What a long few weeks it has been.
I had my garage sale April 25 and 26 and it went so well! I made over $600! I couldn’t have done it without all the help of my dear friends who let me borrow tables, donated items, bought lunch, made me breakfast and lent me their garage. I am so blessed by so many friends, thank you for being a part of my life!
The week before the garage sale I was organizing items, I loaded the van up again and again and AGAIN (shout out to my beastly momma and my dad who helped so much!). We picked up donations and organized everything in the garage as it poured rain and hailed.
So between work, my childcare appreciation dinner, garage sale prep, the garage sale, garage sale clean up, my brother’s friends over for dinner Friday night, my brothers play Friday night, a dead car battery, my brother’s play Saturday afternoon, family night, church, my brother’s Eagle Scout Court Of Honor, my older brother in town for 4 hours and Sunday dinner as a family, I was excited to rest on Sunday night and the few days after.
April 27, Sunday. The night I would finally be able to sit on my bum and not move. Sleep. Have nothing to do. April 27, Sunday, the night tornado’s hit in Arkansas. April 27, Sunday, the night we hid in our bathroom as the tornado was reported to be right by our house, April 27, Sunday, the night my family and our home was spared, but so many others weren’t as fortunate. Sunday night was spent making sure friends were okay, while hearing about friends who lost everything.
One family, a sweet family who I home schooled with my whole life and who are co-workers of my parents lost everything. Unfortunately not just their house was destroyed, but life as they knew it was destroyed as well when the dad and two daughters (20 and 14) were killed.
Shock. Denial. Grief. Tears.
My calm week was gone the moment the tornadoes hit.
I was in a sort of a funk all week. I was unproductive. I didn’t do anything that I needed to do.
Then Friday came. I was unprepared for the emotions that overcame me the minute I walked into the church for the funeral. Seeing three caskets was devastating. I never want to see three caskets ever again. The service was beautiful, the gospel was preached, tears were inevitable. The name of the Lord was praised.
Friday afternoon was spent at a storage unit facility, helping our other friends organize what was recovered from the rubble that once was their home. It was overwhelming, heartbreaking and messy. These friends found their neighbors’ pictures in what once was their bathroom. They have no idea where their ping-pong table is. HOW DOES A PING-PONG TABLE JUST DISSAPEAR? Tornado’s are so powerful. Our other friend had something of theirs found 80 miles from their home. 80 MILES.
Saturday. Chaos.
Sunday. Calmer.
Monday. Started to get out of my funk. Started to be productive. Started to finally get things done.
Tuesday. Today.
I slept in this morning, what a joy. I woke up and checked Facebook, it was then that I received more devastating news. My dear, sweet World Race teammate Anastasia died Monday night in a car accident.
Tears. Frustration.
I never got to meet her in person, I would have in 11 days. Its weird to think I was so close with someone I have only talked to online, but it is the truth. The first time she ever messaged me she said “Girlfriend, I just noticed you are almost 50% funded! WAY TO GO! I’m so far from that, please share your secrets!!!!” It made me laugh and I knew instantly we would be friends. Anastasia had the biggest smile, you could tell everyone loved her and you could tell she loved Jesus with all her heart.
A few days later she Facebooked me again asking to help her with gear. Guys, She. Was. Hilarious. I read each message and laughed and laughed and kept thinking how lucky I was to be able to spend a year with her on the Race.
As I read the message this morning tears were shed.
Tears of sadness.
Tears of shock.
Tears of frustration.
As the day went on more tears were shed. I would cry and then think I was finally done, only to cry again a few minutes later. If my grief was this great and I only knew her for a few months, I can’t imagine the grief of her family and friends.
Later on my tears became tears of joy. Anastasia loved Jesus, it was obvious. How wonderful it must be to be sitting next to Jesus at this moment.
My World Race squad is incredible. I wish each of you knew the fabulous people I get to live and serve with for a year. Today has made me love them even more. Ideas of how we can honor Anastasia and “carry her with us” on our trip have been flowing and it makes me SO PROUD to be on the F Squad. The people have become family and for that I am so thankful.
F Squad is strong. I’m so happy to be a part of this team. Anastasia, you will be missed. But we know you are sitting next to Jesus… and that gives me great relief and joy. I know sweet Anastasia will be cheering F Squad on from Jesus’ side.
Anastasia’s story is not over, I know that. So much good will come from her life, so much good is already coming from her life. The Lord has used her life for His good. Please be praying for the Sloan family and for her friends. Please pray for F Squad as we mourn the loss of a friend and teammate.
