October Madness

The month of October was a crazy one.  I was gone every weekend, plus a whole week to California!
That's makes for a busy life.

October also brought sadness.  I lost a very good friend, Carl.  He and I had gone on 3 youth group mission trips together back about 18 years ago.  Him and his wife Renee became dear friends of ours.  He was diagnosed with a very rare disease 6 months ago; sadly, he succumbed to this disease.  I was not home when he passed away, and I am very sad I didn't get to say goodbye.  We had a wonderful celebration of his life on Saturday.  It's so surreal to sit with Renee and realize we are both widows!  Craziness.  You will be missed Carl.

Sweet memories!

 Another sweet friend of mine, Jill, recently lost a stillborn baby girl.  Jill also lost a 6 week old baby girl 10 years ago - I cannot fathom that this happened to her again.   Please keep Jill and Renee in your prayers - these losses are so hard.

I traveled to two weddings in October.  The first one was in Bend, Oregon for my friend Kay's daughter.  I haven't been to Bend in several years and it was really fun to be back.  It's SO beautiful there.  My friends Doug & Lu let me ride along with them - I'm grateful for that!  We had so much fun at the wedding, and the entire weekend.  I spent an afternoon with my fun cousin Lori; I visited with her daughter Michelle for a bit.  It was a great weekend!

The other wedding was my nephew Derek's.  He married sweet Marina - a beautiful wedding!  This wedding was in Seattle so we spent two nights down there.  My sister Becky & family flew up for the weekend and we all stayed at the same hotel.  I drove down with my parents - they spent one night and left shortly after the wedding.  I'm so happy for these newlyweds - they make such a great couple.

Siblings!  Missing Sharon...

I spent a weekend over the mountains watching my sweet niece Gretta Claire play soccer for the purple panthers - her senior year!  It was a tough game and they won!  I stayed with my niece Dani on this weekend.  Always fun to stay there and get woken up at 6:30 with a latte delivery to my room by her two little girls and their dog Murphy!  I drove over with my parents - they don't get out of town much anymore.  Dad didn't feel super great so we left a bit earlier than expected, but still a fun weekend.  The drive over the pass was beautiful.

Watched Natalie play soccer!!

Always a fun time in Wenatchee!

My annual trip to California happened in October.  My niece Jenae is also a senior so it's my last year to be 'auntie nanny' while Becky and her husband Darrell go on their fall work trip.  I've been doing this for about 10 years or more.  I will miss it!  I watched Jenae play a couple of soccer games.  My nephew Mitchell came home for the weekend - he's a working guy now - I was so glad to spend some time with him.  I stayed a couple extra days to spend time with Becky after she got back from her trip.  We got a great hike in and I watched her coach her JV volleyball team.  The weather was in the 80's and I soaked it in!!

California hiking

A couple weeks ago a friend convinced my to play hooky from work and go on a hike.  I had just got back from California and should not have gone (work was waiting!!) but I am so glad we did!  It was a beautiful fall day, probably in the 70's.  We had a great hike with a magnificent view of Mt. Baker.  We had snow on top of our hike - the fall colors were stunning on the drive.  I was struggling with the loss of Carl and it did my soul good to be up in the mountains.

"Go rest high on that mountain - son your work on earth is done"

I am staying home in November.  We've had some snow and cold weather already last week - I'm not quite ready for that!

Losing Carl brought back lots of memories of the process of losing Les.   Every loss is different, yet so similar.  However, being more than two years out, I can say that life is good, God is good,  and I am choosing JOY.  God has provided peace in my heart and I continue to be blessed with family and friends who encourage me - and keep me busy.  I am thankful.