Sadness Yet Peace

I always marvel at who is related to whom or how a friend knows another friend that you wouldn't expect them to know. There truly is something to be said about Lynden being a small tight-knit community. If you're not related to them, then you need to be careful because you probably are somewhere down the line. Or you know them through someone else. The world can easily become smaller at any time. 

Here's an example, our fed rep for Cargill, his grandson Cash just passed away. I became aware of his story about a month ago. An email came through at work asking for prayer, I knew I recognized the last name of Parriera but it wasn't until later when I mentioned it to my dad that the connection became clear. Then I found the blog detailing the last year of little Cash's battle and the highs and lows of every moment. I remember it happened to be my day off when I found the blog. And I read through it, the entire blog all 134 posts that morning. I couldn't stop. I began to learn about this family, and this sweet little boy. I was thoroughly amazed at his parents and their rock solid faith and Cash's resilience through all the chemo and treatments he went through. I smiled, laughed and then would cry at the sweet pictures of Cash that would get posted. 

I found the timing ironic that I came across Cash's story at this time in my life. We're studying the Gospel of Mark at church right now. And we've been talking about faith. Particularly what Jesus will do, could do, can't do, and won't do. At first I was concerned with the won't do and can't do. I thought to myself, what do I believe that Jesus won't do or can't do? I was looking at it in a negative way. And then my pastor clarified by saying, God won't change. He can't be unloving, he won't forsake us. Better perspective huh? And as we processed that as a staff we also talked about how to pray for people who are dealing with illness or life threatening illness. Yes we need to believe and have faith for God to heal them. But we need to pray for His WILL for them. Whether it's healing in this life or eternal healing in Heaven. We need to pray for them with all four of those faith perspectives. So I did. I prayed like crazy for little Cash. I prayed for God's best for him and his family. I often found myself in tears after. And then when I saw the post that he had passed away my heart was heavy but also at peace at the same time. He received his healing. Everyone's prayers were answered.

God does answer prayers, we just need to remember that it's not in our way, it's in His. 

Blessings of 2010

The holidays were a very busy time for me this year. Between work and scheduling in five Christmas dinners it made for some really busy days. Here I was thinking that I would be getting some down time. You know, to catch up on things I had been putting off, read some of my new books that I've wanted to crack open. Update my blog since my brain had been buzzing with all sorts of things I wanted to share.

But in reality it's only been this last weekend where I've been getting some time to catch up and take a deep breath.

I finally tackled my desk at home that had been piling up with all things I didn't have time to deal with. And then after Christmas all my presents got piled on there as well. It was nice to get through most of it and feel like I accomplished something. The one thing I noticed the most though was the fact that I have a lot of stuff I don't feel I want to find a place for. I would much rather pack it away in a box since I know I will be doing that soon anyway. We may still be six months out from the wedding but it will take me a while to go through all my stuff and decide what I want to take with me. It will definitely be a hard task since I know there are quite a few boxes in my closet that contain stuff I haven't looked at in years. Which makes me debate just throwing it away all together. Either way, my mindset is changing towards packing instead of cleaning.

It's a new year, and one thing I always do is make yearly goals. Not resolutions, actual attainable, reachable goals. This two is something I haven't had time for. However, it did cause me to think back on 2010 and realize that I'm a really blessed girl.

Looking back on 2010:

In February David and I celebrated two and a half years together

March marked one year working at the church

David and I got engaged in July. (Definitely the highlight of my summer)

November I took my first vacation and spent the weekend in California

  



And December I bought a car! (Better pics to come soon)

There have been highs and lows, tears and laughter. But I have a job, great family, place to live, an amazing guy whom I love deeply, awesome friends/coworkers, friends who have become closer and a God who loves me more than I can fathom. You know you're truly blessed when you feel content with where your life is at. So 2010 you were a great year. But I'm SO looking forward to all the new things that 2011 has to bring!