I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while-I will do that in detail later.
I would like to ask for your prayers regarding a beautiful young Christian wife and mother and her ongoing battle with cancer. Suzie Graves (or as I call her Miss Suzie) is someone I have so much respect and love for. Not only was her family incredibly supportive to mine during our move from Atlanta, but she has continued to provide strength and love for all of us, especially for Marissa who still lives there. She is the epitome of a lady, and is such a fantastic example to all of us who desire families of our own someday. My heart breaks for her husband Shane and their 4 girls-the oldest girls, twins Emily and Caitlin, are only 18, the same as my sister Kaitlin. This situation puts everything in perspective. It reminds me of our loving God and Savior, and our hope of eternal life with Him without pain and heartache. We are so blessed regardless of circumstance-young and old, rich and poor, healthy and ailing. Please pray for Miss Suzie and her family-may the Lord's will be done.
I know I haven't updated in more than a year, but I've been busy and today warrants an update. Our family has had our share of crises during the last year-the move to Virginia, my grandmother losing her mind, me and my various issues with medications (those of you who know me best understand what all that entails), I lost my job and haven't found another one in going on 5 months, etc... It's been challenging, to say the least.
Everyone probably knows about this, but if not, Marissa's car was stolen last Friday from the carport behind our old house at the Embry Hills church building. They caught the guy, who was drunk and decided to pick up a chick that night, then dumped the car when it ran out of gas. She just got it back yesterday and unfortunately was in a bad wreck tonight and totaled it. It wasn't her fault-a guy in the left lane decided he wanted to turn into a parking lot on the right side of the road and turned without braking in front of her-she plowed into his passenger side. Her airbag deployed and the seatbelt caught her, but it's causing her a lot of pain. They thought they'd take her to the hospital, but the EMTs checked her out and said she was fine-after the shock wears off on her body tomorrow, they'll decide if she still needs to go from the bad pain. Apparently she wasn't meant to have that car.
Earlier I found out from Kaitlin that on her way to school this morning, a kid in a Chevy truck rear-ended her while at a red light. It cracked her bumper and dented the back of the car including the trunk. It's enough damamge to need body work done on it, so she'll be without a car for a while, too. WHAT ELSE?!?! I've decided I don't want to drive anymore and will get a horse and buggy for transportation-hey, it's definitely more economical due to the high gas prices, not to mention safer. It would be my luck, though, that the horse would go beserk and trample me or something. Guess that wouldn't work after all-at least I tried.
The situation with my grandmother is quickly getting worse-she's almost completely lost her mind and gets more combative every day. She's mostly bed-bound and can't walk. Everyday's a battle.
And I still haven't found a job yet, so this is going on the fifth month without an income-which means I'm needing help in that department, in turn making my family's situation worse. Thankfully neither wreck was the girls' fault, so insurance should cover damage but not enough to replace Marissa's car.
We're so thankful God took care of them and nothing worse happened. I didn't think I could admire my parents' more after watching them deal with each crisis by deepening their faith in God and each other, but they continue to awe me with their optimism and love for God. If I am blessed enough to have half of their marriage and love for each other I'll die one happy girl. Isn't God amazing?! We've had our share of difficulties, but we've never been closer-I of all people don't deserve God's love but through His grace, I have the privilege of knowing He's taking care of me and my family, no matter what. We'd never have gotten through this without Him-it's as simple as that.
Please continue to pray for us-prayers don't have expiration dates and we need all we can get. Thank you to those who have supported us along the way-you can't put a price on the love of family and friends.
your family probably has the worst luck of any family i know. i love all of you so much and i'm glad everyone is okay! the next to last paragraph is so true! i know a lot of people admire all of you! your parents are amazing and they've raised ya'll to be the same! i hope things start getting better fast! :)
I knew about marissa but had no clue about kaitlin! you might do well to ride a bike for a while or something! i STILL need your cell number... you're in my prayers and have been for... well, forever! i hope everything works out for you soon... i know it's tough.
