Hey, guys . . . I’m back. 🙂
Sorry about the unannounced leave-of-absence–a lot happened in December that kept me away for a while, and it’s been difficult to get back into the swing of things. I’ve found that you can beat around the bush as long as you want when it comes to discussing topics you don’t want to discuss, but waiting doesn’t always make it easier. So, now is as good a time as any to catch you up on what’s been going on.
Firstly, and by far the most difficult topic of conversation from these past months: Brad’s father passed away early in December. He had been battling cancer for a while, and the Lord decided that it was the right time to take him home.
I felt so helpless when we found out. How do you comfort someone you love . . . when they’ve lost someone they love? But Brad was amazing, and so was the entire family. Through the tears and heartache, everything truly transformed into a celebration of life, salvation, and love. It led me to believe, even more, in the importance of faith. If you are hurting, please don’t think you have to go through any tough time by yourself. Just one glimpse at a relationship with God and His Son can completely change your life, your being, and outlook on everything. It helps the sick, it helps the grieving, and it helps the “why-is-this-happening?” situations make more sense. It even makes good times a million times better . . . because when you realize just how much you’ve been given (even when you don’t deserve it), you know that Someone is not only looking out for you, He’s protecting you in an embrace like no other. No matter where you are in your life now, there can be So. Much. More.
*Deep breath* You still with me? 🙂 Moving on.
Throughout the rest of December, we enjoyed a much-needed holiday break with our families in Virginia, then headed back north to ring in our first “we’re-actually-here-in-Michigan” New Year (we traveled the last two years). Brad’s and my celebration? Trader Joe’s and Target (let’s not open that credit card theft can of worms right now), followed by a pizza dinner, then to the Cheesecake Factory for some indulgent dessert takeout. Our countdown to midnight was spent watching the Times Square celebration from our couch, which is exactly what the doctor ordered. The next morning, we woke up to snow . . . lots of it. But that’s a story for another day.
I’m really looking forward to getting back into a regular posting schedule . . . so count on hearing more from me soon! In the meantime, let me know how your new year has been so far . . . is 2014 all it’s cracked up to be?
