A more careful examination of the biblical text offers an important insight. The broader context shows that the blessings and bruises believers experience must be understood as part of the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. We may not understand why a person was taken from us in this life, but by faith we can have the assurance that all life experiences work together to make us more like Jesus Christ

When you are broken down...on life support...One breath at a time...to simply survive...When you think you have experienced a living hell...trying to triage all at once...put out 10 fires at a time...tourniquet everyone at once...While holding on for dear life.....One breath at a time...One moment...One day at a time...

When the day comes and you realize you survived...you are breathing and  alive...it feels like a million miles....you can only look up and see the water at the top....she the beams of light from above...One breath...moment ... day at a time...you count every little blessing....

As I write this...I pause to turn Pandora on...from earlier station...and Wind Beneath My Wings is playing---

My heart sinks! I confirm date..as I've tried to avoid any thought

10\26-11/1

Lord, please give me the strength, grace, and focus I need during these next 7 days....

Dear Mom, Happy Birthday. I know you are celebrating in heaven with all our loved ones. I miss all of You here on earth! Love Always and Forever, your Sunshine, PT, Tall Person...

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your bother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Feeling so thankful, so grateful, so happy in this moment! Yes I am only in this very moment even if it's brief, with very steady focus.... I am! Mom, I know you are smiling down! I know each step I am taking, your right by my side and every breath I am taking, your taking with me!! Our spoken and unspoken connection/promise to one another and what family means to "us,"--will never die!! Will remain alive-- Through you, for you, through me, for "your," family, for "our," family--through all of your grandchildren!!

I can't believe all that we have been through, all that we have overcome, all the calamity/Tragedy/FIRE!! I can't believe how far we have come!!! It seems sooo surreal!! At times I almost can't believe I survived IT!! In my heart I knew I would- there was no alternative! But at times the light felt soooo far awayyyy!!!!!!!!! I thank GOD each day!! We continue to grow and evolve and heal and love and forgive and thrive and prosper....Oh MOM, how much WE loveeeeee and miss you!!!!! Together forever, earth and heaven, every breath I take, we take together......