the comfort of eternity.

I realize it has been well over a week since my Grandpa's funeral, but I still want to note it. I walked away from the funeral with a greater desire to live a life that spoke of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Grandpa was an evangelist. I also walked away with the desire to find a husband who is as crazy about me as Grandpa was about Grandma. He was a loving husband.

Since being home I've received many hugs, a card, and even gifts. I feel kind of odd because I know that I'll see him again and also because he is finally home. Yes, Grandpa is very much missed here on earth, but the comfort of eternity helps heal the loss of a humble, quiet, godly man.

Camp High

I feel like I could crash. Today after my final I felt that camp high. The feeling of pushing through something bigger and harder than you thought you could survive. I survived. The last three weeks have been filled with thirty hour work weeks, a summer class, homework, tests, reading, pre-wedding parties for a friend...and a bit of sleep sprinkled in between.

It's in the moments of pushing so hard and feeling so weak that the noise of life turned down and the presence of Jesus became so much greater. That's my favorite feeling. It is almost as if I'm too tired to hear anything else.

"It was the hardest thing I've ever done and the best thing".
That is starting to make sense. Sometimes there are things (realtionships, jobs, circumstances etc.) that are just so incredibly painstakingly hard. Yet the rewards are so much greater. Going through these challenging weeks/seasons makes me realize the reward of hard work and being faithful to what God has called. If he calls, he will provide.

That, my favorite people, is my post-Foundations of Family Therapy Summer 2009 class take-away.

These are a few of my...

favorite things: (inspired by Danae)

1. Spending time with my 14-year old sister at the beach.
2. The $10 leather coach purse I bought at a garage sale today. It's like a blessing straight from heaven on to my shoulder!
3. Nights where I have no social or obligations...I can just study or fall asleep to a movie on the couch.
4. Grilled peanut butter and honey sandwich with chicken noodle soup (my version of grilled cheese and tomato soup). The perfect study meal.
5. Sunshine! It's been cold and rainy for so long, the sun was out for a bit to dry us off!

Life is currently pretty high-stress between work and school...so I thought some favorite things were in order. By this time next week I will be at a wedding reception with my class behind me and the summer ahead!

Home

I do like Tulsa.  For every reason I don't like Tulsa (allergies, humidity etc.), there are more reasons I love it (Clarks, Castles, spontaneous fab reunions, cool nights, happy hour at Sonic...). 

Yet coming home to Susan's hospitality, Josephine's hugs, kisses from Darius, our crazy chickens...are all good things.  I got in my car tonight and thought "this is right".  

Tomorrow begins my adventure of an opening shift at Starbucks for three days in a row!  Back to life, not that it ever stays the same, just life as I know it in Deerfield.  

One more thought, in my heart is an eternal longing for home.  As much as I find home in Tulsa, Deerfield, and Montana my heart is never really satisfied.  It's as if God keeps a bigger desire in my heart for a home that won't be satisfied till I'm with Him.  

And lastly, I love those kiddos...Bailey & Caden, thanks for a wonderful, special week!  I miss you so so much already!

Only a few days left...

We just keep having fun...

Ribbons in our hair!

Bailey loves shopping! You can't see it, but Caden is crying too...

Danae had the amazing idea of playing with water outside...

It has been so much fun! I don't know if it's Tulsa, the night air, or being with family but tonight was so fun and special.

Andrew leaves in the morning, which is so sad for us here! He has been an amazing friend, assistant, co-pilot, car maintenance guy, cleaner-upper...oh just a great brother! So, a little shout out to the bro who made this week possible! THANK YOU ANDREW!!!

bc- inserting a photo onto my previous post was tricky

i created a new post.

here's to friends.

me, katie & leah at the zoo.

bff's.

Day 4

So, I can no longer sneak into Christa's blog...below is documentation of the last couple days...

Day 3: this is the day we did not leave the hosue...

Bailey likes to carry things...

bailey showed us her mad word skills.

still in the house...

Day 4:

Then lovely friend Katie called, Leah drove over from Arkansas...and we all took a trip to the zoo with Caleb!

Andrew was in charge of bathtime tonight...

One happy aunt, uncle, niece & nephew!