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Monday, April 29, 2013

Hey, Monday, Heeeey!

Alright, fools.
Weekend is ovahhhhhh.
It's Monday.
T-minus 5 days until the next one begins.
(It's gonna be a good one, too!)

So, for now, let's recap the last few days of wonderful.



Hey girl(s night out on the bay trail), hey!



Hey (almost birthday) girl, hey!!


Hey favorite part of the day, hey!


Hey hipster dog with a hipster camper, hey!


Hey favorite six year old, hey.


Hey favorite spot in town, hey.


Hey mama (& big sister), hey!


Hey San Francisco's only winery, hey.
(owned by my sister's patient!)




Hey Meet Market, hey.
(a little market of local vendors and their awesome wares)



Hey most beautiful friends, hey.
(but really, right?)


Hey hanging around the ballpark, hey.
(The boys are out of town, but will be back this weekend, hey!)


Hey prayer chair, hey.
(Sudan team send off. Wheels up!)


Hey, not sure who is having more fun, hey.


Hey 6am, hey.
(PRAY, go, give, tell)



Hey, another great week, heeeeey!

Linking up with Lisa! 

Friday, April 26, 2013

8 Years of Smiles

Happy 8th Birthday to my littlest, and bestest bud, Mylie.
Eight fantastic years of walks, treats, beaches, parks, trails, adventures, fetch, and everything in between. 
It's truly been miles and miles of smiles with you, Pup.
I hope we get {at least} eight more.

2005


2006


2007


2008


2009


2010


2011


2012


2013


Friday, April 19, 2013

This Week: We Remember.

This week in history is one of a lot of pain for many people.

April 16, 2007 - Virginia Tech Massacre
April 18, 1906 - San Francisco Earthquake
April 19, 1995 - Oklahoma City Bombings
April 20, 1999 - Columbine Shootings

And sadly, on this week the lists just keeps getting longer.
April 15, 2013 - Boston Marathon Explosions
April 17, 2013 - West Fertilizer Explosion

  
 And for me, personally, this week in history has also painful.
On April 14, 2007, my dearest friend Morgan was in a boating accident.
On April 15th, I was told of her condition, and I flew to her bedside at a trauma hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
I stayed with her two days, and returned home doubtful, but hopeful, for her survival.
Sadly, after a very emotional week, on Friday, April 20th, she was taken off life support and passed away thirty minutes later.


God is Good. And he is gracious. This same week, in 2007, another of my closest friends would have her second baby. And in my grief, they invited me to spend a lot of time with them as they eagerly anticipated her arrival. A sweet girl who's 6th year of life is celebrated this week. The third week of April to me is also about new life and new beginnings, amidst sadness, hardness, and goodbyes. God allowed me to feel quite a range of emotions in April of 2007.



That week in April reminded me that God is real. That he is GOOD. That he provides. That he gives and takes away.



It is in those difficult trials, those days where you don't know how you will even get through it, how you will wake up in the morning and do it all over again, that God reminds you that he provides you with exactly enough mercy to get through each day. Enough for each moment.



Like the manna in the wilderness, there was only enough for that day. And the days you need that extra manna, there it will be. When the Israelites went to bed each night, they could not store up for the morning. They had to trust God that he would provide each new day.



And I will tell you, living through those first days, weeks, months, and year of a tragedy, that was so very true in my life.

That first week, God provided abundance grace and mercy, holding that sweet baby for the first time, seeing joy in my friends' lives, understanding that God truly is in control was a perfect provision. It was the much needed extra manna for those hard days. That first year he provided shoulders to cry on, friends to be with, and more importantly the comfort of His love, sovereignty, and redemption.


God has taught me a lot in these 6 years. Losing Morgan was one of those "Ebenezer" experiences where everything is different, a time I can look back on and be reminded of God's faithfulness in seeing me through the hard times and grief.

He is the provider of the manna in the wilderness. He knows our needs. He meets us in them.

I know he wastes nothing, and that he uses our sorrows and heartaches to comfort others as he has comforts us. I know he is good.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor. 1:3-4


Pictures taken 3.22.13 at the Morgan Meredith Rohde Memorial Bench at the Torrey Pines Glider Port in La Jolla, CA.



Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Just a Quiet Little Announcement

There are a lot of other things going on right now, and I will come back later this week to share some other stuff...

But for now I want to offer a big congratulations to Cindy for winning the Minted.com giveaway!!

Go get yourself that journal, girl! (I'll email you!)



Thoughts and prayers to Boston, and all of those friends and families hurting and affected. May the God of peace comfort you all today.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Hello Monday...{a full weekend of fun, food, friends, & furries.}

This weekend I said sayonara to office duties on Friday afternoon...

and...

Hello new church friends...

Hello dinner with old friends...

Hello early morning on the San Francisco Bay Trail...

Hello wine tasting sister birthday outing...

Hello Ritz Carlton afternoon...

Hello incredible ocean views...




Hello warm firepit by the sea...

Hello wine tasting with Chris Benziger...

Hello old timey British cab...


Hello Sunday afternoon snoozes...

Hello furry friends...

Hello fighting loving like cats and dogs...


Goodbye weekend...see you again in a few days.





Linking up with Lisa here.