I have been instructed by Brandon to post something... so I am .

Dont really have much motivation to write anything right now. I am going through a lot, more than I should ever have to deal with at once. I am internalizing it all... which I know is bad for me... but I cant process right now.

Please be praying for me...

Thanks friends.

This time last year I was saying my wedding vows....and I got to say them to the most amazing man ever....

 

Since then.....

We have moved 6 times

Bought a house in lovely Hideaway, TX

Now have 2 dogs.  Maxine, Brandon's german shepherd, and my puppy, Gracie, a mini-dachound (sp?)

Both took promotions, then promptly changed jobs. 

Been in 1 car accident (yeah, that was me... again)

Changed 2 cars

Started our own business

 

Yeah, its been a crazy year....

 

For your enjoyment....

 

Yes, that is a Ramen shower....

 

It's been one year... and the adventure is just as exciting as it was on day one.

 

I am excited to see what the coming year has to offer....

Happy Anniversary Brandon... I love you.

 

 

I got a brutal reminder this week of just how evil the world can be at times.  On Sunday morning I got a call from my Mom letting me know that my older brother's (Josh) "niece" was being rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.  The details did not really unfold until later in the day, and there are still many questions that are not answered, but the outcome of the story is painful regardless.  After 2 surgeries, her heart gave up and she went to be with Jesus.  They said that someone had brutally kicked in her abdomen, and fractured her scull, and the trauma and internal bleeding were beyond repair. 

As the details unfolded on Sunday, I found myself (and many, many others) begging that God would do a miracle, and spare her life.  So, when she didnt pull through I was very confused, and didn't know if I should just fall to my knees and weep and thank God for her life, or to shake my fist at Him and demand a reason why. 

I know it is selfish of me, but sometimes I don't want Jesus to come back for the church any time soon(it's rare, but I do think it sometimes) because there is still so much I want to experience, but this weekend was not one of those times.  I found myself wishing that He would have come on Saturday night, so the it would have spared the family this grief.  I didn't even know her that well, I think I had only seen her twice, but the overwhelming feeling of grief still came over me as if I was losing someone very close to me. It could be because I know how it is effecting Ashley (my brother's fiancee) and my brother, as well as Ashley's family, but I also equally think I reacted the way I did because she was just a child, the most innocent of all God's creation.  Her life was just beginning, and I don't understand how anyone could do that to a child, let alone to their own flesh and blood. 

This post is more of a way for me to collect my thoughts and help move forward.  This situation has weighed heavily on me all week, and I feel paralized because I cannot do anything to help with the grieving process.  So, the only thing I can do is pray.  I would ask you to join me in that too.  Pray for Josh and Ashley, for the Clarke and Baker families and for wisdom and discernment for the police that they can find who did this to her.

So, this post is dedicated to Taylor.  Even though she only lived 3 short years, she will continue to touch the lives of people for many years to come.  I know that for me personally it has given me a deeper appreciation and love for the people around me....

 

-jen