BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!!!!!!

The best weekend ever? Okay so I might be exagerating, but maybe not. It is hard to put into words what a great weekend Justin and I had. We headed "away" on Friday morning, and the first thing that happened, Justin surprising me with a brand new IPOD NANO. (Now for those who don't know, we have been wanting an IPOD for about 2 years, and we have really seriously been wanting one for about 6 months. We have looked into the different kinds, dreamed about having one, etc.) Soooooooooo, this was a BIG surprise for me.
The trip just kept going up from there. We had a very peaceful, quiet, restful weekend. We went for a 15 mile bike ride one day, hiked on another day. We went shopping and out to eat on Saturday night. But, the main thing we did was pray, talk, and write. It was so nice to have hours and hours to just be together. We talked about books, plans, goals, schedules, and the future. We set goals, long term and short term. We made decisions. We laughed a lot. We dreamed together, we celebrated together, we grew. We both came back refreshed, inspired, and on mission.
I couldn't wait to get up Monday morning and start living! (So that's why I call it the BEST WEEKEND EVER)

James 1:17

¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Thoughts on a sad week

Monday morning I found out that a family I know is praying for their little twins that are 26 weeks along, and the mom is having complications. The little ones are named Cade and Briella, and I find myself praying for them all throughout the day, asking for them to stay in the womb just a few more weeks.
Monday morning I found out that a wonderful woman I know, who has been struggling with cancer for about 9 months, was close to losing the fight. She is a mom of 8 children, ages 5 - 20.
Monday morning I found out that a little 5 year old girl I knew of, who I had prayed for numerous times over the past two months, had died from cancer.

Today I found out that the mom of 8 died.

I find myself with lots of questions about life? about cancer? I have a lot of thoughts. I am thankful that I know the author of life. I am confident of my eternal future. But, I look at my little 5 year old daughter, and it breaks my heart to think of the family that has lost their little girl. I am realizing that all those around me know someone with cancer. We are all connected to a family, friend or co-worker who is struggling with cancer in one way or another.

In some cases it's not cancer, but there are neighbors, teachers, loved ones who are hurting and sad. I want to help. I want to love well, listen well, give well.

Life is fragile, our days are numbered. Let's hold our little ones close. Let's take the time to comfort those who are hurting. Let's never take for granted the many blessings we have.

Today Matters

Your choices are the only thing you truly control. You cannot control your circumstances, nor can you control others. By focusing on your choices, and then making them with integrity, you control your commitment. And that is what often separates success from failure.

John Maxwell, Today Matters page 167