A New Day

The last few weeks around here have been filled with

decisions
discouragement
disagreement
disappointment
drama
dirt
deep cleaning
diet
and,
death.

Starting tomorrow, I think I can finally put some normalcy back on the schedule for us.  Starting tomorrow, you might even see me around here a little more.

But today?

Today is a new day.

One of my dearest friends buried her mom this afternoon.  The family knew the time was coming and it came last Tuesday.  Her heartbreak made my heart heavy as well.  Living six hours away made my being there undoable and my words to her on the phone didn't seem like enough.  But I know that I will hug her neck soon and we are just looking forward to that day.

For her mom, her new day came last Tuesday.

But I find it comforting, and so perfect, that the family celebrated her life today.

On the day that was Jesus' new day.

The day that He made a new day for us.

Because He made a way for us.

Her memorial service being today, well, the significance is not lost on me.

I am quite sure that it isn't lost on my friend and her family either.

Stacey

Tighter

That is how I held my kids tonight at bed time.

This is the kinda stuff you never want to hear.

Ever.

A family in our town lost their wife and mother. I am sure she was many other things to many other people, but right now, her husband and her children seem to have suffered the greatest loss.

Sadly, that includes her 3-day old son.

I don't know all the details.

Not that they really matter at this point.

I only know all this because she belonged to the local home school coop that uses our church building once a month and is coordinated by one of our members.

She was at home giving birth to her 9th child. A place she had done so 7 other times before, delivering only once at a hospital.

There were complications.

She died 6 hours later.

All I can think about is did she get to hold her baby boy? Did she get to see the precious faces of her other children before it all happened? Did she know what was happening? Was she scared?

How desperately sad her children and husband must feel right at this very minute.

I can't even put it all into words.

Our church, the coop, and I imagine many others who knew them are rallying around them right now. Prayers, food, money. Her loss is incomprehensible alone, but sadly, the father lost his job a few weeks ago. Their burdens must feel so overwhelming right now.

Her memorial will be held at our church on Tuesday. They did not have a church family. Maybe we can be that for them.

Please pray for this family.

Stacey

Perspective

I meant to be here yesterday.

But time moved faster than I did!

I meant to post something light-hearted.

But sadness moved over me.

Awhile back, I mentioned Angie and Todd Smith here. The story of their daughter, their knowledge that they would likely lose her after she was born, and how they have handled everything since then have all been recorded by Angie and her beautiful thoughts. As I said before, I can't imagine what they are going through, nor do I want to experience it. It some ways, they were prepared. I guess. I mean, how can you ever really prepare for a lifetime without someone you love?

What no one was prepared for was the shocking and such very sad loss they have experienced recently. Todd's sister and her husband lost their 2-month old son, Luke. She found him not breathing in his crib. I was sad when I read what happened. I was even more moved when Angie's last post showed pictures of this beautiful child. If you go back to Angie's site, you can read about this family, their most recent loss, and find out how to encourage them.

And then of course, we were all saddened for the Smith family in their loss of Maria.

These are all stories that we hear about. There are others. But they are not just stories. They are someone's reality. Daily reality. Painful reality. Maybe it is your reality, I don't know.

What I do know, is that some days, I have to immerse myself in other people's lives. I have to. To remember how incredibly blessed my life is right now. To remember for those times. Those times when I am whining and lamenting about my own life. And while I realize that each of us do indeed have our own types of difficulties we are going through, for me, these things are important to keep remember.

Perspective.

Stacey

Hug them tighter today

My husband played baseball with this guy. Listen to the horrible tragedy this family has experienced and please keep them in your prayers.

Stacey

and I think it's going to rain today.

nothing seems right to say today.

other than, please pray for Sonya's family.

i know she has a renewed body and a refreshed spirit with God, but her husband and 4 young children are without a wife and mom here.

it is 2 years ago this month that we lost another friend who should be here with his family.

i am sad.

i am pretty sure i am angry at this moment.

i know God understands my feelings.

stacey