Heartbroken

I have been praying so hard for my friend Kim's husband, Ken Harris, the last three weeks. He was admitted to the hospital on January 4th with COVID-19 and never recovered. He passed away on Wednesday. Ken was just 56 years old.

He was the pastor at Union Grove Baptist Church and president of Union Grove Christian School and made an impact on so many people in our area. Thousands of people were praying for him all around the country and world. 

I know that God's ways are better than our own and I know that Ken is now where he has always wanted to be but I am absolutely heartbroken for my dear friend, Kim and her 13-year-old daughter, Claire. Please keep them in your prayers.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord. - Job 1:21

Time flies...

What's been happening since my last post?  

Well, my prayer list is still long but there is peace in knowing that He is in control of everything.  I'm still trying to write down my thankfuls each day. Some days the list is longer than others but that's life I suppose.  (And some days I forget to write something down and I guess, that's life too!)

Here's some happening from the last couple of weeks.

Dan and I continue to go on our Sunday Night Date Night.  Most of the time we head to our favorite local brewery for a beer and sometimes we even get food from one of the delicious food trucks!

This concoction is smashed potatoes and the item above it is fried banana pudding.  Both were delish!

On MLK day, Dan and I headed to the mountains for a hike. The park we wanted to go to was closed (well technically the road to get to it was covered in ice/snow and was closed) so we continued further and found  Elk Knob State Park.  It was beautiful there but we weren't able to hike due to the fact that we didn't check the weather before leaving home and it was also covered in snow and we weren't prepared (no snow shoes, no parkas, etc.).  It was nice at home so we assumed it was nice in the mountains.  You know what happens when we assume....

It was really pretty there, so I am sure we will head back in the spring to check it out.

Sarah is officially done with her regular season swimming.  I got to time at three meets and Dan got to time twice.  I'm very thankful that she had a season AND that he and I got to see some of it.  The conference championship is Friday.  We won't get to be there but it will be live-streamed so at least we will get to watch it.  Fingers crossed she swims well and can advance to regionals.

Here is a quick picture I snapped of her at the last meet.  It was senior night and as co-captain, she helped the coach recognize the seniors.

In other news, Peter got accepted into NC State!  I hope this is where he will choose to go but time will tell.  He is currently weighing all of his options and he is still waiting to hear from a couple of other schools.  (I am praying hard for wisdom and discernment for him and us as he decides.)

This past weekend, I made the most delicious dessert. It's Oreo Cheesecake Brownie Trifle.  It was so good!  But be warned, it is rich.  A little goes a long way.

And now you're all caught up!

 

Happy New Year?

Is it still okay to say "Happy New Year" when you are 13 days into said new year? 

And also is it okay to say "Happy" when the country is a mess, a friend's husband is in ICU with COVID, another friend is battling brain cancer, another friend is fighting breast cancer, a family member has been laid off from work, and your kids are on plan C (full remote) for the week because too many kids are sick or excluded due to COVID, and I just found out that my MS medication is going to cost me $1400 a month if my specialty pharmacy can't find a co-pay assistance program?

Maybe I should just say "New Year" and leave it at that.

Anyway, not to let you think I'm discouraged, all of this (and man other unmentioned items) have made my prayer list really long and I'm spending a lot (A LOT!) of time with the Lord in prayer.  

One day about a month ago or so, I was complaining to my mom about something that had me stressed out and worried and she said, "Well, this will keep you on your knees where you should be anyway."  Wise words from a wise lady. 

I'm seriously considering some knee pads the longer my prayer list gets.  :)

So in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18*, lets list a few things I am thankful for today:

Sarah has had 2 swim meets (at this point she should have had 5) and her times are looking pretty good considering she hasn't had much time in the water in the past year.

The kids are enjoying sleeping in this week since they don't have to drive to school.

The sun is shining and it will be in the 50s for the rest of the week.

Dan's program at work was previously put on hold due to COVID has been started again. 

Our family is healthy and COVID free at the moment.  (Peter had to be tested last week and was thankfully negative.)

Was able to spend some time with a friend before surgery.

We've had lots of beautiful sunrises and sunsets lately:

 This guy:

This cat who keeps me company when I pay bills:

And a pretty dusting of snow that did not last long:

Salmon and a super food salad for lunch:

And these are just a few of the things I'm thankful for today!

*1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.