As we saw oh this light I swear you, emerge blinking into,
To tell me it's alright
Colossians 1:18-20
"He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross."
Today was super relaxing for me. I woke up, enjoyed a water bottle and a text from my sister, and ate breakfast made by my father. Dana (my sister closest to me in age) showed up within 45 minutes with Sly and the bun in the oven! We drove around the West End, running errands for the week. When we got home, I turned on Matilda!! (one of my favorite movies of all time)
We had a family meeting that actually went okay. Usually, family meetings are more like a WWE Smackdown. But it went well today. We were able to talk about who does what and why. One of the hardest parts of being a family is the "C-word"....*lights go down and the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire music comes on*....Communication. Woah. Hold the phone. People actually have to communicate? What?
I remember as a 6th grader, learning about...dun, dun, dun...communication. The analogy about incorrect communication was like standing in a closet just talking; nobody's listening. But, the right way to communicate was to be able to have a level-headed conversation. The ultimate communication is with our Heavenly Daddy. And honestly, the only communication that matters.
Hannah's over now and we just took a biology quiz. 110%!!!!! Oh happy day!
Well...I've learned so far that life throws curveballs and fast...and with our family, it's usually a few at a time.
Since I've last written, a lot has happened. . .
Two days after my last blog, I found my beautiful puppy, Riley! She was dropped off in a parking lot at Short Pump mall as I drove by. She was only 5 weeks old and 5 pounds. She's a purebred Chocolate Lab and someone dumped her on the side of the road! It's beyond me, but I'm blessed to have her and share her with a friend.
School ended and I was relieved. I finished my final paper for English and got a B for the class! I also decided to retake placement testing for math in the hopes that I could score out of the high school level. I passed with flying colors! That was so awesome.
Christmas rolled around and it was very emotional. Usually my Aunt Deanie and her hubby, Mike, join us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Because of her new job, she had to work both days. That was super hard for me because I'm a major tradition person. We made the best of it and ended our holiday well with our family friends. We at least got to keep our tradition of seeing a movie and went to Sherlock Homes, which is not for the faint hearted. Then again, no movie is these days.
The last week of December was the last bang from 2009. My Mom was diagnosed with a severe cancer. I can't say any details because I'm not allowed. Talk about major shocker. We've walked many walks as a family, but this one is definitely in the top 3 worst events.
When you're faced with such an unfair trial, it's hard to keep your emotions on a down low and make the necessary decisions that's best for the one you love. However cliché it is, love is the only thing that can get you through; Love for the victim, love for the affected, and love from the Maker.
It's been difficult, but we're not letting it debilitate us. It can't.
We're on week 5 of our journey and God has been so gracious to us. Meals and keeping the house somewhat tidy has been a couple of the biggest stressers for me because I'm usually the one who takes care of that during the week. So many friends from church, family, and acquaintances have stepped up and provided so much.
So, with that pressure, I began my second semester as a freshman in college. Wake up at 8, leave by 8:30, History 101 at 9 am, English 112 at 10, and Biology 101 at 11. My favorite class is history, as usual. It gets me through the day. I have been so blessed with an incredible teacher. We're studying Western civilization and he's traveling through the timeline in a Christian perspective. How crazy.
So, here I am, at this moment, sitting here still in a state of numbness. I'm waiting for the breakthrough, but I keep reality close by. I keep reminding myself that it's when we're broken and beaten down that we are loved and can be used the most.
Song of the week: Beautiful Scandelous Night - Sixpence None the Richer
