Salt Lake Airport

We have started our adventure to the great Mid West...at least I'm hoping for greatness. Greatness in relationships, relaxation and fun! We do, however, start our journey with heavy hearts. We found out yesterday that our friend Sandy passed away. Steven works with her husband Marshall and spent most the day at their house yesterday as emotional support for Marshall as he dealt with police officers, the coroner and other formalities. I'm not sure if I have blogged about Sandy before, but I have definitely shared about her with many of my friends and family.

Sandy and Marshall moved to Tri Cities about the same time we did. Steven has been working with Marshall for the past three years out at Hanford. Right after moving here, Sandy had an episode where she basically stopped breathing and had to be induced into a coma. Ever since then, she has been on oxygen and was deemed terminal. I think she had enfezema, a very advanced form. I went over there a few times last summer and helped her clean and organize. She tired easily, but never let that slow her down. We would go on double dates with them to Sherri's, bowling and out to Chinese food or movies. Really, I think we are their closest friends in Tri Cities.

For being terminally ill, Sandy was full of life. She would tell jokes and laugh at everything. It was hard for her being cooped up in the house & when I would come over she would just talk, talk and talk. She was young, maybe mid forties. She was a Grandma and always liked to show off the latest present she was sending her grand babies. She fed squirrels off her deck and was a Netflix guru. Steven and I enjoyed spending time with her and Marshall and loving on them. Last summer, I had spent an entire afternoon at her house as she showed me all the projects she wanted to do (but didn't have the energy for). Afterwards, she called me and left the longest message ever about how she probably bored me to death and if I didn't ever call or come over again she would totally understand. She felt so undeserving of my friendship.

It breaks my heart as I write this. Sandy read The Case for Faith & we think she might also have The Case for Christ. Her and Marshall are vocal agnostics, yet curious too. I don't know exactly where she was in her spiritual journey, except that on some level she was searching - or at least interested. I know that God is sovereign, I know He loves Sandy and Marshall, and I know He has a plan.

It's a lot to process before vacation. And it's probably good for us to process on vacation. There is so much going on right now it is perfect timing to step back and evaluate. So that we can come back refreshed and with renewed energy for life. And with extra love and a servant's heart to love on Marshall.

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