Real joy....

My old friend, Lindsey, passed away late Monday nite after a short struggle with cancer. She was 29. She was lots more than just 29. Lindsey and I became friends when we were part of a community group together at Fellowship North. I was blessed to know her. Her loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. This is a time to be grateful. This issue of "grateful" is dedicated to Lindsey....

I'm grateful for:

1. Hope for the future. I know Lindsey knew Jesus. She is in Heaven celebrating. I wouldn't wish another second of earth on her considering what she has now...

2. Friends--old and new, seasonal and lifelong. We weren't friends for our entire lives...but she made an impact on me. I will forever be different because she was in my life.

3. Faith. Lindsey had lots of hard stuff in her short life. She also had faith that she was created for more. I take such joy in that--knowing that she is experiencing it even this VERY second...

4. Peace. Even in the quiet our hearts struggle and wrestle...Lindsey had an amazing capacity for peace. I remember this HUGE argument we had once. She was so peaceful thru it. Kept her voice down, encouraged me to calm down.... It made me furious at the time--but I knew then and know now, she wanted what Christ has for us--peace.

5. Courage. I'm so grateful for stories like Lindey's. Pain, sufferring, hard stuff....but being an encourager and a warrior to the end. I missed her end, but I know already of the impact she made.

Love my work peeps....

This is a crazy week at work. It's about 99% certain that I'm getting laid off in the next week. Ugh. It's gonna be awful. Regardless of what happens, it's not going to be good--I'll definately be losing some of my co-workers; many of whom have become precious friends to me. A glimpse:

Sarah w/ her spoon for "best salad" at some cook-off....

Me and Kristen.

My boys--Vargas, Jason and Andrew. I love these guys...they are so mean!! ;)

Shelby "Shelbs" or "Schlebley"...my partner in lunch crimes...

Adam

Jess looking like a Time Life operator!

Much love to Discovery Education! It's been real and fun!

Retreat....

Anne, Susan and I had a great time at the WOF retreat last weekend (women of fourth). Here are some fun pics!

Anne, Susan and me

Susan and the bunny ears...

Me and the Anne-chovie.

Congrats!!!

Congrats to Sarah N.--my boss is a brand new aunt! Welcome to Jackson...and welcome to spending all your money on a stinky little boy! ;)

Serious business.

A couple of weeks ago I found out that an old friend from NLR/Fellowship North days had some serious health issues--tumors had been found throughout her body and she was in the hospital. She's 30 or 31. I found out yesterday that it's definately cancer--definately all over her body and she's been given 6 mos. to live. I'm stunned. I'm humbled and numb. Please pray for Lindsey--that God will meet her perfectly in all of this. That she will draw to Him. That a miracle will occur and she will be healed. That if His will is eternal healing, that she will rest in that. Pray for her family and friends.

Also, a couple of weeks ago, Heather called--a mass had been found in Ella Claire's abdomen (Ella is 3) and they thought it was a neurblastoma. Praise the Lord--it wasn't. In fact, it was 100% contained in her spleen--which had to be removed--but no chemo, no malignancy. All in a matter of 4 days. The Lord is good.

Not 20 minutes ago, a co-worker who is 19 weeks pregnant almost passed out, shaking and nauseaus. We swarmed her and fed her ice chips and covered her in cold compresses until the ambulance arrived. Hopefully, she'll be fine. Hopefully, the baby will be fine.

Life is precious and tender and fragile. Life without Christ is hopeless and vain. Seeing so many lives stare mortality in the face makes me question my own. I want to live like it matters.

Baby Landon...

I'm so in love with this child I can barely maintain my composure while looking at his pictures....what a miracle he is!!! Thank you, Jeff and Lori!!!! Best Christmas present EVER!!!! :)

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him...." Psalm 127:3

One of my favorites of Landon. So sweet.

Maybe my all time fave--so funny--that little crooked grin. I love it!

Not happy about having cereal!

Blinging around in his exer-saucer....

I miss this baby! Gotta get to AR soon!

Snow day...

I have neglected to post the pics from our heavy snow last weekend....here ya go! Have lots of exciting news to post...hope to get it up later today!

My snowangel....it was a good one.

Susan's snowman....I can take no credit...although he looks Romanesque to me....

What country am I??

Take this quiz...funny: http://bluepyramid.org/ia/cquiz.htm

My results....

You're Texas!
You aren't really much of your own person, but everyone around you wishes you'd go away, so you might as well be independent. You're sort of loud-mouthed and abrasive, but you do have a fair amount of power. You like big trucks, big cattle, and big oil rigs. And sometimes you really smell. But it's not all bad, you're big enough to have some soft spots somewhere in all that redneck madness.

Oiy vey....love it.