June 30th

There are 365 days in a year....sometimes 366....and every single day marks an icon for either a positive or negative memory for someone out there. June 30th marks a positive day for Amanda and Chris who celebrate their first anniversary together and also for Josh who celebrates his birthday....Celebrations shared on the same day that is also filled with sadness and grief. Today marks the second anniversary of the death of Aaron Kyle Cooper and although we celebrate that we know he his in Heaven, there is still such a loss. I just wanted to publically say how grateful I am for the Cooper's profound message of hope that they proclaim even when I'm sure it is so very difficult to bare at times. They have distantly given me strength and encouragement through my own grief giving me a godly example of perseverance, courage and strength. Memories of Aaron stay fresh and will never be forgotten.

So, CONGRATULATIONS to Amanda and Chris!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Josh!
And SEE YOU AGAIN to Aaron! Take care of my Zachary and see you soon!

What is that stuff anyways?

I often play these little games like "If you were an animal, you would be a...", "If you were a color....", "If you were a car..."....They pass the time and are very entertaining. I've decided that if I could choose the material of which I was made that I would like to be made from the stuff that ear plugs are made of. Is that weird? Well, think about it....you can smush them down and twist it and it doesn't appear to be affected. I made it as small as I could and eventually it just popped right back to original form. I'm fascinated by this. Even when they accidentally make their way to the washing machine and dryer....they just get bigger....I think they might still be usable! This made me think of that verse that talks about being "troubled on every side..." Essentially, it is the same thing that happens to the ear plug....but being smushed and temporarily distorted doesn't keep it from doing it's job. In fact, the temporary "discomfort" equips it to better do its job....And, I don't think we should use exterior circumstances as an excuse to keep us from doing our job either because God often uses these times in our lives to grow us up and enable and equip us better to serve Him. Here's the verse: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and NOT to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." 2 Corinthians 4:7-11. Maybe today you feel defeated. Let me encourage you to follow example of the ear plug (that sounds silly) and don't forget to "pop" back up! Take advice from the verses that follow in that same chapter: "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory BEYOND all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." Sometimes, this life offers some "uncomfortable" circumstances...but I guess what I am trying to say can be summed up with a quote by one of my favorite authors, "But on that day when you and I have the finish line in view, ready to cross that tape and complete the race, we'll understand that our CHARACTER was infinitely more important than our comfort."