In the Mean Time

Seems like only yesterday...

... get cozy...

... and then take a ride on daddy's back!

But before we get into the details, let me just say that this has been a busy summer... Rob has been holding down the fort at home with Taylor and I have, admittedly, been working too much. Our family beach week was scheduled for this past week and I was REALLY looking forward to several things...

1. Celebrating Taylor's 2nd birthday in a low-key, no frills kind of way.

2. Witnessing my baby brother get married to sweet Melissa and attending all associated events!

3. Quality time with Rob and Taylor on the beach!

4. Romantic sunset runs with Rob - free babysitters abound during beach week.

5. Watching Taylor interact with her "cousins" - my cousins' kids... all 15 of them!

6. Sharing dinner with extended family at one of the four beach houses our family rents - all

around a cul-de-sac, right on the beach.

7. Late night porch talks - with babies in bed - with the only lights being those of the stars.

8. Crab hunting at sunset!

9. Searching for sea shells during the morning low tide.

10. Extended quiet times.

11. Sleeping in.

12. Taking afternoon naps brought on by long, playful mornings on the beach and snuggling with a good book EVERY DAY!

13. Playing with my new camera and fancy-schmancy lens on MANUAL mode with professional teachers... dun dun dun...

14. An overall relaxing and rejuvenating week...

We arrived at the beach on Friday afternoon (July 29th).

While over the course of a few days I managed to check several of these things off the list our week changed drastically within the blink of an eye.

I should have seen something coming... God had woken me up early (5:15 am early!) the first morning we were at the beach with an amazing thunderstorm. I couldn't go back to sleep because all I could think about was the lighting and thunder that is recorded in Revelation... in the throne room! After following a trail with the Holy Spirit through the bible I ended this amazing quiet time with such peace and love.

Looking back now, I can tell that God was drawing me near, preparing me for something by reminding me that, no matter what, he LOVES me with a love that is unfathomable... that His strength is all I need... that his provision is more than enough...

As we were pulling into the driveway of the beach house directly after the wedding on Sunday (July 31st), we received news that Rob's Aunt Janet passed away suddenly in a car accident.

Rob immediately packed up and headed home to travel with his dad to Tennessee... Taylor and I made arrangements to follow via airplane and rental car.

It's a good thing we did, because we received MORE devastating news that Rob's grandfather passed away not more than 48 hours after his daughter. He was already in the hospital and it's quite possible he died of a broken heart...

The family held a double funeral. No fun, but definitely part of the mourning process. Taylor was a trooper the whole time and added a little much-needed joy to such a painful situation.

Spending time with Rob's grandmama, cousins, aunts and uncles was wonderful despite the circumstances. And having never experienced a loss of this magnitude, we are all bonded together now more than ever.

It was obvious that God was all over this situation, and if you get some time I'd love to share more of the details. Besides preparing me and our little family for this week - with meaningful quality time, a little rest, the timing of the painful news, and my being able to be there for my husband - God prepared us all individually and brought us together.

God's perfect plan is difficult to understand sometimes, but the confidence we are afforded in knowing Christ brings hope of seeing our loved ones again someday soon.

Not exactly the week we anticipated... regardless and despite my lack of understanding, all Glory to YOU, sweet Jesus.