for his precious family, and for our church family.

He taught my kids in Bible class a lot (most recently, the girls) and they are feeling his loss this morning.

He and his wife spent the last few summers cooking for us at camp. I will miss our visits on the porch during the (too few) breaks the cooks are able to take.

I just needed someone to hear me say... THIS IS NOT OK WITH ME!

OK...I feel a bit more pulled together.

We have a bit of a distraction this morning...Honey's car was broken in to last night. We have to go take inventory of what is left. Yes, I said inventory...remember, Honey sells stuff. And we have to chase credit card and debit transactions...

Please pray for our friends this morning as they live this first day without their husband/father. Thanks.

In this season

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am so ready for this season to be over. And I'm not even talking about baseball season.

I've lost count of how many funerals I've been to since the middle of February. Mommas, babies, daddies...

A pretty significant anniversary is coming up on Sunday. It reminds me of another season of grief our church family endured 11 years ago.

I'm happy for those that are in heaven. But, down here on earth, I hurt for my friends who are left behind to mourn. It's hard to rejoice in the heavenly realms when the earthly stuff seems so real right now.

Kids need their parents . . . spouses need their other half . . . parents need their babies . . . students need their teachers . . .

Today Bubba is taking the Reading TAKS (Texas standardized test) test. He's not worried about it. He'll probably ace it. He's so blessed with a quick mind and calm nerves when it comes to testing. But the test did prick his heart this morning.

Two weeks ago his reading teacher died suddenly. One week she was teaching school, and the next week she was gone. As you can imagine, it was a shock to everyone. She was young and vibrant . . . Bubba loved her. They got each other.

When we told him that she'd died and the initial shock wore off, he said "That stinks. She won't be able to see all her hard work pay off when we ace the TAKS test."

We've muddled through the last couple of weeks, following his 4th grade boy lead. She was on his mind this morning.

I'm positive she's in heaven right now, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't care all that much about TAKS anymore. But knowing that isn't much comfort when you're down here on earth, still having to care about the TAKS. Still having to carry on.

Seasons of mourning are hard.

But I'm a better mom and wife because of the mourning. I'm inspired by the loss my friends feel to love my family better. Unconditionally . . . self-lessly . . . patiently . . . completely. I'm choosing not to complain. I'm choosing to be available. I'm choosing joy and contentment . . . thankfulness.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

Psalms 143:8

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

~ Jesus (Jn. 16:33)

emphasis mine

Sweet Hagen

My heart is so heavy this morning for our friends. Sweet Hagen went to rest with our Heavenly Father yesterday. He spent his 3 short years here on earth battling so many issues...

Father, please give your supernatural comfort and peace that passes understanding to Kellie, Travis, Brogan and the rest of the family. Let them feel your love and presence during this hard time.

If you want to leave a message for Hagen's family, visit Kelli's blog. If you don't know the family, take a minute to read about them and understand why those of us who are blessed to know them love and respect them so much. They are truly a family who rejoices in the Lord during the good times and the bad.

Sad News

Today I found out that one of the sweet ladies that we loved so much while we lived in NM passed away. Her name was Ms Arnold . We lived in NM when Bubba was born, (don't worry, he's a Texan, we drove to TX to deliver him!) and Ms Arnold loved him. She loved to watch him play and he would always go and greet her in the foyer of the church. Anyways, we will miss her!