Everything but the Kitchen Sink

Things never slow down here in Bee Land.  LOL

I finished last semester with a 3.8 and then it was Christmas!  We had an enjoyable Christmas and really focused on creating memories and starting traditions this year.

For New Year's we introduced some new friends to a southern New Year's Day complete with black eyed peas, rice, fried chicken, collards and fried cornbread..  YUM!

My one month break off of school flew by.  And school started again yesterday.  I don't know where the weeks went.  I don't have too much to show for it all.

I managed to continue to lose weight during the (food heavy) holidays this year.  That is a first.  I weigh 15 lbs less than I did before Thanksgiving!

I'm doing better at finding balance in my life and slowing down.  It is still a constant battle though.

Yesterday, we got bad news.  A friend from our old church here was hit on her morning run by a drunk driver (at 8:15 AM!) and didn't make it. I didn't know her well, but I do remember her telling us she was praying for us when Xander was ill and when I shared in our Women's Bible Study that I was still heartbroken about our failed adoption.  We used to chat while we waited for the children to get our choir on Sunday nights. 

She was incredibly down to earth and genuine and she LOVED to run.  Interestingly, we had another death at our current church this past week, and our pastor was making the arrangement announcements during service.  He stopped mid announcement and said, "Guys, you do all know as Believers we graduate when we die, right?  We go onto something much better.  It's those left behind that grieve and mourn." 

It's ALL I could hear in my head yesterday.  Meg graduated. She has met the One that she loved and served.  Those of us left behind are the ones that grieve.  I somewhat held it together until I started looking at her family pictures.  Three sweet children (5, 7, 8) are left behind... and her husband (who is a police officer) and their family and friends.  I cried so hard looking at their Disney pictures and Christmas pictures. An instant has robbed her family of a future with her.  One dumb decision has changed everything. 

If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, seek Him.  While we all hope to leave our mark here on earth, eternity matters most.

~Stephanie