Relationships...

This last weekend was full of so many emotions that it literally left me exhausted.  Our friends recently lost their beautiful son to suicide.  The pain of losing a child, they say, is like that of no other.  That the method was suicide was beyond unbearable.

Our small group is very close.  One night last month, soon after hearing about the terrible loss, we had prayer time.  One of our friends, Beth,  felt led to share an idea with us after we finished.  Since our the grieving family had recently moved out of state and we couldn't be there to hug them, she suggested that we have a quilt or blanket made that would carry the art of the artist for which this child was named.  Diane helped with this project, and we all wrote our thoughts on a beautiful quilt square that was donated.

When we offered our gift of love this weekend, the entire room was in tears.  I realized then that God had orchestrated this.  There was no way that we could have known how much this simple blanket could mean to our dear friends.

I watched throughout the weekend as each person offered their gifts of love.  The parents were wrapped with love from the moment they stepped off of the airplane.  They were greeted with loving arms, transportation, a soft bed, and comfort food.  They were surrounded with prayer and beautiful music.  Pastor's words at the services were directly from God and spoke so clearly to their hearts.  Meals were made, quiet time was offered, and THE most amazing worship service Sunday morning offered more healing.

I have been blessed with friends that are sensitive to listening to Him.  They offer love that is so sincere and caring.  I have always known how special my family and church family were, but I truly never saw it so vividly as I did the last few days.

More than anything, I cannot explain the power of God that I was privileged to view.  This is a relationship that continues to grow for me.  When I saw His hand in the wake of this tragedy, I cannot begin to explain the feeling of peace and love I experienced. 

God led Beth to share her vision of the blanket that literally is healing.  He shared the song "I Can Only Imagine" along with a beautiful rainbow when our dear friend desperately needed a sign.  He allowed for Megan and Ryan to rearrange their schedules to sing along with Ryan A. my favorite song, Beautiful Things, at the memorial service.  They have never performed it so beautifully.  God brought Kelly McRae and her husband to Cambridge; she, along with Kenny Krona, filling the weekend with more beautiful music.  God allowed for Sandy and Judy to put together a perfect worship weekend.  Pastor and the guest musicians offered a praise service that had us dancing in the pews (and we're Lutheran! :)  ).

Relationships with friends, with family, and with my God--life really can't get any better.  I thank Him for taking something so horrible and changing it into a beautiful, healing time.

Blessings...

Changes...

What an exciting last week or two!  Jenna will be leaving her present job to an exciting new career.  I love watching people challenge themselves, and she has been very inspirational.  She absolutely loves her present work; she has been mentored there, but she has also made a difference in many of her clients' lives.  She knew she wanted to do more, however, so she went through literally countless interviews for a new position.  I love watching the energy that people have to change from a comfortable and happy situation to then taking it to the next level.  I always think it would be so much easier to "stay put."

Our son, Ryan, is also taking it on new challenges.   He was accepted to physical therapy school in Tampa, Florida.  The program is described as rigorous, plus it is many miles away from home.  I love watching him be excited about the changes as he prepares for the move.  We offered another option of taking a year off and applying to a school in Minnesota, but he is ready and excited about this new chapter.

Megan found out that she definitely can finish college in three years.  It won't be easy, and she absolutely loves college life.  She will have to take a ton of classes, but she has her eyes on the end goal of graduating early, saving money, and going to grad school.

I would love to take credit for these amazing attributes in our children, but in the famous words of our eldest, "we are lucky."  We definitely are.  Even though I know I am supposed to be the one leading them, I find myself being awed and inspired by their thoughts, energies, and efforts.

I am actually looking into ways I can be energetic, uncomfortable, and inspiring to others.  We'll have to see where God leads me. I'm trying to open myself up to new ideas rather than always choosing the safe and easy route.  Stay tuned....:)