Two Years Since Our Last (Earthly) Goodbye

As my grandmother's passing approached its February 18 two-year mark this week, her life and her death have frequently been on my mind. She loved selflessly and deeply to the very end. Her last words were directed toward Squish: "I love you too." 

May we never forget to thank our Lord for the time we had with her on this earth. I pray that someday I will see her again, where death has no power and all of our tears are wiped away. 

Roses from her memorial service, where we comforted one another and shared precious memories of her kindness, snarky attitude, and giving spirit.

Those roses are still in my room, and serve as a sweet reminder of the precious grandmother we had. 

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."

Revelation 21:1-6 (English Standard)

February Reflections: School, Singles Awareness Day, and Miscellaneous Memories

Aha, I'm actually following through on my "goal" to post something once a month! (Ignore that this is only the second month of the year)

Okay, so I'm in the middle of studying right now -- drafting a discovery plan for a hypothetical divorce, and it is a beast, so I'm actually procrastinating -- and decided now would be a good a time as any to post some reflections on this past month...

First, school has started again (I can't believe I'm halfway through my second-to-last term!) and, thankfully, my post-break blues are wearing off so I only have moderate senioritis. In other words, God has been gracious and helped me to be able to focus and get assignments done on time. 

Second, since it is February and -- I supposed -- duty demands it, Valentines Day happened. Here is where any readers discover I'm single (haha). However, contrary to many individuals' feelings of the day raising awareness of their singleness, while I felt kind of sad about not getting free flowers or dairy free chocolate, I was not bothered or "made more aware" of my singleness. When Paul wrote about single people using their singleness to promote a single-minded focus on Christ, he knew what he was talking about. While I'm not perfect, and do sometimes struggle with fears of being eternally single, I really want to take this time to grow more in my relationship with Christ and his people, serve the church, and get to know and minister to (and be ministered to by) my peers at our new church. Also, I selfishly like being independent, and having a significant other does limit such independence...

 My grandparents on New Year's Eve (sorry, I know it's not from February - but they are so sweet).

 The side of the front desk that clients don't see. The "Farside" comic has an interviewer with a puppet in his hand saying "Mr. Whiskers always comes with me on interviews." It is amusing.

 "Poppi" and The Chunk at church...The Chunk (1) fell asleep on Poppi and it was very cute.

 Saturdays spent at coffee shops with coffee (although I am NOT addicted to it anymore!), Family Law, and Organizational Business Law. 

Nicole and I went to a folk dance several weeks ago, and it was fun watching her dance (I danced too, but not during this dance)! She's a super cute dancer... 

 The heavens declare his glory!

 Clari and Cowboy got a house! And it's only ten minutes away! Squish (4) and The Chunk were "helping" Clari move a box. Clari asked for help, and The Chunk promptly climbed on top of the box, waiting for a ride.

 Squish loves SnapChat and snuggling. 

 And making silly faces. 💗

 What is a post without a bowl of dairy free ice cream? ...Just that.

 The Chunk and his daddy, Strong Ox. 

This is how I usually feel while watching the Super Bowl. This year, however, while I didn't know what was going on during the game, I rooted for the Eagles! Not because I knew how well they played, but because the quarter back, Nick Foles, goes to Liberty University Online (just like me!) and he and other players are Christians!

Anyways, I must return to my studies, but can now check writing a blog post off my February "to-do" list.

Hold fast to Jesus!

Sonia