two posts in two days, i'm doing good!

I'm on my 4 hour lunch break! Grace is at school right now, so between 11 and 3 I get to come home. It's amazing how much more motivated I am during this break than I used to be. I suppose it's because my time is limited now and I don't really feel like living in a cluttered apartment. It's small enough as it is without things everywhere. The only thing I have left to do is install my new shower head. I don't think I can do it alone...maybe I should ask my Dad to help! Ok, time for a funny story...

My Dad finally had back surgery in August. I went to Michigan a week prior to go on a mini-vacation beforehand and to help get things ready for when he came home, etc. My Dad had thought of mostly everything, they painted the garage and winterized it, got the trailer ready for the winter, did all of those things he can't do once it's actually winter, etc. One thing that slipped his mind was the shower! He can't stand up without his brace and he can't wear his brace in the shower. Conundrum! We got him a shower chair, but that still didn't solve the issue of the shower head. He needed one that detached but he could turn off while sitting down. Easy enough to find, we found one that attached to it's own pole and slides up and down, it was quite neat. So, 8 days after his surgery, he and I installed this shower system into their bathroom. It involved masonry drill bits, anchors, the whole 9 yards. We really should have taken pictures because it was very silly.

My stomach tells me it's time to grab some lunch...it's days like today I wish I had a car, I have a hankering for a gyro! I think that is one of the only things I like better in Michigan than here...we have a serious lack of Greek restaurants. I only know of one and it's in DT Dallas. Great for Forest, but I am sick of being hit on by convicts (a story for another day), so I won't be going there anytime soon.

close to home again...

I found out some very devastating news this last week. My dear friend Courtney was diagnosed with Leukemia. I have known Courtney since we moved to Roanoke 3 years ago and has been someone I have looked up ever since. Her and her husband, Todd, have 3 young girls and a little boy who is about to turn two. I never had a chance to be one of those people that said "That would never happen to me or someone I care about". I learned at a very young age that bad things happen to everyone for what seems like no reason. I am eternally grateful that I have my beliefs, because these bad things seem to always have a reason for happening. I know that Courtney has many people looking out for her and has a very powerful alley on her side. Aside from the peace I am feeling about her situation, it is hard to accept another person I care about has to suffer from cancer. It it such an ugly monster and no one should have to worry about it, especially not someone as young as Courtney. If you'd like to follow Courtney's journey as I do, please visit her blog at http://www.courtneysbattle.blogspot.com.

I will always remember the first day I really met Courtney. I was dropping off some gifts for the Secret Santa the Stake does each year for Christmas. I had intended just to drop them off and head back home, but we got to chatting. I ended up spending most of the afternoon there, she welcomed me into her home like an old friend, although we were only just getting to know each other. I got to spend a lot of time with her between her being my Visiting Teacher and Forest and Todd being Home Teaching companions. I am truly going to miss seeing her every Sunday making sure that we are all doing great in Nursery. I have asked several of my family members to remember her in their prayers, but I will be asking for this favor until Courtney is well again. She truly does deserve a miracle.

The day I heard about this tragic news, I tried my best not to become emotional. I was sitting with Grace, feeding her dinner, and I started to tear up. Grace is a very perceptive little girl and she gave me a quizzical look, as to say "what's wrong?". I told her I was sad and she pouted, then giggled. Although I'm not sure she knew there was something wrong or not, I almost instantly felt very peaceful. She's my reminder that God works in mysterious ways but he always has a plan for us, even if we don't know what that plan is. She is a blessing to everyone she meets.