Such a difficult, painful week. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor nearly three years ago, our friend passed away, leaving his wife and five children. Knowing how grueling cancer is, we committed to walking through it with them at the beginning. In the "ups and downs" of cancer, they've had mostly downs. My friend valiantly took care of her husband, remaining strong and with great faith. We are thankful he is with Jesus and has been completely healed, but for the family the loss is so very painful.
Even in the brutal there have been so many beautiful and holy moments, but the deeply sacred and meaningful ones are not pictured here.
July 6
We got the news around noon that he had passed, so I dropped everything and went to pick up the daughter who is Amanda's friend. I reached out to Kelly, who is their tribe leader and, without hesitation she came over to be present with the girls.
July 7
No picture
July 8
We arranged another evening together. Maddy and Kelly, both youth leaders came over and the girls spent about four hours in the hot tub, talking about everything from A-Z. I'm so grateful for the relationships they've built, for the ways Kelly and Maddy have poured into the girls and that they are willing for God to use them to reach these young teen girls in a way that I never could.
July 9
The school figured out a way to safely hold soccer conditioning. Avery and Amanda are back to being on the same team and will be for the next three years. They were in the first wave at 8am.
Signs of the times. We squeezed in a dental cleaning for Amanda. The nurse met us in the parking lot to screen her with questions and temp check. She went in on her own while I waited in the car.
July 10
This message has been on my kitchen counter for five years. Once sent to me by a friend, these words have been shared many times over. Today, I texted it to Amanda's friend who, at the age of 13, had to bury her dad.
July 11
Shaun took the boys fishing first thing.
Someone in the neighborhood hosted a ladies hot tub night. After such a sad, intense week of loss it was so nice to spend several hours laughing and talking about things that have no eternal importance.
July 12
My friend was very limited in availability over the last couple years and needed to stick close to home while caring for her husband. It was nice to get the day with them...Coach Shaun held soccer practice for the kids and we all played a rousing game of PIT (there is no other way to play). It was a lovely respite from the hard.
Later, we got to see Shaun's mom who is in the state for the week. Thankful for our porch, the time around the table and slow Sundays.
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