Symphony, harmony, testimony...

This morning on the way to work, I noted the temperature as I have for the last several days; I remembered the temperature THAT day, 27 degrees. I have noted the sunset; her note said she waited til the sun went down. All the haunting, memories I need to keep processing. And these few days before the second anniversary, somehow God brings harmony out of that. I switched the radio channel to hear " I wish you were here" and see a black Jeep. The song ( I need to figure out the title and artist) is from the perspective of a believer already gone, now walking streets of gold and someday the listener would join in the wonder. With a lump in my throat and stinging in my eyes, I next hear "You are my strong tower" and another black Jeep. And then, MercyMe singing "Homesick" and another black Jeep . I don't understand Your ways but I believe.

Today God created a little symphony for me. I know the next few days will be hard. Pete and I are going to spend March 2nd, celebrating with our friends in Kalamazoo MI (See blogs from September 17 and 22, 2006). Their daughter Nikki died just five months ago tragically with her fiancee. Nikki is going to have the art show she always dreamed of and we are going to be part of that. Ironic, coincident, God, that the date is March 2nd. Four parents acknowledging together how lucky we were to have had our girls...

I am trusting that we will be "Held" though this anniversary. (Thank you, Jammie, for the beautiful picture!) Katie, here with the twins and the Michel kids, will be supported by good friends, here at the house. And this might be a good place to say that I am proud of the measures Katie continues to make to build her life. One year ago, she was in a bad place, almost the worst I could imagine, but she is working hard to rebuild her life. Our communication is solid, the twins, a joy to have here and the Michel kids are a bright light to all of us. God knows the story; I pray for those who have been so hurt in this chapter that God heals their hearts without crushing hers.

Where would we all be if Laurie were alive today? I don't know. For me, I could hug and encourage her in her dreams. Laurie would have met nephews, Reece and Rylan, and niece, Kylie Laura. We would laugh and weep together. Her testimony, her words "The greatest thing I have is the promise that Jesus was born and that He died for my sins so that I can one day join Him in heaven." is enough to carry me.