Sad Day

Today was a very sad day. It started out with some of my coworkers and I going to our Title 1 Teacher Janine's boyfriend's funeral in Lawrence. He was 30 years old and just died Saturday without warning....the day after he and Janine had decided exactly when and how they were going to get married. She is my age (29) and we were both at K-State at the same time, so although I have only known her since I started working at Ridgeview, I feel a bond with her. She and her boyfriend had been living together for 2 years but since they weren't married there are no legal ties now. His family has not been great to her either and that has made things even harder. The funeral was very nice, though and Janine did an amazing job of sharing about her love for Craig. I sobbed.
So then I went back to school where the counselor had decided to tell the 6th grade students and was having them making cards for Janine. I took a minute to check my e-mail and noticed one from Justin that said that one of his co-workers who was due about 3 weeks before us had miscarried and that they were at the hospital. Again, my heart sunk. She was 17-18 weeks pregnant and would have been able to find out what she was having in just a week.
My heart is just so sad. It is these times when I truly long for heaven, where there will be no more pain or heartbreak or worry. When we truly can exchange our ashes for beauty.......

Isaiah 61

The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^[a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.