Remembering a Life

Today I learned that a friend from high school passed away. She was actually a sister of a friend I graduated with, but I did play JV softball with her in about 10th grade. I didn't know her well at all, but I am sure I exchanged several words with her on occassion. I always remember thinking what a great figure she had and how tan she was and how she had it all going for her. She was so brilliant at softball. She was the pitcher. She had great teeth, a lovely smile, and such a sweet personality.

She was 25 when she died yesterday in a boating accident in the Rappahanock river. Reports are saying that the boat hit a channel marker at 35mph and was instantly damaged. She must have been thrown out of the boat (though I don't really know) and hit water as they found her 10 hours later at the bottom of the river. The other 9 people (one, who was her fiance) were injured and are currently at VCU and Walter Reed Medical Centers.

Please pray for their families. I don't know them and I don't even know Mandy, who was a 5th grade teacher at Longan Elementary School in Henrico County, but I know they are heartbroken and devastated and need your blessings.

I am reminded of God's goodness from a simple Joyce Meyer quote I read today:

"For years I did not exercise my rights and priveleges as a child of God. Although I was a Christian and believed I would go to heaven when I died, I did not know that anything could be done about my past, present, or future. I had a poor self-image, and it affected my day-to-day living, as well as my outlook for the future.

Accept God's love for you and make that love the basis for your love and acceptance of yourself. Receive His affirmation, knowing that you are changing and becoming all that He desires you to be. Then start enjoying yourself-where you are-on your way to full spirtual maturity."

What a great word from Joyce Meyer to model our lives. It is sad that it sometimes takes someone dying to remember the many things we forget and lose along our walk...

July 4th Eve

Well, it's the Eve of the 4th, my favorite holiday, and here I sit after a long day. My zit's nearly gone - thank God. This week was really great with all the "goings on." I thank everyone for coming out to Isaac's graduation and for people who traveled near AND far. It was as good as I could have hoped.

Today we spent the day with Cindy (Isaac's mom) - went to Old Town Alexandria and ate at Cosi. Not sure why we traveled all the way THERE to go to Cosi, but we had some other agenda items in store for that area so that is where we ended up. I love Cosi. Have you ever been there? It's cute and quaint and they have EVERYTHING - including a barista AND a bar. You can stand in a specific line for what you want -- salad, sandwhich, soup, pizza - it's great. I believe they have a fireplace too and tables with high-back chairs, which make you look and feel comfortable. It has a dimlit edge to it, too.

A visit to a favorite winery we did go and here's a shot. It's right in front of the grape rows (is that what you're supposed to call them?), which is kind of cool. The owner took it.



Here's a few more shots of Carrie and me doing sparklers late tonight. She made us dinner (grilled marinade chicken and pineapple with corn on the cob followed by a 3-ton trifle). It was DEE-LISH.





Carrie's Mater


Carrie's flowers


Everything about today screamed summer. After doing sparklers (how nerdy is this) we sat for a minute looking up at the stars and just talked into the cool chill of the night discovering that both our favorite holidays include the 4th.

Let freedom ring!