While it seems I've been "away"...

A quick update:
My grandmother died on February 24th. While I'm thankful her suffering only lasted 12 days, we're learning to live here without her, and I miss her. I keep glancing at the photo that I last posted here, and her smile is comforting to me. Comforting because I KNOW she's now walking with Jesus and indeed smiling in an eternal heaven. That is, indeed, comforting to me!

Her celebration of life and burial was February 28th. That weekend was filled with special moments and visits with friends and family, and and I remain thankful for that time. Aside from these special times during the loss of a loved one, we have these moments in which to look forward. It remains a blessing, along with the comfort of knowing that she knew our Lord and Savior, and that she rests in heaven!

Then we had a birthday to celebrate. Caroline turned 14 on March 3rd. I know it's a cliche, but "where does the time go?" I thank God, also for my precious daughter and for all the times we have had with her. I can't believe it's already been 14 years, but at the same time, I can't believe it's only been 14 years!

Mom came to visit the day of Caroline's birthday, and she stayed with us for a week. We had a great visit, and I was thankful that she opted to take some time away from home and spend it with us. While she was here, she was able to catch a lacrosse game of Reid's and a softball scrimmage of Caroline's. Because she has been the caregiver to my grandmother for 3 years, the available times to catch these games were few and far between. It's now bittersweet, but she will now be more available to see such things as this. In fact, she's coming back in May to see two chorus concerts.

Then there was some time spent playing catch-up and plan for a catering job for 70 people. I'll spare all the details, however I will add that I had some tremendous assistance in preparation for this first, official catering job, and last night was a great success! (I'll have to post some photos of that event.)

Lastly, I began this blog under "marina turmoil." However, I can now announce that Joel and I are now and again, "happy" (used loosely) marina owners. Joel has been spending the past month, 3 days a week, turning the marina back into good-working order. This requires physical labor in getting the grounds cleaned up, administrative work in collecting past-due balances and the like, plus much mental labor in sorting through it all. This all happened the week my grandmother's health took a turn for the worse. (Joel had returned from Alabama on Wednesday night, and on Thursday morning, February 12th, I was to begin collection calls. Needless to say, I haven't yet had the time to do that, however it all starts tomorrow (Monday, March 16th).

Joel and I are traveling to Alabama tomorrow to spend 3 days. (It's my turn now to be indoctrinated into this mess.) My priority will be getting the office into "ship-shape" (excuse the pun), but I'm sure Joel has his priorities for me as well. I will let you all know.

None of this, except for Caroline's birthday, is how I would have written this story - my grandmother's and ours with the marina. But I put my trust, hope and faith in an ever-living, ever-present God, and I know that He has nothing but the best planned out for us. I walk this road with Him beside me. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans for hope and for a future." Jeremiah 29;11

May God richly bless you all as we endure the calamities of this world.
In Christ's loving arms,
Elizabeth