A Busy Season Full of Joy and Tears...

Summer has been busy and lots is going on! I keep meaning to post pictures from my trip to Chicago and from the 3 weddings that took place in June alone! I promise I will do this soon...let's say before the week is over. Fair enough?

This morning however, was a difficult one. On Wednesday last week, news quickly spread that one of our pastor's at The Well and his wife, lost their 4 month year old son. Little Tyler Rumley died on Wednesday afternoon and the memorial service was held this morning. I can't sit here and say that I knew this family super well. I mean I had met and talked to both Jen and Jerrod at various times, but I wouldn't say by any means that I was close to them. And to be honest, I was surprised at how hard the memorial service was for me today. Although we weren't close, being at a memorial service this morning for a 4 month year old little guy was really hard. Harder then I thought. I cried much more then I thought I would. I've been told that one of my gifts/strengths is empathy, and that is exactly what I felt today for this family.

Granted I don't have any children of my own so I cannot even begin to imagine what it feels like to lose a child. I'm told it is a pain like no other and one that sinks deep down into one's soul. The memorial service was beautiful and although there were lots of tears, there was also an immense amount of hope knowing with full assurance in our faith in Jesus that Tyler is now in a better place. A much better place.

I deeply admired the family's approach to the situation and the way they pointed everything back to Jesus and the hope we have in Him and Him alone during this difficult time. My heart is still heavy today as I think about what the Rumley family is going through.

As a church family we were reminded yesterday in church through a study in Daniel that God is still God even when deeply painful and difficult times hit. I know there are many people grieving today, and as those whose hope is in Jesus, we do not grieve as those who have no hope.

If you remember, say a prayer for this family. The road they are walking will be a very long one. More information can be found on The Rumley's blog.

Back to Basics

So I really like this commercial. I don't have Allstate Insurance but I like the message this commercial sends. Back to the basics. Yes, please.

Finally!

I've been having the hardest time connecting to the blogger website. Every time I tried it said the website was not responding, hence why it's been way too long since my last post. So now be ready, lots has been going on over the past three weeks... Stay tuned :)

O Hi O

It's been a little while since I last posted. Life has been busy. Actually, that's an understatement.

Right now I'm enjoying time with family in Ohio. I flew in on Wednesday and I'm hanging out with my Aunt Diane and Uncle Rich until Sunday afternoon, when they'll take me back to the airport and I'll fly over to Chicago for 5 days!

I'm keeping busy here in Ohio too, but it's so so different. It's completely relaxing. My Aunt and Uncle are seriously the most hospitable people I know (growing up I always hoped to be as hospitable as my aunt when I had my own place...) They are so kind and fun and there is always something new to do around here. Whether it's taking their boat out on the river, riding go-carts, Snipe hunting with the boys (my cousin's sons who are 7 and 9) or just relaxing by their pool.

I went to a "cook-out" last night with my aunt and uncle at one of their friend's house. They have "cook-outs" here, they don't call them BBQs :) But for some reason I was the talk of the cook-out (mostly because I was the youngest one there and from California). When I got there they opened a bottle of champagne and insisted I have a glass. I couldn't argue with them of course :) They told me they had that champagne for a special occasion and that night was the night to use it!

Food and drinks were flowing as stories were told about "the good old days" where EVERYONE is known by their last name and what county they were from. "Oh you're a Kruse?" they said as we were talking. "And what were your grandparent's names?" I said "Lloyd and Katie" and they said, "Oh yes! They owned The Palmer House restaurant that had that great chicken noodle soup and your grandma had the prettiest hair!"

My grandma does make really good chicken noodle soup and I've seen pictures of her hair back in the day...she was a looker :)

All that to say, I'm having a great time here and am looking forward to exploring the great city of Chicago next week! I'm looking forward to going to Wrigley Field on Wednesday to a Cubs game. I don't usually eat hot dogs, but you better believe I'll be having one at the game!