A Life-Changing Spring

After Elijah's birthday, our lives went into overdrive for a few months....some parts good, some parts not so good. March was a month booked solid of activities and continuing education for us along with a 2 1/2 day trip home to Indiana to see Rob's ailing Grandpa.

We were looking forward to April so that we could breathe. Easter was a joyous occasion, as always. Having the privilege of celebrating the reason we are Christians and being able to lead worship is an awe-inspiring event. This year was no exception. Then, the day after, we received news that the 23 year-old son of my mentor pastor was dying as the result of a car accident. Saying good-bye to one so young is never the plan. The day after Hamilton's funeral, Rob's father called to say we needed to get home to Indiana because Grandpa Fry was not well. For the second week in a row, we said good-bye to one we loved.

What we realized was that even though Grandpa Fry was 91 and had lived a full life, saying good-bye was still not in the plan. No matter the age, we're never really ready to live without the ones we love.

It was after this week in Indiana, that we were able to breathe. We had scheduled a vacation for the last week of April and it couldn't have come at a better time. We rented a house from some friends off the coast of New Jersey and Elijah fell in love with the beach. The water was COLD, but the weather was beautiful and we had a restful week just sleeping and spending time together, being thankful for one another.

AND.....praising God for an answered prayer - Elijah will be a big brother in October! He is thrilled at the prospect along with us. We are so grateful to God for this second opportunity to care for one of His.

Elijah has many plans for his baby brother or sister (we will not be finding out the gender!). He took the rail off his single bed a few nights ago, but informed me that once his baby brother or sister is here, he will have to put it back up so they won't fall out of bed when they sleep with him!

Today Rob and I are celebrating 7 years of marriage. We are so thankful for the time we have been able to love each other and we are looking forward to another 70!

God of life and death, thank you for your daily gifts to us through the love of family and friends, the joyful memories of those we mourn, and the perspective in our lives to appreciate both. Amen.