Life goes on...

The last two weeks have been hit and miss in the training arena. I have been overcome with guilt at times over the fact...but God has recently been reminding me of His grace...and it is sufficient in ALL things. Even excercise. Tomorrow, reality settles in again and I get back into the saddle. Friday or Saturday will be the LONG walk days. I pray for condusive weather.

I've been doing the hugely insighful, phenomenal, about-to-get-eschatological, study of Daniel. My namesake. LOVE him. I am discovering what it REALLY means to have "God as my Judge." From this man, every believer can glean how to live IN the world while not being OF it. He was a real moral, Ivy league man of his day...and He never compromised his belief in THE God. He was able to do this...even in Babylon...even while living in the king's court... even facing death. I can't wait to see what God shows me this week, as I place myself back in Daniel's day, in his shoes, in the den of a lion. Jesus, bring the revelations. Life continues...

This morning, I am sad to say, we missed attending church. I don't like to do that, especially when I'm the only one here who can get my son there. Bry is currently saving lives and fighting fires...and reclining after the Superbowl, no doubt! Anyhow... I had planned on going...like any other Sunday and I awoke this morning to the dogs barking frantically. They typically only do this at strangers or large vehicles, such as garbage and UPS trucks. I looked out the window and noticed a Fire truck across the street. (Thus, the barking alarm clock) Then I looked down the long, narrow driveway of my neighbor's only to see and AMR unit (That's an ambulance.) I wanted to run and call her...she is one of my most friendly neighbors and always watching out for us...but something told me to stay put. I prayed. And prayed. And then prayed some more. I watched my other neighbor pacing outside, wandering, worrying, concerned, I am sure. I left my bedroom and found Brydan and Melody (the fabulous French girl) watching from the front window of our kitchen. Over an hour went by with the firetruck leaving once and returning...AMR unit still in the drive...and then the arrival of the Pierce County Coroner and a police officer. Our hearts sunk. I watched as they wheeled out a body. Only two people lived in that house: A dear sweet woman and her aging Dad. I went across the street to my other pacing neighbor and he told me that Leslie, the dear sweet woman, had died... unexpectedly, in her sleep. She had shared with him that she hadn't been feeling well yesterday. Life stopped for a minute as I reflected on what the neighborhood would be like without her...what her Dad must be feeling at that moment...not wanting visitors...having no family to console him. None. My understanding is, he's ninety. He's a spitfire of a man... lived there long before I was even born and still in great shape. I'm sure he had always believed his daughter would find HIM peacefully gone one morning in his bed...not the other way around. So I stood there with my neighbor, who is originally from Poland and a new father of a two-month old, in disbelief. Sad at the loss. Sad at the future for this other father who had just lost his daughter. After some moments of quiet...he said three words that might sound heartless if you hadn't been there yourself. "Life goes on."

He's right, you know. I could no more bring Leslie back to earth in that moment, or rewind the clock to prevent it, than a bird could fly without feathers. I'd be going back across the street in a minute to be with Brydan and Melody and he'd be going back to his new wife and baby and parents visiting from Poland. We'd go about our day and truthfully, so would the prescious other neighbor whose daughter left the transparent bonds of earth this morning. Only, his day wouldn't look anything like last Sunday, or even twelve hours prior, for that matter. He'd do his day alone. And that's what he did...with no other cars entering his driveway. Brydan mentioned being sad at the passing of sweet Leslie and how it made him mad too. But because I was gently reminded that "life goes on," we were able to pray for that father who is NOT out of the grip of grace or the eye-shot of THE Father. Interesting to reflect on: One neighbor with new life in their home...one with just memories now. Pray for us this week, that we can be the family he needs, whatever that looks like for him...and be helpful as the days go on...and the dust settles...and life goes on...

On a MUCH lighter note...we are enjoying Melody from France immensely! She's the daughter (or little Sister) I never had! Another girl in the house to balance things out! God knows what we need for seasons. She doesn't speak in large groups much, but she can carry on a wonderful, insightful conversation with me over coffee or a meal. I have enjoyed getting to know her and she says she "very much enjoys it here" and thinks I am funny. She almost immediatly adopted the word "Peeps" and I find her using it in great context often. HAH! I praise the Lord for another Sister-in-Christ, especially one from 'across the pond."

As for my boys and the rest of the extended fam...not much to report. The new baby (Liz's little cutie pie; my great-neice) sneezed a whopper on my neck last night. She is TOO cute!!! I'll have to post a pic one of these days. She loves her Aunt Danni. I can tell. ;)

Brydan is still bowling and skiing, although the pass was closed this past Thursday. He had to fore go it and actually go to SCHOOL! The dreaded word of the day...SCHOOL! HAH! He lived. Amazing. He has decided to visit an elderly lady once a week to practice servant hood. The poor woman will have so many drawings of cars and brownies that he'll bake, she'll be sick! But I somehow think the two will become close pals and who knows...maybe he'll extend this to our ninety year old neighbor who will no doubt need a lawn mowed now and then...and who doesn't like a brownie? Smile. :) Ahhhh....life does indeed go on...apparently like this blog. I guess I need to update it more frequently. Have a wonderful week and thanks to the Froese family and Connie and Kris for your wonderful comments! HUGS to you ALL! Until next time...